Rotary Year 1994 — 1995

The 94-95 Rotary year for District 6900 was characterized by the institution of an Olympics Support Committee, so successfully led by PDG Bill Stubbs. The establish- ment of an Association of Georgia Rotary Districts. Flood Relief, progressively down the spine of the District with DGN Barry Smith ably assisting the residents of Henry County, Thomaston, Americus, Cordele, Albany, and finally Bainbridge. The new Forsyth-Monroe County Rotary Club was coaxed into existence through the dedication of PDG Hal Barton and Billy Reeves of the sponsoring Griffin Club. The District History was brought up to day through the expertise of PDG Tom Cooper, a true profes- sional in the publishing field. The first RYLA Program in the District was finally realized by Russ Childers in Americus, after years of building toward the day. The District Giving Goal for the Rotary Foundation was exceeded, thanks to the special efforts of PDG Bob Eskew and the extra support of his Atlanta Club. The same year, Thomasville’s Past International Director Pratt Secrest was awarded the Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award, and Pelham’s A1 Thomson received the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service. That year, there were 11 matching grants by the District which were approved by Rotary International; and a Youth Exchange Committee was activated.

Betty and I still recall with great pleasure the comment of President’s Representative & International Director Jerry Barden at the close of our District Conference, when he confided, “I have attended a lot of District Conferences, and this was the finest.” I believe him, because he repeated it when we saw him again in Nice and years later in The Antarctic. The Conference was good principally because Present District Governor A1 Lipphardt and his Carol were in charge. Our is truly a world-class, very special District.