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January is Vocational Service Month

Helpful Links

Rotary Membership
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The Rotary Foundation
Rotary Foundation Grants
President Elect Information & PETS
Information for Life Leadership Chairs
Rotary Youth Exchange
District 6290 Interact
District 6290 Rotaract

Upcoming Events

P.E.T.S 1 (Grand, Flat and Rogue Rivers Region)
Boulder Creek Country Club
Jan 24, 2017
6:00 PM – 8:45 PM
 
P.E.T.S. 1 (Grand Traverse and Manistee Regions)
Blue Room
Jan 28, 2017
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
 
P.E.T.S 1 (Macatawa, Muskegon and White River Reg)
Feb 02, 2017 6:00 PM
 
D6290 Youth Exchange Winter Conference
Feb 08, 2017 – Feb 12, 2017
 
P.E.T.S. 1 (AuSable & Pine River Regions)
Bucillis
Feb 25, 2017
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
 
Great Lakes PETS
Radisson Hotel
Mar 16, 2017 – Mar 18, 2017
 
Rotary Peace Conference
University of Michigan
Mar 31, 2017 8:30 AM –
Apr 01, 2017 3:30 PM
 
D6290 Youth Exchange Spring Conference
Kettunen Center
Apr 07, 2017 – Apr 09, 2017
 
District Conference 2017
Crystal Mountain Resort
May 04, 2017 – May 06, 2017
 

Happy January Anniversary

  
 
Club Name
Chartered
# of Yrs
Chartered Members
Current Members
Sault Ste. Marie, MI Jan 1, 1919 97 14 49
Suttons Bay - Leelanau County Jan 2, 1946 70 4 56
Greenville Jan 10, 1927 89 15 27
Comstock Park Jan 23, 1952 64 5 26
Reed City Jan 27, 1942 74 1 22
 

Congratulations Dave Thomas!

Dave Thomas
District Governor Nominee Designate
It is my privilege and great delight to announce that the 2016 District 6290 selection committee and interview team has notified the office of the District Governor, that by unanimous decision, the committee is recommending Dave Thomas, from the Rotary Club of Petoskey, as District Governor Nominee Designate (DG 2019 - 2020). No challenges have been received and their recommendation stands. Final approval by incoming Club Presidents will take place at the March Great Lakes P.E.T.S. conference.
 
A Rotarian for over 20 years and 15+ year member of Petoskey Rotary, Dave is their immediate Past President and currently serves our District as Assistant Governor for the Top of Michigan Region: Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Petoskey Sunrise and Little Traverse Bay clubs.
 
Dave is a United States Marine veteran (E-5 Sargeant) - THANK YOU for your service! Dave earned his BA from Carson Newman Baptist College, Masters degree from Johns Hopkins, and is a retired health care executive (Director at Johns Hopkins and University of Vermont. Executive Director University of Missouri and Burns Clinic; CEO Midwest Physicians and Michigan Heart). He is married to Carol, and they have a son, Michael, and daughter, Jennifer.
 
Dave has a long and diverse history of leadership positions within professional associations and community organizations, including: President Academic Practice Assembly, Board Member United Way, Salvation Army, St. James Hospital, Traverse Symphony, Petoskey Community Foundation, Senior Vice Commandant Marine Corps League; Active Petoskey United Methodist Church.
 
Rumor has it one of Dave's hobbies is travel, which will come in handy as he visits with each of our sixty clubs. We know Dave will apply his strengths in leadership, administration, strategic planning and team building to the role of District Governor. Our DG leaders are excited to work with Dave as we welcome him as part of our team.
 
Congratulations, and thank you for your service to our District and Rotary!

District Leadership Training

The District Training Assemblies as we have known them the past few years will not be repeated in 2017.
Pre-PETS training has been replaced by Regional meetings arranged by Assistant Governors for Presidents-Elect to meet with the DGE. And, just as we have turned to more individualized, electronic training for the Grant Management Seminars, the District Training Committee is planning similar methods for training other club officers. We will try to have our 'Assemblies' during months of better travel weather such as our October meeting and spring District Conference.

Grant Management Seminars Going Online!

