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

District 6440 Histories 2005
presented to a representative of the Rotary Club of Kobe, Japan, to assist in the recovery of the city from
the earthquake catastrophe. (E) 42 Clubs sponsored 72 Vocational Scholarship applications, with 19
scholarships being awarded. (F) 51 students attended the RYLA weekend in March, at the Freedom
Foundation, in Valley Forge, sponsored by 26 clubs in the district. (G) Continued emphasis was placed
on the District's Electronic Bulletin Board, accessible to any Rotarian who has a computer and modem.
Directly related to this is the Telephone HOTLINE that is maintained by the District, also promoted. (H)
District communications being enhanced by a Governor's Newsletter, that was both timely and topical,
Ken Hein, Editor. (1) Friendship Exchange with the UK that was very successful, with plaudits to the
Palatine Club. (J) Although there was no formal District Vocational Seminar held, District Chairman,
Don Dvorak (Wilmette) created a concept known as the "Career Assistance Team" (CAT). Its purpose
was to assist as a result of downsizing, etc. Modus operandi for this project is the recruitment of
Rotarians on the basis of vocation to interact with the "victims", offering both support and suggestions
for possible placement. A roster of participants was organized and six clubs from the District were
earmarked as participating in the pilot program. The idea was both timely and well received. Counseling
could offer new vistas and hope for them.
It goes without saying that the guidance and input of my predecessors, the District Leadership, was
invaluable and sincerely appreciated. It can be said, without reservation, that the "HOME" District is not
just 'alive and well', but thriving through the efforts of many dedicated Rotarians. It was an honor and a
privilege to serve them.
***
1995 – 96 – Mimi Altman, District Governor -
“Act with Integrity, Serve with Love, Work for Peace”
1996 – 97 – Karen Kline, District Governor – “Build the Future with Actions and Visions”
***
Since this is my last newsletter, I would like to use this opportunity to give you a “State of the District”
report.
This was the year we launched the new district leadership plan symbolized by the round organization
chart with club presidents as the central focus. A 7-person advisory board has met monthly to oversee
the planning, implementation, and review of all district programs and activities, and 16 lieutenant
governors have worked directly with small groups of clubs to broaden and deepen their knowledge and
involvement in Rotary. Past District Governors have served as valuable mentors and liaisons and have
met quarterly.
With the belief that informed Rotarians are better Rotarians, we have stepped up training sessions at all
levels this year. Lieutenant Governors were given two days of training, as were incoming club
presidents. The first annual Rotary Expo/District Assembly was held in May 1996 and repeated in 1997.
The ABCs of Rotary, Foundation Roundtables, and Avenue of Service workshops were all well attended
and over 800 people attended the 1997 District Conference at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake
Geneva. We initiated a district home page on the Internet, as have several of our clubs.
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