What a great way to start off the month of May!  Al and I have arrived in Bangkok for the Rotary International Convention – Rotary’s biggest annual event.
This celebration of Rotary fosters fellowship, creates learning opportunities, and helps attendees experience the scope and power of Rotary – we have enjoyed several such conventions, but none will be as special as this one . . .

On Wednesday, May 9th, our Rotary District 5840 will be recognized on stage as one of the top 15 districts of our Rotary world for 2011-12! 

If only all of you could be there with me for that special moment! . . . It is your hard work this year and your accomplishments in the area of membership and Foundation support that earned this award! To be one of the top districts out of over 531 districts worldwide is an honor for each of us to be extremely proud of! 

Just what have we been doing in our clubs this year to lead us to this point?  I’d like to believe we have been shooting high – shooting for the stars!  Our upcoming DistrictFest (June 1 -3 in San Marcos) will allow all of us to get a glimpse of all that has happened around our district, especially Friday evening when we have the opportunity to attend the  “ClubCrawl” – a road tour of our district where each club showcases its accomplishment s for this year!  The entire weekend is packed with opportunities to celebrate all that is Rotary in our great district . . .and to see just how much we have accomplished!  Saturday evening the tight race for Best in District will end with the winning club being recognized – along with several very special Rotary International awards being presented – believe me, you will be impressed to see the impact we have had in helping change our word for the better!

Registrations are available at www.rotary5840.org – just click on DistrictFest 2012 and either register on line or select the offline forms to download, fill in and mail.  Either way, be sure to get your reservations in before May 6th to enjoy the special full package pricing that includes 2 nights at the hotel along with your registration for the event itself.  The full package is the best value – but it is only available until May 6th!

Harriet Tubman wrote:  "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."  Rest assured that all we celebrate – both in Bangkok and in San Marcos – is  the evidence that Rotarians are indeed dreamers.  Dreamers with strength, patience, and passion – with a willingness to shoot for the stars . . and just look at all you are doing!