Top Twenty
Postings of the Month we didn't want you to miss
(Prepared by Terry Harper)

This page was created to depict some noteworthy postings on the ROTI listserv within the past month. May you enjoy and appreciate them as much as we do in a truly Rotarian spirit..

Message: 1
Roti: Is this where the four way originated?
Posted by: "Sam Chapman" scchapman1@sbcglobal.net sccquicken2
Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:56 pm (PST)

Have not checked to see if this is true, but it was posted on the internet and sounded so familiar

Sam
D6040 Liberty, Missouri, USA

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear or are about to spread a rumor.

In ancient Greece(469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's correct," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem......

Message: 2
Rotary Pictures from India - dental project completed
Posted by: "Dr. Todd Lindley" rotary6060.tl@gmail.com lindleydds
Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:46 am (PST)

Dear family and friends,

Here is a link to my local Rotary district's website - to a page dedicated to a dental project which just wrapped up last week. We began laying the groundwork for this back in Jan. 2005 when a fellow dentist and myself went to India. Our local partners in D3160, in Bidar and Basavakalyan in the state of Karnataka worked very hard during the past few months. We applied for the grant in Sept. 2006, got it approved in 5 weeks and then funded. It is very satisfying to see the final product - a van we purchased and modified - equipping it as a mobile 2 chair dental office for the use of the local dental college and hospital in Bidar.

http://www.rotary6060.org/mg61213-dentalvan-D3160.htm

Rotary regards

Todd Lindley DDS, FAGD
Rotary District 6060 Foundation Chairman
Overland Missouri 63114-3640

Message: 3
Computer Technology for Rotary Leaders
Posted by: "Ron" yamahajazz@yahoo.com yamahajazz
Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:23 am (PST)

I received the following from a very good friend and PDG in Manila. PDG Jimmy stressed electronic communication during his term, and had the following to say re the use of computers by Rotarians; especially those who would hold any type of leadership position.

Ron Nethercutt
ROTI Chair 07-09
RC Clark Centennial D 3790, Angeles City, Philippines

Hi, Ron!

I can appreciate your discomfiture about communication problems that -- given the current state of technology -- should not exist. It's too bad that we still find Rotarians who are not conversant, or who refuse to take the steps to be conversant, with computer-based communication.

Knowing how to use the computer and communicating through the internet is now part of modern-day literacy. People who don't know how to use this technology, especially if it is available to them, are really modern-day illiterates, and it doesn't matter what fancy titles they sport after their names.

There is really nothing much you can do with people like these. If they must play a role in an organization that prides itself of being world-class, modern, and up-to-date, give them roles that do not require quick and frequent communication.

One will have to wonder why any district official would appoint someone to a communication-heavy position, knowing that such person has not learned, or refused to learn, how to use the computer.

District officers who appoint "computer-illiterate" people to such roles will have to cover for their communication inadequacies. Often, this entails asking some other Rotarian or some paid staff to monitor the email coming to the official email address of such appointees and send back the appropriate responses. Many do sport official email addresses, except that these are only for decoration purposes.

When I was governor, I declared early on during our pre-PETS, PETS, and DISTASS that district communication would be primarily electronic. I did not print any hard copies of the Governor's Monthly Letter. These were all in electronic form and available through the district website.

Realizing, however, that there were "good and hardworking" Rotarians who had not yet learned how to use the computer, we included a how-to module in the pre-PETS sessions, with special focus on the advantages and benefits one would derive by knowing how to access the internet.

Then I entered into an arrangement with a computer education company to provide a discounted packaged instructional for adults who could go to their offices in some malls in Manila to undergo private tutoring in the basics of the computer and the internet. People who were interested could simply sign up confidentially and arrange the schedule of their learning sessions with the company. This arrangement had the advantage of confidentiality and minimized unnecessary embarrassment.

I know that such efforts paid off to some extent, although I would have been happier had everyone among those concerned joined the bandwagon. I am aware of a few hold-outs who stubbornly clung to their not desiring to learn status with sublime rationalizations. But, on the whole, we were able to stir up renewed awareness of the benefits of I.T. and got some people to do something about their situation.

Despite all such efforts, however, one has to be prepared to encounter people who simply do not know nor value the importance of prompt and regular communication. No amount of I.T. is going to solve what is largely an attitudinal problem.

Best regards.

Jimmy A. Cura, PDG 3830
Makati, Manila, Philippines

Message: 4
Post Katrina RI News
Posted by: "Ron" yamahajazz@yahoo.com yamahajazz
Aug 17, 2007 6:15 am (PST)

This from RI News via eFlash Rotary.........Ron

Rotarians continue to make a difference in post-Katrina Mississippi

By Lisa Baker
Rotary International News

With Katrina's second anniversary approaching, Rotarians continue to donate time and money to aid Biloxi, Mississippi, USA, one of the cities hit hard by the storm. They are only 2 years into a 10-year plan to rebuild, but funds and volunteers are dwindling.

Biloxi today

Mississippi has the lowest per capita income of all U.S. states, and Biloxi residents are among the poorest in the nation, according to the United States Census Bureau. Almost 20,000 families live in trailers issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), mainly because their hurricane-damaged or destroyed homes have yet to be repaired.

