The Squeaking Wheel
Rotary District 6200
The Governor’s
Newsletter
Volume 2004, Issue 2
Pam Daniels, DG
August 2004
The
Squeaking Wheel, The District Governor’s Newsletter, is a monthly publication
of Rotary International, District 6200, edited by the District Secretary, Drake
Stansbury & General Secretary Janice Bradshaw
Table of Contents
• Governor
Pam’s Message
• Calendar/
Upcoming Events & Reminders
• President
Glenn’s July Message
• Summary
of Key Board Decisions
• “Spinning in
the District”
– Joint
Project
– Centennial
Project
– Clock
Project
• The Rotary
Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service /PDG Lance Linscombe
• What Paul
Harris Said
• Audubon
Aquarium of the
• Group
Study Exchange
• Attendance
• Foundation
Goals
• Oil Drops!
Governor Pam
Daniels’ Message
Dear Fellow Rotarians:
August is the month dedicated to membership recruitment and retention by Rotary International. Our district is one of the first districts worldwide to institute a team of membership coordinators, much like our Assistant Governors. There are ten of them each responsible for five clubs. They will be visiting your clubs, giving presentations and helping to stimulate each club to increase their membership by 10% or by 3 members in clubs below 30. They will also motivate and communicate to each club, methods for retaining present membership.
District 6200 as a whole had a loss of seventeen members from 6-03 to 6-04. Twenty-two out of fifty clubs in the district had a net loss of membership during this time. Only Group II, composed of clubs with 26-50 members, had a net gain in membership and only 2.55%.
The continued success of Rotary depends upon its membership. Members make the meetings; members initiate and make programs successful; members do fundraisers; members live by the 4-Way Test; members enjoy fellowship & fun; members will “Celebrate Rotary.” But, too few members sponsor new members. Of all the duties that we agree to, when we go through our orientation/induction, sponsoring new members is the one duty we most fail to perform. We must change this.
As Rotarians who love our clubs and believe in the ideals of Rotary, we should “Share Rotary”. One of the most common answers that new Rotarians give to the question “Why didn’t you join Rotary before? Is “I was never asked.” Sharing the Rotary experience by inviting friends and associates to club meetings and socials stimulates interest and opens the door to asking the question “Would you like to join our Rotary Clubs?”
You will be given much information and stimulation during this year for membership recruitment. This year is an important one, on the club, district and International level because of the total effort toward increasing membership. However, numbers alone are not sufficient. Quality membership’s go hand in hand with recruiting quality new members. Quality membership makes the individual Rotary club a more desirable and sought after organization in all avenues of service. Quality membership makes the club more attractive and important to its community.
Calendar of Events 
•
August 7 – Deadline for District Simplified Grant
Applications ~ send to PDG Frank Bradshaw, 1373 S. College Road, Lafayette, LA
70503
•
August 14 – 2006-07 District Governor Candidate Interviews
and Election of 2005-06 District Nominating Committee to be held at District
Office in Lafayette
•
August 28 – D6200 2007 RI Convention Committee Meeting
at Rotary District Office
•
August 28 – Strategic Planning Committee Meeting at
Rotary District Office
•
September 11 – District Simplified Grant Applications
selection by committee
•
September 11 – Advisory Board Committee Meeting at
District Office
•
September 18 – Deadline for GSE Team Leader
•
September 25 – Selection of GSE Team Leader at Rotary
District Office
President Glenn’s Message
As we enter a new century of service, I would like to reflect on what it means to be a Rotarian. Each of us joined a Rotary club for our own reasons: to contribute to the community, to support the many humanitarian and educational programs of The Rotary Foundation, to reach out to a particular individual or group in need. For me, Rotary is about giving from the heart.
Few organizations have survived the test of 100 years. I believe we have endured because of our commitment and willingness to take on humanitarian challenges that make a real difference. Rotarians often help others at great personal sacrifice, both in terms of time and financial contributions. These selfless acts of service are what define us as Rotarians.
