Dear African Leaders,

The following message from RID Sam Owori  expresses his situation regarding membership growth as he prepares to report to the RI Board.

“RI took a decision at the persuasion of President Kalyan, to commit resources to enable the ROTA committee to meet in Accra in August 2011, and for three generation of our District leaders to meet in Mauritius in November 2011, to chart a way forward, The plans and commitments were made by all of us current, in-coming and some DGNs. But now we have to beyond the plans to real results. Indeed, I am expected to make a report to the Board next week, but you will agree or sympathise with me that I will not have very good news to report. Please let us go beyond the normal call of duty and do the extra-ordinary if we are going to maintain the confidence going forward.”

I know that all of us want to honor the actions that the RI Board has taken to support the creation of a stronger Rotary on the continent.

Please send some good news to Director Sam that he can use in his report at the Board meeting.

Tom

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As we come to the end of the fourth year of Reach Out To Africa (ROTA), there are many reasons to feel good about the results to date. A spirit of cooperation and strong commitment to achieve measurable objectives can be observed across the African continent.

Yet challenges remain. There are only 25,000 Rotarians on a continent of a billion citizens. The influence and accomplishments of Rotary will grow as membership grows.

As increasing support comes from non-African countries, resources of African clubs and districts are strained to keep pace. Potential international project partners are advised to be aware of this and to formulate activities and funding agreements accordingly.

Yours in Rotary Service,

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My Dear Future Leaders,

You have been honored by your peers to become District Governors in the very near future. As such, you are an important part of the “TROIKA” concept I introduced at the Mauritius meeting. DG/DGE/DGN classes working together as a team can accomplish amazing results. Africa has promised to have 35,000 members as part of the understanding to bring an International Convention to your continent.

The goals set at Mauritius are a roadmap for success. If you have examined the numbers in the right side column of the abbreviated ROTA newsletter sent yesterday to 6,300 members around the world, including Rotary General Officers, you will see that we have some work to do to meet the first year target for 30 June 2012.

I am respectfully requesting that you exercise your considerable talents and influence to achieve your district’s first-year goals. An important step in that regard would be to personally bring a new member into your club during each of the next six months. If year numbers are short, there will be more urgently to make up the shortfall in your year as District Governor.

Yours with much affection,

Tom

Thomas A. Branum, Sr. (Tom)

Rotary International Director 2007-2009

RI Finance Committee Vice Chairman 2010-2013

Reach Out To Africa Chairman 2010-2014

16230 Seminole Road

Noblesville, Indiana 46062 USA

cell phone 317-432-6868

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My Dear African District Governor Friends,

Working with African Rotarians during these past several  years  has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences in my life. The opportunity to meet hundreds of fine African Rotarians reinforces my conviction that Rotary is an important force for good on your continent.

RI Presidents Klinginsmith and Bannerjee have demonstrated their faith in Africa by approving motivational meetings in Kampala, in Cape Town, in Accra.   And of course the special event in Mauritius that you attended. At Mauritius, exciting predictions about membership growth were expressed.

The RI Board voted to hold a future International Convention in Africa based upon our assurance that membership would reach 35,000.

If you have examined the numbers in the right side column of the abbreviated ROTA newsletter sent yesterday to 6,300 members around the world, including Rotary General Officers, you will see that we have some work to do to meet the first year targets for 30 June 2011.

I am respectfully requesting that you exercise your considerable talents and influence as District Governor to achieve your district’s first-year goals by the end of your term in office. One important step in that regard would be leading by example to personally bring a new member into your club during each of the next six months.

Yours with much respect and affection,

Tom

Thomas A. Branum, Sr. (Tom)

Rotary International Director 2007-2009

RI Finance Committee Vice Chairman 2010-2013

Reach Out To Africa Chairman 2010-2014

16230 Seminole Road

Noblesville, Indiana 46062 USA

cell phone 317-432-6868

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My Dear Presidential Appointee Friends,

You were selected as the best and the brightest stars in the African Rotary world. This is a request for your star to burn as brightly as possible.

Working with you during this past year and a half has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences in my life. The opportunity to meet hundreds of fine African Rotarians reinforces my conviction that Rotary is an important force for good on your continent.

RI Presidents Klinginsmith and Bannerjee have demonstrated their faith in Africa by approving motivational meetings in Kampala, in Cape Town, in Accra, and in Mauritius. At each of these, exciting predictions about membership growth were expressed.

The RI Board voted to hold a future International Convention in Africa based upon our assurance that membership would reach 35,000.

If you have examined the numbers in the right side column of the abbreviated ROTA newsletter sent yesterday to 6,300 members around the world, including Rotary General Officers, you will see that we have some work to do to meet the first year target for 30 June 2011.

I am respectfully requesting that you exercise your considerable talents and influence to achieve our first-year goals. An important step in that regard would be to personally bring a new member into your club during each of the next six months.

Yours with much respect and affection,

Tom

Thomas A. Branum, Sr. (Tom)

Rotary International Director 2007-2009

RI Finance Committee Vice Chairman 2010-2013

Reach Out To Africa Chairman 2010-2014

16230 Seminole Road

Noblesville, Indiana 46062 USA

cell phone 317-432-6868

——————————–MESSAGE END——————————–

My Dear Regional Leader Friends,

Working with you during this past year and a half has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences in my life. The opportunity to meet hundreds of fine African Rotarians reinforces my conviction that Rotary is an important force for good on your continent.

RI Presidents Klinginsmith and Bannerjee have demonstrated their faith in Africa by approving motivational meetings in Kampala, in Cape Town, in Accra, and in Mauritius. At each of these, exciting predictions about membership growth were expressed.

The RI Board voted to hold a future International Convention in Africa based upon our assurance that membership would reach 35,000.

If you have examined the numbers in the right side column of the abbreviated ROTA newsletter sent yesterday to 6,300 members around the world, including Rotary General Officers, you will see that we have some work to do to meet the first year target for 30 June 2011.

I am respectfully requesting that you exercise your considerable talents and influence to achieve our first-year goals. An important step in that regard would be to personally bring a new member into your club during each of the next six months.

Yours with much respect and affection,

Tom

Thomas A. Branum, Sr. (Tom)

Rotary International Director 2007-2009

RI Finance Committee Vice Chairman 2010-2013

Reach Out To Africa Chairman 2010-2014

16230 Seminole Road

Noblesville, Indiana 46062 USA

cell phone 317-432-6868

——————————–MESSAGE END——————————–