The
Highlighter
May 2011
Vol 84 No 11
Table of Contents
Built Bridges
Roger Schulte
Two
hundred countries! Two hundred! Rotary is present in two hundred
countries and geographical regions, each with its own cultures,
traditions, histories, faiths, governance, economies. And yet we are
one humanity. The Rotary world embraces diversity and cares for the
well-being of all.
May is International Service
Month. This month gives us cause to look beyond our borders, to consider
the needs of others, especially those who live impoverished lives
without adequate food, potable water, shelter, clothing, basic health
care, education, livelihoods. As individual Rotarians and as an
organization, we reach out to our fellowman not only with sympathy but
also with humanitarian acts.
This year most Rotary,
Interact, and Rotaract clubs in District 5300 have participated in
numerous international projects. As a district, the following areas are
a cause of pride:
PolioPlus: We have continued our
generous contributions to Rotary's global effort to eradicate the polio
virus from the world. As of April 15, 2011, District 5300 Rotarians have
contributed over $104,000 this year. Our total contributions since the
start of the current campaign on December 2007 to date exceed $438,000.
We acknowledge the ten individuals from the district who for two weeks
traveled to India to participate in that country's National Immunization
Day in February, going door to door, administering drops of the vaccine
to children under five years of age. We are so close to achieving our
goal, and District 5300 Rotarians can be proud of our personal efforts,
but the goal will not be reached without our continued contributions.
Rotaplast: Clubs and individuals have contributed over $96,000 for
our district-sponsored mission to Retalhuleo, Guatemala. Eight district
volunteers joined a team of medical volunteers from around the world to
perform 103 procedures on 88 patients. Each of us traveled with them in
spirit as they performed these life-changing cleft lip/cleft pallet
procedures, which you can read about on their blog:
http://rotaplast.typepad.com/missions/.
Matching
Grants: This year we had over 15 international matching grant projects
in the pipeline. Funds from clubs were matched dollar-for-dollar by
district designated funds and then matched by RI. District 5300
has matched club contributions with approximately $50,000 in project
funding which, with RI contributions, brings the total to over $175,000
toward a variety of projects in developing countries. Such projects
included 500 cataract surgeries in India, water/sanitation projects in Nayamateke's village school in Rwanda, a jobs creation program in
Nigeria, a neonatal intensive care unit in India, and obstetrics
equipment to a maternity hospital in Mexico.
Ambassadorial Scholars: This year we have four graduate-level scholars
attending universities around the world. In addition to their studies, a
component of the program includes their creation of and participation in
community service projects in their respective communities. The district
has allocated $104,000 of our RI Foundation funds for this goal of
engendering peace through world understanding.
Group
Study Exchange Team: On May 13, 2011, a group of four young
business/professional men and women will arrive with their Rotarian team
leader from District 2450 which includes Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan,
Cypress, and five other countries in the area. They will tour our
district for four weeks, staying in our homes, visiting our noteworthy
sites, and accompanying us to our places of employment. This exchange is
a bridge between our cultures, enabling each team member as well as each
of us to learn about the other's social, political, cultural, business
and professional systems. I encourage all Rotarians to engage with them
as they visit your area and to enjoy their company at the District
conference in La Jolla on June 9-12, 2011, before they head home.
Because of the current unrest in the region, our GSE team's visit to
District 2450 has been deferred until next year.
Corazon: For the fifth year in a row 100 plus district Rotarians, family
members, and friends will travel to Cera Azul outside of Tecate, Mexico,
to build homes for families. This single day effort changes lives for
those who live in poverty without adequate shelter. These basic
structures are constructed on a concrete slab and are the size of a
common garage. Though without heat, insulation, electricity, or
plumbing, they are places to live, secure from the elements and secure
from the vagaries of the neighborhood. This year's build will take place
on May 14, and further contributions will enable the district to build
additional homes this year.
International service
projects widen our world of Rotary beyond our community. We begin to
appreciate what we have and realize that we can effect changes in the
lives of others who live in dire conditions. We applaud those clubs that
have established relationships with other clubs and communities in the
developing world. Their projects, no matter how small, have made
significant differences. Rotarians have built bridges to build
communities and bridge continents.
