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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 

5 WEEKS TO THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE
JUNE 7-10

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.

TOP 10 CLUBS IN MEMBERSHIP GROWTH JUNE 30TH - MARCH 30TH
From District Web Site, www.district5300.org 

San Marino and West Covina Sunrise lead the district in net membership growth with 10 new members each.  Other leading clubs include: Rancho Cucamonga - 9, Alhambra - 8, Apple Valley - 7, Las Vegas North - 6,  Montebello - 5, Covina Sunrise - 5, East Los Angeles - 4, and Las Vegas Southwest - 4.  The new Las Vegas South Sunset club already has 15 members.  The District has had an increase of 76 new members during this Rotary year, with a total district membership of 2847. 

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

The reigning club attendance leader is South El Monte with 91.89%. Followed by: Claremont with 91.26%, Rancho Cucamonga 86.34%, Sierra Madre 86.00%, Virgin Valley Sunrise 85.89%, Boulder City 84.22%, Five Points 82.78%, Altadena 82.17%, Boulder City Sunrise 80.38%, and Rancho Del Chino 80.36%. Congratulations!

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.

KEY DISTRICT OFFICERS SELECTED FOR 2001-2002 ROTARY YEAR
From District 5300 Website

In-coming Governor Margaret Cooker (Victorville) has made the following selections for key district leadership positions for her year as Governor.  A complete listing of district Officers and Committees can be found at www.district5300.org/officerdge.html .

The selections include DISTRICT GOVERNOR ELECT, Lee Harlan (Claremont), EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT GOVERNOR-CALIFORNIA, Austin (Wes) Weston (Pasadena), EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT GOVERNOR-NEVADA, David Sanchez (Green Valley), CLUB SERVICE, John Hathcock (Las Vegas Northwest), COMMUNITY SERVICE, Barbara Risher Welch, (Montebello), VOCATIONAL SERVICE, Debbie Mitsch (Chino), INTERNATIONAL SERVICE, Jenni Del Castillo (South El Monte) and ROTARY FOUNDATION, Steve Garrett, (Sierra Madre).

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?

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.

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  ).

"FRANK TALK" FROM RI PRESIDENT FRANK DEVLYN
From April 16, 2001 E-Mail Message

Several months ago, as part of our goal to CREATE AWARENESS of Rotary, its many outstanding programs, and the benefits of Rotary membership, I asked each of you to visit my Devlyn "Action Team" web site and help me by telling others (Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike), "Why You Should Join Rotary."  Just as you have done so many times throughout this Rotary year, you responded by TAKING ACTION! Your response was immediate and it was remarkable.  Within two weeks, thousands of you had shared your thoughts on the benefits of Rotary membership and what being a Rotarian has meant to you.  These comments have been read by visitors from around the world to our Devlyn "Action Team" web site http://www.frankdevlyn.org .

For the past several months, I have been writing a book with the valuable assistance of Rotarian and author, David C. Forward.  It is entitled "FRANK TALK"...."How YOU can make a difference in Your CAREER, In Your COMMUNITY, In Your WORLD...Through Membership in Rotary."  It is the story of an experience I had early in my year as President and how I've used that experience to carry the message of the benefits of Rotary membership to many I have met during my travels.  After reading the comments from so many of you, David Forward recommended than many be incorporated in the book.  This was done with the approval of the individual Rotarians.

"FRANK TALK" is being published at NO COST TO ROTARY.  All the proceeds from its sale will be donated to The Rotary Foundation to be used for AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS PROJECTS.  "FRANK TALK" will be available at the Rotary International Convention in San Antonio, but you can order your copy NOW at the special Pre-Publication sale price.  Complete details on "FRANK TALK," as well as how and where you can purchase the book, can be found on my Devlyn "Action Team" web site (as stated above).

In the words of Past Rotary International President, Cliff Dochterman, "Frank Talk" illustrates many of the fantastic opportunities to expand one's friendships, contribute to a better community, meet and enjoy interesting persons, help build a better world, and fully enrich one's life through membership in a Rotary club.  It is a composite of true personal experiences of a distinguished Rotary leader...who practices what he preaches."

Yours in Rotary Service,  Frank J. Devlyn, President

TRIP TO MEXICO BEING PLANNED FOR JULY
From Charlotte Leas (North Las Vegas Rotary)

We are going to try it again!  This time, we hope that snow will not keep us from getting to the Village of Choquita, Mexico.  Plans are being made for anyone who would like to go along.  We will fly into El Paso, Texas and be escorted by Ted Holder of District 5730.  We will check on how our food has been distributed and being used.  We are also pleased to announce that Bob Broadbent from the Boulder City Sunrise club will go along and assess how a water project could be built to hold water for the Indian Village.  Currently they go to the stream for water and carry it to their home or hang pails off of their house roofs when it rains or snows.  Some of the roofs are aluminum sheeting and the roof stays pretty clean so the water is pretty clean.  Others have roofing material of other "stuff" and it gets into the water pails.  Very unsanitary for people to be using!  We will attempt to assess how water can be gathered in holding tanks and fed to the village with plastic pipe.

Thanks to the Boulder City Sunrise club for taking an interest in this project.  There are other Clubs in the Southern part of Nevada who have also expressed interest in supporting the on-going village project.  We have a list of items/projects that the elders of the village have come up with.  Sister Amparo has put them together with a budget.  We will get these to the in-coming Presidents to share with their International Service Chairs.

Please contact me if your club wants additional information.  702.656.2543; Fax 702.656.4050.

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.

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.

