During August I spoke at a several clubs but the my main time, early in the month, prior to my bleeding adventure, was taken up by planning for Zone and working with the District Training Team.
The District Training Team met twice and things are coming along nicely. A lot of the redundancy we've had in past years is being removed, in fact an entire meeting date has been removed - which the members will appreciate. We have a suggested list of subjects President Elects should have knowledge of before taking office. We are waiting to see the final PETS curriculum so we know what we have to cover at Pre PETS, Leadership Training or during the District Breakouts at PETS. That information should be made available to us at the Zone Institute next month.
I was asked to set up a dinner at Zone for my classmates, those that will be Governor in 2012-2013. I have contacted everyone and have a tentative count of 48 DGNs and their spouses or significant others. I thought I was just about done with the planning when I was asked to also host a hospitality room for my class. Zone will upgrade my room to a suite at no charge to me and I just need to pick up some wine, beer, soda, water, snacks and paper products and keep the room accessible during down times. Our class and the DGE class and we will buy stuff together for the quantity discount, haul it down to Naples and set up the room.
The reason I have been asked to do these two jobs is because it is my district that is hosting the Zone Institute. It adds a little work but I am really looking forward to meeting my classmates.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Blood Drive
I organized a blood drive for August 7th where we had a foundation willing to donate $50 for each pint given, to Rotary's Camp Florida. I was not happy with the results as we came in well below our goal, but we did raise $3100. Hopefully the sponsoring foundation will give us another shot at it next year. I have always believed in giving blood, and am a regular donor, but after needed so much blood myself it has a whole new meaning to me. Donors saved my life.
Conference Venue???
July 22nd was kind of exciting as we went to a tour of the venue my District Conference Committee chair has recommended. We looked at the different room options, areas we would use for meetings and meals, conference check in and the areas to be used for fellowship and fun. It is an older venue but well respected in the area for both hospitality and good food. We have nearly three years to get things set up but this was a very nice start. Did we hit the jackpot the first time?
Rotary's Camp Florida - Capital Campaign
After speaking to a club during lunch I drove up to RCF for our monthly board meeting. The camp is beginning a $3M capital campaign, half of which will be used to build a new dining hall, the rest for a list of projects that are on the shelf right now. I only mention this because my club and its members furnished the technology for the campaign. One member donated an all in one printer/fax/scanner, my wife and I donated a color laser printer, and my club donated a new computer, set up the way they wanted it. I really am proud of my little club. They accomplish a lot.
August....tough month
In August I decided to see what if feels like to nearly bleed to death and I must tell you, it isn't very enjoyable. A major blood vessel in my colon opened and things went pretty quickly. Within minutes I had lost enough blood that I was getting light headed. Home alone, I was still able to dial 9-1-1 and get help. Another first, my first ambulance ride. We were part way to the hospital when the paramedic told the driver to "Light it Up" as my blood pressure tanked. I continued bleeding heavily in the Emergency Room as they scrambled to find both blood and an on call gastoenterologist. It seemed to take for ever. Finally they wheeled me into a procedure room, which they had to unlock first, and performed an emergency colonoscopy. It had been such a rough time that I told the doctor I was actually looking forward it just for the drugs that knock you out. He burst that bubble by telling me my blood pressure was way too low for the drugs. He closed the vessel with four titanium clips and I was moved to Intensive Care where they continued to push blood back into me. The doctor described my blood loss as "massive".
Once stabilized they gave me one additional unit of blood, bringing my hemoglobin up over 9 and sent me home to regrow the other 4-5 missing pints.
So I am finally back to my computer, albeit for short periods, and what better thing to do than catch up my blog. I will got back through my calendar since my last post on July 18th and bring this thing back up to date.
Sorry for the disruption. Doc says I should be pretty much back to normal a month from now.
Once stabilized they gave me one additional unit of blood, bringing my hemoglobin up over 9 and sent me home to regrow the other 4-5 missing pints.
So I am finally back to my computer, albeit for short periods, and what better thing to do than catch up my blog. I will got back through my calendar since my last post on July 18th and bring this thing back up to date.
Sorry for the disruption. Doc says I should be pretty much back to normal a month from now.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
DGN Jobs
As promised, just for fun I am going to try to list all the jobs that have come my way since being selected by the district nominating committee.
1) Locate Rotarians to function as my Assistant Governor in each of the eleven areas.
2) Work in coordination with the Membership Chairman, utilizing my AGs.
3) Perform Sgt. at Arms duties at PETS
4) Present of various topics at Pre PETS, District Leadership Training, District Assembly and TRF Seminar.
5) Attend a membership workshop at RI HQ in Evanston.
6) Sit on the Board of Directors and at least two committees of Rotary's Camp Florida. (I have Governance and Nominations)
7) Attend 5 PETS planning meetings each year for next two years.
