Rotary District 6440 Newsletter
Mike Yesner, District GovernorSeptember, 2012
In This Issue
-- Governor's Message
-- India Team Leader Announced
-- Hold & Interrest Members
-- Event Idea -- Partner, Share, Serve & Build
-- View Into Next Generations
-- Portugal for Next Convention
-- A Short List of Noteworthy Things
-- Up-To-Date Facebook & Internet Pages Help
-- Slots Still Available to India
-- Welcome to Our New Members!
Quick Event Information
 See additional information about these events in this newsletter and on the District website at: www.rotary6440.org
(click link for info)
10/15/12 - Deadline for clubs and student nominations
(click for newsletter article).
11/3/12 - Interviews of students (conducted at Buffalo Grove High School)
(click link for info)
Medinah Banquets  Nov 10, 2012
(click link for info)
Apr 18, 2013 - Aprr 21, 2013 
(click link for info)
June 23, 2013 - June 26, 2013  (Also click here to go to related newsletter article)   
Quick Contact Links
 
The Rotary District 6440 Newsletter is filled with announcements, articles, and links to announcements, stories, and information about our clubs, our members and making a difference through Rotary.
  Governor's Message
 RI 2012/13 Theme Logo

              As I write this...                  

  

Donna and I recently returned from the Zone Institute where we heard Rotary International President-Elect Ron Burton share his view of the future, and listened to former Ambassadorial Scholar Jean Irwin and long-time friend of 6440 Michael Angelo Caruso. Ron has spoken in our District several times. All of 6440 will be able to hear Jean at Fall Seminar Day, and Michael at District Conference. I wondered if Zone checked our speaker schedule to see who would be outstanding in planning their meeting.

 

During Zone, we learned some details of the new North American Membership Plan (see listing in the "Short List...", below). It emphasizes the need to engage Rotarians, and make sure that new members are quickly integrated into their clubs.  That's been our District emphasis for a while, and I think the right direction.  An example is a "shared membership" for companies and organizations.  It's a modified version of the Rotary International Corporate Pilot experiment.   

 

We were delighted that Rotary International Treasurer and our RI Director was able to take part, in spite of her extreme health issues. Please keep Betsy in your thoughts and prayers.

 

I've completed 47 visits, and am still having a great time. I marvel at how different each club is, yet each club is dedicated to reaching the same goals. If you haven't visited a neighboring club for a make-up, Ii urge you to do so. While it is not an international visit, you will get a better perspective of the vastness of Rotary. You'll also see for yourself how we all have our own way of reaching our common goals.

 

I suspect by the time I write the next message, or perhaps the one after that, we'll have a 72nd Club, as the proposed Rotary Club of Fox Valley-Sunset continues its rapid progress to the required 25 members.

 

Last month, I mentioned a riddle in my message. Based on the number of comments I received about it during my visits, it seems that many of our members are reading this newsletter. This month, I have another Gov. Mike Yesnerquestion. What would you like to see changed in RI, in 6440, or in your club? I invite you to email me (mike@yesner.net) with your thoughts. I'd like to hear from many of you. One of you may be the Rotarian who finds that next great way to engage Rotarians, and make our organization better than ever.

 

 

Yours in Rotary Service, 

  

Gov. Mike

 

India "Group Study Exchange" (GSE) Leader Announced

GSE Outbound Co-Chair Terry Desmond and District GSE Chair Jim Runnfeldt reported Saturday our GSE Interview Team selected Michael Carlino, 2013 GSE Leader Michael Carlino Lake Zurich Club, to be our District's GSE Team Leader to India (departing mid-January). Our alternate Team Leader is Katherine(Kate) Collinson, Evanston Lighthouse Club.

 

Mike is an executive with Cornerstone National Bank and Trust, a charter member of his club and holder of many offices there over the years.  He has been active in charitable efforts in the community as well.   Kate is a self-employed commercial interior designer who has been active in several club roles, the Evanston YWCA and Woman's Club, and very active in Habitat for Humanity.   

 

Our thanks go to the Selection Committee for their important work in helping ensure success in international understanding and vocation-building.   In addition to Terry and Jim, members include Sarah Oliver (Wilmette Harbor), Ellen Young (Lincolnshire Morning Star), Dick Larson (Batavia), Ada Kahn (Evanston), Gov. Mike (Skokie Valley), Tony Tolbert (Park Ridge), Mike Ericksen (Schaumburg), and Dave Waring (Barrington Breakfast).   

