INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A PEACE SCHOLAR AND ROTARIAN 2 COMMENTS FROM OUR LEADERS 3,5 ZONE 22 EAST GSE/ SCHOLAR ORIENTATION 4 MORE EXCITING NEWS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM 6 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 from our General Coordinator on page 3. Included in this issue on page 6 you will find some frequently asked questions and the answers about both the peace symposium and the alumni celebration. Please bring these events to the attention of Rotarians and Alumni in your districts. I know these events will prove to be meaningful and worthwhile. May I take this opportunity to wish all of you every happiness of the season. Let us spread the warmth of Rotary to bring peace and joy to all. We have reached the half- way mark of this Rotary year. I would like to urge you all to evaluate what you still have to do to fulfill our goals. We said at the beginning that we are going to take small steps in this effort to bring our alumni into Rotary. Now is the time to increase our “footprint” in this effort by taking a bigger step. One of these bigger steps in our effort to reconnect with alumni of the Foundation programs is to organize an alumni reception. A good opportunity to do so would be at your spring district conferences, an excellent time to run adjunct alumni receptions. I was greatly encouraged by the Zone 22 East orientation seminar for both outgoing Ambassadorial Scholars and GSE teams. Consistent up- front expectations and the dynamics of several GSE teams and scholars in one location really promote the big picture of our Foundation’s work. There is more information about this unique event on page 4 of this newsletter. Let’s encourage our alumni to attend the pre-International convention meetings, June 18th to 20th, 2009, highlighted in the November issue of the Alumni newsletter. There is more about this in the comments Rotary International Zone 22 East Alumni Newsletter FROM THE DESK OF JOAN HAYWARD DECEMBER/JANUARY, 2009 Do you have stories about Alumni who have been involved in newsworthy activities? Have these activities been shaped by their experiences as being participants in the programs of The Rotary Foundation? If so, I’d really like to highlight them in this newsletter. Please see the last page for details. At their October meeting, The Rotary Foundation Trustees changed the eligibility policy for the annual Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award to permit all 34 zones to submit a candidate every year, effective immediately. Previously, the policy provided for an even-odd system, with 2008-09 being the year for odd-numbered zones to submit candidates for the global award. This would have meant that Zone 22 would not have been eligible this year. However, with the change in policy we are now eligible to submit a candidate this year. The nomination forms and information are attached. Should you wish to nominate an alumni for this award, please forward the nomination, through your District Alumni Chairs, to me by December 5th. I sent these forms to the District Alumni Chairs in the middle of November because of the deadline’s being so close. GLOBAL ALUMNI SERVICE TO HUMANITY AWARD - a message to the District Alumni Chairs -
Transcript
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
A PEACE SCHOLAR AND ROTARIAN
2
COMMENTS FROM OUR LEADERS
3,5
ZONE 22 EAST GSE/SCHOLAR
ORIENTATION
4
MORE EXCITING NEWS ABOUT
BIRMINGHAM
6
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6
from our General Coordinator
on page 3.
Included in this issue on page
6 you will find some
frequently asked questions
and the answers about both
the peace symposium and the
alumni celebration.
Please bring these events to
the attention of Rotarians and
Alumni in your districts. I
know these events will prove
to be meaningful and
worthwhile.
May I take this opportunity to
wish all of you every
happiness of the season. Let
us spread the warmth of
Rotary to bring peace and joy
to all.
We have reached the half-
way mark of this Rotary year.
I would like to urge you all to
evaluate what you still have
to do to fulfill our goals. We
said at the beginning that we
are going to take small steps
in this effort to bring our
alumni into Rotary. Now is
the time to increase our
“footprint” in this effort by
taking a bigger step.
One of these bigger steps in
our effort to reconnect with
alumni of the Foundation
programs is to organize an
alumni reception. A good
opportunity to do so would be
at your spring district
conferences, an excellent
time to run adjunct alumni
receptions.
I was greatly encouraged by
the Zone 22 East orientation
seminar for both outgoing
Ambassadorial Scholars and
GSE teams. Consistent up-
front expectations and the
dynamics of several GSE
teams and scholars in one
location really promote the
big picture of our
Foundation’s work. There is
more information about this
unique event on page 4 of
this newsletter.
Let’s encourage our alumni
to attend the pre-International
convention meetings, June
18th to 20th, 2009,
highlighted in the November
issue of the Alumni
newsletter. There is more
about this in the comments
Rotary International Zone 22 East
Alumni Newsletter
FROM THE DESK OF JOAN HAYWARD
DECEMBER/JANUARY, 2009
Do you have stories about
Alumni who have been
involved in newsworthy
activities? Have these
activities been shaped by
their experiences as being
participants in the
programs of The Rotary
Foundation?
If so, I’d really like to
highlight them in this
newsletter. Please see the
last page for details.
