Members of the Loch Ness Rotary Club this week welcomed their new President for the next 12 months who will lead them through the period being referred to as the ‘change year’ for Rotary.
Jim Cockburn (61), a retired water utility director and consultant from Inverness takes over from outgoing President George McRae as the Club’s 18th President since its formation in 1990.
Since retiring, Jim has developed his community involvement including as a Board member of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Chairman of an environment-related Scottish Government Advisory Committee, and continues to work as a Community Business member of the Board at Inverness Leisure.
Jim has been involved in Rotary for over 20 years, having previously been a member in Aberdeen prior to moving to the Loch Ness club in the City.
Commenting on taking over at the 61-member strong club, the new President commented, “I am extremely proud to take over the mantle from our immediate Past President George McRae and I would pay tribute on behalf of our members to the work that George has undertaken on our behalf over the last 12 months.
Outlining the wind of change within Rotary throughout the United Kingdom, Jim continued, “I appreciate the foundations laid by George and his committees last year and I will continue to develop our club’s role in this national ‘change agenda’ for Rotary throughout the Country.
“Part of what we are looking to do is make Rotary more streamlined and accessible through enhanced use of the internet which has the additional benefit of fitting well with our Green agenda and to raise awareness among the public of all that Rotary has achieved improving health, hunger, literacy and sanitation throughout the World . We will also continue with our club’s ‘Invite an International Guest’ programme, where members of the community from other countries who have settled in Inverness will be invited to our club to share friendship and develop networking opportunities.
President Jim informed the membership that Rotary’s World President’s vision for the year was developed after he found out that 30,000 children under the age of five die every day from preventable illnesses.
“World President DK Lee from Korea has committed all Rotary Clubs throughout the world this year to take steps to reduce childhood mortality in any way they can. Loch Ness has a good track record of helping to improve the lives of young people at home and abroad and, in the coming year, we aim to continue to play our part in giving less fortunate children and young people better opportunities in life..
In closing the meeting, the new President thanked the club for their support and outlined his own message for the year, “I hope as members of the club that this year, we can enjoy the friendship of Rotary coupled with using our resources to make a positive difference to people’s lives within our local Community and further afield.
“I would thank the members of the club for allowing me the honour to hold this position, and I look forward to working with the various members throughout the year.
Outgoing President George McRae commented, “I have sincerely enjoyed the previous 12 months as President of the Club and I would wish Jim and his wife Avril all the very best for the year ahead of them.”
Jim Cockburn (61), a retired water utility director and consultant from Inverness takes over from outgoing President George McRae as the Club’s 18th President since its formation in 1990.
Since retiring, Jim has developed his community involvement including as a Board member of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Chairman of an environment-related Scottish Government Advisory Committee, and continues to work as a Community Business member of the Board at Inverness Leisure.
Jim has been involved in Rotary for over 20 years, having previously been a member in Aberdeen prior to moving to the Loch Ness club in the City.
Commenting on taking over at the 61-member strong club, the new President commented, “I am extremely proud to take over the mantle from our immediate Past President George McRae and I would pay tribute on behalf of our members to the work that George has undertaken on our behalf over the last 12 months.
Outlining the wind of change within Rotary throughout the United Kingdom, Jim continued, “I appreciate the foundations laid by George and his committees last year and I will continue to develop our club’s role in this national ‘change agenda’ for Rotary throughout the Country.
“Part of what we are looking to do is make Rotary more streamlined and accessible through enhanced use of the internet which has the additional benefit of fitting well with our Green agenda and to raise awareness among the public of all that Rotary has achieved improving health, hunger, literacy and sanitation throughout the World . We will also continue with our club’s ‘Invite an International Guest’ programme, where members of the community from other countries who have settled in Inverness will be invited to our club to share friendship and develop networking opportunities.
President Jim informed the membership that Rotary’s World President’s vision for the year was developed after he found out that 30,000 children under the age of five die every day from preventable illnesses.
“World President DK Lee from Korea has committed all Rotary Clubs throughout the world this year to take steps to reduce childhood mortality in any way they can. Loch Ness has a good track record of helping to improve the lives of young people at home and abroad and, in the coming year, we aim to continue to play our part in giving less fortunate children and young people better opportunities in life..
In closing the meeting, the new President thanked the club for their support and outlined his own message for the year, “I hope as members of the club that this year, we can enjoy the friendship of Rotary coupled with using our resources to make a positive difference to people’s lives within our local Community and further afield.
“I would thank the members of the club for allowing me the honour to hold this position, and I look forward to working with the various members throughout the year.
Outgoing President George McRae commented, “I have sincerely enjoyed the previous 12 months as President of the Club and I would wish Jim and his wife Avril all the very best for the year ahead of them.”
