Saturday, February 4, 2017

February Newsletter - Governor Tidbits

Rotary District 6920 Newsletter - February 2017

All Star Tidbits

Pam Lightsey, District Governor

     Lots going on for the next 60 days!  The deadline is for district awards are right around the corner!  Make sure to send in your awards sheets to your Assistant Governors who will turn it in to our Awards Chair, Ben Harvill by March 1! http://www.rotarydistrict6920.net/award_system.php  Do you have a new member to the club that has just jumped in with two feet?  Maybe you need to submit their name for Rookie of the Year!  Look at the bottom of the page from the link above to get the form to submit their name for Rookie of the Year.
     Clubs are full speed ahead on hearing students to compete for the Preston Johnson Rotary District 6920 Speech Contest.  I’m excited to hear those that will be competing for the $1000 scholarship!  If you have any questions, please check out the webpage http://www.rotarydistrict6920.net/speech_contest.php or call Jan Horadan. The winners will be presenting at District Conference.
     February 15 is the deadline for the early bird pricing for District Conference.  Hotels are getting full, so make sure to get your hotel room as well. Don’t wait until the last minute! We are going to have an amazing weekend!
     We will kick off the conference by hearing Past District Governor Sylvia Whitlock. Sylvia served as the first female club president after the Supreme Court decision to allow women in Rotary. She is traveling from another obligation in Ontario to join us on Friday. WOW! We will also hear from Rodney Bullard, VP Chick Fil-A Foundation and Nicholas Manus who will be traveling from Africa to share about the Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group (WASRAG). Nicholas is from Ben’s host club that sent him to Georgia to be part of the Georgia Rotary Student Program!
     Register now, as there will be no walk-in registrations on the opening day of the conference.  We have clubs represented but we aren’t 100% represented yet! 40 of the 64 clubs are sending someone to conference. Let’s shoot for the moon and hit it! We are the year of celebrating the big 100!
     Because we are celebrating 100 years of doing good in the world, there will be a special recognition for all those who have made a contribution to The Rotary Foundation this year (July 1- March 1 for conference program) to become a Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, Bequest Society member or a Major Donor.  If you haven’t already sent in your contribution to Rotary International, please do so by March 1. Foundation Chair Ted Thompson sent out an email (via Paula) about the matching points.  We are striving to become a district that has more 100% Paul Harris Fellow Clubs by the end of the year!  We are reaching for the stars and going to celebrate every single one who has decided to shine and be part of the year of All Stars!
     Don’t forget your final reports for the District Designated Grants!  hat deadline is around the corner as well!  And speaking of grants, sign up for Grants training on Saturday morning of the District Conference! So much to celebrate!!!
     The Rotary Club of Perry will be celebrating their anniversary this month! How exciting to be part of such a special time for their club. Watch the Facebook page to see photos from the celebration!  #100ActsofGood  #Rotary6920  #TRF100
     And last but not least, it is not too late to have your business card added to the conference program. You can scan your business card and pay online on the district web page at http://www.rotarydistrict6920.net/online_card_registration.php   Those submitted will be listed in the conference program.

See you soon,
Pam
2016-17 District Governor


Early Bird Registration Ends February 15 – SO REGISTER NOW
http://www.jimbruce.org/District6920/District_Conference/2017/online_registration.php
 

PRESIDENT JOHN GERM HAS A DISTRICT CITATION
     Let’s put District 6920 on the map!!  We need to have the following to districts that:
  • Have at least 51 percent of clubs earn the Presidential Citation
  • Contribute at least 20 percent of their District Designated Fund to PolioPlus
  • Increase Annual Fund giving by 5 percent over last year’s total
  • Achieve a 3 percent increase in membership
Make sure to submit your Presidential Citation!!



RI HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP "COUNTRY STORE"
   
     The Atlanta Host Organizing Committee (HOC) is planning to have a “Country Store” in the HOC Booth in the House of Friendship. We expect 35,000+ Rotarians and guest to be in the House of Friendship and all of them want something to take back home to remind them of their experience at the RI 2017 Convention. Many will have children, grandchildren, etc that will probably be expecting something upon their return home also.
      It is our desire to have a representative sample of items to sell from around the southeast, Zones 30, 31, 33 and 34. I am asking you to reach out in your respective area and let me know who the best local artist, crafts people, vendors who could provide our visitors with souvenirs of their visit to RI Convention 2017 in Atlanta. If you or your friends have personal contacts with folks who can supply items for us to sell, I would request you reach out to them.  I am also happy to make the contact myself if that turns out best for you.
      Reasonably priced items like tile coasters with local designs, bagged pecans/peanuts, posters with scenes from your area etc are some of the items that can be stored in the suitcase for the return trip home.  Some big ticket items could also be sold like art pieces. Jewelry is usually a hot item. Use your imagination.
      The “ideal” situation would be to have the items donated, but failing that, we can enter a consignment agreement with the vendor.
     Please contact me, Elwyn Gaissert, HOF co-chair, at egaissert2@comcast.net, ©678-468-0811 with your findings or suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you!                

THE ROTARIAN PHOTO CONTEST
     Do you have a great shot from a club project or fundraiser? Did you capture a memorable moment at the convention or during an international trip? Enter your images in The Rotarian's 2017 photo contest and you might see them in the pages of the magazine. You may enter up to three photos taken since 1 January 2016. While some photos might have elements of all three, select one category to enter your photo. Our previous guest judges have included Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers David Hume Kennerly and Carol Guzy and Kathy Ryan, director of photography for the New York Times Magazine. This year's judge will be announced soon.
     See contest rules online at
https://display.engagesciences.com/display/container/d/5ac39aa7-0940-4f8c-8a6b-e3d3cf331d70/details.


GILBERT R. THARP GLOBAL GRANT SCHOLARSHIP
     The late Rotarian Gilbert R. Tharp, a former member of the Rotary Club of St. Simons, established an endowment with the Rotary Foundation. The earnings from the endowment will enable a student from Rotary District 6920 to study abroad. To be eligible the student must already have a Bachelor’s Degree.  The individual must meet all of the eligibility related to the new Global Grants for scholarships, including pursuing a career in one or more of the Areas of Focus and graduate level studies or research lasting one to four years.  Please review the Global Grant Scholarships supplement to The Rotary Foundation’s Grants Management Manual located on the district website at www.district6920.net
     Global grant scholars plan to pursue a career in an area of focus, and their graduate-level educational goals should support this career interest. Pursuing a career in an area of focus means the scholar has a long-term commitment to measurable, sustainable change. Be sure that a candidate’s previous work or volunteer experience, academic program, and career plans are strongly aligned with one of the six areas of focus.
     If you know someone who is interested to be a candidate for this scholarship please have the candidate co
ntact the Global Grant Scholarship Chair.

CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL BY HONORING ARCH KLUMPH
     A century ago Arch Klumph, the president of Rotary International, made an announcement in Atlanta at the Rotary International Convention.  The announcement that day has led to a world of good done around the world by millions of Rotarians, including the efforts to eradicate polio.  That day, he contributed an initial $26.50 to start the Rotary International Foundation.  Wow.  What a difference it has made. The whole concept of “Service Above Self” took off like a rocket.
     Honor Arch Klumph at this year’s Centennial Convention of Rotary International in Atlanta June 10-14 by purchasing a square inch of his portrait that will be donated to RI at the convention to be put on display at Rotary World Headquarters in Evanston.  The portrait by internationally renowned artist Rossin will go alongside Rossin’s other spectacular painting, that of Rotary founder Paul Harris.
     Buy your square inch of this history at http://arch.rotaryconvention2017.org, The funds go toward a great cause.

 


CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
We have many speakers lined up for the conference. Among them are Nicholas Mancus, Sylvia Whitlock and Rodney Bullard.

Nicholas Mancus is the current chairman of operations of the Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG).
     In 1990, Nicholas moved from the US to Africa thinking he’d stay two years, but never left.  He’s worked for the US Embassy in Cotonou, Benin, co-owned and operated a commodity trading firm, and has worked with a number non-profits and humanitarian organizations, including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Malaria No More, International Lifeline Fund, UNICEF, and currently is the Country Director of Helen Keller International based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.  He holds degrees from Georgetown University and Des Moines University.

