An evening with Abe

District 649

Rotary Newsletter

December 2 7

Dates to Remember Jan. 5 – Mid-year district team

meeting in Monticello.

March 1 & 8 – Club Leadership

Assemblies in Champaign, March

1, and Mattoon, March 8.

April 4 & 5 – PETS at Crowne

Plaza, Springfield.

May 2-3 – District conference at

The Chateau in Normal, IL.

What’s inside? District governor……… 2 Savoy entertains Lions...3 Sullivan meeting change.3 Normal winter village….4 District Facebook………4 Effingham with a first….5 Auction nets $6,575……5 Twin City unity pays off.6 Nokomis street signs…..6 Effingham in Guatemala.7 Skinner wins award……8 $100 million to Rotary...8

Clubs

Asst. Gov Dist. Com

Clubs Asst. Gov Dist. Com

Clubs Asst. Gov. Dist. Com

6490 Leadership Style

Happy New YearHappy New YearHappy New YearHappy New Year

District governor

“Abe Lincoln” will be featured at District 6490’s annual conference May 2-3 at the Chateau in Normal, Il. We will hear the interpretations of Lincoln through George Buss, who has been appearing as Lincoln

throughout the nation for years. George is a 6th generation Illinoisian, whose family arrived in Stephenson County in 1847. Members of his family still

occupy the original home in Lena. For 15 years Buss and his good friend, the late Rich Sokup interpreted Lincoln and Douglas through an original script authored by Rich nearly 400 times for local, state and national audiences. They have appeared on the stage at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC, Gettysburg, Chicago, Atlanta, Topeka, New Orleans to name a few. They were the only pair to appear twice in the live broadcasts of the 1994 C-Span Lincoln Douglas Debates celebrating C-Span’s 15th anniversary of programming for the cable industry. They were joint recipients of national honors from the Association of Lincoln Presenters and the Freeport Area Chamber of

Commerce. Since Rich’s passing, George continues interpreting Lincoln using Rich’s script as a basis for his presentations. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission co-chairman and long time friend, Harold Holzer says of Buss’ interpretation, “I know it’s sometimes difficult to struggle with Lincoln’s occasionally tortured (Story continued on Page 3)

George Buss as Abe Lincoln

Merry Christmas

2

District Governor Richard Wagner

Leadership Succession Is Your Club Ready?

• December is the month for your club’s election of its 2008–2009 leaders. Is your slate of officers and directors ready for election day?

• With today’s fast pace of life and rapid changes, officers change plans regularly. Since June 1, 2007, seven of our clubs have changed current presidents or president-elects.

• I strongly recommend that every club have a president-elect and a vice president ready to move up when needed. Forty percentof our clubs have 30 members or less. Many of these clubs are having leadership

succession problems. As a result, many of these clubs are at risk being a viable Rotary club. Leadership determines whether a club is successful or barely exists.

• Pre-President Elect Training Seminars are being held this month. All clubs are encouraged to have the president-elect and vice president attend this meeting. I also encourage your club to support these two leaders in their attending the April 4 & 5 Land of Lincoln PETS in Springfield. Many of our clubs have improved themselves significantly with these excellent training meetings.

• Yes, the 5 “C’s” are very important for your club’s future success. The 5 “C’s” include continuity, cooperation, communication, continuing education and commitment.

It is time to report your club's 2008-09 club officers to RI and District 6490. This information is due no later than Dec. 31. However, sooner is better. The Official Directory Data Form can be found at: http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/od_dataform_en.pdf. The current club president or secretary can also update the information online by going to www.rotary.org, clicking on “Member Access,” and using the “Update Club Data” link. The name and contact information of the 2008-09 club president and secretary should also be sent to our District Secretary Lyn Landon at lan65j@insightbb.com. Did your club submit its July 1 Semi Annual Report to Rotary International? January 1 Semi Annual Reports are due soon. Secretary Manual 229-EN-(1004) Page 16.

• One of your first and most important duties as club secretary is to prepare the SAR Semi Annual Report certifying the names and details of members of the club to the board of directors of RI. Semi annual report forms are sent from RI to the incoming secretary. If you do not receive your club's set of forms by Jan. 1, request a set from RI. Complete this report carefully and accurately, secure the signature of the club president, sign the report yourself and transmit it promptly to the General Secretary of Rotary International. The Semi Annual Report is Due on 1 January and becomes past due on 1 February.

• Are your club leaders planning to attend the Rotary International Convention? If so, are they registered? Reservations made for transportation and lodging? Its time.

Register now for the Los Angeles Rotary International Convention. Plan to join other District 6490 Rotarians at the June 15-18, 2008, RI Convention. Discounts available until Dec. 15. Registration information is available at: http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/Events/Convention/Pages/ridefault.aspx Eileen and I wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Continued Rotary Sharing Experience in 2008.

3

Rotary International District 6490 Newsletter Governor 2007-2008 Newsletter Editor 2007-2008 District Website Richard Wagner Bill Wills www.rotary6490.org 403 N. Hershey Road 2404 Clarkson Lane Bloomington, IL. 61704 Bloomington, IL. 61704 Rotary International Website Billphyl@aol.com www.rotary.org Rwagnerrotary@juno.com

The Savoy Rotary Club figured out how to get members of the Champaign Lions Club to a Rotary meeting – have former Illini basketball coach Lou Henson (bottom left with Cindy Hall of the Savoy Rotary Club) and present Illini basketball coach Bruce Weber at the same meeting – on Oct. 25. Henson is a former member of the Lions Club and was there to hear Weber talk about this year’s team and recruits, including Jeffrey Jordan – aka “son of Michael.”