Group Study Exchange
May 6
Claremont's Hangout at the Hanger
Monterey Park's 3rd Annual Casino Night
May 7 - 8
May 19
Inland Empire - Manufacturing Locally, Growing Globally Roundtable
May 23
Las Vegas' 9th Annual Golf Tournament
June 9-11
June 11
Ontario's 17th Annual Inland Valley Street Rods Rally and Cruise
June 12
October 9
Centennial Hills 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament
You're Invited!
Governor Roger Schulte and First Lady Paulette cordially invite you
to the 2011 District Conference. It will be held in the incomparable
coastal community of La Jolla, California, June 9-12, 2011at the La
Jolla Marriott Hotel. The cool pacific climate, four star amenities, and
quiet ambiance make this an ideal conference location. Check into a
gorgeous, newly-refurbished hotel with a top-rated chef who studied
under the renowned Michael Mina, a staff that goes above and beyond
attending to our needs, and all the excitement that has been built in by
your creative conference committee. Please join us for one to three days
(or more) as we build unforgettable memories and lifelong friendships
with:
- A Golf Tournament at the private Morgan Run Golf Course on
Thursday
- The Friday Night Lobster Fest with all the trimmings hosted by
Upland Rotary
- A District Yearbook featuring club members and activities
- The Saturday Evening Prom, including a black tie dinner,
corsages and a live swing band
- A Sunday Graduation Brunch honoring presidents and their clubs
- A Classic Car Exposition
- An Ol' Fashioned Ice Cream Social at Mel's Diner for fun and
fellowship
- A Thursday Hands-on Community Service Project in appreciation of
San Diego
- The "Ditchers' Day" Billiard Tournament for those who like to
cut class
- Celebration of the Rotarian-of-the-Year from each club
- Free Time for guests/spouses to explore San Diego, browse the La
Jolla Village shops, play golf, enjoy the beach at La Jolla Cove and
visit San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park.
In addition to these back-to-school festivities, we will still
include all of Rotary's favorites, such as the Dan Stover Music Awards,
The Four-way Test Speech Contest, the Hensel Essay Contest, a reception
for Tarnished Brass, club-hosted hospitality rooms, and a pre-conference
Leadership Training Session.
This is truly YOUR PARTY!
The District Conference is held annually to celebrate District Rotarians
for their generosity, hard work and commitment to community and
worldwide projects. It is a celebration in honor of your club's
accomplishments and the extraordinary Rotarians in your club who go
above and beyond in service to others. Please bring your family and
friends and join us in support of your club, your president, and your
"Rotarian-of-the-Year." Stand with them and be honored for your own
commitment to the world's oldest and finest service organization.
Register TODAY and book you hotel rooms prior to May 15th for a
significantly reduced rate. Both can easily be done through the district
website: www.district5300.org.
Disaster Relief
Efforts
Dear Rotarian,
Soly Asmar, District Chair for Disaster
Relief has asked me to write something about our Districtʼs efforts to
alleviate the plight of the people of Japan. Notice I didnʼt say Japan,
because this isnʼt about a country. This is about each individual person in
Japan who has undergone life changing conditions, not of their choosing,
with catastrophic results.
Our efforts appear to have fallen victim to the hard economic times we are
facing in our own daily lives. We have, at last count (and I can only go by
what has been reported to me), sent a total of $3,458 towards all relief
efforts. They include American Red Cross, World Vision, Japan Business
Association, and our own Rotary Foundation. I know we have sent more.
I also know we can send more. When the
West Coast was struck by the earthquake in 1994, the North Ridge Earthquake,
Japan was quick to respond. The Rotary Districts of Japan sent more than
$500,000 toward relief efforts of their fellow world citizens.
140,000 people have been uprooted from
their homes, many of whom will never return to live in them again due to the
nuclear radiation leaking from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. They
currently huddle in makeshift shelters provided by their government and by
world NGOʼs that are assisting the people in need. But much more help is
needed, both short and long term.
What moves me the most about this
particular tragedy is the courage of the Japanese people who face
overwhelming odds to survive, yet say with dignity when asked, "We will
overcome this and life will go on."
