DG Karen's February Message

Posted 
on Feb 11, 2011
 

DG Karen is pictured with Outbound Exchange Student to Taiwan, John-Louis Pane. Left to right is dad - Joe, John-Louis, mom - Debra, DG Karen, Medina President Julianna Duda and PE Katie Whipple.  

February is ____________ Month.  

Yes, the month of February enjoys many different recognition references, including:

  • Valentine's Day - when we recognize our favourite loved ones with flowers, chocolate & candy, evenings out on the town and cards.
  • Presidents Day - recognition of all past US Presidents.
  • Rotary Day - February 23rd  - celebrate the 106th anniversary of Rotary with your fellow Rotarians in your communities.
  • World Understanding Month

World Understanding Month - This month is a perfect time to reflect on our Rotary involvement, as individual Rotarians, and as Rotary clubs, in International Service.  Our Presidential Citation asks the following questions regarding participation in International Service:

International Service

1.     Is your club currently serving as the host club, or as the sponsor club of a candidate, for a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar or a Rotary World Peace Fellow? (5 points)

2.     Has your club served within the last 12 months as a host club for a Group Study Exchange team or as the sponsor club of a candidate for a Group Study Exchange team? (5 points)

3.     Is your club currently serving as the host club, or as the sponsor club of a candidate, for a Rotary Youth Exchange student? (5 points)

4.     Has your club actively supported Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge for polio eradication? (5 points)

5.     Has your club actively participated in a Matching Grant or a 3-H Grant from The Rotary Foundation during the current Rotary year?  (5 points)

6.     Has your club actively participated in an international project during the current Rotary year with the assistance of funds from a District Simplified Grant received by your district from The Rotary Foundation?  (5 points)

7.     Has your club supported a World Community Service project though a financial contribution, the donation of goods, or volunteer service in the past 12 months? (5 points)

8.     Has your club accepted the challenge of the Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative as evidenced either by a contribution from every club member to The Rotary Foundation during the current Rotary year or by an average contribution to The Rotary Foundation of at least US$100 per member for the current Rotary year? (10 points)

9.     Does at least one member of your club belong to a Rotary Fellowship or a Rotarian Action Group? (5 points)

 

This category has 50 points available. How many points has your club scored?  (Please read on to see how the District is doing supporting these activities).

 

 

 

In District 7090, we are doing well with our support of these activities, and I thank everyone who has embraced support of International Service. To date in our district, we have accomplished the following:

 

1.     Scholar Candidates - check with our Foundation committee for the approaching deadlines to submit candidates.

2.     Group Study Exchange with South Korea - Our clubs welcomed our South Korea visitors, and our outgoing team is currently preparing in earnest for their approaching time in South Korea.

3.     Youth Exchange Students - for 2010-2011 D7090 had 25 Outbound Students in 16 countries and 24 Inbound students from 16 countries.   The YE program held the annual district interviews for prospective exchange students during Mid-January 2011. The Canadian interviews were held on Saturday in Hamilton with 14 students being interviewed and on Sunday the US interviews had 12 interviewees. - We have a great group of 26 students in this upcoming year's class which is up 1 student from last year.

4.     Polio - As at 31-01-2011, Rotary D7090 contributions for this Rotary year 01Jul 2010 to date are $106,711.65 from 49 of our 73 clubs, with a further $32,000 contribution from our DDF (district designated funds).  Let us keep those monies coming as we push towards our goal to Eradicate POLIO!

5.     Matching Grants - Number 73216 to fund 100 Latrines in Haiti.

6.     District Simplified Grants = 14 grants with -  11 for Local Communities, 3 for International Communities for a total $24,800.

7.     World community Service Projects - Refer WCS Catalogue for D7090 list of approved projects.

8.     EREY - District 7090 clubs have contributed $183,948.59 to the Annual Programs Fund, with 53 of our 73 clubs having made some contribution to date. 

9.     Rotary Fellowship or Rotarian Action Group --- lots of good Rotary options under these programs to be enjoyed with your fellow Rotarians.

I ask that each of you as club members review your club position relative to our International Avenue of Service, and ensure that your fine efforts are reflected in this section of the Presidential Citation application. I value your important work in our District 7090, and I thank you for your commitment to Rotary Service.

In his February message, Ray Klinginsmith, President, Rotary International, says "We have so much to be proud of as Rotarians.  This is our finest hour, and our best days are still ahead as we help our clubs to be Bigger, Better and Bolder."

Yours in Rotary Service

Karen L. Oakes