GOVERNOR-NOMINEE
WORKBOOK
This is the 2014 edition of the Governor-nominee Workbook, produced by the
Learning and Development team at Rotary International. If you have questions or
comments, please submit them to:
Learning and Development
Rotary International
One Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201-3698
USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1-847-866-3000
This workbook is designed for you to use during zone-level governor-nominee
training. If your zone does not conduct a governors-nominee training seminar,
you are encouraged to use these worksheets independently:
Session 1: District Governor-nominee Responsibilities
1. Notes
2. Responsibility Planning
3. Document Search
Session 2: Getting to Know Your District
4. Notes
5. District Committees
6. District Planning Guide
7. Club Best Practices
8. District Event Observation Form
Session 3: Membership
9. Notes
10. My District’s Membership
Session 4: Financial Management
11. Notes
12. Financial and Risk Management Best Practices Checklist
13. Sample Financial Controls
14. Financial Management Case Studies
Session 5: Communication
15. Notes
16. What Is Rotary?
1
17. Rotary Messages for External Audiences
Session 6: District Conference
18. Notes
19. District Conference Checklist
Session 7: Creating a Calendar
20. Notes
21. Your Calendar
22. Club Visit Observation Form
2
WORKSHEET 1:
SESSION 1 NOTES
RESPONSIBILITIES
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Become familiar with governor-nominee responsibilities.
3
WORKSHEET 2:
RESPONSIBILITY PLANNING
Review the recommended responsibilities of governors-nominee and write, in the
blank boxes below, any responsibilities your district has added. In the right-hand
column, write what you will do next to fulfill that responsibility.
Responsibility
Next Step
Work with past, current, and incoming
district leaders to support effective
clubs.
Analyze the district’s strengths and
weaknesses using materials provided
by the immediate past governor,
governor, and governor-elect.
Learn how your district is structured,
and get to know the clubs in your
district and how they are organized.
Attend district meetings when invited
by the district governor or district
governor-elect.
Participate in district committees or
other activities, as suggested by the
district governor or district governorelect.
Select a site for the district conference
to be held during your year as
governor, with the agreement of the
majority of either current club
presidents or of those who will serve as
presidents during your year as
governor.
Attend leadership skills training, if
available.
4
Attend district governor-nominee
training, if offered, or complete the
online course for district governorselect in the Learning Center at
Rotary.org.
5
WORKSHEET 3:
DOCUMENT SEARCH
Using the listed resources, look up the following information:
MANUAL OF PROCEDURE
Describe the voting process at a district
conference?
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY
Name five club presidents in your
district.
ROTARY CODE OF POLICIES
What is the purpose of the District Leadership Plan?
6
WORKSHEET 4:
SESSION 2 NOTES
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DISTRICT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES



Become familiar with district committees and most clubs in the district.
Have a strategy for identifying struggling clubs and successful clubs in the
district.
Understand the importance of continuity in leadership.
7
WORKSHEET 5:
DISTRICT COMMITTEES
Think about your district’s committees and write down the responsibilities of
each. Also write any new ideas you have that committees could do differently.
Then think about Rotarians you know in your district who would be instrumental
on the committees.
CONVENTION PROMOTION
This committee promotes attendance at the annual Rotary International
Convention.
Qualifications
Give preference to those with:

Experience attending Rotary conventions

Marketing experience

Public speaking skills
Responsibilities






DISTRICT CONFERENCE
This committee plans and promotes the district conference.
Qualifications
Give preference to the governor-elect and governor-nominee or to those with:

Experience in the meeting or hospitality industries

Professional media, public relations, or marketing skills

Public speaking skills
8
Responsibilities






DISTRICT PROGRAMS
Rotary offers resources for each of the following committees, which promote
specific district groups, programs, and activities:

Interact

Rotaract1

Rotarian Action Groups

Rotary Community Corps

Rotary Fellowships

Rotary Friendship Exchange

Rotary Youth Exchange

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
Qualifications
Give preference to those who have club-level experience with the particular
program or activity. The governor-nominee should serve on the district Youth
Exchange committee.
Responsibilities






