An honor and a privilege…

By Rich Kaye, District Governor (2013-14)

It’s hard to believe that 5 months have already gone by in this Rotary year. I finished my 63rd and final official club visit on November 21st and I want to thank all of you for the wonderful hospitality that Hanspeter and I been shown in each of your clubs along the way. It’s been an honor and privilege to see all of your clubs, each with different cultures and interests, but all dedicated to Service Above Self. I assure you that the very best part of my job is attending club meetings and getting to know each of you personally. If you have never visited a club other than your own, you really do need to do so and see more of Rotary in action. Typhoon Haiyan: Typhoon Haiyan was the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 5,209 people in that country alone. By the time the eye made landfall on November 7th, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed the system as a Category 5-equivalent on the hurricane scale. With sustained winds of up to 196 mph, it was the fourth most intense tropical cyclone ever observed, and the strongest to ever make landfall, surpassing the old record of 190 mph set by Atlantic Hurricane Camille in 1969. The cyclone caused immensely catastrophic destruction in the central Philippines, particularly on Samar Island and Leyte. According to UN officials, about 11 million people have been affected and many have been left homeless – hundreds of thousands have been pushed to the brink of survival having lost everything; no food or medical care, and with only contaminated water to drink. As many of you realize, Rotary is not in the disaster relief business. The Trustees of the Rotary Foundation believe there are many other organizations, like ShelterBox, that are much better situated to handle first response work. Rotary focuses its efforts on sustainable disaster recovery activities that fit into the new grant model – similar to what District 5870 is currently doing with our Global Grant for West recovery. District 5870 is doing two things to help:

• First, we are accepting donations via the District 5870 Keyway; there is a button on the district website for you to make a contribution. In conjunction with Rotary District 3860 in Cebu, these funds will be used to develop a sustainable disaster recovery project via a Global Grant. As you know, the Keyway is our 501c3 charitable organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent of the law. PDG Suresh Pahwa is coordinating this effort.

• Second, Rotary is partnered with ShelterBox, a fantastic organization that provides interim housing for those who have lost everything; there is a button on the district website for you to make a contribution. RI President Ron Burton has requested that those wanting to help with the immediate relief efforts do so via support for ShelterBox.

In the truest spirit of Rotary, I urge you to help the people of the Philippines by making a contribution to the Keyway and/or ShelterBox.

District Newsletter November 23, 2013

All Clubs Luncheon: The District is accepting reservations for the All Clubs Luncheon scheduled to be held at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop on Friday, December 13th. This year’s theme is Honoring our past, Celebrating the present, Looking to the future. The luncheon will be from 11:30 to 1:30, and costs $25 per person. Like always, there a registration button on the homepage of our district website (www.rotarydistrict5870.org). This is a fantastic an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with other district Rotarians, and it’s an event that only happens in our district every 9 years. The guest speaker is scheduled to be Rotary International President Ron Burton, and I think that you’ll find it well worth the effort to attend. Foundation: Over the past several months we’ve congratulated the Rotary Clubs of Copperas Cove, Austin Capitol, Killeen Heights, Harker Heights Shiner and Yoakum (for the second time) for achieving 100% Paul Harris Fellowship status this year. This month, we welcomed Temple-South into this very exclusive club. My most sincere congratulations go to President Nancy Glover, Mark Fihn and Doug Smith for a job well done! I hear tell that two additional clubs – Taylor and Austin University Area – are closing in on this goal, too. As each of these clubs will tell you, using the Jerry Johnson Trust Match is a great way to achieve this goal. I’ve mentioned this to each club I’ve spoken to already this year, and will continue to do so as I complete my club visits. It’s painless, it’s easy and it works. You can check it out on our district website. More good news: Your contributions so far this year continue to break new ground! As of the last Foundation Report (October 30th), District 5870 was 137.5% ahead of where we were last year at this time (and is continuing leading every other district in our in Zone). As of Friday, November 22nd, we’ve collectively contributed $179,498 to the Annual Programs Fund with 8 clubs already exceeding $100 per capita. Way to go, team! Youth Service: Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Northwest Austin for chartering our newest Interact Club at McNeil High School! This is the second new club chartered this year. My sincerest thanks go to President Pat O’Farrell and all others who worked so hard to make this happen. I’m certain that your investment in these young people will produce great rewards in the future! Finally, as we enter the holiday season, I want to wish all of you a safe and enjoyable time with family and friends. Let us remember those who have suffered loss this year, those who are having difficulties, and those who feel hopeless, both near and far. Please also remember our brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces who are committed to insuring liberty and freedom around the world. I thank you for your service to Rotary. How proud I am to be counted among your ranks. The strength of any organization is directly related to the strength of its members. This district is indeed strong! Yours in Rotary Service, Rich Kaye

Membership is our biggest challenge

By Rich Kaye

As I’ve mentioned at every club visit, our district continues to decline in membership. We declined another 40 members in Rotary Year 2012-13 – better than we did two years ago, but still going in the wrong direction. The key to membership growth is threefold:

(1) finding perspective members who are a good fit for your club’s culture and Rotary’s core values, (2) taking the time to help these prospective members understand what Rotary will expect of them and, as importantly,

what they should expect from Rotary, and (3) Immediately engaging them in the business of Rotary.

