Rotary District 6200 Newsletter

Governor's Update

What a phenomenal Rotary year. Congratulations on your tremendous success!

The significant literacy projects completed by each club are documented in the District Literacy Report available here and the Literacy Now! article below. Many of the varied activities that were devoted to the Family of Rotary, our second key goal, are also recapped in this issue.

Clubs with membership growth of 44% (Houma-Terrebonne) and 25% (Port Allen) led a District-wide record year of 141 new members. Although The Rotary Foundation’s current books are still open, we are poised to reach new heights there, as well, but it’s vital to submit all remaining donations now!

Our 8 matching grants with Egypt, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Zimbabwe; 3 Ambassadorial Scholars in France, Germany and Italy; many international and local projects done with District Simplified Grants; significant donations to PolioPlus and to victims of the California wildfires; and the prestigious TRF Service Above Self Award bestowed on Rotarian Don Mizelle -- these all speak volumes about our high purposes and strong commitment to the ideals of Rotary.

Youth programs of the District are prospering as we have restarted Rotary Youth Exchange (you'll want to read the Feature Presentation article); added new EarlyAct and Interact clubs, started the first YouthAct club and strengthened our Rotaract clubs; and more youth have applied to attend Camp RYLA than space allows. Great experiences and new friends were made through our educational Group Study Exchange with District 2420 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Our District is stronger than ever. An outstanding class of club presidents has invigorated our clubs and will expand the ranks of the extraordinary District leaders that we already enjoy, as evident from the large contingent we have attending the R.I. Convention in L.A. DGE Mike Collins, DGN Greg Landry and DGND Clarence Prudhomme will build upon these many successes.

Serving as your District Governor in 2007-2008 has been a wonderful experience! Thank you for the great fellowship and knowledge that we gained at PETS, our Foundation and Membership Seminars, the Foundation Gala, our District Assemblies and District Conference, but especially for so many cherished new friends. Enjoy this last issue of our outstanding year. Read on!

	Yours in Rotary,
	Charles L. Spencer
	District Governor, 2007-2008

Feature Presentation

The worlds of these young students are expanding, together with our hope for international peace, through the new involvement of District 6200 in Rotary Youth Exchange. Learn more about their adventures by clicking here.

Solene Gizard (left) of Dax, France, MollyTruxillo (center) of Lafayette, LA, and Molly's brother Jack (right) are shown as Solene arrives in Houston to participate in the first Rotary Youth Exchange of District 6200 in many years.

The Rotary Foundation

The Mosque tourists in Turkey call "The Blue Mosque" for its blue
stones on its outer walls.

Sarah Coco and Laurie Dyson at a mosque in Istanbul.

A bridge viewed from the District 2420's club meeting place. This bridge
overlooks the Bosphorus, or the Strait that divides the continent of Europe
from Asia. The city of Istanbul straddles this Strait.

"Letters" from Turkey Provide Updates on Our GSE Team in Istanbul:
Lots to Read and See About Their Month-Long Adventures Abroad

Left to right: Apryl Gadd (elementary school music teacher), Sarah Coco (3rd grade teacher), Sandy Holloway (elementary school principal and team leader), Laurie Dyson (pre-K teacher) and Catherine Bryan (4th grade teacher). The Group Study Exchange (GSE) trip to Istanbul, Turkey, lasts from May 10-June 10, 2008.

Click here to read more about how Turkish Rotarians donated $2 million to build a much-needed school and to access team member Sarah Coco's blog with photos and daily updates.

District Currents

Lights, Camera...Action! The Rotary International Convention is Here

On June 15-18, 2008, Rotarians from District 6200 and around the world will visit the City of Angels to enjoy great fellowship and celebrate the good works of Rotary. “I had been a Rotarian for 20 years, but it took attending the 2007 RI Convention in Salt Lake City for me truly to appreciate…” Read here about the upcoming Convention in L.A.

Membership Matters

2 New Members Per Club -- plus -- 2 New Clubs:
Incoming Governor Proclaims Ambitious Goal to Grow District's Membership

Click here to read more about the plan to be achieved by April 1, 2009.

The Literacy Welcome Luncheon at our recent District Conference highlighted 2 local individuals who are living reminders of why literacy is our primary focus this year. Short original videos produced by LPB were shown, first of Buster Burns, who grew up in New Orleans and progressed through elementary and middle school without learning to read or write. He didn't get the special educational help that he needed in high school either, but they made sure that he got to the football field on Friday nights. View it here.

Geraldine Scott, who grew up in north Baton Rouge, is featured in the second video. Her difficulty in learning when she entered Zion City Elementary School resulted in years of special ed classes, which failed to teach her how to read. Eventually she dropped out of school, but two decades later decided to do something about it. View it here.

Thirty-five clubs in our District have been recognized by Rotary International for their outstanding efforts to effectively promote literacy this year. Four of them received the prestigious RI Zone Literacy Award and thirty-one others received the RI District Literacy Award. Is your club among them? You can read the honor roll of clubs by clicking here...

Training for Success

Need a quick "how-to" on motivating new club members and training future club leaders? Click here for an easy leadership development "walk-through" that will work for YOUR club!

Action Clubs

Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club Brings in $50,000+ in Auction

Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club members gather with some of their Auction items. Now in its 18th year, the Auction has generated over $350,000 since its inception for scholarship funds.

Click here to read more about a Club with the secret to fund-raising, and to boosting the average per capital gift to The Rotary Foundation to $336.00.

From Buddy-Ball to food baskets, the Family of Rotary celebrates a Banner Year in District 6200. Click here to read more & see great photos highlighting the Family of Rotary's year .....

Lagniappe

2008 Young Heroes Honored

Young Heroes Day in the State of Louisiana was officially declared on April 16, 2008 by gubernatorial proclamation read by First Lady Supriya Jindal at a luncheon hosted by her in their honor on the grounds of the Governor's Mansion.

Pictured above at the Louisiana Governor's Mansion with First Lady Supriya Jindal (4th from left) and District Governor Charles Spencer (far right) are 2008 Young Heroes (left to right) Liam Doyle of Lafayette, Vantez Martin of Dubach, Hartman Brunt of Baton Rouge, Mary-Brent Brown of Covington, Kaitlin Truxillo of Napoleonville, Morgan Arledge of St. Amant, Jeremy Herbert of Baton Rouge and Hope McFarland of Keithville, LA.

Young Heroes Awards annually honor outstanding Louisiana students in grades 4-12 who have served their community, overcome adversity or inspired others through their deeds and strength of character. This year's winners are shown above. Brief personal biographies and video presentations on each of the 2008 Young Heroes may be accessed online at http://www.lpb.org/programs/heroes/2008.cfm.