January is Rotary Awareness Month
"As long as you're going to be thinking anyway, think big." -
Donald Trump
January - the start of the second half of our Rotary year begins! And with it the Rotary Theme for the month is "Rotary Awareness". . a time to look at how we can raise the awareness of Rotary and what Rotarians do in our communities and our world.
As we travelled in India in November, I noted how aware the common person was of the presence of Rotary and what Rotarians were accomplishing. To a person, everyone we talked with had heard of Rotary and most knew two or three projects that local Rotarians were involved in -- projects in addition to Rotarians' work to eradicate polio. And as we travelled through 4 different cities, over and over again we saw Rotary logos on all kinds of projects - and BIG logos that were plainly visible to everyone passing by.
It is that "BIGness" that may be the key to the awareness Indian Rotarians have created in their country - BIG signs on BIG projects that address needs local Rotarians have identified - needs that are not being met by other agencies or groups.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Donald Trump who says, "As long as you're going to be thinking anyway, think big!" . . and so this month I encourage you all to think BIG - think of BIG ways you can make the people in your community aware that Rotarians are hard at work at home as well as in our world. Do you have projects - old or new - that are not easily identified as Rotary-sponsored? Now might be the time to add the signs to identify that Rotary did this work! . . Now might be the time to submit articles to the local media summarizing the work of Rotary locally - particularly in the area of projects that are unique to Rotarians. Now might be the time to prepare a well-designed flyer describing the work of your Rotary club or the time to get your web site or Facebook page updated with pictures of the projects your club does that help raise awareness of what Rotarians are doing.
As we continue to think of how to "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity", think of how to show that action to others outside of Rotary. And while you are thinking - keep on thinking "BIG" about the needs you see that can be addressed by Rotary - it is when we use our eyes and our minds to observe what should be that we make the biggest differences in our world. While from time to time Rotarians work to support the work of other groups and agencies with financial support, it is the projects that no one else is leading that allow us to make the BIGgest differences in our world . . .so as long as your Rotary club will be thinking this month about Rotary Awareness . . THINK BIG!
In Service,
Sherri Muniz
District Governor
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Districtfest
by Yvonne Soliz-Valdez
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! This is the year of the Districtfest, a celebration of all that is Rotary in District 5840. Come join us from June 1st -June 3rd for a great time of Rotary Fellowship. San Marcos and the host committee are ready to welcome you with great activities and Rotary celebration at the Embassy Suites. Prices range from a full conference fee to a la carte. Check the website for registration coming up soon. The Districtfest Committee will meet in San Marcos on January 21, 2012 to continue with the planning process.
2012 Districtfest Registration |
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Rotary Membership
by Phil Frank, District Membership Chair
Below are some reasons why we became Rotarians and good reasons to bring others into the family of Rotary. These points are taken from an article put together by Barry Curlee, Rotary Coordinator
1. Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs - the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.
2. Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of the business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and help others.
3. The Opportunity to Serve: Rotary is a service club. Its business is humankind. Its product is service. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else.
4. Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership: - learning how to motivate, influence, and lead leaders.
5. Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.
6. Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary there is a program designed to keep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation, and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers and a variety of timely topics.
7. Fun: Rotary is fun! Each meeting is fun. The club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. The service is fun. Just look at our meetings with our beloved President.
8. Public Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid to speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and public communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.
9. Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "Rotary International." There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the 32,000 clubs in 200 nations and geographical regions. This means instant friends in one's own community and in the world community.
I am asking each club to send me information on members gained and lost this Rotary year. What works in gaining new members? What is the main reason Rotarians are leaving? You can send it to me at:
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Haven for Hope Benefit
set for January 7, 2012
On Saturday, January 7, 2012, Rotary District 5840 will present a unique concert featuring noted tenor Donald Braswell and Gli Unici at the Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University to benefit Haven for Hope. Good news--all ticket proceeds go toward Haven for Hope due to the generous support of underwriters!
For ticket information, please go to: www.ticketmaster.com under Donald Braswell and Gli Unici
or call the Trinity Box Office at (210) 999-8119
Facts about Haven for Hope and homelessness
- Haven for Hope is the largest, most comprehensive homeless transformation campus in the United States
- Haven for Hope conducted a best practice study reviewing the homeless services in 12 states and over 200 shelter operations
- The Haven for Hope Campus is made up of 15 Buildings, on 37 Acres, with almost a half a million square feet of service space under roof
- Haven for Hope currently has a network of service provision with 78 non-profit and government partner agencies
- On any given night there will be roughly 1600 individuals residing on the Haven for Hope Campus
- 25,000 people in San Antonio experience homelessness during each year in San Antonio
- Between 3,500 and 4,500 individuals experience homelessness each night in San Antonio
- 25% of the homeless are children, half of which are under the age of 5
- Family homelessness in Texas has increased 15.9% since 2008
- 23% of the homeless are Veterans
- 60% of the homeless experience severe substance abuse and/or mental illness
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Rotary Vocational News
by Gordon Dunkley, District Vocational Chair
Now that half the 2011-2012 Rotary year has been completed, it is a good time to look at the progress each Rotary Club in District 5840 has made in Vocational Service. This year, there is an excellent barometer to check this success; namely the 2011-2012 Changemaker Award.