While I would have liked to have sent a
positive report that said with great pride, hereʼs what we are doing in
Japan to help, I cannot. Wonʼt you please take the time to put yourself in
their place for just a moment. Then, reach into your heart and send whatever
you can to one of your favorite charities which is directing efforts to help
in this time of need.
Just
because it is no longer Page One or a Top Story Tonight doesnʼt make it go
away.
Send the results of
your efforts to us so we can post them and show the Rotary World how
District 5300 leads the way. To those who have given, thank you very much.
To those who as yet havenʼt, please help.
Thank You,
Monterey Park
Rotary Donates $1,500 to Japanese Earthquake And Tsunami Relief
Monterey Park Rotarians,
responding to the overwhelming disaster in Japan caused by the 9.0
earthquake followed by the tsunami, have donated $1,500 to the Rotary
International Foundation through the Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands
Disaster Recovery Fund. Anyone who would also like to contribute can make a
check payable to The Rotary Foundation (note on your check that the
contribution should be used for the Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands
Disaster Recovery Fund, #G10005) and mail the check to The Rotary
Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693.
Errata
Last month we neglected to include the photo for the Montebello Club's project:
Donations in the amount of
$5,000 from both the Montebello Rotary Club and the Montebello
Historical Society, along with a matching grant for $10,000 from the
National Trust for Historic Preservation, will enable the City's
166-year-old Juan Matias Sanchez Adobe to undergo much needed repairs.
Next month's theme
Rotary Fellowships
Click here for publishing guidelines.
[Editor's Note] We would like to have participation and contributions from members of your Interact Clubs. Please encourage them to contribute to The Highlighter. Interactors can receive The Highlighter by sending their names, club names, and email addresses to highlighter@district5300.org.
Building Communities, Bridging Continents
The
Rotaract Club of Las Vegas took to heart the Rotary theme for this year
of "Building Communities, Bridging Continents" as they supported a
non-profit organization all the way in South Africa. The project was
planned and completed within seven short weeks. The Rotaractors
partnered up with their host Rotary Clubs,-Las Vegas and Las
Vegas-Central, to purchase blankets for Alta du Toit. This non-profit is
an after-care center for adults with mental handicaps in Bellville,
South Africa. Not only was there partnership within Las Vegas but also
among three Rotaract Clubs in South Africa; Bellville, Wynberg and
Claremont. Together, the clubs provided funding for just under 100
blankets to donate to the clients at Alta du Toit. The blanket delivery
happened on March 23, 2011 where District 5300's very own Michael Gordon
and Amanda Hurst were present.
Michael, Amanda and a handful of Bellville Rotaractors received a tour of the facility and had the chance to interact with several of the clients. The blankets were a huge hit as the clients clapped and cheered for the incoming donation. The American classic candies, Tootsie Rolls, were also handed out to the clients. They responded with even more gratitude and smiles. The entire experience was uplifting and one could not help but leave with a huge smile. The blanket delivery will be featured in the local Bellville newspaper to highlight the Rotaract and Rotary contribution.
The
Rotaract Club of Las Vegas is now planning another service project to
benefit the local Las Vegas community in the coming weeks.
Job Creation in Africa through Vocational
Training Teams
North
Africa and the Middle East are on fire. Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Syria,
Bahrain, Gaza, wherever you look, governments are falling, violent
demonstrations are prevalent, people are unhappy with their lot,
especially New Generations young adults, many with college degrees. They
are without work and without food and without a voice. For lack of a
job, dissidents mill about on street corners, restless and looking for
meaning and some way to survive. They are not above turning their
frustrations into violence.
Altadena Rotary and Owerri
#1 Rotary Club in Nigeria received a Matching Grant in the amount of
$23,600 directed at teaching 1,870 university students in North and
South Nigeria to write Business Plans based on the students' own ideas
and that could eventually lead to the formation of small businesses and
jobs for the owners and employees they would hire. This directly
addresses the fundamental problem of unemployment and poverty, apathy
and disillusionment, political instability and violence sweeping through
Africa and the Middle East.
