The Spectrum - December Rotary District 6710 Newsletter

December 2010

Volume 2, Issue 6

A Note From the Governor

Greetings! DG Woody Northup

December is Family month in the Rotary world. What could be more appropriate? This is the month when we spend so many wonderful days celebrating the holidays with family and friends. It's also a reminder that the initial impetus for Rotary was social. After all, if a young lawyer in Chicago in 1905 had not been lonely and looking for fellowship, Rotary would not have been born.

More importantly, we need to remember that we not only enjoy each other's company- we accomplish great things in the world through uniting with each other in common cause. Whether it's our own individual families, or our local Rotary clubs, or all the clubs in our district, or all 34,000 clubs around the world, we are striving together to move the world forward in a good way.

Does that mean that our own individual efforts are unimportant or not needed? Of course not. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link. It takes the combined strength of all of us working hard to make a difference in the world.

So be of good cheer. With your help, Rotary makes that difference every day in every corner of the world, including your own little corner. Make sure you take the time this month to celebrate that success with all your club members-your Family of Rotary.

Let me also take this opportunity to wish all of you a very happy, wonderful, and peaceful holiday season.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Woody Northup
District 6710 Governor

December is Rotary Family Month

December is a time when many of us gather with our family members, and so it is fitting that December is designated as "Family Month" in Rotary.

How can your club can include and celebrate family in December? Remember that the "Family of Rotary" extends beyond just our relatives such as spouses, (grand)children, and parents. It also includes Interact, Rotaract, GSE team members, Ambassadorial Scholars, RYLArians, and others.

Check out some of these links for inspiration:
Empowered families strengthen Rotary image
Family of Rotary PowerPoint
Family of Rotary Presentation
Family Project Ideas

Go to www.rotary.org and search for "Family of Rotary" for more ideas!

District Speech Contest

Last year's winners

All Club Presidents should have recently received their 2010-2011 Speech Contest Packets in the mail. Be sure to pass these on to your New Generations Chair, Vocational Services Chair, or to your designated Speech Contest Chair.

If your club has not received a Contest Packet in the mail, be sure to contact Stan Klausing, District Speech Coordinator at stan@scott-klausing.com or at 502-222-5366.

The District website also has the complete Speech Packet available for download. It also has other pertinent information and updates. Just click on New Generations - Speech Contest in the left side panel.

Clubs should begin immediately to recruit student contestants in their local high schools.

Club Contests should be held during the four week period of February 21 -March 19, 2011.
Sectional Contests will compete during the three week period from March 21 thru April 9, 2011.
Regional Contests will compete during the two week period from April 11 thru April 23, 2011.
District Finals will be at the District Conference in Nashville on April 29 or 30, 2011.

Group Study Exchange - Host Clubs Needed!

Things are coming together for the GSE with District 1810 in Germany. On November 14 the GSE committee interviewed 7 great candidates for Team Members, choosing four. The team now consists of:

Team Leader: Becky Ricketts- member of East Louisville Sunrise and Community Resource Manager for SeniorCare Experts.

Team Members:

Chris Padgett- Founder and owner of Zeitgeist, sponsored by the Louisville Club.
Michael Iacovazzi-Pau- Manager of International Programs at Greater Louisville Inc., sponsored by the East Louisville Sunrise Club
Amanda Houchens- Chemistry Teacher, Simpson County Schools, sponsored by the Franklin Club
Ashley Gore- English Teacher. Simpson County Schools, sponsored by the Franklin Club

Becky is hard at work getting her team prepared for the June 4, 2011 departure to Germany.

On October 30, District 1810 completed their selection of the GSE team traveling to Kentucky. You can review the inbound team members from Germany on the district website.

At this time, we are taking applications from Rotary Clubs to serve as hosts to this team.

We have had several clubs express interest in being a host club for this exchange, however the concept of putting a tentative schedule together eludes most. To apply as a host club, send a tentative itinerary by e-mail or postal to: Lauch Hines, 5601 Coral Berry Place, Crestwood, KY 40014; LauchHines@targetretire.com

Each final itinerary should show the location and a contact person for each team member at every moment during the tour. If a district does not submit their complete host district itinerary to the GSE department prior to departure, they will not be allowed to travel.

Any club selected to host must provide:

Names, street addresses and contact information of each host family.
A schedule of host families and all planned activities.
Specific location of all planned activities.
Names and contact information for any Rotarians escorting the team.
At least one day's activity devoted to the vocation of each member.

