District 6910 Governor Message-July/Aug 2017

Let the visits begin.
Past District Governors all told me the best part of a District Governor’s responsibility is the club visits. I can testify that statement is accurate. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Rotarians in our district and learning about what each club is doing to make a difference this Rotary year. I sincerely appreciate how EVERY club has made me feel like I am one of their own. One problem…This is going way too fast!


I have the nerve to serve.
Clubs that have participated in promoting the Top Guns of Rotary District Conference in Charleston, SC certainly do have the nerve to serve. The Rotary Club of Jasper was especially creative with their video rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic – Glory, glory, hallelujah. Peachtree Corners members were wearing name badges with hilarious call signs on the badges. Gwinnett Sunrise, LaFayette and Covington all had creative displays. Thomson ran an entertaining video loop with music during the socializing part of the meeting. Columbia County West brought in an actual drill sergeant to encourage us to attend the conference. I know why this guy is a drill sergeant! Columbia County were all lined up and wearing aviators as I walked in the room. Top gun music played while we were enjoying breakfast. Washington thought I should be introduced to the REAL deal when club President Boz walked out in full flight gear. All have been posted to Facebook..I am looking forward visiting the next club having fun and promoting the 2018 district conference.

District Governor David "Coop" Cooper enjoying a visit at Rotary Club of Martinez-Evans.

Rotary Club of Columbia County West brought in an actual Drill Sergeant to promote the 2018 'Top Gun' District Conference in Charleston SC.

Rotary Club of Washington's Club President Terry "Boz" Boswell in full flight gear promoting District Conference.

Old ways won’t open new doors.
Saturday, August 12, we will hold the first District 6910 Rotary University. This is a perfect opportunity to help your newer members get more acquainted with Rotary. You can fully expect fresh information will be shared in a creative and interesting fashion. We promise not to disappoint those wanting to bring new ideas back to their clubs. Please register now so that we can plan for the proper amount of seating and food.  Register here.


Life is short… Smile while you still have teeth.
Now that you are smiling, go invite someone to Rotary. August is Membership and Extension month. Share Rotary with someone that will make as good of a Rotarian as you. If you have never sponsored a new member then please do so before you lose your teeth.

Yours in Rotary service,


David Cooper
District Governor

Peace Pole Dedication at Jasper Rotary Peace Park

On Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 12:00 P.M., the Rotary Club of Jasper will dedicate our Peace Pole. The dedication ceremony will be held at Rotary Peace Park located behind the Boys and Girls Club of Jasper. The GPS address is 101 Freedom Way, Jasper, Georgia.

One of Rotary Internationals primary areas of focus is the promotion of peace throughout the world.

Peace Poles are recognized as the most prominent international symbol and monument for peace. They symbolize the oneness of humanity and our common wish for a world at peace.

Peace Poles bear the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in the different languages of the world.

In considering a Peace Pole for their park, the Rotary Club of Jasper recognized the unique opportunity available to us as the home of Georgia Marble. Our Peace Pole was manufactured locally by Blue Ridge Marble and carved from the same marble as was used in Washington, DC to build the Lincoln Memorial.

Placed on a marble base, our monument totals ten ft. in height. On each of the four sides of the pole, two different languages will display the Peace Pole message of, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” for a total of eight different languages. Our Peace Pole displays English, Cherokee, French, Esperanto, Spanish, German, Italian and Russian languages.

This year, 2017 will also mark the 100th year of the beginning of the Rotary Foundation. This Peace Pole will serve to commemorate that event for the Rotary Club of Jasper. We invite you to join the Rotary Club of Jasper in this celebration of peace. A light lunch will be served immediately following the dedication. For planning purposes, please RSVP to jaspergarotary@gmail.com. For further information, call or contact: Steve Lawrence, Public Image Chair Steve@stevelawrencerotary.com Mobile: 770-289-6685

Submitted by Steve Lawrence - Rotary Club of Jasper, Public Image Chair

District 6910 Governor for 2019-20 Selected

Don Martin with Rotary Club of Jasper has been selected by the Rotary District 6910 Nominating Committee to serve as District Governor for the 2019-20 Rotary year.

