2013 live the May month - · PDF fileformerly called the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and named after a ... also held many flying records before his death in 1910

The Breadbasket is a monthly publication of the Rotarians On The Internet.

Editor: PP Glo A. Nethercutt <[email protected]

[email protected])Rotary Club of MabalacatDistrict 3790 Philippines

Assistant Editor: PP Lawrence Tristram <[email protected]>

Rotary Club of PetersfieldDistrict 1110 England

Web Publisher: PDG Mark Howison <[email protected]>

Rotary Club of PerrisDistrict 5330, USA

ROTARIANSON

THEINTERNET Applying

informationtechnology toenhanceRotary service,fellowshipandknowledge

live the May month

www.roti.org

breadbasket SINCE 1999 . MAY 2013

TheChairReport

Steve Sokol

ROTARIANS ON THE INTERNET BREADBASKET

May 2013Page 2

e had a single event this month that set more than one milestone. In early April, John Glassford, Chair of the ROTIan of the Year WCommittee, announced that Gloria Nethercutt had been selected

as ROTY. The honoree is selected by a committee of prior winners, a tough judging group. In this case, it was not difficult with the outstanding job Glo has done in maintaining an extremely high level of professionalism in the ROTI BreadBasket. There are multiple honors involved in her selection. Glo is the first female to be so honored. The uniqueness continues! She and her husband, Ron, are the first husband/wife team to hold the honor individually. Ron was recognized for his efforts on behalf of ROTI three years ago. It was a richly deserved honor also. Quite a team to have working for us!! Thank you, Glo, for all you do for ROTI.

In the beginning of April, there was a discussion of using ROTIan “essays” on various holidays to help build international understanding among ROTIans. The idea was to explain an ethnic or geographic activity in your cultural group and the background of it. The concept met with wide approval, but there have been no submissions yet. I hope we can get the articles started, as it is both an interesting and beneficial activity.

That discussion led to discussion of Classification talks – a widely accepted part of Rotary. This assists in understanding each other and promoting business as well as a central part of Rotary. Even the Rotary Mission Statement refers to service being accomplished through business Again, I hope someone will pick up the concept and write a classification talk. I do not like to do things myself as that is the sign of a weak leader.

The main topic on the list right now is the events at the Council on Legislation. Past ROTI Chair and PDG Doug Vincent is at the Council meeting and is using his knowledge of all things Rotary to keep us informed of major items and the Council actions. Doug is doing an outstanding job (we are probably the only Fellowship to have our own reporter from C0L.) Be sure to read his reports.

Have you made your plans to attend RI Convention in Lisbon? There are a number of issues to be discussed that should create an interesting atmosphere. Numerous changes are “on the table” for the Council on Legislation that could change the whole complexion of RI. In a time of change, there is always controversy and discussions of the re-dimensioning of The Rotary Foundation will probably be heard. It is a time of major change in Rotary and being at the Convention will place you in the middle of the information. Club Service will keep your days buzzing.

However, do not plan to rest in the evening. Lisbon is quite a tourist mecca. The unique music of Lisbon, the bittersweet, soulful sounds of Fado, must be heard. The beautiful architecture spread across the seven hills is a delightful treat to the eyes. It is complimented by the many monuments in and around the city. Next you find the special wines and foods of Portugal a treat. If you are a seafood lover as I am, it will be a delightful week.

Probably by the time you read this, we will have the sign-up page running on the web site. Take a couple of hours to get to know other Rotarians. Working the booth can be a great experience if you approach it as an international journey. The House of Friendship is a lesson in fellowship that will stay with you. Make your reservations.

We do not have the venue for the ROTI banquet set yet. I was hoping to find a small café reflecting the local culture. It is very difficult to find a facility with the small atmosphere that is capable of handling a private crowd of 50 or so. We are shifting to a later start to allow for the change we saw last year in the convention scheduling. The search has been intensified by going to all of the large “downtown” business hotels. Cost seems to be a limiting factor – I am trying to hold cost under 40 E/person. {I have seen some prices triple that.]

The cost of this year's Convention will be insignificant. We have also generated a slight amount of income from pin sales and the iGive program, but we have had no contribution for ROTI overhead. Because of purchases prior to the New Orleans Convention, we still have quite a supply of pins and they should generate good revenue in Lisbon. However, we will need to generate new literature with the change of Chairs and that will require funding. ROTI has a negative cash flow and this needs to be fixed. Sunil has some thoughts and I am sure you will be hearing more about the subject of funding. Please make your on-line purchases through iGive!! Also, if you do not have a pin, please go to the ROTI web site and buy one. They are attractive and will draw attention. This will give you an opportunity to “sell” our Fellowship.

"A business house should be as public-spirited as a citizen . . . . Business is not a beast of prey, but the handmaid of civilization and progress." Glen C. Mead from "Code or Creed?", THE ROTARIAN, July 1921

In a time of change, there is

always controversy and

discussions of the re-

dimensioning of The Rotary

Foundation will probably be

heard. It is a time of major

change in Rotary and being

at the Convention will place

you in the middle of the

information.


May 2013Page 3

RON NETHERCUTTROTI Chair 2007-2009

ach month I am privileged, duty bound, or commanded, to write this column for the ROTI Breadbasket. It really is not too difficult to do since it usually Etakes less than 30 minutes. That is really a miniscule amount in relation to

the days my wife spends creating the ROTI Breadbasket. I generally come up with something regarding Rotary or ROTI that perhaps makes for interesting reading. Recently however, my Rotary brain needs clearing so I have chosen something else which caught my attention.

While correcting an article on airport where we live, it occurred to me that the three letter airport code may be mysterious in revealing where the airport is. Sometimes it appears to have no significance to its location or anything else. Our airport was formerly called the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and named after a former Philippines president. That name is still found on the terminal but the airport proper is called the Clark International Airport and identified as the CIA; not to be confused with the Central Intelligence Agency. To add to the confusion, the IATA or formal three letter code is CRK.

Now to show you how it works, here is a sample of the airports Glo and I will visit soon. MNL to NRT to DET to MCI to MSY. OK, MNL is easy, that Manila. NRT is also simple Narita (Japan) as so is DET for Detroit. But how did MCI come about for Kansas City, Missouri? It was originally named as Mid-Continental International since Kansas City if almost in the middle of the US. But MSY is even stranger. Although it is now officially Louis Armstrong International. The name came from John B. Moisant, the first person to build and fly an all-metal frame, and also held many flying records before his death in 1910. Moisant crashed into a field near New Orleans which the city later bought an for a while was named the Moisant Stock Yard in his honor.

Here are a few other airport codes in which you may be interested. PIE is found in St Petersburg Florida, formerly the Pinellas Army Airfield. It is in this area where the first ever passenger airline ticket was sold on January 1, 1914.

Those of you that have visited the birthplace of Rotary, may have flown to ORD, know as O'Hare International Airport. However the 'O' in ORD, has nothing to do with Edward “Butch” O'Hare, a local war hero. The land on which the airport was located used to be an aircraft factory named Orchard Place. The ORD came from the name Orchard.

The airport in Orlando, Florida carries the IATA code MCO, but contrary to popular belief it is not for Mickey Mouse Country. It was originally the home of the McCoy Air Force base

My research led me to discover that all Canadian airports begin with 'Y', but airports in other countries sometimes use 'Y'. Some cities whose name is changed continue to use the old airport code. Such as BOM for Mumbai (formerly Bombay), CCU for Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), and MAA for Chennai (formerly Madras); in China: CAN for Guangzhou (formerly Canton), PEK for Beijing (formerly Peking), and TAO for Qingdao (formerly Tsingtao). Similarly, this is the case with LED for St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), and SGN for Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).

And lastly, large cities with more than one airport might have one letter for the city, followed by two letters for a better designation. London, with 'L' is a good example: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), and London City (LCY)

OK, you folks now are now challenged to check out YOUR airport. BTW, did you know there is an airport code for PHF? It's in Newport News, Virginia. You are welcome to find out why.

- Ron

AIRPORTS

& CODES


April 2013Page 4

From where I sit...

PDG Douglas W VincentRC Woodstock-Oxford

Box 1583, Woodstock, ON Canada N4S 0A7Rotary United Nations Representative, Z24COL Representative 08-14, District 7080

www.dougvincent.com

The Council of Legislation

or the past week, I have been sitting at the COL Chambers in Chicago. As a second time delegate, I had an entirely Fdifferent view of things and while tiring and frustrating at

times, I believe it is a valuable and worthwhile exercise. In our democratic society it is important that members at the grass roots level be heard. And it is important that our leaders glean some input from those participating, regarding their performance, our programs and the policies of our global Rotary organization. It is difficult enough to try and have 532 delegates reach a consensus, but when you add the layer of language interpretation, culture and different regions of the world, this process becomes complex. Thus in some cases, we see an issue watered down when it gets put on paper, so that a majority can feel comfortable voting to support it. But I must say, overall everyone did a great job. During my recent reporting I had some questions and feedback shared with me and those will form the basis for my comments here. I also appreciate the wonderful compliments which gave me energy to write in the late hours of the day. The first thing to understand is that Enactments are changes to the RI Constitution, Bylaws and Standard Rotary Club bylaws. Therefore they are binding on the RI Board and all Clubs. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, they take effect on July 1, 2013. A simple majority is required except for the RI Constitution items which require a 2/3 majority. Resolutions, on the other hand, are merely requests (and not binding) for the RI Board and/or TRF Trustees. They are asking for our leaders to consider an issue and hopefully take some action. Since resolutions have no enforcement or rigid requirement, they are seen as a simple request and therefore no ammendments were allowed. That policy was new this year. Some would also argue to not allow ammendements for the Enactments as well, however I feel this would eliminate the valuable dialogue and discussions. With ammendments the end result of wordsmithing makes things much better or clearer. I also believe that the participatory process is very important and if no ammendments were allowed, much of the valued input would be lost and the reason for going would be diminished. Some would even suggest we eliminate the Resolutions, since a Club or District can send a "Memorial" to the board directly. That thought is to try and minimize the time taken at the COL with it's related costs. A Memorial is a document similar in format to a resolution, however it goes directly from the source to the RI Board. That process does not allow the dialogue to take place on the COL floor and more importantly, it does not allow the RI Board or Trustees to listen and understand the grass roots sentiment of an issue as it is discussed.

“There has been discussion on revising the COL, mainly to make it more efficient and to reduce the cost of bringing almost 600 individuals to Chicago for the one week process. Personally, I feel we can use electronic technology for much of the smaller issues. However the face-to-face dialogue is paramount to the larger items. One idea was to have it as an add on to the RI Convention, however many could not be away from home that long and it would increase costs of administration and staff travel expenses.”


