Sharing Today - March 2
March 3rd, 2008 in Rotary SharesKeep Working on Membership
Make a list of reasons you believe people will benefit from your Rotary Club. People are not going to join unless they understand how it will benefit their lives. If there are no reasons to join your club, start there!! This exercise alone could make every individual a membership magnet.
Presidential Citation
One of our District Goals for this year is that every club receive the RI Presidential Citation. It is easy to do, but between 1 July and 31 March a club must complete the membership goal (net gain of one member from 1 July) and one activity from each of the six categories listed in the Presidential Citation Brochure. Each President was given this brochure at PETS. If your Club doesn’t have one, please let me know quickly and I’ll mail one to you. Otherwise, complete the certification form and get it to me by 1 April 2008. If you need more information on this, please contact your Assistant District Governor or me, now.
District Conference — 18 & 19 April 2008
Continue to talk about our upcoming Conference to your friends and club members. On-line registration is now available and it’s simple to do. Just log on to the District web site www.rotary7730.org, then click on “data base” then click on “calendar.” On the calendar page click on “register now” and follow the instructions. If you have questions about this procedure contact one of our District Conference Co-chairs, Janet Robertson at 910-843-2802 or E-mail at janet.robertson@lumberrivercog.org or PDG Johnny Robertson at 910-843-5211 or E-mail johnsfuel@embarqmail.com.
Site of the District Conference
“Crowne Plaza Williamsburg Hotel”
For reservations call 1-800-227-6963–ask for the Rotary rate of $119.00
Williamsburg, Virginia — Our Date With History — The most impressive fortifications blocking access up the Peninsula were those built by Major General John B. Magruder. Using impressed slave labor, Magruder ordered the construction of three defensive lines across the Peninsula.
One such line, just outside Williamsburg, comprised a series of 14 redoubts, with supporting redans and rifle pits, built between College and Queen’s Creeks. At the center was Fort Magruder, also known as Redoubt #6. Redoubt #3 is still in evidence today — on grounds of the Crowne Plaza Williamsburg Hotel.
RLI (Rotary Leadership Institute)
This exciting program is one of the best training programs you will ever attend. It is a series of fast-paced, interactive, one-day courses offered to refine a Rotarian’s leadership skills and increase their base of knowledge in Rotary. Courses are fun, topical, and geared toward busy business and professional persons who want to be more effective leaders in their vocation and club and more knowledgeable Rotarians. Register now for programs that will be taught this Spring at a location near you –Rock Hill, SC; Asheville, NC; and Greensboro, NC. For more information and to get register information visit www.rli33.org or contact PDG Bevin Wall at bevin@rli33.org.
From Our Founder, Paul Harris
Friendship thrives in the atmosphere of Rotary where formalities and artificialities are laid aside; where men regardless of rank or station meet on a common plane. It is customary though not compulsory in American Rotary clubs, and those of many other countries as well, to use the first name in greeting fellow members. It comes naturally to some, while others acquire the habit gradually. Few fail to adjust themselves to the custom. (From My Road to Rotary, by Paul Harris)
RI Convention Notable Speakers — 15 - 18 June 2008, Los Angeles, California
As director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan will talk about future steps to eliminate polio. Her presentation at the RI Convention will be during the plenary session on Tuesday, 17 June 2008.
Stephen Laws, formerly the special envoy to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, is co-director of AIDS-Free World, a new international AIDS advocacy organization, based in the United States.
The RI Convention attracts World Class Speakers. Register today for the Convention at www.rotary.org. For more information contact DGE Lee Dixon–(O)252-247-2127, (H)252-240-0118, (M)252-241-1868 or E-mail ldixon@EDApa.com.
The Weekly Rotary Foundation Thought
This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about literacy projects.
The Rotary Foundation has provided a great number of grants to support literacy projects around the world. A Matching Grant was awarded to provide 1,400 textbooks for a secondary school in Amawbia, Nigeria. Students who were unable to afford the high cost of textbooks are now able to borrow these books for the entire school year. As a result, the academic performance of the students has improved significantly. In Nepal, Rotary clubs received a Matching Grant to help provide scholarships for students at the Manasarovar Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal. This grant helped facilitate the education of approximately 150 students, mostly Tibetan refugees. In a country where young men and women have limited access to education, this project represented an invaluable opportunity for students wishing to further their education.
For more information on giving or program participation, contact PDG Bevin Wall at Bevin@RLI33.org.
“Rotary Shares”