Rotary District 7020 Disaster Preparedness Resources

Dear Fellow Rotarians, Friends, and Family,

We are quickly approaching our 200 registration mark. This number will be increased shortly as we finalize travel and registration details of over 100 Haitian Rotarians and finish our BVI Club registration drive. This will mean that by March 15, our projected registration number will be 400 registrants with only 2 months remaining before the highly anticipated District Conference 7020 in the BVI. This is exciting!

Therefore, if you have not registered you must register now to be a part of this amazing experience. Please visit our website at www.rotary7020conference.com and register online using a quick process. Our registration experts can be reached by emailing business.servicesbvi2013@gmail.com  They are ready to answer all of your questions.

Here are a few facts about conference registration.

1. The main conference activities will take place on Tortola at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

2. Maria's by the Sea is our conference hotel where our main hospitality lounge will be housed. You must book your hotel separately and directly with the hotel. There are other hotel choices where transportation will be provide to the conference site at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

3. In order to attend the events that are Free, you and your family must be registered for the conference. (PETS only, Assembly and Conference only, or PETS/Assembly/Conference).  The Partner Program (for guests)is $70 dollars.

4. The BVI has an entry visa requirement for some county nationals in our district, which are Jamaica and Haiti. If you reside in one of the other district islands but you are a national of another country please email us at bvi2013@gmail.com to ascertain if you need a visa for the conference. We have made the entry visa process very easy:

• 1. Register for the conference
• 2. Email your passport page fact page and conference registration number.
• 3. Get your Visa within two weeks.

The deadline for this process is March 15, 2012

5. Once you have registered for the conference you will receive an email confirmation number at your email address. You can update your registration details at any time after using your confirmation number. Ensure that your travel details are accurate so that we can ensure that you are collected at all ports of entry. If you already registered, please modify your registration to include travel information.

6. If you have any questions about registration please email business.servicesbvi2013@gmail.com   For all other general registration questions about the conference please email bvi2013@gmail.com

We have an amazing conference planned under the theme "Experience the Passion of Rotary”. If you have never been to the BVI you must come to experience the culture, food, people and simply amazing vistas.

See you at District Conference 7020 May 13-18 2013. BVI Mehson!

YIRS,

Conference Chairman
David B D Archer Jr

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year

A message from the District Governor: 

During this Festive Season, the meaning of Peace through Service will be shown in countless ways by thousands of Rotarians the world over. With the Christmas message of 'Peace & Hope' in our thoughts, we will be able to look back on the opportunities where we have given someone, somewhere, the opportunity to live and enjoy life, without having to fight to survive. We will also be able to anticipate further opportunities to serve during the New Year.

As 2012 draws to an end, I would like to extend my thanks to everyone, everywhere who has made this year a tremendous success. Thank you for all your efforts!

As Monica and I have traveled across the District it has offered us the opportunity to see the marvelous work carried out by our clubs. Along with enthusiasm, commitment and an understanding of local needs, I realize that in our District, no project is too big or too small for a Rotary club to undertake. By giving of their time, energy and creative thinking, Rotarians in District 7020 achieve a great deal and I invite the clubs to share with the public the news of what they are doing and see how it will make a positive difference in membership growth.

As we are aware, we are now down to less than 250 new cases of polio in the last year, but the battle is far from over. The political and financial obstacles to full eradication remain significant, therefore it is essential that we continue to build awareness, raise funds, and encourage advocacy.

As we reflect on the year that has passed and approach a new year, let’s ponder on what we can do to continue to make a difference in our community. As Gandhi said, “you must be the change you want to see in this world”. What changes do you personally plan to make in 2013?

We hope that the New Year brings everyone health, happiness and joy, wherever you are. Once again, thank you for all your efforts during 2012.

Monica & I wish you all, a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

DG Vance

December 2012

Doing Good: Intro from Rotary International on Vimeo.

 

 

Rotary International on Facebook

D uring the Age of Discovery, Portuguese explorers landed in places that are now home to many Rotarians who will attend the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, 23-26 June. (Register by 15 December to enjoy the best rate).

Prince Henry the Navigator, son of King John I, paved the way for Portugal’s dominance in exploration by sponsoring excursions that crept southward along the coast of Africa in the early 15th century. (In 1484, Christopher Columbus approached King John II with a proposal to sail west in search of the Indies, but it was rejected. Spain got the credit for that famed journey.)

Among the great Portuguese explorers was Bartolomeu Dias, who in 1488 sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of Africa, ultimately proving to Europeans that it was possible to reach the Indies (and their valuable spices) by sea. In 1497, Vasco da Gama went farther, sailing up the eastern coast of Africa and across the Arabian Sea to reach India. Three years later, Pedro Álvares Cabral, en route to India, first sailed southwest to what is now Brazil.

In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe – although Magellan himself perished in a battle in the Philippines and did not complete the trip. Magellan was Portuguese, but because he’d fallen out of favor in his home country, his fleet sailed under the Spanish flag.

You can see evidence of Portugal’s prosperity during this era at some of Lisbon’s most beautiful sites, including the Jerónimos Monastery, which houses da Gama’s tomb, and Belém Tower, built to defend the mouth of the Tagus River.

• Register by 15 December and save.
• Sign up for the RI Convention Update for the latest news on the convention.
• Get resources to promote the convention to your Rotarian friends.
• Read more stories from The Rotarian or sign up for the digital edition.

The month of November in our Rotary calendar is celebrated as Foundation month. Our Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka in his monthly message reminds us of our Foundation’s motto: “Doing Good in the World”. He also reminded us that we can do so much more good through The Foundation than we could ever do alone in order to continue to help people – people just like us.

I would like to reiterate to Rotarians that it is incumbent on us, Rotarians, to ensure that our Foundation remains a strong and viable entity if we are to continue to change people’s life and circumstances. To support our Foundation there is no donation of time and resources too small. Each combines to result in an ocean of help for humanity. We can guarantee the future success of our Foundation by each contributing what we can to the various funds of the Foundation. There are many ways to do this, but at this time I wish to focus on one of the ways of giving.

One of our goals for our District this year, and for the foreseeable future, is to encourage every Rotarian to give something to our Annual Fund. This concept is known as Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY). Many persons in our regional communities and beyond, whose lives we have changed through our Rotary Foundation make sacrifices every day just to make ends meet. As Rotarians, it’s incumbent on us to give up a little to ensure the future viability of the Foundation.

If each of us makes a small sacrifice, then together, we can make a much greater impact than if we tried alone. If we choose to make that sacrifice by giving to the Foundation, then as a District, for the first time ever, we would have 100% of our clubs contributing to our Foundation! Wouldn’t that be a powerful statement by all of our collective voices? It would also mean an organization in which every single member is supporting, and is invested in, the Foundation’s success – making The Rotary Foundation truly Our Foundation; through the magic of collaboration.

I conclude my message by appealing to every Rotarian in this District and elsewhere to change the world a little bit at a time by ensuring that through our individual sacrifices, we can become a collective giant. If we do, we will truly be living the words of the motto of our Rotary Foundation: “Doing Good in the World”.

Peace Through Service,

DG Vance

~ Article Taken from the Zone 33 & 34 Newsletter 

To Read the Newsletter in its entirety click here: http://www.directory-online.com/Rotary/Accounts/3334/Downloads/0/Newsletter_2012_Nov_Zones_33-34.pdf

 On November 17, General Secretary John Hewko and his wife will be riding 111 miles in the El Tour de Tucson Ride where they hope to raise $111,000 for polio eradication as a tribute to all of the Rotarians worldwide who have helped push polio to the brink of eradication.
Between now and then, Rotarians can log into Member Access at www.rotary.org and contribute to GS Hewko – Ride to End Polio.
Past RI Vice President Eric Adamson from District 7570 will also be traveling to Arizona to ride in the El Tour de Tucson Ride and help raise money for the eradication of Polio in memory of Bill Orndorff, Rotarian and avid cyclist. Eric plans to ride 85 miles with a goal to raise $85,000. You can support Eric by making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. Email the amount of your contribution to Eric at eric.adamson@earthlink.net so that he can track the progress toward his goal.
Contributions supporting John and Eric receive Paul Harris credit and will be credited toward your club and district.

October is Vocational Service month; those of you who have read President Tanaka’s message for this month will I hope, excuse me for using a part of his message here, but I think there is a message here for all of us, (here he is talking of his first experiences as a new member of Rotary) and I quote “for the first two years, we didn’t do much. Every week, I came to my meeting, I ate lunch, and I listened to a speaker. I paid my dues, and I gave money to The Rotary Foundation. But I wasn’t involved in any service. I didn’t know what Rotary service was supposed to be. That all changed one week, when we had a speaker who talked about vocational service.  This was a new idea to me. Until then, I had never thought much about the purpose of my life, or why I was in business. I was too busy working. I was always focused on my business, and on how to make it larger and better. I never stopped to consider any deeper purpose of my work.”

Step back and take a few moments to reflect on this. Can you see yourself here? Or maybe you experienced a “Rotary moment” when a light came on and you came to understand the true purpose of being a Rotarian.

So what is Vocational Service? To get a full perspective on this I went to the RI web site. I learnt that Vocational Service provides the opportunity for Rotarians to help those less fortunate in the world, in our communities, to escape poverty and regain a measure of self respect. As Rotarians, we have a responsibility to promote high ethical standards through our vocations, and we use our professional skills and expertise to address problems and needs in our societies. One way we can promote high ethical standards is to quote Rotary’s Four Way test at every opportunity.

Vocational Service is one way that sets Rotary apart from other service and humanitarian organisations as it is unique to Rotary. Through our Classifications lists, we ensure that Club membership properly represents the professional vocations within our communities.  So how can your clubs do your part in promoting Vocational Service? Here are some suggestions:

• Ask members to speak about their vocations at Club meetings
• Extend this to presentations to Rotaract, Interact and EarlyAct Clubs, and also to students in local secondary schools
• Invite young persons to your place of work, explain what you do and emphasise the high ethical standards that exist
• Promote the Four Way Test, by including on business cards, posters displayed in the work place, in schools
• Promote the Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions (for more detail on this go to http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/255en.pdf
• Promote an essay competition where participants describe how the Four Way Test has impacted their lives

Good luck to you all! I look forward to hearing about all the great and imaginative activities that you engage in this month of Vocational Service as Monica and I continue our visits to Clubs in Haiti, seeing at first hand further evidence of the great work we all continue to do.

