BREADBASKETAUGUST 2013

August Membershipis

Month

The Breadbasket is a monthly newsletter of the Rotarians On The Internet, since 1999.Editor: Glo Nethercutt, RC Mabalacat D3790 Philippines. Email: ganethercutt@yahoo.com

Associate Editors: to be featured next issueAsia, North America and Latin America editors identified. Awaiting volunteers for Australia, South America, Africa, Antartica and Europe.

Requirement: at least one story a month

Webmaster: Chris Sweeney, RC Conwy, D1180 RIBI

ROTARIANSONTHEINTERNET

www.roti.orgVisit the new

Applying information technology to enhance Rotary service, fellowship and knowledge

Join ROTI

Dear ROTIans,

amaskaram - traditional greetings from Kerala, India where I come from! ROTI now has a new Website, thanks to our Director Chris NSweeney; he is from Rotary Club of Conwy, North Wales and is RIBI

Template Designer. Beleive it or not, he took time off his vaccation to do our Website - special thanks to not only Chris but also his wife! ROTI places on record our sincere thanks to Mark Howison who has been the ROTI webmaster for many years. Mark helped in the transition and assisted Chris whenever his help was needed.

You would have noticed that the new www.roti.org website has been redesigned to be viewable on a variety of devices; computer, tablet, smartphone, Internet TV; whatever you're using to view the site, the contents will be arranged to fit. The security method has been improved, so the first time members go to log in, they will need to follow the 'forgotten password' link so that they can reset their password. Access is now by email address, not the old username. Once the new password has been created, members can choose to remember the details or to log in automatically, removing the need to enter their email address and password every time.

All the existing data has been retained and the processes you could do previously are still there (search for a member, view their details, members by country, by district etc). You can now upload your own photo and will be able to upload your own photos to specified pages (e.g. RI Conventions); I wish that members will create their own pages, upload files etc. Actually, there's lots more I would like to do to encourage members to use the website. Your ideas are welcome!

The home page automatically displays the cover of, and a link to, the latest Breadbasket - ROTI's own membership magazine - and displays current membership statistics. The design is, however, subject to change - as all things should be. This month the Board has started a review of our Byelaws. All organisations need to relook at their basics every once in a while to remain contemporary. This review is being done by our Past Chair Doug Vincent and Direcor, Norm Winterbottom. You will hear from them in due course. I have received many accolades for the July edition of our Bread Basket - all of which I graciously accepted on behalf of Editor Glo Nethercutt. We have proposed that an Editorial Board with representation from all over the, be put in place. As expected, Glo has put together an exceptional Bread Basket. Enjoy reading! Best regards, Sunil K ZachariahChairman

FromtheChair

Sunil K ZachariahPDGKalamassery, D3201India

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

ROTI

Ron Nethercutt

August Membershipis

Months you have noticed from the cover of this month's Bread Basket, it is Rotary Membership Month. Why don't we also Arecognize it as ROTI Membership Month? If we believe in

our ROTI Fellowship, why do we not promote it to our friends, our Rotary Club, and our District?

Some members post about the consistent 1.2 members in Rotary for many years, and the continued efforts by Rotary to solicit new members. However I see little efforts to recruit new ROTIans.Here is some data regarding ROTI's membership by country:

India 462United States 301Philippines 144United Kingdom 82Australia 79Canada 70

From that point on, the numbers drop to the 20s or less. For your continued information here is a list of membership by district:

D 3790 55D 2980 47D 3201 44D 3800 25D 3230 25D 3240 22

Do these numbers tell you anything? Are you comfortable when you see them? But the most important question is, “Are you responsible for recruiting a member for the ROTI Fellowship.” “How did you do it?” “Was it difficult?”

Glo and I brought our district 3790 to 55 members and first place in the ROTI world, by setting up small ROTI stands at district events and handing out ROTI flyers. The latter were flyers left over from RI Conventions that were not used. A handshake or hug and a brief explanation of ROTI is all that is needed.

Tell others of your successes in recruiting. If you don't have any success stories, are you trying?If you believe in ROTI, but your faith into action and tell others why ROTI is important; help make this ROTI Membership Month in your club and district.

recruitment

ROTI Chair 07-09RC Mabalacat D 3790

Angeles City, Philippines

se the club bro-chure templates to tell prospective

members about your club and its activities.

To be an effective, rele-vant, and vibrant group within a community, a Rotary club needs to

continually admit new members and retain current ones. A club's ability to serve the community is directly related to the strength and size of its membership base. A club that stays active encourages Rotarians to remain connected to the organization.

"Each Rotarian: Reach One, Keep One," the membership slogan approved by the RI Board of Directors, is a reminder that every Rotarian is responsible for inviting new members and keeping clubs active and vibrant. It also stresses that retention is an essential component of a strong club and membership base. To encourage the sponsorship and retention of new members, certificates that can be administered at the club level are available.

New members bring important benefits to the club, including an increased capacity to serve the community, future leadership, diversity, and fresh ideas, interests, and energy.

The club brochure templates are one way to advertise your club to prospective members. These files can be edited to suit different needs and geographic locations. Once you create your own brochure, you can print it out and keep copies to distribute to prospective members or the general public at club events. Prospective members can fill out and submit the accompanying Club Member-ship Inquiry Form if they’re interested in learning more about your club, including its community service activities. Clubs can use the form to learn more about prospective members and invite them to their weekly meetings, projects, or events.

U

“Each Rotarian: Reach One, Keep One”

Finding members

FINDINGand

MEMBERSKEEPING

Condensed fromRotary InternationalMembership Resource Guide

When you’re approached by a prospective member, it is helpful to have a concise speech ready about Rotary and your club’s accom-plishments. Read how other Rotarians describe Rotary.

Retaining qualified members is as critical to Rotary’s long-term health and success as inducting new ones. Current members who are dedicated, active, and motivated support the effective functioning of the club and are likely to attract new Rotarians.

Successful retention strategies include educating members and keeping them involved and informed. When a new member becomes active and connected, both the club and the member become stronger. Learn more. If your club is aware of a member who is changing locations but still wishes to be part of a local Rotary club, encourage that person to complete the relocation form online or submit the PDF version.

Ideas for integrating a new member into your Rotary club include:Ÿ Introducing them to other club members each

week for the first monthŸ Encouraging them to become involved in club

service projectsŸ Inviting them to attend meetings of sponsored

Interact or Rotaract clubsŸ Encouraging them to get involved in inter-

national programs Ÿ Inviting them to neighboring clubs for a make-up

meeting so they can learn about attendance requirements and observe the spirit of fellowship

Ÿ Asking them and their spouses to social activities, dinners, or other special events

Ÿ Encouraging them and their spouses to attend the district conference or RI Convention

Ÿ Appointing a mentor to help them become active Rotarians

New member videos. Use this new member video to help acquaint new members with Rotary and show them how they can make the most of their membership.

Rotary Minute, a collection of testimonials from Rotarians, is also a good resource for introducing new members to the organization.

Keeping members

robably every Rotarian who has tried to recruit a new member has at one time or another been rebuffed by someone saying they can’t fulfill the meeting Pattendance requirement. And can anyone even count the number of

Rotarians expelled for failing to attend the minimum number of meetings?

