The
Highlighter
September 2010
Vol 84 No 3
Table of Contents
The
Month of the Future
Roger Schulte
Last
year the 2010 Rotary Council on Legislation approved a fifth Avenue
of Service: New Generations Service. Though Rotarians worldwide have
long addressed the needs of youth, Rotary now officially has added
service to youth as a primary responsibility.
Even in its infancy Rotary International encouraged clubs to provide guidance and leadership to youth. In 1918 Rotary was the first service club in the nation to adopt Scouting. In fact Paul Harris and James E. West, the first Chief Scout Executive, were good friends. They traveled the country together establishing Boy Scout councils.
Our Manual of Procedure indicates that "it is the responsibility of each Rotarian to prepare the New Generations — all young people up to the age of 30 — by improving their life skills to ensure a better future, while recognizing the diversity of their needs. All clubs and districts are encouraged to undertake projects that support the fundamental needs of the New Generations: health, human values, education, and self-development."
RI's structured programs for New Generations are Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange. In District 5300 we also sponsor the Teen Leadership Camp (TLC) for 8th graders, the Interact Symposium, and three youth contests (Dan Stover Music Contest, the 4-Way Test Speech Contest, and the Hensel Ethics Essay Contest.) Over the years the district's youth entrepreneurship trainings and programs have also significantly changed the lives of many of our high school and college students. Most clubs also carry out their own activities which focus on youth-at risk and the needy as well as literacy and youth recognitions for service and academics.
As a career educator, I know the value of Rotary and its impact on the lives of youth. I will never forget a young man from a continuation high school who attended our RYLA program years ago. He was from the barrio and had previously dropped out of high school. Behind in credits and still connected with the wrong crowd, he was selected to participate by Rotarians at the advice of a wise high school counselor who had faith in him. He arrived at Astro Camp in a daze, actually a bit angry. He did not know why he was there and felt he did not fit in with the "rah rah types," and the jocks, the high achieving blondes, and the articulate ASB leaders. In fact, he wanted to go home.
But by the end of the weekend, however, he came to realize the power to change rested with himself and that there were Rotarians and fellow participants out there who believed in him and his potential. In three days he returned a changed man. He eventually graduated; and opportunity knocked a second time when his Rotary club flew him (his first time in an airplane) back east to participate in a national RYLA conference.
Never doubt the lasting power we and our programs have on children, teens and young adults. We teach skills in leadership and ethics. We provide experiences for students to enhance their self-esteem. We provide basic literacy materials and job opportunities. We model roles and provide career guidance. We provide connections and hope.
September is
New Generations Month. Pause and focus on Rotary activities that support
the development of young people. Ask yourself how you can personally get
involved. Rotary encourages:
Every Rotarian
an Example to Youth
Group Study Exchange
September 10
East Los Angeles
5th Annual Golf Tournament
September 11
Boulder City Sunrise KenDucky Derby
September 11
Building Blocks for Building Clubs
September 25
Boulder City Sunrise WurstFest
October 22
October 22- 24
Seven District Interact Symposium
October 23
West Covina and West Covina Sunrise Red Ribbon Rally and Car Show
Feb 22 - Mar 8, 2011
D5300 Fellowship Tour
Egypt, Jordan, Israel
Building Blocks for Building Clubs
It is not too late for clubs and individuals to register for the district-sponsored half day seminar on September 11, 2010. The seminar will feature three separate workshops, one on the Rotary Foundation, another on Membership Development and Retention, and the third on Public Relations. The seminar will be held at Etiwanda Gardens, 7576 Etiwanda Ave., Etiwanda, CA, and begins at 9:00 AM and concludes at 12:00 Noon. Continental breakfast will be served at 8:30 AM. We request registrations by September 6, 2010. Registrations and fliers about each workshop are on the district website.