Oktober 2012

Dear fellow Rotarians,

Every Rotarian is different. Every Rotarian was drawn into Rotary for different reasons, and many vividly remember their first “Rotary Moment” – the moment when they went from being members of their Rotary clubs to being committed Rotarians.

I love hearing these stories and learning about what drew each Rotarian into Rotary. For some, it was a Rotary office, a particular project, or a convention. For me, it was a speaker at an ordinary weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Yashio, about two years after I’d joined.

I am a charter member of my club, and I was invited to join by the charter president. I had never heard of Rotary, and at the time, I didn’t really know what service meant. But I was new to Yashio. I had just moved there from Tokyo, and I didn’t know many people. I thought Rotary would be a good way to make friends and to help my business, and I respected the person who invited me, so I joined.

But to be honest, for the first two years, we didn’t do much. Every week, I came to my meeting, I ate lunch, and I listened to a speaker. I paid my dues, and I gave money to The Rotary Foundation. But I wasn’t involved in any service. I didn’t know what Rotary service was supposed to be.

That all changed one week, when we had a speaker who talked about vocational service.  This was a new idea to me. Until then, I had never thought much about the purpose of my life, or why I was in business. I was too busy working. I was always focused on my business, and on how to make it larger and better. I never stopped to consider any deeper purpose of my work.

Understanding the idea of vocational service completely changed my attitude toward my work, and toward my own purpose in life. I realized that the goal of a person doing business is not only to earn a living. The purpose is to be a contributing member of the community, to make the community stronger, and to help make other people’s lives better. When I understood this, and understood the concept of Service Above Self, it changed my life – and set me firmly on the path to a life of Rotary service. That is my Rotary Moment.

 

 

Lisbon depicted in blue tile, Rotary International on Facebook

Portugal is home to 0.15 percent of the global population – a fact that belies the country’s outsize influence. Portuguese ranks seventh in the world in the number of native speakers and is an official language in nine countries. Rotarians who attend the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, 23-26 June, will likely meet Portuguese speakers with a variety of accents, from Angola to Brazil to Macau to Mozambique.

In tourist areas, you will also find it easy to communicate in English, but if you can speak a bit of the local language, you’ll better appreciate Lisbon and all it has to offer. Here’s a primer to get you started.

• Hello!  Olá!
• Pleased to meet you.  Muito prazer.
• Good morning/afternoon/evening!  Bom dia/Boa tarde/Boa noite!
• Please.  Por favor.
• Thank you.  Obrigado (women say obrigada).
• My name is …  O meu nome é … or Chamo-me …
• I don’t speak Portuguese. Do you speak English?  Desculpe, não falo português. Fala inglês?
• I don’t understand.  Não entendo.
• Excuse me, where is … ?  Desculpe, onde fica … ?
• Goodbye!  Adeus!
• See you soon!  Até logo!

Register for the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon.

It’s a great honor to serve as your 2012-13 RI president and represent you in Rotary.  Since joining this organization in 1975, it has changed my life and given me more than I ever anticipated. I look forward to sharing some of that with you.

Through Rotary, I learned the purpose of my life wasn’t to earn more, but to help others.  Through our service, we learn that the problems that may seem large to us are really very small.

I also learned that through Rotary, we could build peace.  As part of the first generation to grow up in Japan after World War II, I understand the importance of peace and its connection to our well-being.

Peace can mean many things for many people, but however we understand peace, Rotary can help us achieve it. Rotary helps us meet the basic needs of health care, sanitation, food, and education.  These can bring peace. In addition, we need peace as well for vaccinators to go into countries such as Afghanistan to prevent children from getting polio. It is through our work as Rotarians that we help to build the foundation for a more peaceful world.

Through service, we can bring peace. This is why our 2012-12 Rotary theme is Peace Through Service. 

During my year as your president, I look forward to hearing from you on LinkedIn and when I post on the blog. I also hope to see you at one of my three Rotary Global Peace Forums. 

Read more about RI President Tanaka.

July 2012

Dear fellow Rotarians

I wish to thank you for the confidence that you have placed in me by electing me as your District Governor for 2012 -2013. On behalf of Monica and myself, I would like to congratulate all newly elected officers at Club and District level in D7020.

Out Rotary International theme for 2012 -2013 – Peace Through Service - offers us an insight into the thinking of our RI President, Sakuji Tanaka. He has asked us to focus on peace in all the different ways that we understand it and to make service a priority. By doing this, we place the needs of others above our own and soon we begin to understand and respect each other while learning from one another. As we put Peace Through Service at the forefront of our Rotary work this year, we commit to a Rotary goal of a more peaceful world.

In District 7020, we must develop our clubs’ strategic plans and implement the various aspects with an emphasis on maintaining our strengths and improving our areas of weaknesses.

In the area of membership, we should work to increase diversification to become representative of our local communities, keep our membership engaged which will improve our attractiveness and have relevant service projects which will act as a membership retention mechanism.

For 2012 -13, I am asking all Rotarians to ensure that they contribute to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). My aim is to have zero non-contributing clubs to TRF in D7020. We can achieve this in a variety of ways but whichever way you can, please ensure that you make a meaningful contribution. When we look at the good work done through TRF, I’m sure that you will agree that D7020 has been a huge beneficiary and if this trend is to continue, then we must do our part. We must also continue to support the eradication of polio from the face of the earth.

As we follow our Rotary calendar, there will be opportunities for increased collaboration in a variety of ways to keep your club strong and vibrant and for the ultimate improvement of our various communities.

Finally, as this is the first of my monthly messages, I am asking all Presidents to ensure that your Semi Annual Returns (SAR) are completed on time and that all District and RI dues are paid up before the end of July 2012.

As Monica and I visit your clubs over the next few months, we will be exploring new options (some untraditional) of how we can work with you to support and strengthen all clubs in the District while ensuring that we enjoy great fellowship with you. Together we will Experience The Passion of Rotary, (our 2013 District Conference theme) throughout the year and in Tortola, BVI at D7020’s 39^th District Conference between May 14 – 18^th.

Yours In Rotary Service

Vance Lewis

District Governor District 7020

The 2012 Conference Committee for the District 7020 welcomes all Rotarians to our website.

My name is Alain Haspil, your website host. I would like to take this opportunity to point out a few things you should do to ensure a successful registration.
 
1. There are 2 forms available on the website, and must be filled out. They go to different people, so please make sure you do both correctly.

http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/7020//HTML/139372//registration_form1.pdf

http://www.agencecitadelle.com/Tourrotary.pdf

First, fill out the Conference Committee form. It must be sent to 2012districtconference@gmail.com . This will ensure your Conference Registration.

Second, fill out the hotel accommodations form, which must be sent to Rotary7020@agencecitadelle.com . If Agence Citadelle does not receive its form, your accommodation reservation will not be confirmed.

So remember, fill out both forms on the website - one to the Conference Committee, and the other to Agence Citadelle.

Address for registration: 2012districtconference@gmail.com

Address for accommodation: Rotary7020@agencecitadelle.com

PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ANY RESERVATION TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOTELS BUT ONLY ON THE FORM PROVIDED TO AGENCE CITADELLE OR ELSE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATION WILL NOT BE MADE.YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

2. Those interested in the "Jaipur" project (Rehab Project and prosthesis assembly shop, on Monday April 23, 2012), for relative information as well as travel information to Pignon: Please contact:

Adele ROMELUS <nr_adele@yahoo.com>; (509) 37026060

3. All hotels listed for the conference are along the beach and are within 10 minutes from the conference site. They all meet international standards and have Wi-Fi. For more info please visit their websites, available on the Conference site.

For your info, Hotel Indigo has a capacity of 280 rooms and is the Conference location.

4. Once you finalize your registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail within two days. Should you not receive a confirmation e-mail, please contact:

 Margareth DELAQUIS <margaretfdelaquis@gmail.com>;phone (509) 37563388

Dominique BAZIN< nikabazin@yahoo.com>; (509) 36055924
Thank you for taking this walk with me. We wish you a successful registration, and look forward to seeing you in April!
 
Alain Haspil
Website Host
District 7020 Conference 2012

Do you know any youngsters with leadership potential? Want a great way to help make them tomorrow's greatest leaders? Well, here's your chance!

The Rotary Clubs of St. Andrew North, Downtown Kingston, Spanish Town, Liguanea Plains & Trafalgar New Heights will be hosting a RYLA Camp at Oberlin Conference Facility in the cool hills of St. Andrew, Jamaica from Feb 22 to 25, 2012 for young leaders aged 14 - 18 years old.  With a modest registration fee of J$6,000 (US$75) which includes meals and accommodation, the event promises to be spectacular!  Participants must be sponsored by a Rotary club and will be exposed to a variety of top-notch presenters while forming lasting friendships with youngsters from around the District. 

Need more motivation? How about this - participation in the RYLA gets you points towards RI's Changemaker Award!

Consider sponsoring a few of your Interactors or other talented youngsters today!  Registration forms and further details will be distributed in the coming week.  Space is limited so don't delay!

Please share this awesome opportunity with all your club members.  Have a great week!  

Yours in Rotary service,
Kameika Fullerton-DeLisser
President 2011 - 2012
Rotary Club of St. Andrew North

Office: (876) 749-0814 | Mobile: (876) 399-3011 | Fax: (876) 749-6278
Email: kamfull@hotmail.com | Skype: kamfull1 | Blackberry Pin: 22C05AF3

Welcome everyone to this new Rotarian year!!! Presidents, Rotarians, Rotaractors of District 7020!!! I hope you all have a 2011-2012 year full of happiness, lots of Rotarian action, and much success. My salutation is addressed particularly to the Clubs Presidents, as well as all those exercising a function within our District. You are undoubtedly involved in a captivating and interesting year.

As you all know, one of the highlights of the year is the annual District Conference. This year, it will be held in Haiti, on the cote des Arcadins, in April of 2012. Your dedication and commitment is for us, an exceptional model, stimulating others and even yourselves to engage. That is what we need. KalyanBenerjee, the new Rotary International President has chosen a terrific theme for the year. He has asked us to draw from within to embrace humanity. His words, reflected in the chosen logo, remind me of a quote by well-known educator and philosopher Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, who encouraged people to practice "head, heart and hand” in everything they do. So this Rotarian year, let's try to let our hearts speak! The best way to do this is to ensure that our District Conference is exceptional, and that from the fruitful exchanges made, extraordinary motivation and ardor will redouble our efforts to victoriously and productively complete our Rotarian year.

