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 Aug/Sept 2009
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ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE
Every year over 8,000 students from 80 countries around the world have the experience of a lifetime by being exchange students through Rotary Youth Exchange. This program is highly regarded for its careful interview process, thorough orientations, local support for students and low cost.
There is a long term program for for about a year; in this program the student attends high school in the foreign country. There is also a short term program for high school age students for four to six weeks during the summer. Your club can host a foreign student next year or promote the Rotary Youth Exchange program to your high school students. For more information go to Youth Exchange on the District Website at http://www.rotary6150.org/view/37
The Cabot Rotary Club and members of host families welcome Dalia El-Shaal 8-12-09
For the latest new tools to help you, contact the District YE Officers: Don Peters (rye6150@gmail.com) or Susan Chan (schan@novascorp.com).
Current long term inbound students:
Fede Brioschi from Italy hosted by Batesville Rotary Club
Dalia El-Shaal from Germany hosted by Cabot Rotary Club
Jaime Serrano from Spain and Lanne Liu from Taiwan hosted by Little Rock Rotary Club
Jean-Philippe Levy from Switzerland hosted by Paragould Rotary Club
Calypso Adier from France hosted by Sherwood-North Little Rock-North Little Rock/Riverside Rotary Clubs
Current long term outbound students:
Sara Pavich to France sponsored by Cabot Rotary Club
Zachary Cook to Italy sponsored by Cabot Rotary Club
Alex Curl to Germany sponsored by Little Rock Rotary Club
Katelyn Mangrum to Switzerland sponsored by Paragould Rotary Club
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Dear Rotarians,
August was Membership Month. Membership is North America is declining. As a result of this decline, our Zones (24 Districts) were restructured. By the way, our Zone number has changed from 29 to 31. Why is that relevant to us? As has been pointed out by PDG Paul Broughton at our Membership Seminars, as our membership declines, so does our representation on the Rotary International Board.
Our District did a great job with membership last year. This was due primarily to the addition of our two new clubs. Welcome, Clinton Area and Lawrence County. We are so happy to have you as new clubs and filled with new Rotarians in our District. I accepted an award yesterday at the Zone Institute for being in second place or our Zone in Membership. Keep up the good work.
During the June Board meeting of the Directors, the motto, "Every Rotarian, Reach One, Keep One," was adopted. Do you talk about Rotary in your normal work day? Who do you come in contact with that would make a good Rotarian? I have had three wonderful opportunities for interactions about membership since I became your Governor.
A former Rotarian began reciting the Four Way Test as he heard the President of the Club pointing out the Rotary sign at the front of the restaurant. After a few questions from me, it became very apparent that he was indeed a great candidate. The President followed up quickly with contact information and an invitation to the next meeting of the club. The General Manager of the hotel where I was staying appeared to be a very bright young business man and seemed interested in what I said about Rotary. When I asked why he was not a Rotarian, he said, "more than one person has talked to me about it, but no one has ever told me when and where." He was my guest the next day when I went for my Official Visit. The third opportunity came in the way of an email.
A woman in my community contacted me after visiting our club website. I called and talked with her about coming to the next meeting of our club. She was there the next week. You may say, "Yes, but you are the Governor, that is you job." You are correct. I am an Officer of Rotary International and should be recruiting all of the time, but we must all take the responsibility. Look at the motto again. It says "Every Rotarian."
September is New Generations month. Is your club involved in the future leaders in your community? Please use every opportunity through Interact, Rotaract , Scholarship Awards, etc. to see that our youth are involved. Partner with these groups on projects. What about Young Professionals? We have a responsibility to see that our communities and clubs have the best advantage possible to continue in the successful way that you have modeled.
I am writing this from the Zone Institute in Tulsa. What a wonderful opportunity to meet and share ideas with the leaders in Zones 30 and 31. I also just accepted the award for being Number 1 in per capita giving in the area of Polio Plus. District 6160 ROCKS!!!!"
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands,
Debbie Brinkley, District Governor 2009-10 Rotary International District 6150
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ROTARY CLUB OF HARRISBURG
The Harrisburg Rotary Club was privileged to have a visit from District Governor Debbie Brinkley on August 27, 2009. Prior to the regular meeting Governor Brinkley met with board members and committee chairs. President Fonda Condra conducted the meeting as reports were given and information from the district was received. Following the board meeting, the District Governor had lunch and spoke at the regular weekly Rotary meeting.
During the month of August Rotary members helped to support two organizations in Harrisburg. Following a presentation by the coordinator of the Bread of Life food pantry, a donation was made from the club. Also Rotary members attended the annual rice luncheon sponsored by the Extension Homemakers' Club.
On September 8 and 9, the club presented dictionaries to 88 third graders at Harrisburg Elementary School and 25 third graders at Weiner Elementary School. Club members are looking forward to the annual tail-gate party to be held on October 2. This will be prior to homecoming at Harrisburg High School.
Two on-going projects of the club are Coats for Kids and Suitcases for Foster Children. New or gently worn coats and sweaters will be collected and distributed to elementary students. Also, the club is collecting suitcases to be donated to DHS for distribution to foster children.
ROTARY CLUB OF WYNNE
The board and committee chairs of the Wynne Rotary Club met on June 2 to begin planning for the new Rotary year. Board meetings and committee meetings have continued in July and August and we are progressing in many areas.
We have ordered and will distribute dictionaries to 3rd graders and thesauruses to 4th graders at Wynne Schools, continuing a long history of aiding local schools in the provision of much needed school supplies.
We are in the initial stages of inquiring about a joint project with a Rotary Club in the hometown of our exchange student from Brazil. She will arrive in January 2010.
We are focusing our efforts on increasing our membership. We will invite sponsors from our Radio Day fundraiser to a meeting as a gesture of gratitude for their support and hopefully, to generate interest in joining our club.
We are in discussions about adding another major fundraiser. Funds will go toward a permanent project in our community. One of the ideas being examined is the enhancement of the recently completed Sports Complex through the possible addition of a walking trail and playground equipment for smaller children.
At our board meeting in September Sam Hummelstein will give a presentation on the DaCdb system.
Wynne will again host the Foundation/Membership Seminar on August 31.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST MEMPHIS
Before the 2009-10 Rotary Year began, our President-elect, Charles Elliott and his wife, Gloria, attended the 100th Rotary International Convention in Birmingham, England, June 21-24. The convention was well-organized, educational, entertaining, inspiring and of course, a lot of fun. They had a good visit with our District Governor, Debbie Brinkley, and also saw PDG Bob Warner and his wife, Mary Ellen.
Our club is off to a good start for 2009-10. The two main goals of our club this year are: (1) to implement the Club Leadership Plan, and (2) to develop a comprehensive membership plan. A lot of preparation and organization has gone into the Club Leadership Plan and so far, the response from our members has been favorable. The membership plan will include retention of our current members, new member identification, recruitment of new members and mentoring of our new members.
Four new members were inducted in July and two of them were inducted on July 27, the date of DG Brinkley's visit. In fact, Debbie pinned their Rotary pins on them.
On July 8, our President and his wife spoke to the Rotary Club of Marion about the RI Convention and their pre-convention tour of London. On July 22, our President-elect, Dana Parker, spoke to the Rotary Club of Wynne on the History of the Purple Heart. Dana is a Viet Nam veteran and is a recipient of the Purple Heart.
During this year, our club aspires to attain the Presidential Citation and the Governor's Banner. We are continuing to try and involve more of our membership in projects and activities.
If you are in our area on Mondays, please stop for a visit. We meet at noon in the Event Center at Southland Park.
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