The Foundation Workshop will explain the workings of The Rotary Foundation and describe various ways Rotarians can contribute to it. Speakers will discuss the effective use of recognition points, the Million Dollar Dinner, and effective strategies to encourage giving. The latest information will be presented about the successes of Rotary’s PolioPlus campaign and the Gate’s Foundation Challenge. A variety of breakout sessions will cover: The Use of the Contribution Summary Reports, How to Encourage Giving in Your Club, PolioPlus Fund‐Raising Ideas that Work, How to Apply for Matching Grants, How to Apply for District Simplified Grants. There will also be a short presentation on District 5300’s sponsored trip to India for Rotarians and their partners to participate in Rotary’s global international effort to eradicate polio.
The Membership Workshop will focus on strategies for finding new members, the recruitment of younger members, and things to consider related to retaining members. Speakers will address Rotary membership in these challenging economic times, generational differences, the “Club in a Club” model as a successful recruitment tool, and the effective use of social media. Time will be devoted for interactive sharing of best practices.
The Public Relations Workshop will be conducted by two PR pros. Participants will come away with PR tools and ideas to promote Rotary in your communities. You will learn how to create your PR Plan to develop an easy recipe to promote your projects and fundraisers. Also discussed will be media relations, making the most of your newsletter and website, district and RI resources.
More information and to Register-
click Here
Million Dollar Dinner - Will You Be There?
by Margaret Cooker
Join
RI President Ray Klinginsmith as District 5300 celebrates reaching its goal
of raising $1,000,000.00 for the Permanent Fund of The Rotary Foundation.
Who is invited to attend? Anyone who has committed to donate $10,000 or more by submitting the Bequest Society Form, or has pledged to give the money over three years, or has made an outright gift to the Permanent Fund of TRF between March 1, 2010 and January 3, 2011.
Why the Permanent Fund? The capital of the Permanent Fund remains forever - only the interest is spent on TRF programs. We Rotarians in District 5300 have concentrated on giving to the Annual Fund in recent years and on Polio Eradication and need to widen our horizons and look to building stability and longevity - a legacy of funding TRF programs into the future.
What can you expect? An elegant black-tie evening of fine dining and great company in a premier setting.
How do I get invited? On receipt of your commitment to the Permanent Fund of The Rotary Foundation by David Bender, in Evanston, a personal invitation will be sent to you.
The event is free to members of the Arch Klumph Society - donors of $250,000 or more. Check next month for the cost to the rest of us.
Contact Jerry Tambe (Claremont) or Pat Carlton (Las Vegas) for more information on how to donate to the Permanent Fund; contact Margaret Cooker for information about the event.
International Matching Grants
Although in the past
two years the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International has run out of funds
early on in the Rotary year, now there are still matching fund available at
both the District and international level for humanitarian grant projects .
However, funds are distributed on a first-come first-served basis for those
submitted project applications that meet the criteria.
Not
sure how to proceed, but want to be involved in an international project
this year? Clubs are encouraged to go to
www.matchinggrants.org.
You can see listings of projects that need funds – everything from type of
project to specific country the project will be completed in. You
need not have a pile of money from your clubs' charities account or
fund-raising efforts. Sometimes just a few hundred dollars makes you a
funding partner and can be pledged with just a click of a button on the
computer.
There are so many needs in the world – just a
glance at the website will give you so many options to pursue with your
Board of Directors. Our District – through District Designated Funds
that have been set aside for YOUR club – will match on a 1:1 basis any
amount pledged up to $5000 per club.
As the world is
transitioning to the Future Vision Plan of the Rotary Foundation, we are in
the first of three pilot years –meaning we, District 5300, can only partner
with another non-pilot District on international matching grants. Another
criteria is that ALL Matching Grant projects must fall into one of six
areas: maternal and child health, water and sanitation, basic
education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment, poverty
alleviation and economic development, or peace and conflict resolution.
