Every year at this time, Rotarians of District 6900 gather to examine and celebrate another year at what we call the District Conference. It is always a time of good fun, excitement and anticipation of which individuals and what clubs will lead the district in all the different categories of achievement. It truly is a special time of celebration and good-natured kidding among clubs about who will outdo whom.

This year’s conference was no different, but it was extra special. For all who were able to attend, we were treated to some extraordinary speakers, but there was one speaker in particular that I really wasn’t expecting. His topic certainly is one I personally focus on more than most and that is Polio. The presenter was Ramesh Ferris, a Polio survivor and a Past District Governor out of Canada, who treated us to a personal inside look into Polio. He began his speech by literally crawling through the crowd to the podium and then proceeded to put on his leg braces as he spoke to the collected convention. It was truly a dramatic entrance as he drove home the point of the devastating effects of Polio on the personal life of those who contract this devastating disease. He carried us through his personal story of contracting Polio at a very young age and took us through his journey of adoption into a family far from his native home of India. His story is nothing short of remarkable and his personal crusade is far more than simply inspiring.

After hearing such a story so graphically shared by Ramesh it was extremely gratifying to review the latest numbers for Zone 34 to see where our own District 6900 fared when compared to the rest of Zone 34. We led the Zone in some very important categories such as number one in the Polio Total of Cash plus DDF at $310,949, eclipsing the second-place district by $65,401!! We were also number one in the Polio Per Club Average of $3,757, just $31 ahead of the runner up district. Our district was also number one in total giving of AF+Polio+Endowment+Other giving with a total of $1,017,462. We took first place by just shy of $83,000. Several other categories we came close to the top. finishing second or third in AF % Donor Participation, Total number of Paul Harris Society Members (a category we should make more of) and Polio Per Capita (Cash Only). We were edged out by District 6970, a Florida District, from finishing first in AF Total by just $471, with totals of $516,776 to $516,306. All in all, District 6900 has much to be proud of and all of you played a big role in achieving our success.

Keeping with the Polio theme of dollars raised, our Zone 34 has much to be proud of as well. The Zone raised $5,842,286 in “Total $ Impact to Fight Polio."  This number is reached by adding Cash+DDF+All Matches. Our partnership with the Gates Foundation to eradicate Polio worldwide continues to be a blessed marriage and moving forward to the realization of the fight!

In conclusion for this month’s article, let me just say, if you missed this year’s District 6900 Conference, you truly missed a special event of learning and comradery and if you have never attended a district conference, I can’t encourage you enough to come join your fellow 6900 Rotarians next April in Asheville, NC. I guarantee it’s time well spent!

If I can personally assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via cell or email. I’m here to help and together we will Unite for Good!