District Governor Bob Sharkey

DG Bob Sharkey discussed how District 6220 had two exciting firsts last year:  the District Assembly was held apart from the District Conference and the District partnered with 6 other districts from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin to hold the Multidistrict President’s Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Itasca, Illinois.    Being an international organization, District 6220 will continue to support projects such as the Etta Project, Power Flour, SAMP and the Jamaican Dental Project.  The Etta Project in Bolivia will be providing a sanitation system for 73 families.  Power Flour is barley malt flour which is added to porridges commonly used in areas suffering from hunger and contains digestive enzymes that help digest food.  This product has been used in Central and South America and they hope to bring it to Africa.  SAMP sends medical supplies to third world countries.  The Jamaica Dental Project provides dental supplies and services to the people in Jamaica. In addition to these international projects, the District provides an Ambassadorial Scholarship of up to $27,000 for a student to study abroad.  There will be a Group Study Exchange team that will go to Sydney, Australia in October and coming to our district in May 2013.  Rotary Leadership Academy will be held October 13-14, 2012 in Rhinelander to teach leadership skills to Rotarians and non-Rotarians.  RYLA will be held October 5-7 at Camp Manito-wish in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin.  In 2013 to simplify the grant-making process, Rotary International’s Future Vision Plan will offer only two types of grants: Rotary Foundation District Grants and Rotary Foundation Global Grants. Together, these grants will allow clubs and districts to carry out a broad spectrum of humanitarian and educational efforts, both locally and abroad.   Projects will need to provide an assessment and show impact, sustainability and continuity.  DG Bob is also proposing another project – The Brain Game.  This book talks about how to parent and is given to first time and at risk families.  Some dates to remember:  Grant Management Seminar – July 1, 3013, PETS March 8-10, 2013 and the District Conference May 17-18, 2013 in Houghton, Michigan.  The District Conference will feature a parade of flags, local musicians, a performance by Bill Cosby at Michigan Tech and a community dance.