Our centennial year is an ideal time to promote awareness of Rotary and bring in new members. August is Membership and Extension Month, an opportunity to introduce a friend or business colleague to Rotary. Just think of all the benefits gained through your membership in a Rotary club. In a sense, you have been accepted into a family – the family of Rotary. You have friends and contacts in virtually every corner of the world.
I literally grew up in a Rotary family. Five of my older brothers were Rotarians; three later became club presidents. It seemed inevitable that I would follow in their footsteps, but little did I know 3what path lay ahead. I had no ambition to rise within rotary or be a district governor someday, much less RI president. That just shows that Rotary can lead any club member down an unexpected path, one that brings great joy and great fulfillment.
Today, take a moment and remember who invited you into a Rotary club. Let us Celebrate Rotary by sharing the gift of service with others. By promoting the spirit of Rotary, we will
Summary of Key Board Decisions
Related to Rotary Clubs & Districts
June Board Decisions:
No. 246 RI
Vision Statement for 2010
The Board adopted the following vision statement:
Rotary will:
• be recognized for its leadership and success in the eradication of polio.
• have a strong and visible presence worldwide.
• achieve enhanced capacity for friendship and service through a strong organization with increased and diverse membership.
•
advance its ideals of high ethical standards,
international understanding, goodwill and peace, through a membership united in
service.
No. 248 Possible Incorporation of Districts
The Board requested the President to appoint a committee to
draft appropriate documents for the incorporation of districts. The committee will provide any necessary
recommendations for amending RI constitutional documents and the Rotary Code
of Policies to allow districts to incorporate under local law. The Board will review a preliminary report on
this matter at its June 2005 meeting.
No. 260 Youth Exchange Students’ Travel Insurance Coverage
The Board amended its recommendations for health, accident and liability insurance that parents or legal guardians should provide for their exchangee. The new recommendations are underlined as follows:
• “Such insurance should provide medical and dental coverage for accidental injury and illness, death benefits (including repatriation of remains), disability/dismemberment benefit (also know as capital benefits), emergency medical evacuation, emergency visitation expenses (for transportation of parent or guardian to student’s location), 24-hour emergency assistance services, and legal liability. At the option of the parents or legal guardians, such insurance may also include cancellation expenses, loss of property, loss of money, or kidnap and ransom;”
For full details, check http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/746en.pdf
• The Board further suggests that inbound clubs, districts and multidistrict youth exchange groups should determine the minimum level of insurance adequate for the exchange length and local conditions in which the youth exchange student will live and travel during the exchange.
Board Decisions (Continued)
No. 268 Leadership Development and Training – focus on effective clubs.
• The Board encourages clubs to appoint a club Rotary Foundation committee as part of the association’s focus on effective clubs.
No. 269 District Training Committee
•
The Board approved a new District Training
Committee for training, in place of a system of a single district trainer and a
number of optional assistant district trainers.
The chair of the new District Training Committee will be the district
trainer.
• approval of the multidistrict PETS program.
No. 282 RI Website Business Portal Access
• The Board agreed to grant No. 279 Multidistrict PETS – governor-elect approval
• The Board agreed that governors-elect are responsible for developing and approving the final program, selecting the training leaders and plenary speakers of multidistrict PETS programs, but eliminated the requirement that they submit to the RI President a letter indicating their membership data access rights to club paid administrative staff
July Board Decisions:
No. 28 Per Capita Dues Billing
•
The Board, pursuant to Council enactment 04-370
which takes effect
Spinning in the District
JOINT
PROJECT
The
Rotary Club and Town of
Centennial Project
•
The Rotary Club and the Town of
• We feel that this will provide a good opportunity to improve the appearance entering Welsh. We hope to enhance the visitor's first impression of our community and give our citizens a sense of pride
•
We will have a variety of fundraising events
including hamburger and coke sales. We
also want to involve our high school Interact club. We are grateful to the Town of
Rotary Clock Project by the
The Rotary Foundation Citation for
Meritorious Service
by PDG Lance Linscombe
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation selected Past District Governor Frank Bradshaw as a recipient of The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service in recognition of dedication and exemplary service rendered to the Foundation. The vitality and success of The Rotary Foundation are dependent upon the work of individual Rotarians, thousands of whom each year make extraordinary contributions of time and effort. To recognize this significant service the Trustees annually award The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service to not more than one Rotarian in each district. Because the foundation has other means of recognizing significant financial support, those providing only monetary gifts are not eligible for this award. This award may be received only once and less than 200 Rotarians are honored each year. PDG Frank Bradshaw serves as District 6200 Foundation Committee Chairman.