For more information on how your club can participate in a Matching Grant this year, attend the September 11 Rotary Foundation workshop at Etiwanda Gardens, or contact Dr. Clive Houston-Brown (Pomona), District Matching Grants Sub-Committee Chair.
GSE Experiences in Northeastern Brazil
When
Governor Roger invited me to write an article on my Group Study Exchange
experience, I jumped at the chance to regale my Rotary friends with yet
another story about our month in Northeastern Brazil. To remind
you, team members Jacque Maples, Clarissa Cassara, Joe Lawrence and me,
Adrienne Cox, traveled to District 4390, mid April to mid May. And
in case you've not been close to the equator, let me tell you that it's
HOT there!
Each family I stayed with was unique, and I often didn't understand what was happening around me. English was not commonly spoken in the homes, and we managed with Google translator (if Internet was available), dictionaries, simple words, gestures and courtesies.
But, as I said, sometimes I just didn't understand what was going on. My first night, Dr and Mrs. Santana got up from the dinner table, went into the den and closed the door. I thought "Is it already bed time?" Only later could I connect that room, not central, air conditioning necessitated closed doors. They'd merely forgotten to invite me to join them.
At Rosa's house, I awoke to her standing over my bed, stating "Vamoose!" Took me a while to understand she was inviting me on her morning walk when it's coolest.
And how about a wedding reception that starts at 10:45pm, dinner's served at 1:45am, and the party ends about 6am? Here I am with 600 of my new Brazilian friends, enjoying the superior hospitality of Dr Santana, who had shut me out of his den! Oh, and ladies, you ought to have seen the clothes. Not even in a Beverly Hills event will you see that kind of dress in the U.S. So fine, and so fun!
English notwithstanding, our home hosts were the most hospitable, inviting, generous people in the world! In Dr. and Mrs. Dourado's home, I was happily enjoying the beautiful tropical guest room, bath and balcony; a week later I spied their adult children's mementos, photos and clothes in the master bath tub. The parents and both children were sharing the master bedroom, never letting me know I had displaced anyone from their room.
We experienced dozens of Rotary Clubs; vocational visits to schools, social service programs, fire stations and hospitals; parties and picnics; and the warmth of loving families. WOW! You need to consider going on GSE! Congratulations to Paul Finchamp, Rotary Club of Pasadena Sunrise, for his selection as this year's GSE Team Leader!
My fabulous and charming team is available to speak at your Clubs. You can contact me at adriennecx@yahoo.com to arrange one or more of the Team members to speak. We have some really great pictures and stories that we'd love to share!
Interact Symposium
The Symposium is an outstanding opportunity for Rotary Liaisons, Interact School Advisors, Interact Club Presidents, and other club officers to improve leadership skills, exchange ideas about how to make an Interact club successful, and share fellowship.
The Symposium is a three-day program that is held in a local camp setting. It has provided information and training to thousands of participants since it was first held in 1993. New and old Interact clubs from seven adjoining Rotary Districts in California and Nevada are invited to participate in the Symposium, which is led by experienced Rotary and student leaders. The program is similar to Rotary’s President Elect Training Seminar.
Click here for more information and brochure. Early Bird Registration ends September 15.
New Generations?
Next month's theme
Vocational Service
Rotary Teen Leadership Camp (TLC):
Leading Oneself is the First Step to Leading Others
The Teen Leadership Camp (TLC) is a spin-off program from the Rotary Youth Leadership Award program (RYLA) for eighth grade students. Though there are other leadership programs for eighth grade students, we believe District 5300 is unique in having two Leadership programs: one for High School Juniors and the other for eighth grade students. We differentiate the two by calling our eighth grade Leadership program Teen Leadership Camp (TLC). According to TLC Chair Luis Chacon, "Through TLC we have an opportunity to positively shape future leaders.
