BREADBASKET NOVEMBER 2013

Applying information technology to enhance Rotary service, fellowship and knowledge

The Breadbasket is a monthly newsletter of the Rotarians On The Internet since 1999.Editor: PP Glo NethercuttRC Mabalacat D3790 Philippinesganethercutt@yahoo.comAssociate Editors: AsiaPDG Subhash SarafRC Aundh D3131 IndiaNorthern AmericaPP Chris StubbsRC Sanford Florida D6980 USALatin AmericaPP Leticia ParraRC Paz, D4170 México

ROTARIANSONTHEINTERNET

GIVENovember

isFoundation

Monthhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=FdSjq-cZk6k

Paul Harris 1933 International Speech

Two children remain resilient despite the calamity, Bohol, Philippines. www.shelterboxusa.org

www.roti.org

WebmasterChris Sweeney, RC Conwy, D1180 RIBI

FromtheChair

https://www.facebook.com/sunil.k.zachariah

Sunil K ZachariahPDG

Kalamassery, D3201India

Dear ROTIans,

he super typhoon that recently hit Philipines that killed and hurt so many brought me back memories of another disaster where I had some first-hand experience, although in a limited way.T

On a fine day one January, my wife and I were representing the RI President at a District Conference in Gujarat when hell broke loose. As we were hoisting the Rotary flag, earth started shaking - the flower pots started dancing. The infamous Gujarat earthquake occurred on 26 January 2001, India's 52nd Republic Day, at 08:46 AM local time and lasted for over two minutes. The earthquake had a magnitude of between 7.6 and 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale. The quake killed around 20,000 people, injured another 167,000. It destroyed nearly 400,000 homes and left 600,000 people homeless.

The District Conference had chosen a venue outside their District atop a beautiful mountain, far from Ahemedabad the Governor's home-town.. All the delegates were therefore safe. It took us almost an hour to realize what the quake had hit the homes and neighborhood of the Rotarians who were at the Conference. Almost all in the Conference had lost someone dear. The Conference was soon aborted and all rushed to the disaster zones.

This was my first encounter with a disaster. One realization that stay with me even to this day is how poorly prepared we in Rotary to deal with these disasters. Rotary always does great job after the disaster is over. Since we live in those areas, long after the relief teams leave, we play a major role in reconstruction. In the Gujarat post the earthquake and in Sri Lanka after tsunami. But during the disaster we seem often helpless. We lack orchestrated disaster relief or disaster management capability.

One exemption is our partnership with Shelter Box. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides temporary shelter and life saving supplies to displaced families through Rotary. In Philipines too Rotary and Shelter Box did a great job.

As the technology fellowship of Rotary, ROTI can perhaps play a major role at the time of disasters. We need to develop an action plan for dealing with disasters. How can we use technology during such trying times? Answers that we come up with can Engage Rotary, Change Lives.

Best regards,

Sunil K ZachariahInternational Chair - ROTI

from the chair

ron burton

Dear fellow Rotarians:

s we all know, on November 8th the worst recorded storm to make landfall flattened entire coastal towns and villages in the Philippines. Thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands more are Astruggling to survive without access to food, water, and shelter.

I know we all want to help. I am urging our clubs to take action to provide emergency aid now and begin planning for the future when we can help rebuild homes, schools, and businesses. While Rotary is not an emergency disaster-relief organization, we are in the business of helping people in need. Every one of our six areas of focus is affected when disasters of this size occur.

I saw first-hand the difference Rotarians can make after one of the deadliest tornadoes on record tore through communities in my home state of Oklahoma. The widespread destruction was heartbreaking. Almost immediately after the storm, Rotarians were out in force cleaning debris, collecting food and water, and comforting families who lost everything. The Rotary clubs in the affected areas showed perseverance and strength. We helped pick up the pieces and build them back up.

What really moved me was the support and compassion from clubs around the world. In the face of calamity, we were not alone. Rotary’s collective spirit is the essence of how we Engage Rotary and Change Lives.

Rotary partner ShelterBox has committed aid for thousands of families in the form of emergency shelter and other relief assistance. They were already in the Philippines when the typhoon hit providing aid to families who lost homes in the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the Philippines in September.

Such disasters are the reason why we entered into our partnership with ShelterBox. On Friday, I visited their website and sponsored a ShelterBox to help a family in need, and I encourage you to do the same if you’re able to do so – any level of support will help to change lives for the better. The organization welcomes help from Rotary members to identify need and provide support. You can contact them at rotaryrequest@shelterbox.org.

We have more than 21,000 Rotary members in the Philippines. The hardest hit areas include Districts 3860, 3850, and 3830. We are working with our governors in the affected areas to determine what type of support will

be most effective, and we will continue to provide updates on www.rotary.org.

I know I can count on Rotarians around the world to come to the aid of our friends in the Philippines. If you have any questions about how you can help, please write to relief@rotary.org.

Thank you.

Sincerely,Ron Burton

from

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

AIDPhilippines

to the

monthROTIAN

of the

Each month, a special Rotarian is selected by ROTI, in recognition of their commitment and dedication to Rotary service. This month, ROTI is pleased to honour

Hari L. Ratan

Rotarian since 1992. Currently affiliated with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

He is an avid photographer and member of International Fellowship of Rotarian Photograhers since 2006.

Business affliliation: Director of Lateral Mgt. Services Ltd, an internet industry, since 1999.

He is the initiator and primary contact person for 2013 ROTI matching grant project - Hearing Aid.

Rotary Club of Chennai KilpaukDistrict 3230, India

Thank you, for everything you do for ROTI, Hari!

A

his matching grant project which is partnered with Rotary Club of Galesburg, Illinois, started on 27 October 2013 with the first screening camp and had a T

wonderful response. W

Many residents of close to 19 villages, as far as 35 kilometers away, came to North Chennai. The campaign for calling people to get checked for hearing defect was extremely effective and from these villages whose

population is close to about 4000, we were able to call about 200 of them to visit in a single day. The effectiveness of the campaigning done by Dr Sandhya Ruban (of Eternity Foundation) and her team of volunteers was fantastic, enabling it specifically call for patients with hearing abnormalities. We had team of the following specialists : Dr. Kamatchipandian, ENT Department KMC, audiologists Mr. Pravesh and Mr. Sandeep.

We were also honoured to have the presence of Mrs Neela Govindaraj (Speech Therapist and Language Assessor of specially challenged) who had accompanied with Ms Uma (a social service initiator who also works with IBM). Both Mrs Neela and Ms Uma sat for a long time and helped in coordinating and handling the visiting patients. They interacted and counseled the visitors on a one to one basis, which was really interesting to see them doing their roles in gathering more insights to the various challenges faced by the villagers.

We also witnessed misery at its lowest point in the case of certain individuals who felt extremely helpless with their lives. Hence we could sense there was lots to be done in terms of community service to these villages, and there was potential for plenty of them who needed to be living in standard basic amenities.

e have identified 100 deserving beneficiaries and individuals cases are being discussed in a couple of days with the Doctors to analyse and shortlist hearing aids beneficiaries.

ROTI MG 79417 HEARING AID PROJECT

A Progress Report by Hari L. Ratan

MG 79417 Primary Contact

ROTI

MATCHING GRANT 79417

Implemental host club: Rotary Club of Chennai Kilpauk

District 3230, India

International Partner Club:Rotary Club of Galesburg, District

6040, USA

RECURRING GIVING

SECURITIES

PLANNED GIVING

Support our efforts year round by making a recurring gift. You choose how much and how often you want to give— it's a simple and secure way to make a big impact.

Online contributions can be made monthly, quarterly, or annually. If you prefer, you may return the completed Rotary Direct enrollment form or enroll by phone at +1-866-976-8279.

To update your existing recurring giving, contact us at rotarydirect@rotary.org or call +1-866-976-8279. For security reasons, changes to your credit card information should be made by phone.

Your gift of marketable securities to The Rotary Foundation provides tax benefits and helps make an impact in lives both at home and around the world.

