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New RI Theme Announced: ROTARY SERVING HUMANITY (38 Years of Rotary International Themes)

Each January, as Rotary District governors-elect from all over the world gather at the International Assembly for training and fellowship, the then Rotary International President-elect announces his (hopefully soon to be her) RI Theme.

The RI Theme sets the tone for what Rotary Clubs around the world will work towards once the Rotary International President-elect (RIPE), the 534 District governors-elect (DGEs) and the 35,000 Rotary Club Presidents-elect begin their new year on July 1st.

The excitement, anticipation and fanfare around RI Theme announcements have been a Rotary staple for the since 1955  and this year was no exception as RI President-elect John F. Germ said, and that being a part of Rotary is a “great opportunity” to make that happen.

Germ unveiled the 2016-17 presidential theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, to incoming district governors on 18 January at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA.

“I believe everyone recognizes the opportunity to serve Rotary for what it truly is: not a small opportunity, but a great one; an opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the better, forever through Rotary’s service to humanity,” said Germ.

Rotary members around the globe are serving humanity by providing clean water to underdeveloped communities, promoting peace in conflict areas, and strengthening communities through basic education and literacy. But none more important than our work to eradicate polio worldwide, he said.

The timing of releasing RI Themes is carefully choreographed to the training which incoming District Governors (known as District Governors-elect) and Club Presidents (known as Presidents-elect) receive as the added significance of the RI Theme is to keep Rotary fresh each year while provide unique inspiration to the incoming world-wide leadership.

Below are the RI Theme Pins for the past 37 years. Merchandising the RI Theme on pins, ties, scarfs, clothing, banners and other giftware has evolved steadily since 1979-80. Prior to that the RI Theme was communicated in booklet form.

 

D7980 District Assembly is Saturday at the Sheraton 4-Points in Meriden!!!

Gerry Tom - District Governor Nominee

Gerry Tom – District Governor Elect

The District Assembly Schedule/Agenda is released by DGE Gerry Tom

Click here for the agenda as a PDF: Agenda District Assembly 2015

We have a great line of programs and speakers and over 225 attendees registered. Didn’t register yet? Come on by on Saturday at 7:30 am with $50 and you’re in.

The District Training Assembly  prepares incoming club leaders for their year in office and exposes new Rotarians to core Rotary knowledge. The Assembly is also an opportunity for club leaders to meet with district leaders (the district governor-elect, incoming assistant governors, and district committees) who will support club projects and activities.

 

 

Paul Mangels to become District Governor in 2017-18

MANGELSThe District 7980 Nominating Committee has nominated Paul Mangels of the Milford Rotary Club to be District Governor in 2017-18.

The nomination challenge period has expired and not a single objection was made; thus confirming Paul’s nomination.

Paul has been a member of the Rotary Club of Milford since 1998, serving as President in 2006-2007. He served as Assistant Governor from 2007-2010, Club Vision organizer and chair, Beacon editor, and has just begun a term as Permanent Fund chair for the District. He has been received several awards at the club level, the Norm Parsells award and the Don Adams award. He is a Rotary Foundation Major Donor and Paul Harris Society member.

Paul was born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1959. Five years after receiving a degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut, he opened his first business, Connecticut Engravers, in Bridgeport in 1986. In 2002 he opened H Mangels Confectioner and has been managing both businesses since that time. A member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Milford, he has served in various leadership positions and has just completed a three-year term as Senior Warden. Paul resides in Milford with his wife, Marcy, and they have a son, Jeffrey, who resides in Arlington, Virginia.

DG PinPaul has joined the Governor Track Team with the title of District Governor Nominee Designee (DGND) as he begins his DG training. The Governor Track Team consists of Mukund Nori (DG), Gerry Tom (DGE), Chris Johnson (DGN) and now Paul Mangels (DGND).

Feel free to congratulate Paul by sending him a message via email @ ctengraver@aol.com

NE PETS Registration is now open

NE PETS IMG_4392NE PETS 2015 will be held in Framingham MA – March 12 – 14, 2015. Thursday the 12th is an optional day for Presidents-elect and Assistant Governors but attendance is recommended for the entire program as the required program kick off early in the morning on Friday March 13th.

All D7980 Presidents-elect, Assistant Governors (1st & 2nd year only) and Facilitators are now able to register for NE PETS by clicking here.

NE PETS will draw just about 600 Rotarians including ; 440 Presidents-Elect, 80 Assistant Governors plus numerous Program Facilitators, Volunteers and Speakers from the eight Rotary International Districts from New England and southern Quebec.

The goal of NE PETS is to train incoming  Club Presidents (Presidents-elect) and New Assistant Governors for their new leadership positions in the upcoming Rotary year.

NE PETS will be held at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center, in Framingham, MA

Registrar Louisa Tripp sent out registration invitations to attendees this afternoon – the direct registration link ishttp://www.bit.ly/NEPETS2015

Rotary Means Business – It’s Ok to do business with fellow Rotarians

RMB-fellowship-logo-detailed-200Assistant Governor Arisleyda Riehl (Area #1 & #2)  reports the success of the inaugural Rotary Means Business event held on the evening of Thursday January 15th at the Stamford Library.

23 Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Darien, Greenwich, New Caanan, Stamford and Westport were in attendance representing different professions including medicine, banking, real estate, wealth management, accounting, insurance and law.

This event marks another first in our areas and the entire district. Special thanks to President Elect Dan Morris (Stamford Rotary) for developing this initiative as well as the Area Presidents for their exceptional support and making sure their Clubs were well represented.

The purpose of Rotary Means Business is to encourage Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them, and by referring others to them.

Please take a look at the Rotary Means Business website – www.rotarymeansbusiness.com. This is a good resource for those of us that see Rotary as a place where like- minded people can do business or refer business to one another.

Next meeting will be hosted by The Greenwich Club.

Yours in Rotary,
Arisleyda Riehl
Area Governor 2014 – 2017