District 6910 Really Rolls in Greenville

Rotarians from District 6910 were definitely inspired as they rolled into Greenville, SC for the 2019 District Conference.

The RI theme of “Be the Inspiration” was carried out by all the speakers featured during the conference. Wayne Bingham, NASA Scientist, was the keynote speaker for Thursday night’s Lift Off Dinner. Wayne inspired everyone as he shared his experiences working with the NASA Shuttle programs and as a child survivor of Polio.

Rotary Internaional Conference - Hamburg

Hallo From Hamburg

By Gerry Taylor

Over 25,000 Rotarians from around the world attended the 2019 Rotary International Convention from June 1-5 in Hamburg Germany. For a few days, they were able to say, “Ich bin ein Hamburger”. Hamburg was a great host city! Hamburg is a city with many opportunities for visitors to explore – museums, restaurants, art, music, architecture, shopping and a beautiful port with harbor tours. It has great transportation and is a clean, green city of 1.8 million friendly residents.

The Rotary Convention opened at the Hamburg Messe (convention center) with a fantastic general session featuring Rotary International President Barry Rassin and several other featured speakers who provided stories of “Rotary Doing Good in the World”. A young South Korean man, who overcame many years of homelessness and neglect serenaded the attendees with a beautiful operatic voice. Flags from every Rotary participating country were presented, including the newest country of Iraq. Rotaractors in attendance from around the world were recognized, too.

More Than a District Conference: Your Rotary Family Vacation

Maybe you've been to our Rotary District 6910 Conference before, but have you ever been on a Rotary Family Vacation? Well, this year we're offering you that opportunity for something completely different -- your Rotary Family Vacation in Asheville, North Carolina April 23-26, 2020.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel and Resort will be the site of our Conference, and it's the perfect venue for you to experience the Family of Rotary in vacation mode! On Thursday night, all Rotarians, spouses and significant others, children, and guests will be part of an evening of BBQ buffet, club-run games, story-telling, and Rotary fellowship!

Friday morning starts with a First-Time Conference Attendees Welcome Overview before breakfast and the morning general session where nationally-recognized storyteller Connie Regan-Blake returns to talk about how to tell your Rotary story! The keynote address will be given by Rotary International Zone 33-34 Director and new RI Treasurer, our own David Stovall. Then, a ceremonious ribbon-cutting will officially open the House of Friendship where clubs will feature their signature service project or fundraiser.

KICKS FOR KIDZ - Gwinnett County Service Project

Here are the key things you need to know. Notice that it was a true "community event" - Rotary + Rotaract + 4 other local organizations. Kudos for President Jennifer Hibbard and the entire Rotary Club of Gwinnett County.

KICKS 4 KIDZ – July 20, 2019

· Rotary Club of Gwinnett County - $4,000 in contributions in just 2 weeks of promoting at our club

· Children Served – 142

· Total Volunteers - 65

o Rotary Members – 36

o Rotaract – 6 volunteers

o PADV – 4 volunteers

o Victorious Living Church – 6 volunteers

o Dacula High School Football Players – 11 volunteers

o View Point Health – 2 volunteers

Congratulations to President Jennifer Hibbard and the entire Rotary Club of Gwinnett County. Well Done!

Want to see your club featured like this? just mark your story for sharing in DACdb and drop the DG a note so he can take a look at your good work.

Short Takes

World Polio Day

The “Day” is October 24^th. We are asking all clubs to have individual or group fundraisers and Polio Awareness events sometime between October 17^th and October 24th. (All of the Gwinnett Clubs are getting together.) Please cover your event on Social Media on the day you hold it and then repost it on October 24^th. We want to light up Social Media with stories of 3300 District 6910 Rotarians telling the “Bring Polio to Zero” story.

10 Million Meal Challenge

Clubs all across the District are responding to this great project. To find out more visit: https://www.rizones33-34.org/rotary-zones-33-34-hunger-challenge/ or contact Kay Blackstock who is our District Chair. Ask your club leadership how your club is participating. We will be packing 50,000 meals at the Rotary Family Vacation in April 2020.

New District Website – Enhanced Social Media Efforts

If you haven’t visited the NEW District 6910 website then after you finish reading this Rotations come back and click this link: http://www.rotarydistrict6910.org/ Leo Lawrenson has done an amazing job of redesigning the site. Literally, every Rotary thing you need is there. We are putting on a big push to up our Social Media game. Please like and follow your club and the district on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rotarydistrict6910/ Then post every time your club meets or has an activity. Instagram will be updated by next issue.

Training

DGE Tina Fischlin and Trainer PDG Rich Panyik are hard at work finalizing this year’s training events. Look for full details in next month’s Rotations.

Strategic Planning

Rotary has a brand new, shiny, and very effective Strategic Plan. DGN Mike Berg is leading the District Strategic Planning effort. Now is a great time to update your Club plan. Reach out to Mike if you would like assistance or information on the process.

Emergency Relief Committee

In 2018 your District Board of Directors set aside funds to create an Emergency Relief program within District 6910 to help us better respond to national and regional disasters. PDG David Cooper has agreed to head up that committee. Look for more information soon on this important project.

GRSP Conclave

Our 16 District 6910 students start arriving any day now. Your first opportunity to see all of them is at the GRSP Conclave in Statesboro, August 23-25^th. This event is for ALL Georgia Rotarians. You can get more information and Register at https://grsp.org/

HANWASH

This is a name that you have heard before, but it has been re-purposed. It is now the overarching program to completely rebuild the water system in Haiti. Rotary is committing to a 10-12 year program and they are providing top level leadership to make it happen – Past RI Director John Smarge is the new project lead. At the District Level Suchet Loois is our Chair and it looks like our local Water Systems Guru, PDG Bruce Azevedo will be joining the RI level team. For more information contact Suchet or visit https://www.hanwash.org/ There will be opportunities for clubs to both support financially and hands on for at least a decade.

District Directory

Hard copies of the 2019-2020 District Directory have been distributed to District leadership, but every Rotarian has access to it online. Just click on the link on the District Website or DACdb. The online copy has been updated with all schedule and personnel changes as of July 1^st. How do I find contact information for all these folks mentioned in the newsletter: https://www.dacdb.com/

Rotary International Presidents Transition

Video of the "unofficial" Rotary International Transition: President Barry and President Mark

Rotarian Article on President Mark Daniel Maloney : The Past is Prologue

2019-2020 District 6910 Assistant Governors

Area Governors