"Sgt. Hog’s D5890 Mail Call"
1st Edition July 3, 2017
Welcome to the first edition of our 2017-18 District newsletter. Perhaps we should start with an explanation of the newsletter’s name. For those that may not know I was a Sergeant in the US Army from 1973-1977. In the days before the internet and electronic devices, handwritten mail was our mode of correspondence. "Mail Call" was an especially great and exciting time because we received letters from our loved ones. I also ride a Harley "Hog." A 2016 Harley Fat Boy S to be exact. I’ve named her "Black Beauty." Hence, with the assistance of my newsletter co-editor, Jennifer Mutchler, we came up with the name "Sgt. Hog’s D5890 Mail Call."
I am so excited about our opportunities for 2017-18. Membership growth remains our number one challenge/opportunity. We’re going to work diligently on membership growth and retention. You all set a record for Polio Plus giving this past year and came close to a new District record for annual giving. What a caring and giving District we are! We will continue to focus on Foundation giving this year. It is through our Foundation that we can fund the projects that we do in our local communities and throughout the world. Through our Foundation we truly are "Making A Difference."
Public Relations and Public Image are high on our radar this year as they were last year. Far too many people still don’t know what Rotary is and all the great we do locally and internationally. The more Rotary is known, the more members Rotary will bring in. When people learn who Rotary is and what Rotary is accomplishing in the World, they will want to be a member of Rotary.
I begin my Official Club visits on August 7th. They are scheduled to continue until December 7th. I look forward to sharing with you my detailed plans for our district goals and how our clubs can and are "Making A Difference" every day.
We have many fun events planned this year for our District. We have Rotary at the Dynamo on Saturday, August 26th. Tickets are available on our District website for $33. $5 from each ticket sold will go to Polio Plus. The ticket price includes Happy Hour (1 drink and appetizers) from 6-8pm at King’s Court hosted by our own Rotary Club of Houston Skyline. Get your tickets now because we only 150 tickets available for our district.
We’re working on the dates for our Rotary at the Rodeo and the Astros in 2018. We’re in the preplanning stages for a District Food Festival/Softball-Rag ball tournament. Stay tuned for further details on this event. There will be a Polio Plus Motorcycle/Bike Ride again sometime in March/April of 2018 with proceeds benefiting Polio Plus.
Our District golf tournament is set for Friday, March 23rd at 8am at Tour 18 Golf Course. And our District Conference follows on April 26th-28th at the Hyatt Regency on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. We’ll celebrate a "Fiesta of Service."
We’ll have our usual District Training Seminars and recognition events. Our membership seminar is on Saturday, July 22nd. Early Registration is only $10 and is available now on our District website. Registration is $15 at the door. The seminar structure is completely different this year featuring 7 interactive Breakout sessions. We have 7 great facilitators presenting.
Our Foundation seminar is on Saturday, October 14th with our Major Donor/Paul Harris Society dinner set for Saturday, November 4th.
There will be more to come in future editions of "Sgt. Hog’s D5890 Mail Call."
WE WANT YOUR NEWS ITEMS FROM YOU AND YOUR CLUB. This is OUR District Newsletter. I want to spread the word about how your club and our District is "Making A Difference."
So please share any newsworthy stories with our Editors so that we can publish them in future editions. And please include pictures as well.
The editors of "Sgt. Hog’s D5890 Mail Call" are Jennifer Mutchler and Bill Davis, both from the Rotary Club of Humble. Email your articles and events to Bill at billd@kingwoodcable.com.
Thank you District 5890 for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your District Governor. It is a privilege and honor to serve you. We truly are a great District and I look forward to "Making A Difference" with you all.
Yours in Rotary Service,
DG Bill Palko