This year’s District Governor, Don Brewer, conducted his official visit to our club on 10/19, meeting with the board prior to lunch to review the functioning of the club, then attending our luncheon as the day’s speaker. "You're a club that's blessed, successful in many ways. I’m not here as District Governor or 'the Rotary police' to lecture or preach to you. I’m here to add motivation.” He prompted us to ask ourselves who we are what we want to do to make a difference in the lives of people around us and in the world as Rotarians.
Gov. Don shared the thought that our lives are made of three parts – our physical selves, our mental selves, and our relationships with others. He called our attention to the book, The Power of the Other, and suggested we can find meaning and make a difference by being an advisor, confidant, and friend, a Dutch Uncle, so to speak. He challenged us to ask, “Who is my other?” and to reach out in our community. He said he, Assist. Gov. John Kim and the other district governors are "the others" for clubs in the district. In photo, Gov. Don (right) with club members Glenn Garlek (center) and Bill Kmiecik (left). He answered questions and told us about events and activities of the District -- click/read "more".
He also reminded us about events and activities in the District – the coming District Conference (5/17-20) is planned to be great for family attendance at a wonderful resort (and at very competitive rates -- cheaper than the Grand Geneva). The District Directory will be available soon. The efforts for the district’s own Little Library program and RI’s Tree Planting effort are coming along well, as is the focus on “The Power of The Pin”. There will be a group bus to the Rotary International Convention in Toronto, Thursday 6/27. Next month, 11/10-18 there will be trips to help give aid to Florida and Texas. He reminded us that Rotary is not a “first responder” agency. Instead it helps build for the future. Contact Don to find out more or share your ideas -- donald@donaldrbrewerlaw.com or call 815-356-6900. See also the district website, www.rotary6440.org. Our club pledged $3,000 for relief efforts.
The recently acquired Iron Long is in storage while a trailer is being built for it so that it can be hauled to various district and club activities to remind the public of what the fight against polio means. Sponsorships are available by contacting Susanne Gibson suzgibsonLCSW@gmail.com ($1,000 to be listed on the trailer, $500 inside the trailer). A $100 per day fee is planned for its use.
Some clubs use the district's Foundation as a vehicle to qualify donations for tax deductions.