District Governor’s Visit
(DG Doug Baker is shown here with AG Carolyn Brady-Sinco, Connie Baker, Executive Aide Jaimee Sul Cantrell & Hampton Cantrell, and President Sandy Farrell.)
District Governor Doug Baker opened the program with a Paul Harris award to Roger Schamp, and then reviewed the value of the Rotary Foundation in furthering our Rotarian philosophy.
DG Doug said that his wife, Connie (whom we are happy to see present with us tonight), was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 weeks ago. He noted how caring and giving the members of our Rotarian family are to each other when we are faced with such a crisis. Past District Governors have helped to fill in for him on District duties while he has been helping his wife during these difficult days.
He mentioned that Rotary membership is down in North America, in contrast to the rest of the world. We need to bring in more younger members. He reviewed how we may appear to a potential new member during our meetings if we each sit in the same place every week as if to show that we don’t really have a place for newcomers. (Mix it up, folks!)
The US rates highest in volunteerism for service to others. Rotarians need to be more involved in service projects and ask non-Rotarians to join in with them, because many service-minded people are looking for ways to improve our society. Working side by side with others is the best way to get our Rotarian message out to other similar-minded people by showing what we do. There is a greater fulfillment in working together when we serve others.
Rotaract and Interact Clubs are good opportunities for future service-minded Rotarians, and the most successful of these clubs have hands-on projects (not just clean-up after an adult Rotarian event). Our Rotaract and Interact Clubs have been very successful compared to most others in our District, because they are so active in so many meaningful service projects.
At the end of his presentation, our President, Sandy Farrell, presented an orchid plant to Connie Baker in appreciation for her support of our District Governor’s work and for her courage facing her new illness.
A children’s book was presented to DG Doug to sign for donation to the Bob Coffey Reading Room.
Our Secretary, Chris Kilgore, presented a $1000 check from our Club’s Happy Bucks collections, to the District Governor for polio eradication.