Dear 6580 Rotary Leaders:

I have been asked how this weekly message should be used. It is designed so the information can be shared with club boards and the entire membership. Distribute it as is or select elements of interest to the club. What is important is that Rotarians know what is happening at the district level and how Rotarians in the district can be involved – The Family of Rotary shares with each other.

· ASK SOMEONE TO JOIN YOUR CLUB TODAY. Who was it that brought you to your first Rotary meeting? Why did you join? Most importantly why do you stay a Rotarian today? Find the answers to these questions within yourself and then ASK someone else to come to a Rotary meeting with you today! August is the Month that we focus on Membership in Rotary. If we do not keep the members we have and recruit new members, then Rotary and all that it has accomplished will disappear in a short while.

· As we start the new Rotary year let’s reflect on some of the reasons that membership growth is important for Rotary.

 ~ Membership Growth increases Rotary’s capacity for service.
~ New Rotarians bring fresh ideas, new interests and increased energy to the club.
 ~ More members increase the volume of support for Our Rotary Foundation.
 ~ Diversity in membership ensures that the club is relevant to the entire community.
 ~ Service-minded individuals are given the opportunity to help their community through Rotary.
 ~ More members create a larger network for both local and international fellowship.
 ~ New and younger members ensure the future of Rotary and its work.

Be thinking about the new membership development initiatives your club can undertake this month
 to celebrate Membership and Extension Month. Consider scheduling the program topics for each of
 the month’s meetings to focus on a different facet of membership development such as:

Developing a prospective member information packet which includes a club brochure.
Mentoring programs for new members.
Increasing club presence in local media.

\FOUNDATION MINUTE: This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about participating in Foundation programs in our community and across the globe. We make our annual contributions to the Rotary Foundation knowing that 50 percent of the gift will come right back to our district in three years to be used for humanitarian and educational programs chosen by us. This includes Ambassadorial Scholars, Matching Grants, and District simplified Grants that may be used for projects in our local community. Annually the district selects one outbound Ambassadorial Scholar.

\GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE – Identify and encourage young community leaders to apply for a place on our GSE team that will travel to Japan next spring leaving May 6th. Applications are due to Paul Bippen – pbippen@iupuc.edu - by September 28. This is a life changing opportunity with all travel expenses covered by Rotary. Applicants will be invited to a Bradford Woods retreat where the team will be selected November 9 – 11th. The application is on the district web site.

\ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD (RYLA) - Each club is asked to select two outstanding teenagers from your community (upper class high school students) to receive the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Students selected will attend a weekend of leadership training and team building at Bradford Woods Camp near Martinsville. The students will have great fun with other outstanding youth from throughout our district. Be certain to start your selection process early so the chosen individuals get the date on their calendar (November 2 – 4, 2007) as soon as possible.

\HOW DID YOUR CLUB FOCUS ON LITERACY IN JULY? In an upcoming District newsletter THE SIGN we’d like to showcase the involvement of your club members. Send information to Editor Del Brinkman del.brinkman@insightbb.com.

· DATES TO REMEMBER
August 10 – Attendance Report due
August 13 - Commitment forms and checks for RYLA to Chair Pam Blasdel
  <mailto:pblasdel@hsonline.net>pblasdel@hsonline.net
August 26 – Hoosier Ambassadorial Scholars Orientation – IUPUI. For information Yolanda
Trevino <mailto:ytrevino@indiana.edu>ytrevino@indiana.edu
August 31 – Ambassadorial Scholar recommendations due to Yolanda Trevino
August 31 – RYLA Registration materials will be sent to clubs
September 16 – Ambassadorial Scholar Picnic – Bloomington
September 29 – Membership and Foundation Seminar – Comfort Inn – Bedford
March 7-8 – President Elects Training Seminar (PETS) REQUIRED ATTENDANCE
April 25-27 – Joint Ohio/Indiana District Conference at Belterra near VeVay, IN
May – TBA – District Assembly
June 14 – 18 – Rotary International Convention in Los Angelos

OFFICIAL VISIT SCHEDULE
July 30 – Rotary Club of Seymour
August 1 – Quarterly Leadership meeting with DGN and DGE
August 2 – Rotary Club of New Albany and Rotary Club of Madison
August 6 – Rotary Club of Rising Sun
August 9 – Rotary Club of Bedford
August 13 – Rotary Club of Greenwood
August 14 – Rotary Club of Vincennes

Judy Witt
District Governor 2007-08
Rotary International District 6580
800 East First Street
Bloomington, IN 47401
Home 812 339 4273
Cell 812 340 3182
Fax 812 330 1977