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Drr Column
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Rotary News
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Funniest Date Ever!
Goals of Rotaract
More than Words
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Up Front
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20th Rotaract DCA RYLA Central
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issue 8
february 2008
D9200 Newsletter
A Bulletin of the Rotaract District
write this month’s message with the warm memories of RYLA Uganda at Nabinoonya Beach, Entebbe. It was a great experience especially the Life Skills session by Rtn Ssebagala and the various Team Building events by the DEPOT team. I feel invigorated and very eager to face the 2nd Half of this Rota year based on that experience. February is the month in which we start submitting our Presidents Elects names for acknowledgement in the R.I Directory 2008-09 and have them initiate their planning of their various Boards and objectives. Kindly ensure that your Club has undertaken its Elections of Officers for 2008-09. February is also World Understanding month. It is encouraged that Clubs organise activities that open up thinking and acknowledgement of happenings around us, our cities, countries and continents. This is a good opportunity to take stock of our International Service initiatives. Have you achieved any impact or desirable outcomes? If not, use this month to polish them up. Remember you only have upto mid March before you are required to submit such an initiative for Presidential citation (deadline 1st April). The District Conference is here with us and I urge you to continue saving for this memorable event. We are hopeful that the situation in Kenya will be calm to enable us transit through to Dar-es-salaam. Already there are
improvements in the political goodwill and this should work to our benefit. This morning I attended a meeting with the On-to Conference Chair and his team together with the Akamba Bus Service officials. Discussions were centred on a special rate for those travelling to the Conference. We should be getting some positive results on this end. Transport incentives will be given to early registrants as soon as they mature, so ensure that you take advantage of this by sending in your registration forms and fees now. See page 5 of this Bulletin for details or contact Nakilo Mugurusi nakilom@yahoo.co.uk, Eve Githehu egithehu@ yahoo.com or Anne Kibanya awkibanya@gmail.com. To the Club Presidents…..There has been a delay in the review of the 2nd Quarter Club Reports but soon enough we shall be preparing the Rankings. Kindly ensure that your Club has submitted the Reports as per the Template sent out by the District Secretary dsec9200@gmail.com. Also ensure that your Club has paid your dues as this impacts upon your average performance. Finally, do join the D9200 forum on Facebook.com to have a glimpse of the photos of Rotaractors from across the District. Feel free to upload photos as well. This will help each one to start putting faces to the emails we receive on the D9200 group and also break the ice as seek to meet at the District Conference. - DRR Lawi
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Habari .. Amawulire .. Zena
1: 2: 5: 11: 12: 16: 19: 23: 26:
Rotaract Calendar for February 2008
Rotaract Nairobi Central Thank God It’s Friday! * Rotaract Nairobi Central Eighth Executive Meeting Rotaract Kampala City Guest fellowship. Showtime Magazine Hostess - Barbara Yata Rotaract Nairobi Central Ordinary Meeting Grand Regency Hotel 6.00 pm Rotaract Nairobi Central Joint Rotaract Meeting with DG* Rotaract Kampala City Joint Fellowship with Institution Based Clubs: Kyambogo, Bugolobi, Nakawa, K.I.U, K.U, Makerere University. Immigration: Mr. Marshal Alenyo Rotaract Kampala City Visit to Mbalwa Project Rotaract Nairobi Central MCEDO Phase III * Rotaract Kampala City Housing Projects: National Housing Official Rotaract Nairobi Central Ordinary Meeting Grand Regency Hotel 6.00 pm Rotaract Kampala City Charity Walk: organised by Rotary Kampala North Rotaract Kampala City Champion of the month
* Items marked with an asterisk are tentative, dependent upon prevailing security factors. New Country Coordinator for Western Kenya Congratulations to Dickens Omondi, Vice President for Rotaract Kisumu City, who has been appointed to serve as the Rotaract Country Coordinator for the Western Kenyan Region, further to Karyna Okwaro’s, former CC-for Western Kenya, re-location to Mombasa. The District wishes you success in your future endeavours.
Training Tool
Have participants (working individually) write on a piece of paper two things that are true about themselves and one thing that is false. Once everyone has finished writing, ask each person to stand up and read his or her three items. The rest of the group must try to guess which item is false. This activity is helpful when participants are getting to know one another.