The goals for TLC include the following:
-
Develop an understanding of Rotary among youth participants while utilizing Rotarians as role models and the telling of Rotary ideals and programs;
-
Recognize each participant's efforts, accomplishments, skills and potential as leaders;
-
Develop leadership skills of youth participants with emphasis on:
-
Self-confidence and self-esteem
-
Personal responsibility as a basis of leading others
-
Ethics of positive leadership
-
Group dynamics and peer pressure
-
Personal leadership is the basis of leading others. The purpose of TLC is to help students develop their personal skills so they will be able to develop their leadership skills and fulfill their potential as leaders of their peers.
TLC started in District 5300 in 2000 under then District Governor Sal Briguglio and Chairman Roger Schulte, who is now our 2010-2011 District Governor. The program has grown to become one of the most innovative programs of District 5300. TLC impacts our communities, Rotary clubs and Rotarians in many positive ways.
Approximately forty Rotarians directly participate in staging the TLC program. Many more Rotarians are involved in recruiting and interviewing the student participants. Luis Chacon further indicated, "TLC provides learning opportunities for the students and for the Rotarians. I have heard from many Rotarian participants that TLC is the best thing they have ever done in Rotary. They often come to TLC as Rotary Club members and leave as Rotarians."
Additional information about TLC is
available on the
District web site or contact
Luis Chacon, 2010 TLC Chair, directly.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
RYLA
provides ample opportunity for you to meet GREAT ROTARIANS, GREAT KIDS,
GREAT SPEAKERS and eat GREAT FOOD!
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
is a 2.5 day leadership camp for high school juniors located throughout
District 5300. Adolescents from our district descended on
AstroCamp to learn about themselves and how they can become effective
leaders. The cost to your club is $275.00 per person and you must
register at least two high school juniors, one boy and one girl. RYLA
2011 will be March 4, 5 and 6, 2011. It will be held at AstroCamp and
transportation will be provided from various locations throughout the
district.
In addition to a wonderful learning
experience for emerging adults in our district, RYLA provides an
outstanding opportunity for Rotarians to have direct interaction with
the participants. It has been said that we learn more from the kids than
they do from us. While this may be our perception, I can assure you they
believe just the opposite. You will leave AstroCamp with a renewed
sense of hope for the future. This clearly is a win-win for all
participants.
While the interaction with the
participants is rewarding, equally as inspirational is the interaction
with fellow Rotarians. If you are active in your club and want to branch
out and participate in District-level programs, RYLA is an outstanding
opportunity. The interaction and time spent with other Rotarians alone
makes this well worth your time. The only thing between you and RYLA
2011 is a quick application and a (quick and painless*) training class.
On behalf of the RYLA Planning Team, it is my pleasure to invite you to
participate in RYLA 2011.
Additional information can
be obtained on the
District website under RYLA.
*The Rotary Four Way Test was applied here
and it indeed passes all facets.
Serving Communities, Changing Lives
The
Interact Club of Sierra Madre is celebrating its 10th anniversary this
year, as one of only a handful of community based Interact clubs in our
district. They are an energetic group of highly motivated
service-oriented young adults that attend SEVEN local high schools. They
are dedicated to service for Sierra Madre and the surrounding
communities. Annual Interact Club fundraising events include our popular
summer
The other service activities also directly impact environmental needs while combining fellowship and fun: some of these events include clean up and beautification of our historic Goldberg Park, volunteering at the Mt. Wilson Trail Race, cooking hot dogs at the annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby, and decorating the light poles in downtown Sierra Madre in preparation for the Dicken's Village Christmas celebration.
During the Christmas Holidays and Valentine's Day, we also provided entertainment to residents of the British Home (a local retirement home) by singing songs and playing various instruments. To also celebrate Valentine's Day in a unique and meaningful way, our club president arranged a letter writing campaign to send thank you "love letters" to our soldiers who are fighting overseas.