Unless you do this, your club will be an organization where existing members leave through the backdoor as fast as you bring new ones in through the front. Ask any Rotarian what Rotary is and he or she will likely give a 2 word response: “service organization.” Then ask what “service” means and you will get answers like literacy projects, working in a food bank, tutoring students, helping senior citizens, etc. What would you say if a potential Rotarian asks you the following: “OK, if Rotary is a service organization and that is what service is, why should I join Rotary? Why should I pay dues and have meetings I have to attend when I can do all of that service for free with other organizations? My church has all sorts of ministries that do that stuff. I can go build houses with Habitat for Humanity or volunteer at a local food bank or homeless shelter. None of that costs me a cent. Why should I join Rotary?” The answer to these questions goes to the core of what Rotary is, and it is something that most Rotarians, even long tenured ones, may not fully appreciate. While Rotary is indeed a “service organization” our service embodies Five Avenues: Community Service, International Service, Club Service, Vocational Service, and Youth Service. And within those Five Avenues of Service is likely to be something of interest and benefit to every Rotarian. Yes, we volunteer. But we also build personal relationships, or provide leadership development and business ethics training, and other personal and professional benefits you can’t get swinging a hammer once a year. The key to attracting and keeping members is twofold – first, to find out why they want to join or stay in Rotary – what are they trying to accomplish or obtain? And second, to make sure the club provides what the members want. Too often, we bring in new members, hand them a list of what the club does, and tell them to pick something. Or worse, we tell them what to do without inquiring whether they are interested in their assignment. In other words we make them fit into our box. And that approach has directly led to Rotary’s declining membership in North America despite good success at bringing in new members. In other words, we bring in new members but lose them when they don’t get what they want from Rotary. We need to treat members like a business treats its customers and provide them the value they seek. What does your club have to offer their members? Does it even understand what they have and are able to tout it to potential members? For example, does a club even realize that, apart from its great tutoring project (Community Service) its members realize tremendous benefit from their social events (Club Service)? And does the club realize where it is weak and thus not getting – or losing – members whose needs in that area aren’t being fulfilled. A typical situation – most clubs would attract younger members from offering opportunities for networking, leadership training and business mentoring (Vocational Service). Members leaving means they are not deeming Rotary to be worth their time and/or money. The good news is we can change that with just a little bit of effort if we are willing to make the changes necessary to keep members interested and engaged in Rotary. Change is healthy but rarely easy. I encourage you to take a top to bottom look at everything it does – from your programs and activities to meeting times and locations, dues, etc. – to make sure you are providing the value your members seek. If you aren’t shackled by the past you can take huge steps forward and grow. So don’t be afraid to add new programs or activities, drop others that aren’t popular, build a previously ignored Avenue of Service, or even change meeting times or locations, if that is what the members want. Giving members the value they seek is the very heart of Club Service!

Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) Status – as of November 22, 2013

Every Rotarian Every Year, (EREY), is a program to encourage every member of your Club to contribute something to the Rotary Foundation. This means that every Club member contributes some amount to the Foundation – with an added requirement that the Club contribute an average contribution of $100/member. EREY status is based on your Club’s membership on June 30, 2014. The Contribution Summary Report (CSR) at Rotary International needs to show every member at EREY status on the last day of March in order to qualify. Our District has set the goal of achieving EREY status at the District level. (Note: for purposes of attaining the Presidential Citation, the EREY numbers as of March 31, are used).

Club Members EREY Members % Club Members EREY

Members %

Lakeway/Lake Travis 51 51 100.0% Austin 204 27 13.2%

Navarro County / Corsicana 12 12 100.0% Georgetown-Sun City 62 8 12.9%

Taylor 35 35 100.0% Caldwell 16 2 12.5%

Temple South 45 43 95.6% Mexia 33 3 9.1%

Waco Sunrise 30 28 93.3% Killeen Evening 12 1 8.3%

La Grange 75 66 88.0% Temple 84 7 8.3%

Marble Falls 64 50 78.1% Harker Heights 54 4 7.4%

East Austin 9 7 77.8% Austin-Onion Creek 17 1 5.9%

Austin University Area 38 28 73.7% Fairfield 17 1 5.9%

Round Rock 66 47 71.2% Corsicana 71 4 5.6%

Cosmopolitan Austin 30 20 66.7% Waco-Lake Brazos 40 2 5.0%

Shiner 23 15 65.2% Cedar Park 22 1 4.5%

Rockdale 38 19 50.0% Northwest Waco 27 1 3.7%

Cameron 28 14 50.0% Pflugerville 46 1 2.2%

Bastrop County 64 25 39.1% Waco 285 3 1.1%

Killeen 35 13 37.1% Georgetown 107 1 0.9%

Cedar Creek 34 12 35.3% Austin Capitol 25 0 0.0%

Austin-Oak Hill 35 12 34.3% Bee Cave 11 0 0.0%

Killeen Heights 121 41 33.9% Belton 21 0 0.0%

Austin Westlake 22 7 31.8% Burnet 64 0 0.0%

Somerville 8 2 25.0% Georgetown (Sunrise) 18 0 0.0%

Bosque County/Clifton 29 7 24.1% Hallettsville 26 0 0.0%

Copperas Cove 21 5 23.8% Hillsboro 31 0 0.0%

Flatonia 17 4 23.5% Hutto 18 0 0.0%

Itasca 9 2 22.2% Marble Falls Daybreak 29 0 0.0%

Yoakum 37 8 21.6% Marlin 25 0 0.0%

West Austin 54 11 20.4% McGregor 23 0 0.0%

Northwest Austin 85 15 17.6% Round Rock Sunrise 27 0 0.0%

Austin-North by Northeast 35 6 17.1% Salado 26 0 0.0%

Giddings 41 7 17.1% South Austin 32 0 0.0%

Lexington 12 2 16.7% Teague 21 0 0.0%

Austin Centennial 30 4 13.3%

TOTAL 2727 685 25.1%

Highlighted in blue – Clubs that achieved EREY status in 2012-2013

100% Sustaining Status – as of November 22, 2013

100% Sustaining Status is a step beyond the EREY status – whereby every member in the Club contributes at least $100 to the Rotary Foundation. 100% Sustaining Status is based on your Club’s membership on June 30, 2014. The Contribution Summary Report (CSR) at Rotary International needs to show every member at EREY status on the last day of June in order to qualify.