Rotary has a recommended structure for district Rotaract committees, which is outlined in the
Rotaract Handbook.
1
9
EXTENSION
This committee develops and implements plans for organizing new Rotary clubs
within the district.
Qualifications
Give preference to past district governors and governors-nominee and those
with:

Experience as chair of a club committee related to membership
development

Success in recruiting members to Rotary

Familiarity with the implementation of membership programs

Success developing new clubs
Responsibilities






Training requirement
The chair and as many committee members as possible should attend a training
meeting conducted by the Rotary coordinator.
FINANCE
This committee supervises district funds by studying the per capita levy and
district administration expenses. It also prepares annual reports on district
finances. The district treasurer serves as an ex officio member and has voting
privileges.
Qualifications
Give preference to those with:

Previous service as club treasurer

Professional experience in accounting or finance
Responsibilities

10





MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
This committee identifies, promotes, and implements membership development
strategies that are appropriate for the district.
Qualifications
Give preference to the governor-nominee, past district governors, and those with:

Experience as chair of a club committee related to membership
development

Success in recruiting members to Rotary

Familiarity with the implementation of membership programs

Success developing strategies to retain members
Responsibilities






Training requirement
The chair and as many committee members as possible should attend a regional
seminar conducted by the Rotary coordinator.
NEW GENERATIONS
This committee develops, implements, and supports New Generations activities
in the district and coordinates with other committees to engage youths and young
adults. The district governor may determine the committee’s structure and its
relationships with other district committees.
Responsibilities
11






Resource
An Introduction to New Generations Service — Provides information and
resources related to Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards (RYLA), youth protection, and program alumni activities.
NOMINATING
This committee nominates the most qualified Rotarian who is available to serve
as governor. For more information, contact your Club and District Support
representative.
Responsibilities






PUBLIC RELATIONS
This committee promotes Rotary to external audiences and fosters understanding
of and support for the organization’s programs. It also helps Rotarians
understand that effective external publicity and a positive image are goals for
Rotary.
Qualifications
Give preference to those with:

Experience with club public relations activities (preferably as chair of a
relevant committee)

Professional background in media, journalism, public relations,
communications, advertising, or marketing
12
Responsibilities






Training requirement
Committee members should attend the regional seminar held by the Rotary
public image coordinator , and public relations workshops held in conjunction
with Rotary training meetings whenever possible.
ROTARY FOUNDATION
This committee helps the governor educate, motivate, and inspire Rotarians to
participate in Foundation programs and fundraising activities. It serves as a
liaison between the Foundation and club members. The district governor is an ex
officio member and has voting privileges. The committee chair should serve as an
ex officio member of all subcommittees, to stay informed of their progress and
directly support them as needed.
Members of the district Rotary Foundation committee serve as chairs of four
subcommittees:

Fundraising — Coordinates the district’s fundraising goals for the Annual
Fund, PolioPlus Fund, and the Endowment Fund, soliciting gifts and
educating Rotarians about their gift options

Grants — Oversees the qualification of clubs, helps clubs apply for Rotary
Foundation grants, ensures that proper stewardship and grant
management practices are implemented, reports irregularities in grantrelated activities, and promotes Foundation grants

PolioPlus — Supports Rotary’s commitment to polio eradication and
encourages participation in PolioPlus activities

Stewardship — Supports the careful management of Rotary Foundation
grant funds and teaches Rotarians proper and effective grant
management.
District governors are free to appoint other subcommittees to support district
activities and goals. There are six subcommittees that can be reported but are not
required:

Alumni
13

Annual Fund

Endowment Fund

Rotary Peace Fellowships

Scholarships

Vocational training teams
Qualifications
Give preference to past district governors, past assistant governors, effective past
district subcommittee members, significant financial contributors, and Rotarians
with professional or technical experience in a related field.
Responsibilities of the chair












Training requirement
All members of the district Rotary Foundation committee are expected to attend
a regional seminar conducted by a regional Rotary Foundation coordinator.
TRAINING
This committee supports the district governor and governor-elect in training club
and district leaders and overseeing the district’s overall training plan. The district
trainer serves as the chair of the training committee and assigns responsibility for
training meetings and functions as necessary.
Qualifications
Give preference to those with experience in training, education, or facilitation.
14
Responsibilities






