Greetings from District Governor Kirk Bouchie! 

 
Greetings Rotarians, HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we close the year 2021 we can be very proud of what our 37 Southern Indiana Rotary clubs and 1500 members accomplished this year. Thanks to all of you for your extraordinary efforts in so many ways. You all are the best! Now we turn our attention to the new year 2022. This small step in turning over the calendar can mean so much for a very bright and optimistic future for all of you. Everyone has different thoughts of what the future might hold for us within our personal families and our greater Rotary family. When I think about the future, my first thoughts go to my five grandchildren; Landon, Graham, Damon, Bennett and Cora. What will their futures entail? What opportunities will they enjoy? What will the world be like when they go to college, get a job, buy a house, start a family, retire? Of course, my hope is they all become successful, healthy contributors to our society AND become Rotarians. Today’s Rotarians, all of us, have such a responsibility to ensure the future is bright for all of our youngsters here at home and around the world. This responsibility is played out in our actions regarding polio eradication, literacy, empowerment of young people, scholarships, etc.…the list goes on and on. You are all making a difference for my five grandchildren and all children around the world. That is the result of our 'service above self'.

January is Vocational Service Month in Rotary. Vocational Service calls on us to empower others by using our unique skills and expertise to address community needs and help others discover new professional opportunities and interests. January is a great time to leverage vocational service in your club projects and activities. Here are five ways you can incorporate vocational service in your club activities:

1.) Host a club meeting at your work place and share about your profession while taking time to learn about other member’s occupations.
2.) Use your skills and expertise to serve in a community project.
3.) Practice your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through words and actions.
4.) Work with local businesses to create mentorship and internship opportunities to help young people achieve their career goals.
5.) Guide and encourage others in their professional development.
I would be remiss not to mention all the vocations that have contributed so much to our communities during this pandemic. Thanks to all for your service.

Lastly, I encourage all of you to remember Rotary is about membership, stewardship and service. I ask all Rotarians to consider “each one bring one" this year. Please make a gift to our Rotary Foundation this year. Take action by creating a day of service in your community, maybe to empower young girls. Let’s have a great January 2022 to set the tone for the second half of our Rotary year. We are Rotary and we are PEOPLE OF ACTION as we serve to change lives!

Serving to change lives,

~L. Kirk Bouchie

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Kirk Bouchie began his term as District Governor on July 1st, 2021.  A Rotarian since 1987, he will spend the next year leading our Rotary clubs in Southern Indiana as we 'Serve to Change Lives'.  You can learn a little more about Kirk here!