The Foundation offers several ways to structure your charitable gift that may provide tax and other financial benefits, including estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, and trusts.

NAMED GIFT

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

PERSONAL PROPERTY

With an endowed or term gift, you can designate a specific name for your contribution. Endowed gifts are invested in perpetuity, while a portion of their earnings is spent on a designated program. Term gifts are spent in their entirety on a specific program over an agreed period of time.

The Rotary Foundation donor advised fund is a convenient way to simplify charitable giving and take advantage of U.S. tax savings. A Donor Advised Fund account is similar to a charitable checking account. You make contributions and recommend grants to the Foundation and other preferred charities at your convenience. An account may be established by individuals or Rotary-affiliated groups.

The Rotary Foundation accepts gifts of tangible property, such as jewelry or artwork, with the approval of the Gift Acceptance Committee. At this time, gifts of automobiles, boats, airplanes, and motorcycles are not accepted by the Foundation.

See The Rotary Foundation's Gift Acceptance Policy for a complete list of criteria along with the required documents and information, or contact us to learn more.

ways to giveAndre Miguel Nicdao,

11-month old grandson of PDG Jess Nicdao is one of the first and youngest

Paul Harris Fellow of D3790 for RY 2013-14

REAL ESTATE

EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT

ROTARY CREDIT CARD

AIRLINE MILES

The Rotary Foundation accepts gifts of real estate with a minimum appraised value of $25,000 (undeveloped property) and $100,000. When a donor makes an outright gift of real estate that is approved by the Gift Acceptance Committee, the Foundation takes immediate possession of and title to the property. The donor is entitled to a U.S. charitable tax deduction based upon the fair market value of the property when donated as determined by a qualified appraisal and may receive tax benefits in other countries as determined on a case by case basis. The net proceeds from the sale of the real estate support the Foundation.

Double the impact of your gift by asking your employer to match your contribution to The Rotary Foundation. More than 15,000 companies match gifts to the Foundation, including many international corpo-rations. Find out if your employer does at www.rotary.org/matchinggifts.

Contact your human resources department to learn if your company is eligible for the program.

You can send your company's matching gift form directly to us at:

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary InternationalAttn: Corporate Matching Gifts1560 Sherman AvenueEvanston, IL 60201 USAEmail: apf@rotary.orgFax: +1-847-328-5260

Support Rotary's efforts with the Rotary International credit card. Just by using your card, you'll be helping The Rotary Foundation do good in the world.

Through the United Airlines Mileage Plus Charity Miles program, you can donate miles to provide free airfare toward a club or district project.

Matching Gifts Campaign

Become a Paul Harris Fellow quicker with matching points for your donation! Become a Paul Harris Fellow. Make your spouse a Paul Harris Fellow and your children, too. How about your parents, grandparents, grandchildren, favorite neighbor, or your boss? Rotary District 6060 is making a special offer. We will match your personal donation from $100 on up, to the Annual Programs Fund of Our Rotary Foundation. This can help you finish your first Paul Harris Fellowship or your next multiple Paul Harris Fellowship level. You can make someone else a Paul Harris Fellow, or two or three. This offer begins November 1st, 2013 and expires on December 15, 2013. Make sure your checks arrive well BEFORE December 15, 2013. We can match only the first $50,000 in donations we receive. Act Now - just 50,000 points remaining!!!!! How this works:

Rotarians need to make their personal checks payable to "Rotary Foundation" and mail them to Foundation Chairman Stacey Self, Rotary District 6060 Foundation Chair, P O Box 218,Dittmer MO 63023

Paul Harris Fellowships and pins will require 1-2 months to arrive. You will receive a receipt from The Rotary Foundation approximately 2-3 weeks after we receive your check by email receipt. Your receipt will only be for the amount of your check, since we are providing "the match" with Rotary Foundation Recognition Points. Donations made online at rotary.org, sent in directly to The Rotary Foundation, or coming from a Rotary Club Check will not be matched - only those donations submitted via the steps listed above.

A very special thank you to Five for Water, Inc. and their Clean Water for Coffee Producing Countries Donor Advised Fund for providing the bulk of these points Also, to the Rotarians who so generously gave us permission to use their Rotary Foundation Recognition Points in this campaign. Thank you all - you know you who are.

Ÿ

Fall 2013

Rotary Foundation Matching Gift Program

DISTRICT 6060

Sculpture of Paul P. Harris in Madrid.

REMEMBERING

aul Percy Harris (April 19, 1868–January 27, 1947) was a Chicago, Illinois, attorney best Pknown for founding Rotary International in

1905, a service organization that currently has well over one million members worldwide.

Biography

Harris was born in Racine, Wisconsin. At age 3, when his family fell on hard times, they moved to Vermont to live with Harris' paternal grandparents. He attended Princeton University, the University of Vermont, and the University of Iowa. For the next five years, he worked odd jobs for a newspaper as a salesman and a reporter, on fruit farms, as an actor and cowboy, and on cattle ships that traveled to Europe. Harris would settle in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, where he lived until his death in 1947. [2][3]

He began his law practice in 1896 in Chicago. In 1905, Harris organized the first Rotary Club "in fellowship and friendship" with three clients, Silvester Schele, Gustavus Loehr, and Hiram Shorey . His initial goal was to create a club of professional and business men for friendship and fellowship. Early on, Harris realized that Rotary needed a greater purpose.

While Harris served as president of the Chicago Rotary Club in 1907, the club initiated its first public service project, the construction of public toilets in Chicago. This step transformed Rotary into the world's first Service Club.[4][5]

Harris had great ambitions for the growth of Rotary, and very early in the organization's history new clubs were started, first on the west coast, and then all over the US and in Europe.[3][6]

By the time of Harris' death at the age of seventy-nine, Rotary International had grown to more than 200,000 members in 75 countries. [1] Rotary International currently numbers 1.2 million members world wide.

Multiple-time Paul Harris Fellows are recognized as they continue to contribute. Additionally, Paul Harris Fellows receive recognition points which they may contribute towards the recognition of other members.

The Paul Harris Society is a special program administered by Rotary Districts. Paul Harris Society members make a commitment to contribute $1000 each year to the Annual Program Fund. A Paul Harris Society member receives a "hanger" for their Paul Harris Fellow Pin with the initials PHS.

The motto of Rotary International is "Service Above Self". While the club provides a venue for both business and social networking, the primary focus is on local and international service projects.

Individuals who have contributed more than $1000 to the Annual Program Fund, the Polio Plus Fund or the Humanitarian Grants Program of the Rotary Foundation are recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. Additionally, individual Rotary clubs may from time to time honor individuals as Paul Harris Fellows. These honorees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris. Paul Harris recognition is not limited to Rotarians.

A Paul Harris Fellow receives a special certificate and a gold pin. At the discretion of the Fellow's club, the Fellow may also receive a gold medallion on a blue-and-gold ribbon.

PHF pin and PHS hanger

Paul Harris

Clubs

At the heart of Rotary are our clubs, who are supported by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.

Rotarians are members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs, which belong to the global association of Rotary International (RI). Each club elects its own officers and enjoys considerable autonomy within the framework of Rotary's constitution and bylaws.

Districts

Clubs are grouped into more than 530 RI districts, each led by a district governor, who is an RI officer and leads about 50 clubs. The district administration, including assistant governors and various committees, guides and supports the clubs.

The RI Boards

The 19-member RI Board of Directors , which includes the RI president and president elect, meets quarterly to establish policies. Traditionally the RI president, who is elected annually, develops a theme and emphasis for the year.

The Secretariat

RI is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, USA, with seven international offices in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland. The office of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), located in England, serves clubs and districts in that region. The Secretariat&# 39;s active managing officer is the general secretary, who heads a 650- member staff working to serve Rotarians worldwide. Contact the Secretariat .

