Rotary District 5810 has just finished its version of The District Conference for 2020/2021, and if I may say so myself, it was a smashing success. I want to thank everyone who joined us for this amazing gathering.
The event was held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Allen, Texas. This venue was perfect for this size of an event, and the hotel staff really outdid themselves to take care of us.
Friday, April 23 started the Conference. District 5810 clubs gathered together for the annual All Clubs Luncheon. Those that brought their club bells joined Mistress of Ceremonies Vivi Bennett in “ringing” the meeting to order, followed by a Proclamation from Allen Mayor Ken Fulk. Our keynote speaker for the luncheon was Rotary International Director Suzi Howe. Suzi covered several items, but two of her takeaways were membership (through new club creation) and The Rotary Foundation.
Friday evening, we honored our Arch Klumph Society members and Major Donors with a reception. During the reception, Major Donor Coordinator Doug Gill inducted five new or elevated major donors, Rick Amsberry, Charlie Mohrle, Ross and Sharron Rolirad, H.T. and Shirley Hsia, and Wladimir Meskelis.
Saturday was the actual Conference. We hear interesting and informative talks from PDG Rhonda Kennedy (2022 International Convention), PDG Bill Dendy (The Rotary Foundation), DG Tom Gump (New Club Creation), Amber Scarborough/Patrick Harrison/Pam Blankenzee (Public Image). We ended the session with a greeting from RI President Holger Knaack and a closing message from RI Director Suzi Howe.
Later, the service project team completed back 2 or more thousand Hygiene kits from the products you so generously donated. My April 20 plea for hygiene products resulted in many of you contributing money for the project. Since we didn’t have time to purchase products with the donated money, we decided to do a second packing project in the very near future. Stand by for more news.
And the last event was the Long Awaited, Often Delayed, Roaring ‘20s Gala. This year we dedicated the Gala to IPDG Beverly Grogan who couldn’t get out to join the party. And, what a party! Gangsters and the gals, Dapper Dan’s and flappers. A whole lot of fun, and with money generated from the silent auction, a fund raiser for The End Polio Now Campaign.
There’s a long list of folks who made this event succeed and they need to be recognized…I just hope I don’t leave any names out…
Vickie and Glen Campbell (event co-chairs), Howard Templin (understudy), Sandra Moudy Devlin (Registration), Pam Blankenzee (Publicity), Glen McCrary and Patrick Garcia (AV).
Service Projects Committee: John Cave, Michelle Thornton, Kym Darden, Jim Frankeiwicz, Howard Templin.
Club Projects: Owen Devlin, Terry Wright
Arch Klumph-Major Donor Reception: Glen & Vickie Campbell, Larry & Pam Webb, Doug Gill
Gala Committee: Vickie & Glen Campbell, Diana Kolb-Torres, Pam Webb
Silent Auction-Grab Bags: Regina Edwards, Cyndi Janssen
Logistics: Courteney Tanner, Daniel Long
Apple Pie Baker Extraordinaire: Trudy Moser
Now it’s time to look forward to the 2020-2021 Awards event, to be held in August. Go to the District Web Site (www.rotary5810.org) and you’ll find all the information about District Awards under the “About” tab.