ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION Sydney Australia 1-4 June 2014 Greetings Rotarians Super District DIGEST UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR: Greetings from Governor Donna ROTARY6400.ORG The Power of Literacy As the winter winds continue to blow and the snow is still falling, curling up with a good book inside your warm homes is a good way to enjoy a blustery day. Rotarians celebrate literacy during the month of March. Literacy is the ability to read, to write, to do math, to solve problems and to access and use technology. It is the basis for all other education. In 1985, Rotary declared basic literacy to be a pre-condition for the development of peace. Literacy is now one of the six areas of focus that have been identified by Rotary International. We started this month by welcoming the Australian Vocational Training Team from Rotary District 9550. Members of the Australian team include John Clark, Bryan Dobson, Shirley Verrall and Bruce Edwards. This team began their work with Pro-Literacy Detroit in 2011. They have returned to continue their work by sharing best literacy practices in adult education with Rotarians, literacy organizations and adult education staff and volunteers. The team will present seven literacy workshops and two roundtable literacy discussions during the month of March. Without literacy skills, today’s adults struggle to take part in the world around them and fail to reach their full potential as parents, community members and employees. Adults in particular need to possess strong literary skills in order to raise children who also develop strong literary skills. Learning to read begins long before a child enters school. It begins when parents read to their children, buy their children books, visit their local library and encourage their children to read. We know that educated mothers in developing countries are more likely to send their children to school than non-educated mothers. Adults with strong literacy skills tend to be good employees. Workers who are able to read safety regulations and warnings can stay safe on the job. Working in a team means that employees must be able to communicate clearly with one another. Rotary projects not only address the needs of adult learners but also focus on preschool children, elementary and secondary school children as well as students in vocational training programs and those with special needs. Rotarians in District 6400 distribute dictionaries and storybooks to schoolchildren. They build bookcases in reading rooms. They host events that involve families reading together. They bring in speakers to talk about literacy issues and they donate books to school and community libraries in the name of the speakers who present these programs. They pack writing and reading materials in school backpacks. They provide food for breakfast and lunch as well as weekend snacks so that children come to school prepared and ready to learn. Rotarians read to children, provide tutoring and serve as mentors. Eliminating illiteracy is not a simple task or we would have already solved this issue but Rotarians in District 6400 are “actively engaged” in this effort and are “changing lives” on a daily basis. Congratulations to everyone who is making a difference by working to increase literacy! Our District literacy co-chairs Lois VanStipdonk (RC of Wayne) and Sheila Blair-Mosley (RC of Windsor-Roseland) would also like to remind everyone about the District 6400 Literacy Recognition awards that will be presented at the District Conference. If your Rotary club has accomplished five March 13-15 Great Lakes Rotary PETS Kalamazoo Radisson Hotel March 20 Meet the District Governor Elect Southgate Holiday Inn March 23 World Water Day March 27 Rotary Club of Plymouth 90th Anniversary March 29 District Assembly Schoolcraft Community College SUPER DISTRICT 6400 MARCH 2014 SUPER DISTRICT 6400 : ) (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2) ROTARY INTERNATIONAL THEME 2013-2014 Donna Schmidt - Rotary 6400 Governor 2013-2014
Transcript
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
SydneyAustralia 1-4 June 2014
Greetings RotariansSuper DistrictDIGEST
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR:
Greetings from Governor Donna
ROTA
RY64
00.O
RG
The Power of Literacy
As the winter winds continue to blow and the snow is still falling, curling up with a good book inside your warm homes is a good way to enjoy a blustery day. Rotarians celebrate literacy during the month of March. Literacy is the ability to read, to write, to do math, to solve problems and to access and use technology. It is the basis for all other education. In 1985, Rotary declared basic literacy to be a pre-condition for the development of peace. Literacy is now one of the six areas of focus that have been identified by Rotary International.
We started this month by welcoming the Australian Vocational Training Team from Rotary District 9550. Members of the Australian team include John Clark, Bryan Dobson, Shirley Verrall and Bruce Edwards. This team began their work with Pro-Literacy Detroit in 2011. They have returned to continue their work by sharing best literacy practices in adult education with Rotarians, literacy organizations and adult education staff and volunteers. The team will present seven literacy workshops and two roundtable literacy discussions during the month of March. Without literacy skills, today’s adults struggle to take part in the world around them and fail to reach their full potential as parents, community members and employees.
Adults in particular need to possess strong literary skills in order to raise children who also develop strong literary skills. Learning to read begins long before a child enters school. It begins when parents read to their children, buy their children books, visit their local library and encourage their children to read. We know that educated mothers in developing countries are more likely to send their children to school than non-educated mothers.
