A MOMENT IN ROTARY

FOR DISTRICT 6580

JANUARY 28, 2008

Dear 6580 Rotary Leaders:

   This moment is intended to be brief since there are other messages that need to be sent to various leaders.  I don’t want to overwhelm you with a lot of attachments.  But I do want to spend a couple of minutes sharing information about two DVDs that were in the PE notebook last year.  You may be in the same position as the club President who said he didn’t know what to do with the Humanity in Motion disks.  You should have just received a third phase of Rotary’s Global Public Image Campaign.  All of these are suitable for public service announcements, television, radio, print, billboards.  They are good to use during membership-orientations and on your websites.  Check out the Rotary Club of Warrick County’s website to see how they used the material (www.warrickrotary.org).  You might consider running these at the beginning of your club meetings.

   Lee and I last weekend had great fun attending the international fund raising silent and live auction of the Rotary Club of Madison.  President Dave Steele wrote to 55 clubs around the world asking them to donate an item that could be auctioned to benefit our PolioPlus program.  Twenty-seven clubs sent items including a club in economically poor Bangladesh that sent a large box of interesting and beautiful items.  The cloth texture and colors were amazing.   The club decided to return 50% of the funds raised from there donation.  The amount came close to $700.00.  That’s what I call showing how ROTARY SHARES.  What a partnership!  Then we were off to attend the Saturday night Hawaiian theme gala organized by the Rotary Club of Vincennes.  They had a spirited silent and live auction on a variety of practical and luxury items.  Dancing and good fellowship was had by all.  You might want to count Lee’s fingers to see that his new table saw has done no damage.

   Lee and I also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in serving 76 meals Monday evening at Mother’s Cupboard which is the ongoing community project of the Rotary Club of Brown County.   I know most of you are developing plans for a community project for Saturday, February 23.  Please let me know of your plans and I will share your project with all of our clubs.

*   Presidents:  Please be certain that the March 7-8 PETS registration materials have reached the hands of your PE.  AND, check to be sure your PE has registered.  Remember you are their back-up for next year.

*   This is a recent message from RI Director Tom Branum………………………..

“Here we are at the beginning of 2008 and already halfway through the 2007-2008 Rotary year.  I don’t know about you, but I always look at the start of a new year as a clean slate waiting for us to make our mark upon it.

When we look at M & M objectives, we certainly have our work cut out for us.  We are looking for a 2 ½ percent net increase in membership and for each district to achieve the realistic EREY goal to have each and every member contribute SOMETHING to our great foundation.  That is not much to expect of a group of business and community leaders.  I am confident we can work together to make it happen.”

*   Important   Important   Important   Important:    This is a good time for you to meet with your board and committee members and Assistant Governor to determine which awards your club and individual Rotarians may be eligible to receive.  That includes use of the RI theme and club PR/marketing activities which will take place at District Conference April 25-26 in VeVay.  Please appoint someone (perhaps a past president) to coordinate this activity.

*   Club Presidents watch for the following messages:

1)      Your RI Club Balance Report

2)     Bedford and Jasper fund raising invitations to share with your members.  Great opportunity to share   fellowship with each other.

3)     2008 Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest application forms

*   Reminders:  

1)       Register for District Conference – refer to last week’s memo.

2)       Check with your treasurer regarding RI club dues payment.

3)       Celebrate Rotary’s 103^rd Birthday on Saturday Feb. 23^rd by having a community project.

4)       Send water report to PDG Jerry Fox.

5)       Send me the names of your new members since July 1, 2007.

6)       Send me the names of your members with 5 year or greater perfect attendance.

        7)   Please mail or fax your Semiannual Report to me ASAP

*   Leadership Changes:

Karin Harter, Youth Exchange Chair has a new email address – karinharter@insightbb.com

Mike Roth, Assistant Governor has a new home phone number – 812-730-4877

Ed Fuga is the newly selected President of the Rotary Club of Bedford for the remainder of this year.  He will be supported by Past President Ray Briggs – pilotflyer4321@insightbb.com.

Have a great Rotary week.    DG Judy