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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 CONFERENCE WRAPS UP BIG YEAR

AGENDA SET FOR 2001 DISTRICT CONFERENCE
From Keith Hilliard, Governor's Administrative Assistant (Glendora)

A full schedule of events, activities, and fun has been organized for all Rotarians who attend the District Conference, June 7-10 at the Doral Palm Springs Resort in Cathedral City.  The following is a listing of major Conference activities: 

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?

COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION VOTES BIG CHANGES FOR JULY 1ST
From PDG Conrad von Bibra, District Delegate (South Pasadena)

During a recently concluded six-day legislative session, Council on Legislation delegates considered 620 legislative proposals, with less than 100 adopted; five were tabled or referred to the RI Board, and the remainder were either withdrawn or rejected.  The following are significant changes that will impact all Rotary clubs:

All club members will be either ACTIVE or HONORARY.  Senior Active status will no longer exist.

 The CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM will now allow clubs to have five members with the same classification.  Clubs with over 50 members will be able to have 10% of their membership from the same classification. 

TERRITORY (for recruiting purposes) has been eliminated.  There will now be a non-exclusive Locality. 

CLUB TRANSFERS will have an established procedure.

AUTOMATIC LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP will no longer be the result when  missing four meetings in a row.  Local clubs will decide to terminate or not.

Club Boards will be able to determine the conditions and circumstances under which a MEMBER'S ABSENCE IS EXCUSED.

MAKE UP opportunities will be expanded.

Club DARK WEEKS have been expanded from two to four. 

For further information visit R. I. Frank Devlyn's website at www.frankdevlyn.org/council 

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

Alhambra leads the district in net membership growth with 16 new members. Other clubs leading in the important net membership growth category include: San Marino - 11, West Covina Sunrise - 10, Rancho Cucamonga - 9, Apple Valley - 8, Victorville - 8, Covina Sunrise - 7, Montebello - 7 and Altadena, Arcadia, East Los Angeles, Glendora, Las Vegas North each with 6.  The new Las Vegas South Sunset club already has 16 members.  The District has had an increase of 76 new members during this Rotary year, with a total district membership of 2847.  NOTE: IN SOME CASES RI MAY HAVE DIFFERENT CLUB TOTALS.

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

The reigning club attendance leader is South El Monte with 92.10%. Following closely are: Claremont 91.63%, Virgin Valley Sunrise 86.27%, Rancho Cucamonga 86.23%, Sierra Madre 85.50%, Boulder City 84.40%, Five Points 83.50.78%, Altadena 81.94%, Boulder City Sunrise 81.00%, and Rancho Cucamonga Sunrize 80.18%. Congratulations!

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 ).

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).

"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

 ALTADENA CLUB PARTNERS WITH WORLD BANK
From C. Ray Carlson, President (Altadena) 

The "Eradicate Poverty Through Youth Entrepreneur's" program of Altadena Rotary caught the attention of the World Bank's "World Links of Development Program" (WorLd) and led to a Letter of Intent between the two organizations, whereby, among other things, they will MATCH whatever funds Altadena Rotary raises from all sources, not just Rotary.

WorLd has been developing a youth Information and Communications Technology (ICT) program in 125 sites in Africa whereby, computers, internet links, and training have been installed in all of these sites.  Next they want to promote youth entrepreneurship and small business development in 16 of these centers in Ghana, Botswana, Uganda and Zimbabwe, so that African youth will start their own businesses and also provide existing businesses with IT-based services.  New business formation is needed to stem the massive unemployment, which leads to violence, ill health, and even HIV/AIDS proliferation.  The ICT centers also teach HIV/AIDS prevention.

What was missing was a link between the students and local businessmen and women to provide real-world mentoring.  The Junior Achievement program has excellent business curricula that have evolved over its 80 years of operation, but these require local business volunteers also.  Rotarians are excellent for teaching of fundamental business principles, as Altadena Rotary has been doing in John Muir High School for the past four years and in J.A. programs launched in high schools in Tijuana and Armenia through Matching Grants from D5300 clubs.

Altadena Rotary's commitment is to serve on a project advisory committee, to raise funds through the Matching Grant program of The Rotary Foundation, and to help identify other public and private funding opportunities for supporting project development.  WorLd will match whatever Altadena Rotary raises from all sources.  The goal for the first stage of 16 sites is $80,000 from all sources, to be matched by $80,000 from WorLd.  Altadena will seek to mobilize clubs throughout the world, but especially non-Rotary organizations and individuals.

Altadena's International Service chair, Mike Noll, plans to commit $4,000 ($1,000 for each country), and one member pledged to raise $1,000 from friends and then match that with his own tax deductible $1,000 contribution to the Altadena Rotary Charity.

This project will be promoted at the R. I. CONVENTION in San Antonio where a project booth has been assigned to Altadena Rotary and D5300.  Club President C. Ray Carlson states, "we should have no problem raising the $80,000 from clubs worldwide and from non-Rotary sources because of the World Bank's involvement."

