Quest Rotary District 6930
August 2014
This Month:
Light up Rotary! AUGUST: MEMBERSHIP MONTHSee Page 5
ROTARY INTERACT CLUB See Page 11
PILOT PROJECT
See Page 11
TELL YOUR STORY
See Page 13
GOVERNOR DR. JUAN F. ORTEGA • EDITORIAL
Dear Fellow Rotarians, This is the beginning of a new Rotary Year and a time to consider what the Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang is inviting us to pursue in the 2014-2015 Rotary Year. Our theme for the year is “Light Up Rotary”, which is also a call for each of us to take action by lighting a candle to make the world a better place and to make Rotary stronger. Each club has their own culture and personality, and this is the beauty of our organization. However, this does not mean that, as a global family, we should allow our differences to undermine our priorities as a worldwide organization. It is with this in mind that I am asking each club leader from District 6930 to emphasize the following priorities: • Promote membership growth giving a higher priority to quality rather than quantity • Enhance humanitarian service through our Rotary foundation • Strengthen our clubs through the family aspect of Rotary In short, we are asking for Rotary clubs to take action to increase their membership with quality members, enhance their service impact and expand their network. The editor/chair of QUEST for this year is Dini Heizer. A monthly issue is planned and will be delivered electronically. If you have any stories that you would like to promote in our newsletter, please email Dini at diniheizer@gmail.com.
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Rotary District 6930 Leadership Team 2014-2015 Position
Name
District Governor District Governor Elect District Governor Nominee Chief of Staff Executive Secretary Communications Officer Treasurer Sergeant at Arms Finance Committee Reserve Fund Foundation Annual Giving Global Grants District Simplified Grants PolioPlus Stewardship Fundraising\Endowment - Planed Giving Paul Harris Society Membership Chair Social Media District Conference Chair Disaster Relief Chair Historian Literacy Chair New Generations Chair RYLA Chair Rotaract Chair Interact Chair Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Chair RYE Public Relations Coordinator RYE Host Family Coordinator RYE Outbound Coordinator RYE South Inbound Coordinator RYE Short Term Coordinator RLI Training Coordinator Vocational Service Website Nomination Comittiee Photographer Newsletter International Convention Public Image Coordinator Stretegic Plan Coordinator District Insurance Representative
Juan Fernando Ortega Gene Burkett Eric Gordon Eric Gordon Douglas Heizer Betty L. Thorne-Shearer Peter Bozetarnik Tony Lofaso Louis Venuti Betsy Owen Phil Lustig Tom Eastwood Jim Sisserson Jim Sisserson Robert A Eckelson Pete Boznaterick Leo Phillips Arthur Hodge Larry Labadie Terri Wescott Jasmine Velez Phil Lustig Bill Bean Gay Voss Tracy Carroll Tom & Nancy Seamon Devon Steele Joseph W Wojcik Terri Wescott Tom Seamon Laurel Briggs Adam Weiner Nancy Seamon Tracy Carroll Terri Wescott Marcia Gaedcke Richard Hattwick Ron Tomchin Betsy Owen
Wellington Merritt Island Royal Palm Beach Royal Palm Beach Boca Raton West Port St. Lucie West Palm Beach West Palm Beach Titusville Delray Beach Boca Raton Sunset Wellington Eau Gallie Eau Gallie Boca Raton Central West Palm Beach Delray Beach Vero Beach Sunrise Vero Beach Royal Palm Beach Wellington Boca Raton Sunset Jupiter-Tequesta Boynton Beach-Lantana Vero Beach Sunrise West Palm Beach Vero Beach Port Lucie Sunset Royal Palm Beach West Palm Beach (none) Boca Raton Sunset West Palm Beach Vero Beach Sunrise Royal Palm Beach Titusville Boynton Beach-Lantana Royal Palm Beach Delray Beach
All Rotarians in the District
All Rotarians in the District
Dini Mancebo Heizer Lea Barbieri Zinner Angelica Blakely Jeff Pasquale Julia Babbitt