Governor Pam Daniels said, “This is why were are ranked so high in the Rotary World. Outstanding Rotarians with wonderful leadership skills and a commitment to our Foundation. Our district needs to know how significant this award is at the International level and how proud we are of PDG Frank's accomplishments and to have received such a prestigious award as the Citation for Meritorious Service.”
What Paul Harris Said
“Benjamin Franklin ~ An American Life”
“(Benjamin)
The
enterprise was typical of Franklin, who seemed ever eager to organize clubs and
associations for a mutual benefit, and it was also typically American. As the nation developed shopkeeping
middle class, its people balanced their individualist streaks with a propensity
to form clubs, lodges, associations, and fraternal orders.
Benjamin Franklin, An American Life, Walter Isaacson, Author, pp. 55-56.
Benjamin Franklin (in July 1727) epitomized the Rotarian urge? I wonder if Paul Harris knew this when Paul first met with his three friends in 1905.
I recently read the biography of Benjamin Franklin, An
American Life, by Walter Isaacson and was amazed as I compared
The tone Ben Franklin set for his Junto meetings (285 years ago) was truly earnest. Initiatives were required to stand, lay their hand on their breast, and answer properly four questions:
- Do you have disrespect for any current member?
- Do you love mankind in general regardless of religion or profession?
- Do you feel people should ever be punished because of their opinions or mode of worship?
- Do you love and pursue true for its own sake?
Wow! Was that an early four way test?
What Paul Harris Said
(Continued)
Aren’t the similarities between the Junto and Rotary wonderful? Franklin and Harris led larger than life lives and were truly worldwide heroes.
(Edward “Eddie” Blender, Director, rotary’s Global History
Fellowship, 2004 RI Training Leader, Past District 5470 Governor, Vail-Eagle
Valley Rotary Club Member)
Audubon Aquarium of the
For your information ….
Audubon Aquarium of the
They want Louisiana Rotary Club members to enjoy the
Aquarium, especially this Fall with the
Group Study Exchange
Pictures above are from District 4350 in southern
Group Study Exchange (Continued)
Our
Application forms for Team Members are available at
the following address from the RI website:
http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/161en.pdf
The
Qualifications of Team
Member
•
Applicant must be between the ages of 25 & 40
years of age
•
Professional status
•
Applicant must be in the early stages of their career
(3-5 years).
•
Applicant must be physically capable of 30+ days of
continuous travel and be able to fully participate in an active itinerary.
•
Applicant must either work or reside in District 6200.
•
Applicant must be articulate, personable, cooperate,
exemplary in their work, and enthusiastic about their career field.
•
Applicant must be willing to live and participate in a
foreign culture.
•
Applicant must have approval from employer for the
4-week period of the exchange.
•
Applicant must be able to participate in approximately
6 training sessions of 4 hours prior to team’s departure.
•
Applicant CANNOT be related to a Rotarian as
follows: Mother, father, sister,
brother, daughter, son, spouse, grandparent, mother-in-law, father-in-law.
•
Applicant cannot
be an employee of Rotary at any level.