     He was inducted into the Rotary Club of Cotonou (Benin, District 9102) in 1997, and through Rotary, Nicholas has been directly and indirectly involved in more than a hundred water and sanitation projects in Africa.  He served as Rotary District 9100’s Water, Health, and Hunger Task Force Chairman (included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo), District 9100 Water Task Force Chairman, and District 9100 World Community Service Committee Chairman.  As a Rotarian, he was able to help spearhead strategic partnerships with the US Peace Corps, bilateral aid agencies, UN Agencies and NGOs in order to increase the impact of Rotary’s investments in water and sanitation.  In 2006, Nicholas received Rotary’s prestigious “Service Above Self” award.
     Nicholas believes that beneficiary community ownership of water and sanitation projects should be a baseline requirement.  To him, this means that any community receiving Rotary’s support should also be required to contribute financially and in kind towards the project.
Nicholas has a wide range of interests and hobbies.  He is an active member of REMaRAG (Rotarians Eliminating Malaria, a Rotarian Action Group), has produced television documentaries for National Geographic, and has earned his private pilot license
 

ROTARY’S FIRST FEMALE CLUB PRESIDENT AFTER THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
Sylvia Whitlock was born in New York City but was educated, through high school, in Kingston, Jamaica. After returning to New York City she earned a B.A. in Psychology from Hunter College. Sylvia worked for the United Nations, as a Statistical Clerk, at the Secretariat Building in New York, before moving to California to start a career in Education. In California she went on to earn a Masters Degree, cum laude, in Education from Cal Poly, Pomona, and a Ph.D., cum laude, in Education, from Claremont Graduate School. Subsequently, she earned another Masters Degree, in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Azusa Pacific University, and began a second career as a therapist. She is licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences in California.
     In 1982, while an Elementary School Principal in Duarte, CA., she was invited to join the history-making Ex-Rotary Club of Duarte. Sylvia became President of that club in 1987, the year the United States Supreme Court ruled that the club be reinstated, thus making her the first woman in the Rotary World to head a club as President. She has served as President twice, Secretary, Treasurer, and Foundation Representative. At district level, she chaired the Four Way Test Speech committee for six years, the Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee for six years, receiving a Service Award from DG Don Aikin, and Simplified
Grants for two years. She has been an assistant governor, presenter in Governors Institutes, and speaker in Rotary Clubs conventions and meetings, here and overseas, including South Africa, Jamaica, Washington and Texas.
     Other community activities have included being a member of the Board of the Spanish Trails Girl Scout Council, volunteer at Pomona Valley Hospital, Recorder for the Blind and Dyslexic, and Commissioner at TriCity Mental Health Agency. In 2000 she was named Woman of the Year by NAACP and in 1998 she was named Distinguished Alumna by Cal Poly, Pomona. She also chairs Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation teams and has been, for eight years, a member of the Committee on Credentialing for California State Department of Education. She attends Trinity United Methodist Church where she is often a lay reader.
     Sylvia considers Rotary to be the best vehicle she knows for humanitarian ventures in service to mankind. Some favorite club projects, while in Duarte, have included sinking water wells in Nigeria, setting up an AIDS Center in Jamaica and supporting an orphanage in Mexico. She continues to be inspired by the many Rotarians who have taken the organization to the edge of tomorrow and is committed to using the opportunity she has been given to further the cause of Rotary, in her community, in her country, and in the world.
     Sylvia is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and benefactor. She has three adult children - Meredith - a Paul Harris Fellow, BG is a deputy county counsel in San Mateo County, and Arlan. She considers raising her children the most satisfying and enjoyable job she has ever had.
     Women Also Serve shares a compelling history of the Duarte Rotary Club online at http://www.amazon.com/Women-Also-Serve-Duarte-Invites/dp/1491760591/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426181502&sr=1-1