Club
Boca Raton West Boca Raton West Boca Raton West West Palm Beach Indialantic
jortega@landdesignsouth.com gburkett@fptservices.com eric@ericmgordon.com eric@ericmgordon.com douglas@heizer.us bettyts@joimail.com pete@bozetarnikcpa.com anthony.lofaso@axa-advisors.com louisvenuti@aol.com betsyowen@aol.com plustig3@gate.net tomeast@comcast.net nosressis@aol.com nosressis@aol.com dreckelson@yahoo.com pete@bozetarnikcpa.com Philmack@aol.com bigvol@bellsouth.net labguy@bellsouth.net tmwescott@yahoo.com realtorjasmine@yahoo.com plustig3@gate.net pdgbean@gmail.com gsvoss@bellsouth.net tcrotarynews@bellsouth.net erieguy1@aol.com dsteele@irsc.edu jwojcik@joethebiker.com tmwescott@yahoo.com erieguy1@aol.com laurel.briggs@gmail.com adamscottinc@gmail.com nseamon@aol.com tcrotarynews@bellsouth.net tmwescott@yahoo.com gaedcke@titusville.org richardhattwick@bellsouth.net ron@rpbadvisors.com betsyowen@aol.com diniheizer@gmail.com lbarbieriz@hotmail.com anbblakely@hotmail.com jeff@jeffpasquale.com julia@highmarkins.com
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AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS Tue Tue Aug Aug 05, 05, 2014 2014
7:00AM 7:00AM
Melbourne Melbourne Beach Beach
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Melbourne Beach Melbourne Beach
Tue Tue Aug Aug 05, 05, 2014 2014
12:15PM 12:15PM
Port Port St. St. Lucie Lucie
Fri Fri Aug Aug 08, 08, 2014 2014
7:15AM 7:15AM
Hobe Hobe Sound/ Sound/ Port Port Salerno Salerno
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Port St. Lucie Port St. Lucie TENTATIVE TENTATIVE -- DG DG Official Official Visit Visit --
Sat Sat Aug Aug 09, 09, 2014 2014
3:00PM 3:00PM
Titusville Titusville
NORTH NORTH BREVARD BREVARD CRAFT CRAFT BEERFEST BEERFEST
Tue Tue Aug Aug 12, 12, 2014 2014
12:15PM 12:15PM
Delray Delray Beach Beach
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Delray Delray Beach Beach
7:15AM 7:15AM
Merritt Merritt IslandIslandBreakfast Breakfast
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Merrit Island Breakfast Merrit Island Breakfast
Cocoa Cocoa Beach Beach
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Cocoa Beach Cocoa Beach
Gregory’s Gregory’s Steak Steak and and Seafood Seafood Grille. Grille. 900 N. Atlantic Avenue , Cocoa 900 N. Atlantic Avenue , CocoaBeach, Beach,FL FL32931 32931
Singer Singer Island Island
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Singer Singer Island Island
Sailfish Sailfish Marina. Marina. 98 Lake Drive, Palm 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Beach Shores Shores
Okeechobee Okeechobee
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Okeechobee Okeechobee
Golden Golden Corral Corral Restaurant. Restaurant. 700 700 S.S. Parrott Parrott Ave, Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34974 Okeechobee, FL 34974
Wed Wed Aug Aug 13, 13, 2014 2014 Wed Wed Aug Aug 13, 13, 2014 2014
12:15PM 12:15PM
Sand Sand on on the the Beach Beach Rest. Rest. SR SR A1A A1A ,, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne Beach, FL FL 32951 32951 19th 19th Hole Hole atat The The Saints Saints Golf Golf Course. Course. 2601 2601 SE SE Morningside Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, FL Morningside Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952 34952 Miles Miles Grant Grant Country Country Club, Club, Stuart, Stuart, FL. FL. NW corner of Cove Road & SE NW corner of Cove Road & SE Miles Miles Grant Grant Road, Road, Stuart, Stuart, FL FL 34997 34997
Hobe Hobe Sound/Port Sound/Port Salerno Salerno
Delray Delray Beach Beach Public Public Library. Library. 100 100 West West Atlantic Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 Victoria’s Victoria’s Restaurant. Restaurant. 370 370 N. N. Courtenay Courtenay Pkwy, Pkwy, Merritt Island, Merritt Island,
Fri Fri Aug Aug 15, 15, 2014 2014
12:15PM 12:15PM
