THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

July 1st is just around the corner, and the Rotary year is near its end. Really, it's an artificial end. We already know the new officers and trustees for next year and the transition is going to be smooth. On July 1st we are having a gala at the Womens City Club to welcome in the new president of Akron Rotary, Janet Williams and welcome in District Governor Stew Buchannan . This is truly an unusual event in most clubs. Akron Rotary is privileged to have had more than its share of governors in District 6630. Let's all make an effort to give them all the support we can during the year. I can say from experience how nice it is to hear from a Rotarian "I'll help with that job". Thanks you to all of you for doing all the jobs that needed to be done this past year. I feel that we have successfully made the transition for an administrative initiated Club to one of more active member participation.

June will have fewer special events than May, but June will continue the highly successful Rotary after hours on June 16 at Rotary Camp. July events feature Christmas in July-the Tall Ships Festival at Cleveland harbor on July 9th. The District needs hundreds of volunteers and remember, our own Stew Buchannan is Governor in July. Mark Krohn is our coordinator. Let's make them look good and volunteer for the day!

This is a newsletter, so let's tell you a little about what is happening behind the scenes.

- Rotary International Foundation has restored the matching grant program to the tune of 21.5 million dollars. I wonder if Jack Harig and Nick George can figure out a way to get some of those grants for our camp's capital campaign. Something tells me they'll try.

-The Poker run and Classic car show has a very ambitious agenda this year. Gary Knuth had a recent meeting that I was able to attend and the committee has lots of support from the City of Akron. It will begin at our camp and end at lock 3 downtown. There is talk of multiple bands and prizes, but I'll let Gary and his committee keep you up to date. We have two months (Aug 29) to prepare, so please give him a hand. As you know the proceeds go for the benefit of the camp.

- Myself, Jack Harig, and Stew Buchannan will be attending the International Rotary Convention in Montreal on June 20-23. I've never been to one, and my wife is going with me. Our daughter lives in Ottawa, and we hope to see her too. In all my years in Rotary, I've never been to one, and I figure this one is close enough to drive. Anybody interested in attending , please see one of us. It sounds exciting, the city is supposed to be beautiful and I'm told the convention covers a variety of topics.

Thanks again for your support during the past year.

Yours in Rotary,
Dan O'Connell