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In the early 90’s I had an employee named Johnny who was about my age. He couldn’t read. It took me months to figure it out. We talked about it. It was one of the hardest conversations I have ever had. People who can’t read have learned to hide it. They learn “tricks” to help them pass as literate. They learn to never admit they can’t read. They learn this the hard way – they have lost jobs. They have been mocked. They have seen the look in their child’s eyes when they can’t help with homework.

Statistics on literacy in Georgia indicates that about one third of adults (16 and over) have difficulties with the English language severe enough to limit their employment opportunities and quality of life.

Think about that. One of every three people you meet in our state is functionally illiterate. In the US, approximately 23 million people are illiterate. In the world, over one billion are illiterate. Most of them women. And where there is illiteracy, there is poverty.

When I was in fourth grade I went to the school library and picked out a copy of Uncle Remus to read. The librarian refused to let me check it out. She said it was “too hard for me to understand”. I was stunned. This had never happened to me before. When I got home that night, I told my Mother. The next day, my Mom called a friend to drive her to my school (my Mother doesn’t drive). She had a talk with the librarian. That night Uncle Remus’s Tales were waiting for me at home. It was hard to read that book, but I understood it with my Mom’s help.

That event set the standard for my life. My Mom demonstrated to me in no uncertain terms that reading is important. Today I still read every day. Not just emails and magazines, but real books. Fiction, science, research, mystery, biography, best sellers and time honored classics. And I believe my life is richer for it.

Thank God for my Mom. Thank God I was born in a community and family where literacy was expected. Not everyone has been as lucky as I have.

RI PRESIDENT KALYAN BANERJEE VISITS COLUMBUS 2

TREES PLANTED ACROSS D6900 FOR ARBOR DAY 8-9

District 6900 news Share Literacy, Enrich Lives

Take a new look at the people around you. Illiterate people are all around. They work with you and for you. They live in your neighborhood. And they need you. They need you as a parent. They need you as a mentor. They need you as a Rotarian. They need you as a friend who cares.

So look around. Find a way to share reading. Sponsor a child through the Ferst Foundation. Help your community become a Certified Literate Community. Volunteer at the library. Read to children at your local elementary. Write a check to The Rotary Foundation. No matter what you choose, you will be giving someone hope for a better future. You will be giving them freedom.

Margie Kersey District Governor 2011-12

ISSUE 9 March 2012

MARGIE WATCH

Some Key District Dates for Planning

March 16-18 Georgia PETS 31 District Assembly/Awards submissions due

April 6 RYLA applications due 27-29 District Conference, SanDestin … see page 5

DG Margie was part of a winning team at a fundraiser to sponsor Honduras Outreach, a major D6900 Rotary Foundation project that includes support for education. See more pictures and a story on page 3.

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” … Frederick Douglas

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RI PRESIDENT KAYLAN BANARJEE VISITS DISTRICT 6900

The Rotary Club of Columbus and District 6900 were honored by the February 15th visit of RI President Kalyan Banerjee and his wife Binota.

The Honorable Mayor Teresa Tomlinson presented the Key to the City to President Banerjee, along with a proclamation that February 15, 2012 was officially recognized as “Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee Day.”

DG Margie Kersey greeted the group and mentioned that a tree will be planted at Warm Springs in honor of the Banerjees, restating the quote, “He who plants a tree plants hope.” PDG Robert Hall gave a brief introduction of President Banerjee by sharing a quote from the President, “The difficult we do now, and the impossible just takes a little longer.”

During his 30- minute speech, President Banerjee recognized the Columbus Rotary Club’s contributions as “truly amazing,” and said that this was the first weekly meeting he had attended in his time as RI President – and certainly the largest. He mentioned that he may be “preaching to the choir,” but encouraged the clubs in attendance to continue to grow and be green. He closed his talk by describing a trip to Ethiopia to visit a “blind camp,” to help those that are blind see. Mentioning that one girl in particular touched his heart as he was able to be there for the procedure – and he witnessed the bandages come off as she was able to regain her sight. “What is more important than this?” he asked. “We (Rotary Members) are all a part of this miracle.”