Rodney Bullard
is currently Vice President of Community Affairs at Chick-fil-A, Inc. and Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation where he leads the company’s corporate philanthropic and social responsibility strategy, which is focused on fostering youth and furthering education.   Before coming to Chick-fil-A, Rodney served as an Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting complex criminal cases.  For his service, the United States Attorney General presented him with the Department of Justice Director’s Award. Prior to this role, Rodney was selected as a White House Fellow, the nation’s most prestigious public service Fellowship.  As a White House Fellow, Rodney was placed at NASA working directly for the NASA Administrator.  A decorated veteran, Rodney also served in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps eventually working at the Pentagon as a Congressional Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
     Rodney is a an alumnus of the United States Air Force Academy, Duke University School of Law, the University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business and the Harvard Business School.  Rodney currently serves on several national and local boards of directors to include: the Salvation Army National Advisory Board of Directors, the University Of Georgia Terry School Of Business Board of Directors, the Junior Achievement USA National Board of Directors, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation Board of Directors, and the Leadership Atlanta Board of Directors. 
     A few of Rodney’s recent recognitions include: Recognition by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Georgia’s top young Business Leaders for 2013; by the Atlanta Business League as one of the 2013 Men of Influence, The University of Georgia’s 2013 listing of the 40 alumni leaders under the age of 40, The Georgia Trend Magazine’s 2011 listing of the 40 Best and Brightest Leaders Under 40, The Leadership Atlanta Class of 2012, and as one of 10 Outstanding Young Leaders in Atlanta for 2010. 
 


ROTARY SHOWCASE

 Add your projects and share the information with Rotarians around the world on what your club is doing.  It is a great way to see what else is going on around our district and the globe.  Rotary Showcase is a great tool and easy to use.  And you earn points toward your club award. Link to https://map.rotary.org/en/project/pages/project_showcase.aspx to share what your club is doing and to see what other clubs are participating in.
INVOLVED ROTARY COUPLE LOOKING FORWARD
TO MILLION DOLLAR DINNER CELEBRATION
     When Brigitte Cabeza Shanken joined the Hinesville Rotary Club in 2011 she wasted no time in getting involved. Three years later, she served as the Club’s President. Now, the Assistant Governor and her husband, Jimmy, who joined the Hinesville Rotary in 2014 and was sponsored by Brigitte, are looking forward to attending the Million Dollar Dinner to celebrate The Rotary Foundation’s 100th Birthday.
     “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to create a legacy and for me to follow the footsteps of my grandfather, Joaquin Chen L.  He was a treasurer for his club in Chitre, Herrera, Republic of Panama and was actively involved in the club and his community,” Brigitte said.
     Today, Brigitte, who for many years worked as a director of volunteer services at Winn Army Community Hospital at Fort Stewart, is a real estate associate broker, as is her husband.  It was through her new career that she found the flexibility to finally achieve her dream to be a Rotarian.
     She began volunteering with the Red Cross when she was 15, and since then has been giving back through service. In 2011, she asked long-time Rotarian George Holtzman to help her become a Rotarian. “I wanted to be a part of this elite organization making a difference in the world through the collective power of individuals,” Brigitte said.  And that is why she became so engaged with Rotary.
     “You can only make a difference if you are actively involved. Otherwise, it is like you are a part of team but always sitting on the bench. Who wants that, “Brigitte said.
     Giving to The Rotary Foundation is something that Brigitte and her husband enjoy. They are both Paul Harris Fellows and Benefactors. “Thanks to my husband Jimmy, who is a philanthropist, has made this possible for us.  We have too many blessings, and we need to use our blessings to make a difference in the lives of others. ” she said.
     Plus, as a leader, Brigitte said it is necessary for her to give. “As a leader, we have to lead by example.  We are proud to be Rotarians! ”
     The couple will be at the Million Dollar Dinner on June 9, at the Georgia Aquarium because they have made an estate gift of $25,000 to The Rotary Foundation. All Rotarians in District 6920, 6910, and 6900, who make a gift of $10,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation will be invited to the celebration, where Rotary International President John Germ will be the guest speaker.
     You too can be a part of this special occasion. Rotarians can make estate gifts, gifts of cash, or gifts of appreciated stock and be included. If you would like to make a gift, contact District Governor Pam Lightsey at plightsey@augusta.edu.

