Friday, June 30, 2017

Rotary District 6910 Governor Final Msg-June 2017

With over 40,000 attendees, our Rotary International Convention in Atlanta was a huge success.  Approximately 700 from our District 6910 attended, and I believe everyone who attended came away renewed and inspired to continue on in our good work, ready to go the final mile to end polio. If you missed it, take advantage of video captured during the convention; visit rotary.org/video. Even if you were there and saw it live, you might want to see one of the most exciting moments of the convention again. Take a look here: End Polio Now Pledge Highlights.

I'm thrilled to announce that our own Tommy and Chantal Bagwell, Rotary Club of Forsyth County, extended a $1 million challenge gift to End Polio during a meeting with Bill Gates, with the goal of increasing awareness and funding to End Polio. With only six cases of the wild poliovirus year-to-date in 2017, our eye is on zero. The Bagwells, our district's only Arch Klumph Society members, hope that this gift will inspire others to join us in the fight to End Polio.

Chantal and Tommy Bagwell, Rotary Club of Forsyth County, (right) with other Arch Klumph Society members, Rotary International President John Germ, Bill Gates, and Rotary Foundation Trustees Chair Kalyan Banerjee
I want to extend a personal thank you to each of you who have supported The Rotary Foundation during this Centennial year. We have had a record year of giving not only to our Annual Fund, that funds your club's projects, but also to PolioPlus. I hope you will continue to advocate for End Polio and generously give, as you have this year. For until polio is completely eradicated, it is only a plane ride away.

Many people have asked me about what is next for me. Since visiting India and participating in India's National Immunization Day (NID) last January, the fight to end polio has become personal to me. Seeing that this disease, for which there is no cure, ends has become my passion. I will advocate and continue fund-raising for EndPolio. David and I are visiting clubs, sharing a 30 minute presentation on our trip to India and the NID in which we participated. If your club would like for us to visit, we are happy to present; our only ask is that your club makes a contribution to PolioPlus. 

We started the year with a goal of each of our 73 clubs achieving 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club. We ended with 53 clubs having achieved this outstanding accomplishment. Congratulations to the clubs who achieved 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club! And thank you for your generous support of our Rotary Foundation.

Our next opportunity to get together will be at Rotary University at Forsyth's Lanier Tech on Saturday, August 12. I hope you'll make plans to attend. With inspiring speakers, great food and fellowship, I promise it will be a day well spent.  Also, clubs who achieved the Presidential Citation will be recognized along with those clubs who had greatest gains in membership. With the year's final giving to The Rotary Foundation not in until today's end, we will also recognize those clubs with the greatest per capita giving. Club presidents were encouraged to keep up with their club's service hours and the club's financial impact on its community this Rotary year online at Rotary Club Central. It will be exciting to see our district's impact in hours and dollars.

I appreciate the opportunity I have had to serve this beloved district in the Centennial year of our Rotary Foundation. My life is richer as a result of this journey.  Thank you for all you have done this year in Rotary Serving Humanity. Let's continue with District Governor David Cooper, Making a Difference.

Yours in Rotary,


Kim Waters
District Governor

Thursday, June 1, 2017

District 6910 Governor Message - May/June 2017

In just a few days, we will welcome the world to Atlanta with one of the biggest and best Rotary conventions ever. We now have 688 registered from Rotary District 6910. It is not too late for you to join in on the fun, inspiring speakers, and fellowship. Learn more here.

We have so much to celebrate in reflecting on the past year of Rotary Serving Humanity and 100 years of doing good in the world through our Rotary Foundation. To date, we in District 6910 have had a record year of giving to The Rotary Foundation. We are approaching an outright giving total of $1 million with $974,444 on the books as of today. Thank you for your generous gifts this year. With another month left, I think we could top $1 million. If you haven't recently made a contribution to The Rotary Foundation, please consider doing it today. The good we do is fueled by what we give. Give by clicking here. Not only will we be celebrating our gifts of outright cash, but we will celebrate the bequest gifts that made the Million Dollar Dinner possible with Rotary International President John Germ.

Our increased giving was due in large part to so many clubs becoming 100% Paul Harris Fellow Clubs this year. Congratulations and thank you to the clubs in District 6910 who have accomplished this outstanding achievement.


District Assembly on May 13 was a wonderful event with outstanding clubs and individuals in Rotary District 6910 receiving awards and recognition. Each district governor establishes guidelines as suggestions for clubs to operate most effectively. Each of these guidelines has points for accomplishments made throughout the year in the areas of The Rotary Foundation, Club Administration, Leadership, Membership, Public Image, Service, International Service, Vocational Service, Youth Service and Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP). These goals and guidelines typically reflect the goals of the Rotary International President. Clubs compete with one another in achieving points to become Club of the Year in each category of club - Small (2-29 members); Medium (30-59 members); Large (60-90 members) and Extra Large (91+ members). In years past, these were awarded at District Conference. This year, awards and recognition took place at district assembly on May 13. 

Congratulations to our outstanding Clubs of the Year! 




Clubs were recognized as top per capita giving clubs.

We have never seen this number of new major donors in any given Rotary year in District 6910. Again, thank you for your generous giving.



