PARKERSBURG - About 250 Rotarians from District 7530 representing northern West Virginia will be in Parkersburg next weekend for a district conference.
The conference starts on Oct. 12 but will be preceded by a golf scramble and the College of Governor's Dinner on Oct. 11 at Woodridge Plantation in Mineral Wells.
The conference, generally held in the spring, was moved to the fall near mid-term of the governor, rather than at the end of the term, said Greg Smith, governor for District 7350. The conference was moved to the fall to better assess programs and initiatives of the Rotary, he said.
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A photo from the 1920s shows trucks from the Imperial Ice Cream Co. parked on Sixth Street welcoming Rotarians to Parkersburg for a district conference.
Service above self is the Rotary motto and the reason why the district is evaluating the impact of its programs upon communities, Smith said. The 1,250 members in the 31 Rotary clubs represented in the district are involved in numerous service programs including the E-Mentoring initiative of the Education Alliance in West Virginia, service projects with high school Interact Clubs and raising funds for food banks, such as the Mountaineer Food Bank, he said.
The impact of Rotary Clubs upon the community will be profound, Smith said. Internationally, Rotary is involved with efforts to eradicate polio, he said.
"It is absolutely amazing," Smith said.
The district meeting has twice been held in Parkersburg, once in the 1920s, Smith said.
Because conference facilities are large enough to handle the number of attendees and individual sessions, the conference will be held at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Smith said. Rotarians will be staying at local hotels, he said.
Among the speakers will be Beverly Simon on Living the Polio Challenge on Oct. 12, Smith said. Other speakers will discuss Rotary youth exchange and services, international services and the future of Rotary.
An orientation for new members also will be held on Oct. 13. After the conference ends on Oct. 14, Rotarians will attend the Air Expo 2012 at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, Smith said. Smith is a former organizer of the air show.
The schedule and agenda of the conference is:
Oct. 11:
* 1 p.m. to finish, Ellis Vest District 7350 Golf Tournament, scramble format, Woodridge Plantation, Mineral Wells.
* 6:30-8:30 p.m., College of Governor's Dinner, Woodridge Plantation. David Cavender will present on update on legislation in Congress.
Oct. 12:
* 8-3 p.m., registration, West Virginia University-Parkersburg, Community Center; drop off silent auction items.
* 10-11 a.m., opening ceremonies, Smith and Past District Governor Ed Powell.
* 10-10:30 a.m., E-Club presentation, Rick Phalunas, president and district representative for E-Club of District 7350.
* 10:30-11 a.m., break.
* Noon-1:30 p.m., Parade of Flags and Banners, "Rotarians in Action," lunch. Speaker, Dr. Todd Lindley, a represntative of the president of Rotary International; silent auction opens.
* 1:30-3 p.m., Rotary Foundation and Grants, Michael Palma, Jody Light and David Riggleman.
* 3-3:15 p.m., break.
* 3:15-4:45 p.m., presentation, End Polio Now, vocational and community services.
* 6-7 p.m., "Denim and Diamonds Round-Up," country-western attire or casual, chain saw carvings, market place, socializing country style.
* 7-9:30 p.m., dinner, speaker Beverly Simon, Living the Polio Challenge. Entertainment from Folk Singer Phenom from New Martinsville making his Rotary and West Virginia debut.
Oct. 13:
* 7-9 a.m., continental breakfast.
* 8-noon, registration.
* 8-9 a.m., finance committee meeting.
* 9-9:45 a.m., Future Vision by Jody Light and J.R. Wolfe.
* 9:45-10:30 a.m., District 7350 WEB Initiative by Jon Defibaugh.
* 10:30-11:30 a.m., Shelter box and international services by Jeff Matheny.
* Noon-1:30 p.m., lunch, introduce district new members, keynote address on the Meeting the New Generation and Membership Challenge.
* 1:30-4 p.m., new member orientation, WVU-Parkersburg Theater, special plenary session for new members and interested Rotarians.
* 1:30-2:15 p.m., Rotary Youth Exchange and Youth Services, J.R. Wolfe and Dennis Shreve.
* 2:15-3:30 p.m,., "Where Do We Go From Here?" interactive planning session with district leadership and club officers.
* 3:30-6 p.m., free time, silent auction closes.
* 6-6:30 p.m., wine reception, cash bar.
* 6:30 p.m., introduction of past direct governors, district governor, district governors elect and district governor nominee.
* 7 p.m., "Evening and Elegance," black tie optional, presentation on the "Impact of Rotary in West Virginia," speakers to be announced. Speaker, Dr. Todd Lindley. Entertainment from the Liberty Singers.
Oct. 14:
* 9 a.m., memorial and ecumenical services.
* 10 a.m., challenges and opportunities district governor elect and district governor nominee; international convention presentation.
* 10:15 a.m., closing.
* 10:30-1 p.m., buses load at the college for the air show.
