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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 

 DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND FELLOWSHIP DINNER SET

Save Friday, April 27th for the Fellowship Dinner at Felipe's Winery in Rancho Cucamonga and Saturday, April 28th for the District Assembly at the Marriott Hotel near the Ontario airport.  Carolyn Anderson (Rancho Cucamonga) is planning a great evening of fellowship and friendship for the Friday event.  She indicates that if you want to stay over Friday night, you need to make reservations early, as hotel space in the area is limited.

Steve O'Neill (Rancho Cucamonga) has gathered a great team for planning the District Assembly.  There will be special sessions on Membership Development and Retention, Foundation (how to complete those drated forms and the process for Matching Grants), the RYLA club process update, as well as Avenues of Service information.   Presidents for 2002-2003 will have time with their District Governor, Lee Harlan (Claremont).  If there are any session topics that you would want to have included, please contact DG Margaret or Steve O'Neill as soon as possible.

A great leadership speaker is planned for Saturday lunch.  2001-2002 Presidents need to get their teams on board for this event.  Assembly Signup Forms have been mailed to each club. 

 MEMBERSHIP GROWTH # 1 PRIORITY
From Governor Sal Briguglio (Rancho Cucamonga)

Membership has been both President Devlyn's and my number one priority.  We have six weeks left before the deadline set for the 21st Century Membership Challenge.  It is now time to take action.  If you have anyone in mind to propose for membership, please do it now.  If you have been meaning to but have not found the right opportunity, the time is today!

District 5300 is still in the running to be one of the top 50 districts in the world for membership growth.  Let us show the Rotary World that we have the drive that distinguishes us as an extraordinary district.

Thank you for your support.          CREATE AWARENESS AND TAKE ACTION!

 TOP 10 CLUBS IN MEMBERSHIP GROWTH JUNE 30TH - FEBRUARY 28TH
From District Web Site, www.district 5300.org

Alhambra Rotary leads the district in net membership growth with 10 new members.  Other leading clubs include: Rancho Cucamonga - 8, San Marino - 7, Apple Valley - 6, LV North - 6, Glendora - 5, West Covina Sunrise - 5, Baldwin Park - 4, Covina Sunrise - 4, Montebello - 4.  The new Las Vegas South Sunset club already has 16 members.  The District has had an increase of 59 new members during this Rotary year, with a total district membership of 2831. 

TOP 10 CLUBS IN ATTENDANCE:  June 30th - FEBRUARY 28TH
From District Web Site, www.district5300.org

The reigning club attendance leader is South El Monte with 91.38%. Followed by: Claremont with 90.88%, Rancho Cucamonga 87.02%, Virgin Valley Sunrise 85.63%, Sierra Madre 85.38%, Boulder City 84.38%, Rancho Del Chino 83.23%, Altadena 82.27%, Five Points 81.88%, and Boulder City Sunrise 80.38%.  Congratulations!

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.

RI PRESIDENT DEVLYN NAMES PERSONAL REP FOR DIST CONFERENCE

As an annual custom, the RI President selects his personal representative to attend the District 5300 District Conference.  This year, President Devlyn has selected Jack B. Blane, a member of the Children at Risk Task Force and his wife Joan to be his representatives at the June 7-10 Conference in the Palm Springs area.

Jack and Joan Blane are from the Highland Park area near Chicago.

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?

PLAN NOW - CLUB AWARDS DUE DATE IS APRIL 10TH

How will other clubs know about great projects?...By your club submitting your club projects for the various awards available on the district and International level. It's very easy to participate:  Your Club can submit your projects and accomplishments for awards in the following categories:

21st Century Challenge
Presidential Citation
District Governor's Awards
Governor's Special Awards
Club Outstanding Rotarian
International Award

Your club can choose to apply for recognition on one of the above, or shoot to take home kudos in all of the above listed award categories.  Your Club President should have received information on all of the requirements for each of the award categories.  Each category has different requirements, so make sure you have the criteria on hand. If you are missing criteria on any of the above, please contact Heidi Larkin-Reed (Apple Valley): Phone: 760.242.2753, Fax: 760.242.0303, e-mail: larkinreed@yahoo.com.

 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 have been mailed to all presidents.