Before he left the podium he was able to tell the members that day-by-day we are closer to our goal of ridding our world of polio, as India becomes ever closer to establishing zero cases of reported polio. “A post Polio future is upon us,” President Banerjee proclaimed to the Rotarians. “Keep going – don’t ever stop.”

RI President Banerjee and Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson

RI President Banerjee and his wife, Binota

Rotarian Lamar Johnson with the Banerjees and Columbus Club President Jimmy Elder. President Jimmy presented a final gift to Kalyan and Binota Banerjee. In their honor, the Columbus Club (in conjunction with others) has raised $99,200 to support the Ann Henderson Johnson Cottage at Warm Springs, Georgia. The Banerjees were obviously proud of the many honors and graciously accepted the gifts bestowed.

(Below) After lunch, the Banarjees were treated to a tour of the Warm Springs facilities, to see the Ann Henderson Johnson cottage and learn about the important work there that makes a difference in people’s lives.

“A post Polio future is upon us,” President

Banerjee proclaimed to the Rotarians. “Keep

going – don’t ever stop.”

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It is with regret that we report the death

of our good friend and fellow Rotarian

PDG Robert E. “Bob” Eskew of the Rotary

Club of Atlanta. Bob is survived by Iris

Hewin Eskew, his beloved wife of 66

years. Bob was a great Christian, a great

family man, a great Rotarian and a great

Georgia Tech Alum. He served as District

Governor in 1992-93, with the RI theme,

“Real Happiness is Helping Others.” Bob

certainly lived that theme through his

service for Rotary, First Presbyterian

Church of Atlanta, the YMCA, the Blue

Ridge Council, the Atlanta Olympic

Games, the Atlanta Tipoff Club and many

other organizations.

March Rotary Birthdays

March 23 was the busiest day for forming Georgia District 6900 Rotary Clubs—three clubs all share this anniversary date.

Rotary Club of Alpharetta, 29 years old: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Roswell on March 23, 1983

Rotary Club of Buckhead and the Rotary Club of Roswell, both 61 years old: sponsored on the same day by Rotary Club of Atlanta - March 23, 1951

Six other District 6900 Clubs had March starts:

Rotary Club of Cairo, 64 years old: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thomasville on March 17, 1948

Rotary Club of Cordele, 58 years old: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Americus on March 30, 1954

Rotary Club of Griffin, 88 years old: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Macon on March 7, 1924

Rotary Club of Northlake, 38 years old: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Decatur on March 4, 1974

Rotary Club of Paulding County, 43 years old: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marietta on March 14, 1969

Rotary Club of Quitman County, 8 years old: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cuthbert on March 19, 2004

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT AND ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Happy Birthday Rotary!!! In honor of Rotary’s 107th birthday, the Carrollton Dawnbreakers Rotary Club

illuminated the County Courthouse.

Fun-D Raiser Supports Honduran Outreach In 2011, we shared the story of Honduras Outreach and Atlanta area Rotarians who have been working for 12 years on health care and education in Rancho Paraiso, Honduras. Rotarians were seeking a Future Vision grant from TRF for their ongoing work there. The Rotary Club of Atlanta has since then received a Rotary Foundation Global Grant in 2010-11 that will provide school supplies and textbooks to the elementary students, establish a chemistry lab, repair and renovate the school library, and fund a program to teach critical trade skills.

The organization recently held a special fundraiser in Atlanta - including a Celebrity LEGO® Building Competition - with the goal of raising an additional $100,000. Among the competitors - a D6900 team led by DG Margie Kersey (right). The team and their third place entry are pictured here.

Bob was a Presbyterian Elder, served on

the Atlanta Presbytery Council, and was

Clerk of Session at the First Presbyterian

Church of Atlanta. He was past president

and director of the Braves “400” Club, a

Life Member of the State of Georgia

Athletic Hall of Fame, served on Georgia

Tech’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee,

and was a former member of the

Touchdown Club.

Bob’s distinguished association with Rotary began in 1960. He held most offices and key committee assignments in the Rotary Club of Atlanta. He served as President in 1983-1984 and PolioPlus Chairman in 1987-1988. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and a Benefactor to the Rotary Foundation. Bob was the recipient of the Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service in 2003-2004. In 1995-1996 the Board of Directors of Rotary International recognized Bob with Rotary’s highest individual award, the Rotary Service Above Self Award.