Thank you all for the signs of encouragement that I am already feeling. With your support, we will succeed. As the Governor visits your Club this year, you will be given the opportunity to view the promotional CD that will, we are sure, fascinate and enthrall you, thus encouraging you to complete and confirm your participation. Though registration has begun, reminders will be sent throughout the year. Keep in mind that the PETS assembly is also an opportunity to present next year’s objectives.

I am relying on all Club Presidents and Secretaries to continuously forward reminders to Club members, as they will be sent to them by email on a regular basis.

Looking forward to your contribution and input!!!

Wishing you all a great summer, and see you soon.

Claude Surena

Chairman de la Convention du district 2012

Rotary Club de Petion ville,Haiti

District 7020

As District Governor 2011-2012, I would like to welcome you to what I hope will be a productive and participative year for all the clubs within District 7020.

Read about how you can help the Alabama Tornado victims.  Click the link below:

http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/7020//HTML/125893//AlabamaTornadoDisasterFund.pdf

Click on either of the links below to access District Conference photos!

https://picasaweb.google.com/dianawhite.7020/DC2011#
 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tropicalfocus/collections/72157626283367385/

Address delivered by Past The Rotary Foundation Trustee, Carolyn Jones

at the Rotary District 7020 Conference in St. Thomas

Governor Diana, Governor John, Rotarians and guests.  I bring you greetings from your friends in District 5010, the Rotarians of Yukon Territory, Canada; Alaska, USA and Siberia and Far East Russia. 

We now have a new YELLOW PAGES website for District 7020!  Up and running right now - 

Click the link below to have a look -

http://www.rotaweb.org/ypg_search.cgi?district=7020

Access to this site can also be found under

(1) District links in the left-side menu

(2) Currently posted as a News Item on the right side of this screen.

Inspired by the Guinness World Record-breaking book drive held during the 2008 Rotary International Convention held in Los Angeles, California, District 7020 has set its own challenge.to set a new record, and impact a generation.

Follow this link to keep up to date with the 7020 GSE Team currently visiting Australia,led by PDG Richard Grant

http://www.australiaexchange2009.spaces.live.com/

PDG Dick updates us on the situation in Haiti after the Hurricanes they have experienced this year.

http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/7020//html/46664/DisasterVisitsept2008.pdf

Follow our team on their travels;

http://gse2008.myphotoalbum.com

Follow the travels and experiences of our visiting GSE team from District 6950 in West/Central Florida.

http://www.gsecaribbean.com/blog/

While you are at it; take a look at the experiences of the team while in St. Thomas at

http://rotaryvi.blogspot.com

This video is available on YouTube and on www.7020.org How many clubs and Rotarians do you recognize from this video?

DG’s message for June 2103

If you have ever listened to someone who has just achieved a major accomplishment- like a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, or someone being granted an Honorary Doctorate for his or her special work, he or she talks about how they honored, grateful and humbled he or she might feel. Well, looking back at the Rotary year 2012-2013, I can’t help feeling honored at the fact that Monica and I got to represent such a vibrant District at so many different events and in so many different ways. I feel grateful for the warmth we received as we visited the 83 Rotary Clubs across our 10 islands.  Most of all, though, I feel humbled at the vast works of Rotary and that District 7020 continues to shine brightly in the Rotary universe.

 It has been a long and busy year. When the year started out, I must admit, I felt a little daunted at the thought that we would have to visit 82 clubs in 10 countries – with visits to 80% of them requiring travel through Miami from the BVI. Most District Governors can simply get in their cars and drive around their district visiting their clubs. For us, it meant numerous flights, layovers, and lots of organization on the part of the Assistant Governors.  Each trip, however, to the different islands was so unique and well planned that we couldn’t help getting excited about each trip. The clubs around our district have so many different personalities that it was great to get to know them all. We will never forget the amazing fellowships, the visits to diverse service projects, and meeting everyone.  These visits have proven to me that District 7020 is one of the most vibrant districts of Rotary.

 It is this vibrancy, this passion, that we have for Rotary that helps us to continue to grow in stature each year as a District. I’m especially proud to announce that we have chartered, several Rotaract, Interact and EarlyAct clubs, A Rotary Community Corps and two new Rotary clubs - including our first EClub for the District. And we have another EClub that’s on the verge of being chartered too! We have grown our membership by 2.5 percent without compromising quality and that is something we must all be proud of.

 Our Public Image Outreach has been so vast this year as well. The District has utilized social media, more than ever before, to improve inter and intra District Communication. We have reached out to younger Rotarians and prospective Rotarians through Facebook, blogging and, yes, even twitter. We now have hundreds of twitter followers of the District Governor. Also, District 7020 has the honor of having more clubs receiving the 2012 -13 Zone 34 Public Image Citation than any other District in the Zone. At the outset we decided to focus on improving our Public Image this year and we succeeded.

 We did not forget the Rotary Foundation either. As we prepared and trained for the transition to Future Vision, we increased our giving to the Rotary Foundation with increased giving to the Annual Fund and substantial contribution to Polio Eradication Initiative.

 Our list of successes as clubs and as a District is way too long to specify here, but I wish to thank everyone for your continued Service Above Self and for working with Monica and me to ensure that this District remains vibrant and passionate about Rotary. With all this work that we’ve done to improve and grow this year, I know our clubs are stronger for it and this makes our District stronger. We had over 500 participants at our exciting 39^th District 7020 Conference, PETS, and Assembly this year in the BVI. We experienced the passion of Rotary while we built Peace Through Service. That alone is a clear sign that we are a healthy, strong, and passionate District. This is something we all must be proud of.

 As we transition to a new Rotary year and a new District Governor - Jeremy Hurst, I request that you continue to be passionate about Rotary and that you Engage Rotary - Change Lives to build bigger, better and bolder clubs.

 Thank you District 7020 for such a wonderful – passionate year!

June 2013

Dear fellow Rotarians,

A Rotary convention is a powerful thing, and a first convention is an experience you never forget. My first was in Chicago, in 1980. That was the year I was president of the Rotary Club of Yashio. I thought we should learn more about Rotary, so I asked nine other members of my club to join me, and we traveled to Chicago together. We did not know what to expect from a Rotary convention. What we found was more than any of us had imagined.

That convention showed me Rotary, and changed me forever. It gave our club something to strive for. I came to that convention as a member of a Rotary club. I left it as a Rotarian. The feeling that entered my heart in Chicago is still there today.

I am glad I will have the opportunity, as an RI president from Japan, to be part of the convention in Portugal. Portugal and Japan have a history together that began in the year 1542. This was the year that a Portuguese boat landed on a southern Japanese island. The Portuguese sailors did not plan to come to Japan. Strong winds blew their boat off course. But it was a happy accident, and the beginning of a peaceful and prosperous relationship.

In 1993, Japan and Portugal celebrated 450 years of good relations. Portugal was the first European country visited by the Japanese, in the middle of the 16th century. And the long Portuguese presence in Japan has had a lasting effect on my country.

The Portuguese found Japan by accident. But it is no accident that Lisbon has been chosen for this convention. Lisbon is A Harbor for Peace. And peace is the theme of this convention, as it has been the theme between Japan and Portugal for nearly 500 years.

As Rotarians, we work toward peace in many ways. We do it through humanitarian service. We do it through our belief in Service Above Self. And we work toward peace simply by being who we are. Every year, when we come together for a Rotary convention, we see, for a few days, the world as it could be. We see people of all colors and cultures come together. We work to build a better world.

I hope you will join me, and your fellow Rotarians, as we celebrate this year of Peace Through Service together.

From left, RI President-elect Ron Burton and wife, Jetta, Foundation Trustee Chair Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Past RI President Luis Vicente Giay, RI President Sakuji Tanaka, RI General Secretary John Hewko, and Celia Elena Cruz de Giay at the awards banquet.

Rotary has received a silver Edison Award in recognition of the Future Vision Plan, the new grant model that enhances the scope, impact, and sustainability of humanitarian and educational projects funded by The Rotary Foundation. 

Since 1987, the Edison Awards have recognized innovative new products, services and business leaders in the United States. The awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Edison. Winners represent active contributors to the cause of innovation in the world. 

RI President Sakuji Tanaka accepted the award during the annual Edison Awards gala held 25 April in Chicago, the city where Rotary was founded in 1905. The Future Vision Plan received top honors among funding models competing in the Lifestyle and Social Impact category. Nominee ballots were judged by a panel of more than 3,000, including members of seven associations that represent a wide range of industries and disciplines. 

“This Edison Award recognizes and validates Rotary’s innovative approach to humanitarian service, as we constantly strive to improve lives and communities by addressing the world’s most pressing problems,” says Tanaka. “It is a great honor to accept such a prestigious award on behalf of Rotary’s global membership of 1.2 million men and women.”

The Edison Award coincides with the successful completion of a three-year pilot in which 100 Rotary districts in more than 70 countries tested Rotary’s new grant model. 

The Future Vision Plan simplifies Rotary’s grant process, and focuses Rotarian service efforts where they will have the greatest impact. The model is innovative in combining Rotary’s volunteer base and a global reach with local resources to support sustainable, high-impact results in communities all over the world. The model funds more than US$100 million in service projects annually.  

The new grant model will be implemented 1 July for Rotary clubs worldwide.

QU’EST-CE QUE LA PÉRENNITÉ? (FR) from Rotary International on Vimeo.

What Is Sustainability? (EN) from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

You have 3 days (Wednesday 8^th May, 2013) to register if you intend to be a part of District Conference 2013 under the theme, Experience the Passion of Rotary.

We have reached our 450th registration mark for what is geared to be one of the most exciting conferences in District 7020. Please visit our website at www.rotary7020conference.com to register for the conference and to see the updates for our Family of Rotary Programme and other activities.

Please note the following for all persons attending the conference:

1.     All attendees must be registered for a conference event (PETS only $150, PETS/Assembly/Conference $250 or Assembly/Conference Only $150. 

2.     Guest of Rotarians must be registered for Partner Program $70. 

3.     You can modify your registration to include a conference event UP TO AND INCLUDING WEDNESDAY MAY 8 by visiting www.rotary7020conference.com, click on 'Already Registered' and 'modify registration', entering their email address and confirmation number. 

4.     Registrants who have not selected conference events by Wednesday May 8 should be prepared to make selections and payment at the registration desk at Maria's by the Sea Hotel from Sunday 12 May.