Lions hustle to Savoy Rotary to see, hear Illini coaches

extemporaneous syntax, but you really handled it masterfully. Your emphases, your gestures, your change of tone and pitch, all brought out aspects of Lincoln’s speeches that I hadn’t previously imagined. In short, you were brilliant. I don’t think I’ve ever been so riveted by a Lincoln impersonation anywhere, by anyone.” As Lincoln said about himself: so to; George “is 6 foot 4 inches tall, nearly and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds.” He has appeared regularly at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, VA, the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, IL; Ford’s Theater; Gettysburg for the Lincoln Forum; as well as locations from California to Virginia and Wisconsin to Louisiana. George is not only known for his ability to interpret Lincoln; he is president of

the Stephen Douglas Association, vice president of the Lincoln Douglas Society, board member of the Lincoln Fellowship of Wisconsin and the Lincoln Forum Board of Advisors. As a guest of President and Mrs. George W. Bush, he attended a special presentation of Harold Holzer’s “Lincoln Seen and Heard” as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln in the East Room of the White House in February 2005. He has presented academic papers to the Civil War Round Table of Cleveland and the Lectures in American History series (multiple years). He holds earned degrees from Ball State University and National-Louis University and is the District Director for AVID in the Freeport Public Schools and a doctoral candidate at National-Louis University.

“Abe” continued from Page 1

Due to the closing of the Old School Essenhaus, the Sullivan Rotary Club is temporarily displaced. If you are interested in attending a Sullivan Rotary meeting, please call President Julie Kastl at 217-273-8561 or access the website at www.sullivanrotary.com to find

out where the meeting site for that particular week will be. The Sulllivan club meets on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. The

club hopes to find a new permanent location soon, and will send an update as soon as plans have been finalized.

Sullivan Rotary Meeting Place Change

4

Winter Village Comes Alive in Normal By John Bishop

Normal Rotary Club

The Christmas Season has arrived, and with it the Children’s Discovery Museum, 101 E. Beaufort St., Normal, IL, and the Normal Rotary Club have again partnered to create a Winter Village for children. The miniature winter wonderland on the third floor of the museum hosts more than 105 lighted houses, 300 accessory pieces and approximately 75 trees and landscape items. The Winter Village expands over 200 square feet and features homes, recreational areas and various shops; all from the private collection of Rotarian John Morris. John began his collection in 1990 and has added items on an annual basis. The series of houses are manufactured by Department 56, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN., and is part of the Heritage Village house line. The line includes the Dickens Village, New England Village, Christmas in the City, Alpine Village and North Pole Village. John, accompanied by his 14-member Normal Rotarian construction/assembly crew and staff members of the Children’s Discovery Museum, worked more than 15 hours to erect and assemble the village. Each year, as additional houses and features are added, new display support structures are needed. This year,

the entire display area was lowered to provide better viewing for smaller children. Shari Buckellew, museum manager, stated:

“I love to see the Winter Village come alive each year. Children are in awe of the village and you should see the reaction of the adults! Our partnership with Normal Rotary benefits the entire community, and the sharing of this wonderful display exemplifies the spirit of the Christmas Season.” “Rotary Shares”? Absolutely, and sharing is what the Winter Village is all about. The sharing of a private collection, the sharing of fellowship during construction and assembly, the Museum’s sharing of talents, display space and resources; all for the benefit of others. Come visit the Children’s Discovery Museum and experience the wonder of the Winter Village. The exhibit will be on display until Jan. 11, 2008.

District has Facebook By Terisa Lingafelter

President, Effingham Rotary Club

Group Study Exchange outbound and rebound students, host families and Rotary 6490 Rotary district members are welcome to become a part of a new Facebook GROUP. The group name is "Rotary District 6490 Exchangers." If you have a Facebook page already, you may join without being invited. The group was set up for fun, and we understand that some students may not want adults to be their "friends" on Facebook. This gives everyone the opportunity to post and see fun pictures and videos that kids and adults can post freely. If you don't have a Facebook page, you must make one before you can join. It’s a few easy steps to fix. Facebook is free, and anyone can have their own page. To set up your Facebook page, you need an email address and your own password. Go to www.facebook.com . Click on the “sign up” box. Fill in the easy information on the page, and you have your Facebook. Once your Facebook is set up, click on "Profile" at the top of the page, and you will see what your profile looks like. On the left side of the page you will see a list of choices, including "groups." If you click on "groups" you can search for "Rotary District 6490 Exchangers." You may join the group, as it is open to all. Once you have joined that group you can see the photos, videos and stories that everyone has added. As of now, there are 10 members of this group. There are pictures of the Halloween party and Orientation as well as a couple of cute videos.

We look forward to seeing you all there. Hope you enjoy. Remember, if you have trouble…ask a kid.

5

Effingham about to make history

History is being made within Rotary District 6490 – in Effingham. For the first time in the district, a husband and wife team will serve simultaneously as presidents of Rotary clubs in their hometown. President-elect Tonya Siner and Jim Siner, pictured above with AG Ron Schettler in the middle, will serve their clubs as presidents in 2008-09. Tonya will serve as the Effingham Noon Club president and Jim will serve as the Effingham Sunrise Club president. Tonya and Jim are proud parents of three children. Tonya is a manager of two radio stations. Jim is a vehicle salesperson and race-car owner. They are both very much committed to Rotary.

RI Foundation, Bay St. Louis net $6,575 from silent auction

District Governor Dick Wagner, left, receives check from silent auction sponsored by Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry of Bloomington. Owners John Carter, center, and John Wohlwend, both Rotarians, spearheaded the effort with volunteers from the four Rotary clubs in Bloomington-Normal.

Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry of Bloomington, IL. has completed its silent auction for the Bay St. Louis, MS., restoration project. Originally slated for Oct. 17 – 20, the silent auction was extended through Oct. 22. In all, over 35 volunteers from the Bloomington-Normal Rotary clubs (Bloomington-Normal Sunrise & Sunset, the Bloomington Rotary Club, and the Normal Rotary Club) participated throughout the auction, welcoming guests of Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry and describing Rotary International. The DVD of the Bay St. Louis restoration of the Community Hall was shown during the entire auction. A “Rotary-Only” event was held the opening night of the auction with over 100 Rotarians enjoying fellowship in preparation for the days ahead. Piano accompaniment was provided by the president of the Bloomington-Normal Sunset Club, Karla Weldon. Promotional events included advertising for one month on four billboards in the Bloomington-Normal area, on-air radio interviews with District Governor Dick Wagner; On-Line Pantagraph advertising and over 14,000 postcards sent to advertise the event. A remote radio broadcast also took place during the opening day of the auction at Jack Lewis. Bid cards were sold for

$20 each, prior to any bids being taken, resulting in an overall direct donation to the Rotary Foundation in the amount of $2,250. In addition, a check was delivered to Rotary District 6490 DG Dick Wagner by John Wohlwend and John Carter, owners of Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry, in the amount of $4,325, payable to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for the Bay St. Louis renovation project. Wohlwend is a past president of Bloomington-Normal Sunrise Club, and Carter is the current club president. Two members of the Sunrise Club have volunteered to lead a trip to Bay St. Louis in the spring of 2008, McLean County State’s Attorney Bill Yoder and Steve Parker, president and CEO of Parker Builders/Enterprises, Inc. Wohlwend and Carter were very pleased with the outcome of the auction, realizing with the help of all the volunteers that participated in the auction, that awareness of Rotary International was raised tremendously in the Bloomington–Normal area. A goal would be to possibly schedule an auction as a bi-annual event.

Annual Foundation Giving

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Urbana

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John Behrendt, Litchfield Sue Behrendt, Litchfield Liz Skinner, Monticello Donna Wujek, Litchfield Drake Zimmerman, Normal Richard Wagner, Normal John Calderon, Champaign Marilynne Davis, Champaign Wes Rush, Danville Gordon Bidner, Normal James Carter, Normal Michael Breitner, Normal John Morris, Normal Ben Gildersleeve, Normal Rob Cranston, Normal Eric Luedtke, Mahomet.

DG Dick Wagner credits a cooperative effort among four B-N clubs to success of silent auction and other Twin City projects. With him are, on left, Gordon Bidner and Cynthia O’Connor; and, on right, John Carter and Karla Weldon.

6Intercity club cooperation promotes Rotary

in Bloomington-Normal community By Larry Weiss

Chair, 4-club publicity committee The four Rotary clubs serving the Bloomington-Normal area have contributed on numerous joint projects this Rotary year. In July, the four incoming presidents made a commitment to work together on service projects that cover both communities as well as developing social activities that would be opportunities for fellowship and service among all Rotarians in the Bloomington-Normal communities. As the first half of the Rotary year winds down, this initiative is off to a strong start with tremendous response from club leadership and individual Rotarians. On the service side of the ledger, the Twin City clubs have answered the call on numerous projects that provide needed service to our community and raise awareness of Rotary and its positive impact. When the Labor Day Parade committee needed help carrying flags in the annual parade, the Rotary clubs stepped forward and assembled a team to carry each of our 50 U.S. state flags. The annual “Paint the Town” project brought club members together to provide needed repairs for an area home. The accomplishments of outstanding area graduating high school students will be highlighted in a student recognition luncheon at Illinois State University. Most recently, the clubs participated in the Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry Auction to raise money for the Bay St. Louis project. In addition the clubs will be working as a group on the upcoming Group Study Exchange team visits. The highlight event of the four

clubs was no doubt the first “Rotary Run/Walk/Wine event at the Mackinaw Winery on Aug. 25. This event combined a 5-K run, family walk and wine-tasting for an afternoon of service and fellowship. Rotarians and their families spent a beautiful summer afternoon together enjoying the beautiful surroundings, and sampling fine Illinois wines. The challenging race layout actually ran through the vineyards, which participants found to be most challenging. This event was both a successful fundraiser for future projects and a great opportunity for the four area clubs to come together as a combined group to demonstrate the potential we have in the Bloomington Normal area and to demonstrate how “Rotary Shares.” District Assemblies in March There will be a district-wide club leadership assembly (District Assembly) in Champaign on March 1 and one in Mattoon on March 8 for club leaders in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008. Presidents-elect, officers, board members and committee chairs

should plan to attend and receive useful information for the coming year. Page 12 of this newsletter contains more information and a printable registration form with a mailing address for your registration.

Rotary serves as streeet guide in Nokomis The Nokomis Rotary Club has been purchasing and overseeing all of the street signs in that town for at least 47 years. The town of 2,400 has several hundred baked enamel signs, each with the Rotary emblem imprinted on them. Rotarians survey each sign about every six months, according to Rotarian Lestern Bruns. They check the condition and note when replacement or repair are necessary. Bruns orders the new signs and the Nokomis Rotarians repair the posts, attach Rotary emblems and replace the signs. Rotarian Bruns can provide additional information on this outstanding community service – and Rotary recognition – by calling him at (217) 563-2049.