As you may recall, there are specific eligibility requirements for clubs interested in pursuing matching grants, including participation in a Grant Management Seminar. 
We have wonderful news! In 2017 we are offering an online approach to satisfy this requirement!
"At least two Rotarians from your club with a membership of 20 or more based upon Rotary International records as of July 1, 2016 must attend a Grant Management Seminar in person or online before July 1, 2017. If your club has fewer than 20 members as of July 1, 2016, at least one Rotarian must attend a Grant Management Seminar before July 1, 2017. New this year -- any Rotarian signing a grant application or listed as grant project chairperson must have taken a Grant Management Seminar."
The online D6290 Grant Management Seminar will be delivered in three segments, each lasting no more than 30 minutes. The series will be launched by February 15, 2017 and will remain online for 'on-demand' viewing. The course will include review of narrated presentation materials with supporting, downloadable resources. Each segment will include an online quiz.
We hope you'll agree that this approach provides tremendous flexibility and should allow for maximum participation by club members. 
For those that prefer an in-person approach, we will continue to offer this program as part of the Thursday agenda at May 2017 District Conference. Stay tuned for more specific details, including link to online course in February District Newsletter.

Rotary's Coming Up Roses!

Watch an ABC report of the award-winning
2017 Rotary float

Did you know there is a Rotary Fellowship for the Annual Rose Parade Rotary Float?! Rotary, Rotaract and Interact club members, family and friends volunteer countless hours to raise funds and to assemble the float for the Annual Rose Parade. Their efforts for this year's parade earned them the Princess Trophy for Best Float Under 35 ft.!

The 2017 Float promotes and celebrates the 100 years of The Rotary Foundation. The Foundation empowers Rotarians to travel throughout the world and create and complete projects which serve people in need in six areas of focus which are: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies.  The spectacular and colorful dragon is clearly a world traveler carrying luggage decorated with the six symbols of the areas of focus.  The Dragon also is proudly wearing a necklace with a medallion marked 100 for the 100 years of service.

Learn more about the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee.

A New Year's resolution for your Rotary club

As you prepare for this festive holiday season and reflect on the past year, you may also be thinking about your New Year’s resolution. Many people resolve to improve their health and well-being. Could your Rotary club benefit from a similar exercise? Take the Rotary Club Health Check, an easy online quiz to help your club recognize problem areas and prescribe remedies.
 
Once you’ve taken the health check, tell us how you did. What challenges will your club address in the new year? Describe your club’s next steps in the Membership Best Practices Discussion Group or write us at membership.minute@rotary.org —you might be featured in an upcoming webinar!


 

December 2016 Letter to President-Elects

My activities as District Governor Elect are taking off. In two weeks I will be in San Diego for the International Assembly with all 535 District Governors Elect representing 200+ countries and territories. We’ll all share one goal: to prepare for our year of leadership of our Districts. To me, that starts with my listening to you [President-Elects] tell me about your clubs. 
To that end, we have completed two of six PETS1 sessions with our District’s Presidents Elects. The other four are scheduled for January and February. These replace what in the last few years was called Pre-PETS at District Training Assemblies. They provide me and our District Training Committee an opportunity to listen to [PEs] before setting the final agenda for Great Lakes Rotary PETS, or our PETS2, which will take place in Kalamazoo March 16 to 18.
. . . Many of those who attended PETS1 up north thought it was such a good experience that they asked for a PETS1.5. The Top of Michigan region PEs are scheduling some activities to help themselves exchange ideas.
 
D6290 Foundation Generosity!

Thank you for making Giving Tuesday a huge success! Rotarians around the world raised over $144,000 in a single day to support our Foundation. For the second consecutive year, District 6290 was among the Top Ten worldwide in terms of individual, online contributions made on Giving Tuesday with donations of $5,503.13! 

More breaking news . . . the D6290 team of Indoor Ride to End Polio topped all other participating Districts. The 2016 MICHAEL HARRIS MEMORIAL RIDE TO END POLIO total of record for 2016 including all matches is $11,336,014! Top Indoor Ride to End Polio Club and District Teams (before match):

Rotary Club of Sebastopol, CA                $15,328
Rotary Club of Calgary West                    $18,671
Rotary District 6290                                $10,050
 

Way to go District 6290 Rotarians! Thanks so much for your generosity.