15
WORKSHEET 6:
DISTRICT PLANNING GUIDE
Review your district’s planning guide with your governor and governor-elect and
work together to develop or refine it.
This guide helps districts assess where districts are today and establish goals for
the coming year. Refer to Rotary Club Central and complete this form during
your year as governor-elect to develop goals for your year as governor. Work with
your district leadership team to set goals, which should promote your district’s
strategic plan. Review and revise the goals throughout the year.
District
number:
Rotary year of office:
Name of governor:
Name of immediate past
governor:
Name of governor-elect:
Name of governornominee:
STRATEGIC PLANNING
The district today
Does the district have a strategic plan?
YES
NO
If so, when was it last reviewed, or when was it established?
Does your district consult with the Rotary coordinator?
YES
NO
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas of
strategic priorities:
1.
2.
3.
TRAINING
The district today
Number of Rotarians who attended the most recent:
16
District team training seminar:
Presidents-elect training seminar:
District training assembly:
District Rotary Foundation seminar:
District membership seminar:
District leadership seminar:
Club leadership development program:
Grant management seminar:
Number of clubs with Rotarians appointed to district-level positions:
What support does the district provide club trainers?
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas of
training and leadership development:
1.
2.
3.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
Does the district have a communication plan?
YES
NO
When does the district’s election process start for the following positions:
Governor:
Council on Legislation representative:
RI director:
Which of the following is used in your district’s election process?
Nominating committee
Do you use Rotary.org?
Ballot at district conference
YES
Ballot by mail
NO
How is the governor’s monthly communication distributed?
Mail
Email
Website
Video
What social media networks does the district use (e.g., Facebook, YouTube,
LinkedIn)?
How often is the district’s website updated?
How often does the district hold social events?
How does the district involve the families of Rotarians?
How many clubs received the Presidential Citation last year?
What awards did the district receive last year?
What awards does the district present?
17
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas of
district administration:
1.
2.
3.
FINANCE
The district today
How is the district budget prepared?
When was the budget approved by a majority of district clubs?
When is the statement of district finances reviewed?
How is the district financial statement shared with clubs?
Email
Mail
Spoken report
Website
Does the district have procedures for protecting district funds?
Other
YES
NO
Did the district file appropriate tax documents with local government this Rotary
year?
YES
NO
Is the per capita levy sufficient for district needs?
YES
NO
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas in
finance:
1.
2.
3.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
The district today
How many Rotarians participated?
How many clubs were represented:
What were the program’s highlights?
Have participant evaluations been reviewed?
YES
NO
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas for the
district conference:
1.
18
2.
3.
CONVENTION PROMOTION
The district today
Is the Rotary International Convention promoted in your district?
YES
NO
Have materials been shared with clubs to promote the upcoming convention?
YES
NO
About how many Rotarians from your district attended the last convention?
Does your district website have a link to convention resources?
NO
YES
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas of
convention promotion:
1.
2.
3.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
The district today
What district activities are covered by the media, and what type of media
coverage do they receive (radio, newspaper, television)?
Does your district consult with the Rotary public image coordinator?
NO
YES
Does your district encourage clubs to use Rotary public relations materials?
YES
NO
Does your district budget for public relations materials?
YES
Did your district apply for public image grants in the past two years?
NO
NO
YES
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas of
public relations:
1.
2.
3.
19
MEMBERSHIP
The district today
Number of members in the district:
Net membership growth in existing clubs this Rotary year:
Total number of male members:
and female members:
Number of clubs specifically targeting younger members:
.
Number of clubs with 25 or fewer members:
What is your district’s strategy for incorporating new ideas and flexibility in order
to attract and keep members?
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas related
to membership:
1.
2.
3.
NEW CLUBS (EXTENSION)
The district today
How many clubs have been chartered in your district over the past two years?