Council on Legislation

The Council on Legislation, Rotary's "parliament, " meets every three years to deliberate and act upon all proposed enactments and resolutions submitted by clubs, district conferences, the RIBI Conference or General Council, and the RI Board. The Council itself also makes proposals.

The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation

The 15 directors of The Rotary Foundation are appointed by the RI president, with the agreement of the RI Board. The Trustees manage all business of the Foundation. The trustee chair, who serves for one year as chair, is the head of the Trustees. Each trustee is appointed to a four-year term.

the Organization of

Rotary International supports Rotary clubs worldwide by coordinating global programs, campaigns, and initiatives.

The Rotary Foundation uses generous donations to fund projects by Rotarians and our partners in communities around the world. As a nonprofit, all of the Foundation's funding comes from voluntary contributions made by Rotarians and friends who share our vision of a better world.

Together, Rotary clubs, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation work to make lasting improvements in our communities and around the world.

understanding

ROTARYPosted by: PP Ron NethercuttRC Mabalacat D3790 Information Officer

Dear Sunil,

Why we modified our logo?

have seen the many communications and comments you receive in your widely circulated ROTI egroup, on the new looks of our logo, noting that Imany of them express their disapproval at the new style and colour.

You and your readers may as well hear my own point of view, because I too was one of those who found the change disagreeable! In fact my immediate reaction was that “this is crazy, what have they done with our beautiful and much loved wheel?”

But then I began to think; I thought of Albert Einstein’s famous statement when he defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

In many ways this has been the story of some segments of Rotary’s progress – membership growth being a case in point. We tried the same thing again and again and expected different results.

I realised that people like me getting to sixty years were the older brigade of Rotary and that if we wanted to get results and bring the younger lot in, then maybe we need to change our image to a more youthful, progressive, dynamic one.

Change for the sake of change of course is no good, so I studied the methodology used by RI to arrive at these changes. Was it just a group of people who got together and thrust this changes on to us? Was it the Board of Directors who were responsible? Or was it the Board of TRF Trustees who should be blamed?

Our Board had in fact employed a professional and objective approach to this task.

To begin with, one of the top agencies in the world Siegel + Gale were contracted to undertake a study and to revitalize Rotary. Their purpose was to:

Clarify what Rotary stands for, why it’s different and why people should care

Ÿ

{ {K. R. RavindranBy RIPN

Why ROTARYmodified the LOGO

To begin with, one of

the top agencies in

the world Siegel +

Gale were contracted

to undertake a study and to revitalize

Rotary.

“

Having made that decision,

elevating the Rotary name was the first

critical step in re-energizing the logo. Not

only did scaling up the word ‘Rotary’ in proportion to the wheel

symbol put the more

proprietary identity

component up front and

centre, it also unified the two

parts of the organization—

Rotary International

and The Rotary

Foundation—under one

powerful banner.

Ÿ Elevate awareness and understanding of Rotary’s impact in its communities and the world

Ÿ Motivate current members, donors, strategic partners and staff to be actively engaged with RotaryInspire prospective members, donors and strategic partners to select Rotary as their organization of choiceIn undertaking this study Siegel + Gale visited five Zone Institutes , twenty Rotary Clubs in nine cities across six countries in Asia, Europe, the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.

They reviewed tons of strategic materials and research reviews, over 400 internal and external communication material of RI and TRF, RI Public Image Survey, RI Membership research and focus groups, VSA findings.

They also looked at external communications materials, websites and the social media of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Foundation and CARE.

They further did a secondary research and reviewed press, articles and papers relating to social sector trends

In addition Siegel+Gale conducted an online survey among Donors (both of Rotary and peers) in 14 countries by using two sources for sample; a respected online panel and Rotary’s lists; thousands of Rotarians and hundreds of Rotoractors were surveyed.

The data was collected between November–December 2011 with Evanston assisting in the drafting and administering of the survey.

As part of the findings of the survey a conclusion was reached that we needed to refresh our visual identity and to energize Rotary’s look and feel, while celebrating our heritage.

Clearly to attempt to reinvent the wheel (logo) was not a solution. But perhaps we needed to build upon this highly recognizable and globally respected identity that has unified and inspired Rotarians for over a century?

Having made that decision, elevating the Rotary name was the first critical step in re-energizing the logo. Not only did scaling up the word ‘Rotary’ in proportion to the wheel symbol put the more proprietary identity component up front and centre, it also unified the two parts of the organization—Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation—under one powerful banner.

They applied the wheel boldly as a mark of excellence—a pledge of commitment, a symbol of leadership, a sign of social and ethical responsibility. There was also the consideration of optimising it for digital use, a big draw back with our former logo, where the words ‘Rotary International’ could be very difficult to read inside the wheel, depending on factors such as size and distance. In fact the survey found that many non-Rotarians who may have seen the wheel never knew what it represented.

With a stronger primary logo in place, the team set out to build a bolder, easier-to-manage visual system that would continue to inspire creativity while enabling strategic decision-making and maintain visual consistency across communications, media types and geographies.

“

It does this by emphasizing the word Rotary.

In our new design with ‘Rotary’ featured so prominently, there is absolutely no doubt as to what the wheel stands for. And the wheel itself continues to remain a dominant element.

Likewise, the colour of the heritage gold -- our standard through 2007 -- was revived because it is so visually effective against a wide range of backgrounds – again a big issue with our former logo.

The end result is a design that is much more contemporary – a necessity if we are to successfully compete for attention in today’s world -- while still representing Rotary’s proud heritage.

Of course, when all is said and done, our logo – while very important -- does not tell the Rotary story by itself. Rather, it complements the way we now describe who we are and what we stand for – bringing leaders together to address the world’s most serious challenges. The most important result from the ‘Strengthen Rotary’ initiative will come from Rotarians around the world being able to consistently describe our organization as leaders exchanging ideas and taking action. Our logo reinforces visually that we remain, as always, Rotary proud and strong.

I have now begun to understand why we modified our appearance, why we needed to be more modern, current and progressive. I realise that it’s time now to change my own letter head and visiting cards, without stubbornly resisting the change that the Rotary world seems to want, and the change that is needed.

But me being me, no doubt will be the first one to object again in twenty years (if I am still around) if they again decide we need another re vitalization of our brand from this one!

Regards, Ravi

PS – For the time being as I understand, there is no change envisaged in our lapel pins!

“ Likewise, the colour of the heritage

gold -- our standard

through 2007 -- was

revived because it is

so visually effective

against a wide range

of backgrounds – again a big

issue with our former

logo.

I realise that it’s time now to change my own letter head and visiting cards, without stubbornly resisting the change that the Rotary world seems to want, and the

change that is needed.“

Business Leader K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran the First Sri Lankan to be Elected as President of Rotary

. R. Ravindran, a business leader and CEO of Printcare Plc, has been selected President of KRotary International – one of the world’s

largest service organizations, for the years 2015-16.

K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in 2015-16.

He will be the first Sri Lankan and only the 10th Asian to hold this prestigious office in the 108 year history of the organization.

Eradication of Polio from the world is one of the stated goals of Rotary. After 25 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners – WHO, UNICEF, CDC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease,

In Sri Lanka, Ravindran headed a task force with members from the government, UNICEF, and Rotary and worked closely with UNICEF to negotiate a cease-fire with northern militants during National Immunization Days.

Rotary funding for polio eradication in Sri Lanka exceeded USD 2.5 million. Sri Lanka became the first country in South Asia to become Polio free. The last virologically confirmed case of polio was detected in Sri Lanka in 1993.

Ravindran also chaired the Schools Reawakening project sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts in Sri Lanka. This project consequent to the tsunami and costing over Rs1 billion consisted of building over 20 new high quality schools, benefiting 15,000 children in this country K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran

A member of Rotary Colombo since 1974, he has previously served Rotary International as a director and treasurer and as

a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation.In a 2009 interview, K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran tells how the Rotary

clubs of Sri Lanka created a legacy by rebuilding schools damaged or destroyed by the 2004 tsunami.