April 2013Page 5

A new 'blue' voting card was introduced this year with the intent that members could propose closing an item for debate. In the past this motion could be proposed, however most of the time it would be up to the Chair to determine when sufficient debate had taken place, then call for the vote. At times I believe we moved on faster than we might have, with not enough discussion on some issues. It is difficult to find a happy balance between fair consideration of each issue within the available time. And my observation was that nearer the end of the day, people grew impatient and were anxious to just get things done. One of the popular discussions over lunch was the effectiveness of our COL process and I believe that this us entirely within the power of each Rotarian. Some feedback to me asked: "Why are you taking time to discuss such trivial issues"? Quite simply, we were discussing the items that Clubs and District submitted. So there certainly is room for proposals to address more higher level items in the future. I was disappointed that this COL did not have much appetite to consider trying new and different ideas. I can only imagine the disappointment of proposers who suggested new concepts which were voted down many times. I have been in conversations where we talk about needing to think out-of-the-box, but I don't think that COL got the message. What makes it more puzzling is that we were not establishing new policies or programs. The resolutions were merely asking the RI Board to consider the request. Upon reflection, I think that many times issues do not rise or fall merely on their merits. The decisions seem to be influenced by the manner in which an individual presents the item from the podium. Simpler words and more generic terms seem to have more acceptance, likely because the language interpretation is more easily understood. And I noted that if the suggestion included a specific 'name' the discussion could easily get off track on the term, rather than the concept itself. So those asking for a more generic name seemed simpler to deal with. Another huge factor in consideration and decision making of an issue seemed to be the time of day and what had happened in previous voting. Closer to meal time or getting close to the end of a day, participants tended to be impatient and wanted to move through items more quickly. This was particularly true the last couple of days when some got concerned about finishing on time. And in one case, a participant got up and spoke against a motion regarding youth, indicating "I hope you won't vote for this since you defeated mine, which was more important." There has been discussion on revising the COL, mainly to make it more efficient and to reduce the cost of bringing almost 600 individuals to Chicago for the one week process. Personally, I feel we can use electronic technology for much of the smaller issues. However the face-to-face dialogue is paramount to the larger items. One idea was to have it as an add on to the RI Convention, however many could not be away from home that long and it would increase costs of administration and staff travel expenses. In my mind, I see an annual 'electronic COL' each year where resolutions and simple housekeeping enactments could be dealt with. Possibly an issue could be placed on a discussion forum for a specific number of days. Delegates could read and participate, then vote by a defined deadline. This would shorten the needed time for the current format, possibly reducing it to three days. Prior to Chicago arrival, some of the discussion and ammendments could be dealt with on on-line as well. Another observation was the high average age of those in the room. We spent considerable time trying to imagine what the younger generation members and prospective members might want from Rotary and how to attract them to membership.. Maybe we should ask them to participate and having a portion of non-PDG delegates may be worth some consideration. Engaging Rotarians is a popular term these days and for little cost, we could also video down-stream the proceedings. I believe this final comment overheard at the coffee pot is an interesting item to consider. A colleague shared that "we do not have Rotary police" and depend on the DG to ensure policies and procedures are followed. But many do not, since they want to be the nice guy and tend to put things off. And since then, I have been reflecting on his comment: "Why do we spend so much time and money creating all these rules, because they are hardly ever enforced anyway!" Maybe that is the first place we should start.

elegates from Rotary's 532 districts will gather in downtown Chicago next week, D21-26 April, to consider changes to the

policies that govern Rotary International and its member clubs.

The Council on Legislation meets every three years to debate proposals submitted by Rotary clubs, districts, and the RI Board of Directors. The Council has the power to pass resolutions and to make changes to the Constitution of Rotary International, Rotary International Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution.

Every district sends a representative to the Council, and every club and district may propose legislation. The 174 pieces of legislation being debated during this year's Council were received at Rotary headquarters by the due date of 31 December 2011.

Over its 79-year history, the Council has developed from a single plenary session at the international convention to an autonomous legislative entity.

Created in 1933, the Council was envisioned as an advisory body to assist with the review of enactments and resolutions proposed at the annual convention. It first convened as part of the 1934 convention, as Rotarians struggled with a worldwide depression, threats to world peace, and rising unemployment.

By 1954, the Council was well established, and Rotarians decided to allow for longer intervals between legislative sessions, adopting a biennial framework for voting upon enactments and resolutions. The next deliberations were held at the 1956 convention.

The 1970 convention further modified Rotary International's legislative process when it decided that the Council should no longer serve in an advisory capacity but instead become RI's official legislative body, considering proposals to amend the RI Constitution and Bylaws and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. Four years later, delegates decided that the Council would meet triennially, still in conjunction with the convention. Finally, in 1977, the Council adopted an enactment to meet separately from the convention.

Technological advances have also had a profound impact on the Council. In the 1970s, delegates wore large headphones to hear the proceedings in their own languages. Today's delegates have access to compact simultaneous interpretation equipment. And the use of a single interpreter has given way to multiple interpreters working out of booths on the side of the Council chambers. Electronic voting was introduced in 2001.

Over the decades, the Council has debated virtually every nuance of RI policy and every detail of membership and attendance rules. While individual Rotarians may not always agree with its decisions, one thing is clear: The Council is Rotary's primary agent for change, allowing the organization to evaluate its relevance in today's rapidly evolving world, reflecting shifts in lifestyles, priorities, technology, and business.

COL in CHICAGO


April 2013Page 6

1COLdoug vincent’s

dayHi Rotarians & Friends:

fter several months of input and preparation the 2013 COL in Chicago started today with 532 District Representatives Afrom across the world. For me it is like a reunion with many

friends that have been made through 32 years of Rotary involvement. And of course it is an opportunity to make many new friends as well.

There was an aura of excitement in the air as everyone registered and went into the first session to be briefed and oriented on the COL process. It will be tomorrow when we start addressing the long list of resolutions and enactments, but this afternoon the training committee conducted a mock resolution discussion to demonstrate the procedure. The technology people demonstrated their equipment which will be used for electronic voting and language translation.

One of the requirements at each COL is for the Board to report on the progress of the Rotary International Strategic Plan. In addition the RI Treasurer presents the five year financial forecast. I think that both of these presentations will assist all of us to better understand the issues facing Rotary overall and be informed to make better COL decisions.

Report on Strategic Plan

As many already know, the RI Directors have been working hard to develop and introduce an effective plan for the future growth and success of Rotary. It is said that the Rotary plan needs to be both evolutionary and at times revolutionary if we are to keep attracting the next generation of members.

It was interesting to learn some of the feedback from a recent membership survey where 22,000 members were asked for feedback. The 9.2% return rate was encouraging and is a good result based on marketing measurements. The participants were a good mix of geographic area, age, gender and role in Rotary.

The survey purpose was to assess if the plan is alive and to determine the status of progress as well as identify any other items that need to be considered. Feedback indicated that we are headed in the right direction with the correct initiatives. But results indicated better communication between RI and the Clubs/Membership is needed.

Of the top percentage responses 97% agreed we are focusing on the proper priorities. 97% agreed with Rotary's activity to strengthen clubs and 96% felt that the renewal efforts on RI image and branding was the right thing to be doing. 95% of respondents also felt that the modernization and updating of Rotary terminologies was important.

Communications was measured as a week point with only 43% feeling it was adequate. Currently it is RI's plan and it has been determined there needs to be a more effective communications plan to share the importance and benefits of this strategic process with Clubs and Members.

Looking into the future and toward 2020, most feel that membership, service projects and public image will be the key items to focus on going forward. It will be important to simplify and modernize our processes and programs to change, attract next generation members and keep up with needs of the future.

The RI Board has committed to continue activities implementing the current strategic plan and trying to increase communication efforts. Some examples shared regarding Supporting Clubs included: the new Rotary Central website to help clubs develop plans and follow-up activities, development of regional Membership plans with 1.3 million members by 2015, and the new Project Showcase introduced last year.

As part of the service aspect, the Polio eradiation remains a top priority with an additional $10 million being transferred by the BOD from general funds to support our Polio budget. In addition it is anticipated that the future vision launch will enhance the TRF ability to have more effective and sustainable results, enhancing Rotary service overall. The new TRF future vision will kick off on July 1st and a new grants website is part of this initiative.

Our Rotary image and branding has been studied anda strategic process is being developed to be introduced during the 2013-14 Rotary year. A new "social business strategy" and web pages will also be introduced in August 2013 to modernize how we approach things in this area.

Following our first session everyone met for an informalreception where representatives could renew acquaintances, meet new friends and share time with the RI Presidents, Directors and Rotary Foundation Trustees. It is an energetic and positive spirit not only in the meeting rooms but also throughout the hallways and public areas ofthe hotel. With almost 600 bedrooms filled with Rotarians, it is almost like a mini RI Convention here.

I should also mention that we have some ROTI members here, including Dan, Mark and Ashok whom I ran intotoday.

More to enjoy over the next few days.

Doug VincentD7080 COL RepresentativeRC Woodstock-Oxford, ON Canadawww.DougVincent.com

PS - I am often asked for permission to use these reports in newsletters or other publications. This freely is given provided the use is for the benefit of Rotary information, training or service.


April 2013Page 7


dayoday we started the official process of discussing and voting on the enactments which have been submitted by Clubs and Districts over the past several months. The Council of Legislation T

(COL) meets every three years with a representative selected to attend from each District. The purpose is to consider submitted proposals for revisions or additions to our RI Constitution and Bylaws, standard Club Bylaws as well as items contained in the Manual of Procedure (MOP). Below I will recap some of the more interesting decisions made today

that will have an impact on our clubs.

Many of the proposed enactments this morning were about changes to the standard club bylaws regarding the appointment of officers and directors. While some regions of the world wanted to include Secretaries and/or Treasurers on the board, others wanted to leave this to each club to determine as the current bylaws state. After much discussion the vote was 285 to 211 in favour of including the Club Secretary as a member of the board. This will become effective July 1, 2013.

There was an lot of discussion on a variety of attendance recording criteria with many of them having an affect of relaxing or watering down the attendance requirements. Many felt that the downgrading of attendance expectations would potentially make a club weaker and was almost like admitting defeat, rather than selling Rotary benefits and conducting engaging meetings and activities that members would look forward to attending.

An interesting proposal was to include the words "engaging in a club's service project" as an additional option to earn credit for attendance. An amendment to add "and activities" to this clause was passed and then the main motion passed 340 in favour to 165 against. Previously a similar option was only available if each club passed a motion stating such activity was acceptable.

It was proposed that a member who is ill or physically unable to maintain regular attendance, be allowed to participate via electronic audio-visual means and thus receive attendance credit. Some felt this would be too costly, would limit fellowship or was not necessary with the leave of absence provisions. Others felt that if we have accepted eClubs with this same use of technology, then there is no reason we should not support this submission. Surprisingly it failed 204 to 309. This is the first example of where I think we lost our common sense.

A lot of the enactments were repetitive in intent but with different wording so we had to discuss each one, except for a few that were withdrawn for obvious reasons. It was frustrating for some with the duplication of speaker comments, however each proposer has the right to be heard during this process. Many feel that RI and COL should not mandate or limit clubs on attendance issues since they are generally autonomous. But others feel the need for consistent guidelines.

In one instance we got caught up in the wording of a termination clause when a member does not meet the required minimum standards of attendance. The current wording is "shall be subject to termination" and a proposal was made to change the word shall to "may". It was interesting to learn that "shall" is just a strong suggestion and is not compulsory in its meaning as I had thought. In the end, members felt there was a need to clarify so it was passed 381 to 128 that the wording be "the member's membership may be subject to termination unless the board consents to such non-attendance for good cause."

There was discussion on the leave of absence policy, especially as it relates to longer term medical situations. It was proposed and passed to allow extended LOAs for medical reasons, including the condition that this will not count against a club's attendance record. In another similar decision it was determined that a member's excused absence will not be included in the club reporting.

There was much controversy and debate on the rule of 85 for excused absences. At the last COL in 2010 the minimum age of 60 years was raised to 65 in order to qualify for the total of 85 (age and years in Rotary) to qualify for exemption from attendance requirements. That increase caused a lot of concern for those caught in the middle with no grandfathering clause. Today it was decided to eliminate the minimum age and so now one merely has to have their age and years of Rotary membership total 85 to be excused from attendance policies.

When considering proposals it is important for all of us to be tolerant and understanding of other languages, traditions and cultures. In some cases the wording in one part of the world may carry a different meaning than another, so we must try to accommodate these situations as much as possible. In one case regarding reference to an RI spouse, a proposal was amended to insert the word "Partner" instead of spouse. Most thought this made sense and It was passed before everyone realized that the term partner in some countries carries a homosexual connotation. Thus the complexity of what we are attempting to do in response to Club requests and needs of our growing and evolving organization.

Sometimes we spend a lot of time discussing an issue which on the surface seems unrealistic to implement. At least that is what sometimes passes through my mind sitting in the council chamber. An example of this was the proposal to declare that attendance would not be taken in July/August each year. Apparently some clubs struggle with poor attendance during this time of year with people on vacation. However many regions of the world have their vacation time in other months so were concerned to mention specific months. An amendment to change the July/August months to "vacation time" failed and after several expressed concern of weakeningattendance requirements the vote failed 60 to 445.

