Volume 1 | Issue 6 March is Water and Sanitation Month

Governor’s Column (February/March 2019)

Dear Rotarians:

As I write this commentary, today is March 3, which is the date that would have been Past District Governor George Windate's 90th Birthday. George passed away on February 13, and was an important leader in our district for many years. Here are some sentiments I shared with the Rotary Club of Sugarcreek a few weeks ago:

"Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of Past District Governor George Windate. I first met George around the year 2000, a few years before I became president of my club. At that time George was about to become District Governor of Rotary District 6650. My club president at the time, Debbie Esbenshade (now PDG Debbie) was planning to attend the Rotary International Convention in San Antonio, TX, which was in June 2001 at the start of her year as President and George's year as District Governor. This was the first Rotary International Convention I attended, and it was great to share that experience with the incoming district governor and his wife, Sally. George & Sally, and Debbie and I got to pal around at the convention and spend some time touring the city, seeing its sights like the Alamo, and sharing meals and drinks. George was in his prime as a businessman, Rotarian and leader. He was fun to be around and always engaging. He was the kind of person who was focused on you when you were in a conversation with him. I think he took an interest in me as a young Rotarian and someone who worked in a similar business--financial services. George was always a class act, and a Rotarian's Rotarian. He was the kind of Rotarian and leader that we call can aspire to become.

When I think of this year's theme, "Be the Inspiration," I think of George. After his stroke, when many others would have given up, or stopped spending time with friends or at Rotary, George did not let his limitations, especially with his impaired speech, stop him from doing anything. As recently as 2017, he and Sally attended the Rotary convention in Atlanta, where I had one last time to spend with him at a major Rotary function. I was honored that he attended our district holiday gathering just a few months ago in November. It allowed me one last time to visit with him. Sally said there was nothing that day that would have stopped him from coming and they drove all the way to Youngstown to be with all the PDG's and district leadership for a party that day. George always liked a good party.

George Windate is my inspiration, and someone who encouraged me to become district governor. I'm thankful for that, but more so for the many years of friendship I've shared with him and Sally."

Thanks to all Rotarians across the district who participated in the Rotary District 6650 Foundation Art Auction. We had over 60 pieces of art created by Rotarians, members and families. Nearly 150 Rotarians across the district came together on Friday, February 1 to raise money for the foundation, and the event realized approximately $9,200!! Thank you for your generosity. And, I'd like to especially thank the planning committee under the leadership of Michelle Mullaly, President of the Rotary Club of Canton, for an evening of great food, fellowship, and fun!

March is Water and Sanitation Month and I hope that you might consider a program or project to highlight Rotary's monthly theme. Here in the United States, we often take for granted the access to clean, affordable water available on demand. That's not the case around the world. so I encourage you to learn more as Rotarians about this key area of focus of The Rotary Foundation.

District Conference

Planning for the District 6650/6690 District Conference is in full swing and I'm expecting as many Rotarians across the district to attend. This year's conference is totally different! We are holding it jointly with District 6690 which is adjacent to our district to the south and west geographically. Second, we've lined up a unique program that will showcase service, engagement and fun. Third, RI Past President K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran will be our keynote speaker. It is also a great opportunity to celebrate our success of "being the inspiration" this year. Registration is now open and I encourage you to sign up now! https://bettertogether

BE THE INSPIRATION!

Scott

Upcoming Events

District Rotarians have indicated they would like to be aware of Rotary activities throughout the District in order to be supportive. This is your chance to let everyone know about your upcoming events/projects. Please submit your information to Lauri at info@cantonrotary.org or 330-452-2882.

Rotary Club of Canton

Rotary Club of Sugarcreek's Health Screen & Pancake Breakfast

Rotary Club of Millersburg

4-Way Speech Contest

District Conference

D istrict Calendar

This calendar is there for you. It is easy to add your event.

If you have administrative access to your website, please follow these directions. If you do not have administrative access, contact Lauri at info@cantonrotary.org or at 330-452-2882.

