All through this Rotary year, I’ve been asking Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to spend some real time and effort to “Reach Within” and think about what Rotary means to them.  As I have visited clubs and heard about their projects, I am struck by the fact that our most successful Rotary Clubs are the ones that have a clear vision of what Rotary means to them, and how Rotary can help our world.  They have taken the question “Why Rotary?” and answered it. 

On March 31^st 22 Rotarians and friends gathered at the home of Terry and Kay O’Brien’s home to assemble 350 Easter gift packages and baskets.  

As all of you diligent newsletter readers know, my messages this year have been following the Rotary “theme” months—but this month is tough.  It’s “magazine month”—when I’m supposed to write something about why you should read the Rotarian magazine.  You should read your Rotarian, and I shouldn’t have to remind you about it.  It is fun, colorful, and full of great news, information, and ideas about Rotary.  But I need to write more than that.

From the Rotary International News-- By Megan Ferringer and Arnold R. Grahl 

RI President-elect Sakuji Tanaka will ask Rotarians to build Peace Through Service in 2012-13. 

Tanaka unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2012 International Assembly, a training event for incoming Rotary district governors. 

"Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary," he said. "Peace is not something that can only be achieved through agreements, 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."

Rotary’s entry in the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade took home the Princess Award as the most beautiful float under thirty-five feet.  The float, with the theme “Inching Towards The End Of Polio,” featured an inchworm in a doctor’s outfit, helping bring the complete eradication of polio.

If you weren't at the 2011 District 5260 Holiday-Foundation Gala on December 10, 2011 you missed a great show.  Great music from the Glendale Community College Jazz Combo and D.J. Greg Cervantes; great fellowship with 180 of your fellow Rotarians; a great presentation from our immediate Past RI Director, John Blount; a surprise performance from Sharon Freeman and Nathan Wang; great  recognition to clubs and invidiuals for their support of the Rotary Foundation; a great live and silent auction; and just a great time.

For everyone who was there--Thank You for a great party, and for your outstanding support for OUR Rotary Foundation. 

District Simplified Grant applications are now available!  Simply click here, or scroll down and click on “District Simplified Grants” under Site Pages.

District Simplified Grants are monies received from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, but administered by the Districts for club projects.  The funds may be used locally or internationally.  This year, the minimum grant is $1,500.00, which must be matched by a contribution from the club (so a minimum $3,000.00 project).  Up to $2,500.00 can be awarded to a single club, but clubs working together can qualify for up to $3,000.00.

For complete details, click here.  You can also contact District Rotary Foundation Chair Jim Miceli at jimmiceli@aol.com or Grants Subcommittee Chair Lee Stacy at lstacy@earthlink.net. 

Grant funds are limited—and the initial deadline is November 15—so get those applications going!