Join us in Atlanta

With almost 40,000 people already registered, the Atlanta Convention is shaping up to be the BIGGEST and BEST ever . . . a true once-in-a lifetime experience. Over 70 District 6290 Rotarians, family and friends are planning to attend. Join us!

There are already 500 people signed up for the Zone party . . . leaving just 100 available spots!

If you need Convention assistance, contact Wendell Christoff cell 616 581-1104 or wchristoff@litehouseinc.com

It's a party and only 100 spaces remain!

Help Your Club Achieve Presidential/DG Citation Award

ONLINE TOOL ADOPTION - Presidential Citation

Goal: Have at least one club member attend a grant management seminar. Report in Rotary Club Central. 
Why Does This Matter?: Attending a Grant Management Seminar is an eligibility requirement for clubs interested in pursing Rotary Foundation matching grants. Clubs with more than 20 members must have two participants, clubs with fewer than 20 members must have one participant. This year District 6290 is offering a flexible new approach - online, on-demand training through the Rotary Learning Center. This new program will be launched February 15th, 2017. Stay tuned for details.
 

New Generation - District Governor Citation

Goal: Sponsor a Rotary Youth Leadership Award student
Why Does This Matter?: District 6290 has the longest-running Youth Leadership Award program in all of Rotary - Life Leadership Conference. This program was fully subscribed in 2016 with 156 participants! It's an impactful program that makes a lasting difference in the lives of these youth leaders.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Deadline to submit for DG Citation has been extended to April 1st

A sneak peak at the new Rotary.org

In January, visitors to Rotary.org will discover a new, contemporary site that tells Rotary’s story in a fresh and exciting way. Rotary staff offer a look at the site’s features: a modern design, increased use of imagery and graphics, and better organization to help readers – especially newcomers – find out who we are and what we’re doing.
 

Generous Non-Rotarian Recognized with Paul Harris Fellow

Tom Mountz (PHF) is pictured with veterans Richard RIzzon, Maury Cole and Charlie Lewis.
At the recent Traverse City Battle of the Bulge Annual Dinner, Petoskey Rotary Club Past President, Jim Wibby, and his wife Sandy, presented non-Rotarian and National Park Service ranger Tom Mountz of Honor, Michigan with a Paul Harris fellow for his 16 years of dedicated service to the West Michigan (Traverse City) chapter of the WWI Battle of the Bulge Veterans group.
 
Even though Tom has no family members in this group, he adopted it as a tribute to these brave WWII veterans. When Tom started volunteering there were nearly 50 active vets in the chapter. On this year's annual remembrance dinner there are now only three.

Petoskey Madrigal Singers debut "The Rotarian"

The Rotarian, a new costume for the Petoskey High School Madrigal Singers, debuted on December 14 at the Rotary Club of Petoskey weekly meeting.
For numerous years the Madrigal Singers have performed at the club during the holiday season. Each year the club makes a donation to help defer costs for the group and/or help provide scholarships for singing lessons.
Last year teacher and music leader Julie Saunders unveiled the drawing for The Rotarian in honor of the club's generous donations.
Proudly wearing The Rotarian costume is Patrick McGeehan, a sophomore at Petoskey High School.
Madrigal Singers with 2015 costumes
 

Elk Rapids Rotary: ‘They are Genuine People’

Download the full article as published in Munson Foundation Fall FOCUS

Elk Rapids Rotary has donated $25,000 to Munson Healthcare in recent years.

Rotarians in Elk Rapids enthusiastically live out their motto to “do good and have fun.” This relatively small 54-member club is a powerhouse in its community.
“This is the third Rotary club I’ve belonged to, and the first time I’ve felt like a Rotarian,” said former club president Jim Nothoff. “This group goes out and does things – they make it happen.”
“We’ve got unbelievable members,” added current club president Gary Chenoweth. “I feel like I should go get my PhD in community service just to keep up with these people.”
The club was founded in 1950 and has changed the face of Elk Rapids, often with sweat equity in addition to financial support. When making grants from its Good Works Fund, the club focuses on three avenues of service: youth, community, and international.
[Keep reading for full article]
Read more...
Membership Best Practice Tip: Diversify Dues & Categories
This is taken from the Membership Best Practices Group at  Rotary.org. Keep reading for a practical suggestion from a New Jersey club.
 