Adults with strong literacy skills tend to be good employees. Workers who are able to read safety regulations and warnings can stay safe on the job. Working in a team means that employees must be able to communicate clearly with one another. Rotary projects not only address the needs of adult learners but also focus on preschool children, elementary and secondary school children as well as students in vocational training programs and those with special needs.
Rotarians in District 6400 distribute dictionaries and storybooks to schoolchildren. They build bookcases in reading rooms. They host events that involve families reading together. They bring in speakers to talk about literacy issues and they donate books to school and community libraries in the name of the speakers who present these programs. They pack writing and reading materials in school backpacks. They provide food for breakfast and lunch as well as weekend snacks so that children come to school prepared and ready to learn. Rotarians read to children, provide tutoring and serve as mentors. Eliminating illiteracy is not a simple task or we would have already solved this issue but Rotarians in District 6400 are “actively engaged” in this effort and are “changing lives” on a daily basis. Congratulations to everyone who is making a difference by working to increase literacy!
Our District literacy co-chairs Lois VanStipdonk (RC of Wayne) and Sheila Blair-Mosley (RC of Windsor-Roseland) would also like to remind everyone about the District 6400 Literacy Recognition awards that will be presented at the District Conference. If your Rotary club has accomplished five
March 13-15 Great Lakes Rotary PETS Kalamazoo Radisson Hotel
March 20 Meet the District Governor Elect Southgate Holiday Inn
March 23 World Water Day
March 27 Rotary Club of Plymouth 90th Anniversary
March 29 District Assembly Schoolcraft Community College
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: )
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL THEME 2013-2014
Donna Schmidt - Rotary 6400 Governor 2013-2014
literacy projects this year, please fill out the literacy application that can be found on the District website at www.rotary6400.org and email it to Lois or Sheila by April 10, 2014.
Please also mark your calendars for the due dates for the following awards that will be presented at District Conference. Applications for the Rotary Club Central award should be submitted online to Rotary International by March 15, 2014. The Presidential Citation, Presidential Interact Club Citation and Presidential Rotaract Club Citation should be submitted to DG Donna Schmidt by March 28, 2014. The Dick Hedke Award, Hugh Archer Club Project Excellence Award, Hugh Archer Collaborative Club Project Excellence Award and the Frank Devlyn Exemplary Public Relations Award should be sent to DGE Elizabeth Smith by April 1, 2014. Finally, District COG Award nominations should be emailed to DG Donna Schmidt by April 4, 2014 and District Club Service Awards should be sent to DGN Wayne Titus by April 5, 2014.
District Conference 2014 on Mackinac Island is less than 10 weeks from now! If you have not already registered, you can register online by going to www.rotary6400.org. You can also obtain a registration form from your Club President or Assistant Governor and mail or fax the completed form to Registrars PDG Bruce and Sue Goldsen. District conference is an opportunity for you to experience the best of Rotary in programs, fellowship and fun! I hope you will consider joining us at the Grand Hotel on May 8-11, 2014.
Smilingly yours, Donna
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Rotarians in the Adrian morning club are very proud to share that exchange student, Luisa Mateus was elected winter homecoming queen at her host school, Madison High School.
Congratulations Luisa!
Many years ago at the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) Art in the Park, Roseland Rotarian Sheila Blair Mosley was struck by love at first sight….and took Willis the Teddy Bear (and Art in the Park poster bear) home with her.
He lived the high life for many years with Sheila. One day Sheila had an idea! She thought it might be time for Willis to return “home”.
Sheila and Willis traveled to the Windsor (1918) Rotary meeting on Monday, January 20 (which by coincidence-was the day of the annual report on Art in the Park to the Club).
With tears in her eyes, Sheila told Willis’ story to everyone and with great sacrifice, passed Willis over to Renee Pare, 2013 Chair of AIP. Renee and her Committee where touched by this selfless gesture-in true Rotarian spirit!!!
The members of Windsor (1918) enjoyed hearing the story of Willis and Sheila. The AIP Committee promised to give Willis a caring new home!
Welcome home Willis! Janet Kelly, President
Youth Exchange Student becomes Homecoming Queen
“The Amazing Journey of Willis the Teddy Bear”
R O T A R I A N S D O I N G G O O D N E A R A N D F A R J O I N L E A D E R S
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Area AG heads to HaitiJulie Ricci is a member of the Rotary Club of Essex and is the Asst. Governor Area 9 – here is her story:
“In mid January, I travelled to Haiti with a group of 8 people (2 from Montreal, Quebec and the other six were from Southwestern Ontario. I was the only Rotarian but wow did we see a lot of what Rotary can do. We were able to view the three water wells that were installed with much of the funds coming from District 6400, RC of Essex and the help of the RC of Leamington.
A business from Iowa, USA also sponsored one of the three wells (Hy-Vee Stores). We gave out soccer balls (supplied by the RC of Livonia AM). I arranged an eye clinic over three days seeing just over 200 patients and gave out glasses from the 360 pairs we brought down with us. We did so much in a one-week period. It was awesome! It feels so great giving back.
Future mission trips will be arranged. I hope to return next year. If anyone wants to donate to this project, talk to me.”
In case you missed any of the first three webinars in the Lifecycle of a Service Project series, you can listen to the recordings online at your convenience:
PART 1: OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION
PART 2: PLANNING AND ORGANIZING
PART 3: ACQUIRING RESOURCES
And register for Part 4: Project Implementation, and Part 5: Evaluation and Promotion, at www.rotary.org/webinars.
Additional Service Project Resources:
ideas.rotary.org Browse projects in need of assistance or post yours on Rotary’s crowd contributing tool.
Rotary’s Areas of Focus Guide (965)Get this informative, color booklet for an introduction to Rotary’s six areas of focus
Communities in Action (605A)Find step-by-step instructions for developing, implementing, and evaluating successful service projects..
Community Assessment Tools (605C)Learn about eight useful tools for selecting an effective service project, including asset inventory, community mapping, and focus groups.
Creating Great Service Projects
R O T A R I A N S D O I N G G O O D N E A R A N D F A R T A K E A C T I O N
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Hollywood and Rotary – a Winning CombinationBefore picking up the best actor Oscar for his role in the Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey was just another student in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Except for one thing.
“The girls were always chasing him, even when he was with us,” says Rotarian Ray Crocker, McConaughey’s former host father in Warnervale, Australia.
But McConaughey didn’t have time for the girls, and the Youth Exchange program doesn’t allow students to date. So, he kept busy attending classes at Gorokan High School and helping out on the Crockers’ farm, where the family raises horses and chickens.
The actor did keep one Australian girl close to his heart, though: his host mom, Eileen Crocker.
While promoting the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days on an Australian talk show in 2003, McConaughey talked about Mrs. Crocker, who was in the hospital, and wished her well. She died later that year.
“It gave her a big lift in her dying days for him to mention her by name,” says Ray Crocker, a member of the Rotary Club of Toukley. “All the nurses there gave her very special attention after that.”
In addition to carrying out individual acts of kindness, McConaughey is a regular on the celebrity fundraiser circuit. In July, he auctioned off his 1971 Corvette Stingray convertible for US$61,600 to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims through Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network.
McConaughey also volunteered with the Angel Network, touring areas affected by Katrina, keeping an online journal, and appearing on Winfrey’s show in September to talk about his experience.
That giving spirit doesn’t surprise Crocker at all.
“I know from his family upbringing, that would have just been part of his ethos growing up,” Crocker says. “Coming up in that sort of environment, [the charity work] would have just been a natural progression.”
Rasha Khanafer, a senior at Dearborn High School, was awarded the $5,000 Harry A. Sisson Memorial Scholarship during the Rotary Club of Dearborn’s annual Youth Month. Criteria for winning the Sisson Scholarship include exemplifying the Rotary service ideals, along with high academic achievement, leadership among peers and demonstration of the highest ethical standards. The award was presented to Rasha by Bob Ziolkowski, 2013-2014 Chairperson of the Dearborn Rotary Foundation and the Sisson Selection Committee.
The Dearborn Rotary Club, through the Dearborn Rotary Foundation, awards this annual $5,000 college scholarship, which is made possible through an endowment provided by the Harry A. Sisson Foundation. The Harry A. Sisson Memorial College Scholarship Award is presented in recognition of an Outstanding Senior attending a public or private high school in Dearborn. Mr. Sisson became a Rotarian in 1917 and patterned his life after the principles of Rotary’s motto “Service above Self.”
Scholarship candidates are nominated and endorsed by the student’s high school principal and academic advisor for specific community service and leadership accomplishments. The Dearborn Rotary Sisson Scholarship Committee reviewed 13 extensive applications and personally interviewed six finalists. All of the candidates demonstrated the highest of academic and leadership qualifications. In fact, all thirteen applicants had a grade point average exceeding 4.0. The scholarship has been awarded annually for the past 25 years.