200l RYLA PARTICIPANT SHARES HER MEMORIES
From Monterey Park Rotary Club Newsletter 

(Annie Rossi, President of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Interact Club, talked to the Monterey Park Rotary Club about her experience at this year's RYLA conference).  She was pleased to see three of her best friends from her former high school in attendance.  Those at RYLA were separated into continents.  Her continent was Africa and her City was Capetown.  On her team were students from Nevada and  West Covina.  Her team leader was a Rotarian from Covina. 

On the first day they received their group project.  The projects were to show how to build a team to reach a goal. For their City they had to find a problem and develop a solution. .  They presented the solution on the third day.   The illiteracy rate was high so the focused on the lack of communication between the home and school.  They proposed that senior citizens would work with elementary students at the library.  They decided to ask for a grant from the hospital and a food company.  In addition, there would be a $0.05 charge on tickets to sporting events that would go for the program.  The $5,000 grant from Rotary would be for start up purposes and to purchase materials.  When they presented their plan on the third day, they did very well, but did not go on to the next level due to the points they lost for going over on their presentation time.

On the evening of the first day they went up as various groups i.e. Jews, African Americans, Asian Americans, etc.  The groups had to tell others what the misconceptions were about their group.  Next they had to say what they never wanted to hear about their group.

On the second day they worked on their projects.  They also had leadership projects, for example, working together on the egg drop, climbing a wall blindfolded, and carrying a glass of water without spilling the contents.  They also were given labels and others were to treat them as the bands on their heads said, for example, jocks, most unpopular, class clown. She never considered herself funny, but after people started laughing at what she said and did, she started feeling differently.  It was interesting how they took on their roles.  That evening, they had games and competitions between the continents and a dance.

The third day they had to be out of their dorms by 8:00 am.  This was followed by the group presentations on the projects.  They also received a memory yearbook with information on District 5300 and a photograph of the whole group.  They were also told how to become a Senior Counselor next year.  Six students from this year's group will be chosen.

Annie said that it was a wonderful experience.  They had lots of speakers talking about leadership.  Leaders need to work with others.  You have to be a junior in high school to attend RYLA.  She plans to stay in touch with her team over the Internet.

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.

MONTEBELLO ROTARIANS MAKE EASTER HAPPIER FOR THOSE IN NEED
From Anne Donofrio-Holter (Montebello)

For the third year in a row, Montebello Rotarians, along with members of the Montebello Lions, joined forces to  make Easter a bit brighter for the needy in our area.

Club members met a few days prior to the holiday to pack 150 boxes that they filled with chicken, vegetables, fruit, desserts, and all the trimmings and then distributed the boxes to those less fortunate.

The families were screened through the Head Start program with a few selected by club members who were aware of families in need.

"Instead of donating Christmas baskets, we decided a few years ago to donate Easter baskets instead," said Lion Robert King.  "So many organizations donate during the Christmas season, we wanted to make sure the needy in our community were remembered at Easter as well."

"Many people do not realize how many families in our community are borderline economically," said Rotarian Pete Adriance, who spearheaded the project along with King.

Each basket contained enough food for several meals for each family.  Upon delivery, many of the children greeted club members with hand-made thank-you-cards to express their gratitude.

Montebello Rotarians David Avirom, Luis Trujillo, Helio Altamirano, Ralph Helm, Carlos Palacios, Kathy Salazar, Irene Villapania, and Anne Donofrio-Holter participated in the packing and distribution along with members of the Lions Club. Both clubs wish to express their gratitude to the L.A. Coca Cola Street Team, Coast Produce, Best Foods Baking Company, Royal Paper Box Inc., Unified, Mrs. Cubbison's Foods, Arevalo Tortillas, and Enrique Gasca, with Assemblyman Tom Calderon's office, who secured chickens through Foster Farms and the California Poultry Council.  In addition, both clubs made monetary donations for the special day.

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

For the first time, Arcadia Rotarians assisted the city's recreation department with this year's Easter Egg hunt.  The Rotarians were in charge of the coloring contest, which was split into 12 age groups.  In addition, the club is supporting the Red Cross' Child ID project.

An annual tradition for the past several years, the Montebello club honored the city's Firefighter, Paramedic, and Transit Employee of the Year.  Each honoree, selected by his or her own department, expressed gratitude to the club for this recognition.  In addition to a certificate of recognition from the club, recipient's received a certificate from each of the following: the City of Montebello, State Senator Martha Escutia, State Assemblyman Tom Calderon, Supervisor Gloria Molina, and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano.

Claremont Rotarians helped distribute 30,000 decorated Easter Eggs to three venues for various Easter Egg hunts.

The Pasadena Sunrise club provided the treats for the Kidspace Museum Easter Egg hunt.  Members met to stuff the Eggs with goodies then helped hide them for the many anxious children to attended the hunt.

Members of the Altadena Rotary participated in last month's Community Bike Day held at Thomas Edison Elementary School.  Rotarians, along with members of Interact and the local Sheriff's Department, helped set up the obstacle course, safety video, bike inspection area, and tune-up shop.  Participants were able to have their bikes inspected, handlebars tightened, and review the rules of bike safety.  In addition. 50 bicycle helmets acquired by the club with the help of Safe Kids L.A., tire patch kits, bike locks, wheel reflectors, safety booklets and water bottles were distributed to the participants.

Alhambra Rotarians awarded $8,000 mini grants to teachers in the Alhambra School District.  Many of the grants are to be used for the purchase of books.  In addition, over 2,000 books have been distributed through the Reading is Fundamental joint literacy project to the Alhambra School District.  Rotarians, with the help of local Soroptimist members visited 40 third grade classrooms, read to the children, then presented each child with a book to keep

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).

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 - MAY & JUNE

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