CLUB NEWS

Steed Honored by Houston County Commissioners
     Jack Steed, President, Rotary Club of Centerville, was recently  honored by the Houston County Commissioners for his many contributions to the county such as community beautification,, Past Chair, 21st Century Partnership, composed of members from 15 counties, past chair, United Way of Central Georgia, past president, Carl Vinson Memorial Chapter of the Air Force Association, community improvements, past member, the governor’s military affairs committee, past chair, the regional chamber of commerce, numerous other community activities and his 33 years of military service.
     Pictured are Jack Steed, center, holding county cup and shaking hands with Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker as other members of the commission look on.
 

Valdosta Clubs Spread Rotary Message
     The Rotary Club has been around since 1905.  What started in Chicago with attorney Paul Harris and three of his friends has turned into an international organization boasting 1.2 million members in over 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. In fact, there are two Rotary Clubs here in Valdosta:  Valdosta Rotary Club (No. 4220) and Valdosta North Rotary Club (No. 4207).  But what is the Rotary Club all about?  Is it just a time to get together and have lunch?  Is it simply a place to promote one’s business and make connections?  What is it that Rotarians “do”?
      “Service Above Self” is the Rotary motto.  On an international scale, Rotary Club has taken on truly global initiatives.  For instance, Rotary International began its goal of eradication polio in 1979.  It ramped up the effort with the establishment of the PolioPlus program in 1985.  At that time, 125 countries were polio-endemic with an estimated 350,000 cases.  In 2015, only two countries are considered polio-endemic (Pakistan and Afghanistan) with 74 cases reported.  Rotary International is committed to providing low-cost health care, sanitary water to drink, HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention and supporting local medical training facilities in high poverty areas. Other programs include Rotary Peace Fellows (strengthen peace efforts through training), CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust), adult literacy programs and economic growth initiatives in poverty stricken areas.
      Rotary International accomplishes much of this through local Rotary Clubs.  In addition to supporting global programs, local Rotary Clubs strive to make a difference in their local community.  Valdosta Rotary Club has been making a difference for local law enforcement with the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner (LEAD).  This event not only recognizes outstanding officers of the year from the city, county and state patrol post, it provides assistance to officers in need.  Valdosta Rotary Club is also a big supporter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that provides a child a book a month from birth to the age of five. Other programs include the Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) that brings international college students to study at universities like Valdosta State.  Community Partners in Education (CPIE) is important to both local Rotary Clubs.  In fact, Valdosta North Rotary Club hosts a Teacher of the Year Dinner.
      Local Rotary Clubs also have the opportunity to pass on “service above self” to the next generation through sponsoring Rotaract Clubs (college level service club) and Interact Clubs (high school level service club).  Wednesday, September 28, 2016 the Valdosta Rotary Club hosted members from the four local Interact Clubs (Georgia Christian, Lowndes, Valdosta and Valwood).  The purpose was to have a joint service project in which members put together “Blessing Bags” to give to those in need.  Each bag included a water bottle, wipes, toothbrush/toothpaste combo and granola bar.  The items were donated by the Interact Clubs and Wild Adventures.  The Rotarians put the bags together and each Interact Club received twenty Blessing Bags to hand out.
      There are countless other ways that Rotarians are making a difference in our community through Service Above Self.  Each Rotarian strives to live out the Four Way Test:  Is it the truth?  Is it fair to all concerned?  Will it build good will and better friendship?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned?  Being a part of Rotary Club is more than lunch and connections.  It is about being a part of something bigger than yourself that truly makes a difference.  If this sounds like something you might be interested in, visit rotary.org or look for a Rotarian pin and ask how you can become a member! 

Macon Clubs Hold Rotary Day Tailgate Event
In Georgia, football and tailgating is a way of life. Therefore, what better way to celebrate the spirit of Rotary than burgers on the grill, cornhole and fellowship before rooting your team on to victory. Last November, the three Macon Rotary groups combined resources and put on an enjoyable “Rotary Day” filled with clear blue skies, football, and laughter! Our party planning efforts even earned us the crown of  “Tailgate of the day!” It always a pleasure when we can get together to celebrate everything that Rotary is doing in our community!
 

MACON CLUBS MAKE PRESENTATION TO CRIMESTOPPERS
Macon area Rotary presidents make a donation to the Macon Regional Crimestoppers. Helping them present the check is Rotary District 6920 Governor Pam Lightsey.


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