It’s A Jolly Holiday With Mary
Welcome to the 2022 District Conference. Click the tabs below for details.
Dear Fellow District 6900 Rotarians and Guests:
District Governor Mary Ligon and District Conference Co-Chairs Stephanie Windham and Court Dowis welcome you to the Annual Rotary District 6900 Conference in Sandestin, Florida. We sincerely thank you for attending and supporting this year’s conference.
The 2022 District Conference Committee has planned for lots of fun, fellowship, and networking. Please enjoy the exciting days ahead as we salute the accomplishments our clubs have fulfilled so far of this year. Don’t miss our dynamic speakers, entertainment, and great meals.
Our district is able to grow and do more because of our Rotarians and their club projects. Let’s continue to celebrate Rotary after this conference and beyond as we Serve to Change Lives.
Remember “It’s a Jolly Holiday!”
| Mary Ligon District 6900 Governor 2021-2022 Serve To Change Lives |
Stephanie Windham Conference Co-Chair |
Court Dowis Conference Co-Chair |
Shekhar Mehta
RI President 2021-22
Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar
West Bengal, India
Mehta, an accountant, is chair of the Skyline Group, a real estate development company he founded. He is also a director of Operation Eyesight Universal (India), a Canada-based organization.
Mehta has been actively involved in disaster response and is a trustee of ShelterBox, UK. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he helped build nearly 500 homes for families affected by the disaster.
He pioneered a program that has performed more than 1,500 life-changing heart surgeries in South Asia. He is also the architect of the TEACH Program, which promotes literacy throughout India and has reached thousands of schools.
A Rotary member since 1984, Mehta has served Rotary as director, member or chair of several committees, zone coordinator, training leader, member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, and district governor. He is also the chair of Rotary Foundation (India).
Mehta has received Rotary's Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards.
He and his wife, Rashi, are Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society.
| 2:00pm-5:00pm | “No. 17 Cherry Lane” HOF opens for club set-up PDG Raymond Ray, RC of Griffin Daybreak Magnolia Ballroom |
| 2:00pm-5:30pm | Registration opens RC of Griffin RC of Thomasville Conference Center Lobby |
| 5:30 – 6:30 pm | Poppins Pony Prix – TICKETED EVENT Grand Sandestin Lawn Feed The Birds Progressive Dinner – Hospitality Suites |
| 8:00am-3:00pm | “No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane” HOF opens for club set-up (Must be complete by 3:00pm) Magnolia Ballroom |
| 8:30am-4:30pm | Registration opens RC of Griffin RC of Thomasville Conference Center Lobby |
| 8:45am-10:30am | BY SPECIAL INVITATION Breakfast Honoring D6900 PDGs Jasmine |
| 11:30am-12:30pm | BY SPECIAL INVITATION Conference Committee Appreciation Luncheon Jasmine |
| 1:00pm-2:30pm | BY SPECIAL INVITATION “How Do We Measure Up?” Leadership Luncheon in honor of 2021-2022 Presidents, Assistant Governors, and Directors Azalea I, II and III |
| 3:00pm-3:30pm | Presenter Meeting Magnolia Ballroom |
| 3:00pm-3:30pm | Sergeants-at-Arms Meeting RC of Peachtree City, RC of Roswell, RC of Dunwoody and GRSP Conference Center Lobby |
| 3:30pm | “No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane” HOF opens to attendees |
FRIDAY EVENING |
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| 4:30pm-5:45pm | “Outing in the Park” Reception/Buffet Dinner in honor of all District 6900 Rotary Clubs Hosted by Governor Mary and Jim Lyon Theme attire – “Mary Poppins” Grand Sandestin Lawn |
| 6:00pm | GENERAL SESSION 1 – “LAUGHING WITH UNCLE ALBERT” Call to Order - Conference Co-Chair, PAG Stephanie Windham, RC of Griffin and PDG Court Dowis, RC of Harris County Magnolia Ballroom Invocation – Chaplain Gregory Adams, RC of South Dekalb Pledge of Allegiance Anna Ford, RC of Moultrie 100 Years of Rotary Service Four Way Test James Eubanks, Pelham Conference Credits Welcome by District Governor Mary Ligon Honor Past District Governors Remembrance of PDG William “Bill” Mulkey, RC of Dunwoody William A. Watt Memorial Award Honors the most outstanding GRSP student in class of 2021-2022 as selected by the GRSP students. Presented by Governor Mary Ligon and James Eubanks Frank E. Bentley, Sr. Leadership Award Honoring PDG Frank Bentley, Sr. in recognition of an individual Rotarian for outstanding service and leadership in GRSP. Presented by Governor Mary Ligon and President Nancy Schroeder, RC of Sandy Springs Jake Cheatham Memorial Award Recognizes a club in each category for the highest per capita giving to GRSP. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Griffin in honor of Jake Cheatham. Presented by Governor Mary Ligon and President John White, Jr., RC of Griffin Assistant Governor of the Year “Follow Me” Award The Assistant Governor of the Year Award, named the “Follow Me” Award is presented in honor of PDG Al Lipphardt, 1999-2000 of the RC of Stone Mountain and the four Club Presidents from that year who have served as District Governor, Fran Milberg ’04-‘05, Claudia Mertl, ’05-’06, Steve Stanfield ’06-’07, and Margie Kersey ’11-’12. Presented by Governor Mary Ligon and Stephanie Windham District 6900 Sheffield Award Presented to a President in each category for outstanding leadership. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Americus honoring John Sheffield, John W. Sheffield, and Langdon C. Sheffield, all District Governors from the RC of Americus. Presented by DG Mary Ligon and President Kenneth Phillips, RC of Americus District 6900 Rotarian of the Year Award Recognizes a Rotarian in District 6900 who has exemplified the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Cobb in honor of their Charter President William E. Carver. Presented by DG Mary Ligon and President Wade Patrick, RC of East Cobb The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service Governor Mary Ligon, RC of Dougherty County Featured Speaker Ronda Rich Conference Announcements Conference Co-Chair, PAG Stephanie Windham, RC of Griffin Conference Co-Chair, PDG Court Dowis, RC of Harris County Door Prizes Conference Co-Chairs, Stephanie Windham and Court Dowis Adjourn Winners’ photo session with Governor Mary Ligon Magnolia Ballroom |
| 8:00pm | Hospitality Suites open |
| 8:00am-11:0am | Registration open (closes at 11:00am for remainder of day) Conference Center Lobby |
| 9:00am | Breakout Session # 1 - Membership Zone 34 Rotary Coordinator Mike Darragh Upstairs Conference Center Breakout Session # 2 – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion DGN André Marria, RC of Thomasville and Renée Weese, RC of Midtown Atlanta Upstairs Conference Center Breakout Session #3 – Rotary Foundation Anne Glenn, RC of Dunwoody Upstairs Conference Center |
| 10:00am-11:30 am |
Uncle Albert’s Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Tea party & Buffet Brunch |
| 11:30am-4:30am | Leisure Time “No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane” HOF will be open during leisure time |
| 4:30pm-5:15pm | Reception in honor of DGE George and Jill Granade Grand Sandestin Lawn |
Saturday Evening |
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| 5:15pm | GENERAL SESSION 3 – “PRACTICALLY PERFECT IN EVERY WAY’ Call to Order – Conference Co-Chairs PAG Stephanie Windham, RC of Griffin and PDG Court Dowis, RC of Harris County Invocation – Chaplain Gregory Adams, RC of South Dekalb Pledge of Allegiance Granade grandsons – Quinn, Smith & Pierce Four Way Test AG William MacArthur RC of Sandy Springs Introduction of DGE George Granade PAG Stephanie Windham, RC of Griffin Parade and DGE Remarks – George Granade, RC of Griffin Nominating Committee Report Governor Mary Ligon, RC of Dougherty County DG Nominee Designate 2024-25 Gordon Owens, RC of Roswell District Governor Nominee Remarks André Marria, RC of Thomasville FEATURED SPEAKER John Scalici Conference Announcements Conference Co-Chairs, Stephanie Windham and Court Dowis Door Prizes Adjourn Club fun in Baytowne Village |
| 8:30pm | Hospitality Suites open |
| 7:30am | Non-denominational Worship Service Chaplain Greg Adams, RC of South Dekalb Camellia |
| 8:00am-9:00am | Buffet Brunch Magnolia Ballroom Conference in Review Video Ryan Clements, RC of Columbus William Wilson, RC of Griffin |
| 8:30am | GENERAL SESSION 3 – “INVEST YOUR TUPPENCE WISELY” Call to Order – Governor Mary Ligon, RC of Dougherty County Invocation – Chaplain Gregory Adams, RC of Dekalb County National Anthem – DGN André Marria, RC of Thomasville Pledge of Allegiance and Four Way Test Neill Ferrill, RC of Vinings Cumberland Financial Report Teri White, RC of Thomasville Conference Resolutions Janice Wallace, RC of Griffin Memorial to Departed Rotarians District 6900 Rotary Showcase Awards Chair, PAG Ryan Clements, RC of Columbus Council on Legislation PDG Bob Hagan, RC of Roswell Rotary Foundation PDG Cheryl Greenway, RC of Roswell PolioPlus PRID Robert Hall, RC of Dunwoody C.A.R.T. Charlene Hall, RC of Dunwoody FEATURED SPEAKER Zone 34 Rotary Coordinator Mike Darragh District Governor Mary’s Remarks Pin Exchange with DG leadership Introduction of 2023 District Conference Theme 2022-23 Conference Co-Chairs, PDG Cheryl Greenway, RC of Roswell and Kelly Hughes, RC of Barnesville Final Conference Announcements DG Mary Ligon, PDG Court Dowis and PAG Stephanie Windham Conference Grand Prize Conference Chairs Stephanie Windham and Court Dowis “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” Adjournment of the 2022 District 6900 Conference Conference Credits |
With tuppence for paper and strings
You can have your own set of wings
With your feet on the ground
You're a bird in flight
With your fist holding tight
To the string of your kite
Oh, oh, oh
Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite
When you send it flying up there
All at once you're lighter than air
You can dance on the breeze over houses and trees
With your fist holding tight
To the string of your kite
Oh, oh, oh
Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite