Well Rotarians, we have concluded the All Clubs Celebration this year. What a fantastic year our Clubs and Rotarians have had in “Being a Gift to the World”.
 Looking at all the activities that occurred over the weekend we had opportunities to do serious activities such as the business meeting.  
 
       
We had opportunities to celebrate our achievements in Youth Exchange, Membership, Foundation Activities, Shelter Box, RITE Program, Wheel Chairs and Outstanding Club Projects.  Our opportunities to break bread together were filled with inspirational, informative and passionate speakers.  We had talent from outside our District and a wealth of talent from our own!   It was an honor to have our RIVP Greg Podd and current Director for Zones 21B and 27 be the representative from RI President Ravi, and let us not forget he was accompanied by his wife Pam, what a class act!  An evening on Friday of bar-b-que and music set the stage for entertainment and fellowship, what about those Rotarians from Arlington Sunrise, do they know how to be hospitable!  Our entertainment on Saturday consisted of a throw-back to an era of days gone by doing it “My Way”. 
 
The recognition of the achievements by our clubs in awards, “Thanks” to all the clubs that participated. We had “Club of the Year” for Small, Medium and Large Clubs and the winners in those categories were Arlington Great Southwest , Lewisville Morning  and Grapevine  respectfully along with Lewisville Morning taking home the coveted Governors Cup . Then recognizing Dave Hurt of Arlington West Club as Rotarian of the Year , what a model to follow in “Service Above Self”.
 
Although I did not receive them in time to present the Presidential Citations at the Conference, we received them on the following Monday. There were three levels of the Presidential Citation: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Gold was achieved by meeting all 6 goals, Silver in achieving 5 of the 6 goals and Bronze for achieving 4 of the 6 goals.  Clubs reaching the Gold were Arlington Great Southwest, Denton and Lewisville Morning Clubs; Silver, Iowa Park; Bronze, Breckenridge, Grapevine, Mansfield, Metroport, Southlake and Wichita Falls North.
For the first time in our District, we started the Governor’s Citation.  Clubs that received this award were; Breckenridge, Cleburne, Iowa Park, Keller, Lewisville Morning.  Congratulations to all those clubs.
We had some special individual recognitions from Rotary International.  Our own PDG Paul Geisel received the RI “Service Above Self” award and PDG Paul Lucas  received the RI Foundations Meritorious Service Award. What a well-deserved acknowledgement of their dedication to the ideals of Rotary. They are the standard of what it means to be a Rotarian!
 
Our interaction on Saturday morning of our Rotaractors, Interactors and Youth Exchange Students in the “Biggest District Food Drive Ever!”  We celebrated our achievements and still had time to interact with our youth and make an impact on families in need!  Isn’t that what we are all about! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Throughout the conference the Fallen Heroes Exhibit reminded us of the sacrifice our own Texans have made to protect our freedom that let us do the things we do as Americans and Rotarians, THANK YOU! But the thing I will personally take away from the conference is honoring the Vietnam Veterans for their service.  Our clubs sought out Veterans from that war to FINALLY honor their sacrifice for their country. I’m just glad our Clubs had the opportunity to recognize those Heroes before they are not around to receive our gratitude. Thank you Rotary Clubs of District 5790 for your respect to our Veterans!!!
 
Finally, This conference and celebration could not have taken place without the superb leadership of our Conference Chair Mr. Peter Scott!  I will forever be indebted to him for assembling the TEAM ARLINGTON to put together an event that will be one of the highlights of my life.  Thank you for those that attended! THANK YOU TO ALL THAT MADE IT HAPPEN!