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Rotary Shares August 2007 | |
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Dear Sam,
We are pleased to present the August issue of the District Governor's eNewsletter. Each issue will focus on a few issues of importance to all Rotarians in District 6150. August is Membership & Extension Month so we've featured an article about the Presidential Membership Conferences led by RI President Wilf Wilkinson around North America in July and August. These conferences are helping Rotarians refocus on retaining and building membership to guarantee Rotary's second century of service.
September is New Generations Month, a time when we focus on Rotary's future and the many Rotary programs that address issues of importance to young people, especially younger Rotarians. |
| The Tradition Continues |
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Bob Warner Jr. says he is humbled to be a part of a tradition that is repeated every year in each of the nearly 32,000 Rotary clubs in 529 districts throughout the world.
 Warner, the District Governor of District 6150, is one of 529 District Governors elected to a one year term of office by representatives of the district. During that one special year in the Governor's life, he or she serves as the one officer of Rotary International in the district and directly represents the President of Rotary International.
In carrying on that tradition, it is his unique duty and privilege to visit all of the 39 clubs in District 6150, Warner said "I have visited nearly 20 clubs from all over the district, and they have put their best foot forward and the visiting district officers have worked to showcase each club during the visits," Warner said.
"Each club is unique and all board committee meetings have been enlightening and enjoyable. The clubs present the Planning Guide for Effective Rotary Clubs; hear about district resources to assist their clubs in areas of membership, public image, administration, projects, and The Rotary Foundation.
My speeches have emphasized some thoughts of Paul Harris the founder of Rotary, the philosophy of Rotary that is unique, the special events highlighting this 2007-2008 Rotary Year including the District Conference in Memphis and the first District Rotary Foundation Banquet," he continued.
"This year in our district we have lofty goals, strong leaders, and a common desire to help those less fortunate. President Wilf has asked us to continue to place emphases on water, literacy, and health," Warner told members of his home club, The Rotary Club of Jonesboro, members of the District Leadership Team and several hundred Rotarians from around the district and their guests at an installation ceremony.
"In our District we have Rotary Clubs working actively on water projects, literacy efforts, and polio support-why do we do these things? We all believe in the fundamental value of helping those who are less fortunate and who do not even ask for our help.
In order for us as Rotarians to continue our efforts, we must support two basic strategies: we must grow our members and we must raise money. This is simple for without members or money we cannot effectively help anyone'
I am challenging each Rotarian in 6150 to successfully ask someone to join Rotary. Remember there are good people that we need in our clubs ... just ask. We need talented, energetic, diverse people to accomplish great things.
Of equal importance is funding of good works both locally and around the globe-I have asked each Rotarian in our 39 clubs to give 25 cents a day and 50 cents on the day that their Rotary club meets--this will be $104 in one year. This is not asking a lot-many of us collect $100 in change on our dressers or in a cup in our car every year!"
 Warner and his wife, Mary Ellen, visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon before attending the RI convention in Salt Lake City.
"That was really a motivation for us. We had never been to the Grand Canyon-arguably the 'one great site every American should see,'" according to President Teddy Roosevelt. The National Landmark has a unique and unsurpassed beauty.
It is an attraction for people from countries around the globe. The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is made of rocks, cliffs, hills and valleys.
Rotary is much like the Grand Canyon, Rotary is one of a kind; it touches people from around the world. It is unique and has many parts. Rotary is an idea and a belief that is bigger than any individual. To fully know the whole Rotary world would be impossible in one lifetime. Just as the Colorado River has formed the Grand Canyon a little at a time, Rotary has flourished through the efforts of each individual Rotarian following their dream to make the world better one life at a time.
Like the Grand Canyon, Rotary is one of the true wonders of the world and each of us in our own way can Share Rotary. We can experience the wonder of a child's smile from a quenched thirst, a full stomach, or a simple bedtime story.
In 2007-2008 show that Rotary Shares and be a part of the wonder!" | |
| Member Get A Member (MGM) |
 With Rotary's demographics changing and membership decreasing in North America, Rotarians must "change the way we think about membership," RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson told attendees, including 17 from District 6150, at a presidential membership conference held 20-21 July in Nashville.
"The current recruitment practices of clubs can't continue," Wilkinson said. "What needs to happen is for every Rotarian in every club to bring in one qualified new member every year."
Inviting new club members is one way Rotarians can live up to this year's theme of Rotary Shares, Wilkinson said at the conference. Dr. Bob Warner, 6150's District Governor, said the formula can be summed up as simply as MGM - Member Get Member.
Rotary grows only when a Rotarian asks another business or professional person to join the organization that improves live in local communities around the world.
The conference was one of a series of seven events to be held in July and August in Canada and the United States. Another one is set for Aug. 24-25. "President Wilf will be in attendance. Please consider attending with me or send your membership chair. If you or anyone in your club is interested please contact me ASAP so we can travel together. The cost is $218 for the plane ticket departing Friday a.m. and returning Saturday p.m.. The hotel room for Friday night is $79 and registration is $118. The experience is priceless," said DG Bob.
The two-day conferences include plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops on topics such as generational differences, demographic changes, potential new members, and the challenges of service organizations.
Wilkinson cited RI research showing that only 18 percent of Rotarians in a given club ever bring in a new member. But inviting qualified, active members is "the single most important thing that you can do for your club and community," he said. To survive and continue to meet communities' increasing needs, Wilkinson stressed, "Rotary needs to grow."
The goal of the presidential conferences is for Rotarians to come away with plans for finding and keeping club members. Wilkinson noted, however, that there's no one-size-fits-all solution for Rotary clubs.
"Rotary Shares," he said, "and each one of us must take it upon ourselves individually to share the gift of Rotary membership with one new person - this year, and every year to come."
Just of few of the Rotary District 6150 Rotarians who attended the Rotary Presidential Membership Conference held July 20-21, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. | |
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Rotary Shares,
Bob Warner, District Governor 2007-08
Rotary District 6150 | | |
| Governor's Corner |
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Your change
changes lives
Please make and introduce your plan for meeting your club's Foundation Goal for the year. We want to encourage you to use your film canister kits that you were given at District Assembly-remember if every member gives only one quarter everyday and two quarters each Rotary meeting-your club will reach the $100 per member goal with ease. Twenty-five cents a day is a small amount that will do a great deal to change a life!!!
The Every Rotarian Every Year fund raising kit. Click image to view a larger version. |
| Lucky Team Leader |
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Steve Maxwell's middle name is Lucky - no, really it is. Born on Friday the 13th of January, 1956, Steve Lucky Maxwell, past president (twice) of the Rotary Club of Little Rock-Metro, Maxwell is lucky for another reason - click here for details. |
| District Calendar |
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The Rotary District 6150 Calendar is a great place to stay up-to-date on district events.
Did you know it's also a great way to promote Rotary club fund raisers and social events open to Rotarians outside your club?
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Share Your Club's Story |
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We want to share your club's stories about projects, successful fund raisers, exceptional membership growth and retention ideas or just about anything you can share.
Please send me your articles and photos so we can live this years theme - Rotary Shares!
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