BUSINESS MATTERSBUSINESSMATTERS

Posted by Subash Saraf

Reference: Stafford Graduate School of Business

to become a comfortable and confident

ighty-five percent of people struggle with speaking in front of others, and the other 15 percent are probably lying, shared Lecturer Matt Abrahams in a recent Mastery in ECommunication Initiative workshop at Stanford GSB. From introducing someone, to

making a cold call, to being put on the spot to answer a question in a meeting, spontaneous speaking situations can make peoples’ hearts race and hands shake. Some anxiety is good when talking in public – it gives you energy and helps you focus – but you want to learn how to manage it so it doesn’t manage you, believes Abrahams. Here are five tips for becoming more confident and comfortable in any speaking situation:

1. Manage your anxiety.When you start feeling your heart pound and hands sweat, acknowledge the nerves. Saying, “This is me being nervous,” won’t take the anxiety away, but it’ll prevent it from increasing. Also try reframing the public speaking situation as a conversation rather than a performance.

2. Get out of your own way.We tend to set very lofty standards for ourselves when speaking in front of others; we try to say really inspiring, poetic things all the time. But you should “dare to be dull,” advises Abrahams. You don’t always have to go for a laugh or the stars. Set your speaking goals at a reasonable level so you can overachieve.

3. Focus on the audience.Too often people are afraid of speaking spontaneously because they think the spotlight is all on them, noted Abrahams. But your job as the speaker is to help your audience achieve some goal. It’s not all about you. Understanding that the attention is partly on your listeners can help you feel less nervous.

4. Prioritize.Really think about your audience so you can tailor what you are saying to them. Consider their needs so you can prioritize what you share and take away the anxiety of missing something. “Do what’s needed, nothing more, nothing less,” says Abrahams.

5. Respond concisely.To avoid rambling on when answering a question, follow a simple response “structure.” One example of a three-step roadmap to give your answer some direction: 1) Answer the question; 2) Detail an example; 3) Describe the benefits.

5 TIPS

PUBLIC SPEAKER

awrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer. He

bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003. On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons, and numerous elephants.

Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved 'man-friend'. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.

L

Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way: Walking slowly, for days, making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house. Lawrence 's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going. The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.

BUSINESS MATTERSanimals tooMATTERPosted by Dave RosmerRC Princess Ann MT, D7800 USA

ELEPHANTSKnew

THE

THE ELEPHANT'S JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW?

SHELTERBOX

http://www.shelterbox.org/news_global.php?id=1210

Working together but miles apart

Map showing the five different areas of concentration for ShelterBox’s operational response so far.

ith Response Team members operating across five different islands, ShelterBox’s operational response to Typhoon Haiyan is proving to be one of the most complex W

and large scale of recent years.

Typhoon Haiyan wreaked havoc across the coastal islands of the Philippines causing up to 95% damage in some towns and cities. This left communities reeling but also caused widespread infrastructure and communications damage heavily hampering the ability of governments, aid agencies and NGOs to respond swiftly.

Multiple teams, multiple locations

ShelterBox’s in country Operations Coordinator for this response is Alice Jefferson (UK) who has the task of overseeing the delivery of aid to the families in most need:

‘We currently have five separate areas within the Philippines from where we are moving either vitally needed ShelterBox aid, our Response Teams or both.’

Alice and her teammates are operating from outside Cebu City on Cebu Island where they are overseeing operations and acting as a key link in the logistics chain as aid passes through Cebu and onwards to Bantayan Islands to the north and Leyte Island in the east.

ShelterBox tents ahead of distirbution by the Response Team

ShelterBox Trust is a registered charity and a limited company in England and Wales, a partner in service of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.

ShelterBox responds instantly to disasters all around the world delivering aid as quickly as possible to the people who need it most.

ShelterBox delivers the essen-tials a family needs to survive in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, groundsheets, water storage, filtration equipment, cooking utensils, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

By PDG Vitt O. Gutierrez, D 3790President, ShelterBox Philippines

ShelterBox Response Teams (SRTs) are also operating on the Island of Bohol where earlier in the year a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck, damaging buildings and infrastructure and claiming lives across the region. ShelterBox responded to the earthquake, sending a Response Team to the affected area. The team were distributing aid on Bohol Island when Typhoon Haiyan struck and have been continuing distribution of ShelterBox tents since. Having completed the current distribution on Bohol Island the team is now travelling to join the team on Cebu.

On the remote island of Bantayan the SRTs have been distributing much needed aid to families who have lost their homes since Typhoon Haiyan hit. The island has a population of 30,000 people and some 27,000 are now feared to be without homes.

Logistical challenges

Meanwhile another SRT has been operating in Manila to help oversee the movement of aid through to Cebu island. The logistics of getting aid cleared through airports and harbours is, in itself, a challenge due to the damaged infrastructure and the surge of overseas freight arriving in the Philippines. Experience gained from

years of responding to disasters such as the earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010 and the tsunami that hit Japan in 2011 has allowed the ShelterBox Operations team to ‘drip-feed’ a constant supply of aid into the Philippines through a variety of different entrance points. This has in turn enabled the Response Teams on the ground in the Philippines to have a continual but manageable flow of aid to distribute amongst the Typhoon affected communities.

A SRT are now beginning assessment and possible distribution of further aid on Leyte Island. ShelterBox aid will continue to arrive in coming weeks and Response Teams on the ground will continue to explore new ways of getting vitally needed shelter and aid to families who have lost everything as a result of Typhoon Haiyan.

‘When you’re coordinating an operational response you’re dealing with a lot of numbers but it’s important to remember that each of those numbers is a tent - A home for a family that have lost everything.’ Alice Jefferson, ShelterBox Operations Coordinator.

Families receive a ShelterBox tent in the Philippines

What’s in a box?

A durable tent for family or group of 10, activity packs for children, blankets, tool kit (hammer, saw, axe, hoe head, wire cutter), multi-fuel burning stove, cooking pots/utensits including pans, bowls and mugs - in a box that can also be used for water storage or carrying babies.

Toby

rimary pupil Toby Little from Sheffield found an original way to fill his summer holidays – by Psending handwritten letters to people in every

country in the world. He’s written 321 letters to all 193 UN countries, and received 114 replies so far. But more than that, Toby has drawn the attention of broadcasters and journalists worldwide, as his ‘Writing to the World’ website became an international media marvel. His simple but engaging ‘global pen-pal’ project has been featured in TV interviews, online articles and newspapers on every continent. Toby is also using his growing fame to raise funds for ShelterBox, via his own JustGiving site.

‘I am writing to anybody who can write back, but many people can't even buy a stamp, they can't even buy food!’ said Toby. ‘ShelterBox helps by sending special boxes to countries where people need them. A ShelterBox has lots of things in it to help a family, like a tent and tools, and things to make the water clean, and even toys for children. A whole box costs £590, and that's my target.’ Toby so quickly exceeded this original target he now has five ShelterBoxes as his latest aim, and the money is still pouring in.

Submitted by John Dawes

RC Regina South D5550

Regina, SK CanadaBoard Member

ShelterBox Canada

ShelterBox has helped set up an unlikely ‘friendship by post’ between the UK and a Syrian refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan. Toby Little from Sheffield, UK has become a global phenomenon with his ‘Writing to the World’ project - now ShelterBox has helped him to exchange letters with Delan Dari, a blind Kurdish Syrian musician.

Governments, diplomats and weapons inspectors wrangle over the Syrian conflict. Meanwhile two children over 2,000 miles apart have started a charming dialogue that points the way to peace. 5-year-old Toby Little and 11-year-old Delan Dari have been brought together by ShelterBox, the international disaster relief charity aiming to raise enough funds to help up to 5,000 more Syrian Refugee families before the harsh winter sets in.