Happy New Year everyone! I thought I would share our (so-far) success story on membership.

Our club membership, like most other clubs, was declining. We fell below 20 active members, and that was a huge red flag that we had to change or else our club would be gone within 5 years.

As result of implementing the ideas outlined in rest of this post, we inducted 13 new members, lost 5 for various reasons, so we've gained a net +8.

Read more...

It's Recruiting Time for LLC!

With a new 2017 application deadline of MAY 1, time is now on your side to recruit in January the best candidates to interview for this prestigious Rotary Scholarship Award for Youth Leadership. This is our District's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program!
 
Last year, every seat was taken with 156 in attendance. Thank you LLC Chairs and respective clubs! We aim to fill the conference again in 2017.
 
Don't wait until Spring Break to get started as the Conference will probably fill up before May 1 this year. 
 
Here are some suggestions to make January come alive!:
 
  • Contact the right people in your club and schools to find out who would be best for this experience.  BE PERSISTENT!. Current mature sophomore or junior leaders who can return from the conference and put their leadership skills to work in your schools and community are great candidates for LLC.
  • Make use of our Was it Worth It? short video with a prospective candidate or school official to get their attention.
  • Follow up with our newest  LLC Overview video to seal the deal!
  • Follow the LLC 2017 Timeline for LLC Chairs for less headache and to beat the deadline of May 1.
  • Use the LLC Presentation for Schools and Students Powerpoint for another way to see what happens at LLC.
  • Access the 2017 LLC Application. Please remember that applicants should type in all applicable fields on the computer, then print the document for needed signatures. 
Any questions? Need some help?  Have a concern?  Want to get your club involved?   Call John Noling, District LLC Chair at 231 670 3740 or email at johnnoling65@gmail.com

Youth Programs in Action

Members of Benzie Central Middle School Interact Club getting ready to sort toys at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, where volunteers have collected donations from toysfortots.org, area businesses, churches, nonprofits and individuals, to serve Benzie area families this holiday season.
Cadillac Rotary Exchange student, Tina, is enjoying lots of holiday festivities! Even though she thinks it's pretty cold, she headed out to a great painting class with Rotarian Doreen Lanc! Great job, Tina!
Roscommon Rotary had lunch with 3rd graders at RAPS. Each student received a gift of books at their individual reading level. The High School choir also joined us to sing some Christmas songs.
Elk Rapids Rotary Interact Students Who Went to Haiti Share Their Journey
Our Interact Club of Montague and Whitehall high school students helped with the Rotary Club float and handed out treats during the community's Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday.
Montague-Whitehall welcomed inbound; outbound, and 3 of their many, many wonderful rebounders. Students were given special gifts, including Youth Exchange sweatshirts.
Holland Rotary Exchange Students enjoying Christmas - Front going back: outbound Natalie Rowland, Inbound Jaakko Kokko from Finland, outbound Tate DeJong, Inbound Kady Wen from Taiwan, Inbound Sid Mehta from India. From Catherine Ristola Bass
Lowell Middle School Interact students collected board games to benefit Flat River Outreach Ministry. 

Host Countries For Outbounds To Be Revealed in Wawa

District 6290 Youth Exchange Committee has approved the applications of 16 Outbound students to go abroad on exchange.  They will learn their final destinations when they attend the Great White North Winter Conference on February 9-12 in Wawa. Currently we also have 24 Inbound students. 
 
A REAL Canadian winter experience will be enjoyed by all in Wawa, as this is a highlight of the exchange year.
Teaching is key to sustainability
Joan Bonney (PDG Al’s wife) and I returned shortly before Christmas from a review of the progress of this grant. It was an exciting visit because the projects are doing well and the communities are happy and prospering. Prior to drilling the wells, much effort was expended by our NGO, International LifeLine, to teach the residents basic tenants of hygiene and sanitation, things such as building latrines, hand washing and food storage. Although behavior change is viewed by Rotary as a major challenge, the nine villages that we visited were basically free of flies and appeared very clean. Open defecation was addressed by makeshift latrines and home made tippy taps. It appears that the villagers have learned and modified their behavior.
 
