Rotary International Launches Montreal Convention from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Whats ahead?—May 31st

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!
As we are celebrating with our families and friends, let us not forget…..

Matching Points

Last week, I offered 10 people the opportunity to become a PHF. I received many calls showing much interest but it is not a done deal until I receive your check and completed form. If you want to cash in on this offer, please be sure to send me your check and FORM before June 15th. CALL ME!!

Foundation Giving

As of today, our Monthly Contribution Report shows our District has contributed $136,542.91. We have reached 55.49% of our goal and are at $55.88 per cap giving to the Annual Program Fund. We still have 12 clubs who have not contributed anything. Granted, some checks may be in the mail and I hope that is the case but this falls far short of reaching our goal. Once again, we are LAST in contributions in our Zone and in fact we are way behind even 3rd World countries.

The amount we ask is $100/member but if that is not possible, then I ask you to please give SOMETHING. At your next meeting, pass the hat, sell tickets for a door prize, have an auction, or whatever might bring in something for our charity.

You MUST send your contributions in by June 31st in order for them to count towards this year so please be sure they are mailed today.

PLEASE NOTE: Polio contributions DO NOT COUNT towards your Annual Program Fund giving. That is a separate entry and goes to the Polio Plus program and does NOT come back to our District as District Designated Funds.

In order to continue our District Simplified Grants, Matching Grants, Ambassadorial Scholarships, Peace Scholarships, and GSE, we CANNOT let our giving fall below the $100/capita mark. If you need assistance or further explanation, please let me know.

NID 2011

DG Nancy will lead another team to India on a National Immunization Day for Polio in late January 2011. The tentative dates are Jan. 27 – Feb. 12, 2011 but that may change after we find out the exact NID date set by the Indian Government. The cost is between $3,000 and $3,500 and includes all flights, hotel stays, and most meals. Cost does not include visa applications, tips and vaccinations. More information will be forthcoming.

New Videos on Website

Please continue to check on the videos section of our website. New videos are being added showing our recent events. ie: District Conference, Flight of Honor, Club visits, and District Assembly. Also please continue to check out the podcasting link as well. You never know who you might see being interviewed.

Friendship Exchange

One of the most forgotten programs in Rotary is the Friendship Exchange. What better way to learn about other countries and cultures than through Rotary. There are many ways to find opportunities. Exchanges often develop through personal or business contacts with fellow Rotarians or when making up a Rotary club meeting in another country. You might also make contacts through other international projects or programs that your district is involved in, such as:
• Group Study Exchange
• Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars
• Rotary Foundation Humanitarian Grants
• Rotary Volunteers
• Rotary Youth Exchange
• World Community Service
• Twin club relationships

Dates to Remember:
June 21-24
On to Montreal
July 10
DGE Magda’s Installation
August 28
Foundation Seminar
Nov. 4th
Foundation Banquet

What’s ahead? —May 17th

CORRECTION: Dr. Anne Matthews has been named Trustee of The Rotary Foundation. She led Zone 33 as one of the few Zones in the world to achieve zero non-giving clubs.

FOUNDATION and POLIO GIVING

On July 1st the new Rotary year will begin which means we have approximately 6 weeks to send in the remainder of our contributions to The Rotary Foundation and Polio. You must send these in BEFORE JUNE 30th to get credit for this year. Only 6 weeks left and WE STILL ARE LESS THAN $50 per cap in giving?? You must see the urgency.

Please send your contributions this week especially if you want to receive PHF credit before the end of this year. Can you imagine what would happen if 33,000 clubs waited until the last minute to send in their contributions?? If you need your Goal Reporting form from last year, please let me know and I will send it to you. Remember, for every $1.00 you contribute, another family will eat today, another child will be immunized against Polio, or another child will go to school. Don’t make them wait.

District Assembly and District Leadership Training

On May 22nd, District Assembly and District Leadership Training will begin at 8:30 a.m. at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville. It is important that all President Elects, Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers’, Foundation Chairs, and all club members attend this important training. This is your planning and training for the new Rotary year, so join us as we “Build Communities and Bridge Continents”.

District Committee Chairs and Leadership are planning and training with the club officers at District Assembly. All Chairs, Advocates, and District Leadership are asked to join us at James Sprunt. We need everyone there so we can begin next year strong as we build “Bigger, Bolder, and Better” clubs.

International Convention in Montreal

You have until May 31st to register online for the International Convention in Montreal. Don’t miss out on exciting speakers like Dolly Parton and Three Cups of Tea author Greg Mortenson. What a wonderful way to end our Rotary year by attending and seeing the internationality of Rotary.

New Generations Avenue of Service Adopted

New Generations has become the 5th Avenue of Service.
In an effort to expand the Family of Rotary, the RI Board has agreed to lower the age of eligibility for Interactors from 14 to 12. What a great opportunity for us to expand Rotary to even younger ages. When you are talking to your schools next year about Interact, please be aware that Interact could start in Middle Schools.

