Rotary Year 1983 — 1984

Frank started his year with a long needed innovation. He introduced the first District Directory, listing Club Presidents, Secretaries, all District Committee Chairmen, meeting places of all clubs and other information needed by so many people during the year. Roy Simmons of the Marietta Club produced the directory.

Frank set a primary objective to increase the number of Rotarians by additions of members to existing clubs.

The Governor’s newsletter was used very well with emphasis to all clubs about outstanding projects of other clubs in the district.

A District Membership Development Committee was established to present the story of membership development to all clubs. The committee was co-chaired by John Callaway, West End, PDG Dan Reed, Columbus, and Hal Barton, Marietta. There was a net increase of 197 new Rotarians for the year.

The district contributed over $ 100,000.00 to the Rotary Foundation with 85 new Paul Harris Fellows and new sustaining members. Two Rotary Foundation Scholarships were awarded. Carl Hodges of the Sandy Springs Club was District Scholarship Chairman.

John Saunders of the Buckhead Club, rejuvenated the Group Study Exchange Program and PDG Dan Reed was selected to lead a 690 group to District 233 in Sweden in 1985-86.

Frank introduced another innovative idea for the District Assembly where newly elected officers are trained for their next years duties. Ordinarily only the people who are to take office the next year attend the meeting. For his assembly, Frank invited the wives to attend. While the men were in session, the women had their own program under the guidance of Betty Jean Bentley, Rotaryann of Governor Frank, and Virginia Howard, Rotaryann of District Governor Nominee Lee Howard.

The District Conference Chairman was Jim Fuller. The conference theme was “Share Rotary” and Chairman Jim had a full program of sharing. Conference speakers were, Senator Sam Nunn, Past RI Director Pratt Secrest, and Reverend Bill Self, preacher, TV star and humorist.

The representative of RI President Bill Skelton was PDG Henderson Graham, of District 757, Virginia. Conference attendance was 942.

Award winners were:

Best Bulletin: Griffin and Atlanta Airport

Best Scrapbook: Thomasville and Pelham

Best Conference Attendance: Smyma/Cumberland and South Fulton

Best all around club: Thomasville and Pelham

Contributions for the GRSP reached a new record of $148,450,00 with 48 clubs participating by sponsoring 28 foreign students.

A special Governor’s Recognition Award was given to Chet Covey, of the Atlanta Club, as the Districts Outstanding Rotarian. Chet has been editor of the Atlanta Club Bulletin for 31 years, and has been a Rotarian since 1923.

The district attendance for the year averaged 86.95 with Pelham the attendance winner at 99.26% for the year.