Fellow Rotarians,
My journey as District Governor is almost over - it has been an extraordinary and life changing experience.
We started with selecting senior leaders, organizing the leadership team, developing the District program, and then inviting President-elects and Assistant Governors to our home for bonding dinners. All of this provided momentum for a successful 2014 PETS where 91% of our Rotarians were represented by their Presidents-elect and then our robust and record breaking District Assembly in Kingsville attended by 225 Rotarians.
Then the Rotary year actually began, and Carol and I had the remarkable opportunity to visit your Board and Club meetings and projects, and learn and discuss new ideas with new friends. This tour of Clubs was the high point of the Rotary year.
I am pleased to report that while all of the visiting was occurring our District leadership team was implementing our Plan under our theme of ServicesWithFellowship, with the following results:
- Significant increase in District Grant participation;
- Funding of four international humanitarian projects in 3 countries and an outstanding Global Grant Scholar selected;
- Expanded Costa Rica Medical Clinic Scholarship Program;
- First District in Zones 21b/27 for 100% of Clubs to post goals on Rotary’s ClubCentral;
- 11 new or reinstated Rotaract and Interact Clubs where chartered;
- For the first time in over 10 years, a significant increase in net District membership, currently +99.
Our remaining uncompleted goal, and a very important one, is to meet our aggregate commitment to the Annual Giving-SHARE Program of the Rotary Foundation and we only have a few days to complete that task; however, I am optimistic that we will collectively succeed in this important task to provide the essential funding base for future projects.
I want to thank all of you for your commitment to the ideals and mission of Rotary. I have accepted a new position, effective July 1, 2015, as Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator. Consequently, I will continue to have the opportunity to support our District and all Clubs in regard to all matters related to the Rotary Foundation. I am particularly eager to expand our involvement with international humanitarian projects.
In closing, Carol and I want to thank you for your support and encouragement and your friendship. Statistically, it has been an extraordinary record breaking year - but more importantly - we made a significant impact in improving the lives of others who need our help in South Texas and in Mexico, Honduras and India - and shared wonderful fellowship along the way. It has been a great year - thank you for sharing it with us!
District Governor Art Zeitler
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