October 29, 2007

Posted by Fred Woodhams 
 
Today, October 29, 2007: Maria Stuart has arranged for the mayoral candidates to discuss the concerns for the City of Howell. 
 
Remember that today is COLORDAY.   It is an opportunity to wear your school colors, whether high school or college, to Rotary. 
 
This color day originated when the Michigan State supporters, having hired a new coach (something done every other year) challenged the few (but true) Michigan supporters.  This is a gracious event with some good natured kidding and just a few knife fights (with plastic knives, no less).   Some Sergeants of Arms request a song or two, but nothing more.
 
November 5:  The speaker is still undetermined.
 
November 12: Mike Hall has invited Charlotte Swan from the local Morgan Stanley office to speak.  Most of us know Charlotte as Peter Bowen's wife.
 
Sell Those Tickets, Help the Community
The Howell Rotary Holiday Raffle is in full swing. Each member is being asked to sell 10 tickets. If you cannot afford that, then sign up today to sell tickets a meeting of other Rotary Clubs in Livingston County, or at the Festival of Lights.
 
 
Your Ideas Needed
We are soliciting ideas of what organizations the Howell Rotary will support, so please make suggestions. Our Steering Committee led by Jim Gilligan and our Board will be developing a list of organizations to help support. Jim would really like to hear from you if you have and idea. To date, we have elected to continue our support of the Interact Club at Howell High, and Rotary Foundation.
 
 
Membership Directory
By now you should have received an email from Jim Gilligan with a membership directory attached. If you you want to update your profile but are unsure how, contact Jim and he will gladly help you. There are extra copies of the directory in the meeting room as well.
 
 
 
The Programs of Rotary International
Rotary International's programs and service opportunities, listed below, are designed to help Rotarians meet the needs of their own communities and assist people worldwide. Global Networking Groups encompass Rotary Fellowships (vocational and recreational interest groups) and Rotarian Action Groups (groups focused on service activities). The more than 90 Global Networking Groups are open to all Rotarians, spouses of Rotarians, and Rotaractors.

Interact  is a service organization organized and sponsored by Rotary clubs for youth ages 14-18. It has more than 10,900 clubs in 121 countries.

Rotaract  is organized by Rotary clubs to promote leadership, professional development, and service among young adults ages 18-30. There are more than 7,000 clubs in 162 countries.

Rotary Community Corps   (RCC) are groups of non-Rotarians who work to improve their communities. There are more than 6,400 RCCs in 76 countries, all organized and sponsored by Rotary clubs.

Rotary Friendship Exchange  encourages Rotarians and their families to make reciprocal visits to other countries, staying in each other's homes and learning about different cultures firsthand.

Rotary Volunteers allows Rotarians and other skilled professionals to offer their services and experience to local and international humanitarian projects.

Rotary Youth Exchange offers students ages 15-19 the chance to travel abroad for cultural exchanges of one week to a full academic year. Rotary clubs and districts sponsor and host about 9,000 Youth Exchange students a year.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards  (RYLA) are seminars sponsored by clubs and districts to encourage and recognize the leadership abilities of youth and young adults ages 14-30.

World Community Service  (WCS) allows Rotary clubs and districts from at least two countries to implement community service projects together.

Board-recommended service opportunities, listed in the Menu of Service Opportunities, are major areas of need or concern that the RI Board has encouraged clubs to consider when planning projects:

  • Children at risk
  • Disabled persons
  • Health care
  • International understanding and goodwill
  • Literacy and numeracy
  • Population issues
  • Poverty and hunger
  • Preserve Planet Earth
  • Urban concerns

The Rotary Foundation also offers several programs, such as PolioPlus .

Learn more in  Rotary Basics .