For further information, contact Mike Noll, 626.683.0515 or mbnoll@earthlink.net or C. Ray Carlson, 626.796.0404 or craycarlson @usa.net.

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.

ALHAMBRA & LA VERNE CLUBS TEAM UP ON LOW COST HOUSING PROJECT
From Mitch Drasco (Alhambra)

After months of planning, in less than 8 hours, the Rotary clubs of Alhambra and La Verne, in the true spirit of Rotary International Service, built a sturdy home for an impoverished family (single mom, Alma, and her four girls, ages 6, 5 and twins 3) in the Mexican village of Cerro Azul, Tecate, Mexico. The project was under the auspices of the Corazon - International Service Project.

About 7 am on Cinco de Mayo, 2001, a parade of more than 30 cars, vans, SUV'S, trucks and motor homes caravanned across the U. S. Border near Otay Mesa. The caravan was easy to spot - each vehicle flying a red or blue ribbon.  A reversal - American workers going into Mexico to work!  Their destination, the crude village of Cerro Azul - up a steep, rutted, dirt and red clay road.  The village has no running water, no electricity, no natural gas and no telephones.  The day was perfect for a building project.  No rain, just sun and a light breeze. The temperature was about 75 degrees - a sunscreen and drinking water kind of day.

In one day, the family's makeshift shack was demolished, six 3' deep pillar-footings were pick axed through the hard pack clay and a 16'x20' wood frame two-tone home was built - complete with composite shingle roof, mini-blinds, tile cooking top, butane stove, carpeted sleeping loft and vinyl floor.  In addition, a stand alone "out house" was constructed.  When the project was completed, Alma, was handed the keys to her front door.  She formally introduced the builders to her children and presented a thank you letter of appreciation. 

It all happened so fast! The house was ready for occupancy!  The memories would last a lifetime! At 5:30 PM, the parade was back on the road again, and at 5:45 PM, it crossed the border.  Cell phones began to work and the stunned labor team was left with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, as it raced home to the 1-hour photo shop.

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.

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 for your efforts Anne. Your feature provided a brief summary of club activities from around our district, compiled from club bulletins, and has appeared in each issue of the District Newsletter over the past two Rotary years. Anne has provided a very important insight into the activities of the clubs in District 5300. 

The Mable Haggart School has requested 50 pairs of shoes for school children from the Las Vegas University Rotary through its Happy Feet program.  This will be the largest number of shoes the club has donated at one time.

A former club member has left a significant contribution from his estate to the R. I. Foundation Charity on behalf of the Ontario club.  So significant was the bequeath, that the club's board of directors approved a motion to have all Ontario Rotary members become a Paul Harris Fellow.  When done, the Ontario Rotary will be one of the few clubs with 100% Paul Harris Fellows.

Monterey Park Rotarians participated in the Monterey Park/East Los Angeles Christmas in April program.  Volunteers helped repair the homes of disabled, low-income families and senior citizens.  The club also donated $500 to the project.

The Victorville club participated in an immunization clinic given by a local hospital.

San Dimas Rotarians made a $500 donation to support the San Dimas High School Band.  In addition the club donated $1,500 in books to Allen Avenue and Canyon View Schools, as part of the Reading by Nine program.

Boulder City Rotarians participated in the first-ever Boulder City Hospital Foundation telethon.  Rotarians helped answer the phones as well as donating their time, talent, and resources.  In addition, club members raised $300 selling ice fishing permits at the Chamber of Commerce Business Fair.

The San Gabriel club presented 34 boxes of books to Roosevelt Elementary School as part of the Reading by Nine Program.

The Montebello club named Montebello High School educator Jo Ann Barro as it's Teacher of the Year for 2001.  Barro becomes the 17th area educator to receive this honor.  The club began presenting this award  to educators in 1985.  Jo Ann received a plaque, floral bouquet, and a check for $300.  In addition, club members recently screened 160 3rd graders at its annual dental clinic held at La Merced Elementary School.

The West Covina club presented 27 mini grants worth up to $300 to educators in the West Covina, Covina Valley and Charter Oak school districts.  The grants are for special class projects which otherwise would not have been funded by the school districts.

Pomona Rotarians purchased $1,000 worth of books for area K-3 grade teachers.

The Altadena club presented its annual vocational awards to 30 Pasadena City College students in the areas of auto mechanics, nursing cosmetology, health care, computer-aided drafting (CAD).  Each student received a certificate and a monetary award.  In addition, club members hosted the awards presentation for six ROTC students from three local high schools.  Each year, three young women and three young men are chosen as outstanding examples of ROTC participants by their instructors in accordance with the criteria set forth by the Altadena American Legion Post 470.

Arcadia members donated $338 to enable a 4th and 5th grade Pasadena Unified School District student to attend a class trip in Sacramento.

Alhambra Rotarians got a preview of a new Community Safety Trailer that will be used to educate young people in the city and surrounding communities on what to do in case of a fire.  The Alhambra club, along with the Alhambra Fire Department, were instrumental in the creation of the trailer which was officially unveiled to the public in May.

DISTRICT 5300 ACTIVITIES DATES TO REMEMBER

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