Tue Tue Aug Aug 19, 19, 2014 2014
12:00PM 12:00PM
Wed Wed Aug Aug 20, 20, 2014 2014
7:00AM 7:00AM
Fort Fort Pierce Pierce Sunrise Sunrise
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Ft. Pierce Sunrise Ft. Pierce Sunrise
Port Port Belli Belli Deli. Deli. US 1 and Orange Avenue, US 1 and Orange Avenue, FT FT PIERCE PIERCE
Wed Wed Aug Aug 20, 20, 2014 2014
12:10PM 12:10PM
Stuart Stuart
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Stuart Stuart
The The Dolphon Dolphon Bar Bar && Shrimp Shrimp House. House. 1401 1401 NE NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL.
7:00PM 7:00PM
Boca Boca Raton Raton West West
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Boca Raton Boca Raton West West
6000 6000 Glades Glades Road, Road, Boca Boca Raton, Raton, Florida Florida Shrimp House, Town Center Shrimp House, Town Center
7:15AM 7:15AM
Rotary Rotary Leadership Leadership Institute Institute -Rotary Rotary District District 6990 6990 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Thu Thu Aug Aug 21, 21, 2014 2014 Sat Sat Aug Aug 23, 23, 2014 2014
Rotary Leadership Institute Rotary Leadership Institute Keiser University, 1500 NW 49th Keiser University, 1500 NW 49th St. St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: (954) 776-4456 Phone: (954) 776-4456
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Indialantic Indialantic
Eau Eau Gallie Gallie Yacth Yacth Club. Club. 100 100 Datura Datura Drive, Drive, Indian Harbour Beach FL 32937 Indian Harbour Beach FL 32937
Wed Wed Aug Aug 27, 27, 2014 2014
12:15PM 12:15PM
Indialantic Indialantic
Thu Thu Aug Aug 28, 28, 2014 2014
7:15AM 7:15AM
Rockledge Rockledge
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Rockledge Rockledge
Rockledge Rockledge County County Club. Club. 1591 Fiske Blvd., 1591 Fiske Blvd., Rockledge, Rockledge, FL FL
Thu Thu Aug Aug 28, 28, 2014 2014
12:00PM 12:00PM
Titusville Titusville
DG DG Official Official Visit Visit -Titusville Titusville
La La Cita Cita Golf Golf && Country Country Club. Club. 777 777 Country Country Club Drive, Titusville, FL 32780 Club Drive, Titusville, FL 32780
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MEMBERSHIP
You can keep your club and membership active and thriving by: Evaluating your club’s membership Finding new members Engaging current Rotarians
HOW STRONG IS MY CLUB? Assess your club regularly to learn what works and what doesn't. Ask yourself: Do your members reflect the diverse professions and cultures in your community? Are you achieving your club’s goals? What qualities make your club attractive to new members? Use the Club Assessment Tools to evaluate your club’s strengths. Find more ideas for evaluating your club in theStrategies for Attracting and Engaging Members guide.
USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO ATTRACT MEMBERS Is your club on Facebook? Is your website up-to-date? Are you sharing information about your club’s activities and projects with your community? Having an active social media presence can help attract new members and inspire current ones. Find ideas for developing your social media strategy and public image. There are many ways to get involved during Membership Month: At club and district meetings, view RI President Gary Huang’s Membership Video
Message to remind members how important membership is to maintaining a strong and active club. Connect with Rotary’s Facebook page and change your Facebook and Twitter profile
pictures to the I’m a Proud Member graphic to show off your membership to friends, family members, and colleagues in your social networks. Post photos of your club doing good in your community to Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram using the hashtag #WeAreRotary. Register for the 13 August webinar Membership: It’s Now or Never, the first of
our Membership Matters Webinar series.