At their October meeting, The Rotary Foundation Trustees changed the eligibility
policy for the annual Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award to permit all 34
zones to submit a candidate every year, effective immediately.
Previously, the policy provided for an even-odd system, with 2008-09 being the year
for odd-numbered zones to submit candidates for the global award. This would have
meant that Zone 22 would not have been eligible this year. However, with the change
in policy we are now eligible to submit a candidate this year.
The nomination forms and information are attached. Should you wish to nominate an
alumni for this award, please forward the nomination, through your District Alumni
Chairs, to me by December 5th. I sent these forms to the District Alumni Chairs in
the middle of November because of the deadline’s being so close.
GLOBAL ALUMNI SERVICE TO HUMANITY AWARD - a message to the District Alumni Chairs -
STRENGTHENING TODAY’S LEADERS to BUILD PEACE By Cheryl Hebert, Rotary Peace Fellow
I had the good fortune of spending my summer of 2007
with 19 leaders from around the world who share the
same desire – seeking peaceful solutions to our
problems whether they be individual, community, or
global. The 3 month course I attended at
Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand was
established in July 2006 to help mid to upper level
professionals become better equipped to prevent and
resolve conflict and promote world understanding and
peace. It is one of seven Rotary Peace Centres around
the world.
It was simply an email from a Rotarian, sent via my
social work association, that alerted me to the program.
I contacted my local Club, Harbourside Rotary, where I
received support and guidance on the next steps. I had
to submit an application, including a personal
statement, and was interviewed by selection panels at
both the Club and District levels. The final decision
was made at the international level.
The experience was inspirational. As well as being
immersed in the Thai culture I had the opportunity to
get to know a diverse group of people from countries in
Asia, Europe, Africa and other parts of North America.
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 PAGE 2
Our many course instructors shared their wealth of
knowledge and practical experience on conflict
analysis, mediation, and strategies for peace and
reconciliation. The field trips to Northern Thailand
and Cambodia were the highlight for me as I was
both challenged by the complexity of the issues and
inspired by the courage and perseverance of the
people. The experience provided me with a new
appreciation of the importance of human rights.
I recently joined Harbourside Rotary, the Club that
sponsored me, as I was impressed with their kinship
and commitment to community. The Rotary
International Peace Community Program was also a
motivator as the philosophy is simple but sound –
peace begins in the family, in the home and in the
community. This message is congruent with the
work I do at the Nova Scotia Human Rights
Commission and as a volunteer with the Community
Justice Program.
I encourage others to learn more about the Rotary
Peace Centres and to promote this very important
contribution Rotary is making to building world
peace.
Editor’s Note: I first became aware of Cheryl and her experience in Thailand at the District
7070 Conference in October of this year at Deerhurst Resort, north of Toronto. Your district
conferences can be a very useful tool in promoting the idea of bringing back these alumni into
the family of Rotary.
District 7070 is supporting a scholar to attend this same program and because of her
attendance at the GSE/Scholar orientation in Markham, Ontario, she will be able to contact
Cheryl as another resource person as she prepares to participate in this exciting new program.
COMMENTS from GENERAL COORDINATOR RODNEY MAZINTER
In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find
themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists. -Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author
(1902-1983)
It is in the spirit of the above quotation that the
organizers of the alumni pre-convention event in
Birmingham, England next June are tweaking the
very successful Los Angeles Rotary Alumni
Celebration program in order to make it more
relevant, and in keeping with the ideals of The
Rotary Foundation’s Educational Programs to
promote peace, tolerance and international
understanding. (Please see and circulate among
your districts the links that are included in the
“Rotary Alumni Celebration – 2009” in this
bulletin below.)
While an exit poll revealed that last year’s event
met the expectations of 80% of the participants,
33% pointed to the paucity of alumni speakers and
38% pointed out that there was not enough time
allowed for questions and answers.
Your helpful criticism has been heard and this is
how the lack will be rectified:
The Birmingham Celebration will take place on
Saturday 20 June 2009 at the Birmingham Hilton
Metropole Hotel. The morning session will be
dominated by a presentation by an Ambassadorial
Scholar alumnus, retired World Bank Vice-
President for Europe, J.F. Rischard, in which he
will discuss aspects of the 20 most important and
urgent global problems of the 21st century, their
effect on the future, their dangers to peace and
international understanding, and their possible
solutions. It is in finding answers to the
unprecedented stresses these problems generate that
Mr. Rischard will steer us in the direction of
unprecedented opportunities. It is precisely here that
Foundation alumni, whose education to prepare
them for future leadership was one of the primary
reasons that The Rotary Foundation established its
educational awards, will be invited to draw on their
experience and participate in the exciting break-out
and question and answer sessions.
In order to be well prepared it is important that these
issues are discussed at all levels, not least at the
alumni association level. Please bring this important
pre-convention meeting to the attention of the
alumni associations in your districts. Encourage
alumni not yet members of their association to join.