Several hundred people attended Bob’s

memorial service on Saturday, February

18. The memorial service was planned by

Bob and it lasted 90 minutes. It was such

an uplifting experience nobody wanted it

to end.

Please remember Iris and Bob’s family in

your prayers.

Bidding Farewell to PDG Bob Eskew … by PDG Bill Mulkey

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NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT AND ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

February was a great month. Annual giving increased to a better level with support from many of the clubs. March should also be a good month, as you all should have remitted any gifts you want counted towards awards at the District Conference. The following information will give you a better look at Annual Giving for this year. With four months to go, this is the profile of where we stand in District 6900.

While I am not going to list all the clubs this month, I will in the future as all of the clubs in the $100 and above certainly deserve special recognition, and will be recognized at the Foundation meeting in August.

We are currently at approximately

$335,000 in giving. That represents

almost 50% of our goal and

collections through January and most of February. These figures show a distinct increase in giving since December; they also show there is a lot of room for improvement. I would hope that many of the clubs are sending in funds in March and that our last quarter will be our strongest.

For those clubs that have had global projects approved; remember, you must send in your moneys to Annual giving when the project is approved. The District will then send in the District Designated Funds to get The Rotary Foundation matching funds.

I would like to remind you of several issues that will arise in the near future: 1. You must turn in final reports for any

outstanding District Grants from Governor Margie’s year. If you have an outstanding final report, you will not be considered for any grants during 2012-2013.

2. If you want to apply for any grants in 2012-2013, you must have returned your Goal Sheets and MOUs at PETS.

3. If you want to apply for a Global Grant in 2012-2013, you must attend a Grants Seminar. This will be available at District Assembly and should include anyone you feel will be involved with the grant preparation and administration.

4. Lastly, remember we will possibly have to prioritize Global grants in upcoming years. This will be done using several parameters one of which will be per capita giving to the annual fund (SHARE).

Do your best, that’s all we ever ask. Try to make your clubs EREY clubs. It’s easy and it’s important to those people we support with our projects. Thanks again for the great support in February and I look forward to seeing all of you at the District Conference.

Our Rotary Foundation: Thanks for the Upturn in

Giving; Keep Up the Good Work … PDG Bill Woulfin, District 6900 Foundation Chair

Per capita giving

# of clubs

Less than $10 22 (16 at $0)

$10.01-$50 14

$50.01-$100 15

$101-$200 13

$201-$300 2

$301 3 Meet Brazil’s Incoming GSE Team

Eugenio Pachelle Moura da Costa - Technology Engineer - Team Leader – age 35, IT software development

Amanda Leandro Leal - English Teacher in a private school - Team Member - age 26

Fabio Ricardo Rocha- Physical Education Teacher - Team Member - age 31, interested in school sports and physical therapy

Talita Yurie Kumagaia Ojima -Health Technologist -Team Member - age 26

Telma Gomes de Barros - Physical Therapist working with babies and children -Team Member - age 40

Left to right: Fabio, Amanda, TL Eugenio, Talita, Telma

Bo Wagner, President of the North Fulton Rotary Club and PDG Bill Woulfin recognize North Fulton Rotarian Kathy Myers as a Level 5 Bequest Society member.

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Imagine the Fun You Can Have in SanDestin

Rotary Fellowship, Fine Dining, Fun in the Sun

Thursday, April 26, 2012:

An Evening Boat Cruise around Destin Bay

Open Bar / Heavy Appetizers / Band

Friday, April 27, 2012:

Your choice of Golf or Fishing

Reception / Dinner for Governor Margie

and Ron Kersey, Grand Lawn

The Opening Plenary Session - great speaker

and awards

Entertainment on Grand Lawn

Saturday, April 28, 2012:

First Timers/Old Timers Breakfast

A Plenary Session focused on the

Rotary Foundation

Beach Party Luncheon at Finz’s

Restaurant on the beach/pool

AIR SHOW / WWII Airplanes on the

beach

Reception for DGE Cheryl Greenway, Grand Lawn

Third plenary session

Enjoy Club Hospitality all around SanDestin!

Sunday, April 29, 2012:

Final plenary session and brunch - Best Club Awards!

DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN SANDESTIN … WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER BE? April 27-29: Register Now at www.rotarydistrict6900.org

Featured Events: Saturday at the Beach

In honor of our Military HEROES, we are having an Air Show on the beach Saturday at noon. This Air Show

promises to be an exciting event with WWII War Birds flying high! These planes are mostly T-6 Texans, which are a single engine advanced trainer aircraft designed by North American Aviation and used to train fighter pilots during World War II. The planes fly in formation and also doing aerial acrobats over the gulf. This will be a trilling show, weather permitting!

This goes hand in hand with our Saturday Beach Party! We will be cooking up a storm with plenty of food and fun, shagging to Beach music, watching the AIRSHOW of WWII War Birds aircraft that honors our Military HEROES! So register now and join in on all the FUN on the beach!

Congratulations to Bo Wagner, President of the North Fulton Club He registered early and won the opportunity to fly in the second seat of the WW2 plane.

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Roswell and Alpharetta Rotarians Make a Difference in Haiti

In January, Roswell and Alpharetta Rotarians embarked on an extraordinary six-day mission trip to Haiti to work with some of the most impoverished in that nation. The poverty, starvation and suffering caused by the earthquake that rocked Haiti two years ago continue to exist. The Rotarians went to help in several ways – including vision exams painting newly constructed housing. Sometimes it was enough to show the Haitians that people cared.

"We took games down there to play with some of the many orphans down there. And they don't have enough people to always hold all of the babies, so we spent a lot of time just holding babies," said Roswell Rotary President David McCleary.

Through the efforts of The 410 Bridge, a charity providing holistic community development efforts in Haiti and Kenya, the 14-member team set out to serve those in greatest need. "The incredible experiences and relationships developed will be a part of our lives forever," said McCleary. Led by McCleary and Alpharetta Rotary President-elect Bill Weeks, the team focused on three communities.

God’s Littlest Angels This Haitian orphanage located in the mountains of Petion Ville is home to almost 100 100 children, mostly newborns to youngsters age seven. While some Rotarians conducted vision screenings for older children, staff and nannies, others enjoyed

outside activities with the younger children including soccer and basketball. Still others simply rocked, loved and read to infants and toddlers.

Deaf Community A collection of 168 temporary shelters, this is part of Haiti's largest tent city where the deaf in Haiti have spent their entire lives as second-class citizens even amidst the poorest people in the country. When earthquake relief came

in the form of food, water and medical care, the deaf were literally pushed aside unable to receive aid for almost a week. The Deaf Community Leadership Council greeted the Rotarians with warmth and enthusiasm. While in the tent city, the team performed almost 100 vision screenings, played with hundreds of children and built relationships that will last a lifetime.

Leveque Community This is where the deaf will find permanent homes. The team arrived just in time to watch representatives from the deaf community arrive by bus to see their homes and walk the land where their community will be built. The master plan includes 168 homes, a community center, school, church, sustainable water solution, agriculture and micro-enterprise opportunities. "We witnessed what it means to be a true leader – how a small group of individuals can accomplish so much with so little," said McCleary. "We saw unbelievable courage and determination and the true meaning of service above self." Back in the U.S., Roswell and Alpharetta Rotarians are raising money for solar powered lights in these homes that will let the deaf communicate at night in their homes and for evening assemblies.

CLUB NEWS AND NEWS FOR CLUBS

The Rotary Club of Marietta and the Marietta Museum of History recently held a Soldiers Night at the newly renovated Kennesaw House. In recognition of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, historian, storyteller and author, Brad Quinlin shared tales of this tragic time in our nation’s history. With its railroads, hotels and its mixture of both “die hard rebels” and “union sympathizers,” Marietta was a hub of activity during and after the Civil War. Brad revealed stories of soldiers from both sides of our divided nation who were among those in Marietta - stories filled with triumph and tragedy, love, sorrow and devotion. The event was a fundraiser for the Marietta Museum of