A speaker at the May 2011 Rotary International Convention in New Orleans asked his audience a simple but intriguing question that has haunted me ever since: “Why is a service organization like Rotary so obsessed with meeting attendance? [his emphasis, not mine]” District 5170 PDG Brad Howard, a member of the North American Membership Committee task force asks this great question, only semi tongue-in-cheek: “Ah, attendance….I look at it like a fence intended to keep people in. How many customers do you treat that way?”

A central tenet of District 6690’s Our Members Are Our Customers is that member engagement in the club and its activities and programs is more important than meeting attendance. By “engagement” we mean that a member is committed to one or more of the club’s programs or activities as evidenced by his or her participation or monetary support – an investment of time, talent or treasure.

DISCLAIMER!I believe good meeting attendance – if not perfect attendance – is important and a noble goal. It builds goodwill and better friendships and is beneficial to all concerned. I just happen to think that Rotarians should attend meetings because they want to and are attracted there – by friends, fun and fellowship – not because we beat them over a head with a rulebook! Also meeting attendance is an important statistic for club leaders. It shows how much members enjoy the club and the meetings. But poor attendance should not be met with expulsion from a club. I will say this loud and clear: I don’t think any Rotarians should ever be dismissed from a Rotary Club for poor attendance. Instead I think Club leaders should reach out to members with poor attendance to find out why. And it should be done early on – meaning club leaders must monitor attendance records regularly and address members’ lack of interest before it becomes habitual. A useful question to ask a non-attending member is this: “what is the club not providing to you that it should be?”

It is true that members sometimes have business or family obligations that make meeting attendance difficult. But Rotary makes at least four very important tools available to clubs to help members with struggling attendance. The first is leaves of absence, which can be given at the board’s discretion. The second is makeups at another club. The third is use of eClub (online Rotary meetings). And the fourth is the discretion of the board to count participation in any club activity, committee meeting, service project etc. as meeting attendance. In fact, I would suggest it is that fourth factor that is the true heart and sole of a Rotary club.

A well run Rotary club has meetings and events that members attend because they want to, not because they have to. They participate because they want to spend time with their friends, because the meetings are fun, because of good programs, or especially because they know they will be greeted warmly and made to feel welcome – which is increasingly unusual in our impersonal computer based world! Most clubs tend to point fingers at non-attending Rotarians as “bad Rotarians.” I on the other hand feel poor attendance says as much – or more - about the club as the individual. I see clubs with poor attendance as not understanding and not giving the members what they want. And that is something club must recognize and fix!

Almost every Rotarian I know is very busy, with work and family demands and stresses that can be all consuming. But I have found this to be true – Rotarians who feel they are getting value from their membership find time for Rotary meetings and activities. It means something important enough to them to balance out their activities. But those who don’t see value from their membership let the other things crowd Rotary out. It’s not surprising – we all do the same thing with all of life’s activities. Club leaders - yes, pay attention to membership records. But use them to assess the club, not condemn the Rotarian. And then have the courage to make the changes that the members want and will make them raving fans of the Club and all its meetings and activities.

http://rotarycoordinatoren.blogspot.com/2012/08/meeting-attendance-tail-that-wags.html

by

Zone 30 Assistant Rotary CoordinatorPDG Brent Rosenthal Meeting

Attendance – The Tail That Wags the Rotary Dog?

A reprint from

ROTI webmaster Chris Sweeney wrote: “The ROTI website should be the hub of all this sort of activity. We should be looking at reasons to bring people TO the website, not giving them reasons to leave! We should be providing the opportunity for members to create their own

pages under a variety of topics, both Rotary and Technological. Topics might include general

things like 'what I learned when I became club president and wished I knew before' to more

specific things like 'how to set up a gmail account'. Whilst these topics may be covered in

the email lists - and I know you can search though the yahoo group list of posts (but how

many members know how to log in to yahoo?) - but if they're on our own site, these things become associated with ROTI. And when

someone writes a page, they can post a link to it on the, thus encouraging people to the website.

Rather than having 15 posts about what the arrangements are for the roti hotel at the next RI

Convention - put it on our website and refer members to it!"

the new

ROTIwebsite

The idea of putting eFlash on our website is just to make the current news there in RSS feeds format or link basis as you may decide. I feel that if we have daily updates as in eFlash, we will start getting some traffic. We can take it off later when other features bring in regular visitors. But for now, shall we put eFlash on our Website?Also, kindly consider a Chat and Birthday Wish feature, whcih always brings in members to the website. - Sunil K Zachariah

I will help in any way you see fit. My best support would be in the area of database. I can handle most of it in design suggestions. Just let me know what I can do to help. - Steve Sokol

At one time ROTI was the

cutting edge leader in the

world of electric communications

technology in Rotary.

- Doug Vincent

Dear Global Networking Group Officers,

e have been working diligently to refresh and revitalize Rotary’s website with new interactive tools, and in a few Wdays it will be unveiled to our members and the public.

We are set to launch on 26 August, and in anticipation of this exciting event, we invite you to participate in one of the site’s newest features, which is the ability to create groups and hold discussions within the realm of Rotary.org.

These groups will provide secure areas for Rotarians and Rotaractors to engage in meaningful discussion about their individual or collective passions, whatever they may be. After the site is launched we will need your help in populating these groups with initial threads and relevant discussion topics.

Because Rotary Fellowships and Rotarian Action Groups are involved in an assortment of project areas, you are in an excellent position to be among the first to populate this new tool when launched on the 26th, as well as provide us with valuable feedback on the user experience.

If you feel your Global Networking Group would be interested in taking advantage of this we ask that you create your own group immediately after the new site is launched on the 26th, and be ready to engage and populate threads with interesting content and discussion questions. Be sure to get your membership involved!

If you would like, staff would be happy to set up a group for your Rotary Fellowship or Rotarian Action Group, so that it is waiting for you and ready to go next Monday morning. You can read more about groups here. Contact social@rotary.org, if you would like us to create your group for you.

As we get closer to the launch date, be sure to visit digital.rotary.org to get the latest sneak peak, and share it all with #RISocial.

Best Regards,

Adelita Hernandez

Connection Specialist | Rotary Service Connections

Tel 1.847.424.5329

Skype: adelita.hernandez

rotary.org

Ready to Connect on My Rotary?

The new ROTARY logo

Rotary Fellowships are autonomous, international groups of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors who join together to:Ÿ Share a common interest in

worthwhile recreational activities (sports, hobbies, etc.)

Ÿ Further their vocational development through acquaintance with others of the same profession

Ÿ Make new friends around the world

Ÿ Explore new opportunities for service

Ÿ Have fun and enhance their Rotary experience

http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/fellowships_directory_en.pdf

ROTARY FELLOWSHIP DIRECTORY

ROTARYFELLOWSHIPS

ain is common in South-central Alaska; making it a temperate rain forest each Rsummer with lush, thick undergrowth of

ferns, annual vegetation, and rapidly growing deciduous trees. In my grade school years I walked rapidly home for homemade lunch and then quickly back to school. On rainy days I noticed ground worms would be forced from the saturated soil where robins and other birds made feasts of them. So, I often picked them up on the way home and threw them into my mother's garden. I took to carrying wax-paper sandwich bags to hold them: I still carry plastic bags for finding worms for my garden today. My mother's garden was well known for its early and abundant flowers. She said it was because of the worms I put in her garden. It was my first lesson in "Paying it forward:" worms in the garden today brings flowers tomorrow.

