Visit from District Governor Tim Vile
District Governor Tim Vile, from Farnborough Rotary Club, shared his personal journey from working as a Fire Service Station Manager to joining Rotary to give back to the community. He and his wife have a quadriplegic daughter and have received help from the NHS, Social Services, and charities over the years.
Key Messages from Tim’s Talk
Tim emphasized the importance of Rotary fostering inclusion, a theme promoted by 2024/25 Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick, who calls it “The Magic of Rotary.” He encouraged local clubs to strengthen their community ties, noting that many impactful projects often go unnoticed.
Community Projects
Tim highlighted successful Rotary initiatives, such as:
Kingston Rotary Club’s Adult Achievers Awards, which celebrates adults overcoming personal challenges in further education.
Woking Rotary Club’s Swimathon, a community fundraising event.
He suggested these initiatives could be replicated in other areas.
Rotary Foundation and District Support
Tim stressed the importance of supporting the Rotary Foundation, particularly the End Polio Now campaign, where donations are matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation. He also mentioned the District’s ability to provide grants, supported by a £1m legacy from a former member.
Recruitment and Communication
Tim urged clubs to focus on community impact when recruiting members and shared that the District now sends a weekly email bulletin summarizing activities. He also announced an upcoming Membership Action Summit next year.
Vote of Thanks
Carol thanked Tim for his informative and wide-ranging speech.