"Biloxi was blown away," says Ellie Vasilopoulos, the Rotary Club of Biloxi's disaster relief committee chair. "We lost our history, heritage, and historic homes. They are all gone, and Biloxi is stark."

According to Dan Giordano, of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield East, California, news coverage of the Katrina aftermath doesn't do it justice. "Garbage is piled up everywhere, and the people in Biloxi have fallen through the cracks."

Giordano and Vasilopoulos agree that Biloxi looks like a city in a developing country rather than one in the United States.

Rebuilding efforts

After Katrina hit, the Biloxi club teamed up with the local First Presbyterian Church to help rebuild. According to Bob Bolitho, a pastor from South Carolina who has volunteered with the church for the past two years, there's still much to be done.

"Even after two years, we receive requests for help faster than we can finish repairing houses," he explains. "The people we work with have no hope of ever living in their houses again unless we, or someone like us, rebuild it. What will these people do when the government orders them out of their FEMA trailers?"

Bolitho also says the effort is no longer attracting the volunteers it needs, and he fears it's becoming a losing battle. Many volunteer groups are starting to leave, and there aren't enough workers to provide desperately needed help.

Rotary's role

The Bakersfield East club is one of many that have pitched in to assist those in need. The club contributed money for building supplies, and District 5240 (California) sent 50 mobile homes to Biloxi shortly after Katrina hit. Giordano has helped repair and construct houses there on more than one occasion and will be volunteering again in September.

Vasilopoulos knows firsthand how significant Rotary's aid has been. "Rotarians have been outstanding with their compassion, money, and willingness to help. So many have come down here to rebuild homes."

According to Bolitho, District 7300 (Pennsylvania, USA) has been among the relief effort's biggest supporters. Walt Sickles, of the Rotary Club of Ambridge, says the district has donated $85,000 and raised $14,000 to fund volunteer travel expenses. It has sent 17 teams, or about 100 Rotarians, to Biloxi so far. Another group will be going in September, and four more soon after that.

Bolitho says the money from Rotarians primarily goes toward building materials, mainly for people who can't afford supplies but can do the physical labor needed to rebuild their homes.

"Rotary International has really made a difference in getting homes built," he says. "I am thankful to Rotary for all they've done."

Vasilopoulos continues to be overwhelmed by the kindness and dedication of Rotary volunteers.

"It's sweltering down here," she says. "There's no air conditioning, but Rotarians come down here, and they come back. It blows my mind that they keep coming back. We could never thank them enough for their generosity. I hope one day we will be able to return the favor and be there for other Rotarians in their time of need."

How to help

Vasilopoulos says the First Presbyterian Church has plenty of space to host volunteers; they can house 500 through December. "Mississippians have been very resilient, but we still need help, volunteers, and money to keep coming down here."

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

Message: 5
Re: RLI
Posted by: "Stanley E. Cahn" hhiguy@gmail.com stancahn
Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:20 pm (PST)

I went and Google the Rotary Leadership Academy and looked at some of the District websites where it is given. It is different than RLI.

1. RLI seems to be more inclusive. In some districts, you have to be nominated to attend and there are prerequisites. RLI is intended for officers and board members of clubs, but anyone can attend. I've been with DG's, ADG's and DGN's in the classes. the majority however are club officers and board members.

2. The curriculum in the Leadership Academies seem to be geared to prepare participants for service beyond the club. RLI is designed to prepare the students for Club leadership positions. Too many clubs have officers who do not have a good grounding in the basics of Rotary. RLI is designed to to build leadership skills as well as provide students with a thorough understanding of all of Rotary's programs.

3. RLI uses a unique learning process. Faculty are facilitators not lecturers. that may be hard for PDG's ;-), but it reinforces what is learned. Students participate in group discussions and individual exercises. Some examples are "Show me the Money" a partcipation project designed to teach how the TRF works. Students also have to design a club service project. These are just a few of the exercises that a typical RLI session highlights.

RLI is not officially recognised by RI, but is encouraged. In order to become an offical program RLI must have programs in 250 of the 538 districts. We now have RLI Programs in over 140 districts. Besides the US RLI programs are available in Brazil, The Caribean, Central America,India, Macau, and the middle eastern countries of jordan, Lebanon,Egypt,cyprus, the Sudan, UAR, And Bangladesh.

For the 2008 - 2010 cycle two of the RI Vice President- Elects, Eric Adamson and Michael McGovern were leaders in the RLI movement.

If your district doesn't have an RLI program and you like what you see and hear. Contact one of the leaders at www.rotaryleadershipinstitute.org to get started.

Stan Cahn
P Hilton Head - Sunset
RLIZ33 - Faculty

Message: 6
DG Visits
Posted by: "mike.dagnall" mike@guttenbergs.net mike.dagnall
Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:26 am (PST)

We have one foisted upon us tommorrow. No doubt a very nice fellow, however you'd think the queen was coming. Clean shirts, polished shoes and a three line whip.It might be an interesting statistic to find out, world wide, just how much these guys draw in expenses to travel thousands of miles to switch on Rotarians, who by there very membership of Rotary means they are already switched on. I'm sure they all don't do this out of their own pockets and having seen how our lords and masters in Rotary treat themselves at the Conventions, I wonder just how much of our hard earned fund raising covers exepenses. Have a look at the blocked off hotels in LA which are only available to the "heirarchy". I am able to live to this standard but can't get a room in the quality hotels as they have all been blocked off and reserved. I wonder if this would be the case if they were paying for themselves. I though the whole idea was "service before self"

Not very "green" either chaps, travelling what must be thousands of "charitable" miles every year just for a free lunch or two. Come on Rotary, look inwards as well as outwards. What could we do with all that money. In the UK we already pay twice for being in Rotary, once to RI and then again, a similar amount to RIBI. I would have thought anyone who was already doing that was dedicated enough. Sales managers need to rouse the reps but I don't think we fall into that category.

