Great opportunities are still on the schedule . . . DG Installation . . . Life Leadership Conference . . . Youth Exchange Conference . . . Rotary Leadership Institute . . .
The June Rotarian has a list of sixty-five Rotary Fellowships (page 59). Thousands of Rotarian's from all over the world connect with other Rotarian's who have similar interests. The sharing of an interest is another way to build long lasting friendships in Rotary.
Just the other day I was with a person who has been a railroad enthusiast since he was about seven years old. His back yard has three different trains traversing the garden area which invites guests to admire the various buildings, bridges and terrain that embrace the train tracks. There is a fellowship for people who love railroads.
Every International Convention has an area called “The House of Friendship” that compels attendees to spend some time learning about the various fellowships. One such booth displays quilts created by members of the “Quilters and Fiber Artists” Fellowship. The bold colors and patterns present the onlookers with a joy filled experience. Not only can one enjoy the beautiful expressions of these fabric displays but you can bid on them to purchase. The funds often go to The Rotary Foundation or for some other dedicated Rotary project.
Peruse the list of Rotary fellowships, take some time to discover the website, experience building friendships around the world and maybe even partner in a project that will bring transformation to those of need.
Keep reading if you'd like to learn more about Rotary Fellowships . . .
Recently I read this Michael McQueen article and thought it is applicable to every one of us. Leaders might want to sign up for Michael’s leadership. All credit is given to Michael McQueen for this excellent article. [Below is just a teaser - keep reading for the complete article]
"When looking to lead, motivate or persuade [Gen Y, or the Millennials], I wonder whether you are fence-focused or a watering hole-focused leader? Put more simply, do you aim for compliance or commitment from those you lead? If you’re not sure, I’d suggest your vocabulary can provide powerful clues." - Michael McQueen
Excerpts from RI Convention Opening Speech (click on image for full video)
"Sometimes if you want to do your best, to fly your furthest, you have to say I'm going to leave the things I know - I'm going to devote myself totally to the task that lies ahead. I will fly forward as I'm called and I will not glance back.
When I took this job 11 months ago I was convinced Rotary must be run like a business. And to those who said to me Rotary is not a business, I said yes it is. Rotary IS a business, but it's a business like no other business. Our business is literacy, our business is health, our business is livelihood, our business is hope.
Our business is life itself . . .our business is miracles.
And when we push for ambition in our service, when we push for productivity, efficiency, for new ways to leverage our resources, it's so we can make THAT business grow.
Hold your Rotary work to your highest professional standards . . . when you're never content saying I did the best I could . . . but always ask yourself how could I have done this better, and how could I have done more."
Great job Benzie Central Middle School Interactors!!
Thank you so very much for your service to our community!
via Benzie Sunrise Rotary share from Benzie Central Middle School Facebook page
Youth Exchange Students
Made the Rounds as Club Leaders
At this time of year it's customary that our Youth Exchange students, both inbound and outbound, team up and take over their host clubs' program.
They commandeer the gavel, lead members through the usual weekly ritual, and they deliver the program content which often features presentations about their home countries.
On the right, Rotary Inbound Youth Exchange Student Balint Kuti, Hungary, was acting as Rotary president at Montague-Whitehall Rotary May 3rd club meeting.
Traverse City-based students made the rounds of the three clubs, starting with Rotary Club of Traverse City (above).
All schools in Lowell collected food and toiletries for FROM.
A group of high school Interact Club members visited the Early Act meeting to give the students a better idea of what the "Food Fight" is and what FROM needs most. Great teamwork!
Holland Tulip Volksparade 5/11/16 - Joey Ramirez (Argentina), Alexa Watkin (going to Austria), Lindsey Drost (going to Germany), Langley Van Wagoner (going to France), and Andrea Lefevre (Denmark)
Enjoy this article in the May Issue of Forest Hills Public Schools Focus (click on above image) that is sent out to over 12,000 homes in the Forest Hills Area. This article provide a quick overview of what the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids East new Forest Hills Northern High School Rotary Interact Club is doing to make a difference in the world and our community. These highly passionate young interacters are doing amazing projects and representing Rotary at the highest level.
Congratulations to the Forest Hills Northern Rotary Interact Club, and their adviser, Catherine Jacobs, President-elect of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids East!
The Harlem Ambassadors basketball team performs dozens of fundraising events with Rotary clubs each year around the country. They will be coming through our area this fall.
Last October Kalkaska Rotary organized a FUNdraising game to benefit Kalkaska Schools (technology investment). The event engaged club members, it reinforced their commitment to Kalkaska schools and students. Best yet, the community loved it and everyone had fun.
We had never done an event like this, and while it was a lot of hard work, the Harlem Ambassadors have an excellent information pack and system in place to help clubs put their event together. One of the things we liked about it was that it was quite customizable for our community’s needs. The team was great to work with, and we are definitely going to have them back again! ~ Tom Tanner [Kalkaska Rotary Club President 2015-2016]
Use, and re-use these images . . . they can be free-standing banners for chamber events . . . post images on social media . . . postcards in 'Newcomer's Club' welcome basket
What catches your attention more - words, or pictures? Okay, maybe that's a dumb question.