5.     All Registrants must update travel and hotel information in order to be collected from the airport and ferry terminals and transported to the hotels and registration.  The Conference Committee will not be responsible for transportation of any Rotarian who did not indicate arrival and hotel information.

6.     You must be registered for the Conference and Assembly in order to attend any events for the Conference (this includes free events). Persons who have only registered for free events and not registered for a conference event will be automatically registered for Conference and Assembly Only at a cost of $150. 

7.     The official dress of the conference is business casual. We do look forward to seeing those classic navy blazers however. You will also need to have formal wear for the District Governor's Ball and elegant wear for His Excellency the Governor's Reception.

8.     Each country is responsible for putting together a bowling team for the "Bowl out Polio" tournament, which will be held on Wednesday evening after His Excellency the Governor's Reception.

9.     We are also asking each country to bring a bottle or two of their country's aged rum for the rum tasting event on Wednesday evening after bowling. 

10.  Persons are asked to bring a pair of sneakers to take part in the Rotary Walk on Saturday morning at 5:30 am.

11.  The Official currency of the Conference is US Dollars.

12.  The Official Bank of the Conference is Scotia Bank.

13.  The Official telecommunications provider of the conference is LIME.

14.  The District Governor's Ball is quickly selling out so if you intend to attend you should sign up immediately.

15.  Conference and luncheons are being held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College which is away from hotels so please be prepared to purchase lunch tickets.

16.  Please visit the website for details on the Family Program and  ensure that your families take part in great activities while you are at Conference.

17.  For further information about the Conference please visit www.rotary7020conference.com or email business.servicesbvi2013@gmail.com for registration questions and bvi2013@gmail.com for general questions about the conference.

We look forward to seeing you for the week of 13-18 May 2013 at the Rotary District Conference 2013 in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

YIRS,

David Archer

District Conference Chairman

District Governor’s Message for May 2013

For the past two years, I’ve traveled extensively on various Rotary missions – in preparation for taking over as District Governor for our great district. During my travels, I’ve visited not only the 10 wonderful countries that make up District 7020, but also many other countries on Rotary business. This has given me a vast appreciation of Rotary at work throughout the world. But, it has also reinforced the pride I feel in our great District - District7020. Through my travels, I’ve not only experienced a passion for Rotary but also Experienced the Passion of Rotary.

When I chose – Experience the Passion of Rotary - as our theme for our Rotary District for the year 2012-2013, I felt that it was something that really described our District. District 7020 is a vibrant and passionate district. Every year, we continue to grow in size. We have an increasing number of New Generations Clubs. We have an amazing relationship with our growing number of Rotaractors and we also keep expanding our Interact and our EarlyAct clubs. Last month we chartered a new Rotary Club in Haiti – the Rotary Club of Milot and we currently are grooming two Provisional Rotary E-Clubs. Our projects are dynamic and diversified; and when we fellowship - which we do VERY often – we really know how to fellowship. All these aspects are factors that help to make our district more vibrant and passionate. Don’t you agree?

Now, it might seem like we’re “blowing our own horn” here, but can you deny that you’ve not Experienced the Passion of Rotary in our service projects - our lively weekly meetings and/or during at least one of our fellowships? Also, as our year is quickly coming to an end, now is the time for us to “toot our own horn”. We’ve all worked really hard to contribute to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) - to End Polio Now - to help advance Literacy in our communities - to improve and promote healthy lifestyles with health fairs, etc. It’s been a fun time, but it’s been hard work. And we need to celebrate all our accomplishments. And that’s what District Conference is here to help us do.

The first part of the conference is focused on the Presidents-Elect and Secretary-Elect training so that they can plan and be organized for another exciting and successful Rotary year. The remainder of the conference though, is to celebrate - to continue to Experience the Passion of Rotary by recognizing all our good works, to honor those clubs that have truly excelled – and those individuals who have given of their time, talents and treasures and also to provide excellent opportunities to fellowship and share our experiences of the past year.

David Archer and the BVI District Conference team along with the District 7020 Training team have put together a fabulous week of learning and fellowship. The British Virgin Islands is prepared and anxiously awaiting your arrival with arms wide open to welcome you and showcase Nature’s Little Secrets. If you still have not registered for this year’s District Conference – Register Now! Let’s take this month of May to really show how great Rotary is and to be truly passionate about what we do!  

Let’s together Experience the Passion of Rotary!

Newly Chartered members of the CEHS Interact Club with District Superintendent for Education, Helen Simmons-Johnson (front left), Rotary Club of Eleuthera President, Jacqueline Gibson (front center), and Assistant District Governor, Stanford Charlton (front right).

The Rotary Club of Eleuthera celebrated with two of its youngest clubs on the island on Thursday, March 21, 2013, as they received their official certificates of Charter directly from Assistant District Governor (ADG) Mr. Stanford Charlton – who made a special trip to Eleuthera to share in these auspicious events.

At 2:30pm, a group of 20 students from the Deep Creek Middle School, now the island’s first EarlyAct Club, received their official charter and club pins.  Club advisor and school Principal, Joanna Paul was lauded for her efforts with her enthusiastic group of youngsters.

Later on Thursday evening the Rotary Club of Eleuthera, hosted the Interact Club - based at the Central Eleuthera High School – to a dinner function in celebration of receiving their official certificate of Charter and pins as well.  The Interact Club, which began with high school student President, Kenique Pinder in 2010, has grown since then, and presently boasts a membership of 46 students led by current President, Tiara Bethel.

According to Bethel, her club has been quite active during the past year, with a number of fundraisers, as well as projects, with the latest being the painting/striping of the main parking lot at the Central Eleuthera High School on March 9th.

Jacqueline Gibson, President of the Rotary Club of Eleuthera highlighted that her club has been busy in March, welcoming new and transferred members, working with Rotaract, Interact and Earlyact clubs, as well as spending time with their adopted School for Exceptional learners, where they’ve now established a story reading time, lunch sponsorships and fresh air yoga classes.

District Superintendent Helen Simmons-Johnson congratulates the newly chartered members of the CEHS Interact Club.

District Governor’s Award                            April 15, 2013         Send to DG Vance Lewis   vancelewis7020@gmail.com    with a copy to Dist. Sec. charleshcrane@hotmail.com

Forms and Applications can be found by clicking the AWARDS button on the menu bar above.

 

 

Rotarians in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, raise a banner outside city hall to publicize the polio eradication effort. Photo by Dave Andrews

Rotary International on Facebook

Rotary’s 108th anniversary on 23 February marks a year of both achievements in the fight to eradicate polio and a stepped-up commitment to finish the job. 

Worldwide, 222 polio cases were reported in 2012, a little more than one-third of the 650 cases reported in 2011. India marked its second year without polio on 13 January. Overall, the annual incidence of polio has decreased more than 99 percent since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988. Then polio infected about 350,000 children per year. 

Although the wild poliovirus is now endemic only in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, it could spread from there back to other countries.  

Among Rotary’s chief responsibilities in the eradication initiative is advocacy, an increasingly important element of this latter stage of the effort. In addition to contributing more than US$1 billion to the GPEI, Rotary has helped secure over $9 billion from donor governments since the initiative began in 1988. Rotary is boosting its advocacy work in the 200 countries and regions where Rotary clubs exist to encourage every national government to help meet a $700 million shortfall (as of 1 February) in funding the GPEI through 2013. 

Rotarians in Canada, for example, have used letter-writing campaigns to persuade members of Parliament to support polio eradication. In August 2012, Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair and Past RI President Wilfrid Wilkinson and International PolioPlus Committee Chair Robert Scott, both Canadians, took the lead by writing Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Every Rotarian in the country received a copy of the letter and another that asked them to contact their own members of parliament. 

Within three days, Wilkinson heard back from Rotarians who had conveyed the message to the prime minister or friends serving in other government positions. 

In September, the Canadian government announced the Pennies and More for Polio initiative at a high-level side meeting on polio eradication during the United Nations General Assembly. Through the initiative, which runs until 1 March, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are each contributing C$1 to the GPEI for every dollar raised by Canadian Rotarians, up to $1 million. By the end of December, Rotarians had already exceeded the $1 million potential match, with the combined effort generating more than $3 million for the GPEI. 

“The fundraising by Rotarians allows them to ask for support from the public at large,” says Wilkinson. “The fact that the government of Canada and the Gates Foundation are behind Rotary’s polio eradication effort is a big plus and helps our overall awareness efforts.” 

Canadian Rotarians are also inviting their parliamentary representatives to Rotary club meetings leading up to Rotary’s anniversary. Rotarians everywhere can join the advocacy effort by talking to their elected officials, business leaders, and friends about polio eradication. Here are three ideas for making effective contacts: 

• Share articles about polio eradication, like those on the Rotary Media Center, that draw attention to Rotary’s role and the need for support. 
• Use the graphics available at www.endpolionow.org to show the importance of ending polio. 
• Invite an elected official to speak to your Rotary club and use the event to highlight Rotary’s commitment to ending polio. Give the speaker a polio-related gift, such as an End Polio Now pin or a framed photo of a child being immunized, and a certificate announcing that a contribution to PolioPlus has been made in the speaker’s name.

 “You have been given the greatest opportunity in history to end this disease,” said Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general for Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration at the World Health Organization, speaking at Rotary’s International Assembly in January. “We can only finish with Rotary's leadership.” 

• For more, see the February edition of Global Outlook: A Rotarian’s Guide to Advocacy for Polio Eradication  
• Download or order the PolioPlus Advocacy Flier 
• Watch a video about advocacy for ending polio 
• Be part of the World’s Biggest Commercial

Rotarians of District 7020:

The Zone 34 Peace Symposium is being held this Saturdya February 23rd in Atlanta. They have an amazing program planned. All who can, are encouraged to attend.

Gisella S. Hilliman, MA is a multi-talented young professional, and one of St Maarten's rising young leaders.  Gisella holds a bachelors degree in Psychology from Temple University, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and a Masters degree from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her presentation engaged the participants to seriously evaluate their own personalities and those around them in an attempt to recognize how they themselves and others would react to a particular situation. The topic which set the tone for the rest of the conference which bears the theme “leadership and Peace through cultural diversity” was followed by an Ice Breaking Activity which built on the dinner theme. David McGregor  Director and Trainer of TDC truly broke the ice as participants from Anguilla, St. Kitts, Tortola, Jamaica and St. Maarten took part in an exercise which challenged them to not look at each other in the eyes and remember as many as 20 names, of persons they had never met before, within 20 minutes. The challenge of not looking each other in the eyes failed terribly as clearly in our culture this is not customary. As for remembering names, based on an honor system the winner of this exercise was victorious with claiming to have remembered 18 names. Before lights out on the first night a final treat of ice cream was given as the following morning at 6:30 Patti Panthophlet would set the pace for the day with Zumba.

