What an exciting and emotional week in District 6970. We began the week saying goodbye to the Rotary Club of High Springs as they just missed celebrating their 100th anniversary; I had the chance to induct 11 new members; we sent our disaster Trailer to Southwest Florida; we said goodbye to our dear friend Jim Stege, and I saw the Rotary clubs of Putnam County all come together to support the Rotary Club of Crescent City.
High Springs has changed as a community so unfortunately, we had to say goodbye. Is your club adapting to the community that you serve and the members that you recruit? I hope this is a wakeup call to any club that is losing members. Paul Harris’ model of Rotary is not the same in every situation in 2022.
I had the pleasure of inducting 11 new Rotarians this week including 6 at the Rotary Club of Palatka: Stephanie Reems, Kim Simon, Jennifer Moates, Mark Litten, Jim Troiano and David Zachary. It was a special treat to welcome back Jim Troiano who served as both Club President and Assistant Governor with me. Jim, welcome back to your Rotary home! I know of so many wonderful men and women that have not yet been given the chance to experience Rotary. When was the last time your club inducted a new member. New members are the future of our clubs as we nurture these exceptional new members.
District 6970 Disaster Co-Chair Richard Knoff took our disaster trailer to Southwest Florida loaded by with $2,500 of supplies. We are currently working on a matching grant to send them an additional $20,000 in relief. Thank you for your support!
On Saturday Rotarians from across the district including Lieutenant Governor-Elect Dean Scott and I joined Rotarians from across the district to say goodbye to Jim Stege who joined Rotary in 1999 in Gainesville, and along the way was in the South Jacksonville and St. Augustine clubs before settling in Crescent City. Jim, the youth in our district will always be in your debt.
For me the week ended on a wonderful note as I joined the Rotary Club of Crescent City at their Wine and Swine event. The highlight, however, was seeing Rotarians from Interlachen & the Lakes, Palatka and Palatka Sunrise working the food preparation area. If I did not know better, I would tell you that there is only one Rotary Club in Marion County. We can do so much more for our communities when we work together.
Ok, we have sold out for the Jaguars game on November 6. We need your ticket forms and payment ASAP for November 27 and January 8.
Don’t forget to respond to Rotary Youth Exchange Chair Scott Burgess on your plans for Rotary Year 2023/24 and your interest in Rotary Youth Exchange.
DGE John Tabor and District Trainer-Elect Bea Fore completed a second PETS 1. Just a reminder that those clubs who have not yet attended PETS1, our final opportunity is Saturday November 5 at the University of North Florida. Contact DGE John Tabor with questions.
Pictures of the Week
A great visit with the Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs with Past District Governor and Annual Fund Chair Russ Miller, President Don Fann and Assistant Governor Preston Mangus.
What a fun meeting at the Rotary Club of Greater Gainesville as President Bree Guiterman gave me the wonderful opportunity to induct John Baril and Michael Thompson.
On Tuesday at the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra President Bob Wiltfong, Past President Mary Beth Murray and I inducted their newest member Dean Jones.
At lunch on Tuesday the Rotary Club of Palatka President Jonathan Griffith found an effective way to make use of the District Governor and that was to install 6 new members.
The Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville wanted a group photo with President Carl Smart and I was more than happy to oblige on Wednesday.
At the end of my presentation David Bridges held up his emblazoned Covid Rotary Mask and and told us he had missed a few meetings lately because he was flying humanitarian supplies from Alaska to Warsaw Poland. It always makes me proud to hear these stories!
It was fun to talk with the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach with Past District Governor Art MacQueen, President Sheila Pillath and District Governor Nominee Mickey Ulmer. Although the highlight was inducting new member Steve Campbell with his dad, longtime Rotarian Hal Campbell on the phone listening.
On Friday I finished my visits at the Rotary Club of Deerwood with the induction of AJ Beson, supported by Mackey Weaver, President Eric Drake, and Assistant Governor Robert Perry.
