It may not look like it, but spring is (almost) here! It will be a busy spring for the district. I want to bring your attention to two upcoming district events and one RI event.

 

 

The district will be sponsoring our Spring Assembly on April 21. This is a training program for club officers other than the president (secretary, treasurer, or member of the board). DGE Scott and the District Training Committee has put together an excellent program that will help leaders to do their jobs well next year. I hope that all club leaders and people who expect to become a club leader will join us on April 21. [Register Here]

 

 

The district conference is just 6 weeks away, and I am excited. We have outstanding speakers. Our keynote speaker on Thursday evening is Brian Blasko, a highly regarded motivational speaker, who has spoken all over the country and is also the author of two books. On Friday, we have John T. Capps, who has won just about every award there is to win in Rotary and has spoken to Rotary groups across the country. Representing Zone 29 will be Chris Etienne and our own Geoff Goll. Chris is the current Rotary Coordinator for Zone 29, and Geoff headed the Polio Plus efforts for the zone for several years.

 

I have been truly inspired this year by Rotary and the clubs in our district. The theme for the conference—The Magic of Rotary—reflects my amazement. We will recognize Rotarians and clubs at the conference, reporting on incredible achievements, celebrating the lives of Rotarians that we have lost, and enjoying the programs that are so central to Rotary.

 

What would a conference be without some fun? There will be an informal reception on Thursday before dinner. Arrive early, get together with your Rotary friends, and get to know some new Rotary friends. The Warren Rotary club will once again sponsor an elegant Hospitality Suite after dinner on Thursday. The House of Friendship will be conveniently located right next to the program venue on Friday, providing information and refreshments between sessions. We will have an Iron Lung on display in the House of Friendship, a stark reminder of the terrible disease we are close to wiping off the face of the earth. For those of you who enjoy golf, we will have an informal golf outing at the Avalon Lakes course. This is a Pete Dye course, which will be available to attendees at half the normal green fees ($75 instead of $150). And of course, the youth exchange students will be putting on their annual talent show.

 

Note that the conference is NOT on a weekend, and it is shorter than many of our past conferences. People told us that weekends are precious. You should be able to be home for supper on Friday evening. What we have is a fast-paced, informative, and inspirational program. Please join us this year. You will not regret it! [Register Here]

 

 

Nothing captures the international flavor of Rotary like its annual convention. This year, it is held in the wonderfully cosmopolitan city of Toronto. DGE Scott Schulick has put together a bus trip to and from the convention (see story elsewhere in this newsletter), but it is also an easy drive and/or flight. I have never failed to come away from an RI Convention inspired. [Learn More Here]