Brandi Heckman -2nd grade teacher in charge of International Baccalaureate for the 2nd grade and Ms. Holder, Principal of Lakeland Elementary. Subject will be the International Baccalaureate program, Rotary participation with the school and current projects/initiatives of the school.

Read more below about the International Baccalaureate Program below.

Click on the url below and then click the slide show to see each slide. Review and thank our sponsors.

<iframe src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/21288672" width="476" height="400" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Pictures from Mammograph Project that will be reported on next week. Just a preview. A good example of "Rotary Doing Good Things".  

easy gif creator http://picasion.com

Science Olympiad is a very rigorous academic interscholastic competition. A team of 15 students compete in lab, testing, and building events that involve various engineering and science disciplines including biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and technology. With our generous donation, the team was able to purchase a banner and t-shirts and help with the travel costs for the state competition. KHS Science Olympiad Team took 6th Place in the Texas State Competition this spring. Here is the team.

Rotary News -- 26 April 2013

Rotary has received a silver Edison Award in recognition of the Future Vision Plan, the new grant model that enhances the scope, impact, and sustainability of humanitarian and educational projects funded by The Rotary Foundation.

Since 1987, the Edison Awards have recognized innovative new products, services and business leaders in the United States. The awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Edison. Winners represent active contributors to the cause of innovation in the world.

 Click on the hyperlink below to view pictures from the 2013 Spaghetti Supper. Choose the slide show option on the right of the page

Spaghetti Supper 2013 - Google+

Ichiban simply means to be the best. Kaizan means continuous improvement. Two Japenese words that could be used by any organization as it seeks to reach its potential. Two words that can help us to be the best that we can be thru continuous improvement.

Read the April message from our RI president, who speaks Japenese, and see how he applies Ichiban to Rotary.

May 2013

Dear fellow Rotarians,

From the moment I was nominated as Rotary International president, I knew I would choose a theme that would focus on peace. This is why I planned three peace forums – to give Rotarians an opportunity to think about peace, to talk about peace, and to share their ideas on building peace together. The final Rotary Global Peace Forum takes place this month in Hiroshima, Japan.

We hear the word peace every day. But most of us spend little time thinking about what peace is. On its simplest level, we can define peace by what it is not. It is a state of no war, no violence, and no fear. It means that you are not in danger of hunger, or persecution, or the suffering of poverty.

But we can also define peace by what it is, and by what it can be. Peace can mean freedom of thought and of speech, freedom of opinion and of choice, and the ability for self-determination. It can mean security, confidence in the future – a life and home in a stable society. On a more abstract level, peace can mean a sense of happiness, of inner serenity, of calm.

However we use the word, however we understand peace, Rotary can help us to achieve it. Rotary helps us to meet the basic needs of others – to provide health care, sanitation, food, and education when and where they are most needed. It helps to meet the inner needs as well, for friendship, connection, and caring. And Rotary helps us to build peace in its most traditional sense, by reducing the causes of conflict. It builds bridges of friendship and tolerance among people and nations. It helps us to understand one another.

However we define peace, whatever peace means to us, we can bring it closer through service. Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal, and a realistic goal for Rotary. Peace is not something that can only be achieved through treaties, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find, and that we can achieve – every day, and in many simple ways.

And so I thank you for your commitment to Peace Through Service – and to a Rotary goal of a more peaceful world.

A painted canvass, entitled "Service Above Self" was given to our club by the 2nd graders of Lakeland Elementary. The canvas painting had the words "Helping Make A World of Readers One Person At A Time" circling the world globe that was at the center of the painting.It was also signed by the students. This was their gift to us for our reading and book giving visit. The second graders and other students at Lakeland are being taught to give to others. Our gift was really the experience that we had as we witnessed an enthusiastic group of students eager to learn. Their teachers were very impressive and professional. A dedicated staff of teachers. Thanks to Deborah for putting this project in motion.

OUR CLUB IS HOSTING THE DISTRICT 5890 HOST FAMILY APPRECIATION DINNER MAY 5th. You and your family are invited to attend. It is important to have as many of you attend as possible to make our guests and host families feel welcome. The program is inspiring and truly reflects "The Magic of Rotary Youth Exchange".

