District Governor April Newsletter
Thursday, April 3, 2025
By David W. Allgood

Did I mention earlier that the Impressions would be performing at our Friday night event?  Well – one of their singers will if not the entire group which was founded right from Chattanooga natives in 1958.  You won’t want to miss it… so register now before we lose our hotel block on 9 April.  Where else can you get a $500/night luxury room for $179?  Don’t sit this one out on your couch!

REGISTRATION LINK:  https://Registrations.DACdb.com/Register/index.cfm?EventID=77814969

For details on the Multi-District Conference and more news...
We’re honored to have time to hear great Rotary insight from some very special VIP guests joining us:
Barry Rassin - Past Rotary International President & Immediate Past Chair of the Trustees of     
                          The Rotary Foundation
John Germ – Past Rotary International President
Ken Schuppert-Past Rotary International Vice President
Beth Stubbs – Rotary International Director and Executive Treasurer

These Rotary All-Stars will provide us their thoughts on items I know you are interested in: expanding membership, growing our Rotary Foundation, and developments in Rotary toward a future peace; along with the public image necessary to achieve and enhance all the above.

There is no other venue available to our Rotarians anywhere at this scale and impact for this price.  Nowhere.  You cannot take your family to Sunday brunch for the registration price.  You would have to travel to Canada or Columbus, OH to get this many Rotarians together in the near future.  You can go to Chattanooga and back easier than most people already in Tennessee (it’s a long state).  Be honest with yourself… I know we are all busy and some of you do have commitments that weekend.  But if you do not (and keep in mind that I gave you a save the date in July of 2024).. then please join us.  YOU being there will make this year a success for me – and I want to share this great Rotary experience with YOU (singular), especially if we haven’t had the chance to meet yet.  It may very well be the last chance for us to do so in my current capacity – “Allgood things must come to an end” as my grandmother used to say after Sunday lunches in her Mentone house after church.

Club Presidents - I can think of no better way to keep a new Rotary member in your Club than to convince them to go to a District Conference.  You will not have a retention problem… you will never be able to get rid of attendees after they experience the amazing impact our great organization has once the “Rotary Gear Wheels” come together.  I can also ensure you that if you have members now, they will become Rotarians at the end of our Memorial Service.  You cannot leave that experience and not be transformed on a spiritual level as you realize that now it is our responsivity to Unite for Good and continue all the Magic of Rotary they have performed… establishing our organization as the premier service organization in the world.  

Here is a quick look agenda for your reference.  We have designed the program where most of you will only need a one night stay on Friday night to enjoy the entire program:
1 May:  Golf Tournament (separate registration on DACdb pending)
2 May:  Lunch Session – PRIP John Germ / PRIP Barry Rassin / RI Director Beth Stubbs
2 May:  General Sessions on Membership / Foundation / Future of Rotary & Peace Initiatives
2 May:  Dinner Session – RI Director Beth Stubbs
2 May:  Block Party w/ Impressions Member Willie Kitchens- Westin
2 May:  Hospitality – Tennessee River Room - Marriott
3 May: Breakfast
3 May: District Business Meetings - Marriott
3 May: Lunch Session – PRIP Barry Rassin - Marriott
3 May:  2 PM Dismissal and Free Time in Chattanooga
So don't miss out!  Let's make this conference unforgettable and celebrate the Magic of Rotary together!
I can't wait to see you in Chattanooga!


It’s not too late… District Learning Assembly – 4 April, Gardendale Civic Center

But you might want to bring your lunch!  We had to order lunches yesterday – but if you register now come let me know Friday and I’ll make it worth your trouble.
Please join us for our annual District Learning Assembly… your best opportunity to learn more about your Club leadership position!  The District Learning Assembly is an in-person event that provides club leaders the knowledge required to effectively perform the roles and responsibilities of their duties as club officers.  


Who Should Attend?
Club Presidents-Elect, Secretaries, Treasurers, Membership Chairs, Public Relations/Communications Chairs, and any other interested members.

District Officers serving in Rotary Year 2025-26.  Note: District Officers will have a modified schedule, emailed separately.
Date/Time
April 4 @ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Continental Breakfast & Registration

Location
Gardendale Civic Center
857 Main Street
Gardendale AL 35071

Registration Link:  https://dacdb.com/Register4/index.cfm?EventID=77817927



Also, not too late… District and Global Grant Training – 4 April, Gardendale Civic Center

Register Here:  https://dacdb.com/Register4/index.cfm?EventID=77808773
for District 6860 Grant Qualification Training on Friday, April 4 from 9am-10:50am in Gardendale. This meeting is at the beginning of the District Learning Assembly so a club member already planning to attend DLA can also attend district grant training.

This training is for District Grant qualification only. Someone from your club must attend for your club to apply for a 2025-26 district grant. Please bring a computer or tablet to begin setting up your grant as we walk through the process.

NOTE: Global Grant qualification training will be held on a different date TBA via Zoom for clubs who are interested in applying for a global grant in the 2025-26 Rotary year.

Reminder: Your 2024-25 district grant final report is due by May 31st and must be completed to apply for a 2025-26 district grant.



Rotary Leadership Institute – 19 April
 
Interested in learning more about Rotary?  Want to increase your impact in your Club?  Look no further than RLI! 

RLI Parts I, II & III, in-person, by Rotary District 6860 
Saturday, April 19, 2025 --- 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Central 
Central United Methodist Church, 616 Jackson St SE, Decatur, AL 35601 

Registration is OPEN.  Click on the Register Button link here: 

https://dacdb.com/Register4/index.cfm?EventID=77768405

Registration will close by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. 
Registering as a Member while logged into DACdb provides the best results and is preferred. 
Your DACdb Username is likely your email address used for Rotary. 
If you don’t know your DACdb password, click on “Forgot/Reset Password” to reset it. 
If, after trying, you are unable to log into DACdb,  CLICK HERE  for the option to register as a Guest.

The Part I RLI Fee is $30.  District 6860 is paying the other $30 for its members doing Part I. 
The Part II & III RLI Fee is $60.
Pay online with a bank card or by ACH or by club or personal check payable to RLI-HOA. 
This RLI Fee covers RLI resources, continental breakfast and lunch. 
Please indicate any allergies or dietary needs during registration. 

If you are registered, but can't participate for any reason, please let us know.  
Please do not fail to show up without letting us know. 

For questions, please contact either:
Elizabeth Garcia, District 6860 RLI Chair
Robert Barnes,  District 6860 RLI Coordinator


As you can see, our District will be very busy this Spring! As we ramp up events.  Save the date and register now for awesome memories and friendships that follow.  I look forward to sharing Rotary with you at one of these events soon!


Regards,
David

David W. Allgood
District Governor 2024-25
Rotary District 6860

Save the Date Event Calendar
04 Apr 25: District Learning Assembly - Gardendale, AL
04 Apr 25: District Grant Training – Gardendale, AL
19 Apr 25: RLI: - Central United Methodist Church, Decatur, AL
30 Apr 25: RI Convention - Last Day to Register or Cancel 
2-3 May 25: Multi-District Conference - Chattanooga, TN 
21-25 Jun 25: Rotary International Convention - Calgary, Alberta



RLI Session Dates:   
19 Apr 25: Central United Methodist Church, Decatur, AL

Grant Training Dates:

4 Apr 25 - 9am-10:50am: Gardendale Civic Center, Gardendale AL