District Conference - Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth, MI

2 days ago
3 min read

🌟 Livonia AM Rotary Shines at the 2026 District 6400 Conference

Bavarian Inn Lodge • Frankenmuth, Michigan

This past weekend, club members Erin Dobbins, Sharon Pommerville, Tammy Bonifield, Nancy Darga, Claude Kendrick, Bob Carrie, and Bill Friske proudly represented the Livonia AM Rotary Club at the Conference. The theme, “Share Your Story,” set the tone for a weekend filled with inspiration, connection, and celebration.

Opening Ceremonies

The conference began with the Parade of Flags and the singing of the national anthems of the United States, Canada, and Italy (in honor of the Rotary International President). Our own Bill Friske and Claude Kendrick were honored to carry flags, joined by Livonia Noon Rotarian Drew Bugatti.

🍗 Friday Evening: Fellowship & Frankenmuth Tradition

Attendees enjoyed a classic Frankenmuth chicken dinner followed by entertainment from songwriter, speaker, and author David LaMotte.

The handcrafted table centerpieces—beautiful teacup arrangements—were created by Erin Dobbins from her personal collection.

Our club hosted one of the two hospitality rooms, offering a “Made in Michigan” spread of snacks, soft drinks, and local adult beverages. Tammy Bonifield curated the entire experience with her trademark creativity and attention to detail. The second hospitality room, hosted by our Canadian friends, kept the cross‑border camaraderie lively all weekend.

🌍 Saturday: Stories That Move Us

Saturday morning featured a powerful keynote from Christina Hassan, a former Youth Exchange student and past District Governor from Calgary. She shared her journey to Uganda as a young nursing student—arriving eager to “change the world,” only to discover the heartbreaking reality that 16 women die each day in childbirth in Uganda. Her experience led her to co‑found an organization dedicated to improving maternal health in Uganda.

Her message was raw, humbling, and deeply aligned with Rotary’s mission of service.

🎖️ Celebrating Extraordinary Service & Generosity

The weekend also included two deeply meaningful recognitions for members of our own club. Sharon Pommerville was honored with a Paul Harris Fellow +6, acknowledging her remarkable lifetime giving of over $7,000 to The Rotary Foundation—an extraordinary testament to her heart for service and her belief in Rotary’s global impact. Tammy Bonifield was also recognized as a Major Donor, celebrating her substantial and ongoing commitment to The Rotary Foundation. These achievements reflect not only personal generosity, but the spirit of compassion and leadership that defines our Livonia AM Rotary family.

🏆 Saturday Evening: Awards & Recognition

Livonia AM Rotary had a historic night.

We received:

The Jennifer Jones Champion of Inclusion Award
Recognizing clubs that embrace diverse thinking and inclusive practices as essential to Rotary’s growth and impact.
and the Overall Dick Hedke Award
The highest honor in District 6400, awarded to the club with the strongest combined performance in:
Club Administration, Membership, Public Image, Service Projects, and Foundation.

This is the district’s top recognition—and we earned it.

🕊️ Sunday Morning: Reflection & Purpose

The day opened with a touching "In Memoriam" presentation created by Erin Dobbins, honoring district members who passed this year, including our own Rick Popa and Bill Fried.

Tammy Bonifield read each name and club, while Bill Friske rang the official Dick Hedke Award bell in tribute.

Tammy then returned to the stage in her role as District Treasurer, presenting the district’s annual financial report alongside District Governor Linda Morrow.

💛 Sharing Our Story: Nancy Darga

One of the most moving moments of the entire conference came when Nancy Darga "shared her personal story" of contracting polio at 10 months old and living with its lifelong effects.

For a room full of Rotarians committed to ending polio worldwide, Nancy’s testimony was powerful, personal, and unforgettable.

😀 Closing Inspiration

The conference wrapped with an energetic and uplifting talk by Martin Lesperance, an educator‑turned‑entertainer who reminded us that our moods, frustrations, and kindness ripple outward. His message was simple but profound:

We can pass along negativity—or we can choose to brighten someone’s day with a smile and a thank‑you.