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ROTARY DISTRICT 6920 Central, South Central, Southeast, & Coastal Georgia

THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

*Click on the GOLD STAR to enjoy “Remembering No More: A Story of Change” Hosted by Carl White, exploring Alzheimer’s Diease. - The segment is from a PBS Program focusing on one gracious lady - and her family, coping with the disease - as well as offering interviews with researchers including Allan Leavy of Emory University’s Brain Health Center, and featuring Rotarians including Roger Ackerman, founder of CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) - and PRID Robert Hall (& wife Charlene) who notes: “What I like about Rotary is the power of one, the results of many.” Carl White’s 'Life In The Carolinas' is an Emmy nominated & award winning program of many seasons.

March is: Clean Water Month Focusing on Water & Sanitation World Wide Watch PDG John Neely Offer the DG’s March Message CLICK HERE

Click HERE to see A SPECIAL MESSAGE from DG Hamsa Inviting YOU to Attend D6920 All Clubs Conference

Your 5 March "R-MAD” Goals: “Rotarians Making a Difference”

1. MAKE THE DECISION: Register for All Clubs Conference! Bring a friend - Bring your spouse, Bring your family. Make it a ‘girls weekend' getaway, or a ‘guys’ golfing/fishing trip.. However you decide to “do" it - share it with ROTARY at Jekyll ! For Info and/or to register NOW Click Here

2. EVERYONE - FINISH your Celebration Citations for 2017-18 Citation Tracker Forms are EASY to fill out:   For Rotary Members: Click HERE For Rotary Clubs: Click Here   to watch a great video explaining the ‘How to” - CLICK HERE

3. SCHEDULE an RI Foundation Fireside Chat in your club in MARCH Here's a video description from DG Hamsa & District Foundation Chair Elizabeth Hardin: CLICK HERE

4. ATTEND the Foundation Dinner on Jekyll Island, April 26. CLICK HERE to see a brief video introducing this EXCITING Event.

5. MARCH is Clean Water Month With your club: Focus on Clean Water issues - in your community, in one of the disaster areas in the Carribean (in our Zone 34), or perhaps in India with our GG Partners.

In This Newsletter:

Sec. A. TOP PRIORITY: District News & Upcoming Events * Catch the Special Video in the ‘Gold Star’ about CART from a PBS program. 1. ALL CLUBS CONFERENCE - Message from DG Hamsa 2. Foundation Dinner at the Historic Jekyll Island Hotel April 26 3. Important Reminders for March & April 4. Peachstate PETS - ‘Ladies & Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!’ 5. GSE Friendship Exchange Team comes HOME amazed. 6. Rotary Leadership Institute News 7. Atlanta Convention Funding Update 8. DG Hamsa’s February Highlights & Photos   Sec. B. DISTRICT PROJECTS: Initiatives & Plans * SPECIAL REMINDER: Register NOW for ALL CLUBS CONFERENCE 1. Entrepreneurship Partnerships - Over 500 attend Hinesville STEAM Event Macon Entrepreneurship is ‘Open for Business’ 2. Saving Lives with Medicine - DG Hamsa & Steve Stirling give update on SLWM 50 Rotarians Volunteer @ MAP & Great Press for SLWM Partners Exploring exciting Opportunity to Serve 3. Report from India - Launch of W.A.S.H. program for education & Hygene.   Sec. C. CLUBS & MEMBERS: Club News & Events Augusta West noted for annual Community Award Kings Bay Club - - Small but Mighty! Macon Club Rededicates Memorial Tree Valdosta Rotary Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner Savannah area clubs explore their Rotary Service Ecosystem Jesup hosts special moment for DG Hamsa Perry Club Plants Trees in Community     Sec. D. YOUTH: GRSP, RYLA, Rotaract, Interact 1. Rotaract Announces new District Leaders 2. Rotaract Model UN “Future We Want” event 3. Interact International Service Day announced   Sec. E. TOOLS: Citations, Resources, Facebook, RI News, Contact Us, & Links 1. Citation Brochures 2. Resources 3. Facebook 4. Rotary International News (links) 5. Contact US - Our District Contact Info - 6.Social Media & Website Links

