EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR!
 
Welcome to the fourth quarter of the 2022-23 Rotary Year.  Now is the time to celebrate how we have Imagined Rotary and begin to transition to the 2023-34 Year. The Rotary Calendar is in full swing.
 
Our District Conference is a few short weeks away. The agenda is exciting, and I encourage all of you to join us in Hattiesburg April 21-22, 2023.
 
The 2023 Rotary District Conference, is to be held at the Thad Cochran Center at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg on April 21-22, 2023.  

This event will include several fun pre-conference activities (see below) and 1.5 days of great sessions on tips and strategies for growing and sustaining our Rotary Clubs.  In addition, we will have several notable speakers to highlight Rotary projects and initiatives.  Plus, we will host our annual Food Fest and House of Friendship.  If you are a leader in your club or want to learn more about Rotary and our various opportunities, this is the conference for you.
 
Pre-Conference Opportunities
Golf Tournament - Shadow Ridge Golf Course, Hattiesburg
Tour of Camp Shelby
Visit the Lucky Rabbit
Cooking Demonstration
 
Conference Agenda
Click here to view the full conference agenda

Registration

Click here to learn more and register for the conference 
Click here to learn more about conference sponsorship opportunities
Click here for golf tournament information, registration, and sponsorship

Additional Opportunities

Participate in cooking at the Food Fest
Participate in the House of Friendship
 
Sign up for House of Friendship to reserve your club’s table (brochures, flyers, fundraisers, service projects, and social events)
 
A word from DGE Vicky: FUN-FUN-and-FUN
 
Calling all the good time Charlies!  Or, as I refer to them, club presidents-elect and president-nominees.   There will be a gathering of this devil may care group on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the District 6840 Conference, 3:00-4:00 pm.  Let’s get together and talk about all the fun rousing we can accomplish during the 2023-24 Rotary year.  Don’t be square, see you there!  And, anyone else that might want to listen in……………….
Vicky Gutierrez, Governor 2023-24
Sam Walley, Governor 2024-25
 
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Imagine Rotary Book Drives
 
Your response to my request for children’s books has been magnificent.  
 
 
Learn more at the District Conference! Bring your photos and success stories with you along with any additional books.
 
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The Rotary Foundation Giving
 
It’s not too late for clubs and individuals to make donations to the Rotary Foundation for this Rotary year. Donations made before June 30, 2023, will be used by RI to calculate the funds we will have available for District Grants in 2025-26. I urge you to make your donations as soon as possible. Thank you for including The Rotary Foundation in your charitable giving for the year.
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2023-24 District Grants deadlines
 
District Grants Management Seminar 
 
At least ONE member of your club MUST be certified EACH YEAR to apply for and complete the District Grants program.
 
2023-24 District Grants Application Deadline
May 31, 2023
(Your Club must be approved, and MOU signed and returned to the District Grants committee before a grant application may be submitted)
 
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District Response to recent disasters in Mississippi
 
Please contact Deputy Governor of Service Sharron Newton and DGND Keith Clayton for information on how to donate and to learn about plans to travel to the disaster areas to help.
 
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RYLA applications are available
 
This year marks 25 years of District 6840 sponsoring this important teen leadership program.
 
 
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Upcoming Club events:
 
Rotary Club of Bay Saint Louis – Rotary Goes to the Races – Rotary Goes to the Races | Facebook
 
Rotary Goes to the Races is a Kentucky derby-themed luncheon and fashion show. Bring your "A" game as you can compete in Best Hat, Best Ensemble, and Best Decorated Table categories. Your ticket includes lunch and a fashion show with our featured models representing each of the 3 local nonprofits our Rotary Club will be performing service projects within the coming months.

Proceeds from this event will help us fund projects with the @Bay Waveland Habitat for Humanity, the Bay St. Louis Little Theater, and Magdalene House. We'll tell you a little bit about what other services your local Rotary has done this year to support local and international needs.
 
Following the fashion show and lunch all event attendees will have access to the specialty boutique shopping gallery. Pick up one of the pieces worn during the show or even something else the boutique brings along for you to purchase!
 
All tickets assure you a seat at a table. You can purchase a table for 8 (at any of the sponsorship tiers) or you can individually purchase a ticket(s). Pricing for individual tickets is $100 for the VIP priority seating, unlimited beer, wine, or specialty drinks along with lunch. $75 individual tickets include 2 drink tickets, a designated table location, and lunch. $50 tickets include a seat at lunch and drinks are available for purchase.
 
Are you purchasing a table for the event? You need to enter our table decorating contest! We'll allow those who are decorating their tables to set up your space the night before the event (Thursday, April 20th from 6-9 pm at the community center)
 
Questions? No problem, you can always message us on here or reach out to our event chair, Meg Noonan at meg.noonan@comcepts.net.
 
   
 
 
Rotary Club of Pass Christian – Paddle in the Bay with a 5K - Rotary Club of Pass Christian | Facebook
 
The Rotary Club of Pass Christian will hold Paddle the Bay with a 5k as its 2023 fundraiser from 8 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the Henderson Point Park in Harrison County at the base of the Bay Bridge in Pass Christian. This will be the Club’s only fundraiser and helps support the club’s many good works in our local community. Please join us for this year’s event, which will feature food, music, and a silent auction. We will start the day with a 5k. Participants can also paddle around Mallini Bayou or across the Bay at any time. We will have spotter boats along the bay route between Highway 90 and the railroad bridges. Each participant will get sponsors to participate in the event. Your support is appreciated through monetary sponsorship; silent auction donations; food/beverage donations; or gift cards (used to purchase supplies). In keeping our overhead low, we will have more funds to support projects which benefit our community.
 
   
 
For more information, registration, and sponsorships:
Paul Ellis (228) 343-1559
Carolyn Ishee Marshall Smith (228) 493-3305
 
Rotary Clubs of Edgewater - District Grant for the Gulf Coast Centers for Non-Violence -  Rotary Club of Edgewater #6840 | Facebook 
 
With the support from a district grant the Rotary Club of Edgewater was able to double its impact of providing supplies for the Gulf Coast Centers for Non-Violence. GCCNV provides help to persons of all types of domestic along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Our club purchased bed and bath linens for the residents of the center that they were able to take when they left the center. The items purchased were Twin bed sheet sets, twin bed blankets, pillows, and bath towel sets.
 
District grants are made possible each year through the generous support of our Rotary Foundation.  Thank you for your support of our Rotary Foundation.      
 
    
 
 
See you in Hattiesburg!
DG Regina Wedig
 
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