January 2012

 My dear brothers and sisters in Rotary,

At Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C., stands a memorial to the Seabees, formally known as the U.S. Naval Construction Force. An inscription reads, “With willing hearts and skillful hands, the difficult we do at once; the impossible takes a bit longer.”

In Rotary, we already have our own mottoes. If we didn’t, I might be given to nominate those two lines. The power of combined effort, as Paul Harris once wrote, knows no limitation. When we work together, the impossible becomes possible.

I thought of this when I read, a few months ago, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, the premier medical journal in the United States. Titled “The Polio Endgame,” it outlined a strategy for a post-polio era, including managing post-eradication risks.

Thirty years ago, such an article could never have been published. Today, it is a testament to the power of dedication, of persistence, and of combined effort. The impossible has, indeed, become possible. A post-polio world, once the stuff of dreams, will soon be here.

My friends, the day that polio will be eradicated is close at hand. We have to be ready for it with a powerful Rotary – a Rotary of enthusiasm and confidence, of bold vision and clear ambitions. It is time for us to prepare by taking an honest look at our clubs. Are our projects meaningful, sustainable, and relevant? Are our meetings productive and enjoyable? Are our clubs welcoming to new members, and are our schedules and events friendly to young families? And once people join us, do we welcome them properly, and involve them enough? Do we make them a part of the family of Rotary quickly enough?

The figures tell us that while enough new individuals join Rotary every year and everywhere, too many exit Rotary, on an ongoing basis. What unfulfilled hope do they leave with? What expectations are we not meeting? Can we do more and better?

Now is the time to focus our energies on our clubs, and on the way people see them. It is time to show our communities that the Rotary of today is not the Rotary of their preconceptions. Rotary is a way to connect, to do more, to be more – it is a way to take our idealism and our vision, and turn them into reality.

Rotary International President – Kalyan Banerjee

 As we move forward during this Rotary Year, more and more clubs in D-5230 are searching for the answer to slow down the exit of members during these troubled economic times.  The answer is simple: “Know why members joined our Rotary family and make sure we deliver what they came for.”  As part of this family we each share in this responsibility.

 When Rotary Yellow Pages kicked off in September the response was remarkable… both from those who bought ads in RYP and from those who were using it to find Rotarians with whom they could do business.  Comments ranged from “Great Idea!” to “About Time” but the bottom line is that everybody really likes the idea.

Since launch, we have been constantly monitoring feedback from our users and as a result, the RYP staff has made several changes in the signup process and search parameters to make the system even better.  Now we’re going to make one more.                      

One comment that we receive frequently is that members sometimes search RYP for a particular business or service but can’t find a Rotarian listed… even though they know that there is a district Rotarian who works in that field.  The problem is that the RYP database is limited because not every district Rotarian is included.  But that’s about to change! 

 Effective February 10, 2012, Rotary Yellow Pages is offering a FREE Basic listing to EVERY Rotarian in District 5230.  That’s a listing that includes your business name, address, and telephone number as well as your name and your club affiliation… all at no cost to you.

 Why?  Because the more businesses listed in RYP, the more valuable it becomes to all Rotarians in the district.

 Here’s how it works:  Simply go to www.rotaryyp.org , click on Sign Up and follow the step-by-step enrollment process.  You’ll need to know your Rotary ID number (available from DaCdb, your Rotarian magazine or your Club Secretary) and the rest is just fill-in-the-blanks. 

 When you reach the part that asks for 32 Category Keywords (up from 10) you’ll want to enter words that those searching for your type of business will use to find you.  You can use titles such as Doctor, Lawyer, Beautician, Architect, etc., as well as descriptions of what you do, i.e. Carpet Cleaning, Equipment Leasing, Painting, etc. 

 Along with your free Basic listing, you will have the opportunity to purchase a Bonus page for $100.  The Bonus page includes your company profile, graphics, a link to your company website, and even a coupon offer if you want it.

 Setting up a Bonus Page is pretty straight-forward but if anyone needs assistance, help is now available for a flat fee of just $35.

 As for those Rotarians who already purchased a Basic listing for $50, they will receive a coupon for $50 which can be applied as an upgrade to the purchase of a $100 Bonus Page, or which can be redeemed for a $50 cash refund.  Coupons will be emailed to participants on or about February 15, 2012.

 For those Rotarians who purchased a Basic listing for $50 plus a Bonus Page for an additional $50, there will be no change except that internally their account will show a purchase of the Bonus Page for $100 and the basic listing at no charge.  The net cost remains unchanged.

 Naturally, those Rotarians who took advantage of the Early Bird Special will continue to receive their free six month bonus listing.

 We are confident that offering a free Basic listing to every district Rotarian at no cost will expand the database and thereby make Rotary Yellow Pages an even more useful tool for Rotarians throughout our district.

