Photo – outgoing president Ian Thomson hands over the chain to David Fowler, pictured her on a bike at the National Motorcyle Museum. (photo by Ian Tennant Photo).
The new President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland has stressed the importance of community spirit during these troubled economic and morally depressed times.
David Fowler, whose term of office as President of the humanitarian organisation begins on 1st July 2009, aims to show that Rotary is as relevant and necessary to communities today as it was when it was founded just over 100 years ago, if not more so.
The former civil and structural engineer from near Malvern in Worcestershire, will lead 55,000 Rotarians in 1,845 clubs across Great Britain and Ireland and is urging more people to join their local clubs to help make a world of difference to communities at home and abroad.
David, a member of the Rotary Club of Edgbaston Convention, in Birmingham, said: “In these times when people are growing ever more despondent and disheartened, we need to pull together. Rotary offers the chance to build community spirit and give back the sense of belonging, which is sadly lacking in the world today.
“We are developing Rotary for the future and need fresh young thinkers to bring their ideas and dynamism to help change people’s lives, their own included.”
The new president continued: “I am greatly honoured to be leading Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland in the next year. During my presidency, we will be focusing on Rotary’s initiative to stamp out the crippling disease of polio from the world and we will be organising a whole host of events across Great Britain and Ireland to showcase our activities. We will also be supporting our environmental projects and I plan to plant a tree in every Rotary district I visit.”
“In addition I will be promoting our Youth Exchange programme which provides opportunities for young people to experience the world by meeting and living with families in other lands and cultures. Rotary also has an outstanding World Peace Scholar programme which I intend to highlight.”
David was inaugurated on Sunday 28th June at a special event at The National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull. More than 250 Rotarians attended the inauguration to welcome the new president.
Members of Rotary have the opportunity to support charities, schools, businesses, organisations and groups in their local communities as well as further afield, whilst having fun and making new friends.
To find out how you can join, visit www.ribi.org.
01/07/09