2001 INCOMING GSE TEAM ARRIVES MAY 10TH
From District Web Site

Rotary District 1200 in England has selected the GSE team that will be in our district during May and June, 2001. The Team will be the District's guests at the District Conference in June.  Team members include: Kate Brookes, a Police Sergeant (Traffic) who is sponsored by the Chippenham Club; Lorraine Sers, a Senior Staff Nurse who is sponsored by the Dorchester Club; Paul Lees, a Police Sergeant, sponsored by the Wellington Club; and Onome Stenlake, a Youth Worker, sponsored by the Dorchester Club.  A schedule for the Teams stay in the district will be announced at a later date

PDG CHRIS LYMAN SELECTED TO LEAD 2001-2002 GSE TEAM TO BRAZIL
From Margaret Cooker, DG 2001-2002 (Victorville)

Glendora Rotarian PDG Chris Lyman has been selected to head the District's GSE (Group Study Exchange) Team for 2001- 2002.  Chris is a logical selection in that he has lived in Brazil and speaks Portuguese, the official language of the country. The GSE Team will be exchanging with a Team from District 4500 in Brazil. 

The District is in the Northeastern area of Brazil (the hump that sticks out into the Atlantic ocean), and includes the fantastic beach area of Recife (which has 16 Rotary clubs).  With 85 clubs and 2,377 members, the district encompasses 3 states: Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba and Pernambuco, and is in Rotary Zone 20.  Our district is in Zone 24.

The Northeast covers 18% of the country.  It was once the center of the sugar industry during colonial times.  Life-threatening droughts are responsible for the lack of development in this area, but it is not under-populated.  Some of the best beaches in Brazil are located in the northeast, a long coastline blessed with year-round sunshine.  Among the best coastal resort cities are Recife in Pernambuco, Joao Passoa in Paraiba, Natal in Rio Grande do Norte.   

I will be setting up a web link to information in the near future.  Ram Kumar (Arcadia) has agreed to be my GSE Chair in California. 

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIESTA?
From Margaret Cooker, DG 2001-2002 (Victorville)

The Rotary International Convention for this year is being held in San Antonio, Texas - an easy trip for us all - June 24-27, 2001.  In case you have missed the information, the January issue of "The Rotarian" is devoted to the Convention, San Antonio, and Texas.  You can access all the RI registration forms via the District web site www.district5300.org, then "click" on the FIESTA logo.

As to getting there, some are using their RV's and joining the Fellowship of RV-ers like Glen Pierce (Victorville) to extend the fellowship of the Convention even further.  Some are planning to join the "Rotary Train" that Cliff Houser (Altadena) is organizing - a wild Rotary party across the west to Texas - and fly back!!  Some are flying, some are driving....however you plan to get there- PLAN ON IT!!!  If you have never participated and wonder about it - ask someone who has been to an International Convention to share - what a FELLOWSHIP!! What a PARTY!!!

Remember to sign up for the Far West Breakfast on Monday, June 25th ($25) - this form is also available through the same links.  See the International aspect of Rotary striving for World Peace one person at a time!!! Go early and sit in on the Youth Exchange, Rotaract, Foundation or World Project sessions.  Meet new people and make new friends (and maybe extend your business contacts!!) Drop in on Governor Sal at his hotel close to the Convention Center!!

When you know where you are staying let me know so that we can make sure that we can all PARTY!!! PARTY!!! Party!!! (One of the complaints we always have is not knowing where all our friends in the District are staying and being able to expand the fellowship even further).  Any questions or suggestions, please call (760.243.5928), fax (760.243.8012) or e-mail me (mcooker@rotarymail.net).

MATCHING GRANTS CYCLE
From Sal Briguglio, District Governor (Rancho Cucamonga)

The following cycle was established by the Trustees to create a systematic means for Rotary clubs and districts as well as The Rotary Foundation staff to process Matching and Helping Grant Applications, Grant Awards and Reports.

WHY A CYCLE?

Provide an opportunity for Rotarians to appropriately plan and Implement a project in a given time period.
Promote effective stewardship of Foundation funds.
Provide improved management of the Matching Grants Program.
Enable staff to better assist Rotarians in successfully completing grant applications.

*  Any applications received after the March 31st deadline will be returned to sponsors who can update the request and reapply the following Rotary Year.

HELP!  HELP!  HELP!
From Don Keenan (Alhambra)

As you may be well aware a massive earthquake rocked a vast area in Gujarat, a state in the western part of India, on January 26th, measuring 7 on the Richter scale.  It wreaked havoc in the lives of thousands of predominately poor people over a vast area in rural Gujarat.  Many villages have been flattened and there has been a tremendous loss of life and property.

The time has come to rebuild and the Rotary Club of Poona, North India (D3130) is raising funds to construct low cost housing for poor people.  The Rotary Club of Poona has raised $10,000 and would hope clubs in our district will choose to help.  Alhambra Rotary has already committed $500.00.  The government of Gujarat will match all funds raised by Rotary.  Please help, every dollar counts, as these poor people need shelter very badly.  For further information, contact Don Keenan, Alhambra Rotary at 626.289.8450.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA SUNRIZE SETS FISHING TOURNAMENT FUND RAISER
From Glenn Ueda, Tournament Coordinator, Rancho Cucamonga Sunrize

The Third annual "Hooked on Rotary" Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 2001.  The trip will be aboard the 75' charter boat Toronado and will depart from Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach.  Departure time will be 9:00 pm on Monday, May 21st and the return will be on Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:00. 

The trip will be limited to the first (30) anglers.  Cost will be $110.00 per person.  The first two years of the event have been sell-outs.  The fee includes your entry (the boats jackpot is separate) into a six place jackpot!  The first three places will receive trophies.  Also included are a tackle pack/goodie bag, and raffle drawing while underway.

Sponsors for the event include: Southwest Airlines, Shimano American Corp, Penn Reels, Hobie sunglasses, Point Loma Sports Fishing, Rubios Restaurants, Claim Jumper Restaurants, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Ironman Lures, Western Outdoors Publications.

Fishing instruction will be provided throughout the trip.  Fishing tackle, rod and reel rentals are available at the landing in Long Beach for a nominal fee.  Most of the funds that are raised from this event will go to underprivileged youth to be used at the pre-Christmas Target Gift Spree.  Contact Glenn Ueda, Tournament Coordinator @ 909.987.0909x2239 or e-mail glenn@wlc-architects.com

EAST LA CLUB SPONSORS MENTAL ILLNESS SPEAKERS BUREAU
From Dolores Diaz-Carrey, President ( East Los Angeles)

Chances are you have a family member or know someone afflicted with one of three major biological mental illnesses - schizophrenia, bi-polar or clinical depression.  Historically these diseases have been marginalized and grossly misunderstood by the general public

Two million Americans suffer from schizophrenia.  One out of every five American families is affected by mental illness.  Treatment works - if the person gets it.  But, stigma causes too many people to hold back from seeking help when they need it.

In keeping with the International Rotary theme, "Create Awareness-Take Action," the East Los Angeles Club sees a great opportunity to bring about greater awareness and understanding of these debilitating disorders.  Under the club sponsorship, San Gabriel Valley NAMI, (National Alliance for Mental Illness) has assembled and trained a speakers contingent available to address Rotary Clubs in District 5300.  Those afflicted as well as their family members compose the speaking teams, providing both personal and historical perspectives on mental illnesses. Contact Rudy Salinas @ 213.739.5640 or Betty Harris @ 626.446.2364 to schedule speakers for your club.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE SENIORS CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
From District Web Page

This project is being held Wednesday, April 18th 2001 to Sunday, April 22nd at the TPC in Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada.  This is a fund raiser coordinated by the North Las Vegas Rotary Club.  Each club will get paid for their time.  This could add money to a club's treasury with very little effort.  Boy Scouts, Church groups and other community groups are also invited to participate.  Each club or service organization will be paid on an hourly basis.

Volunteers are needed for all shifts to assist with parking and directing traffic.  If you can not work a full shift, we will be glad to have you for any hours that you are available.  We guarantee a good time, plus you will be given a pass to the Senior classic.  Contact Barry Channing, Chairperson @ 702.314.2401 or email @ Barry@Intermediausa.com, or John Miliken @ 702.497.6348, e mail Credit_Plus@moondog.net.

DO YOU WANT A ROTARY CALIFORNIA LICENSE PLATE?
From www.ca-rotarylicenseplates.org

A Rotarian from northern California is spearheading the effort to interest 7500 Rotarians to purchase a special interest California license plate that would be issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles for vehicles registered in California. Proceeds from the sale of these plates will benefit educational and community outreach activities supported by Rotary International. The plate contains the words "Service Above Self" and the emblem of Rotary International.

