DG Tom Mortimer - March Message - Rotary District 5630

Greetings All District Rotarians:

What an exciting time of the Rotary year. There are a lot things happening in the Rotary world. Starting in January DGE 2017-2018, Jerry Milner and Susan, attended the International Assembly in San Diego, CA for his and 530+ fellow DGE’s final training and the introduction of the new Rotary President 2017-2018, Ian Riseley of Victoria, Australia, and the new Rotary theme of Rotary Making a Difference. Congratulations to DGE Jerry and Susan for completing this important event for 2017-2018 District Governors. Also in January Scott McLaughlin of the Kearney Dawn Club, was nominated and accepted the position of District Governor 2019-2020. Congratulations Scott.

On February 11, the District and the North Platte Rotary clubs hosted a membership cadre seminar in North Platte, NE. The meeting was led by PDG Dick Jones, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Twenty-three Rotarians from eleven different clubs were in attendance. The day was filled with sharing and learning. The seminar emphasized the development of a definitive plan that is shared with all club members. This concept was considered the best path to membership growth and retention. Thank you goes out to all those that attended this important training seminar. This was the third Cadre training session sponsored by District 5630 and there are plans to continue with this type training in the future.

February 24-26,2017 was the annual High Country PETS for Rotary Districts 5390, 5440, 5450, 5470, and 5630. The workshop was for all President-Elects from the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. This annual event is to help all Rotary Club President-elects prepare for their year as President of their local Rotary Club. The location was the Renaissance Hotel, Denver, Colorado. Thank you to all the President-Elects that made the trip to this great learning event. The weather was an issue, but all Districts had a very good attendance percentage. A special thanks to DGE Jerry Milner, PDG’s Dian Edwards and Don Peterson, DGN Dale Schultz, Scott McLaughlin DGND, Loraine Lawler, JoAnne Hoatson DAA, and Bob Taylor for volunteering your time to help train the future leaders of Rotary.

March 11, 2017 is District Spring Assembly, UNK, WSTC building, room 254W (2^nd floor of the building). This is when all clubs attend their Grant Training. One member of each club must attend this training in order to be eligible for DDF grant funds. This training will be led by District Foundation Chair 2016-2017, Scott McLaughlin. Also presenting will be 2016-2017 Membership Chair, Don Peterson on Membership Tools, and 2016-2019 Public Image Chair, Cheryl Bryan and DGN Dale Schultz on Public Image Tools. Followed by DG Tom Mortimer on the District Conference and DGE 2017-2018 Jerry Milner with the final word. Lunch will be provided for all the attendees at the UNK location. Please RSVP to PDG Dian Edward at dg5630.2012@gmail.com with your name and the club you represent. Hope you all have someone attend.

March is also RYLA registration month. Since there has been some issue with the registration process, it has been extended to 3/24/2017. You can register your participants at www.greatplainsryla.org. RYLA is July 16 – July 21^st. The new registrar is Kali Blevins and hopefully her information will be updated on the website. Glenn Knuth will continue as the RYLA Chair. I know that we need all clubs to step up with providing Senior Counselors for this very worthwhile event for developing our young leaders. Even if you can only attend one day, it will help the camp. Please contact Glenn Knuth, DGE Jerry Milner or myself. Remember there is some paperwork to complete as a Senior Counselor. Thanks for stepping up and helping our youth. Rotary Serving Humanity.

Finally, I would like to invite all the Rotarians from District 5630 to attend the celebration of Club and District projects and update to your Presidential Citation. We also will be celebrating the Rotary Foundation 100^th Anniversary. This exciting event will take place in St Paul, Nebraska at the St Paul Civic Center (which St Paul Rotary Club provided $100,000 of seed money to build). The St Paul Club and District have planned a fun day on Thursday and PDG dinner at Milleta Vista Winery in the evening, which will be open to all that would like to enjoy the dinner and beautiful setting overlooking the Loup River and valley. The cost is $30.00 and you must RSVP to JoAnne Hoatson DAA, when you register for the conference. Friday and Saturday will be filled with great speakers, panel group, catered meals and a 100th year celebration of the Rotary Foundation. I hope you all can help us celebrate in St Paul. Registration will be on the District Website or contact JoAnne Hoatson District Administrative Assistant, at daa@5630mail.org.

Thanks again for being a Rotarian and Serving Humanity.

DG Tom Mortimer

Saturday, April 26

District Governor Elect Sarah Cathcart (Kearney Noon) began the morning activities with a powerful flag ceremony with our guests and RYE students parading their respective flag. Representing 11 nations were; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Japan, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Nebraska, The United States of America and of course the flag that unites all of us, Rotary International. The US colors were presented by the VFW Color Guard Commander Gary Bush followed by the pledge of Allegiance and the national Anthem’s of Equador and United States.

District RYE Coordinator, Paula Witt (Hastings Sunrise) presented “Passport to Possibilities” to the two outbound RYE Students (25-26) with a gift for their upcoming exchange. Owen Phelps (Hastings) will be traveling to Brazil, while Mac Whitehead (McCook) will be traveling to Japan. Following we heard from the current inbound students themselves as Paula interviewed each of them about their exchange year in Nebraska.