Annually, we make financial donations as well as clothing, food,
and toys to local shelters for neglected and abused children and mothers
in
As their sponsoring club, Sierra Madre Rotary could not be more proud. These "New Generations" teens give us real hope about the future because of how they demonstrate their commitment to making all of our lives better. At each of their events, you will always see at handful of Sierra Madre Rotarians working side by side with these kids, washing dogs, singing songs, raking leaves, or just hanging out at their club meeting. We are blessed to have these young ambassadors from our Rotary family.
New Generations
In
Rotary, September is New Generations month! It is a time to honor and
celebrate the young Rotarians in Rotary. The concept of New Generations
is a fresh, new take on Rotary as Rotarians are becoming younger and
younger.
Who are the ‘new generations' of Rotary? They
are the new college graduates, the young professionals at your business,
the Rotaractors of your district, the Group Study Exchange team, and
everywhere in between.
District 5300 is fortunate to
have three chartered and recognized Rotaract clubs. Rotaract Club of
Rotarians of District
5300 are encouraged to host a special event, project, or meeting with
Rotaractors during the month of September. By doing this you will be
promoting the great works that your Rotaract is involved in during
September. Some ideas are:
Invite Rotaractors to attend your regular club meeting and give them the microphone for a few moments to provide a quick update on what their club is busy doing.
Create a joint Rotary/Rotaract/Interact project to do in September.
Host a social gathering and extend the invitation to Rotaract/Interact members near you.
Invite a Rotaractor or other young professional to serve as a guest speaker for your club during September.
Let your imagination run wild when you plan the ways in which your club will celebrate New Generations month!
Covina Rotary Club's Year of
Beautifying Covina
If
you were granted the good fortune to be a
Or you might attend a reception at Citrus Valley Hospice and experience its beautiful new garden – a joint project with Interact.
And surely you would participate in the Covina Rotary lunch, where you would be so very pleased to learn that the Covina Rotary Club also:
Gave grants to schools and teachers for library books, innovative teaching tools, and field trips. One teacher took his junior high students to a bookstore, and each youth was given funds to purchase a book. Many students had never been to such a store, and many had never had their very own book;
Delivered Meals On Wheels weekly, and took the time and care to repair and paint a senior's home, making it comfortable for him to stay in the place he loved most;
Sponsored student participation in RYLA and TLC to help them build relationships and discover their own potential in this vast world;
Sent care packages to troops overseas;
Organized the annual Covina Rotary Cares, where hundreds of needy families receive food and gifts for the holidays;
Isn't it great to be a Rotarian serving your community!
Arcadia Rotarians Honor Police Officer and Firefighter of the Year
Again
this year, the Arcadia Rotary Club honored the City's finest in public
service and safety personnel.
"It has been an annual tradition of the Arcadia Rotary Club for the past several years to recognize and award the people who serve our community," said member Eric Barter.
The club's first honoree, Detective Dan Crowther, represents his family's fourth generation of law enforcement personnel. In 1991, Crowther joined the Arcadia Police Department as a police cadet and soon realized his dream of following in his father's footsteps when he became a police officer three years later.
A graduate of the Rio Hondo Police Academy, Crowther holds an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice along with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Occupational Studies from Cal State Long Beach.
While working with the patrol division for ten years, Crowther served as a field training officer and a member of the SWAT team. For the past six years, as a detective, Crowther has been involved with the gang investigation, narcotics, vice, forgery and fraud units. Currently assigned to the "crimes against persons" division, Crowther is also a reserve officer program coordinator and a member of the Arcadia Police Officers Association board of directors.
In 2009, he was named the Association's Officer of the Year as well as the 2009 California Reserve Coordinator of the Year.
Arcadia Police Captain Eugene P. Gioia highlighted some of Crowther's higher profile cases which include a 2006 shooting at a Chevron station which resulted in the offender sentenced to life in prison, a robbery at a local restaurant in which the owner was shot and killed, a domestic violence case in which the husband is now serving 29 years to life for the shooting death of his wife, and a child molestation case in which the offender is facing 55 years to life in prison.
