In the Rotary calendar, the month of May is Youth Service Month.  At our District Conference a week ago we experienced an excellent example of how we facilitate the development of young people when we heard of the experiences of our inbound and recently returned Rotary International Youth Exchange (RIYE) students.  It was particularly poignant when our Belgian exchange student, Gaëlle, thanked Sir Bruce Ferguson for his account of the return of the unknown soldier.  Gaëlle also represented the young people of Belgium when she spoke at the Anzac Day National Commemoration at Pukeahu National War Memorial.  We could not offer experiences like this to young people if we did not have a team of Rotarians working year round to plan and implement programmes like this.  Nor could be benefit from the sense of vibrancy that young people bring to our Rotary Clubs and the pride we have in their achievements.  
 
In our District, we have many people to thank who are involved in youth service by providing youth protection advice and coordinating programmes such as RIYE, Rotary Australia New Zealand Matched Student Exchange (RANZSE), Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN which is being run this month by Inglewood Rotary), Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA), and Peer Support.
The highlight for Denise and I of the past month was the District Conference, where 44 of our 55 Clubs were represented, and the visit to Parihaka.  We celebrated our differences and learned more about diversity in our communities and how Rotary can respond to ensure opportunities are created for all people to participate in Rotary and in our communities.
Rotary is an organisation or movement of people who are wanting to do good in their communities and are seeking peace and mutual understanding.  Our visit to Parihaka recognised the peaceful resistance first displayed by Taranaki-based Māori and subsequently by Ghandi and Martin Luther King and aligns with Rotary’s aims to ensure world peace.  For the powhiri at Conference and for the visit to Parihaka I was pleased to have John Mohi (Wellington North) at my side and addressing our hosts in Māori.  Our French exchange student, Laurie, also spoke on the marae.  I encourage all Clubs to foster relationships and partnerships in New Zealand with local iwi.  
Finally, with just two months of the 2017/18 Rotary year remaining, I remind all Clubs of RI President John Germ’s special goals at the beginning of this Rotary year to celebrate The Rotary Foundation’s 100th anniversary:
•         Every Rotarian to make a special donation of US$26.50.
•         Every Rotary Club to make a special donation of US$2,650.
•         All Districts to search for two new major gift donors (US$10k).
We can make a huge difference in our communities and in the world by supporting The Rotary Foundation as our charity of choice.  Club Presidents should ensure their Foundation giving is completed well in  advance of 28 May to ensure it is counted against their Club giving for this Rotary year.