Wow… you did it!!!
By: District Governor Dan Hall
Thanks to all of you 2011/202 Club Presidents and Committee Chairs for a job well done. Thanks, too, goes out to the outstanding group of Executive Officers who helped guide your
District 6040 this year. Likewise I am grateful for the work done by District Committee Chairs and committee members Thanks to all the Assistant District Governors. While it would take too long to list all of you individually, my deepest thanks go to Secretary Gerry McReynolds and my good Rotary friend, who served you as our Deputy District Governor, Paige Scott.
One of our District goals was to strengthen the New Generations Avenue of service with our clubs. That was accomplished with several clubs starting High School Rotary Interact clubs where there had never been a club before. Two new Rotaract clubs were initiated. Our District will send more High School students than ever to the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. Our High School 4-Way test speech contest had excellent participation.
A second goal was to enhance the work done in International Projects. Several clubs were involved in significant projects in foreign countries. The St. Joseph East club initiated twenty new water purification projects serving economically needy schools and villages in northern Thailand. We had a first, for our district, with our Group Study Exchange. We sent four young professionals and a Rotary team leader behind the former “iron curtain” to the country of Romania. We learned much about Romania from their GSE Team as they toured our district and met many of you reading this newsletter (for more insights see GSE feature article in this newsletter). Lastly we began development of a District 6040 Caribbean Micro-Credit initiative in one of the very poorest parts of the Dominican Republic. Thanks to you our Rotary District raised a net of $20,000 for The Rotary Foundation at our annual Foundation Dinner.
Then at the club level you did outstanding work in the five avenues of service. As I traveled and met you at club meetings I was amazed at your community work….my heart was indeed warmed! I appreciate how much better your local communities are today because of your personal time and resources donated in service to your fellow citizen.
Now a new Rotary year is upon us. I know DGE Kenny Harris and, I am proud to say, that he is a friend of mine. Now you are about to get to know Kenny as one who really appreciates the service local clubs perform in their communities. He comes from the Blue Springs club where he has made many contributions and is greatly respected by his fellow Rotary members.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I appreciated the Past District Governors and the assistance they provided me during the year. Special “hat’s off “ to Immediate Past District Governor, Jeff Romine, and his dear wife, Marilyn, also to PDG’s John Gill, Ray Klinginsmith, Carl Chinnery, and Elizabeth Usovicz. Without your “guys” this year would not have been nearly as productive. Finally, as Tiny Tim would say…”God bless you, each and every one.”