Team Member applications must be received by the
Rotary District 6200 Attendance for July
2004
|
Club |
Members as of |
Current Members |
% Attendance |
Rank |
|
GROUP I |
Membership |
To 25 Members |
|
|
|
Baker BR Capital City Denham Springs DeQuincy False River/NewRds Golden Meadow Grand Isle Kaplan Mamou North Ascension |
18 15 21 17 14 17 13 19 21 12 13 23 22 18 20 21 |
18 14 21 18 14 18 12 17 21 12 13 24 22 18 22 21 |
74.90 45.00 87.49 80.00 93.02 95.83 88.00 63.00 88.00 55.00 88.90 77.78 62.49 100.00 |
III II I |
|
GROUP II |
Membership |
26 to 50 Members |
|
|
|
Beau-Vernon Sun DeRidder Donaldsonville East Ascension Kinder Oakdale Patterson Plaquemine Port Allen St. Martinville Welsh Ville Platte Zachary |
29 30 28 47 46 37 27 47 41 37 46 28 28 49 29 32 35 49 44 |
32 31 28 47 46 33 23 45 40 37 46 28 28 49 29 31 35 48 44 |
87.00 76.26 68.00 72.00 75.05 80.43 69.15 69.00 56.08 80.24 69.00 53.00 61.40 80.00 65.00 83.00 |
I III II |
Attendance for July 2004 (Continued)
|
Club |
Members as of |
Current Members |
% Attendance |
Rank |
|
GROUP III |
Membership |
51 to 75 Members |
|
|
|
Abbeville Eunice Gonzales Greater L C St. Francisville |
55 70 69 59 54 57 71 69 68 56 71 |
56 69 68 58 54 67 66 69 58 54 68 |
69.14 82.00 48.00 51.00 72.06 69.03 79.00 71.00 83.57 54.05 58.40 |
II III I |
|
GROUP IV |
Membership |
76 and over Members |
|
|
|
B R |
514 133 155 99 |
511 127 152 98 |
62.12 63.00 71.50 55.16 |
III II I |
|
District Totals |
2592 |
2560 |
71.85% |
|
2004-05 Foundation Goals for Clubs of District 6200
CLUB GOAL 0405 CLUB GOAL 0405
Abbeville 5,600
Baker 2,000
Baton Rouge
35,000
BR –
Baton Rouge Sunrise 12,000 Lake C harles East 1,300
Beauregard-Vernon Sun1,400
Denham Springs 1,700
DeQuincy 1,300 New Iberia 2,000
DeRidder 2,000 North Ascension 1,000
Donaldsonville 1,200 Oakdale 4,000
East Ascension 3,000
Eunice 2,200
False River/New Roads1,000 Patterson 1,500
Golden Meadow 600 Port Allen 1,500
Gonzales 4,000 St. Francisville 5,600
Grand Isle 400
Greater
Kaplan 1,000 Welsh 2,800
Kinder 3,000
T O T A L $
Oil Drops
OIL DROPS for “The Squeaking Wheel” were
gained by DG Pam Daniels on her Official Visit to clubs…
Crowley Rotary Club “Oil Drops” ~ the club sponsored a fund raiser to pay for transportation of local soldiers coming home on furlough. President Lyle Fogleman informed Governor Pam that the newest member of the club, (two months) Rotarian Harold “Sonny” Chastant was responsible for thinking an promoting this humanitarian project rising over $3,000.
Greater
Welsh Rotary Club greased “The Squeaking Wheel” by having fun and making money$$$. Parliamentary experts Clarence Prudhomme, Peggy Keyes, Jim Wright and Cora Mae Vital had badgered President Herschel Bourque, into levying fines for such indiscretions, as not standing while addressing the President.
DGE Don Chauvin, is the “Grease Monkey” for membership in the district this year and he squirted a much needed drop of oil on “The Squeaking Wheel” July 17th. His program on membership recruitment & retention and the reception by the district coordinators, club members and Assistant Governors was excellent.
A drop of oil that can grease “The Squeaking Wheel” for all clubs was noted in my visit to the Westlake Club. To show the importance of new members, they are seated up front when the orientation ceremony is performed before all members. An additional drop of oil could lubricate membership recruitment by giving the new member a standing ovation upon being welcomed into the club as further evidence of their importance.