Urge districts that do not yet have an alumni
association to form one (see Jeff Cadorette’s helpful
modus operandi in this bulletin.)... Enlist the help of
the governor and Foundation chair in each district to
reach as many Rotarians and Foundation alumni as
possible, and to encourage them to register for
Birmingham.
The Rotary Foundation Trustees will meet in
Evanston shortly and after the meeting, when certain
proposals will have been discussed and decided on,
we will be in a position to give you more
information about this exciting opportunity for
alumni, whether through an association or
individually.
Rotary Alumni Celebration at the 2009 RI Convention in Birmingham, England
All RFACs are asked to help promote the 2nd Rotary Alumni Celebration in Birmingham, England on 20 June.
This event will be held in conjunction with the 2nd Rotary World Peace Symposium 18-19 June. Information has
been posted to the RI Web site at http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/Events/Convention/Pages/
Preconregistration.aspx#4. Also attached is correspondence that will be sent to alumni along with the
accompanying flyer.
AlumniCelebFlyr_EN.pdf
RAC and Peace Symposium Letter to ALUMNI_EN.doc
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 PAGE 3
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 PAGE 4
THE SECOND ANNUAL GSE/SCHOLAR ORIENTATION November 14th and 15th, 2008
Imagine what it would be like to be at a Rotary Club meeting
with 40 of our Zone’s brightest and most enthusiastic young
professionals, all of whom are alumni of The Rotary
Foundation programs! The chatter, the enthusiasm, the
laughter, the wit, the energy that these young adults bring to
the meetings is just outstanding and you are so impressed by
the quality of the conversations and the depth of the
perceptions.
This was the atmosphere on the weekend of November 14th
and 15th at the second joint GSE/Scholar orientation held for
the districts in Zone 22 East. What a privilege it was to be
among young, fertile minds who so want to be a part of our
fabulous organization!
Our message to them was twofold:
• We want you as Rotarians after your return; and
• Please take on the responsibility of keeping in touch
with your sponsoring clubs and districts so that we
don’t lose contact with you.
My thanks to the 40 GSE team members and scholars who
made this event a resounding success. In addition the
participants included the following staff who joined me: 2
former GSE team leaders, 2 former GSE team members, 1
former scholar, 1 RRFC, 1 former RRFC, and 1 member
of RI’s GSE staff. Thanks also to District 7070’s DG,
DGE, DGN and Scholarship Chair for their support. In
addition the DGE from District 7080 joined us as a
participant.
“It was an excellent
orientation seminar!
Thank you!”
“ I feel more
prepared to start
preparing for my
GSE trip.”
“Group work was
great—gets
everyone
communicating and
interacting, sharing
“It was wonderful to
meet so many amazing
people...My team is well
on their way to forming
life-long friendships.”
“The dynamics of
the group were
exceptional!”
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 PAGE 5
COMMENTS from ASSISTANT GENERAL COORDINATOR JEFFRY CADORETTE
It has been almost four years since the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation built on the work provided by the Foundation Alumni Resource
Group (FARG) and formed a new network of Rotarians trained to implement a new initiative to reconnect and stay connected with Rotary
Foundation Alumni. With additional staff and resources, the position of Rotary Foundation alumni coordinator (RFAC) was formed.
RFACs now work with Rotary Foundation leadership teams in every zone throughout the Rotary world to provide assistance and support
for alumni activities in all of our districts.
One activity that has proved to be very popular in the Washington, DC area has been semiannual alumni receptions. Hosted by the Rotary
Club of Capitol Hill, the event brings together 40-60 alumni for several hours of networking, connecting and reconnecting. Alumni are
able to connect with fellow alumni, reconnect with Rotary International, and connect with local Rotarians, while learning about the
current efforts of The Rotary Foundation.
The Washington, DC receptions are stand alone events. They are not connected with another Rotary program or conference. This past
September, an alumni reception was held in conjunction with the Rotary institute being convened in Philadelphia PA, USA. The
advantages, in addition to the ones offered by a stand alone event, can be numerous. It is an opportunity for past, present, and future
Rotary officers from around the Rotary zones to meet with and talk with Foundation alumni. It allows RI Directors (convening and
attending) to interact with alumni who participated in Foundation programs a year ago, a decade ago, or longer. It allows alumni to
interact with senior leaders of Rotary who may be in attendance at the institute.
You can also connect a Foundation alumni reception to a district conference, a Foundation and/or membership seminar or workshop or
even a district or regional training (PETS, district assembly, etc.).
There is a clear advantage in the Philadelphia and Washington areas that may not exist everywhere. These large metropolitan areas have
many Foundation alumni living and working there. Not all parts of the Rotary world have this, but don’t be afraid to start small.
