District Governor Mark Chipman started his presentation by referring to Rotary International President Holger Knaack's theme for the 2020-2021 Rotary Year -- Rotary Opens Opportunities.  Rotarians need to seize opportunities that Rotary offers to enrich our lives and the communities we serve.  Rotary is an invitation to endless opportunities.  If Rotary is to realize its proper destiny, it must be evolutionary at all times, revolutionary on occasion.
 
Mark introduced us to Assistant District Governor, Brenda Hellyer from the Picton Club.  The Rotary Club of Belleville, Wellington Rotary Club, Trenton Rotary Club and Cobourg Rotary Club are under her umbrella.  Rotary's plan for the next five years is to:
  • Increase our impact - people of action are effective problem solvers
  • Expand our reach -  people of action activate and inspire one another
  • Enhance participant engagement - people of action strive to understand the needs of others
  • Increase our ability to adapt - people of action are inventive, entrepreneurial and resilient
District 7070 consists of 54 Rotary Clubs with 1,902 active members, 11 Rotaract Clubs and 13 Interact Clubs.  The largest age demographic is 70+ and the second largest demographic are Rotarians 60+.  The District has developed four strategic directions -- do more together, use clear and consistent messaging, build awareness of and pride in the Rotary Brand and help Clubs take meaningful action.  The Rotary family is growing and members are closely aligned with the demographics of our communities.  Our Clubs more fully utilize the skills and resources of their members, other Clubs and the District to better engage and serve our communities.  District 7070 remains a North American leader in support of the Rotary Foundation with more clubs accessing Foundation grants and programs.
 
Each of the four strategic directions have an action plan laid out including facilitating cluster meetings and joint club meetings where the Rotary family comes together, creating common messaging for clubs to use when communicating externally, profile different projects on the website to raise awareness, host forums for new members to meet and learn more about Rotary, create a district diversity, equity and inclusion committee to better reflect our communities, establish pathways to leadership positions and opportunities within District 7070.
 
And lastly, Mark presented three (3) Super Hero Awards highlighting the commitment, dedication and superheroic spirit to uphold the ideals of doing good in the world.  Presented to Cory MacKay, Susan Finkle and Chris Finkle, now officially declared as a Rotary Hero.