banner

2016 Events and Deadlines

Things are heating up on the District Calendar. District Training Assemblies . . . Grant Management Workshops . . . Youth Exchange Conferences . . . Rotary Leadership Institute . . . District Conference . . . 

Be sure to save the dates! Keep reading for all the details.

Read more...

March is Water & Sanitation Month

Nine District 6290 Clubs Collaborate on Water Filter Project

In January 2016 four Rotarians from District 6290 Grandville Jenison and Rockford Clubs traveled to the Imbert Region of Dominican Republic to help lay the groundwork for a major water filter installation project scheduled for April to November of this year.
PROJECT VISIT TEAM: BILL PRINGLE (GRANDVILLE JENISON RC), BOB HILDRETH (RC PUERTO
PLATA), RAMONA HINTON, SUE & JIM BODENNER (ROCKFORD RC) & CORINA (RC PUERTO PLATA)
 
Gloria is in the middle of the photo. She is very involved as a leader helping others in the community of Altimira/Impert Province. She was the first to receive a water filter because her health had been so poor. Her health was transformed with safe water and she helped others understand the importance of the filter. Project Las Americas received funding for one home and the community wanted her to be the recipient but SHE remembered her filter could not be moved once installed and she did not want to give up her filter. It took one year to convince her that Project Las Americas would be sure to have her filter working when the home was complete….Today she is in her new home.
 

A Century of Doing Good in the World

 
The Rotary Foundation has been improving lives since 1917.
Learn about our work and be inspired to join us in meeting humanity’s greatest challenges!
(This video premiered at the 2016 Rotary International Assembly.)

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION IS TURNING 100!

Rotary is marking the Foundation's centennial with a year of festivities. The celebration kicks off at the 2016 Rotary Convention in Seoul and will culminate at the 2017 convention in AtlantaJoin in and show your support for The Rotary Foundation. Here are some ways to get involved:
  • Plan a Rotary Day in your community to raise awareness of Rotary and its Foundation.
  • Promote projects your club or district is involved in that are funded by the Foundation. Share your photos and stories on your social media pages using #TRF100.
  • Empower The Rotary Foundation to support the good work of Rotary clubs around the world by making a special contribution. Give
  • Apply for a grant from the Foundation to fund a project.
  • Attend the Rotary Convention in Seoul, 28 May-1 June 2016, and in Atlanta, 10-14 June 2017. Register
Download the Centennial promotion kit

February was a HUGE month for Youth Exchange

We've got a pack of excited 2016/2017 outbound students . . . they attended the annual Winter Conference in Sault Ste. Marie, ON and returned knowing which country they will be calling home during their exchange. Check out the photos capturing all the fun and excitement. Day One photos include the bus trip, the Mackinaw Bridge, the arrival in Sault Ste. Marie, the opening program where everyone met a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, received their final country assignments and heard from a member of the City Council as well as from the Member of Parliament. Day Two photos are of the trip to an elementary school, the Bushplane Museum and the stone house and the party at Algoma University.
 
Then on February 24th, the week after they returned, Courtney Hunter (Co-anchor of 9&10 News Michigan This Morning) aired a fabulous feature that highlights the Rotary Youth Exchange program, underscoring some of the characteristics which make our program best in class. If you didn't have a chance to see that when it aired, or via our Facebook page, click on the image below. This video is now featured front-and-center on the Youth Exchange page at our District website.
 

Significant Achievement Award

The Significant Achievement Award recognizes Rotary clubs for outstanding community service projects. To be eligible, projects must:
  • address a significant problem or need in the local community
  • involve most or all of the club members in personal rather than monetary service
  • be commensurate with the club's size and resources
  • be capable of emulation by other Rotary clubs
  • be currently active or reach a conclusion during the Rotary year for which the award is given
  • be carried out by a single Rotary club 
The deadline for the Significant Achievement Award is March 15. District Governor's must nominate clubs, so the application form is due to the District on March 10th.
 

Announcing our newest Interact Club!

We're thrilled to announce the newest, 'official' Interact Club in our District -- Forest Hills Northern High School Rotary Interact. -- sponsored by Grand Rapids East. The official Certificate of Organization was released from Evanston on February 26th, and we're sure they are all excited and looking forward to their Charter ceremony.
 
As we know, the process of organizing and chartering a new Interact Club doesn't happen overnight. Below is just one example of the kind of work this club is already doing today. Congratulations to all who have been so instrumental in lending support and helping to see this through to fruition.
 
On February 25th, the International Shine a Light On Slavery Day, the school joined the End It Movement, a global movement that works to raise awareness and end human trafficking. In the weeks leading up to the day, the Forest Hills Rotary Interact Club designed posters, sold t-shirts, and got the word out through social media. On February 25th, t-shirts were worn to school, posters were hung, and red Xs (the global End It Movement symbol) were drawn on peoples' hands. At lunch, we had people join the movement by signing a giant poster we had set out, signing a petition to bring a in speaker on human trafficking, and taking pictures in front of a poster wall. In the end, we had 350 signatures and an overwhelming amount of support from our peers.
 