WE CORDIALLY INVITE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO AN "APPRECIATION DINNER" HONORING THE SPONSOR CLUBS, YOUTH EXCHANGE COMMITTEES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR HOST FAMILIES!

WE WANT TO SHOW OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION TO OUR HOST FAMILIES, COUNSELORS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT GIVE SO MUCH TO THE PROGRAM AND WILL GRACIOUSLY ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM ALL OTHERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. We are only asking a donation of $10 per person from those who are not on the Youth Exchange committee and or a host family.

Register and Meet & Greet 4:30-5:00PM

Buffet Italian Dinner served at 5:00PM followed by our program along with comments from our District 5890 Inbound Exchange Students.

The event will be held at the Humble Civic Center in the East room.

Please REPLY by May 2nd so we can adequately plan. Thanks!

Susan Brodbeck

April 2013

Dear fellow Rotarians,

Rotary is an international organization, and when I travel for Rotary, I usually speak in English. But it has been a long time since my last English exam, and when I am working in Evanston, I always have a Japanese interpreter. It is important to understand every word of the meetings, and it is important as well that the staff understand what I am saying.

It was a new experience for me to speak Japanese to a group, and then hear my words spoken in English. Even now, I find it interesting. I hear new ways of expressing myself in English, and I also have a small glimpse of what it must be like not to speak Japanese.

But perhaps the most interesting moment came early on in my year as president-elect, when I was in a meeting with Rotary staff members. To be sure that we could communicate well, I had with me a Japanese interpreter. I spoke in Japanese, and she interpreted what I said into English. We had a pleasant and productive meeting.

After it was over, one member of the staff came up to me and asked, “There is one word I heard you use many times in Japanese. I would like to know what it means. What is the word ichiban?” I told her that ichiban in Japanese does not convey any philosophy or complicated thought. It simply means to be the best.

But it made me think. Of all the words I had used in Japanese, of all the words she had heard over and over, this was the word she had heard the most. I did not realize I had used it so often. But for me, that one word, ichiban, is essential to how I feel about my job as a Rotarian, and as president of RI.

For me, Rotary service means being ichiban. It means doing your best, and being the best you can be. It means working as hard as you can – not for yourself, but for others. It means achieving as much as you can, to make other people’s lives better.

In the dictionary, ichiban means “best.” But in Rotary, “best” means something different. It means bringing Service Above Self into all of your thinking. It means looking at your own effort, not in terms of what it costs you, but in terms of what it can give. In this way, we are inspired to do so much more. It is our job to see to it that our Rotary service is ichiban – so that we do the most we can to build Peace Through Service.

Dr. Bonnie Longnion and Dr. Katherine Persson were two of the founding members of Lone Star College-Kingwood.

Rotary Club of Humble Intercontinental recognizes Paul Harris Fellows

By JENNIFER SUMMER | Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 6:49 pm

An Exciting  and Rewarding Meeting at Lakeland Elementary

More than 30 members had  exciting and wow moments as we visited with 6 classes of 2nd graders at Lakeland Elementary. Among our Rotarians were several members who had attended Lakeland as children. Jess Fields and Henry Pruitt had fond memories of their youthful years as Lakeland students. Included in the group were former Superintendent Michael Say and former HISD board Member Al Moore.

Some impressions were the quality of the teachers and the interest of the students. They seemed to be excited about our visit and were eager participants in the reading. They were excited about the books and wanted to know if they could have one. The books were a part of our admission to our holiday party. We had a member as a leader in each of the 6 rooms and the other member participants said a few words about themselves and what they did for a living. Bob Garlington shared a very good message when he shared that "Leaders are Readers". One young man was not sure why you had to be a reader to be a leader. The Rotarians then broke into small groups and read to the students. There was lots of interaction during the reading and it was exciting to see the reaction of the students. They were very eager and excited about reading. An educator shared that this age group is anxious to learn.

Thanks to Deb Cesarek and the Just About Kids organization for putting together this event. Special thanks to Harvey Trigg for feeding us.

It was an exciting and rewarding meeting. Don't miss it when we have an opportunity to do it again.

