Dear Rotarians of District 7475,
As RI President Barry Rassin has reminded us February is a special month in the history of Rotary because our organization marks its 114th year on February 23rd. This is an opportunity to create some publicity for your Rotary Club surrounding this anniversary. A press release about Rotary or even a special mention of the 114th at your meeting would help raise the visibility. Some clubs will even have more elaborate ways to celebrate this milestone.
Speaking of celebrations, Rotaract has one of its own in March. World Rotaract Week will be celebrated March 11 to 17 to note the 1968 founding of the first Rotaract Club in North Carolina back in 1968. If your club sponsors a Rotaract Club, please make this week special for them.
My travels to the clubs are nearing an end. I will have been to all clubs by sometime in March. As I have stated before, visiting the clubs is a great joy for me as I learn about the diversity and traditions of each club. The commitment to Rotary and the respective communities is a wonderful manifestation of Service Above Self. The visits have inspired me and benefited me greatly.
DGE Ray Freaney is back from his January training with all the incoming Governors from around the world. He and his team are hard at work preparing for the next Rotary year that arrives July 1. Last weekend he played host to all the Presidents-Elects and introduced his leadership team to them at Pre-PETS. It will be on to PETS the last weekend in March.
Our District Conference Committee is working to prepare for the May 3 to 5 gathering in Gettysburg. Reservations are open on the District Website, www.njrotary.org, and about three dozen Rotarians have already reserved space. Hotel reservations are being handled by the district rather than directly, and I encourage all who plan to attend to register soon. The hotel block on the rooms and rate is only until April 2nd. After that you are at the mercy of the hotel’s availability so please act soon.
The Rotary Means Business Committee has another session planned for Wednesday, February 20th at The Grain House Restaurant in Basking Ridge. A notice has been sent to each club president, so please see them to gain more information. The February session is sponsored by the Morristown Rotary Club.
Our Scholarship Subcommittee Chair, Pia Reich of the Morristown Rotary Club, is seeking candidates for Peace Fellowships and Global Grant Scholarships. If you know a good candidate, please connect them with Pia.
That is all for this month. I hope the winter is treating you well. We all await spring.
Cordially,
John