District Conference in Sierra Vista

Hopefully the answer is attending the District Conference in Sierra Vista , where plans are well underway to organize the most illuminating, exciting and entertaining 5500 event in recent memory.

This year's conference promises to be the highlight of the calendar with a packed agenda of inspirational guest speakers, new member inductions, informative breakout sessions, club news, entertainment, area tours, a golf tournament, and much more besides.

The theme for the event at the Windemere Hotel & Conference Center will be "Water-It's For Life" , a topic very much close to the heart of District Governor Ernie Montagne and his wife Sally.

DG Ernie is keen to encourage District clubs to get involved in service projects that will have a major impact on the six areas of focus that correspond to The Rotary Foundation's mission, in particular, water and sanitation.

Conference attendees will have a unique opportunity to learn more about how they can do this, thanks to keynote guest speaker Steve Werner and a planned breakout session on water.

Steve is the past Executive Director and a current board member of Water For People, an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist people in developing nations to gain access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation.

The conference team has also focused on bringing in young guest speakers, as well as spotlighting the amazing work of the clubs in our District, which will include Rotarians sharing the secrets of their most successful service projects and fundraisers.

The breakout sessions have been designed to offer practical information you can take back to your clubs to help meet your membership, service project and fundraising goals and the schedule will allow attendees to visit all sessions so they don't feel torn between topics.

Whether you have been a Rotarian for a decade or more, or if you just recently became a member, DG Ernie and his team guarantee you will leave this year's conference feeling energized, enthused and educated.

And the best part? Your registration fee has already been paid through your District dues .

However, you will still need to register for the conference via the District website - registration will start no later than August 30.

During the registration process you will be able to book your conference meals, as well as sign up for the local guided tours.

Hotel accommodation must be booked by calling the Windemere Hotel directly at 520-459-5900. The hotel is offering a special conference rate of $92.68, which includes tax, breakfast and one drink in the hotel lounge.

Here are just some of the many reasons why you should mark your calendars now and attend this event:

·      Home Hosting - Sierra Vista Rotarians will open up their homes to attendees who do not want to stay in a hotel. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy fellowship in a home away from home, this is a first for the District Conference and, if successful, could continue in successive years. Contact K.J. Wigton at kwigton@cox.net for details.

·      Planned Excursions and Self Guided Tours - As the host city, Sierra Vista is proud of its heritage and spectacular scenery and we want to show it off. The team has put together a range of exciting and fun tours which can be enjoyed by Rotarians and their partners in the lead up to the conference and by the spouses during the event itself. Spaces are limited!

·      Breakout Sessions - Some of our District's most experienced Rotarians will be passing on words of wisdom during breakout sessions on Membership, Service Projects, Water, Public Relations and Fundraising. You will leave feeling motivated and brimming with new ideas to take back to your club.

·      RI Rep Jennifer Jones - We are delighted that Rotarian Jennifer Jones will be attending the conference as the RI President's representative. Jennifer will also be a guest speaker.

·      Keynote guest speaker Steve Werner - Want to get a water focused service project going, but don't where to start? Internationally renowned expert Steve Werner will lead the way with his inspirational speech.

·      New member inductions - What better way to start your new life as a Rotarian than to be inducted at the District Conference! Join us in welcoming these members as they set out on their exciting Rotary journey.

·      New Rotarian gathering - We all know how overwhelming Rotary can be when you first join. PDG Val Scanlon will host a session designed to help new members navigate their way through the minefield of information, providing inspiration along the way.

·      GSE Teams - We are delighted we will be welcoming our visiting GSE Team from District 9100 (West Africa). There will also be a chance to meet the outgoing team from District 5500.

·      VIP Guest DG Marwan Fattal - District 9100 Governor Marwan Fattal will be attending the conference as a special guest.

·      Hospitality Suites and Pool Mixer - No District Conference would be complete without a poolside party. Sierra Vista's perfect Fall weather, along with great food and entertainment, will make this a social event not to be missed.

·      Guest speaker and news anchor Lorraine Rivera - Television newsreader Lorraine will join us for breakfast on Saturday morning as a guest speaker.

·      Spotlight on the clubs - It's a District Conference, so let's learn more about the outstanding work being carried out by our very own clubs. Throughout the plenary sessions, attendees will be treated to five minute presentations from the organizers of some of the most successful and inspirational service projects and fundraisers in Southern Arizona.

·      Display Tables - Up to 25 clubs will be promoting their projects and fundraisers at various display tables in the Windemere Hotel.

·      New Generations - The new Fifth Avenue of Service will be the focus of the fourth plenary session. PDG Sandy Goodsite will also be running a separate youth conference at a nearby hotel.

·      Golf Tournament - Don't forget to bring your clubs and tee off at beautiful Mountain View Golf Course at historic Fort Huachuca. Enjoy great weather, wonderful vistas and help raise some money for PolioPlus. The perfect way to end your conference experience on Sunday morning.

·      Entertainment - Never let it be said that Rotarians don't know how to have fun. We have lined up some fantastic poolside entertainment on Friday night, followed by renowned singer Nancy Weaver and Cool Jazz during Saturday's DGE reception and conference dinner.