The Rotary Club of Humble Intercontinental

welcomed Constantin Wever's parents at a lovely evening gathering of Rotarians and their families on the patio at Kingwood Country Club. The Wever's are visiting from Germany during the second semester of Constantin's 11 month Rotary Youth Exchange experience. Constantin's parents, Walther and Carola Wever are from Barsinghausen, Germany. Walther is a Rotarian and a member of The Rotary Club of Bad Nenndorf. The Wever’s have hosted 13 Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange Students over the years, so that is one reason Constantin is such a wonderful example of a true ambassador and Rotary Exchange Student.

Susan Brodbeck (right) serves as Youth Exchange Counselor for The Rotary Club of Humble Intercontinental and is instrumental in finding host families for the club's 2-3 Inbound students that the club hosts each year. Susan, along with a team of Rotarians also recruit Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange students in September-November each year.

Bill has shared a link for the program that he presented recently. Enjoy.

http://vimeo.com/60605880 

RI President-elect Ron Burton will ask Rotarians to Engage Rotary, Change Lives in 2013-14.

He unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2013 International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, the annual training event for incoming district governors.

About Youth Exchange

A s a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country.

Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, you’ll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself, and maybe even a new language. You’ll also be an ambassador, teaching people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer – and make some good friends in the process. 

At the 66^th Humble ISD Livestock Show, Humble Intercontinental Rotary Club purchased the third place swine from Rae Delk. She is from Kingwood Park High School. Rotary also purchased the fourth place steer from Kaitlin Smith, also from Kingwood Park High School. The processed meat from both animals has been donated to Family Time in Humble. This represents most of the meat consumed by residents of Family time for the year. This is the fifteenth year the members of Humble Intercontinental Rotary have purchased and donated in this manner. We have donated in excess of $120,000 for FFA Scholarships in the past fifteen years.

picasion

Read about the major accomplishments of Rotary and Rotary Foundation during this past year.

Report from John Hewko, General Secretary of Rotary International.

Little Grains of Peace Foundation is a non-profit, non-common profit organization. It pursues non-profit activities and its purpose is social: to promote, manage, administer, implement and carry out projects or activities aimed at improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of the disadvantaged areas of the city of Cartagena, and other areas of the Colombian territory. Go to the Club Links section of the web site and left click on Little Grains of Peace Report to access a power point report of this project. Felipe is heading up our involvement in this project. Good job Felipe

Arthur Frederick Sheldon, the Rotarian whose convention speech inspired Rotary's secondary motto, One Profits Most Who Serves Best.

Rotary’s official mottoes, Service Above Self and One Profits Most Who Serves Best, trace back to the early days of the organization.

In 1911, He Profits Most Who Serves Best was approved as the Rotary motto at the second convention of the National Association of Rotary Clubs of America, in Portland, Oregon. It was adapted from a speech made by Rotarian Arthur Frederick Sheldon to the first convention, held in Chicago the previous year. Sheldon declared that "only the science of right conduct toward others pays. Business is the science of human services. He profits most who serves his fellows best." 
 

O n 23 February 1905, Paul P. Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram E. Shorey gathered in Loehr’s office for what would become known as the first Rotary club meeting.

Harris’s desire for camaraderie among business associates brought together these four men and eventually led to an international organization of service and fellowship.

Read about each of the first four Rotarians below, and about Harry L. Ruggles, who is often called the "fifth Rotarian."

In 1933 Paul Harris gave a speech at the 24th annual Rotary International Convention. It was aired around the world. There was no video of this event, so a Rotariani decided to animate a picture of Paul and have him give the speech in a visual context. Thanks go to rotaryfirst100.org for the audio portion

Please listen to this very powerful message from Paul Harris. February 23 is Anniversary date of Rotary. Year 1905.

Guerrero Clinic

The Fall 2012 clinic took place 10/9 to 10/14

We did a tremendous amount of good for people desperately in need and who are so appreciative of everything we do.

Here are our accomplishments

239 Cataract surgeries
13 Pterigium surgeries
80 Retina services
8 Low vision patients
830 Eye exams
350 Glasses prescribed
79 Glasses made
22 Pediatrician services
14 Neurological services
250 Dentistry services
38 Gynecologist services
30 General medicine services
2,750 Meals served by Deicias Rotary Club
210 Meals served by Torreon Rotary Club

Here is their url address

February Letter From Rotary International President. A very meaningful part of his message follows. The entire letter is also included.

