June 4, 2006

Changing of the Guard and “coronation” of Mark Doiron as new District Governor is upon us! And he is approaching his year with enthusiasm! Mark has set his goals,his leadership is in place, he has made changes in Assistant Governors where needed and promises a new district directory out this month. Communications are so important. Nice going, Mark.

Presidential Citations for District 6820 for 2005-06 were awarded the following clubs: These 24 qualify our District for a Presidential Citation District.

Dick Dickerson, Secretary of North Jackson won out for the highest bidder on the Ron Polk autographed baseball auction at district conference with Jack Forbus as auctioneer. A whopping generous $350. He writes, “fun to participate, it was for such a worthy cause…” Your generosity is appreciated Dick.

Ann Barnes, Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee Chair notes that interviews of applicants with local clubs should be completed and received by her by July15th, 2006. Applications and an endorsement page should be sent to Ann Barnes, Prime Care Nursing, 407 Briarwood Dr., Suite 204, Jackson, MS 39206. Final interviews are scheduled for August 12th.

“Whatever Happened to Polio” Smithsonian Exhibit has a fascinating on-line exhibit at http://americanhistory.si.edu/polio/.

“STAR Clubs” are clubs that give $100 per capita to the Rotary Foundation. We do have some, few. For the clubs that need to begin giving to the Rotary Foundation, $50 can give a blind person sight, a few bucks more can give children clean water. Every club needs to participate in this worthy enterprise.

From the Vicksburg bulletin, this reminder: Fathers Day comes up June 18th. “We know one guy, born by artificial insemination, and each Father’s Day he sends a necktie to a syringe in Oxford, MS!”

PDG Bill Foster, District Treasurer Bill Simmons, your DG, and our wives traveled to Biloxi recently as guests of District 6840 (S. MS and New Orleans area) where we were recognized for our Katrina Fund efforts at their College of Governors dinner.

We need 10,000 new Paul Harris Fellows to reach the milestone of naming the 1,000,000th PHF. Since the 1 st PHF recognition in 1957 the monies from this award has made many worthwhile projects successful. Like 37,000 Ambassadorial Scholars, 52,000 Group Study Exchange team members, numerous grants for teachers, Peace Scholars, 3-H and Matching Grants and immunization of over 2 Billion children against Polio. Adding new PHFs is an ongoing effort and we need to continue to show the benefits to potential donors.

Rotary Katrina Fund donations have surpassed $700,000. This week we funded $10,000 to a group in S. MS who are making storage sheds available for families living in FEMA campers. They need additional space for washers/dryers and storage. Many people are sleeping in them….Thank you for your continued support and let us all pray in earnest that our friends and families will be spared another devastating blow such as this.

Coming events:

• Zone Training Seminar-Membership and Foundation –Saturday June 24th at Eagle Ridge Conference Center, Hinds Community College.
• Changing of the Guard-Thursday, June 29th at the weekly meeting of Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club.
• GETS and Zone Institute , Columbus, OHIO Sept 4th-10th.

Thank you for all you do for Rotary and others,

Stuart Vance

Club Presidents: Please pass this newsletter along to your club’s members – or direct them to the newsletter on the District 6820 web site at http:/www.rotary6820.org