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Rotary Shares
March 2008 |
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Dear Bob,
We are pleased to present the March issue of the District Governor's eNewsletter. This month we're focusing on the April 18-19 District Conference, Literacy, RI Convention early registration deadline nears, upcoming meetings and highlighting several clubs' achievements over the past few months. Thanks for spending a few minutes with us.
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| Rotarians Rendezvous in home of blues, barbecue |
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With a theme of "On the Road to Rotary," Rotarians of District 6150 will head to the home of the blues, Memphis, Tennessee, for the District Conference April 18-20, at the Doubletree Hotel in historic Downtown
Memphis.
Conference co-chairs PDG Jake Morse and Mary Merrill have been working with their committee since last summer to ensure that this year's conference is a true Rotary Celebration.
Among the highlights are the Friday night Food Fest at the Memphis Zoo's Northwest Passage area, complete with feeding the seals and polar bears. Saturday lunch will be at the Rendezvous, the world-famous basement barbecue place that has served its internationally acclaimed dry ribs to presidents and princes, the King and the Killer, and virtually everybody who's anybody. The Rendezvous' slogan is, "Not since Adam has a rib been this famous."
The Saturday night recognition banquet at the Peabody Ballroom will feature John Maxwell as William Faulkner in the one-man play, "Mr. Faulkner, Do You Write?"
Cliff Dochterman, who served as the president of Rotary International during 1992-93 and is the author of the booklet "The ABCs of Rotary," will be the district's special guest. For a half-century, Dochterman has been a leader in Rotary International. He has served on virtually every committee of Rotary, including chairman of the original 3-H Committee, the New Horizons Committee, the Dreams of the Future committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee. Cliff has probably served on more Rotary committees and talked to more Rotary Clubs than anyone m the world.
Cliff's professional career included 40 years in higher education administration. He has had a long association with the Boy Scouts of America, and has received three of the Scouts highest honors -- Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and Distinguished Eagle awards.
This year RI President Wilf Wilkinson has asked PDG Janice Young of District 6840 to be his Representative. Janice is an accomplished Rotarian and a leader in Rotary's literacy efforts.
The Rotary District 1680 GSE Team from France will also be at our conference to give us a look at life in District 1680 which has 53 clubs throughout two regions of eastern France, Alsace and Franche-Comte. The French team is completing the exchange between District 6150 and 1680. Our district sent a team led by Steve Maxwell of Little Rock to 1680 last fall.
Join us as we hit the road for Memphis.
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| Paragould Club bowls over competition |
 The Paragould Rotary Club bowled over the competition on its way to a championship that raised money for a vital program in the Greene County community.
Paragould Rotary Club bested eight other teams during the Chili Bowl chili cookoff, an event that raised more than $3,000 for Mission Outreach, the Paragould-based program that provides emergency shelter, food, housing assistance, educational programs and medical services to people in need in Northeast Arkansas.
The Rotary team captured the traveling trophy for the best chili in the competition The teams competed for best chili, best booth and the people's choice awards where individuals voted by placing a dollar bill in jars set up by each chili station.
"Because the demand for food (in the mission's food pantry) was so great, we were looking for more ways to collect food and raise money and have fun," Mission Outreach Director Jamie Collins said.
"This is a way of giving back to our community, providing entertainment in a fun-filled atmosphere" while people in the community (including the Rotary Club) continue to support the mission, she said.
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With governor in attendance, governor lauds Bald Knob
By Terry "Gabe" Gabrion |
 Never in the history of the Bald Knob Rotary Club have there been so many in attendance at a regular club meeting.
Of course, Jan. 16 was a very special day indeed -the guest speaker for the record-breaking luncheon was Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe.
"I really don't know where to start when it comes to Bald Knob - it is truly a miracle," said Beebe. "The situation with your school district was something that everyone was watching, but no one thought there was any way you save it."
"Like the Phoenix coming up out of the ashes," Beebe continued, "You did what was thought impossible and saved your school." As the governor pointed out this wasn't even close to the Midland crisis of a few years back where that district was some $400,000 in the red - the community had a lot more time to work it out.