7Effingham Rotary helping in Guatemala for 15 years

Ted Keller, co-chair of the Effingham Rotary Club’s project in Guatemala was given a handmade scarf by the Mayan Indians for his efforts, including an effort that provided stoves with

chimneys, such as the one in the background.

Children from the Casa del Nino, or “Home of the Child” project backed by the Effingham Rotary Club took part in this parade in Quetzaltenango.

By Ted Keller Effingham Rotary Club

The noon Effingham Rotary Club has been doing social work in and around Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, for two months each year, for about 15 years. Quetzaltenango or Xela, as it is known locally, is the second largest city of Guatemala with a population of about 180,000. The capitol is Guatemala City with over 2 million. Xela is an Indian trading community that has added shopping conveniences like we have. It’s altitude is about 7,600 feet, in a mountain valley. Most of the people are Mayan Indians and very poor. Many church missions, foreign countries, governmental social services, service clubs and private social services help those who live in extreme poverty.

Guatemala has 23 languages and many people live as they have for centuries. The noon Effingham Rotary Club has, with the help of our Rotarian and non-Rotarian donors: 1. Gave hundreds of stoves with chimneys, which prevent lung damages, reduce burns and allow women to stand to cook. 2. Gave 100 Spanish text books for the Mam Indian women to learn Spanish. 3. Gave funds and advice to two groups of women to start elderly homes, and donated a washing machine and supplies for the homes. 4. Donated funds for a handicapped group of about 30 people in Momostenango, Guatemala. 5. Donated a radio and disc player for a school, so children could learn songs. 6. Maintain a small library of videos and text books in Spanish for teaching health subjects, anti-conception natural methods, caring for babies and small children, etc., for schools and organizations. 7. Build dry marker boards to replace painted concrete ones. 8. Build playground equipment for

schools, orphanages and daycare centers. 9. Participate in meetings with other groups to help solve social problems together. Our biggest project is “Casa del Niño” or “Home of the Child,” a non-profit daycare center for low-income families. Please visit their web site www.casadelnino.org We will soon have it in English.

It has several pictures.

When we first started on the “Home of the Child” project about six years ago, they had 3 kids and their facilities were in shambles. Now, they have 75 kids and 35 on a waiting list to enroll. This year they celebrated their 75th anniversary. They have 8 women board members and a person who has been president for 40 years. We participate in their board meetings when we are there and communicate with them throughout the year via Internet and telephone. We remodeled their kitchen into a dining room/kitchen; replaced the adobe stove, table and sink with a modern kitchen with new drop ceiling and tile floor. We put in a cistern, 220-volt water pump; new water and sewage lines and a water heater. We put in a clinic with a medical doctor, who runs the clinic to give pregnancy care information, test for pregnancy, monitor fetuses, check health of kids and maintain a health library for training others. They would only accept children ages 2 to 6 before and we convinced them women needed the most help, when they have children from 0 to 2 years, so now half the children are under 5. We estimate that they

could handle over 200 children, if they had more rental and classroom spaces built on their ground. Will you join us in this worthy project, to help more children have a better chance in life, by making a donation to: THE ROTARY CHARITIES FOUNDATION OF EFFINGHAM (WCS), P.O. BOX 592, EFFINGHAM, ILL. 62401? You could make one donation or you could join others and make monthly donations, either by check or have automatic withdrawals from your checking account for this project and quit whenever you like. Should you have any questions call “Home of the Child Project”: 217-857-3542 or cell 217-343-3542 or spanishted@frontier.net

8

Skinner receives citation

for meritorious service PDG Liz Skinner is shown in the accompanying photo (third from right) as she received the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service from Past RI Director and chair of the Rotary Foundation, Robert S. Scott, at the recent Rotary Institute in Springfield, MO. Also pictured are RI President-elect Dong-Kurn Lee, RI Director Tom Branum and (at left) PDG John and Sue Behrendt. PDG Liz was recognized by trustees of the Rotary Foundation for her commitment, dedication and service to the Rotary Foundation. She is a past Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar who since joining Rotary has been involved in promoting the humanitarian and educational programs of the foundation, has served on all Foundation sub-committees, as district Foundation director and Annual Giving chair, and is a frequent presenter at district functions and club meetings. She is also currently Rotary Foundation Alumni Coordinator for the 13 Rotary districts in Zone 29.

Training seminars for assistant governors and president-elects

Assistant governors Joe Mikulecky convened the Assistant Governors’ Training Seminar on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Tuscany Restaurant in Decatur. All current assistant governors and most assistant governors for 2008-09 were in attendance. The purpose of the seminar was to prepare the assistant governors to fulfill their leadership roles in District 6490. A session was conducted on AG’s roles and responsibilities. Additional sessions included assessment of club leadership plans; identification of resources and potential leaders within each club; and suggestions for working with and supporting clubs, conducting official visits and helping clubs set goals. Each AG provided an oral assessment of his/her clubs. Presidents-elect will later make assessments. Assessment data regarding the status of clubs provided AGs, presidents-elect and Rotary International will be used in the planning process to set club goals and objectives for the 2008-09 Rotary year. The AG coordinator and AGs must be commended for their outstanding work during this seminar. The district has some outstanding leaders.