Rotarians are "Pay it forward" people. We plant trees the shade under which we ourselves will never sit. Through our time, talents and treasure, in many different way we plant such trees anticipating future shade and save drowning worms for the flowers of tomorrow. In our clubs, communities, Districts and International projects we join together in "Service Above Self" not giving thought or expectation that we will be rewarded. The next generation will sit in the shade of our labor or the next passerby will smell the flowers. Perhaps there's certain Karma in it. The reward comes from an unexpected place, or source, or fellowship. Karma is like that.

We have all seen or heard the expression: "There is no greater feeling than serving someone who will never be able to thank you for it." I operated on that principle on my several immunization trips to India for Polio Plus, chairing Matching Grants with International partners and less auspicious services at the District, local and club level. I felt proud, perhaps too much so, that in concert with others I was able to help those who had difficulty helping themselves. I didn't need help. Others did. And I was there.

Then I was diagnosed with cancer. I had trouble swallowing and had it checked. Following the endoscopy, the physician said, "I don't have good news." Then he gave us the diagnosis. Esophageal Carcinoma. "I wish I could do more," he said, "but this one is bad. Bad!" Other docs said: "It's nasty." "Sinister." Evil." "One of the worst." Some of them looked at me with the expression: "I hope your affaires are in order." In the USA, esophageal carcinoma is one of the fastest growing and lethal forms of cancer. Approximately 18,500 cases are diagnosed annually and of those, 15,000 die.

I took an inventory. I've always been healthy, even athletic. No complicating factors. Minimal drinker. Non smoker. No recreational drugs. No diabetes or other degenerative condition. I have strong support from my wife, children, family and friends. Why shouldn't I be one of the 2,500 who survive? I

A Rotarian’s Fight Against Cander

SHOESonBOTH FEET The shoe of feeling on the

first foot is Pride. The shoe of feeling on the second foot

is Humility. I have shoes on both feet now.“

- PP Jon DeisherAnchorage Rotary, D5010, Alaska

I dove immediately into treatment, my wife and girls behind me 100%. How could I lose? It was an aggressive treatment plan. If one has an aggressive foe, one doesn't kid around. I went into weeks of daily radiation simultaneously with chemotherapy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Excepting family and friends, a few of whom are on this list, I told very few people. I went into invisible battle. It's not easy. When people with cancer announce their diagnosis, the relationships they have with others, sometimes even their closest friends, change. I'm still the same guy. Cancer is just a side story.

Despite the rigors of daily radiation and chemo, I fit my treatments around my other responsibilities and kept my normal routine. Finally, however, I reached the limit of how much radiation and chemo I was permitted to absorb. The tumor was markedly reduced, but surgery was the last option. "I think we can cure you," my local oncologist said. I could have hugged him. C-U-R-E … a four letter word any cancer patient wants to hear!

I researched the best and brightest esophageal oncologists I could find. Dr. Oelschlager at the University of Washington (Seattle) has a reputation for having done more esophagec-tomies than virtually anyone else. I emailed him and he responded personally in less than six hours! He scheduled an appointment and his staff was in touch almost immediately. It's a major surgery, usually done by "cracking the chest." Dr. Oelschlager uses a more modern and minimally invasive laparoscopic technique: less recovery time, less pain, less blood loss, less chance of infection, better chance of full recovery. I put myself completely into his hands.

My wife and I came to Seattle where we are now. The surgery took place on August 6th. My entire esophagus and part of my stomach was removed and then the remaining part of my stomach was reshaped to fulfill both the stomach and esophagus roles. It took four and a half hours. Post surgery Dr. Oelschlager and his staff were kind, considerate of my and my wife's needs, answered questions, patiently repeated answers we did not understand, provided support at the hospital and have coordinated our follow up appointments with my local physicians when I return home on August 24th.

It was not with out its ordeals and I'm not out of the woods yet. Immediately post-surgery the pain was excruciating and I was on very strong, opiate pain meds. Itching from opiate use was unbearable, but the pain was worse so I tolerated the meds as briefly as necessary. My energy and strength were sagging, but I began daily one to three mile walks on the day following surgery; I could not eat for more than a week and was fed intravenously. I temporarily cannot lift more than 10#s to keep pressure off my abdomen and chest. My diet now is fluids while the internal sutures heal, but eventually I will have a regular diet modified to smaller portions, more frequent meals and avoidance of particularly acidic or spicy foods. At our last meeting the good Doctor said, "We don't have the pathology report yet, but I think we got it all." As with my Anchorage oncologist, I could have hugged him, but I was prone in the hospital bed at the time! Perhaps, just perhaps, I will be one of the 2,500 out of 18,000 people in the US who survive this cancer. It's looking pretty good so far. I'm taking it one day at a time.

Now the shoe is on the other foot. People whom I cannot thank have not only served me and saved my life but have done so graciously and genuinely: as if I were a person worthy of their service, not simply the "guy with cancer in room 4220." A lump fills my throat. "Thank you." I can say the words, and have done. They are insufficient. This is how those we serve in Rotary feel. How do they express such profound gratitude for having had dams built, clean water provided, their children immunized, their lives saved? They say the words knowing them to be insufficient. I'm back to Karma. Perhaps I'm the drowning worm plucked and placed in a flower garden that but for my labor will not bloom. Perhaps I'm a tree to give shade under which my skillful physician and able staff will never sit. Perhaps I am simply being reminded of my undue pride that no greater feeling could be found than serving those who could never thank me. There is a greater feeling. It is having been served and no expression of gratitude is sufficient. The shoe of feeling on the first foot is Pride. The shoe of feeling on the second foot is humility. I have shoes on both feet now. I share this note with my Rotarian brothers and sisters with the hope that an insight of those being served are not lost to us. Like mine, their gratitude is inexpressible.

onward

&upward

1. Take risks.

Life is too short to spend your time avoiding failure.In 1981, at the age of 39, I was fired from the only full-

time job I'd ever had - a job I loved. But I never let myself look back, and the very next day I took a big risk and began my own company based on an unproven idea that nearly everyone thought would fail: making financial information available to people, right on their desktops. Remember, this was before people had desktops.

In 2001, when I was debating whether to run for mayor, most people advised me against it. They all were afraid I’d fail. But one person said: “If you can picture yourself giving a concession speech, then why not go for it?” That was the best advice I received – and I followed it.

In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail – and you must have the courage to go for it anyway.

2. Make your own luck.

Luck plays a part in success, but the harder you work, the luckier you get.

Whatever you choose to do, even if it’s not the job of your dreams, always work hard at it. Be the first person at work in the morning and the last to leave at night. Hard work creates opportunities where your resume cannot.

3. Be persistent.

Persistence really does pay off.When starting my company, I would go downtown

and buy cups of coffee. Then I’d take the coffee up to Merrill Lynch – our target audience – and walk the hallways.

“Hi,” I would say. “I’m Mike Bloomberg and I brought you a cup of coffee. Can I talk to you?”

Even if people were wondering who I was or where I came from, they still took the coffee.

And I kept coming back, day after day, working to build relationships with potential customers. I learned about the audience for our product and what they could really use.

Three years after starting Bloomberg LP, Merrill Lynch purchased 20 terminals and became our first customer.

4. Never stop learning.

The most powerful word in the English language is “Why.” There is nothing so powerful as an open, inquiring mind. Whatever field you choose for starting a business – be a lifelong student.

The world is full of people who have stopped learning and who think they’ve got it all figured out. You’ve no doubt met some of them already – and you’ll meet plenty more.

