It is hard to believe that July which earmarks the beginning of our new Rotary year as come and gone. Rotarians districtwide are busy organizing and planning community and international service projects, various fund raisers, blood drives, back to school activities, and fellowship gatherings.  But equally as important, many of our Rotary clubs have responded to a call to action to provide disaster relief assistance for so many communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey last year and the flood damage to over 15,000 resident homes in the Rio Grande valley this year.  I applaud the efforts of our Rotary clubs that have partnered with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Food Bank, Samaritan Purse, and Habitat for Humanity to address the immediate and anticipated long term needs in these communities.  You have truly embodied the idea of Rotary: People of Action and our Rotary motto: Service Above Self.