When you have access to, or create, great images that help tell your story--use them all over the place! The consistency makes it easier to build recognition & awareness.
Make sure there's a thread that ties things together -- a common theme, look, and/or message. In the Big Rapids campaign it's the consistent layout (image at top/contact info footer), color scheme, and call to action "Start a conversation - be the solution. Click. Visit. Join."
It makes perfect sense to re-purpose these at club website. Big Rapids uses ClubRunner and took advantage of a new 'Carousel' feature in the Web Designer. Super straight forward. In short you drag new Carousel widget onto home page and id specific images or point it to an album. Okay, there's a little more to it but it's spelled out in their knowledgebase. If you think that would be a great way to freshen up your website, make sure your club's webmaster reads this article.
Do you know of a Rotary/Rotaract club who has set up their club with an individual profile instead of a page?
This is a problem because:
It is against Facebook's terms of service, therefore Facebook could shut down the profile at any time
If people connect with a profile, that profile can see their personal photos and updates, without knowing who is behind the organisation name. A page can only see what people choose to share with it, such as their comments.
A page has much more powerful features and analytics compared to an individual profile
The leadership team of the Rotary Club of Metro Savannah with the author (seventh from left in white shirt).
A team of young professionals gathered in Savannah, Georgia, USA, a few years ago with a challenging task, structuring a club that would be attractive to young people. The Metro Savannah Club received its charter in 2012 and continues strong with more than 60 members, most under the age of 40. See what has made the club successful.
Rotary unites more than a million great minds around a shared purpose. We embrace our responsibility to transform the communities in which we live — in every corner of the globe. Together, there’s no limit to the good we can do. Join us: http://on.rotary.org/RotaryJoin
Have you seen the New Member Welcome Kit at shop.rotary.org? Cost is $4.95 (each) and package includes:
Pocket folder w/Rotary logo
Connect for Good Brochure
Rotary/Rotary Foundation Annual Report
Proud Member window cling
Rotary tent/business card
Customize this by adding club-specific materials (e.g. club brochure, list of officers, member directory, orientation checklist), End Polio Now and Rotary Foundation materials.
It's a great way to welcome your new members with a professional, current package of Rotary information.
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 Atlanta. Join 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
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.)
Save the date! Take advantage of an extra-special early registration rate of $265 for the 2017 Rotary Convention, where we will celebrate the centennial of The Rotary Foundation.
At the 1917 Rotary Convention in Atlanta, President Arch Klumph announced his dream of creating a Rotary endowment fund. In 2017, we will celebrate the good work Rotarians have done over the past 100 years -- because one man dared to dream.
We're offering the special rate in honor of Foundation visionary Arch Klumph and his birthday of 6 June, as well as the $26.50 first contribution to the endowment fund that grew into The Rotary Foundation.
Join us in Atlanta! Mark your calendar to take advantage of the special registration rate of $265, available only from 28 May to 6 June 2016 at riconvention.org
[NOTE: Registration Fee effective June 7, 2016 is $365]
Chippewa County Sunrise Rotary honored Sharron Dorrity with a Paul Harris Fellow for all the good work she does in the community.
Sharron coordinates the LSSU Art Center Gallery/Sunrise Rotary fundraiser, The 5 x 7 Art Competition and Show. Thank you for all you do, Sharron!
What A GREAT DAY! 24 Fremont Rotarians became Paul Harris Fellows.
Rotary District Governor Tom Schmidt and Past Rotary District Governor Al Bonney presented lapel pins and certificates to the honored Rotarians.
The keynote speaker was Dr.Alice Chapman, a former Ambassadorial Scholarship recipient from Grand Valley University. Dr. Chapman spoke of her time at Cambridge as an Ambassadorial Scholar and the excellence it took to complete her studies there.
We've heard of these at District Conferences, maybe at a club program, or through posts on various social media channels . . . Rotary Peace Fellows and Rotary Peace Centers.
What are these?
Rotary's Peace Fellowship is a highly competitive educational program that awards 100 fully-funded masters degrees or professional certificates through one of six institutions designated as Rotary Peace Centers. These world-class programs are located in Australia, England, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, and United States.
This spring, George and Kerstin Trowbridge were honored with an invitation from Rotary Past World President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, to attend the graduation of the World Peace Scholars in Appsala, Swedenhad. We know there are many throughout the District who have met George, a long-time member of Rotary Club of Grand Rapids . . . a tireless supporter of The Rotary Foundation, an advocate for the Peace Fellowship program, a generous man and wonderful Rotarian.
Rotary Club of Little Traverse Bay Sunset met May 4th at MANNA Food Project to help unload food trucks returning from the food show at Boyne Highlands. Loads of great items were made available for redistribution by MANNA.
