Pete Taylor DG Newsletter – FEBRUARY 2014

Posted by Peter Taylor 
on Feb 01, 2014
 
WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH - Rotary's full name is Rotary International. Has your club taken advantage of Rotary's international aspects? Since February has been designated World Understanding Month, I would like to share a half dozen opportunities with you that your club members may enjoy.
 
POLIO ERADICATION SUPPORT. India has been certified as polio-free, so we are now down to three countries with measurable polio (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria). The diagonal line reflecting decreasing polio incidence is not perfectly straight. There will continue to be some short-term spikes until we get the job done. As you continue to support this campaign, please know that you are in good company. A few months ago, some mid-East countries got together and pledged $4 billion to help finish the job. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now supporting your donations with a 2:1 matching offer. You should be very proud of the progress we have made. We are THIS CLOSE! Please continue supporting PolioPlus.

YOUTH EXCHANGE. You have got to like these kids! What an extraordinary opportunity you have to expand horizons by either sponsoring or hosting an exchange student.  District Youth Exchange Chairperson Becky Fontaine has informed me that two more clubs have committed to hosting students next year. Thank you Lacey and Lakewood!

FOUNDATION PROGRAMS. Our widest avenue toward internationality comes to us via the Rotary Foundation. Look on our district web site (then District Areas of Service, then Foundation, then Foundation Overview). 
This page is packed with opportunities, loosely categorized as: 

 

  1. grants (most often international and in conjunction with other clubs)
  2. educational (Ambassadorial Scholars, Peace Fellowships)
  3. vocational (Vocational Training Teams). 

Peace Fellow candidates are interviewed in April or May, and Ambassadorial candidates in September. Clubs will be notified of application submission dates.

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION DAYS (NIDs). These involve groups of Rotarians from different clubs in our area (D5020 & D5030) who go to Africa together to administer oral polio vaccine. There are also other opportunities for you to go abroad as part of a team supporting an international project.

ROTARY ACTION GROUPS AND FELLOWSHIPS. There are two others which are in their own categories, Rotarian Action Groups (individual Rotarians in various clubs supporting a
cause) and Rotarian Fellowships (Rotarians in various clubs with similar hobbies/interests). There is also the granddaddy of them all -- the Rotary International Convention. The next four will be in Sydney, Sao Paulo, Seoul and Atlanta. It is at one of these extraordinary gatherings where you will mingle with Rotarians from around the world. These Rotarians may be of different ethnicity, belief or attire, but we all have one thing in common - our commitment to providing Service Above Self.

WORLD UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE DAY - The first Rotary meeting took place in Chicago on February 23, 1905, when Paul Harris and three of his friends got together to pursue what can best be described as a vocationally-based mission: They simply wanted to promote doing business with each other. Obviously, the organization's mission has changed. The date remains significant, however, as it is now promoted within Rotary as World Understanding and Peace Day. In support thereof, I have asked clubs, either individually or as part of an area activity, to commemorate the occasion in a meaningful way (Mayoral Proclamation, joint Club - Foundation event, Club Ceremony, etc.). I look forward to hearing how clubs commemorated February 23rd.

WORLD UNDERSTANDING PROMOTION. - Paul Harris once wrote, "Fear and Hate Must Go! And they will go when nations have goodwill based on understanding." This comes from the founder of an organization which has, as a non-government organization, taken on the task of eliminating a dreaded disease from the face of the Earth. I think this sets the tone of what our role on this rotating orb should be and look forward to your promoting world understanding throughout the month.

ASSISTANT GOVERNOR CHANGES. As of January 1, Ken Whitemann (Port Alberni Arrowsmith) has taken over as Assistant Governor for Area 2B, replacing Ed Fougner. Robert Buckley (Courtenay) is the new AG for Area 1B, replacing Lana Eagle. Look for photos and bios soon.

SIGNIFICANT ROTARY EVENTS – As we enter the last five months of our Rotary year, please support these upcoming events:

 

  • PETS - all club presidents-elect (Feb. 14-16 at the Doubletree, SeaTac, WA)
  • RYLA - club-sponsored high school students leadership academy (Mar. 6-9 at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma)
  • DLTA – Designed for incoming and current club leadership, new members, and everybody in Rotary! (March 29-30, Grand Pacific, Victoria)
  • DISTRICT CONFERENCE – A celebration for everybody! (Chateau Fairmont, Whistler, BC, May 2-4)
  • RI CONVENTION – International confab for everybody! (Sydney, Australia, June 1-5)

Thanks, as always, to all of you whose work make this district so great!

Yours in Rotary,
DG Pete Taylor