A
Vocational Training Team of three business-savvy Rotarians from the
Rotary Clubs of Altadena (Julius Johnson, John Frykenberg) and Rancho
Cucamonga (Sarah Philips) conducted two four-day-long seminars in
essential skills in starting a business, including "How to Brainstorm,"
"Identifying a Service or Product Someone is Willing to Pay For," "Cost
Analysis," "Marketing 101," "Pricing," "Distribution," and "Writing a
Business Plan."
The students received university course
credit for attending and, in the following two months, for writing
business plans based upon their own original thinking and research into
local and regional markets. Their plans were submitted to their
respective university Business Departments and local Rotary Clubs for
review and selection in a Rotary-sponsored competition for awards of
laptop computers for the best submissions and follow-up mentoring by
both local and US-based Rotarians to assist contest winners in their "new business start-ups".
A Judicial Panel of Altadena Rotary Club members reviewed the top ten
business plans out of 760 submissions by Nigerian students.
By any
reckoning or cost analysis, the return on investment on our Matching
Grant is enormous! For $13.11 per student, our 3-member team traveled to
Nigeria for 16 days and personally instructed 1,870 students, offering
real hope, the means and basic knowledge to write a business plan and
the confidence to change lives and offer hands-on- assistance in
becoming self-sustaining and self-determined.
In
addition our team met with the highest level of government officials –
The Commissioner of Student Affairs for the State of Kadun, a High Court
Justice for Kaduna State, and the National Secretary of the Peoples'
Democratic Party (PDP) in Owerii, and the highest level of Traditional
Chiefs and University Rectors.
The program received
national newspaper coverage (from Abuja the Capital of Nigeria), radio
and television coverage including live interviews, photographic coverage
and additional financial support (both hard cash and in-kind
contributions) from local government agencies which enthusiastically
endorsed the program as an alternative to government employment schemes
and massive unemployment (30% of university graduates in Nigeria do not
have jobs). What was the value of the good will created? Immeasurable!
Current plans call for doubling this highly effective program next
year, 2011-12, from two states to four states. Nigeria has 36 states in
all and is the giant of Africa – 148 million population – 9th largest
country in the world.
We are now seeking additional
sponsoring Rotary Clubs to join our Job Creation Team and to provide a
manifold increase in our Matching Grant for 2011-12. As little as $500
from smaller clubs can and will reap an enormous return on investment,
as Matching Grant funds are added and triple the amount available for
curricular materials and travel costs. Members of your club and
qualified non-Rotarians up to a total of four may participate in a VTT
with all expenses paid.
Make a difference this year
and help to create JOBS for Africans. "Give a fish for just a day?" or "Teach how to fish for a lifetime." An easy choice!
Contact: John S. Frykenberg at
JSFrykenberg@Earthlink.Net or C. Ray Carlson at
ray@rotapreneur.com for details.
Olympic Gold Medalist starts Annual
5K on April 23rd, 2011.
It's
not often that a local 5K Run/Walk gets to have an Olympic Gold Medalist
start the race. Fortunately for The West Covina Rotary Club,
Olympic gold medal running legend, Donald Quarrie started this year's
annual "Heart of the Valley" 5K run/walk April 23, 2011 at Westfield
Shopping Mall. Our interview with Mr. Quarrie follows.
In sports, there are few
stories as legendary as the pursuit of an Olympic Gold. In fact,
when first setting out to interview Mr. Quarrie, whose running records
and medals have made him an iconic legend in multiple countries, it was
difficult not to be captivated by the legend. What makes him so
interesting is that his character has not been airbrushed by his
accomplishments. Instead he stands humble in his accomplishments and
devotes his life to the development of runners.
Donald
Quarrie is a former
Jamaican
athlete and was one of the world's top
sprinters during the 1970s. He has competed in five Olympic
games and has received recognition both on and off the field. A
statue of him is proudly positioned at the entrance to
Jamaica's National Stadium. There is a school that bears his name in
Eastern Kingston, Donald Quarrie High School. In fact, musical artists
have also sung the Don's praises. There are a number of reggae tunes
titled "Tribute to Donald Quarrie", one by
Joe Gibbs and The Guerillas and one by
Bongo Herman. It
is said that many Jamaicans still refer to him in casual conversation,
comparing his speed to that of everyday activities (i.e. "not even Don
Quarrie could catch me I was so fast").