The Rotary license plate would cost $75 over the usual registration fee, with a $40 annual renewal fee.  Fees may be almost entirely tax-deductible.  The Rotary plates can be personalized for an additional cost. For further information , access the web site www.ca-rotarylicenseplates.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-Holter

Recently, the City of Sierra Madre, and it's volunteer fire department decided to sell a 1971 surplus fire engine that has now been replaced by a newer pumper engine.  Sierra Madre mayor and Rotarian Rob Stockly proposed the idea that Rotary raise funds to purchase the vehicle and donate it to a fire department in Mexico , in need of a fire engine.  When enough money is raised to purchase the vehicle, Rotarians hope to personally transport it to the recipient along with Interact Club members and a volunteer from the sierra Madre Fire Department.  Funds will come from individual donors, Rotary International, and Rotary clubs in neighboring communities. The Altadena club has pledged $250 to the project.  Total cost of the project is estimated at $12, 000.

Glendora Rotarians, led by Committee Chair, Keith Hilliard, completed their 30th annual Chorale Festival at Citrus College.  Proceeds from the event are used to enhance the Glendora USD Vocal program.  500 elementary and secondary students thrilled the sold-out crowd of 1500.  Club member Mike Bevilacqua Chaired the annual Career Day activities at Citrus College, in which 400 at risk students from local high schools, toured the campus, attended career related classes, and were encouraged to begin developing a career path. 

Under the leadership of campaign chairman Edgar Morales, Montebello Rotarians Carlos Palacios, Merel Giatt, Rich Adams, Bernadette Ramos, Matt Gerlach, Mike Penilla, Gabe Robles, Joe Naylor, Jess Avila, Kathy Kohm, Maggie-Carrillo-Mejia, Jack Gabig, Kathy Salazar, and Anne Donofrio-Holter helped the Montebello YMCA exceed it's goal of $137,000 during this year's fundraising campaign by raising over $15,000.  The official Rotary team, "The Village People," consisting of team captain Carlos Palacios, Edgar Morales, Anne Donofrio-Holter, Matt Gerlach, Mike Penilla and Gabe Robles, raised $5,537 exceeding its goal of $4,4475.

Under the direction of advisor Merel Glatt, members of the Montebello High School Interact Club have been reading books to local elementary school children every Monday morning.  Interact members through various fund raisers, purchase the books which are then presented to the children to keep.

The Altadena Club awarded nine $300 Mini Grants to teachers at Gretchen, Burbank Franklin and Cleveland Elementary Schools to purchase dry erase boards, books and cassettes in English for ESL students, HyperStudio 4 multimedia authoring software, musical instruments and biographies of musicians and composers, basketball hoops, scientific calculators, and a fields trip to the Long Beach Aquarium.

Alhambra Rotarians, working along side community dentists, helped screen children from the Baldwin School.  Club members helped with the paperwork and passed out toothbrushes to the children at the completion of the exam.

The Apple Valley club with the help of the Church of the Valley and Wal-Mart, provided $,050 worth of clothing to 41 needy children.  In addition, $7,500 was awarded in teacher Mini Grants.

Dr. Bruce Walter, a founding member of Arcadia Rotary, left a sum of money to the club to be used to provide scholarships to seniors attending the three high schools in Arcadia.  The club is offering two $1,000 scholarships each year to graduating seniors who will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, and leadership characteristics.  The scholarships are to be used for books and tuition.

The Boulder City club received a thank you from the Leukemia Foundation for a recent donation.

The West Covina club recently hosted incoming district governor Harminder Singh.  A native of Punjab, India, Singh was here to attend the International Assembly of Incoming Rotary District Governors in Anaheim.

Pomona Rotarians presented a ribbon to Burdette Boileau for 62 years of perfect attendance.  In addition, club members honored local students at its monthly student recognition program.

Claremont Interact students announced plans to raise funds to help fight world hunger that included participation in a 30-hour fast.

Congratulations to the Las Vegas University club on its 13th anniversary.

DISTRICT 5300 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 date:  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 - APRIL & MAY

APRIL 2001 - MAGAZINE MONTH

MAY 2001

JUNE 2001

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