Visit with District Governor Ed Jellen - Thursday, July 24, 2014

Ed Jellen's Message for July, 2014

Dear District 5170 Rotarians,

Our theme this year is “Light Up Rotary!”  So as we begin the 2014-2015 Rotary year, I want to express my appreciation to all of you who have worked, and plan to continue working, so hard to “light up” our new Rotary year by making it one that will be vibrant, fun, and successful for our members, our clubs, and our district.

As to our clubs, I have met many times with the club Presidents as a group, and enjoyed listening to them express their ideas, goals, and enthusiasm. Based on these meetings and other visits I have had with them, I can assure you that our 2014-2015 club Presidents make a terrific team – spirited, motivated, and dynamic.  I know they will do an outstanding job to enhance Rotary over the coming year.  This they will do by expanding membership so that many additional members of our local communities can enjoy the Rotary experience.  They also hope to improve retention by conducting club meetings that are exciting and engaging, and by expanding Rotary service opportunities for club members. Additionally, our Presidents are committed to promoting and supporting The Rotary Foundation, as am I. And, they have voted to help our teachers and schools across the district by collecting and distributing school supplies for the “2014-2015 Presidents’ Project.”

For all of this, they will of course need your help, which I know will be forthcoming.

At the district level, a quick glance at our District Directory for 2014-2015 will show that a good many Rotarians have stepped forward to help our clubs and our district by accepting positions of responsibility in the District. This dedicated and hard-working group includes our Assistant Governors, committee chairs, committee members, and all of those who have volunteered to help with past and upcoming District events. To all of them, I say “thank you.”

Speaking of events, we have a very exciting event-calendar planned for this year. A membership seminar is planned for July 19th for all club Presidents, Presidents-elect, and membership chairs. We are planning a special “Rotary Day at the A’s” for September 20th. Our Avenues of Service event will take place on October 15th. We are already hard at work preparing for our District Conference at the Doubletree from April 17th – April 19th in 2015. Also, all Rotarians are welcome and encouraged to attend our District Cabinet meetings, where we will share camaraderie and learn more about what is happening in Rotary.

I’m excited!  Together, let’s “Light Up Rotary”!