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BOCA ROTARY TO VOLUNTEER AS A TEAM AT GAMES
When Ira Herschbein, president of the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise, heard that the JCC Maccabi Games® were coming to Boca Raton this August 10-15, he felt his organization should be involved. Herschbein said: “At a meeting of the presidents of the six clubs that make up the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, I suggested we get involved with the Games. Even though I am Jewish, that wasn’t the reason. If it was the Muslim Games, I would have done the same thing. I wanted to get involved because it’s an event with nearly a thousand teens and their families coming to Boca Raton to participate. It’s a big event for our community and I felt Rotary should be involved.” So, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton signed up to participate in the “Team Volunteering Program” organized by the host Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center. Under Herschbein’s leadership, he expects more than 100 volunteers from the Rotary Club of Boca Raton to work the Games’ Opening Ceremonies on Sunday, August 10. Herschbein said: “We figured we’d get more ‘bang for our buck’ to work the Opening Ceremonies. Our members will be highly visible, as we will have our Rotary wheel ironed on to our yellow JCC Volunteer T-shirts. We will help out and get to promote Rotary, an international service organization. It’s great, too, that all six of our Rotary clubs will participate together.” Other organizations taking part in the “Team Volunteering Program” (as of July 23) are Security Self Storage, the Temple Beth El of Boca Raton Brotherhood and the Temple Beth El Sisterhood. According to Debbie Block, volunteer chair, there is still time for a group, organization or business to sign up as a team (with 10 or more members) to volunteer together at one event. Block says many more teams are still needed. According to Block, the events most conducive for a team of volunteers are:
• Water & Ice (all venues, all times) One of the most important jobs. Must be able to lift 20 lbs. of ice and cases of water. • Safety Patrol (all venues, all times) Eyes and ears of The Games. Will be checking credentials, and monitoring venues, athletes and spectators. • Transportation Assistants (all venues, all times) Will be helping athletes with the buses, and making sure there are enough buses at the venues. • Boomers (Monday evening, 4:30-9:30 p.m.) Help needed in all areas. • Dinner (Monday and Thursday, 3:30-8 p.m.) More than 900 athletes have to be fed dinner on these evenings.
Block said: “Volunteering is good for the mind and the body. It is also good for team-building, and promotion and publicity for your organization.” Interested groups should contact Block at bocamaccabivolunteer@gmail.com or 561-271-8058. For security reasons, every volunteer and spectator must be registered and credentialed. Some members of the Rotary Club of Boca Raton who will volunteer as a team at the Opening Ceremonies of the Levis JCC’s Maccabi Games on Aug. 10. More volunteer teams are needed. Staff photo/ 6 August 2014
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MEETINGS & EVENTS SÃO PAULO CONVENTION DATES CHANGED
Dear incoming, current, and past district governors: After careful consideration, Rotary International President Gary Huang and the RI Board have decided to change the dates of the 2015 Rotary Convention in São Paulo to Saturday, 6 June, through Tuesday, 9 June – starting and ending one day earlier than previously scheduled. The dates were changed because the original opening day (Sunday, 7 June) coincided with one of the city’s most popular parades. The new start date will dramatically reduce traffic congestion and make it easier for Rotary members to attend the opening plenary sessions. It will also make it convenient to attend our very own Rotary Carnival, a Host Organization Committee event, on Saturday evening. We will communicate the new dates through all available Rotary media, including our websites, newsletters, and magazines. Please make certain everyone in your district is aware of the change by updating the 2015 Rotary Convention dates on your district websites, calendars, and communications. Check riconvention.org regularly for dates, deadlines, and registration and housing details. Find information about Host Organization Committee events at www.rotary2015saopaulo.org.br. We apologize for any inconvenience this decision may cause, but we are confident that Rotary members will enjoy a great convention in São Paulo. And now they can start the celebration a day sooner! Thank you, RI Meeting & Events Staff riregistration@rotary.org