There was a lot of debate on proposals to allow Clubs to meet a minimum of twice per month or every other week, compared to the present policy of weekly. This would be up to each club to decide and many felt that inconsistency would be very confusing, especially for those wanting to do make-ups. It was felt that this would weaken the fellowship and weekly bond we share and go against what Rotary was founded on. Others suggested we need to keep pace with the changes in our society if we wish to attract younger professionals, many of whom seem to be too busy for a weekly commitment.

Comments were shared regarding the uniqueness of Rotary with weekly meetings and other service clubs like Lions and Kiwanis who meet twice a month. Results show that their approach does not attract membership and in fact, based on statistics, they are likely worse off than we are. Others felt that those who cannot make weekly meetings can still maintain their attendance requirement and accomplish the "every other week" concept through the 50% provision.

In the end, there was an emotional plea from one representative who motivated us to "not admit defeat" by lowering the attendance bar with the resultant weakening and eroding of clubs and member commitment. He got a resounding round of applause. In our own District we have evidence from a pilot club which indicates moving away from weekly meetings does not improve membership commitment or numbers. It seems to have a reverse affect.

A surprising decision was the defeat of a proposal to allow all Rotary alumnus be an acceptable status for member consideration in Rotary. Currently our constitution refers to Rotary Foundation alumnus, which excludes those from such programs as Youth Exchange and RYLA. To me it seemed like one that would have simply passed quickly but it consumed a lot of time and did not meet the required 2/3 majority for an RI Constitutional item.

So this is a recap of our discussions and decisions today. It was a long and tiring process, which is usual for the first day of any COL. In the remaining days, experience says that we will be more effective and efficient in our deliberations and work through the issues at a faster


April 2013Page 8


dayHi Rotarians and friends:

ur session this morning started with a controversial debate on removal of the RI Travel Policy from our bylaws, Owhich was added at the COL in 2010. Back then there was

concern that the RI Directors had not adequately responded to resolutions from two prior COLs, so that third time it was included in the bylaws to elevate the importance and get more attention from our BOD.

In the meantime our RI board has developed a stand alone “Funded Travel Policy” to better address the needs of Rotary, so requested approval of an enactment to remove it from our bylaws. The board indicated that the current bylaw policy was restrictive for arranging speaker flights and handling evacuation flights in emergency situations. It was also stated that some RI leaders had declined assignments due to a lesser class of travel offered. That raised some eyebrows.

In my mind these were not major factors and could have been dealt with in amendments to the current policy. But many commented and realized that a travel policy is not normally in the bylaws of a corporation. I think most delegates felt the BOD had received the message and responded so after a long, heated and emotional discussion it was decided in a vote of 342 to 171 to approve the enactment. Thus the travel policy is withdrawn from the bylaws and now defers to the BOD developed policy.

HOMEMAKER CLASSIFICATION. Another interesting proposal which caused surprising discussion, was adding “homemaker” as an acceptable classification for Rotary membership. While the vote was in favour 325 to 181, it did not reach the necessary 2/3 majority to pass. For bylaws and standard club constitution votes a simple majority is required, but for RI constitution changes like this it needs to be a 2/3 majority.

A later similar motion took up a lot of time in the attempt to use gender neutral wording and include homemakers or those who have been home with children and/or assisting their partner with work. Again discussions took place on use of the word spouse vs partner, since the term partner has a different meaning in some parts of our world. In the end, a vote of 359 to 165 met the 2/3 majority and thus established that these individuals will have a recognized vocation as Rotary members.

MEMBERS TRANSFERRING. More lengthy debate surrounded a proposal to ask transferring members to bring a letter of recommendation when coming to a new club. In some cases there have been instances of someone causing an upset or not paying dues on time and leaving these responsibilities behind when moving away. So some felt this policy would help control those situations. Others said that sometimes a member leaves due to personality conflicts or misunderstandings, so it might be hard for these people to obtain a letter.

In a close vote of 260 to 255 it was determined that members wishing to transfer should be asked to provide the recommendation letter. Comments afterward indicated that a person could merely apply for membership at another club in the normal fashion rather than the through transfer provision, to get around the letter requirement.

Similar to the above, a club can request the new member’s prior club to provide a statement, within 30 days, of any funds that may be owing. In some areas of the world members have left their old club in arrears and moved to another club without respecting their financial responsibilities.

eCLUBS. Moving from attendance and membership issues, the COL decided to eliminate the maximum limit of 2 eClubs per district. This restriction did not make sense to me three years ago when we proposed eClubs to be a permanent club option, equal in status to regular clubs. At that time I think it is was a compromise to get eClubs accepted.

So today we did not expect much challenge to approval of this enactment but there was surprising push back on the idea. Sometimes the attitude of people is frustrating and hard to understand, which taxes your tolerance level and patience. Currently there are 3000 eClub members in 114 eClubs with 45% being women and an average age of 47 years old.

I could not understand why we would choose to restrict and not embrace a vision of 30,000 members or 1000 eClubs in the future. And since we do not limit districts from chartering regular clubs, why should we confine them in developing eClubs? In the end I was pleased with the 295 to 220 vote in favour of this change.

COLLEGE OF GOVERNORS. In some Districts there is a well organized College of (Past)Governors (COG) and in others there is not. These are to serve as advisory forums for Governors but there was concern and discussion that we need to make these bodies more uniform and consistent across all districts to enhance advisory leadership. This group is meant to be a resource for the District and Governor, but some DGs do not use them to advantage. The final conclusion was that Districts should work to have their COG structured to fit their own needs and so the enactment failed to pass.

There was a lot of discussion on changing the name of the District Assembly to Club Leadership Training Seminar but one member felt the acronym would be inappropriate. So an amendment was made and passed to change the District Assembly name to District Training Assembly.

The next proposal was to change the weight of voting on RI issues and have clubs from 20 to 37 members get one vote with an additional vote for every additional 25 members. This would have the effect of eliminating voting rights for clubs under 20 members. Many felt that if we take the small club’s membership money then they are entitled to vote, thus it was defeated 42 to 473.

A 5TH OBJECT OF ROTARY. A proposal was made to add a 5th Object of Rotary. That would have been “the involvement and development of youth in fellowship, service, exchanges and self-development”. It was difficult near the end of the day to find a consensus in acceptable wording, so a motion was made and passed to refer it to the board.

In my view, this was not the wisest option since the board has no ability to add the 5th object. That enactment has to be voted on at a COL, so little can happen for three years until the 2016 COL. Many felt the 5th object would coincide nicely with the 5th Avenue of Service, however much discussion failed to determine acceptable wording.

During the evening we enjoyed a wonderful banquet dinner and much fellowship. And now it is time to get some well deserved rest.Yours in Rotary service,

Doug VDoug VincentD7080 COL RepresentativeRC Woodstock-Oxford, ON Canadawww.DougVincent.com


April 2013Page 9


dayHi Rotarians and friends:

want to thank all of you who have taken the time to provide positive feedback and thanks to me for the work I have been Idoing to inform you of COL proceedings. Your kind comments

are what gives me the energy to share my late night ramblings and I am pleased that you find the information useful. Some of you are delegates here at COL who have stopped me in the hallway and asked to be put on my email list. I am honoured that you wish to share my thoughts and pleased that you can use them to benefit your own District and reporting.

Today started with a proposal from the RI Board to raise dues. With little discussion it was approved to increase dues to $25.50 per half year in 2013-14, $27.00 per half year in 2014-15, $27.50 per half year in 2015-16 and $28.00 per half year in 2016-17. It is also important to note the minimum dues assessed per club is for 10 members since there is an upcoming proposal to increase that minimum number.

Next was a controversial proposal to change the name of our 5th Avenue of Service to "Youth Service" from Next Generations, which was inserted at the 2010 COL. Some felt that the New Generations term is well defined in the MOP, but others felt a need for clarity and a better understanding of what it means to outsiders. They also felt that there is no need to define the term "Youth" and since it is youth we are serving, why not call it that. In a 308 to 205 vote it was decided to make the change which will make our D7080 committee happy. So as of July 1, 2013 it is Youth Service.

Another enactment to create a perpetual single RI theme caused much discussion with RI Board members and Presidents speaking against the concept. Others thought a single theme and logo would simplify things and help focus better on the branding of Rotary. Senior leaders expressed that team building is an element of successful leadership and the annual President's theme is a central part of this. They felt it energizes, inspires and helps motivate the team each year as well as drawing membership attention to RI's areas of focus.

RI indicted that the annual licensing income of over $500,000. would be at risk but others reminded us that most of the licensing fees, plus more for the purchases, is coming from Rotarian pockets. So this change might actually have the affect of saving more funds than that amount, overall.

It was stated that Rotary already has the motto of "Service Above Self" to be used externally for public branding while an annual Presidential theme has the purpose of internally emphasizing and promoting the goals of each President during their year. The motion eventually failed by a large majority so we will continue to see annual themes in the foreseeable future.

The suggestion of increasing the TRF Trustee Chair's term to 4 years and Trustee's term to 6 years had much debate but in the end did not garner much support. The proposers felt better funding and relationships could be established with partner NGOs/Foundations if a Chair was in the position longer. Personally I feel we should give more consideration to how a Chairman ad Trustees are appointed before we worry about the length of their term. It has been a tradition for the RI Past President to become Chair but it is not a requirement and in the past a Non-PP Chair has worked quite well.

Today in proposal 13-86 the District Governors were given an additional duty to ensure the constitution and bylaws of their clubs comply with the RI constitutional documents, especially following COLs. It was noted that many clubs do not even know where their constitution and bylaw documents are located, let alone have them up-to-date according to RI requirements. It was brought to the attention of the assembly that there is no party shown as responsible for this activity in our bylaws and this enactment has corrected that concern.

It has been an exhausting 2 ½ days so far and this afternoon we wee allowed some time off to take a break. However we are not making the progress or keeping the pace as anticipated, so it was decided our meeting will start one hour early tomorrow morning. Also presenters/speakers will have their time allotment reduced in order to shorten the length of time required to deal with issues.

This afternoon we had a delightful visit with a vacationing Rotary friend from Russia. I first met Irina Dogadina when I spoke her at District's Conference in Vladivostok, Russia a couple of years ago. We became friends and have kept in touch since then. As an Assistant Governor she has been a very active Rotarian and we have kept in touch. So when she learned of me being here in Chicago at the same time she was here, we arranged to meet. In the hotel lobby is was great to be together again and she had the unexpected opportunity of meeting some additional Rotary leaders she has met previously during their travels to her country. Safe travels home Irina.

This evening, thanks to coordination by PRIVP Monty, some of our Canadian delegates gathered together for a group dinner and the associated fellowship. While most of us have seen each other at Conventions or Zone Institutes there are always new friends to meet and the renewal of existing friendships as well.

We have an early morning tomorrow, so I'm taking advantage of an early evening turn in. Keep your eyes open for more, coming tomorrow.

Yours in Rotary service,

Doug Vincent

D7080 COL RepresentativeRC Woodstock-Oxford, ON Canadawww.DougVincent.com [1]


dayHi Everyone:

ven though we began an hour earlier this morning it was easier this morning with only brief discussions on the duplication and Econfusion caused by lack of a recognized title for newly

nominated Governors. We have the DG, DGE, DGN but nothing to identify the newest member of the G-Team. So now our newest title added to the string will be DGND "District Governor Nominee Designate".

There was debate on a proposal to allow candidates for DG nominations to make presentations and circulate profile information to clubs during the selection process. Some felt that they do not know all of the candidates well, so an authorized process to do this would be helpful. This is especially the case in large districts or where voting is done at the District Conference. But the majority felt it would risk opening the door to campaigning which until now has been discouraged and is against our guidelines. So the request was defeated.

In some cases districts have had challenges when a DG was injured or passed away and could not complete their term. In such cases there has been a scramble to fill the leadership void. To prevent similar instances in the future it was decided that the District Nominating committee will select at "Vice-Governor" to replace a Governor in a case of temporary or permanent inability to complete their term. This would be done at the same time as DG nominations. The person has to be a PDG since they have attended a previous International Assembly which is mandatory for a DG to take office.