Which communities has your district identified as potential locations for new
Rotary clubs?
How many years does a sponsor club work with a new club?
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas to
increase its number of new clubs:
1.
2.
3.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
The district today
Does your district consult with the regional Rotary Foundation coordinator?
YES
NO
What is your district’s grant eligibility status?
20
Qualified
Qualification pending
Incomplete
How many clubs are currently participating in a district grant?
Amount of District Designated Fund for global grants:
What global grants is your district currently participating in?
1.
2.
3.
What educational, promotional, and fundraising projects did the district hold for
PolioPlus last year?
1.
2.
3.
How many Rotary Peace Fellows did the district nominate last year?
How many of the district’s Rotary Peace Fellow nominees were selected by the
Foundation Trustees last year?
How much did the district contribute to the Annual Fund last year?
(Note: This should be the sum as reported in Rotary Club Central.)
Related to the Endowment Fund, how many of the following did the district have
last year:
Number of Benefactors:
Number of Bequest Society members:
Number of Major Donors:
Looking ahead
During my year as governor:
Amount of District Designated Funds I would like available for a district grant:
Number of clubs I would like to involve in district grants:
Amount of District Designated Funds I would like available for global grants:
The district will concentrate on the following area(s) of focus:
Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
21
Maternal and child health
Disease prevention and treatment
Basic education and literacy
Water and sanitation
Economic and community development
What global grants would you like the district to pursue?
1.
2.
3.
Number of global grants still in progress:
These are the educational, promotional, and fundraising projects I would like the
district to plan for PolioPlus:
1.
2.
3.
Number of Rotary Peace Fellows I would like the district to nominate:
Annual Fund contribution goal:
(Note: This should be the sum of club goals as reported in Rotary Club Central.)
Permanent Fund goals:
Number of Benefactors:
Number of Bequest Society members:
Number of Major Donors:
DISTRICT PROGRAMS
The district today
Number of Rotary Youth Exchange students:
Hosted:
Sponsored:
Number of sponsored Interact clubs:
Number of Interactors:
Number of sponsored Rotaract clubs:
Number of Rotaractors:
Number of sponsored Rotary Community Corps:
22
Number of RCC participants:
Number of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) participants:
Number of RYLA activities:
Number of Rotary Friendship Exchanges:
Number of service projects coordinated by the district (includes all Avenues of
Service):
Number of Rotarians in the district participating in
Rotarian Action Groups:
Rotary Fellowships:
Looking ahead
During my year as governor, the district will focus on the following areas to
improve district programs:
1.
2.
3.
23
SUMMARY OF GOALS FOR DISTRICT
ROTARY YEAR
Strategic planning goals
Training goals
District administration goals
Finance goals
District conference goals
Convention promotion goals
Public relations goals
Membership goals
New club goals
Rotary Foundation goals
The district will participate in the following Rotary Foundation grants:
The district’s Annual Fund contribution goal:
The district’s Permanent Fund contribution goal:
24
District program goals
I would like our district to be involved in the following programs that benefit
our local community:
I would like our district to be involved in the following programs that benefit
communities around the world:
Other goals
25
WORKSHEET 7:
CLUB BEST PRACTICES
Look at each suggestion for becoming a vibrant club and write how you can help
clubs implement each one.
BEST PRACTICES FOR BECOMING
A VIBRANT CLUB
HOW I WOULD HELP
The club decides where it wants to be
in three to five years.
The club sets annual goals and
enters them into Rotary Club
Central.
The club holds assemblies regularly
to keep members engaged and
informed.
Open communication is maintained
in the club.
The club prepares members for
future roles in order to ensure
smooth leadership transitions.
The club adapts its bylaws to support
the way the club works.
Strong relationships are developed
within the club.
Club officers make sure that all
members are involved in activities
that genuinely interest them.
New and current members receive
coaching in leadership skills.
Committees are created that are
practical for the club.
26
27
WORKSHEET 8:
DISTRICT EVENT OBSERVATION
FORM
Use copies of this form to record your observations when you attend various
events in your zone. Take new ideas back to your district.
Event:
Date:
Venue:
Purpose of the event:
Number of participants:
Event organizer:
Organizer’s name:
Email:
Phone:
Topics:
Speakers:
Ideas:
28
WORKSHEET 9:
SESSION 3 NOTES
MEMBERSHIP
LEARNING OBJECTIVES


