2016/17 Rotary International President Nomination Announcement

Posted by Kevin Webb 
on Aug 05, 2014
 

The 2014-15 Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in 2016-17, having functioned in accordance with the bylaws of Rotary International, has indicated that it unanimously nominated:

JOHN F. GERM

of the Rotary Club of

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, USA

for the office of President of Rotary International for the year 2016-17.  Please note this nomination is subject to a challenge period until November 15, 2014.

 

Who is John F. Germ?:

Information copied from D.7570 District Conference website at: http://www.districtconference7570.com/home/speakers/john_germ

  • Director, Rotary International 2003-2005
  • Vice President, Rotary International 2004-2005
  • Vice Chairman, The Rotary Foundation, 2009-2011
  • Trustee, The Rotary Foundation 2008-2012
John is Chairman of the Board of Campbell & Associates, Inc., Consulting Engineers. He joined the firm as an engineer in 1965 after four years in the United States Air Force.
 
In Chattanooga, he has been active as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and Campaign Chairman of the United Way. He also serves on the Board of Trustees Directors and Executive Committee of Orange Grove Center, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Business Advisory Board, Executive Committee and Board of Directors Public Education Foundation, Past President and Treasurer of Chattanooga State Technical Community College Foundation, Chairman of Board Blood Assurance, Inc., a Regional Blood Center, and President of the Tennessee Jaycee Foundation.
 
He has served on several community boards and is a past president of the Tennessee Jaycees. He was recognized as Tennessee Young Man of the Year for 1970 and is a recipient of the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award, Circle of Hope Award by the Arthritis Foundation, Volunteer Fund raiser of the Year Award and MS Dinner of Champions Award. He was recognized as the Tennessee Organization Volunteer of the Year in 2009. He was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change in 2013.
 
John joined Rotary in 1976 and has served Rotary International as President of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga 1993-94, District Governor 1996-97, District and Zone Trainer 1999-2002, Eastern N.A. Coordinator Community Concerns Task Force 1998-99, International Institute Committee (Anaheim, CA) 1998-99, Centennial Planning Committee 1999-2000, Polio Plus Partners Task Force 1998-2001, Membership Development Task Force 2000-01, Membership Zone Coordinator 2001-02, Assistant Chairman Polio Plus Partners Task Force 2001-02, International Assembly Training Leader 2000-01 and 2002-03, Delegate to the Council of Legislation 2001, member of the Council on Legislation 2004, 2007,2010, & 2013, Executive Committee of the Board of Directors 2004-05, Joint Committee of the Board of Directors and The Rotary Foundation 2004-05 and 2009-2011, R.I. Audit Committee 2003-2009, Nominating Committee for President of RI 2008-09, 2011-2012, 2012-13 and 2014-15.
 
He served on the RI Board of Directors for 2003-05 and as Vice President 2004-05, member of the 2007 and 2008 International Assembly Committee and Chairman of the 2007 & 2013 Council on Legislation, Vice Chair Rotary Centers Major Gift Initiative 2007-08.
 
He served as aide to President Wilf Wilkinson, Presidents Advisory Committee, (2007-08) Advisory Committee Member for the 2008 International Convention and Vice Chairman of the International Convention, 2012. Chair of the 2012 International Convention Promotion Committee.
 
He served as Chairman of Rotary's US$ 200 Million Challenge Committee, which raised 228.7m for Polio Eradication, Vice Chair of the Rotary Foundation 2009-11 and as Trustee of The Rotary Foundation 2008-2012. He served on the Rotary Foundation Finance Committee 2008-12, Vice Chair of TRF Stewardship Committee 2008-12, Investment Advisory Committee 2008-09 and Chair of the Investment Advisory Committee, 2010-12, He currently serves on the International Polio Plus Committee as Vice Chair for 2012-14 and aide to Trustee Chair D.K. Lee.
 
He has received Rotary International's Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Judy, are Major Donors and members of the Arch Klumph Society of the Rotary Foundation. They have four children and five grandchildren.
 
John's Thoughts on Rotary:
Membership is the Life Blood of Rotary. Rotary has unique membership criteria in that the proposed individual must be sponsored by a current Rotarian and meet the classification requirements. While these are unique to Rotary, they do not impose any concerns about recruitment. Each member certainly knows other business and communities leaders who should be members of a Rotary club, but due to a fear of rejection may not propose that individual. Someone gave us the opportunity to become a Rotarian. I think we have an obligation to extend that favour to others. Take the opportunity to ask a colleague, associate or a friend to a meeting. Service is our calling and we need others to strengthen our ability to serve our community and our world. Reach out and touch someone and they will never forget you for giving them the gift of Rotary. We must Ask, Ask, Ask.

While recruitment has not been the major concern, retention has been. We tend to lose too many members within the first two–three years of their joining a Rotary Club. This is due to a lack of an adequate orientation, mentoring and involvement. As the sponsor of a new member, we should insure that we encourage participation in club activities by our participation and inviting the new member to join with us in the activity. If we have relevant club meetings, individual involvement and great fellowship, we will retain those members and build a stronger club, a better community and a more peaceful world.