Submitted by: Debra Warner, District Governor
 
Greetings Rotarians, Rotaractors and Family of Rotary,
During the Holiday season, we become more conscious of our family and focus on what we can do to spend quality time with them.  Many clubs will have Holiday parties and invite their family members.  Often, in Rotary, we see our life priorities as family, work and then Rotary.  However, I am recommending that we do all we can as Rotarians to incorporate our family into Rotary activities and not isolate the two from one another.  
 
Younger people often say that they find it difficult to join Rotary because it competes with their family life.  Our District Governor Elect Blaine Johnson has written an article “TOGETHER IS BETTER -  MAKING FAMILY A PRIORTY IN ROTARY”.  Be sure to read his article in this newsletter!
 
So, who is the family of Rotary?  Yes, it is our immediate family and extended family but goes far beyond that.  We need to remember that fellow club members, Youth Exchange Students and their families, Interactors, Rotaractors, RYLArians and Rotary Alumni (i.e., Group Study Exchange, Peace Scholars, Global Scholars, Ambassadorial Scholar) to name a few must all be considered as our Rotary Family.  Because membership is so important, it is important to cultivate current and past relationships and remember that many Rotarians began their Rotary life by participating in some Rotary program.  I would like to see a concerted effort to reach out to past participants of our programs.  I am looking for a District Alumni Chair to help with this effort.  Please contact me at debrawarner13@gmail.com if you would like to help!
 
Over the years, I have had several opportunities to see just how beautiful the family of Rotary is in this district.   I was in India on a Friendship Exchange with several Rotarians and their spouses.  Maria Hudolin from the Rotary Club of Thunder Bay Port Arthur was very blessed to share this experience with her husband Jack and her niece Krista Logozzo who is also a Rotarian in Maria’s club.  I went on a project in Guatemala with Nicki Ness Bergland and Dani Ness Arnold who are sisters and members of the Rotary Club of Fargo West (their parents are members too!), Warren Bender and his sister Gayle Wahner from the Superior Rotary Club and John Johnson from the FMAM Club, his wife Donna and 2 of their children.  When we returned, Donna joined the FMPM club!   This month, I met Ann Ellis and Tom Dinndorf who are father and daughter Rotarians in the Rotary Club of Baudette.   Please see the article that Ann wrote about how she came to join Rotary!
 
I had so much joining the Interact Club and our District’s 13 Youth Exchange Students in Grand Rapids for a service project where cookies were made and then brought to a Nursing Home, a Homeless Shelter and a Mental Health Center.  Please see the article Eric Northard has written regarding a trip the Grand Rapids Interact Club took to Morocco to “Make a Difference”. 
 
Ed and I had a most joyous time at the Christmas Parade in Thunder Bay.  Fort William, Port Arthur and Lakehead Rotary Clubs have joined together for years to orchestrate this fantastic parade.  This year, there were over 50 floats!  After the parade, everyone is invited to an auditorium for hot chocolate, popcorn and of course Mr. and Mrs. Clause!  This is such a beautiful example of the family of Rotary!
 
Ed and I have visited all but 7 of our District clubs as of December 1st.  It has been an incredible journey; one that we will never forget!  However, when the “official visits” are completed, we will still have 6 months to visit clubs again when possible.  I am asking that clubs contact me with events that you have that we may be able attend and of course if you want some help with your club, I will be more than willing to return to your club.  Just let me know what I can do to help!  Ed and I wish everyone a blessed Holiday Season and we look forward to seeing many of you in the New Year!
 
Yours in Rotary,
 
Debra Warner
District Governor 2017-18