DGN Kirk Driskell and PDG Bob Hagan caught up with GRSP students visiting Pelham at the alligator farm

GRSP students in Pelham had a chance to meet Will Watt III, grandson of GRSP's founder

During our GRSP session at District Assembly last week, we werepleasantly surprised at how happy the Rotarians attending were to receive a Host Family Timeline. During Strategic Planning we have been updating handbooks and information for host families and trustees. Our District has been using a Trustee Timeline for four to five years and it has been very helpful for our trustees. During one of the planning sessions, we were asked to share our Trustee Timeline. When discussing it further, we decided it would be a good idea to have a Host Family Timeline, since training has traditionally taken place at Conclave when host families have already been involved for half a year or more. So we decided to bring it to District Assembly, hoping that we would have host families attending. If you weren’t there or if you think you might want to be a host family at some point, you can access the Host Family Timeline here.

We send out timelines to the Trustees each month by their request, so we will probably get a list of all host families and send that timeline as well, hopefully close to the start of each month.

Planning for the host family actually begins nearly a year before they meet their student, as it is important if a club knows who their host family is and involve the host family in the selection process. Although the Selection Book is not received until November, it is always wise to have a meeting with the selection committee or club to determine who the host family will be and what type of student the club and the host family desires. It is our opinion that the host family should actually be the final decisionmaker since they will be the student's closest contact.

Students Enjoy Pelham Weekend

While Rotarians were at District Assembly, our GRSP students were enjoying the annual student weekend in Pelham - with appearances of everything from baby alligators to Will Watt III, the grandson of GRSP's founder, from the Rotary Club of Thomasville.

The Pelham Rotary Club has hosted the longest running student weekend in Georgia, even though it is a club of only 20 members. This year, 41 of the 44 students came to Pelham, even though for many, this was their spring break holiday. The weekend includes tours of interesting businesses in the area including the state prison, ethanol plant, solar farm, local high school and an alligator farm. The students attend Pelham’s regular Rotary meeting on Friday and then participate in a golf tournament with members and guests that afternoon. Friday night brings a dance in the GRSP class’s honor sponsored by the local Interact Club. Saturday is a free day for swimming, tennis, boating, fishing, volleyball, soccer, sunning, and talking by the pool. On Saturday night, there is a banquet with great food, fellowship and entertainment by the GRSP students.

A great time was had by all. It’s always amazing that such a small club can put on such a great event!!!

We Look Forward to Seeing Your Students in Sandestin

Be sure your students are registered for District Conference and that they have their transportation plans in place. We are looking forward to the flag ceremony and the Peace Song, and thank George Siggins from Henry County for coordinating their activities. Have you signed your student up to be part of your Big Wheels team on Thursday night?