 

How we hold club members and interest new ones 

We remain Rotarians because, over time, our clubs hold onto us by means of various 'hooks'.  We enjoy friendship, camaraderie in service, self-esteem, love, status, recognition, appreciation, etc.  We see all these begin to add up from the moment somebody takes an interest in us and we perceive Velcro Members Logoopportunities to belong to something that is interesting, fun, fulfilling and with enough variety.  The 'hooks' are set and they hold us. The club is like 'Velcro'

 

For techniques to "Velcro" your members to your club, read Carlos Frum's (Past District Governor) article

 

Club Idea -- Partnering, Sharing, Serving and Building
The previous newsletter asked for ideas and experiences.  Here's one --  The Mt. Prospect/Arlington A.M. Club partnered with Special Leisure Services Association to run a golf outing supporting charitable efforts of the club and the work of the association (provides recreational opportunities to handicapped children and adults).  A special draw and focus was the Arlington Heights Duffer-of-the-Year award and PGA-like green coat, given to a community humanitarian.  In addition to the honor, the well-known recipient was a source of community outreach for foursomes, prizes, and publicity.  The effort acknowledged, publicized and raised money for good work and good causes...through a really good time.

Consider sending your club's experiences or "lessons learned" to Gov's Newsletter Editor at rpaddockjr@dailyherald.com, or post to the district's Facebook page.


September is Next Generations month in Rotary. Which programs are you involved in?  Watch the video.
Turn New Generations into the Next Generation of Rotarians
Turn New Generations into the Next Generation of Rotarians (or click here if photo doesn't display)

Anyone interested in participating should contact Ellen Young, New Generations Committee Chair (and Gov. Elect), 847-735-0224, or ellenyoung60045@gmail.com

  

Portugal
Next Rotary International Convention Will Be In Portugal -- room reservations are available.

Gov, Mike and Donna cordially invite you to join them at the 104th Rotary International Convention in Lisbon, Portugal, and to "Discover Lisbon".

As one of the oldest cities in Europe, its colorful history offering old world charm with a modern flair makes Lisbon an explorers' paradise.
You can expect to experience entertaining plenary sessions, outstanding speakers and lively workshops, plus the House of Friendship, club and

On To Lisbon Logo
Click Logo to Read More

district exhibits and exciting Host Country events.

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the Superior-First Class, Radisson Blu; a 221-room, full-service hotel for approx. $330US. Payment in full will be due on December 3. Please respond to Stan Sherman, the "On To Lisbon" chair, with the reservation form, or for more information, call (847) 736-6513.  Mike and Donna an look forward to being with you.

 

A Short List...of Noteworthy Things:

 

 

  • Great Rotary Speakers --

    Have you had a speaker that really excited your club?  Are there times when you just can't seem to find the quality speakers you want?  The Speaker's Information Exchange Forum (left hand side of the webpage, under District Links, is a place you should click to visit.  The exchange is only as good as the clubs make it.  Be sure to post your best speakers contact info, and use it as a resource for your program committee.  Contribute to the Speaker's Exchange.  Use it as needed.

  • N. Ireland Peace Process will be discussed in a panel at iBAM (Irish Books, Art & Music), a celebration of Irish culture.  The 4th annual event will take place in Chicago from October 12th - 14th. It is linked to the Rotary Club of Londonderry's International Peace Seminar to be held in Londonderry in May 2013.  If interested, see http://www.ibamchicago.com.  This notification was received from Howard Caskie (Past District Governor) from Ireland.

  • Interested in growing and keeping membership?  Is your club a  "Vibrant Club?"  Are you engaging Rotarians?  Our Zone 28-29 membership folks have prepared a great membership plan that discusses both recruiting and engaging.  It's available for viewing and download. 