Club Members Sustaining Members % Club Members Sustaining

Members %

Taylor 35 35 100.0% Mexia 33 2 6.1%

East Austin 9 7 77.8% Round Rock 66 4 6.1%

Austin University Area 38 26 68.4% Fairfield 17 1 5.9%

Shiner 23 15 65.2% Cedar Park 22 1 4.5%

Temple South 45 22 48.9% Cameron 28 1 3.6%

Lakeway/Lake Travis 51 20 39.2% Temple 84 3 3.6%

Killeen 35 13 37.1% Austin Centennial 30 1 3.3%

Bastrop County 64 23 35.9% Corsicana 71 2 2.8%

Austin-Oak Hill 35 12 34.3% Waco-Lake Brazos 40 1 2.5%

Killeen Heights 121 41 33.9% Giddings 41 1 2.4%

Austin Westlake 22 6 27.3% Pflugerville 46 1 2.2%

Waco Sunrise 30 8 26.7% Georgetown 107 1 0.9%

Rockdale 38 10 26.3% Waco 285 1 0.4%

Itasca 9 2 22.2% Austin Capitol 25 0 0.0%

Yoakum 37 8 21.6% Austin-Onion Creek 17 0 0.0%

Copperas Cove 21 4 19.0% Bee Cave 11 0 0.0%

West Austin 54 10 18.5% Belton 21 0 0.0%

Cedar Creek 34 6 17.6% Burnet 64 0 0.0%

Cosmopolitan Austin 30 5 16.7% Flatonia 17 0 0.0%

Navarro County / Corsicana 12 2 16.7% Georgetown (Sunrise) 18 0 0.0%

Austin-North by Northeast 35 5 14.3% Hallettsville 26 0 0.0%

Northwest Austin 85 12 14.1% Hillsboro 31 0 0.0%

Bosque County/Clifton 29 4 13.8% Hutto 18 0 0.0%

Somerville 8 1 12.5% Marble Falls Daybreak 29 0 0.0%

Austin 204 25 12.3% Marlin 25 0 0.0%

Georgetown-Sun City 62 6 9.7% McGregor 23 0 0.0%

Killeen Evening 12 1 8.3% Northwest Waco 27 0 0.0%

Lexington 12 1 8.3% Round Rock Sunrise 27 0 0.0%

La Grange 75 6 8.0% Salado 26 0 0.0%

Harker Heights 54 4 7.4% South Austin 32 0 0.0%

Caldwell 16 1 6.3% Teague 21 0 0.0%

Marble Falls 64 4 6.3%

TOTAL 2727 365 13.4%

Highlighted in blue – Clubs that achieved 100% Sustaining Status in 2012-2013

100% Paul Harris Fellowship Clubs – District History

District Club Date Certified Rotary Year

5870 Yoakum 14-Aug-98 1998-99 5870 Mexia 23-Sep-98 1998-99 5870 Georgetown (Sunrise) 10-Apr-12 2011-12 5870 Killeen 23-Jan-13 2012-13 5870 Lexington 12-Apr-13 2012-13 5870 Belton 13-Jun-13 2012-13 5870 Copperas Cove 9-Aug-13 2013-14 5870 Austin Capitol 10-Aug-13 2013-14 5870 Killeen Heights 20-Aug-13 2013-14 5870 Harker Heights 6-Sep-13 2013-14 5870 Yoakum 4-Oct-13 2013-14 5870 Shiner 23-Oct-13 2013-14 5870 Temple South 30-Oct-13 2013-14

Top per Capita Clubs – Foundation Giving

2012-13

2013-14

Final

As of Nov 22

1 Harker Heights $761.96

1 Austin University Area $753.38 2 Austin University Area $718.39

2 Killeen Heights $323.84

3 Killeen Heights $584.42

3 Taylor $210.81 4 Northwest Austin $389.07

4 Temple-South $204.48

5 Mexia $367.32

5 Shiner $156.52 6 Temple-South $339.46

6 Marble Falls $134.92

7 Marble Falls Daybreak $293.74

7 East Austin $123.33 8 East Austin $290.00

8 Bastrop County $103.89

9 Killeen Evening $288.29

9 Lakeway/Lake Travis $99.09 10 Killeen $253.97

10 Austin $97.46

Top Giving Clubs – Rotary Foundation

2012-13

2013-14

Final

As of Nov 22

1 Killeen Heights $69,546.36

1 Killeen Heights $38,537.00 2 Austin $39,480.08

2 Austin University Area $27,875.00

3 Harker Heights $38,860.00

3 Austin $19,200.00 4 Northwest Austin $34,626.81

4 Temple-South $8,997.00

5 Austin University Area $20,115.00

5 Marble Falls $8,500.00 6 Georgetown $18,868.00

6 Taylor $7,800.00

7 Waco $17,815.00

7 Northwest Austin $6,822.00 8 Temple-South $14,936.25

8 Bastrop County $5,714.00

9 Temple $13,295.00

9 Lakeway/Lake Travis $5,450.00 10 Marble Falls $12,900.00

10 Harker Heights $4,510.00

PolioPlus contribution status – as of November 22, 2013

Year-to-date contributions to PolioPlus by Club follow:

Club To PolioPlus Club To PolioPlus Temple $2,550 Burnet $0

Northwest Austin $2,524 Caldwell $0

Austin University Area $2,500 Cameron $0

Austin $1,000 Cedar Creek $0

Corsicana $1,000 Cedar Park $0

Yoakum $1,000 Copperas Cove $0

Taylor $600 East Austin $0

Giddings $500 Fairfield $0

Georgetown $490 Flatonia $0

Waco Sunrise $436 Georgetown (Sunrise) $0

Austin-North by Northeast $300 Georgetown-Sun City $0

Itasca $300 Hillsboro $0

Killeen Heights $250 Hutto $0

Rockdale $245 Killeen Evening $0

Marble Falls $225 La Grange $0

Mexia $200 Lexington $0

West Austin $200 Marble Falls Daybreak $0

Hallettsville $120 Marlin $0

Austin Centennial $115 McGregor $0

Belton $100 Navarro County/Corsicana $0

Harker Heights $100 Northwest Waco $0

Somerville $100 Pflugerville $0

Cosmopolitan Austin $58 Round Rock $0

Lakeway/Lake Travis $50 Round Rock Sunrise $0

Killeen $25 Salado $0

Bee Cave $15 Shiner $0

Austin Capitol $0 South Austin $0

Austin Westlake $0 Teague $0

Austin-Oak Hill $0 Temple-South $0

Austin-Onion Creek $0 Waco $0

Bastrop County $0 Waco-Lake Brazos $0

Bosque County (Clifton) $0

TOTAL $15,003

Mexico flooding contributions

For both the website and newsletter, we remitted the money we collected to help District 4130 with their flooding in late September. The final total was $825.00. Thanks to all that contributed.