Learn the district’s membership trends.
Become familiar with the district’s regional membership plans.
29
WORKSHEET 10:
MY DISTRICT’S MEMBERSHIP
Fill out the chart below and discuss your district’s membership with other
governors-nominee.
MEMBERSHIP STRENGTHS
MEMBERSHIP WEAKNESSES
MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MEMBERSHIP RISKS
30
WORKSHEET 11:
SESSION 4 NOTES
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Become familiar with financial best practices, financial controls
established in the district, and the financial responsibilities of district
governors.
31
WORKSHEET 12: FINANCIAL
AND RISK MANAGEMENT
BEST PRACTICES CHECKLIST
Completing the items on this checklist can help you ensure transparent and
professional financial practices at the club and district levels. Be sure to share all
pertinent information about local laws and regulations with clubs in the district.
Financial management
Register the district with the government, if required.
Submit district tax documentation annually, if required by the local or
national tax code.
Set up district bank accounts appropriately and assign two signatories to
each account.
Establish procedures for handling district funds.
Develop a budget and follow it.
Review the per capita levy, and ensure that it meets district needs.
Make sure district has a procedure for sending contributions to The Rotary
Foundation and that each club has a procedure for sending dues to Rotary
International in a timely way. You may be asked by Rotary staff to help
with dues collection in your area to keep clubs in good standing; clubs
need to keep membership lists current to be billed correctly.
Become familiar with local laws regarding donated funds, and make sure
those laws are being followed.
Have the yearly financial report reviewed by a qualified accountant who is
not involved with the regular management of club or district funds, or by a
district audit committee.
Ensure that district and club officers have an opportunity to learn about
financial best practices, and that they pass the practices along to incoming
officers.
Risk management
Limit liability by anticipating what can go wrong, what the response will be,
and how losses will be covered.
Use written and signed contracts when appropriate, involve local legal
counsel when working with written contracts, and retain documentation
appropriately.
32
Ensure that clubs and the district have liability insurance for their
activities and operations that is adequate for the region; contact a local
insurance professional for assistance. (Clubs and districts in the United
States and its territories and possessions are covered by general liability
and directors and officers or employment practices liability insurance
through a program arranged by Rotary International and paid for by
Rotarians in the U.S.)
33
WORKSHEET 13:
SAMPLE FINANCIAL CONTROLS
Financial controls help districts function smoothly, ensure that funds are
managed properly, and help protect you and your district from allegations of
misuse. As governor, consider establishing the following financial controls if your
district has not already done so:
Include time for questions after presenting the monthly finance report to
the district leadership team.
Open and review all bank statements before giving them to the district
treasurer.
Review monthly bank statements, and reconcile transactions with district
records.
Require more than one signature on all checks and withdrawals.
Update signature requirements as officer positions and other roles change.
Divide financial responsibilities. For example, appoint different district
officers to reconcile bank accounts, maintain the general ledger, and
review financial statements, sign checks, and deposit and withdraw from
accounts.
Require the chair of an event to sign for charitable expenses.
Require district approval for operating expenditures exceeding a certain
amount.
Establish term limits for the district treasurer position.
Create a process to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming treasurer.
Develop a method for staying current on local tax requirements and laws.
34
WORKSHEET 14:
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
CASE STUDIES
Review the scenarios below and answer the corresponding questions.
Your district treasurer is starting to feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of
the office and is having trouble keeping up with all the financial duties.
o How would you handle this situation?
o What procedures might you change for this position to prevent a recurrence of
this problem?
Partway through your year as governor, your district treasurer informs you that
there is not enough money in the budget to cover all the expenses for upcoming
training meetings.
o How would you handle this situation?
o Who would you work with to solve this problem?
o How would you ensure that this problem doesn’t recur?
35
WORKSHEET 15:
SESSION 5 NOTES
COMMUNICATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
 Learn the importance of communication and identify those with whom
you will need to communicate as governor-elect and governor.
36
WORKSHEET 16:
WHAT IS ROTARY?
What will you say when someone asks, “What is Rotary?” How will you convey in
your own words how Rotary helps you to JOIN LEADERS, EXCHANGE IDEAS,
and TAKE ACTION?
Here are some sample responses:

Rotary brings together people who step forward – leaders – who take on
important issues for local communities everywhere.

Rotary connects business and community leaders who discover and
celebrate diverse perspectives to create positive change in our
communities.

Rotary is made up of people around the world working together to clean
the environment, end polio, improve our communities, and accomplish
many extraordinary things every single day.
Write your own response in this box.
For more information, visit www.rotary.org/myrotary and search Voice Lessons.
37
Our Strengthening Rotary initiative helps us provide a simple answer to “What is
Rotary?” By incorporating these messages into your conversations, you will
inspire and engage members of your community to connect and partner with us.
Great brands build their stories around simple ideas. The three phrases below
convey the essence of who we are and help us tell our story with strength and
consistency. They communicate what makes Rotary a positive force in
communities all over the world.
ROTARY UNITES LEADERS
Sample messages


Rotary brings together leaders who take on some of the toughest
challenges in their communities.
Rotary harnesses the strength of professional and community leaders
from nearly every country in the world.
ROTARY EXCHANGES IDEAS
Sample messages


At Rotary, we discover and celebrate our diverse perspectives during
club meetings, conferences, service projects, and social events.
Rotary finds a place for your expertise and passion. Whether you want to
lead a project or be part of a team that comes up with an idea for one,
Rotary welcomes your thoughts.
ROTARY TAKES ACTION
Sample messages


Rotary creates positive change in communities around the world through
our service projects.
From food pantries to projects that provide clean water and improve
maternal health, Rotary clubs join forces to carry out impactful and
sustainable projects in communities around the world.
AND, THROUGH ROTARY:




We build lifelong relationships
We honor our commitments
We connect diverse perspectives
We apply our leadership and expertise to address social issues
38
WORKSHEET 17:
ROTARY MESSAGES FOR
EXTERNAL AUDIENCES
Use these messages when talking about Rotary to media professionals and in
your public relations materials and speeches.
ROTARY BRINGS TOGETHER A GLOBAL NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER
LEADERS DEDICATED TO TACKLING THE WORLD’S MOST PRESSING
HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES.



Rotary harnesses the strength of 1.2 million professional and community
leaders nearly every country in the world to help families in need.
From local food pantries to clean water and maternal health, Rotary clubs
join forces to carry out sustainable projects with real impact at home and
abroad.
Rotary provides a platform for successful men and women of all
ethnicities, faiths, and cultures to make the world a better place through
volunteer service.
ROTARY’S TOP PHILANTHROPIC GOAL IS TO ERADICATE POLIO
WORLDWIDE.




Rotary and its partners are close to eradicating polio, having achieved a 99
percent reduction in cases since 1988. Polio would follow smallpox to
become only the second human disease in history to be eradicated.
Rotary’s chief roles are fundraising, advocacy, and mobilization of
volunteers.
Rotary members have contributed more than $1.2 billion and countless
volunteer hours to protect more than 2 billion children in 122 countries
from polio.
Rotary is working to raise an additional $35 million per year through 2018
for polio eradication, to be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation.
ROTARY MAXIMIZES ITS IMPACT THROUGH INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS.

Rotary’s goal-oriented, business model approach emphasizes the need for
community involvement, measurable goals, and maximum impact and
sustainability.
39

Rotary leverages resources through partnerships with other top-tier
humanitarian organizations to effectively combat disease and illiteracy,
improve maternal and child health, improve access to clean water, and
reduce poverty and conflict worldwide.
ROTARY BUILDS PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH
EDUCATION AND HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AND BY CONNECTING YOUNG
LEADERS.




