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

Rotarians Provide Safe Water in Myanmar

When the water RISES, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties RISES to assist.  One of the six areas of focus that Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation supports is water and sanitation. Thousands of children and adults die annually from water borne illnesses.  

In August 2015, Cyclone Komen hit the countries of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.  More than 1 million people were displaced. The cyclone moved inland up to the Chin State of Myanmar causing devastating landslides and flooding the regions of Sagaing, Magwe, Ayeyarwaddy, and Rakhine States.  With the news of the fatalities and the need for clean water, the Rotary Club of Yangon jumped into action to help rebuild and provide one of life’s most crucial resources, safe water.

The Rotary Club of Yangon reached out to The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, and other Rotary clubs and Districts throughout world.  The Rotary Foundation funded a Global Grant for $84,640 to fund the construction of ten clean water systems throughout the village of Magyibinzu in the Ayeyarwaddy Division of Myanmar.  Of the total amount, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties contributed $2,000 and Rotary District 6910 contributed $1,000 towards the grant. 

The village, with a population of 2000, had been without water since the cyclone hit in 2015.  During the monsoon season, flooding occurs quite frequently leaving low lying areas with little access to clean and uncontaminated water.  Half of the village is under waist deep water during monsoon season, leaving their wells with water that is not safe to drink.

The Sawyer PointOne filtered water systems are built with nearly five foot platforms to avoid being under water during the rainy season. The village monks and villagers will constantly monitor the systems.  Each family will receive two, ten-liter water tanks with cover and tap for collecting clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.  The filters remove bacteria, protozoa, and viruses borne from unclean water.  A total of 700 bottles were distributed.  Each household will pay a very minimum sum each month so a full-time person will manage and maintain all the pumps and filters daily.  The Rotary Club of Yangon will visit the village every six months for three years to survey the systems to assure maintenance. 

Rotary makes amazing things happen!  Rotarians help develop, fund, and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems, provide access and support programs, and create the resources to facilitate, measure and enhance the quality of life for under-developed countries in the world.  For more information on how to get involved with all the amazing work Rotary International is doing around the world visit www.greeneputnamrotary.org.

Submitted by Laura Dent - Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam Counties, Public Relations Chair

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

District 6910 Governor Message-April 2017

We celebrate thirty years of women in Rotary this year. Rotary clubs all over the world are celebrating with programs celebrating our diversity and all that women bring to the organization. The  Rotary Club of Marin Sunrise, chartered in 1987 in California, was the first Rotary club to have women as charter members. The first female club president was Sylvia Whitlock of The Rotary Club of Duarte in California.

I am serving as the fifth female district governor in District 6910. The first was Kay Miller who served 2001-02, then with Rotary Club of Canton. Next came Lona Pope, with Rotary Club of Hall County who served in 2003-04. Dianne Cammarata was the third woman to serve as district governor is District 6910 in 2005-06, and she's also with Rotary Club of Hall County. Margie Eddy-Forbes with Rotary Club of Green and Putnam Counties served as district governor in 2012-13.  Had it not been for these women who served before me, I might not be a Rotarian, much less your district governor. I am thankful for their leadership and all they continue to do today in inspiring others.

Internationally, women make up only 18% of Rotary's 1.2 million members. In District 6910, we have a slightly higher number of female members, as women make up 25% of our total membership. Most Rotarians with whom I discuss this statistic think that it would be higher in our district.

I hope you will think about who you might invite to join you at Rotary, especially reaching out to your female colleagues and friends. We need more caring hearts, willing hands and bright minds with new ideas in Rotary.  

I hope you to see you at District Assembly on Saturday, May 13 at Lanier Tech's Forsyth Campus. Registration is open at DACdb. We will celebrate this year's achievements and I will pass the torch to incoming governor David Cooper. Thank you for all you've done to make this a great Rotary year.  But it's not over yet.  We will celebrate our Rotary Foundation's Centennial in Atlanta June 10-14, and I hope to see you there.

Yours in Rotary,

Kim Waters
District Governor