Celebrating Marietta’s History

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Rotary Club of Marietta Supports Medical Mission Team in Ghana “Alliance for Smiles,” (AfS) is a charitable organization providing free reconstructive surgery for children with cleft lip and palates from mostly third world countries. Two Rotary districts in Georgia are working with AfS to send a medical team of surgeons, orthodontists, anesthesiologists and nurses to Ghana later this month. In February, Norm Aiken, Bill Allred, Mary Allred, Richard Cope and Dale Covington from the Rotary Club of Marietta traveled to a warehouse in Greensboro, GA where they packed five large boxes of medical supplies for the Ghana mission. The supplies were purchased with a grant funded by Rotary District 6900 comprising some 73 Rotary Clubs in the western part of Georgia.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT AND ITS CLUBS

Former GRSP Student Returns to Work with Two District 6900 Rotarians Laura Schroeder, from Germany, was the GRSP student hosted jointly by the Rotary clubs of South Cobb and Paulding County last year. This year she has returned to Atlanta to work in the office of Hope-Beckham Inc. as a public relations account assistant. Two of her fellow workers at Hope-Beckham are Rotary Club of Atlanta Vice President and District 6900 Director Bob Hope and Brookhaven Rotary President-elect Tom Hughes. Laura attended the University of West Georgia during her GRSP year. One of her most recent assignments: sending out a media alert about RI President Kalyan Banerjee’s visit to Warm Springs.

GRSP Awards Announced

A few years ago, the 2011 Barbara M. and Donald L. Thomas Peace Award was established for a deserving GRSP student. Pat diGeorge, Past President of the Roswell Rotary Club (where Don Thomas was a long-time member) coordinated the selection of this year’s student. After carefully studying all the applications, the committee felt all those nominated were outstanding ambassadors of the GRSP program. The committee selected Benson Amaechi from Nigeria as this year’s recipient . Ben is hosted by the Rotary Club of Augusta and attends Augusta State. The award was presented to Ben today at his club’s regular meeting.

Each year, as a measure of thanks for GRSP, Georgia students are invited to apply for the Oslo International Summer Scholarships. The 2012 recipient from District 6900 is Katelyn Kristin Staubitz … interviewed by the Columbus Rotary Club.

Vinings Rotary President Debby Bolt, Gayle Popham of the Center for Family Resources of Marietta and a member of the Marietta Rotary Club, Leisa Marshall, Vinings Rotary, and Donna Drakes, Vinings Rotary. Debby, Leisa, and Donna were giving bedroom, bath, and kitchen linens and supplies to the Center for Family

Resources purchased through a Rotary District Grant to the Vinings Rotary Club. The linens and supplies are to help equip three apartments in the Cobb area for area families in need.

New Meeting Place: Rotary Club of Smyrna

Now meeting at Historic Brawner Hall

3180 Atlanta Road Smyrna, GA 30080

Tuesdays at 12:15 PM

The Tucker Business Association has honored Stone Mountain Rotarian

Bill Rosenfeld, owner of Rosenfeld Jewelry, with its “Business of the Year” award, in appreciation for his commitment to community. For over 25 years, Bill’s philosophy of “Honest Customer Care First” has earned him loyal customers.

CONGRATS

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The Rest of the Story

Stone Mountain’s Contribution to Local Community Editor’s Note: Apologies … We ran the picture to the left in last month’s newsletter, but failed to tell the rest of the story …

Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) each received a check from the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain. FODAC received $8,000 to facilitate a much needed network upgrade while Side by Side received $1000 to support general operations of the facility.

Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse, based in Stone Mountain, is a place where people living with the lifelong effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are respected and valued as contributing community members. The organization has enjoyed a long relationship with Stone Mountain Rotary. “The Rotary Club of Stone Mountain has given so much to us over the years,” said Cindi Johnson, executive director of Side by Side. “Even more important than the material donations is the time and effort the members always are willing to give us.”

FODAC, also based in Stone Mountain, provides home medical equipment and supplies, such as hospital beds and wheelchairs, at little or no cost to the recipients. Many of FODAC’s

clients are under-insured or non-insured due to a lost job or other economic factors. FODAC ‘s donation of a wheelchair can enable an individual to get to work or to school; a hospital bed or shower bench can alleviate some of the stress of a full-time caregiver.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT AND ITS CLUBS

Rotary of Stone Mountain President Al Lipphardt (left) presenting the check for $8000

to Chris Brand (center), president of FODAC, with Cynthia Edwards, President Nominee of Stone

Mountain Rotary (right).