Their favorite word is “No.” They will give you a million reasons why something can’t be done or shouldn’t be done.

Don’t listen to them, don’t be deterred by them, and don’t become one of them. Not if you want to fulfill your potential – and not if you want to change the world for the better.

5. Give back.

You are ultimately responsible for your success and failure, but you only succeed if you share the reward with others.

At the end of the day, ask yourself: “Am I making a difference in the lives of others?”

My first charitable donation was a $5 check to my alma mater, Johns Hopkins, not long after I graduated. I was just scraping by back then, but I continued to give. And while the checks may be bigger today, they come with the same spirit. You don’t have to be wealthy to give back. You can give back by getting involved and giving your time and talents. You just have to be committed to opening doors for others.

TOP 5 Tips for Becoming aSuccessful Entrepreneur

Mike Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City

The following are some tips for becoming a successful entrepreneur based on my experience of building a company from the ground up, leading New York City as mayor, and founding a philanthropic organization.

ecently, I attended a memorial service for Dennis Dammerman, a retired GE executive and one of Rthe very first people I interviewed with at GE 30

years ago. He was a mentor and friend to me and a great leader for GE.

Dennis was proof of the power of GE’s meritocracy. He started at the bottom and worked his way to the top, ultimately becoming CFO and a vice chairman. He was tough-minded but fair; a great coach. He had excellent judgment and displayed calmness during crisis. He was loyal, and he loved his work. Simply put, he was representative of the best from GE.

GE is a company that takes great pride in developing leaders, like Dennis; and it is something I’m asked about often. People want to not only know about our philosophy for cultivating the next generation of leaders but also sometimes the more difficult question of how we differentiate among senior executives. How do you evaluate the talent at the very top of GE, or any other organization?

I always ask five questions about our top leaders:

1) Is the leader self-aware?

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. We can all improve, and we should embrace cultures of continuous learning. But top leaders cannot allow weak spots to be blind spots. We all need an accurate perspective of what we do well and where we need work. You can’t lead credibly without it.

2) Is the leader committed to the company/

organization; do they drive change?

Senior leadership positions are tough jobs and we live in hyper-competitive times. Success requires real effort, and at the senior levels of a company like GE the ability to drive change distinguishes you. It’s not easy and you have to be stubborn; you have to be resilient. After all, every idea begins with a constituency of one. There’s probably one or two times a year that I turn to our very top leaders and say, “we’re going to do it my way.” Do that too often and good people will leave. But if you never do it, nothing ever happens. Trust your instinct (and make sure you have the right instincts).

3) Is the leader a "giver or a taker?"

Just as the best leaders need to go with their gut, they must also be responsive to those around them. They realize that open, respectful, transparent conflict is a hallmark of great companies. Top leaders must also give back to the culture to make it meaningful and lasting. Build a WE not a ME organization. You have to inspire people. An idea or initiative may start with that constituency of one, but eventually you need buy-in from a company of many (about 300,000, in fact, at GE).

4) Is the leader a critical thinker?

It is easy to follow the crowd and allow the status quo. It is also the way companies and organizations get in trouble. The very best leaders avoid “group think.” Instead, they look at challenges through different lenses and from different perspectives. They understand context and have a strategic sense of how to put things where they fit both within the organization and in the world. As a matter of imperative, the top leaders know how to simplify. This might be the most important leadership trait of our time. The very best leaders cut through the complexity. Every process drives speed and accountability. They get results.

5) Lastly, does the leader have a dream for

themselves and the company?

Good leaders have passion. They have a vision. They think and dream big.

At GE, we view leadership development as integral to our culture and our future. We try to create global leaders, people who can navigate the complexity of our times with clarity, courage and integrity. I believe we have a pretty good track record. Dennis Dammerman was proof of that. But I also know we don’t have all the answers.

What attributes do you look for in a top leader?

Linked in

How to Differentiate Great Leaders from Good Leaders

Jeff ImmeltChairman and CEO at GE

.R. “Ravi” Ravindran, a member of the Rotary Club of Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka, has been selected by the Nominating Committee for KPresident of RI in 2015-16. Ravindran will become the president-nominee

on 1 October if there are no challenging candidates.

Ravindran said his top priority for Rotary will be to increase membership, which he called the bedrock of any organization.

“The emphasis on membership has to continue with focus on the younger generation,” Ravindran said. “Additionally, we must seek to attract the just retired and experienced people into Rotary.”

Creating regional membership plans and realizing that “one size does not fit all” has been a move in the right direction, he said. “Albert Einstein defined insanity as ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’ In many ways this has been the story of Rotary’s poor membership advance,” he said. “Thankfully, our approach this time has been studied and altered. We have created 22 different membership regions so that each region would develop and execute a plan that would suit that particular region.”

Ravindran said it’s important for Rotarians to share their stories, especially through social media, so others can see the impact Rotary has had in their lives. He said it’s also important for the organization to speak with a consistent voice. “Our identity must remain simple and be based on our core values. It must be clear and straightforward to both our internal and external audience.”

Ravindran holds a degree in commerce and is founder and CEO of Printcare PLC, a publicly listed company and global leader in the tea packaging industry. He also serves on the board of several other companies and charitable trusts. He is the founding president of the Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association, the largest antinarcotics organization in Sri Lanka.

As his country’s PolioPlus chair, 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.

A Rotarian since 1974, Ravindran has served Rotary as a director and treasurer of RI and as a trustee of The Rotary Foundation. He has also served as an International Assembly group discussion leader, district governor, Council on Legislation representative, and zone institute chair. He chaired the Schools Reawakening project, sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts in Sri Lanka, which rebuilt 25 tsunami-devastated schools, benefiting 15,000 children.

Ravindran has been awarded The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award and the Service Award for a Polio-Free World. He and his wife, Vanathy, have two children, and are level 4 Major Donors to the Foundation.

The Nominating Committee members are Eric E. Lacoste Adamson, USA (chair); John T. Blount, USA; Robert K. Crabtree, New Zealand; Gerson Gonçalves, Brazil; Frederick W. Hahn Jr., USA; Lynn A. Hammond, USA; Teruo Inoue, Japan; Paul Knyff, The Netherlands; Peter Krön, Austria; Jorma Lampén, Finland; Kyu-Hang Lee, Korea; Masahiro Kuroda, Japan; Michael D. McCullough, USA; Donald L. Mebus, USA; David D. Morgan, Wales; Catherine Noyer-Riveau, France; and M.K. Panduranga Setty, India.

Ravindran is choice for 2015-16 RI presidentBy Arnold R. Grahl Rotary News -- 6 August 2013

K.R. “Ravi”RAVINDRAN

“The emphasis on membership has to continue with focus on the younger generation. Additionally, we must seek to attract the just retired and experienced people into Rotary.”

“

Rotary News -- 9 August 2013

Register early for Sydney

convention and save

I had an email that someone had difficulty with the earlier link to the Sydney Convention video, so here is another URL.

- Ron Nethercutt District Convention Chair RC Mabalacat Angeles City, Pampanga

http://www.eflashonline.org/video/sydney-convention-promo-it

CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEES

PRE CONVENTION MEETINGS AND TICKETED EVENTS

tary Club of Latur Horizon dist 3132 and one NGO named National Association for the Blind Latur has started one project which I want to o

share with all over the world Rotary clubs through ROTI. I am being president of this organization who observed that visually impaired persons have so many difficulties in his daily life. Family members are also thinking that the blind member is burden particularly in poor families. They are struggling for their daily needs how they will get good education and are begging on the streets particularly in the urban areas and in cities they developing fast.