The Goals of Rotaract The Goals of Rotaract were amended in February 2004 by the RI Board of Directors, upon recommendation by the 2003-04 Rotaract Committee. The new Goals of Rotaract are: 1. To develop professional and leadership skills; 2. To emphasize respect for the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual, and to promote ethical standards and the dignity of all useful occupations; 3. To provide opportunities for young people to address the needs and concerns of the community and our world; 4. To provide opportunities for working in cooperation with sponsoring Rotary clubs; and 5. To motivate young people for eventual membership in Rotary.
More than words ... A column by DBO Aamena
“Social fabric” ... “a country bleeding” ... “civil war”. Phrases like these are being bandied around by politicians and the media about the country that we live in, a country that has housed our hopes, our dreams and our identities since our birth and indeed even before then. Because we are not individuals, we represent a family, a community of people that have called Kenya their home for decades past and who will continue to for decades to come. And so the loss of Kenyan lives is tragic, it is devastating, it is heart wrenching. It is cutting us to the very core. Innocent lives. Women. Children. Families torn apart. Homes destroyed. An economy brought to its knees. Let no platitudes be uttered to mask the sheer enormity of disaster that we as a people may be on the brink of. Future generations will continue to look back at this time and mourn these moments. Homes and business will be rebuilt inshallah but the children who have witnessed this violence first hand will grow into adults who will continue to be tormented with the images, with the memories and who may one day turn to violence as an answer to whatever challenges they face. I ask myself: what can I do? There must be something I can do ... something more than laying a wreath on a pavement or signing an email petition. How do I make fellow Kenyans understand that violence is not the answer. That leadership comes and goes but a life taken is forever. That what unites us as a nation, as the human race, is greater than any surface differences that supposedly divide us. What is the answer? Dialogue, they say. But maybe it is much simpler than that. Maybe it starts with one person: me, you. With living our lives in such a way that we are an example to others. So: Be true to the Rotaract 4-way test. Give service; what we do for others counts most in life. We never know whose life we may touch with a simple act of kindness or what the repercussions of that one act may be. Learn to understand first and to be understood second. If more people thought of others before they thought of themselves, then terror and fear would never reign. There is a lot happening in the Rotaract District in the coming months. Don’t miss out on any of it; Improve yourself so that you may help others. And above all, stay safe.
World Understanding Month
Understanding and goodwill are essential for world peace. To observe World Understanding Month in February, consider helping club members learn more about Rotary. Invite an international scholar, a Rotary Youth Exchange student, or a speaker from abroad to your club meeting. Consider discussing international issues or presenting entertainment with a cultural theme.
Outstanding Rotaract Project
Each year, outstanding Rotaract projects are recognized at the Rotaract Pre-Convention Meeting. We are expecting that RI President Wilf Wilkinson may be on hand to present these awards. Be sure to submit your projects for this award! The project can involve community, international, or vocational service. Through RotaractNET and other online sources, I see many, many projects that are worthy of this award. However, last year only 110 clubs submitted an application for this award. Remember, if you don’t Forms must be submit an application you can guarantee you have no chance received by 1 March of winning! By applying, you 2008 can show Rotary International what Rotaractors are capable of, you can help to inspire Rotaractors, and your club can receive the recognition it deserves! Application form available at: http://www.rotary.org/ RIdocuments/en_pdf/rotaract_outstanding_projects.pdf View the 2007 Outstanding Projects: http://www.rotary. org/en/StudentsAndYouth/YouthPrograms/Rotaract/Pages/ OutstandingProjects.aspx Criteria For Project Selection: 1. Degree of collaboration between Rotaractors and Rotarians (20%); 2. Level of project promotion of Rotaract - positive impact on the Rotary/Rotaract image (10%); 3. Percentage of club members involved in development and in implementation of project (25%); 4. Quantitative and qualitative results of project (25%); 5. Project innovation (20%).
UP FRONT Up Front is a monthly feature in the D9200 Rotaract Newsletter, which will recognise Rotaractors in the District who have made outstanding contributions to the Rotaract community. This month, we feature Sarah Keino, Country Coordinator - Kenya Central .