The Youth conference which is taking place at the MAC school in St. John’s Estate will end on Sunday afternoon. The varied topics discussed will be facilitated at the University of St. Maarten and at the MAC school.

 For more on RYLA 2013 go to www.rotarysxm.org and our facebook page.



Dear Past Present and Future Leadership,
 
Zone 34 has organized its first Peace Symposium in Atlanta in honor of Rotary International President Tanaka’s theme, Peace Through Service.  This symposium will be at the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel, One Hartsfield Centre Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30354 on Saturday, February 23, 2013, from 8am – 3:00pm.
 
A very exciting program has been arranged by Co-Chairs Margie Kersey (District 6900) and PDG Betsy Owen (District 6930). Among the events will be a "peace dance” performed by an African American troupe, Interact and Rotaract Clubs presenting their prize winning projects, and a video displaying the peace projects of the clubs of Zone 34.  Our presenters will be Peter Kyle speaking on Partners and Peace”, Dr. Abidemi Fasanmifrom Nigeria, speaking on "Gender Equality and Peace”, Jay Hakes speaking on "Energy Sources and Peace, and Wes Boughner speaking on  projects clubs might accomplish for peace. Along with many other fun activities a peace pole will be planted to welcome visitors to the 2017 Rotary International Convention to symbolize our present and future commitment to the peace initiative.
 
If any of your New Generations groups (Interact or Rotaract) or clubs would like to help make origami cranes for the event, we will be happy to accept them if mailed to arrive by February 18. Instructions are attached. Please mail finished cranes to Christine Barrett – 3591 Montana Rd., Buford, Ga 30519, 865-293-2401. If your New Generations groups are sending in their Peace Projects, please send them by February 8 to Rich Panyik – 227 Chandler Walk, Loganville, GA 30052, ripanyik@bellsouth.net.
 
If any of your clubs have pictures of their peace projects for the slide show, please (by February 8) mail them or email them to Margie Kersey – PO Box 464381, Lawrenceville, GA 30042,404-680-7336, Margie@callkbs.com.
 
We are asking you or your appointee to work with the committee to ensure that there is a big contingency from your district in attendance.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Atlanta on February 23 to join in the festivities to celebrate Peace Through Service. Registration information is attached to this email or http://www.IsMyRotaryClub.org/Register/GuestMemberExternal.cfm?EventID=77199599 will work. Be sure and mention "Rotary District” when making your reservations at the hotel to receive the discount rooms of $89.00. You can also register through your Dacdb under the date under on the calendar tab. See you there!
 
RID Anne L. Matthews
ALM/bo 

The Rotary Club of Kingston Invites District 7020 to:

Celebrate Rotary Awareness Day

Monday, January 28, 2013

Wear your most outstanding Rotary regalia to work

and attract attention to Rotary.

Wear your pins, badges, medallions, Paul Harris Fellow pin and medallion,

shirts and hats where possible.

Presidents, Secretaries, Vice Presidents and Sergeants wear your Chains of Office.

Throughout the day talk about Rotary, service, volunteering, Family of Rotary

and invite non Rotarians to your next meeting. Then share the reactions you get on your club’s website and face book page, along with pictures.

Share your feedback with the Rotary Club of Kingston at : kingstonrotary@cwjamaica.com or Joyfulirving@ymail.com

District Governor Vance Lewis has endorsed this initiative as a part of Rotary Awareness Month.

The Four Rotary Clubs on St. Maarten/Saint Martin are planning one of the largest Youth conferences St. Maarten has hosted for the second time called RYLA. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-30, but most clubs and districts choose to focus on a narrower age range, such as 14-18 or 19-30.

RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for the youth, provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders, encourage leadership of youth by youth and recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.

The St Maarten/St Martin hosted RYLA will take place February 14-17, 2013.

The conference will target persons between the ages 14-17 years old from 10 countries in the Caribbean. In addition to Intercators from St. Maarten and Saint Martin,  participants are expected to come from Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Us Virgin Islands, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Island, Turks & Caicos and Anguilla.

Between seventy and one hundred and twenty participants are expected to attend the conference and preparations are in full swing.

Intercators on St. Maarten/Saint Martin are making their preparations for the Valentine’s weekend during which the 3 day conference will be held. The conference is being made possible through the generosity of sponsors such as CIBC, Nagico, Sol and Russell Bell Transportation.

In addition to being fun filled and an opportunity to make new friends the young leaders will be brushing up on their leadership skills such as listening and feedback. Effective public speaking, conflict resolution, dealing with bullying in an assertive but non aggressive way and much more are on the agenda. But it’s not only the leadership skills that will be polished, also team-building, culture and challenge exercises as well as community services projects are part of this grand event. The evenings are filled with more relaxing yet exiting activities which will put vocal cords and dancing skills to the test.    

DG’S MESSAGE FOR March 2013

Rotary celebrates Literacy during the month of March. In District 7020, we also celebrate March as Emphases Month, where we can highlight some of our many service projects that focus on clean water, literacy, and health and hunger.

Clubs throughout the ten islands of our district donate to clean water projects, assist with feeding programs in schools and shelters, host health clinics and the list continues. What makes me especially proud of our district, though, are the hands-on, time consuming projects that we invest in as Rotarians. So many clubs have taken to visiting schools to read to students on either a bi-monthly or monthly basis or some have homework assistance programs. These projects get Rotarians even more involved in the community. I see this as I visit the various clubs. As we walk into a Rotary adopted or sponsored school, the children rush to us, knowing Rotarians by names, excited about yet another visit. It is just one of the many times when I am proud to be a Rotarian.

I would love to be able to give you exact numbers and statistics of how many literacy and water projects and feeding programs clubs in District 7020 organize each year. I know that it is substantial. Unfortunately, we have never been good at keeping track of what every club does every year. We need to improve on this aspect of our Rotary projects. We need to keep numbers to show the world how amazing Rotary truly is. All we need to do is go to Member Access at www.Rotary.org and click on Rotary Club Central. Here Presidents and Club leaders can take a few minutes to list what their clubs have been doing for the year. Think about it! If each of our 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries listed all that we do each year as Rotarians, wouldn’t that tell the world how truly important Rotary is - how important it is for someone with the same ideals to become a Rotarian?

Please go now to visit Rotary Club Central. Encourage your President and Club Leaders to enter in the information about your club and its service projects.

And while we are telling the world about our amazing work, let us not be afraid to celebrate what we have done. The deadline for the Zone Public Image Citation has been set for the 15^th March and the District Literacy Award deadline was extended to March 17^th.  Please also encourage your Club President to apply for the RI Presidential Citation (Deadline is March 31^st) , the District Governor’s Award for Excellence (Deadline is April 15^th), and the Rotaract and Interact Club Presidential Citation (Deadline March 31^st).  Let us also not forget that the final Club of the Month submission is due on April 5^th.

Rotarians work hard juggling work demands, Rotary Service and home demands. And we celebrate harder too. Fellowship is inherent in the first object of Rotary. So if you have not registered yet for the PETS, District Assembly & District Conference 2013 in the British Virgin Islands, please go and do so right away. The BVI is excited to welcome Rotarians to Nature’s Little Secret. Please go to www.rotary7020conference.com and register now. I promise you, you will Experience the Passion of Rotary like never before in the BVI.

January 2013

Dear fellow Rotarians,

I am a Japanese businessman, and I wear a suit almost every day. The Rotary pin is always on my lapel. It is there because I am proud to be a Rotarian. Anywhere I go, people will see the pin and know who I am. Other Rotarians will see it and know that I am a friend, and people who are not Rotarians will see it as well. I want to be sure that all of them also understand the meaning of this pin.

This is why I am asking all of you to wear your Rotary pin and to raise awareness of what the pin means. I believe having that pin on your lapel changes you. It makes you think more before you speak and before you act. It makes you remember, all the time, that you are a Rotarian – and that as Rotarians, we are here to help.

All of us should be ready to talk about Rotary. When someone asks you about that pin, you should be ready to answer them. What is Rotary? What does Rotary do? These are questions that each of us should always be prepared to answer.

We cannot go to prospective members and ask them to join Rotary only because we want more members. We have to show them that Rotary is a wonderful organization, and that they will be happier because they belong to a Rotary club.

When we ask people to join Rotary, we are doing this to help them as well. I think all of us are grateful to the person who asked us to join. I know that my life is much happier, and has been much more productive, because of Rotary. It is clear to me that the day I joined the Rotary Club of Yashio was a day when I took my first step down a different path in life – a path of greater connection, greater satisfaction, and a deeper sense of fulfillment and peace.

This is a feeling that I want to share with others. And I know that one way to do that is through bringing in new members. But we must also do it by raising awareness of Rotary and Rotary’s work, by focusing on our public image and wearing our Rotary pins every day.

Sakuji Tanaka
President, Rotary International 

Send in your Rotary Club Christmas Videos and Share the Rotary Christmas Spirit throughout District 7020! Contact me at: casgirl3@mac.com

December 2012

Dear fellow Rotarians,

The year 2012 is nearly gone, and we have reached the midpoint of this Rotary year. It is time to take stock of the goals we have set for ourselves, and the progress we have made toward them. Are we on track to achieve what we set out to accomplish?

I am a great believer in the importance of setting goals that are high but realistic. A worthwhile goal should be within your reach but still require you to stretch. Opening yourself to a new challenge helps you find out what you are really capable of – which may well be more than you think.

On 1 July, we will embark on our newest challenge as an organization: the full rollout of the Future Vision Plan, the new grant model for our Rotary Foundation. We in Rotary have set for ourselves a simple and vital goal: to do the most good we can with all the resources we have. To do this, we will be working to reduce overhead; to improve accountability, transparency, and local control; and to focus our service more intensely in the areas where we know we can have the most impact.

With Future Vision, we will implement a simplified grant structure that will encourage Rotarians to serve in our six areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. These are areas in which Rotarians around the world have already been working for many years, and in which we have experience and a track record of project sustainability.