In addition to maintaining high academic standards, Rasha Khanafer has served as vice president of her Class all four years of high school; captain of both junior varsity and varsity field hockey team; founder of Aspiring Medical Professionals Club; elected to Board of School’s Mu Alpha Theta Chapter; and representative for Discover Islam along with National Honors Society, Key Club, and Business Professionals of America.
Khanafer’s goal is to enter the medical profession and plans to attend a Michigan college. One of her dreams is to open a free clinic in the City of Detroit. Rasha believes that education can solve the world’s problems. Schools need to be expanded around the world to educate future scientists, engineers, medical personal, artists and humanitarians.
Rasha Khanafer of Dearborn High School EarnsRotary Club of Dearborn’s Harry A. Sisson Memorial Scholarship
Rasha Khanafer addressed members of the Rotary Club of Dearborn following the Sisson Scholarship presentation.
Rasha Khanafer, Dearborn High School senior and 2014 recip-
ient of the Harry A. Sisson Memorial Scholarship, receives the
award presented by Dearborn Rotarian Bob Ziolkowski.
Matthew McConaughey, left, dining with Ray and Eileen Crocker and family on the Central Coast
Matthew McConaughey with his wife Camila
Alves after the Oscars on Sunday
McConaughey as a Rotary Exchange student with Ray and Eileen Crocker in 1988 during a visit to Expo in Brisbane
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Top 10 Reasons to Attend DisCon 2014!
R O T A R I A N S D O I N G G O O D N E A R A N D F A R E X C H A N G E I D E A S
#10 THE FUDGE FACTOR –For a limited time only and with your registration, receive One Half Pound of De-e-e-licious Fudge straight from the kitchens of Grand Hotel!
#9 THE FOOD! – Grand Hotel is well known for its Grand cuisine! Start the day with your made to order breakfast. The legendary Grand Luncheon Buffet, features garden-fresh salads, savory cheeses, slow-roasted meats, seafood and more than 20 varieties of fresh-baked pastries . . . and it’s a FREE DisCon bonus to Rotarians. Order-from-the-Menu Dinners at Grand Hotel is a culinary experience that rivals the best restaurants of America.
#8 THE PRICE! Your DisCon committee has negotiated a fabulous package price that is fantastic – only $1299 for TWO! Includes 16 meals, 3 nights accommodations in one of America’s historic Hotels. The Grand Hotel appreciates our business and Rotary 6400 likes the way Grand Hotel does business, so they take good care of us!
#7 FREE, NADA, ZILCH, NO EXTRA CHARGES! No matter how you say it our package price is all inclusive! All meals are included. There is no extra charge for music provided by the Grand Hotel Orchestra. Tips and gratuities are included. Same with taxes -- included. No extra charge for the Ferry ride to and from the island. Free parking. The round trip carriage ride from the docks to the hotel – no extra cost. Baggage handling -- NO Charge – it’s all included. These extra features are valued at over $500!
#6 WE ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY! In Rotary we place a priority on Family. To encourage you to bring the kids and grand kids for the Grand Experience, we have discount rates! Children 0–11 years are free. Kids 12-17 $175 each and those over 18 it’s $420 each. At these prices, they can’t stay home for less!! It’s the perfect way to Celebrate mom with your Rotary family!
#5 THE PECAN BALL! Over 50,000 world famous Pecan Balls are served annually in the Grand Hotel Dining Room. A generous scoop of ice cream, smothered in rich chocolate encrusted with pecans. This tantalizing taste treat is sure to tempt the most discriminating taste buds. 50,000 people can’t be wrong!
#4 AMBIANCE • STYLE • & GRACIOUS LIVING! Somewhere in time there was a place where elegant living and style were highly valued. Where charm and a slower pace of life were prized. It still exists on Mackinac Island at Grand Hotel. In fact, they even made a movie about it! Travel+Leisure (Jan., 2008) and T+L Family (Fall 2007) deemed Grand Hotel one of the world’s finest hotels, and the 12th best resort in the U.S. and Canada for parents and kids.
#3 HOTEL ACTION! Whether it’s the tours of the hotel and kitchen or the Mackinac Triathlon, there’s plenty of action at Grand Hotel. Hotel Historian, concierge and humorist Robert Taggets, will captivate you with engaging stories of yesteryear. For a glimpse into the past, High Tea is served daily or take a casual stroll on the world’s largest porch. Visit the Hotel’s lounges for your favorite beverages.
#2 ACTION ON THE ISLAND! You Bet!! From Fort Mackinac and two butterfly conservatories to horseback riding, island tour via carriage, golf and visiting the local pubs, Mackinac’s Island Life has a wide variety of activities for the family to enjoy. You may also consider kite flying, carriage rides, souvenir shops, and the historic downtown. . . And did we mention Mackinac’s famous Fudge!
