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

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 Message-March 2017

We have just over three months left in this Rotary year and so much has been accomplished. We have set a new record in District 6910 giving to The Rotary Foundation in celebrating the Centennial and I know that number will continue to grow as Rotarians continue expressing their desires to 'do good in the world' by giving. As of today, our clubs show increased membership of 100 members in Rotary District 6910. 

This Friday, 31 March is final day for registering with savings for the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta. Currently, we have 653 registered for the convention from our district. If you're not registered, please consider getting it done this week to avoid the walk-in registration fees. Register here. In addition to the inspiring speakers like Bill Gates, there will be informative break-out sessions. One of the best parts of the convention will be the events. You can get registered for those fun events here. Entrance to the biggest House of Friendship ever is included as part of your registration, and that will be a highlight of your convention experience.

Here are some helpful convention notes:

To Register: http://www.riconvention.org/en/atlanta/register

Last day for preregistration discount March 31 - $415.  After March 31 - $490

To Volunteer: http://www.rotaryconvention2017.org/volunteer

You must be registered to volunteer. Volunteers are need to staff events and at the airport.

To Have Fun: http://www.rotaryconvention2017.org/festival-events

Thurs., June 8, 7-10:30pm – Atlanta Braves Game – Strike Out Polio $85

Sat., June 10, 7:30 – 10am – 3K Walk/run to End Polio Now $20

Sat., June 10 6PM-11 – Blue Jeans & Blue Grass: Opening Night Celebration $50

Sat., June 10 9:30PM -10:30 – Candlelight Vigil to End Slavery and Human Trafficking $0

Sun., June 11 7 – 11PM – Gone with the Wind $20

Mon, June 12 1-4PM – Delta Flight Museum Tour $40

Mon., June 12 6:30-10PM – Evening at the College Football Hall of Fame $75 or $90

Mon., June 12 7-10PM – Evening at The World of Coke $75

Tues., June 13 1-3PM or 3-5PM – Habitat Home Build $20

Tues., June 13 7-10PM - Centennial Celebration Block Party $60

The following are sold out: Athens Night, Peace Tour, CDC Polio Tour, Host Hospitality Night

In Georgia, the three Rotary districts will be celebrating on the evening of June 9th at the Georgia Aquarium with a Million Dollar Dinner. Those donors who have given $10,000 or greater to The Rotary Foundation, either outright or in the form of a bequest, during this 2016-17 Rotary year will be receiving invitations to attend. Rotary International John Germ will be the keynote speaker, delivering a personal thank you, for your support of our Rotary Foundation. If you're interested in making a bequest gift, please either contact me, our Million Dollar Dinner Chairperson, Rich Panyik or visit The Rotary Foundation's Endowment Fund for more information.

Our 100% Paul Harris Fellow Clubs continue to grow in District 6910. Here are our outstanding clubs celebrating this achievement. Congratulations, and thank you!

Our clubs need more caring hearts, willing hands and bright minds with new ideas. Please share the gift of Rotary by inviting someone to attend your next meeting, social event or service projects. Consider who amongst your family, friends, clients, or business providers might be waiting for the invitation to attend. Consider how many of the people we know aren't Rotarians simply because they haven't been asked.

Yours in Rotary,

Kim Waters

Rotary District 6910 Governor

Gwinnett County Rotarians Bowl to End Polio

Rotary members in Duluth, Georgia gathered together  to reach out, raise awareness, funds and support to end polio – a vaccine preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.   

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative nearly 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to 26 confirmed as of Sept. 19, 2016.  To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, experts say $1.5 billion is urgently needed. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.  

The Gwinnett Mosaic Rotary Club along with 5 other Rotary and Interact Clubs joined together in service and fellowship at the “Bowlio for Polio” fundraising event to help End Polio Now! 

Rotary has contributed more than $1.6 billion to ending polio since 1985. The “Bowlio for Polio” event raised $4,000 which is matched with a contribution from the Gates Foundation to total $12,000. 

Submitted by Jennifer Hibbard - Rotary Club of Gwinnett County, Club Secretary

Oconee County Rotary Expands-Makes a Difference

The Rotary Club of Oconee County has made great gains in growing membership under the leadership of President Marion Butler. The club leads the district in membership growth at 31% compared to its starting year July 1 membership. Recently, several new members were inducted.  

Children of Oconee County receive dictionaries from Rotary Club of Oconee County.

The club is making a difference in the community, providing dictionaries to area youth. Every 3rd grader in Oconee County recently received a dictionary.  Approximately 800 dictionaries were given out in five elementary schools and three private schools.

President Marion Butler on left with Assistant Governor Gerry Taylor on right surround new members recently inducted into the Rotary Club of Oconee County.

Canton Rotary Partners with Canton Elementary

By all measures, the Canton Rotary Club's $5,000 grant to run Canton Elementary School STEM Academy's first-ever Fall Festival and Book Fair on Saturday, October 22 was money well spent! The event was held to promote family involvement in the school, which serves a 85% free-and-reduced lunch student population.

A glorious fall day saw dozens of families come out for children to play games, pet animals, have their faces painted, win cakes and tickets to a Halloween show at a cake walk, and choose a free book for each child. Most of the Rotary District-Canton Rotary grant funded a free paperback book for each of the 800-plus children at Canton Elementary, many of whose families do not have enough disposable income to buy a book.

Smiles and laughter abounded throughout the school during the three-hour festival which saw special appearances by Schmee the Yiddish Pirate, who ran the cake walk, and Geronimo the Mouse, who meandered through the festival and danced to the continuous upbeat music.

The dozen Rotarians who helped run the event so that teachers and their families could enjoy the event were assisted by a dozen members of the River Ridge High School Interact Club and Faculty Advisor Lyn Orletsky. Many thanks to all those who participated in the Canton Elementary School Fall Festival and Book Fair, an event that will be remembered for many years to come!

A River Ridge High School Interact student face painting at the Canton Elementary School STEM Academy Fall Festival and Book Fair.

Canton Rotary Club Sergeant at Arms Bill Cornelius ran the duck pond game.

Schmee the Pirate (Past Assistant Governor Peter Gleichman) helped these students do the cake walk instead of walking the plank!

River Ridge High School Interact Club Faculty Advisor Lyn Orletsky dancing with Geronimo the Book Mouse a/k/a Canton Honorary Rotarian Francisco Lozano at the Canton Elementary School STEM Academy Fall Festival and Book Fair on Saturday, October 22. 

Canton Rotary Club Immediate Past President Jerry Cooper encourages a student doing the ring toss at the Canton Elementary Fall Festival and Book Fair.

Submitted by Peter Gleichman - Rotary Club of Canton, Public Relations Chair