On February 8 we celebrated last year’s successes with Rotary Foundation giving. It was a great turnout in Harlingen of District 5930 Rotarians and a few guests from as far away as Nepal that joined us. Rotary International Director Elect Suzi Howe was very impressed with our attendance as well as the enthusiasm in the room. Thanks to DGE Eddie Bartnesky and AG Kathy Preddy for making all the arrangements for the dinner at the Harlingen Convention Center.
 
Now we need to concentrate on completing our
Foundation giving for this Rotary year. I hope a majority of the clubs will meet and exceed their goals for the Annual Fund. And in order to be sure we get proper credit for this year please don’t wait until the last minute to send in your donations. If you have already collected go ahead and send it in now if at all possible. It is only possible for us to do District Grants if we have sufficient donations to the Annual Fund on an annual basis.
 
I just returned from another motivational PETS (President’s Elect Training Seminar) in Dallas. What an inspirational event! There were hundreds of presidents elect and nominee from all over Texas and southern Oklahoma hungry to learn more about Rotary and how to have a successful year as president of their respective clubs. DGE Eddie Bartnesky planned excellent sessions with the District on Friday including an inspirational visit by Rotary International President-Elect Holger Knaack, the first Rotary president from Germany. 
 
Planning for the District Conference at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi May 1 – 3 is in full swing. This is a chance for the District to come together and celebrate the many successes of this Rotary year. You can find all the information and links to register in this newsletter. Highlights include the All Club Luncheon and night at the Texas State Aquarium on Friday, May 1, the 4 Way Speech contest on Saturday, May 2 as well as the Governor’s Dinner on Saturday night. There is much more including an introduction to Rotary’s official partnership with Toastmasters International and a delegation from Rotary District 3000 in India. We will also have what we are calling a Rotary Showcase where you can tell your club’s Rotary story for this year. You will also find a link on the District website to make a hotel reservation in our Conference group at the beautiful Omni Hotel for the conference. I hope to see you all there.
 
Finally, it’s springtime in Texas! If you get a chance head up towards San Antonio and the hill country and enjoy the bluebonnets…a beautiful sight! I think bluebonnets are Rotary blue!