The 2013 District Conference Committee looks forward to seeing everyone who registered for District Conference at the end of the month!  Details on events, schedules, etc can be found at http://www.rotaryproud.com/.

Rotary District 5440 has two Friendship Exchange opportunities available.  A Friendship Exchange is an international exchange program for Rotarians and their families that provides participants with the opportunity to experience other cultures by staying in the homes of Rotarians in other countries.

Friendship Exchange Goals:

•        Advance international understanding and peace through personal contact across borders.

•        Meet Rotarians from other countries and learn about their culture firsthand

•        Arrange international service projects directly with Rotarians in another country

•        Develop long-lasting club relationships

The first opportunity is to visit India, District 3250, between February 1-16, 2013.  To view a short promotional video on the exchange click here.  Outbound participants should budget $3,000 for this trip.  Allow enough time for visas and inoculations.  If interested in you need to contact Raju Jairam by November 30, 2012.  The incoming group from India will visit District 5440 May 10 to June 1, 2013. 

The second opportunity is to visit the United Kingdom, District 1010, between June 1-16, 2013.  Outbound participants should budget $2,000 for this trip.  If interested contact Raju Jairam.  The tentative dates for the incoming group from Scotland to visit District 5440 is September 21 to October 6, 2013.

For more information on either exchanges, click the title of this story to be directed to another page where you will find downloadable flyers.

     Club and individual Rotary member recognition will play a significant role in the 2013 District Conference in Steamboat Springs.  Every general session will feature the presentation of one or more award categories!  This has been a great year to be a Rotarian in our district and we will work hard to honor the people who have made a real difference in the club, the community and the Rotary world.
     Presentation of RI Presidential Citations and District Governor Citations will be a big deal this year, so encourage your club presidents to submit their applications as soon as possible.  (Even though the district deadline for Rotary, Interact and Rotaract club presidential citations ended March 31, I have until April 15^th to forward them to Rotary International, so you still have time to send them to Kellie Tovar in the district office.)  The Governor’s Citation and most other district awards must be submitted to Kellie by May 1^st. 
     This year’s Governor’s Citation emphasizes achievements in four key areas:  Membership growth and development, Rotary Foundation support and awareness, training and the use of communication and technology.  Every club should be able to meet these goals!
     We have two new award categories this year.  The very vitality of our individual clubs depends on educated and engaged members, including the attraction of new members and retention of those we already have.  You have been reading about the IGNITE program in every newsletter.  Look again and take the steps to earn your IGNITE Premier Club Award this year.
     With a stronger emphasis on youth and diversity, one of our featured conference speakers on generational diversity – Rosemary Aragon – will present the first “Future of Rotary Award” to the clubs with the largest percentage of members age 40 or less. 
     I have been amazed during my club visits to learn about the wide variety of service programs and initiatives undertaken by our Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs this Rotary year.  We want to recognize these efforts with awards for the best community service, vocational service and world service programs in the district.  The community and vocational awards will have two categories: one for clubs of 60 members or less, and one for larger clubs. 
     We will also celebrate clubs with the best attendance record, the clubs with the highest percentage of their members attending the district conference and the club that does the best job communicating with members.
     Folks who have attended previous district conferences understand how much fun it is.  Attracting Rotarians who have not had that experience is so important that the 2013 District Conference Committee has set aside thirty $100 scholarships for “newbies” who have never attended a district conference in the past.  Watch for more information on how to apply. 
     You can learn more about the 2013 Rotary International and District 5440 awards program by visiting the district website at www.rotary5440.org.    See you in Steamboat Springs on May 30-June 1^st, and make sure your club is given the recognition it deserves!
Mike Forney
District Governor

Why is our District doing the IGNITE program?

The IGNITE program is intended to reverse the ten year downward trend in Rotary’s U. S. membership growth in the United States. While District 5440 is one of the few districts with net increases in membership, the IGNITE program will have real benefit for all of our clubs, but especially those are  struggling to attract or maintain members.

What is the IGNITE program?

This program is a comprehensive membership recruitment, retention and extension presentation compiling helpful materials in all areas.  It is especially effective because it places valuable membership materials at the fingertips of clubs for review, choice, and use.  It’s an impressive accumulation of materials to help all clubs improve their membership programs.

How is the IGNITE program being implemented in District 5440?
Governor Mike has established a club recognition award for all clubs who achieve Premiere Club status in the 2012-2013 IGNITE program.  That means your club establishes your membership count as of July 1, 2012 (the beginning of this Rotary year) and checks off the various activities your club has completed on the IGNITE Club Score Sheet.  (The number of points required to achieve Premiere Club status depends on your membership size as of July 1, 2012.  For instance,  if your club had 30 members you will need to log 300 points on your IGNITE Scorecard by April 30, 2013 to achieve the IGNITE governor’s Premiere Club Recognition Award.)

When does all this take place?

Activities:  Between 7/1/12 and 4/30/13

Application:  Score sheets are to be sent to Kellie Tovar by May 1^st.

Award:  Recognition awards will be presented by Governor Mike at District Conference in Steamboat Springs May 30-June 1, 2013.

Where can I get more information?

IGNITE Score Sheets can be downloaded from the District 5440 website under Service/Membership:  IGNITE Premier Club Spreadsheet Citation Tracker

IGNITE Materials can be found at the same location.  Start with Ignite Premier Club Criteria.

Additional questions can be answered by contacting District Membership Chair:  Pat Butts at 22Pat@silverstar.com or call Pat at 208-241-0391 or one of the following District Members Committee members:  Phyllis Abt at Phyllis.abt@frontrange.edu or call 970-682-8906; Doug Mannering at dougdmann@msn.com or call 970-669-6466

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