With regard to pilot projects and clubs, it was requested by the RI Board to increase the allowed sample of clubs up from 200 to 1000. This would allow a higher number of clubs to participate in pilot studies and provide more feedback and experience in trying new ideas and concepts. This will now be possible and the trials can extend up to six years.

Another discussion concerned determination of the locality of eClubs. Currently it shows as "worldwide or otherwise as determined by the board" which is deemed to be the RI Board. The proposer was seeking clarification by amending the wording to "club board". This was approved since it makes the policy more consistent with regular clubs.

There was discussion on enactment 13-105 to describe club autonomy, which is a generally recognized part of Rotary. It was suggested that clubs shall have autonomy as long as they do not act in a manner inconsistent with RI Constitution, RI Bylaws and the Standard RC Constitution, and followed the basic principles of RI. This is generally the way things have been in the past and just a desire to document.

Do not ask me why a common sense enactment like this failed 204 to 310, other than perhaps inadequate discussion took place due to time constraints. Some are starting to worry that we will not get through all of the issues and so there is a push to move on. My observation is that there has been little appetite for any drastic changes by many of the delegates and it frustrates others with a more visionary viewpoint.

In addition, I think that sometimes the wording used in a proposal or the way it is presented by the proposer, can have a huge influence on the success or failure of a motion. On top of this, when people get tired, are anxious to get done,or take it as a minor issue, possibly we do not give items the consideration they deserve. And I cannot explain how we sometimes seem to accept or reject a proposal then do the opposite on a similar item later in the day.

There was concern expressed regarding sustaining small clubs of less than 15 members with a proposal to merge them with another local club if they remained under 15 for two years. Some strongly felt that a club's service to their community is more important than the number of members and they need to be encouraged and helped to increase membership.

It was mentioned that RI is operating in a deficit position trying to serve the smaller clubs. It was noted that it can be hard for clubs to increase their membership, especially in small communities or rural areas. There were examples of little 8-9 member clubs having the determination to survive and an example given of one that is now over 50 members and going strong. The vote failed 100 to 420.

There was an attempt to change the Rotaract and Interact standing committee to New Generations and include all of the youth related programs. It failed 234 to 272. There is no appetite by RI for additional standing committees due to cost and I felt debate was voted closed without complete discussion. At the bottom of our fourth day many are tired and just want to get finished.

RIPE Ron Burton advised that there are already regular (not standing) committees for each of the Youth Programs. The chairs of these will form a RING Committee in his term. As a matter of interest a Standing Committee is one that is permanent, mandated by our bylaws with an operating budget. A regular committee sits at the discretion of the RI President so they may come and go each year, usually without much budget.

The suggestion to raise the minimum annual dues paid to RI up to 15 club members from 10 was defeated 133 to 385. While RI operates at a deficit serving smaller clubs the majority felt we should not penalize them, especially if they are doing good work in their communities. Rather we need additional resources and support to help them improve their membership numbers.

Following this same train of thought enactment 13-128 was voted to accept removal of the minimum entirely, so that a minimum will no longer be payable to RI by clubs under 10 members.

A proposal to give a 30% dues discount to new members under 35 yrs of age failed 92 to 423. Proposers suggested it would help recruit desired and younger members who may be concerned with membership costs. But RI reported the impact would be lost revenue of $4 million plus administrative costs required record keeping. The discount would be under $20 so I cannot see that it would influence anyone to join.

There was a suggestion that larger districts be provided with additional votes at COL. This concept of weighting for larger clubs and districts is not uncommon in other types of voting. Currently a member in a large district might have only 1/10th the influence of a member in a smaller district. Opposers quoted the United Nations policy where all countries have only one vote each. Further, that the COL should be based on equality which is not the same as equal and we should not let big districts impose on the smaller ones. After much debate the proposal failed 122 to 388.

A resolution was passed 284 to 219 asking the RI Board to consider introducing a category for Associate Members at the next COL and end the current pilot in June 2016. It is strange that another similar request to consider Friends of Rotary failed in a flipped vote of 218 to 293. Many felt the Friends concept would contribute to our Public Image and Awareness.

It has been a long day. We started 1 hour earlier than usual and ran 1 hour later than normal so people are tired. Tonight we had a wonderful reunion dinner with our DG classmates from 2005-06 and everyone was pleased that PRIP Stenhammer joined us. It was a late night and I ran out of steam, thus the reason this report is being later than usual.

More tomorrow,Doug Vincent D7080 COL RepresentativeRC Woodstock-Oxford, ON Canadawww.DougVincent.com


April 2013Page 10

AYE


April 2013Page 11


dayHi again friends:

ith flights and travel plans made to depart tonight, many are anxious to work our way through the remaining proposals in a speedy fashion. Somewhere there must be a balance between giving fair consideration to the resolutions and raising the blue card to move Wdebate be closed. In a desire to streamline the process some delegates have withdrawn their District motions since they

have predicted the assembly is not in a mood to accept many new ideas at this stage. The RI Board also had agreed in advance to consider some of the topics and so a few of those could be withdrawn as well, since they are already handled.

A resolution that some were opposed to, including our District, was the request for RI to formally consider Rotex clubs. At first it seemed they wanted another program but in reality the proposer explained the intent was to recogninize a Youth Exchange Alumni group. One district already has a group of 3000 established with the strategy to feed Rotaract clubs and plant the seeds for eventual Rotary membership. After discussion, it seemed to me that we should encourage this in the same way we do for TRF Alumni. But the motion lost 229 to 283.

There was a request for RI to consider establishing a "New Generations (or Youth) Service Day" at some time during the year. On that day youth could all be active doing something of service in their community. Some felt that we already have too many special days, while others felt it would be a great Public Image opportunity to promote. Motion passed with a small margin 254 to 251.

A big one was the resolution asking the board to make RLI (Rotary Leadership Institute) an RI affiliate or structured program of RI. Until now, it has been developed and delivered as a stand-alone initiative by a group of district and world leaders. I know that many will be celebrating the huge 332 to 181 approval.

In some Districts there are child programs for those between 5 and 12 years of age. A proposal was made for RI to consider recognizing "EarlyAct" clubs. The debate on this got very complex since other names used for similar activities are JuniorAct, KidsAct, RotaKids, etc. And the following resolution was similar except for proposing the name "KidsAct". I believe that if proposers had combined their resolutions to suggest the concept without a specific name, that may have made the process simpler and increased chances of acceptance. With a close working relationship with Boy Scouts, some did not want to compete with that program while others felt we should take advantage of shools desiring this program. Many felt we could use this to start kids off on a pathway to Rotary ideals of service but both resolutions failed.

Elderact was another suggestion which failed, keeping with the assembly's seemingly lack of desire to encourage consideration of new ideas and possibilities. Please note all these resolutions were not to develop the new program, but just asking the RI Board to consider them as future program opportunities. Some expressed concern that we are not supporting any innovation by rejecting consideration of the new ideas proposed. Often the wording or the way it is presented makes things more complicated than they need to be. Most acknowledge there are some good program proposals but there is little appetite even to consider investigation or recognition of them by RI. I am one who gets frustrated at times with our lack of forward thinking and those suggesting new initiatives are also. One example is regarding a controversial TRF policy limiting Rotarians and direct descendents from participating in TRF programs. In the past it was thought that this was due to US tax law restrictions, however the RI lawyer indicated that upon investigation this is not the case. So the only other reasoning is the fear of perception by the public, if Rotary relatives get to participate on GSE, Scholarships, etc. Yet we allow Rotary children to go on Youth Exchange.

With this background, a the resolution to allow a Rotarian and descendants to be exempt from this restriction was rejected. However on a later resolution a similar motion to allow grand children to participate in TRF Scholarships was referred to the board for consideration in a 313 to 184 vote. This inconsistency is what I cannot understand or explain, and I am sure this is in the minds of many

delegates. It is hard to imagine what some are thinking or what influences decisions in the voting process.

So this brings us to the end of the formal COL process, except to celebrate the wonderful recognition that our Rotary Foundation received last evening from the Thomas Edison Foundation. This is is a very prestigious award which is presented annually to organizations that show innovation. Our Future Vision process was seen as an innovative and new way to deliver our services to those in need. It will also go a long way toward enhancing Rotary's public image and awareness with the media.

Yours in Rotary service,

Doug Vincent

D7080 COL RepresentativeRC Woodstock-Oxford, ON Canadawww.DougVincent.com

thank you, doug

Okay..here it is.A test to see if your brain is still working.Which one do you think is the blonde?

Scroll down....Amazing, I did not see it before..

The Blonde is the one with the wrong leg up


April 2013Page 12

ou

from Nora Gotesdiner <[email protected]>

A L’IL BIT of HUMORCOL,after the serious


December 2012Page 4


May 2013Page 13

otary Fellowships are autonomous, international groups of Rotarians, RRotarian 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 worldŸ Explore new opportunities for serviceŸ Have fun and enhance their Rotary

experience

How to get involved?Consider joining a Rotary Fellowship that addresses your interest. To get started Ÿ View complete list of Rotary Fellowships.Ÿ Consult the Rotary Fellowship Directory

to get in touch with group(s) you're interested in.

Ÿ View a list of Suggested Rotary Fellowships and offer to help organize a prospective fellowship.

How to organize a new Rotary Fellowship?Forming a new Rotary Fellowship takes a lot of work, but as Rotarians who have established a group will attest, the effort is worthwhile. Before submitting a proposal, plan to develop a strong network of prospective members in at least three countries. You can start by posting your idea on the list of Suggested Rotary Fellowships.

Whi le Rotary Fel lowships operate independently of Rotary International, they must receive official recognition from RI’s Board of Directors and operate in accordance with Rotary policy. If you are interested in organizing a prospective Rotary Fellowship, please contact RI staff for guidance.

Are Rotary Fellowships part of

Rotary?

Fellowships of Rotarians are part of Rotary. Rotary

approved the first fellowship in 1928. Read

the full history at www.globalnetworkinggroups.org

ROTARY FELLOWSHIPS

Amateur Radio www.ifroar.orgAntique Automobiles www.achafr.euAuthors and Writers www.authorsandwritersRIF.orgBird Watching www.ifbr.orgCanoeing sites.google.com/site/canoeingrotariansCaravanning www.rotarianscaravanning.org.ukCarnival, Parades &Festivals www.ifcpf.orgChess www3.sympatico.ca/brian.clarkComputer Users www.icufr.orgConvention Goers www.conventiongoers.orgCricket www.rotarycricket.orgCurling www.curlingrotarians.comCycling www.cycling2serve.orgDoctors www.rotariandoctors.orgDoll Lovers www.rotarydlf.org

Editors and Publishers www.ifrep.orgEnvironment www.envirorotarians.orgEsperanto www.radesperanto.orgFine Arts and Antiques espanol.groups.yahoo.com/group/ Fishing A www.fishrotary.orgFlying www.iffr.orgGeocaching [email protected] Go www.gpfr.jpGolf www.igfr-international.comGourmets www.rotariangourmet.comHome Exchange www.rotarianhomeexchange.comHonorary Consuls [email protected] Horseback Riding [email protected]

Internet www.roti.org

Italian Culture www.icwrf.orgJazz www.rotaryjazz.comLatin Culture www.rotarioslatinos.orgLawyers rotarianlawyersfellowship.orgLicense Plate Collecting [email protected] Literacy Providers www.literacyproviders.orgMagicians rotarianmagician.orgMagna Graecia www.fellowshipmagnagraecia.orgMarathon Running www.rotarianrun.orgMotorcycling www.ifmr.orgMusic www.ifrm.orgOld and Rare Books www.rotaryoldbooks.orgPast District Governors [email protected] Photographers www.photofellowship.org Police and Law Enforcement www.polepfr.orgPre-Columbian Civilizations [email protected] Quilters and Fiber Artists www.rotariansquilt.orgRailroads www.ifrr.infoRecreational Vehicles www.rvfweb.org

Rotary Global History www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.orgRotary Heritage and History www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/fellowship

Rotary on Stamps www.rotaryonstamps.orgScouting www.ifsr-net.orgScuba Diving www.ifrsd.orgShooting Sports www.rotaryclayshoot.com Singles www.rsfinternational.orgSkiing www.isfrski.orgSocial Networks www.rosnf.netTennis www.itfr.orgTotal Quality Management www.rotarytqm.itTravel Agents www.rotarytravelfellowship.orgTravel and Hosting www.ithf.orgWellness and Fitness [email protected] Wine www.rotarywine.netYachting www.iyfr.net

MEMBERS’ REPORTS

PP Lawrence TristramAssistant Editor, ROTI BreadbasketRotary Club of Petersfield, District 1110, [email protected]


December 2012Page 4


May 2013Page 14

Fund Raising for Rotary Club of Madras Midtown

The Bhagavad Gita in English Verses

he Bhagavad Gita has been referred to as the Jewel of Indian Philosophy. Over time many great seers, rishis, philosophers and authors have written commentaries, explanations, notes, annotations and a variety of other treatises T

on its message. Dr. E.S.Siva Rama Krishnan, a Malaysian citizen, in 1967 chanced to hear a discourse on one of the Chapters of Bhagavad Gita. His hobby being writing verses in English, Dr. Krishnan wrote what he heard into verses in English. Later he wrote the entire 700 stanzas into a book.The the book was compiled, in 1968, and was published in two magazines, one by Chinmayananda Mission and another by Divine Life Society. Thereafter the manuscripts lay untouched for 44 years, till 2011.

