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May, 2014
Spring had officially begun in Kentucky - dogwood trees, tulips and daffodils had already bloomed - it was a time of renewal. I had decided a few months before that I needed to take a trip north at the end of April. OK, a nearly 900 mile trip to Ottawa, Canada, would be a step back in terms of seeing the appearance of spring but it could be a time of renewal. My reason for going to Canada was to visit the Rotary club of West Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where I first became a Rotarian. It was a special experience I enjoyed as a member of this club from 1979 to 1989. These Canadian Rotarians surely made this American farm boy from Shelby County, Kentucky, feel welcome. They made me feel like I was a valued member of the club and surely gave me many opportunities to serve - the club and the community and contribute to various projects which benefitted various groups of people in Ottawa. It was here I had the spirit of Rotary instilled in me. A major purpose of my visit was to thank these Rotarians for all that I have just mentioned. I was invited to be their guest speaker at the club meeting on April 29. It took me back to the time when I hardly missed a Tuesday noon meeting of the club.
In addition to attending the club meeting and visiting again with about 20 of the current club members who were members when I left Canada at the end of 1989, I wanted to visit Parkway House. Parkway House is a residence for physically handicapped young adults. The West Ottawa club began a relationship with Parkway House not long after Parkway House came into existence. Initially, this included West Ottawa Rotarians taking residents to Montreal Expos games but the relationship still exists today almost 30 years later. I wanted to visit Parkway House and renew my friendship with Russ, one of the first residents I met and became his friend for a trip to an Expos game. When one of the aides at Parkway House announced to Russ that Jack McAllister was there to see him he said "Big Guy" - I knew he remembered me!
Russ and I had a good visit in his room at Parkway House. Russ has cerebral palsy. He showed me, on a specialized computer keyboard that he had designed, the web site of a non-profit Ottawa Foyers Partage (http://ottawafoyerspartage.org/) of which he is a part. Here he trains physically handicapped adults to use a computer. Russ operates his computer keyboard by using a head-pointer which is a small copper tube attached to a headband to insert into a plexiglass cover over an expanded keyboard computer which has holes over each of the keys on the keyboard. Russ is now 61 and is dedicated in his work to the mission of the Computerwise program of Ottawa Foyers Partage - "In the spirit of true friendship, we seek to ensure that people with disabilities have every opportunity possible for full participation in society, continued personal growth and choices in all aspects of their life". Russ is serving his fellow man just like we Rotarians do. It was an inspirational visit with Russ.
While I was there I also visited with Trina and Wayne who were at Parkway House when I first knew them in the mid 1980's. Wayne and I had good conservation. Because of his deafness we were able to use his Bliss board to spell out words. I gave Wayne my email address so we can keep in touch.
I am grateful for the trip my wife, Kay, and I took to Ottawa. It was a time of renewal. It was a reminder of who Rotarians are and what really motivates them to serve.
Engage Rotary, Change Lives
Jack McAllister
Rotary Club of Lexington, KY USA
District 6740, Governor 2013-14
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The Grayson Rotary Club was chartered on April 3, 1939. At their club meeting on April 7, 2014 just four days past their 75th anniversary the club celebrated this historic date. Attending the meeting was charter member Jack Strother now in his 101st year. Jack's grandson Mark is a member of the club. Jack recounted some of the early projects of the club. A particularly significant project along with the Olive Hill Rotary club was fundraising in the 1950's of $40,000. The clubs were able to do so and then purchase and donated to the state the land for Carter Caves State Park.
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Charter Member Jack Strother, President Helen Rose Dowd and District Governor Jack McAllister
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DG Jack McAllister presents President Helen Rose Dowd with a certificate from Rotary International recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Grayson, Kentucky. It was a special day.
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The Rotary Leader
The Rotary  Leader is an e-newsletter published by Rotary International for Rotary club and district leaders. The May issue features articles under New Grants, District Corner, Club Clinic, Ask the Expert and Tech Tools. Pleased click the link below to see the May, 2014 issue.
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News Release
Prime Minister Tony Abbott announces Australia's AU$100 million commitment to polio eradication at Rotary's convention in Sydney
Firm statement supports global effort to end paralyzing virus by 2018
Sydney (1 June 2014) - Speaking today at the kick-off to Rotary International's annual convention in Sydney, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced his government's commitment to end the crippling disease polio once and for all.
In a statement issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 1 June, the Honorable Julie Bishop stated that, "The Australian government will commit $100 million for polio eradication and provide routine immunizations."
Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative began in 1988, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to 416 confirmed in 2013. That same year, India - once the epicenter for the poliovirus - was declared polio-free and today only three countries remain endemic: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. However, conflict and insecurity in some parts of the world have elevated the risk for outbreaks and international spread of the disease, prompting the World Health Organization to declare polio a public health emergency last month. Funding of life-saving immunization activities over the next several years remains critical to ensuring polio is eradicated by 2018.
Rotary members in Australia have played a significant part in the history of polio eradication. In 1979, Sir Clem Renouf of Queensland - then president of Rotary International - spearheaded the effort to unite Rotary's entire global membership behind a single cause for the first time in the organization's history.
"Rotary is grateful for the ongoing support of the Australian government," said Dr. Robert S. Scott, MD, chair of Rotary's International PolioPlus Committee. "We are proud to stand alongside the Government of Australia and applaud its commitment to protecting the world's most vulnerable children against polio."
Rotary launched its signature PolioPlus program in 1985, and in 1988 was joined by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. This ambitious public-private partnership now also includes the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Nearly 30 years later, global polio eradication remains Rotary's primary humanitarian mission. Rotary's leadership role in the effort includes fundraising, advocacy, building awareness and mobilizing volunteers. Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion to end polio, including $21.2 million donated by Australia's 32,243 Rotary members.
Furthermore, many Rotary members travel internationally to join fellow Rotarians and health workers in polio-affected countries to immunize children. For example, Jenny Horton, a Rotary member from Brisbane and a registered nurse, has helped vaccinate children in eight countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Rotary's annual convention is taking place in Sydney 1-4 June. The event has drawn more than 18,000 registrants from 152 countries, injecting an estimated $60.5 million into the local economy.
* Historical AUD figures based on today's exchange rate
** All funding figures in AUD
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. To access broadcast quality video footage and still photos of Rotary members immunizing children against polio available go to: The Newsmarket.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jason Morrison jason@flagship-communications.comMobile: 0412 663 957
Vivian Fiore Vivian.fiore@rotary.org Phone: 9 704 1117 (Convention Press Center - opens 31 May)
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Campbell County Rotary Club
 Campbell County Rotary may be small but it stays very active. It has participated with Newport Middle School in two events recently. First with their Health Fair by getting together a table with a game for students and the community to play but also including information about polio. The club then participated in an evening of games helping prepare students for the KY state testing. Previously CC Rotary had set up a game table with polio information at the Campbell County Middle School Parent Night.
CC Rotary has been working for the past year with Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle organization of veterans,.in participation for the Rolling Thunder parade on May 21 culminating at the Newport Peace 'Bell. Rotary helped to get several students involved by having them acknowledge the veterans as they road past their schools. Several of the riders then went to Washington, DC, to ride in the National Rolling Thunder parade on Memorial Day. The program at the Peace bell included Taps being sung and played, honoring a veteran from the community for his service, an explanation of the MIA/POW Table, a talk by a veteran about his and his brother's military service, and a talk about the Peace Bell. This is an annual event which Rotary will stay active in planning.
Rotary honored Brad Buemi a policeman from the Newport FOP as Policeman of the Year during Rotary's meeting the week of Police Memorial Week.
Programs at their Wednesday meetings are a vital part of each meeting. Interesting speakers such as Steve Franzen, County Attorney explaining what his office can do about fraudulent checks, State Trooper Jones from the Dry Ridge Post talking about Trooper Island, Carol Burns, discussing Junior Achievement, and Jack Snodgrass, Campbell County Clerk explaining the redistricting for voting. After having Steve as a program, the club took some of his flyers and window stickers to distribute to businesses in the area to help them fight this type of theft.
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Cynthiana Rotary Club
On May 15, 2014 President Doug Price (on left) presented the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) designation to member Bill Probus. The Club has named 3 PHFs this Rotary year and hopes to name at least four(4) more by the end of the Rotary year. Presently 30 of the 52 members are PHFs.
 On May 15th President Doug Price of the Cynthiana Rotary club inducts the newest member, Kayleigh Evans. Kayleigh is employed at the Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District and is the tenth (10) member added to the Club this Rotary year.
On May 15th the Rotary Club of Cynthiana held its annual Senior Awards Day program. Each year the Club invites the top Harrison County High School graduates to lunch and honors them with a certificate. This year 32 of the top 43 were able to attend the lunch and each shared with the Club their post HS plans. The Club continues to work toward the formation of an Interact Club at the HS. 
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Lexington Rotary Club
AN AMAZING EVENT!
The 4th annual Dancing with the Lexington Stars exceeded all expectations this year! We're excited to announce that $115,000 was raised!!!! Of course it couldn't have been possible without the numerous Rotarians who supported the event by attending, dancing, judging, sponsoring, donating auction items or in kind services and/or serving on the committee. Every member should be proud of what the fundraising committee and the membership accomplished again this year. A special thanks to Gerald Marvel and Amanda Huddleston the co-chairs of the event. Their enthusiasm, good humor and tireless efforts made for a wonderful experience for everyone involved! All funds raised support the Lexington Rotary Club's charitable giving program, Surgery on Sunday and the bluegrass area. The club would like to thank the generous support shown by the community for this event!
A big thank you goes to Rotarian's Rice Leach and Howard Wiles and all the other local celebrities for "putting themselves out there" on the dance floor to help raise funds.
Those on the committee went above and beyond once again to make for a very fun and incredible event! Thank you Susan Adams, Chris Aldridge, Bret Anderson, Rebecca Barnes, Patty Breeze, Elesha Burkhart, Buzz Carmichael, Paul Chewning, Larry Chiles, Marty Chiles, Jeanne Clark, Debbie Gallagher, Jake Graves, Meg Jewett, Hunter Lisle, Nell Main, Diana Moore, Kellie Newman, Gordon Patterson, Mark Ravenscraft, Michele Ripley, Louis Scholz, Howard Wiles, and Dave Williams.
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L to R : Co-Chair of the event, Rotarian Gerald Marvel, Dr. Andy Moore founder Surgery on Sunday and Rotarian Hunter lisle owner Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Lexington.
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Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League
On April 12th the Lexington Rotary Club hosted opening day of the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League . With the help of volunteers from the Lexington Rotary Club, the YMCA, Chick-fil-a, and numerous community volunteers, nearly 100 kids from Central Kentucky and surrounding communities had the opportunity to play baseball on a gorgeous day at Lexington's Shillito Park. It was an amazing start to the spring season and a wonderful example of what Rotarians do to serve and to change lives for people in their communities.
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Richmond Rotary Club
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Photo courtesy of the Richmond Register
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EKU student receives Rotary Scholarship
Rotary International District 6740 recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Manier Peak Foundation to Eastern Kentucky University student Adithya Guttikonda, center. Presenting the scholarship are Fumi Cheever, left, coordinator of the Center for International Studies at EKU and Ken Ruhl, Richmond Rotary Club membership chair.
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