Rotarian Magazine on Google Books

Thanks to Jeff Achterberg from SBI for sending this link to The Rotarian on Google Books. Every issue, from inception of the magazine, can be found along with articles by Paul Harris himself. Jeff says, “The first publication in 1911 has an article by Paul Harris defending the reason for Rotary and that commerce was a noble profession.” It’s interesting to see how Rotary has played a part in history.
Click here to go to Google Books.

Social Networking and Public Relations

As our Rotarians become younger and younger, we need to learn how to use what they use to communicate. Many Rotarians around the world have joined Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. In fact, it is a great way to publicize your clubs activities. We have used all social networking and many technology tools this year. Have you checked us out??

Fund Raising Ideas

Many have asked for new fund raising ideas so here are a few ways to find some. Perhaps visit a neighboring club and discuss their ideas with you or maybe ask to partner to have one big fundraiser together. You can “google” and find many ideas on the net that might work for your location and your club.

Have you considered small steps like partnering with a local restaurant and asking them to ask their customers to add a $1.00 to their bill for the Foundation or clean drinking water or polio eradication? Wonder how much they could collect in a year? How about a motorcycle ride for hunger or a Read-a-Thon for Literacy? What about a partnership with other groups or organizations? Be creative, ask around, and do some research.

Dates to Remember

May 22nd—District Assembly

May 26th—Flight of Honor

August 28th—Foundation Seminar

July 10th—Magda’ installation

Thanks to Rotarian Andrew Walker for this heart warming video.

What’s Ahead?? — May 9th

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL THE WONDERFUL MOTHERS IN THE WORLD.

District Conference

To all those who attended the District Conference in New Bern, thank you. We had an outstanding conference and I truly look forward to next year’s event. If you weren’t there, you really missed a lot of fun, fellowship, and Rotary knowledge. Please put the first weekend of March on your calendar for the next 3 years and join us in Pinehurst. You won’t want to miss the next one.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

It is an honor for me to inform you that PDG Anne L. Matthews from Columbia, S.C. has been nominated by incoming Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith and confirmed by the Rotary International Board of Directors as a Rotary Foundation Trustee for a 4 year term beginning July 1, 2010. PDG Anne will be the first woman Trustee elected by this method and the second in TRF history; in addition, she will be the first non-Past RI President to serve from our Zone. Many of you have met and heard Anne speak and know her outstanding work with the Rotary Foundation. She led our Zone to great heights as we became one of only a few Zones in the world with ZERO NON GIVING CLUBS. Congratulations to our friend Anne Matthews.

May 22nd—District Assembly and District Leadership Training

District Assembly will be held on May 22nd at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the sessions will end at 2:00 p.m. This year, we are trying something different. District Leaders will have their training at the same time. In fact, we will plan together. Presidents, president-elects, secretaries, treasurers, foundation chairs, membership chairs, and any club member who would like to come are invited. It is crucial you be there so we can begin the next Rotary year with firm plans in place. Please come with your ideas!!!

May 26th—Flight of Honor

Just three weeks ago over 100 WWII veterans experienced a long overdue thank you from the community of southeastern North Carolina. The inaugural Honor Flight on April 13, 2010 was a tribute to their service 65 years ago as they stopped an empire, conquered a tyrant and saved the world. The flight was a one day trip to Washington D.C to see the WWII Memorial built in their honor. To some; the day was described as the best day of their lives. To others; a day filled with overwhelming emotion. To most; a day they thought never possible. And to all; gratitude that their service had not been forgotten.

Your continued support is needed. Just this week we decided to move forward with plans for a second flight on May 26th. With over 140 applications on hand from veterans… it is the right thing to do. Our heroes of the Greatest Generation are passing away at a rate of 1,200 per day and within the next 5-7 years most will be gone. The time is now and we need your help.

Your help is urgently needed. For every veteran on the flight we need to raise $400 to cover the flight, tour buses, meals, insurance, memorabilia, etc. (Volunteers on the flight pay their own way) Your help is needed over the next two weeks to help raise an additional $20,000 to meet payment deadlines. With everyone’s help we are confident that we can meet this goal.

Make your personal donation today. Then:

We ask for everyone to reach out to their family, friends and colleagues and ask them to help pay tribute to our WWII heroes by making a donation to help sponsor one of our veterans.

We ask that you forward this urgent request for help to all your affiliates including business partners, churches, civic groups, associations, etc.

Donations can be sent directly to Honor Flight of Southeastern NC at P.O. Box 4563, Wilmington, NC 28403 or Donate Online. Any amount given is greatly appreciated. Information is also available on our website for groups wanting to conduct fund-raising activities for HFSENC. Donations are tax deductible.

Many of you have already given of your time and treasure to help with this incredible mission. Thank you.

For our veterans that gave so much…Let’s give all we can.

Let’s keep ‘em flying,

June 2nd —Gold Tournament at Pinehurst to benefit Boys and Girls Home in Lake Wacamaw

There will be a Golf Tournament held at Pinehurst to raise money for our Boys and Girls Home at Lake Wacamaw. The deadline for registering your golf team is coming up. Many great prized will be offered including a “CAR” for a hole in one. Need more details?
Contact Henry Brown at hbrown308@nc.rr.com

June 21-24—International Convention in Montreal

The 2009-2010 International Convention will be held in Montreal on June 21-24, 2010. This is a chance to see the real internationality of Rotary and meet new friends. If you would like Southland Brunch tickets, please contact DGE Magda.

