District 6910 Governor Message-March 2018

It’s March and the temperature is rising!

I thought I could coast a little at this point in the Rotary year. Boy was I wrong! The pace has quickened with new member inductions, club’s planting trees, district training events, club’s having anniversaries, new Paul Harris Fellows, new multiple Paul Harris fellows, New 100% Paul Harris Fellow clubs and new major donors. Thank you for the invitations. I am having a blast creating more wonderful memories with the clubs in District 6910.  

The Rotary Club of Dahlonega celebrating their 35th Anniversary

The Rotary Club of Washington, led by Terry Boswell (center), is the leader in new member growth.

What in the wide wide world of sports is going on???

The Rotary Club of Washington, led by Terry Boswell (pictured above) has taken over the net new member percentage lead. Terry, now serving back to back years as Club President, has figured out membership drives everything we do!  As of March 23, 2018 our district now boasts an increase of 169 net new members. I challenge all clubs to keep your foot on the accelerator. Our goal is a 10% increase in net new members and we have until June 30, 2018 to get there. 

The TOP TEN clubs with the highest % of membership growth as of February 22 are:

Washington led by Terry Boswell 36.84%

Rotary E-Club of the South led by Ron Kersey 31.58%

Thomson led by Jason Smith 23.81%

Woodstock led by Robert Tidwell 23.53%

Lanier-Forsyth led by Logan Butler 22.06% 

Greene-Putnam led by Bob Massey 20.45%

Banks County led by Jeffery Lewallen 20.0%

Lake Chatuge-Hiawassee led by Jane Hindsman 20.0%

Martinez-Evans led by Rob Ashe 19.51

Summerville-Trion led by Susan Locklear 19.05%

Below is what your club has recorded in DACdb. Do a member compare so that the number count is the same on the Rotary.org database. Please clean your roster up NOW. Do not wait until after conference or the end of June to delete members that are no longer members.  Leaving members on a roster just to make your individual club look good until June 30 does not serve any purpose except to distort final reports that come out in August. We call this the “Scott Yochum Effect” which is using smoke and mirrors in an effort to appear better looking than what one actually is. Yeah, I am seeing if anyone is actually reading this monthly newsletter at Scott’s expense. 

Sorry Cheryl, I meant to put the tree in the hole.

Pictured L to R is Loganville Mayor, Congressman Jody Hice, DG Coop and Loganville Rotarian Steve Arnold

Stand up and be counted.

Many of our clubs are planting trees and I am finding out they are planting more than the number of members in each club. Gwinnett County, Elberton, Loganville, Franklin County and Rockdale County all have planted more trees than members. Make sure you let RI President Ian Riseley know you did your part. Being counted requires some entries in Rotary.org. Visit Rotary.org and share your tree project on Rotary Showcase.

Come to District Assembly and receive a check.

Refund checks for the International convention will be distributed at District Assembly, April 14, 2018. Your club President and Assistant Governor have the spreadsheet with the amount your club will be receiving.  I am sure each club will give a considerable amount of thought regarding the best use of the money being returned. That decision belongs to each club and its individual leadership. That being said, the District 6910 is asking your club to consider the following options below. 

Donate a percentage of the refund to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund and/or Polio Plus Fund. This donation is in addition to donations previously made or previously planned. 

Clubs that are willing to support a onetime donation will be recognized at our District Conference in Charleston. Below are percentage categories that will determine the level of recognition that will be awarded individual District 6910 Clubs.

25% Bronze Contributing Club

50% Silver Contributing Club

75% Gold Contributing Club

100% Platinum Contributing Club

Keep in mind that one half of the Annual Fund will return to District 6910 in three years and the Polio Plus Fund donation will be matched 2 for 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is your Club’s decision but I recommend supporting both funds.  

I am in awe of the District 6910 Rotarians giving spirt. Thank you for your trust in our District and for supporting the Rotary International Convention last year.

Mark and Beth DiGiovanni are registered.  Are you?

