Rotary International President: Gary Huang Rotary International District 6910 Governor: Bill Strickland September 2014 Issue 3 Time flies when you re having fun! It is hard to believe that I have now visited 39 club in two months. I just love hearing what each club is doing in their own community. Hearing about clubs doing sweat equity projects make me proud to be a 6910 Rotarian. We had an awesome "Pillars for Success" seminar on August 16th, with over 220 Rotarians in attendance. I have heard nothing but great commits. I want to thank everyone that worked on this "Pillars for Success" seminar. The team needs to get all the praise that people are giving me. As they say, there is no I in team. Bill Strickland TABLE OF CONTENTS District Governor s Letter 1 RI New Generations Month 2 GRSP 2014-2015 3 New RI Initiative - End Human Trafficking Now 4 AROUND THE DISTRICT Blue Ridge 5 Cherokee County 6 Clayton, Habersham Co. & Habersham Co. Sunrise 7 Covington 8 Lake Chatuge-Hiawassee 9 Rome - 100th Anniversary 10 District Office Reminder - Badge Holders 10 After the "Pillars for Success" seminar concluded, I completed the ALS Ice Water Challenge given to me by RI Director Robert Hall. I got people to bid to pour the ice water on me. RRFC Kenan Kern and Rockdale County Rotarian Margie Ensley both bid $100.00 to do it. I also asked for donations from the Rotarians that were there, and I am pleased to say that the total amount we raised was over $1,142.00. I think everyone enjoyed seeing their District Governor get doused with the ice water. All I can say it was COLD!!! I have had some people tell me we should have given the money to End Polio Now campaign. I had to say no, since this was an idea from and for ALS, and I was thrilled all the money we raised for ALS. However, it is of utmost importance to remember that we need to support our Rotarian Charity which is our own Rotary Foundation. End Polio Now is only one part of the Rotary Foundation we need to support. I just wanted you all to know that I am having a great time visiting the clubs. If I have not been to your club, please give me time. There is only one of me and 33 more clubs to visit. Let s Light Up Rotary" by bringing a friend to Rotary. Bill Strickland District 6910 Governor 2014-2015 RLI-Sunshine Division - Discussion Leader Member - RC of Bartow County Cell 404-387-8228 Home 770-438-9347 Rotations Issue #3 Page 1
September is RI New Generations Month Observe RI New Generations Month Celebrate New Generations Month in September by recognizing the outstanding achievements of young people in your community or participants in Rotary s youth programs. Highlight local Interact or Rotaract club activities at your club meetings, invite Interactors or Rotaractors to speak about their ongoing projects, or launch a new project to benefit youth in your area. Already Involved with New Generations? Expand your current New Generations activities. If your club has worked with a local high school on a mentoring program, consider starting an Interact club there. If your club sponsors an Interact club for 14- to 18-year-old students, consider sponsoring a club for 12- to 14-year-olds. New Generations and Membership Reaching out to New Generations is a commitment to the future of your Rotary club. Clubs that build ties with youth in their communities cultivate future members and become rejuvenated by the energy and new perspectives that young people have to offer. Share Rotary s ideal of service through vocational and community service projects that target youth, such as career days and mentoring programs. In some communities, New Generations Rotary clubs are chartered to offer young adults an alternative to existing clubs. These clubs can be valuable tools for encouraging younger people to join Rotary. Rotations Issue #3 Page 2
GRSP 2014-2015 This past weekend, August 22-24, 2014, was the Annual Conclave for the GRSP Class of 2014-2015, held in Columbus, GA. The class of 2014-2015 marks the 69 th class of students brought to Georgia for one (1) year of study at one of Georgia s great educational institutions. This class is made up of 51 students (37 females, 14 males) from 22 countries attending 27 different schools throughout Georgia. When this class ends in May of 2015, they will join the GRSP alumni then consisting of a total 3,461 students over the 69 year history of the program. In this 2014-2015 class, 61 different Rotary Clubs in District 6910 support 19 of the 51 students (there are 72 clubs in our district, 85% of the clubs participate - a very high percentage). The students sponsored in District 6910 consist of 14 females and 5 males from 11 countries attending 11 different schools. What is a Conclave? A Conclave is a special assembly of all students that have arrived in Georgia only days or weeks earlier for their first opportunity to meet and socialize with one another. It is also an opportunity for many other functions as well: They will meet the GRSP Officers and Trustees that oversee the program, District Governors, Governor Elects, Governor Nominees and Prior District Governors, and other Rotarians throughout the State of Georgia that come to the Conclave. They are told about Rotary and all the good that is done throughout the year by Rotarians, both from a Georgia and international perspective. They are told about their responsibilities of being a GRSP student and serving as an ambassador for Rotary, the Clubs sponsoring them for their home countries, families, and especially themselves. Host families that attend are educated on their important role in hosting a student throughout the year and can tremendous insight from others that have served in the same capacity. Trustees receive additional training for their roles in serving the students and the program. The Conclave is not all work, however, the students have a little time to meet and socialize with each other and with other Georgia Rotarians from throughout the state. On Saturday evening after the banquet and after they have performed skits only practiced for a few hours prior, they are treated to a dance with a provided DJ Saturday is a very long day for them. And on Sunday in Columbus, they were treated to a whitewater rafting trip (Rotarians joined in as well). So having some fun is just as important as the other educational items discussed over the weekend. Next year, the Conclave will be held in Gwinnett County, as it rotates among the three (3) districts each year. The venue has yet to be decided, and we hope that everyone will come and be a part of the GRSP educational opportunities and festivities. You will no doubt hear more about this as the year develops. Look forward to seeing you then. Respectively Submitted, Al Hombroek GRSP Chair for D6910 Left, Class of 2014-2015 with Barbara Lariscy and Holly Baker on far right (GRSP staff at the Savannah Office) Rotations Issue #3 Page 3
