D-2482 DG's Newsletter July 2014-EN

Президент 2014-2015 Гари С.К. Хуанг President 2014-2015: Gary C.K. Huang Областен управител 2014-2015 Иларио Астинов District Governor 2014-2015: Ilario Astinov м: +359 893 690 175; eMail [email protected] www.rotarydistrict2482.org Sofia, 01 July 2014 Dear fellows! My dear trusted and united crew! Let’s have a Happy New Rotary year 2014-15! Taking the quill (that looks like a keyboard) in order to write my first letter to you, I suddenly remembered Tom Sawyer who, on that Saturday morning, was punished by his aunt Polly to whitewash the fence instead of indulging in careless games – as it should normally be on a Saturday. We all know how this story ended – from the poor poverty-stricken boy in town, at the end of the day, Tom possessed impressive assets (a core of an apple; a few marbles; a kite in good condition; a piece of blue bottle-glass to look through; a key that wouldn’t unlock anything...and other amazing treasures) making him the most prosperous boy of local significance. I wish so much that at the end of this Rotary year we all feel like Tom – mutually abundantly enriched by what we have done throughout our year! From Mark Twain, let’s look at grandmother Vanga. I think hers are the words „...make GOOD and hope, make evil – and expect it! “ As a united crew, we can create a whole mountain of good deeds – we have an entire year for this! What I believe is good for us to do:  To look at the essence of Rotary. Concentrated in the battles with reality, it seems like we have deviated from the course – and nothing prevents us from making the necessary corrections;  Remembering Rotary – to get on with Rotary deeds. Let's commit ourselves to large- scale humanitarian projects for our communities, for the country, for the global projects both of Rotary and mutual ones with other clubs in other countries;  Caring for the young! Are we beside them? Do we speak the same language! Do we teach them to work, that brings value? Do we give them a personal example with our behavior, with the projects we implement? Do we attract them in our projects? Do we help them become leading personalities and elite professionals? Are they aware of the humanitarian nature of Rotary and our ideals, values...? ...While I was writing this letter, the disaster hit our country. The time came for us to show – not in words, but in action, what we do at a time of humanitarian crisis (God forbid!). For less than a couple of days, we have collected 19802.00 BGN, and almost 4316.00 (3000$) of them came from the Serbian Rotarians. Are they much, are they little ... you can judge by yourselves! All this is without counting the voluntary work of Rotarians and Rotaractors in the flooded town of Varna and in other places. The donations that Clubs made are not included in this calculation either... Could we have helped more? Certainly – there is always possibility to do a job better than the previous time. However – we found out that we have to think about more effective reaction in such difficult moments – this is another direction for our work. 1 от 2

Президент 2014-2015 Гари С.К. Хуанг President 2014-2015: Gary C.K. Huang Областен управител 2014-2015 Иларио Астинов District Governor 2014-2015: Ilario Astinov м: +359 893 690 175; eMail [email protected] www.rotarydistrict2482.org My fellows! President Gary asked us this year to light up Rotary! For wanting – we want, for being able – we are, no doubt! But „...it is one thing to want, other to be able, and third and fourth to do it “. By doing it – we shall not only light up Rotary – we shall light up ourselves with the radiance of GOODNESS made in a moment of need! Good luck, my trusted and united crew! Ilario Astinov District Governor District 2482-Bulgaria 2 от 2