"Bald Knob was $2 million down to just 30 days to figure it out."Beebe said, "And it's not hyperbole to say that now the whole state looks in awe and admiration" at what this community has done.
The governor acknowledged interim Superintendent James Staggs' energy, planning and guidance in putting the plan into action, but also wanted to make sure that every citizen who volunteered to help save the Bald Knob Schools were heroes in the eyes of everyone else in the state.
Members of the community raised some $1.5 million in a month and agreed to a temporary sales tax to save the school district.
Another governor, Rotary District 6150 Governor Bob Warner, and his wife, Mary Ellen, was in attendance as Gov. Beebe delivered his remarks. Also on hand were AssistantDistrict Governor Sheridan Cole, State Rep. Mark Pate and Bald Knob Mayor Bob Carpenter.
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| Dewitt club marks more than eight decades of service |
 The Rotary Club of Dewitt hosted its 45th annual Farmers Rotary Banquet at Dewitt High School on Feb 4, with District Gov. Bob Warner among the more than 100 people attending.
Rotary President Jason Grantham of gave a warm welcome to area farmers. "We want to show our appreciation to you, because you are such an important part of our community."
Arkansas County is a leading producer of rice and other crops.
Warner in his remarks praised the club for its community service and long heritage of service. Rotarians work side by side with other like-minded volunteers, local leaders, and families to bring help and hope to those in need. We share our time, money, skills, optimism, and expertise. We do this in a dignified, compassionate way that nurtures a mutual respect, Warner said.
Rotarian Jimmy Black, a member of 17 years, gave the history of the club that was chartered Jan. 2, 1925. The club has presented more than150 scholarships to high school seniors totaling over $100,000. The Dewitt Rotarians also support Camp Aldersgate, a camp for Arkansas children with disabilities. They have also donated to Rotary's Polio Plus Program to eradicate polio from the world. The Rotary Masters is held each year as a major fund raiser to support club projects.
Past President Jimmy Fly was recognized for his service by being named a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation. He was presented his PHF medallion and certificate by President Jason Grantham.
The night's keynote address was given by Harold Horton, a 1957 graduate of Dewitt High School. Horton's teams reeled off seven consecutive Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles The Bears finished runnerup in the NAIA in 1976, tied for the national title in 1984 and 1985 and won the national championship in '91. Horton spoke about lessons in life. He advised his audience to, "Be nice. Be honest. Be polite," and he reminded them of a quotation from former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer: "You meet the same people on the way up and on the way down."
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Rotary Shares,
Bob Warner, District Governor 2007-08
Rotary District 6150 |
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| Video Encourages Rotarians to Hit the Road to the Home of the Blues |
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With a theme of On the Road to Rotary Rotarians of District 6150 will head to the home of the blues, Memphis, Tennessee, for the District Conference April 18-19, at the Doubletree Hotel in historic Downtown Memphis.
Past RI President Cliff Dochterman highlights the impressive lineup of speakers who will entertain and energize Rotarians.
The world-famous Rendezvous restaurant that has served its signature ribs to potentates and presidents as well as The King himself, is the setting for lunch during the conference.
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Governor's Corner
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Rotary Celebrates
Literacy in March
March is the month Rotarians showcase literacy. Around the world and around the corner we support numerous programs that help children and adults to gain the ability to read.
Worldwide illiteracy rates approach 20%. In many countries the rate is close to 80%. Approximately one billion people are not able to read.
Far too many adults in North America as well as in developing nations live in poverty because they haven't mastered these skills. Far too many children are currently at risk of falling into the same trap. Illiteracy is one of the world's most serious problems.
Click the "Read more" link for lots more information and resources.
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| Meetings Rescheduled |
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It started with the winter storm that hit in early March which resulted in Mid-America PETS being cancelled. MAPETS was moved to April 4 & 5 thus creating the need to move the Club Leadership Retreat (District Assembly and SETS) to May 17.
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Get Rotary District 6150 news delivered to your personalized web news reader or club home page through the RSS news feed.
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| RI Convention 2008 |
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March 31 is the deadline for early registration discounts.
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2008 RI Convention in Los Angeles, 15-18 June
See the Stars! Share the spotlight with fellow Rotarians in the entertainment capital of the world.
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| 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 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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