Monday Morning - March 13
March 12th, 2006 in Monday Morning“All Quality Clubs, Everyone Involved”
District Retreat a Success!
I want to thank all of our district leaders — Assistant Governors, Officers, and District Chairs— for your participation and enthusiasm at our District Retreat this weekend. Our District Chairs established goals and action plans for their committees and presented them to our leadership. We all then had the opportunity to give positive feedback and to consider how we can assist each chair in succeeding at his or her goals. Most importantly, we considered how each district committee can be of service to the clubs in enhancing club quality and in involving our Rotarians!
We met at The Ocean Club, a beautiful conference facility in Indian Beach, NC, owned and operated by Pam and PDG Bevin Wall. After a Friday afternoon of focused Rotary planning, we were then invited to Bevin and Pam’s home for relaxation and fellowship where our hosts prepared a delicious dinner for us. We appreciate Pam and Bevin’s generosity not only in offering their conference center but also in sharing with us their home and gracious hospitality.
My appreciation also goes to DG Phil and Lynn Crawford for their participation and support this weekend so that we can build on what is already an excellent district. Our district continues to grow and improve— and that’s good!
2006-07 District Trainer Bob Stinson conducted an excellent retreat keeping it upbeat, positive and fun. Bob is a professional in the field of leadership training and organizational development, and I appreciate Bob’s generousity in volunteering his time and talent to Rotary. Bob will be compiling our district goals so that we can share them with our district and club leadership. Incidentally, Bob will also lead our district training team for Spring Training on April 8. Spring Training is for club leadership, 230 minutes packed with Rotary information delivered to you in a way that will be fun and exciting. We’re subtitling it “Rotary—the Global Village”. You’ll find out why soon!
Group Study Exchange to Japan
As you know, we are searching for people between the ages of 25 and 40 from medical and healthcare related professions. The GSE Team will leave for Japan on October 9 and return on November 8, 2006. Please participate in this exciting program by identifying and sponsoring a young person in the healthcare field to serve on the GSE exchange with Japan. Please consider changing someone’s life in your community.
As you already know, DGND Lee Dixon of the Morehead City Noon Rotary Club has been selected to be the GSE Team Leader to District 2690, Japan. Lee began his affiliation with Rotary as a GSE Team Member to Japan in 1996. After joining Rotary, Lee served many years as District GSE chair. He currently serves as District Trainer, will serve as Assistant Governor for Area 1 in 2006-07, and is slated to serve as District Governor in 2008-09. As 2005-06 District Trainer, Lee will be conducting the first session for our presidents-elect at PETS this weekend.
Thank you, President-elect Donna Shiro of the Wilmington Rotary Club, for already identifying two, possibly three, candidates for GSE. Donna took the press release that was sent out and publicized it in the local newspapers and on TV and got some great response. We would like to hear from other presidents-elect. It is important that we have GSE team members from all over our district. Beth Steelman serves as District GSE Outbound Chair and can assist you in your search. Beth can be reached at 910-762-6417 or bwhite16@earthlink.net. Our deadline for applications is April 10. A sample press release for GSE is attached.
President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Greensboro
REMINDER! All those attending PETS are invited to a VIP Reception to meet RI President-elect Bill Boyd, Rotary Foundation Trustee Ray Klinginsmith, and RI Director Ken Morgan on Thursday evening, March 16th, 8pm, in the Imperial Ballroom, Sheraton Four Seasons in Greensboro.
REMINDER! Presidents-elect—Complete your Rotary Foundation 2006-07 Fund Development Club Goal Report Form (attached) and bring it with you to PETS. The Rotary Foundation is the best investment that you can make toward the goal of improving the world and bringing about world peace and understanding. Please be as generous as you can and please note that our district goal is a minimum of $100 per member.
REMINDER! Presidents-elect and Assistant Governors — Bring your appointment calendars so that you can set a time for your initial area presidents meeting.
I look forward to being with you at PETS on March 17-18 at the Sheraton Four Seasons in Greensboro!
Thank you all for your dedicated service to your clubs and to Rotary!
Lead the Way!