July 24, 2007

Rotary District 6600 Governor Ralph Schibler

District Governor Ralph Schibler addressed the club and shared about the goals of Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson for the upcoming Rotary year.  Governor Ralph is a former member of the Rotary Club of Van Wert since 1983, and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Port Clinton Rotary Club, in Port Clinton Ohio.  He served as the President of the Rotary Club of Van Wert Rotary for the year 1993-94 and on various committees of the club. In the past three years Ralph served the District as an assistant Governor, and a member of the District executive committee.

The theme that President Wilkinson selected for the '07-'08 Rotary year is 'Rotary Shares'.  There are several components of sharing that he asks members of Rotary to focus on in the coming year.  Sharing love involves dedication, concern, dependability as a member representing Rotary.  Sharing kindness & friendship can be realized in our local clubs, communities, district and throughout the world through various Rotary functions and projects.  As Rotarians, we share common interests with all members worldwide. 

Sharing ideas or intellect is best illustrated by a Rotarian from Oregon who developed a design for a basic prosthetic hand that is now widely used in third world countries to provide people in those countries with utility that could otherwise be impossible.  That design is currently being adapted for children as well.  Sharing time involves giving of self and energy in community and the world.  And sharing financial resources is a necessary element for getting projects done. 

Ralph reiterated the $100 per year per member campaign for contribution to the Rotary Foundation.  Our district has roughly 4000 members currently and if all participated in this campaign, not only would $400K would be contributed to the Foundation but in 3 years, 50% of that amount is fed back into the local district to support local projects.

Ralph finished with encouragement to focus projects on providing potable water to deprived areas, literacy and health and wellness opportunities.

In his professional life, Ralph has been an active minister in the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In this capacity he has served three congregations, Zion Lutheran in Canton, Ohio, Holy Trinity Lutheran Brunswick, Ohio, and St. Mark's Lutheran, in Van Wert Ohio.  His wife Pat is a retired Academic Dean of Lutheran College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. They live in Port Clinton Ohio where they serve on community and church boards. They have four daughters and nine grandchildren.