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The District Service Award was created to recognize Rotarians' efforts to serve humanity and work toward world understanding and peace through The Rotary Foundation's programs.  The following Rotarians received District Service Awards:

  • Kay Lawrence - Rotary Club of Jasper
  • Pauline Shannon - Rotary Club of Gwinnett Mosaic
  • Jason Chandler - Rotary Club of Gwinnett Mosaic
  • Michele Hester - Rotary Club of Dawson County
  • Barbara Fisher - Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties
  • Tina Fischlin - Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties
The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service recognizes individual Rotarians who have demonstrated outstanding active service to The Rotary Foundation for more than one year.  Rotarian Al Hombroek of The Rotary Club of Lawrenceville received The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.


Twenty-four clubs participated in Rotary Has Heart programs in February, food projects in their local communities. The Rotary Club of Canton won the Zone 34 Rotary Has Heart Competition for its ongoing comprehensive project addressing many needs, including those who are food insecure.




The following clubs received Rotary Zone 34 Public Image Citations for outstanding achievements in the area of public image and communications. Congratulations on this achievement!
  • Rotary Club of Canton (President Matthew Thomas)
  • Rotary Club of Cherokee County (President Michael Johnson)
  • Rotary Club of Dahlonega Sunrise (President Guy LaBoa)
  • Rotary Club of Franklin County (President Candy Rhoades)
  • Rotary Club of Gainesville (President Mike Giles)
  • Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties (President Reid Conklin)
  • Rotary Club of Gwinnett County (President Karen Saltiel)
  • Rotary Club of Jasper (President Kay Lawrence)
  • Rotary Club of Martinez-Evans (President Joe Huff)
  • Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners (President Robert Mann)
  • Rotary Club of South Gwinnett County (President Rich Panyik)
Club Presidents have until the end of June to get accomplishments in at Rotary Club Central for Rotary International President John Germ's Presidential Citation. Clubs were recognized who had achieved this outstanding accomplishment.  These are the top performing clubs in Rotary District 6910, according to the criteria set forth by President John Germ.


Membership remains the number one internal goal in Rotary. Clubs who have made outstanding achievements in membership growth were recognized.

The Rotary District 6910 Guardian of Ethics Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions in his or her vocation and who has by his or her actions, writing, policies and public pronouncements strengthened and fostered development of ethical practices. The Guardian of Ethics Award was named for Robert "Bob" Stubbs of The Rotary Club of Canton, and was established to promote ideals of ethics. This club and district level vocational award identifies a Rotarian who exemplifies the attributes and passion for ethics in his or her vocation, business and personal life that Bob Stubbs so exemplified. Dennis Still of The Rotary Club of Braselton received the Guardian of Ethics Bob Stubbs Award. He is the first Rotarian to have received both the W. Lee Arrendale Award for Vocational Excellence and The Guardian of Ethics Award.

The Rotary District 6910 W. Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award was named for Lee Arrendale, a leader in the poultry industry. He was a charter member of The Rotary Club of Habersham County.  This recipient is recognized for excellence in his or her vocation, achievements in the community and academic achievements.  This year's W. Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award was present to Tommy Bagwell of The Rotary Club of Forsyth County.  Tommy served as the club's charter president in 1975.

The Club Builder Award recognizes Rotarians who have made a significant impact in supporting and strengthening their Rotary clubs. Club Builder Awards were presented to:

  • Marion Butler - Rotary Club of Oconee County, President
  • Hans Meier - Rotary Club of Lanier-Forsyth, Incoming Asst. Governor
  • Peter Gleichman - Rotary Club of Canton, Past Asst. Governor
  • Kay Lawrence - Rotary Club of Jasper, President
  • Paul Maney - Rotary Club of Braselton, Membership Chair
Rotary District 6910 officially became a Peace Building District in 2016-17. In its inaugural year as a peace building district, four clubs were recognized as peace building clubs for having submitted a peace project with at least one member joining The Rotarian Action Group for Peace.



The most highly effective clubs were those achieving Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Recognition for Club Awards Points. Gold Level clubs achieved 80% of total club awards points possible; Silver Level clubs achieved at least 75% of total points possible and Bronze Level clubs achieved 65% of total points possible.



Governor's Leadership Awards are presented at the district governor's discretion to Rotarians who exemplify outstanding leadership and hard work. A club president and assistant governor were recognized this year for outstanding leadership and work toward achieving a polio-free world and strengthening their Rotary clubs. Thank you, Bobby and Rebecca!


The Rotary International Significant Achievement Award recognizes outstanding club projects addressing a need or problem in the community. In an average year, approximately 200 clubs out of over 34,000 receive this prestigious award. The Rotary Club of Covington received this award for their Empty Stocking project. 

Rotary's highest honor, the Service Above Self award recognizes up to 150 Rotarians each year who demonstrate their commitment to helping others by volunteering their time and talents. Peter Gleichman, Past Assistant Governor of the Rotary Club of Canton, was one of only 117 Rotarians in the world to receive this prestigious award. Congratulations, Peter, on this well deserved honor!




I want to offer a heart felt thank you to all club presidents who worked so hard this year. Our Rotarians in Rotary District 6910 have truly exemplified Rotary Serving Humanity and it has been an honor to serve alongside you. I also thank District 6910 Assistant Governors and the whole leadership team for a year of outstanding 'service above self.'  

Yours in Rotary Service,


Kim Waters
Rotary District 6910 Governor