Dear Dream Team,

 

Happy New Year!  We’re off to a great start for 2009 and I am so looking forward to the coming year.  This month is Rotary Awareness Month and what better way to begin awareness than the Rotary Float in the Rose Parade.  It was an honor to represent our District on the float and I can tell you that it was a truly amazing experience.  As we rode along, people would applaud and thank Rotary for all the good work that we do.  And so, I pass on their thanks to you.  Thank You.

 

The Rotary Foundation

 

Thank you for your contributions to The Rotary Foundation.  I know that these are difficult and challenging times, but I am so proud of each of you for stepping up and making your donations to The Rotary Foundation.  We all know that no matter how tough things are for us, they are even harder for those who are in need. 

 

Not only will we honor you for your contributions but we’ll also celebrate the fine work that The Rotary Foundation does at the District Foundation Gala on January 10, 2009.  We have a great turnout and there is still time to sign up if you haven’t done so.  The deadline for signups is January 6.  See you there!

 

Our Group Study Exchange Team heads out on January 5 for District 9200 and East Africa.  Led by GSE Team Leader Dale Barnes, they will spend the month in Kenya and Uganda.  We will also have a GSE Team member from Afghanistan in our District for a month.  These are both possible thanks to your donations to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Programs Fund. 

 

Membership

 

We continue to do well in membership and I couldn’t be more proud of all of you.  What you report indicates that we are on the plus side for this year with a net increase of 11 Rotarians.  Keep up the wonderful work!  With more Rotarians, we can Make even more Dreams Real! 

 

Watch for the meetings of the two new clubs that are working towards their charter, the North County New Generations Club and the Mira Mar Rotary Club.  Try to stop by and visit them when they meet.  They’ll be delighted to see you!

 

To take a quote from Membership Chair Carl Kruse’s Muses, “Make Rotary Shine in 2009!”

 

Public Relations

 

Our District Public Relations Chair Nancy Russian sent out a terrific note last week on ideas to help with Rotary Awareness for your club.  Be sure to take a look at that for some great ideas to improve your club’s visibility in your community.

 

International Assembly

 

There are several opportunities to participate in the upcoming International Assembly.  We are so fortunate to have the International Assembly in San Diego every year.  It is almost like a Rotary International Convention on a smaller scale.  You or your club can participate in a Host Hospitality event.  You can greet at the airport.  Go to the District website and sign up as a volunteer.  You’ll thoroughly enjoy the experience.

 

Rotarians At Work Day

 

District Rotarians At Work Day Chair Jim Roth will be contacting the club chairs soon to ask everyone to get their projects registered.  Please do this as soon as possible at www.rotariansatwork.org.  This will help with our publicity efforts as well as help with organizing which projects we will be able to visit.

 

We just got notification that we have been awarded a District Public Relations Grant that we will use to help publicize your club’s Rotarians At Work Day project.  Thanks to our Rotarians At Work Day Public Relations Chair Vicky Mallet for putting together such an outstanding grant request.  Having that information on the website will be most helpful.

 

There are 24 Districts around the world that are joining us on the last Saturday in April.  We will continue to spread the word so that some day every club in the world will be making a difference in their community on Rotarians At Work Day.

 

Goals for 2008-2009

 

Just as a reminder, here is the list of Goals for 2008-2009.  Is your club on track to get Distinguished Club?  What do you need to do to help make that happen?  What can the District Leadership Team do to help you have your best year ever?

 

¨       + 2 net new members by 3/31/09

¨       The Club President sponsors a new member by 3/31/09

¨       +10% increase in APF giving (or $120 per capita minimum) over 2007-2008

¨       Each club donates a minimum of $1,000 to PolioPlus

¨       +10% increase in attendance at District Events

¨       Initiate a project that helps reduce childhood mortality

¨       Participate in Rotarians At Work Day

¨       Someone in the club tells DG Pam that the club has had “its best year ever”

 

Happy New Year!  Let’s keep Making Dreams Real!

 

 

Future Dates to Save

 

January 10, 2009           Foundation Gala

January 22, 2009           International Assembly – Host Hospitality Night

February 10, 2009          District Council

March 21, 2009              District Assembly

April 7, 2009                  District Council

April 25, 2009                Rotarians At Work Day

May 14-17, 2009            District Conference

June 9, 2009                 District Council – Note Date Change

 

 

 

Pam Russell

District Governor 2008-2009

Rotary District 5340

Telephone: 619.723.3651

Fax: 858.271.4138

www.rotary5340.org