April, 2006 My Fellow Rotarians - Rotary's Global History Fellowship

District 6440 Histories 2005
years ever.
July was the District Coho Derby under leadership of Bob Altman, September brought the District Golf
Outing, sponsored by the Mount Prospect club and the Districts first annual fall fishing trip through the
efforts of Phil Bartnm, of the McHenry club.
In October, it was PDG David Benrud and his committee who organized the District Foundation
Seminar. The Vocational Service Seminar under the leadership of PDG DICK Longtin, his committee
and his fellow members of the Deerfield-Lincolnshire club highlighted November.
January brought a first in a long time for our District - RYLA. Due to the efforts of Jack Early and Emil
Goellner, District 644 started on a program that has long been neglected in our District, Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards. Our District, from the Freedom Foundation, to help us with this important program
received a grant of $5,000. January also was the time of year when the annual Presidents' Retreat was
held, and this time, in sunny Hollywood, Florida, at the Diplomat Hotel. Back home in the District, it
was back to work for the Presidents and the incoming Presidents for the mid-year meetings, which were
Breakfast Meetings.
February brought, to the District, more fun and fellowship with the District Bowling Tournament hosted
by the Rotary Club of Barrington. It was, also, the birth month of Rotary and Districts 644 and 645
hosted the Directors of Rotary International at 14 separate receptions throughout the two districts on the
same evening. Over 700 Rotarians and friends attended these receptions in seven different locations all
over District 644.
March winds blew in the District Conference at the Americana in Lake Geneva. Over 700 Rotarians and
wives were in attendance. "Rotary is International" was the theme and there were programs of 26 Youth
Exchange Students, Group Study Exchange (team from the Netherlands), the Foundation, International
Conference Projects and Foundation Scholars were the highlights of the Conference. Very special
"thank you" to the Villa Park Rotary club whose dedication and effort was above and beyond the call of
duty.
A special note must be made of the service that was accomplished at this District Conference. On the
motion of PDG Wendell Rovelstad, an investigation was directed to find the needs of District 773,
following the devastating tornadoes that hit their area in North Carolina. Upon contacting the District
Governor in 772, it was found that what they needed most was dollars. In a matter of 48 hours, District
644 Rotarians donated and pledged over $5,000 to the District 773 Tornado Relief Fund. District
Governor Dick Budny and District Regional Directors John Schulz and Jack Bakeman flew to Kinston,
N.C.; and, at a regular meeting of the Kinston Rotary Club, presented a check for over $5,000 for their
Relief Fund.
Yes, "People Serving People" was the theme in our District; and, as you can see from the above, that
theme was carried out for this Rotary year.
1984-85 Harold Lipofsky, District Governor – “Discover a New World of Service”
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