Dear Rotarians, my Rotary family!
I am not a man from Estonia, nor a man from Finland – I am a man from Saaremaa: Heldur Allese, D1420 Governor 2026-2027. My first greeting to you is that together we will make this a wonderful anniversary year! TOGETHER.
We have one shared district, and although our district connects two countries, our meetings are held in four languages.
I graduated from university in 1983 and have owned the Saaremaa Rannahotell since 2000. I have been a Rotarian since 2000, I am a member of the Saaremaa club, and I served as club president in 2008/2009. I was Assistant Governor from 2018-2022 and Estonia Coordinator from 2022-2024.
This year is very special – it marks 100 years since the founding of the first Rotary club in Helsinki. This means the anniversary year belongs to the Rotary Club of Helsinki, part of our district family and part of the Finnish Rotary family. We all have reason to celebrate.
Please mark your calendars now: the district conference and 100th-anniversary celebration, April 10, 2027, in Helsinki.
In 2030, the Rotary Club of Tallinn will celebrate its 100th anniversary. This is an important event for the whole district, and preparations for a fitting celebration have already begun.
The first major gathering of our Rotary year will not take place in Finland or Estonia – it will be held on August 20 in Saaremaa. At the Rotary golf tournament, no one asks which side of the bay you’re from; what matters is how well you play. Together we enjoy the pleasure of movement. For sporting events, please also mark your calendars for the Silakkasoutu (Herring Row) on October 4, 2026, in Helsinki.
I thank the past governors who have helped me prepare for my year as governor – there has been much to learn. I thank the members of the district council and committees for our service TOGETHER to the Rotarians of our district.
My wish is that instead of gifts for our anniversary, we contribute to the Rotary Foundation. Today we have 2,200 members. What do you think – can we maintain this number? Can we bring 100 new Rotarians into Rotary?
I believe that, by contributing together, this is possible!
As a sportsman, I have always been a team player! Iexpect the same teamwork and effort in my Rotary work as well – that is where strength and results lie! Going solo and standing in opposition will not take us far.
Jere Jantunen – Heldur Allese
AG Veiko Viigipuu, DG Heldur Allese, AG Gunnar Toomemets, AG Marit Mikson
Have a wonderful anniversary year, my Rotary family!
Kind regards,
Heldur Allese
D1420 Governor 2026-2027
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