#1 THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF ROTARY REUNION! There is nothing like spending quality time with loved ones at one of America’s most unique resorts. To Rotarians in Super 6400, DisCon is where Family and Friends come to relax and celebrate the good times. Please join us next spring, May 8- 11, 2014 for the time of your life.
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R O T A R I A N S D O I N G G O O D N E A R A N D F A R E X C H A N G E I D E A S
High School Seniors Rami Hassan Kadouh and Jason Lin Receive Rotary Club of Dearborn’s Hugh Archer Memorial ScholarshipRami Hassan Kadouh, a senior at Dearborn High School and Jason Lin, a senior at Edsel Ford High School, each received a $2,500 2014 Hugh Archer Memorial Scholarship during Dearborn Rotary’s annual youth month program. Criteria for winning the Archer Scholarship include application of the Rotary 4-Way Test — a guideline for decisions, academic achievement, leadership in class and extra-curricular activities, community service, plus honors and awards. The awards were presented to Kadouh and Lin by Dearborn Rotarian Judge William C. Hultgren.
The Dearborn Rotary Club, through the Dearborn Rotary Foundation, awarded these annual $2,500 college scholarships, which are made possible through an endowment funded by the Archer Family, Dearborn Rotary Foundation, and Spiratex Corporation, a company founded by Hugh Archer. The Club also sponsors an annual golf outing and banquet to raise funds for the scholarships, awarded to high school seniors attending a public or private high school in Dearborn school district boundaries.
Hugh Archer, a longtime Rotarian and Dearborn resident who passed away in 2005 at the age of 91, was a registered professional engineer whose many achievements included inventor, scientist, entrepreneur, banker, businessman, attorney, ham radio operator, sportsman, and humanitarian. He was a Dearborn Rotarian for 54 years, held several leadership positions in Rotary, and served as president of Rotary International, the world’s largest service organization with more than 1.2 million members. In addition to his Rotary service, Archer was active locally with the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Dearborn Schools, and Henry Ford Hospital.
The scholarship process is totally web-based with an online application available at www.DearbornRotary.org. All communications are handled via e-mail and applications are judged by three Dearborn Rotarians. This year, the Hugh Archer Scholarship Selection Committee reviewed 12 applications.
In addition to maintaining high academic standards, Rami Hassan Kadouh from Dearborn High School, was involved with Peer mentoring, ACCESS Acts group, and Teen Grant Making initiative. Kadouh has served as class president for four years, captain of the varsity football team, lettered in golf and was founder/president of Aspiring Medical Professionals.
Jason Lin from Edsel Ford High School, in addition to maintaining high academic standards, has volunteered more than 200 hours at Oakwood Hospital, tutored more than 40 hours in math, science, and languages; volunteered 20 hours assisting teachers, and shadowed a cardiologist over 100 hours. Lin is a leader in the Orchestra, earned a Dearborn Youth Symphony Scholarship. He received the Michigan Math Prize competition award, and first place in German for All competition at the University of Michigan.
At the luncheon honoring both recipients, the students addressed the Dearborn Rotary Club. In a mature and articulate manner, they noted how grateful they were not only for the financial support of the scholarship funds but for the belief it signifies in their goals and future success.
Dearborn High School senior Rami Hassan Kadouh, at left, and Edsel Ford High School senior Jason Lin, at right, display their Hugh Archer Memorial Scholarship Awards. They were joined by Cheryl A. Grissett, a representative of the Spiratex Corporation, and Archer Scholarship Committee member, Dearborn Rotarian Judge William C. Hultgren.
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Rotary Club of Dearborn’s “Shares & Cares” Breakfast
Friday, March 28, 2014Welcome Center at Henry Ford Community College
5101 Evergreen, Dearborn, MI 48128
Table sponsorships are $100. Breakfast Fellowship begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 9:00 AM.
Contact Rotary Club of Dearborn’s Breakfast Coordinator Diane Ives at [email protected]
or by cell at 248.217.8162 to attend.
Join us at this year’s Breakfast to Benefit Pro Literacy Detroit to make sure our message of literacy is clear to all.
CALLING ALL CANADIAN MEMBERS APRIL 6, 2014 @ THE CABOTO CLUB
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY AND JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON
FOR FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT !
1pm-4pm
Featuring:
CLaroL the CLown (1:30pm show) Pasta Lunch until 3pm
Face Painting and Family Entertainment Including..
The GC/Emerald Isle Dance Society
Walkerville Centre for the Creative Arts Students Captain America