Crowther and his wife Janna have two daughters, Grace and Elizabeth.
Arcadia Fire Department Battalion Chief Barry Spriggs introduced the next honoree, Engineer Gary Robinson II.
In 2001, while working as a landscape contractor, Robinson made the decision to become a firefighter.
After attending the James Shern Fire Academy in Compton, he went to UCLA where he received his Emergency Medical Technician and CPR training. In 2003, Robinson was hired by the San Bernardino County Fire Department and worked in the cities of Hesperia and Adelanto for the next three years, gaining valuable experience in firefighting and emergency medical response while obtaining the credentials necessary to drive fire apparatus.
In 2006, Robinson was hired by the Arcadia Fire Department where he rose to the rank of engineer in 2008. In 2009, he took on additional responsibility for the safety of department personnel and the community when he assumed the role of vehicle maintenance and repair coordinator, ensuring department vehicles are in a constant state of readiness.
Robinson and his wife Jennifer have two children, Mackenzie and Kamden. In his spare time he continues to run his landscaping business.
At the conclusion of the program, both Crowther and Robinson received standing ovations from the Arcadia Rotarians.
Both gentlemen were humbled by the recognition and thanked the Rotarians for their support.
"We are extremely grateful to those that serve in the public safety sector for putting their life on the line every day while doing their job," said Barter. "We applaud our honorees for their outstanding commitment and service to the City of Arcadia."
Portraits of Success
Rotary Clubs throughout District 5300 have reported successes through the Literacy Program. These successes are usually generalized to a school, library, or a partnership with another organization. However, generalizations don't tell the story of the individual student and what the Literacy Program has given each of them.
One such student is ten year-old Sammy. Although Sammy's parents are conscientious and value education, they both work long hours and commute long distances. Sammy has spent most of his time after school in day care and his parents expect his homework is done and checked during that time. They were a bit surprised when the day care provider asked that each student bring a video game because it would keep them "focused" during their free time. But, since they know Sammy can be a bit disruptive, they thought they understood, not knowing his antics were his way of covering his low academic skills. Mentioning the video game request to a friend who happens to be a Rotarian caused the friend to think of a Literacy Project for his club. He suggested the Rotarians could donate books to the day care facility and volunteer their time to help the children with their homework and read the books with them. This mentoring program began to have positive results with teachers noticing improved skills among the children attending day care. They also noticed improved behavior in the classroom. Before long, the program spread from being in day care to the entire school. Sammy's parents were pleased to be informed his test scores in reading were no longer "Below Basic" but had become "Proficient" and his behavior in the classroom had greatly improved. All this happened because one Rotarian heard the needs of a child and worked with club members and school officials to make a difference.
Another student in an alternative education program was struggling to pass the High School Exit Exam, a requirement for graduation. Again, Rotary mentors volunteered to mentor Julie and her fellow classmates, purchasing a series of contemporary novels of high interest to teens, written at a reading level consistent with their abilities. The result was Julie and many of her friends passed the Exit Exam and graduated from high school with many proud Rotarians in attendance at the ceremony.
There are many Portraits of Success to be shared beyond the Club level. Share yours by going to the District 5300 website and posting an article for the newsletter.
370 Backpacks for Students in Need
The
Rotary Club of Industry Hills assembled and distributed 370 Rolling Back
Packs filled with school supplies for students in need. In addition, 400
refill packs of supplies were provided to students who received the back
packs last year. This project is in its 3rd year and is in memory of
Mary Boutwell, wife of President Dwight Boutwell. Funds for the back
pack program are provided by the Club's annual charity golf tournament
and by donations from our Rotarians, along with the New Horizons
Caregivers Group and retired teachers of DKG. The Back Packs are
designated for students in the Bassett and Hacienda La Puente Unified
School Districts.