In such situation they are not getting any playing instruments, but we have decided to provide them at least indoor games and developed Chess Board for the blind. I had been to three national and international seminars for the blind and believe that we will provide the board as a gift in any country. This has a good response from about 20 countries and in India too.

Now RC Latur Horizon and NAB working jointly to help this group. Our wish is that if you can inform through ROTI and if we get response definitely we will be happy to send the boards as gift no expenses of transportation but if there is any duty on that product that will have to be borned by that institution. We will supply six pieces to each institution if they want more the local RC should help them for purchase.

ROTARY AROUND THE WORLD

TEAM BUILDING to develop a unified and strong leadership, the RC Vigan officers for RY 2013-2014, D3790, hied off to Playa Tropical for a Team-Building activity.

t the recent installation meeting of the club , one of the senior members was presented with a Aperfect attendance pin for 53 years of

continued attendance at Rotary.

John Morris turned 93 years old this year. At the tender age of 19 years he was flying Hawker Hurricane fighter planes and in July of 1940 he took part in the Battle of Britain as a member of the Royal Air Force. He and his comrades were honoured by Winston Churchill following the war for their efforts. After the war John earned his engineering degree and immigrated to Canada with his wife Louise, and began working for the Department of Highways in Nanaimo, where he became a member of the local Rotary Club in 1960. He served as club president in 1969-70, is a Paul Harris Fellow, and for many years was the program chairman.

Chessfor theblind

byDr. Vijay B. RathiPDG D3130drvijayrathi@gmail.com

Karaikudi Rotary

"MINI

MARATHON -

2013”for students from all over the district

100%ATTENDANCEfor 53 YEARS!

Rotary Club of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

he ROTI Matching Grant project to help 120+ hearing impaired children in the Chennai India Tregion was approved in late June 2013. This is

a $20,000 project with nearly $9,000 coming as a grant from The Rotary Foundation to match contributions from the Rotarians, Rotary clubs and districts involved. About 20 ROTI members pledged cash contributions to this project.

The donating Rotarians have been contacted and their pledges are being sent to The Rotary Foundation. Once those funds have been received, the funds will be wired to the project bank account managed by the host sponsor Rotary club of Chennai Kilpauk. The humanitarian work of the project can then begin.

Todd Lindley DDS FAGD2013-2016 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Zone 31Past District Governor, District 6060, 2010-2011

ROTI MATCHING GRANT PROJECT

ROTARY HOUR

Implementing club: Rotary Club of Chennai Kilpauk, District 3230, India

ROTIan contact: H. L. Ratan

Coordinator for ROTI: PDG Todd Lindley

Rotary6060.TL@Gmail.comDistrict 6060's web site: www.missourirotary.orgOverland Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Mabalacat D3790 Phils host a radio broadcast Rotary Hour at GVAM 792, every Friday 4 to 5 pm, since 1999. The air time is donated by the station.

The Rotary Hour reaches audience in about 5 provinces and has helped thousands in their need for help.

Hosts PP Tony and PP May Shilton, IPP Elmer Hernandez of the Rotary Club of Mabalacat

Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi, D3272 Pakistan, arranged an activity at Mailsi Syphen Bridge near Mailsi for Polio awareness for the people gathered there for river side picnic on Sunday 25.08.2013.

- Muhammad Mumtaz BaigRC Rahimyar Khan Rohi Rahimyar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.

POLIO AWARENESS

HERETHERE

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

&

By way of a simple correction, the DRFC does not have to be a PDG - unless that is your District's mandate.

My wife, Sherry Coleman, is our DRFC servicing 2012-15 and has never been a District Governor. She is, however, one of the most knowledgeable Rotarians in the region on the Rotary Foundation. She served as DGSC from 2006 to 2012 and helped me when I was DG to pull our district out of a quagmire caused by her predecessors.

- PDG Patrick G. Coleman (2006-07)Assistant Rotary Coordinator Zone 20A South; Reach Out To Africa Water & Sanitation CoordinatorDistrict 9210 PolioPlus Chair 2013-14P O Box 90010, Luanshya, Zambia

DRFC notnecessarily a PDG

John Glassford , Australia, wrote:Some one here will know the answer to

this and if you can spare a moment I would appreciate some idea on how to help our friends in Hout Bay with their bulletin.

“Can you tell me how you take his (Bulletin Editor) in PDF, originally done> in Apple “Pages” and then sent in a PDF, into a blog for website use without losing all the columns, colouring and positioning, i.e. into HTML.”

Dear John, download Cutepdf writer and on the print screen choose this printer and press print, your documents will be converted to PDF

http://www.cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/writer.asp

CONVERTto PDF

Rotary greetings, after all new web site is already launched. Unfortunately first I found the club locator and my curiosity came out. I try to locate my clubs and clubs in my revenue district but there were only two clubs other clubs are either forgotten or just to be uploaded. God knows.

Other features are good.Once we have to get registered. One more feature is there to donate something for different funds. Especially it includes all areas of focus separately to be funded for particular cause. I think it is good. It will take a day or two to get familiar with this new site. Congratulations to Rotary staff for this innovative web site.

- Lax. VoraR.C. Anjar RID 3050, Bhatia Colony

Have you had a look at the re-designed www.rotary.org?

My first impression is mixed...It has this new blog type style ...

However, member access - now known as My Rotary seems to be completely redesigned and has some issues. You need to sign-in again. I do not seem to be able to access the Grants' page - it is saying access denied.

You can also build your own social network...I wonder how many socialnetworks can we follow :-)

Its' early days as yet, but it would be good to know your experiences as you use it over next few hours.

- Girish Mittal, RID 3140, India

The NEW ROTARYWebsite

Many districts have already banded together for the purpose of continuing GSE. This network has proved successful in developing GSE matches for 2013/14 and potential matches for future years. There is a spreadsheet listing all participating districts; the spreadsheet includes facts about each district and contact information. There are also revised forms that provide for flexibility in team composition and itinerary options.

The network provides a means for districts to discuss structural ideas and changes to the GSE program. And a collection of best practices is being developed. While districts are currently arranging their 2013/14 partnerships through this network; intentions are to keep the network going for future GSE years. Is your district interested in joining other districts that have already indicated their interest in continuing GSE?

If so, contact Rotarian Peg Sennett, D7390, Pennsylvania USA,

The following Rotarians comprise a leadership group that is spearheading this effort to continue GSE:Ÿ D1460, Denmark, GSE Chair Peter Rastrup,

Ÿ D1890, Germany, GSE Chair Wolfgang Janus,

Ÿ D4855, Argentina, GSE Chair Mauro Casal,

Ÿ D6580, Indiana USA, District Governor Tim Lee,

Ÿ D7390, Pennsylvania USA, GSE Chair Inbound Tom Houf,

Ÿ D7390, Pennsylvania USA, GSE Chair Outbound Peg Sennett,

pegsennett@hotmail.com

peter@rastrup.dk

wjanus@fahrenkrug-eutin.com

maurocasal@hotmail.com

timlee0910@aol.com

houftp@gmail.com

pegsennett@hotmail.com

IS YOUR DISTRICT INTERESTED IN CONTINUING WITH TRADITIONAL

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGES? BUT YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO

CONTACT OTHER INTERESTED DISTRICTS? YOU DON'T KNOW

WHAT CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE TO THE PROGRAM? WHAT FORMS

CAN YOU USE NOW THAT TRF FORMS ARE OBSOLETE?

continuing with

club special events

GSE

bookingour club recently had a special event and Rotarians were asked to sign up and select Ytheir dinner choice for themselves and guests.

