Again this year, the Dexter Key Club was hoping to make another good showing at the conference, and by the end of the weekend we had received seven awards and two members were installed on the New England District Board.

The bus arrived in front of the downtown Sheraton Hotel about 2:45 in the afternoon. Following check-in we went for something to eat before the first General Session at 5:30. This year the conference had 1,000 attendees from 84 of the 181 clubs in New England. The opening conference featured Children of Peace founder, Bin Rebecki, as the inspirational speaker. Bin talked about the new primary school that was built in Vietnam from donations received from the New England Key Clubs. It was nice to see where our money was being used. All five Division II clubs received Early Bird Dues patches for the second year in a row at Friday night's session.

On Saturday evening, the General Session included awards and talent competition. The clubs from Division II did very well this year and made a strong showing. Dexter Key Club moved up to the Gold Division this year (clubs of 60-125 members) and much tougher competition.

In our first year in the Gold level Dexter won 1st place in the Annual Achievement Award as the top club in the Gold Division, and one of the most important awards given. Dexter also won 1st place in the Single Service Award for our Welcome To My Home II and a second place for Monthly Secretary Reports. Our Traditional Scrapbook came in second, and the Dexter club was designated as a Diamond Distinguished Club, one of only four in New England District. President Megan Crane also received a Governor's Award of Excellence, one of ten given to President's from New England.

Greenville Key Club also received multiple awards., including; 3rd place in Annual Achievement in Silver Division, Distinguished Club, 3rd place in non-traditional scrapbook, Governor's Award of Excellence to President Sage Weeks, and Outstanding Lt. Governor for Jackson McLaughlin.

Dexter and Greenville also presented $1,000 checks to district projects. Connie Glynn, President of PCHS Key Club won 1st place in the Oratory Contest and gave a very moving and impassioned speech.

The Penquis Key Club also received Distinguished Club status. On Sunday, Katie Eastman from Dexter was installed as the new Division II Lt. Governor and Rebecca Warren was elected New England District Treasurer after running a very effective campaign over the weekend. More about District Conference next week.