In December 2011, Mr. Shankar Duraiswami, a friend of the author, and Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Madras Midtown, chanced to read part of the verses and requested and got the entire volume. Rtn. Shankar worked with the manuscript for a year, has now published it as a book, under the banner of MRD BOOKS ([email protected]). In simple English poetic style all the 700- verses of The Bhagavad Gita are retold by the author. The verses are easy to understand and convey the message of The Gita in elegant poetic verses.

The book release took place on the 20th of April 2013 at the Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Mylapore, Chennai, India. The author Dr. Siva Rama Krishnan, aged 91 years, and his wife Mrs. Rajakumari, aged 87, were present, when the Director of the Kuppuswami Sastry Research institute, Dr. V.Kameswari released the book and the first copy was received by Mr. M.P.Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of State Bank of India.

The entire revenue on sales of this book in India, will be given as donation to charitable causes. One of the other beneficiary is The Rotary Club of Madras Midtown Foundation for charitable work in Education, Health and Community work. The Rotarians have pledged to raise at least Rs 150,000 (about US$ 30,000), by sale of the book. The other main beneficary is the Kuppuswai Sastry research Institute, which conducts research on Sanskrit and Indological research and has over 60,000 ancient texts and books and over 1000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts which are centuries old.

The entire cost of publishing and printing has been paid by the author and two Rotarians.The book is to be sold, apart from India, in Malaysia, Singapore, UK and USA, where too

the proceeds would be donated for suitable charitable purposes in those countries. If any Rotarian or a Rotary Club from any part of the world is desirous of using this book for fund raising for their club projects in education, health or village development, please write to Rtn. Shankar at [email protected] or [email protected].

Rtn. Shankar DuraiswamiRotary Club of Madras Mid-townDistrict 3230.Email:[email protected]

by Dr. E.S.Siva Rama KrishnanRotary Club of Madras Midtown, District 3230.

Email:[email protected]

RC KFAR SABA, ISRAEL D2490by

P/P Mazor Gabriel ( GABY ) PHFKfar Saba RC, District 2490

he idea came to us after a big fire in a house in Israel , where a father and his 4 sons were burnt to death because of leaving a Laptop computer on Ta bed with a winter blanket.

A member of our club, P/P Olly Reshtick thought we have to find a way to protect those situations and asked me, if there is a good solution for such an event.

Being a Electrical engineer I offered him immediately to install independent smoke detector so people can get an alarm even before the fire comes ( smoke comes first ) .

From that moment a big project was born. We arranged a meeting with our town's mayor asking him for the needed back up which we got immediately. Later we met with the head of the welfare department and got a list of some 100 houses of old people.

We bought 100 independent smoke detectors from the importer in Israel which we got for a very special price , and arranged with the Youth department some 50 young boys and girls to help us install the detectors. Later we printed user instructions on a magnet plate with the rotary and municipality symbol.

On the installing day ( January 31st 2013 ) we went to the houses of the old people and installed with the help of the youngsters the detectors. We got many thanks and appreciations and a warm cover in the local press.

The second term should be in the coming days in which we are going to install another 100 pieces in houses of unblessed citizens in our town. This is a " LIFE SAVING" project which combined vocational , community and new generations avenues in our club.


December 2012Page 4


May 2013Page 15

I am pleased to inform that 1st Packaged Global Grant of our district has just been approved by Rotary Foundation. The grant is for vocational training and cataract surgeries at Conakry, Guinea in West Africa.

The team will consists of 4 ophthalmic surgeons* and will be in Conarky from 20th April, 13 to 5th May, 13*

Mercy Ships have approved the team members professional qualifications and The Rotary Foundation has accepted District 3140's packaged grant proposal to provide cataract surgeries and capacity building training in Conakry, Guinea. The team is expected to arrive in Guinea on 20-April-13 and depart on 4-May-13.*This proposal has been assigned the file number Packaged Grant **26**335**.*

1stPACKAGED

GLOBAL GRANTof District 3140

International primary contact: Girish Mittal

installs SMOKE

DETECTORS


December 2012Page 4


May 2013Page 16

eeping peace within the family is an essential factor in the social, economic and political life of every person. This is the reality acknowledged by the Rotary Club of Makati-Buendia (RCMB) Peace President Isagani “Gani” Ramos when the Club launched KRCMB's Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Family Lecture Series on 25 October 2013 at Tiara Hotel Makati.

In line with our nation's guiding principle that the family is the basic social institution of our society, the five-part lecture series emphasizes the keeping of peace and resolving conflicts within the family. Consequently, it aims to enlighten the participants, Rotarians and Non-Rotarians, alike, on their rights and obligations as members of their respective families, and the various incidents relating to such roles, whether as a husband, wife, parent or child, in order that they may know how to deal with or treat other family members, and positively act on such incidents arising during family life.

RCMB is fortunate to have in its roster a number of young (yes, including the young at heart!) and proficient members of the legal profession who were more than willing to share their time and knowledge on the various topics covering family law. For its inaugural lecture, Atty. Karl Steven Co and wife, Prof./Atty. Genevieve Theresa Nueve-Co, discussed Family Relations and the Rights and Obligations between the Husband and Wife, on the one hand, and the Parents and Children, on the other. In his lecture, Atty. Karl primarily explained that since the “family” is the most basic social institution, “family relations,” which include, among others, issues relating to marriage, filiation, parental authority, and support, is governed by law and not by mere convention and custom. The law even enumerates the basic obligations of the spouses to: (1) live together; (2) observe mutual love, respect, and fidelity; (3) render mutual help and support; and (4) procreate through sexual cooperation. At the same time, Philippine law recognizes the right of the spouses to fix the family domicile, exercise any legitimate profession, occupation or business, and to support the family. Atty. Karl then clarified what comprises “support” and who in particular is obliged to give support. He also expounded on the meaning of a “family home” and the advantages provided by law in the constitution thereof. For her part, Atty. Vieve expounded on the rights and obligations of parents and children. Culling from the provisions of the country's Family Code, the Civil Code, and the Child and Youth Welfare Code, Atty. Vieve defined the meaning of “parental authority and responsibility” as both an obligation and a right. She then enumerated specific rights and duties of parents and children provided by law.

The second installment of the lecture series was presented by Atty. John Caingat on 8 November 2012 on the topic, Property Relations between Husband and Wife and in Unions Without Marriage. The interest of the participants was certainly caught for although the issue of money and properties may be considered a sore topic to talk about, it nevertheless remains to be the most common cause of fights between spouses. Hence, knowing one's property rights as husband, wife or partner is only made more vital to effectively and peacefully resolve problems which may arise on such matter. Atty. John gave details on the differences, including the advantages and disadvantages, among the various types of property regimes under Philippine law for spouses and partners such as co-ownership, absolute community, conjugal partnership of gains, complete separation of property, or any other regime which the parties may agree on.

The lecture culled more than 50 attendees including guests from RCMB's sister club from Plaridel, Bulacan which was followed by a lively fellowship among the attendees.

Atty. Ma. Cristina Ramos gave her two-part lecture on Void and Voidable Marriages, as the third segment of this lecture series held on 22 and 29 November 2012. The lecture sought to respond to the current realities of our society today where more and more couples choose to part ways. Atty. Tina was successful in giving a full picture on the considerations under the law for a marriage to be annulled under this ground. Taking off from the previous lecture, Atty. Josefina Guzman spoke on the Separation of Couples and Termination of Marriage under Philippine Law last 17 January 2013. Atty. Jojit also gave an overview on what to expect before and upon filing of a petition for declaration of nullity/ annulment of marriage and legal separation - the time, costs and the general flow of the judicial process from filing, trial until resolution and execution of the decision. One point revealed which received considerable controversy among the audience is the fact that children conceived and born under a void marriage are considered illegitimate upon declaration of the court of its nullity. Atty. Jojit underscored that in line with the theme of “peacekeeping” within the family, the lecture was not to encourage couples to separate but to emphasize the sanctity and permanency of the institution of marriage in the eyes of the law. The last installment of the lecture series is on the topic Successional rights: intestate succession delivered by PP Bobot Tria. The lecture was delivered on March 7, 2013. RCMB invited and welcomed Rotarian as well as Non-Rotarian guests for these events.

Instilling PeaceWithin the Family

- RC Makati Buendia ObjectiveBy Atty. Josefina Guzman

Speakers Atty. Jojit Guzman, above, and Atty. John Caingat, at right, on marriage and Philippine laws. .RCMB Peace President Gani Ramos presents certificates of appreciation to Rotarian couple, Attys. Karl and Vieve Co.


December 2012Page 4


May 2013Page 17

Attached pl find an article appeared in our regional Rotary Magazine “Rotary News”on Global Grant project done by a club here in cooperation with RID 1120.This was recently handed over to the beneficiary NGO.PDG Dr Himanshu Basu from RID 1120 visited this project few weeks back.

- Dr Sudhir Rashingkar, PDG RID 3131, Pune

Grant ProjectA Global

By enhancing the infrastructural facilities at the home for the mentally challenged, the Rotarians of RC Pune Gandhi Bhavan, RI District 3131, are providing an opportunity for better comfort

and learning process for these special people.

he center runs a day school for children from 6 to 18 years of age and they are giving Tscholastic training which includes, reading,

writing and simple arithmetic.The Rotarians of Rotary Club of Pune Gandhi

Bhavan D3131 evinced keen interest in participating the functioning of Jeevan Jyot Mandal in king in 2009 to 2010, visiting the center to evaluate the requirements. They understood the urgent need for a generator to tackle erratic power supply, a borewell and water filtration plant to provide clean drinking water, a solar water heating system that would help conserve electricity, a multi-utility van and educational aids for the mental growth of the residents.

The total project cost worked out to $36,000. The clubs contributed $6,000 collected through various fund raisers; District 3131 allocated $7,000 and District 1120 UK contributed DDF of $6,500. The amount $16,500 came as the counterpart of the global grant from the Rotary Foundation.

A committee was formed by the host club to ensure proper implementation of the project. PDG Sudhir Rashingkar helped in completing the formalities of the global grant.

The facilities were handed over to the beneficiary and an MOU was signed by both parties to ensure proper maintenance of the center. The enhanced facilities would mean the center can offer refuge to more developmentally-challenged people in need of support and rehabilitation.

It is overwhelming indeed to realize how generous contributions from Rotarians to TRF could bring unimaginable transformations in the lives of the underprivileged.