"The truth is that Service Above Self does not know such borders. When we serve, the impact is not limited to our community, or the community we are helping. We are not only helping the young, or the elderly, or this school, or that orphanage. When we serve, we are helping all of humanity. The effects of what we do go on and on".

When we put Service Above Self, we are making a choice. We are choosing to put other people’s needs ahead of our own desires. We are saying, “Your problems are my problems, and I care enough to help you.”

January 2013

Dear fellow Rotarians,

I am a Japanese businessman, and I wear a suit almost every day. The Rotary pin is always on my lapel. It is there because I am proud to be a Rotarian. Anywhere I go, people will see the pin and know who I am. Other Rotarians will see it and know that I am a friend, and people who are not Rotarians will see it as well. I want to be sure that all of them also understand the meaning of this pin.

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Read the report from Bill re the completion of the Cheheltan School Project in Afghanistan. Also see the power point presentation from Nicole. It is above the stories section of the web site. Also note that our club is on the school plaque.

Constantin will present his Youth Exchange Report, November 7

All About Constantin...

 Family:

He is 16 and from Barsinghausen, Germany, a city of 38,000 near Hannover.  He is the youngest of 3, and both of his siblings have been Rotary Exchange Students.  His dad is a Rotarian and CEO of the largest private nursing home corporation in Germany.  His mother is a stay-at-home mom who loves playing golf.

 School:

Constantin just finished 10th grade.  There are 1500 students in his high school at home.  He will be attending Kingwood High School.  His favorite classes are politics and history, and he is a member of student council. 

 Interests:

Sports, specifically soccer and tennis.  Also golf and hunting with his father.  He plays guitar and loves playing boardgames with his family.  Constantin participated in short-term school study exchanges to France and China.  He loves to travel, and has done so extensively, but this will be his first trip to the US.

 Future Plans:

Wants to study Business Administration and work with an international company.  He will have two years of high school to complete once he returns home from his exchange.

 His Parents Say:

"Constantin is a very humorous and open-minded person.  We are proud about his strong and friendly personality."  They hope that he will benefit from his exchange as immensely as his siblings.

 Constantin arrived on Saturday evening, August 18.  Please make an effort to spend some time with him during his year here with us!

All About Cyrielle...Rotary Youth Exchange Student 2012-2013

Hosted by The Rotary Club of Humble Intercontinental, District 5890

Family:

She is 17 and from a small village in Belgium called Libin.  Population is 4500.  She is the youngest of 4 children--her oldest sibling is 37.  Both of her parents are nurses, and 2 siblings also work at a hospital. 

School:

She already graduated from high school in June, and she will be attending K-Park.  There were only 540 students in her high school in Belgium.  Her native language is French; she has also studied Dutch, and considers her English speaking "fair".  She has studied English for 4 years.

Interests:

She likes to move; she says, "I cannot stand to stay idle."  She likes running, badminton and Zumba.  She was on the editorial staff of her school's paper and also on student council.  She plays guitar and loves to read.  Also loves to travel and learn other cultures.  This will be her first trip to the US.  She is a self-described optimist.  Her favorite proverb is: "There is always a solution; it is only necessary to find it."

Dislikes:

Nuts and clowns

Future Plans:

Not sure what her plans are for a career, but says, "I like literature and dislike math.  I suppose I will not become an engineer."

Her Parents Say:

"She is like a little sun in our home.  Our daughter is, according to us, really funny.  We will miss her.  Take care of her."

Jessica Girdner, First Place Winner, $1000.00

Rotary Essay

               Every person is born and raised in a way that shapes their ethical values. We all perceive right and wrong in different ways, but most people will agree the same basic traits make up a good ethical person. From time to time have our moments when we slip up, and make a decision contrary to our ethical beliefs. Our conscientious usually lay benign throughout the day, but using rotary’s four way test, we will have the ability to analyze our situation and make a decision based on what we think is right. Using this technique we will be able to hold ourselves to higher ethical standards.
            

Humble Rotary Announced Essay Contest Winners

(October 1, 2012)  Four Humble ISD seniors were selected as winners of the Humble Intercontinental Rotary Club essay contest. Students were asked to write on the topic, “How I apply high ethical standards using Rotary’s Four-Way Test.” The Four-Way test is the corner stone of ethical practice among all members of Rotary International.

