Rotary District Conference

Our Rotary festivities began yesterday afternoon. We did  not arrive in time for lunch, so we missed Kurt Bowen's Semilla Nueva presentation. We'd heard him several times before, so no big deal. The afternoon was spend in a variety of "roundtables". I sat in one about Social Media (still don't get it) then in the second session I talked to people about ClubRunner. After cocktail hour, we had a fine dinner and then a presentation by journalist Penny LaGate (awsome!) The Paul Harris Look-Alike Contest winner was announced too - Gene Day. Altogether that little games raised $5500 for PolioPlus.

Saturday morning began with a memorial service out on the lawn, conducted by Rev. Biggs, remembering some 8 Rotarians who had passed away this year. The morning session included a Skype session with Tara Lusk, our Ambassadorial Scholar in Israel, introduction of the 30 or so in-bound and out-bound exchange students, and presentations from the RYLA and Interact kids. The future of our world is in good hands!

Our luncheon speaker was Gary Hollick, a newspaper publisher from Canada, who told his remarkable story of rising from teenage "bad boy" druggie to District Governor.

Our afternoon was spent driving around town looking at million dollar homes and a little shopping in town.

Our final dinner featured club awards (both Metro and Emmett were recognized), the raffle ticket drawing (we didn't win). Marianne gave her "farewell speech" and Rick Phillips gave is "inaugural address". Both well done. I think Rick will be a great DG! I was recognized for my efforts with the website, bulletin and PR Grant with my third Paul Harris Fellow!

All in all a fun Rotary day with 230 of my good friends!

Head for home tomorrow after breakfast.