8) Member of the District Training Team
9) Organize a dinner at Zone Institute for the 29 DGNs and their guest, Included restaurant selection, invitations, meals, headcount, etc.
10) District resource for TRF Future Vision
11) Speak at clubs when asked.
12) A fun one - we are forming a district rock band called the Arch Klumph Six.
13) Member, Finance Committee
14) Member, District Simplified Grants Committee
15) Chairman, Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee
Wow, those fifteen came to mind with no effort at all.
16) Member, College of Governors
17) Continue work on the District Strategic Plan
18) Create job descriptions for district leadership personnel
Getting tougher now.
19) Attend Zone Institute
20) Attend International Conference in 2011
Okay, I'm going to stop at 20. I'm sure I am missing a few but you get the idea. My stepping back from responsibilities in the VFW is turning out to be a really excellent decision. Rotary is basically going to be a full time job for the next three years.
1) Locate Rotarians to function as my Assistant Governor in each of the eleven areas.
2) Work in coordination with the Membership Chairman, utilizing my AGs.
3) Perform Sgt. at Arms duties at PETS
4) Present of various topics at Pre PETS, District Leadership Training, District Assembly and TRF Seminar.
5) Attend a membership workshop at RI HQ in Evanston.
6) Sit on the Board of Directors and at least two committees of Rotary's Camp Florida. (I have Governance and Nominations)
7) Attend 5 PETS planning meetings each year for next two years.
8) Member of the District Training Team
9) Organize a dinner at Zone Institute for the 29 DGNs and their guest, Included restaurant selection, invitations, meals, headcount, etc.
10) District resource for TRF Future Vision
11) Speak at clubs when asked.
12) A fun one - we are forming a district rock band called the Arch Klumph Six.
13) Member, Finance Committee
14) Member, District Simplified Grants Committee
15) Chairman, Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee
Wow, those fifteen came to mind with no effort at all.
16) Member, College of Governors
17) Continue work on the District Strategic Plan
18) Create job descriptions for district leadership personnel
Getting tougher now.
19) Attend Zone Institute
20) Attend International Conference in 2011
Okay, I'm going to stop at 20. I'm sure I am missing a few but you get the idea. My stepping back from responsibilities in the VFW is turning out to be a really excellent decision. Rotary is basically going to be a full time job for the next three years.
Into July
It amazes me how fast time it going by. I have so much yet to learn.
In the past couple weeks I have attended meetings on training, district simplified grants, conference facility for next year, board of Rotary's Camp Florida, my club and tomorrow I am the guest speaker at a club in Sarasota. No grass growing under my feet, that's for sure.
I received the names of the final four DGN's from Zones 33 & 34 and have contacted them about coming to the class dinner at Zone Institute at the end of September, first of October. So far we have 40 people coming out of a total possible of 58. (DGN + Spouse or Guest). Only one DGN has elected not to come at this time and I have four to hear from yet, so I am expecting somewhere between 45-50 in our group.
I have also been assigned the task of being the district resource for TRF Future Vision. My job is to learn all I can as the program goes through its three years of beta testing so when someone has a question, hopefully I will have the answer.
This Thursday we visit the first property we are evaluating for my conference. Such a long way off but things need to be locked in early. I tell you, the property where the conference is being held next year is going to be hard to beat. It was build as luxuary condos and then the housing market crashed so they turned it into an upscale resort. The rooms are HUGE and beautifully appointed and the prices are very reasonable. Maybe we will think about a return engagement there in two years????
In my next post I think I will list, just for fun, all the little jobs I have received as DGN so you can get an idea what may come your way if you take the step forward in district leadership.
In the past couple weeks I have attended meetings on training, district simplified grants, conference facility for next year, board of Rotary's Camp Florida, my club and tomorrow I am the guest speaker at a club in Sarasota. No grass growing under my feet, that's for sure.
I received the names of the final four DGN's from Zones 33 & 34 and have contacted them about coming to the class dinner at Zone Institute at the end of September, first of October. So far we have 40 people coming out of a total possible of 58. (DGN + Spouse or Guest). Only one DGN has elected not to come at this time and I have four to hear from yet, so I am expecting somewhere between 45-50 in our group.
I have also been assigned the task of being the district resource for TRF Future Vision. My job is to learn all I can as the program goes through its three years of beta testing so when someone has a question, hopefully I will have the answer.
This Thursday we visit the first property we are evaluating for my conference. Such a long way off but things need to be locked in early. I tell you, the property where the conference is being held next year is going to be hard to beat. It was build as luxuary condos and then the housing market crashed so they turned it into an upscale resort. The rooms are HUGE and beautifully appointed and the prices are very reasonable. Maybe we will think about a return engagement there in two years????
In my next post I think I will list, just for fun, all the little jobs I have received as DGN so you can get an idea what may come your way if you take the step forward in district leadership.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
