#37: by A. C. Moncrief on 02.20.2009 @ 07:28pm CST
You bring an outstanding new element to communications and make the world of Rotary more exciting as you share your comments. Well done. AC Moncrief |
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#36: by Merle Williams on 12.23.2008 @ 06:32pm CST
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all Rotarians from the Harrisburg Rotary Club. We know that with hard work and God's love and support, we will all reach our personal, club, district and RI goals. |
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#35: by Doug Jones on 12.22.2008 @ 08:12pm CST
Ray. I just found your blog or I would have commented sooner. You are doing a GREAT job as DG! You inspire us with your stories and words of wisdom. Sorry I was out of town the day you visited the Cabot club. If you have another free Tuesday during your tenure, please come back. In the meantime, keep up the good work. Cindy & I wish you, Karla and the Keller crew a Very Merry Christmas. |
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#34: by Sam Chaffin on 11.11.2008 @ 10:13pm CST
Congratulations to West Memphis Rotary Club for being the first RC in D6150 for completing their Goal to the Rotary Foundation and making the $100 per Rotarian.
Thanks President Cathy Robb and your 70 Rotarians. |
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#33: by ray keller on 10.14.2008 @ 07:06pm CDT
hey hey hey it was off to Cabot and a big steak at colton's. With President Ted out of town Prez to be C.C. took the gavel and we had quite a meeting. Former Hog Coach Ken Hatfield was there as a guest and said his brother and dad were rotarians and his mom played music for the local club for many years. the Cabot club is on the grow. they have a lot of members who are motivated and they see some big goals happening this year. They motivated me. This district is on fire and it is exciting to watch what is happening. Thanks to AG Sharon for her help today |
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#32: by John Carter on 09.24.2008 @ 05:50pm CDT
Great job at Sherwood Rotary!
You motivate everyone to be better Rotarians......even at 7AM! |
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#31: by Debbie Akers on 09.23.2008 @ 07:55pm CDT
District Golf Tourney was great. I had so much fun at the casino hole, am thinking of setting up a regular business there! Jus Kidding! Maumelle Club appreciates attendance. The seminars toppped off a FULL day. I found the membership group to have some great ideas. It was good.
p.s. Sorry you did not get to finish your round of golf Ray. |
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#30: by ray keller on 09.21.2008 @ 01:57pm CDT
tomorrow I head for the Capital City for the annual District Golf Tourney. I am playing with one of our club's teams and then heading to another District Seminar that evening. Meeting with the Sherwood club's leadership prior to that event makes that a full and exciting day. Tuesday is Searcy's visit and Wednesday is Sherwood's. I would advise all golf tourney spectators to beware of my shots. |
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#29: by Debbie Brinkley on 09.18.2008 @ 08:06pm CDT
I get more excited about my year as Governor every time I read your comments about the clubs. I am going to love visiting each one and getting to know the individual personalities of the clubs.
