Posted by DG Bill Downes (Mountain Foothills) DGBill2016.17@rotary5450.org
I am an old hand at Membership. In its entirety, it is not an easy task. This makes me appreciate all the more the work that the District Membership Team is doing. Please help them and, by so doing, your clubs along the way.
There are six (6) phases to membership: Recruiting, Vetting, Induction, Engagement, Leadership Development and Departure. I have always focused on recruitment because the rest are irrelevant if you don’t have a new member. To me, the biggest part of recruitment has always been those famous two words ‘JUST ASK’. Rotary is highly respected around the world. People are generally flattered when they are asked to join Rotary. Even if they say “no”, they will remember in a positive way that you asked. And who knows, they might just come to your club for the heck of it and because they are curious.
A lot of ‘the ask’ is how you do it. It should be natural, sincere and succinct. Never beat a dead horse. If they say “I just can’t do it”, you can tell them we will still be here when they are ready. If you are asked what is Rotary, lead off with we are eradicating Polio. Follow up with the work your club does to actually benefit someone - both in the community and internationally. But, make it short and to the point. And remind them we could sure use their help.
If you keep asking, then someone will come. The longer you keep asking, the more opportunities will arise for these future Rotarians. When a prospective member comes to your meeting, be sure to greet them and welcome them in. Tell your members to make a point of personally saying hello. Invite the prospect/visitor to your table and make them feel at home. Hopefully you will have a good program. But don’t ever, ever forget to have fun. Make the prospect a part of the Rotary experience.
So, please, take some time this month and JUST ASK. You will be surprised at the results and just how easy it is.
Posted by Gail Lehrmann (Parker) glehrmann@aol.com
The Rotary Foundation is about to mark a century of Doing Good in the World through humanitarian projects, scholarships, professional training and exchanges, and its remarkable campaign for a polio-free world.
In 2016-17, Rotary Clubs in District 5450 are encouraged to develop their own celebration or pool resources with neighboring clubs to organize a larger event or project. Your club will join other Rotary clubs throughout the world to celebrate this milestone by showcasing the Foundation’s rich history and good work.
This centennial year is the perfect time to tell your community about The Rotary Foundation. As you mark the occasion, be sure to prominently display your club name and The Rotary Foundation centennial logo on any signage. In addition, share your photos and stories on your social media pages using #TRF100.
For more information, go to http://centennial.rotary.org/en/celebrate-centennial. For ideas on how your club can celebrate the centennial, check out potential Rotary Day events or projects in the Centennial promotion kit. Also included in the kit are a sample press release, letterhead, postcards, a PowerPoint presentation, and other helpful information for your use. For additional help contact Gail Lehrmann, Foundation Chair, at glehrmann@aol.com.
Click HERE to view and listen to District Governor Bill Downe's August video message to the District. This short video includes topics such as club visits, training and the RI President's Dinner on January 7, 2017.
Posted by Steve Baroch (Castle Rock High Noon) steve@crhn-rotary.com
Our Rotary District 5450 will be awarding 2 very significant scholarships in the 2016-2017 year.
There are two $30,000 Rotary District 5450 Ambassadorial Scholarship Awards for Graduate Study outside the USA. Eligible applicants will intend to study and have future career plans related to at least one of the following areas of focus:
Promoting Peace
Fighting Disease
Providing Clean Water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Educations and Literacy
Growing Local Economies
Please promote these scholarships and discuss them at your Club meetings. We are looking for applicants with high levels of academic achievement and exemplary backgrounds. Application forms and further information can be found at the district website. The PRE-Application Deadline is October 1, 2016.For more information see this link http://www.rotary5450.org/SitePage/scholarship-program/2017-18-ambassadorial-scholarships-guide or contact Steve Baroch steve@crhn-rotary.com.
Posted by Brandye Miller (Mountain Foothills) irisheyesaresmilin@me.com
The next International Rotary Conference is going to be exceptional. We will be celebrating Rotary Foundation’s 100th Birthday! There are special events scheduled that will give you an opportunity to look back on when our amazing Foundation was created, all the way through to our present day and then looking forward to how we can make an impact on the next 100 years.
