"I'm only here for the ... awards!"

 

For those who might be unfamiliar with Rotary, it is divided into clubs, districts and zones.  When the November 2021 Zone Institute in Tucson was first announced I had no intention of going.  Then I received a message from RI informing me District 5420 was going to be recognized with an award … so plans changed (as it turns out, our district's award was recognized with 3 seconds on the jumbo-tron ... hardly worth traveling 22 hours round trip).  

 

The conference was held in Loew’s Verdana Canyon Resort but, we registered late, so the only accommodations we could find was our time share 10 miles away.  Everyday we drove past the small but beautiful Tucson LDS Temple.  My assignment as a member of the DG class of RY2020-21 was decorations which was fun, but I had injured my right leg getting out of bed in our camper on our last day in Halchita so I wasn’t prepared for all the walking.  Still … it was a lovely 5 days with my classmates.

 

Based on RI’s 4-part Action Plan (in place through 2024), District 5420 was recognized – not with one, but for several outstanding achievements during RY2020-21 to (1) increase our impact, (2) expand our reach, (3) enhance participant engagement and (4) increase our ability to adapt, including a brief writeup about our Native American Initiative. 

 

·      For TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS, District 5420 came in at #1 in Zone 27 with $1,845,609.

 

·      For ANNUAL FUND PER CAPITA GIVING, District 5420 was recognized as #1 at $302.62.

 

·      For POLIO PLUS CONTRIBUTIONS, Zone 27 was recognized as #3 IN THE ENTIRE ROTARY WORLD with District 5420 ranking #1 with $1,075,834.

 

·      For OTHER GIVING, District 5420 came in at #1 with $121,752

 

·      For BUILDING THE ENDOWMENT THROUGH PER CAPITA GIVING, District 5420 was recognized as #3 at $351.65.

 

·      For PERCENTAGE OF MEMBERS GIVING TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, District 5420 was ranked #2 with 64% of our membership giving as “Every Rotarian, Every Year” ($100 a year)

 

·      For NEW MEMBER RETENTION, at 93.7% District 5420 was one of 13 districts who performed above the Zone’s average.

 

·      RI’s new MEMBERSHIP SOCIETY recognized Brent Parkin (District Youth Chair) with the silver level (30-49 members sponsored) award for sponsoring 36 new Rotarians during his history as a member of the Ogden Rotary Club (he says its more than that, but he was happy to be recognized).

 

·      In the category of forming NEW SATELLITE CLUBS during RY2020-21, District 5420 was also acknowledged for the Rotary Club of Southern Utah Veterans and the Rotary Club of Millcreek Connecting Generations ... but Washington City Rotary Club - after 20 years and 3 attempts to organize - was officially chartered in mid-November.

Ed calls me an over-achiever, but I prefer to think of myself as one who knows how to recruit a great team! 

 

So, now I think I have finished my DG experience.  On to another adventure!