Meals on Wheels Drivers
June 4 thru 9 & June 11 thru 16

The schedule went out earlier in the week and there has already been some swaps that aren't changed in this version of the schedule.  Please make sure you let Steve know who you are swapping with. 

If you cannot deliver on the date that has been assigned, please find your replacement and let Steve know of the change. His work # is 231-8494 or email him at ndines@willmar.k12.mn.us .

But speakers reminded the festive assembly that the work is far from complete, because the ultimate goal has not been reached.

“We know that we haven’t reached our goal. We haven’t ended polio,” said John F. Germ, chair of Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge Committee. “Our clubs are still planning polio fundraisers for the coming years and encouraging donations from people in their communities.”

Germ announced that, as of 4 May, Rotarians and supporters have raised $215.7 million for the challenge, which runs through June. But with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative facing a significant funding shortfall for 2012 and beyond, it is vital for clubs and districts to keep pushing forward with their many creative fundraisers. (Download Germ's speech or watch a video of the third plenary)

 

 

Top: Bruce Aylward tells Rotarians India's removal from the polio-endemic list is a magnificent Rotary achievement. Bottom: Former Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar John Skerritt accepts the Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award. Rotary Images/Alyce HensonPublic health emergency

In some parts of the world weekly Rotary club meetings begin with all members standing and reciting the Object of Rotary.  This statement, which comes from the constitution of Rotary, is frequently seen as a wall plaque in Rotarian’s offices or places of business.

The Object of Rotary is “to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.”  The statement then lists four areas by which this “idea of service” is fostered: through the development of acquaintance as the opportunity  for service; the promotion of high ethical standards in business and professions; through service in one’s personal, business and professions; and the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace.

The Object of Rotary has not always been expressed in this manner. The original constitution of 1906 had three objects: promotion of business interests, promotion of good fellowship;  and the advancement of the best interests of the community. By 1910, Rotary had five objectives as increased emphasis was given to expanding Rotary. By 1915 there were six objects. In 1918 the objects were rewritten again and reduced to four . Four years later they had again grown to six and were revised and again reduced to four. Finally, at the 1935 convention, held in Mexico City, the six objects were restated and reduced to four. The last major change came in 1951 when the objects were streamlined  and changed to a single object, which has four parts.

Individuals ages 25 - 40 who have been employed full-time in a business or profession for at least two years are eligible to apply. Applicants must live or be employed in Rotary District 5950; district boundaries can be found on the website at: /club_directory.asp. Applicants are not required to be proficient in any language other than English.

The purpose of the Group Study Exchange program is to promote international understanding and goodwill through personal connections. While abroad, team members stay with local Rotarians and have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts. Every Group Study Exchange incorporates at least 5 “vocational days” in which team members are engaged in activities associated with their respective vocations. They also give presentations to Rotary clubs and other groups about their home country.

District 5950 Dedicated Funds from the Rotary International Foundation pay for round-trip airfare, and Rotary club members in the host country provide meals, lodging, and group travel in their district. Team members pay for their own personal and incidental expenses.

• Click here for additional information pertaining to the 2012-2013 Group Study Exchange to India
• Click here for the Team Member Application Form; click here for the Team Leader Application Form (available at the Rotary International website,http://www.rotary.org/; put GSE team member application or GSE team leader application in the search box).
• Click here for Questions and Answers regarding Outbound GSE and key information regarding Inbound GSE.

Team member applications are due to any of the 60 Rotary Clubs within District 5950 by June 1, 2012. (Team leader applications are due to the applicant's Rotary club by May 25, 2012.)Contact Barbara Devlin, Outbound GSE Chair, at bdevlinMN@aol.com with any questions.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotarians in 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and territories living by the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”

Contact: Barbara Devlin, Outbound Coordinator, email: bdevlinMN@aol.com, tel: 612-861-9600 or 952-818-5714 

The four non-Rotarian team members and their sponsoring Rotary Clubs include:  Jennifer Pierquet (Minneapolis - University) Megan Roberts (Madelia), Kevin Huselid (Minneapolis South), and Amber Siebert (Sartell). Ryan Kiefer (Excelsior) and Anne Campbell (Minneapolis City of Lakes) serve as first and second alternates.

The purpose of the Group Study Exchange program is to promote international understanding and goodwill through personal and professional connections. For four weeks team members experience the way of life, customs, and vocational practices of another country, while sharing information about their home country and culture. While abroad, team members stay with local Rotarians and have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts. They also give presentations to Rotary clubs and other groups about their home country. Advanced preparations will include studying French and French culture.

