Are You Making a Difference?!
 
We are on our last quarter of Rotary Year 2017-2018, the “Tootie” Award Checklists have come in and our Qualified Clubs are excited to receive their Award.  Our “Discover the Magic of Rotary” District Conference Chair
Maribel Guerrero has filled in all the Events to make it “Serious FUN”.  As part of the Conference, we are inviting your Club members to announce and promote your Annual Fundraisers.  Post your Service Projects, 5K-10K Runs, Ride over the Causeway, Kayak Race, CajunFest etc. to benefit our communities.  Our Partner Non-Profits are also invited and welcomed.  Please check with the Committee for Booth Space.  District Conference Agenda will be posted on the District website and Nancy Ross, District Secretary has emailed it as well. Will your Club receive the coveted “Tootie” Award?   The checklists are coming in and we have Prizes and Surprises!  (DRUMROLL PLEASE!)
 
Membership
A HUGE KUDOS to Lt. Governor of Membership Luis Cavazos for facilitating the the Membership Conference Call.  Great audience, Great participation, Great insights, Great Rotarians taking time from their Busy Lives to learn about “How to Grow Your Membership”.  Share your stories, share successes, share challenges.  We are all in this together to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
 
The Rotary Foundation
A HUGE KUDOS to Lt. Governor Youth Services Mike Dickerson for the 2nd Annual Polio Moto Ride across District 5930.  We had a record number of 27 riders and it was very exciting and exhilarating to follow the riders.  The photos we took at the stops were AWESOME!  We had an Event Banner with our Partners and got participants and greeters to sign.  When I saw them arrive at the 1st Stop at Rio Grande City, with motors running……I was teary eyed and more surprising there were women joining the riders!  2nd Stop in Pharr/McAllen riders were greeted by the McAllen Rotary Clubs at F & T Valley Motorsports with a traditional
Texas Bar B Q.
 
3rd Stop in Harlingen where DGND Eddie Bartnesky greeted the riders with a water stop.  4th Stop in Brownsville was EXCITING!  We had over 30 Brownsville Rotarians greeting and welcoming the riders.  Off we went to our next and final rest stop for the day in Corpus Christi.  Corpus Christi Evening Rotary Club President David Bazan, President-Elect Alissa Adkins and John Freund hosted a Wonderful Dinner for the riders. 
It was an early rise for an 8:00 am start on the 2nd day Sunday.  We were well on the road on time and that ride over the Harbor Bridge was Spectacular with a view of the USS Lexington on the right.  We arrived at Rockport, our Greeters with coffee, juice, donuts were PDG J.D. Simpson, PDG Debbie High and Joseph High, Nancy Paulson and husband Dennis.  We tailgated right by the bay and took a group picture with the water showing around us.  Our next quick stop was Port Lavaca, Greeters were PDG Russell Cain and Club President Jan Reagan.  Victoria Rotarians hosted the riders at the Challenged Athletes Dream Complex – Special needs park.  Greeters were Area 2 Asst. Governor Kent Grier his wife Peggy, Rotarian Louis Boldt and wife Sue.  They provided us with Chargrilled Hamburgers, YUM!  Our next stop was on to Alice and was that a THRILL….we were greeted in Beeville at Smolick’s Barbeque by over 20 motorcycle riders with Sheriff’s patrols, sirens and  escorted all the way into City of Alice Knights of Columbus Hall.  That was quite an experience!  KUDOS to Area 6 Assistant Governor Dee Dee Arismendiz for arranging this. Rookie Rotarian Maria Rising and son William were also there greeting and serving the riders.
I admit, I was very emotional to see people taking their Sunday afternoon to join us in the ride to END POLIO! 
 
We were escorted out of town all the way to San Diego and we all rode off to our last stop of our final destination…Laredo.  A HUGE THANK YOU to Indian Motorcycle of Laredo for their Partnership.  Thank God, all the riders arrived safe.  I believe 2 new Rotarians happened during the ride!! They asked, “What is Rotary?” After this ride, I have a WHOLE NEW LEVEL of RESPECT for Motorcycle riders.
 
SHARE THE ROAD!
 
Public Image/Rotary Awareness
Lt. Governor of Public Image/Rotary Awareness Aleda Reyes launched the “People of Action” Campaign with attached award monies. 
 
Please follow and Like our Rotary District 5930 FaceBook page and Rotary District 5930 Network page.  There are wonderful postings, graphic designs to share, share, share.  Let’s not keep Rotary a Secret.
 
I want to encourage you and your Club Members to attend our District Conference in South Padre Island.  We need to connect, inspire and motivate each other to Doing Good in the World and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  That is WHY we are Rotarians.
 
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS.  I AM A PHONE CALL AWAY.  #956-683-5706
 
I am making a Difference and will continue to Be The Inspiration.
 
Honored and Humbled to Serve you as District Governor for District 5930.
 
Betty Ramirez-Lara
District Governor 2017-2018
PROUD Member of District Premiere Club McAllen South Rotary Club
956-683-5706