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May 2013Page 18

“When I was elected Governor, I prayed to God to help me become a good

leader and provide me the wisdom to inspire the Rotarians, especially my presidents,

to work hard to achieve our goals. I told my presidents that if we work with

all our hearts and minds focused on our goals, we will be successful.

And we were.”

D3790DISCON 2013

PP Glo Nethercutt received hersurprise ROTY award.

D3790 governors and their spouses, DG Tony Bautista,spouse Evelyn, RIPR Al Purwa and spouse, RID Guiller Tumangan and spouse Letty at DISCON 2013

The District Conference seemed to be the perfect

occasion to surprise a ROTIan of the Year

Awardee.

ROTY awardee PP Glo Nethercutt said, “It was out of line for the DG to

call hubby PP Ron to render a Rotary fellowship

announcement. When I heard my name called

and got congratulations from left and right, I could not wipe out this big grin on my face - to imagine

how my husband was able to keep this surprise

from me!”

For the first time, the 3790 DISCON was held outside

the district. At the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, the

combination of good speakers, great food,

ambiance, and the famous sunset in Manila Bay - all added to deliver

a memorable event to 3790 Rotarians who

attended the 2-day event.

D3790 Governor Tony Bautista

ROTYaward


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May 2013Page 19

Consumer electronics (trouble shooting of household appliances) and sewing classes are being held simultaneously at the Skill Training Center of Mabalacat, a matchinggrant project of RC Cortlandt Manor D7230 New York and RC Mabalacat D3790.

mabalacatvocational school

read a bookby rc metroangelescentennial

donation of water welland filtration system

Rotarians visit their adopted school twice a week and read children’s books to the 1st graders of MiningElementary School.

The president of the Rotary Club of Western Pampanga tested the water that was filtered through a portable filtration system donated to Dila Dila, Sta Rita community, Pampanga. The project was participated by the local police station.

RC WESTERN PAMPANGA

more or lessTOP 20 P O S T I N G S

GENERAL, TECHNICAL and SERIOUS LISTS

You’ll LAUGH.

You’ll LEARN.

END POLIO NOW - FIN DE LA POLIO AHORA -ELIMINEMOS A POLIO JÁ - EN FINIR AVEC LA POLIO My dear ROTI Amigos, I am sure that all of you have some special photo you would like to share!! Latin Rotarians Fellowship invites you to be part of the Photo Contest. It is really easy to participate. Go to: http://www.rotarioslatinos.org/concurso/And just upload your photo, put your name and that's it!! This is something that will promote friendship! Leticia Parra ToledoCoordinadora de Imagen Pública de Rotary Zona 21-A 2013-2016Rotary Public Image Coordinator Zone 21-A 2013-2016

photos to share

My blog is now available at http://jocoesjournal.blogspot.com/ P.P. Tom Telfer, B.A.M.P.H.F.


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FUTURE VISION PLAN

his post started as "Let's have a real discussion about Future Vision", something which we will all have to come to grips with in a very short time. Well those of us Twho want to be able to work with the Foundation and to

obtain Global Grants for international projects, as I do.

Todd has been very helpful with advice to me off list but I still have so much to learn. Our district does not handle many grants on an annual basis and my club has done one, now two in it's 42 years, both that I instigated. Unfortunately our attitude here is for local community work but if I can show our members and members of other clubs around us that we can make a bigger difference by applying for a GG then it will be worthwhile.

Our goals are high in the 10s of thousands of $. Our last fund raising exercise raised over $50,000 climbing the Mountains of the Moon. Due to the uncertainty at the time re the Future Vision and that the district we are working in was a FV district and we are not we decided not to go for a grant this time. We sent the monies promptly and directly to the beneficiaries.

We are now planning our next major fund raising adventure to Kenya and this time I want to be in a position to apply for a global grant. Therefore I am reading as much as I can and learning what it all means. So far we have not been given a date for any FV training by our incoming DRFC. So ROTI is where I will learn about the GG from those who have done them.

So can we get back on track and not make this personal and let us discuss in a rational manner the application and implementation for global grants? I know that I should know the answers but these are the questions I will be asking our DRFC at District Assembly next week.

I will start the questions here and maybe someone who has done a GG under FVwill be able to answer them:

1. What is the minimum amount we can have in the bank before we can apply for a GG?

2. Is there a maximum?

3. What is the likely turn around from the date of the application being received by TRF?

4. I need right now the answers to the issue of sustainability when the majority of the monies we raise will go towards education (Area of Focus). Do we need to get 40 children into school for 4 years or 160 into school for one year? Or do we need to get a child educated right through to vocational level. (Our aim is for 200 children into secondary school for 4 years. Would that be considered sustainable?

5. We are dealing with African countries and we will be using Rotary clubs on the ground as well as a NGO partner, Hope World Wide<http://hopewwkenya.org/>a Christian based organisation. Are there any problems with forming a partnership with a NGO and a Rotary club on the ground?

6. Memorandum Of Understanding. There could be issues here any one have any experience with a MOU and say Kenya or Uganda? What is TRF trying to do with a MOU?

Those again who have had the experience are there any do's and don't s?

Whatever help can be provided from you ROTIans will be as always muchappreciated.

- John GlassfordPast President 08/09, Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700New South Wales, AustraliaCoolamon Rotary Web Site: http://club.coolamonrotary.c

LET US HAVE

a REALDiscussion

John,ou ask about sustainability with this example:Y

"4. I need right now the answers to the issue of sustainability when themajority of the monies we raise will go towards education (Area of Focus).Do we need to get 40 children into school for 4 years or 160 into schoolfor one year? Or do we need to get a child educated right through tovocational level. (Our aim is for 200 children into secondary school for 4years. Would that be considered sustainable?"

Your example talks all about measuring results but not about sustainability.Both are important.Measuring results is:1) how many children were going to school before the grant project began?2) how many children are going to school now that the grant project has beendone?

Sustainability is:Can the school continue on, educating children in these increased numbers,after the grant funds have all been spent? Perhaps you have trained teachersto offer new training to the students and of course the teachers cancontinue to do this new training once they've learned how. That'ssustainability.Perhaps you've built more classrooms, added computers, trained teachers tooffer new course options, bought a school bus, added a water well and asanitary system. The students pay a small monthly fee to attend and withincreased numbers of students, the school can afford to maintain all thisnew technology and equipment. That's sustainability.

–Todd Lindley DDS FAGD2012-13 Rotary Foundation Alumni Coordinator, Zone 312013-2016 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Zone 31

Memorandum of understanding:It is my understanding that at least two members of any club MUST attend a Grants seminar/program in order to be 'qualified' to submit an application. If no one in your club attended, then you may not submit app. Not sure how this will apply if more than one club is making an application for the same project. The object here, I guess, is to be sure that clubs have an understanding on what qualifies for grants and what does not. I have attended two grant seminars in two different Districts. One District gave me a form saying that I attended the meeting and was now qualified to sign for a club. Another District put my name on a list of attendee's to the grant seminar which also makes me qualified to sign. I was wondering if I could hire myself out to other clubs if they need a 'qualified' signature.

- Barbara LaFleurRotary Club of Stowe, VTD7850 (snowbird in D 6970 where it's nice and warm)

Bill and others:s should be apparent, the Foundation Trustees tend to listen most carefully to folks in Districts which try Aprograms and, after a valid test, find fault with them.

On the other hand, no one wants to listen to individuals or groups who simply gripe about changes in programs without giving them a fair trial. The whole purpose of model districts in FV was to "test the waters” and, from the discussions at the COL I heard by representatives from participating districts, most tests proved successful and the objectives of the Trustees accepted.

There can be no question that overall plan adopted by the Trustees, when fully implemented around the world, will transform the work of the Foundation. It's objectives will be more focused and the donations better spend. It will have greater appeal to international partners.

The fact that the Trustees have taken no action on the concerns of individual members of the RMM should be obvious. The objections heard from RMM individuals are simply that - objections to change, not evaluations of programs tried with suggestions to improve. How do you know if a program is better until a district has tried it and carefully evaluated it?

The people who have tried the programs in their new form have been listened to. Several alterations have been made, based on the evaluations provided by individuals who have participated in the revised programs. Many more will be made because the Foundation is continuously changing as the programs are refined or expanded.

Of course, Bill, most of your questions are framed in a prejudicial manner. Such questions as "Should the Trustees . . . be more forthcoming with the compelling reasons . . ?" presupposes that the Trustees have not been adequately forthcoming or that there have not been compelling reasons given.

Using words like "draconian elimination of popular, worthwhile programs” reflects your built-in prejudice, not a genuine desire for meaningful discussion. Somehow you (and other RMM individuals) seem to feel that the Trustees owe you some special obligation to prove you wrong.

The fact remains that FV has been overwhelmingly accepted by active Rotary districts around the world. Most districts are moving forward in meeting the refined programs and putting in place the necessary procedures and safeguards to become successful guardians of Foundation funds and participants in meaningful programs. Instead of continuing its campaign to block implementation and crying about changes, why not become active in the further development of programs by active participation and thoughtful evaluation.

- Dan Mooers, District 7780

On May 3, 2013, at 9:44 PM, Bill Phillips <[email protected] wrote:

uture Vision is going to be implemented in July. Of that there can be no doubt. Rather than debating the objectivity of the RMM website (we Fmake no claim of being neutral), or the motives of our group (we dare

because we care and go into more detail on our website); why don't we discuss the real issues surrounding Future Vision?

TRF has informed our group that no action will be taken on our statedconcerns and recommendations prior to roll out. This is unfortunate, but it does not change the fact that FV is not perfect (even the strongest supporters of FV admit that). TRF has repeatedly promised to address issues as they are identified, so let's identify the issues.

I would really like to hear how ROTIans feel about the following issues:Ÿ Should the Trustees of the Rotary

Foundation be more forthcoming with the compelling reasons to initiate a paradigm shift in TRF programs and operations including the draconian elimination of popular, worthwhile programs?

Ÿ Should exisiting projects that do not qualify grants under FV be "grandfathered" for a limited time to allow procurement of alternative funding?

Ÿ Should GSE be allowed to coexist with VTT at the option of participating districts? Why can this not be done?

Ÿ Should the minimum project size to qualify for a Global Grant be reduced?

Ÿ Should definitions of "Sustainability" be expanded to recognize the inhe-rently sustainable nature of some projects? How can the Sustainability Paradox be addressed?

Ÿ Should arbitrary measures and extra reporting that is not related to pro-per management of grant funds be reduced?

Ÿ Should funding for District Grants be increased to allow even greater control at the district level?

Ÿ Does TRF's goal of shifting 20% of its funding going to large high impact projects to 80% square with "decentralization of control"? Since clubs were free to choose , haven't clubs and districts already made their preferences known?

Ÿ How can The Rotary Foundation address a compelling business case for clubs and districts to form local foundations?

Ÿ What are the legal implications and expectations of Memorandums of Understanding?

Ÿ If I have used terms that are unfamiliar, I urge you to spend some time visiting our website. There we discussion our position on each of these questions, and more. LET'S HAVE A REAL DISCUSSION.

- Bill PhillipsPP, RC of Lawrenceburg (TN, USA)Founding Member of ROTARIANS MATTER MOST (RMM0

ŸShould GSE be allowed to coexist

with VTT at the option of participating

districts? Why can this

not be done?

Of course, Bill, most of your questions are framed in a prejudicial manner. Such questions as "Should the

Trustees . . . be more forthcoming with the

compelling reasons . . ?" presupposes that the

Trustees have not been adequately forthcoming or that there have not been

compelling reasons given.

Todd Lindley wrote:Bill, a minor point to expand on regarding your comment to Patrick about RITS arranging travel. You mentioned to Patrick, "It has recently come to light that Rotary will continue to make travel arrangements for district sponsored GSE teams and this is very good news."

