District 5630 District Governor’s December Message

“When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy.” They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life.” This famous quote from John Lennon comes to mind as Rotary Family Month begins. We have just spent a day considering all the things that we are thankful for and now we spend a few days looking back at the last year, questioning whether or not we have truly accomplished anything. The world is starting to light up in preparation for the holiday season. People are a little happier in general during this time of year. Christmas songs are taking over the radio waves.

It may surprise you that one of my favorite things to do during this time of year is to snuggle up on the couch with my wife and watch the Hallmark Channel Movies. You all know the ones, the cheesy love stories, stories of miracles, stories of faith or spirit tested and the stories of people making a difference in others lives. I am a sucker for a great “feel good” story. I think that is why I have such a love for Rotary. I really want to be apart of a story that makes my heart happy. I want the story of my life to have lots of chapters about love and charity.

December is a great time to count all the blessings in our lives. It is a time when we can spend time with our family and friends and cherish those that touch our lives. We also start to do an inventory on ourselves and make a conscious decision to make good positive changes in our lives going into the new year. I urge you all to make the conscious decision to look all around your communities and see what we can do to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in 2015. I know in this day and age it is really easy to assume that our government is taking care of the needs of the less fortunate but this is not enough. If we bless others we are in turn going to be blessed. Giving of ourselves and our resources always starts a chapter of love in your life’s story.

I give thanks for my family of Rotary this holiday season. I thank all of you who have inspired me with your amazing projects and passion. My hope is that I return the favor and inspire you too. I hope that all Rotarians in our area are inspired to do great things! I pray you all know how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you. I know that you are all working hard in your communities to make our world a better place. You are so amazing my friends and I am thankful for each and every one of you.

I would like you to think about the words of one of the worlds most famous Technology giants Steve Jobs as you look at the beginning of 2015, “If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?” May the Lord bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine on you and give you His peace! Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all!!!

Yours In Service,

Koby

Koby Rickertsen, District Governor

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