His
generosity and legendary status is without measure. His humanity and
humble life spirit are reflected in his answers to our interview
questions.
Q: What was the underlying
drive behind your apparent determination?
Donald: I liked to compete in running track and field. Once I got
interested and started, I wanted to be the very best.
Q: As a world class athlete, what is your most memorable moment in
your career? Why?
Donald: Winning the Olympic
Gold Medal in the 200 meters in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. It was what
I dreamed of and what my ultimate goal was once I started running.
Q: Why get involved in the Rotary Club 5K?
Donald: Because my wife and eldest daughter are Rotarians and I
have seen what the West Covina Rotary club has provided to the community
of West Covina.
Q: What advice would you give the
youth regarding health, fitness and achieving their dreams?
Donald: They should stay as active as possible, get involved in
sports, try to eat healthy and nutritional foods, enjoy what they do and
laugh a lot.They should also be dedicated, disciplined and be willing to
make sacrifices.
Q: How do you spend your time
now? What types of activities are you involved in?
Donald: I have had my own athletic consulting company for over 20
years where I coach privately, domestically and internationally. I
also conduct running clinics nationally and internationally. I am
on the organizing committee for the Jamaica Invitational Track Meet
where I am responsible for coordinating and securing all the
international athletes who compete in the meet. In addition, I am a
commissioner for the International Amateur Athletic Federation. Finally,
I am on the executive board of the Jamaican Amateur Athletic
Association. I continue to help out with providing work outs for some of
the athletes on St. Lucy's High School track and field team as a
volunteer. My daughters ran track and field at St. Lucy's and I coached
there for six years.
Q: With the level of
training you are exposed to, was it difficult to work with your own kids
on their athletic efforts?
Donald: No
Q: Have you achieved all that you have wanted to achieve?
Donald: No not really because once you achieve one set of goals
you reach out for others and for me that always includes helping others
achieve their goals.
Q: In looking back, what
would you say has defined your life? What is your message to the world
and to our youth?
Donald: I would say that
family, friends, the support I receive from the Jamaican people, my
college experience, experience from traveling the world have all played
a part in defining who I am. As far as a message to the youth I would
say: get involved in sports and outdoor activities, get your education,
try to achieve your goals, be diligent, despite obstacles, don't give up
while pursuing your dreams and realistic goals.
There
you have it: Stay active, stay focused, eat healthy, get your
education and NEVER give up. Who knows? Our local 5K may be the
training ground for future gold medalists! For more information about
the 5K, visit www.wcrotaryfdn.org.
Monterey Park Rotary Receives Grant for
Community Garden
Rotary Club of Monterey Park has received a matching grant of $1,500
from Rotary District 5300 to establish a community garden at the back of
the West San Gabriel Boys and Girls Club in Monterey Park. On April
23rd, Rotarians and Mark Keppel Interacters helped the staff and members
of the Boys and Girls Club prepare the land with a sprinkler system,
installed planters and planted the first vegetables. The children and
youth members of the Boys and Girls Club picked the first vegetables to
be grown - i.e. those vegetables needed to make salsa. Rotary Club of
Monterey Park wants to use the garden to teach children the importance
and uses of plant life and how fruits and vegetables are instrumental in
a comprehensive health plan. Every child that goes through the Gardening
Program will learn how to utilize the land, and the accompanying produce
that is grown, and foster a sense of self empowerment and achievement
for the young people. The community garden will help the Boys and Girls
Club in their campaign to promote quality eating habits. The goals of
this program would be to teach youth and teens that gardening, though at
times tedious and long range in terms of returns, can be fun and
extremely rewarding. Gardening captures a child's interest and we hope
to teach them nurturing skills, give them a sense of pride in their
accomplishments, and introduce them to healthy foods.
In addition, during lunch on Saturday, April 23rd, the Mark Keppel
Interacters were formally inducted as the newest Rotary District 5300
Interact Club. Interact is Rotary International's service club for young
people ages 12 to 18.
Rotary International District 5300 16th
Annual Peace Conference
The
16th annual Rotary International District 5300 Peace Conference was held
at the beautiful 270-seat Mudd Auditorium of Claremont School of
Psychology, on Saturday, March 19, 2011. The Theme of the Conference was
Achieving Peace In Afghanistan: Challenges and Opportunities.