President-elects Training seminars for presidents-elect were conducted in Newton on Nov. 27; Mahomet on Nov. 28; and Gibson City on Nov. 29. The purpose was to begin preparing presidents-elect for their roles as presidents of their clubs in 2008-09. Each seminar consisted of sessions on the roles and responsibilities of the district governor, assistant governors and president; and identification of resources at the local, district and Rotary International levels. Presidents were encouraged to set club goals for 2008-09. To help, data from RI was distributed, including profiles of the district; information on clubs’ charter dates and names of members; the date, location and registration information for the 2008 District Conference; and Rotary Foundation information relative to each club. Presidents also received information about the dates, purpose and a review of 2008-09 meetings, including the district meetings, zone meeting and Rotary International. The seminars were well attended and included present sitting club presidents and nominees. Each club member in attendance assessed the strengths and weakness of their club. The information collected will help in planning their year. The

presidents-elect did a wonderful job in making these sessions work.

By Alvin Griggs District governor-elect

Register before Dec. 15 and save as much as $80 on your registration for the Rotary International Los Angeles Convention. Registration forms can be found on the Rotary website, www.rotaty.org. Register now and save. You can secure your hotel and flight by calling Donna Anderson at (217) 355-6800. Donna has put a hold on a number of hotel rooms and will book a flight, which could include a stop in Las Vegas, for a number of Rotarians.

Register early and save

9

Gates challenges Rotary with $100 million A new partnership between Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will provide a much needed $200 million in support of Rotary’s top goal of a polio-free world. The Gates Foundation has awarded The Rotary Foundation a challenge grant of $100 million, which Rotary will match, dollar for dollar, over three years. This is the largest single grant ever given to a volunteer service organization and represents a tremendous validation of the approach and success of our PolioPlus program. This partnership comes at a critical juncture for the polio eradication initiative, which needs an infusion of funds to reach the eradication goal. For this reason, the initial $100 million will be distributed by The Rotary Foundation through grants to the World Health Organization and UNICEF in direct support of polio immunization activities in 2008. Members participation in this effort is crucial to making it a success. The Rotary International Board of Directors and the trustees of The Rotary Foundation have unanimously agreed to accept this challenge grant to ensure the success of the PolioPlus program. They feel confident that this extraordinary commitment from the Gates Foundation and Rotary will serve as a catalyst for further donations from others to help us realize the dream of a polio-

free world. In 1985, Rotary promised every child a world free from the threat of polio, and we are almost there. This funding agreement between Rotary and the Gates Foundation is a huge step forward, bringing us even closer

to our goal. Success is our only option. (Information from a letter provided

by Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Rotary

International president, and Robert

S. Scott, The Rotary Foundation

chairman. For more information

visit: www.rotary.org )

What the Gates gift means to Rotary By Dan Mooers, PRID Zone 31 Coordinator,

PolioPlus Partners Task Force Director, ICUFR

What wonderful news we got about the $100 million challenge gift to our Rotary Foundation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. But now that the warm glow is starting to fade, many Rotarians are starting to ask Rotary leaders: “What does the Gates gift really mean for Rotary?”; "Do we have to raise more money?"; "How will this affect annual fund giving?"; "Will PolioPlus Partners donations count toward the challenge?" I suspect most of us cannot really answer the many, many questions being asked. We need information.

To help sort this out, and to help answer some of the questions floating around Rotary meetings, Rotary Foundation trustee (and co-chair of the PolioPlus Partners Task Force) Lou Piconi has agreed to participate in an online discussion on this and other Foundation subjects. The International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians (ICUFR) has generously agreed to once again make its “Community Forums” Internet site available so that Rotarians around the world can discuss the Gates Foundation gift, its impact on Rotary and our clubs and other Foundation subjects with one of the most knowledgeable Rotarians.

The online discussion with Trustee Piconi will take place over a 51-hour period beginning at 8 a.m. (CST) on Monday, Dec. 10, and ending at 11 a.m. (CST) on Wednesday, Dec. 12. This informative, and perhaps provocative, discussion with Trustee Piconi will take place at the web site http//www2.icufr.org. (Please note the “www2" in the address.) To ask Trustee Piconi questions and to participate in the discussion, Rotarians must

register in the forum. To do that, top go to the website and click on ‘Register’ at the

section of the opening page of the Community Forums (http//www2.icufr.org) . A ‘Terms’ page will next appear and, once you accept the terms, you will automatically go to the ‘Registration’ page. Please complete all ‘required’ information. When you register, please make sure you make a personal, private record of the ‘User Name’ and ‘Password’ you decide to use when registering in the Community Forums. It will be necessary to add your club name and district, and additional information in the profile, if you wish. After you “register”, you will receive a confirming email from an ICUFR volunteer confirming your registration. After receiving the confirming email, you must post messages and participate in other services on the web site. Registering for the Community Forums carries no obligation, and you will not be placed on an e-mail list as a result of registering. You also may enter the Forum as a ‘guest’ and read the discussion in the Community Forum but you will not be able to ‘post’ without registering. We suggest you go to the ICUFR’s Community Forums now, register and then look around for awhile to get a ‘feel’ for the Community Forums. Post a message or two in any of the sections and topics, make some friends, and be ready for the discussion with Trustee Lou Piconi. On Monday, Dec. 10, on or after 8 a.m., you can log into the ICUFR’s Community Forums, and be ready to go. Scroll down to ‘HOT TOPICS’, click on ‘The Rotary Foundation’ and then click on ‘Discussion with Trustee Louis Piconi”. Then fire away with your questions about the impact of the Gates Foundation gift and any other questions about The Rotary Foundation.

See you online on Monday, Dec. 10.

