Rotary District 7730

District Representative to 2010 RI Council on Legislation

PDG Bevin Wall was selected at our recent District Conference to be our District’s representative to the 2010 RI Council on Legislation. PDG Phil Crawford is the alternate representative. Thanks, Gentlemen, for agreeing to represent us on this very important Council.

GSE Opportunities–2008-09

During Rotary Year 2008-09, our District will sponsor two GSE Teams. One with District 9220 (Madagascar & Mauritius) and the other with newly formed Rotary District 2201 (Central Spain, including Madrid and the Canary Islands). While the dates could vary, dates of the Madagascar/Mauritius Exchange are 18 April-18 May 2009. Dates of the Spanish Exchange are to be determined.

GSE Team Leader criteria can be found in RI Publication “Program Guide for Rotarians” pages 17&18. We are looking for an experienced Rotarian who can take charge of the Team that he/she will help to select. He/she should have some international experience/exposure and must be willing and able, physically and otherwise, to keep pace with the vigorous program that is typical of an Exchange. Language proficiency/fluency in the host district language is a plus but, not mandatory. Spouses or relatives of Rotarians are not allowed to accompany the Team. The Team Leader will be responsible for pre-departure preparation, orientation, team-building, completion and assembly of all pre-departure documents for Team Members. GSE Team Leaders and Members have significant responsibilities in hosting the Inbound GSE Teams from Madagascar/Mauritius and Spain.

There is no requirement that GSE Team Leader applicants have previously held a district leadership position. Current & future Club leaders, Assistant Governors and future GSE Chairs are potential GSE Team Leaders. This is an opportunity to grow future District Leaders.

Applications can be downloaded from the RI web site www.Rotary.org. Type “The Rotary Foundation” in the search engine, select “Educational Programs”, select “GSE Teams”, see “GSE Team Leader Application” under Related Documents or click here.
Applications are due to David Baggett, GSE Chair, by 16 May 2008.
Send them to him at 2919 Hybart Street, Fayetteville, NC, 28303 or by E-mail to dbaggett@nc.rr.com. Interviews of applicants and selection of both GSE Team Leaders will be done by 1 June 2008.”

40/60 Paul Harris Fellow Matches Available

In the first two short weeks since this offer was made, almost half of the matches have been claimed by alert Rotarians from eight of our 48 Clubs. Thank you Rotary Clubs of Fayetteville, Lumberton, Swansboro, Southport, Bladenboro, Morehead-City Soundview and New River-Onslow!!!

If you and your members want to get in on this fantastic deal, you need to act now! 40 Rotary Clubs need to take advantage of this offer.

A limited quantity of $400.00 Paul Harris Fellow matches are still available. The match requires a concurrent $600.00 new money contribution to the The Rotary Foundation. This offer is extended until the limited quantity is gone, and will be accepted on a first come-first served basis (using the 4-Way Test if high demand continues). These matches are available due to donated points from other Rotarians and from accumulated district points!!! We are starting with approximately 50 matches. All matches must be claimed and paid by 1 June 2008.

Please contact our Foundation Chair, PDG Bevin Wall at bevin@rli33.org to reserve your match. The information needed will be the Rotarian’s name, club name, and name and address of the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow. The District will help complete and turn in the appropriate forms. Reservations are not final until the funds are received.

In the past we have had several clubs run cash matches within their own club to help fund the Rotarian’s $600.00 portion. For example, some clubs match $300 cash with $300 Rotarian Contribution for a $400 District match. Please note that none of the $600 cash match can be in points. Be sure to contact PDG Bevin Wall at bevin@rli33.org.

Every Day is New Member Day

Remember that new members are the very link to the Rotary we now know and is the only guarantee that our proud organization will continue for another 100 years. Make it your goal today to bring in a new member-and you will be remembered forever by the person you sponsored. Don’t wait for someone to walk up and say “I want to be a Rotarian” because it most likely will never happen. Take the initiative–somewhere in your community is someone who wants to be Rotarian. Find that person, invite him or her to a meeting and invite them to join. For more information about membership contact our District Membership Chair, PDG Johnny Robertson at johnsfuel@embarqmail.com.

Sad News — Rotarians Passed

Sadly, I announce that the following two Rotarians from our District recently died:

>>Mary S. Carter, Garland Rotary Club, died on 20 April 2008–she was 89 years old. Online condolences may be sent through www.carterfh.com.

>>Joseph R. Latham, Jr, Wilmington-East Rotary Club, died on 22 April 2008–he was 75 years old. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.

International Service

“International Service has been a focus of Rotary since the early 1920’s. It was Rotary that was the driving force to establish UNESCO. Rotarians were invited to participate in the founding of the United Nations. Rotarians in South America accomplished what governments could not: they literally brought together warring sides in a bitter border conflict between two countries and worked out a peace arrangement. Today, the jewel in our crown is what we call PolioPlus: We have immunized two billion children against polio since 1988.” (Frank Talk 1, p. 46)

Great Reason No. 1 to See The Stars in 2008!!!

Service Projects. Find our how fellow Rotarians developed their service projects by visiting club and district project booths. You can also partner with other Rotarians in an international project or exchange.

Register today for the RI Convention at www.rotary.org. For more information contact our Governor-Elect Lee Dixon at ldixon@EDApa.com.

The Weekly Rotary Foundation Thought

Challenge Others with a Challenge Gift — Identify one or two generous Rotarians with the capacity to make a major gift to the Annual Programs Fund. With their permission, use their accumulated Foundation Recognition Points to match contributions from other Rotarians. The first contribution is commonly the most difficult one to get. This incentive can help to create a habit, or “Culture of Giving” among all Rotarians!!

Give “Every Rotarian Every Year” the opportunity to support our Rotary Foundation. For more information on devising a strategy for your club or on district giving or program participation, contact our District Rotary Foundation Chair PDG Bevin Wall at Bevin@rli33.org.

“Rotary Shares”