End of July

Hi Rotarians!

July is behind us. WOW. I am going to be sending out Headline News emails that will highlight things that you need to know. It occurs to me that you might miss something important should you not visit the blog.

I got a note from our district Health and Hunger chair, Bob Walz. Bob notes that focus in health care should be: prevention, polioplus activities, and localized health issues (clean water, malaria prevention, AIDS prevention, vaccinations etc) In working on grant and fund programs you want to give Priority to programs that purchase foods IN the developing countries they are seeking to aid.

The district owns the DVD, “What are we doing here, has foreign aid hurt Africa?” It is owned by the FFH project. Anyone working on projects in Africa might want to borrow that DVD. Contact Ed Marek at hanakaga@yahoo.com

Finally, Bob notes that this is the year of Fair Trade and he encourages the use of Fair Trade at Club meetings and event.

I am very much enjoying my club visits. The club in Elk River surprised me with a “culture” box from their community. It was interesting to see what they all selected to be part of the contribution. I am looking forward to going to places south next week!

Half month into my year as DG

Hi Rotarians!

I am a bit over a half month into my year as District Governor. I am very much enjoying my club visits. Thank you to the clubs for your hospitality and for arranging your schedules to accommodate my being at your club.

This week’s announcements include a note from Anita Reider, the Rotary Foundation Annual Programs support person, that District 5960’s per capita giving to the Rotary Foundation was $96! GREAT job PDG Craig and your team.

Jingle received a question about what fund-raising activities clubs have used successfully in the district. This is a good question and one that has been posed in the past. This information is contained on the district website under the “Club Event Calendar.” You can access the calendar by going to the district website

http://www.rotary5960.org

click “What’s New” and then click “Where to Find Rotary Fun”. That should do it for you.

NOW, shameless promotion of an upcoming event.

Fall Membership/Foundation/PR Training Event

This event will be held at YCamp St. Croix in Hudson on Saturday, September 17 from 9 to 3. It will include information about the above topics and will also be the “roll out” of the district PR plan, “200 Videos in 200 Days” – and you will have a chance to try making some YouTube videos to help us get started! Registration will be via Survey Monkey online. The cost of this event is included in your training fees. Come for breakfast and stay for lunch and beyond. The YCamp will be a great place to spend a Saturday! AND Anita Reider will be able to join us and speak to the group.

OK, that is all for now. If you have anything that you want to share – please feel free to post a comment. Or send me information in a format that can be copied and pasted into the blog. THANKS.