Visiting DG Shawna Secker D-5390 (Montana) presented the “Exchange Effect: Changing Lives, One Journey at a Time” An inspirational story of how RYE is transforming lives across the globe, one student at a time.

Saturday Presentations

The Exchange Effect: Changing Lives, One Journey at a Time DG Shawna Secker, D-5390

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Rotary’s Secret Sauce: Attracting & Keeping Members, PDG Deb McCaslin, DMCE Toshia Jones

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Unlocking Growth: Transforming Rotary Membership in India, PAG Neeraj Bhatnagar, D-3011

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Branding Rotary: Making a Lasting Impact, DG Whitney Smith, D-5470

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Up next PDG Deb McCaslin (Broken Bow Area) and incoming District Membership Chair Toshia Jones (Cheyenne County) presented “Rotary’s Secret Sauce: Attracting & Keeping Members“, sharing fresh ideas and proven strategies to help grow and strengthen clubs.

Visiting Rotarian Neeraj Bhatnagar, PAG District 3011 (Dehli, India) presented his first of two presentations, “Unlocking Growth: Transforming Rotary Membership in India.” PAG Neeraj demonstrated how innovative strategies are driving incredible membership and engagement across one of Rotary’s most dynamic regions.

Visiting DG Whitney Smith D-5470 (Southern Colorado) presented “Branding Rotary: Making a Lasting Impact” teaching how to harness the power of storytelling, social media and visual identity to effectively share Rotary’s mission and amplify its impact in your community.

Luncheon Keynote

Davanne Moul; Sr. Sales Director Mary Kay, delivered a powerful message of how passion, planning and perseverance has lifted her to tower above others. Ms. Moul intertwined messages of hope with her stories of growing up on a ranch in Aladdin WY. Ms Moul described how she has lived a life of service to others and how that has empowered her to become a top sales leader for Mary Kay nationally for many years. Her message most certainly encouraged all to pursue their dreams.

Pride Points: 60 Years of Inspiration, Innovation & Impact, Davanne Moul Mary Kay

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Rotary’s Blueprint for Global Impact: The 7 Areas of Focus, PAG Neeraj Bhatnagar, D-3011

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How it Began... PDG Pedro Zanini & Elba Bernat D-4945

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Global Grants: Turning Vision into Action, PDG Dale Schultz

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CRMC Clinic: Honoring Life through Service, Dr. Kim Baxter

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PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney Bio

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PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney [Speech w/ cues]

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PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Maloney

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PAG Neeraj returned to the stage to present “Rotary’s Blueprint for Global Impact: The 7 Areas of Focus“, a message of how one person with a single focus can drive meaningful change in communities around the world.

PDG Bob Mayber, DRFC (North Platte Noon) shared “The Heart of Rotary: Transforming Lives Through Giving.” Bob shared a hopeful message of how the simple act of giving can be a force multiplier in Rotary’s mission and provide immeasurable impact on the lives of people whom he thought he would never meet.

PDG Pedro Zanini D-4945 (Argentina) and his wife Elba Bernat presented “This is How it Began“, sharing how a chance meeting of two DG classmates PDG Pedro and PDG Don Peterson (Kearney Dawn) on ZOOM and later in Person in Atlanta, GA would lead to a lasting friendship, and a “Ripple-Effect” of many wonderful projects.

PDG Dale Schultz (Hastings Sunrise) walked everyone through four individual Global Grant projects between D-4945 and D-5630 totaling more than $140,000. Sharing how Rotary has made a lasting impact through the power of collaboration.

Dr. Kim Baxter (North Platte) presented “CRMC Clinic: Honoring Life through Service” A global grant in Kenya. Dr. Baxter shared the incredible work being done to improve healthcare and make a lasting impact in Kenya through this vision to honor his son, Craig Baxter.

Past President Mike McQuillan (Ogallala) served as the emcee for the Dinner and District Celebration. The event was held at the historic Haythorn Ranch Arthur, NE recognizing the efforts of everyone across the district. The Haythorn Family was so gracious hosting and providing a world class Nebraska beef dinner.

Our most honored guests were Past Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney and his lovely wife Gay. It was very special to have PRIP Maloney attend our District Conference because the PRIP is only allowed ONE official appointment from the current RI President each year. Having Lorena’s PRIP from her year as President of the Ogallala Rotary club accept her invitation was truly an honor.

Mark delivered an inspirational message with a little humor tossed in for good measure. “Marks Magical Markers” should be something that every Rotarian should strive to achieve. Download the speech and use the cues to view the Powerpoint and follow along with his message. Mark’s Bio is also provided on the right.

District Awards

Club of the Year (Small)

Arnold

Club of the Year (Medium)

Kearney Dawn

Club of the Year (Large)

Holdrege

Rotarian of the Year

PDG Deb McCaslin