Sustainability will be a major focus under Future Vision, as we shift our emphasis to long-term, high-impact projects. Simply put, a sustainable project is one that will continue to benefit the world even after Rotary funding ends. The ultimate example of a sustainable project, of course, is polio eradication: When polio is gone, the good that we have done will continue forever, centuries after the last polio vaccine is given. And the lessons we have learned from PolioPlus are universal. A truly sustainable project requires an emphasis on planning and cooperation, a long-term perspective, and an approach that considers community members as partners in our service, not passive recipients.

Embracing Future Vision means embracing a more ambitious view of Rotary – one in which we work to address major issues in a serious, lasting way. It is a new way of thinking about our service, and an approach that I believe will lead to a Foundation more capable than ever of Doing Good in the World.

As a year end holiday gift, United Airlines is again offering a donation of 10 million miles to benefit charity miles partners. 

Rotary has been United's partner for many years through the "Rotary Miles" program, which has provided free airfare for hundreds of children and adults in need of lifesaving surgery and other worthy causes.

From 6 December to 25 December, you can vote once each day for Rotary on each of your devices such as laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. Charities receive a portion of the miles based on the percentage of the overall vote they receive. So forward the link http://10millioncharitymiles.com/ to everyone you know. Last year, we took second in the contest, receiving 2.5 million charity miles. Your vote could help Rotary come in first this year in the 10 Million Charity Miles Giveaway!

ANNOUNCING – PEACE SYMPOSIUM

 

 

Top: The Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, sponsored the first Interact Club, chartered at Melbourne High School, in 1962. Rotarians and Interactors (center) pose for a picture. Bottom: A recreation of the photo with current Interactors and members of the sponsoring Rotary club. Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Melbourne.

Rotary International on Facebook

The very first Interact club, formed at Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Florida, USA, is joining Interact clubs and their sponsors around the globe in celebrating the program’s 50th anniversary during World Interact Week, 5-11 November.

The Melbourne club received its charter in November 1962, under the guidance and sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, USA. In celebration of the golden anniversary, charter members of the club joined current Interactors and Rotarians from District 6930 for a night of reflection and fellowship.

“What makes Rotary great is what makes Interact great,” says Michael Welch, president of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, who helped plan the anniversary event. “For a person -- especially a young person, an Interactor -- to appreciate the concept of Service Above Self, and then put it to work on their own time, it’s a special experience that can change a lot of lives.”

As part of the celebration, Melbourne Interactors gave a presentation on the history of Interact. District Governor-nominee Juan Ortega explained how his experiences with Interact in Colombia led him to join Rotary.

The present-day Interactors and their sponsors also re-created an iconic photo of their club that appeared in The Rotarian in 1962.

Texas Interactors

The Interact Club of Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, Texas, USA, which was chartered just months after the club in Melbourne, is celebrating the anniversary with various events, including a roundup on 15 September that was attended by more than 320 Interactors from across District 5890.

The Texas Interactors created a video showing photos and projects from the past five decades, in addition to networking with fellow Interactors and Rotarians. The Interactors and the Rotary Club of Baytown, which sponsors the club, presented two cakes, one to mark their club’s anniversary and the other for the Interact program.

The celebrations continued 27 September as RI President Sakuji Tanaka spoke at an all-club meeting held by the district. Garrett Kneese, a district Interact leader, discussed the importance of Interact and Rotary.

The Interactors are also conducting service projects to mark the anniversary. District Interactors went door-to-door with their Rotary sponsors on 31 October collecting nonperishable food for the district’s Interact Hungry Harvest program. The club set a goal of donating 3,000 cans to local food pantries and issued a challenge to other Interact clubs to match their efforts.

As an ongoing service project, the Interactors sort and pack used textbooks for Rotary Books for the World, a literacy project that collects reading and writing materials for schools in the developing world.

Tommie Buscemi, a member of the Rotary Club of Kingwood, Texas, USA, and cochair of the district’s Interact committee, says she’s seen how Interact has benefited its members by showing them how valuable they are to their community. “They’re the future of our country and the future of Rotary,” she says. “The program rewards them for being great leaders. They step up and do what’s important.”

Buscemi adds that Rotary clubs can also benefit by working with Interactors. “They inspire Rotarians to look at things differently,” she says. “They’re teaching us, through social media, how we can change the way we’re doing things and how we can make a bigger impact.”

Other celebrations

In San Antonio, Texas, District 5840 is holding its third annual New Generations Interact Conference at The Winston School San Antonio on 10 November. Tom Thorfinnson, a past RI director and vice president, will be the keynote speaker.

Five Interact clubs are working with Habitat for Humanity on a building project in January, and 12 Interact clubs are raising money for wells in Honduras. Interactors are holding fundraisers, including a golf tournament and a 5K run, in an attempt to raise US$11,500. The district has also created pins commemorating the 50th anniversary for Interactors.

You can celebrate the 50th anniversary by:

•  Entering a short video in our annual Interact video contest. Interact clubs may choose one of three themes related to the 50th anniversary.
• Promoting Peace Through Service by designing a postcard to illustrate how Interact contributes to peace and understanding. One winning Interactor and his or her parent will receive round-trip airfare on United Airlines to attend one of the three upcoming Rotary Global Peace Forums, to be determined by Rotary International. Read the complete rules and guidelines.
• Challenging your club to hold an event or each Interactor to raise US$50 for Rotary’s fight to eradicate polio.
• Organizing a project that involves 50 positive actions in one of Rotary’s areas of focus. Examples include donating 50 books to support basic education and literacy or organizing a community forum with 50 young people.
• Sharing photos of your club’s World Interact Week activities on the Interact Facebook page.

November 2012

Dear fellow Rotarians,

There are many ways to describe our Rotary Foundation. But I think of our Foundation literally – as the foundation for all of Rotary.

We do not often think about the ground beneath our feet. We do not often think about the walls that are holding up our house. We take them for granted. We think about them only when they are not there.

Not long ago in Japan, the ground fell out from under our feet. On Friday, 11 March 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake shook Japan to its very core. More than 15,000 people died, nearly 6,000 were injured, and another 4,000 are still missing. The total losses of the disaster are estimated at over US$300 billion.

In a matter of hours, half a million people in one of the world’s wealthiest and most developed countries lost everything. They went from living in comfort and security to facing an uncertain future in school gymnasiums, tents, and ruined buildings.

In Japan, we are used to earthquakes. We thought we were ready for anything. But no one ever expected anything like this.

What happened on that day changed Japan, and everyone who lives there. It has made us realize how fragile our lives are. And it has made me realize how little separates me from the people I help through Rotary.

It is easy to look at the people we help through our Foundation as somehow different from ourselves. They live far away. We do not know their language or their culture. We do not know what it is like to have no running water, no sanitation, no health care, no education. We look at pictures, and we read stories in the news about poverty, wars, and disasters. We see, from so far away, the people who are living through such terrible times. But it is hard to put ourselves in their place.

Today, I tell you that there is nothing at all separating us from the people we help. We are all the same. Only the circumstances surrounding us are different.

Through our Foundation, we have the power to live the words of our Foundation’s motto: Doing Good in the World. Through it, we can do so much more good than we could ever do alone. And it matters so much – to people just like us.

On World Polio Day, 24 October, people around the globe will participate in the World’s Biggest Commercial, promoting the international effort to eradicate the devastating disease. The innovative, interactive online initiative gives everyone a chance to join Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bill Gates, Jackie Chan, Angelique Kidjo, and other world figures and celebrities who have already joined in Rotary’s This Close campaign in support of polio eradication. Participants can upload photos of themselves to Rotary’s polio eradication website, endpolionow.org, to be edited into the constantly expanding promotional spot. They receive an email with a direct link to their image and comment within the commercial. Rotary is also releasing End Polio Now, an eclectic album of songs performed by its celebrity polio eradication ambassadors from the music industry. The lineup includes several polio survivors: violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, folk rock musician Donovan, and Staff Benda Bilili, a Congolese soukous band scheduled to launch its U.S. tour in Los Angeles on World Polio Day. The End Polio Now album is available for download on iTunes, and soon as a CD from shop.rotary.org, with all proceeds from sales going to PolioPlus. Coinciding with World Polio Day, Rotary is ramping up its advocacy work in the 200 countries and regions where Rotary clubs exist to encourage every national government to commit to help meet a $700 million funding shortfall for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative through 2013. Although new polio cases are at an all-time low -- there were fewer than 180 worldwide in 2012 as of 16 October -- the funding gap has already curtailed scheduled immunization activities in polio-affected countries. If eradication fails and polio rebounds, up to 200,000 children per year could be paralyzed. “Governments need to step up and honor their commitments to polio eradication if we are to achieve our goal of a polio-free world,” says Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, chair of The Rotary Foundation. “We are at a true tipping point, with success never closer than it is right now. We must seize the advantage by acting immediately, or risk breaking our pledge to the world’s children.” Here are other ways you can support the global effort to eradicate polio: Upload your photo for the World's Biggest Commercial. Lend your voice to advocacy efforts by signing the petition on endpolionow.org. Begin planning an End Polio Now lighting to celebrate Rotary’s anniversary on 23 February. Contribute now to end polio.

September 2012

Dear fellow Rotarians,

Many of you know that we now have five Avenues of Service in Rotary. The fifth, and newest, is New Generations Service. There are many ways to serve through this avenue, and you will read about some of them in this month’s issue.

All of the work we do to educate children, to improve maternal health, to help families live healthier lives – all of this is service to New Generations. We also serve New Generations by working to eradicate polio, helping to ensure that future generations of children will be born into a polio-free world.

Our youth and young adult programs, such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange, are a very important part of this Avenue of Service. We must remember that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. By helping to develop young leaders and bringing younger members into our clubs, we strengthen communities – and Rotary’s future.

For most of my life, I have been a salesman. I learned long ago that being a good salesman is not enough. You must also have a good product. If you are a good salesman, you will make the first sale. But if you do not have a good product, you will make only the first sale. You will not make the second.

It is not enough to bring new members into Rotary. We want them to stay. We want the new, young members to become longtime members. We want them to be Rotary leaders in 10, 20, or 30 years.

How do we do this? We have to look at our product. We have to look at Rotary not with our own eyes, but with new eyes. When we invite a new member to join and that person’s answer is no, we should ask why. This is not to pressure someone into joining. It is to find out more information. What are the obstacles to membership? Is it an inconvenient meeting time? Is it too much of a time commitment? Is it something else that we have not thought of?

We need to ask questions, and we need to open ourselves to the answers. We cannot say, “No, we will not do this,” just because we have never done it before. Why not have child care at a meeting? Why not involve families in projects? Why not make attendance requirements less strict, or meet less often?

Our new Avenue of New Generations Service is an important step in ensuring many future generations of Rotary, and of Service Above Self.

Paralympic athletes at the garden party sponsored by Rotary International, in association with UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the British Pakistan Foundation, and the Global Poverty Project. Photo by Jordi Matas

Perseverance and dedication are qualities that both Paralympic athletes and Rotarians use to reach their goals.

To highlight this common bond, British Rotarians used the excitement surrounding the opening day of the 2012 Paralympic Games on 30 August to rally government dignitaries from the United Kingdom and Pakistan to raise funds for Paralympic athletes and Rotary’s PolioPlus program.

“We wanted to celebrate the achievements of these amazing athletes and Rotary’s hard work towards polio eradication,” says Judith A. Diment, PolioPlus national advocacy adviser for the UK and a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor St. George, England. “Both groups have persevered through great odds to be where we’re at today.”

Rotary International, in association with UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the British Pakistan Foundation, and the Global Poverty Project, sponsored the garden party in London attended by more than 100 people, including five Paralympic athletes, three of whom are polio survivors.

The event raised thousands of dollars for PolioPlus and the Pakistani Paralympic Committee and advocated for a polio-free world. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom, praised Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan and spoke about his government’s commitment to step up resources to rid his country of the disease.

Diment said advocacy efforts have become more important than ever, as funding shortages have forced the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to cancel or scale back immunization activities in high-risk countries, leaving more children vulnerable to the disease.

The GPEI launched an emergency action plan earlier this year but is US$1 billion short of what it needs in order to implement the plan through 2013. Rotarians can help, Diment says, by lobbying their governments to commit funding for polio eradication and by spreading the word about the immense benefits of finally eliminating this crippling disease.

“We must continue to reach out and put Rotary’s effort in front of the opinion makers and governments so they act in helping us achieve our goal of polio eradication worldwide,” says Diment.

• Visit the new End Polio Now website to help Rotary advocate for a polio-free world
• Read other ways Rotarians in the United Kingdom are supporting Paralympic athletes

 

 

Youth Exchange Students from Canada and the United States hold flags aloft during the hands across the border ceremony in 2005. Photo courtesy District 5360

Rotary International on Facebook

In a year when the RI theme is all about peace, the annual gathering of Rotarians from both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border at the world’s first peace park takes on even greater significance.

In 1932, Rotarians played a large role in convincing the governments of Canada and the United States to join Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, forming Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

Each year since, Rotarians from both countries have gathered for a weekend of fellowship and goodwill, an event that this year could include members from more than 200 clubs in four districts in southwestern Canada and the northwestern United States.

“When I heard this year’s theme was about peace I was thrilled. It fits so well with what our districts have been doing here for the past 80 years,” says Frances Leggett, governor of Canadian District 5360 and president of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association. “Peace means all sorts of things. Any sort of collaboration is really a means of promoting peace.”

“When all is said and done, ours is an organization of service that can lift others, and build peace one person at a time,” adds Canadian Monty Audenart, a past RI vice president, who has participated in the event.

The assembly alternates between the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border. This year it takes place in Kalispell, Montana, 14-16 September. Three days of speakers and events will be capped off by the most moving part of the assembly, when Rotarians join hands across a white ribbon symbolizing the border between their countries.

During the ceremony, Rotarians recite this pledge: “In the name of God we will not take up arms against each other. We will work for peace, maintain liberty, strive for freedom, and demand equal opportunities for all mankind. May the long existing peace between our two nations stimulate other people to follow this example.”

Youth exchange students from both countries take part whenever possible. “A few years back, we had a separate event for the youth exchange students, and at the Saturday banquet they all marched in carrying the flags of their nations. It was a very moving experience,” Leggett recalls.

Beginnings

The idea for the peace park originated eight decades ago, when the president of the Rotary Club of Cardston, Alberta, Joseph S. Low, attended a meeting at which Past District Governor Frank R. Freeze spoke eloquently on the subject of international fellowship. Low decided to pitch to his club the idea of arranging an annual goodwill meeting between Canadian and U.S. Rotary clubs on alternating sides of the border. The club heartily endorsed the idea and authorized him to make it happen.

The park was dedicated on 18 June 1932. At the ceremony, Canadian Prime Minister R.B. Bennett and U.S. President Herbert Hoover expressed sentiments that mirrored Low’s.

“It is my earnest hope that this great International Peace Park, stretching across our common frontier and in which citizens of both our countries may seek recreation, may forever remain a permanent memorial of all that neighbourly relations should be between adjoining nations,” Bennett wrote.

“Dedication of the Waterton-Glacier International Park is a further gesture of the good will that has so long blessed our relations with our Canadian neighbors, and I am gratified by the hope and the faith that it will forever be an appropriate symbol of permanent peace and friendship,” wrote Hoover.

Today, Rotarians govern the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association. Canadians and Americans are equally represented on the 18-member board, and the presidency alternates between the two countries.

Adapted from a Rotary Canada story by Paul Engleman

~taken from rotary.org

Every day, Rotarians work on service projects that make a positive impact on communities worldwide. Through Rotary Showcase, you can promote your club’s achievements to other Rotarians and Facebook friends. Add your project today or browse the site to see the good work other clubs are doing.

Go to Rotary Showcase
Read about service projects on Rotary Voices

 

 

Top: The Rotary Club of Cotonou Ifê, Benin, celebrates Rotary's anniversary with a cake in February. The club is one of several formed recently in Benin. Photo courtesy Boris Crestia. Bottom: Claudio Spiguel, third from left, and other members of the Rotary Club of Guaxupé, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with a car they purchased for a school for at risk youth. Decals on the car helped publicize Rotary's involvement, and led to several membership inquiries. Photo courtesy Claudio Spiguel

Rotary International on Facebook

Eight years ago, Géné Villaça-Crestia was asked by her district governor to start a new Rotary club in her country, Benin.

She had been a Rotarian for only four years and didn’t really know where to begin. But she had a few things working in her favor: Villaça-Crestia is extremely passionate about Rotary, and she doesn’t take no for an answer.

“I don’t hesitate to drive to people’s places and come back again,” says Villaça-Crestia of her recruitment style. “I don’t wait for them to get back to me and tell me they don’t have time. I insist and go after them until they understand what Rotary is all about and the good it will do them to join.”

Villaça-Crestia’s techniques have been extremely effective. Within three months of her district governor’s request, she helped launch the Rotary Club of Cotonou Rive Gauche, Benin, and became the charter president. During the next two years, she helped form three other clubs, including two composed almost entirely of younger Rotarians.

This year, she and her son, Boris Crestia, a public relations specialist and Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 20A, have teamed up to recruit advertising, public relations, and media professionals for another new club, which will soon be seeking its charter. Members have set goals of promoting basic education and literacy in Africa and serving as a public relations resource for other clubs.

Be passionate and persistent

Villaça-Crestia says the key to recruiting new members is to show them how passionate you are about Rotary and be persistent.

“People say they came to Rotary because they felt my passion and I could communicate it to them,” she says. “In this state of mind, any challenge is never really impossible.

“More than once, I had to wait hours in a reception area in order to meet an important or busy person and be able to convince them to join Rotary or give to The Rotary Foundation,” she adds. “But when you just explain to people, for instance, that the same money they pay for a nice meal in a good restaurant could help immunize a great number of families against polio, most people are sensitive to this and react immediately.’’

Villaça-Crestia says her favorite thing to say to prospective members is that by being Rotarians, they can be a bridge between the millions of dollars available through The Rotary Foundation and the poorest populations of the world. “Knowing that, and not becoming a Rotarian, is almost criminal,” she says.

Be involved in service and be visible

Brazilian Claudio Spiguel is another Rotarian who has succeeded in recruiting members. When Spiguel became president of the Rotary Club of Guaxupé in 2005, the club was hovering below 20 members and in danger of losing its ability to make a significant contribution to the community.

By focusing on getting members involved in service projects and publicizing those projects, he had helped raise membership to 34 by the end of his second stint as president. While serving in various leadership roles since, he has spread that enthusiasm to other clubs in the district, with similar effect.

Spiguel shared the following tips:

• Teach club members the Foundation’s grant process and immediately engage them in pursuing projects that benefit well-known service organizations in need in your community. “To date, we have done five Matching Grant projects, and each has improved our credibility in the community.”
• Broadcast the results of your work through partnerships with local media. “We created a weekly program at a regional TV station called ‘Rotary in the Community,’ a talk show with interviews and presentations about our work and Rotary in general. It has reached many people with our message.” ( Read a blog post from Spiguel)

What you can do

Share your passion for Rotary with your family, friends, and community during Membership and Extension Month in August. This year you’re invited to take part in two activities designed to help you remember why you joined and convert that excitement into inviting others to join.

By taking the Rotary Membership Challenge, you commit to sponsor a new member, tell a friend or colleague about your club’s projects, or volunteer as a mentor to prospective or new members. After you complete the form, Rotary will email you links to resources to help you meet the challenge.

By participating in the first-ever Rotary Moment Tweet Day on 14 August, you can tweet about your favorite Rotary memory or event, talk about your club’s activities, or share your community service project. Use hashtag #RotaryMoment.

You can also listen to Rotary’s popular webinar Using Social Media to Promote Your Club or District to learn how to create a Twitter account, post your first tweet, use hashtags, and lots more.

Dear fellow Rotarians,

In our Rotary calendar, we are reminded that August is Membership and Extension month. Although only the second month of the Rotary year, it is imperative that during this month we as Rotarians focus on retaining and attracting new members. Additional members gained early in the year can help propel our various clubs forward and upward toward success. 

One school of thought tells us that if we focus on keeping our club vitalized with service projects, inviting interesting speakers to address our various club meetings and assemblies, enjoying good fellowship at all our service projects and during our meetings, we are likely to find that together these efforts will be rewarded with an increase in membership satisfaction. Satisfied members are more likely to remain Rotarians and indeed will want to share this satisfaction with non-members. This will then make our club look attractive to Rotarians and non-Rotarians and we can exploit this attractiveness by inviting these non-Rotarians to our meetings.

In his August message, Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka encourages us to share with others, reasons why we think that Rotary is a great organization. He encourages us to talk about our Rotary moment as a means of inspiring others.

