Yves Fecteau
District Governor 2008-2009

Make Dreams Real

July 2008

It is with much enthusiasm and pride that I undertake today my mandate as District Governor of district 7790 and I thank you all for your trust.

Claire and I are looking forward to meet you and have the opportunity to know you better.

The year is barely beginning and I already realize that, fortunately, our District leadership is made of reliable members with the capacity of accomplishing all the work required by a deeply involved District such as ours. We participate in many programs either RI programs such Youth Exchange, Ryla or Foundation programs like Group Study Exchange, Ambassadorial Scholarships or Grants.

Of course, first of all, I want to visit every club. But, at the same time, I would like to address the District’s weaknesses, the most important being the decrease in membership. Before trying to recruit new members and create new clubs, we must be aware of our members’ needs and interests and satisfy them if we want to keep them. Then our members have to realize that they belong to an international organization with important goals in education and humanitarian help. Our Rotarians have to believe in ‘’Every Rotarian every year’’ and contribute to the Annual Funds at least US $100.00 per member each year. So far, we are not very successful; according to the Zone 22 figures, as of May 31 2008, our average was US $33.59 per capita. And there is still polio. The Rotary Foundation is asking everybody for an additional effort so that we reach the ultimate goal of eradicating Polio. Let’s contribute!

Obviously, the choice of our actions depends on our will to have the greatest lasting impact. To create a better world for generations to come, we must start today to take care of the youngest among us. This is why President D.K. Lee asks Rotarians that this year they focus their actions on the most precious resource of every community: our children.

President D.K.Lee said:

Every child deserves the chance at a healthy life. Unfortunately, every day, some 30,000 children under the age of five die from preventable causes. Every day, around the world, children die needlessly of pneumonia, measles, and malaria. Thousands die every day from the lack of a most basic resource: clean water. And many more die from a combination of factors, in which malnutrition and poverty play major roles. I would like to see reducing the child mortality rate become a key goal of club and district service projects in the year ahead.

This is why the RI theme for 2008-09 is Make Dreams Real. Food and water, health care and schooling, the chance at a long and full life — this is the unrealized dream of too many children. In 2008-09, the president asks you to Make Dreams Real for these children and their families, and to work with me toward the Rotary dream of a happier, healthier, and more peaceful world.

The great majority of children’s deaths occur in underdeveloped countries, these are the countries where we should act first. But each Rotary club is free to work for the well-being and security of children in its own community because even in well developed countries, there are children in need. And also, there is polio – that terrible illness threatening the children of the world until we reach our promise of full eradication.

As a father, I know how our children and grandchildren are precious to us. We love them, we take care of them and we protect them …..But as Rotarians I am convinced that we should also love, care and protect not only our own children but the children in our communities as well as everywhere around the world.

Every day, we share rotary, we share love by spreading smiles around us with our service actions in our communities. In a few months, we will do more, we will ‘’Make Dreams Real’’! What more can we offer than health to a sick child, or freedom from misery and war. ‘’Make Dreams Real’’ is a challenge for all of us and a real challenge for our Rotarian youth,In 2008-2009, Rotarians will be asked to become aware of children’s needs whether it is locally or internationally.

‘’Children die not because nobody can help them but too often because nobody does help. But you and I are Rotarians and to help others is what we do best. Our task is to Make Dreams Real. And in 2008-2009, if each one of us works toward realizing that dream as we should, then we will all have accomplished a great year’’

Yves Fecteau
Governor 2008-2009
District 7790