Continue reading to learn more about this global grant, implemented by nine clubs in District 6290, including: Spring Lake; Lowell; Cadillac; Charlevoix; Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; Kentwood; Grand Haven; Montague-Whitehall; and Holland, with additional support from Thirsting To Serve and HHOP as well as District 6290 and The Rotary Foundation. 
Read more...

Low-cost shelters and simple schools will be eligible for global grant funding

For three years beginning 1 January, clubs and districts will be able to use global grants for the construction of low-cost shelters and simple schools, under a change approved by Foundation Trustees in September. However, the construction must be a part of a comprehensive project related to an area of focus. For example, such construction could be part of a project that includes vocational training and job placement assistance that’s designed to lift families out of poverty, or it could be part of a larger, comprehensive effort to educate children. Construction by itself will not be eligible for global grants.

More information will be coming soon about how to create a global grant project that includes construction of low-cost shelters and simple schools.

District 50/50 Raffle to Benefit Rotary Foundation

Our District Foundation Committee has held a 50/50 raffle in each of the past two years. The payouts last year were pretty rich!

In 2017 the program is a straight 50/50 raffle: Tickets are $20 each. 50% goes to the Rotary Foundation. Clubs selling tickets will get per capita credit of $10 for each ticket sold in that club. The other 50% will be split among 6 individual winners at a ticket drawing of all tickets sold, to be held at PETS on 3/17 in Kalamazoo.

This raffle gets richer and richer for the winners as the number of tickets sold goes up. The more tickets we sell, the more EVERYONE wins.

Contact your Club President and/or Foundation Chair for details. 

Good luck and thanks for your support of this important project: good for the Foundation and good for the winners!

Download the brochure.

Honoring our Rotary Foundation Supporters

PDG Chris Etienne (L) and PDG/District Foundation Chair Al Bonney (R) joined Elk Rapids Rotarians in recognition of PDG Norm Veliquette's (center) recent induction to the Arch Klumph Society.
 
Ludington Club president Linda OBrien presented a Paul Harris Fellow (+3) to Club member Chuck Paukstas. Well done Chuck! Proud to have you in our membership !!
James Jensen was recognized for his second Paul Harris Fellow. Ludington is blessed to have Mr Jensen as a member and friend.
Calling his spouse of 50 years Kenna “the love of my life,” Muskegon Rotarian Bill Loxterman was in a fortunate situation to be able to present this lovely lady with a Paul Harris Fellowship. A school teacher for many years, her’s was an award well-earned.
Gloria White Gardner was made a Paul Harris Fellow at Muskegon Rotary club program
Gloria's accomplishments span many decades and have impacted many, many individuals and organizations.
Petoskey Rotarian Doug Basel presented his son Scott with a Paul Harris Award. 
Roscommon Rotary's Wally Chwan is presented with a Paul Harris Fellow.
 
Much to her surprise, Muskegon President-Elect Cathy Brubaker-Clarke, center, became a Paul Harris Fellow, introduced by Orville and Susan Crain and sponsored by the Club.
(L-R) Greg's wife, Elizabeth and their two children, Greg Bock, Kay Bohls, Marshall Beck and Assistant Gov. Dave Thomas
Greg Bock, Rotarian, and leader of the Salvation Army in Cheboygan County recently raised $10,000 by spending 3 days/nights in the giant red kettle. Upon learning that Greg was moving away to accept  higher position within Salvation Army, Cheboygan's drug court honored Greg with a going away party. Greg has been a god send to rehabilitate drug and substance abuse.
There are many success stories about this young mans abilities and determination. In recognition of his efforts, Cheboygan Rotary Club honored him with a Paul Harris Fellow. Past President Kay Bohls presented the award to him at their annual Christmas Party. Strive Students were there and Kay delivered a talk on how ANYTHING is possible if you use your head, your heart, and your determination.
(L-R) Greg's wife, Elizabeth and their two children, Greg Bock, Kay Bohls, Marshall Beck and Assistant Gov. Dave Thomas