DGE Debbie |
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#28: by ray keller on 09.17.2008 @ 11:08pm CDT
Today I was the guest of the Rotary club of Helena. Started in 1917 this club has for 91 years served their community and Rotary International. Seeing the wall of Presidents was impressive. President Larry is passionate about his role and has set some excitng goals for this well recognized club who has several Club of the Year banners on their walls. The only thing missing was the chicken but the pork loin was great. Today was a very good day |
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#27: by ray keller on 09.16.2008 @ 04:58pm CDT
today I flew my plane to Heber Springs and was metby AG Paul Roberts. we met with President Matt and a room full of leaders. the meeting was one of my most memorable. The spirit of this club is pegging the needle. they even sing good!!! honest! the pledge, the amens after the prayer, the four way test, the way they stand up and go around greeting each oher was contagious. they gave a paul harris fellow to a rotarian with 58 years as a member of the club. his health is slowing and he stood with his walker and thanked everyone and said, "I never met a rotarian I didn't like" and "Rotary had given me far more than I have given it" with a standing ovation I was honored to pin him and shake his hand. this club is in it's 81st year and has it really going. |
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#26: by ray keller on 09.16.2008 @ 04:51pm CDT
yesterday I was in North Little Rock Riverside and had a great time. President Sydney has her club jazzed up and focused on some really big goals. they have so many projects and have over half of their club coming to the district seminar!!!! Very impressive. I put out a challenge to get the other half there. Let's see what happens. This would be a good club for any rotarian to visit and see the spirit that a smaller club can have. But you had better hurry as it won't be a small club for long. Keep your eyes on this club |
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#25: by ray keller on 09.03.2008 @ 05:42pm CDT
Today was a visit with the Paragould Rotary Club. President Melanie and I met with the club leaders and to hear of their plans for the year. They have ambitious goals and I believe they will hit and exceed them. It was good to see PDG Greg and be with DGN Owen. A lot of laughter in this club. Last week they had a former President go Senior Active and to celebrate they raised $420 cash to the Rotary Foundation as they "wheeled" him into Senior Active status in a borrowed wheelchair. A lot of new members, young members with fresh ideas mixed in with the very active past presidents make this club a club on the grow. |
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#24: by ray keller on 08.28.2008 @ 08:59pm CDT
Wow, the last two days were incredible. first I was the guest of the 99th club chartered in the world, the Little Rock Rotary Club or Club 99 as we call them. President Joel invited me to his board meeting and I was impressed to again be reminded of what this huge club does and their ideas for this year are inspiring. then the next day I was with the West Little Rock Club and if you haven't been with them you should attend a meeting. they have fun and are loud. President Jim has passion and has his troops mobilized. This club is celebrating it's 50th year this november and let's plan on being with them. they will make some noise in the district in this year. they presented me with enough gold dollars to fill my glass bank and that was memorable. Thanks PDG Gary Speed. |
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#23: by ray keller on 08.26.2008 @ 12:02am CDT
Today I was the guest of Little Rock Midtown Rotary Club. President Ed Staley has that club rocking. I believe I heard that the club started the year at about 30 members and is up 16 new members already!! I sat at a table with mostly new members and they are excited and involved. This club has service projects going in every direction and really motivated me by presenting me with over 100 gold dollars for my goal. Another motivating day to be the DG. |
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#22: by ray keller on 08.22.2008 @ 03:25pm CDT
hey Jim:
My ham license is not current but is a long term goal of mine. my uncle W5GTN was my mentor and I have all of his vintage like new Collins equipment. I started as WN5CUP when I was about 11 and got hooked. Still have QSL cards from all over the world as I would hook up on 20meters at 6am before school and talk the universal language of morse code around the world. my first schooling on how the world operated. 73's and 88's to you |
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#21: by Jim Buffington on 08.22.2008 @ 09:28am CDT
Ray, just wonder if you are still an active ham. I am K5JIM and serve as webmaster for District 6800 (North Mississippi and Shelby County, Tennessee). It is my understanding that our districts will have a joint conference next spring. |
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#20: by Jerrie Townsend on 08.20.2008 @ 10:16am CDT
I continue to be amazed at the new club and district database that has been set up for us to use. I found some new things today I had not noticed before. Great job! Great tool! |
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#19: by raykeller on 08.19.2008 @ 07:13am CDT
I am thinking of our upcoming district seminars in september and our foundation golf tournament. these events are important to our year and give us a chance to have some fun and share some rotary. My foursome in the golf tourney has a gps, chainsaw and St. Bernard dog with search and rescue capabilities. Can't be too careful with the way I hit it. John and Paul are working hard on the tourney and could use plenty of volunteers. the district seminars are speaheaed by district trainer Jerry Smith and will have a dinner with four breakout sessions while we eat. Membership, Youth, Service Projects, and Foundation and the headliners. we need 100% participation from clubs with goal of at least 2 in each session. bigger clubs should of course shoot for more. get your newest members there and reward them for attendance. it will teach them more about what our district is all about as our leadership shines. |
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#18: by raykeller on 08.19.2008 @ 07:08am CDT
hmmm, what is happening. It's tuesday and I am finished with club visits this week. yesterday I was in Jacksonsville and president Aaron is gearing up for a strong year. He has brought in two new members and another one is to be approved today. that is what it takes!! they are working on a strong literacy project with the fabulous Black Stallion project and have a member dentist spearheading their Healthy Smiles project. With plans for promoting polio plus and goal of 10% net membership increase both Pres. Aaron and incoming President Joe have Jacksonville looking good. thanks for all you are doing. off to do some client work this week and hitting it hard next week with more visits. |
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#17: by Jackie Kitchens on 08.18.2008 @ 03:38pm CDT
Governor Ray....the Maumelle club truly enjoyed your visit and words of wisdom and more than that those words from your heart. You are an inspiration to many and we hope to grow our club to tell our stories! So glad we were able to satisfy your appetite with the "chicken" that was served!:) Have a safe week and thanks for all you do! |
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#16: by Judy Sims on 08.08.2008 @ 09:34am CDT
Governor Ray:
What a fantastic presentation you made at the North Little Rock Rotary Club yesterday! Not only did you inspire us and challenge us, but you you encouraged our club to do better now. Your love of Rotary and Rotarians was evident and I applaud you for a job well done. I'm glad that I didn't miss this meeting.
