A MOMENT IN ROTARY
FOR DISTRICT 6580
NOVEMBER 26, 2007
Dear 6580 Rotary Leaders:
It’s still November so continue to have a RI Foundation focus. PDGs Steve Richards and Peggy Peter have been busy sharing foundation information and encouragement to clubs. It is interesting to note that the clubs that are doing well are the clubs that have invited Steve and Peggy to give foundation presentations! There are a lot of clubs yet to be covered. As of Nov. 23 PDG/Foundation Chair Steve shared the following information with me:
In just a few weeks I will finish all of my “official visits”. It has been a great experience and we have been warmly received. You have shared well thought out local projects and for many clubs conducting well established successful fund raising activities which will permit you to undertake tough challenges at home and around the world. It sounds like most of you will have a water project to report. Please let me know where you are in your board and club discussions of the Myanmar ( Burma ) well project. Do you need a copy of the DVD or a speaker about the project?
DECEMBER IS FAMILY OF ROTARY MONTH: With December comes many dinners, parties, special programs and events. It’s a great time to invite spouses, family members, former Rotarians and spouses of deceased members to your activities. Lee and I recently enjoyed participating in New Albany ’s Oktoberfest fundraising event. We plan to attend the Rotary Club of Bloomington’s holiday social in a couple of weeks. Please let us know about your upcoming holiday events and fund raisers. If time permits we’d love to celebrate with you.
POLIOPLUS MOMENT: Today RI announced a new partnership between Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will provide a much needed US$200 million in support of our top goal of a polio-free world. The Gates Foundation has awarded TRF a challenge grant of $100 million which Rotary will match over three years. This is the largest single grant ever given to a volunteer service organization & represents a tremendous validation of the approach and success of our POLIOPLUS program. In 1985, we promised every child a world free from the threat of polio. We are almost there. This funding agreement is a huge step forward bringing us even closer to our goal. Success is our only option. For a copy of the official press release go to: www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/PressCenter/PressReleases/Pages/071120_pr_gates.aspx. Please contact radio, tv and print media to share this historic news. Please work with nearby clubs to include information on what your club is doing to support the polio eradication initiative.
REMINDERS:
~ Don’t forget to get your nominations for 2010-11 District Governor to PDG Steve Richards by Dec. 31. The nomination form is available on the district website (www.rotary6580.org)
~ The end of the calendar year brings club elections for 2008-09 officers and board members. Be sure to notify me, DGE Bill Ryall, District Secretary Yvonne Oliger and RI when you have your new officers selected.
~ Remember to update your club membership roll with RI. Use the website www.rotary.org to make sure your membership is correct. It is important to update this before the January SARs (International Dues) are mailed.
~ Register now for the LA Rotary International Convention. Plan to join other District 6580 Rotarians at the June 15 – 18, 2008 Convention. Registration information is available at: www.rotary.org/en/Members/Events/Convention/Pages/ridefault.aspx.
~ Quick Local Projects to Organize: As we are now fully in the season of giving and sharing I ask you to give and share of yourself with Rotary so that our communities and world can be a better place. For many clubs December means Rotarians will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign in your community. This is a worth while project. But please don’t forget the possibility of collecting canned goods for the food pantry or preparing food baskets for hungry families. Another easy project is to collect mittens and hats for local children. The Rotary Club of Evansville has organized a “Share a Suit Campaign” asking members to donate their old suits for this annual project. THE NEED IS GREAT AND IT IS NEVER TOO LATE! FOR ROTARIANS SERVICE ABOVE SELF IS AN EVERY DAY ACTIVITY.
MEMBERSHIP MOMENT: There are several ways to do Rotary meeting make-ups. 1) Attend a Rotary meeting in another community; 2) Attend your club’s monthly board meeting; 3) many clubs permit make-up be attending certain committee meetings; and 4) by going to ClubOne at www.rotaryeclubone.org. Click on PROGRAMS. Open a program of interest to you. Read the brief article click on the MAKEUP REQUEST FORM. Continue to the bottom of the page to REQUEST MAKEUP FORM. Answer the questions including the email address of YOUR club secretary. Print a copy of the makeup and turn it in at the next meeting. DISTRICT ID# 6580.
ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE: CALLING ALL ROTARIANS TO A CLUB MEETING. In my last memo I discussed Membership Attendance: Please select one meeting this year when you strive for 100% attendance of all of your club members. You select the meeting and you create your marketing campaign for success. Please share your plans and results.
OFFICIAL VISIT SCHEDULE & General Travels
November 29 – Rotary Club of Bloomington Board meeting
December 10 – Rotary Club of Columbus – for presentation
December 11 – Rotary Club of Bloomington – holiday party
December 12 – Rotary Club of Greenwood/White River – for presentation
December 18 – Rotary Club of Corydon
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 10 – Attendance Report due
December 15 – RI mails January Semiannual reports to club secretaries
December 31 – Prepare semiannual reports
December 31 – Dues Payments are due to RI
December 31 – Deadline for electing 2008-09 club officers
December 31 – Deadline for submitting 2008-09 Election Report to RI, DGE, DG & District
. Secretary
January 1 – Clubs that have not paid July 2007 dues are terminated
FUTURE DATES TO REMEMBER
March 7-8 – President Elect s Training Seminar (PETS) Required Attendance
April 25-27 – Joint Indiana/Ohio District conference at Belterra Resort & Casino near
VeVay , IN
May 17 – District Assembly for club boards & future leaders - Columbus
REMEMBER TO ASK SOMEONE TO ATTEND A ROTARY MEETING. GIVE THE GIFT OF ROTARY.
DG Judy