The Honorable Zalmay Khalilzad, former United States ambassador
to Afghanistan, Iraq, and to the United Nations, served as our keynote
speaker. Other distinguished speakers included: The Honorable Abdullah
Aimaque, Consul General of Afghanistan in Los Angeles; Ms. Pamela
Broussard, Rotary World Peace Fellow (currently working in Afghanistan);
Mr. Sadiq Tawfiq, Afghan AMITY Society, founder-first president of the
Rotary Club of Herat, Afghanistan; and Dr. Art Mendoza, Rotary Club of
La Jolla Triangle. A special PowerPoint presentation prepared by Fary
Moini, Rotary's representative to the United Nations and Mr. Steve
Brown, Trustee of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International,
highlighted Rotary's humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. District
Governor Roger Schulte welcomed the gathering and PDG Dr. Garbis Der-Yeghian,
chair of the peace conference committee, delivered the opening remarks.
Mike Driebe of the San Marino Rotary Club served as Master of
Ceremonies. The Honorable Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff, received
our "Peacemaker of the Year" award.
The Conference
attracted a large crowd of Rotarians, community leaders, educators,
Interactors and friends who expressed profound appreciation for the
exceptional quality of the speakers and their presentations.
District Assembly for District 5300
Nearly 500 people crippled by disease and accidents will soon know the
dignity of a wheelchair after a lifetime of dragging themselves on the
ground, thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Clubs of District 5300.
Saturday,
Rotary International District 5300 held their annual assembly at Victor
Valley College. To bring the inspirational assembly to a close, Don
Allen, Apple Valley Rotarian and auctioneer, took bids from the clubs in
attendance for contributions to the Wheelchair Foundation, the
international project of choice of Doug Fowler. Doug is a past president
and long-time member of the Apple Valley Rotary Club and incoming
District Governor. As the auction came to a close, nearly $70,000 had
been pledged, including the highest commitment of $5250 from the Chino
Hills Club!
Returning
to the High Desert for the third year in a row, the District Assembly
hosted representatives from 63 clubs from southern Nevada to Los Angeles
County, where they learned about local and international humanitarian
projects being carried out across the district and across the world.
Doug's District Assembly committee really shook up the status quo
this year, keeping all attendees together for the majority of the
program. Everyone had an opportunity to hear about innovative
literacy programs, ways to strengthen your line-up of weekly speakers
and how to use a no-fail communication plan for successful public
relations. Additional topics included membership, the Foundation and
youth services, among others.
The keynote speaker was
Roy "Dusty" Rogers, Jr. Dusty is a past president of the Apple Valley
club (1982-83) and shared memories of growing up with Roy Rogers and
Dale Evans. His "cowboy logic" echoed the principals of the 4-Way Test
as well as the Object of Rotary. He urged Rotarians to not only do good
work around the world, but look in our own backyard, because many people
right here in the USA need our help as well.
Dusty
closed his presentation with a few songs and left the stage to a
standing ovation. Rotarians were happy to see him later at the Rotary
Garden in Apple Valley for the Friendship Dinner. Hosted by the High
Desert clubs, the Friendship Dinner this year immediately followed the
Assembly, which resulted in the largest crowd seen in a few years. The
free BBQ dinner, provided by Out of This World BBQ may have had
something to do with that as well.
Doug kicked off his
year like the cowboy he is. Many of his team sported cowboy boots and
hats, and denim was the dress of the day. Each Rotarian received a blue
and gold Rotary bandana upon arrival, printed with the incoming District
Governor's name as well as the Rotary International theme for 2011-2012:
"Reach Within to Embrace Humanity." Thanks to a meaningful program and
inspiration from the generosity of our members, we are ready to do just
that.