As I reflect on this core goal of our organization, I am truly humbled by Rotary’s undertaking to affect change on a global-level through simple ideas such as education, community service, and relationship-building between individuals. Rotary’s unwavering commitment and its dedication of resources to projects such as Youth Exchange, Group Study Exchange, and Ambassadorial Scholarships, are exemplary. These and similar programs are not designed to bring an immediate return on investment but to build a foundation for the future.  They are progressive as well as deliberate; they offer a grassroots, long-term solution to building peace and goodwill among individual citizens. In addition, our countless joint international service projects between Rotary clubs around the world also contribute to this vital objective.

Ideas for honoring this theme at your club include arranging international speakers and inviting youth exchange students and/or international scholars from nearby schools and universities to your meeting. Other possibilities include featuring former Group Study Exchange team members, arranging discussions on international issues, or presenting entertainment with an International cultural or artistic theme.

This is also a great time for your club to launch an international community service project, make contact with a Rotary club in another country, look into a Rotary Fellowship Exchange, or encourage support for Polio Plus as a way of honoring the theme.

As Rotarians, we promote international understanding and enjoy international friendships. Those friendships take root every time an Ambassadorial Scholar meets his or her host family or a District welcomes a Group Study Exchange Team. Such life-changing experiences broaden our worldwide commitment.

Through Rotary and its Foundation, we foster personal relationships that transcend borders and form a foundation for peace. World Understanding Month is a chance for every club to pause, plan, and promote the Fourth Avenue of Service – Rotary’s continued quest for goodwill, peace, and understanding among people of the world.

I would love to hear about how your club honored this theme. You can reach me via email at johnwmims@gmail.com

We just described the important – behind the scenes – work of the District Resolutions Committee.  This Rotary year the Resolutions Committee is chaired by PDG Tom Stahl, from the Rotary Club of East Fresno Rotary.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Resolutions Committee and the important process they administer.

Question: How can I obtain a copy of the District’s current Policy Manual? 

Answer:  Every Rotarian has access to a copy of the District 5230 Policy Manual, revised July 1, 2011.   Click Here  to download a copy.

Question: Who can propose a resolution to change the District’s Policy Manual?

Answer: Resolutions can be proposed by the Board of Directors of any club, or by any past governor who resides within the District, the Governor-elect, the Governor and by the Resolutions Committee.

Question: How are resolutions proposed?  What is the deadline?

Answer: Proposed resolutions must be written and must be directed to the Governor.  They must arrive by a date that is at least 75 days prior to the District’s Business Meeting held at the District Conference.  This year that means proposed resolutions are due to DG George Wade on or before Monday, March, 5, 2012.

Question: Once received, what is the process?

Answer: Each proposed resolution is seriously considered.  The Resolutions Committee is charged with the task of assuring our District Policy Manual conforms to RI’s Constitution and Bylaws, the RI Standard Club Constitution and current decisions by the RI Board of Directors.  On or before 30 days prior to the District’s Business Meeting the committee distributes copies of all resolutions to be considered at the business meeting.  During the District Business Meeting held at the District Conference, each resolution proposing a policy change or modification shall be presented by the Chair of the Resolutions Committee for discussion and recommendation for action.  Votes are cast on each proposed resolution in accordance with the By-Laws of RI.  Changes and modifications approved at the business meeting becomes effective July 1, 2012.

If there is a common thread that binds together over one million men and women in over thirty-three thousand Rotary Clubs throughout the world, it is a commitment to share “Service Above Self” with others.  Fundamental to this passion is the acknowledgement that Rotarians must always be on a scouting expedition for new members to join with them.

With that premise as a background it is interesting to reflect how the recruitment process for new members has evolved since Paul Harris and his four friends founded Rotary over one hundred years ago. Those of us who have belonged to Rotary for thirty or forty years or more recall that at that time someone who had been identified as a prospect for Rotary membership was never told about it. The candidate’s name was first given to the club’s secret classification committee. This committee’s task was to conduct a cursory investigation regarding the nominee’s professional and community standing while determining whether or not an available membership classification existed within the club. One of the early conditions for membership in Rotary was that only one member per classification was permitted in each club. This restriction was later modified to permit “Additional Actives” to an existing classification subject to approval of the member holding the base classification. Only after this entire investigative process was completed was the sponsor allowed to notify his prospective member of his nomination for membership.

Over the ensuing years the membership recruitment process has been radically modified as our organization has become established around the globe. Today, as we all recognize, no prospective member is turned away because a membership classification cannot be created. Rotary has strengthened itself by opening its arms to welcome both men and women who wish to become associated with like thinking individuals desiring to make our world a better place through a common devotion to achieving World Peace and Understanding.