New RI Initiative - End Human Trafficking Now Human Trafficking: NOT A GEORGIA PROBLEM? Think Again. My involvement began when I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone and see what lies behind what I choose to see. We all live in our own worlds and most times don t slow down enough to see what is really staring us in the face. The End Human Trafficking Now Rotary Action Group was started by the Roswell Rotary Club in District 6900 when one of the club members found out that his own babysitter was trafficked. Shockingly, this can happen in ANY community and IS probably happening in yours. Take a few minutes to understand what Human Trafficking is, why Rotary is involved, and what you can do to help stop this heinous crime. Human Trafficking is NOT a new name for prostitution. It is a form of slavery where humans are illegally traded for commercial gain. Shared Hope, one of our partners, has put together several videos and other resources that explain the depth of this problem. http://vimeo.com/sharedhope So, why Rotary? If Rotary can eradicate Polio, why can t we stop slavery? With over 1.2 million members all over the world who believe in Service Above Self, we have the best chance to make a big difference. Our focus as Rotarians is to: raise awareness and educate the public address laws that make harsher penalties for the trafficker and the buyer, NOT the victim coordinate resources to help victims Lastly, what can YOU do as an individual or club to make a HUGE difference? Schedule me to speak at your club to learn more Help us get in front of your school system to provide them with proper resources and training Help us get connected to your police departments for special training Hold a community forum for us to train your citizens Support changes in laws to make tougher penalties for buyers and sellers Donate money to purchase resources for schools to educate staff and children A special thank you to DG Bill Strickland for his support in getting this movement started in District 6910. Anyone needing to schedule a program or wanting to learn more, please contact me. Brandy Swanson District End Human Trafficking Chair 770-540-9292 or Email: brandy@accentcreativegroup.com. Rotations Issue #3 Page 4
THE ROTARY CLUB OF BLUE RIDGE Rotary Blues Train - Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad on Friday, September 19, 2014 Boarding Begins at 5:30 p.m. ~ Departure at 6:00p.m. $40.00 Per Person $75.00 Per Couple Ticket price includes: Appetizers, Beverages, Street Dance, Train Ride & Catered Dinner by Mercier Orchards Ticket are available on-line at www.brscenic.com or by calling 877-413-TRAIN (8724) Train Ride (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm) Dinner & Street Dance (7:00 pm -11:00 pm) Proceeds support Rotary programs and help provide free books each month to area children. Rotations Issue #3 Page 5
THE ROTARY CLUB OF CHEROKEE COUNTY Gainesville Rotarian Mike Freeman, a ShelterBox Volunteer, gave an excellent program on his assignments in the Philippines and Haiti helping victims of disaster survive with ShelterBox housing and supplies. Above, Mike Freeman as he discussed his slide presentation to Rotary Club of Cherokee County members and guests. Mike spoke to The Rotary Club of Cherokee County at Rotarian Mike Flanagan's home. Above, Club President Mike Dietzel thanks Mike Freeman for his description of the Shelter Box Program. Above, Cherokee County Rotarians and Mike Freeman pose in front of a ShelterBox tent available to disaster victims. Left, Marla Prince, Senior Community Relations Specialist for Waste Management South Atlantic, spoke to The Rotary Club of Cherokee County about Waste Management's recycling efforts and how each of us can contribute to keeping America beautiful through practicing recycling at home and in our office. Pictured here, Immediate Past President Bob Stone presents Marla Prince with a certificate of appreciation for her presentation to the club. Rotations Issue #3 Page 6
THE ROTARY CLUBS OF CLAYTON, HABERSHAM COUNTY AND HABERSHAM COUNTY SUNRISE (SOON TO BE CLARKSVILLE) Rotations Issue #3 Page 7
THE ROTARY CLUB OF COVINGTON Rotations Issue #3 Page 8
THE ROTARY CLUB OF LAKE CHATUGE-HIAWASSEE Highlights from Lake Chatuge-Hiawassee Left, Past District Governor Gene Windham shares Membership engagement tips with Club members Right, Ethel Winters, a founding member, receives her 20 year pin from President Harvey Cohen. She also has maintained perfect attendance! Please Welcome our Newest Members! Retired Atlanta Dr. Rick DuBois Former FL hospital executive Phil Beauchamp Rotations Issue #3 Page 9
THE ROTARY CLUB OF ROME ~ SPECIAL Rome Rotary Club Will Celebrate 100 Years The Rotary Club of Rome will hold a 100 th Anniversary Dinner on October 2, 2014, to recognize the organization s history and the club s mission of Service Above Self. RI President Gary Huang and other special guests will be in attendance. The Rome Rotary Club was organized in the summer of 1914 and was granted Charter No. 127, dated October 1, 1914. The Club was the first to be organized and chartered in a city of less than twenty-five thousand population. At that time, it was thought that Rotary could function only in the largest communities and the Rome charter was granted purely as an experiment. The Rome Club was considered a pilot club and more or less experimental. The Rome Rotary Club was such a success in every way that the Club can take much credit for Rotary s spreading to cities of every size throughout the world. Please join us in congratulating the Rotary Club of Rome on this special 100th anniversary! District Office Reminder - Missing BADGE HOLDERS For those of you who attended and enjoyed the Pillars for Success seminar on Saturday, August 16, please check and see if you accidently took a District 6910 badge holder home with you. If you find one, please mail it to the District Office at: Rotary District 6910 Office 958 McEver Road, Suite D-9 Gainesville, Georgia 30504 THANK YOU!!! Rotations Issue #3 Page 10