Closter & North Arlington Rotary Clubs

The year started under a cloud of concern with the health condition of Governor Elect Jack Epple. Jack subsequently died in only his second day in office on July 2nd DG Ray Wells had turned over the reign of the office at the hospital at the beginning of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. A very seriously ill but happy and extremely proud Jack Epple was pinned with the Governor's pin he had devoted a lifetime of Rotary service to wear.

Beneath the tubes inserted in him and the pain he endued, Jack managed a broad smile as he accepted the office.

With the concern facing the District prior to Jack's death, a meeting was held between the two preceding Governors, with the knowledge that a Rotarian cannot serve as a Governor without the weeklong training period each Governor is required to take before taking office. This in turn makes it necessary for a Past Governor to assume the role of Governor if the elected Governor cannot serve. A chronological digression of the most recent Governors to fill the position is recommended by Rotary International, and fortunately for our District, PDG Carmine Torsiello, who had served as Governor two years earlier indicated his availability and graciously accepted the challenge to accept the position as Governor and to accept the awesome challenge to plan and execute the programs of the District in a matter of days rather than the much longer period normally needed.

Governor Carmine was able to arrange to hold the District Conference at Hamilton, Bermuda, where he had held the Conference during his first year in office. This Conference drew close to 700 registrations as the earlier Conference had done and was a great Conference despite the fact it had to be planned in less time than normally provided.

With some modifications the other normal District events were held as scheduled, and they included a boat ride on the Hudson in September, the New York Vocational Assembly at the Waldorf Astoria, the annual Interclub luncheon sponsored by the Fair Lawn Club, and the President's Ball at the Westmont Country Club.

The International Convention was held in San Francisco, California, which was an exciting location that also added the opportunity for golfers to playa round of golf at the famous "Pebble Beach" golf course. The International President this year was Bob Manchester of Canfield, Ohio, USA, and his theme was "Rotary in a Word ... Service"

It was an unusual year as the Council on Legislation was held at the same time and at the same location as the International Convention. Governor Carmine, in addition to serving as Governor, also served as our Representative of the District at the Council having been selected as a Past District Governor.

For a year hastily planned it was fine year for our District with increased participation in the Rotary Foundation and Walter Head Foundation, and the completion and the sending year of our Group Study Exchange with a District in India. Governor Carmine had given real meaning to the Rotary motto, "Service above Self', serving his second year as a District Governor.

Questions or looking for more information please contact district7490rotary@gmail.com

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