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

District 6440 Histories 2005
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2000 - 01- Gordon Schrubbe, District Governor -
“In Our Club … In Our Community … In Our World”
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2001 – 02 – James A. Wolter, District Governor –
“Mankind is Our Business”
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2002 - 03 – Terry M. Mueller, District Governor – “Sow the Seeds of Love”
R
otary year 2002-2003 was led by Bhichai Rattakul from Bangkok, Thailand. The theme selected by
President Rattakul was “SOW THE SEEDS OF LOVE,” which permeated a year of tremendous
successes. President Rattakul’s gentle, professional demeanor and his theme moved Rotary to a new
level of service and caring for others.
PETS I was held January 19, 2002, at The Loft in Mount Prospect. Presidents-elect received their
President’s Training Manuals along with calendars for the upcoming year. Approximately 55 presidentselect
attended with their spouses, assistant governors and leadership team members.
The first combination PETS II and District Assembly was held at the Arlington Heights Sheraton in
March. On March 8, 2002, the presidents’ training was skillfully undertaken by Bob Keller (RC of
Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates) and Sam Salahi (RC of Wheaton). PRIVP Bob Brickman, keynote
speaker, ended the session with a moving address on leadership. Presidents-elect, spouses and children
then gathered for an evening of pizza and fellowship. The District Assembly under the direction of PDG
Gordon Schrubbe followed on March 9, 2002. Over 250 club officers and directors enjoyed informative
training sessions.
The Rotary Club of Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers hosted the governor’s installation dinner June 29, 2002,
at Boulder Ridge Country Club. Master of ceremonies for the festivities was Past Dawnbreaker
President Don Devine with PRIVP Bob Brickman performing the governor’s installation. Official club
visits started on July 9, 2002. The most rewarding part of this rotary year was meeting so many of the
dedicated Rotarians in District 6440 and hearing about their clubs’ community and international
projects. All 70 clubs visits were completed by November 21, 2002.
The main emphases adopted for the year were the Polio Eradication Fund Raising Campaign,
strengthening clubs by working with a “bottom up” approach, increasing membership, promoting direct
participation in service, and recommitting to Rotarian ideals of high ethical standards and community
leadership. The successes achieved were beyond all expectations. District 6440 was a leader in the
Rotary world, pledging and collecting approximately $1.2 million for PEFC. Our district received the
membership and development award for Zones 27 & 28 for achieving its membership goal. Two new
clubs were chartered, the RC of South Barrington and the RC of Glenview Sunset. We also received a
district Presidential Citation Award from President Rattakul for the high percentage of clubs that
obtained their presidential citations.
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