Two children point the way to

peace in Syria

Toby writing his letters to the world, 2013; Delan, playing his tambur in Qushtapa refugee camp

A SHELTERBOX STORY

Delan

A child hero on a much smaller stage is Delan Dari. Delan’s family comes from Al-Hassakeh, one of Syria’s largest cities, but they were forced to flee the conflict and are now living under canvas in Qushtapa refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan. Blind from birth, Delan is a gifted musician, playing the tambur and composing his own music and lyrics. Amid the bleakness of the refugee camp he has become something of a celebrity, entertaining other families with impromptu evening concerts. Back in Syria Delan faced discrimination. After he played Kurdish songs with patriotic themes at a festival, extremists stopped him from attending music school. His tambur is old and battered, and clearly a favoured possession. Delan’s father says he is very sensitive and if he doesn’t play and sing every day he becomes nervous. ‘I am very sad about what is going on in my country,’ said Delan. ‘I miss it.’ Among his touching self-composed lyrics are: ‘Don’t make me cry for the past because we have suffered a lot. Let us look to the future.’

Toby and Delan

With pride Delan holds up a hand written letter from Toby Little, the friend he has never met. It has been brought to Delan by ShelterBox in a departure from their usual aid deliveries. Toby wrote, ‘Dear Delan, how are you? I am sorry you had to leave your home. Are you okay? Is it hard playing the tambur? What do you write your songs about?’

With the help of the ShelterBox team and a translator, Delan gave this reply: ‘Hi Toby, my warm greetings to you. I’m very happy to receive your letter which supported me a lot. I hope that I’m going to be an international artist. I wish you a nice future, and that we are going to be friends for years. Keep in touch.’ ShelterBox’s Head of Fundraising and Communicaitons Becky Maynard, who has just returned from a deployment to distribute school materials to refugee camps in Kurdistan, said, ‘It was a great privilege to meet Delan and his family, and to see their pride in the letter they received from Toby.’ ‘The things we take for granted for our children – contact with the outside world, proper schooling, shelter from heat and cold – are often missing from these young refugee lives. ShelterBox is doing all it can to give these extraordinary and resilient families some hope of a brighter future.’ To help bring shelter and safety to Syrian families fleeing conflict, please donate and help us make a difference.

Delan with his father and the letter Toby wrote to him, Qushtapa refugee camp, Iraqi Kurdistan, October 2013.

uring a United Nations session at our recent Zone Institute, a UN official was making an Dinternet presentation. But when the

technology failed, PDG Doug Vincent was asked to speak about his UN involvement and the upcoming post-2015 millennium goal dialogue. Recently there have been some global think tank discussions. “There is no doubt that the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been beneficial,” Doug said. “But the question is: “Should the UN stick with the existing goals and recalibrate them to continue or should they be more ambitious with new objectives and to try fix some gaps that have become apparent?”

The 8 UN MDGs were established in 2000 to mobilize national and collective efforts on critical development issues by 2015. “Post-2015 goals will determine priorities; motivate action and influence spending for development,” he said. “And there have been worldwide consultations with some suggesting poverty alleviation be a focus.”

Experts argue the post-2015 development agenda should be sustainable one-world goals that apply to poor and rich countries alike. Some feel there is a need to address the environment and others say 'What about terrorism and violence'. While some countries face corruption, others deal with land mines. Health issues are more common but countries have differing views on what their needs and priorities are.

“Even after the next phase MDGs goals are determined, the complexity of the issue continues with finding acceptable and reliable indicators to serve as a concrete way to measure progress,” Doug continued. “What data will be used and what type of surveys can be simple and effective to determine results?”

The MDG process has aroused controversy to find indicators that can compare issues in different regions of the world. Having flexible categories of indicators is the goal, where countries can choose how to measure their progress and thus track the trends in each country. In this way, they can measure against their own progress rather than other countries on a different level.

UNITED NATIONS

As presented by PDG Doug Vincent at Zone Institute

Needs Your Input

All governments are not progressive minded . . and come with challenges in transition or development. So there needs to be a way to go beyond incapable governments and still help the citizens of these countries track their progress. A lot has gone into collecting data and investigating factors to measure results. But there are different views with Scientists using hard data and numbers, and Social Sciences doing more sampling to assess progress.

“So what can ordinary people do? “Nothing will happen until 2015 but we need to be talking now,” Doug said. According to the UN, what will change the conversation will be input from citizens and the active participation of people with ideas to improve our world. Trying to develop liberating and engaging ideas is a more bottom up than top down process.

“So we need to ensure we accept and encourage participation, and not give up,” he continued. “All of this highlights a need for governance and participation of citizens in every country.”

“The process of consultation is important and people need to input their thoughts on 'What is the future world we want?' Doug said. “Each of us needs to suggest ideas on how can we get there.” Doug explained we can do this through interact ion with our own government representatives as well as through the United Nations process.

“So I encourage you to get involved on blog discussions and go to www.myworld2015.org to enter the forum and share your ideas for a next generation world future”.

PDG Subhash SarafRC Pune Central D 3131 India

ROTI Associate Editor for Asia

Medical Mission and Vocational Training Team

INDIA-ETHIOPIA

- A mission with a difference

he Rotary Inter-continental Vocational Training Team and Medical Mission visited Tfrom India to Ethiopia for a 12-day program to

provide hands-on-training to the local doctors and paramedics on latest surgical techniques & procedures, and equipping them with some of the state-of-the-art laparoscopic and endoscopic equipment. The total project cost, a Global Grant No. 26377 exceeding US $110,000 was funded with DDF from D3520 Taiwan, D2090 Italy, D7490 USA, Indian Districts 3080 & 3131, and support from D6200 USA. The local host was D9200(now D9212) in Ethiopia.

A thirty three member team with mentor and guide Past Rotary International President Rajendra K Sabo D3080, Team Leader DG Rakesh Aggarawal D3080, Medical Director IPDG Girish Gune D3131, Project Chair and Coordinator PDG Madhukar Malhotra D3080 was put together with 24 Indian doctors from D3080 & D 3131 which included 5 General & Laparoscopic surgeons, one Urologist, two Gynecologists, two ENT surgeons, 2 Plastic surgeons, 4 Anesthesiologists, 2 Dental surgeons and 6 Eye surgeons including 9 Rotarian volunteers to assist with logistics.

As Ethiopia has a shortage of trained medical doctors and limited facilities, the team was faced with a long list of patients awaiting surgery, and the days were long of 10 to 12 hours, usually ending at 7.30pm or so. Were it not for the shortage of beds a larger number of patients could have benefitted with the services of the experts from India.

The thrust of the mission was training of the local doctors and paramedic staff in new techniques and proce-dures as also use of the equipment and instruments brought by the team from India for donation to the cooperating hospitals as a part of the project. Besides instrument sets for general surgery, plastic surgery, gynecology, urology, ENT, a complete set for laparoscopic surgery, Uro logy Endoscopy operating suite and a nasal endoscopy set were carried by the team for donation on which the doctors in the cooperating hospitals were trained & these sets were donated to the hospitals on completion of the visit.

Over 200 surgeries in the disciplines of General Surgery, Laparoscopy, Plastic Surgery, ENT,Urology and Gyneco-logy for various problems like prostrate, hernia, nasal/ear problems, tumors,plastic surgery helped many patients , some who could never have been able to avail of the servicesof the doctors or afford the treatment. For the first time besides use of Laparoscopic equipment forgeneral surgical procedures, Diagnostic Laparoscopy / HSG, Laparoscopic Tuboplasty, Laparoscopic Colpotomy, Endoscopic Cystoscopy, Laparoscopic Adhesioly-sis, Endoscopy for urology and ENT, Plastic Surgery techniques were demonstrated and hands on training imparted.

In a 10 days period over 1000 surgeries & procedures as also training of the doctors & paramedics was undertaken in the four hospitals, the Zewditu Memorial Hospital for Laproscopic, Urology, Gynecology and Plastic Surgery, Yekatit 12th Hospital for ENT and General Surgery, Milinik II Hospital for Dentistry and Eye with stress in training in use of PHACO equipment and Cataract and Squint surgery at Debre Birhan outreach Cataract surgical camp . For the patients treated it was relief from pain amd misery and a healthier future for them and their families.