Rotary Pakistan Flooding Recovery Fund
The Rotary Foundation has established the Rotary Pakistan Flooding Recovery Fund for the purpose of collecting funds in the form of cash and District Designated Funds (DDF) to be used to assist disaster affected areas of Pakistan . The funds will be collected until 31 December 2010 and will be used as the Foundation's match for Matching Grant applications that are received for disaster recovery efforts. Details about the fund are available on the RI website.
We have been in contact with District Governor Syed Balkhi (District 3271) and District Governor Shehzad Ahmed (District 3272) to offer assistance in publicizing any relief efforts that clubs in Pakistan are implementing. An article will be posted to the home page of the RI website with details on Rotary club involvement in relief efforts and how you can help.
As always, when organizing a response to a local or international disaster, we encourage Rotary clubs and districts to work with experienced emergency relief organizations such as UNICEF, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Doctors Without Borders, ShelterBox, Aquabox, and World Water Works to meet the immediate needs of victims affected by the disaster.
It is our hope that with your meaningful and rapid response to this appeal, you will be able to help rebuild the future for millions of innocent people affected by this crisis. Thank you for your commitment to helping disaster victims.
Letter
from Marcos Seabra, Pilot - GSE Team Leader
Dear
Governor Tom
Sorry, but only now I'm writing. I was
very busy working hard and two weeks ago I was in USA again, this time
in Florida with my wife and kids.
We have no words to
thank all love, hospitality and warmth we received. Our exchange was
very interesting for all of us, certainly helped us greatly in our
lives, teachings, fellowship, friendship will never be forgotten by us.
We are all much more connected now, our districts and our countries. We
cannot ever lose touch. Today, after this exchange, I'm feeling more
Rotarian and I know how this program is important. I want to thank
everyone for everything that they provided for our group. We love all of
you and America, and we hope see you one day in Brazil. Great time in D
5300, thank you so much and congratulations for your job and all Pilots.
Everything was perfect for all of us. Don't forget - you have now more
than friends in Brazil, you have brothers forever.
Best
regards. Big hug for all, keep in touch.
Marcos Seabra
Small World of Rotary
Back
in July 2010, the International Convention took place in Montreal,
Quebec, Canada with thousands of Rotarians and Rotaractors in
attendance. The District 5300 Rotaract representative, Amanda Hurst, was
able to attend the convention and serve as an ambassador to the district
and the Rotaractors within 5300. DRR Amanda made countless friends,
learned about local and international projects, and increased her love
for all things Rotary.
During the last week of July, DRR Amanda was able to rekindle some of the bonds she made while in Montreal. Austrian Rotaractor Andreas Rath and Los Angeles Rotaractor Cheryl Wong paid a visit to Las Vegas at the end of July. Sunday, July 25th, the Las Vegas Rotaract hosted a social mixer at Margaritaville to welcome Andreas to Las Vegas. Oversized nachos and endless hours of entertainment were shared by all who attended.
On Thursday July 29th, Andreas and Cheryl enjoyed lunch at Lawry's with the Rotary Club of Las Vegas. The monthly Las Vegas Rotary 25 club social was also that same night at the Fontana Bar in the Bellagio. Andreas and Cheryl were more than happy to be in attendance and share all the wonderful things that Rotary has done for them.
They ended their last night in Las Vegas taking in the sights and nightclubs that the city has to offer. Andreas and Cheryl went on about the buffets they ate at, the shows they saw, and the Rotary hospitality found in District 5300. Andreas and Cheryl look forward to the next Rotary convention in New Orleans in May 2011 where they will reunite once again with DRR Amanda.
Boulder City Sunrise Rotary to Hold Two Events During September
Sunrise
Rotarians again are putting fun back into fundraising with two events
during September: the KenDucky Derby Duck Race and Gala event and the
annual WurstFest.
The KenDucky Derby will be held Saturday, September 11, at Cascata Golf Club. Ladies can win $500, $250 or $100 for the best hat in the 4 pm Derby Fashion Hat.
