I am happy to report that the Rotary Friendship Exchange through D6440 was a tremendous success.
Despite warnings from both RI and our own State department, I joined 4 others from D6440 on a Friendship exchange to D3272 in Pakistan from March 21st through March 30, 2016.
A highlight of the event was the District Conference held in Lahore, Pakistan. We were honored guests and treated like royalty. We stayed two nights in the Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore and other nights in the homes of district Rotarians. While not at the conference we toured the area, spoke to students, including Rotaractors, at a Lahore Law College, dined at a country club and visited mosques and other historic sites.
Although we were not personally in any eminent danger, there were things happening around us that affected our travels.
District Assembly and Club Officer Training rolled into one GREAT event April 16: District Training Assembly!
Club Presidents-Elect are to attend as voting delegates, and all AGs, Club Officers and Committee Chairs will want to join us for an info-packed day of focal-point learning and collaboration.
In addition to voting on key issues and district finances, morning breakout sessions will address new innovations in Membership, Public Image and Foundation; lunch will include breakout sessions with Area Assistant Govs, and afternoon breakouts will offer Club leaders, Board Members and Club Secretaries and Treasurers an opportunity to learn and collaborate.
All clubs have pre-paid for three attendees and can bring a check for $15 each for others. Head for the District Calendar at www.Rotary6420.org to register today!
Twin Rivers RAH! just celebrated their 1-year anniversary with a celebration and induction of 11 new members into the club since chartering last March.
In attendance were representatives from other local Illinois Quad Cities clubs such as Rock Island, Moline, East Moline and Milan. RAH! has had so much support over the last year from these clubs and others, that it was important to have them be a part of the celebration.
DGE Scott Shore was able to help with the pinning of the new members to celebrate this great occasion. PDGs Ruth Lee and Fred Luckenbill were also there and did not go empty-handed. For all of their hard work in mentoring and imparting all of their Rotary knowledge to the new members and their diligence in helping the club get started, RAH! presented them with gifts to show their thanks for all that they’ve done. RAH! even made Ruth Lee an Honorary Lifetime Member of RAH! telling her to visit as often as possible!
Our 2016-17 class of Outbound Youth Exchange Students along with DG Nelson, DGE Scott Shore and DGN Steve Kuhn.
The District 6420 Youth Exchange Outbound Orientation weekend was March 11-13 at Days Inn in Rock Falls.
This annual event is conducted by District YE Chair Tom Brooks, Outbound Coordinator Dave Smith and Short Term Exchange chair Scott Shore to provide comprehensive orientation training to the 2016-17 outbound exchange students and their parents. The weekend included sessions regarding culture shock, passports, travel plans, language, customs and more.
In 2016-17 District 6420 will be sending 10 long-term (11-month) exchange students and nine short-term (summer) students to various countries.
Putnam County Rotary held its annual Agri-Business Night on March 31 in McNabb, with more than 120 in attendance. The event, held annually during the month in which National Agriculture Week is celebrated, brings together Rotarians, local farmers, ag-related businesses, area banks, FFA members and others, to learn about new developments in the field.
This year’s featured presenter, CHAD COLBY OF Colby AgTech near Bloomington, Illinois, brought with him some of the latest in ag technology and his own wealth of experience. Chad’s family farming experience in Hennepin and Tiskilwa has served him well in developing new applications for modern technology from drones to thermal sensors. He developed his company to share and network, at conferences and through media programs, with progressive farmers, leading companies and government agencies locally and around the world.
Get your tickets now for the 5th annual Ottawa Rotary Lobster Fest 2016! The club's largest fundraising event is conducted annually in June in conjunction with the City of Ottawa's 2 Rivers Wine Fest.
This year the event will begin Friday, June 10, and continue through Sunday, June 12.
Rotarians spend the three-day weekend preparing over 1,300 lobsters flown in fresh from New England. The dinner includes one whole steamed lobster, roasted corn on the cob, pumpernickel bread and butter, lots of butter.
The dinners are $32.49 each and large enough to share. Advance lobster and wine tickets are cheaper than at the door and ensure you will get what you are looking for. Buy your tickets now and come on whatever day is most convenient or has the best weather prediction.
Rockford Rotary Academy students at Kennedy Middle School were selected by Rockford School District administration to attend a special visit by the Rev. Jeffrey Brown, who was brought to Rockford this weekend by Transform Rockford.
The Rev. Brown wanted to hear school leaders' thoughts on violence, guns and gangs and what could be done to bring peace to our community. He will take their input to meetings with Transform Rockford and others. This selection supports Rockford Rotary's belief in these kids as future leaders.
Our most recent fundraiser was unique in that is was a collaborative effort between two clubs, and everyone had such a great time. Everyone has been raving about the event, and those who missed it can't wait for next year.
The dueling pianos event and got all participants up and dancing around the room. We had around 175 guests and each club made about $5,000 after expenses. We had no problem getting sponsors for the event due to its uniqueness. The two clubs involved were the Rock Island Rotary Club and the recently chartered Twin Rivers Rotary After Hours (RAH!) Club.
The interesting things to note about this event are how much fun everyone had, how great the two clubs truly worked together and split everything straight down the middle. Also, this idea was introduced by the president of Twin Rivers RAH! Club, Tiffany Stott tiffany@edwardsideas.com, and the professional group Fun Pianos was recommended by upcoming treasurer, Kevin Bradley kbradley@choosethechief.com.
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