Last year at this time our team was planning the District installation to be held later in June 2019. Little did we know then what awaited us the last half of this Rotary year. It was not a hurricane or other natural disaster but rather a pandemic that would sweep across the world and throw our Rotary world into a place we never thought we would go. Who could have imagined a Rotary world where there are no in person meetings or events? Not me.
Then we discovered the world of Zoom (at least those of us who had not used it before did). And now we are at least able to see and talk to each other electronically. I applaud all the clubs that continue to meet online until they feel it is safe to meet in person.
they will continue to meet online until the end of the year. The same goes for the Zone meeting that was to have been held in Houston in September. But at the local, club, level it is up to the clubs whether or not they feel like they can safely meet. I do know of at least a few club officer installations around the District that will be held in person where they will observe proper social distancing and other recommended CDC safety measures. I would predict some club meetings will soon begin to be held in the same vain.
I hope you had a chance to attend one or more of the three sessions of our first online District 5930 Conference. We were able to hold the District 4 Way Speech Contest as well as two additional sessions focused on strategic planning, Rotary International updates, and telling our Rotary stories. I was very pleased the way it all turned out, thanks to our co-chairs Debbie High and Justinn Jones and the other committee members. Our final piece of the conference is to vote on some business items including our Council on Legislation Representative, a resolution to be presented to the Council on Legislation, and outstanding District Governor operational audit financial reports. Those votes will be done electronically and are in process now.
Another casualty of the pandemic was the Rotary International Convention to be held in Honolulu this month. Alternatively what President Mark Maloney is planning is an online convention to be held June 20-24. I would encourage you to plan to attend at least some of the sessions of that convention. It should be an exciting way to experience an international convention from the comfort of your own home. You can register for the convention at www.riconvention.org.
I also need to get a plug in for the online Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) classes that will be held in June and July. The Lone Star division of the national RLI organization has organized these classes, trained the facilitators, and scheduled dates. RLI Session 2 will be held twice, beginning on June 10 and July 7. RLI Session 3 will be held beginning July 14. You can find complete information as well as a registration link at www.lonestarrli.com.
This is the month that clubs traditionally make their final yearly donations to the Rotary Foundation. Now more than ever the Foundation needs your donations, especially to the Annual Fund. Please get those donations in ASAP so they will be counted during this Rotary year. It is because of our individual and club donations to the Foundation that we are able to do much of the good we do in the world. Clubs also need to update information in the Goals sections of My Rotary > Rotary Club Central. This is how RI determines if you qualify for the RI citation. Our District also has the Exemplary Club Award and Rooted in Service Award. Forms will be emailed to Presidents and Secretaries on Wednesday, June 3 and need to be submitted to the District by June 30. 2020.
Finally I want to thank each and every Rotarian in the District for the service you have performed over the last Rotary year and that you continue to perform. I have truly witnessed that Rotarians in our District are Rooted in Service.