A full Rotary Day -- Visiting the Seneca Rotary Club, Our District Foundation Event

After interviewing an outstanding medical student whose career seemed amazing similar to mine (private pilot, interest in medical missions, ROTC and military health professions scholarship), Kathy and I departed about 9:15 AM for Seneca again. Kathy drove to Seneca (at or below the speed limit) while I participated in a teleconference with the South Carolina Medical Association Continuing Medical Education Committee, provided a job reference for a former colleague, and answered a few calls and e-mails. We located Jimmy's Family Restaurant where the Seneca Rotary Club meets. The energy and excitement present in this club was apparent from the moment we walked into the meeting room. Longtime club and former District Secretary Steve Sokol and President Helen Westmoreland greeted us warmly. I meet with the board initially and was excited about their plans to increase membership from 45 to 55 members this year. They are well on their way and even had a visitor interested in joining the club and starting a new Young Professionals Rotaract Club. The club had great service project plans for the year -- install a bus shelter at the community medical center, participate in Salvation Army bell ringing at Christmas, make home repairs for indigent clients through their Rotary Repair Force, host a Holiday Party for a local children's home, continue the annual Community Appreciation Day, and assist in infrastructure improvements in a school in a depressed country. The club was certainly aware of the difficult economic conditions and challenges for the club, but I suspect their "can do" attitude will move this club forward with many new members and projects to benefit their community and the world.

I was pleased to recognize Rotarian Curt Davis as the club's Notable Rotarian. Curt has been a member since 1975 and has served as the club president. He has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He is very involved with the Salvation Army and organizes the Bell Ringing for the Rotary clubs in the Seneca area. Curt always finds “good” locations for club members so they can make a difference! He also directs the "Rotary Repair Force" that assists the elderly, disabled or less fortunate to have some assistance with light home repairs and maintenance. Curt has turned many of his fellow Rotarians into "gold miners" by leading several "mining" expeditions and sharing with others the art and addiction of "gold mining“. He is married to the love of his life, Whyoma.

Kathy and I had a great time with the Rotary Club of Seneca. Despite the lack of much sleep the night before, my presentation went amazing well. Rotarian Steve Sokol reminded me after the meeting that he was always direct and blunt. However, Steve told me he could sit through my presentation a second time because he enjoyed the detail and interesting information about our Rotary world. Thanks for a great compliment, Steve!

I drove back to Greenwood (please go back and review my first blog about my driving at the Atlanta Motor Speedway) so I could get a little rest, catch up on a few e-mail messages, and prepare for our District Foundation Banquet and Seminar at the Arts Council at the Federal Building. A few Rotarians called during that time asking if they could come without being registered. I made an executive decision and told them to come on. We had a wonderful seminar led by PDG Rich Waugh and banquet featuring Rotary Foundation Trustee and RI Director Elect Anne Matthews. Anne's message was an inspiration to everyone. I was honored to be able to spend some time with this decisive and innovative leader with good down-home Southern charm. As I think about the highlights of this year as District Governor, the privilege of meeting so many outstanding leaders at the RI, Zone, District, and Club levels has been remarkable. Tonight I head home ready for a good night's sleep!