DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S VISIT 2007 

On 25.10.07 District Governor (Ireland) Ray Cosgrave, Past President of the Rotary Club of Cork, paid a visit to Donaghadee Rotary Club. He was introduced to the members by club President Garth Arnold.

District Governor Ray thanked the members for the warm welcome especially those who had taken him, an innocent Cork man, on a tour of downtown Donaghadee visiting the Lighthouse and the cultural centre of Donaghadee- Pier 36! He remarked that fellowship was alive and well in Donaghadee Rotary Club and that the members certainly knew how to enjoy themselves. He said that Donaghadee was a strong and vibrant club. 

The District Governor went on to speak about Rotary on the world stage. He pointed out that Rotary was the oldest service organisation in the world and was tightly organised on two strands, which kept it together.

1.   Each year the incoming District Governors are brought to America for a week’s intensive training by the World Team and introduced to “Rotary Shares”. Each District Governor is then expected to talk to the individual clubs in his District about “Rotary Shares”.

2.   Rotary Foundation. This is an American tax term and as such has to be tightly administered. Last year Foundation received $100 million from Rotary Clubs worldwide, the money then being distributed to various approved projects worldwide.

Last year District 1160 (Ireland) donated $100 per Rotarian. 

He then spoke about membership and recommended that Rotarians should be active in seeking new members to re-energise clubs.

When speaking about the Rotary Family he reminded the club that members who have fallen on hard times are also part of the family. 

In concluding, he wished the club the best for the year and added that there was no fear but that they would enjoy the year. 

President Garth thanked Ray for his comments. The District Governor then presented President Garth with a Rotary Team Banner and a figurine as a memento of his visit. President Garth in turn presented District Governor Ray with a framed photo of a Tornado jet, piloted by a Donaghadee man, flying over Donaghadee Harbour with Co Down in the background. This photograph was taken from another Tornado.   

On Friday evening the members assisted at the annual Donaghadee Primary School Fireworks Display.

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