DISTRICT 6900 TREE PLANTING ALIVE AND WELL FOR ARBOR DAY ...

Roswell Rotary Club celebrated Arbor Day in a big way – with a project called Trees Over Roswell. With the help of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts, the club planted 2,500 trees. Trees Over Roswell had five species of native Georgia trees to distribute: dogwood, red maple, white oak, northern red oak and red bud.

The event started with a kick-off meeting at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, with several national, state and local policy makers and community leaders in attendance. Some 350 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts participated in the planting. Cub Scout Pack 135 was responsible for planting the trees at historic Bulloch Hall in downtown Roswell.

… and that’s just the start of our Arbor Day coverage … see page 9

Rotarians and friends gathered to plant trees in Carrollton, GA (left)

Windward Rotarian Joie Hain was presented the Silver Wheel award by International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarian's President Brian Thiessen and Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chavez at the GSUSA National Conference held during

November, 2011 in Houston, Texas. The Silver Wheel award is the highest award in IFSR and is presented to a Rotarian who renders exceptional and exemplary service in support of the activities of IFSR or the scout movement worldwide.

In February, “Schrödinger’s Box,” a short film produced by Stone Mountain Rotarian Lizbeth Dison, Visual Ink Films, was selected to screen at both the Dam Short Film Festival, Boulder, Nevada and the International Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Festival in Athens, Greece. The film is a sci-fi drama with an interesting twist on Erwin Schrödinger’s paradoxical thought experiment.

CONGRATS

Now that’s dedication... Here’s the sign in the back window of Rotarian Cam Sutherland’s car. He is coordinating our District tree planting initiative.

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DISTRICT 6900 TREE PLANTING ALIVE AND WELL FOR ARBOR DAY ...

The Rotary Clubs of Harris County and Dunwoody are pleased to report their lumberjack mission is complete – with 2500 seedlings planted and doing well. The seedlings were planted where a beautiful six-acre hardwood forest was destroyed by last April’s tornado. Dunwoody provided the funds, and Harris County Rotarians received help with planting from one of their newest members who is the Director of Crossroads, a Christian-based substance addiction recovery center. It took 17 men (Rotary & Crossroads) planting for 3.5 hours in very rocky ground to get the job done. The project with a late BBQ lunch in Pine Mountain!

The Rotary Club of Alpharetta participated in the annual Alpharetta Arbor Day celebration at Wills Park. The ceremony included planting a ginkgo biloba tree. Noted as the oldest tree species on earth, the ginkgo dates back over 200 million years! This ancient specimen features uncommonly pretty, fan-shaped, bi-lobed leaves that turn a sunny golden yellow in the fall—complementary to the unique, gray-brown bark. This species of tree easily withstands city pollution and is rarely bothered by pests or disease.

Alpharetta Mayor and Rotarian David Belle Isle read the Arbor Day Proclamation. The club made dogwood and red bud seedlings available to all who attended. These seedlings were the last of over 1000 handed out by the club, coordinated by Community Service Director, Wayne Robinson. The event concluded with a brunch at the Mansell House, provided by the city, to thank the many community organizations involved for their efforts.

City of Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos is joined by City Council members Gabe Sterling and Karen Meinzen McEnerny, Sandy Springs Rotary Club President Sarah Wyeth, Sandy Springs Rotarian/Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Chief Jack McElfish, Sandy Springs Rotarians Fran Farias and Kelly Fredrickson, and Nina Kramer with Tree Sandy Springs.

The Clayton County Rotary Club planted 50 trees in partnership with the Boy Scouts at the International Beach in Jonesboro, GA

The Rotary Club of East Cobb has been a major sponsor with the Friends for the East Cobb Park since its inception—with club members serving on the board, club sponsorships for community events, and contributing benches and other furnishings. It was only natural that the club join in the new “Adopt-A-Section of the Towhee Trail Program” this year. The goal for the trail is to restore native, woodland habitat by removing non-native, invasive plants and adding Georgia native plants. The club’s Towhee Trail Committee is its largest committee with 18 members (36% of the club). This committee has cleared half of the 200 foot section of trail “owned” by the club, and 22 three-foot tall dogwood trees.

