Well, the 2019-20 Rotary Year is off to a great and busy start! Thank you to the Shenandoah, Omaha Morning, Council Bluffs Centennial, Columbus Morning, Pawnee City, Columbus Noon and my own Council Bluffs Noon club, for their warm reception and great discussions during my first 7 club visits. I’m learning a lot and I can tell you we have a lot of great things going on in the District.
On July 18, 2019 we had our first District social event of the year when we went to the Storm Chaser’s game at Werner Park. I must admit it was a bit warm with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees but with $2.00 ‘Thirsty Thursday” drinks available we were all able enjoy the evening and stay hydrated. PDG Julie O’Hara and I threw out the first pitch and much to Suburban Rotary’s President Tom Kerfoot’s dismay I did manage to get the ball over the plate.  Special thanks to Martie Cordero and Zach Ziler for arranging the event.

Our 2018-2019 District conference was held this past weekend and if you missed it, you missed a great one. We owe Julie and her committee a huge debt of thanks for all the hard work that was put into this event. The Arbor Farm Lied Conference Center was a fantastic venue, the speakers were great and we learned about efforts going on to combat human trafficking and how to protect our children and grandchildren from being trafficked, programs to increase literacy and how teaching young children to read sets them up to be successful in life. We learned how to foster diversity and be more sensitive to cultural differences as we interact with those different than ourselves.
 
Thanks goes out to our Foundation Past Chair and Current chair Brian Moon and Bill Harvey for their work at the Conference.  During the conference member donated $13,783 to the Foundation and $1,331 to Polio Plus for a grand total of $15,114. A big thank you goes out to all who contributed to the foundation during the conference.  
 
Congratulations to all the clubs and individuals who received awards Saturday evening. All that you do does make a difference in our communities, in the District and in the world.
 
You know, I love learning about the great things we are doing but for me the best part of a District Conference is being around fellow Rotarians and the fellowship we have among our members. I love this organization!

As a reminder, the District is seeking nominations from the clubs for individuals to serve on the District 5650 Board of Directors. Three at large directors will be chosen, one each from small, medium and large clubs in the District. If your club has not submitted a nominee, please do so and submit your nomination to Nicki Klein (click here to email Nicki) by September 1, 2019. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your District Governor, it is truly an honor and a privilege to do so. I look forward to seeing you and visiting your club soon.
 
Mick
Henry "Mick" McKinley
Rotary District 5650 Governor 2019-20