OutcomeThe intercontinental vocational training and medical mission was an unqualified success. Total number of surgeons and paramedics trained: 20+ Doctors; 40+ Resident Doctors; 20+ Anesthesiologists; 25+ Paramedics. Total number of Patients examined - 1500+. Total surgeries/procedures done - 1030: Eyes: PHACO surgery, 88; Cataract Surgeries (sics), 421; Laproscopic Surgery, 45; General Surgery, 27; Urology Endoscopy, 28; Gynaecology, 19; ENT, 22; Plastic Surgery, 75; Dental Procedures, 305.

Thank you, Rotary.

Report by PDG Madhukar Malhotra RID 3080

haring with you that Rotary Yavat has set up a Computer Lab in Vidya Vikas Mandir, a school in Yavat, in the rural Sarea near Pune Maharashtra, India, with 12 computers.

Prior to this project, the Club also installed a “Distance Education Program” called RDEP in the same school. This RDEP has already proved to be beneficial to students greatly and now this computer lab will certainly be useful for students in that rural area.

In the month of September the club had organized Rotary Youth Leadership Award ( RYLA) for the students of this school. The Students of this school have expressed their happiness with all these activities conducted by the club. The Rotarians of this club have a sense of satisfaction to see smiles on the face of students.

This is seen as the need-based project in the rural area near Pune. Further information can be obtained from the club president Dr Parag Pathrudkar D3131 <drparagpathrudkar@gmail.com

computer lab in rural area

he scarcity of potable water particularly the coastal town of Rosario has been a perennial problem for one of our adopted T

schools, Rosario National High School (RNHS) and its community. Students & local residents have to manually pump salty water from dilapidated shallow wells to be used only for washing and cleaning. Potable water has to be purchased from nearby water refilling stations. Water related diseases are rampant in the community.

Through the initiative of Rotary Club of Cavite Export Processing Zone (RC CEPZ), a Potable Water Project aims to provide clean & potable water through a purification water system to benefit the RNHS populace and its community. Our match club in Korea, Rotary Club of Ihcheon West, District 3600-Korea has partnered with us to install a water station with a filtration system to make the water potable. The two water stations built are still operational as of today (Nov 20, 2013) with the help of the Rotary Community Corps organized in the schools.

This community project was installed in November 2007.

By President Parag Pathrudkar, RC Yavat, Distrct 3131

WATER PROJECT STILL IN USE!

Posted by PP Ron Nethercutt

GLOBAL GRANT WORKSHOP

ROTARY E-BOOK READING CENTER

Global Grant workshop in District 3790 is usually conducted to a cluster, group of 3 Ato 10 clubs by grant chair PP Glo

Nethercutt. The recent workshop lasting 4 hours was held for clubs in cluster 4D, in Zambales region.

The seminar is usually followed by signing of Memorandum of Agreement by Presidents and Presidents-Elect of the clubs, witnessed by the assistant governor.

A Global Grant #1412665 of the Rotary Club of Marikina West, R.I. District 3800 Philippines

he project would be providing a reading facility in which ten securely-locked tablets having an e-Book reader Tapplication with various eBooks uploaded and to be

installed in ten beneficiary public schools within Marikina City. A total of one hundred tablets.

The total project fund approved is US$37,959 of which $3,000 is the club's (RC Marikina West) contribution. Other contributors are our sister-club RC Taipei Tienmou ($10,000), District 3800 (DDF of $8,000), and 8 other Zone 4 clubs at $230 each. T

A Global Grant

PP Leticia ParraRC Paz, D4170

MéxicoROTI Associate

Editorfor Latin America

ucuta Ciudad de Todos Rotaract Club - Colombia D. 4271 has launched this great Project with tenis to promote not just the End CPolio Now campaign but also these Young people have

improved the Rotary Public Image.

You may see their video at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJJYEia3DKE - Leticia Parra ToledoRotaria del Distrito 4170 MéxicoRotary Paz www.rotarypaz.org

adiospolio

I want to share this video about the World Polio Day final versión.

http://new.livestream.com/rotaryinternational/worldpolioday - Leticia Parra Toledo

ow it Goes in Mexico is a forthcoming book of essays by Carol Merchasin, who terms herself a recovering lawyer, trainer and public speaker. Merchasin will be reading from How it Goes in Mexico HTuesday, December 3 at the Rotary Club at Hotel Real de Minas at 12:30. This is free to attend.

Merchasin, a lover of Mexico, moved to Mexico in 2006 “to realize the dream of living in a magical place where it is only possible to understand a small part of what happens every day.” Her essays are reflections on the culture and life of Mexico, the great heart of this country, and its wonderful people. They are tales told with wit, humor and insight.

Merchasin will be reading two short essays from her book, both related to the complicated issues of poverty in Mexico. In How Juan Pablo Got Hot Water, or Small Things Make Big Differences, Merchasin shares a view into the struggle of Mexico’s working poor to provide a better life for their families, and how a small amount of money makes all the difference.

In Burros and Bricks, she explores a Rotary project that changed the life of the poorest of the poor. Rotary unites leaders from all countries, cultures and occupations to exchange ideas and take action for communities around the world. For more information, contact President Lee Carter at leecarco@gmail.com

how it goes inMEXICO

Submitted by President Lee CarterRotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-MiddayGuanajuato, Mexico, D4160

A Multi-cultural English-speaking Rotary Club located in beautiful and historic San Miguel de Allende (SMA) in central Mexico.

Project photo: Gift to children’s art foundation

HERETHERE

A COLLECTION OF ROTARY POSTINGS, THOUGHTS, AND COMMENTS AROUND THE WORLD

&on hotelSYDNEY

Dear All, As you know, we have been searching for a reasonable hotel in Sydney without much success till now. All the hotels have been quoting invariably over $ 240 on the Convention days. We now have an offer from a Travel Agent for an IBIS Hotel which is about 35 minutes away from the Convention venue. The rate quoted is US $ 180 for double occupancy with breakfast. Look forward to your comments. Best regards, Sunil K Zachariah

Hi all,

f you go to wotif.com they have some good earlybird specials. They are only Ibooking for dates up to 27th May,

2014 but if you contact the hotel you can use the 27th as the start. All hotels add a small fee for using a credit card and many do not take Amex as they charge too much. Most do not a l low cancellations . I think there will be so many people looking for the cheaper accommodation that it could be passed on if needed.

The Vivid festival of Sydney, a sound and light show is on and it will attract extra people. As Sydney accommodation is 85% booked all year anyway, the hotels do not need Rotary except for the very expensive ones and this is why they could not get too many interested in doing the type of deals RI wanted.

Medina apartments, walking distance from Central Railway and the Rotary trains are very convenient. A university is across the road so there are lots of cheaper no frill eating places. They are quoting $A 185 per night. It is a 10 minute ride from the Harbour by train which is free and run every few minutes. it is also the place to get trains to country areas or interstate. I have seen it from the outside.

Central railway hotel apartments are on the other side of the station @ special $90 per night. It is a bit more downmarket area but just as close to the station. I have not seen it.

There is also Napoleon on Kent, Great Southern and a few others. You can go online and check them out. It is better to keep away from Kings Cross and the Darlinghurst area as it is full of night clubs,bars, strippers, ladies and men of doubtful intent etc unless that is your plan. It is noisy .

For me apartments are better as you can do a light meal instead of paying huge prices for breakfast and there are washing machines so you do not have to bring as many clothes. I have stayed at the Goldsborah Apartments ( not sure of spelling) which are very nice and central to the Darling Harbour area, right on the light rail and close to the Casino with lots of restaurants and shows. (I think the Restaurant night will be largely in that area.) You can check them out as they still have rooms but are a bit expensive unless you get a 2 bed and share. For all apartments look at the guest comment as you can soon say the good and the bad.

