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Greetings Rotarians! I am honored to serve as your District Governor for 2017-18. A bit about myself… Born in Wisconsin, I moved away, and then returned in 1998. I have worked both in industry (consulting and Xerox Corporation) and in higher education (professor of psychology, management and academic dean). The Fond du Lac Morning Rotary Club became home and a source of Rotary friends starting in 2000. Travel and international service are passions, along with music, theatre, and gardening. My wife Sylvia just retired after years as an institutional researcher and my son Daniel is starting his career as a naturopathic physician. I look forward to working with you and your Club this year to provide service in our communities and around the world. As I said at the Changing of the Guard, I am pleased to serve with a great team of Rotarians and pleased to follow in the footsteps of leaders before me – Julie, Karen, Mary Beth, Dan, Rick, Nancy, the list goes on. I thank our Past District Governors for their service. We have just completed a great Rotary Year – thanks to Julie Craig and her team for their leadership. This year’s Board Members, Assistant Governors and Committee Chairs have stepped up to help make our district as great as it can be. We are here to work together, to serve you. Let us know what you need to be successful.
This year’s theme is ROTARY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Last month in Atlanta, RI unveiled our new Public Image Campaign: People of Action. There are many ways we can serve our communities and the world. I look forward to visiting your club and discussing opportunities.
When I visit your club we will discuss 2017-18 Goals – ways in which we will MAKE A DIFFERENCE – and why they are important. Let me share our District Goals with you here.
1. 50% of clubs in D6270 satisfy criteria to receive a Presidential Citation.
2. A tree planted for each Rotarian in D6270 (approximately 2,800 trees)
3. Net increase in D6270 Membership greater than +54 Rotarians.
4. Each club in D6270 contributes to Polio Plus with a total D6270 contribution > $40,000.
5. TRF Annual Fund contributions from D6270 total > $250K.
6. More than 500 Rotarians attend TriCon 2018 Wisconsin District Conference.
7. Net increase in number of students participating in D6270 Youth Exchange.
Criteria for the Presidential Citation have been changed for 2017-18. Citation proposed activities align with the three areas of our Rotary Strategic Plan – supporting and strengthening clubs, focusing and increasing humanitarian service, and enhancing public image and awareness. I ask each club to work to achieve a citation in 2017-18. Clubs report achievements on Club Central in MyRotary - the Citation Dashboard will allow you to monitor progress.
RI President Ian Riseley asked clubs to support the environment by planting trees. He established a Rotary Sustainability goal of at least one tree planted for every Rotarian. In accomplishing this goal, we will have helped the environment by planting trees in District 6270. Clubs have different ideas – some want trees along their streets to replace diseased ash trees, others want to support a nature center, and still others are interested in reforestation. What is your club’s tree planting objective? As I shared with Presidents recently, Urban Foresters in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have offered assistance to Rotary Club tree planting – has your club contacted them?
Polio eradication is our top global priority. Efforts of Rotary and our partners (CDC, WHO, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) have resulted in a decrease from 350,000 new cases of polio in 1985, to only 6 new cases of polio this year as of June 28th (99.99% reduction). Our goal is “0” new cases for three years – the eradication of polio. In Atlanta last month, Rotary President John Germ pledged Rotary’s contribution of $50 million per year for the next three years toward polio eradication, and Bill Gates extended his 2-for-1 match from the Gates Foundation for the next three years. Ian Riseley has asked each Rotary club to contribute at least $1,500 to polio eradication. I have set a goal for our district of at least $40,000 contributed to polio eradication.
This year we celebrated the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation. Charity Navigator awarded The Rotary Foundation a 4-star rating in each of the past 9 years. Your contribution to the Annual Fund supports humanitarian service at home and abroad. As you recall, half of the money contributed from our District is returned to our District after three years in the form of District Designated Funds (DDF). It is the DDF that makes possible our district grants program, Vocational Training Teams, Global Scholars, Global Grant Match, and other programs. This year’s goal is $250,000 from District 6270.
As you know, having a vibrant, engaged Membership is important. And, growing our clubs with active, committed Rotarians is key. Last year we started a pilot membership program and the Council on Legislation approved flexibility options help your club take a look at strengthening membership.
Our Annual District Conference will be held in partnership with Districts 6220 and 6250 at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. We plan to celebrate a great Rotary Year at TriCon 2018. Outstanding Keynote speakers have committed; breakouts are being planned; Registration is open – save your space.
Engaging youth and young professionals in service activities and networking will help strengthen Rotary. Youth Exchange and World Affairs Seminar are two premier Rotary programs that aid our youth in developing skills and experiencing peace and international understanding.
I look forward to seeing you soon and discussing how District 6270 Rotarians as People of Action can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Jeff Reed, District Governor
July 2017, District 6270