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August is Membership and Extension Month
 RI President, D.K. Lee, has asked all Rotary Clubs throughout the world to commit to a 10% increase in membership during the 2008-2009 Rotary year. He has also asked each district in the world to produce two new clubs during the same period.
In turn, District 6600 is asking its 67 clubs to commit to the same percentage increase in membership and the same development of new clubs.
Why is membership receiving such a high goal? Quite simply, membership is increasing in all other parts of the world, but is actually decreasing in Canada and the United States. This phenomenon has been developing for several years now. We must stanch this brain-drain before we find ourselves in the predicament that a service club in my community did several years ago. Apparently, it lost its sense of mission, couldn't attract new members, and sent its charter back to its national organization.
OK, OK! I'm an idealist. I think we have the best service organization in the world. Rotary is not only the oldest service organization in the United States; it is also the one making the greatest impact around the world. What other organization could have the Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the stage with our own RI President, Wilf Wilkinson in front of nearly 19,000 people?
The historic meeting mentioned previously took place at the Rotary International Convention in Los Angeles in June 2008 when these four world leaders talked about Rotary's number One priority - the eradication of Polio Worldwide. Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director of WHO, said that she was making Polio Eradication WHO's number One priority too! Every WHO office around the world has been charged to make Polio Eradication its Number One priority.
Then we have the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has pledged $100,000,000, to be matched by Rotary Clubs around the world to help fund Polio Eradication. Do we need, do you need, any more evidence than that to convince you that you are part of something really big and important? I think not!
What does this all have to do with membership, you ask? It has everything to do with membership. Your club is steeped in the concept of service at the local level and the International level. Generally, all you need to do is tell the story of Rotary to prospective members and they will "get it."
Do you need help with your membership program? The District can and will help. Both PDG Jim Shrader and PDG Ralph Schibler have committed themselves to helping any club that asks.
RI President D.K. Lee has also asked every District in the world to create two new clubs in 2008-2009. Do you know of communities that ought to have a Rotary Club that doesn't? If you live in a larger community, would it be advantageous to form a breakfast club so others who can't attend a lunch or dinner meeting can gain the benefits of Rotary membership? If either is the case, please let this writer know. He will appreciate it greatly!
A final thought: As Rotarians, we have the utmost respect for the person who had the good sense to bring us into our Rotary club. How many respect you in the same way? How many more could have the same feelings if you were to bring them into Your Rotary Club? A 10% increase in membership isn't that hard if you just go about it with determination and love. After all, you are part of the greatest service organization in existence and shouldn't you share it? Membership is your responsibility!
David V. Daugherty
District Governor 2008-2009
District 6600
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| Fourth Annual Tour For MESA |
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Rotary District 6600 MESA riders ended a seven day bike tour from July 13 to July 19 that helped raise money to ship medical supplies to South America. Club members pedaled more than 450 miles around Rotary District 6600. The group was comprised of 16 core riders and several day riders from across Rotary District 6600. Each rider donated their pledges per mile and rotary clubs presented checks during the tour. All the money raised will benefit the Medical Equipment and Supplies Program. The group hopes to raise $50,000 for the program. The tour ended in Fremont where final ceremonies were held.
For further information and to view all the links for the M.E.S.A. Bike Tour, please click here: MESA BIKE TOUR |
| MESA Bike Tour Has Many Purposes
Ed Stewart, Bike Tour Coordinator |
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.jpg) I have always looked at the Bike Tour for MESA as a troupe of rolling ambassadors who weave through District 6600 a thread of friendship and fellowship, pulling together clubs and members in a fabric we call MESA. While the main goal is to raise money for the project, the coincident accomplishments are notable: clubs work together for another common purpose, members from different areas become close friends - possibly for life, we all experience Rotary through a unique event that inspires and energizes as no other event does.
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| Youth Exchange Committee Meets |
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The District 6600 Youth Exchange Leadership Team met with representatives from clubs hosting 2008-09 exchange students recently in Bucyrus. Chairman Susan Mack led a detailed discussion on the requirements mandated by Rotary International and the State Department for bringing foreign students for a year of study and home hosting. The paperwork associated with all aspects of the Youth Exchange program has multiplied several times over in just 2-3 years. More on the Youth exchange article.......... |
| PDG Ralph Schibler and Foundation Giving |
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 Every Year, District Governors have their prepared agenda as they go from Club to Club on their visits. Most connect with the goals of their RI President and this is the thrust of their message to the Clubs. Our own PDG Ralph Schibler added more to his canned speech last year than most as he inserted a big heart felt plug for The Rotary Foundation.
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| A "Family of Rotary" Event |
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After Polio eradication, advancing recognition and the public image of Rotary is Rotary International's second priority. Thanks to the efforts of Joe Evans, a member of the Ontario Rotary Club, I think we have something that will go a long way toward that goal.
The five District Governors in Ohio have come together to sponsor a "Rotary Night" at a Columbus Crew Soccer Game on Saturday, August 23, 2008.
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2009 Uniendo-America Project Fair |
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 It is with great pleasure that I invite you, your club, and all your Rotary friends to the 16th Uniendo-America Project Fair in beautiful Belize. The Project Fair will be held January 29th through January 31st 2009, in Belize City at the Radisson Hotel by the Sea. Aside from the important work that is done at the Project Fair, there is also much enjoyment to be had by visiting and getting to know beautiful Belize. Included in our website is a link to a Rotarians owned travel agency who is offering special discounts to Rotarians attending the 2009 Project Fair. Along with this invitation I have included some of my favorite images that begin to give an impression of the beauty and diversity of Belize. |
| Membership Growth Encouraged, Rewarded |
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"You can feel the excitement and energy in a growing Rotary club," says Michael McGovern, vice chair of the 2008-09 RI Membership Development and Retention Committee.
To help energize clubs worldwide, RI President Dong Kurn Lee is traveling the globe to generate ideas for membership growth. His first of 12 presidential conferences , which will include small-group discussions to identify best practices for member recruitment and retention, took place 7 July in Tokyo. More information on membership growth and rewards... |
| Member Access, Online Service Changes |
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In July 2008, Rotary International will implement a more comprehensive registration and login process for Member Access and other password-protected online services. The new system will improve security and provide self-service features. More information........ |
| Resources For Club Committees |
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As the new Rotary year begins, thousands of Rotarians begin their involvement with a club committee.
It's through the work of club committees that a Rotary club provides service to its community, retains members, and develops leaders for the club, district, and Rotary International only when its operations are efficient.
Club committees are charged with carrying out the club's long-range and annual goals. Each Rotary club has different needs and will establish committees to suit the.
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| 2009 RI Convention in Birmingham, England |
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Be a part of history and celebrate the 100th Rotary convention, which will take place in Birmingham, the heart of England!
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| Rotary Radio |
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 Tune in to 1955
Fans of classic radio will love the old-time organ music and blast-from-the-past characters in this Rotary Radio show episode, the first of about a dozen produced in 1955 for Rotary International's 50th anniversary.
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Yours in Rotary,
David V. Daugherty, District Governor 2008-2009
Rotary District 6600 |
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