We had a few folks who signed up and did not cancel their reservation. Because we have no policy in place some are saying we should not bill them. I think otherwise because I believe that your word is your bond and if you make a reservation and do not cancel it, you have to honor your action. If any of you folks have a written policy if you could send it to me off line that would be great.

- Kevin PurcellThe Rotary Club of the Torrington Winsted Areas of Connecticut USA District 7890

special events

The decision to do the right thing about making a reservation and not showing up should be left to the Rotarian to decide, using the 4Way Test. We don’t have a written policy, but when the club pays for no-shows, the Rotarian is asked to pay for this cost. Of course, if there is no cost for the no-show, no payment request is made.

I cannot remember any Rotarians complaining about having to pay when they didn’t show up, because their common sense conscious kicks in and “urges” them to do the right thing.

Actually, a more irritating thing that happens is when Rotarians don’t made a reservation and they show up for the event. We couldn’t turn them away, so we scrambled to set up extra tables and hoped that the food prepared had enough of a margin to feed them.

- Alan Okinaka, RC of Hilo Bay, Hilo, HI

No doubt RLI is worth but after that what? Who will care to call them for leadership or for delivering lecture on Rotary subject?? Will district leadership accept these graduates? If not then what is the necessity of taking pain??

- Lax. Vora, R.C. Anjar RID 3050

The Rotary Leadership Institute has been around for the past ten years, and has been divided into divisions, usually on a zone level there currently are 324 districts who are members of RLI.

The recent COL passed a resolution making RLI an associate program of Rotary. So it is expected that this will be come pretty much an accepted program worldwide.

Unlike the normal Rotary training like Assemblies, Seminars, and PETS, RLI offers cross pollination between clubs and even districts. Each session has students from various clubs and even districts. These consist of newer members and Veterans. In our section we recently had a past RI director go through the program as a student. Another difference is RLI uses Facilitators or discussion leaders. The students learn mostly from others in their groups.

RLI consists of three parts, each is a day long session. Some divisions also offer graduate courses. However the main thrust is the three parts.

Part 1 - is centered around the individual rotarian, and the possibilities they have as a member.

Part 2 - is centered around the club, and what can be done to improve the club.

Part 3 - is centered on the club's relationship with the whole of rotary.

Each part combines sessions on membership, foundation, and club leadership

This is not a full explanation. You can go to a website of each division and find explanations of each part.just go to google and enter Rotary Leadership Institute. Then go to one of the divisions websites. My division is http://rli33.org.- Stan Cahn, PP- RC of Hilton Head- Sunset

--- In Rotarians@yahoogroups.com, Jesse

When should Club members be encouraged to attend RLI?

For better Rotary Orientation on Rotary, the new members should be exposed to Part I earliest possible, preferably within the first year itself. Part I six topics are quite basic to start knowing Rotary. Part II and III should follow as quick as possible to get to know the overall Rotary content, so that he or she becomes a knowledgeable Rotarian and starts thinking of taking up responsibilities in service and other avenues effectively. Total 18 topics undergone, will give him or her the effectiveness that is expected.

It is expected that the Rotarians exposed to these topics part by part, do share their knowledge and information to other Rotarians in the club or district. Once the "member" becomes a knowledgeable person on Rotary topics, there is a sure chance of his or her becoming a true Rotarian and will never think of leaving this fine organization.

As a matter of fact, RLI courses Part I,II,III are as well useful value addition and refreshing and updating for senior Rotarians equally enhancing and updating the knowledge base of Governors (past, present and future), district and RI officers, and senior club members. By doing so, the seniors will enhance their knowledge base and strength which can help them in sharing and imparting information to others, who expect them to do so. This is to be done on the principle of "Learning is a continuous process" and not on the comfortable thought that "we" know everything, and we don't need to know anymore.

- Subhash Saraf

rliROTARYLEADERSHIPINSTITUTE

Here is a map of the Olympic Village. Note the availability of eating places and accommodations.

- Ron NethercuttROTI Chair 2001-09

http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/maps

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK MAPS

Ÿ We are a voluntary organisation. No one can and should force any one to do anything. Neither the President or the BOD has the right to do anything that the 'club' doesn't want.

Ÿ If we experience that a President or the BOD act unilaterally, it is majorly because others don't do anything. All members need to volunteer, take and fulfill responsibilities and support the BOD in executing projects that the 'club' has decided and directed them to do.

Ÿ Rotary year and assignments may be for 1 year with fixed dates, but that's just as a system developed so that we don't stick to the chair and make Rotary our business rather than voluntary contribution. Rotary works on the principle of continuity and anything decided but not implemented in a particular year should be continued or initiated in the next year irrespective of who the President is.

Ÿ It is only in India that we pay too much serious attention on so called 'compulsory' expected duties of a President. Why don't we all make Rotary live by our active participation rather than focusing on what a President has not done and creating a maligned atmosphere in the club? If something couldn't be done in one particular year and you find it worthy let's do it in this year.. when some expected actions are not taken by a President or Chairman it is mostly because there was inaction by a majority of the others. If all don't play their role, why complain when the President acts as per his own wish or remains inactive? If someone did not do it, well you do it if you can. And if you can't, either drop the idea for some suitable time, get someone else who is ready to do it. But why point fingers to someone who unfortunately volunteered but couldn't do it? Is it a crime to have volunteered?

Ÿ Let's all not all take Rotary too much into our heart and mind as if we fire a non-performing employee or question the integrity and intention of a volunteering member. Rotary is to volunteer, contribute and enjoy, and not to accise, fear and give or get stress.

I know I would sound a bit harsh. But I have seen Rotarians scold members as they would rightfully do to wife or child. Not that I mean Mr. Narayan is such. I am talking generally. Hope all that IS written would be found to be as realistic to all as it is to me.

- Dharmendra Joshi

rotary as volunteer organization

haven’t heard them mentioned for a long time, but Clubs used to hold Fireside Meetings for the benefit Iof new members and their wives. These were held

in the homes of club members and all aspects of Rotary and the individual club’s activities were informally discussed in a relaxed social atmosphere with experienced and knowledgeable Rotarians sharing their knowledge. Fireside Meetings not only served to educate new members but also helped greatly to make them and their wives feel welcome in the club.

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

fireside

Hi Norm, we do not do Fireside meetings in the Philippines simply because we don't have fire placeshere. But since, we do have plenty of resorts or rest houses with swimming pools, we refer to them as "Poolside meetings" and as you mentioned specially for new members and spouses. We usually conduct at least one per semester. As you mentioned, we do discuss Rotary related matters in a very informal (picnic style) settings and sometimes conduct team building activities or games. Yes, It's alive and kicking at least in my club and our members always look forward to it every year.

- Jesse TanchancoEC Loyola Heights, RID 3780, Quezon City, Phils

MEETINGS

POSTER

was optimistic that the FVP will work and will allow us to really do projects that will truly make the beneficiaries feel the I

intended benefits, so they can help themselves and eventually help others.

My initial experiences however dampened my optimism. I will still give it a try before totally giving up. Just want to share my thoughts.