10

Alumni: Rotary’s

underutilized resource

By Kelly Skinner District membership director

We want to grow our membership with new people who enjoy good fellowship

and are dedicated to serving. Have you considered recruiting Foundation alumni? Foundation alumni are the past participants in Rotary Foundation programs: former Group Study Exchange participants,

Ambassadorial Scholars, University Teacher Grantees and Rotary volunteers. The Council on Legislation, which met in April, made some changes with regard to alumni and membership. These new changes have been incorporated in the 2007 RI Manual of Procedure and Club constitution and provide that alumni may be recruited simply on their alumni status, and also allow alumni to join a club even if the classification is filled. Rotary International research indicates that recruiting this untapped resource can result in enthusiastic and committed new members, who understand Rotary and appreciate the long-range benefits of supporting the Rotary Foundation and the work Rotary is doing to promote world peace and understanding. If your club has sponsored candidates who participated in one or more of the programs, you may know how to reach these individuals. If not, contact the district alumni chair, Don Uchtmann, at uchtmann@uiuc.edu and request information on alumni now living in your community or sponsored by your club. Let’s go out and Share the Gift of Rotary with this significant group in our Family of Rotary - our Rotary Foundation Alumni.

Kelly Skinner

PolioPlus nearing $28,000 in 6490 gone over goal; i.e. Rotary clubs of Bloomington, Bloomington-Normal Sunset, Bloomington-Normal Sunrise, Danville, Danville Sunrise, Downtown

By PDG Wesley Rush Chairman, district PolioPlus

Committee To paraphrase newscaster Gabriel Heatter, “There’s good news to report.” This could be the year! We are winning! Reported cases of polio worldwide are 63% less this year than in 2006. That is a good sign we are winning the battle. The percentage figure will continue to increase as Rotarians worldwide continue supporting the PolioPlus Partners program. Rotarians and Rotary Clubs of District 6490 are continuing to do marvelous things in support of the PolioPlus Partners program. To date $27,650.98 has been contributed through Governor Dick’s “pass the hat” campaign and by contributions sent directly to The Rotary Foundation. That equates to 54.7% of the District’s overall goal of $50,520. It is almost unbelievable when you consider it has been accomplished in less than five months. I am positive that if everyone continues supporting PolioPlus Partners we will reach the $50,520 goal. I certainly hope so because the funds are urgently needed. Also, remember whatever we contribute to PolioPlus Partners will be “matched” fifty cents on the dollar by the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation. Contributions to PolioPlus are not “matched.” Therefore, when sending contributions to TRF it is to your club’s advantage that they be credited to PolioPlus Partners. Nine clubs have reached and

Danville, Litchfield, Normal and Paxton. I want to especially congratulate the Rotary club of Paxton, which has, under the leadership of President Teri Hancock, more than quadrupled its goal – that’s right, more than four times its assigned goal. It led the district in club percentages. Several clubs are just a “few bucks” short. They will reach their goals, no question about it. However, four clubs have contributed nothing and several have made “token” contributions, but they will “come through.” I firmly believe that if nine clubs can reach their goal, all clubs should be able to. It takes only the will, the determination and a little extra effort. Can we count on your club to reach its goal? Can the children of the world count on you? I am betting we can. Rotary Shares by contributing to the PolioPlus Partners program which is saving children of the world from being on crutches, being “crawlers” or dying. Isn’t that worth a “few bucks?” Please don’t “hold” contributions. Contributions are urgently needed now! PolioPlus Partners contributions count toward Paul Harris Fellow recognition. There is no better way to demonstrate that in District 6490 Rotary Shares.

Wes Rush

11

By PDG Wes Rush From the comments I have received concerning the PolioPlus Partners (PPP) goals, there appears to be some misunderstanding as to how the goals for each Rotary club were established. First, there had to be a starting point, so the committee used the Rotary clubs’ membership as listed in the current District Directory. This seemed to be the fairest and easiest way to get started. Second, each Rotary club member was asked to contribute at least $10. Next, the Rotary clubs were asked to “match” their membership contribution;

PolioPlus goals misunderstood i.e. $10 per member. Thus, the established goal for each club figured to be basically $20 per member. The question has been asked “What if our membership increases/decreases during the year. Does that change the club’s goal?” The answer is “No.” Changes in membership, which we knew would be happening, has no affect upon your club’s goal. Once the goal was established it will not change – up or down. Lastly, the goals were approved by Governor Dick Wagner.

Future leaders

needed at the district

level

Your Rotary district is looking for Rotarians to serve at the district level. Serving at the district level is a very rewarding activity. Please join the many Rotarians who do serve at this level and who are finding it very rewarding. The Succession and Development Committee will meet soon to put in place the directors, committee chairs, activity leaders and committee members for the 2008-09 Rotary year. You can be a part of this team by contacting either your governor-elect, assistant governor, group director or a succession committee member. Contact them soon.

Arcola, C-U Sunrise, Villa Grove, Savoy and Urbana join for water project in South Africa

Giving to our Rotary Foundation to become a Paul Harris Fellow isn’t enough of a reason to give, says Chris Scherer, past district governor. The Rotary Clubs of Arcola, C-U Sunrise, Villa Grove, Savoy and Urbana, through the efforts of Rev. Don Mason, a member of the Urbana Club, settled on a real need and went to work. With District 6490’s Matching Grants Committee support, these five clubs ask their members to support the Foundation’s annual fund for a shallow-well project in Malawi, South Africa. The multi-phase, multi-year project, begun in 2006, was approved for its first matching grant in May 2007. The project got under way to support 100 villages in rural Blantyre. Each well is expected to support 200 people. Thus the planned project was to benefit 20,000 individuals. A demonstration well was dug next to a school to supply water to be added to a mixture of dry maize, soy and vitamins to feed the school children. Each well dug costs $300. So members were challenged to donate enough for an entire well, half a well, or a third of a well.