Mike Dagnall
Blairegowrie, Scotland , District 1 [010]

Message: 7
Re: DG Visits
Posted by: "Robert Collins" catspaw4@cox.net catspaw1936
Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:23 pm (PST)

Others can reply for themselves, but I was DG in a relative compact district that was about 150 miles on a side and I spent a lot more out of my pocket than RI provided. Obviously Mike isn't really thrilled about the DG coming to visit, but I think that put into his shoes you would change your tune in a hurry. I recall that Bill Wood was DG of your district when I served and I doubt seriously that Bill got rich traveling the district and eating rubber chicken or haggis or whatever you serve in that part of the world and providing his own transportation and probably paying a good deal more than RI made available. Most folks who take on the responsibility are pretty darn dedicated folks. Me, I was tricked into doing it!!

Bob Collins
Council Bluffs, Iowa USA

Message: 8
DG Visits
Posted by: "Terry Harper" Terry.Harper@btinternet.com tjhhpp
Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:29 pm (PST)

Mike

You are a well disciplined lot. If the DG visits us, he gets us as we are. Rowdy, disreputable, disrespectful, casually attired and eager for the half-way visit to the bar for a fill-up.

Attendance is often lower than normal, because we know what is coming. What's more to the point, so does he:-)

When a member of our mother Club was DG, we and they volunteered to drive him on his 58 visits. No mileage payment and I think that we paid for our meals at the clubs visited. It does mean that you get to hear his talk at least twice. That's often at least once too many.

But it gets us out in the evenings.

Regards

Terry Harper
The Rotary Club of the Sussex Vale, D1250, England

Message: 9
Re: DG Visits
Posted by: "Patrick Coleman" pcoleman@zamnet.zm colemanpg
Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:24 am (PST)

Sam, Bob and others who have joined this thread,

I have read with some amusement the posts about DG’s visits and preparation thereof. Having just experienced this adventure first-hand, I can make a few well-documented observations.

Our district 9210 covers 2,000,000 square kilometres and four countries. We had 49 clubs with 1,100 Rotarians at the beginning of the year. We added four clubs and about 150 Rotarians during the year. There are only five clubs that I could visit and return home that same day (not counting my own) so I was away for weeks at a time. I was usually home-hosted, but occasionally a club would arrange for a room in either a guest house or lodge. One club put me in a Holiday Inn. I paid for three rooms on my own during my tours. One of those rooms turned out to be at a guest house where the “guests” stayed for less than an hour. (The Rotarians swore they did not know this would happen there.) There was no coffee, restaurant, air conditioning or television. It was certainly not the Hyatt. Even the receipt did not have the name of the place printed on it. (I assume most guest were not claiming their rooms on expense accounts.) Interestingly enough, because this room was in a different country than my home, I was required to pay in FOREX (US$) at an inflated rate. The desk clerk said it was governmental policy.

I was told to visit every club in the district and I did. Most of the clubs were happy with my visit, but not all.

One club had been promised “the world” by a succession of DG’s and had not heard from any of them after the “official visit” of the DG. The old men sat and insulted RI, TRF and all DG’s - past and present. I worked with them and told them I would find a partner for them for a big project. They said, “Yeah, right. We have heard that before.” I told them it would happen within two weeks or I would return and buy them all a steak (except for the one vegetarian – he could have whatever vegetarians consider “steak”) if I did not produce. They said, “We’ll see you in a fortnight.” 36 hours later I called the Service Projects Chair with the name and contact details of their partner. I received a thank you / apology letter from the club and they are back online with RI and TRF. THAT is why DG’s visit clubs.

One club refused my visit. RI will deal with that, but the club does not meet regularly and for all intents and purposes is not functioning as a Rotary club. The members wear pins, but nothing is done. Another club is down to four members, but one is 90+ and has not attended a meeting in two years. I don’t know if these clubs will survive another year, but I know that both clubs have one – and only one – Rotarian who is so negative about Rotary that their attitude is like a virus infecting any potential Rotarian who might want to join. I suggested to one that he resign so the club could move forward. He doesn’t really like Rotary, but the pin helps him in business when he travels internationally. I could not suggest to the president that he be bounced from the club, but I did say that she should not rely on him for any support.

Some clubs arranged meetings with the mayor, local Member of Parliament or Government Minister. I met Permanent Secretaries and dignitaries from all over the district. I met the presidents of both Zambia and Malawi. Most Rotarians were proud to have the DG visit and took advantage of that visit to publicise their projects and activities. I was interviewed on both television and radio. The visit of the DG was considered to be the highlight of the year and I needed to be prepared to PRODUCE something for the clubs by way of information, partnerships and inspiration.

