DG Haresh’s November 2016 Message

I’m Haresh Ramchandani, District Governor of Rotary District 7020 Northern Caribbean. Well, October has come and gone and what a month it was!

Our District got hit with Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 Storm, which impacted the southern peninsula of Haiti, on 3rd & 4th of October, and affected 2.1 million people, of whom 1.4 million are in urgent humanitarian need. Haiti’s Centre of National Emergency Operations reported as of 13 October 2016; 546 dead, 128 missing and 439 injured. And More than 175,000 people are in temporary shelters.

Hurricane Matthew then moved over The Bahamas on the 6th of October 2016. Based on the reports received, hundreds of roofs were lost. Clean water was also an issue but has been resolved.

We had several people offering support and contributions from around the world. The District Disaster Committee was setup and went to work right away. Rotarians in Haiti and The Bahamas rose to the challenge and truly highlighted our motto “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”. Our efforts to date have been in roofing repairs for homes & schools, as well as assistance in healthcare.

We will continue to help our communities and friends as we strengthen their Economic and community development, our theme for October.

This brings me to November: Rotary Foundation Month. OUR 4 star, 100% rated Foundation, as announced by Charity Navigator. OUR Foundation celebrates 100 years of Doing good in the world. How are you celebrating it? Several clubs are doing Public Image initiatives & Special Dinners. We have over 200 registered for Atlanta at the Rotary International Convention June 10-14. And We have over 400+ registered for the District Cruise Conference May 15-19.

Through The Rotary Foundation and our partners we truly are THIS CLOSE to eradicating Polio, President John’s #1 Priority. The internet was lit up on World Polio Day on Oct 24 as across the globe awareness grew to new heights. Rotary is at the forefront of this historical achievement. And it is because of Rotarians like you, who have contributed and helped. And for that I thank you.
Let’s use November to continue the awareness of our Foundation; of our effort to eradicate Polio; and in continuing to do good in the world.

 

Haresh L. Ramchandani
District Governor
Rotary District 7020