WARREN Rotary Club to be host of district conference

Rotary's district governor for Northeast Ohio is a member of the Warren club.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Rotary Club of Warren will play host to a district conference that some say will give exposure to local humanitarian efforts and community service projects.
Grace Bacot, Warren Rotarian and co-chairman for the event, said 48 Rotary clubs from Northeast Ohio will be represented for the conference April 20-22 at Avalon Inn in Howland.
"It gives us a good chance to see what other Rotary clubs are doing" and allows those clubs to learn about projects undertaken by local Rotary members, Bacot said.
The Warren club was host in 1995 and 1971.
Bacot said it's rare that Warren put on two conferences in a matter of years, as the location is chosen each year based on where that year's Rotary district governor serves.
Warren was selected this year because a nominating Rotary committee chose Fred Miller of Warren Rotary to serve as governor for the Northeast Ohio district.
"It's an honor to have it here," Bacot said. "It's a nice privilege."
Miller, who serves as district governor through July 1, called the conference a celebration to end the Rotary year.
In the spotlight: It will give the Warren club a chance to highlight its contributions to projects, including the city's Riverwalk, which will consist of walkways, trails and picnic grounds along the Mahoning River, Miller said.
Rotary, along with other area organizations, contributed money toward the project.
The Northeast Ohio district also has raised money to help earthquake victims in India, Miller said.
What's planned: Bacot said events over the weekend will include a speech contest and talent show performed by area students, and a trip for Rotary spouses to the air reserve base in Vienna Township.
Miller said Rotary President Frank Devlyn of Mexico will send his representative, David Hossler, of Yuma, Az., to speak at the conference. Also speaking will be Patti Poppe, an engineer at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Lordstown.
Miller said preparation for the conference has been hectic and likened it to planning a wedding.
Miller is one of 530 district governors worldwide.