Asked about the opportunity Elizabeth Petry-Lee said, “In my 20’s I was selected as an Ambassadorial Scholar to France for a year of post-graduate study. Rotarians and their families welcomed me warmly into their homes modeling Rotary’s motto of ‘service above self’. This experience inspired me to become a Rotarian. I am honored and humbled to return to France serving in the role of Team Leader. It brings the experience full circle.”

Those selected as team members reflect enthusiasm and commitment to the international exchange commenting that the value of this opportunity will advance their professional and personal growth.

Kevin Huselid is looking for the Group Study Exchange to help build trust, leadership skills and explore new technological systems and approaches to convert grain into value-added commodities. He looks forward to communicating in French and meeting experts in the French grain industry. Kevin is a Research and Development Engineer at General Mills.

Amber Seibert is a high school agriculture teacher. She is passionate about teaching her students that the agriculture industry is not only an essential part of their lives, but also a dynamic, global career field in which to be involved. She is eager to learn as much as she can from the exchange and to pass on her experience and knowledge to her students.

First Alternate, Ryan Kiefer is pursuing a career in industrial engineering. Growing up in Winsted, MN, he appreciates and respects the famers who work the land. He has worked as an arborist and as a distributor for local producers of biodiesel. Ryan maintains close ties to the land and conveys a deep sense of humility and creativity as he works to make it productive.

Second Alternate, Anne Campbell has focused her work on international humanitarian aid. In her role as an independent consultant, she advises a foundation on how to best engage young leaders from developing countries to bring about social, environmental and health improvements in their home communities.

Rotary is an organization of more than 1.2 million business and professional leaders, in more than 200 countries and territories, united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and to build goodwill and peace in the world. For more information about Rotary International and Group Study Exchange (GSE), go to http://www.rotary.org/.

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 creates the perfect venue for me to give back to the community I live in while enjoying the camaraderie of positive and active individuals.” 
— Tom Brand, Rotary Club of Kenosha West, Wisconsin, USA

Networking

“Rotary is a tremendous network. Leaders in the community can connect and reach out to people in need.” 
— Russel Honoré, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Leadership skills

“A week doesn't go by that I don't learn something new from the speaker at our club or just from working on projects with people. It's an opportunity to grow indefinitely.” 
— Stephen Brown, Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, California, USA

“If you truly want to give back to the community – and to the world at large – you join Rotary. It has an arm that reaches across all barriers. To be part of that is very powerful.” 
— Aruna Koushik, Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada

Friendship

“I found a fellowship where every nation, every color, all of humanity can be like a family. I've got a place where I can serve my people and serve the world.” 
— Ailinda Sawe, Rotary Club of Dar-es-Salaam-Mzizima, Tanzania

Family-friendly

“We want families with children to join Rotary, so we try to be very flexible. Family commitments always take precedence.” 
— Wendy Scammell, Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest, Newfoundland, Canada

Opportunities for young people

“A great tool Rotary has is its educational programs. I was an exchange student (Rotary Youth Exchange) in Switzerland in high school. That’s how I got involved and what made me want to give back.” 
— Jorge Aguilar, Rotaract Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA

The tradition of the Willmar Lakes Rotary Club is that the weekly Greeter is responsible for giving the Club Invocation at the start of each club meeting, after which they give a brief biography about themselves.  For some, the invocation can be an intimidating prospect, which need not be the case.  On the club website, there is a Invocation Handbook, published by the Rotary Club of North Colorado Springs, which can help members come up with ideas.  In addition to actual invocations for many occasions, a nice quote from this book helps those Rotarians who are unsure how to frame an invocation:

Suggestions for Preparing an Invocation 

• Use your own style, in a manner consistent with your convictions.   
• Express hopes and aspirations common to all. 
• Make a statement of gratitude. 
• Acknowledge the activity or occasion, such as the meal, the opportunity to meet with friends, or to serve the goal of the group. 
• Model respect for all traditions, to invoke the largest spiritual context.   
• Petition the Deity only for things that every person in the group would endorse without hesitation.   
• It may be appropriate to request the speedy recovery of an ill member, or the success of the group or a sponsored or affiliated group. 
• Never advocate special political or religious beliefs. 
• Close with “Amen,” or “Peace,” “Thank you,” “Namaste,” or a similar phrase, to create closure to the invocation.  

Most occasions call for a short invocation.   Some situations may allow for an inspirational reading or poem, provided that it is reverent.  This Handbook contains many brief quotations which one might choose to incorporate into an invocation.  For example, one might quote an inspirational thought, and express the way in which it fits the goals of Rotary, or the assembled group.