Unforgettable Convention Experiences

Third in a series from our District’s RI Convention Promotion Committee

“Toto this doesn’t look like Kansas (or Texas)”

Clift Price remembers when it sank in that this is a worldwide convention Reported by Kathy Allred, Rotary Club of Austin University Area

Please add your story. Just email your most unforgettable RI Convention experience to Jack Mayo (jackmayo@austin.rr.com) or Kathy Allred (kallred2@austin.rr.com) members of the Convention Promotion Committee.

Talking to Dr. Clift Price about Rotary is a treat. A retired pediatrician and a Past District Governor, Clift is a treasure trove of information and memories. We met for lunch to share our combined thoughts and impressions of RI Conferences. The first international convention Clift and his wife Sue attended was held in Orlando in 1992. This was a year after he had finished his term as President of the Austin University Area Rotary Club and just a few weeks before he became District Governor-Elect. (Clift was our district’s 1993-94 Governor).

It was during his first convention that he fully realized he belonged to an International organization. He certainly knew that he belonged to Rotary International but had not thought about what that meant because weekly meetings did not really feel international. Now, from the first time he rode the elevator in the hotel and throughout the conference he heard foreign languages. He recognized some of them, French, German, and the other European ones, but he was hearing people conversing in tongues he had not heard before. It began to sink in; this is a worldwide organization, not just a name.

He began to put some sounds together with the continents by looking at the clothing. So many people were wearing the clothing of their native countries, not western attire. He was particularly taken with the ladies from Africa with their long dresses and the colorful headdresses they wore. These people were warm and friendly. They were willing to talk to anyone they encountered including someone who didn’t speak their native language. What Clift and Sue learned was that these Rotarians share the same goals and opportunities we do. Yes, they experienced some very different things, but that simply made convention encounters and conversations more interesting.

The other notable thing was Polio Plus. Clift vividly remembers the reporting at the conference on the status of Polio worldwide. He has tracked the amazing progress that Rotary has made over the past twenty-one years.

At the end of our lunch Clift said to me, “Believe in what you do – Do what you believe in” – the slogan for his 1993-1994 year as our District Governor.

2014 Rotary International Convention

Sydney Convention 2014 Rotary International Convention

online registration is now open, go to

www.riconvention.org

June 1 – 4, 2014

Register by 15 December for the 2014 Rotary International Convention in Sydney, Australia, 1-4 June, and pay $100 less than the on-site registration fee. Register now.

Scholarships Available Don’t forget that your club has a great opportunity to nominate students for not one, but two different types of scholarships, and it’s not too late to do so. Global Grant Scholarships: The first type of scholarship D5870 is offering is Global Grant Scholarships. These are similar to the Ambassadorial Scholarships D5870 has awarded in the past. Global Grant Scholarships support graduate-level study for career-minded professionals. Each scholarship will be $30,000, using $15,000 in District Designated Funds (DDF) that will be matched dollar-for-dollar by TRF’s World Fund. These scholarships are intended to fund study abroad in one of the six Areas of Focus and can last up to four years, thereby enabling you to fund an entire degree program. Global Grant Scholarships require that:

1. The sponsoring club has a host partner in the county of study (just as they are currently required to have for matching grants),

2. Scholars must gain their own admission to college before the grant application is submitted to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) for funding, and

3. Scholarship management is the responsibility of the sponsoring club. The Rotary Foundation will deposit $30,000 in your club’s Foundation bank account and you will be responsible for disbursing these funds in accordance with the Terms and Conditions for Rotary Foundation Global Grants.

In Global Grants, Ambassadorial skills are optional for Scholars. TRF’s primary consideration is forging a link between Rotary and future skilled professionals within an Area of Focus. Nevertheless, Global Grant Scholars are expected to participate in Rotary activities, and their sponsors should provide opportunities for them to do so. To reinforce this requirement, District 5870 has decided to retain the Ambassadorial nature of the scholarship program. You will get more information regarding this in the District 5870 Global Grant Scholarship Application form. The Six Areas of Focus are those selected by The Rotary Foundation:

1. Peace and conflict prevention/resolution 2. Disease prevention and treatment 3. Water and sanitation 4. Maternal and child health 5. Basic education and literacy 6. Economic and community development

Applicants may not be Rotarians or related to Rotarians or employees of Rotary. DGE Hanspeter has budgeted for two $30,000 Global Grants Scholarships. The deadline for the Global Grants Scholarship applications to be submitted to the district is December 31, 2013. They are to be sent to District Scholarship Chair Judy Duer (contact information below). Interviews are scheduled for February 1, 2014. Attendance at the interviews is mandatory. District Vocational Scholarships: The second type, vocational scholarships, is relatively new to our district, with our first vocational scholars in school now, and is for students who will attend a school to learn a specific trade. District guidelines state that students must:

1. Live in one of the 23 counties that comprise District 5870; 2. Be planning to study at a community college or technical school located in one of the 23 counties; and 3. Plan to remain here to work after completion of their studies.