One concept is that anyone who travels with funding from any Rotary Foundation grant will have their travel arranged via RITS. A second concept is that every program funded under the old system can still be funded under the new system, either via the District Grant or a Global Grant. So, "Grants for University Teachers", "Volunteer Service Grants," "Group Study Exchange," and "Ambassadorial Scholars" can all be funded through the District Grant. (and so their travel will be arranged via RITS.)

About 7 years ago, TRF raised the minimum grant size from $2,500 to $5,000.I was visiting India at the time and many of my friends were complaining loudly to me that they can't do projects that big. I encouraged them to talk to their neighboring clubs and put 3-4 projects into the same application. It's easier to manage one grant application for 4 projects than 4 separate grant applications. Also, nice when Rotarians in one club start looking at their neighboring clubs like partners instead of competitors.

This new system will have a learning curve, much like upgrading from Windows 95 to XP and now to Win7 or Win8. We're all business and professional leaders and I'm sure we'll soon be up to speed working in the new grant system.


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fter following this topic for a while I get the impression that the members of RMM have accepted the fact that FV is going to Apush through despite their efforts, and that any additional

attempts to make changes might be, to a great extent, superfluous at this point.

I realize that the areas of concern for RMM go beyond GSE, but I also know that passions for GSE were a large part of what started this movement. Therefore I would like to make a suggestion that might put RMM on a positive direction towards helping GSE to remain alive and vibrant, and to put them on a path towards cooperation with RI, rather than dissent. My suggestion is to start a new Rotary Action Group (RAG) with the primary purpose of assisting clubs and districts to form GSE teams and partnerships. The "Group Study Exchange" RAG.

As some of you know I have been working with John Glassford and several others recently to begin the process of starting a Endangered Species RAG, and after studying the Code of Policies on RAGs and the criteria for forming, I feel that a Group Study Exchange RAG would have a good chance of getting approval. This is from the code of policies on RAGs:

"Section 42.020.4. Obtaining Recognition as a Rotarian Action Group 4) Complement the service activities of Rotarians, clubs and districts and not conflict with the purposes of an existing Rotarian Action Group, RI program or Rotary Foundation program”

A "Group Study Exchange" RAG would be *complementing* an established RI program, and not conflicting with it. In that manner you would be working within the confines of RI to preserve a program that is very dear to the members of RMM. Try to imagine what could be done if all the collective energy and effort of RMM was focused on helping reenergize GSE with a program (RAG) that RI endorses. Additionally the members of RMM have the collective *expertise* in GSE to meet that part of the criteria for recognition.

That's the best I can come up with for a positive outcome on all this. :-) I hope you will consider this suggestion.

- PP Philip MerrittRC Mabalacat Clark D3790, Pampanga, Philippines

start a new RAG - GSE

todd lindley sez:On Member Access, under 2013-14 Humanitarian Grants,

there is a page about Travel Arrangements. It's kind of a sideways mention, but it says "Your district, global, or packaged grant or your Rotary Peace Fellowship may include funds for air travel. ......*" ** then...... What you need to know. You will work with BCD Travel, Rotary's travel partner, to complete your booking. Here’s how the process works:

BDC is who handles travel through what we call RITS. Used to be AMEX. Has been BCD for the last couple of years.

>>>RITS will now be required for all traveling through District or Global grant funding.>>>

<[email protected]>wrote:Todd; I have seen that Travel Expenses are now eligible

under GG guidelines, but until now had not heard that use of RITS is being reinstated for travel under DG funding. If RITS is available for Districts who are organizing GSE like exchanges, I think that most Districts will be glad to swap that portion of "decentralization" for the benefits you describe.

RI and TRF should be shouting this from the rooftops! Perhaps this already exists, can you point me to an RI Document or webpage that confirms?

RITSROTARY INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICES

have used RITZ several times and my experiences have been nothing but positive, both from scheduling and Icost. In those cases where we have found cheaper

flights on our own directly, RITZ has authorized me to purchase and claim reimbursement. Or they have taken my details and booked those flights like for the recent COL.

In cases where Rotary pays, there are sound reasons to book via RITZ sometimes, even if cost appears higher. We have large contracts with some airlines and so that may be a reason. Also we use travel to take advantage of $ exchange rates when there are funds to be used from foreign countries.Insurance and problem solving are other reasons. This is why we also have Rotary connected travel agents in Brazil and India. From my travels, I feel they are almost always better and most reasonable.

On another note, when I travel to speak at Distinct Conferences and Zone Institutes, it is now becoming more popular to have tickets supplied via airmile points. Districts appeal to Rotarians with accumulated points who obtain the tickets. This is a great way to subsidize costs, however from a scheduling point of view, it is not always the most direct fight or best transit time.

From my experience, things are usually done for a reason and if we ask the 'horse's mouth' often we can obtain the background thinking before we rush to uninformed conclusions. I believe everyone has the same goal in mind aswe find our way forward.- Doug Vincent

Todd, I read what you just said to mean that RI is going to force everything through their internal travel service. If that is the most economical, fine, but to keep the cost of grants down, should people not be allowed to seek the lowest cost transportation. I am sure they book a lot of travel, butprobably a drop in the bucket compared to Expedia. The cost of staffing and managing the RITS function has to put their cost above the cost of the professionals. Sounds like a less than realistic study led to that decision.- Steve Sokol

>>We are moving back to RITS because the pilot districts asked for it. We know it will not be the cheapest method, but will have the required levels of travel insurance included. This includes air transportation due to medical reasons and return of the remains. Sad to think that could be necessary, but am glad we will have it if necessary.- Todd

Peter <[email protected]> wrote:> why don't we discuss the real issues surrounding Future Vision?<

We can discuss it till the cows come home but I doubt it will make a ha'p'orth (or a cents-worth) of difference. The RI Board has made up its corporate mind.

GSE visits will be stifled through lack of international facilitating and funding. Scores of small & medium clubs will drop out of the grant support schemes because their worthy projects won't meet the minimum grant-value criteria. Thousands of grass roots Rotarians will feel disassociated with TRF.

My former club has always been 'hands on', believing that practical support was more important than raising money. Our charity fund usually generated about $7500 per annum - enough to meet our commitment to TRF, End Polio and to fund our support for community based projects and international work such as Aquabox or Shelterbox and the like.

The club never got involved in major Matching Grants as it was considered that the organisation of such projects was beyond our ability and reach. ConsequentlyTRF has been regarded as a one-way cash flow for many years. FV will cement that view in the minds of members.

First and foremost, Rotary is a service organisation. Fund raising is subservient to the service aims of the club. I foresee a dramatic downturn in revenue from grass roots Rtns to TRF. I am not against change but the new FV structure appears to be unwieldy and to offer little support for smaller clubs.

For these and other reasons, I shall not be renewing my dues this year.

FUTURE VISIONstill on GSE, Grants and VTT

LISBONseeyouin


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May 2013Page 24

despite all these...

John Glassford wrote:Here is a considered reply to the post on this matter Rotarians Matter

Least from PDG Euan Miller form South Australia, Euan is happy for me to share this with you and ROTI. He sounds like a reasonable chap! Some good ideas from him here. Food for thought.---------

Hi John

hanks for your letter and interest. I know John Rowe well. I am aware of the difficulties the sustainability requirement is creating Tfor third world clubs. John has found that GGs have only worked

with clubs in countries with some degree of sophistication e.g. the Philippines. He has had a number of frustrations with some of his proposed GG projects as well with some taking 18 months to complete the paperwork on the completion of the project..

It suggests to me that many projects in the future may require a VTT or RAWCS volunteers team to accompany them to ensure the skill set is there and the training done. I don’t see this as a disadvantage, rather it will enrich Rotarians and clubs at both ends. It also encourages 3rd world clubs to support a GG if they know support is coming with the money. I know one Queensland district is doing this as a matter of course. One of our clubs in 9520 is just completing a bore well project is Nepal. It got held up because the rock struck in two of the well sites was such it was beyond the skill set and cost of the Nepalese club. Rather than giving up on a partially completed project, the 9520 club sent over an expert who was had the authority to seek out, quote and order specialized equipment to complete the project and adjust the Grant accordingly. We are planning to do this in the Maldives as well. We have found a desalination plant that was installed but never turned on because of the lack of local expertise.

Such a waste to have a new plant standing there unused. So the Grant will enable a club to send over the expert to activate the plant so every person living on the island will have potable water and train the locals to maintain it.

Like Bill I am not so concerned about project size, but the audit of theFoundation Matching Grants program found it was costing more to administer and audit the Grants than the value of the Grants themselves! Clearly this in itself is not sustainable so the base was lifted. Alternatively the Foundation could have reduced the admin/ audit costs but under the terms of the Foundation and its tax free status, there was not a lot of trimming that could be done. The other problem was the serial offending with graft and corruption of clubs in the Indian sub-continent in particular, was also leaking Foundation money and was not a good look for Rotary. With our last GSE team (from Taiwan this year) we decided to change the rules and introduce extra vocational days. So with our team that went to Taiwan and the team currently here it is mainly vocational. This doesn’t seem to have affected the clubs at either end unduly – there is still one meeting a week for a group dinner and presentation in 9520. In Taiwan they went even further and our team only made 2 presentations in the four weeks of the exchange.

Happy for you to share this with Bill and others in ROTI.Regards- Euan

i Ron, I agree with both you and Steve.The GSE program was never promoted> as far Has I can recall to be a membership

recruitment tool. But I guess there is that innate wish from the Rotary Foundation that because we have invested in you, that a GSE team member should at least consider joining Rotary after all, they were hosted ,entertained and got to know Rotarians and their families up close during their 4-weekstay more or less.

During that period, they saw various service projects, attended meetings and the District Conference among others. Were these experiences not enough to entice anyone to join such a great organization? Or were they just in it for the free travel and vocational enhancement opportunity?

I have been a member of our District's GSE Committee for almost 10 years. The last one as Over-all district chairman for the GSE committee. Unfortunately, I have never been a team leader due to time and work constraints but I believe I do have enough exposure to understand the issue at hand.

For many years I have been part of the selection committee that interviewed GSE team member applicants and even participated in the orientation program for both outbound and inbound teams. Almost everyone without fail have expressed their strong interest in the programs of Rotary and their willingness to join the organization after their trip. However, upon return you can hardly get hold of them citing various reasons related to work, family, etc. I can understand this of course because in our district the average age ofan outbound GSE team member is about 30 years old. This is the time when career and family is at its highest priority.

This RY we sent our first VTT team (composed of educators) and received the same from Australia. The average age was in the 40's and they were more established in their career and family life. Both teams have since returned and have expressed willingness to continue their Rotary involvement.

I still believe in the effectivity of the GSE program when it comes to fostering world peace and understanding but the VTT could be a better alternative given the chance if we would alsowish to consider membership recruitment as one of the more obvious goals of the program. Again, this is just based on my personal experience that I wanted to share.- Jesse TanchancoRC Loyola Heights, RID3780, Quezon City, Philippines

ear Jesse, your comparison with the ages of GSE Team members and those selected for DVTT is viable. BUT, we must remember that the

vocational and cultural experience that are beneficial to GSE members can continue throughout their career. And as 'young' professional you are correct that they are at a critical time in their career and family.

How many children which have had life saving surgeries, harelip operations, elderly who have benefited from cataract or goiter operation, or children inoculated for polio join Rotary?

In regard to reaching GSE members prior to departing and upon their return, that they are informed of the REQUIREMENT that they give presentations to host clubs after returning. Those exposures to clubs would perhaps prove beneficial to future membership due to meeting those responsible for their experiences.

The problem I see with VTT is their limited exposure to clubs in the district in which they are assigned. Most club never see the team members....they are digging wells, performing medical surgeries, etc. and have limited exposure to Rotary clubs. They do good and needed work, but the interchange between the VTT team and district clubs is by nature limited.