If you ask most of the clubs in D9210 they will tell you that the DG’s visit is important. They look forward to it and the DG looks forward to making it. It was a busy year and I spent far too much time away from home and work than I could “afford.” Nevertheless, the experience for both the clubs visited and this DG (now IPDG) was profitable.

YIR,

Patrick Coleman
District Governor 2006-7, Rotary International District 9210
Malawi, Moçambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Message: 10
Extending Rotary
Posted by: "John and Peg Challender" johnpegc@telus.net arguspilot
Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:33 pm (PST)

As we near the end of the month whose theme is membership development and extension, our Chair, Ron asked me to tell the story about how Chip Ross and I helped start one of the newest clubs in our district as a centennial project.

Chip and I were members of the RC of Strathcona Sunrise, Courtenay, BC, D5020 in 2004 when Chip began promoting the idea of sponsoring a new club in the Victorian Village of Cumberland. Chip was given the club's blessing to proceed and he was appointed the DG's Special Representative. We began by inviting citizens of Cumberland to attend open meetings to discuss the idea and eventually, after several meetings, during which the group started suggesting possible projects needed in the community, a provisional Rotary club came into existence and on 3 June 2005, the 20-member Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial was presented with its charter by then RIPE Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar at the D5020 Conference in Duncan, BC. Chip, another Rotarian and I became members of the club on 1 July 2005 to provide the mentorship necessary to guide this new club through initial growing pains. Chip, who was immediate past president of the Strathcona Sunrise club returned to that club on 1 July 2006 and continues to attend meetings of both clubs weekly and provides his wisdom and leadership when it is needed. I have stayed on as a member of the Cumberland club. The third member of the experienced triumvirate agreed to be president of the club this year but, because he started a dental practice in the Village, he withdrew his name and our current president stepped into the breach just before PETS in the spring of this year.

The original 20-person roster has changed a bit and new members have been added with a current, strong membership of 24 with two potential new Rotarians on the verge of induction.

The success of the club can be attributed to an idea that came from one of its members to hold a dinner and auction to connect the club to historic roots of the Village. At one time there was an active Italian-Canadian community in the Village that used to put on sumptuous Italian meals - all home cooked - for the public. As the generation involved in that activity aged and became less motivated to continue the events, their progeny were unwilling to pick up the stirring spoon and so the dinners faded into history in the 1960s. So the idea was to resurrect the Village's Italian connection and hold an Extravaganza Italiana in October of 2005 with the result that we cleared $20,000.00+! Now we had the money to buy a thermal imaging camera for the volunteer fire department and our profile was raised. The second event in October 2006 resulted in even more profit and we purchased 5 portable, automated electronic defibrillators and placed them in five location in the community where crowds gather. In addition, we coordinated the services of an expert to train facility staffs in the use of the devices and in CPR as well. Several smaller community and international projects were also completed and we are currently beginning the long paper process to apply for a matching grant in partnership with Hari Rattan's club, the RC of Chennai-Kilpauk, Tamil-Nadu, India in D3230 to establish a micro-credit bank in that state. As you have seen from an earlier posting, we are working toward our third, annual Extravaganza on 13 October, the proceeds of which we will apply to install two or more transit shelters costing $6,000.00 each. Our third application for a District Simplified Grant has been sent to our district grants coordinator. We obtained the maximum available as a result of each of the previous two DSG applications for a total of $5,000.00.

Sixteen of our 24 members have positions as members of the executive and board of directors or head up committees and the rest serve on those committees. There is a lot of cross-committee activity. There is a critical biomass needed to run any club so it is no surprise that most of our members are engaged and have responsibilities. On a personal note, I have enjoyed being part of this club even though I live in an adjacent community. Ours is the youngest of the four clubs in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. We have a good balance of men and women - 13 men and 11 women and our president in 2008-2009 will be one of those women. Three of us have been members of other Rotary clubs. New Rotarians in a new club need to be steeped in Rotary in a way that stimulates them so I edit our club's newsletter, providing a "Rotary Moment" every week on one of its four pages using material I glean from ROTI members, RI and other sources. In addition, I have made presentations on GSE, Ambassadorial Scholarships, the Conflict Resolution program, TRF programs etc, using .ppt CDs obtained from RI and other sources or that I put together. In our second year we enjoyed the tremendous experience of hosting a wonderful RYE student from Austria. About a quarter of the club is made up of PHFs, some MPHF, two members of the PHS and a number of Foundation benefactors. Our annual giving has averaged more than $100.00 per Rotarian. Not everyone has given $100 per year but the average giving has exceeded $100 per member and individual giving is on the increase.

Our club rocks and our members are pumped. We have great fellowship activities, the best of which is the flat-out preparations for our annual, major fundraiser. Being part of a new club is a great experience for me and I have committed to remaining a member of the club for the next two years in part because the presidents for those years have asked me to stay on. No one has asked me to return to my old club except some members of my old club. I'm sure my new club would do just fine without me but I enjoy the people, the spirit of the club and learning about the small community it serves.

John Challender, proud member of the Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial, BC, Canada on Beautiful Vancouver Island, D5020 www.rotarycc.org

Message: 11
Kilimanjaro Climb Update
Posted by: "John Glassford" jacksflat@gmail.com huffnpuff2003
Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:30 pm (PST)

G ' day Fellow ROTIans

Just a very quick note from the New Arusha Hotel.

We are ALL back off the mountain safe and sound well maybe not so sound!