For the purposes of these scholarships, vocational education and training is defined as education that prepares students for jobs, or careers at various levels from a trade to a craft, or a position in engineering, accounting, nursing, medicine and other healing arts, architecture, pharmacy, and law that do not require a college degree to perform. Each District Grant Scholarship will be $5,000, entirely funded with District Designated Funds (DDF) and can last up to two years, thereby enabling you to fund this training through to certification. Sponsoring clubs will be expected, however, to

contribute at least another $250 towards the student’s expenses and can, if they desire, increase this amount to cover project costs. Scholarship management is the responsibility of the sponsoring club. District 5870 will deposit $5,000 in your club’s Foundation bank account and you will be responsible for disbursing these funds in accordance with the Terms and Conditions for Rotary Foundation District Grants. DGE Hanspeter Tobler has budgeted for four District Vocational Scholarships. The deadline for submitting the District Vocational Scholarships to the District Scholarship Chair is January 31, 2014. Interviews are scheduled for April 19, 2014. Attendance at the interview is mandatory. More information on each of these types of scholarships may be found on the district website (www.rotarydistrict5870.org) under the Foundation tab. There you will find handbooks and applications for both scholarship types. Feel free to contact Judy Duer with questions at: jduer@templetx.gov or 254-298-5707. This is a great opportunity for your club to make a difference in a young person’s life!

Rotary Youth Exchange Outbound Opportunities If you know of a high school student who might be interested in going on exchange in the fall of 2014, it’s not too late to submit their application. District interviews have been delayed, so feel free to pursue this possibility. Students need to be between 15-½ and 18-½ in August of 2014. Some countries will not accept students who have already graduated from high school, but others will, so for some students doing this as a gap year might be a great opportunity. Others go during their junior or senior years. Sponsoring an outbound student is an easy task. Clubs will just need to interview the student to decide if they think he/she is a good candidate to submit to the district committee for the district interviews. Sample interview questions can be provided by the district Youth Exchange Committee. There is no cost involved in sponsoring an outbound student. If you have questions, please contact the Youth Exchange Chair, Erin Garcia at erindpeterson@gmail.com or committee member Judy Duer at jduer@templetx.gov .

Interview with Jon Hayes, President of the Hallettsville Rotary Club

Jon Hayes was born in Midland, Michigan where he graduated from H.H. Dow High School. He then attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where he received his B.S. in Environmental Population and Organismic Biology before attending graduate school at the University of Montana in Missoula where he received an M.S. in Natural Resource Conservation. Along the way he married his wife Calle who is originally from Denver but attended Texas A&M and who after 3 winters in Montana made it clear to Jon that she would be moving back to Texas whether he chose to join her or not. He did. Jon found work as a wildlife biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stationed at the field office in Hallettsville and later in La Grange. Jon specializes in conservation of Northern Bobwhite and other grassland birds species. His current position in TPWD is as the Conservation Delivery Specialist for the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture which is a regional partnership made up of various state, federal, and non-governmental organizations working towards the common objective of restoring grassland bird species populations in Texas and Oklahoma. Jon and Calle have lived in Hallettsville for 5 years and thoroughly enjoy the town and the people that live there. They enjoy doing anything outdoors whether its camping, hiking, jogging, hunting, or fishing. Please tell us what factors helped you decide to join Rotary: As someone who is tasked with working to better manage the state’s wildlife and natural resources I feel it’s important to have a good understanding and relationship with the folks that live, work, and play on that land. Rotary afforded me an opportunity to get to know the community leaders in Hallettsville in a more social manner. My father is also a long time Rotarian, so I grew up with an understanding of what kind of positive role Rotary clubs can serve in a local community.

Of your Club’s activities, what do you consider the one thing that best identifies what your Club is all about? The Hallettsville Rotary Club has a long tradition of providing generous scholarships to graduating high school students attending 4 year universities, vocational schools, and nursing schools. Since moving here I’ve learned that this club and community have an incredible commitment to, and pride in the types of young people they raise and educate. I think our club’s commitment to that fits in nicely with the values of the community as a whole.

What’s the primary goal you hope to fulfill during your Presidency? Membership! We’ve slowly lost members over the last few years without adding new ones, so I’m really hoping we can reverse that trend in my president year.

Do you have any advice that might help other Clubs recruit new members, retain existing members, achieve a successful fund-raiser, or provide support for a community project? I wish I did. We just try to make the meetings fun and provide a good social atmosphere so our members look forward to attending the meetings, fundraisers, and events we’re involved in.

Pictures of the Hallettsville Rotary Club preparing plates to go for their fall chili supper fundraiser…

Is Rotary well-known and understood in your community? Do you have any plans for Rotary-related publicity during your Presidency? I think we’re a known entity in the community, I don’t however think many community members understand

the good work Rotary does internationally however, or how being a member can help support that. We need to do a better job getting that message out to the community as a whole.

As President, what’s your biggest concern? I want the meetings to be enjoyable, have a friendly atmosphere, and be well-attended.

What’s the best book you’ve read in the past 3 years? Hard to say, I’ve read a lot of books in the last 3 years. I just finished reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand though, and that was an incredible story.

What’s your favorite quotation? “The careful foot can walk anywhere.” Ancient Chinese Sage

What’s your favorite restaurant in your community? Not too many choices in the bustling metropolis that is Hallettsville, I’ll go with Jalisco’s the local Tex-Mex joint.

What one thing would you most recommend as a “must see”, a “hidden treasure”, for visitors to your community? The Festival of Lights is a beautiful sight. For the holidays every year the city decorates the courthouse (a beautiful building in its own right) and the square with thousands of white Christmas lights. It makes for a beautiful scene. So if you’re driving south on 77 during the holidays be sure to take a quick drive through the square, you won’t forget it.

Interview with Jennifer Graham, President of the Temple Rotary Club

Jennifer Graham spent more than 20 years in education serving students as a teacher, principal and professor before moving into her current role as the Executive Director of the Temple College Foundation. Community involvement includes leadership roles include serving as president of the Rotary Club of Temple, RYLA program director, GSE team leader, founding member of the Bend Of The River Botanic Garden, and the chairperson of the Legislative Affairs committee for the Temple Chamber of Commerce. She writes books for children and young adults, enjoys scuba diving, kayaking, and has hosted 10 foreign exchange students, parents two Great Danes, a yellow lab, and a cat, and never says no to a new idea. She considers herself a "window jumper", because when windows of opportunity open up, she's the first to jump. Whether she heads out feet first, or dives in, she often lands on her butt, but has the tenacity to brush herself off and be glad for the flight time.