- Ron Nethercutt

It's true that GSE program was not envisaged for immediate membership development. It was a wonderful program for the cultural exchanges between far off countries. But it is also true that, having got an opportunity to know about Rotary, its humanitarian services worldwide, and all that, the young professionals were expected to voluntarily join Rotary in due course. But then, for various reasons the number of such Rotarians is quite negligible when compared to the number of Foundation alumnii added year after year. Only a handful of them like Ron have understood the significance of paying back a small percentage of what they received from TRF, through GSE program, just by joining Rotary.

But at the end of the day, it is sad that the program has gone into the pages of history.- PP MPHF V A BALU, Rotary Club of Ottapalam, RI Dist 3201


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Hello Folks,

The conversations lately regarding the perceived intent of those in Evanston concern me. Not so much that the conversations occur, but how they occur and what is being said. I've been a Rotarian since 1988. Like many here my activities have been both in leadership and supportive roles. There has been much with which I have both agreed and disagreed. As with many here, for both reasons of goals and/or forms of leadership, I've both assumed active participation and declined it. We have choices in Rotary: we can agree and disagree, support or not. When we agree, let's say so and lend our voices in support. When we disagree, let's either lend our voices in opposition and try to reasonably present our reasons, or simply lower our personal profile and let the storms pass. Some of us do this better than others. Sometimes, our unique perspectives, pro or con, are wrong ... and correct. Sometimes, even when correct, not accepted. Working to avoid beingself-righteous in our correctness is a good thing.

As Rotarians, we carry the water of our perspectives and moisten the soil of our gardens accordingly ... weeding what doesn't belong and nurturing what does. We're a cross-cultural and diverse group ... weeds in one part of the world are food or fodder in another. Worthy growth here might be stifling or unpalatable there. That's the nature of things. Cultures, perceptions and individuals may disagree. Ultimately, one of the processes of Rotary brings each of us to understand our respective differences and charges us to bring our perspectives into the light of all. We do that as best as we can ... we learn from each other and about ourselves and how to better clarify our differences.

My concern here is in some of the expressed implications of the intent of Rotary Leadership. It's not the disagreement that concerns me. It's how individual frustration is expressed. Frustration is something we learn to manage, or not, in our own ways. We are all leaders. It is not my contention that leaders are those who simply take orders from "above" and then follow well. Leaders lead ... creating visions, accommodate difficulties, allocate resources and offer alternatives. Most of us here have been in that role both in our personal and professional lives, and in Rotary. When leaders disagree they do so agreeably, albeit forcefully. Let's be agreeable in our disagreement. Water the plants of value and weed the rows carefully.

Our Fellowship is the central strength of Rotary. Our differences provide us with the power of diversity. Once the sliver of divisiveness invades our discourse, rather than the glue of fellowship uniting us, our Fellowship sours and erodes. Disagree with our leaders in Evanston, or wherever they may be. Be respectful and rational in disagreement. Find points of agreement, too. Assume there is a rationality in decisions based on information, data or processes that might not be immediately available. Do not assume that leaders have access to information, data or processes that form your disagreement. Be prudent is proclaiming questionable intent in decisions. Often disagreements are based on differences in values and priorities, not nefarious intent of the decision makers.

My point is that we have an obligation and responsibility to question leaders. It's a duty. Let's do that with a patient nod of loyalty to the Rotary cause and mission, not with dispersions of the intentions of our leaders. The British Parliament commonly refers to the Loyal Opposition: they oppose decisions and remain loyal to the crown. If we oppose decisions of Evanston, let's do so with a continuing loyalty to Rotary, it's mission and ideals.

Onward and upward,

Jon Deisher, PPAnchorage Rotary/D5010Anchorage, Alaska

If GSE participants not becoming members was the reason for scraping the GSE program itself, it would be interesting to see if similar exercise was done for other TRF programs to justifying the continuation or otherwise of the program.

Our VTT to Mercy Ship has two non Rotarian participants and they both promise to become Rotarians. But then there are several such examples of erstwhile GSE program too.- Girish Mittal

t is perplexing how often the fact that GSE has not generated sufficient membership applications from team members is Iused as a justification for the undermining of the program. I

have searched the MOP many times looking for a mention that member recruitment is an objective of GSE yet I find none. I'm sure someone will correct me if it appears elsewhere but Program Objectives (pages 126-127) do not list membership development anywhere.

How is it "fair to all concerned" to drop a program because it has failed to produce a result that was never stated as a goal? Furthermore, while we hear how poor GSE functions as a tool of membership development I've never seen numbers or data showing how many team members become Rotarians. Without it being a stated goal I would question how often the offer was even extended to those team members or any expectation communicated to them thatthey would one day become Rotarians? I know a number who have become Rotarians and one shining example of a young lady who returned home and was so driven to become a Rotarian that she started her own club when her country's Rotary was all male. Others I've known have joined Rotary after their exchange but their membership was short lived. Is that the fault of GSE or the failure of Rotary to maintain the interest of these younger members?

One constant in these discussions is that member recruitment as it applies to GSE is seen strictly by the number of team members who have joined Rotary yet in my case that definition is too restrictive. I am a Rotarian only because of my exposure to a GSE team well before I became a Rotarian. Does that count, am I not sufficient in my 23 year commitment to constitute a GSE success story? (I understand there are those who wish I had never joinedbecause of my failure to fall lock step into the commands of TRF and RI - so be it.)

I will also point out a failure of membership development that is directly attributable to FV's effect on GSE in our pilot district. In the "Voices" pages you can read the letter my daughter Stephenie wrote to our then DG when she learned four years ago of the demise of GSE in the FV pilot program. She had been focused on becoming a Rotarian ever since I brought a young lady from the Czech Republic to live in her home for four days and she took Miss Martina to visit her third grade classroom. Now, seventeen years after that third grade class met the first person they'd ever known from theCzech republic, in two weeks Stephenie will graduate as Doctor Stephenie from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and begin her career. She had always proclaimed that with that step would be her search for a Rotary Club that she could join - that is no longer the case.

Steve ColemanSaveGSE.orgR.C. Danbury, TXD5890

Interesting comment. Yesterday I hosted a GSE team on a day tour here in Tobago and enquired whether there was benefit in terms of bringing new members into Rotary and the reply was definitely not. It was appreciated though that the project did spread the message of peace since it afforded the opportunity for people to cross their national boundaries and see how others live. But the question of the cost benefit analysis did arise and there were questions about whether it was the best way to spend money to achieve the same or similar results.

At least VTT could involve Rotarians and family so the question of building up Rotary membership would not arise, but we could still get to the same cost benefit analysis.- Marlene Alfred AGRC Southwest Tobago 7030

gseand the conversations lately...


December 2012Page 4


May 2013Page 26

Hi Ron,o glad someone with your experience is looking after the Sydney convention. As Syou say there is plenty of 'fresh" material

out there. You might also try Qantas who just announced a huge tourism co operation with the NSW government. We do have a sponsoring tourism group who will be putting a whole raft of before and after tours on the host website . We are hoping that clubs from various places will connect with local Sydney clubs as ' partners'. The City of Sydney has sister club arrangements with other cities and we are working through them on these particular cities as well as Rotary sister club arrangements.

Australians travel a lot so we have people all over the world as floating ambassadors including exchange students, VTT teams, volunteers on various projects , tourists, relatives etc. There is also an official promotional video which your DGE has already been given. The host committee was responsible for arranging this video rather than RI. Every time I travel back and forth from Australia my luggage is full of promotional things. Fortunately I am not a person who needs lots of fancy clothes as there is barely room for the toothbrush.

- Elaine LytleSydney/Los Angeles

will be coordinating the Sydney convention also for my district. I agree with what the Iothers have said about lots of material will be

forthcoming from RI re the convention. However: Ÿ A look from out friends 'down under' might

reveal a more personal look.Ÿ It will not duplicate information Rotarians

have not seen before.This is what I did for the New Orleans convention and it added to the materials provided by RI.

Visit the Sydney tourism bureau, google for tour sites, restaurants, sites, cultural affairs, travel, side trips in/around Sydney. You will findlots of fresh material to provide your district. I will also contact personally some of our ROTIans and Rotarians for some 'inside info' and share with you.

- Ron NethercuttRC Mabalacat D 3790> Angeles City, Philippines

Our PDG asked me to promote The next year RI Convention in Sydney, can any of you give me some material regarding The Convention in slide show through my email.- Mercia Inkiriwang (Mimi), RC Bali

Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to

support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing

business with them, and by referring others to them

ROTARYmeans

BUSINESS

http://rotarymeansbusiness.com

've been a Rotarian for 23 years ... more than some, less than others. We all have different takes on the mission and role of R.I. ... what's Iappropriate and not, what's permitted and not, etc, etc. I'm not alone in

my attempts, with varying degrees of success, to avoid twisting and squirming.

From my earliest orientation at my club I was informed that Rotary is about "World Peace and International Understanding through Fellowship." That's it. It's not about business. But we approach Rotary's mission through the avenues of service with the guidance of the 4-way test, which occur in the context of our respective professions and businesses. Who among us would not prefer to do business with an individual or company that did not have those values. We like doing business with Rotarians because we know their values match our own. There are individuals and companies who hold those values and are not Rotarian, and those who don't. With Rotarians we don't have to guess. So, in pursuit of World Peace and International understanding, if we happen to promote our business(es) (usually by education, vocational service, and example ... not through proselytization, as Steve has frequently noted) then what's the harm? ... It builds good will and is mutually beneficial.

There is nothing in the R.I. documents that I have seen ... and I have looked extensively ... that prohibits us from talking about any topic: business, religion, politics or whatever. There are cautions that such conversation be done judiciously and courteously, but there are NO prohibitions.

I found a little video (URL below) from an Australia club about the purpose of Rotary focusing almost entirely on business. There's no reference to world peace and international understanding, but it does mention the international networks inherent in Rotary. Perhaps it's a "bait and switch" approach ... attract them with business opportunities and sell them World Peace and International Understanding. Classic marketing, eh?

There are many reasons for people to be involved in Rotary. Why should be care if a person observes our basic values? ... Ultimately, if members participate in the missions of Rotarian Service, who are we to complain?

http://rotarymeansbusiness.com

- Jon Deisher, PPAnchorage Rotary/D5010, Anchorage, Alaska

FROM THE EDITOR

editor’sN O T E S


December 2012Page 4


May 2013Page 27

ROTY

Bunches of thanks and high fives to friends and fellow Rotians for your warm appreciation!

I did not suspect a bit even when I was mildly surprised that our DG called hubby Ron on the stage to talk about "Rotary fellowship." It was not in the program, the timing was tight, and Ron was out of line.

When DG Tony said..."now we call PP Glo Nethercutt to the stage..." I started laughing.... Up and way down the stage and across the aisle I shook a lot of hands and bumped fist with many. I was happy that every one seemed happy for me.

I thought about the past ROTY awardees - John G, Todd, Chip, Philip, etc, etc.... did they have the same great surprise? I know Ron was.

May I loudly bump your fist and fives and hips and shoulders for this once-in-a-lifetime recognition, and thank you all for the nice words. Had it been any one of you and not me, I would have made you front page on our breadbasket!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,gloriaAN

PP Ron Nethercutt and “accomplice”DG Tony Bautista

I remembered the time when George “Mingo” Chin was awarded ROTIan of the Year, it was a national newspaper news! A reporter came to Mingo’s house to interview him and his family. Of course it was the family who arranged for the press people to come. That was how highly the family regarded the ROTY award. Ron and I flew to Kota Kinabalu just to deliver the award. That was how important ROTY award was!

I know it was very difficult for my husband PP Ron Nethercutt to arrange my award in secret. I could imagine the email exchanges he had with the ROTI award committee to concoct a surprise for me! How he did that while sitting one meter from me in our home office is beyond me....Even our DG kept the matter to himself!

I would like to tell ROTI and our friends that I appreciated the honor and will forever enshrine it in my heart.

AwardTHE MESSAGE I POSTED ON THE LIST -

THE MESSAGE I MEANT FURTHER TO POST

Somebody took this photo ofa surprised me.

thank you,ROTI

Documents

2013 live the May month - · PDF fileformerly called the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and named after a ... also held many flying records before his death in 1910