Dear Dream Team,

 

It’s May and I declare it a month free of “May Gray”.  Rotarians are riding high after such an exciting April.  Thanks to everyone who participated in the Four-Way Test Speech Contest, Rotarians At Work Day, RYLA, Model UN and all the other great club projects, fundraisers and events.  What a busy month!

 

District Conference

 

As you well know, we have our District Conference in two weeks.  It will be a great event with super speakers, outstanding breakout sessions and wonderful Rotary fellowship.  I look forward to seeing so many of you there!  Thank you for your support during these difficult times.  Little did we know when we booked the location two years ago how challenging this would be for everyone.  I am so very grateful to those of you who will be there.

 

There is still time to sign up and as of today, there are two new packages available for those who cannot attend the entire event: Saturday breakfast, breakouts, coffee, lunch and the legislative session for $85 or Saturday pre-dinner reception, dinner and dancing for $90.  I hope that this will make it more affordable for more Rotarians and their families.  These options are only available through the District Office.

 

Be sure to book your Sunday brunch reservations directly with the hotel.  I can promise you that there is no better Sunday brunch around!  There is even an open Bloody Mary bar. 

 

Membership

 

I am so proud of all the work that you have done this year in the area of Membership.  According to the district website, we are only down 3 members for the year.  Keep up the good work!  I love seeing so many new Rotarians being inducted at the club meetings as I visit.  They are full of energy and excitement because you have instilled that in them.  Let’s keep them going strong!

 

We are still hoping to have two new clubs (North County New Generations and Miramar Semper Fidelis) chartered before the end of the year.  Stay tuned and we’ll make sure everyone knows when the charter events take place.

 

Be sure to have all of your club’s membership data current with RI by May 15.  That will be the date that they look at the data for several membership awards that they present.

 

The Rotary Foundation

 

Our giving is down about 15% from this time last year, which isn’t all that bad, considering everything.  If you or your club still has money to send back, be sure and send it in as soon as you can.  A good rule of thumb is to have it all sent in by the end of May.  That way you can be sure that they have time to process it before the end of the year.  There are two clubs that have not yet sent back anything for Annual Program Fund and there are twenty clubs that have not yet sent back anything for PolioPlus.  Our overall giving for this year for PolioPlus is just over $90,000 and nearly $112,000 since December 2007.  Keep up the good work and the generous spirit.

 

As soon as we know if we have been accepted into the Future Vision Pilot, I will spread the word.  We should hear in mid-June before we head off to Birmingham.

 

District Leadership Plan

 

The District Leadership Plan is available for everyone on the District website under the 2008-2009 Resources.  I hope you will find this informative and helpful.  It provides the policies and procedures on how we do most everything at the District level.  As this is the first year that we have completed this document, it will continue to evolve and strengthen in the coming years.  If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to me.

 

District Rotarian of the Year

 

I am accepting nominations for the District Rotarian of the Year.  They are due in to me no later than May 29, 2009.  Since I asked the District leadership team to add this question to the Four-Way Test, “Will it help the clubs?”, I’m now asking you, “Who has helped your club the most this year?”  Who has helped your club have the “Best Year Ever”?  Please send me your nominations.  This prestigious award will be presented at the District Council in June.

 

Rotary International Convention - Birmingham

 

Those of us who are attending the RI Convention in Birmingham are in for a real treat.  We’ll have all the joy of the convention, along with the beauty of the English countryside.  Be sure to stop by the House of Friendship while you are there.  You’ll even see our own PDG Jim O’Meara working a booth!

 

 

I know that it seems like we are almost done with this Rotary Year, but we still have work to do.  We still have Dreams to Make Real.  Keep up the great work.  It really feels like we are all having our “Best Year Ever”!

 

 

 

Future Dates to Save

 

May 14-17, 2009            District Conference

June 8, 2009                  San Diego Padres Game - PolioPlus

June 16, 2009                District Council – End of Year / Start of Year Celebration

June 20/21, 2009           District Receptions – Birmingham, England

June 21-24, 2009           Rotary International Convention, Birmingham, England

July 31, 2009                 San Diego Padres Game

August 5, 2009              District Council

September 12, 2009       Foundation Seminar

 

 

Pam Russell

District Governor 2008-2009

Rotary District 5340

Telephone: 619.723.3651

Fax: 858.271.4138

www.rotary5340.org