Zone Institute, Fall Training and More

Where is September going? It is half over already.

Our District had GREAT representation at the Zone 28/29 Institute in Chicago September 8 - 11. Among the highlights was district recognition for giving to the Annual Programs Fund during 2010-2011 (3rd in the zone). Way to go PDG Craig Leiser and Foundation Committee Chair Newell Krogmann– and all the past club presidents.

September 17th the Technology Committee rolled out the 200 videos in 200 days project at the Fall Membership/Foundation/PI Seminar. Participants were gathered into groups and invited to create 30-second videos based on content presented during the seminar. Several of these are quite good! Kirk Anderson and John Cermin, both from the St. Croix Falls Club, will be doing some editing and you’ll be able to see these on our YouTube Channel.

Those attending the training received a real treat when Anita Rieder, the RI primary contact for EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year). Anita gave a great presentation, and showed a wonderful video from Rotary UK!

OK. Next up is the Foundation Celebration on the 5^th of November – please put the date on your calendar and watch for upcoming information.

September Highlights

Welcome September! I cannot believe where the time is going. I wanted to give you a heads-up on some September events.

Books for Africa will be honoring several Rotary Clubs – Woodbury and Roseville are two that come to mind - who have been partners in their efforts at creating libraries in various African countries at the Fall Celebration. If your club has partnered with BFA, be sure to contact them and representatives from your club at the September 17^th event.

The annual South African-style braai (barbecue) will be at the BFA warehouse (715 Minnehaha Avenue East Saint Paul, MN 5510) on Saturday, September 17, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The event is free. There will be plenty of delicious South African wine and beer and lots of food, and live music from the Marimba Africa band.

Be watching the district website for the final Youth Protection Policy. We will have some more comments on the policy in an upcoming blog.

The Rotary Foundation and its goal of world understanding and peace as well as Polio Plus, has asked that individual clubs support the International Day of Peace on September 21st of each year. Your clubs can each choose how to recognize the International Day of Peace. Simple ways to observe this day are to have a moment of silence, sing a song of peace, or have a special speaker; for more ideas you can go to

www.internationaldayofpeace.org

to see just a few examples of what is being done around the world.

FINALLY - 15 years of Rotaract in the Twin Cities – Congratulations and YEAH! And the club just keeps growing, adding three new members in August. If you are on facebook, be sure to visit their Twin Cities Rotaract facebook page.