District Governor Kevin Crouse, February 2014
DG Kevin’s February Message
It is hard to believe that this Rotary year is almost two-thirds over already. My visits to clubs have been most inspiring and very enlightening. The variety of ways that Rotarians make the Rotary dream visible in their communities is most impressive. All clubs operate in a most unique way to Engage Rotary and Change Lives.
By now all club presidents should have received the application form for this year’s District Governor’s trophy. Engagement of members, of people in local communities, and the world at large is the theme of this year’s award. Since February is World Understanding month, it is the time of year for all of us to create projects that help our clubs continue to do good in the world. At their District Grant Sub-Committee meeting last Saturday, members discussed ways of improving the application process, ways to engage alumni, and general succession problems inherent in leadership positions. At this point, 13 projects are completed totalling close to $25,000. The committee has done a superb job in getting these Simplified grants through to completion. Congratulations to all concerned for making this happen.
Congratulations also to Karen Oakes, John Heise, Rick Sterne, Dick Earne, Jack Amico and Kevin Crosby for completing the onerous task of updating the Manual of Operations and Procedures. We now have a document that more accurately reflects district operations. Congratulations also to our new District Governor Nominee Designate Bill Clevette. Bill will be an excellent addition to our leadership team.
Unfortunately, our Public Relations Grant had to be cancelled this year. This means the funding for Facebook campaigns this year has been cancelled. Hopefully, we will be able to restore that funding next year.
The good news is that we are looking forward to our PETS 1 and 2 programs, THE District Team Training Seminar on February 22, the RLI programs on March 29, the Strategic Planning session on April 5, and the District Assembly on May3. Check the district website for more information on these programs. We are also looking forward to the Annual Awards Assembly and the District Governor Changeover celebration on June 22 at Templeton Landing in Buffalo.
Awards presented at the annual awards assembly include the Head, Hands and Heart award, the Presidential Citation, the Lighthouse award, membership and retention awards and the District Governor’s trophy. To receive the Head, Hands and Heart award, simply fill out the Rotary Engagement Resume. If you can say “yes” to 10 of those questions, give your form to your president. S/He will forward all eligible names to me by March 31, the deadline for all Awards applications. Information on all of these awards can be found on the district website under the Governor’s pages.
Your in Rotary,
District Governor