Remember it is winter although at that time it is not usually cold. With the crazy weather around the world we never know. You will need a jacket, preferably shower proof just in case. When you are booking DO NOT MENTION ROTARY or the prices go up. Some of these hotels may have a meeting room which perhaps you can get free for booking 10 rooms. If you refer to yourselves as an internet group this might be better.

Sorry I have not been able to do more but I am involved with the Philippines and have been helping to organise containers, filters, donations etc and the panic is starting to set in for the Convention but that is normal. - Elaine LytleSydney Convention

on hotelSYDNEYTo: ROTIboardlist 2013-15

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

esterday on a cold winter day the remains of my Mother were distributed in Nelson, Missouri, USA. YThe small cemetery dates back to the 1800, and

Mom joined the final resting place of my Grand Mother, Father, Brother, and Aunt.

My Mom was 98 years old and possessed a wonderful mind, and only slightly weakened body until a few months ago. During our twice a week phone calls from the Philippines to the US, she said ‘her clock was winding down.” I reached her only a couple of hours before the clock gave its final ticks.

Why do I mention this on a Rotary site? I guess it starts with the fact that my Dad was a Rotarian in El Dorado, Arkansas, and that Jason Weiker, the funeral home director was a Rotarian and PHF. But main reason is because I was joined at the grave site by several pages from almost 100 Rotarians on 5 continents who had sent condolences. Those remarks gave me added support as I stood at the gravesite with three elderly ladies in their 80s and one her 90s, who joined to bade farewell to their friend.

It is through ROTI and Rotary that we share of ideas, dreams, grants, club/district news, and projects about medical missions, education, travel, polio updates, humanity, and fellowship.

It is this contact with fellow Rotarians that can provide the most vital reasons to remain a Rotarian. The annual theme of William Huntley in 1994-95 was Be A Friend, that continues to unite Rotarians. Those pages of condolence from five continents provided strength to me through their friendship

As I write, I realize that THIS is Rotary; and it means a lot more than some ‘mark of excellence’ with a blue Rotary and indistinguishable golden wheel. Rotary needs to tell the story of what Rotary does, for not only those we serve, but what unites its members.

The year I joined Rotary was the year that M.A.T. Caparas selected Rotary Brings Hope as his theme. That hope is realized when the original Rotary gear wheel drives the Rotary vehicle and its members to our mission; not a new ‘bumper sticker’ mark of excellence.

I close by asking you, why do you remain a Rotarian?

- Ron Nethercutt RC Mabalacat D 3790 Angeles City Philippines

another reasonROTARIANremain

to

Ron and Mom

Need the MOP, Rotary Constitution, Club Constitution, By-Laws, Code of Policies, Council On Legislation, Rotary Marks & Emblem, etc. ??? This site has them all. - PP Ron

Clubs and districts are guided by the Manual of Procedure, RI Constitution, and RI Bylaws. These documents provide the structure for RI’s policies and procedures. Every club and district can propose amendments to constitutional documents through the Council of Legislation.

The Manual of Procedure offers a concise version of Rotary’s policies and procedures. The manual is geared to Rotary club and district leaders and features information that’s most relevant to their roles. It is published every three years to reflect adopted legislation and decisions of the RI conventions, the Council on Legislation, the Rotary International Board of Directors, and the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation.

The manual covers these key areas:- Structure: Includes policies and procedures for clubs, districts, zones, Rotary International, and The

Rotary Foundation.- Carrying out Rotary's mission: Includes the structure, policies, and procedures of the programs of RI and the Foundation- International Meetings: Includes the RI Convention, Council on Legislation, and International Assembly- Rotary's constitutional and legal documents

The Rotary International constitutional documents provide club and districts the foundation for RI’s policies and procedures.

Constitution of Rotary International (PDF) (Word)Bylaws of Rotary International (PDF) (Word)Standard Rotary Club Constitution (PDF) (Word)All clubs admitted to Rotary membership must adopt this constitution.Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws (PDF) (Word)Clubs can tailor these bylaws, as long as their changes align with Rotary’s constitutional documents and

the Rotary Code of Policies. If you have doubts about your proposed changes, please submit them to the general secretary for the RI Board to consider.

The Rotary Code of Policies compiles all of the organization’s general and permanent policies. A revised document is available after each meeting of the RI Board and the Council on Legislation. TheRotary Foundation Code of Policies is maintained in a separate document.

Read the latest RI Board decisions and Rotary Foundation Trustees decisions.

Council on LegislationRotary Marks and emblem

- Ron Nethecutt District Information Officer RC Mabalacat D 3790 Angeles City, Pampanga Philippines

GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS

MANUAL OF PROCEDURE

ROTARY’S CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS

ROTARY CODE OF POLICIES

RESOURCES & REFERENCE

https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/governance-documents#!

EXCELLENT RI INFO

Jonah TriebwasserCo-Host, "Radio Rotary”Listen to Radio Rotary Fridays at 9 am - WGHQ 920AM - WBNR 1260AM - WLNA 1420AM, and WBPM 92.9 FM Sundays, 7:30 a.m.or http://www.hvradionet.com/ or www.RadioRotary.org

HAPPY World Toilet Day - November 19th !

World Toilet Day is observed annually on 19 November. This international day of action aims to break the taboo around toilets and draw attention to the global sanitation challenge.

For information, ideas, or to join in, see www.worldtoiletday.org. Join hundreds of thousands of people "who give a shit" !

Please find below the 2013 MOP which has just been released by Rotary International.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uhd0m0w7o1r9vm9/2013%20MOP.pdf

Regards.

- Girish MittalRID 3140, Mumbai, India

n order to make Rotary grow we must look toward the “New Generation”. They are our Ifuture. I was amazed by both the Interactors

and Rotoractors. They thirst to meet global counterparts through exchange programs and social media. This is a very valuable part for them. My concern that in order to pursue a college education they must borrow or get scholarships. They are not assured the jobs they seek unless they make connections with Rotarians who may be able to give them scholarships. It is who you know and connections to Rotarians are vital. I was so impressed with their spirit to raise money for causes.

The Rotaractors that I met at the adult UN Program have their college situation intact. I tried to stress that maintaining their Rotary connection was essential to get ahead in their fields.

Many of you know me through my blogs on LinkedIn and Facebook. I cross pollinate ideas to the youth though over 50 groups. IT IS ESSENTIAL that we keep them interested through Social Media. Let us pass on the wonderful programs that the kids are doing to encourage others.

- Marilyn Axle

I invite you all to join a new proposed Rotarian Action Group for Club Service (RAGFCS) which is an experiment in using social networking to help Rotarians and Rotaractors along with the RI staff improve the administrative support side of Rotary.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RAGFCS/

- Don Higginss

Rotary EventsRotarians are social people. There are Rotary events taking place every day around the world. As a Rotarian, you are part of the “Rotary Family” and will be welcomed to any Rotary event around the world. In addit ion, Rotary events are FUN!

RAGFCS

MOP 2013

toward the

NEWGENERATION

on YOLANDA

This boy said, “he is

not my brother, I am just helping

him get in line for the

food. I don’t like him to

get hurt.

A YOLANDARELIEF CAMP

SCENE

We are now trying to help him any which way we can. Needless to say, he is very distraught and saddened by his family's harrowing experience with Typhoon Yolanda. But he considers himself lucky to have found his parents alive. He now has to arrange and send food and other necessities to his parents from Cebu. Personally, I have never experienced such heart-breaking and gut wrenching stories in my life involving natural disasters in the Philippines, as what we are now witnessing before our eyes. Just another reminder of how precious and fragile life is in this world. (by Julius Corazo) - PDG Douglas W Vincent, RC Woodstock-OxfordBox 1583, Woodstock, ON Canada N4S 0A7

A relief operation center of District 3800

TREK TO TACLOBAN - A son's desperate search for his parents in a typhoon ravaged city:

ur friend Lloyd went to Tacloban City last Monday to look for his parents. He had not heard from them since Obefore Typhoon Yolanda made landfall. He lives in

Cebu now, but grew up there and his parents still live in San Miguel, which is just outside Tacloban city.

