Month: August 2013

—RI News

The final push to end polio is the largest and most complex disease eradication effort in history.

An editorial in the Washington Post drew attention to one of the major challenges during this final push: outbreaks in polio-free countries. The outbreak currently happening in Somalia and Kenya, with 105 cases so far, is a sobering reminder of the tenacity of the virus, and that so long as polio exists anywhere, its spread is an ever-present risk.

The best way to stop such outbreaks is by interrupting polio transmission in the remaining endemic countries.

The good news is that we’re better than ever at responding to outbreaks. Since 2011, only one has lasted longer than six months. In 2008, it took an average of 20 weeks to put a stop to a new outbreak; by 2011, that was whittled down to 12 weeks.

—excerpts from www.Rotary 5950.org

Rotary International unveiled its improved Rotary.org on August 26. There are two distinct versions of the website, one for Rotarians and one for the general public.

My Rotary (for members):  All members will be encouraged to register when visiting the site. Members will be able to better engage through their own customized experience based on their interests, and conduct their Rotary business more easily than ever before.

The new website eliminates the need for the Member Access Portal (MAP). If currently registered in MAP, simply re-register when first visiting the site and then access tools previously located in MAP, such as the ability to make district appointments, Rotary Club Central, etc.

Rotary.org (for the general public): The public site tells our story in a fresh, streamlined way, encouraging people to get to know Rotary and learn about all the great work Rotarians do all over the world.

The website has been entirely rebuilt, grouping items more logically. For example, tools such as membership and contribution reports are now conveniently located under a tab called Manage. The website’s search engine is now powered by Google.

Rotary Foundation Grants: Functionality used on the Rotary Grants microsite is merged into the new site so everything is in one place.

Security: The new launch adopts industry-leading security measures to manage members’ IDs and passwords. Any MAP user from the last year will go through an abbreviated re-registration process.

The new website uses some of the latest browser capabilities. Because of that, visitors to the site will need to be on modern browsers. Whatever browser you prefer to use, we recommend you upgrade to the latest version to have the best experience possible.

Take some time to explore the new site and provide feedback on your experience. What do you like? What could be better?  The more feedback you give, the more we can do to ensure your online experience is positive. Please send your feedback and questions to website@rotary.org.

Experience what it’s like to live in the aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster. Join other District 5950 members for an overnight camping event to raise money for Shelterbox and Rotary.

Shelterbox USA and Camp Fire Minnesota are co-hosting this unique event that supports disaster relief worldwide and local youth leadership programs. During the overnight event, you’ll  participate in outdoor challenges for all ages and learn more about how Shelterbox helps victims of natural disasters throughout the world.

This is an awesome way to engage your club — and a very visual way to show the Twin Cities how we “Engage Rotarians and Change Lives!” Details to follow. Save the date!

The Rogers club chartered in May 2006. Many charter and early members are still active, but others joined and left. Past President Jack Hines is contacting former members to ask if they withdrew because:
– 7 a.m. just didn’t work in their schedule
–  There was an issue that we can improve and lure them back.

For those needing a later meeting time, we’re considering Rotary International’s newly-approved satellite clubs that meet at a different time and location from the parent clubs. Key satellite specifics include:

• A satellite club shall be located in the same locality or surrounding area as the sponsor club.
• The sponsor club shall provide general oversight and support of a satellite club as deemed appropriate by the sponsor club’s board.
• Members of a satellite club shall also be members of the sponsor club until the satellite club becomes a chartered Rotary club.
• Satellite members have the same attendance requirement of at least 60 percent of the regular meeting of the sponsor or satellite club.
• For the day-to-day governance, the satellite club shall have its own annually-elected board drawn from its members. The highest officer of the satellite club shall be the chairman.
• The satellite board shall be responsible for organization and management of the satellite club and its activities in accordance with Rotary rules, requirements, policies and objectives under the guidance of its sponsor club. It has no authority within, or over, the sponsor club.
• A satellite club shall annually submit to the president and board of its sponsor club a report on its membership, activities, and finances.

The August 8 exploratory meeting at Guadalajara’s Restaurant drew a mix of current, past and prospective  members who could participate more fully if the meeting time was later than 7 a.m. President Chuck will bring additional information to the board of directors and full club membership as this possibility evolves.

Rogers Rotary has an amazingly successful record of securing District 5950 grant funds for local projects. On Tuesday, July 30, our next application goes before the District Grants Committee.

Project Overview: A veterans’ memorial will be established in Triangle Park, adjacent to the Rogers Community Center. It will convey respect for all of the armed service members from the City of Rogers (formerly Hassan Township) who have served our country. Each military branch will have a special area within the memorial.

The City of Rogers gave Rogers Rotary the first opportunity to select which portion of the memorial to support. Organizers selected the central flag pole with American flag, lighting and landscaping. This gives the club high visibility near the memorial entrance.

Member Involvement: Rotary members will clear the ground, install the flag pole, install the stone paver edging, soil, plants and ground cover. At least 12 members will provide hands-on participation, completing the project in approximately three days.

Many thanks to President Chuck Christian and past presidents Jack Hines, Bruce Johnson and Floyd Ingersoll for working with the City of Rogers and vendors, securing bids and support for this project.

Project Budget

40’ flag pole          $3,700.00

Stone paver edging        $1,170.00

Wood chips                     $   250.00

Soil and plants               $   650.00

TOTAL         $5,770.00

Do not miss Rotary on Wednesday!

We welcome District Governor Diann Kirby (Bloomington Rotary) as our special guest speaker. Her career background is unique among recent district governors. (Come hear about it.) Her journey into Rotary commitment is personal, yet consistent with all active Rotarians. Service Above Self runs deeply in every Rotary volunteer, especially those who grow from local club
involvement to district leadership. Come welcome DG Diane!

(photos top to bottom)

During her year as District Governor-Elect, Diann Kirby participated in the Friendship Exchange to India, personally inoculating a youth against polio. She and District Governor Bob Stowell cut the ribbon opening a new school bathroom. She was inducted as District Governor on June 18. A year earlier, she was the new DG-Elect joining in partnership with DG Bob (2012-13) and Past DG Chuck Berg (2011-12).