It was without question or argument the toughest thing any of us have ever done in our lives!!!!

Bobby Millis will update the web site as we send him pics.

http://www.coolamonrotary.com/kili/

10 out of the team of 16 made it to Uhuru Peak 5895 metres another 4 officially to Stellar Point 5756 metres. The young lass fainted on the way up to the summit and was rescued but our guides and porters taken down 3,000 metres with oxygen. Kate O ' Neill is her name and her mother went down with her. She was treated for altitude sickness and has fully recovered.

ALL are well some not as well as others but all have fully recovered and have gone to St Judes. I am having the day to recover I am totally spent and gave it my all. You should all be very proud of the team especially my fellow Rotarians including Craig the stubborn Corrigan who refused to give in and got to the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak with his twin brother's ashes.

Not to be alarmist in any way but 4 climbers died last week on Kilimanjaro doing what we did. We also witnessed several very very sick climbers being taken down during our attempt. It was tough so tough words and photos cannot describe the feelings we all had both the women and men performed equaly as well as each other.

I promise NO more mountains but I do have another idea!!!

In the mean time we MUST get more money in the situation here re orphans is heart wrenching.

All for now and thanks you all for the wonderful support. Please pass on the message to those I have not had time to include. The RFFA Orphan Rescue banner supplied by the RC of Nairobi was taken to Uhuru Point by 3 Rotarians and one future Rotarian. Photos up on the web site asap.

I hope that you all understand why we could not call you!!!!

Kind regards John Glassford
Community Services Director & President Elect 08/09
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700, New South Wales, Australia

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb 28/8/07 http://www.coolamonrotary.com/kili/

Road MAPS to Africa Web Site: http://www.coolamonrotary.com/maps/

Chair RFFA (Australia): Rotarians Action Group Fighting AIDS. http://rffa.org/

Message: 12
ROTI in Malaysia - Rotary on Langkawi Island
Posted by: "polepfor" polepfor@bigpond.com geoffreybw_little
Sat Sep 1, 2007 9:26 am (PST)

Dear All,

As I have posted before, I am currently on Langkawi Island in Malaysia. I have been visiting my big son who is working for Wilderness Malaysia bringing to the Youth of Malaysia education about Wildlife Conservation and the pristine conditions which Nature provides over here. I am blown away by the delightfulness of this place, the law and order, the magnificent views and lovely beaches not to mention the Island boasts a GeoPark which is supported by UNESCO and which has some of last pristine mangroves in Asia. I am sure there are others but my boat ride through the park last week leads me to believe they are on the way out if they are not fostered and encouraged to flourish midst this wonderful region.

This leads me to ask why not has a Rotary Club been established on Langkawi Island. There are enough magnificent Resorts about the place and in Kuah there is the Westin which would make a wonderful first venue for meetings.

I see from my research the first Rotary Clubs was set up in Malaysia in 1921 and at present there are 91 Rotary Clubs throughout Malaysia with 2,479 Members. In Malaysia they focus principally on the provision of Medical Equipment, Vocational Training for the Disabled, Microcredit Loans and General Education.

I wonder what is being done by Rotary throughout Malaysia about Wildlife Conservation which through Wilderness Malaysia for example, is educating the Youth of Malaysia to acknowledge and work for the maintenance of what is left of Malaysia's pristine wilderness areas.

As we are all aware the beautiful Tropics as we imagine are being eroded by Illegal Logging, dynamiting of coral reefs and Land Clearance at an awesome, this is exemplified by the continuous burning of forest areas in Indonesia which casts a pall of smoke over the entire Region.

Economics aside, Malaysia promotes itself as a progressive and up and coming First World country yet it seems to me there is precious little left of what our forfathers discovered here.

I spend some time in Penang and was reminded that Francis Light who founded Penang and married a Siamese Portuguese lady, father Colonel Light who founded Adelaide in Australia and included Adelaide and the Northern Territory in the Straits Settlements of the time.

A visit to the Penang Fort as well as a tour of George Town brings back so much of the wonderful evolution of Malaysia which has just been celebrated in the Fiftieth Year Celebrations of Merkerka (Malaysian Independance).

Hence my question, what if anythis is/has been done to establish a Rotary presence on Langkawi with a view, amongst all the other things Rotary is achieving in the world, to assisting and supporting the work of `Wilderness Malaysia' to ensure this part of the world is held up as a shining light to the Youth of Malaysia and the world, as to how Malaysia is working to keep their beautiful pristine environment for the enjoyment of generations to come, hence this place has to qualify for a concerted effort in Eco Tourism.

I was a bit disappointed I could not Make Up whilst I was here so what is the opinion of our Malaysian ROTI Members. Perhaps Mingo might have a comment or two as he is our Malaysian Star in our constellation of Active Rotarians about the place.

yir

PP Geoffrey B.W.Little JP.PHF (out of the RC of East Los Angeles, USA)
Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise D9680

Message: 13
Rotakid
Posted by: "gloria AN" gan3790@yahoo.com gan3790
Wed Sep 5, 2007 9:46 am (PST)

We've got this kid, 8 yrs old, daughter of our member, a single parent. She brings the kid to our meeting, projects and fellowship activities. In fact this kid has more attendance than the rest of the adults! She even wears the club uniform in the meeting. And she listens.