Grants . . . Rotarians Making a Difference . . . in Kenya

During a teleconference on December 15, your Grants Committee considered and approved a Global Grant request by the Grand Rapids Rotary Club. The Economic Empowerment Project Kenya will provide training in business management, managing income generating activities for sustainability, and identifying and assessing market information for 150 Kenyans. Upon completion of training, micro loans will be made available to them, to launch businesses including cereal marketing, hairdressing, soap making, poultry farming and cloth making. Over 95% of them are expected to be female. The ultimate goal is help them earn $1,500 annually, which is the average annual income in Kenya, according to The Economist.
The Grand Rapids Club will work with the Ongata Rongai Club (Kenya) and with the NGO Opening Village Doors Foundation (OVDF). An OVDF team conducted an evaluation in 2015, establishing the need for this training and micro-loan program. Continue reading to learn more about how the program will be structured and monitored.
Read more...

The new Grant Center is live!

In December, Rotary International introduced the new Grant Center to replace the online application for global grants. We hope that Rotary members will be happy with the intuitive and speedy new design. The new site has a fresh look and better organization. The grant application includes clearly defined steps so it’s easier for you to track your progress. 
How to Use the Grant Center introduces you to the new application. 
Visit the new Grant Center (login required)
 

We Saw You On Facebook

Allendale Rotary has a new website (or website in progress).  Be sure to visit www.allendalerotary.org to learn more!
Free Kids Movie with Gaylord Rotary Helpers on Saturday was lots of Fun!!! Thank you to Gaylord Cinemas, Walmart and Tim Hortons for helping make a special day for the kids!!! 
 
 
 
This past Saturday the Rotary Club of Big Rapids, Michigan took over our Red Kettles at the Big Rapids Walmart while the Muskegon Rotary Club took over the Walmart in their area...the Ring Off was on to see who could raise the most money! After the totals were counted and the dust (or snow) had settled the Big Rapids Salvation Army along with the Big Rapids Rotary Club were the victors with $7,765.26 raised! The The Salvation Army Muskegon, MI and their Rotary Club were able to raise $2,580 at their kettle too! This event will help both communities so much! Thank you to all who participated and donated! You. Are. Amazing!
Salvation Army - Big Rapids, MI
Members of the Charlevoix Rotary Club gathered at Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital on Thursday morning to present a check for $5,000 to the hospital’s Foundation. The generous check represented their ongoing support of the hospital’s recent capital campaign which included a complete redesign of the hospital’s surgery and laboratory services departments, and the creation of a third, larger operating room.
The Rotary’s check served to double the impact of community and employee gifts on Giving Tuesday (November 29), for a grand total of $10,225 raised – one spectacular day of giving! 
72 Rotarians and their guests gathered for the annual Christmas party at the new Blue Smoke restaurant in downtown East Jordan. Both the food and the company was great!
 
Happy Holidays from the Rotary Club of East Jordan. 
Frankfort Rotarian Pat Storrer (pictured left) wrote a letter to the Frankfort Patriot talking about the Annual Coat drive by BACN (supported by Frankfort Rotary) in her letter she mentioned the need for socks-something many people don't realize the need for.
 
A family from Grand Ledge, MI read that paper/letter and responded by sending 100 pair of socks and this beautiful note.
 
Thank You to all who donated to the Annual coat drive and thank you to the Buitendorp family!
 
Thank you very much to all the Charlevoix Rotarians and community members who helped us raise over 2,000 food items and $3079 for the Charlevoix Community Food Pantry.
Fremont Rotary club was invited to the Fremont Community Public Library to view the Smithsonian display of sports around the USA and enjoy a catered lunch.
Ray Arnett, Fremont Library director, received a 'Service Above Self' certificate for hosting our group. It was a great day!
Grand Haven Rotary Ringers
Holland Rotary Ringers
 
 
Congratulations to George Haga, Ada Township Supervisor, the recipient of the first annual Rotary Club of Grand Rapids East Award for Commitment to Vocations. 