At 5 pm, 2,000 yellow quackless rubber ducks are expected to land on the upper streams of the course. Prizes will be awarded to the duck that crosses the finish line near the clubhouse first. There are 15 prizes including the Grand Prize of a week for two in Hawaii with airfare included.
Dinner and raffle will be at 5:45. Raffle winners can win $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000 in cash. And after dinner dance till 10 pm.
$100 includes entrance to Cascata, dinner and 6 ducks in the Duck race and raffle chance. $50 includes 6 ducks in the main race.
$10 per duck in the main race.
This benefit for PolioPlus and "BC Lend-A-Hand" is the social event of the year. Your contributions are tax de"duck"tible.
The annual WurstFest, September 25th, is held in Bicentennial Park at Nevada Way and Colorado Streets in Boulder City.
This popular successful event is the clubs annual fundraising project with proceeds going back into community projects, the largest of these being the alcohol and drug free, "All Night Graduation Party" hosted for the BC High School graduating seniors. Planned to keep young adults safe on graduation night, the event takes lots of manpower and costs a great deal. However, it is Sunrise Rotary's most rewarding project!
The "Wurst Dam Car Show" will begin at 10 am. Entertainment by the Dummkoph's from 11 till 3 and Tommy Rocker from 7 to 11.
Bratgrillers will have hot off the grill, Italian sausages, hot dogs and of course brats, at 11 a.m. Ice cold beer, margaritas, sodas, and a beer garden featuring beer from The Brew Pub.
The Silent Auction from 1 to 3 p.m. includes jewelry, theme baskets,
gift certificates, artwork and lots of easy on the wallet items, all
donations from local and valley merchants, Rotarians and friends.. For
the delight of the children there is a no charge play area overseen by
Rotarians and friends.
The largest piece of this fundraiser, the Live Auction, is from 4 to 6
p.m. Zany Rotarian auctioneers and spotters add fun to this popular
event with friendly bidding competitions.
Some great auction items are vehicles, golf and vacation packages, furniture, sports memorabilia, tandem bikes, donations from businesses and Rotarians. See our web site www.BCSR.org for a list.
The Las Vegas Northwest club has officially changed it's name to the Rotary Club of Las Vegas Summerlin. It made this change because the northwest area of Las Vegas has expanded dramatically over the last few years. While its old URL and email address will continue to work, it's new URL is www.rotarysummerlin.org. Please visit its Facebook page (Rotary Club of Summerlin) as well.
High Desert 300% Membership Growth
The Rotary Club
of the High Desert experienced a 300% membership growth in this past
year. Of course this is easier to do for a club with only 6
members, but it still took a lot of hard work and willingness to be a
part of something great. We now have 19 active members and will be
inducting 2 more in July. Every one of our members has been
promoting Rotary to their friends and clients. Being members of
Rotary is a great way to strengthen your bond with clients and vendors.
Also we have fun. Once a month, we throw out the meeting and meet
for happy hour. This is a great opportunity to invite friends out
for a drink and to get to know our fellow Rotarians. Probably our
best membership recruitment has been Facebook.
Everyone
has probably heard the latest craze about Facebook and various other
social networking sites. It seems that every business on the
planet has a Facebook page and is perpetually inviting everyone to join
them. We have used our Facebook page as a way to stay connected to
our members. We post reminders about our meetings and events.
Our members comment on their involvement, which then shows their friends
what they are doing with our club. This becomes an opportunity for
friends and colleagues to learn about Rotary in a passive environment.
We have had numerous people contact a member and either come to a
meeting or participate in an activity. We then ask them to
consider joining our club.
Facebook is a great way to
build membership and work on retention. Even members who do not
make it to meetings on a regular basis can still feel connected to the
club when they are kept up to date. I would encourage all Rotary
Clubs to start a Facebook page and utilize it.