Please tell us what factors helped you decide to join Rotary: When I was new to town, my husband introduced me to his friends who were all Rotarians. I worked on projects like RYLA with him. It was really an honor to be invited to join the club as a member, and not just a helper.

Of your Club’s activities, what do you consider the one thing that best identifies what your Club is all about? That's difficult. I could mention the Spaghetti Supper which is our traditional fundraiser, but I'm stuck because I think one of the great things about our club is the diversity and that everyone has an opportunity to sort of find or design their own thing. That means we have lots of people involved in many different initiatives. Our members have embraced the youth and international programs of Rotary. We sponsor an elementary service club, a middle school Interact club, and are in the process of starting another elementary service club, and send 2 kids to RYLA each summer and follow them as they return to the high school Interact club. We have sponsored lots of youth exchange students, have a sister club in Mexico with whom we do joint projects each year, have hosted every GSE team that's ever come to Temple, and are sponsoring a global grant this year.

What’s the primary goal you hope to fulfill during your Presidency? I want every Rotarian to found their niche, rekindle their passion, and feel like they're getting out of the club more than they're putting in.

Do you have any advice that might help other Clubs recruit new members, retain existing members, achieve a successful fund-raiser, or provide support for a community project? Sometimes it's all about momentum. When you bring in some key community leaders, they excite the current members and create a buzz about the club. A fundraiser started early, gains

traction as everyone catches the vision and gets excited about the project and the possible outcomes. Whoever is at the top of the hill has to push hard to get the ball rolling, but once it's on its way, it's just a matter of letting it take its course.

Is Rotary well-known and understood in your community? Do you have any plans for Rotary-related publicity during your Presidency? Our relatively small town has two very active Rotary clubs. Both are very involved in local projects and have long-standing traditions, so it's hard NOT to hear about Rotary. I really want a billboard campaign with local celebrity Rotarians plastered all over town with the “We're This Close” campaign.

As President, what’s your biggest concern? I worry about forgetting or offending somebody. We're all volunteers, and I don't ever want to lose sight of someone contribution, or make anyone feel unappreciated or like their effort wasn't recognized. People work hard, and all for the benefit of the community and I don't want to do anything that might make them take away less from the experience because I rained on their parade.

What’s the best book you’ve read in the past 3 years? So many...The Art of Hearing Heartbeats – Harsh circumstances can create bitterness, but in some, it makes them true, strong and beautiful. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – A life of poverty is made rich by curiosity, tenacity and dedication. Little Princes – Giving hope is more about getting gratification. Mountains Upon Mountains – Real people lead extraordinary lives and can create change in the most dire places. Oh ok. I admit it. I also liked Fifty Shades of Gray...

What’s your favorite quotation? “Bloom where you are planted.” I've been lucky, I've always been potted in pretty great places, but regardless, I am committed to making every place I land a place where I can bloom and add something to the landscape.

What’s your favorite restaurant in your community? Pignetti's – Insalata Salami, Gnocchi, and the butternut Ravioli. More importantly, it's owned and hosted by fellow Rotarian Clinton Harwell who knows his guests. He and his staff greet everyone by name and can make food and wine suggestions because they know our preferences. If the chef knows locals are in the house, he'll send out amuse-bouche (bite sized treats!) before the meal is served. They make us feel special and serve amazing food! If we can start bringing Food Trucks to town, that's where I'll go for a quick meal.

What one thing would you most recommend as a “must see”, a “hidden treasure”, for visitors to your community? The Whistlestop Playground is a community gem – the railside playground was built in a single week entirely by volunteers. The Bend of the River Botanic Garden, donated to the City by the Talasek family will be a regional tourist attraction on the scale of the Dallas Arboretum. The Pepper Creek, and TMED hike and bike trails are spectacular – bridges, fountains, and waterfalls are ensconced in nature, but have easy access and connect major entities. The new bike share program with leopard spotted bikes at Temple College and teal and white striped bikes at Scott & White gives the public an easy way to use the trails and continues that theme of healthy living and takes advantage of the fabulous city we live in!

Interview with Jennifer McCann, President of the Harker Heights Rotary Club

Jennifer Michelle McCann was born in Palestine, Texas and grew up in East Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi before coming to Harker Heights in 1990. She has BA Psychology and Business Administration from The University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in Belton. She is a partner at Color Visual Concepts, Inc., a printing business with operation in 37 states. She stays active in her community through Rotary, the local Chambers of Commerce and Parks and Recreation. Jennifer serves on multiple boards and committees throughout Central Texas. She loves cooking, baking, playing sports or doing anything outdoors and now loves to play golf. She married one of her best friends, Josh. They have been married now for almost 2 years and have a son who turns 1 year old in August, named Joshua Coy. Please tell us what factors helped you decide to join Rotary: I joined for the purpose of networking but I stayed for many reasons, after I was enlightened by the purpose of the organization. My favorite Rotary billboard is: “I joined for business and fellowship.” “I stayed to change the world.” – that sums it up for me

Of your Club’s activities, what do you consider the one thing that best identifies what your Club is all about? Our Foundation Luncheon. We raise a lot of money for the foundation at this event and it has been very successful two years in a row. Everyone in the club has some type of role and we are blessed to have many givers in our club too. We now have an Interact club too. I see those kids having a huge impact on our members. What’s the primary goal you hope to fulfill during your Presidency? Lighting a fire in someone’s spirit about Rotary and about what we do locally. I intend this for a current Rotarian just as much as I do for someone who has no clue what Rotary is. It is our job to spread that fire. Do you have any advice that might help other Clubs recruit new members, retain existing members, achieve a successful fund-raiser, or provide support for a community project? Make it fun. Most of have day jobs already. Also, find out first what the community needs (not what you think they need) and try to fulfill some of them. Conquer one thing at a time because the lists are long in every community, surprisingly. Is Rotary well-known and understood in your community? Do you have any plans for Rotary-related publicity during your Presidency? This is a very high priority of mine and for our club. We have a passionate PR chair as well. The two of us have started a text messaging campaign along with more social networking on top of multiple PR projects to come, to help spread the word. We want to make sure that the community knows Rotary, especially, people that are under 40. As President, what’s your biggest concern? Not providing a balance. To me, balance is key. In Rotary there are so many things to focus on. I don’t want to emphasize fun, fun, fun and lose sight of our purpose to raise money and awareness for the foundation as well as make a local impact. What’s the best book you’ve read in the past 3 years? “Who Moved my Cheese?” What’s your favorite quotation? I have so many favorite quotes. This is one was once my dad’s favorite and I adopted it as one of mine: “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO what a ride!” What one thing would you most recommend as a “must see”, a “hidden treasure”, for visitors to your community? The Stillhouse Lake Park.