More than 600 graduates of the Rotary Peace Center master’s degree
program are in key decision-making positions in governments,
corporations, and organizations around the world.
Rotary’s humanitarian projects help prevent the underlying causes of
conflict, such as poverty, illiteracy, and lack of clean water.
Rotary Youth Exchange fosters international goodwill by enabling 8,500
high school students to live and study abroad each year in 115 countries.
Rotary’s two service organizations for young leaders — Interact and
Rotaract — promote volunteer service, leadership, and professional
development.
40
WORKSHEET 18:
SESSION 6 NOTES
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
 Begin thinking about your district conference and what you need to do to
make it successful.
41
WORKSHEET 19:
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
CHECKLIST
Use this checklist as a guide for planning your district conference. For more
information, refer to the District Conference Manual.
Become a member of the current district conference committee.
Think about who you will appoint to the district conference committee and
subcommittee for your year as governor.
Select a date, venue, and hotel for the district conference. Obtain a written
contract from the venue/hotel.
DATE: __________________
SITE: ___________________
HOTEL: __________________
Identify the goals and messages you want to convey.
_____________________________________________
Create a draft program.
Identify and invite speakers, panelists, discussion leaders, sergeants-atarms.
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Plan your promotion strategies.
Date to send registration materials: _____________________
Date to send promotional materials: _____________________
Secure adequate liability and property insurance.
________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
42
WORKSHEET 20:
SESSION 7 NOTES
CREATING A CALENDAR
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
 Create a calendar to plan for your year as governor-nominee.
43
WORKSHEET 21:
YOUR CALENDAR
This checklist is designed to help governors-nominee plan for their year. The
items listed do not have fixed dates. In the calendar below, list each activity on a
blank line of the appropriate month and add the date you will schedule it. Also
add local events that are specific to your district.
Activities
Have your photograph taken for your business card, district website, etc.
Order business cards.
Attend district meetings.
Attend training meetings convened by the governor-elect and the governor.
Attend club visits made by the governor, if invited (refer to worksheet 22:
Club Visit Observation Form).
Attend the governor’s recognition events.
Attend the Rotary International Convention.
Prepare both a long version of your résumé to include on the district
website and a short version to use for introductions.
Create or revise a district organizational chart.
Prepare written descriptions of responsibilities for each district position.
Become familiar with district operating policies and deadlines.
Set up procedures to track eligible expenses for your year as governor-elect.
Become familiar with district procedures for handling funds.
Create a file for each club in the district.
Meet with a Rotary Foundation beneficiary or visit a project funded by a
Rotary Foundation grant.
Become familiar with your clubs’ giving history (both Annual Fund and
Endowment Fund) and work with your district Rotary Foundation
committee chair to develop strategies for increasing club giving.
Check out the websites of clubs in the district to identify potential leaders
and learn about club projects.
Prepare brief presentations for various occasions, including new member
induction ceremonies, to have on hand in case of last-minute speaking
requests.
44
District meetings
Assistant governor meetings
Governor meetings
District committee meetings
District strategic planning discussion
District conference planning meeting
District conference
District team training seminar
Presidents-elect training seminar
District training assembly
District membership seminar
Leadership development program
District Rotary Foundation seminar
District leadership seminar
Rotaract district leadership training meeting
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
YEAR AS DISTRICT GOVERNOR-NOMINEE
July – New Rotary Year
-nominee.
August – Membership and Extension Month
otary Foundation seminar.
September – New Generations Month
-nominee training, if offered, and Rotary institute.
Begin planning the district conference for your year.
October – Vocational Service Month
45
November – Rotary Foundation Month
December – Family Month
January – Rotary Awareness Month
February – World Understanding Month
one
in another district as well.
March – Literacy Month
rve presidents-elect training seminar.
April – Magazine Month
rve the district training assembly this month or next.
May
training assembly.
June – Rotary Fellowships Month
otary International Convention. Confirm dates at www.rotary.org.
46
YEAR AS DISTRICT GOVERNOR-ELECT
July – New Rotary Year
-elect! You will receive your District Governor’s Manual with a
detailed planning calendar for your years as governor-elect and governor.
47
WORKSHEET 22: CLUB VISIT
OBSERVATION FORM
Bring this observation form when you observe a governor’s official visit.
Recording brief comments and ideas will help you plan topics and activities for
your official visits as governor.
NAME OF CLUB VISITED
CLUB PRESIDENT
NUMBER ATTENDING
EVENTS DURING VISIT
member orientation
TOPICS COVERED IN SPEECH
CLUB LEADERS



ASSISTANT GOVERNOR
DISTRICT GOVERNOR
48