On the website:

Go to Administration
On the left go to Events
Go to Event Planner
Insert your information

District Governor Scott's Club Visits

Memories- PDG George Windate

Art Auction

Joint Meeting of Struthers and Boardman's Rotary Clubs with Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel

RYLA Conference

Visits to The Sarasota South and Niceville Florida Rotary Clubs

The Rotary Club of Sugarcreek's 90th Anniversary

Rotary Club of Youngstown's Groundhog Day Craft Beerfest with RI Director Stephanie Urchick and Club President John Fahnert

Assistant Governors Meeting

To view the pictures from DG Scott's Visits, Click Me!

2019 BETTER TOGETHER JOINT DISTRICT CONFERENCE - APRIL 12th and 13th

Registration is now open for 2019 Better Together, District 6650 & 6690 Joint District Conference.

The 2019 Better Together, District Conference Committee has been working hard to bring you a one-of-a-kind experience.

We are excited to welcome Past RI President KR Ravi Ravindran from Sri Lanka as our Keynote Speaker for the All-Club Lunch on Friday. Other highlights of the Conference are:

House of Friendship – Meet fellow Rotarians from all around Eastern Ohio. Discover great new service projects to bring back to your home club. Enjoy entertainment and activities while making new friends.
RO-Talks – TED Talks for Rotary. Learn from Rotarians and Non-Rotarians about inspiring projects and ideas to enhance your Rotary experience.
Workshops – A wide selection of workshops are offered to inform and educate. Everything from Active Shooter Preparedness and Building a Stronger Club to Diversity, Adversity and Inclusion. You might even want to check out the Mystery Workshop with DG Scott and DG Craig, it will be fun, fun, fun!
Morning of Service – Attendees will join with over 70 Youth Exchange Students for Hands-On service projects. Packing meals for 3rd world countries and cutting old denim to be made into shoes for Ugandans are among the projects planned.
Caribbean Dinner and Dance Party – Relax and be entertained by the Canal Winchester High School Steel Drum Band while you enjoy cocktails and dinner. Then, we will dance to the sounds of Shakin’ and Stirred Live Band. Be sure to wear your Island Attire!

WEBSITE
BETTER TOGETHER REGISTRATION
HOTEL RESERVATION

2019 Better Together
2 Zones, 2 Districts, 106 Clubs & over 5,500 Rotarians = 1 Awesome Conference

Don’t miss it!

For More Details on the District Conference, Click Me!

Passing of PDG George H. Windate

"George H. Windate, age 89, of Stone Creek, passed away peacefully at home on February 13, 2019.

Born March 3, 1929, in Akron, he was the son of the late George H. and Ida McCoy Windate. George graduated from Akron’s Kenmore High School and went on to serve honorably with the U.S. Air Force. He started his own financial, investment and insurance business, which he operated for 37 years. George had the honor of being qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table and was a life member. He was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Bath and continued in Rotary for over 50 years becoming district governor. George was the founder of the Medina-Summit Chapter of the Ohio Horseman’s Council, and was responsible for starting the many horse trails that are now in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. He retired to the country enjoying a peaceful life with his wife and horses. The couple enjoyed trail riding and travel – they had visited 25 different countries.

Always remember, "Life is Good"

District Rotary Foundation - Update

FIRST ROTARY FOUNDATION ART AUCTION WAS A BIG SUCCESS:

About 140 Rotarians from our District attended the first ever Art Auction at the SOAP Gallery on February 1. With over 65 pieces of art waiting to be purchased, nearly everyone was able to go home with something new! Everyone there enjoyed great music by Youngstown musician J.D. Eicher and delicious pasta and salad. The evening was fun and casual and offered many opportunities to meet and mingle with our fellow Rotarians. The top bid went to a limited-edition bottle of Jack Daniels which was purchased during the live auction portion for $2,000 and earned the buyer TWO Paul Harris Fellows. The quality of the art donated for the event was hugely impressive and there were only a few pieces that did not sell. This event netted slightly over $9,000 for the Rotary Foundation – of which a portion of that will come back to our District in the coming years. Thank you to all who donated their talents, purchased program ads, came to the event and purchased art. A huge thank you to the committee who made the event run smoothly! -- Michelle Mullaly

Thanks on behalf of The Rotary Foundation and our District goes to Michelle Mullaly from the Canton Club and her team of Rotarian volunteers for their efforts at this event.

To view pictures from the Art Auction, click on this LINK

Click Here to view more information on the Foundation

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BETTER TOGETHER REGISTRATION
HOTEL RESERVATION