Phil Dyer and Team Touch Down
Phil Dyer – Discon 2024 Rotary International President’s Representative, arriving at George Airport, with Aide Carl-Heinz Duisberg and DG Ann Wright. Phil was on the communication social media platform of Facebook every day, providing an update and pics. Thanks Phil, you walk the talk!
Congratulations to the Organizing Committee
Discon 2024 was an absolute winner, ticking all the boxes. The hard work of the Organising Committee paid off in spades. Congratulations to Donald Goldfain (project leader), Di Kershaw (President) and all the members of the RC of George for brilliant organisation. More importantly, accolades to both DGE Stephen Young for an informative, positive Assembly Programme, and to DG Ann for a well-rounded impactful programme that covered her year – “Create Hope in the world”.
Incoming Leadership: Welcoming DGE Stephen Young
Above: Pics at the close of Discon when DG Ann inducted incoming President DG Stephen Young (who takes office on 1 July); Right: Outgoing and incoming leadership. DG Ann has set the bar high. However, DGE Stephen rallied support presenting fresh innovative ideas at his Assembly, excited to embrace the theme “Make Rotary Magic” next year.
District 9350 Rotary Awards at DISCON2024!
Captain Mymoena looking proud – well done Rotary Club of Waterfront . Two District Awards – hard work paid off!
Wow, talk about setting the bar high! Huge congratulations to the Rotary Club of Claremont for not just one, but FIVE awards at the Rotary District 9350 conference! Pic above: President Ruvi Moyo-Majapa and AG Bev Frieslich are leading the way with passion and dedication. (From Bev’s Facebook post.)
Building Rotary’s Public Image: Insights from Philip Dyer
RI Personal Representative Philip Dyer, Specialist Adviser Team Lead – Public Image, RPIC Z19/20a , Past Inaugural Board Member Rotary GB&I, came as a breath of fresh air with a strong message to increase membership and in particular, to strengthen Rotary’s Public Image through “magic moments” in Rotary. We can do this through effective story telling. Philip impressed the importance of building our brand. Rotarians have the tool box to do this. There are 180 videos at https://brandcenter.rotary.org/. that Rotarians have access to.
The Magic of Change: Keynote by Andre Toit
Keynote speaker at the Assembly: Andre Toit (RC Waterfront) delivered a world class talk on “The magic of change” which was impactful and rivetting. Andre reinforced the message of the importance of change. Rotarians have the opportunity and ability, to “change lives” every day using the “Magic of Rotary”.
Growing Rotary: Lessons from PDG Ken Mugisha
PDG Ken Mugisha – D9211- spoke on “How to grow Rotary – The Ugandan Experience”. PDG Ken walks in the shoes of the late Sam Owori who championed membership for decades before his untimely tragic death, a month before he took office. He was RI President-elect. Sam’s legacy lives on. Ken’s impassioned appeal was to grow and strengthen membership in our District. His message did not fall on deaf ears.
Youth Empowerment: Everyone Belongs
Above: The Youth session was a real highlight. Led by DGN Pam Rawbone (the District’s passionate Youth Coordinator). Pam emphasised – “Everyone belongs” – driving home the importance to grow our Youth Clubs – our future Rotarians. This lively group of young people dancing and singing, represented Interact Clubs from Knysna, George and Mossel Bay, who do outstanding projects in their communities.
Reflecting on Discon: Insights and Fellowship
Left: DG Ann with Captain Mymoena, PE Gordon Miller (Durbanville Rotary) with AG Ross Kelly (Constantia Rotary) reflecting on their “take away” from DISCON2024, as a first time conference attendee, as an incoming President and from an AG’s perspective.
Right: Fellowship with PDG Lea-Ann Shearing (District PI Chair) and President Cosmina Zaharescu (Sea Point Rotary).
Meet and Greet
Downloaded from Phil’s Fb page with DG Ann and DGE Carl-Heinz – with our two Rotarians from Angola – Manuel Assis (RC Luanda on the far right) and Rotarian Quilaco Pedro in the middle (RC Luanda Sul). PDG Ken Mugisha D9211 is on the far left.
The Meet and Greet event at the start of every Discon sets the scene for the next few fun, information packed days. The Diaz Hotel and Resort did us proud with superb comfortable accommodation, excellent cuisine and service. Sonja van der Sandt (RC of Cape of Good Hope) Trustee of the Christine Revell Children’s Home standing next to Piet, joined us.
