Fantastic Weekend

It is Sunday night. What a great weekend! The weekend started with a PR meeting on Thursday night. A quick critique on the PR EXPO and Award dinner was followed by a discussion on the grant. Everyone on this committee works hard at making the district better. We will be doing bus advertising in addition to the billboards.

Friday was dinner and the POPS put forward by the Rotary Club of Concord. Talented people in the orchestra matched by hardworking Rotarians. It was their 34th. Can't wait to see what they do for the 35th next year!

Saturday I went to Keene NH to attend my fellow district governor elect, Mike Swinford's district assembly and to present a session on PR. What an enthusiastic group of people! They're doing some good things to promote Rotary.

Sunday I attended a Northeast Link planning meeting lead by Karen Babin. The hours she puts into the planning of this great event for both incoming and outgoing ambassadorial scholars is immeasureable.

Project EXPO & PR Dinner

What a great night last night! The PR committee entertained over 120 people from four districts and many clubs. The displays and the mini speakers were awesome. And, there were a lot of clubs happy when they were recognized with their awards. It was a great night and everyone went home with a smile. Congratulations PR Committee!

RYLA Meeting Last Night

Last night was the first planning meeting for Ryla at the Boxborough Holiday Inn. Dave had a great meeting and the group filled the room. A very welcome Ryla graduate attended and it showed just how valuable this event is. He contributed more to the conversation than many of the regular members.
The importance of deadlines was discussed. My club lost out on two opportunities for sending students to this great event last year because we missed a deadline. Without deadlines, no one would know how many people will be showing up and planning could never be as detailed and good as it is now. We'll do better this year Dave!
A need of Rotarian teachers to help out on the Ryla weekend was also discussed. VOLUNTEERS contact Dave or Pat Doyle. Both of them are working on the "train the trainers" segment.
If you have never seen this event, be sure and stop by on June 26, 27, or 28.
Keep up the good work Ryla committee!

Visit to Aruba

I am currently sitting on the couch in a condo in Aruba. And, I am thinking about all the things I need to do for PETS (Presidents Education Training Seminar). The real reason I came to Aruba was to get some sun and a little break from the many duties of an incoming governor. However, I can't seem to be away from my computer for very long. There is still a lot to do.

I have e-mailed all my unregistered PEs (President Elects) trying to get them to register. It seems Rotarians are reluctant to commit too early in the game. My fear is that the shortage of hotel rooms may be very inconvenient. And, I want the best for the people who make District 7910 what it is. Presidents are the most important people in the Rotary world. It is an hour later than Boston time so I am hoping that a few more people will register today. The hotel is taking 20 more rooms away from us today.

The PETS experience was one of the highlights of my Rotary life and I and seven other DGEs (District Governor Elects) have been working since August to make the 2009-10 event the very best yet. Presidents don't know until they arrive how fascinating it is to meet PEs from all over New England. There are 8 districts with over 430 presidents and 80 Assistant Governors to meet. The only sad part is because it is such a big event, the hotel is too small to accomodate spouses. Hopefully, that problem will be eliminated in the future.

Time to get some rays. . .