     
  • Great Project ideas.  Many of us have seen other clubs' projects, and thought, "We can do that!"  If your club is looking for great project ideas, there will be plenty of them on display at the November 10th Tailgate.  If you have a project that might just be that next big idea for another club, you're invited to display that project on the 10th.  We want to avoid overlapping fundraisers in a given part of the District, but what's worked well in one place might work well in other areas.  If your club wants to show off its signature project(s), and help other clubs replicate it/them, contact Fall Training Day Chair Julie Clark ( jac104@comcast.net) Space is limited, get your requests in soon.
  • Example of a Rotary Fellowship -- Nate Naden of the Illinois Beach Sunrise club wrote the following after reading about Rotary Fellowships:  "I would like to introduce you to another long time Fellowship, perhaps you can highlight them the next time fellowships are discussed.  USGFR ( United States Golfing Fellowship)  We are in our 23 year of having a golfing venue in a different part of the country each year. We also have a yearly newsletter of which I would be happy to send if wanted. Thanks for mentioning fellowships in general, a hidden secret in Rotary. Thanks, Nate Naden, Illinois beach Sunrise Rotary Club."

  • This Year's Humanitarian Grants -- Notwithstanding all that's been said about Future Vision, this year humanitarian grants will still operate in the traditional way.  Matching Grants will be matched 1:1 by the District, up to $ 5,000 per sponsoring club.  That's up from $2,500 a year ago.  Matches for District Simplified Grants remain at $500 or $1,000. All grant matches by District 6440 are contingent on a club's support of the Annual Programs Fund.  

  •  YouthDeadlines for 2013/14 Youth Exchange are fast approaching.  Applications from Rotary clubs & students wishing to participate in the 2013-2014 exchange year are due to the outbound coordinator, Alexis Portugal, by October 15th. Please contact her with any questions at Alexis@SaundersPortugal.com. Outbound interviews will be held Saturday, November 3rd.  If you want to help with the interviews, please contact Alexis. 
  • Story about Rotary's Polio Fight, and local Rotarians.  As you may have seen in a separate e-mail, a special story about Rotary's fight against polio recently appeared in the Chicago Tribune. District Rotarians Mary Stitt (Arlington Heights) and Richard Rivkin (Northbrook) were interviewed as part of an update.  Both shared some of their heart-warming experiences as part of the inoculation effort overseas.  You can see the story on the Rotary District Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/Rotary6440.

     

  • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER --October is Vocational Service Month. Polio Innoculation Logo November is Rotary Foundation Month.  Hopefully, there is an awareness program or a speaker at your club for each one.    Also, every year on October 24, Polio Inoculation Day, people around the world shine a spotlight on the importance of global eradication.  

 

 

Are You Driving A Newer Model ?  -- It Doesn't Have To Cost Much To Upgrade Your Club's Facebook Page, Website and Marketing Vehicles so they are Current and Eye Catching.

 

If you're not keeping the club website and/or Facebook page current, you're going to make the wrong impression on those prospective members who search you out.  What's new with your club?  Who's the speaker next week?  What have you done lately for your community?  How's the Interact or Rotaract Club doing?   

 

Still have last year's theme as your header?  No new posts since snow was on the ground?  Lots of type and few, if any, pictures?  Then it's working against you, instead of for you.  Post something new every week.  Show pictures.  Have both a home page and Facebook Page. Make the sites engaging!

 

Take a look at your site(s).  Would they make you say "Wow!" ? 

Exchange

If You Know an Outstanding Young Professional, Encourage Them to Apply for the GSE (Group Study Exchange) Team going to India in January.  

   

This is an all-expenses-paid trip of a lifetime. To learn more, click here, or contact Jim Runnfeldt (JSwede@aol.com) for GSE info.

 

 

 

A GSE Team

Said Rotarian Steven Swanson about this photo, "Great Team from South Africa! Proud to call them Friends !! "  Building lasting friendships is one of the benefits of being a GSE participant. 

Welcome to Our New Members ! 

 

         Club First     Last Name         
Antioch DickOlsen
Barrington BreakfastThomasMiyano
Buffalo GroveBillReavis
Crystal Lake DawnbreakersPatrickMaynard
Fox Lake-Round Lake AreaJeffSefcik
Glen EllynAnthonyRhodes
GlencoeJeriSummers
Glenview-SunriseJasonHickman
Glenview-SunriseMikeNicholson
Lake Forest-Lake BluffBobKinnucan
Libertyville SunriseAlanBurack
McHenryTerryFitzgibbons
NorthbrookAndrewVass
Wilmette Harbor RotaryKhalilDana
Winnetka-NorthfieldKeithDoyle
Winnetka-NorthfieldFredSchwimmer
Winnetka-NorthfieldHeidiSibert
        

 

Bob Paddock
Editor