Rotary float in New Year’s Day Parade

Here is an artist’s rendering of the Rotary float we expect to see on ABC, NBC, HGTV and Hallmark Channel Wednesday January 1, 2014. The telecast begins at 10 am. Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1890. The Rose Bowl football game was first played in 1902, and has been played annually since 1916. Rotary has had a float in the Rose Parade since 1927.

Making new friends while building international relations

By Kathy Allred, Austin University Area Rotary Club

From day one, Rotary has been known as the place to make new friends – introducing us to people who share our values and ethics. So as much as we all enjoy sitting with our fellow club members or with friends who happen to be in other clubs, during this year’s Bi-District Conference in San Antonio I seized opportunities to sit with people I didn’t know. Of course I spent the appropriate time in my club’s booth promoting a project for which we sought support from other clubs. But the take-away memory is the fascinating fun of making new friends in other clubs on both sides of the international border. What did we talk about? Rotary makes conversation easy. We were exchanging information about our respective clubs and sharing personal stories about interesting Rotary-related experiences. My Saturday night table had about an equal number of District 5870 and District 4130 Rotarians, sparking a lively discussion of Rotary topics. At the end of the evening names, phone numbers and email addresses were exchanged. I didn’t give much thought to my new friends during the next few days. I had enjoyed the time spent with them but assumed that this, as in most cases, would end up as just additional contact information in my smart phone. It came as a surprise when I received an email from Carlos Garcia Perales, President of the Club Rotario Regiomontano Valle Oriente in Monterey. He wrote telling me how much he enjoyed making my acquaintance; he hoped that our clubs might work together in the future. Emails flowed back and forth. After suggesting that he and his son might enjoy working with my club on our UT home football games helping to park cars if he ever was in Austin, I learned that he and his son, plus the founder of his club, frequently attended UT games. Bottom line: Carlos and Jorge, founder of their club, had tickets to the

November 2, 2013 game. They brought their families with them, showed up at our project site, helped and charmed the Rotarians of my club. It was a pleasant and memorable experience, one that I hope and expect will happen again. Reflecting back on the overall experience brings a smile to my face and my heart. It took little effort to get over my fear of rejection and approach Rotarians I had not met previously; resulting in great memories for my fellow club members and for me. When Rotary offers you a similar opportunity, I strongly suggest you overcome any fears you may have, take the first step, it’s so worth it.

Alex Powell (Rotaractor), Carlos Oerales (President Monterey Club), Kathy Allred (Austin

University Area Club), and Jorge Serrano (founder of Monterey Club)

Survey of Free Clinics in District

For each Club – please provide the name and addresses of the free clinics in your area. We have around 60 free clinics in our District. Please send the information to me at Margarine G. Beaman, District Health Chair, oleo50@hotmail.com or call her at 512-921-1625.

Fairfield Clubs support Samaritan's Purse with Operation Christmas Child

Fairfield Rotary Club provided funds to purchase toys for the Samaritan Purse boxes, and a local pharmacy provided hygiene items.. Fairfield HS Interact Club members met one Friday after school to purchase items.

Contest to name the District Newsletter

We received 35 nominations for the new name of this District Newsletter. The selection committee is still balloting – so it will be one more month before we announce the winning

name and the recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship…

Rotary Club of Temple South recognized for Foundation support

On November 11, District Governor Rich Kaye presented numerous awards to the Rotary Club of Temple South:

o 2012-13 Banner for being an EREY Club o 2012-13 Banner for being a 100% Sustaining Club o 11 first-time Paul Harris Fellowships o 10 awards for multiple Paul Harris Fellowships o 3 recognition awards for new members to the Paul Harris Society o 1 award to recognize a new Major Donor o 2013 Banner for becoming a 100% Paul Harris Club

Of the 45 members in the Rotary Club of Temple South, 21 were recognized as first time or multiple Paul Harris Fellows, (of whom 18 are pictured above).

New Interact club at McNeil High School in Round Rock

Congratulations on the Rotary Club of Northwest Austin for their new sponsorship of an Interact club at McNeil High School in Round Rock.

University of Texas Rotaract Club shares photo montage of their activities

Alex Powell, Historian for the UT Rotaract Club, sent in a few photos illustrating what the club has been up to this semester:

Tracy and Ana help out at Front Steps Homeless Shelter; our club coordinated a "snack pack" fundraiser to help combat child hunger through the Capital Area Food Bank

Some of the snack packs; selling snack packs to benefit child hunger in Austin

Angel, Ana, and Muge participate in Trick or Can; volunteers from Texas State and UT Rotaract Clubs joined forces to collect canned goods during Trick or Can

Alex and Leila helping with the parking project.

