Month: August 2011

Presidential Citation and Changemaker Award motivate membership goals. August is Rotary’s Membership Month. The Presidential Citation and Changemaker Award both include membership criteria and are excellent resources to help clubs set goals.

Clubs aiming for the Presidential Citation must add at least one new member and keep at least 85% of their membership. Additional goals include recruiting RI and Rotary Foundation program alumni and young professionals, increasing diversity by adding more female members. (Pres. Citation criteria)

The Changemaker Award is newly established by RI President Kaylyan Bannerjee. It also puts membership in the spotlight. Clubs must achieve a specific set of club service goals, including adding one new member under the age of 40 for each 50 members, implementing a comprehensive strategy for keeping members, and demonstrating that the club has retained 85% of its members for the three Rotary years ending with 2011-12. (Changemaker criteria)

Both recognitions also include criteria for supporting Foundation programs, crucial to Rotary’s continued global success.

District Governor Chuck Berg is just beginning his tour of the 62 clubs in District 5950. Rogers is among the first to hear his message and set the standard for club welcomes.

District Governor knows many Rogers members through his years of district leadership and progression as DG-Nominee and DG-Elect. Shakopee is his home club.

Make sure you attend on August 24 to meet the District Governor and hear his goals for the 2011-2012 year.

Every district leader was one a new to Rotary, too. They inspire us to take advantage of District training events, committee participation, and joint activities. As much as we love the camaraderie within the Roger club, the district offers additional wonderful opportunities for service project, networking and personal growth.

Remember….. District 5950 Fall Training Event is Friday, September 23 in Golden Valley.

Family Law Attorney Richard Krambeer will speak Wed. August 17th at the Rogers Rotary Club. His topic will be to bust the myths as they relate to family law.

Rich is an attorney with the firm of Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd., located in Maple Grove, Minnesota. His law practice involves assisting clients and children during very difficult periods in their lives.

Another dimension of Rich’s services includes conflict coaching and/or
conciliation and reconciliation services, utilizing his training through
Peacemaker Ministries. These processes utilize scriptural principles to assist
people or organizations to resolve disputes and to bring reconciliation and
healing to relationships.

The Rotary Foundation Future Vision Pilot is a three-year test of the new grant structure offered in the Foundation’s Future Vision Plan. One hundred pilot districts will help refine the new grant structure by providing input and receiving specialized Foundation support and service.

Rotary Foundation District Grants are block grants made to districts for up to 50% of their District Designated Fund. District grants offer flexibility for quick response to immediate needs, or to plan projects with clubs.

Rotary Foundation Global Grants support large international projects with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in the six areas of focus that correspond to the Foundation’s mission.

Areas of focus:

• Peace and conflict resolution
• Disease prevention, treatment
• Water and sanitation
• Maternal and child health
• Basic education and literacy
• Economic and community development

Heads up! Mark your calendar and plan to attend District 5950’s Fall Training event on Sept. 23. This is one of four district sponsored events during the year – each providing training for club officers and active members. Watch for registration information. It will be at the Golden Vally Country Club and run from approx. 8:30am to 1pm.

Rogers Rotarians are invited to the annual picnic shared with Rogers Hassan Senior Friendship Group on Wednesday, Aug 17th from 5 to 8pm. Please bring a dish to share. Check your club bulletin to email Chuck to RSVP to this event.

The Maple Grove Rotary Club and Maple Grove Lions Club invite you to the 1st Annual Mayor’s Cup Golf Fundraiser on Friday, August 19, 2011, at Pheasants Acres Golf Club in Rogers. The scramble tee-off is at 12:30pm. There’s still time to register. Proceeds benefit the Global Eye Mission in Borneo, Indonesia.

A mentoring program in District 5160 (California) helps incoming college freshmen – particularly those who are Interact alumni – get connected with university based Rotaractors. It’s just one example of the efforts undertaken by many districts to keeep Interators, Rotaractors, RYLAritans and Rotay Youth Exchange participants in the fold – and on track to become Rotarians.

“It’s important to recapture people who fall through the holes, such as an Interactor who graduates from high school, moves away to college, and has trouble finding a Rotaract Club, says Joanna Kwong. “We often refer alumni or recent graduates to the next relevant program. Interactors pool from RYLA and Youth Exchange, and Rotaractors seek membership from former Interactors.”

Jim Cambier, past president of the Rotary Club of Danville, California, says that building relationships between New Generations programs is the first step toward ensuring successful transitions.

“Whether it’s Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, or Youth Exchange, it’s important to let everyone know that these programs all flow together,” says Cambier. “When they see the whole connection, they can really understand just how multifaceted New Generations Service is.”            From Rotary International News

Cindy Gibbs of MasterMinds & Mentors is about taking an elite group of small business entrepreneurs through a collaborative and creative journey; providing an opportunity to achieve measurable business and personal results.

Cindy Gibbs gave us four tips on accomplishing the impossbile. They were;

1. Believe
2. Overcoming Conditions
3. Don’t have a plan B
4. Just Do It

Our U.S media is suddenly filled with reports of famine and child mortality in Africa. Rotary has been actively working there for years. This Rotary International News Story is from 2009.

Amid famine, water scarcity, disease outbreaks, and rampant inflation in Zimbabew, six Rotary clubs in as many countries are bringing hope to people there.

The project is establishing water wells and vegetables and tree gardens at seven schools…… to read more.