The conference will be in the beautiful southern city of Atlanta, where the very first Rotary Convention was held. There will be entertaining and inspiring speakers, including Rotary Leadership, breakout sessions, networking opportunities in the House of Friendship while enjoying some of Atlanta’s hot local entertainment, just to name a few.
Come join in this historic event! Sign up today to receive your early registration discount. Simply click on http://www.riconvention.org/en/atlanta/register. Then click the yellow “Register” button in the top right-hand corner. See you in Atlanta Georgia in 2017!
Posted by Jim Brook (Summit County) jimbrook22@gmail.com
Rotarians hiked to the top of the proposed "Rotary Peak" on Saturday, July 23. Rotarians in the District are still working to make the name official. You can view the hike, and spectacular views, by clicking this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Mwu5hklT1K8
Posted by Heidi Resetarits (Denver Mile High) alumni@rotary5450.org
Rotary has an expansive global network, and over 500,000 Alumni are a vital part of that group. Often we don’t hear much about that group because they are so diversified and often don’t stay in the same district. Rotary International is working hard on reconnecting with that group and building a relationship with them. Rotary Alumni include those who have received funds from the Foundation to study, volunteer or do an exchange abroad, including:
Ambassadorial Scholars
Global Grant Scholars
GSE, VTT Team Members
Rotary Volunteers
Peace Fellows
Rotary Alumni have recently expanded the definition to include those who have been involved through different Rotary capacities, including:
Posted by Phil Goedert (Denver) p.goedert@comcast.net
One of the criteria for selection of a District 5450 Rotary Temple Buell Ambassadorial Scholar is to be an Ambassador and represent Rotary Values during their year of Scholastic studies/travels, and hopefully retain that experience for application as they progress in their careers.
Abigale Stangl, a Rotary Temple Buell Scholar in 2010/11, is a role model for applicants aspiring to be Temple Buell Scholars. While engaged in her studies at Lincoln University in New Zealand, the earthquake that devastated the Island Nation in 2010 occurred. Abigale, as all active Rotarians do, responded, pitched in and assisted to help during their period of great need. As an active Rotarian in Boulder New Generations Club, Abigale is an active participant in the Global, Visionaria-Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Development Institute in Cusco, Peru, and is featured in the current Rotarian Magazine, August, 2016. Abigale’s role in the grant was Impact Director (measurement and evaluation of the program--supporting program design and implementation).
Reflecting on the impact of the Rotary Temple Buell Scholarship Abigale states that:
Enhance Visibility of Interact & Rotary in Your High School!
Should your Interact club team be on the list? Oh, and one more thing -- does your Interact club needs help raising the registration fee? Many DTC Rotary members have donated the registration fee and are looking for a team to support. For more info email me at kathycook1029@yahoo.com
Click here to see the current list of teams and sponsors:
Posted by Kam Breitenbach (Parker) kamieb1234@gmail.com
Members from the Rotary Clubs of Parker, Parker Cherry Valley and Denver Southeast came together on July 24th to complete a project at Promise Ranch. Highlights of the day included fence painting, followed by a picnic lunch and dedication and training on the usage of their new Mechanical Lift. The lift was purchased and installed through a Rotary District 5450 matching grant. The mechanical lift will make it possible for Disabled Veterans and other wheelchair bound clients to receive horse therapy. Additional Rotary Clubs involved in this project include Castle Rock, Aurora Southlands, Denver Southeast Satellite and the Rotary Community Corps of Parker.
News from Alison Clowes, one of two District 5450 Rotary Scholars studying in Cape Town, South Africa
Alison’s goal is to train potential youth leaders to prevent and mediate conflict. Her plan is to work on peace keeping projects for youth that focus on gender and race. Her previous experience in Cape Town convinced her that this was her passion. Allison’s report:
Although there were a few setbacks, I have succeeded in registering at the University of Cape Town. I am very excited for my “Gender and Health” course which begins on Monday, and will have a number of excellent practitioners from Cape Town speaking at it. It is in the School of Public Health, where David Wolfer, another Rotary Scholar from South Carolina, is enrolled.
The attached reportshows End of Year giving to The Rotary Foundation and End Polio by club, and per capita for 2015-16. The District 5450 goal is for Every Rotarian to give something Every Year (EREY).