Dates for the following events have also changed. Please check riconvention.org for the latest information: • International Institute: Thursday-Friday, 4-5 June • International Institute Luncheon: Thursday, 4 June
• Rotary Peace Symposium & International Institute Dinner: Thursday, 4 June
• Rotaract Preconvention: Thursday-Friday, 4-5 June
• Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention: Thursday-Friday, 4-5 June
• • • • •
President’s Recognition Luncheon: Saturday, 6 June Conductor João Carlos Martins and Vai-Vai Percussionists Concert (HOC event): Sunday, 7 June President-elect’s Leadership Luncheon: Monday, 8 June On to Seoul Convention Luncheon: Tuesday, 9 June
The dates for these events have not changed: • Rotary Peace Symposium: Thursday-Friday, 4-5 June • Youth Exchange Officers Banquet: Friday, 5 June • Rotary’s Carnival (HOC event): Saturday, 6 June • Ivete Sangalo Concert (HOC event): Monday, 8 June 8 August 2014
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Caribbean Partnership Celebration 2014 Aug 8-10, 2014, San Juan, Puerto Rico Join us for our Caribbean Partnership Celebration Meeting
August 8 – 10, 2014 at the Intercontinental San Juan Resort & Casino in Puerto Rico. Rooms: US$169 per night single + 11% Gov tax & 18% Resort fee
Learn how your Rotary club can work with other Rotary clubs in Zones 33 and 34, to establish:
Exciting Fellowship Opportunities with Rotarians living in distant countries.
Enhanced Project Opportunities with a partner who knows the culture, community, and contacts.
Improved Grant Opportunities
through District or Global grants that will make a real difference on an international scale. The Caribbean Partnership is an official program of Rotary International Zones 33 and 34. Our program falls under The Family of Rotary and includes our Partners in Service, such as Interact & Rotaract. Our mission is to:
Promote cultural exchange Develop Rotary relationships, fellowship & friendships Increase communications between countries Share Rotary ideas and interests and assist in strengthening Rotary in partnered clubs and districts Develop joint projects that may naturally arise from Club Partnerships Expedite assistance through these relationships in the event of a disaster
Get involved with the Caribbean Partnership. Register today for CPC 2014 at www.caribbeanpartnership.org
For
more information, contact:
PDG Vance Lewis: vancel@surfbvi.com PDG Horace McCormack: hmccormack@hgmteam.com DGE Jose Rivero:rivero1@onelinkpr.net
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ROTARY INTERACT CLUB IN ANTIGUA HELPS KIDS IN BREVARD COUNTY
The Rotary Interact Club in St. Johns, Antigua has donated money to The Children’s Hunger Project, a charity in Brevard County, Florida that provides packages of food on weekends for hungry local kids. The Interact Club at St. Anthony’s Secondary School made the donation as one their international service projects. The club of extraordinary young people has contributed to causes around the world. According to Ms. Nahjua Issac, Secretary at St. Anthony’s Secondary School, when talking about the club, “We are a youth service organisation located in St. Johns Antigua. As the junior arm of Rotary International, we believe that it is important to assist those in need locally, regionally and internationally and that your organisation supports a worthy cause.” The President of the Rotary Interact Club, Ms. Cheyenne Cabral,
(shown on the left in the picture)
learned about the needs of our kids while visiting her sister who attends college in Brevard County. Ms. Cabral expressed the views of her classmates, “We hope that this donation will assist you in your quest to provide food for hungry children within the Brevard County area.” David Cohen, President of The Children’s Hunger Project Board of Directors commented, “Your Rotary Interact Club was willing to help our local kids, young people that you do not even know. It is a remarkable gesture of the understanding of the hunger and malnutrition problem in Brevard County, Florida.” The Children’s Hunger Project provides packages of food to Brevard County elementary school age children who are undernourished and coming to school hungry on Monday mornings. The food is given to children when they leave school on Friday. The food packages empower a child to have some nutrition for the weekend no matter the family circumstances. The charity raises money locally with all funds distributed only in
Brevard County. Learn more at thechildrenshungerproject.org Lead by Mrs. Joann Boulos-Callias, the Principal, St. Anthony’s Secondary School is a Non-Profit Organization and is the leading private high school on Antigua. Ms. Boulos-Callias is shown holding the donation check while surrounded by members of the Rotary Interact Club.