Our D3800 has this year $147,000 DDF. We got $42,000 for District Grants and left $105,000 for GG. We have fully allocated this $105,000 to 12 GG s. One was approved (medical mission), 1 was declined (feeding program) and the rest under review with a few in danger was it mainly involved donations of equipments.

If at the end of this RY, we are left with a substantial portion of unused DDF, what can happened is RI will ask for donation to Polio Plus. I would not be incline to do (though it will be a decision of our district leaders). Whatever is left will be carried over to next RY. We cannot get these amount next RY as District Grant ( if we can, I will get it all as DG). We can only get 50% max of the DDF of next RY. Which for us is based on $250,000 DDF

With $125,000 + whatever is left from this RY, we will have more than what is needed if we continue to be limited in GG.

We will then ask the question, why contribute to TRF?

We are told that our contributions support RI and in 3 years later we get back what we contributed as DDF to fund our projects. (and only through GG can we get back the other half of our contributions sent to the so called world fund)

Since, we cannot get the fund back to fund project due to the limitation of GG, why not just use the fund to set up a club or district project fund to fund local projects?

We can still make it big and with high impact by inviting local stakeholders to join our projects.

We will not need an international partner. The fund we used to travel to develop sister and foreign clubs to support our project can likewise be added to the fund.

We might as well take the word International out.

Each communities have different needs and the Rotarians on the ground are the ones who know best what to do. We can without restriction repair a community center including adding structures, plumbing and electrical works - which are totally not allowed with TRF fund.

Rotarians are not swayed by recognitions of a PHF/MD/Arch Klumph that are based on monetary contributions. We give because we believe that our contributions will be used to do good and that is the the best way to sustain the contributions to TRF. A recognition for contribution is nice but will fade away and do not expect the same contribution every year from the same Rotarians.

RI hits it right that the 3 major Rotarian awards Service Above Self/ Distinguished Service and Citation of Meritoruis Awards clearly stated monetary contributions although welcome is not a factor for the award. These are awards Rotarians will truly cherished and inspired to continue to contribute time, talent and treasures.

It will truly be a bleak future if we could not use our DDF for GG. Let us hope this will not happen and continue to do our best to do good.

- Albert AngRC MandaluyongD3800 DGSC RY 2009-2014

the bleak visionFUTURE

Hello Albert, I fully agree with you that TRF staff are still not equipped to understand the kind of projects that are sustainable to our countries. The kind of programme you are talking about is something we have throughout in our country in kindergarten schools up to middle school where every day students get nutritious food as lunch and the staple diet being rice, they have egg, rice, soya, mixed veggies cooked with lentils all of which are very nutritious.

I think we still need to discuss on these issues and try to explain to the TRF staff

- Madu, RID 3291, India

Even with the old MG system, not many clubs are able to access the TRF fund. Finding Foreign partners have been one of the major obstacle. That is why in our D3800 we encouraged joint projects since 2007, so that smaller clubs can participate in mega project with TRF funding with a small $100 participation to the MG.

The past 2 years we have about 65 clubs out of 85 clubs participating in joint projects funded by MG. 2009, all 86 clubs participated in projects funded by District Simplified Grants. Our DDF are distributed per zone ( we have 9 zones) for a joint project. This make my life as DGSC easier, as D3800 is 100% in MG reporting for the past 5 qtrs and lowest grade before was 92% in compliance.

Now with GG, its is a step backward if fewer GG will be approved especially with the restriction imposed by FVP.

Contributions to TRF will suffer.

Dear Madu, I tried to discuss with the TRF staff Hanae Kim, she even brought in her supervisor Harvey and Mary Jo from the area of focus.

I have spent a great amount of time to put the GG together and then more time to explain why I believe the feeding program is sustainable. The most frustrating part is TRF staff could not disprove my points and just simply ignored what I was saying about sustainability. They simply said in "their opinion" it is not sustainable.

What is happening can have a great decline in Rotarian contribution to the TRF.

feedingproject

SUSTAINABLE

here is no one single project that can guarantee sustainaibility including Tthose GGs that were approved and

proudly announced by TRF. We can only do our best since there are many factors that are way beyond our control such as the c o o p e r a t i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d beneficiaries.

TRF is saying that instead of feeding program, GG can be used for livelihood projects. As cited as an example of a project providing seedlings and animals to the beneficiaries ( parents) , so they can have income to feed their children,

The issue is not simply filling an empty stomach, the real issue is proper nutrition. Being fat does not mean being healthy. What can happen is the parents get engrossed in the livelihood, they have no time to learn and understand what kind of food they should give to their children, the children will be eating mostly junk food. The result is the project can do more harm than good.That is why it has be complimented with a feeding program and nutrition seminar for parents.

The worst that can happen is the livelihood is making good money, the children are drafted in the livelihood and are no longer going to school,

Real Rotarians understood why we give to the APF. If getting GG becomes less and complicated, what is the point to contribute?

- Albert Ang

by PP Albert Ang,RC MandaluyongD3800 DGSC 2013-2014

NOT

Sustainability is a catchy word that is some times used without plans to actually have it happen, and maybe this is because no one checks projects to determine if the benefits of the project is sustained without further funding. Perhaps this is the reason someone or someone at the foundation are looking at projects submitted and using some criteria to determine if the project is sustainable. It would be interesting to find out which sustainable projects completed in the past are still providing benefits to the recipients. I personally don't think that only using sustainability is a good criteria to determine the worthiness of a project. There are many good projects that you want the problem to be resolved, period; and there are projects that may require funding for three years or more to become sustainable.- Alan Okinaka, RC of Hilo Bay, Hilo, HI

‘ve been watching this discussion and I continue to be confused by the reasoning of Isome posters. Why does every international

project require a Foundation grant? If a club's project does not qualify (for whatever reason), why doesn't the club simply move forward with its own fund raising to undertake the project? If the project is thought to be worthwhile but not within the criteria of the Foundation, just do the project on its own. It seems to me clubs are thinking they cannot do international service without Foundation support.

I'm also confused by some members interpretation of "sustainability". One poster indicated that his club had received repeated Foundation matching grants for the same project. That does not sound like a sustainable project, as I understand the definition. Maybe I'm missing something.

Finally, why do Rotarians matter most? I have always felt that the people helped by our clubs matter most. The name of the lobbying group sure seems to be misnamed.- Dan Mooers, District 7780

why bother with grant

an, I agree that every project does not require a Foundation Grant, and in fact my club has Ddone exactly what you have suggested. In fact,

since TRF seems to be turning its back on the mid-sized projects that many clubs prefer, it actually makes a compelling business case for Rotarians in those clubs to redirect their giving to their own projects. Not good for the Foundation, right? Here is a link to a more complete discussion:

Www.rotarians-matter.org/local.html

Sustainability does seem to be a confusing issue. Personally I support five of the six pillars of sustainability, but do have a problem with Monitoring and Evaluation which adds.additional burden to host clubs and sustains nothing except staff analysis and corporate promotion. It also seems to me that some projects provide useful support to larger projects that are in fact sustainable. Feeding kids so that they will be better able to concentrate on their schooling may not be in and of itself sustainable, but those kids will have a much better chance of becoming productive citizens with the education they receive.