Rotary and Social
Media: "Building Communities- Bridging Continents"
Social
Media/Networking is here to stay. I believe that this provides an
unprecedented opportunity for Rotarians to promote who we are and what
we do. There is much misconception about Rotary and Rotarians. Let's focus first on Facebook, which is clearly the frontrunner in this
new world of communication with over 550 million profiles. If you are on
Facebook and connected to the Rotary International page (which you
should be), you know that Rotary International is posting at least once
every week with projects, videos, information, etc. Facebook is an
excellent vehicle for sharing our individual Rotary Club projects,
fundraisers, fellowship events and for giving a transparent look into
the workings of Rotary and Rotarians. Facebook is personal, social
and transparent. It gives each of us the ability to leverage its viral
nature by talking about ourselves as Rotarians. I am constantly
meeting people who say, "What is Rotary anyway? I've heard about it but
have no idea what it is." This is often coupled with, "I didn't
know you were a Rotarian. Last I heard that was an all men's club."
What about reaching younger people? Let's reach out to them where they
are, on Facebook.
What can Rotary Clubs and
individual Rotarians do to leverage Facebook and promote Rotary and the
concept of Service above Self?
- Set up a Facebook page for your Club as a Community Page – I
suggest one or two people act as Administrators on the page.
- Post pictures of your meetings, fellowship events, projects,
etc.
- Encourage Club members to connect, Post and Comment on it.
- On your Personal Profile Page, Post something each week about
your meeting and "tag" your Rotary Community Page if you have one.
You tag by hitting the @ key. A list will appear and you Click on
your Page. This will create a direct link (in blue) to your
Rotary Club page.
- Engage with other Rotarians and Rotary Clubs on Facebook;
comment and "Like" their pages – mention Rotary often. Perhaps
a project you worked on together or something special they have
done.
- Share the Rotary International Posts by hitting the Share Button
to your profile and writing a personal comment. You can share these
on your Club's page by going to the article and copying and pasting
the URL. Always include a comment when you do this.
LinkedIn is a professional social media site where Rotarians can join
the Rotary International Group and communicate with Rotarians around the
world about projects, membership, RI policies, etc. Ask questions
of others and offer your insights where appropriate. Look for those
Rotarians on Facebook and connect. Rotarians also share on LinkedIn in
the (ROSNF) Rotarians on Social Networks Fellowship Group.
I communicate with Rotarians all over the world via Social Media.
We share ideas, ask questions, learn about projects, and get to know
each other as individuals with a common goal – making the world a better
place. With Social Media we can all help to reach millions of
people and truly Bridge Continents while growing Rotary's ranks in a
world that grows smaller each day.
Rotary Club of Green Valley supports local artists
The club's 3rd annual Piazza Colori fund raising event is set for mother's day weekend in Henderson. The club welcomes sponsors and artists from other Rotary Clubs.
Piazza
Colori (Public Square Colors) is the Rotary Club of Green Valley's
version of an Italian Street Painting Festival. Artists are free to
create, with chalk pastels, a drawing on the concrete - just like
graffiti. Drawings are created in full view of the public, who are
encouraged to interact with the artists as they use their amazing
talents to create beautiful "murals" before their audience's eyes. The
fact that the paintings disappear at the end of the event makes their
beauty even more appealing.
Anyone, from children to senior citizens, can become an artist for the weekend. You don't need to be a professional. Piazza Colori is held as part of the Art and All That Jazz celebration, which regularly draws and estimated 40,000 people over Mother's Day weekend, from 11 am. - 9 pm. on Saturday and from 11 am. - 5 pm. on Sunday.
Piazza
Colori has become the "signature event" sponsored by the Rotary Club of
Green Valley. This 2-day festival lets the Rotary club, the City of
Henderson and the community partner to promote "the arts" and provides
artists of varying abilities an opportunity to display their talents.
Local businesses and generous individuals are given the opportunity to purchase "squares" on the Henderson Events Center Plaza. Each square is assigned to an artist. The sponsor's name appears on a sign by each square. The Rotary Club of Green Valley uses funds generated from the event to support Henderson-area charities and groups that deal with global problems ranging from poverty to illiteracy.
Visit www.piazzacolori.com for sponsor and artist sign up forms.
Monterey Park Rotarian Marta Escañuelas Recognized As The YWCA San
Gabriel Valley Woman Of Achievement For "Promoting Freedom Through
Community Service"
The
YWCA San Gabriel Valley has selected Marta Escañuelas, Executive
Director of MERCI and Past President of Monterey Park Rotary, as its
Woman of Achievement for "Promoting Freedom Through Community Service." Escañuelas and nine other women and two organizations will be honored at
the YWCA's Honoring Vision and Voice Conference and Women of Achievement
Awards Luncheon May 19, 2011 at the Diamond Bar Center in Diamond Bar,
CA. 450 people are expected at this event.