The prize winning students were:

·        First Place—Jessica Girdner, Summer Creek High School, $1000;

·        Second Place—Abby Ausburn, Kingwood Park High School, $750;

·        Third Place—Derek Smith, Kingwood High School, $500;

·        Honorable Mention—Alexis Preston, Summer Creek High School, $250;

Jessica Girdner plans to attend The University of Texas in San Antonio and pursue a math degree. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyn Girdner. Girdner earned a fine arts award in 2008.

Abby Ausburn plans to attend Sam Houston State University and pursue an English degree. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ausburn. Ausburn is a member of the National Honor Society and is president of the Kingwood Park High School Choir.

Derek Smith plans to attend The University of Austin and pursue an engineering degree. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Smith. Smith is a National Merit Scholarship recipient and a member of the 2011-2012 Lone Star College Leadership North Houston Class and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Alexis Preston plans to attend Lone Star College-Kingwood and obtain a nursing degree. She is the daughter of Angelika Preston. She is active in choral music.

“We were very impressed with the quality of essays we received,” said Henry Garcia, co-chair of the essay contest. More than 57 students entered the essay contest. “These students showed an understanding of how Rotary’s Four-Way Test plays in their lives and how they’ve become better citizens,” he added. “We know these students will become pillars in our society someday and we’re proud of them.”

Essay winners will be invited to the Humble Intercontinental Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon October 17 where they will read their essays before the club members.

Rotary International is made up of 1.2 million members in 34,000 clubs across the globe. Its members volunteer in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation and eradicate polio.

###

Visit this web site for the Hope and Relief  Nicaragua projects. Please visit it and tell your friends about it. See it at www.hopeandrelief.org

Let Jim and Frank Huezo  know what you think of the new web site,

Jim Kite jimkite@sbcglobal.net 
cell 979-251-0840

1te. Oktober 2012 Bericht

               The month of September truly felt like the start of my exchange. I finally got the ball rolling on meeting people my age, finding a routine, and settling in to a comfortable (yet exciting) life in Germany.

               We have now had four weeks of school! My gymnasium starts at 7:50 a.m., and will go until 1 or 3 p.m. depending on your schedule. I ride my bike to and from school everyday, for about a total of 12 kilometers. Every morning when I leave home I am cold, and by the time I get to school I have taken off all my layers and am wiping away the sweat from my face! For that reason, I’m currently experimenting with the art of layering clothes. I have around 3 classes everyday, about 2 hours each period. Passing periods are 15 minutes long, and there is no official lunch break. I go home to eat lunch or go to a local café with someone! The most impressive thing about gymnasium is the motivation of the students. The teachers are not very strict, there is no tardy system, no detention system, little homework, and yet each student seems eager to learn. If a teacher is unable to teach a class, then class is cancelled, and there is no substitute. My school is very open; there is no room or hall without a wall of windows.  I am currently taking math, physics, chemistry, biology, art, aerobics and English. English is my favorite class – it is the one class where my mind can relax, and, as a native English speaker, I am a prized possession. By the way, I am the oldest kid in all of my classes, which is a new experience for this June baby!

            All I can say is, “wow, that went by fast!” They were not lying when they said you’re exchange year goes by fast. I can’t believe it is already (well, almost) October. One month from now, I will be in a totally different home in a totally different lifestyle.

            Now, as for the month of September, there were a lot of highlights and memories I made, especially at school. This month, I have almost completely immersed myself in my host family’s lifestyle and schedule which is essential to having a great exchange. I am able to communicate a little bit better with my host mom unlike the first month. My Portuguese isn’t great but I have found that if someone does not know English at all, I can manage to get a conversation going. My reading and writing skills have improved as well. I have found that I refer to the translator less and less when I am chatting with my friends on Facebook.

History of the 4-Way Test

More than 60 years ago, in the midst of the Great Depression, a U.S. Rotarian devised a simple, four-part ethical guideline that helped him rescue a beleaguered business. The statement and the principles it embodied also helped many others find their own ethical compass. Soon embraced and popularized by Rotary International, The Four-Way Test today stands as one of the organization’s hallmarks. It may very well be one of the most famous statements of our century.

