Happy New Year!  And welcome to the 2016-2017 Rotary year.

 
We are privileged to be led this year by a passionate Rotarian in Rotary International President John Germ from Tennessee and be guided by the Rotary theme this year Rotary Serving Humanity.  This theme is a reminder of our true calling as Rotarians, to serve others in our communities, local and around the world.  Check out some more about this inspiring Rotary leader in the July 2016 Rotarian magazine and on My Rotary on the Rotary.org site here.
 
On behalf of the Rotarians of District 5360, we thank Martin Harvey for his leadership, vision and passion as our Governor this past year.  Martin has been a tremendous support to me and it is my honour and privilege to follow in his footsteps.
 
July is, of course, the start of the Rotary year for all Club and District officers.  It’s an exciting time for the newly minted Club Presidents and their Boards as they set their Club goals and priorities.  To support the Clubs and our member Rotarians, we are privileged to have the support of a great District team of dedicated and enthusiastic Rotarians.  One of the newest appointments is Tony Knight, Rotary Club Calgary West, who will lead the District Membership Development team this year.
 
When RI President John shared RI’s priorities for this year, it was apparent to me that these elements were just as vitally important to every one of our Clubs and to the District as a whole:
  • Membership development: both retaining and engaging Rotarians plus attracting new helping hands, willing hearts, and bright minds to join with us;
  • Celebrating and supporting The Rotary Foundation in this 100th Anniversary year to continue to Do Good in the World, including the continued quest to eradicate polio;
  • Continue to nurture and develop strategic partnerships in carrying out our good work.
Your own community and the world needs more Rotary and Rotaract and Interact.  It needs all of us to be the best we can be in our Rotary walk.  The District leadership team is there to support every Club and every Rotarian in their efforts.
Thank you for what you do for Rotary.
 
Neil
 
Neil Berg
Rotary International
District 5360 Governor
Rotary Club of Red Deer East
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
(403) 302-1552