This MUST be done IMMEDIATELY AFTER being selected, as the itinerary must be sent in to Rotary at least 45 days before the scheduled arrival of the team.

GSE hosting is a most rewarding experience for all involved. If there are any questions or comments, feel free to call Chair Lauch Hines at (502) 243-3525.

Rotary and the World Equestrian Games: $142,000 - THANK YOU!

A heartfelt THANK YOU is extended to all the Rotarians, family, and friends who assisted Rotary at the World Equestrian Games. Undoubtedly we have accomplished the largest collaborative Rotary feat ever attempted in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Together we were able to raise $142,000! That translates to $50 for each shift worked.

Our efforts were recently featured on the Rotary International website. Read the article here.

So, what next? Currently the Rotary organizers are hard at work reconciling the work rosters from each day of the games. It is a big task, and they want to make sure they get it right so that each club gets the credit it is due.

To help in this endeavor, a series of spreadsheets have been sent out to all Rotary club presidents. If you worked at the games, please contact your club president to verify that your shifts are recorded correctly.

District Scholarship Applications Available

Your District 671 Rotary Foundation continues to recognize the importance of higher education and the quality students graduating from our Kentucky schools. This year our district foundation will offer five to seven $1,500 scholarships for the academic year 2011-2012 for use at accredited Kentucky colleges and universities. Awards will be made to high school seniors and present college students.

Students You can find the application and all details on the district website:

http://www.rotarydistrict6710.org/view/251

The guidelines are unchanged from previous years.

Applications must be received by February 28, 2011

Eligible Interact or Rotaract members should contact their sponsoring Rotary Club for more information on applying.

This is an opportunity for your Rotary club to help some deserving student who may someday make a positive difference in your community and beyond. Please help assure the continued success of this worthwhile program by returning your candidate's completed application by or before February 28, 2011. If you have questions, call me at 270.723.1899 or email ksharon1@comcast.net.

Sincerely,

PDG Kay Sharon
Chairperson
Scholarship Awards Committee
District 671 Foundation

Rotaract-Interact District Conference:
January 22, 2011 in Owensboro, KY Interact Logo

The date for the annual Rotaract-Interact District Conference is set for Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro.

If your Rotary Club sponsors a Rotaract or Interact Club, or if you would like to learn more about either of these fantastic programs, then this announcement is for you.

Please encourage your Interact and Rotaract members to attend, as well as those Rotarians who are involved with these programs.

This year's theme: Making a Difference

Cost: $12 for Rotaractors and Rotarians; $10 for Interactors
Registration Deadline: January 14, 2010

All Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and club advisors are invited to attend. We will have a full day of learning and fun. Here is what you can expect:

Meet and network with other Rotaract/Interact Club members
Get great new ideas for club projects
Showcase the activities of your club
Learn Teamwork and leadership skills to help improve your own club
Learn how you can work more effectively with your sponsoring Rotary club, and with other Interact and Rotaract clubs

This year's conference is in a great, central location in Owensboro, KY. You don't want your club to be the only one that is left out!

Keep up with the details as they emerge, and register online at:
http://www.rotarydistrict6710.org/view/301

January is Rotary Awareness Month
You are the missing piece

January is Rotary Awareness Month, and a perfect time to ensure that your community knows about the good works of Rotary.

Public relations efforts are vital to Rotary's continued growth and service. Creating a positive image for Rotary is the responsibility of every Rotarian, both locally and globally.

Effective PR campaigns build positive, strong relationships with their audiences. But promoting Rotary's work in the best possible way and sharing your stories effectively with the public and the media are not easy tasks.

Learn to write an effective press release.
Get tips on working with the media.
Learn how to use nontraditional and new media tools to promote Rotary.
Find tips on how to measure the success of your campaign to better prepare for future efforts.
Link to resources, including videos, from Rotary's global public image campaign, Humanity in Motion.
Sign up to receive the Rotary PR Tips newsletter, a biweekly publication that offers innovative ideas that clubs and districts can use to promote Rotary in their communities.
For a complete public relations overview, purchase Effective Public Relations: A Guide for Rotary Clubs.

Important Information for Club Presidents-Elect

As the President Elect of your club of 2011-2012, it is time to start planning for your year. One of the requirements in order to serve as a Rotary Club President is to attend the President Elects Training Seminar (PETS). In order to help you prepare for this important event, we will be holding mandatory Pre-PETS meetings. Please choose one of the following to attend:

Pre-PETS Meetings (attend one):