A. Top Priority: District News/Events

Info or to Register: CLICK HERE   My email: dghamsa@gmail.com #DGHamsa   From District Governor Hamsa: ALL CLUBS CONFERENCE   Dear Friends & Fellow Rotarians - -   I invite all of you to come, perhaps with your families, or with friends, to Jekyll Island the last weekend in April - for a wonderful 3 day ‘escape’ to the Coast as we CELEBRATE Rotary - and our incredible 2017-18 Year of Accomplishments!   If you’ve been to past District Conferences - you know its great fun. And if you’ve not been - - Here’s what to expect: First - You’ll check in for a weekend get-away in a beautiful location. You’ll have lots of time to explore Jekyll by walking the beach or riding a bike or golf cart. You can enjoy restuarants, cocktails at sunset - the Turtle Center, Historic District - so much to see and do (and you can add on St Simons etc if you wish).   But that’s only part of it! In addition to your ‘own’ time - you’ll have opportunities to celebrate Rotary: Parties, dinners, some ‘how to’ sessions - and you can attend alot or a little - its all up to you!   You’ll be amazed by the accomplishments of Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and Youth across our District. You’ll meet new people from clubs across east-central Georgia. You’ll meet committee chairs and officers you’ve worked with this year. You’ll find another great ‘world’ of Rotary - outside your own club. Its truly ALOT of fun. And yes - some of you are thinking: I’d like to do more with Rotary than ‘just’ in my own club. WELL — Here’s the place to connect up! So please, COME TO JEKYLL - -   Everyone is part of the team - and it takes our combined talent and skills - to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Announcing a Very Special District 6920 Event April 26, 2018 RI FOUNDATION DINNER @ the Historic Jekyll Island Hotel   On Thursday night, April 26: Our District will host a special ticketed Foundation dinner at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, by invitation only. All Rotarians in District 6920 giving $500 or more to the RI Foundation since July 1, 2017 - will receive an Invitation to this very special evening. You do not need to attend All Clubs Conference to attend the Foundation Dinner (though we’d love it if you would stay, explore Jekyll & enjoy the weekend with us).   At the dinner we’ll Celebrate the Foundation and raise money in support of (both) The Annual Fund & Polio Plus. The cost to attend is $100 per person. Seating is limited to the first 130 people. And your gift of $100 up to $500 will be matched with POINTS, 1:1 toward your next PHF level. New proceeds after expenses go to the Foundation, to be applied equally to the Annual Fund & Polio Plus.   PRID Robert Hall will serve as master of ceremonies, guaranteeing a good time will be had by all! Anne Mathews and RIPR Greg Podd are also joining us. Many Thanks to: District Foundation Chair Elizabeth Hardin & PDG Pam. WATCH FOR YOUR INVITE!   Want to hear more about it? CLICK HERE

Important Reminders: District Events & Deadlines in MARCH & APRIL

March 30, 2018: Celebration Citation Deadline Fill out your tracker and send it in NOW. For “How To”: CLICK HERE

March 30, 2018: C.A.R.T. Donations Deadline - Attn. Club Presidents Club donations MUST be received by PDG Bruce Montgomery, District Treasurer, on or before March 30th, to be considered for District CART Awards PDG Bruce: hbmontgomery@bellsouth.net

March, 2018: Host a FIRESIDE CHAT in your club in March For scheduling and info email DGE Margaret: margaretdg6920@gmail.com

April 26, 2018: RLI Training on Jekyll Island. For More Info CLICK HERE

Apr 27-29, 2018: ALL CLUBS CELEBRATION - - Jekyll Island CLICK HERE for more info and to Register - - - Never been to Rotary District Conference? Surprise yourself! Take a Risk - REGISTER DID WE MENTION? REGISTRATION IS FREE - Attendance is ala carte….