Monterey
Park Rotary nominated Marta Escañuelas for her contributions to the
field of people with developmental disabilities and for her volunteer
work in the community.
Escañuelas has worked at MERCI,
which serves individuals with developmental disabilities, for about 15
years. Besides running MERCI, she is working on acquiring the funding
for a new group home, a multipurpose building and expanded office
facilities at the Chandler site, to replace buildings built before 1920.
She has acquired a grant from the City of Monterey Park HUD funds. She
is working to fund raise and on other grants to help fund these three
new facilities. Plans are to break ground this April. She has been the
co-chair of the Monterey Park Rotary's Casino Night for the past
two-years and is working on the next Casino Night scheduled for Friday,
May 6th, at the West San Gabriel Boys and Girls Club in Monterey Park.
Funds from this successful event have gone to support Rotary's various
endeavors – e.g. Monterey Park's 4th of July celebration, West San
Gabriel Boys and Girls Club, MERCI, and the elimination of polio
worldwide. She also participates in the volunteer work that Rotary does
with the Boys and Girls Club. Escañuelas is Vice President of the
East Los Angeles-Montebello Business and Professional Women, which is
part of the California Federation of Business and Professional Women and
BPW International. The purpose of this organization is to raise the
standards for women through education and equality. Escañuelas lives in
Mt. Baldy and has written successful grants for more than $200,000 to
California Fire Safety to remove mistletoe from trees and to remove dead
trees to help keep fire away – mistletoe can kill trees by sucking away
nutrients. Escañuelas serves on the Mt. Baldy Community Association and
has been the Chair of the Mt. Baldy Run to the Top. In her spare time,
she foster parents abandoned dogs.
Rotary E-club of District 5300
What
is our name and what is our mission?
No,
this is not one of the funny bits from "Monty Python and the Holy
Grail." This is an introduction to the new-fangled Rotary E-Club of
District 5300.
But seriously, folks.
We are
the new kids on the District 5300 block, charged with a mission to help
slay the dragon of declining membership.
In a nutshell – perhaps coconut shell would be a more apposite metaphor
– we are to extend Rotary to business, professional and community
leaders throughout District 5300 who are unable to meet traditional
attendance requirements.
This may be because of extensive travel, professional
demands, physical immobility, or residence beyond reasonable distance
from an existing Rotary club.
We do this
by wielding the tools of modern technology and holding our meetings on
the Internet.
Want to see what we do and
how we do it? Go to
www.district5300eclub.org
You even can
come to us and make up a missed meeting at your own club. Participate in
our weekly on-line program – at any time, day or night, through the week
– and we'll notify your club secretary that you were with us.
The club had its beginnings in late 2010. DG Roger Schulte
appointed PDG Steve Garrett as his special representative to midwife an
e-club for District 5300. With the tenacity and determination for which
Steve is famous, he muscled it into being.
As
of writing, the E-Club of District 5300 is a provisional club with a
healthy and growing base of members, well on its way to earning its
charter from Rotary International.
We may
not, do not, and will not canvass members from other clubs in the
district. But where clubs find they may be losing Rotarians, we suggest
that we could keep them for Rotary by a membership in the district
e-club.
Wavering Rotarians who are considering leaving can find full
details about membership in the e-club at our website. Again, it is
www.district5300eclub.org
The Rotary
E-club of District 5300 joins about two dozen e-clubs in Rotary
International.
The movement for
Internet-based Rotary clubs began in 2001 when the Council on
Legislation authorized a pilot program. A group of Colorado Rotarians
chartered Rotary eClub One of District 5450 soon after. Eventually, 13
other e-clubs formed around the world as part of the pilot project.
In 2010, the Council on Legislation approved permanent
status for Rotary e-clubs and the Rotary E-Club of District 5300 was on its
way.
No less a visionary than Rotary founder
Paul Harris may have seen the future in 1945, when he said:
"Rotary simply must continue to pioneer or be left in the
rear of progress."