LaGrange Rotarians and Troup HS Interact worked together to plant 500 new seedlings in the rolling acres of Camp Viola. When mature, these trees will be used to help financially support the many programs that the Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services provide for the community.

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THE ORIENT EXPRESS DINNER (A TASTE OF LUXURY)

The Host Organizing Committee (HOC) for the Bangkok Convention has put together a truly remarkable array of tours which we covered in the December edition of this newsletter.

There is one tour, however that we did not include and which we are highlighting in this issue. This is the “Taste of Luxury” dinner train ride which will take place aboard the famed Orient Express on Sunday, May 6, starting at 5:45 PM and ending at 11:30 PM.

Those who participate in this truly unique and memorable event will enjoy an evening unlike any other. The gleaming “carriages” and gracious stewards will welcome you into a world of timeless elegance and special excitement where every moment is to be enjoyed. A sumptuous dinner of fine wines and exquisite and innovative Euro-Asian cuisine will be prepared by renowned Executive Chef Yannis Martineau and his team. A true gastronomic feast to remember for a lifetime.

During the romantic journey as you leave behind the bustling crowds of Bangkok and pass the Chitlada Palace at twilight while heading north out of the city, you will experience many delights. In the Bar Car the resident pianist provides lively entertainment amid the sparkling fellowship to be shared with your fellow Rotarian passengers. Elsewhere on the train you can relax and enjoy the unparalleled luxury and comfort of the Observation and Saloon carriages.

The ambiance of the train provides a marvelous opportunity to display some glamour and style and you are encouraged to “dress for the occasion.” For more information and to purchase tickets online go to the link below and then click on “Orient Express” in the left hand column. Space is limited!

http://www.rotaryconvention2012.com/

NAVIGATING THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION PDG John T. Capps III has been a convention-going Rotarian for 42 years and he really knows his way around. Here are some of his tips for a successful convention experience.

Pack Like a Pro: You’ll do more walking that you ever imagined during an RI convention. The convention venue is HUGE and everything is under one roof. Be prepared to burn some calories traveling between the plenary sessions, the House of Friendship, the luncheons and the breakout sessions. Bring a comfortable pair of shoes and adhesive bandages as well as pain relievers and a water bottle.

Mark your territory: Put name and address stickers on all of your valuables, and bring spares to place on items you pick up at the convention. When sergeants-at-arms (SAR) sweep rooms after sessions adjourn, they find dozens of notebooks, billfolds, and cameras, many without identification including the familiar RI convention totes that, of course, all look alike. To “tag” your convention tote, be sure to bring your business cards and then stop by the Convention Goers Fellowship Booth (1016) in the House of Friendship and pick up two FREE convention luggage tags to hang from your bag, purse, etc. They’ll put your business card on the back of the tag so if you misplace something, it will be returned to you.

Prepare to be carded: Speaking of business cards, showing up without any at the convention is a classic “rookie” mistake. You’ll meet hundreds of Rotarians during the convention and they’ll all want your contact information. So be sure to put business cards on your packing list.

Keep it casual: The convention is a casual event. Except for some invitation-only evening events, you won’t need a suit or a cocktail dress. Dress comfortably, but respectfully, in cool, breathable clothing. Rotary gear is always appropriate.

Know your place: Identify a spot to rendezvous if you get separated. The Convention Goers booth in the HOF is a good place. Don’t count on your cell phone as cell signals can be spotty in large convention halls. In addition many won’t work in foreign countries anyway and those that do will have BIG international roaming charges. And don’t forget to setyour phones to vibrate during plenary and breakout sessions.

Drink up: A four-day convention is an endurance event, (think marathon). You wouldn’t run a marathon without drinking water and a convention is no different. Capps (who’s been an SAR for many years) says that dehydration is a leading convention health issue.

Set your Convention Goals: To be sure you achieve everything you want to during the convention plan on attending one of the two “First Time Attendees Orientation Sessions” on Saturday, May 5 (see convention program for times). They will have a goal-setting card for you and give you great advice on how to maximize your convention experience. Be sure to arrive early. The 1000 seat venue fills up early (including standing room). For more convention tips, visit the Convention Goers web site:

http://www.conventiongoers.org