Fundamental to Rotary’s ongoing dedication to its core belief in the universal dignity of everyone among us is the recognition that the impact of Rotary must constantly be strengthened by the induction of new members.  Each of us as Rotarians must recognize that one of our most pressing responsibilities is our willingness to share the inner rewards of belonging to an international organization dedicated to serving all peoples wherever they may be. It is because of this ongoing commitment that Rotary will continue to hold and expand upon its stature as the world’s premier service club organization.

Have you proposed a new member lately?

As my husband read through each section of Dochterman’s book he would exclaim that now he understood why Rotary had certain customs, traditions, and insignias.  His inquisitiveness and enthusiasm for his new found knowledge of information was catching. I became interested in discovering more information on Rotary International history and programs.  This interest led to my participation in club leadership, club presidency, and assistant governor service.  My contribution in various Rotary projects has given me a new light in my life, a light that needs to be shared with others. 

Share Rotary with members, family, friends, and the community.  A Rotary member accepts the “obligation to share Rotary with others and to help extend Rotary by proposing qualified persons for Rotary club membership.”

 Celebrate Rotary Awareness Month by exposing members to Rotary history.  In my research I discovered that the “Four-Way Test,” was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932.  Taylor took charge of a Chicago-based aluminum company that was facing bankruptcy.  Struggling to save the company, Taylor composed a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional lives.  The code was credited with saving the company. The Four-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943.

 Celebrate Rotary Awareness Month by exposing members to Rotary International Programs.  The Rotary Foundation was proposed by RI President Arch C. Klumph in 1917, as an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.”  In 1928, the endowment fund had grown to more than $5000.  After Rotary’s founder, Paul P. Harris, died in 1947, contributions poured into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial fund was created to build the Foundation.  That year, the first Foundation program, the forerunner of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships was established.  Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, later called Matching Grants, were established in 1966.  The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program was launched in 1978.  The 1984-85 year brought PolioPlus, followed by Rotary grants for University Teachers and the Foundation’s peace and conflict studies programs.

 Celebrate, Promote and Share Rotary

 At local club meetings ask members to share personal stories or experiences that they have had because of Rotary.  As part of the weekly club program insert some Rotary history, program information and The Rotary Foundation.

• Utilize local cable and / or public-access television to publicize club community projects and fundraisers.
• Use billboards, posters, and signs to communicate membership events, fundraisers, and activities.
• Employ newspaper supplements to advertise Rotary’s mission, vision and involvement in community and global projects.
• Develop club brochures that expose members to your club’s history and annual projects.
• Avail your club members of the bevy of Rotary International and District 5230 presentations by attending conferences, club leadership training, and district assemblies.
• Visit Rotary International, Rotary District 5230 and club web sites to gain insight and promote club activities.
• Make use of Facebook and other network communication sites.
• Exercise your creative writing and communication skills through Rotary club blogs. 

These are just a few ways to share Rotary and its “good deeds” with others. 

I joined Rotary years ago, but it took my husband’s discovery of Rotary for me to share Rotary with him and others. Don’t let it take years before you share and discover the true Rotary and Rotarian in you!

The District team will be leaving in mid-February for a month in the State of Victoria.  The topography ranges to include rustic fishing villages along a beautiful coastline, scenic vineyards, lush fern-laced forests and craggy mountains.  Melbourne – a city of 3.5 million people – is quite a contrast in this highly diverse State.  The draft itinerary has our team “seeing it all” plus 10-15 Rotary meetings and a district conference during the month.  It will be an exciting, fast paced experience and the team is very appreciative of having this opportunity. Follow our experiences on the District Facebook beginning in mid-February.

It’s not going to take Houston for us to realize many of the most exciting and fun-filled events of our Rotary Year are just ahead of us.  Plans are in place for a very different Mid-Year Assembly.  Everyone has had a positive comment on our effort to make all events very interactive and the Mid-Year Assembly will be no different.  Breakout sessions will all be based on an interactive round table format.  We’ll explore new fund raising ideas, International Projects, Community Projects, ways to energize our clubs and maybe even a form to learn where you would like to see Rotary move in the next 5 years. 

During the assembly DGE Shirley Grace will conduct her Pre-PETS session.  This will be a must for all Presidents Elect.  Shirley will raise the curtain on what you can expect at PETS this year in San Jose.  

To the rescue comes AG Terren Brown who will double as a Territory 7 AG at the same time as she maintains her original assignment as AG of Club Services.  I had the pleasure of attending her First Territory Presidents’ meeting and I was impressed with the cooperative attitude.  I’m expecting really good results from the four clubs under her charge the balance of this year. 

Things have certainly changed in the area of communications.  I remember when clubs used to submit information about what their clubs were doing to the District Newsletter.  In a way that still happens, but on a more interactive, and timely basis by many individual club members.  It’s happening on the Social Media, and if you haven’t followed the District Facebook page, you have been missing out.  Check it out:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-District-5230/196392497056467 .  Or you can search for us on Facebook at: Rotary District 5230.   I think you will be surprised to learn what’s going on. 

