DG Tom Mortimer

Greetings All District 5630 Rotarians:

Welcome to the new year of Rotary. We start the year out with a new President, who is John Germ and his wife Judy. John has selected the theme of Rotary for 2016-2017 to be Rotary Serving Humanity. I really think that describes what we as Rotarians do.  This has been the cornerstone of Rotary since its earliest days, and as John Germ says, its main purpose ever since. I can think of no other organization that is so dedicated to such a purpose and goal.

This of course is a busy time for clubs and the district. We welcome 33 new club presidents and other officers as they assume their roles for each of their clubs. We also welcome all those who have assumed their new roles in the District Leadership team.  As your District Governor, I have started my club visits and will present the new Rotary Serving Humanity theme, Presidential Citation guide lines for the clubs, plus the centennial celebration of the Rotary Foundation, which will take place at the International Convention in Atlanta, GA, June 10-14, 2017. There is also a strong possibility that in 2017 Rotary and the WHO will announce that there are no new cases of polio in the world. That indeed would make the centennial celebration of the Rotary Foundation a very happy occasion.

July 17-22 in Camp Halsey, RYLA took place. Seventy-two young men and women from many towns across Nebraska participated in this annual event. A big thank you to Glenn Knuth, Amanda Koubek, and the senior and junior counselors who all gave up a week of their summer to work with these young folks. RYLA students seem to always come back to our communities with positive and thankful attitudes about their week of RYLA. Last, but not least a big thank you to all the clubs who sponsored these students. Without your financial support, this event would not happen. Thanks again Rotary District 5630 clubs, for supporting this event.

August 20^th was supposed to be the Fall Assembly, but due to remodeling taking place at the UNK computer labs, we had to reschedule the assembly for 9/24/16, which is a Saturday away game for Nebraska and I believe it is also a night game.  So the 9:30 AM to 1:35 PM should make it possible for most to attend either in person or remote sight via zoom. PDG Don Peterson has been able to schedule the August 20^th date for a membership cadre facilitation in Minden, NE at the Opera House. Details of this 4 hour event and participating clubs will be sent out. Don would like 2-4 members from each club participating to attend. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Remember August is membership and extension month.

There are two events that we as Rotarians in District 5630 need to support. First is the BIG RED BLOWOUT.  The purpose of this annual event is:

1. Raise money for the foundation. 50% of the net proceeds go to the Rotary Foundation. So our goal is to net $100,000 after expenses in 2016, so the $50,000 goes to the Foundation in the seller/buyers name. Than 3 years later the District receives 50% of this amount as DDF monies for the District/Global grant funds.
2. Raise money for the District budget. That would mean $25,000 to help keep dues down for the members in our District.
3. Raise money for the local clubs. If your club participated, then your club would get the percentage you contributed to the net sales. $25,000 times your clubs sales percentage.

As you can see this is a win-win-win situation for the foundation, district and your club. Let’s hit the goal of every member approximately 1200 x $100 = $120,000.00 gross.

The second event coming up is the Rotary Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 26-30, 2016 for emerging leaders and young professionals or Oct 27-30, 2016 for not only emerging leaders but District Governors, Membership Chairs, Foundation Chairs, Public Image Chairs and Trainers and all spouses. Emerging leaders will have their registration reimbursed by the Zone, once they complete the program. Plus the District will help offset travel and room costs for attendance of the program. If you any interest in either portion of this great program, than contact DG Tom Mortimer, DGE Jerry Milner, DGN Dale Schultz, PDG’s Dian Edwards, Don Peterson. We will assist you or answer any questions you may have concerning this Rotary learning event.

One last thing to pass on. PDG Dave Snow and helpers, are trying to put together a bus tour to Atlanta for the Rotary International Convention, June 10-14, 2017. We will keep you posted with the progress of this exciting event. If you have never had the opportunity to attend an International Conference, than this really is a best chance for you. It is in the USA and the cost should be more affordable. Hope to see you in Atlanta.

Thank you for serving humanity.

DG Tom Mortimer