Dear Dream Team,

 

November is here and it is another beautiful fall day.  This is Rotary Foundation Month and you will see several paragraphs on this important topic.  Yesterday I completed all of the official club visits.  What an amazing experience to visit each of your clubs and learn about the wonderful work of Rotary that you do on a daily basis.  It made me so proud to be a Rotarian supporting you and your club.  I want to visit you again.  I’ll come to a meeting, a project, a party or a fundraiser; just let me know what you are up to!

 

Foundation Gala

 

As a leader in this District, it is time to sign up for the Foundation Gala on January 10, 2009 at the Omni Hotel in San Diego. www.rotary5340.org/registration/celebration0901.html  Maureen Eberle and her committee have worked tirelessly on this event and it is going to be truly outstanding.  PDG John T. and Jane Capps are our speakers.  Many of you have heard them and know how wonderful they are.  After you’ve signed up, get at least five more Rotarians to sign up with you.  Spread the word.  Use the flyers and signup sheets on the District website in the Foundation News Center.  With the holidays in December, nearly all of our clubs will be dark for two weeks.  It will be imperative that we get everyone signed up by the middle of December even though the deadline isn’t until January. 

 

Consider making the weekend a mini-vacation in San Diego!  Many people travel from all over the world to see our beautiful region.  When was the last time you acted like a tourist here?  Hotel space is limited so if you need a hotel room, be sure to get that right away!  Information on the hotels is on the District website with the Gala Registration. 

 

Foundation Giving

 

This is also the time for Rotarians to give to The Rotary Foundation.  If you haven’t made your donation yet, get that done right away.  Raffle tickets are available on the District Website in the Foundation News Center.  Clubs can download the tickets, print them out, fill them in and return them to the District Office.  Depending on the version of Acrobat that you have, you can fill in the tickets on your computer and print them out.  Each ticket represents a $25 donation to The Rotary Foundation (Annual Programs Fund and Restricted Giving only).  We will be drawing for the prizes at the Gala so you can get more tickets the night of the event!

 

We all know that these are challenging times in our economy.  Comparing last year to this year, our donations are down about 20% through the end of September.  But as I said to one of the clubs this week, no matter how tough times are here, we know that there are those in this world who have it tougher than us.  I know the Rotarians in this District will come through and be very generous.  We will reach our goals and we will Make Dreams Real.      

 

Membership

 

Not all of your membership numbers are in yet for September but what I see looks very promising!  We are +13 members for the month.  The early “cleanup” is behind us and we are well on our way to growing our clubs with new members full of ideas and energy!  Both the North County New Generations Club and the Miramar Club are heading for their charter.  This week the North County New Generations Club set up their website!  Please watch for information on these club meetings and try to attend.  They will welcome your support.

 

Membership can be impacted by these economic times as well.  I would encourage you and your clubs to be flexible and liberal with your Leave of Absence policies.  Membership Chair Carl Kruse will be offering some ideas in his monthly Kruse’s Membership Muses.  Now is the time to strengthen our Family of Rotary and not lose our wonderful members!

 

Rotarians At Work Day

 

Let’s start thinking about Rotarians At Work Day!  If you already have a project selected, be sure to go to the website (www.rotariansatwork.org) and register it.  Rotarians At Work Day Chair Jim Roth will be following up with you in the next few months.  We have 24 Districts joining us this year.  Think of all the dreams we will make real in our communities this year.

 

Vicky Mallet is our Public Relations Chair for this and will need some help in the various geographies.  She will be sending out a QuickBits with the specifics of where she needs assistance.  If you can help her, that would be great.  Vicky also wrote up our grant application for a Public Relations Grant for Rotarians At Work Day.  I hope to be hearing soon as to whether or not we will receive the grant.

 

Ambassadorial Scholars

 

We have a wonderful group of scholars in our district this year, representing China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany and Uganda.  If you are looking for a good program, invite them to speak at your club.  If you are having a work project, ask them to join in.  If you are having a party or a fundraiser, include them.  They are here for an education, but also to learn about Rotary, our culture and to share theirs. 

 

Future Dates to Save

 

January 10, 2009           Foundation Gala

January 22, 2009           International Assembly – Host Hospitality Night

February 10, 2009          District Council

March 28, 2009              District Assembly

April 7, 2009                  District Council

April 25, 2009                Rotarians At Work Day

May 14-17, 2009            District Conference

June 16, 2009                District Council

 

November is a busy time for our clubs and our families.  I know many of you have projects in the community.  Thank you for all the wonderful work you will do this month.  I wish I could be with each club as you Make Dreams Real. 

 

Finally, cherish your family and friends as you take time to be thankful for what you have.  We are all blessed in so many ways. 

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

 

Pam Russell

District Governor 2008-2009

Rotary District 5340

Telephone: 619.723.3651

Fax: 858.271.4138

www.rotary5340.org