Beamer from meeting of July 10, 2013
BMR Member Bob Johnson
Becomes District 6630’s
Newest Governor
BMR member Bob Johnson could have postponed his installation as District 6630’s newest District Governor and everyone would have understood. The rain poured all day, two tornadoes traveled east on S.R. 422, and the wind gusts were bending trees and flattening the tall grass in West Woods Park in Russell Township (Geauga County)
True to his long career as an employee of the United States Post Office, Bob, family and friends hustled to move the outdoor event into the indoor Nature Center and all else went on as planned.
After a hearty picnic-style meal, former District Governor Steve Zabor hosted Bob’s installation. He introduced former District Governors like himself and invited outgoing District Governor Julie West to the podium. Steve stated that the District was “in better shape than when I ended my turn.” He congratulated Julie and her Board on the fine job they had done during their tenure. “We have an outstanding group of leaders and future leaders,” he said and pledged his help to Bob Johnson during his time in office.
Ms. West graciously thanked all those who worked with her in 2012-2013, saying that her year as District Governor was a “wonderful opportunity” and a great honor. There are a lot of rewards she said, “Thank you for your support,” She concluding by stating that whatever accomplishments occurred during her term of office were done as a group, not by just one person. “We work as a team.” She said.
Tim Wright, a past District Governor from Willoughby, conducted Bob’s formal installation. Following his oath of office, Bob received a standing ovation from the over 100 Rotarians attending.
Next was the formal banner exchange from Julie West’s Club to Burton-Middlefield Club. That banner will be displayed at all BMR meetings for the next year.
Pins were exchanged between Julie West and Bob Johnson and between Bob Johnson and the District Governor-elect nominee.
“What a night,” Bob said, as he began his remarks after the ceremony. “Rain, wind, stormy…” He shook his head as he recalled the scramble to move a planned outdoor event indoors. “The health of our District is extremely good.” The downward trend of membership in the District has stopped and is leveled out, he observed. “Foundation giving in on the increase, allowing us to do Rotary’s work around the world.” Future Vision is here, he announced. Three years in the making, everything is now in place for Future Vision to be up and running.
For the coming year District 6630 will see some new things, he said. There will be a vocational training team and global scholars. How information is communicated in the District will change somewhat. We will be doing it the old-fashioned way, Bob said, using the regular mail through the post office as well as e-mail. The District will no longer depend entirely on e-mail to distribute information.
“Becoming District Governor has been a much longer learning curve than I ever expected” he said. Bob then named all those who had helped him prepare to assume his newest responsibilities. “It is far from a complete list,” he said, ending with a pledge to work to the utmost of his talents and energy as District Governor for Rotary District 6630 for the coming year.
Next Meeting:
BMR’s next meeting will be Wednesday, July 17th at the Welshfield Inn. Our guests will be the most recent scholarship winners and their parents or other family members. Thanks to Heather Baker, who chaired this project, money we earned will be put to good use helping local students achieve their goals in education beyond high school.