CLUB VISITS
I have now visited 18 clubs and can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed each one: hopefully the sentiment is reciprocated...!  I have always enjoyed visiting other Clubs be it at Charters or just one-off visits but then don't really give you a true picture of a Club's activities.  Now I arrive with a Club brief from the Group DAG and have the opportunity to discuss and find out more about the many and diverse projects undertaken by the Clubs in our District.  The high level of commitment shown so far fully justifies the frequently rapturous reports submitted by the DAGs!

Having, in the previous Newsletter, put in the plea for visit dates I can now report there are now only four Clubs still to respond and they know who they are...!

COMMUNICATIONS
At the time of writing this my computer has thrown a wobbly and is receiving a bit of TLC in the hands of someone a touch more computer literate than me so if I have failed to respond to an e-mail recently I apologise and can but ask you try voice, fax or even snail mail! I know our Web-site still indicates PDG Richard Long as the DG but I have been unable to access the site to redress this and am awaiting the return of our Communications Chairman to effect some much-needed amendments.

MEMBERSHIP
Club Presidents - please let me have details of all new members inducted since 1st July in order I may offer my congratulations on them having made a life-enhancing decision, not only by embracing Rotary International and all it represents, but also in joining what is undoubtedly both the best and most effective District in RIBI.

GSE TEAM
By the time you read this, the selection of Team Leader for our GSE Team going out to Kenya next April will have been chosen. What we still require are suitable candidates from which to choose this team and this is up to Clubs to actively search for and subsequently recommend them to Rtn Stuart Leyland.

DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS We have now held our first meeting and I have to say how disappointed I was regarding the poor attendance. Only 30 of our 49 Clubs sent representatives despite my request to Club Presidents to ensure their members were represented at the one meeting where their input is very necessary if decisions taken are to be fair reflection of the Districts membership.  It will be no use grumbling over decisions taken if you don't attend and put forward your Club's views on pertinent matters.  There was also a marked absence of certain District Officers which creates difficulties should attendees wish to direct questions at them!

Notwithstanding all this, I was pleased with the level of interest demonstrated by those who did attend and I hope the new format will encourage a better attendance next time.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2005
Numbers to date are disappointing although it is not too late to register for what promises to be an event not to be missed. I appreciate Southport is (for some) a long way to go and (again for some!) lacks the appeal (?) of Scarborough (next year) but your support for what is YOUR Conference would be appreciated.

AND FINALLY.....
There is an urgent need to replenish the stocks of Aquaboxes ! Recent disasters have used up all the Aquaboxes that were available and the demand for more is still there! Please consider funding a box, preferably one full of filters.

There is an excellent D1270 produced CD on Foundation that is available via the District Foundation Chairman. This CD has gone out to other Districts who have been unanimous in their praise over how effective it is in explaining what Foundation is all about to Club members. If you haven’t already then now is the time to avail yourself of this excellent aid.

When did YOU (if you already have) last introduce a new member into your Club? Someone at sometime obviously thought you would make a good Rotarian so surely you in turn must know some like-minded person who would appreciate the satisfaction to be gained by becoming a member of the best Club in the District! I refer, of course to YOUR Club!

Don't forget there is a Membership Seminar ad Hatfields Inn. Hatfield (Near Thorne) on Saturday 5th November starting at 9.30am and finishing at 1.00pm.  Make sure your Club is represented.

And finally remember Rotary should be FUN!  But with a purpose.