DG Joe's Message

 
 
WOW! What a great first month for our 2015-16 Rotary year! I had the privilege of inducting the officers of several clubs, and PDGs  Phil and Dallas helped out by doing a few too. Thanks, Phil and Dallas!
 
Congratulations to all the officers in all the clubs for taking on your leadership roles. You truly define Service Above Self. Your efforts will be much appreciated!
 
Thanks to the clubs who provided such great and warm welcomes to me on my inaugural visits:  New Philly, Calcutta, Cortland, Struthers, Louisville, Canton South, Canton East, Minerva, Steubenville, Bolivar Zoar,Canfield, Kinsman, Girard, Perry, Dennison, Millersburg and Malvern. My Beautiful Wife Joan accompanied me on several visits, and also enjoyed the hospitality, and the devotion to Rotary and causes espoused by all.
We also got to enjoy the wonderful 60th Anniversary party put on  by the Canfield Rotary. It truly was a delightful Summer evening on the lake. It even included a visit by a Rotaractor from Denton, Texas who described her love for Rotary. Thanks for a memorable evening!
 
Plans are underway for the 2016 District Conference, under the theme 'Rotary Celebrates Tuscarawas County'. There are 6 clubs in the County, and they are looking to have the rest of the District clubs come to visit, and find out about what a wonderful place it is to visit.
 
The festivities are being headed up by Chairperson Terri Davis of the Bolivar Zoar (host) club, Vice Chairperson (and Friend of Rotary) Pam Sprowls, and Visitors Bureau and New Philly Rotarian Dee Grossman. Representatives from the other clubs will be contributing to making this a truly memorable event. Thanks to all who are helping.
 
I'm fortunate to have such great help in spreading the word from this year's Assistant Governor's, including 'newbies' Scott Schulick for Division 1-A; Marj Ginther 1-B; Rodney Sutton 3-B, and Janet Keene 4-A.
 
And thanks to Deanna Spirko, Bob Schaffner, Kimberly Weiss, Dan Morgan, Lynn Horner and Jim Emmerling for continuing with their leadership. I'm proud to have you all! Thanks to you who attended my visits, and I look forward to hearing about your Division events.
 
The future District Leadership is strong, too, with Great Teacher Sieglinde Warren as DGE; Super Psych Mike Raulin as DGN, and dual role Spokesperson Supreme newly elected DGND ('18-'19)  Scott Schulick. I appreciate ALL you do!
 
Dr. Pete Apicella has taken on the yeoman work of District Foundation Chair, as PDG George Hays has been 'kicked upstairs' to spread his  talents through Rotary International. Pete has a strong team  to assist with this Most Important Work.
 
Succeeding  Sieglinde as District Training Chair is former AG Dr. Tom Montgomery and Co-Chair Vicki Thompson. Thanks, Monty! How can you (and the rest of us) go wrong with Sieg as mentor?
 
Of course, we won't go broke with PDG (The Queen of Caring) Debbie Esbenshade and Bonnie Davis heading up the Treasury!
One of the strongest Youth Services and Exchange programs in all of Rotary continues to be headed up by Aletha Carver and Bill Wood.
 
Maranda Saling heads up our newly combined PR and Technology committee, with the aid of DGN Mike Raulin.
 
PDG Meena Patel is building a strong committee to develop our Global Grant for the development of our assistance to the Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Academy, near Uniontown. I LOOK FORWARD  TO SEEING  MANY OF YOU THERE AT THE OPEN HOUSE ON SEPTEMBER 26.
 
I can't mention all the committees at one sitting, but I DO look forward to spotlighting them in future newsletters.
 
Thanks to all of you! 
DG Joe