Herbert J. Taylor, author of the Test, was a mover, a doer, a consummate salesman and a leader of men. He was a man of action, faith and high moral principle. Born in Michigan, USA, in 1893, he worked his way through Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

After graduation, Herb went to France on a mission for the YMCA and the British Army welfare service and served in the U.S. Navy Supply Corps in World War I. In 1919, he married Gloria Forbrich, and the couple set up housekeeping in Oklahoma, USA, where he worked for the Sinclair Oil Company. After a year, he resigned and went into insurance, real estate and oil lease brokerage.

With some prosperous years behind him, Herb returned to Chicago, Illinois, in 1925 and began a swift rise within the Jewel Tea Company. He soon joined the Rotary Club of Chicago. In line for the presidency of Jewel in 1932, Herb was asked to help revive the near-bankrupt Club Aluminum Company of Chicago. The cookware manufacturing company owed $400,000 more than its total assets and was barely staying afloat. Herb responded to the challenge and decided to cast his lot with this troubled firm. He resigned from Jewel Tea, taking an 80 percent pay cut to become president of Club Aluminum. He even invested $6,100 of his own money in the company to give it some operating capital.

Looking for a way to resuscitate the company and caught in the Depression’s doldrums, Herb, deeply religious, prayed for inspiration to craft a short measuring stick of ethics for the staff to use.

As he thought about an ethical guideline for the company, he first wrote a statement of about 100 words but decided that it was too long. He continued to work, reducing it to seven points. In fact, The Four-Way Test was once a Seven-Way Test. It was still too long, and he finally reduced it to the four searching questions that comprise the Test today.

Next, he checked the statement with his four department heads: a Roman Catholic, a Christian Scientist, an Orthodox Jew and a Presbyterian. They all agreed that the Test’s principles not only coincided with their religious beliefs, but also provided an exemplary guide for personal and business life.

And so, “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do” was born:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Profound in its simplicity, the Test became the basis for decisions large and small at Club Aluminum.

But any test must be put to the test. Would it work in the real world? Could people in business really live by its precepts? One lawyer told Herb: “If I followed the Test explicitly, I would starve to death. Where business is concerned, I think The Four-Way Test is absolutely impractical.”

The attorney’s concerns were understandable. Any ethical system that calls for living the truth and measuring actions on the basis of benefits to others is demanding. Such a test can stir bitter conflict for those who try to balance integrity and ambition. Sizzling debates have been held in various parts of the world on its practicality as a way of living. There are always some serious-minded Rotarians, not to mention skeptics and negative thinkers, who view The Four-Way Test as a simplistic philosophy of dubious worth, contradictory meaning and unrealistic aims. The Test calls for thoughtful examination of one’s motives and goals. This emphasis on truth, fairness and consideration provide a moral diet so rich that it gives some people “ethical indigestion.”

But at Club Aluminum in the 1930s, everything was measured against The Four-Way Test. First, the staff applied it to advertising. Words like “better,” “best,” “greatest” or “finest” were dropped from ads and replaced by factual descriptions of the product. Negative comments about competitors were removed from advertising and company literature.

The Test gradually became a guide for every aspect of the business, creating a climate of trust and goodwill among dealers, customers and employees. It became part of the corporate culture, and eventually helped improve Club Aluminum’s reputation and finances.

One day, the sales manager announced a possible order for 50,000 utensils. Sales were low and the company was still struggling at the bankruptcy level. The senior managers certainly needed and wanted that sale, but there was a hitch. The sales manager learned that the potential customer intended to sell the products at cut-rate prices. “That wouldn’t be fair to our regular dealers who have been advertising and promoting our product consistently,” he said. In one of the toughest decisions the company made that year, the order was turned down. There was no question this transaction would have made a mockery out of The Four-Way Test the company professed to live by.

By 1937, Club Aluminum’s indebtedness was paid off and during the next 15 years, the firm distributed more than $1 million in dividends to its stockholders. Its net worth climbed to more than $2 million.

Too idealistic for the real world? The Four-Way Test was born in the rough and tumble world of business, and put to the acid test of experience in one of the toughest times that the business community has ever known. It survived in the arena of practical commerce.

