The month of December emphasizes Disease Prevention and Treatment across the Rotary world. This certainly fits in District 5830 as we have recently completed our PolioPlus Truck Raffle! I want to first thank all of the clubs and individual Rotarians who sold or purchased their tickets and supported this district wide fundraising project! The District raised just over $60,000 which will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2 x 1 for a total of $180,000! These funds will help provide vaccines for well over 300,000 children! This will truly Make a Difference as we pursue the eradication of polio! I also want congratulate Richard Emerson of the Longview Greggton club for winning the new Ford F-150 Pick-up Truck! The Atlanta Area, Idabel, Jefferson, Longview Greggton, Marshall, Texarkana International, Texarkana  Oaklawn and Texarkana Sunrise clubs sold 100% or more of their tickets!
The recent District Conference in Shreveport was very enjoyable! The opportunity to network, have fun, and also learn about Rotary was very successful. I really appreciate all of the clubs who made the effort to be represented. I feel certain that everyone who attended benefited from being there. I want to congratulate immediate PDG, Lee Montgomery, for all the work and planning that was done. I also want to recognize Herschel Lybrand as winner of the Bill Rains Rotarian of the Year for 2016-2017. Congratulations also goes out to the Marshall Rotary Club for receiving the Bill Campbell Award as Club of the Year for 2016-2017! Hats off to Craig Vanbiber who served as Club President of the Marshall Club!
 
I know many of you have actively planned for your Tree Planting Project. The best time for planting trees is fast approaching. I encourage all of the clubs in 5830 to get your plans firmed up! Please be sure to take active photos of your event and share them with me and on your club’s social media and website! I know we have several clubs that are collaborating to have a greater impact in their communities.
 
Please put the following dates on your calendar: The Foundation Banquet will be February 10th in Athens at the Texas State Fishery. Our speaker will be Past Rotary Director. Brad Howard, from Oakland, California. He is a wonderful Rotarian who you won’t want to miss! I look forward to having a great crowd as we celebrate our support of the Rotary Foundation and the wonderful work our district and clubs are doing to Make a Difference both at home and around the world! Lone Star PETS will be held March 1st-4th at the DFW Hyatt. Registration is now open at lonestarpets.org and you can also reserve your hotel through the link that is provided. All President Elects are expected to attend this training. It will make a huge difference in the success of your club! Most of our clubs have already identified the PE! Please make sure you have submitted the name in Club Runner. As a reminder, District 5830 will reimburse clubs for the Registration cost of the PE’s who attend LSPETS. 
 
I encourage each club to continue to focus on Membership attraction and to achieve your Net goal of positive growth. If you need to clean up your club rolls, please do so before the end of this month. This will impact your dues payment. I encourage every club to continue your pursuit of the Rotary Citation! Your clubs need to be recognized for all the great service you are providing!
 
I am enjoying the opportunity to visit clubs again and celebrate the Christmas Season. I appreciate all the work that goes on to prepare for parades, host Christmas parties, ring the Salvation Army Bell, and take needy young people shopping for coats. Continue to do good and Make a Difference!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
District 5830 DG Ted Huffhines 2017-2018