ROTARY DISTRICT 5300 NEWS
HIGHLIGHTING THE WORLD OF ROTARY, DISTRICT ACTIVITIES, CLUB EVENTS, AND THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN
LEE MOTHERSHEAD, DISTRICT GOVERNOR
FOLLOW YOUR ROTARY DREAM - ELECTRONICALLY!
Thanks to the club "retrievers" who down-loaded your district newsletter in July, many Rotarians in 5300 have enjoyed news from Governor Lee on club activities. At the same time, the district is able to save the printing and postage costs for more worthy service.
You have another assignment, in addition to keeping up with district news: you are hereby appointed a reporter and co-editor, assigned to your club's beat, asked to send in your news and views for sharing with your fellow Rotarians in 5300. All sorts of Rotary news is welcome, such as the warm reception given our district governor Lee on his tours - really warm in Las Vegas, so warm he had to evacuate his hotel at six am when it was set on fire by lightning. Fortunately the Vegas folk were well prepared with water to put the fire out - floods of water, falling in a desert thunderstorm. That's the kind of news you can share with our district!
SEND YOUR NEWS TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE: dist5300@cyberg8t.com
OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE NET ACCESS, FAX FREE: 800-378-5301
OR IF YOU MUST, SPEND 32c and MAIL TO: 1963 South Myrtle, Monrovia, CA 91016
Remember: each reader is a reporter ... don't depend on someone else ... tell us what's happening in your club ... programs that are working ... pride you feel ... what we can do together to follow our Rotary dream!
HOW TO SHARE YOUR ROTARY DREAM
RI President James Lacy seeks your ideas to help shape the future of our organization as the 21st century approaches and Rotary nears its own centennial. "The most successful Rotary programs were not conceived by the president or the board," said Lacy. "They evolved from the ideas and dreams of individual Rotarians."
In order to promote widespread feedback, Lacy has created "Rotary's Dream for the Future Committee." Their mission is to stimulate new ideas and suggestions from clubs and Rotarians for future projects, programs, activities, and emphases.
The "Dream Committee" is headed by an old friend of our district, Cliff Dochterman. Cliff is a Foundation trustee and a past president of RI who has spoken at our conferences and visited several of our clubs from his home in Stockton, where he led the University of the Pacific. His group will explore ways to use the expertise and resources of Rotarians, clubs, and districts to further the objectives of Rotary and to improve its membership, structure, and programs.
You're asked, encouraged, urged to share your ideas on all aspects of Rotary - on the structure of our Evanston organization, on our Rotary Foundation programs and procedures, on humanitarian issues, and on worldwide programs to consider following the rapidly-approaching completion of PolioPlus. Lacy suggests that each of our clubs hold a meeting on the subject: "What Are Our Club's Dreams for Rotary's Future?" Clubs might consider hearty brain-storming sessions, possibly using large sheets of blank newsprint taped around the room to record dreams in each of our paths of service.
President Lacy asks Rotarians wishing to contribute their "dreams" to write Rotary's Dream for the Future Committee in care of the Office of the President, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201. They ask each submission to be signed by your club president. The deadline for sending recommendations is November 30. This is a great opportunity for each of us to make our dreams come true.
DISTRICT LEADERSHIP FOR THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
Do you realize the impact that District 5300 has made in international outreach? Bill Knoke, an inspiration to all Rotarians and a proud Diamond Pin wearer, reminds us that TWO of the ten largest givers worldwide last year came from Alhambra Rotary - and San Marino Rotary has the largest number of Diamond Pin contributors. Ask any member of your club's Foundation Committee what you can do to help.
GOVERNOR LEE'S MIDSUMMER MESSAGE
It's hard to believe we're already a month into the new Rotary year. So far, I've received several comments, all favorable, about the new form and format of the electronic HIGHLIGHTER. Clubs I've visited have all been able to download and distribute the first issue without much trouble - in fact, some have commented that it was easier than expected! Remember, it lets us get you district and club news instantly, the first of each month on the dot, updated as news comes in - AND, it saves district funds for better purposes.
We still need several club e-mail addresses. Please let CHRIS DATWYLER know your club's e-mail: nchrisd@ix.netcom.com As last Rotary year, Chris is giving countless hours of "service above self," assisting our district with computer assistance. Chris will let your club's "retriever" know in advance of special notices or changes to our web page, as well as when the next HIGHLIGHTER is uploaded.
August is membership and extension month. This means each club should be eagerly searching for good members, and thinking of potential sites of new clubs. CHRIS LYMAN would be delighted to hear from you if you know an area that might benefit from a Rotary Club. It doesn't have to conflict with your club's territory. It might even be at a different time of the day to serve those who are unable to make it to your club's meetings. Chris can be reached at 626-963-8856, or by mail at 948 North Loraine Avenue, Glendora, CA 91741.
Let's remember, too, that just because this month's focus is on membership, this doesn't mean that membership isn't important all eleven other months. It is! Membership is the lifeblood of the club. Membership is every member's business. Membership drops an average of 10-12% a year in a typical club, and must be replaced with good people. You may have a mechanism in your club for processing members, but someone has to suggest a person's name first!