July 10—DGE Magda’s Installation

DGE Magda’s installation banquet will be held in Fayetteville on July 10th so mark your calendars.

What’s Ahead? –April 19th

District Conference

There is less than 2 weeks left to register for the District Conference. The program that is planned includes a magic show, jazz performance, hands-on projects, international speakers, meeting new and old friends, and learning about Rotary. Stop Hunger Now is a hands-on meal-packing program. We will package 10,000 meals for Haiti on Saturday afternoon. Join us on Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil for World Peace. This is in honor of the military so if you are a veteran or active military, please let us know if you will be with us. International friends will join us via computer.
Club and business displays are welcome.
Please register on the database or send your registration to Marilyn Everett.

International Convention in Montreal

The International Convention will be held in Montreal, Canada on June 21-24, 2010. It isn’t too late to register and definitely not too late to purchase tickets for the Southland Brunch. Please contact DGE Magda Baggett to get your tickets for this Zone event.

RLI

The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) 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, interactive, and geared toward busy business and professional persons who want to be more effective leaders in their vocation and club and more knowledgeable Rotarians.
The next sessions are listed below. For future listings, please visit the RLI website:
Rotary Leadership Institute

May 8 2010 Blacksburg VA (f/Feb 6′ 10)
May 8, 2010 Mooresville NC (f/Feb 13 ’10)
May 15, 2010 Beckley WV (f/Feb 27 ’10)

District Assembly

What is District Assembly? PETS begins the training for Presidents and District Assembly enhances that training as well as trains club officers, Board of Directors, and any member who would like more information about the District and club operations. This year’s training will bring in the expertise of many Zone trainers. You will meet with District leaders and plan together for the 2010-2011 so please put May 22, 2010 on your calendar.

What’s Ahead??—April 12th

The Rotary Centers for Peace

Yesterday the 2010 Peace Center graduates presented a synopsis of their area of study to a packed room full of host families, 1st year students, and Rotarians. These exceptional young people are dedicated to making a difference in the world and the many ideas and studies they conducted evidenced this ideal. Graduate Darshan Mundana from India will be presenting his project for women at our conference. Put early April 2012 on your calendar for the next Peace conference in Chapel Hill.
Visit the website: http://rotarypeacecenternc.typepad.com/

Flight of Honor

The first Flight of Honor for WWII veterans will return to Wilmington on Tuesday, April 13th at 7:25 p.m. If you would like to help me greet them, please be at the airport no later than 7:00 p.m. A heartfelt thanks goes to the sponsoring Rotary clubs and the Rotarians serving as guardians.

GSE Team from District 7030

Below, find the blog from the inbound GSE team. You might see your name there as they tell about their experiences in our District.

http://gse2010teamnc.blogspot.com/

Stop Hunger Now

As a hands on project during the conference, we will join with our Interactors, Rotaractors, and RYLA delegates packaging food for Haiti. We will package 10,000 meals. Many of our clubs have experience doing this project so please join us. We will need your experience. A HUGEEE thank you goes to John Eller and the Swansboro Rotary Club for making this happen. They raised $2,000 for Haiti. Another HUGEEE thank you goes to President Jeff Newman and the Wilmington Rotary for their quick response when I put out the call for additional funding. It takes $2500 to complete 10,000 meals.

Rotaract at Methodist University

A new Rotaract Club has just been established at Methodist University. You will have a chance to meet many of them at our conference on Saturday. They have 41 students listed as Charter members and that is only the beginning. Archivist Librarian Arleen Fields and
Director of Student Affairs, Doris Jackson are the co-advisors for this newly formed club. Arleen traveled to India on a GSE team in 2007 and has since joined The Rotary Club of West Fayetteville. Doris is currently a GSE team member and is traveling in District 7030 Caribbean. How cool is that?? You will meet both of these ladies at the District Conference.

District Conference

I am not above begging you to attend the District Conference at the Hilton in New Bern, N.C. on April 30-May 2, 2010. That is about two weeks away. Our Rotary program is fantastic and our “fun” scope is off the radar screen. Please give us a try and come to the District Conference.

NID 2010 from Rotary 7730 on Vimeo.

Twenty-seven Rotarians from USA and ten from Mauritius joined together for a National Immunization Day in Dhanbad, India. DG Nancy Barbee from District 7730 sponsored the trip. This was a first for her district as well as for Zone 33. The group traveled to Delhi, Agra, and Calcutta before making their way to Dhanbad on Feb. 7, 2010 to help immunize children against Polio. There were 10 Districts involved, including D3250 in India. This video shows an overview of their experiences with Polio, from the Polio Plus Office and WHO in Delhi to polio corrective surgeries, Jaipur Limp Centers, and of course dropping the drops into children’s mouths. Together we are making history.