PDG Judy Sims |
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#15: by ray keller on 08.07.2008 @ 05:27pm CDT
The weeks are flying by and this week was a busy one. On Monday I was in the hills with the Quad Cities club. one of our newest clubs, they love Rotary and are anxious to grow their club. Tuesday was the visit to my club, Jonesboro and they were ready with their vision and plans. It was exciting to be home again as I have missed being with them. President Johnny White presented me with their club's three ring binder with club plans with a New York Yankee emblem on the back. I am taking my boys to the Stadium the end of the month. Wednesday took me to Kelley's Restaurant and Bald Knob. They are convinced that this will be one of their best years and I can see why. Today I was in Alltell Arena with the North Little Rock club, home of 7 former District Governors, four of whom were in attendance. What a history this club has. All around the district I see the clubs realizing their potential and jumping off to a fast start. 24 club visits done and 15 to go. I am having a blast. remember that this is membership month. tell someone today the story of why you are a Rotarian. |
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#14: by ray keller on 08.01.2008 @ 08:47am CDT
It's Friday and not only the end of the "work week" but the month of July is over and Month 2 begins. This week I made visits West Memphis, Stuttgart, Wynne, and Cleburne County. Each club is on a roll and each president has an agenda and plans for a great year. I am so impressed with the attitudes and what I see happening. Stuttgart has a gold dollar vase and each week their members contribute to their polio plus fund as I do in my gold dollar bank. very exciting. Harrisburg is a fun club and very motivated. West Memphis has a president in Cindy who sees a year of growth and Cleburne County meets at 7am and has as much fun as any club I have attended. oh, yeah and Wynne gave me a bushel basket of peaches. 20 clubs visited and another 13 this month. This next week it's Quad Cities, Jonesboro (get ready scooter table) Bald Knob, and North Little Rock. I am having a blast feeling energized. |
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#13: by ray keller on 07.24.2008 @ 09:13pm CDT
Well, it's been a great week as I was with the clubs of Marked Tree and Harrisburg. Both clubs are on the grow and have big plans for the year. Presidents Donna and Merle are surrounded by officers who are focused and working. Both clubs have added new members this month with more on the way. I will never eat out again as I am spoiled by the home cooking of these two clubs. Fried Chicken and green beans to die for at Marked Tree and Smothered Steak...yes I said STEAK at Harrisburg. I got the most unusual gift from the Harrisburg Club. Next week it's West Memphis, Stuttgart, Wynne, Cleburne County and that's a big week. I am fired up and can see that this is going to be a big year. |
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#12: by ray keller on 07.18.2008 @ 02:44pm CDT
It's Friday and the end of the second week and today was a special one. spent the night in Little Rock and had a wake up with Little Rock Metro at 7am. President Fant has the troops lined up and DGE Debbie was there as well. Then it was off to Newport and a competitive Fried Chicken I must admit. Finger Lickin Good. President Randy has Newport ready for a good year. that club is in it's 75th year and I met several 50 year rotarians. Very special. Everyone has new members on their mind and we are committed to our goals. Thanks everyone for making my visits so enjoyable and thanks Metro and Pres. Fant for the Apple Dumplin Book. Karla loved it. |
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#11: by ray keller on 07.17.2008 @ 10:24pm CDT
great day in blytheville, the only club with 100% paul harris fellows and home of diana holmes and some killer pecan pie. President Greg knows how to get things done and look out for this club. they have big goals and expect lots to happen. this district is happening and many people will find out who we are and what we do. Met several 40 and 50 and 60 year rotarians today all with twinkles in their eyes as they talked of what rotary had done for them. talk about motivating. off to Little Rock and Newport tomorrow and I can't wait. After tomorrow 14 down and 25 to go. |
