RES AGENDAE
(things to be done!)
At the PETS/District Assembly meeting and elsewhere the following items were mentioned as being worthy of emphasis this coming Rotary year in District 6420. Every club cannot do everything, but all clubs should try to give attention to some of the following:
1. Membership: Numbers are important, but even more, working members. Younger members, women and men, not necessarily at the top of their firms, are desirable, potential members. Be sure to note the Manual of Procedure (order one from RI if you do not have one) for suggestions as to how one should go about the invitation process so as not to run afoul of the law.
2. Newsletter: Every club should have a weekly or bi-weekly newsletter. Competition in the district for outstanding newsletters might well include a category for the best new (in 1997-8) newsletter and might also give some recognition of local publicity gained in community papers.
3. The Elderly: I would like to see each club initiate or improve some program to help the elderly people in the community, perhaps around a holiday time. Please send the Governor by March 1, 1998, a description of what your club is doing in this regard. (Nota bene!)
4. Literacy and Numeracy: President Glen Kinross has strongly stressed the acquisition of literacy and numeracy as ways to enable many people in poverty to improve their status by being able to hold better jobs. The ability to use numbers and words correctly is crucial even in a computer-driven society.
5. Rotary Foundation: The stress is still on Paul Harris giving to support the Annual Fund, but more benefactors ($1000 in cash or in a will) are needed to build up the Permanent Fund Endowment. I would like to see thirty new benefactors this Rotary year in 6420. This is roughly one per two clubs. If you have more money on your hands, PDG Len Carmichael and the Permanent Fund Committee would like to talk to you. I would like to see more than $75,000 contributed to the Annual Fund this year.
6. Extension: Will the Fulton or Rockford After-Hours Provisional Clubs come to maturity this year? Many efforts have been expended, but progress is slow. If there are other possible areas for Rotary expansion, please notify PDG Stu Smith in Loves Park.
7. Ambassadorial Scholars: We need to think of more ways to increase the numbers of applicants. We want to continue to send out some fine scholars as we have in the past. Our Annual Fund giving may enable us to send three in 1998-99.
8. Computer: Although only 1/7 of the clubs indicated having an officer with E-mail availability, the computer procedures under David Tybor and committee need to be promulgated more widely in the district if the costs to date are to be justified. Call David at 309/364-2331 for more information.
9. Friendship Exchange and Group Study Exchange: Efforts are under way to have both a Friendship Exchange and a Group Study Exchange this Rotary year. Unfortunately, the group from the Philippines this spring was unable to obtain US visas, but we anticipate better luck with the GSE Team from Brazil, District 4610 (Sao Paulo). A Friendship Exchange team has not occurred for a few years, and Chairman Bill Dayton has had a meeting to discuss various possibilities. Some of you may have noted that my stationery has on it a symbol of the exchange programs, which I consider to be very important in Rotary.
10. Indianapolis Convention: I hope that all clubs will set aside something in their budgets to enable an officer or member to attend the next world convention next June 14-17, 1998, in Indianapolis. It will be the last convention close to us until the Chicago 2005 meeting. If you attend one of these, I am sure it will not be your last!
11. Club Representation at District 6420 Events: In spite of Rotary International=s strong emphasis that local clubs be represented at the District Conference, District Assembly, PETS, Mid-Year Meeting, there seems always to be the same small number of clubs not represented. Every club needs interaction with other Rotarians in the district--to establish friendships, to hear new ideas, to be current about RI matters, etc. I am asking the Governor=s Representatives to do what they can to reduce the number of no-shows this year.
12. Governor's Representatives: There are nine regions this year, and each Governor=s Representative for the first time will receive a modest amount to compensate for mileage, postage, telephone costs, meals, etc. I am asking that these experienced Rotarians make a minimum of four contacts with area clubs, including individual club visits or regional councils. I am asking the Governor=s Representatives by January 15, 1998, to give me a written report of their activities in the district to date. These need not be in great detail, but they will give me an idea about things in the district, including club problems.
13. District 6420: This is your district as well as mine. New initiatives can come from new ideas from new officers. Please let me know if you have suggestions or ideas about improving our year=s program.
Thank you for considering the preceding items!
R. L. Den Adel, D.G.
SCOTLAND REMEMBERED
For the second time in its history, Rotary International met in Scotland from June 15-18, 1997. The previous meeting in Scotland was some 75 years ago in Edinburgh. Some 24,000 people were in attendance at this largest convention that Scotland ever hosted. The friendliness of the people of Scotland was much appreciated by all, and for those who were involved in the home hospitality evening, the experience was memorable. President Luis Giay from Argentina was much in evidence as he presided over most of the sessions, and he reminded us often of the past year=s theme, ABuild the Future with Action and Vision.@
Each year Rotary International gives a $100,000 award for World Understanding to a worthy individual. This year=s recipient was Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and the award was accepted in his behalf by the South African Ambassador present. The amount will go to help the plight of children in South Africa. An interesting event was the presence on stage of the presidents of Rotary International, Kiwanis, Lions, Civitan, and Zona. They discussed the future of volunteerism. The visiting presidents were all made Paul Harris Fellows. The convention days were filled with discussions and videos of the various programs of Rotary International. A major emphasis still is the continued drive to make polio disappear from the face of the earth. Many past presidents of Rotary International were presented and others prominent in the RI hierarchy.
At least fourteen District 6420 Rotarians were present, along with their spouses or families. Entertainment was constant in the House of Friendship, though the 6 P.M. closing hour seemed rather early. The Daily Bulletin, available at the convention center and at hotels, kept those attending Aon top of things.@ Spectacular musical and dancing events were featured in both opening and closing plenary sessions. The election of officers, including district governors, was on June 17. Clubs represented were Rockford, Rochelle, Loves Park, Sycamore, Rock Island, Moline, Freeport, and Dixon. Were there any others? Please inform the DG.
RAY'S REFLECTIONS:
A night to remember at Rockford College, June 27, >97
Thanks to all ninety-five of you who attended the installation ceremony of your new District Governor at Rockford College on June 27, 1997. Some of us had hastened back from the memorable Rotary International Convention in Glasgow, Scotland, to be able to have the ceremony before July 1, when the new Rotary year officially began. Many of those attending had not before been to Rockford College, and some had not heard Dr. John Howard speak before. He gave an impressive and appropriate speech on AAmerica=s Quiet Gift to Other People.@ Dr. Howard, a 47-year member of Rotary (37 in Rockford) was President of Rockford College from 1960-1977, and has remained active in the community as President of the Rockford Institute for some years and then of the Ingersoll Foundation. His wife comes from Davenport, Iowa, and he has four children and several grandchildren.
Some twenty clubs were represented, and 10 past District Governors were in attendance, besides present and incoming club officers, governor=s representatives, committee people, etc. After being Asworn in@ by retiring DG Engel, Governor Ray expressed the gratitude of District 6420 to Governor Chuck and AGoverness@ Jane for their diligence this past year. Many good things have happened in the Engel Era, and many are anticipated in the future. President Terry Anderson of the Rockford Club presided, and incoming President Bruce Atwood accepted the new 6420 Governor=s Club Banner from President Pat Burch of the Rochelle Club. Much appreciation is due that club for seeing to it that our district has an up-to-date banner.