Reporter: John Adair August 4, 2010
District Governor Rick Moore was our special guest today. He was introduced by Rod Funderburk our Assistant Governor.
DG Rick told the club something of Ray Klingsmith the current President of Rotary International and this year's theme: "Building Communities and Bridging Continents"
Since DG Rick is in the rubber business he pulled out an ORANGE (He's a Clemson man) rubber ball and used it as an object lesson to illustrate that it was always moving and could not sit STILL." Rotary is like that", he said, "We should never sit still, but always be moving about living out our motto Service Above Self".
In a more spirited manner Rick recognized Beetle Bailey who was wearing, as usual, his bright orange Clemson shirt. Rick said, "Now isn't that a shirt, or not?" Jim Wellman (noted Carolina man), sitting close by, gave a quick rejoinder "Or NOT!!" Good chuckles followed from through out the room. All to confirm one of DG Rick's main points of his speech: Fellowship in Rotary is important.
Rick titled the subject of his speech: Building Stronger Clubs (In other words GROW!)
He stated there were FIVE CORE values to do this:
1. Fellowship: Two district wide socials will be planned this year. The first to be at the Citadel October 2, 2010. The Second to be next April 2011. Details to be announced later.
2. Membership: North America Rotary Clubs are in a 10 % decline. Not good!
His goal is for each District Club (78 clubs) to gain net one new member this year. Rick then presented to our wondrous Past President, Ginny Barr, and a "Membership Recognition Award" for her fine work in this area last year.
3. Foundation: Last year District 7770 raised $1,060,000.00 for The Rotary Foundation. WOW! That is a lot. This coming year our District will receive back from The Rotary Foundation $446,055.00. These monies will fund our Polio, Peace Builder, Scholarships, GSE Matching Grants and District Simplified Grant programs.
At this point, DG Rick called President Judy Johnson forward and presented her with a $1,000.00 to be used in our "Meals on Wheels" program.
HEY, I LIKE THIS GUY RICK MOORE! If he is going to keep handing out checks like that...let's invite him back.
4. Leadership Training: I don't know what he said here. Things were getting a bit muddy in my head. The next thing I heard was "Pirates Know More" and Rod Funderburk started walking around passing out mini chocolate candy bars. Then DISTRICT CONFERENCE was coming strong from DG Rick. Soon (it was 8:30) Rick said AMEN and Prez Judy thanked him with all her grace and the bell was RUNG!!!
I kept sitting at my table wondering what the FIFTH core value was. Maybe it was the candy bar. I asked President Judy, "What was the fifth core value?" She smiled, patted me on the head and said, "You're a good man, but where did you get that mustache?"
Well that was Rotary today. Wasn't it great? Being a USC grad, I sure liked the color of DG Rick's new coat. So long...John Adair, Reporting
No comments:
Post a Comment