Beep…  Beep…  Beep…  Hello Houston…  Our mission is half over… Thank you for your help and guidance so far… now, what do you see on our way to a happy landing June 30^th? 

It’s not going to take Houston for us to realize many of the most exciting and fun-filled events of our Rotary Year are just ahead of us.  Plans are in place for a very different Mid-Year Assembly.  Everyone has had a positive comment on our effort to make all events very interactive and the Mid-Year Assembly will be no different.  Breakout sessions will all be based on an interactive round table format.  We’ll explore new fund raising ideas, International Projects, Community Projects, ways to energize our clubs and maybe even a form to learn where you would like to see Rotary move in the next 5 years. 

During the assembly DGE Shirley Grace will conduct her Pre-PETS session.  This will be a must for all Presidents Elect.  Shirley will raise the curtain on what you can expect at PETS this year in San Jose.  

To the rescue comes AG Terren Brown who will double as a Territory 7 AG at the same time as she maintains her original assignment as AG of Club Services.  I had the pleasure of attending her First Territory Presidents’ meeting and I was impressed with the cooperative attitude.  I’m expecting really good results from the four clubs under her charge the balance of this year. 

Things have certainly changed in the area of communications.  I remember when clubs used to submit information about what their clubs were doing to the District Newsletter.  In a way that still happens, but on a more interactive, and timely basis by many individual club members.  It’s happening on the Social Media, and if you haven’t followed the District Facebook page, you have been missing out.  Check it out:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-District-5230/196392497056467 .  Or you can search for us on Facebook at: Rotary District 5230.   I think you will be surprised to learn what’s going on. 

The awards packages have gone out to the Club Presidents as well as the AG’s.  Some might think it’s a little early, but I don’t and here’s why.  It seems there is always a scramble to get them completed on short notice.  I believe if you have a little bit more time after reviewing them, clubs may be able to do a more complete job or even pull together a project that was taking its own sweet time.  “TIME” there’s that word again… TIME to do a more complete job.  

If you want to call special recognition and attention to your club at the District Conference – Tachi Palace in Lemoore, it will be easy.  Start putting together a Multi-Media presentation of your club’s special project anywhere in the world.  We are going to show how each club is changing the world.  We will take everyone to the site where you drilled the well for clean water, built the school to bring literacy to the unschooled, built the health care facility to attend for the sick, provided sewing machines to start a business to support a village… and the story goes on and on.  You will see the fulfillment of why we became Rotarians; to make new friends, network our business and to change the world! 

Have a healthy, happy and rewarding 2012!