 |
 |
||||
|
|||||
 |
|
|
|
||
Press Release from RIBI
July 2003
NEW PRESIDENT OF ROTARY HIGHLIGHTS NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AT HOME AND ABROAD
Plymouth Education Adviser elected President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
The new President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland is Brian Stoyel from Plymouth. On July 1st he became the leader of some 59,000 Rotarians who belong to 1,835 clubs in Great Britain and Ireland. Brian’s priorities for the next twelve months are the children’s hospices movement at home, and two overseas projects in Tanzania and Uganda. In 2003/2004 Rotary clubs will be asked to focus on these three new areas of support: Association of Children’s Hospices; Rotarians Eliminating Malaria in Tanzania and Rotaract Overseas Projects, in Tanzania to construct a community centre, and in Uganda to build a School Clinic.
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland announced today that it will be working in partnership with the Association of Children’s Hospices to offer Rotary support to the children’s hospice movement throughout these islands. The Association will benefit from Rotarians providing hands on help to all 43 of their member’s hospices organisations as well as fund raising initiatives throughout the next year. These include organising Butterfly Tea Parties in Children’s Hospice Week in September and a national song writing competition.
Rotarians Eliminating Malaria in Tanzania is the second project chosen for support and the aim in the next twelve months is to raise funds to provide chemically impregnated nets, insecticides and medicines as well as machines to check for anaemia. Funding will be provided also for education and awareness through the training of local workers who will go into the villages to educate the local people in the way of symptoms, treatments and prevention. The programme is based on getting the local people to take responsibility for the project and then supplying the technical expertise and equipment required.
The Rotaract Overseas Projects in Tanzania and Uganda are three week projects to build a community centre in Maji Ya Chai, Tanzania in August 2003 and a School Clinic in Njeru, Uganda in August 2004. Brian, who has good Rotary contacts in these countries will lead a team of 14 Rotaractors who will work with local craftsmen, labourers and cooks. Rotaract is part of the Rotary family with members from the age of 18-30.
Speaking about his appointment, Brian said: “ At a time when religious, ethnic and political conflicts occur frequently around the world, Rotary’s work is even more significant. Rotary’s spirit of community volunteerism encourages harmony and rightful understanding among peoples with widely differing backgrounds. It is no surprise that Rotarians from all over the world overcome political, religious and ethnic differences everyday to pursue a common goal of humanitarianism. I feel privileged to have been involved in Rotary for more than 20 years and have enjoyed the close friendship of fellow Rotarians as well as the genuine satisfaction of seeing Rotary help so many worthy causes.”
These projects will be supported by fund raising through a raffle of a Vauxhall Signum car which has been generously sponsored by Vauxhall UK. In addition Vauxhall are providing a specially – liveried Omega Elite estate car for use by Brian during his Presidential year.
Photograph of Brian Stoyel is available on request.
Contact: Judith Diment Telephone 01628 672965 or 07860 162313
judithdiment@aol.com
Notes to Editors:
1. Rotary International, a non-profit organization, has 1.2 million
members in some 31,000 Rotary clubs in 166 countries. The main
objective of the organization is service – in the community
and throughout the world. As volunteers, members of Rotary implement
projects that meet community needs, build goodwill and peace and
encourage high ethical standards in all vocations. A Rotary Club
is open to men and women who are business, professional or community
leaders who want to use their experience for the benefit of others.
In Great Britain and Ireland there are 59,000 members in 1835
clubs.
2. For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President, details from Robin Freeman, Secretary Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland: 01789 765411