As your president may have shared with you already, Rotary's International Conference again confirmed the internationally of Rotary with its myriad of different dress styles, as colorful and varied as the languages heard all around Indianapolis' conference center. The opening ceremonies were held in a dome whose roof stays up by internal air pressure. This necessitates revolving doors and air locks, quite a feat of engineering. Weather participated often in the ceremonies, the sound of Indiana rain on the dome making it difficult at times to hear the speakers. However, the plenary sessions were varied and fascinating, and the entertainments were, well, entertaining. I hope every Rotarian in the district gets a chance to go to an RI convention. It's truly an eye-opening and heart-filling experience! Singapore promises to be especially exciting - you might plan for it now.
And another reminder: while you're planning 1999, save time for our own District Conference, a celebration of the magic of Rotary! It will be at the Riviera in Palm Springs on a perfect weekend - April 30 through May 2. I'm looking forward to seeing you there.
--Lee Mothershead
NEW "LOOKING FOR..." PAGE ON DISTRICT WEB SITE
Check out the newest page on our web site, the "Looking For..." page. Here's where clubs, committees, etc., who are looking for things such as griddles for pancake breakfasts, partner clubs for a matching grant project, an overflow Dan Stover or 4-way student, or just about anything (except a direct solicitation for funds which Rotary International prohibits) can seek out information and help. It's just another tool to facilitate the good work the clubs in District 5300 are constantly doing. Oh, Yes, and don't forget to check it regularly, because it can and will change any time someone has something new to add, not just at the first of the month! The web site address is http://www.district5300.org
YOUTH EXCHANGE COMMITTEE PLANS PRESENTATIONS TO INTERACT CLUBS Paul Warner's Youth Exchange Committee wants to talk to your Interact Club about opportunities for high school students to study abroad. The committee needs a list of the Interact Clubs you sponsor and the name of the Youth Exchange Officer in your club to develop a presentation schedule. Please contact Paul at his business 323-721-5306, business fax 323-721-2802, home 323-728-6009 or by e-mail warner@pacificnet.net.Following the presentations at the Interact Clubs, your Club should plan a mixer to get to know student candidates who have shown an interest. Each club needs to be sure it has a Youth Exchange Officer in place who can set up the mixer and who will be trained to carry the application and screening process further. The Youth Exchange Committee has videos, brochures and posters.
The Youth Exchange Program is open to all high school students including children of Rotarians. Applications will be accepted from now to February. Students will leave in August 1999.
We want a program of youth exchange which is district wide and which involves every club in the district, even if the club does not send a student. What could be more in keeping with President Lacy's appeal for a club activity involving children than this?
CHANGES IN CLUB MEETING PLACES
Two of our clubs have moved their meeting places recently - though not the day or time. Make a note in your District Directory and come visit when you're in the area...
AZUSA-GLENDORA-FOOTHILLS-SUNRISE now at HUNTINGTON EAST VALLEY HOSPITAL
Meeting Thursday, 7:00 am in the Medical Building Assemblyroom, 150 West Alosta
COVINA SUNRISE CLUB now at EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL, COVINA
Meeting Tuesday, 7:15 am, at the Holt exit of the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10)
If you want a good start to your day, consider a make-up at either breakfast club.
CAN YOU READ THIS?
Sure, you can read; your parents and good teachers helped you. Help someone else! We're spreading the sad statistics of America's literacy problem as part of RI's decision worldwide to help eradicate illiteracy. Duarte Rotary heard the message, and woke up. Five of its 15 members are giving their time to tutor at their city's Teen Center. That's a third of their membership - can your club do as well? Let your president know you'll help this good cause!
HIGHLIGHTER AT PRESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE
Your District's HIGHLIGHTER is sending a reporter to RI's Presidential Conference in Guatemala City to bring us on-the-spot insights, and that's better than Reuters, the Associated Press, or either the New York or Los Angeles Times. Well, we're not really paying first-class travel - we just happen to have a 5300 Rotarian already there, hearing the impassioned discussions of pressing issues throughout Latin America: child abuse, drug abuse, illiteracy, poverty, crime - problems being faced with strong Rotary programs throughout the region.
RI President James Lacy brought in Guatemalan President Alvaro Arzu for the keynote talk; breakout sessions are being conducted the first few days of August, and our observer will bring us information to be posted here later in the month. Watch for news of how bad things are - and how much Rotary is doing to help out. You'll be proud.
HIGHLIGHTER IN CYBERSPACE WORLDWIDE
Our Rotary companions with the Rotary Club of Teluk Intan, Malaysia, sent our district compliments on our on-line bulletin - and their own "Anak Roda" (the "Turning Wheel," we're told) is a great web site, too. As their region experiences a serious economic slowdown, the Rotarians of Teluk Intan are determined to serve the community even more. They report they're changing from a "check-writing club" to hands-on service - their main project this year is tree-planting, replacing some of the millions killed by fire and drought over the past few months.
If other Rotarians worldwide are reading the HIGHLIGHTER, we'd very much like to hear from you, and about your projects. Please e-mail District 5300 with your news to share with your California and Nevada friends.
SEND IN YOUR NEWS, YOUR VIEWS ...
remember, if you are reading this, YOU'RE an official HIGHLIGHTER reporter - let's hear from you as you
FOLLOW YOUR ROTARY DREAM!