Is Your Club on Track to Achieve a Presidential Citation Award?

Clubs that want to be eligible for the Presidential Citation Award must complete all activities by April 1st.
 
In the Public Image category, Clubs are asked to complete at least one of these two goals:

Opening eyes and hearts while living in 3rd world country

 
As part of Rotary International’s commitment to serve the less fortunate, during the [first week of February] Rotarians from District 6290, comprised of members from Gaylord, Manistee and Benzie Rotary Clubs, along with college students from Michigan State University, University of Detroit Mercy and Manistee Community College, and high school students from Manistee Public, Manistee Catholic and Grand Rapids Schools, worked in the Dominican Republic on humanitarian projects. This year’s team was 27 strong! For some this was their 19th trip to work on projects on the Island.
 
Keep reading for all the details
Read more...

Four Way Test Award

We know that several District 6290 clubs sponsor Four-Way Test essay contests in their local schools. Which of our clubs take our Four-Way Test to the community? What a terrific way to recognize outstanding non-Rotarian leaders who exemplify these values in their daily service to our communities!
 
Kay Bohls, President of the Cheboygan Rotary Club presents Sheriff  Dale Clairmont and Cheboygan High School Principal Michele Andrews the Rotary Four Way Test Award.

eBay Live Auctions to benefit Rotary

Linda Campbell (first from the right) and the Live Auctions team at eBay headquarters.
Rotary is partnering with eBay Live Auctions to provide members, their families, and friends a chance to support Rotary’s work by bidding on antiques, artwork, jewelry, and collectibles. Each month, eBay Live Auctions will donate a portion of the proceeds from a selection of auctions to help Rotary’s humanitarian efforts.
 

HISTORY OF THE ASSISTANT GOVERNORS PROGRAM

1997 Assistant Governors
Back Row, L to R: Don Moss* Betsy Demaray*, Ed Powell, Ross Childs*, Mark Gebhardt, Hal Child  (PDG)
Middle Row: Dan Moores (R. I. President's Rep.), Virginia Nordby (Facilitator), Louise Spicer, Tom Boss (DGNN)
Front row:  Ron DenBroeder, John Morrison (DGN), Thomas Boven, Marcus Wegmeyer (DGNNN)
Not shown:  Dick Miller (DG)
 
* Went on to become District Governor
 
The Assistant Governor program has been a training ground for District Rotarians who want to learn more about our great organization. Since its inception many of our District Governors have wet their feet as Assistant Governors. The late Betsy Demaray, one of our former Assistant Governors, became District Governor and then went on to be a Rotary International Board Member. Who will be next????

Because of the knowledge gained in this program, and our ability to build on that knowledge, District 6290 has been recognized as a leader in our zone.

Let's keep up the good work!
 
Read more about the evolution of our District 6290 Assistant Governor program.
Read more...

Hart Rotary honors Stewart Roche on his 100th Birthday

The Hart Rotary regular weekly meeting on February 17th was held at the Council on Aging and honored Stewart Roche a founding member of the Hart Rotary Club on his 100th birthday. District Governor, Tom Schmidt (pictured right) presented Stewart (center) with a resolution from Rotary International in appreciation for his continued years of Rotary service. 
 
Stewart practiced law in Hart for 41 years. He was the owner & operator of Hart Petroleum Co for 17 years and was president of the Oceana County Savings Bank (now Huntington Bank) for 33 years. Stewart was one of the 20 charter members of the Hart Rotary Club which held its first meeting on November 27th 1940 at the Steven’s Hotel in downtown Hart. He remained active in Rotary for a number of years, serving as the Club’s President during the 1947-48 year. He is an avid golfer and has 9 aces (holes- in -one) to his credit, three having come since he turned 91. Golf Digest lists Stewart in its record books as “most prolific hole-in-one shooter of a golfer in their 90s.” He attended the luncheon with his wife, Arlene. 

Elk Rapids Rotary Celebrates Rotary's 111th Anniversary

An Iron Lung graces the walk in front of the Elk Rapids Movie Theater where, “Shot Felt ‘Round the World”, a free movie about the development of Salk’s polio vaccine (1955) was shown on February 23rd, Rotary's 111th anniversary.
 
Thanks to Joe Yuchasz for showing the movie and to Gary Chenoweth for borrowed the Iron Lung from the Cheboygan Rotary Club. Eradication of Polio, world wide, of course, is a major thrust of Rotary International - almost, but not quite, a done deal.
 

Are Rotary's District and Club Leaders serving Sentences?

Rotary's administrative districts and member clubs often have difficulty getting people to serve as leaders. One reason why is happening right now! Many existing leaders, sounding like inmate's approaching the end of their prison sentence, say"Only four-and-a-half more months!"  
 
Rotary leaders, what perceptions are your verbal and non-verbal actions projecting: that your position is a desirable experience to be valued, or a sentence to be served?
 