The Rotary Interact Club members are shown in photos above and below along with the principal Mrs. Joann Boulos-Callias and the faculty advisor, Mrs. Colleen Rolland. Board members are in blue t-shirts. At St. Anthony’s a team of dedicated teachers is coupled with modern classroom equipment, a state of the art computer lab, library and science labs, art room, music room fully equipped, a sports complex, including, double tennis
courts, basketball court, volleyball court, fencing piste and soccer field.
As noted on their website, (http:// www.sassantigua.org/), St. Anthony’s Secondary School prides itself in offering a unique setting for excellence in academics, visual arts, music, and sports. Our watchword is “Respect”of self, each other, property, elderly, and environment. From a dream, to a vision, to reality...anything is possible when you put your mind to it!
By Mike Pisacano (Rotary Club of Suntree)
PILOT PROJECT BRINGS SAFER ROADS TO PALM BEACH COUNTY
A committee has been formed to identify the best locations for Briteside signs in Palm Beach County as a pilot project and to arrange a partnership with the appropriate government agency that will put the signs in place. The Briteside Safer Roads Program identifies the most dangerous intersections within a community, and donates Briteside Reflective Panels as a means to calm traffic and increase safety. Many traffic fatalities are caused by motorists who fail to see critical safety signs such as stop signs.
Briteside Reflective Panels dramatically increase the visibility of traffic signs day or night, and provide a costefficient and highly effective calming solution. They have been used as a critically important part of national road safety programs since 2000 and now the Briteside Safer Roads Program is bringing the benefits of this product directly to local communities. The project was created by Albert A. Burlando, Rotary Vocational Service Chairman, of the Flagler Rotary Club. The pilot program is 100 percent
funded by Mr. Burlando, who will be donating 1,000 panels for the launch -- that’s 1,000 intersections that will be made safer. Committee members are fellow Rotarians Albert A. Burlando, Project Chairman; Dr. Juan Ortega, District Governor; Brett Elhilow, Project CoChair; Dusty MacBeth, Flagler Rotary President; Richard Hattwick, District Vocational Chairman; Richard Zaretsky, Palm Beach Rotary President; and Loverly Sheridan, Project Public Relations Officer.
For more information on the Safer Roads Program and how you can get involved, please contact a committee member from the list below. Thank you. Albert A. Burlando: albertaburlando@gmail.com (9737236397) Loverly Sheridan: loverlyjnpaul@yahoo.com (5612554323) BrettElhilow: brett@rdhpb.com (561662-3814)
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On June 28, 2014, the Rotary Club of West Palm Beach Charity Fund held a successful 2nd Reverse Raffle event! Tom and Nancy Seamon were Chairpersons of this fundraiser that raised $29,100. It was held at the Lake Pavilion in West Palm Beach with a beautiful view of the Inter
Coastal. During the evening 125 guests enjoyed dinner, fellowship, music, dancing, and excitement – all for a worthy cause of “giving back and helping to improve the life of others.” Proceeds from the Reverse Raffle will support WPB Rotary Club’s 25 service projects that help children schools, students, and communities locally and internationally.
The Reverse Raffle event format was unique because each ticket had multiple chances to win. Also, the last ticket to be drawn was the big winner for $7,500! Guests at the event were engaged because throughout the evening additional winners received varying amounts from $100 to $500.
