DAVIS – David Raese, District 7530 Governor visited the Tucker County Rotary Club Sept. 14. He enjoyed lunch with the club during their regular meeting at The Sawmill Restaurant in Davis. He praised club members for being very active in their communities and for maintaining and growing membership over the past few years. Overall membership in District 7530 which encompasses 27 counties in North Central WV has been slightly declining, so Governor Raese is focusing his term on growing membership.
Governor Raese also discussed the 2017 District Conference set for Morgantown in April. He indicated several of the events including the popular golf tournament and a new event, a Walk for Polio, will be opened to the public rather than being for Rotarians exclusively. Governor Raese discussed opening several more Rotary events to the public in support of his focus on growing membership.
“If folks in our communities are encouraged to participate in Rotary events, they will be able to experience the good work and fellowship that occurs within Rotary Clubs the world over,” he said.
The Governor discussed how Rotary International has become much more flexible in an effort to include more community members. For example, clubs are now required to have 50% attendance rather than the traditional 100% that has been required in the past. The Tucker County Rotary Club has moved from having a weekly meeting to have two meetings per month opening the possibility for new members to join. Rotary International and the District Governor recognize members have busy schedules and attending a weekly meeting is often impossible. There are also online meeting options provided for members who travel for work or who work schedules that don’t support attending meetings in person.
Governor Raese presented the Golden Gavel to Tucker County Rotary President Keith Bishop. The Golden Gavel is an annual tradition in District 7530. By delivering the Golden Gavel, Rotarians get the opportunity to learn about another club and share information from their home club. The Golden Gavel will begin its 2016-17 circuit in Tucker County.
Oct. 24 is International Polio Day and Gov. Raese encouraged Rotarians to organize an event for that day, bringing more awareness to polio prevention. Polio prevention has been a focus of Rotary International for many years. Fundraisers are held each year to support inoculations in countries the world over. While tremendous progress has been made, there is still work to do. There have been two new cases of polio recorded recently, which means our efforts must continue.
Tucker County Rotary has several upcoming events including the ever popular chicken burn for the annual Leaf Peepers Festival in Davis on Sept. 24. Chicken will be ready by 11 a.m. The dinners will include half of a chicken, baked beans, chips and a drink. The club will also have pulled pork dinners available Friday evening, Sept 23 from4:00-7:30. You can also purchase a raffle ticket from any Rotarian to win a Season Ski Pass from Timberline, a Season Ski Pass form Canaan Resort, a weekend stay from Best of Canaan Realty, a truckload of firewood from Mountain Top Realty, or a $100 gift certificate from Davis Car Wash. The winners will be drawn on Nov 23. For more information, you may contact Keith Bishop at 304-704-9606.
