March 2020 EDITOR's NOTE
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Photo from WaterAid.org the Water and Sanitation Month 1 WAVEIssue no. 09 March 2020 EDITOR'S NOTE We would like to welcome you to yet another exciting edition of the District Governors WAVE magazine. It’s more exciting because we are witnessing more amazing deeds by Rotarians in D9211 and world over. More appealing to Rotarians though is the fact that we celebrate women this month. How we wish that we could celebrate them a lot more often. We wouldn’t even dare elaborate how special women are in Rotary and human kind, but we happily join in the celebration. Chief Editor A lot is going on within the district as we witnessed the organizing committee for the 95th DCA has closed registrations. We wish them a very Charles Odaga successful planning and execution process and RC of Kampala South are all eager to meet in Mbarara. Also coming up is the 2nd All Africa Rotary Zone Institute which is scheduled to take place in Uganda from 1st - 6th September 2020 at the Speke & Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo. You are all invited to register for this Institute on Editorial Team www.rotaryinstitute2020ug.org, early bird Jackie Mali - Contibutor registration ends on 31st May 2020. Dorothy Waniala - Contributor We thank you for being great readers of our Sandra Namarome - Contributor editions, please do share more of your stories with us. Flavia Serugo - Advisor Bernard Tabaire - Advisor Catherine Njuguna - Advisor Felix Mwebe - Designer RI President’s March Message March is the month we celebrate Rotaract — and It is time to make some fundamental changes. We this has been quite a year for our young partners in already know what the barriers are to an engaged service. and diverse membership. It is time to act on what we know: creating new membership models, opening Last spring, the Council on Legislation elevated new paths to Rotary membership, and building new Rotaract in our constitution: Rotary International is Rotary and Rotaract clubs where the existing clubs now the association of both Rotary clubs and do not meet a current need. Rotaract clubs. Then in October, the Rotary Board of Directors eliminated the artificial Rotaract age New club models represent an opportunity to limit and took other steps to break down barriers that connect with a more diverse group of individuals — were preventing Rotaract from growing in some particularly those who are unable or unwilling to join parts of the world. our traditional clubs. While new club models have been emerging for some time, it is up to district These steps were long overdue, because Rotaract governors to make them a reality. In January at the is a vision of what Rotary must become. Not only do International Assembly, our incoming district we need to open our doors to our young colleagues, governors took part in an exercise called Build Your but we also have to open our ears and minds to the Own Club Model. It was a wonderful experience that Rotary experience they find most engaging. That is put them in the right frame of mind for the work one of the best ways we will meaningfully grow ahead. Rotary. Ultimately, however, it will be up to Rotaractors and When I say grow Rotary, I mean it in many ways. We young Rotarians to create new club models that are need to grow our service and to grow the impact of most meaningful to the next generation. We may our projects. Most importantly, however, we need to think we know what young people want from Rotary grow our membership, so that we can achieve more. clubs in the future, but I am confident that what Rotaractors provide this opportunity, not only young people say will surprise us. It will be our job to because they can transition to Rotary at the time support their innovation, for it will help us grow that is right for them, but also because they Rotary as Rotary Connects the World. understand what it will take to attract others like them. Business as usual will not work for us anymore. Mark Daniel Maloney Bringing in more members to replace the ones we lose is not the answer. It is like pouring more water President 2019-20 into a bucket full of holes. We need to address the root causes of member loss in many parts of the world: member engagement that is not what it should be, and our member demographic that skews steadily older. DG’s March Message How time flies! We are already approaching the end women and girls spent that time on more important of the third quarter of this Rotary year. And yet much things like going to school, tilling their gardens or remains to be done. This month alone has so many engaging in income generating activities. different activities and each requiring our undivided As Rotarians, we have invested significantly in our attention. It is the Rotaract month and as a former six key areas of focus. But no matter how much Rotaractor, I am delighted by the on-going efforts to money is spent on education and health facilities in bridge the gap between Rotaractors and Rotary. I our communities, none of it will make any difference am glad that we all finally recognize that this if water and sanitation conditions in those areas are requires a two-way collaboration and that there is not improved. “Water is life” sounds so cliché – but so much to learn from the Rotaractors. it is true. Providing water closer to homes boosts But allow me to focus a little more on the Women school attendance by freeing girls from the life of a and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) themes – ‘water carrier’ and enabling them to spend more both of which we are celebrating this month. time in school and live their dreams. Bringing water Despite being late entrants into Rotary, women have closer frees up women’s time – enabling them to be become a formidable force and as I have said economically active and financially independent. before, I honestly do not know how much we would Access to clean and safe water prevents disease have achieved without them. But even as we and reduces infant mortality. celebrate the remarkable women in Rotary, we must With this perspective, I would like to urge you to recognise the odds that are stacked against millions prioritize WASH initiatives in your communities. of women and girls out there, and the distance we Because as you see, bringing safe water closer to still have to cover to achieve gender equality. Enter communities ultimately increases the success rate WASH. of all our other areas of focus. Each one of us is Turning on a tap to wash our hands or take a shower capable of doing something - be it giving our time is a no brainer for you and I. Infact it is not and our resources, harnessing our connections something that we give much thought. And yet the and/or deploying our skills to increase access to reality is very different in many of our communities safe water. By bringing safe water closer to where the need to use the loo or the desire for a communities, we will not only improve the lives and daily bath and clean clothes must be weighed dignity of women and girls, we will also move a step against various considerations. More than 10 closer to gender equality. million people in Uganda and close to 26 million in Tanzania lack access to safe water and improved sanitation facilities. The scarcity of water has enslaved women, many of whom walk more than 5 km and spend a minimum of two hours a day collecting water for the family and F X Sentamu household needs. Collectively and across the District Governor 2019 - 20 African continent, the time spent by women and girls Rotary International District 9211 searching for water exceeds 40 billion hours per year. So much time wasted!! Now think – how much more could be gained around the continent, if Rotary Monitors The Coronavirus Impact Rotary is closely monitoring the pandemic of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, and continuously assessing the potential impact on Rotary operations, events, and members. the WAVEIssue no. 09 March 2020 Your health and safety are always our top health and safety. If authorities recommend it, Rotary Peace Fellowships and other programs For Interact and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards priorities. Look below for information on Rotary postpone or cancel in-person meetings, or Participants in Rotary Peace Fellowships, Rotary (RYLA): Consider whether planned events, trips, activities that may be affected. We will update this conduct them online or by phone. Friendship Exchanges, and Rotary Action Groups or local activities could expose young people to announcement when new information becomes and their affiliated chapters should follow an increased risk, and consider canceling or available. Closely examine your personal circumstances, recommendations from the World Health postponing nonessential travel or large including any health issues, when you consider Organization and the host region’s national, gatherings. Rotary International Convention travel and participation in events. regional, or local health authorities when The convention is still scheduled for 6-10 June in considering whether to postpone events, Follow the guidance of schools for any closures or Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Rotary Youth Exchange meetings, or activities. delayed start times that may affect school-based Contact your partner district in areas where program participants. Discuss how they can stay For peace fellows: Countries listed as Level 3 by We will watch for developments and follow the COVID-19 has been detected to confirm specific engaged and safe until school resumes.