Volunteering at this great NW Michigan non-profit is a monthly commitment of club members. Great Job!
Rotaract Club of Baker College Muskegon have been fundraising all year long, including their May Mother's Day bake sale. The cause?
We are humbled and inspired by your incredible generosity and commitment to Muskegon's kids! YOU ARE AMAZING! heart emoticon Every dollar equals a Sack Supper...that's 9,000 times kids in Muskegon will get the good nutrition they need to learn and live well. This gift makes a huge impact for our community, and the 9 schools on our immediate waiting list in Muskegon.
Traverse City Rotary Camps & Services closed on its purchase of the former Traverse City Light & Power (TCLP) coal dock. This West Bay property will augment the current Discovery Center Great Lakes, will be used as a community pier and waterfront center, and will serve as home base to area tall ships. A public grand opening is scheduled June 7th, 2016.
Fremont Rotarians at the food pantry bagging flour and pork sausage for Tru North Community Services..
Ken Hoernsten, Karen Baird
Rotary Club of Petoskey members: Dr. Lufkin, Jean Frentz, Dave Thomas, Chip Frentz next to his wife, hiding behind Melissa Thompson. Rotarians working on the Habitat for Humanity house — in Alanson, Michigan.
The props used at annual club auction to highlight Rotary's six areas of focus!
Roscommon Rotary's 29th Annual Spring Auction was held May 7th. Contestant's in the big game "danced" to the BeeGees "Should be Dancin'" while holding on to their props. Every few seconds we'd stop the music and draw one of the six tickets for a consolation gift certificate. Grand prize for the last dancer was a Hilton Head Condo stay. The poncho and flower headband were for the peace and conflict focus--our local vet and Rotarian, Troy Fairbanks made a lovely hippie/flower child and flashed the peace sign during his dance. It was a lot of fun and the big winner was Becky Yuncker--the president of our Houghton Lake Club!
The Cedar Springs Rotary Club conducted their Cow Plop Raffle on May 7 with the help
of Ana the calf. The winners, thanks to Ana’s strategic aim, were Stacey Helsel, first
place; Kurt Mabie, second place; and Amanda Gerhardt, third place.
The Rotary Club would like to thank everyone that bought a ticket in support of the
club’s good works programs. The club sold 816 tickets and raised $2,380, which will be
used to send students to Rotary District 6290’s Life Leadership Conference in June.
John Rohrer and Ana the calf
The Grayling Rotary is seeking your treasures and things that you no longer need or use that can be sold for a good cause in their annual Rotary Garage Sale on June 4 and 5, 2016. Please contact Rotarian, John Alef at 989-430-0389 for pickup of your good stuff.
A huge THANK YOU to Mr. Rambo and the Sault Area Career Center Welding Class for making these beautiful benches for the Hospice/Rotary memorial walk way ! The sidewalk will be constructed by local volunteers and will go from the Hospice House to the Locey field parking lot. Funds for the project were made possible through the Rotary Public Image grant. — Chippewa County Sunrise Rotary
Roscommon Rotary and Troop 944 team up for a Village Clean Up
The Big Daddy Duck Race is back! Duck against duck, as competitors vie for the chance to proudly take their place in Rockford history and bring home coveted trophies. Join us for Rockford Rotary’s annual Big Daddy Duck Race held on Saturday, June 11 • 6:30 pm during Start of Summer Celebration. Enter your business to help support local charities by joining this FUNdraiser today! For entry forms and information you can visit:http://rockfordmirotary.com or email rockfordmiduckrace@gmail.com.
Elk Rapids Rotary held its annual Rotary Show.
Rotary Club of East Jordan donated $3,000 toward new playground equipment installed at Watson Park. Pictured here is Club President, Jack Poindexter, and Rotary Happy Hour Chairperson, Renee Nowka, presenting the check to City of East Jordan Parks Director, Trina VanderArk.
From 17 April to 1 May, 155 countries and territories participated in the historic trivalent to bivalent oral polio vaccine switch, withdrawing the type two component of the vaccine to protect future generations against circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses. Track the switch live.
The following indicators are being carefully tracked to ensure the switch goes smoothly. As of 24 May:
155 of 155 (100%) countries and territories have stopped using the trivalent oral polio vaccine.
Independent monitoring to ensure the switch goes smoothly has begun in 152 countries (100%).
The National Validation Committee has received switch monitoring data in 145 countries (95%).
The WHO Regional Offices has received the National Validation Report from 147 countries (95%).
KEEP READING FOR AN Endemic Country Summary (as of 5/31/2016)
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.
Recently I read this 
The 
What catches your attention more - words, or pictures? Okay, maybe that's a dumb question.
Do you know of a Rotary/Rotaract club who has set up their club with an individual profile instead of a page?.jpg)
Rotary is marking the Foundation's centennial with a year of festivities. The celebration kicks off at the 
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