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#10: by Debbie Brinkley on 07.16.2008 @ 06:19pm CDT
I am loving this blog. It makes me feel as though I am getting a glimpse of each club. We truly have great clubs made up of ROTARIANS in District 6150. Keep trucking Gov Ray. Have you found someone at every club that is from or knows someone from Weiner? That would be the whole town right? |
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#9: by ray keller on 07.16.2008 @ 06:01pm CDT
Hey Nick:
man, you guys have fun in Marion. What a great mix of ages. I loved visiting with Julian whose granddaughter married a Weiner boy, bought my grandmother's house and lives next door to my mom. Small world. thanks for treating Bill and I so well. The Marion club is going to have a great year. the Leaders have big membership goals and want to make a difference. And you have the sweetest sweet tea yet!! Thanks for the kind words. Off to Blytheville tomorrow!! |
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#8: by Nick Coulter on 07.16.2008 @ 03:52pm CDT
I was truly inspired today in our Marion meeting. Rotary should not be looked at a just another program, but a process a process of building leaders in our community. It was a true blessing to have heard you today. |
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#7: by ray keller on 07.16.2008 @ 07:48am CDT
I was at Osceola yesterday and would recommend to anyone within 1000 miles and needing a make up to go eat with them especially if it's Fried Chicken Day. Can you imagine that Chicken can be consumed that didn't come in a red box? Osceola is on the move and President Lisa is determined to build numbers there. She is a Weiner native so she and I are kindred spirits. Off to Marion today with Bill Stanley. |
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#6: by ray keller on 07.14.2008 @ 04:47pm CDT
hey, he looked old enough to me. I was watching him as I spoke and he was really tuned in. I took my kids to Rotary with me and got them involved with projects where we helped those less fortunate. those memories have helped shape them into the people they are today. Rotary reaches all ages. Batesville is a club on the move and I could feel it in the room. Great location and super leadership in place. |
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#5: by Audrey Pool on 07.14.2008 @ 04:14pm CDT
I totally enjoyed the program today at the Batesville Rotary Club. My son must have enjoyed it also because he asked me what he had to do to become a member! |
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#4: by ray keller on 07.13.2008 @ 11:13pm CDT
you are right...it's not the words we say it's the music we play. coaches motivate and keep us running our plays. they turn groups of people into teams by helping each player promote his strengths while letting other player's strengths cover another's weaknesses. your conference call tonight is another step toward achieving our AG/club leaders relationships. |
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#3: by Jerry Smith on 07.13.2008 @ 10:34pm CDT
Governor,
The AGs met tonight (Sunday at 9 pm!) on conference call. They are motivated and ready to help their club presidents. We heard good comments about your visits.
One thing they mentioned is not wanting the presidents to see them as the "Rotary Police". As District Trainer, I hope each club president will come to see their AG, as their personal coach in Rotary. The AGs want nothing more than for their presidents to have a great year!
You are saying all the right things - keep it up, Governor! |
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#2: by ray keller on 07.13.2008 @ 10:29pm CDT
hey Debbie your E of the DGE gets a little bigger each day!! Rotary is all about fun and results. the right people will be attracted to us if they see us doing the above...and they will stay when they get plugged in and see us from the inside. |
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#1: by Debbie Brinkley on 07.13.2008 @ 06:29pm CDT
Membership is certainly on the minds of the Presidents. Way to challenge them. 15 new members from 2 clubs! Way to go Gov Ray. Your visits seem to be going well. |
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