A renewed commitment to involvement at the District level sees the McCall Payette Lakes Rotary Club taking the recent conference by storm with amazing attendance and an astounding level of recognition at the District 5400 Awards Gala
It's a wrap! The District 5400 Celebration came and went, but not without a huge splash on the part of the McCall Payette Lakes Rotary Club. We had our largest representation in years with Bob and Linda Hallock, Steve and Sue Clements, Scott and Karen Broyles, Dr. Eddie Droge, Juan Bonilla, Jay Masterson, Stephanie Nelson, Bob, and Suzanne Rainville, Anne Rush, and Maddy Boley and President Jim Boley all in attendance.
The weekend actually started Thursday evening with a President's Dinner at the Cottonwood. Our District Governor Jennifer Deroin and her husband John created a lovely evening for soon-to-be Past Presidents to share stories and fellowship, and appreciation for the experience of leading our respective clubs. It really was a fantastic evening.
Friday morning was registration and a great luncheon including Jeff Romine who was the RI representative for RI President Barry Rassin, followed by the first ever Peace Institute, where discussions were held on such topics as anti-bullying, sex trafficking, environmentalism and the like. Opportunities also were abundant in the afternoon for Rotary education and fellowship. Friday evening was a "white-out" dinner where everyone wore white clothing in honor of our global efforts to eradicate polio. New York Times bestselling author Tommy Spaulding spoke on his life opportunities that had been fueled by Rotary, and how a young boy with severe dyslexia was able to create a world of possibility through the faith and belief of the Rotarians in his life.
Saturday morning, we had a series of "tabletop discussions" led by various "innovators" throughout the District. Club President Jim Boley was honored to be able to give a talk on Conversations for Possibility, some of which he has been developing at Club meetings this year. Fun activities and service opportunities filled the afternoon, ranging from building and staining bunk beds (Stephanie Nelson), cycling for Pilo Plus, touring downtown Boise and wine tasting.
The Saturday evening "Awards Gala" was just that, a large scale production like we have never seen before. It was literally like something you would expect from Microsoft or the Academy Awards. We had our very own Bob Hallock announcing award winners like only Bob can do...the "voice of God". District Governor Jennifer Deroin was dressed in a lovely light purple pantsuit, and presided over a wonderful celebration and recognition of District 5400 leadership. Your McCall friends were adorned in cocktail attire, and you can check out some of the pics on our Facebook page!
Congratulations to the McCall Payette Lakes Rotary Club! Due to your hard work this year, we were recognized on the stage FIVE times as follows: Outstanding Achievement in Rotary Foundation Annual Giving - Bronze, Outstanding Achievement in Polio Plus Giving - Bronze Category, Outstanding Achievement in RYE Participation - Silver, Achievement of Outstanding Rotary Foundation Support, and Outstanding Achievement in Service Project Sustainability. I would say objectively we, as a Club, stood out very prominently among the 45 clubs in the District. We made our mark! Also, Incoming District Governor Rich Kirkham extended his personal congratulations to all of us!
And as if the evening could not have gotten any better, our very own dear friend, Dr. Eddie Droge, won the District Raffle Grand Prize, a $4500 Cruise Package times 2...and our club got a $4500 grant toward a service project or scholarships or whathaveyou!! Amazing!!!
And then there were many of us who made some new friends during the weekend, like lifelong new friends! Wow!
That is what a Rotary District Conference looks like.