Some outstanding Rotaracters are honored at a group meeting. From left, Officer of the Month-Alex, Officer of the Month-Ana, Volunteer of the Month-Kennedy; the UT Rotaract Club

Early Act First Knight activities in full swing

The first knighting ceremony at Cedar Creek Intermediate School with Knight Sir Cass; the first knighting ceremony for EAFK for Bastrop Intermediate with Sir Cass

First Knighting ceremony at Mina Elementary in Bastrop for EAFK; the Early Act First Knight Gallery of Champions At Pecan Springs Elementary with Lady Hannah and the Rotary sponsors, Cosmopolitan and University Area with the

District EAFK chair, Mary Reynolds

Words from Paul Harris…

"The question of the universality of Rotary’s appeal having been satisfactorily settled, the next question in order was how large must a city be in order to be eligible. It was at first contended that clubs must be limited to cities of not less than fifty thousand population. Experience soon demonstrated that so drastic a limitation

would be unnecessary. By successive stages, it was reduced to twenty-five thousand, ten, five, two; and eventually the conclusion was reached, that it was not so much a question of population as it was a question

of the character of the men making application. Since arriving at that conclusion, successful Rotary clubs have been established in towns of one thousand inhabitants and even less”. Paul Harris

Listening lessons…

Bruce Golden shared some lessons about effective listening that were presented at a recent program at the Rotary Club of Austin:

http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/5870//HTML/213150//Tamales2013revised.pdf

District Calendar, 2013-2014

July: Bring a Friend to Rotary Month Jun 30 – Jul 5 RYLA, McKinney Roughs, Bastrop, TX Jul 1 Club Semi-Annual Reports (SAR) due (along with Semi-Annual RI Dues) to RI Jul 1 Annual District Dues are payable to the District Treasurer Jul 1 – Aug 31 2013-14 DAP Grant Applications accepted Jul 1 – Sep 30 2013-14 Global Grant Proposals accepted Jul 12 College of Governors Meeting, 5 PM at the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce Jul 12 64th Annual Marble Falls Fish Fry Jul 14 Clubs’ June Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary

August: Membership and Extension Month Aug 2-3 Multi-District Training Institute (MDTI) - Wingate Hotel, Round Rock, TX (DGE, DGN, 2013-14 and 2014-15 District Committee Chairs) Aug 17 Foundation Seminar – Georgetown Health Foundation, Georgetown, TX (Club Presidents, Rotary Foundation Committees} Aug 14 Clubs’ July Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Aug 31 Deadline for submitting 2013-14 DAP Grant Applications

September: New Generations Month Sep 1 Deadline for submitting RI Service Above Self Award Nominations to RI Sep 13-14 29th Multi-District Reunion with District 5930, 5840 and 4130 Omni Colonnade Hotel, San Antonio, TX (Club Presidents / Club Foundation Chair & Grants Chair / Open to all Rotarians) Sep 14 Clubs’ August Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Sep 30 Deadline for submitting 2013-2014 Global Grant Proposals Sep 30 Deadline for submitting RI and District Dues

October: Vocational Service Month Oct 12 Global Grant Proposal presentations to the District Global Grant Selection Committee Oct 14 Clubs’ September Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Oct 26 Deadline for submitting Club Builder Award Nominations to District Governor

November: The Rotary Foundation Month Nov 1 Deadline for submitting Vocational Service Leadership Award Nominee to RI Nov 1 Deadline for submitting Service Awards for a Polio-Free World to RI Nov 14 Clubs’ October Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Nov 15 IRS Form 990 due to IRS (All Clubs) Nov 15 Deadline for submission of Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award Nomination

December: Family Month Dec 7 2014-15 Assistant Governor Training – Georgetown Health Foundation, Georgetown, TX (Assistant Governors/District Committee Chairs} Dec 13 All Clubs Luncheon at the Zone 21b/27 Institute Hyatt Lost Pines Hotel, Bastrop, TX Dec14 Clubs’ November Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Dec 31 Deadline for submission of 2014-15 Global Grant Scholarship Applications Dec 31 Club Election for 2014-15 Officers due to Rotary International via Member Access

January 2013: Rotary Awareness Month Jan 1 Club Semi-Annual Report (SAR) due (along with Semi-Annual RI Dues) to RI Jan 14 Clubs’ December Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Jan 31 Deadline for submission of 2014-15 District Vocational Scholarship Applications

February: World Understanding Month Feb 8 District Foundation Dinner – Omni Downtown, Austin, TX Guest Speaker – RI President Ron Burton (All Rotarians, families and guests) Feb 14 Clubs’ January Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Feb 15 2014-15 Pre-PETS (Presidents-Elect Training Seminar) – Georgetown Health Foundation, Georgetown, TX (Club Presidents-Elect}

March: Literacy Month Mar 1 Deadline for submission of 2014-15 DAP Grant Requests Mar 6-9 Lone Star PETS (Presidents-Elect Training Seminar) – DFW Hyatt Regency (Presidents-Elect / AGs / District Committee Chairs / Presidents-Nominee) Mar 11-16 World Rotaract Week Mar 14 Clubs’ February Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Mar 14 Deadline for submission of Roll of Fame nominations Mar 22 District Governor Nominating Committee meets to nominate District Governor-nominee Mar 22 Grant Management Training Seminar – Georgetown Health Foundation, Georgetown, TX

April: Magazine Month Apr 7 Deadline for 2013-14 Presidential Citation submission to District Governor Apr 12 2014-15 Club Leader / Club Committee Chair Training – Central Texas College, Killeen, TX Apr 14 Clubs’ March Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Apr 26 Grant Management Training Seminar – Georgetown Health Foundation, Georgetown, TX Apr 30 Deadline for completing DAP Grant projects

May: Military Appreciation Month May 14 Clubs’ April Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary May 16 College of Governor’s Meeting, 5 pm, La Torretta del Lago, Montgomery, TX May 16 Conference Hospitality Suite opens, 7:30 pm, La Torretta del Lago, Montgomery, TX May 16-18 Conference of Rotary Clubs (District Conference) La Torretta del Lago Resort & Spa, Montgomery, TX (All Rotarians, families and guests) May 24 Grant Management Training Seminar – Georgetown Health Foundation, Georgetown, TX May 31 Deadline for submitting 2013-14 DAP Grant Final Reports

June: Rotary Fellowship Month Jun 1-4 Rotary International Convention, Sydney, Australia (All Rotarians and Families) Jun 14 Clubs’ May Monthly Attendance Report due to District Secretary Jun 15 Deadline for submitting DAP Grant Final Report to the DRFC Jun 30 Deadline for TRF Global Grants Applications