Posted by Una Martone on Feb 01, 2018
Hello Fellow Rotarians!
 
At just over the half way point of the 2017/18 Rotary year of making a difference, I’d like to provide you with a “State of the District” report.  I gave this report live at a leadership dinner on Tuesday, January 30.  Maybe it was coincidence that my report was scheduled on the same night that President Trump gave the State of the Union.  There was good news and less than good news in both reports ~ and that ends the comparison!
 
I wish I could report on all of the great and positive impacts that Rotarians are making through vibrant and engaged Rotary Clubs throughout the district.  But to truly measure that impact is impossible.  I wish I could measure the distribution of hope and happiness that comes along with the service projects and donations being made throughout the district, but the ripple effect of our actions goes on well past our reach.  So, there are a few things that we CAN measure and share so that everyone is up to date.
  1. District membership is down overall by 13 members since July 1.  The number is a moving target, but membership is currently at 2301. 
    • Of the 43 clubs in the district, only 22 clubs managed to maintain or increase membership since July 1.  Yes, that means that 21 clubs lost members in the past 6 months.
    • Of the clubs that increased membership, Mechanicsburg North leads the pack with a 25% membership increase or 16 new members.  Lancaster Penn  Square increased membership by 21% equivalent to 2 new members; and Red Lion/Dallastown had a 19% membership increase with 4 new members.  Congratulations!
    • Please remember my request to each club to increase membership by one new female member and one new member under the age of 40.  Invite someone to your weekly meeting and let your club speak for itself.  The surest way to gain new members it to ask people to join.  Its’ up to you!
  2. As a district, our members have contributed a total of $185,365 to The Rotary Foundation (annual fund).  If we can replicate this same number in the 2nd half of the year, we’ll be in great shape!  Our district would be in great shape in three years when half of our contributions come back to us to be put to work in District Club Grants and Global Grants.  I am looking for 43 NEW donors to The Rotary Foundation this year…  the equivalent of one new donor from every club.  The standard donation is $100, but the range of donations is much broader than that.  Most importantly, please give something.  Gifts can be made through  your club or directly through The Rotary Foundation at this link:  https://www.rotary.org/en/donate
  3. As a district, our contributions to Polio Plus through The Rotary Foundation are at $60,629.  WOW!  Given that one new case of the wild polio virus has been reported in Afghanistan last month, our battle continues and must be ramped up.  Thank you to everyone who has made this such a rich and robust number!  The Rotary Club of Harrisburg is currently leading the district in donations to Polio Plus.  Kudos.
  4. Our District 7390 Facebook page has gained 142 new likes since July 1.  We have 805 people engaged with us through Facebook.  The goal is 1000.  If you haven’t yet liked the District 7390 page, please click on this link to do so!  https://www.facebook.com/Rotary.District.7390/  It’s a great way to stay abreast of district news and gain some great content to share on your own social media and the social media channels of your Rotary club too.  In addition, Rotary District 7390 has pages on Facebook for Rotary Means Business and Youth Exchange, take a look for them.  We are also on LinkedIn as a district. 
  5. We have 49 people already registered to attend the Rotary International Convention from June 23-27 in Toronto, Canada.  THIS JUST IN, Rotary District 7390 will be providing bus transportation in a Rotary-themed bus courtesy of Bailey Transportation.  Stay tuned for details on how to reserve your seat!  For more information or to register for the convention, click here: http://www.riconvention.org/en
In the coming months, the leadership team will be working on updating the district’s strategic plan; we are looking forward to a great District Wide Day of Service on April 21 and an awesome District Conference at the Harrisburg Hilton on April 27 – 28.  We are working on the creation of a membership “safety net” and look forward to sharing more details as the plans take shape.  If you would like to be a part of district-level planning and leadership, please let me know!  We have plenty of room for more great ideas, input, and efforts.
 
Thank you and take good care.
 
Yours in Rotary,
 
District Governor Una Martone