By giving to the annual fund of the Rotary Foundation members were contributing to the ongoing program of RI as well as a matching grant project of the district. Some members decided to memoralize a friend or family member with their gift. Ray Elliott, an Urbana Rotarian, visited Blantyre in October 2006 and Rev. Mason, visited Africa in August 2007. At the time of Rev. Mason’s visit, agreements were signed and a bank account was established. Annual giving in the Urbana Club jumped from $5,182 in 2005-06 to $ 18,521 so far in 2007-08. The secret to success? – Find a need and make the members aware of the opportunity to help meet that need in a variety of ways – full support, or partial support. And join forces with smaller clubs to get things done.

(Photos by Ray Elliott, Urbana Rotarian)

Bloomington-Normal Sunset - Ethiopia – Cost $10,000. Funding pending. Work with Reading Councils to raise community standards by improving literacy for 1,000. Contact Larry Pennie at (309) 452-3696 or lapennie@insightbb.com Champaign -- Refugees-Cost $20,000. DDF committed, $2,500. Shelter Boxes provide shelter from the elements for as many as 12 people for an extended time. Contact Gary Olsen at 217-359-3453 or olsen@advancenet.net Decatur -- India—Cost $30,000. DDF committed, $3,000. Rotarians in Decatur and India are working to provide medical equipment for cataract surgeries to be performed by Decatur opthalmologist Dr. Sushant Sinha. Contact: Heather Stoa at 217-3752 or hhstoa@gmail.com Hillsboro -- Mexico – Cost, $12,000. DDF committed, $2,000. Provide science and reading supplies for project in state of Chichiqua to help 750 students. Contact Matt Ferguson at 217-532-2171 or Ferguson@hotmail.com

Litchfield -- Nigeria – Total cost est. $25,000. DDF committed, $2000. PDG John Behrendt will negotiate grants with Nigerian Rotarians on his upcoming visit to Nigeria. Contact John Behrendt at 217-324-5443 or behrendt@wamusa.com Mahomet -- Nepal—Total cost , $15,000. DDF committed, $1,500. After-work school for children in slavery to enable them to qualify to attend government school. Contact Eric Luedtke at 217-369-1195 or elue91@yahoo.com Normal -- India—Cost, $10,000. DDF committed, $1,500. Training center for mentally disabled will be equipped and supplied by Rotarians to serve 100. India—Cost, $15,000. DDF committed, $1,500. Rotarians in U.S. and India will provide water wells for schools to serve 3,000 children. India—Cost, $15,000. DDF committed, $2,500. Dialysis equipment for civil hospital in Ratlam to serve persons who currently travel 4 hours for help. Contact on all 3 above is Surinder Sethi at 309-664-1900 or surindersethi@hotmail.com Africa/Malaria—Cost, $500,000. DDF committed, $2,000. Multiple districts in U.S., Canada and Africa target specific areas in Tanxania and West Africa for 118,000 nets helping 250,000-plus. Contact is Drake Zimmerman at 309-474-7040 or drake.Zimmerman@verizon.net Pontiac-- Zambia—Total cost, $12,000. DDF committed, $2,500. Develop water system for orphanage with community access to serve 5,000. Contact is Steve Walters at 815-842-2130 or stevewalters@maxwire. Tuscola -- Jamaica—Total cost, $15,000-plus. DDF committed, $1,000. Procure needed equipment so 35-50 dentists can provide dental care to 1,500-plus unserved persons. Contact Richard Davidson at 217-253-4050 or RichardDavison@netcare-il.com

Urbana – Malawi – Cost, $15,000. DDF committed, $3,000. 50 shallow-rock walled wells to be created cooperatively by Rotarians to serve 10,000 in rural villages.

World Community service helps a club in one nation working with a club in another nation to accomplish humanitarian goals that neither could accomplish alone. There are many persons in District 6490 who are willing to put projects together with the support of their club. However, many clubs are not so fortunate. Through World Community Service, clubs in District 6490 can have the satisfaction of being part of a project bigger than any of us by sharing in a project developed in another club. Through undesignated gifts to The Rotary Foundation, funds are made available to Rotary districts to use with matching money toward projects. CHOOSE A PROJECT – GET INVOLVED To have a project considered for promotion by WCS Committee it must have a co-sponsoring club in another Rotary district – usually international. To have a qualifying club project included in district promotion, please contact Gordon Bidner, the district’s World Community Service chair, at (309) 963-4240 or e-mail him at vmsa@frontiernet.net

SENDING DOLLARS FOR WCS PROJECT Make checks payable to District 6490. Please note the project you want to support on your check. Give check to your club treasurer, who will send it with your RI identifying number to: Larry Pennie, 1902 Quail Run Court, Normal, IL 61761. THE PROCESS Bedcause money needs to be sent to The Rotary Foundation when project numbers are available, the district treasurer will cash your check, forwarding that amount IN YOUR NAME (with your RI identification number), to the Rotary Foundation. All individuals will receive credit toward Paul Harris Fellowship and other appropriate recognition. Information on projects will be highlighted in District 6490 newsletters as well as sent to WCS. If representatives in local clubs are not being informed when new district newsletters appear online and would like to be included, please attach a note with your e-mail address to your check and write: “Let me know when district newsletters are published online.”

World Community Service projects beckoning you

District 6490 projects

12

Rotary District 6490

Club Leadership Assemblies

Team Training for your 2008-09 Officers, Board Members and Committee Chairs . WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

How to develop club plans for a successful Rotary year. RI goals and DGE Al Griggs District goals for 2008-09 How does Rotary International relate to my club? What is the role of each club officer? Planning the Rotary year Where to find information you will need What new and continuing Club Secretaries need to know WHO SHOULD ATTEND? To make 2008-09 the best year yet in your club, the president and the entire 2008-09 leadership team need to be at this meeting. WHERE AND WHEN? Choose between two identical meetings: Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Parkland College, Champaign

Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Lake Land College, Mattoon Both meetings will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1:45 p.m.

