Dear Dream Team,

 

Happy April!  What an exciting month to be a Rotarian!  This month is so full of events that will inspire us as well as those we serve.  We have the 4-Way Test Speech Contest, Model United Nations, RYLA, Rotarians At Work Day, Club Fundraisers, great club programs and our GSE Team arrives from East Africa.  There just isn’t any slowing down the Rotarians in District 5340!

 

First of all, I want to remind the Club Presidents to submit their applications for the RI Presidential Citation Award.  They need to be in the District Office no later than April 14 so I can send the list to RI.  It is exciting to read them and learn about all the wonderful work that you are doing this year.  Keep them coming!

 

It is also the time for you to tell me how your club is doing this year.  Are you having your best year ever?  Send me a note and tell me why.  (Remember, Club Presidents aren’t eligible to send this note! J)

 

District Events

 

The San Diego Padres will begin their season on April 6.  Be sure to check the district website for the Rotary Game Days.  At this point there are two remaining open slots in July and August that clubs can sign up for.  It is a great fellowship as well as a chance to showcase your club at the on-field pre-game ceremonies.  Also, the June 8 game will be a special PolioPlus night at the ballpark.  Stay tuned for more details.  PDG Mike Stelman will soon be letting us know more.

 

Rotarians At Work Day is April 25, 2009.  It is exciting to report to you how this project is really growing all over the world.  At present there are 28 districts representing over 80,000 Rotarians around the world who will be participating in projects in their communities.  This year we won the RI PR Grant and are using the funds to support Rotarians At Work Day.  You’ll see ads in the San Diego Union Tribune, the San Diego Business Journal as well as ads on the back side of several city buses.  The remaining ads in the UT will be on April 13 (Sports), April 14 (Business) and April 19 (Main News).  Keep an eye out for all these great ways that we are spreading the word.  We all owe a great big THANK YOU to Vicky Mallet for the work she did to submit the grant as well as line up the advertising and other interviews that will take place throughout the month.  Thank you all for submitting your projects on the website.  Jim Roth has been encouraging you to register your projects which is a big help in telling the story to those all over the world.

 

The June District Council date has been changed to June 16, 2009.  Please adjust your calendars.

 

Membership

 

Membership continues to be a challenge for all of us, but I am so proud of all the work you are doing.  I have felt so blessed to be able to induct members in several clubs the last few months, notably San Luis Rey and Torrey Pines.  Keep up the good work.  I have decided to extend the deadline for +2 new members for the District Distinguished Club Award to May 15.  I want everyone to have a chance to receive this recognition. 

 

The Rotary Foundation

 

Our contributions to The Rotary Foundation Annual Program Fund are at 80% of where we were last year at this time.  I think that is pretty darn good considering the tough economic times we are facing.  We are all affected by this but I get the feeling that we still realize how fortunate we still are in comparison to places throughout the world where our work takes place.   We know that our donations have such a huge impact and go farther because of how The Rotary Foundation is managed and how Rotarians do so much of the work on the ground.  No donations do more.  Thank you for your contributions.

 

Our contributions to PolioPlus are going well also.  One third of the clubs have met the $1,000 goal for giving to PolioPlus and many more are very close.  In total, our donations since the Challenge began in December 2007 have reached over $95,000.  Thank you. 

 

District Conference

 

The District Conference is just around the corner, May 14-17.  As part of the District leadership team, I need your help to attend this wonderful event as well as encourage others to do the same.  The more, the merrier!  It will be at the Temecula Creek Inn which is a beautiful nearby getaway.  Please register as soon as you can.  Also, it is very important that you get your hotel room booked very quickly.  We have a block of rooms reserved at the $185 rate, but will be giving back all unreserved rooms to the hotel April 14.  After that date, the room rate will probably be around $229.  Co-chairs Louise Andres and Laurel Ball, along with the entire committee, are working tirelessly to put together a great event for everyone.  Consider this your mini-vacation this year.  There is so much to do in Temecula!  I really want to see you there!

  

One last note, DGE Marge Cole had knee replacement surgery (on both knees) last Friday.  I stopped by to see her today and she is on the road to recovery.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Thank you for all you do.  You are the “Best Rotarians Ever”!

 

 

Pam Russell

District Governor 2008-2009

Rotary District 5340

Telephone: 619.723.3651

Fax: 858.271.4138

www.rotary5340.org