During our Governor's Visit, we inducted 4 new members. The kid was there, all dressed up in club barong......and expected to be inducted.... having attended, she reminded me, more than 4 consecutive meetings. I informed then our governor that we had...er,.... 4 and ONE HALF to be inducted that night.....

Our OneHalf stood among the inductees, solemnly raised her hand, and repeated the oath as the others. One of the members donated pin to OneHalf.

Last Tuesday, in our meeting,.. Rotakid was there...... signed her name in attendance......looked confused........she asked me..... "Where's my ID?" Straightfaced...I promised her one next meeting.....

Before I left the meeting.... I saw her reading the club bulletin, the roster page....geeeezzz....I could imagine the next question....

gloriaAN

Message: 14
2007 Peace Park Assembly
Posted by: "Bear" morelandb@shaw.ca barry_moreland
Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:56 pm (PST)

This past weekend 200 Rotarians from Districts 5360 (southern Alberta), 5370 ( northern Alberta) and 5390 ( Montana) Met to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the 1st Peace Park in the world located in the Waterton (Canada side) East Glacier Park( USA side). Each year we meet at this time to celebrate in friendship and fellowship. We alternate between the two countries. Sunday is the highlight of the activities. This year we were bussed from Waterton townsite down to the border (49th parallel).The Americans stood on their side of the border and the Canadians on our side. We then reached across the border and clasped hands with a opposite person and repeated in unison the Peace Pledge.

" In the name of God we will not take up arms against each other. We will work for peace, maintain liberty, strive for freedom and demand equal opportunities for all mankind. May the long existing peace between our two nations stimulate other people to follow this example. We thank thee, O God "

Benediction

Canadians: " May the Lord watch between me and thee"

Americans: " While we are absent one from the other"

Canadians and Americans: " Amen "

If any Rotarian should be in the area next Sept 20 - 21, 2007, feel free to join us. The Peace Park assembly will be hosted by the Billings Montana Club at East Glacier National Park.

YIR

Bear D5360 RC of Calgary Chinook Alberta Canada

Message: 15
Re: Kilimanjaro Update Home.
Posted by: "John Glassford" jacksflat@gmail.com huffnpuff2003
Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:33 pm (PST)

G ' day Fellow ROTIans

This is not a begging email, just a short story, you will know what to do, those of you who know me know that I am fair dinkum, all I want is names, names and emails for those who may want to do something in Africa with me.

Just back from a wonderful, inspiring and highly educational trip back home to Kenya, as well as Tanzania (Mount Kilimanjaro) and South Africa (Hout Bay). A brief description of our visit to each of the three beneficiaries of our climb up Kilimanjaro follows.

RFFA Orphan Rescue Nairobi, Kenya.
The School of St Jude, Moshono Tanzania.
Operation Medical Hope, Hout Bay, South Africa.

Kenya has changed somewhat since I left as a young man in 1964, just married. 43 years is a long time between visits! My Mother always told me never go back. Mothers are always right, I suppose. However I should have gone back many times. It is still a wonderful country with wonderful people.

The politics is getting better not so much corruption except the Highway Patrol. There are signs on major public buildings stating that "This is a corruption free zone." There are rumours that many billions of $$$ have been siphoned off by the previous government of Daniel Arap Moi who was in power for 24 years. By the state of the roads certainly not much money has gone into their upkeap since we left in 1964.

I could write a book on our adventures over the past 5 weeks however I have to earn my daily crust so it is back to work for Susan and I. Security was very high as you are well aware, Kenya has had several terrorist bombings including the American High Commission where many Kenyans died. Our hotel while we were in Nairobi was opposite the Israeli Embassy so security was very tight there.

We visited Mathari slums on the outskirts of Nairobi where we were shown round by HOPE World Wide and RFFA's Orphan Rescue team in Nairobi. 600,000 people exist here. Here, where all semblence of humanity is all but gone, Rotary is working hard at saving orphans and giving them a chance in life. Amongst the worst living conditions imagineable, here was Rotary picking up kids and giving them clothing, food and shelter. Rotary is working in partnership with HOPE World Wide:

http://www.hopeww.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=228&srcid=191

I will post photos to the web site at Yahoo one day soon. None of the team left Mathari without being deeply moved. Some of us were in tears during the visit and I am sure that this visit alone has changed everyone in the team. Personally I am more focused than ever on getting RFFA (Australia) into action.

In the mean time I have posted photos of the climb itself on our Kili 28/8 web site FYI.

http://www.coolamonrotary.com/kili/

Rotary International has also published a short story here:

http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/programs/070820_Coolamon2.html

After we had climbed Kilimanjaro we visited the School of St Jude's on the slopes of Mount Meru. Here is one of the best examples of what one person can achieve with determination and courage. It is where Gemma Sisia has peformed major miracles with the help of St Jude of course. I will post photos of our visit to St Jude's asap.

http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/

We ended our visit to Africa in Hout Bay Cape Town where we were treated like royalty by the Rotarians of Hout Bay, our gratitude to them all. We visited the Nonceba Centre in Khayelitsha Township where Rotary Hout Bay is supporting the Ashley Kaimowitz Memorial Foundation. The Nonceba Centre is a rape crisis shelter for young girls and boys (some as young as 12 months) who have been raped and have no where to go. We met a 7 year old girl who was being counselled at Nonceba that alone was heart wrenching, so small, so innocent, so beautiful, so sad. She is on good hands now with an angel of a woman called Noncawe, these innocents will soon have a home to go to being built by monies raised by Rotary Hout Bay and others and the fund they adminsiter in memory of Ashley Kaimowitz.

http://www.coolamonrotary.com/maps/

We also visited the township of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay where Coolamon House is to be built with funds we raised last year. Coolamon House will be a counselling centre for the people of Imizamo Yethu with HIV/AIDS. Some 30-40% in this township are HIV+ or so it is believed, as they do not want to know. The stigma is too great a burden, we have much to do here. Rotary Hout Bay is going to build the Coolamon centre next year, part of their great programme called Operation Medical Hope.

