Kevin J. Crosby - Be a Gift to the World

On Monday, August 17, 2015 the Jamestown Noon Rotary Club was honored by a visit from the Rotary District 7090 District Governor, Kevin J. Crosby, Ph.D.  Mr. Crosby shared his thoughts on the Rotary theme for this year, “Be a Gift to the World.”  His message to Rotarians is “Rotary is what you do as members.”  In his 10 years of Rotary involvement Mr. Crosby has come to realize the wide spread affect Rotarians have on both their local and international communities.  Rotarians are involved in programs for clean water, developing youth and youth leadership, promoting world peace, literacy, responding to natural disasters and the PolioPlus Campaign for the eradication of Polio throughout the world.

 

Mr. Crosby also discussed the Rotary goals and strategies for 2015-2016. Goals included developing stronger, more vibrant clubs through growth incorporating diversity of age and culture.  He complemented the Noon Club on the number of female members, which is far above the international average.   Strategically he is encouraging clubs to focus on engagement in the club rather than on attendance, which has been the traditional focus.   He did stress, however, the importance of attendance.  He also discussed plans for a “Food Truck” model for providing resources and services to clubs, leveraging technology, greater use of Club Central, encouraging innovation and encouraging all Rotarians to learn more about Rotary.  He is looking for the expansion in developing young leaders and long-term strategic planning and succession planning (which our club has in place).  He encouraged the club to strive for both the President’s Award and the Light House Award this year.  He also put in a plug for this year’s Conference in Ellicottville.  He ended his presentation with the definition of the meaning of life…doing what gives your life meaning at this moment.  Be a Gift to the World.

 

At the end of his presentation, the Jamestown Noon Rotary club presented District Governor Crosby with an unrestricted donation of $1000.00 to the Rotary Foundation.  The District Governor immediately designated the donation to the PolioPlus Campaign, where it will become a $3000.00 donation through the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

District Governor Crosby makes his home in Lockport, New York, where he is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Buffalo-Sunrise.  He is a Partner at Full Circle Studios, LLC, and is involved with the Girls Educational Collaborative, Inc, the Buffalo-Niagara Chapter of the Association for Talent Development, the Summit Academy, and several international service projects in Malawi and Tanzania.  He doesn’t take himself too seriously, likes Hawaiian shirts, and on occasion talks to Paul Harris.