My proudest achievement: participating in last year’s Greatest Race on Earth. My most humbling moment: when I was asked by the DRR to serve as the Country Coordinator. My life won’t be complete until: I walk on the Great Wall of China. The book currently on my night stand: “Bringing down the House” by Ben Mezrich. My favorite part of every Rotaract meeting: Introductions and Interaction. When I tell people am in Rotaract, they: ask what Rotaract is No body in my club knows that I: play professional basketball. A famous person, living or dead, I’d like to meet: David Robinson My friends think I’m: quiet If I could be any animal, I’d be: a horse My earliest memory: going to school barefoot The three things I would want with me on a deserted island: Sarah Keino, Country Coordinator - Kenya Central (above) a novel, a PC with wireless connection and a telephone. The most impulsive thing I have ever done: misreading an exam timetable The disc currently in my CD player: Brian McKnight Three words that best describe me: humble, jovial and ambitious How did you first become involved in Rotaract: when I was invited by a friend to a community service project in campus. How do you view your role as a Rotaractor: Rotaract has grown greatly over the last 40 years and I believe that the future of Rotaract lies in the hands of its current members. Growth and retention of members in every club determines its continuity and I try and talk to as many people as possible about Rotaract and the opportunities it offers the youth. How does Rotaract inspire you: to be a citizen of the world and to have fun. Who have been your greatest influence: my parents. What do you feel are Rotaract’s greatest strengths? Its diverse membership in terms of professions, personalities and characters.
20th Rotaract District Conference & Assembly Paradise Holiday Resort, Bagamoyo 14th -17th May, 2008
Step 1: Register
Make the Registration payment of $75 as per the instructions on www.rotary9200dca.org/. Remember to accompany the transfer of funds with sufficient personal details about yourself and your registration. Fill in the Registration form (available on www.rotary9200dca.org) and send it either by fax to +255 22 2180623 / 2181133 or email it to register@rotary9200dca.org with a copy of your deposit slip.
Step 2: Save for accomodation.
Accommodation is charged at $30 per person per night (3 people sharing).
The $30 caters for Bed and Breakfast. The Registration fee caters for the rest of your meals.
Step 3: Make transport arrangements
To Dar es Salaam (where you will be collected by Rotaract representatives) or directly to Bagamoyo from your respective country.
Step 4: Save for entertainment and miscellaneous expenses.
Step 5: Karibuni Bagamoyo!
Hosted by Rotaract Kwanza, Rotaract Dar City and Rotaract Milimani.
ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS SEMINAR Are you 14-30 years of age? Are you interested in: Gaining exposure to issues and exchanging ideas with people like you? Debating issues of professional responsibility and human relations? Improving leadership and communication skills? Improving career skills and knowledge? Meeting community leaders and mentors? Meeting Rotarians and Rotaractors while having fun and making new friends? Then come and join Rotaract club members from across the country as they celebrate 40 years of Rotaract at the above seminar with the theme: “TRANSFORMING YOUTH TO LEADERS” Date: 15th March 2008 Venue: YMCA Central, Nairobi Time: 8.00am-6.00pm Registration fees: Rotaractors and Interactors: sh 600 Rotarians and Rotaractors seeking accomodation : sh 1000 Registration deadline: 15th February 2008 For more information please contact Sarah Keino-Rotaract Country Coordinator on 0721519564/3293216
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Training Tip On occasion you may be asked to cofacilitate or work with another trainer. Here are some tips to consider when training alongside a fellow Rotaractor. Meet before the session. Reviewing the schedule and content of session together is essential. Discuss logistics of the session, such as room set-up and number of participants attending. Rehearse the content to be clear who is responsible for each aspect of the training. Make each other look good during the session. It’s important to be supportive and encouraging. Assist each other during small group activities or charting while the other is leading a discussion. Give each other feedback after the session. Provide constructive critiques that include positive comments and areas for improvement.
