Our Annual District Conference this year was a Multi-District Conference consisting of Districts 5150, 5180, and 5190. The theme was "Better Together", and it was better together!
The Conference kicked off on late Friday, May 17, 2024 with registration. Dora Dye was the registrar for District 5150 and had the pleasure of working with the registrars from the other two Districts. The three of us had spent almost a year together to produce all of the pieces to make registration seamless.
Registration: Dora Dye (District 5150), Rob Saxe (District 5180) and Tracy Kochenderfer (District 5190)
On Friday were the Arch Klumph Society and Major Donor Receptions for those who had earned these Rotary International recognitions and a Welcome Reception for all attendees. Present at the receptions were Rotary International President (RIP) Gordon McInally and his wife Heather.
PDG Eric Schmautz, Past President Stephanie Schmautz, Dan Joraanstad, President-Elect Bob Hermann, and President Sunny Singh at the Welcome Reception
On Friday evening, some of our Club members got together for dinner. Joining us were Rotarians from Nevada City.
President Sunny, PE Bob Hermann, Mary Liu, Christopher Wiseman, Paul Vazquez, David Dye, Frank Yoke, Dan Joraanstad and new friends
Friday evening concluded with a choice of two tournaments: bowling to strike out polio or playing poker to end polio.
Mary Liu and Jean Caramatti showed off the bowling trophies.
Assistant Governor David Dye cheered for bowlers Dan Joraanstad and President-Elect Nominee Frank Yoke.
On Saturday, May 18, District 5150 began the day with an Awards Meeting where clubs from our District received their Club Excellence awards. District Governor Laine Hendricks also gave out four special awards, one of which went to Mary Liu for her outstanding work as this year's District Conference Chair. See video clip here. The Governor line passed the pick - an annual tradition started by one of our Past Club Presidents and Past District Governor Bill Sturgeon. Each member of the Governor line in attendance passed the pick to his/her successor until the pick reached the Governor-Elect (Steve Wright) who begins to serve on July 1st.
Districts 5180 and 5190 held their Business and Awards meetings too, but in addition, they held a speech contest in which high school students were invited to deliver a speech on a Rotary theme. Students first competed at the club level; the winner progressed to the Area Competition. The winner of each Area Competition competed at the District Conference.
At lunch, we watched a flag ceremony led by scouts and listened to the National Anthems of the United States of America and Scotland. We also had the pleasure to hear the award winning speeches, one of which moved me to tears, because the speech and the delivery of the speech by this high school student were amazing.
Throughout the Conference, everyone had an opportunity to visit the House of Friendship and to attend breakout sessions. We took a moment to remember those Rotarians whom we lost in 2023-2024. District 5190 also held a music contest for its high school students.
Honoring those Rotarians who left us in 2023-2024
Before dinner on Saturday, we all attended RIP McInally's reception. As the RIP and his wife are from Scotland, some of us wore kilts in their honor.
AG David Dye, Dora Dye, and RIP Gordon McInally
The dinner began with a parade of world flags carried by Rotary Youth Exchange students. We listened to and marveled at the performance of the winner of the District 5190 Music Contest. A bag piper and RIP McInally led a parade of 2023-2024 Club Presidents, Assistant Governors, and District Governors. RIP McInally delivered his keynote speech. The evening concluded with music and dancing.
Parade of current AGs: AG Mark Watson, AG Stacie Vance, and AG David Dye
For brunch on Sunday, May 19, we watched the parade of 2024-2025 Club Presidents, Assistant Governors, and District Governors.
The best part of the entire Conference was the opportunity to be with the Rotarians from our District and to meet new Rotarians from the other Districts.
DG Laine Hendricks (5150), DG Sidney Smith (5180), and DG Stacy Graham (5190)