Winter is still with us, but spring is within sight. That means it is time to make sure you are registered for the May 3 to 5 District Conference in Gettysburg, which promises to be a wonderful Rotary weekend in this historic town. The hotel is expecting our registration list by April, so it is important to register with the district now. Once April begins the hotel will release the unused rooms in the block and you may be subject to a higher rate. So please act now. The first bus for the optional tour has been filled and we are looking to obtain an additional bus. We will keep you updated about that availability.
Our District Foundation Committee has done an excellent job promoting The Rotary Foundation. Our Annual Giving and Polio numbers are very good at this point in the Rotary year. Spurred on by a highly successful Eat, Drink and Share and the end of 2018 initiative that included a generous challenge, we are at over $150,000 in Annual Giving on a $240,000 goal and have acquired over $98,000 in valuable support for Polio Eradication. The West Orange event in October added $76,000 to the cause. The passing of two Past District Governors led to bequests in an excess of $750,000 to Rotary’s Endowment Fund so thus far it is a one-million-dollar year for District 7475. We certainly miss them but their legacy lives on.
We still have a long way to go to reach our Annual Giving goal and encourage every Rotarian and every club to make sure they maximize support to the Annual Fund. That $240,000 goal assures that we will be able to sustain the level of District Grants we did this year three years from now. Please participate as generously as you can and thank you to those Rotarians who have already done so.
Speaking of three years hence, the Nominating Committee under the leadership of PDG’s Bob Zeglarski and Frank Geraghty, will be meeting this month to nominate a District Governor Nominee Designee who will succeed Ann Walko on July 1, 2021. Our district has four outstanding candidates making the bench for future leadership very deep. We applaud those who have stepped up to be considered for this important post.
This month I completed all but two of my 85 Governor’s visits. The remaining ones are re-scheduled and will be over during the first week in April. On March 5th I celebrated my HOMECOMING to the Newark Rotary Club and was deeply moved by the attendance of many past district governors and club presidents from around the district. We even had two presidents-elect at the event and inducted four new members of my club. Please keep the focus on new members. They enhance the strength of the clubs and share the work of the club.
That’s it for March. Later this month DG Ray Freaney and his team will be training next year’s club presidents at PETS. It is the start of a new cycle. As I have said before, Club President is the most important position in Rotary.
Thank you for all you have done and are doing as District 7475 Rotarians.
Cordially,
John