About RYLA: RYLA is a Rotary Programme aimed at developing the qualities of leadership and good citizenship in young people of ages 14-30. The objectives of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards programme are: a. To demonstrate further Rotary’s respect and concern for youth; b. To encourage and assist selected youth leaders and potential leaders in responsible and effective voluntary youth leadership by providing them with a training experience; c. To encourage continued and stronger leadership of youth. d. To publicly recognize the high qualities of many young people who are rendering service to their communities as youth leaders.
News from Rotary
Source: Rotary.org
RI Lee asks Rotarians to ‘Make Dreams Real’ for world’s children By Ryan Hyland, Rotary International News - 14 January 2008 RI President-elect Dong Kurn Lee announces the 2008-09 RI theme, Make Dreams Real, to incoming district governors at the 2008 International Assembly. Rotary International President-elect Dong Kurn Lee addressed incoming district governors today at the 2008 International Assembly, urging them to use their resources to help curb child mortality. Lee said he was in disbelief when he learned that 30,000 children under the age of five die every day from preventable diseases such as pneumonia, measles, and malaria. “Once I understood the issues behind that terrible number, I knew what I needed to do,” Lee said. He told the incoming governors that Rotary will keep the service emphases of recent years -- water, health and hunger, and literacy -- but asked them to focus their efforts in each of these areas on children. “In 2008-09, I will ask you all to Make Dreams Real for the world’s children,” he said. “This will be our theme, and my challenge to all of you.” “Children are killed by illnesses that become deadly in combination with poor sanitation and malnutrition,” Lee said. In addition, families stricken by extreme poverty are trapped in a cycle that only leads to more unnecessary deaths. “It’s a cycle that is not interrupted because there is no access to education.” He challenged the audience to do their part to give children “hope and a chance at a future” by reducing the rate of child mortality in the world. “We will bring clean water to their communities and create sanitation projects that keep children healthy,” Lee said. As the incoming governors begin preparing for the year ahead with the training and inspiration they receive at the International Assembly, Lee reminded them of Rotary’s power and encouraged them to use their resources efficiently to maximize the good done around the world. Governor-elect Geoffrey Mathis, of District 9930 in New Zealand, thinks the upcoming RI theme allows Rotary to dream big. “Make Dreams Real will be an easy theme to sell around the world. We all like challenges; Lee has allowed us to put our dreams to practice.” Rotarians can improve children’s health, Lee said, even in small ways, such as delivering mosquito nets, rehydration salts, vitamins, and vaccines. “So much more can be done with just a little more: a trained birth attendant, a simple clinic, a school feeding program, a visiting nurse,” he continued. “These are simple and direct ways to save children’s lives.” In 2008-09, Rotarians will be asked to open their eyes to the needs of children in communities near and far, Lee said. “Children die not because nobody can help them, but because too often, nobody does. But you and I, here in this room, are Rotarians, and helping is what we do best,” he said, adding that “our job is to Make Dreams Real for children. If every one of us does this, at the end of our year, we will all have achieved something wonderful.”
Happy birthday, Rotary!
On 23 February, Rotary celebrates its 103rd anniversary. This day also marks the anniversary of the first mass polio vaccination effort for children, which started in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1954 and expanded across the United States. Commemorate this day with Rotarians by discussing the history of Rotary and all that has been accomplished by Rotarians.
THE FUNNIEST DATE STORY EVER
Source: PersonalityBudgeting.com/More_Fun.html
This is probably the funniest date story ever, first date or not!!! We have all had bad dates but this takes the cake. Jay Leno went into the audience during one of his shows to find the most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had. The winner described her worst first date experience. There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the prize! She said it was midwinter... Snowing and quite cold... and the guy had taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until they were headed home late that afternoon. They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had that extra latte. They were about an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while. Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car. They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and started. In the deep snow she didn’t have good footing, so she let her butt restagainst the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation. Upon finishing however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were firmly glued against the car’s fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem. Due to the extreme cold. Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date’s concerns about “what is taking so long” with a reply that indeed, she was “freezing her butt off” and in need of some assistance! He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma. Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem. Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her firsttime date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the fender. As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize hands down. Or perhaps that should be “pants down. “And you thought your first date was embarrassing. Jay Leno’s comment...”This gives a whole new meaning to being pissed off.” And how did the first date turn out? He became her husband and was sitting next to her on the Leno show.