Everyone attending the Reverse Raffle had a great time!
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Tell Your Story
My name is Angelica Blakely and I will be at your service as Public Image Chair in our District. As part of Rotary’s new strategy we are trying to strengthen our image so that everyone will understand what Rotary stands for, how we’re different, and why it matters. I encourage all Public Image Chairs for each club to download from Rotary Brand Center the Messaging Guidelines Brochure, subtitled The Voice, and Visual Rotary Guidelines, to share with club members. In this brochure you will find powerful tools to do “What we need to do”, which is to tell our great story in a way that ensures our actions and supports our words. And if your club doesn’t have Public Image Chairs please ask your president to appoint someone. One of the best ways to bring our story to life is to simply tell about it. With this in mind we will have a space in the District newsletter called “Telling You Story”. It will be a forum for individuals to tell about the day they became a true Rotarian. Submissions will need to be no more than 400 words and, if possible, should include the author’s picture. Stories like these can inspire others and help to connect people to one another. Please, ask your P.I chair to send them to me at: anbblakely@hotmail.com August 2014 Rotary District 6930
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Membership Update Our membership numbers in district 6930 are relatively static. I would like to give you some facts about where we stand. In the previous five Rotary years we have lost 2760 members. Now that is a staggering amount however we must consider the number lost through death, illness, relocation etc. I am limiting this analysis to only members lost in the last five years, all of these were new members. Membership of less than one year totaled 594, that is 21.5%. A terminated member with the longevity of between one and two years was 900, 32.6% and members terminated with Rotary service between three and five years was 414 or 15%. Of the 2760 just these three categories account for 69.1% of the loss. That is 1908 members lost in the first five years of the Rotary experience. If we were running a business, which is exactly what we are doing with our clubs, these numbers become totally unacceptable. The first thing we need to do is ask ourselves why this is happening. It’s obvious that recruiting new members is not the problem, we must search out where or what we are doing wrong. Losing more members of less than five years experience in Rotary, a number which surpasses our total district membership, is giving us a message.
The selection process:
Must first ask ourselves is this person a good long-term prospect? Has he or she demonstrated the commitment to humanity? Is the desire to give back a part of their makeup?
Selling our product:
Before membership proposal have costs, duties, commitments honestly presented? Attendance requirements explained, participation and club functions stressed? As a fireside or poolside chat a requirement before membership? Is the red badge program part of the process? Have you discussed a committee position with this prospect?
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Membership Attitude:
Does your membership make a sincere effort to meet a new member? Is the new member invited to sit at your table? Do you really care? Each member should ask themselves am I a Rhino?
Membership Engagement:
Is a new prospect asked what their hot button is? Are they immediately assigned to a committee? Are they taken seriously and viewed as an asset to the club? Do you have club socials?
Attitude Check:
Are you as an individual truly committed to the ideals of Rotary? Is perfect attendance the only commitment that needs to be made? Ask yourself honestly, are you the solution or are you the problem? Do you enjoy the thrill of accomplishment? Do a club survey, ask your members what they want to do and then take action.
Let’s stop the revolving door. Cherish our new members as an asset and not a liability. We can change these numbers but only if we stop worrying about a number and worry about quality, accomplishments and esprit de corps. I love that we have accomplished and are accomplishing in Rotary. I hope you do too. Sincerely, PDG Larry Labadie 6930 membership chair PS, if you seriously want to change your club persona I will be glad to work with you at any time.
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Dear Rotary President and Rotarians, My name is Dini Heizer from Rotary Club Boca Raton West, and I am the person in charge of the District Newsletter 2014-2015! I would like to give you space for your club to send photos, or to talk about events, services, or anything you want as long as you can send it to us! You can start with your installation party, please send me the following: • Photos (2 or 3) • Names (Persons in the photo) • Club name • Installation date and location Please, send to: diniheizer@gmail.com I am waiting for you! Thank you! Dini Heizer
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