Click the link below to see the article in Mlive.

http://www.mlive.com/ada-cascade/index.ssf/2016/12/ada_supervisor_honored_by_loca.html#incart_river_index
Rotary Club of Kalkaska took their meeting time to wrap presents for a few families in our community who might not have had a Christmas without a little help. We are fortunate to be able to do things like this, and encourage everyone to do what they can to show love during this Christmas season! 
Little Traverse Bay Rotarians Jock and Christian at D&W Fresh Market

New Muskegon Rotary member Chad Lawie, his wife LeeAnn and their kids Charlie and Hobie along with Bob Scolnik worked one of the entrances to the store. Chad brought his guitar and he and LeeAnn sang for an hour a whole series of Holiday tunes including Adam Sandler's "The Hanukkah Song". 

Lowell Rotary is going to Haiti in March with Starfysh to install 100 water filters! Can you help sponsor a member of the group to go?https://starfysh.worldsecuresystems.com/content/donate (Don't forget to memo Lowell Rotary!)
Ludington Rotary's 18th Annual Rotary Holiday Auction raises about $18,000 for Community projects
Maris Harrington and Jill O'Neill from Great Lakes Center for the Arts received a check for $52,500 from the Rotary Club of Petoskey for the 2016 Diamonds & Denim event. 

Venison For Manna. (L-R) Ruth Milks and Luke LaBlance of the Manna Food Project weigh the first batch of venison donations. Over 285 lbs were collected by the Walloon Village General Store as part of Petoskey Rotary Sunrise's annual Venison For Manna project. Hunters are encouraged to donate a little venison to help others through the Manna Food Project. Manna serves 37 food pantries and meal services throughout the area. 

The Rotary Club of Wawa was pleased to made a donation to the Lady Dunn Health Centre in the way of funds to support the purchase of a high tech training apparatus called a SIM MAN.
This is a realistic mannequin which is equipped to simulate many emergency situations that doctors, nurses and paramedic first responders may encounter. It allows the caregiver the opportunity to respond to and treat conditions in real time with realistic reactions to treatment. An excellent training aid to be added to the LDHC's inventory so staff and students can practice their skills.
Baker College Rotaract Club served as Mentors to members of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lakeshore. An enthusiastic group assisted Club members in making phone calls for their first "Tell-a-Thon". The Boys & Girls Club members learned a lot, gained confidence and perfected their phone pitches and skills with the help of the Baker College students. It was a win for everyone! Thanks to Linda Meyers for also helping and being there with the Baker students.

A New Way to Look at Polio

Sometimes, you have to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to understand their journey. Rotary, with support from the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, is doing just that through a virtual reality film that tells the story of Alokita, a young adult who suffered paralysis from polio as a child growing up in India. Immersed in the sights and sounds of the streets of Delhi and the halls of St. Stephen’s Hospital, home to India’s only polio ward, viewers can watch Alokita take her first steps in 11 years.
 
The film will be in San Diego for an audience with Rotary leaders at the International Assembly in early 2017 and will be available to the public later in the year.
 

Global Polio Eradication At-A-Glance

Wild poliovirus type 1 and Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus cases
 
Countries Year-to-date 2017 Total in 2016 Total in 2015 Onset of paralysis of  
most  recent case
WPV WPV WPV WPV
Pakistan 0 19 54 02-Nov-16
Nigeria 0 4 0 20-Aug-16
Afghanistan 0 12 20 11-Oct-16

 

Polio this week as of Dec 28, 2016

  • In 2016 to date, 35 children have been paralyzed due to wild poliovirus, fewer than in any preceding year. However, eradication requires reaching zero. Poliovirus survives in a limited number of places, with decreasing genetic diversity; the eradication programme continues to intensify its efforts to reach every child.
  • On www.polioeradication.org this week, the December issue of PolioNews: subscribe here.
 

Keep Reading for an Endemic Country Summary
(as of December 28, 2016 )

Read more...
December Membership and Foundation Giving
 
* All numbers reported through December 31, 2016
 

Monthly Newsletter Deadlines

Our goal is to release the District newsletter at the start of each month. If you have a contribution, we appreciate receiving the materials no later than one week prior to the first of the month. 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. Electronic photos are encouraged. Please try to limit your submission to 300 words or less.

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

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