A MOMENT IN ROTARY

FOR DISTRICT 6580

JANUARY 21, 2008

 

DEAR FELLOW ROTARIANS:

 

PDG Steve Richards informs me that two clubs have reached the charter STAR club level for this year.  That means that they have 100 percent participation and are over $100 in support of our Rotary Foundation.  Another impressive group is also approaching 100 percent and is nearing the $100 per member dollar figure also.  There is a small group from whom we have yet to learn about your giving.  It is very important that clubs send collected funds to RI in a timely manner and not hold the monies until later in the year.  Quarterly club payments of RI Foundation pledges are encouraged.  One of my district goals remains that all 34 clubs in the district will support OUR RI Foundation and it would be wonderful if at least 12 of our clubs could become CHARTER STAR clubs.  Please do not hesitate to contact PDG Steve, Peggy Peter or myself if we can be of assistance.  The monies sent to the foundation permit Rotary to do so many positive humanitarian deeds in the name of Rotary.

 

Some reminders:

     RI Convention in Los Angeles from June 15 – 18 – it’s not too late to register to attend.  Go to the RI website to download the application, hotel information and special event opportunities.  Contact DGE Bill Ryall has tickets to the MidAmerica Breakfast which is a wonderful experience.

     District Conference in VeVay at the Belterra Casino Resort and Spa on April 24 – 27.   Now is the time to call 1-8888-235-8377 to reserve your room.  The meetings will take place beginning Friday morning and continue through early Saturday evening in time for those who would prefer to drive home to do so.  Room rates are Thurs. $75.00, Friday $99.00 and Saturday $169.00.  Mention Code C74415 when making reservations.  As I have observed clubs these past few years it has become clear to me that participation in the conference activities reflect on the many successes of clubs.  I really hope all 34 clubs will be well represented.  It is good for clubs to have in their budgets at minimum the conference registration fee for club Presidents or incoming President.   Ideally it would be helpful for clubs to cover the registration and 2 night expenses of at least one attendee.  A committee is in place to review the PR/Marketing/Web/Internal Communications of clubs.  They look forward to seeing your displays and to having someone from your club present to answer questions and to showcase your work.

     Silent auction of club baskets is being organized.  Clubs should select someone to oversee this activity.  This is a really fun part of the conference and raises a significant amount of money for the foundation.

     The Rotary Four-Way Test Speech district contest on April 12 in Vincennes .  Please select someone now to coordinate and promote this great opportunity for our high school students.  It’s a great way to share information with students who may one day become a Rotarian.

     World Rotary Day on Saturday, February 23, 2008.  Every Rotary club around the world is being asked to implement a high profile community service project on this date.  Local media should receive a press release ahead of time and be invited to participate.  High ranking community officials should be invited to also participate.  Be certain to send me pictures so that your club’s activities can be shared in THE SIGN.

   Our Brazilian outbound GSE Team member bios shortly will be on our website.  They are working hard to represent us well and are studying Portuguese as a part of those preparations.  Our Ambassadorial Scholars are also featured on the website.  La Shona Donica, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bedford, will leave shortly for her year in Cape Town , South Africa .  We wish her the very best and will read her blog with great interest.  Now is the time to develop your plans to attract Ambassadorial Scholarship applicants for next year.  The application deadline comes so early in the new President’s year that you can do them a favor by making certain the club is prepared yet this spring.

  PETS:  March 7-8 at the Indianapolis Airport Radisson.  Presidents remember this is a required meeting for your President Elect.

   Semi-Annual Reports (SAR) should be in your hands by now or will be shortly.  Please make sure that your SAR is filled out promptly.  Please send a copy to me at 800 East First Street , Bloomington , IN 47401 or fax to me at 812-330-1977.

     Please remind your club secretary that the club attendance and membership report is due no later than the 10th of each month for the previous.  Most clubs are doing this in a timely manner but there are a few clubs that either do not report or are very late.  Club Secretaries are reminded that failure to submit the report in a timely manner can result in a club’s charter being revoked by Rotary International.    

 

MEMBERSHIP MOMENT:  Walgreen Drug Stores post the Rotary Four-Way Test in each of their stores. If you have such a store in your community please invite the manager to attend a Rotary meeting.  I have just finished writing about the Presidential Citation and the need to achieve the plus one in membership.  Qualified Rotary candidates are adults of good character and business professional or community reputation who fit one of the following criteria: 

·         Hold or have held position with discretionary authority in a worthy and recognized business or profession.

·         Serve as a community leader.

·         Is a Rotary Foundation alumnus.

·         All candidates should demonstrate a commitment to serve through personal involvement.

·         Be able to meet the club’s attendance and community project participation requirements.

·          Candidates should live or work in the vicinity of the club or the surrounding area. 

 

ROTARY FOUNDATION MOMENT:  PolioPlus Partners is a Rotary Foundation program by which Rotary clubs, districts and individual Rotarians may voluntarily assist in reaching Rotary’s goals of a polio-free world.  Please make PolioPlus Partners checks payable to The Rotary Foundation and indicate on the check that it is for POLIO PLUS PARTNERS.  Mail the check to:  The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive , Chicago , IL 60693 .  As a polio survivor I thank you very much for your continuing interest in and support in eradicating this dreaded disease that affects so many people – especially children.  You are helping to provide the tools of immunization and eradication where they are most needed in countries actively fighting the disease.

 

Have a great Rotary week.  Tuesday of this week Lee and I look forward to attending our own club meeting.  Then on Friday we will travel to Madison for their International Auction evening which is a fund raiser for TRF.  Then on Saturday we will be in Vincennes for their traditional fund raising evening.    

 

Remember to SHARE ROTARY and show others how ROTARY SHARES.  Thank you for your service to Rotary!

 

DG judy