The Presidential Citation is awarded by the Rotary International President to Rotary clubs the world over that achieve a certain level of excellence in their rotary activities. In 2008/09 over 60 clubs in this district achieved a citation. Our congratulations go to all of you. If your club was not among them, the district team is here to help you achieve it in 2009/10.

Every club is encouraged to strive to achieve this award every year.

This is what International President 2009/10 John Kenny has to say about the Citation.

"This year's Presidential Citation program provides a menu of challenging activities related to the first six priorities of the strategic plan (note: reference is to the Rotary International Strategic Plan 2007-10).These activities also offer opportunities to address each of the four Avenues of Service, as well as my emphases in the areas of health and hunger, literacy, and water. By focusing your efforts within the framework of RI's strategic plan, your club will also help Rotary succeed in addressing the plan's seventh and final priority - to fully implement the strategic planning process to ensure continuity as an organisation".

To help you focus on achieving a citation for 2009/10, I list hereunder some suggested goals in each section of the award. These are also the goals which I and the district team would like to see achieved throughout our district this year.

To qualify for a citation, your club must achieve the Membership Goal and any 3 of the remaining 6 goals.

You should keep in mind that none of these prevent you, additionally, from also setting your own preferred goals in whatever areas you and your club have a special interest.

During your year the district will be promoting fundraising activities to support the Rombo and ShelterBox charities and will be asking your club to participate - full details later. All monies raised by your club's efforts will count towards your citation goal (no 3 hereunder)

Presidential Citation Goals 2009/10

To be awarded a citation a club must achieve the membership goal and any 3 of the 6 listed hereunder.
Membership Goal (required):
Achieve a net increase of one member by 31 March 2010

1) Eradicate Polio: Contribute at least $1000 to Polio Plus to help raise $200 million over 41/2 years to match the Gates Foundation donation, which will finally eradicate polio from the four remaining countries where it remains endemic.

2) Advance the recognition and public image of Rotary: Gain media coverage of a club event or project in your community

3) Increase Rotary's capacity to provide service Support the Rombo or ShelterBox projects (these are District preferred projects)

4) Expand membership globally in both numbers and quality Have at least 20% of club members each bring a potential candidate for membership as a guest to a club meeting.
or
Recruit at least two new members who have experience in community, vocational, or international service work, as part of the required net increase of at least one member by 31 March 2010.

5) Emphasise Rotary's unique vocational service commitment: Start or support a youth mentorship program in your club, and have at least 10% of the club's members personally mentor a young person in vocational skills and business ethics

6) Optimise leadership talents within RI:
Have at least 5% of club members sponsor a participant in a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) event.
or
Sponsor or host a Youth Exchange student, Ambassadorial Scholar, or Rotary Peace Fellow.

Foundation:
Achieve $100, or more, average per club member in contributions to the Annual Programmes Fund. This doesn't count towards the Citation, but I would like each club to continue to support our own charity, Foundation, in this manner. Participating in the Postal Survey will contribute to this as will club members who sign up to be "sustaining members" and contribute $100 annually to the fund.

Tom Murphy DG 2009/2010