In 1942, Richard Vernor of Chicago, then a director of Rotary International, suggested that Rotary adopt the Test. The R.I. Board approved his proposal in January 1943 and made The Four-Way Test a component of the Vocational Service program, although today it is considered a vital element in all four Avenues of Service.

Herb Taylor transferred the copyright to Rotary International when he served as R.I. president in 1954-55, during the organization’s golden anniversary.

Today, more than six decades since its creation, has the Test lost its usefulness in modern society, as some critics maintain? Is it sophisticated enough to guide business and professional men and women in these fast-paced times?

Is it the TRUTH? There is a timelessness in truth that is unchangeable. Truth cannot exist without justice.

Is it FAIR to all concerned? The substitution of fairness for the harsh principles of doing business at arm’s length has improved rather than hurt business relationships.

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Man is by nature a cooperative creature and it is his natural instinct to express love.

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? This question eliminates the dog-eat-dog principle of ruthless competition and substitutes the idea of constructive and creative competition.

The Four-Way Test is international, transcending national boundaries and language barriers. It knows no politics, dogma or creed. More than a code of ethics, it has all the ingredients for a successful life in every way. It can and will work in today’s society.

The final test is in the doing. William James, the noted psychologist, once said, “The ultimate test of what a truth means is the conduct it dictates or inspires.” At the heart of Rotary today is The Four-Way Test, a call to moral excellence. Human beings can grow together. Modern business can be honest and trustworthy. People can learn to believe in one another. At the 1977 R.I. Convention, James S. Fish of the U.S. Better Business Bureaus said, “To endure, the competitive enterprise system must be practiced within the framework of a strict moral code. Indeed, the whole fabric of the capitalistic system rests to a large degree on trust . . . on the confidence that businessmen and women will deal fairly and honestly, not only with each other, but also with the general public, with the consumer, the stockholder and the employee.”

Few things are needed more in our society than moral integrity. The Four-Way Test will guide those who dare to use it for worthy objectives: choosing, winning, and keeping friends; getting along well with others; ensuring a happy home life; developing high ethical and moral standards; becoming successful in a chosen business or profession; and becoming a better citizen and better example for the next generation.

Eloquently simple, stunning in its power, undeniable in its results, The Four-Way Test offers a fresh and positive vision in the midst of a world full of tension, confusion and uncertainty.

By Darrell Thompson, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Morro Bay, California. This article is adapted from a speech given by Darrell, with contributions from Rotarians Douglas W. Vincent of Woodstock-Oxford, Ontario, Canada, and Myron Taylor.

The Post’s View

The polio endgame

By Editorial Board, Published: June 14 The Washington Post

THE WORLD IS closer than ever to eradicating the polio virus. When the effort began in 1988, the disease was endemic in 125 countries, but now just three remain: Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In recent months, there have been fewer cases in fewer districts of fewer countries than at any time in history. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said recently that the battle against polio is at a “tipping point between success and failure.”

Polio is a highly infectious disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis. It largely strikes children 5 years old and younger, but there have been more cases involving adults in recent years, with higher lethality. Obliterated in the United States 30 years ago, polio has proved a stubborn foe elsewhere in the world. As recently as the 1980s, polio killed or paralyzed more than 350,000 children each year. But the eradication effort has come a long way. There were only 650 cases last year and only 73 so far this year.

The potential benefits of wiping out polio are improved lives for millions of children. Yet eradicating diseases is immensely difficult. So far, the campaign against smallpox stands as the only success. For years, there was concern that if the transmission of polio could not be halted in India, eradication would be impossible. But India has been free of polio since January 2011. Also, a more effective oral vaccine is targeting the two strains of the virus that are most prevalent.

On May 26, the 194 member states of the WHO declared polio eradication a “programmatic emergency.” The idea is to galvanize work in the remaining polio-infected areas of Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. All three nations suffered alarming spikes in cases last year, and the goal of delivering oral vaccine to every child is up against the formidable obstacles of war, corruption, weak public health systems and widespread migration. This appears to be another make-or-break moment.

A renewed campaign will be costly. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, set up in 1988 by the WHO, UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Rotary International, says that it needs an additional $945 million for a total budget of $2.19 billion this year and next. For the current fiscal year, the United States has boosted support to $151.1 million, up $17.6 million over last year. Rotary International has exceeded its goal to raise more than $200 million to match a $355 million challenge grant over several years from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The CDC has made polio a top priority; it put some 90 people to work on it every day in its emergency operations center. These examples and the urgency of the cause will hopefully inspire other donors around the world to fill the budget gap.