 
 

CONNECT WITH KOREA -- TOUCH THE WORLD

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend the 2016 Rotary International Convention in Seoul!! In one of the world’s great cities, this convention promises to be very special indeed! It’s easy to register by clicking here!! DO NOT WAIT!!! Everything you need to know is located on convention website… registration, lodging information, planning your trip, the program and so much more!
 
While at the convention, CONNECT with Zone friends at the Great American Breakfast, Monday, May 30, 7-9 am at the Kintex Convention Center! Go to www.greatamericanbreakfast.com to register and for more details. In the most convenient location, the Great American Breakfast offers fun, great food and fellowship with Zones 28-29 and 25-26! After breakfast, the plenary is right next door!! Join in the fun of the Northland meets Far West in Seoul!
 
Seoul is the ideal location for a Rotary convention and a delightful travel destination to explore!
 
SEOUL…may be the largest metropolis in Korea but its residents embrace visitors with a warmth more typical of a small town. Its high-tech transportation system and multilingual signs make getting around Seoul – and the convention – safe and easy. And you can stay connected to friends and family with free Wi-Fi at the convention venue. You’ll find traditional tea houses and regal palaces alongside posh shopping malls and bustling markets. Make sure to include extra time in your travel plans to experience the wonders of Seoul.
 
Come to Seoul and experience the hospitality of a world-class city.

A View from the Top

Have you ever made the trip to Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston, IL? Big Rapids President Ben Montgomery did!
 
 
 
 
 
"The view from Ravi's office....I don't think I could get bored of that!" - Ben

A POLIO SURVIVOR DREAMS TO END POLIO FOR GOOD

Big Rapids Rotarian John Ruggles story was recently featured at endpolionow.org.
 
"Rehabilitation practices were haphazard back then and I lost 95 percent use of my right arm, but I was one of the lucky ones. I didn't end up in a wheelchair or an iron lung, like other kids I knew."
 

What's it like helping to distribute polio vaccines to 3,000 children?

Just ask District 6290 PDG and Foundation Chair Chris Etienne!
 
 
Last December, Chris traveled to Nigeria as part of a team of volunteers to support National Immunization Days (NID). This was her second NID--the first took her to India in 2004. Many of us have heard her moving stories about that visit. Having followed her Nigeria travels via Facebook, we know this recent trip was equally inspiring.
 
Nigeria was declared polio free in 2015, but the work continues! During Chris' visit she participated in a meeting at the Rotary Polio office and the Emergency Operation Center with our partners WHO, CDC, UNICEF and Gates Foundation. She also helped immunize 3000 children, helped distribute 50 wheelchairs to crippled polio survivors, visited a potential school site, and attended multiple meetings of local Rotary Clubs.
 
"Hard to explain the emotions of meeting polio survivors and distributing wheelchairs to them. What a treasure to put smiles on the children's faces. Delivered one in honor of my home club, Rotary Club of Petoskey. What a gift!" - Chris Etienne
 
Read more about her visit in this article from the Petoskey News.

6 social media resolutions to get your club noticed

 
1. Be consistent 
2. Develop a social media schedule
3. Mix it up 
4. Develop a strategy
5. Establish guidelines
6. Have FUN

Celebrate Rotary with Pope Francis

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to celebrate Rotary with Pope Francis during the Jubilee of Rotarians in Rome, 30 April. This special Jubilee event, called on by Francis, is a commitment to serve with joy and in peace across the world. The registration deadline is 15 March.

Learn more about the Jubilee.

Optimizing your ClubRunner Usage

Did you know that ClubRunner has a new Contacts module?

Create categories of contacts for non-members that go beyond the former 'standard' options such as 'Prospective Member.' Now you can add categories like Club Volunteers, Donors, Local Media and Community Sponsors. This module is integrated with your club's email and e-bulletin distribution lists so you can include them in key messages, or you can create special communications targeted specifically to these audiences.

Learn more

 
 

Global Polio Eradication At-A-Glance

important developments

  • Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) have published six new videos on ‘Securing a Polio Free World’ covering topics including the polio vaccines, circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses and the upcoming ‘Switch’. The videos are available in both English and French.
  • There are eight weeks to go until the globally synchronized switch from the trivalent to bivalent oral polio vaccine, an important milestone in achieving a polio-free world. Read more about the reasons behind the switch here. Read more ongoing preparation for the switch here.

KEEP READING FOR AN Endemic Country Summary (as of 2/28/2016)

Read more...

District 6290 Membership and Foundation Giving

 
* All numbers reported through February 29, 2016

Monthly Newsletter Deadlines

During the upcoming  year, our goal is to release the District newsletter at the start of each month. The deadline to submit materials is the 20th the month to issue. If you have an example of a 'best practice' or have other great news to share, please complete our 'Club News' submission form (found at www.ridistrict6290.org under Public Image, or in the FAQ section in our monthly newsletter). Electronic photos are encouraged. Please try to limit your submission to 300 words or less.

District Office
Kathy Hegedus Administrative Assistant
PO Box 381
Grand Haven, MI. 49417
616-935-9559
616-638-8769 (cell)

ImageImage