Aprl 28, 2018: Grants & Foundation Training - Jekyll Island - Click HERE

What’s MOST Important in March? That you “Book” a great weekend on the Coast (for just you, or You and Your Family, or you & friends) BE THERE: April 27-29 on JEKYLL ISLAND w/ ROTARY GREAT HOTELS, GREAT BEACH, GREAT FOOD, GREAT ‘Get-away', and PARTY WITH ROTARY! REGISTER - NOW (its free to register - then choose what to attend ‘ala carte’) Click HERE

2018 PETS - Atlanta - FANTASTIC Peach State President Elect Training in Atlanta Feb 22-24 was indeed FANTASTIC! Possibly our most exciting moment came when RIPE Barry Rassin joined us for Photos in the District Hospitality Suite. WOW! (see photo, left) It was wonderful to have so many people with giving hearts - all utilizing ROTARY as a way to make the world; down the street & across the globe, a better place! DG Hamsa & DGE Margaret were proud, excited, & so encouraged by all the energy in the room! The PEs studied everything from Data Entry and Meeting/Club Management - to Social Media and Public Relations techniques. DGN Mike was on hand. Now, on to ALL CLUBS CELEBRATION in April.

GSE Friendship Exchange Team: Home from India   Saturday evening February 17, 2018 @ Savannah International Airport, DG Hamsa and Friendship Exchange chairman Justin Godchaux joined family of Team members to welcome our travelers home from a very successful visit to D 3150 in India. Team members will now share their experiences with Rotarians across our District & at All Clubs Conference - and will give a special welcome to our incoming team from D 3150 soon!

RLI Concludes Successful Training   Thanks to the combined efforts of D 6920 Rotary Leadership Institute organizing team led by Bill Jahn, the discussion leaders from Jacksonville, Florida and our District, a very successful Rotary leadership training concluded in Savannah in early February. All three levels of RLI training were conducted. Discussion Leader Training also occured - thanks to help from the two PDG team of Covingtons. The next RLI session will be held at the all clubs celebration conference on Jekyll Island in April.

Atlanta RI Convention Follow-up:   Here'a an FYI from the wind down efforts from the Atlanta Convention last summer. Many will remember - that in preparation for this enormous undertaking, all Rotarians across Georgia participated in ‘up front’ funding through a dues surcharge - with the promise that funds would be returned to the clubs in Georgia. That IS happening. In recent weeks, Club Presidents, PEs, AGs and others have offered suggestions about these significant funds. So - we are taking the time to thoughtfully consider the possibilities - to give each club a voice & options suitable & exciting to them. Stay tuned for more info to come!

DG Hamsa’s February Highlights!   What was our DG up to in February? ALOT!!   Here’s just a sample: He kept up with our Friendship Exchange Team by email & social media, offering support & encouragement as they traveled in India. He worked with Rotarians across our District at MAP Intl. in Brunswick, packing survival recovery kits bound for Puerto Rico & elsewhere. He was on hand to welcome home our travel weary but amazed Friendship Exchange Team when they landed as SAV. Intl. He was on St Simons to support a great partnership with the SSI club and Rotary in Puerto Rico for a hugely sucessful GG/Foundation fundraising dinner. He worked on ‘follow-up’ to his offical visits with many clubs - focusing on special needs and efforts - including an in depth effort by Clubs in the Savannah area. He attended & helped lead PETS in Atlanta - He continued to push Entrepreneurship and Saving Lives with Medicine Initiatives across our District….   CLICK HERE AND HERE to see all the events, photos & fun on Hamsa’s 2 Facebook Pages. (great posts on both)

B. DISTRICT Projects, Initiatives, & Plans

The entire Conference is ‘a' la carte’ - attend only what you wish: Get Info HERE

Hinesville STEAM Celebration Success   The Hinesville Rotary Club hosted a PHENOMINAL workshop for nearly 300 middle schoolers, parents & residents in February, focusing on careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.   The event was VERY well attended by students - and very much ENJOYED by all. (organizers photo left)   For Project details & ’set up’ how to: CLICK HERE To read some of the great press coverage: CLICK HERE

Macon Entrepreneurship Academy is: OPEN FOR BUSINESS   The Rotary Clubs of Macon have submitted the FIRST Entrepreneurship video for our district contest. This wonderful video will be featured in the “Rotary Entrepreneurship Showcase” and will help us recruit corporate sponsors for our programs District wide! In fact - we are grateful to Georgia Power for being our first corporate sponsor.   Funds will be used for scholarships to students/schools and to pay for incidental expenses (such as T shirts, conference meals etc) associated with giving students the experience of attending All Clubs Conference   To watch this GREAT Video, CLICK HERE

Saving Lives with Medicine is…. Making a Difference !   DG Hamsa reports our Saving Lives with Medicine program continues to show great success. Steve Sterling, (Rotarian) President and CEO of MAP Intl. - and DG Hamsa are photographed here with a sample of the free medicines D6920 Rotary clubs and MAP are providing to indigent patients through participating clinics in Brunswick and Valdosta.   During his visit Hamsa also met several MAP Partners including a man running a Silicon Valley based charity providing surgical equipment - in part to a Rotarian surgeon in India operating a charitable pediatric cardiology surgical clinic.