The awards packages have gone out to the Club Presidents as well as the AG’s.  Some might think it’s a little early, but I don’t and here’s why.  It seems there is always a scramble to get them completed on short notice.  I believe if you have a little bit more time after reviewing them, clubs may be able to do a more complete job or even pull together a project that was taking its own sweet time.  “TIME” there’s that word again… TIME to do a more complete job.  

If you want to call special recognition and attention to your club at the District Conference – Tachi Palace in Lemoore, it will be easy.  Start putting together a Multi-Media presentation of your club’s special project anywhere in the world.  We are going to show how each club is changing the world.  We will take everyone to the site where you drilled the well for clean water, built the school to bring literacy to the unschooled, built the health care facility to attend for the sick, provided sewing machines to start a business to support a village… and the story goes on and on.  You will see the fulfillment of why we became Rotarians; to make new friends, network our business and to change the world! 

Have a healthy, happy and rewarding 2012!

Since 2005, children of Porterville and the surrounding areas have been able to call in and to speak to Santa, Santa’s elves, or even Mrs. Claus, courtesy of the Porterville Breakfast Rotary Club, at no cost to the caller one evening in December.  The phones and call in number is provided to the club for free by Rotarian John Billiou, owner of Billiou’s, Inc. a factory authorized central warehouse distributor.  This year, over 400 children called in to speak to Santa who is bilingual in several languages.

The phones are manned by the Porterville Breakfast Rotarians who diligently write down every child who calls in their name and what each child is hoping to receive from Santa. 

The calls help mom and dad find out what their children really want for Christmas, and it also gives PBR an opportunity to identify families in special need of, but not limited to, food and clothing.  In many instances, a child will ask Santa for a coat for their brother or sister, shoes for their parents or food so that they can have something to eat.  The club member on the phone will then find out during their conversation where the child goes to school and what grade they are in.

The following day a club member will contact the schools and verifies the information with school officials that was told to Santa.  Once the information is verified, the club then makes arrangements to deliver shoes, clothes, toys, and food to the families courtesy of Santa.

Every year, we get at least one request that gives us really true joy when we are able to grant the child’s wish.  This year was no exception.  On Monday, December 13, 2011,  Janice Castle, the Santa Call In chairperson, was contacted by Eva Leon, a Porterville Resident, as a result of seeing the announcement in the Porterville Recorder saying that Santa was going to be accepting phone calls from the area’s children. 

Ms. Leon told Janice that her daughter, Stephanie Medina, a Private First Class with the Army National Guard, was coming home after being deployed since April 2011.   Ms. Leon said that Stephanie’s son, Angel who is three years old, and Stephanie’s youngest brother, Emelio, six years old, and sister, Honey, four years old, had said the only thing they wanted for Christmas was for Stephanie to be home.  Ms. Leon asked where a Santa could be located so the children could express their wishes and Stephanie could “magically” appear.

Thinking quickly, Janice put the club in action.  A Santa suit was purchased, Billiou’s provided a large box for Stephanie to pop out from, and a Santa beard and hair was borrowed from Don Wheeler.

On Tuesday morning, Santa was at the Bank of the Sierra in Porterville, waiting for Angel, Honey and Emelio.  Each child sat on Santa’s lap telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas,  After hearing each child’s wish, Santa told them to say magic words of “Santa Claus, Merry Christmas” twice.  Upon saying the magic words, Stephanie appeared.  Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the building and why the club loves being Santa’s helpers.

We started out at 10:00AM and drive straight through to the Yosemite National Park entrance where we took a quick break. Within twenty minutes, Tom had a couple sick kids… so we took another quick break. At the tunnel view, the weather was cold but the view was beautiful. Many of the kids had never been to Yosemite Valley and many would never return.  After the obligatory photos, we enjoyed a quiet lunch in solitude at Cathedral Beach in the shadow of El Capitan. It wasn’t too long until a soccer game broke-out right there on the beach.

Having very little time, we drove to the Valley Chapel, parked, and boarded the Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YART) bus to take us to the Vernal Falls trailhead. We hiked the short .8 Miles (1.2 km) to the Vernal Falls footbridge. Some hikers pushed forward and made it 3/4 of the way along the Mist Trail before we ran out of time. A few called it quits at the Vernal Falls footbridge.   The weather was cold but agreeable. From our trail, we could see fresh snow falling at Glacier Point, but we never saw rain or snow in the valley.

I know Tom and I had fun, we hope the kids did too.  We left with twenty-two and we returned with twenty-two safe and sound so the trip was a success!

Thanks for the opportunity.

Darryl Booth

PS. To view some photos from the outing – click below:

https://picasaweb.google.com/darrylbooth/20111119RYEInBoundsYosemite?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPKSuZzWtvztiwE&feat=directlink.