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ROTARY DISTRICT 5300
THE HIGHLIGHTER
NET EDITION
(web address: http://www.district5300.org )

Highlighting the World of Rotary, District Activities,
Club Events and the People that Make it Happen!

ROTARY 2000-2001:  CREATE AWARENESS - TAKE ACTION 

LAST HALF OF GOV SAL'S YEAR WILL BE BUSY

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE
From District Governor Sal Briguglio (Rancho Cucamonga)

Dear Fellow Rotarians:

We are approximately 30 days away from our District Foundation Dinner.  I have met with President Frank Devlyn and he is looking forward to our dinner and meeting Rotarians in our district.  I am asking for your help to sign up for this event as early as possible.  The deadline has been changed to January 20, 2001 for your convenience.  The ballroom at the Pasadena Hilton seats 700, and we want to fill the venue for President Frank. 

If you club or your are holding Foundation funds, please get them to Rotary International so they can be counted in the total we report to President Frank Devlyn that night.  I intend to present our RI President with a ceremonial check.

Yours in Rotary,

Sal Briguglio, District Governor

PDG WAYNE WHISTLER SUCCUMBS TO CANCER

Following a lengthy and courageous struggle with cancer, Wayne passed away January 3, 2001. Services have been set for Saturday, January 13 at 2:00 pm at the United Methodist Church of Glendora, 201 E.  Bennett Ave (corner of Bennett and Sierra Vista).  In lieu of flowers, Wayne's Rotarian wife Annette has requested that contributions be made to the District Foundation.  Send contributions to the District Office at 1963 S. Myrtle, Monrovia, CA 91016.   For further information about the services, the church office can be reached at 626.335.4058.

DINNER PLANS TO HONOR RI PRESIDENT FRANK DEVLYN ARE SET

On the evening of February 2, 2001 Rotary International President Frank Devlyn will be the guest of honor at a dinner at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel, Pasadena, California. The black tie optional dinner and dance will provide an opportunity for fellowship and recognition.  The Major Donor Reception begins at 6:00 p.m. with the doors to the dining area opening at 7:00 p.m.

This will be a unique opportunity for the recognition of Rotarians who support The Rotary Foundation.  The recognition will be as follows:

1. Major donors will be invited to attend a reception of President Devlyn prior to the dinner event.

2. New Major Donors will be recognized and greeted at the podium as a part of the dinner program.

3. New Paul Harris fellows will be recognized during the dinner program.

4. New Paul Harris Fellows will have the opportunity to have their picture taken receiving their recognition certificate and medal from RI President Devlyn following the dinner.

The District 5300 Rotary Foundation Committee is providing this dinner in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Pasadena who will act as the host Rotary club.  The sponsor's plan is to offer this opportunity on a breakeven basis for the district.  All funds raised by this event will be in the participating Rotary clubs possession, and will be directed into The Rotary Foundation at their discretion and direction.  Fundraising opportunities include:

Major donor reception for President Frank and Gloria Rita Devlyn prior to the dinner event. 

1. Each Club may buy tickets to the event at a cost of $25. 

2. The club may sell these tickets, to Rotarians who are major donors, at a suggested price of $50.  The difference is to be used by the club as a part of their fundraising efforts.

3. Tables of ten for the dinner will be sold to the Rotary clubs for $550 per table.  The club may sell these tickets at a suggested price of $100.

4. A Silent Auction, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., will be held prior to the dinner in a room adjacent to the dining area.  Each Rotary club will have the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 split between the club who provided the auction item and the club represented by the purchaser of the item.

Each Rotary club has the opportunity to participate in the evening's events: Silent Auction, Reception, Recognition Dinner and fund raising activities.  It is suggested that participating clubs should consider the following.  Forms and additional details will be distributed to each club:

1. Complete Table Reservation Form.   

2. Complete Major Donor Reception Form.

3. Sell dinner reservation seats.

4. Sell or give tickets to the Major Donor Reception to Major Donors in club.

5. Complete Dinner Registration Form.  Deadline, January 15, 2001.

6. Complete New Paul Harris Recognition Request Form.  Deadline, January 15, 2001.

7. Complete Major Donor Recognition Request Form.  Deadline, January 15, 2001.

8. Promote attendance at the dinner.

9. Promote new Paul Harris Fellows for recognition at the dinner.

10. Promote new Major Donors for recognition at the dinner.

11. Promote the donation of items for the Silent auction.

12. Promote the attendance and participation in the Silent auction.

ROTARY ROSE PARADE FLOAT WINS "VOLUNTEERS TROPHY"
From www.rotaryfloat.org  Web Page

The 2001 Rotary entry in the 112th Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade won the Volunteers Trophy which goes to the float under 35 feet in length, with the "best floral design of the Parade theme."

Mark Twain's story of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn is instantly recognizable by millions of people around the world.  They were the recognizable element of the theme for the 2001 float, Recognizing Tomorrow's Leaders.

If there had been a Rotary club in Hannibal, Missouri when Tom and Huck were having their adventures, those Rotarians would have been interested in these two young men.  This float celebrated the many young people Rotary has channeled into roles of positive leadership through the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program.

There were ten young people who have participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, riding on the float.  What a memorable experience for a RYLA student to participate in the RYLA leadership seminar, and ride a float in the Rose Parade.

All of this to get the message across that Rotary not only recognizes tomorrows leaders, but also develops their leadership skills and principles.  Our Rotary float created awareness in the world regarding RYLA, one of the most effective programs in the world of Rotary.  Rotary Rose Float Chairman, Steve Garrett (Sierra Madre).

DISTRICT 5300 VISITS MEXICO THIS MONTH

As a follow up for the Choquita Feed the Children Project, the District 5300 trip to Mexico is slated for a Wednesday, January 17th departure and returning on Monday, January 22nd.  Participants will fly to El Paso, Texas where Ted Holder of District 5730 will meet the group.  He will be accompanied by the International Projects Chair for that District plus a gentleman from Breedlove Foods Company.  The first night will be spent in El Paso, with an early departure next morning for Creel, with a night's stay over, and then to Choquita where the group will spend two nights.  The return trip to El Paso will be late on the 21st, with return flights scheduled for Monday the 22nd from El Paso. 

There is space for one or two more interested persons.  Be aware, that this is a "rough it" kind of trip.  There will be no five star accommodations.  The accommodations in Choquita will be primitive.  It will be cold in the mountains, so come prepared.  Participants will be responsible for their own expenses, unless the home club wants to pick up the tab.  It also is asked that participants help with gas money upon arrival in El Paso

For more information call 702.656.2543 or Fax 702.656.4050.  E-mail: Cleas1013@aol.com.

REGISTER NOW FOR 2001 DISTRICT 5300 CONFERENCE
From www.district5300.org 

The Doral Palm Springs Resort is the site of the District Conference on June 7-10, 2001.  Fill in the Registration Form located on the District Web Page ( www.district5300.org  ) and avoid the rush.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE TO BE SCENE OF "WHO KIDNAPPED THE GOVERNOR" - A GAME OF WHO, WHAT, AND WHERE

A REAL MYSTERY, WITH REAL PEOPLE, REAL WEAPONS, A REAL CRIME SCENE, AND ONE REAL VICTIM...SEVEN SUSPECTS, TEN WEAPONS, SIX CRIME SCENES, AND ONE VICTIM.
CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY?

RULES AND PRIZES TO FOLLOW

TOP 10 CLUBS IN MEMBERSHIP GROWTH June 30th - November 31st
From District Web Site, www.district5300.org 

The leader is Virgin Valley Sunrise with 14% growth. Followed by: Temple City, Rancho Cucamonga, Las Vegas North, Las Vegas West, Industry Hills, San Dimas, San Marino, Montebello, Laughlin.  (excludes clubs not reporting November membership status).  Congratulations!

AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
From Sylvia Whitlock, Committee Chair (Duarte)

It is time to start recruiting scholars for Rotary's most prestigious scholarship program.  This is your chance to get some young person started on a career of value.  Just look around at your colleges and find those students who would be ambassadors of goodwill for Rotary

For additional information or applications, please e-mail Sylvia Whitlock at sylvia5@msn.com or call 909.596.3586.  Completed applications will be due the end of March 2001.

2ND ANNUAL GEORGE R. HENSEL PRIZE IN ETHICS ESSAY CONTEST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
From Kathy Brandes, Assistant Governor, Region B (Monrovia)

The second annual District 5300 George Hensel Ethics Essay Contest will be held in the spring of 2001, with the winners announced at the District Conference in June.  As with last year's contest, this essay contest is designed to challenge high school students to analyze urgent ethical issues confronting them in today's complex world. 

The contest is open to high school students throughout District 5300, with prizes of $100 to $1000 awarded to the winners.  Applications with additional information and requirements will be mailed to all presidents in the the District in late January.

PERMANENT FUND INITATIVE (PFI)
From PDG Tim Siu (Alhambra)

The Permanent Fund continues to grow to enhance The Rotary Foundation Programs.  With the actual gifts and bequests, the PFI fund has reached more than $200 million, which is one-fifth of the way to the $ 1 billion goal for the Fund.  Under the Fund, only the earnings will be used, and the principal is never spent.

It is the Foundation's hope that this increased awareness will help Rotarians better understand the programs, and stimulate giving within the clubs.  It is because of gifts like these, that The Rotary Foundation will develop new channels for the flow of International understanding and brighten hopes for peace.  It is our hope that this new Society of Friends will be changing lives through a legacy of hope.

BOULDER CITY ROTARY HOSTS 2ND CRUISE
From Frank Carroll, President & Cruise Director(Boulder City)

The fabulous trip is a ten day cruise of the Hawaiian Islands, departing October 30, 2001.  There are a limited number of cabins for the cruise.  Special requests for those who would like to go early or stay later are considered.  For further information contact Frank Carroll at fctrvlr@bouldercityrotary.org .

A SPIN AROUND THE WHEEL
By Anne Donofrio-Holter (Montebello)

EDITOR'S NOTE: This new feature provides a brief summary of club activities from around our district compiled from club bulletins.  If you would like your club's events and highlights included in "A Spin Around The Wheel'" please send your weekly club edition to Anne Donofrio-

Montebello Rotarians David Avirom, Jack Gabig, Luis Trujillo, Irene Villapania, Manny Franco, Tom Housos and Anne Donofrio-Holter, along with members of other local service and civic groups, helped serve over 2,000 meals to the needs on Christmas Eve at the annual "Christmas at the Cannon" holiday dinner.  In addition to a sit-down dinner with turkey and all the trimmings, each child received a gift from Santa Claus, and each family received a holiday food basket.

West Covina Rotarians J. C. Tambe, Joe Rice, Dean Cook, Ken Lund, Nancy Smith and John and Marilyn Disteirah met with Rotarians from their sister club of Agua Caliente in Tijuana for the annual "Hands Across the Border" project.  The Rotarians brought truckloads of blankets, sneakers, sports equipment, toys, dolls, etc. to a local parish to be distributed to needy area residents.  The nuns of the parish organized the distribution of the items to the hundreds of children who were there to receive the gifts.

Arcadia club members John McLain, Garland Robertson, Jeff Swensson, Jim Rider, Gil Stromsoe, Matt Weaver, Ed Beranek, Tom Crosby, Dick Martinez, Ernie Jensen, Ray Bushnell and Stig Heedlund headed down to Tijuana to reroof a portion of a school in critical need of repair.  The most challenging part of the project was the tar-like gluing compound for the roofing material which would not flow freely.  After trying several unsuccessful ways to warm the tar, it was finally scooped out of the container by hand!

Several Monterey Park Rotarians traveled to Ensenada to get first hand knowledge of the good work of the Thousand Smiles Foundation.  The club donated $500 to the Foundation which provides surgeries to children born with facial deformities.

The Rancho Cucamonga club donated $812 to the Mexican Mission.

The Victorville club presented 45 teachers mini grants for a total of $13,343.  The club has given $88,000 to high desert teachers since the program's inception in 1992.  The club also approved a $500 contribution to the "Read by Nine" program.  The club will contribute 400 books which will be matched by Rotary.

San Dimas Rotarians hosted 60 Head Start children with a Christmas party complete with a visit and gifts from Santa Claus.  The club also delivered Thanksgiving baskets to needy families in the area.

Pomona members hosted students from various high schools throughout the city.  The club honored the students for their academic achievements, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.

Covina club members volunteered to take children on a shopping spree at the local K Mart.  The Operation Santa Clothes program targets needy children in the area and fits them with new clothing for the holidays.

Altadena club members, along with members of a local Boy Scout troop, picked up American flags Veteran's Day morning and put the flags into designated slots along Lake Avenue the main street in town.  Members returned at dusk the same day to remove the flags for proper storage.

The Alhambra club invited local senior citizens and children to join them in their annual holiday celebration.  Great food, singing, presents, lots of holiday cheer, and a visit from Santa greeted those in attendance.

Nearly 100 Boulder City Interactors presented holiday shoeboxes to Emergency Aid of Boulder City.  The Interact members filled each shoebox with small toiletries, toys, games, books and other items families in need can use and enjoy.  The group also visited the Oakland Academy and the Christian Center to read stories to the children.

DISTRICT 5300 MILLENNIUM ACTIVITIES
DATES TO REMEMBER

UP-COMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

INTERACT SYMPOSIUM From PDG Steve Garrett (Sierra Madre). 
The second Interact Symposium May 18, 2001 will be held at the Cottontail Ranch, Calabasas, California

READING BY 9 PROGRAM 
Contact Kathy Brandes, Assistant Governor Region B (Monrovia) or Steve Baer, Assistant Governor, Region C (Upland).

DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM SEMINAR , From Cliff Houser, Membership Chair (Altadena).    
Future dates: January 6, 2001 and April 21, 2001.

BOULDER CITY CLUB SPONSORS PANAMA CANAL CRUISE, From Frank Carroll (Boulder City)
The Rotary Club of Boulder City is sponsoring a 14-day cruise from Miami to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal.  The cruise will be on the Carnival ship Ecstasy, embarking Miami on May 4th and debarking in Los Angeles May 18, 2001.  Contact Frank Carroll @ 702.294.3173 for further information, and complete itinerary.

DISTRICT CALENDAR -  JANUARY & FEBRUARY

JANUARY 2001

FEBRUARY 2001   WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

DISTRICT OFFICERS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Refer to District Directory for Further Information

Editor for both Net and Home Edition is A. C. Lani Exton (Glendora)
He can be reached at (W) 626.792.2186 - (H) 626.963.0578 - (Fax) 626.440.9414 - e-mail lbesaga@aol.com

NEWSLETTER EDITOR - A. C. LANI EXTON (GLENDORA)  (B) 626.792.2186