GREAT Help for MAP Intl. - & Press for Saving Lives w Med.   The Brunswick news recently ran a great story on Rotary and MAP Intl - relief efforts and our groundbreaking Saving Lives with Medicine Initiative.   Over 50 Rotarians from 10 different clubs volunteered to help assemble 1000 disaster healthy kits for MAP Intl’s Disaster Relief program. These kits helped people in Puerto Rico and Texas hurt by last year’s hurricanes. The packs help prevent the spread of disease for people staying in shelters following disasters. They contain antiseptic wipes, soap and other basic hygiene items. To read the article in the Brunswick News - - Click HERE

A Hint of Great Things to Come...   …and there is MORE good news from Saving Lives With Medicine! Through a collaboration between Liberty Regional Hospital, the Diversity Health Center, MAP Intl., several Rotary Clubs in the Savannah/Hinesville, and D6920, these partners are working to develop a completely new model to help rural hospitals in Georgia deliver free life saving medicine to lower overall Health Care Costs for those in need.   This VERY significant step could move SLWM from serving only small clinics - to also serving much larger providers. Watch for more news on this in the future.

From PDG Ravi Vadlamani in India Greetings Friends:   I am happy to inform you that we have officially launched the WASH in Schools program - with wonderful new hygene facilities for boys & girls.   I am enclosing a You Tube Link of the 10 Schools in which we have inaugurated the Wash Program with the support of your District. CLICK HERE   I also look forward to being with you at Your ALL CLUBS CELEBRATION on Jekyll Island in April.

C. CLUB & MEMBERS Top News & Events

Augusta West Club’s Louis Harris Award   The Augusta Chronicle ran a great story Feb. 18 about legendary Journalist, gentleman, and Civic Leader, Louis Harris, namesake of the Journalism Award presented each year by the August West Club.   Click HERE to enjoy the full article.

Kings Bay Club - Small but MIGHTY! Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Kings Bay, spouses and grandchildren were among those who participated in the assembling of 1000 hygiene kits at MAP International in Brunswick on February 17th.   These kits are going to Puerto Rico and Texas.

Macon Club Replants Memorial Tree The Rotary club of Downtown Macon honored the service & memory of a local Hero by replacing a cedar tree planted in his honor in 1960, then uprooted by Hurricane Irma, in front of the City Hall. The tree stood in memory of Lieut. James Wesley Bracken, killed in action during the Korean War. Mayor Robert Reichert welcomed Rotarians and guests. Will McEachern and family, DG Hamsa, Lisa Gilbert, Steve Bell, and members of the Downtown Rotary club joined in unveiling the plaque commemorating the tree, which offers inspiration as it commemorates Lieut. Bracken's ultimate “ Service Above Self”.   Mayor Albert Reichert is the younger brother of past district governor Albert Reichert. Read More: Click HERE

Rotary Club of Valdosta 11th Annual Law Enformement Appreciation Dinner   500 people attended the annual LEAD dinner in Valdosta in Feb., organized by the Valdosta Rotary club. The occasion recognized three law enforecement officers and raised funds to help officers in need of financial assistance. The honorees included: Valdosta Police Department officer Alyssa Shirley, Georgia State Patrol Trooper First Class Corey Miller, & Lowndes County Sheriffs Office Capt. Jason Clifton

SAV Clubs explore Rotary Ecosystem.   A Rotary leaders from six Savannah area clubs came together in February to explore how they might collaborate to create a more vibrant Rotary ecosystem in Savannah. Club representatives shared projects and goals for 2017 and 18 before the group began a discussion of possible opportunities for mutual support and interaction. Discussion will continue !

