Presidents Christmas Message

Posted on Dec 19, 2016

Greetings from the President

I am very fond of writing Christmas cards.It is said that they are slowly going out of fashion due to the omnipresence of digital communication.To date I have sent some 130 cards (60 abroad).I still find it a most edifying exercise as it makes me pause and think about my friends and family. It is in this spirit that I am now writing these few words to you dear Rotarian friends.

This festive period coincides with the half way mark of my Presidency and calls for some reflection.It has been a very busy time but I have enjoyed the experience thanks to the support of my board and you, dear friends.I set out with a focused mission. Much as I admire, and indeed I am proud of, the humanitarian contribution of our club I felt that I should concentrate on the inner workings of our club, to assess our strengths and weaknesses and I will be spending all my energy over the next six months to address these issues.

However this is not the time to talk business. Perhaps we should remember the many positive experiences that have happened over the past weeks. We have met religiously almost every week. We started off with the Kontiki event, we have had a pasta night together with viewing of a James Bond film. Last week we had a very pleasant Ladies’ Night with a jolly Father Christmas handing out complimentary event vouchers to our dear ladies. A collection on behalf of the Italian earthquake victims generated over €2000 (and donations are still coming in). Thank you.

We have had some excellent speakers although, I regret, attendance has not always been satisfactory.We have enjoyed each others company in fellowship activities. However the most important event has been the weekend visit of Director General NuntioScibilia. The business meeting with the DG was particularly useful as he spelt out words of wisdom to guide us for the future. He was particularly impressed by our sponsorship of Dar il-Kaptan, and also that we are very conscious of the welfare of our own members through our recently formed Club Welfare Committee. This event was also very salutary as it generated close cooperation between our club and that of La Vallette, something which both clubs wish to encourage for the future.

In addition to a number of ongoing projects our main project this year will be the commissioning of a Children’s Ambulance, in conjunction with the Malta Red Cross Society. The outside livery will be Disney-type and the inside will also be a child-friendly environment. It will be a unique project for Malta.

District has published what should be a very interesting and colourful book: “Sicily and Malta: Two Pearls in the Mediterranean” to which the three local clubs have contributed . With Italian and Maltese texts the book is a good buy at only €15. We have ordered 50 copies. Those who have not yet booked a copy can do so by contacting secretary Tonio.

I am looking forward to the next few months. Meanwhile I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my fellow Rotarians, my board, members of the sub committees and all your dear wives, partners and families

A Very happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2017

Carmel Lino Cutajar