The new rules want to bypass this step and somehow enable the school or community to feed itself, a much more difficult proposition that many find hard to get their arms around. Here is another troublesome fact. Polio Eradication which is broadly supported by Rotarians world wide has been going on for nearly thirty years. The original project began in the Philippines under a 3H grant. By the logic initially proposed, this would not be considered a sustainable project under the new rules; therefore it never would have been funded if today's rules had been in effect at the time. Here is a link on sustainability worth viewing:

Www.rotarians-matter.org/case4sustain.html

I have already posted about the name of the group. Nevertheless, here is a short explanation. RI and TRF as entities cannot do boots on the ground service. They are enabling entities. The question becomes what groups they will enable. Will they enable third party organizations to perform the service, or will they enable Rotarians through local clubs and districts? How will such decisions be made? Should decisions give preference to the goals and desires of business consultants and partnering organizations, or to the desires of grassroots Rotarians in the clubs and districts. You have already answered the question. The people helped by our clubs matter most, and our clubs consist of Rotarians. Our group believes that when it comes to setting the direction of Our Foundation and the programs it will support; the field experiences, preferences, goals, and inputs of ROTARIANS MATTER MOST.

- Bill Phillips, PP, RC of Lawrenceburg (TN, USA)District 6760. Www.rotarians-matter.org

You are essentially correct. Apparently, TRF has decided that feeding a hungry child is not a bold enough project for Rotarians to be supporting. There are other examples as well.

There is a graphic on sustainability at the below listed URL. There is also a discussion on a paradox introduced under the new rules.

One must wonder if the same criteria were applied to NID teams in the polio effort,, would they be funded?http://www.rotarians-matter.org/case4sustain. html.

- Bill Phillips, PP, RC of Lawrenceburg (TN, USA)

t's true that Global Grants are a whole new way of thinking. Matching Grants were so Ieasy. An idea of "let's buy $20,000 of

wheelchairs, or install a $10,000 water well" and we were off and running. No attention had to be paid to whether anyone was taught how to maintain the wheelchairs or repair the

water well.

In the first year of the pilot my district was approached by a district in Thailand. They wan-ted to do a Global Grant for an electrical device that would pull a wheelchair. They included a competition in the grant design, so that different designs were encouraged from 2-3 different universities or technical schools. One was selected and the device was made and then delivered to t h e r e c i p i e n t s . T h o s e receiving the devices were then given vocational training. Some were trained in building and repair of the wheelchair pullers, but they all learned something that would help them earn a living and pay for n e e d e d r e p a i r s a n d maintenance of the devices.

Some in fo rmat ion and perhaps links to videos are posted on our district website: http:// rotary6060 .org/view /333

To me, this was an odd project, very unlike what we had been doing for years with Matching Grants. But our partners in Thailand were adept at thinking "out of the box" and came to us with a n e e d a n d w e w e r e encouraged to partner with them.

- Todd Lindley, DDS FAGD2013-2016 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Zone 31; PDG D6060, 2010-2011http://www.overlandrotary.org

noted a mention of Areas of Focus on an email in the last few days. I get my ROTI mail in "Digest" form now, so it all kind of blends together and Iafter I read them I delete them. Out of sight, out of mind!

Someone referred to Areas of Focus as restrictive and that has me puzzled. The six areas of focus seem to include nearly everything that my club and district has been in the habit of doing. In the last 11 years, I've had a role in 135-150 Matching Grant in 31 countries and 5-10 Global Grants as well now. I can think back to only one that would not fit in an area of focus - a matching grant to purchase music instruments for a music college in the Ukraine. I might be able to sell that one under Community & Economic Development or even Peace & Conflict Resolution - but it would be a reach and would probably not fulfill the Four Way Test.

But, other clubs in other parts of the world may be doing many types of projects quite different from my own - so I would enjoy hearing about projects that do not fall into one of the Areas of Focus so that I can understand better how restrictive they are.- Todd

t was I who said that the current Areas of Focus are very limiting, and I stand by that statement. We have received e-mails at Rotarians Matter Most from Iall over the world with complaints about grants, that were long supported by

The Foundation under the Matching Grant Program, not qualifying for the Global Grant Program. To just name a few now ineligible grants that I am personally aware of: (1) The Bahay Bata Home for Street Children (www. bahaybata.org), written successfully four times by me and once by a Scottish Rotary Club, a feeding project. (2) The surgical program supported by the Mabalacat Rotary Club (to which I have contributed), long supported by the Foundation and no longer eligible. (3) Bill Phillips’ Rotary Club's electrification project in Honduras, previously supported with Matching Grants, about which he-mailed you. (4) Bill Parker's wheelchair project, long supported by the Foundation but not eligible for a Global Grant.

The Global Grant structure was written expressly to prevent grants from being approved, and this is borne out by the fact that only 200 Globa Grants were approved in 100 so-called Pilot Districts in the first 2 years of the pilot. A good district is normally able to write and get approved ten Matching Grants/year, so to say the experience in the Pilot Districts was substandard would be an understatement. However, this is clearly what the Trustees of TRF wanted, and their conduct makes it clear that they do not care what the clubs want.

I would also point out that over 500 Matching Grants were received at RI in the last weekend of the Matching Grant Program. You will not see this level of interest in Global Grants, and that, of course, was TRF's plan.

- Chris Stubbs, Past Group Study Exchange ChairPaul Harris Fellow +5, DSA, MSARotary District 6980, Central Florida

editorial

PP G A NETHERCUTTRC MABALACAT3790, PHILIPPINES

hese are the children we feed in Dau Homesite Elementary School in Mabalacat, everyday, T

before noon time, for the whole schoolyear. The picture was taken at the end of the schoolyear in March.

We have been feeding schoolchildren, 50 to 120, for many years now. Different children every year. Since grant is no longer available to this kind of project, we sustain the cost of meals from our own pockets, and from generosity of sister clubs, like our friend RC Namwoen Yung Seong of Korea.

Children in public schools mostly come from poor families who cannot afford to give breakfast to their children before they go to school. No meals, no money for transportation. No wonder that they look disoriented, timid in their classes and unresponsive to lessons.

Then it came to a point that a child fainted in the classroom; the school asked for help - and Rotary came in.

Our club met with the nutritionist of the school, identified the malnourished, and set a budget for the feeding. 9am was the perfect time to give them meal and keep them “full” until the end of the class at about noontime. (yes, half day only for each class. Students are too many and classrooms are few.) Because meal is assured, children come to school and start to pay attention and participate in class activities.

We involved our Rotaractors to do the feeding, because they understand kids. We would like very much to involve the parents, teach them something about nutrition, make them grow vegetable gardens. But fathers are too busy and have to beat others in line to sort out bottles and paper from garbage dumpsites and sell them to have money. Mothers are too occupied tending to younger tots or washing clothes for others to have money.

When our last grant for feeding run out sometime in 2007, we told in our report that the project would be sustained by “future support from other sources.” The other sources are our own club and other generous fellows. BUT, why can’t RI regard - - - the smile from the children, the gratitude and overall improved performance of the school, the lesser worry for parents so that they could concentrate on earning a living, and the emblem of Rotary as the cause of it all...... as the answers to sustainability! And so what if we do the project every year? We always have new hungry kids every year.

We are now on our 9th year of feeding project. If the ordinary club and members can SUSTAIN the cost, why can’t Rotary where the all our monies go to? Hopefully, RI is listening. If it can launch a new website to sustain an image for a lot of money I guess, it can certainly spare some consideration to small projects that make a great difference in the lives of those who need help. We just have to keep asking.

SUSTAINABLEFEEDING PROJECTis