Jesup Club marks DG Hamsa’s ‘final official club visit' Feb. 1 marked DG Hamsa’s 63rd & final official club visit - at the Jesup Rotary club. Hamsa noted he first visited the Jesup club 33 yrs ago as D 6920 Governors Group Representative, & found it fitting to conclude his official DG visits in 2017-18 there. Another first: During the meeting, Hamsa joined Club President Debi Smith, Jesup PE Joey Darley, and (live from India) - Friendship Exchange Team Leader PDG John Neely for a chat on Facebook live about their experiences in India   Celebrating his Final official visit, DG Hamsa was joined by DGN Mike Muldowney DG E Margaret Jacobs and Jesup Rotary Club president Debbie Smith

Perry Rotary Club Plants Trees   The Perry Rotary Club, in partnership with the City of Perry, planted four Red Maple trident trees on Main Street in front of the Board of Education.   These trees replaced several Oak trees - which had to be removed due to disease.   Perry Club’s GRSP Student, Rungano Nyamayedenga joined club members for the dedication.

D. YOUTH: GRSP, RYLA, Rotaract, Interact

Rotaract D6920 Introduces new Leaders   Meet Tajae Francis - D6920 Rotaract Representative-Elect (2018-19) Click HERE.   AND meet District Rotaract Prespresentative - Nominee (2019-20) Daniela de Lune. Click HERE

Rotaract Future We Want Model UN Attention Rotoractors: here's your chance to engage yourself in the Future We Want by attending the Rotaract Global Model United Nations event. Register now as a delegate for this great event happening at the UN HQ in New York USA from March 8-11, 2018   [ for info & to Register by March 8 - click HERE ]

Interact Global Youth Service Day April 20-22   April 20-22 Young Leaders from around the world will come together for the largest service project event in the world: Global Youth Service Day. This year, stand up for others be inclusive and Make a Difference through service projects and kind acts April 20-22. Take the BE FEARLESS BE KIND pledge today. CLICK

E. TOOLS & RESOURCES: Citations, Resources, Facebook, Contact Us

2017-2018 Citation GOALS for Every Rotarian   1. Bring in a new member. 2. Take Part in a Global Grant Project or in a Community Service Project 3. Take Action to promote Rotary’s Public Image & Community Awareness. 4. Contribute to the Rotary Foundation and/or the GRSP Endowment. 5. Earn the “Rotarian Celebration Citation”.   (For details - Click Here: Rotarian Celebration Citation (PDF)   Attn: Club Presidents: 2017-2018 GOALS for CLUBS   1. Participate in doing more good with Parntership Projects. 2. Publicize the good your club is doing locally & Globally. 3. Achieve a net gain in members & increase diversity. 4. Give to the RI Foundation/GRSP at least 10% more than 2016-17 5. Qualify for District “All Clubs Celebration Citation” recognition.   (For details - Click Here: Club Celebration Citation (PDF)

This is how the Resources Page looks! Click HERE to check it out NOW.   Share the BEST of Your Club on Our District 6920 RESOURCES page:   Share RESOURCES & Knowledge!   Find a WORLD of information, inspiration, help and great ideas shared between Clubs and Rotarians in our District.   Our District RESOURCES page is ONLY as great as WE make it. Every Rotarian, every Club can add info right now. Click HERE

Have You Visited our District Facebook Page?

Want to read more? Click on the link below for Rotary International News Online - news, feature stories from Clubs and Rotarians around the world & our District - BE INSPIRED -   https://rotarynewsonline.org

Connect with YOUR District!

Your District WEB Site: http://www.rotarydistrict6920.net Your ‘House of Friendship' on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Rotary6920 Share a TWEET on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Rotary6920 Add our HASHTAG to all posts everywhere: #DGHamsa (it helps connect us all).   Contact your District Officers & AGs and District Committee Chairs: http://www.rotarydistrict6920.net/2017-18%20District_Team.php   RESOURCES PAGE EDITOR: http://www.rotaryresources.net/contact NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Leslie Mattingly Leslie@rotary6920.org Write us at: Rotary District 6920 5730 Sweetbriar Circle Savannah, GA 31406 To unsubscribe from future emails, click on this link: Unsubscribe Copyright © 2016 Rotary District 6920, All rights reserved. District 6920 Newsletter

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