Stamping out polio is not a sure thing, but this may be the best chance in a generation. It should not be missed for lack of resources.

Well, I Read Claire's report from France. This is truly Rotary Youth Exchange at work.

"Harvest for HAAM"

The Club Service Committee is pleased to report that 80 pounds of food have been "Harvested" for HAAM's food pantry.

A storage container will be placed at every Rotary meeting so donations can be brought in. Place a small tag on your item with your name. The person who brings in the most items will receive a special prize at the end of the contest. The committee will report on progress every week.

Donations can include canned soups, vegetables, fruits, and meats. Other boxed items like cereals, rice, pastas, and family style meals are also acceptable. Toiletries and child care items are acceptable too.

Perhaps your business can set up a storage container along with our Rotary name and logo. A Club Service Committee representative will be willing to transport any collected items from your business. A logo and container can be provided to you.

Thank you for your help in making the community a better place for us all.

Geoffrey Geiger

W hy are you a Rotarian? What does Service Above Self mean to you?
How can you get more involved?

RadioRotary is available online- listen on Friday's 9-9:30am EST on www.hvradionet.com; or for more information go to www.radiorotary.org.

The show highlights Rotary community service projects that are local, and global. The goal is to make our world a better place for all.Learn about West Point with Radio Rotary

Tune in to RadioRotary on Friday, August 24, at 9 a.m. New York time, featuring West Point/Highland Falls Rotary President John Willis, Director of Research Operations, Institute for Innovation and Development at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. .

To listen in Real Time on your computer, click Listen Live on www.hvradionet.com or listen at any time after the broadcast by visiting www.radiorotary.org or subscribe to our podcast on ITunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiorotary/id397316801

See our video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rzF-3SU-UA

Benefits of Rotary

Why join Rotary?

Rotary is Humanity in Motion.

Maybe you’ve seen a need in your own community and wondered how you could help. Maybe you want to use your professional skills to help others — or even learn new skills. Maybe you’re seeking connections with other service-minded professionals in your community or abroad.

Whatever your reason, joining Rotary can help you achieve these goals, and so much more. See why these men and women are members of their local Rotary club. Then learn how you can get involved.

Rotary Foundation

The mission of Rotary is to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. The Rotary Foundation is the not-for-profit corporation that generates the funds that enables Rotarians to fulfill this mission.

Supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world, the Rotary Foundation has helped fund life-changing initiatives around the world. For example, after 25 years of hard work, Rotary and its partner organizations are on the brink of eradicating polio.

Rotarians are asked to contribute a minimum of $100 annually to the Rotary Foundation. Members who donate $1000 are recognized as Paul Harris Fellows

History of The Rotary Foundation

I n 1917, RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed that an endowment be set up “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown to more than US$5,000, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International.

Five Trustees, including Klumph, were appointed to “hold, invest, manage, and administer all of its property . . . as a single trust, for the furtherance of the purposes of RI.”

Two years later, the Foundation made its first grant of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into the Easter Seals.

The Great Depression and World War II both impeded the Foundation’s growth, but the need for lasting world peace generated great postwar interest in its development. After Rotary’s founder, Paul P. Harris, died in 1947, contributions began pouring into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.

That year, the first Foundation program – the forerunner of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships – was established. In 1965-66, three new programs were launched: Group Study Exchange , Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants .

The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program was launched in 1978, and Rotary Volunteers was created as a part of that program in 1980. PolioPlus was announced in 1984-85, and the next year brought Rotary Grants for University Teachers . The first peace forums were held in 1987-88, leading to the Foundation's peace and conflict studies programs .

Throughout this time, support of the Foundation grew tremendously. Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, it has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion. More than $70 million was donated in 2003-04 alone. To date, more than one million individuals have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows – people who have given $1,000 to the Annual Programs Fund or have had that amount contributed in their name.

Such strong support, along with Rotarian involvement worldwide, ensures a secure future for The Rotary Foundation as it continues its vital work for international understanding and world peace.

Make Dreams Real - Literacy from Brad Cowan on Vimeo.