I’m so excited I can’t count them all…

Actually I did and registrations for conference, including those attending the Saturday evening dinner, have exceeded 400!!! Seriously, if you have not registered for the conference then you remain unregistered until you actually register. (Profound isn’t it?) Come on, you know you are going to attend, why wait until two weeks prior to register? What can you possibly do, with your clothes on, that could be more fun than going to Charleston with your Rotary friends??? Anyone that sponsors a new member between January 1 and May 3 gets the Yorktown event refunded at district conference! Bring those new members with you! We plan on making a big deal out of all new members and new member sponsors and have the time of our life in the process!

Yours in Rotary,

David "Coop" Cooper

District 6910 Governor

Greene-Putnam Rotary Club Plants Trees

Rotary International President Ian H.S. Riseley made the case last year that protecting the environment and curbing climate change are essential to Rotary’s goal of sustainable service. “Environmental degradation and global climate change are serious threats to everyone,” Riseley said. “They are having a disproportionate impact on those who are most vulnerable, those to whom Rotary has the greatest responsibility.Yet environmental issues rarely register on the Rotary agenda,” he said. So, Riseley challenged all 1.2 million Rotarians around the world to plant a tree before Earth Day on April 22, 2018. According to Riseley, “The greater result will be a Rotary that recognizes our responsibility not only to the people on our planet, but to the planet itself."

Trees are engines for economic development providing high nutrition foods for humans, animals, wildlife and insects, sustainable building materials and fuel, canopies in urban areas to cool, reduce energy use, absorb pollution and increase property values. Trees also protect our environment and increase ground water recharge, prevent runoff and loss of soil, create habitat for wildlife, produce oxygen, use carbon dioxide thus improving public health and slow global warming by storing carbon.

In acceptance of the challenge by the RI President, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties last week, planted an orange glory maple tree at Lakeside Church and together with the Interact Club of Gatewood Schools planted an eight-foot dogwood and six dogwood saplings at the Briar Patch Walking Trail, The Butterfly and Blooms Garden in Eatonton.  In addition, each Rotary Club member received a dogwood and wax myrtle seedling to be planted at their homes or businesses.  

(Left to right):  Rotarians Avis Dickey, Lee Rhodes, President Bob Massey, Reid Conklin

The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties is grateful for the support of Steve Noles and Blake Noles of Noles Landscaping who donated the trees at Lakeside and at the Briar Patch Walking Trail, The Butterfly and Blooms Garden and to Rent Sanders from the Walton County Unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission who donated the dogwood and wax myrtle seedlings.

Submitted by Laura Dent - Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, Public Image Chair

District 6910 Governor Message - Feb 2018

Angela Wirt (far right) is current president of Rotary Club of Gwinnett Sunrise and holds number one position for new member growth in the district.

February, the shortest month of the year.

This month was short but….There is nothing short about District 6910 and our great clubs! As of February 22, 2018 our district now boasts an increase of 117 net new members. Rotary International membership officer, Rebecca Holloway, informed me that District 6910 is the number 1 district in NORTH AMERICA for new membership growth! 

The TOP TEN clubs with the highest % of membership growth as of February 22 are:

Gwinnett Sunrise led by Angela Wirt (Pictured above on right) 41.67% 

Rotary E-Club of the South led by Ron Kersey 31.58%

Washington led by Terry Boswell 26.32%

Summerville-Trion led by Susan Locklear 23.81%

Lanier-Forsyth led by Logan Butler 23.53% 

Thomson led by Jason Smith 22.22%

Green-Putnam led by Bob Massey 20.45%

Banks County led by Jeffery Lewallen 20.0%

Lake Chatuge-Hiawassee led by Jane Hindsman 20.0%

Chatsworth-Murray County led by Rusty Ridley 20.0%

Below is the tally as of February 22. Please, please, please make sure you have done a member compare on DACdb so that these numbers are the same on the Rotary.org database.  

Happy Birthday, Rotary Club of Conyers

Happy 50th birthday Rotary Club of Conyers!