As soon as Lloyd disembarked in the port city of Ormoc, his heart just sank. What he saw totally shocked him, there was utter devastation all over, practically all houses and buildings were damaged severely, roofs were blown off in most cases. This was really telling as to how powerful Typhoon Yolanda was (300 km/hr.) because Ormoc is on the eastern side of Leyte, facing the island of Cebu, not facing the Pacific Ocean like Tacloban City Yet Yolanda left a swath of destruction that was hard to comprehend. Lloyd was gripped with fear and was terrified that his parents, who are in their late 60's, did not make it, judging from the devastation he saw in Ormoc, which is 108 km away from Tacloban. He cried right there and then.

He had to walk another 8 hours to reach Tacloban City. Sometimes he hitched a ride on tricycles when available, but he walked most of that route. There are no direct transportation options available from Ormoc to Tacloban at this point, as the roads are impassable - They are all littered with debris, trees, roofs, garbage, etc.

Thankfully, there is a happy, bittersweet and almost miraculous ending to Lloyd's journey - He did find his parents, safe and sound in Tacloban City, but their house was totally destroyed. Well, this was almost a 100% happy ending, Lloyd's two uncles and a cousin are still missing and unaccounted for at this point. He does not know if they are alive or if they have perished like many others.

My dear ROTI Amigos,

You all know that in Rotary there are all types of trainings for Governors, President Elects, District Teams, Fellowships BODs, etc.But let me tell you what a great Rotarian shared with me about a special and unique Committee that does not need any kind of training and always Works perfectly!

Do you know what I am talking about?

Well this is the Criticism Committee.

Well just sharing

- Leticia Parra ToledoRotaria del Distrito 4170 MéxicoRotary Paz www.rotarypaz.org

Certainly positive discussion of meaningful subjects is important. But the constant sniping and making accusations against RI leadership accomplishes nothing. I think the people on this list are very tired of complains that RI leadership never consults Rotarians, a theme we have constantly heard for the past couple of years, when others on the list know that such assertions are simply not correct.

Most changes are made in society when "dissenters" make positive suggestions for alternative ways to do things. I really have not seen that here. What I have heard is that anyone agreeing with recent changes is just taking the "company-line" or is a puppet of RI Leadership, or other attacks on both members of the list and leadership.

Arguing that we should simply keep our "stagnant" logo or our "stagnant” programs does nothing to change your "stagnant" organization. As you point out, what we currently do has not been increasing our membership. To then argue that we should stay the way we are just doesn't cut it.

- Dan MooersDistrict 7780

am concerned that in recent times ROTI has become mostly one big “Criticism Committee” (as Leticia Imentioned) and that we have lost the ability to have the

light-hearted communications that bond us and create better participation and camaraderie, as well as the serious discussion of Rotary and Rotary related topics of a positive nature. It seems in recent times the primary purpose of ROTI has been to bash RI and everything it does to try to improve our organization. Maybe we should consider changing our name to RCF – Rotarian Criticism Fellowship? What happened to all the fun we used to have in this Fellowship? It feels like it has turned into a bunch of curmudgeons who prefer to bitch and moan about the very organization that brought us into existence.

Does Rotary have problems? Of course it does. Rotary has been stuck at 1.2M members for the last 20 years and we are progressively dying as a percentage of the total global population. Rotary has become stagnant! Obviously RI has become acutely aware of that and this is why they are trying their best to make changes that will improve our image and make us more relevant to future generations. All of that involves change and naturally when you try to make changes to a 108 year old organization there are going to be many entrenched Rotarians who will not like some of the changes, and there will be occasional mistakes and missteps. No one is perfect and that includes RI. But wouldn’t it be better if we tried to give RI the benefit of the doubt and allow them some time to exercise their leadership mandates and see if they can indeed make positive changes that will reinvigorate and reenergize Rotary to the point of new growth and new relevance? Maybe they will succeed and maybe they won’t, but it is their job to try and I feel we should let them do their job and support them as best we can.

I would be much more worried if RI was not trying to do anything, because if RI was not trying to make positive changes then we would surely be on the path to obsolescence and death. All organizations must change in order to keep up with the times and stay relevant to current and future generations. If you don’t change with the times you will end up like Kodak, or Blackberry, or Nokia. If you want to find out what happens when you don’t keep up with the times just check out the story of Blackberry over the last 10 years. Nails are going in their coffin right now. RI is at least trying to keep us out of the mortuary, and I am thankful for that.

The Rotarian Criticism Fellowship? That does not sound like a very nice place. I much prefer the old ROTI.

- PP Philip MerrittRC Mabalacat Clark, D3790Charter Chairman- Rotarian E-Club Fellowship (REF)Immediate Past Chairman ROSNFPast Chairman ROTI 1999-2001

CRITICISMcommittee

t is only in recent years that Rotary has actively cultivated a Ipublic profile.

During its first 75 years Rotary was the object of strong criticism and even contempt by many of the most influential literary figures of the time, writers including George Bernard Shaw, H L Menken, G K Chesterton, Sinclair Lewis, Gilbert Seldes and Clarence Darrow.

In 1928 several Spanish bishops declared that Rotary was "nothing else but a new satanic organization with the same background and teachings of masonry" and deemed it "a suspected organi-zation" that "should be considered as execrable and perverse." Soon afterward the Vatican decreed that Catholic priests could not join Rotary clubs. The church’s attitude held until 1979 when Pope John Paul II addressed the RI Convention in Rome, praising Rotary’s humanitarian programs saying, “In your efforts and endeavours for the good of man you can be assured of the understanding and esteem of the Catholic Church.”

Because of the earlier strongly worded, but ill-founded criticisms Rotary maintained a low profile as it undertook its projects of doing good in its communities.

- Norm WinterbottomRotary Club of Milford, Auckland, NZ (D9910)

“How much easier it is to be critical than to be

correct.” ― Benjamin Disraeli

...for lack of topic, let us just have a coffee...

Coffee improves mood - Caffeine can improve your mood and reduce your anxiety when taken moderately.

Coffee can improve your memory – having your favorite java fill can actually make you smarter, as the caffeine present in coffee blocks the effect of an inhibitory neurotransmitter, thus improving your brain function.

PP G A NETHERCUTTRC MABALACAT3790, PHILIPPINESganethercutt@yahoo.com

editorial

n one regular club meeting, the program moderator asked the members - why they are still in Rotary I

and why attend the Rotary meeting.

The answers were unique and interesting.

A member, a CEO of his own company, explained. “It is hard for me to make friends within my organization because I should not be fraternizing with employees. I am so busy with work that I have no time to make friends outside the company. The only close friends I have with whom I can relate to, relax with, and even be crazy with, are my friends in the club. Therefore, I always look forward to attending the meeting. Our group go to other places after the meeting so that we could talk further. Doing a project with your close friends is always fun! About 7 more members agreed with him.

Another member said “Rotary is payback time. I have enjoyed so much good things in life, and it is now time to give something back in return.”

A very active member said she had already retired from business and just looked forward to doing something worthwhile with her life. She could not count the many thanks she got for every good deed done to a family, a sick child, or a needy community.

Another Rotarian said that when he got sick, his first visitors and moral boosters were fellow Rotarians. And for that, he would stick with Rotary forever and ever.

One quipped that “business is good with fellow Rotarians.” Our Korean member said “Rotarian friends very different, always happy, always eating, and play good golf.”

One unforgettable answer came from a past president who said “I have always been quiet and cautious. But when I became club president, I had to talk a lot, lead and motivate and push our club to the helm. Now, it is very easy for me to be a speaker in a business gathering, which I have never done in the past.”

Yes, we all have our reasons to attend Rotary meeting and remain as active member. The first reason is friendship. The other reason is we feel good when we do good, especially when we work with good friends.

What about you?

why remain inROTARY