So we plan for our next venture into Africa and to raise funds much needed funds for so many causes. If you think you are having a tough time come with me to Africa and I will show you what tough is. Tell your friends who can make a difference to contact me I have set a very high goal to achieve over the next 2 years. We have to harness this powerful medium (the internet) for the children of Africa.

I was also honoured by Hout Bay Rotary with the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow.

We have so much to do in Africa please join me.

We walked many steps as a team up and down Mount Kilimanjaro and each step we took was for a purpose and to Anna Khuzwayo ( a fellow climber) each step was for someone she knows with HIV/AIDS in her township of Imizamo Yethu; for me each step was for an orphan of Africa. I mean to make every step we took as a team count in some way for them.

Yours in Rotary
John Glassford PHF
Community Services Director & President Elect 08/09
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700, New South Wales, Australia

Message: 16
ROTI Blogs: Expression of Interest
Posted by: "Simone Collins" organist@iinet.net.au sim_dragon
Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:46 pm (PST)

Hi everyone,

I am planning to set up a series of blogs for ROTI, to enhance the availability of Rotary knowledge that you all have and to help make the ROTI website a more valuable resource than it is currently. The idea is to have blogs on a variety of (serious) Rotary topics, for example:

• New Generations Progams
• The Rotary Foundation
• Healthy Clubs
• RI Board Updates
• etc

where each blog will have a few authors who can post articles within these topics on a regular basis. For example, within New Generations programs we might have 4 or 5 authors posting about Rotaract, Interact, Youth Exchange, GSE etc, with a new article say once a week or once a fortnight (so each author would post roughly once a month, unless they had the inclination to post more often). An example of how this works can be seen on the Web Development resource website SitePoint at http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/ - they have 7 broad topic areas (.NET, Usability etc), and you can see there are 2 or 3 different authors in each.

Other ROTIans will be able to respond to these blog posts via comments, to add their own experiences or thoughts on the issues raised. For an example of how this works, you can see the blog of the RI Rotaract Committee at http://rirotaract.blogspot.com . This would enable all of you to participate, if you wish, in building a valuable resource (similar to the old "ROTI Institute" for those that remember that series of articles) with practical tips in each area.

If you would be interested in participating as an author, please email me privately (simone@rotaract9470.org) indicating which topics you would like to write about. Please also let me know if you have any particular topics that you would like to see covered that I haven't suggested above.

Warm smiles,

PDRR Simone Carot Collins
ROTI Webmaster
Rotaract Club of South Perth, District 9470, Western Australia

Message: 17
Restoring Rotary in Cuba
Posted by: "Marco Kappenberger" k@samoa.ws kappenbergerm
Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:14 pm (PST)

Paul Harris on Sunday August 26th 1940 to the RI convention in Havana, Cuba:

"I have no hesitation in saying that world peace could be achieved and made permanent if reared on Rotary's firm foundation of friendliness, tolerance and usefulness."

As soon as RI will give the green light, we'll be ready with projects and to welcome into the e-Club all Rotarians from Cuba until they'll be able to be active in their local Rotary Clubs, and at some future RI Convention we'll welcome back Cuba, and later its new District. (I would expect that the Red Cross' support would be very welcome, while Amnesty might be yet considered too 'political' to be welcomed yet.)

Marco Kappenberger
Rotary E-Club of Latinoamérica
Secretary 2007-08, District 4200,
www.recl.org
POBox 247, Apia, Samoa

Message: 18
New RI Peace Community Program
Posted by: "Doug Vincent" dougv@TheFamilyBusinessAdvisor.com dwv444
Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:07 pm (PST)

Hi everyone:

Over the past few years there have been a variety of Rotary Peace Cities and Communities declared with monuments, parks and peace poles erected to commemorate this declaration. Several ROTI members have been involved in this process and continue to help promote this concept. We also invite input or participation to help from any of you who may be interested.

I have been assigned the task of trying to put arms around all of these global activities and come up with a world wide program that will be a major part of the RI Presidential Rotary Peace Summit, scheduled in Windsor, ON for April 25-27. I have just met with RI President Wilf Wilkinson to review our plan and on April 26, 2008 he will present a certificate to Mayors of every established Peace City in the world, who accepts the invitation to attend from the Mayors of Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI.

In the coming few days, we will publish a Rotary Peace Community Program "Planning Kit" which can be used to promote peace in your community. This initiative is based on the belief that true peace begins in the family, in the home and in the community before we can expect to attain world peace. I should acknowledge that much of the input for this has come from our ROTI friends Geoff Little and Bob Stewart.

