Rotary District 6200 Newsletter

Governor's Update

Who would imagine that Louisiana has an overall illiteracy rate (literacy level 1) of 28%, rising above 40% in places as diverse as New Orleans and St. Landry Parish? This educational albatross hurts our citizens and society in costly ways – low personal self-esteem, poverty, health risks, welfare, rising crime, crowded prisons and economically, to name just a few.

For these reasons, we have made literacy our top priority all year. Since Louisiana is not alone in grappling with this difficult issue, we welcome March as Literacy Month. Please continue your many significant literacy projects, which are improving people’s lives, our communities, State and the world.

A national leader in the fight against illiteracy will deliver the keynote address at the District Conference’s opening Literacy Welcome Luncheon. He is John Corcoran and is featured in the March 2008 issue of The Rotarian magazine. Mr. Corcoran has appeared on 20/20, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live and at the White House. Come to hear this successful businessman’s story of being illiterate until age 48.

Come also to play in the Celebrity Golf Tournament with the likes of Dalton Hilliard, Todd & Brian Kinchen, Tommy Hodson, Bob Pettit and many others. Register at www.rotary6200.org to get the incredible $65 Early Bird rate (reduced from $135) and discounted $89 plus tax hotel rate, both of which will end soon.

In a few weeks the GSE Team from Turkey and the RFE Team from Novia Scotia will arrive. Thank you for welcoming them to the most hospitable place on earth. Plan to attend the Young Heroes Banquet on April 16 in the new LSU Stadium Club – a fantastic setting for a fantastic program. Get your in-coming officers to Lafayette for great training at PETS and SETS. Check the calendar of Upcoming Events in this issue so you don’t miss out on anything!

Many club events and activities are covered in this month’s District Newsletter. Great photos of our Rotarians, and even some Rotaractors, are also waiting for you to see. Read on!

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

Feature Presentation

John was a successful real estate investor and school teacher. No one knew that he couldn't read... until he was 48 years old. Today he's leading the fight against illiteracy.

Click here to find out about John Corcoran's upcoming visit to Baton Rouge to share his story with us, plus important information on how to save your place at the 2008 District Conference.

The Rotary Foundation

When the Good Shepard's Children Home in Honduras needed a van, the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club used a matching grant to provide essential transportation for the 200 children who reside there. Across the District, Baker Rotarians donated sewing machines to train unemployed women in the Philippines sewing skills to support themselves financially. You'll want to Read More ...

District Currents

In less than one month, we will receive this GSE Team of Primary and Middle School Educators from Turkey. Learn more about them, see what's planned for their visit and meet our Outbound GSE Team. Also learn if one of the 2008 Young Heroes is from your community! Click here.

Membership Matters

This Rotary Year's Membership Goals are in Sight. Do you know the categories of the Top Prizes that will be given out at the District Conference? Find out here.

Celebrating Literacy Month? District 6200 is celebrating -- and working to improve -- literacy all year long to help some of the estimated 800 million adults who can't read or write. Opelousas and Gonzales are 2 of our clubs that have recently put their hearts into reading. Click here to read more....

Training for Success

Help your club's new officers sail through next year, rather than struggle, by making sure they attend this month's specially-designed seminars in Lafayette. Excellent training will be provided in two short, compact days. ... Click here to read more.

Action Clubs

The Rotary Club of East Ascension not only "had a ball" raising funds for the YMCA "Strong Kids Program"and Club projects, but also broadened its literacy efforts by sending school supplies to our troops overseas to give to Iraqi children. Read more about it here...

Queen Dee Lejeune (center), as Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of East Ascension, reigned over the Club's 2008 Mardi Gras Ball. She is shown here with Club President Matt Pryor (left) and District Governor Charles Spencer.

Family of Rotary has no boundaries!

Why limit your Family of Rotary committee?

Family of Rotary Committees can participate in Fundraising Projects, Educational Projects, International Projects, Social Activities, Public Relation Projects and so much more... Click here for great examples and ideas!

Lagniappe

Among the many participants enjoying the District Foundation Gala last month were members of the L.S.U. Rotaract Club, sponsored by the Baton Rouge Sunrise Rotary Club. Pictured here (left to right) are Ann Scott and her husband, Bob Scott, Chair of Board of Trustees of The Rotary Foundation; Samantha Simmons, a Senior in Mass Communications and Public Relations; Mary Hutson, a Senior in Business Administration and Management from Gainesville, FL; Ashley Ney (in front), a Senior in Kinesiology from Lake Charles; Josh Garland (in back), the Club's Service Chair and a Senior in Psychology from Lafayette; Brett Meador, a Senior in Management from Lake Charles; and District Governor Charles Spencer.