D-2482 DG's Newsletter July 2017-EN

Dear fellow Rotarians of District 2482, Nine years have passed insensibly and our district has entered its second decade. Over the years, we shared Rotary, made dreams real, built communities, changed lives. We have accumulated knowledge and experience. We’ve gotten closer. Namely, our district managed to cultivate impressive human and social capital. More importantly, we gradually learned how to invest it. The upward trend in the number and quality of humanitarian projects in recent years is not accidental. The increasing recognition of the Rotary emblem is also rigorous. All of us contributed for this - everyone, according to their will and ability, has contributed to the success. I am convinced that the new club leaders will continue to build up, because among other things, success obliges! Here is the place to congratulate all club presidents for taking office. My dear Presidents, I wish you the health and spirit you’ll need to justify the trust of the friends that have voted for you. The year we have been talking about in future tense for so long, is now a fact. To a large extent, it depends on you whether it will be full of challenges and positive emotions. Meet it worthy. However, let’s go back to the success, which, among other things, obliges. According to a popular formula, achieving good results is a universal process running through three stages: environment analysis, goal setting, performance control. Underestimation of any of the three reflects extremely unfavorably on the end result. And what does the analysis of our environment show? It is difficult to give a single answer to this question because each club operates in its own unique environment. Perhaps that was what Ian Riseley, President of RI, meant at the International Assembly in San Diego when he said that we must allow our clubs to define Rotary service for themselves. I would only add that it could be even better if the clubs themselves take the initiative and seek a synergy effect from the cooperation with other clubs. An example of such interaction is the project for prevention of vertebral distortions in children, involving the RC Sofia City, RC Gabrovo, RC Smolyan, RC Veliko Tarnovo and RC Rouse. In this way, we can also respond to more significant societal challenges. And as we know they are more than a few. In this regard, I will allow myself to share with you which, at least in my opinion, will be the most serious challenge for Bulgarian Rotarians in the second decade of District 2482. My aim is not to convince you, but to try to start a debate about the causes that are worth to follow. The Demographic Crisis. Over the last few years, we have often read and listened about it, but I have the impression that the constant reference is rather blurring our perceptions instead of provoking us to act. The unconsciousness of institutions and the apathy of society remind me of the frog that did not feel the water in the pot gradually heating up and eventually got boiled. It is in these times that organizations such as ours are given the opportunity to act. What kind of an act this could be is a subject of future discussions. At the moment, we can only guess what would be the effect of joint club projects covering the entire district. Some of these projects can directly attack the problem and reduce the number of people leaving us. An example could be the RC Sofia's project to reduce the number of injured people on the roads. Other projects can be directed to

returning the hope for a better life in our society. Moreover, in order to achieve maximum penetration and impact, we could also interact with other non-governmental organizations. Preliminary talks have already been held and agreement has been reached in principle with UNICEF Bulgaria, the America for Bulgaria Foundation, and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (special thanks to RC Nova Zagora for organizing the meeting with BAS leaders). In other words, we have every reason to believe that we are going to have a dynamic and interesting year. I am convinced that every Rotary club already has ideas on how to respond to the appeal of Rotary International President Ian Riseley to make the difference. Moreover, I am sure that in most clubs ideas have grown into intentions. That's fine, but unfortunately it's not enough. Practice shows that only when intentions evolve into goals it can be said that something is starting to happen. And when these goals are recorded in Rotary Club Central, half of the work has already been done. Finally, let me explain in a few words what it means to me to make the difference. This is not a one-time act but a process stemming from the need of the mature individual to discover the meaning of their existence and leave a trace. A process that returns the hope of the oppressed and remodel the social environment in a better place. A process in which an individual becomes a person. Most likely, service of people in need is not the only way to make sense of ones live, but for many of us this is the chosen road. Have a good journey, my friends. Emil Kotsev Governor of District 2482