Here are some steps to follow when planning a Rotary Foundation alumni reception/event:
• Talk to the chair/organizer of the event you want to partner with and get their permission to be a part of that institute, district
conference, seminar, etc.
• You will need a room at the venue for approximately two hours.
• Refreshments need not be expensive or elaborate. Light snacks and drinks are all that is necessary.
• Rotary Foundation alumni coordinators, district alumni subcommittee chairs, and district Rotary Foundation chairs should all work
together as appropriate to organize the event. Remember to include any local alumni associations if you have them.
• Work with the list of Rotary Foundation alumni living in your district to develop an invitation list. Contact [email protected] if you
need to obtain this list.
• Invitations can be written or electronic. Ask alumni to RSVP so that you can gauge refreshment quantities.
• Be sure to select a date that does not conflict with any local or national events or holidays.
• Provide alumni with a registration form if needed, in particular if they are being invited to any sessions or meals (A small fee can be
charged for these activities, but it is recommended to keep fees as low as possible.)
• Organize a registration table to greet alumni as they arrive to provide name tags or registration badges and collect current contact
information. A nice touch is to have small flag stickers from nations around the world to attach to nametags. This allows alumni who
went to the same country to identify each other.
• Provide an information table with various brochures/materials about The Rotary Foundation as well as your local area.
• The reception should be long on networking, reconnecting, and conversation and short on program. Experience shows that 20
minutes of “program” is plenty.
• About an hour into the event, have the appropriate individuals welcome the alumni and guests share brief comments. Allow time to
answer any questions.
• Be sure to follow-up your event as appropriate, by answering any resulting questions, thanking attendees, and sharing photos or
outcomes.
• Begin thinking about what your next Foundation alumni event should be.
Remember that this is a cultivation event. The short term goal is to reconnect with Foundation alumni, some of whom may not have heard
from Rotary in years. Long term goals can include membership in a Rotary club, donations to the Foundation, involvement in service
projects, and alumni associations. Most importantly, the message needs to be that whether membership or donations are realistic or not, a
life long partnership with Rotary International is desired. As Foundation alumni, these people are forever a part of the Rotary family and
lifelong partners in citizen diplomacy.
Foundation alumni receptions or events connected to existing Rotary events are a cost-effective and easy way to maintain and
build a lifelong connection between Rotary Foundation alumni and Rotary.
Rotary W Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the Rotary World Peace Symposium?
A: The Rotary World Peace Symposium is an official preconvention event tailored for Rotarians and Rotary World Peace Fellows
and alumni. It will include plenary sessions on issues vital to world peace and understanding, prominent speakers, and networking
opportunities for Rotarians, peace fellows, and alumni.
Q: What is the Rotary Alumni Celebration?
A: The Rotary Alumni Celebration is an official preconvention event tailored to all Foundation alumni and Rotarians. It includes
notable speakers, breakout sessions, and social gatherings for Foundation alumni and friends.
Q: Why should I attend the Rotary Alumni Celebration?
A: The Rotary Alumni Celebration is an opportunity to reconnect with Rotary, learn about its service opportunities and ways to be
involved, and celebrate Foundation alumni’s experiences and achievements.
Q: When and where will they take place?
A: The Rotary World Peace Symposium begins Thursday, 18 June, and continues through Friday, 19 June. The Rotary Alumni
Celebration will be held on Saturday, 20 June. Both events will be hosted at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. The Rotary
International Convention will follow immediately after, 21-24 June.
Q: Can I register for both events?
A: Yes. Registration for the Rotary World Peace Symposium will automatically include registration for the Rotary Alumni
Celebration. Attendees can choose to register for only the Rotary Alumni Celebration as well. Rotary World Peace Symposium
attendees will also have the option of purchasing tickets for meal events.
Q: Do I have to register for the convention to attend the preconvention events?
A: Yes. All Rotarians, Rotary World Peace Fellows, and Foundation alumni have to be registered for the convention in order to
attend either the Rotary World Peace Symposium or the Rotary Alumni Celebration. A greatly reduced registration rate is being
offered for Foundation alumni within seven years of program participation (Rotary year 2001-02 or later). See the Birmingham
Convention Registration Form for details.
Q: Who is eligible for the reduced registration rate (category 8 — TRF alumnus 2001-02 or later)?
A: This rate only applies to recent alumni who were not Rotarians during their Foundation program experience. Recent
Ambassadorial Scholars, Rotary World Peace Fellows, non-Rotarian University Teachers, and GSE team members are eligible
regardless of their current membership in a Rotary club. Unfortunately, GSE team leaders, Rotarian University Teachers, and Rotary
Volunteers (alumni that were already Rotarians at the time of their program experience) are ineligible for this special rate. Non-
Rotarian alumni or Rotarian alumni who qualify to receive this rate can only register using the paper form.
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 PAGE 6 Rotary World Peace Symposium