Questions? Contact Don Wendel, Urbana Rotary Club – 217-355-9014 or

dwendel@insightbb.com

TEAR OFF AND RETURN THE REGISTRATION FORM WITH

YOUR CHECK NO LATER THAN FEB. 25. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - Club ______________________ Rotarians Attending March1: ______________________ __________________________ _____________________ _______________________ __________________________ Rotarians Attending March 8: _____________________ __________________________ _____________________ _____________________ __________________________ Number of persons attending_________ x $15.00 = $____________ Send with a check payable to “Rotary District 6490” to: District 6490 Assembly Anna Merritt 1707 Lydia Court West

Urbana, IL 61802

13

Club Membership Net October RI Contrib.

10/1/2007 10/31/2007 Change % Attend. this fiscal yr New members Arcola Sunrise 22 22 0 73 $ 635.00

Arthur 22 22 0 72 $ 790.50 Bloomington-Normal Sunrise

Atlanta 26 26 0 66 $ 530.00 Bill Novak, Cheryl Eash,

Blm-Nor Sunrise 75 76 -1 71 $ 285.00 Deb Hoelscher,

Blm-Nor Sunset 17 16 1 85 $ 860.00 Jamie Mathy

Bloomington 95 95 0 68 $ 7,165.00 Bloomington

Blue Mound 14 16 -2 92 $ 67.00 Paul Murphy

Casey 0 $ 105.00 Blue Mound

Champaign 197 197 0 66 $ 15,430.00 Tony L Beckett, Ines McLaughlin

Champaign West 142 145 -3 84 $ 7,972.00 Champaign West

Charleston 79 81 -2 60 $ 867.50 Carrie Breaux, Travis Akin Clinton 39 38 1 58 $0.00 Raymond George, Joel Oschwald

C-U Illini After 5 20 20 0 82 $ 127.00 Charleston

C-U Sunrise 42 44 -2 89 $ 2,890.00 Diane K Hutchins, Alison Mormino

Danville 110 103 7 59 $ 2,759.31 Champaign-Urbana Sunrise

Danville Downtown 22 22 0 76 $ 360.00 Bruce Hatfield, Robin Winskas

Danville Sunrise 31 31 0 68 $ 1,191.00 Danville Sunrise

Decatur 127 127 0 40 $ 758.00 Terry Coyle, Tom Farrell

Decatur Metro 22 21 1 63 $ 68.00 Decatur

Effingham 115 115 0 79 $ 1,069.00 Julie Pajer

Effingham Sunrise 63 63 0 71 $ 2,719.00 Eureka

Eureka 57 58 -1 58 $ 161.00 Jeff Schumaher Fairbury 38 40 -2 75 $0.00 Fairbury

Forsyth Sunrise 17 17 0 92 $ 80.00 Spencer S Homan, Louis W Retter

Gibson City 24 25 -1 55 $ 98.00 Gibson City

Gilman 15 15 0 65 $ 105.00 Jayne Tjardes

Hillsboro 25 28 -3 50 $ 77.00 Hillsboro

Hoopeston 19 19 0 42 $ 93.00 Lisa Katava, Nicole Martin,

Lincoln 64 63 1 64 $ 2,394.00 Tom Baker

Litchfield 33 33 0 58 $ 3,362.00 Mahomet

Mahomet 33 34 -1 75 $ 1,663.00 Ken Ingold

Marshall 24 23 1 78 $ 933.00 Mattoon

Mattoon 66 67 -1 76 $0.00 Aimee Dunn, Amy Spain Metamora G. Hills 31 31 0 78 $ 200.00 Newton

Monticello 0 $0.00 Jim Robins

Moweaqua 13 13 0 76 $ 200.00 Normal

Mt. Pulaski 11 11 0 54 $0.00 Craig Hopper

Newton 37 38 -1 80 $ 1,296.00

Nokomis 19 19 0 80 $0.00 Deceased

Normal 84 85 -1 73 $ 7,605.00 Danville

Pana 27 25 2 59 $ 312.00 Dr. A Reese Matteson 10-10-07

Paris 0 $ 3,150.00 Decatur

Paxton 24 24 0 50 $0.00 Howard Brown 10-09-07

Piper City 9 9 0 91 $ 133.00 Pontiac 44 43 1 65 $ 217.00 Corrections from Aug & Sept

Rantoul 41 41 0 72 $ 157.25 Danville new member (spelling)

Roanoke 17 17 0 79 $ 1,204.00 Diana Stewart-Frasure

Robinson 20 19 1 58 $0.00

Savoy 0 $ 810.00 Late reporting

Shelbyville 28 28 0 69 $ 300.00 Atlanta July - 26 members; 62%

Sullivan 34 34 0 49 $ 438.00 Atlanta Aug - 26 members; 73%

Tuscola 36 36 0 71 $ 470.00 Atlanta Sept- 26 members; 72%

Urbana 107 107 0 61 $ 20,014.79 Piper City July - 9 members; 87%

Vandalia 42 42 0 70 $ 1,092.50 Piper City Aug - 9 members; 97%

Villa Grove 23 23 0 71 $ 1,400.00 Piper City Sept - 9 members; 93% Totals 2342 2347 -5 $ 94,613.85

14 Secretary’s Report