The Rotary Club of Conyers celebrated their 50th birthday this month. Tommy Morgan, pictured far left, having served in the club for 48 of those 50 years was there to help celebrate. Ed Cowan, pictured next to Tommy, was also present and has served 45 years. 

With District Conference Coordinator Carol Colon and District Conference Chair Margie Ensley

Exceeding all expectations.

Registrations for conference, including those attending the Saturday evening dinner, have exceeded 370. Conference chair Margie Ensley and conference coordinator Carol Colon are bringing their “A” game to make sure this conference will be spectacular! The response has been so good that the Embassy Suites room block for Thursday evening has been sold out. Here’s what you can do…Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, connected to the same parking lot as conference center, on Thursday evening. Then move to the Embassy Suites on Friday morning. The move will put you with the rest of the district and it helps fill our commitment to Embassy Suites for Friday and Saturday evening. 

Yours in Rotary Service,

District Governor David "Coop" Cooper

District 6910 Governor Message - Jan 2018

Sponsor a new member and get $75 off.  We are offering a $75.00 reduction to your USS Yorktown evening registration if you sponsor a new member between January 1, 2018 and May 3, 2018. On January 22, 2018 the top ten clubs for net member percentage increase since July 1, 2017 are:

Rotary E-Club of the South 31.6%

Washington 26.3%

Lake-Chatuge-Hiawassee 20.0%

Chatsworth Murray County 20.0%

Banks County 20.0%

Summerville-Trion 19.1%

Columbia County West 18.2%

Gwinnett Sunrise 16.7%

South Forsyth County 16.1%

Lanier-Forsyth 14.7% 

Below are the individual club results. Please let me know if you have any questions about the numbers.  

There’s a new kid on the block!  It is my pleasure to announce that the district has a new club.On January 10, 2018 the Rotary Club of Gwinnett Tomorrow was chartered as the district's 74^th club.They bring 25 new members into this District 6910. Serving as president is Mark DiGiovanni.They will meet on alternate Monday evening’s beginning at 6PM. The location is the Olde Towne Tavern and Grill located at 835 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.

“Making a Difference” in Elberton Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Elberton planted a Nuttall Oak near the Rotary Pavilion at the Granite City Walking Trail. The tree was planted in honor of club members and yours truly. Wow, I am sincerely honored and appreciate the clubs effort to meet Rotary Internationals President Ian Riseley’s challenge to plant one tree for every member in the world. They also planted 8 Yoshino cherry trees. Assistant Governor, Nancy Seymour, said “Other tree plantings this year will be outside the Burke Street Gym and Granite City Life Center”. Those assisting with the plantings were: L-R: Assistant Governor Nancy Seymour, Sue Cone, Allen Nicas, Patrick Marcellino, Shaheen Jalil, Past District Governor Steve Jenkins, Rotary President Rob Leverett and Suraiya Razzak. Not pictured Pari Mehrebi.

Be The Inspiration!

Each January Rotary International Assembly occurs in San Diego, CA. It is at this event District Governor Elects receive a week of training to prepare for the coming Rotary year. Last week District Governor Elect Bruce Azevedo and Rotary International Director Elect David Stovall were there representing District 6910. The theme for this coming Rotary year is “Be The Inspiration." Let’s “Make A Difference“ by “Being The Inspiration!"

David "Coop" Cooper

District 6910 Governor

Braselton Rotarians Elect 2018-19 Officers

Halfway through the current Rotary year, the Braselton Rotary Club has elected its leaders for next year. Karen Bridgeman will serve as president of the club for 2018-19. Sam Wilson was chosen for president-elect. Alex Pace was re-elected as secretary of the club for next year and Mitch Chapman was chosen for treasurer. 

Paul Maney (left) celebrates with Karen Bridgeman (middle) and Sam Wilson (right). Bridgeman was recently elected as the Braselton Rotary Club president for 2018-19 and Wilson was chosen as president-elect.