I too, would like to echo that sentiment and thus I am imploring all Rotarians in our great District 7020 to let us join together and dispel the myth that Rotary is the best kept secret in the world. We can do this by passionately talking about our Aha moment - our Rotary moment. This is the moment when the mental light bulb switches on as we suddenly gain clarity on some aspect of our lives. We will be surprised to see the powerful and positive impact of our telling about our Rotary moment. This personal experience can be used to great effect to open doors and to build new friendships.

Yesterday I was having a corporate meeting with a colleague and I casually asked the person whether he had heard about Rotary and what his impression was. I was told that the impression of the Rotary organisation was very positive but he wondered why no one had ever invited him to become a member? I have now invited this individual to the next round of meetings to be held by clubs in our area.

The moral of the story is that there are many potential Rotarians just waiting to be invited to a meeting. Take the plunge! Invite a friend or colleague to your next meeting. Tell him or her why you became a Rotarian. Tell that person about the good things that we as Rotarians do on a daily basis. Explain about the great things that Rotarians are doing to ensure that polio is eradicated from the face of the earth. Share your personal moment and you may be surprised to find out that your club will have a new vital member within a month. Then do not forget to include your story, along with all your other membership-related activities, in your August Club Of The Month (COTM) report that your club will submit before September 5^th.

August 2012

Dear fellow Rotarians,

What is Rotary? When I ask Rotarians this question, they often give vague answers. And when I asked myself this question, I had to think about it. August is Membership and Extension Month in Rotary, and I want all Rotarians to be able to send a unified message about what Rotary is and why they joined.

The key to increasing membership is for every Rotarian to be convinced that it’s good to be a Rotarian, and to convey that passion to others. In Rotary, we have a tendency to be humble and keep our achievements to ourselves. But we must share them with those around us and with the world.

Every Rotarian has a specific moment that stands out and has a special meaning. Some people refer to this as their “Rotary Moment.” I believe it is very important to share this moment with others. Facts and numbers can only go so far, but sharing a personal experience can open doors and build friendships.

That’s why I decided to create some sample messages that I call “Rotary Moments.” You can use these one-minute and three-minute messages to answer the question “What is Rotary?” in a way that is most personal to you. They will help you talk about the projects you’ve been involved in, how they’ve helped your community, and what’s been most meaningful to you.

To strengthen Rotary, we need more members. But unless those members are convinced of the benefits of the organization and can share that passion with others, expanding Rotary won’t be meaningful.

If every Rotarian is happy about being a Rotarian and spreads the word with a clear, unified message – if every Rotarian around the world can be his or her own PR department – the combined, collective effect will be enormous. These sample messages will help us all clearly communicate our enthusiasm to others. This will lead to an increase in new membership and in member retention.

The messages are available for free download at www.rotary.org, and Rotarians can buy other membership materials at shop.rotary.org.

I believe that the purpose of every life is to help others and contribute to society. Once Rotarians begin using these samples, the world will become more aware of how Rotary is helping people live that way. I encourage you to share your Rotary Moment with other Rotarians as well as non-Rotarians.

 

 

Olympic diver Tom Daley is featured in "This Close" posters as part of a publicity campaign by the Rotary Club of Plympton, Devon, England. Rotarians in India also lined up several members of Indian's Olympic team, including boxer Vijender Singh, for their "This Close" campaign. 

Rotary International on Facebook

The best athletes in the world have gathered in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and some of them are helping to spread the word about Rotary’s campaign to rid the world of polio. 

Rotarians in Plymouth, Devon, England, used a few connections to line up Olympic divers Tom Daley and Tonia Couch for “This Close” posters, which have been displayed around Plymouth and at the training facility used by Ghana’s Olympic team. 

Darren Hands, a member of the Rotary Club of Plympton, was put in contact with the athletes’ coach by a photographer friend who takes pictures of the divers regularly. The coach was happy to approach Daley and Couch and help make arrangements, Hands says.  

“We did the shoot quite early in the morning so as not to impede their training,” he says. “We then produced various-size posters and postcards, as well as got the images printed in the local press and onto club and district websites.” 

District 1290 received a public relations grant to use Couch’s image on bus advertisements around the counties of Devon and Cornwall to raise her image during the Olympics, promote Rotary’s polio efforts, and help with a membership drive.  

“The campaign has received a lot of praise,” says Hands. “Together with the Rotary Club of Grantham’s Swimarathon, we were awarded the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) PR Award at our national conference back in April.” 

Other Olympic athletes participating in the “This Close” campaign are more than a dozen members of India’s team, including members of the men’s boxing, men’s and women’s weightlifting, and men’s and women’s wrestling teams.  

Appealing to parents, wrestler Sushil Kum, a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing games, said: “In 1988, 500 children were getting affected by polio in India every day. Today, our country is reaching steadily toward eradication of polio. We need your help to win this fight.” 

And Vijender Singh, a member of the boxing team who won a bronze medal in Beijing, said: “Polio vaccine can save a child from polio paralysis. Let us ensure that children are not paralyzed by giving them the vital drops.” 

Home hosting and cleanup 

Rotarians have displayed the Olympic spirit in other ways, as well. Tony Betts, a member of the Rotary Club of Redbridge, Greater London, volunteered to take part in home hosting organized through District 1130 and is playing host to a Rotarian couple from Jacksonville, Florida, USA, who are attending the games.  

A Rotarian for six years, Betts says he has always been interested in the international aspect of Rotary and in meeting people from around the world. “It’s why I’ve attended the RI convention every year since I became a member,” he says. “I’ve always seen Rotary as bigger than just your local club.” 

Through an initiative of the RIBI Olympic Committee called Work for Purpose, more than 300 volunteers signed up to work as cleaners in the athletic village to raise money for various Rotary projects. One effort includes members of the Rotary clubs of Hatfield and Stevenage, Hertfordshire, whose work will benefit several local children’s hospices.  

Rotarians have also signed up to clean up after the games. 

“Rotary and the Olympics share a common ethos,” says Debbie Hodge, governor of District 1260. “That is the building of a more peaceful world.” 

• Read about Rotarians who carried the Olympic torch.
• Learn more about Rotary and the Olympics on the website of Rotary International in Great Britian and Ireland.

 

 

RI President Sakuji Tanaka will encourage Rotarians to foster Peace Through Service in the 2012-13 Rotary year.

Rotary International on Facebook

A new Rotary year is set to begin, and with it several programs aimed at helping clubs and districts enhance their projects, share information, and increase membership. In addition, a new group  of leaders will take over at the club, district, and international levels.

Sakuji Tanaka, of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Japan, will become Rotary’s 102nd president on 1 July and will encourage Rotarians to foster Peace Through Service. Read a profile of Tanaka from The Rotarian and download his convention speech.

Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, of the Rotary Club of Trenton, Ontario, Canada, will take over as Rotary Foundation trustee chair. Read his biography and download his convention speech.

Other changes include the following:

• Beginning 1 July, The Rotary Foundation and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group will work together to offer resources and consulting services on major water and sanitation projects to several districts through a one-year pilot called the project enhancement process. These optional services will enable grant sponsors to tap into the technical expertise of their fellow Rotarians who are professionals in the field. To learn more, read these FAQs.
• In order to focus goal setting at the club and district levels on membership activities, the RI Board has set a membership goal of 1.3 million Rotarians by 30 June 2015. The Board has also approved regional membership plans that were created by committees of Rotary leaders led by the directors in each region. Each plan addresses the region’s unique needs and customs. Districts and clubs are encouraged to use the regional membership plans as a guide in developing goals and strategies that are realistic and achievable and take into consideration historical trends and the opportunities within each region.
• RI will be launching Rotary Club Central in an effort to measure the organization’s global impact. The new online tool allows clubs to set and track service, membership, and Foundation contribution goals.
• Through Rotary Showcase, Rotarians can share photos of and information about their clubs’ service projects with the Rotary community and their Facebook friends. By indicating funds spent and hours volunteered, clubs and districts will also be helping track Rotary’s global impact.
• A new convention website launches later this month, providing the latest news, travel tips, registration, housing information, and more on Rotary’s largest annual gathering. Register now for the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, Portugal, 23-26 June. The End Polio Now website will also be redesigned to include infographics, social media campaigns, status reports, and maps.
• RI will hold three Rotary Global Peace Forums in 2012-13, each consisting of a two- or three-day program to engage and inspire Rotarians and community leaders. The forums will take place 30 November to 2 December in Berlin, Germany; 25-27 January in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; and 17-18 May in Hiroshima, Japan.
• The Council on Legislation will meet in April in Chicago to discuss and enact changes to the RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. The council meets every three years to review resolutions submitted by clubs, district conferences, the General Council and Conference of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, and the RI Board. The Council comprises more than 500 representatives from every part of the Rotary world.
• As the Future Vision pilot enters its final year, Rotary clubs and districts will start preparing for Rotary’s new grant model, which launches 1 July 2013.

The RI Board of Directors will seat eight new directors 1 July, along with RI President-elect Ron D. Burton, of the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA. The new directors for 2012-13 are Ann-Britt Åsebol, of the Rotary Club of Falun-Kopparvågen, Sweden; John B. Boag, of the Rotary Club of Tamworth North, Australia; Jacques di Costanzo, of the Rotary Club of Marseille Phocea, Bouches-du-Rhône, France; Takeshi Matsumiya, of the Rotary Club of Chigasaki-Shonan, Japan; Anne L. Matthews, of the Rotary Club of Columbia East, South Carolina, USA; Gideon Peiper, of the Rotary Club of Ramat Hasharon, Israel; Andy Smallwood, of the Rotary Club of Gulfway-Hobby Airport (Houston), Texas, USA; and Bryn Styles, of the Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, Ontario, Canada.

The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees will seat five new trustees, including Stephanie A. Urchick, of the Rotary Club of Canonsburg-Houston, Pennsylvania, USA, who has been appointed for a two-year term, replacing Anne L. Matthews, who is joining the RI Board. The others, who will serve four-year terms, include Ray Klinginsmith, of the Rotary Club of Kirksville, Missouri, USA; Michael K. McGovern, of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA; Samuel F. Owori, of the Rotary Club of Kampala, Uganda; and Julio Sorjús, of the Rotary Club of Barcelona Condal, Spain.

Congratulations to Rotary Club of Spanish Town on its 30th Anniversary. It was exceptional to have my District Governor Visit with Rotary Club of Spanish Town , in Jamaica , on Tuesday October 18th ,2011. I found a Vibrant , Astounding , very Performant Club and far from being tired after 30 years of existence .

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