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

District 6440 Histories 2005
R.Y.L.A. We completed the R.Y.L.A. trip to Freedom’s Foundation this year with an excellent
response. Thirty-one (31) clubs sent 55 students.
The Annual District Conference was held April 29 through May 1 at The Abbey in Fontana, Wisconsin.
A time of Rotary fellowship, enlightenment, and fun for the 610 adults and 60 children who registered
for the conference. The Plenary Sessions were well attended, as was the Paul Harris luncheon. The
international theme of this year’s conference was highlighted by the presence of three Group Study
Exchange Teams: our teams to New Zealand and Sweden, and the team from New Zealand to our
District. The International Youth Exchange students also added their own special brand of enthusiasm
at the weekend activities.
A last minute switch of speakers for the Saturday luncheon was a huge success. John Powers, a
novelist, playwright, humorist, teacher, and entrepreneur, was well received.
There were many awards presented at the conference. To list a few: Outstanding Club Awards – one
award in each of the Four Avenues of Service and the most rounded club. Club Service – Wheaton.
Vocational Service – Arlington Heights. Community Service – Elgin. International Service – Elgin
Breakfast. Grand Prize–most rounded – Lake Forest. Significant Achievement award – Wilmette.
SPECIAL AWARD – The Rotary Foundation Award for Meritorious Service – PDG Richard Beals.
Foundation Giving, clubs with the most per capita giving to the General Fund by March 31, 1994 – first
place was Highland Park Good Morning, second place was Glenview Sunrise, and third place was Elk
Grove Village.
R.I. President Bob Barth’s personal representative to the conference was Past Director and Vice
President Don Strickland and his wife, Jo. Don speaks from experience…as a teacher, businessman,
board member, delegate, and a visitor to all parts of the world. He is known as Mr. Rotary.
Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation Seminar at the R.I. Headquarters was very successful. The
Annual Giving Program exceeded the goal for this year. District 6440 participated with District 6450 in
a fundraising program for the Rotary Foundation, which successfully produced over $100,000.
Extension. Long Grove Club was granted provisional status in June and has an excellent chance to be
chartered in the year 1994-1995. Lake Forest is a definite possibility for a breakfast club if we can find
someone to pursue it.
The nominating committee of District 6440 named Mimi Altman of the Rotary Club of Deerfield as its
selection for Governor of the district the Rotary year beginning July 1, 1995. Mimi will be one of the
very first women Rotarians to be selected as District Governor.
District 6440 started the year with 66 clubs and finished on June 30 with 66 clubs. The District did lose
net 55 members in the year.
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