District Governor 2021-22
RC of Portland
May is Youth Service Month on the Rotary calendar which is perfect for us as I am committed to finding 74 more sophomores to fill our RYLA camp this June. According to many past participants, the experience can be life changing. Several clubs have not recruited enough students to use their whole RYLA budget and have offered to sponsors campers outside their club area. We also still have 12 district scholarship available. The deadline has been extended to June 1, and we will bend that as much as we can so we can fill the camp. I ask that every Rotarian in the district look for students who could benefit from the program.
As most of you know, The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Leadership Camp is an interactive development program designed to enhance leadership skills in the next generation of innovative leaders. Working with students after their sophomore year of high school, Rotary clubs throughout Rotary District 7780, select up to 144 students to participate in RYLA – Leadership Camp. For more information, go to https://ryla7780.org/what-is-ryla/.
District Training Assembly a Success
I was very pleased to have 165 attend District Training Assembly this year. Peter Johnson did a superlative job in setting up a very diverse set of breakout sessions, in his last effort as he ends his three-year term as our District Trainer. It was a real treat to see everyone in person.
District Conference-Celebrating Our Rebirth
Our next District event is our District Conference on May 14, and our theme is Celebrate our Rebirth. It is a one day fast-paced conference with two keynote speakers and eight (8) 10-minute speakers. The 10-minute speakers represent organizations that have benefitted from Rotary. They will tell us what Rotary’s help meant to them. Registration is open so CLICK HERE, but it closes soon. Register now!
Wrapping Up the Rotary Year
We are entering the last two months of the Rotary year, so it’s time to ensure your clubs have achieved all the goals set by your leaders. The membership numbers so far look great. The Foundation donations have been strong. I have heard about several very successful fundraisers, and I am seeing notices of service being done every week. Now is the time to finish the Rotary year with great social and service events.
Although COVID was difficult all year, the clubs in our district have just kept going. Clubs hit bumps in the road but just jumped over them, and kept going. Flexibility has been the watchword, and clubs have really taken that to heart.