Rotary District 7730

“All Quality Clubs, Everyone Involved”

Spring Training – “The Global Village”
Presidents 2006-07: Thank you for your commitment to club quality and to your club members! You and your club leaders have demonstrated your commitment by your attendance at Spring Training this weekend. We had over seventy club leaders in attendance! From the feedback I received after the meeting and through e-mails, I believe that everyone found the session to be enjoyable and helpful.

In planning the event, our goals were as follows: to demonstrate ways to enhance club quality, to meet your needs as expressed through the survey, and to show you how our district is connected with the world and encourage you to be a part of Rotary’s global village. We wanted to do this in a way that encourages participation and that is fast paced, fun, and exciting. In hearing from you, I believe that we met our goals.

I attribute our success to our amazing district training team led by 2006-07 District Trainer Bob Stinson. As Bob is a professional in leadership development, it does not surprise me that Bob presented our program with such great success.

Thank you to our organizers, discussion leaders and presenters:
Rotary Club Quality
· PDG Bevin Wall – for leading the “Perfect Rotary Club Meeting”. The meeting wasn’t so perfect, but it was funny and a lot of fun. Many of us participated and learned how to plan our meetings better and improve the experience for our members.
· AG Mark Lynch – for leading the Treasurer training.
· AG-Elect Pat Green – for leading Secretary training.
· AG Brian Garrett – for leading the Community Service and Fundraising training.
· DGND Lee Dixon – for leading the Membership Chair training.
· Pam Wall – for demonstrating how Rotary Foundation programs are funded and for reminding us that we are the ones who decide how Rotary Foundation funds are used and that we are the ones who reap the benefit.

The Global Village
· Jay Tervo – for presenting an engaging film and discussion on the “Full Belly Project”
· John Burd – for sharing your personal story of your RI Friendship Exchange to Mexico where you were able to administer the polio vaccine to the Mexican children.
· Magda Baggett – for demonstrating how we can think “outside the box” when searching for candidates for Ambassadorial Scholarships.
· AG Nancy Barbee and AG Mark Lynch – for presenting an extraordinary trip around the world using Google Earth. As participants (some in costume) gave brief presentations on how our district is connected with all parts of the world, we were able to enjoy the ride on the big screen through the magic of live satellite, the Internet, and Google Earth.

Special Thanks to AG Nancy Barbee for arranging presenters and for your wonderful slide presentation.

Special Thanks to AG Mark Lynch for providing us with the Magic! – with your extraordinary sound and light, not only for Google Earth, but for the entire morning! Mark went above and beyond with his gift!

We were honored to have the support of District Governor Phil Crawford and Past District Governors Bob Breton, John T. Capps, Frank Toothman, and Bevin Wall.

Onslow RYLA
Are you aware that Area 2 – Onslow County – conducts an area wide “Rotary Youth Leadershp Awards” program for its high school juniors? I believe that Area 2 and Area 3 (New Hanover) conduct the only area RYLAs in our district. (If there are others, please let me know.)

I was honored to be asked to participate in the Onslow RYLA, an all-day event on Friday April 7. Area 2 has been providing this service for its high school juniors since the early 1990s. The dedicated Rotarians who plan and lead the program are Jimmie Autry from Jacksonville South, Janet Westerman and Pam Thomas of Jacksonville Breakfast, April Heath and Jim Hamilton of Jacksonville Rotary, PDG John Eller of Swansboro, and Joel Kane of New River-Onslow. I had a great time. Every Rotarian should take the opportunity to enjoy this exciting program and life changing experience for our young people.

Group Study Exchange to Japan
Some of you want to know how to access the GSE Team Member Application. Easy! Go to the district website, www.rotary7730.org. Go to the drop down menu to GSE and then the download link for the application. Please note that essays are also required.

The GSE Team member applications are coming in, but we’d like representation from throughout the district. Please help us recruit qualified GSE team members. Keep in mind that candidates need to be
non-Rotarian professionals, ages 25 to 40. Please consider candidates from all segments of the healthcare field. The exchange to Japan is October 9 to November 8, 2006. Deadline for applications is April 26, 2006. Applications go to District Outbound GSE Chair Beth Steelman, 910-762-6417 or bwhite16@earthlink.net.

District Conference
Our presidents and district leaders for 2006-07 would find it very helpful to attend District Conference in Kinston, April 21-23. Join us, meet fellow Rotarians from across the district, exchange ideas, and have fun! See you there!

Lead the Way!