Submitted by Alex Pace, Secretary/Public Image Chair - Rotary Club of Braselton

District Governor Message - Dec 2017

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cheryl and I wish all the district 6910 Rotarians a safe and wonderful Holiday season. As we look toward 2018 we are hopeful that a polio free world is literally within our grasp. In 2013 there were 416 wild polio cases in the world. This year there have been 17 wild polio cases reported. Six cases were in Pakistan and 11 were in Afghanistan. We will drop to zero and thank you for playing a part in eradicating this disease. 

We are number 1….All others are number two or lower!

On November 30, 2017 district 6910 had the most net new members in the United States and Canada. While that fact is amazing, we still have much to do in growing our clubs. Attached you will find the net increase for all clubs. Through December 21, 2017 the top ten clubs for net member percentage increase since July 1, 2017 are:

Rotary E-Club of the South 31.5%

Banks County 26.6%

Washington 26.3%

Green Putnam County 20.5%

Columbia County West 18.2%

Lanier-Forsyth 17.2% 

Gwinnett Sunrise 16.7%

Peachtree Corners 16.6%

Lake-Chatuge-Hiawassee 16.0%

Classic City of Athens 15.3%

Prepare yourself, because it’s going to be EPIC!

The much anticipated, spectacular, entertaining, celebratory and awesome district conference in Charleston, S.C. now has registration available for those that know how to have fun. Below is the link to register for the district conference. Register before January 31, 2018 and you will receive an early bird discount.

Register for District Conference Now by clicking here.

Yours in Rotary,

David "Coop" Cooper

District Governor

District 6910 Governor Message - Oct/Nov 2017

Simply Grateful

I hope this letter finds you enjoying a Happy Thanksgiving weekend. I am one district 6910 Rotarian very appreciative of being a part of an awesome group of dedicated Rotarians. We are well on our way to not only “Making a Difference” in our individual communities but in our world this Rotary year. We are People of Action and it shows. 

Membership…It Drives Everything We Do!

Here you will find a detailed report of how each club is doing regarding membership through November 12, 2017. Now is an excellent time to perform a “member compare” on DACdb. We use both Rotary.org and DACdb database to complete the attached worksheet. Below are some of the highlights ….Through November 12, 2017 the top eight clubs for net member increase since July 1, 2017 are:

Rotary E-Club of the South 36%

Banks County 26%

Green Putnam County 20%

Columbia County West 18%

Gwinnett Sunrise 17%

Peachtree Corners 17%

Lake-Chatuge-Hiawassee 16%

Washington 15%

Disaster Relief and Recovery   

Our district 6910 is part of Rotary International Zone 34. Many of our members have friends, relatives and people we know in areas affected by the hurricanes. While the news media has moved on, the real effort of helping people continues. If you would like to help those in need and use a trusted supporter look no further than our own Rotary organization. Below are the Donor Advised Funds or Disaster Recovery Funds established to receive contributions. Each fund is managed by District leaders, who best know the needs of the affected areas.   

D7000 - Puerto Rico Recovery DAF #614 – Contacts: RIPE Barry Rassin [barry.rassin@rotary.org] and RIPD Robert Stuart [Rstuart@bhslaw.com] 

D7020 – Hurricane Irma Disaster Recovery Fund (managed by Rotary's DNA-RAG Rotary Action Group 501(c)3 #47-3860087 in cooperation with District 7020 Disaster Fund) – Contacts: Jacqueline Heyliger [jjheyliger7020@hotmail.com] and PDG Jeremy Hurst [jeremyhurst7020@gmail.com] 

D7030 – Disaster Recovery Fund (managed by Rotary's DNA-RAG Rotary Action Group 501(c)3 #47-3860087 in cooperation with District 7030 Disaster Fund) – Contacts: DG Waddy Sowma [dg1718sowma.waddy@gmail.com] and PDG David Edwards [pdgdavid7030@gmail.com]

Yours in Rotary,

David "Coop" Cooper

District Governor