Those known peace cities from the past will be invited to re-affirm their peace community declaration and of course we will try to acknowledge all declared communities on the website www.RotaryPeaceSymposium.org It is important that we keep the Rotary image and peace awareness alive.

If you have any interest in being involved with this, we can use your help in promoting Peace Communities in your district. Information is being shared at most Zone Institutes and will be sent to your Governor within the next week. I have been given the goal to have 5000 Rotary Peace Communities declared worldwide, before President Wilf's term expires in June 2008. So it is a big job.

I just wanted to give you advance notice of this program and invite your participation. Please contact me directly at rotary@teamvincent.com if you have an interest in being part of this major Rotary Peace movement, which if successful may become an ongoing R.I. activity in the future.

With best regards,

Doug V.

Message: 19
POLIO PLUS - MY OBSERVATIONS
Posted by: "sayantan gupta" sayantan_gupta2005@yahoo.com sayantan_gupta2005
Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:53 pm (PST)

So near yet so far. That is how Polio eradication effort is being described, at least by the average Rotarian of today. It is frustrating. An ominous gloom has been setting in at many places, bringing with it an undesirable fatigue - a fatigue we can ill afford as it will herald the comeback of the disease which had all but been elimenated from the face of the earth. Another fatigue, perhaps all the more dangerous, has also been looming large, i.e. donor fatigue. Each year's set back, I believe, would lead to a deficit to the tune of $200 million. it is the duty of all of us to see that this does not happen.

In this context i have a few suggestions. They are:

1. WE HAVE TO MOTIVATE ROTARIANS : This has become an issue of paramount importance. We have to:

   • Identify what motivates Rotarians
   • Incorporate these motivating factors in club activities
   • Acknowledge contributions made by Rotarians in terms of time, money, service and innovative ideas.
   • Recognize these contributions through Awards and Citations.
   1. Motivating at club levels
      • Club PolioPlus committee - The chair should be an experienced and committed rotarian, preferably a Past President or a member of the District Committee. My suggestion is that the chairman should continue in office for a period of three years. Committee members should be judiciously chosen. They should better be young, energetic, committed and bubbling with new ideas.
      • At the Regular Weekly meetings -
        1. PolioPlus banners should be hung at every meeting.
        2. Program of at least one Meeting per month should be centered on PolioPlus. Apart from the Committee Chair, the District PolioPlus Chair, CoChair, PDGs, the Medical officer from WHO and others can be invited as speakers. Motivational casettes and CDs can be run before start of these meetings.
      • Club Assemblies :
        1. There should be one Club Assembly on PolioPlus alone, preferably immediately after the District polioplus Meet.
        2. During DG's Official Club Visit he/she may be asked to speak on Polioplus in depth, especially in the endemic countries. The club leaders have to be motivated first if they are to motivate others.
      • Club Bulletin :
        1. One section should preferably be kept aside for PolioPlus.
        2. Regular polio updates should be published.
        3. NID dates should be communicated through the bulletin well in advance.
      • Awards - to be given to the best worker and the best brain in this field at club level.
      • PR activities concerning PolioPlus and Rotary's role have to be undertaken.
      • At least one service activity on PolioPlus every month is good Community as well as International Service.
      • Apart from all these regular activities like motivation, advocacy, booth-day activities, mop-up etc should be carried out as usual and be highly encouraged.
   2. Motivating at District Levels
      • District Awards should be started for clubs as well as individual Rotarians.
      • District Polioplus Meets should be well planned with greater emphasis on Motivating Rotarians. The present time-worn format should be changed and predictability avoided. In the present format Rotarians are getting bored and attendance dwindling.
      • Zonal Meets and ICMs should be organized at the grass- root level.

2. Other Activities:

   • Routine Immunization is the backbone of the fight against polio. In States where polio is still endemic, Routine Immunization coverage is generally found to be poor. Clubs should be encouraged to take up permanent projects and to set up permanent immunization booths for regular immunization. Most of our activities are centered around the NIDs. Maybe wqe are barking up the wrong tree.
   • Zero Dose Immunization is a must but this benefit is available to the babies who are born in institutions only. In developing countries thousands of babies are delivered at home and are often not reported. These babies are deprived of this basic right. Rotarians should conduct workshops at village levels to encourage institutional delivery.
   • Rotarians, especially those belonging to clubs who have sponsored RCCs have access to the grass-roots. They can:
     1. Organize Seminars and work-shops at village levels involving local religious and political leaders , teachers and local practitioners.
     2. Motivate the general people about the benefits of Institutional deliveries, not only for the zero-dose immunization coverage but also to avoid the Obstetric complications that may arise.
     3. Educate the women folk in their Literacy Projects.
     4. Help in cleaning up of slums.
     5. Help in constructing modern sanitation facilities.
   • Focus on Population on the move.

The sands of time are running away. We cannot let ourselves down.

Rtn. Dr. Sayantan Gupta
Past President, RC Malda Central
RI District 3240, India

Message: 20
Worry ?
Posted by: "Binod Khaitan" binodkay@gmail.com binodkay
Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:57 pm (PST)

TWO DAYS WITHOUT WORRY

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday.

We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone forever.

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance; Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.

Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born.

This leaves only one day, Today. Any person can fight the battle of just one day. It is when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities, Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad, it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, Live but one day at a time...