I extend my gratitude to all the people who have made my experience as District Governor an enjoyable one. There is literally no way a person can do the job adequately without a cadre of officers and past officers looking after them and offering a helping hand when needs arise. I have been blessed with a wonderful slate of Governors ā past and future ā who have made me look better, smarter and more prepared than I have ever been in my life.
I am thankful for the wonderful committee chairs we have in this district. It was a great comfort to know that such projects as Rotary Youth Exchange, the Panama Project, RYLA, the GSE program, Scholarships, TRF, Interact and Rotaract programs were under such good stewardship.
I thank all my club presidents for their year of service under the banner of āPeace Through Service.ā We did the theme proud this year and brought a lot of attention to the organization on the local, state and international level.
It will be another month or two before all the figures are in and we know how we finished up for the 2012-13 year on membership and foundation support, but I do know that a number of clubs have excelled in both areas. As of May 29th, the following clubs have exceeded $100-per-member to Rotary Foundationās Annual Program Fund (APF):
- Clinton
- Columbia South
- Columbia Sunrise Southwest
- Fulton
- Jefferson City Evening
- Laurie-Sunrise Beach
- Mountain View
- Rolla
- Rolla Breakfast
- Springfield
- Springfield Metro
- Springfield North
- Springfield Southeast
- Springfield Sunrise
- Thayer-Mammoth Springs
- Willow Springs
Also, as of May 29, there was $238,000 in APF giving with the hope that we will reach $300,000 or more by fiscal year-end. That leaves a minimum of $62,000 to reach expectations. You are Rotarians. There is still time.
And clubs with net membership gains of 3 or more members this year to date include:
- Bolivar
- Columbia
- Hollister
- Lake Ozark
- Lake Ozark Daybreak
- Lebanon
- Pulaski County
- Warrensburg
District Governor-elect Ken Messer has selected a great slate of officers for the coming year and I hope that all the totals and initiatives of my administration will be surpassed during his. With all the vigor coming into the district from our New Generation members, it could very well happen.
I have determined that my best contribution to the district next year will be to assist Governor Ken by soliciting contributions from the clubs and district officers for the monthly newsletter. For those of you who have put up with my haranguing for just āone more storyā and āone more photoā over the past yearā¦well, youāll just have to put up with it again.
Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Ann, for being such a spectacular partner through my Rotary experience and through life. There is no one in this world that realizes how truly lucky I am.
Mark Pearce
Governor 2012-13
Rotary District 6080