District Governor Designate Nominee (DGND) Don Martin joined the Rotary Club of Jasper in January of 2007 and after serving as the Administrative Chair from 2009-2011, served as President for the 2011-2012 Rotary Year. Don also served the club as the Audio-Visual Chair from 2012-2015 and the Public Image Chair in 2015-2016.

At the District Level, Don is currently serving as an Assistant Governor for Area 16 and served on the Board of Directors from 2014-2016. Many of you will have seen Don operating the audiovisual equipment at District Conferences and training events as he served as the AV Lead and then Committee Chair from 2012 to 2016.

Don is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute, The Discussion Leader Course and the Graduate Course in the Foundation; he has served as a Discussion Leader since 2013 and as the District 6910 Faculty Chair since 2014.  In July of 2017 Don will assume the role of RLI District Chair.  

Don was recognized with The Rotary Foundation District Service Award in 2013, and a special District 6910 Service Award in 2014.

As a strong believer of the importance of the Rotary Foundation as a key element of the Rotary experience, Don is a Benefactor, a Paul Harris Fellow +4, and a member of the Paul Harris Society.  Don is also a Will Watt Fellow of the Georgia Rotary Student Program.

Don is a native of Memphis, TN and holds degrees from the University of Memphis, Georgia State and Mercer.  Don is currently an Associate Broker specializing in residential real estate with Torrey Mountain Properties.  Prior to returning to real estate 10 years ago, Don served 28 years of Active & Reserve duty with the United States Army before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1998.  His terminal assignment was as the Chief of the Transportation and Services Division, G-4, Headquarters, United States Army Reserve Command at Fort McPherson.  Following his retirement, Don was a Project Manager for the Anteon Corporation (now part of General Dynamics) until 2006.

Don is married to the former Regina Carol Cates of Vancleave, MS and they have lived in Bent Tree just outside Jasper since their marriage in 1999.  Regina is also an active Rotarian, serving as the Chair of the GRSP Cookbook project for 2014-2017 and will serve as President of the Jasper club in 2017-2018.  Regina is a retired educator, a superior quilter and an outstanding RV parking ground guide.

Both Don and Regina are Elders at the Fellowship Presbyterian Church (where they met in1994).  Don sings in the choir and Regina is Co-Director.  

Don is a longtime member of the National Defense Transportation Association, where he served in various leadership positions including President of the Atlanta Chapter, State Vice President and as the NDTA Southeastern Vice President in 2002.  Don is a life member of the Reserve Officer’s Association and the Military Order of World Wars.

In the Jasper area Don served on the Board of Directors for Pickens County for 3 years and as the Chair of the Business Council for 4 years.  Don has served in several leadership positions, including President, in the Pickens County Board of Realtors and was the Realtor of the Year in 2011.  Don is a Life Member of the Circle of Excellence of the Pickens County Board of Realtors.

For many years Don was an occasional actor and Board Member of the local little theater group in Jasper - somewhat whimsically named The Tater Patch Players.  Don served on the Board of Directors of the Jasper Muse from 2013-2016.  Both organizations are 501-c-3 charities that brought music and theater opportunities to Pickens County and North Georgia.

Don has served on the Board of the Hope House, an emergency children’s shelter founded and supported by the Rotary Club of Jasper.  Don also serves on the Jasper Community Action Team of the FERST Foundation, which is another project brought to Pickens County by Rotary and provides a free book monthly to nearly 1000 children from birth to kindergarten.  

With whatever time is left over, Don enjoys golf, reading and travelling with Regina in their motor home.  And, of course, all things Rotary.

-Submitted by Kim Waters, District Governor

The challenge period ends 12 November 2016.  14.020.8. Challenging Candidates. Any club in the district which has been in existence for at least one year as of the beginning of that year may also propose a challenging candidate for governor-nominee provided this club has previously suggested such candidate to the nominating committee. A club in existence for less than one year as of the beginning of that year may propose a challenging candidate provided such candidate is a member of that club and the challenging candidate must have been duly suggested to the nominating committee. The name of the challenging candidate shall be submitted pursuant to a resolution by the club adopted at a regular meeting. The club must file the resolution with the governor by the date determined by the governor. Such date shall be not more than 14 days after publication of the announcement of the selection for governor-nominee by the governor.