The form for the Changemaker Award can be accessed through Rotary International Web Site. The completed form must be submitted to District Governor Sherry Muniz at scmuniz@msn.com or mailed to her at 5602 Rigsby Avenue, STE 2, San Antonio, Texas 78222 no later than March 15, 2012. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the Changemaker Award winners this year. |
SAReads Literacy Campaign
by David Flack, District 5840 Coordinator for
SAReads Literacy Campaign and
District Governor's Special Representative for SAReads Literacy Project
 What a year 2011 has been for SAReads! The SAReads brand gained traction in Spring 2011 when it became one of three initiatives supporting San Antonio Mayor Castro's SA2020 Vision for Education. By Fall 2011, a partnership between Literacy San Antonio (LSA) and San Antonio Youth Literacy (SAYL) produced the SAReads Volunteer Reading Tutor Program.
Rotarians in District 5840 are proud to have helped recruit Volunteer Reading Tutors (called "Reading Buddies") during 2011 (yes, I'm one of them) who read for an hour a week in a structured grade-level program at elementary schools all over Bexar County. You do not have to be a Rotarian to participate as a Reading Buddy, and the training takes less than an hour. You choose your day/time with your location preferences noted. Contact me for more details (see below)!
Many non-Rotarian organizations are also collaboratively making the SAReads dream real, including SAISD, NEISD, Edgewood ISD, Southwest ISD, Texas A&M University San Antonio, Rackspace Hosting, H-E-B, City of San Antonio, Covenant Multifamily Offices, Half-Price Books, Barnes & Noble, and more.
Today, the definition of SAReads has evolved to this: A campaign, coordinated by Literacy San Antonio, Inc., dedicated to making grade-level reading a reality for all students in Bexar County. While currently focused around Bexar County, the SAReads concept can also be implemented in the other 40+ counties in District 5840.
As the District Coordinator for SAReads, I can be reached at (210) 872-5490 or email me at Coach@TheAcceleratorCoach.com This role was created a few days ago to give some relief to the Literacy San Antonio office: lots of calls from Rotarians! And it will also help unify and coordinate Rotary's community service to SAReads. Please contact me directly and not LSA or SAYL offices; this allows those agencies to do their work and streamlines/standardizes our service to them at the same time.
In the months ahead, we'll be reporting on successful models at the Rotary Club level as well as by individual Rotarians.
Literacy has been a pillar of interest since Rotary was founded in 1905 ~ we continue that tradition with SAReads! |
Rotarian's Wine Appreciation Fellowship
by PDG Dick Baggett
Here's a Rotary Fellowship that almost everyone will have something in common with. It's the Rotarian's Wine Appreciate Fellowship.
The Rotarian's Wine Appreciate Fellowship (RWAF) exists to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences related to the:
� Making
� Tasting
� Consumption
� Collecting, and
� Production of wine
The Rotarian's Wine Appreciate Fellowship can be accessed at http://www.rotarywine.net The web page includes information about the Fellowship and special information such as:
� Recommended Value Wines:
� Recommended Special Wines:
� Wine Spectator's Top 100 List
� Wine Quotes
� Special Wine & Food Pairings
� Resources (Books, Magazines, & Wine Courses)*
*The Fellowship's Newsletters can be found by clicking the links on the web page. Newsletters dating back to 2006 are available from the web page.
The web page also contains information about membership and dues. Annual membership can be secured for $20. Lifetime Membership is only $100. The web page states, "You can join or renew online although you will note that Pay Pal charges a small "convenience" fee. If you became an Annual Member from April 1 until now, you have an option to upgrade to Lifetime Membership at any time this Rotary year (i.e. until June 30, 2012), simply by sending in the difference ($80 USD). Use the attached membership form as a transmittal so we have your current contact information.
The focus of this year's efforts of the Rotarian's Wine Appreciation Fellowship will be three-fold. First, to attempt to disseminate as much information about wine, wine and food pairings and other wine related topics as we can so that our own appreciation of good wine and food will be enhanced. Second, encourage more active participation by all members in the Fellowship. Third, host a fun event at the RI International Convention.
Specifically the Fellowship's goals for the year are to:
1. Publish at least 4 newsletters. These will be sent to all current members for whom we have correct email addresses. Please inform us of any changes in your contact information. We will send back issues upon request. A concerted effort will be made to keep our membership list current but we need your help.
2. Maintain and update our website (www.rotarywine.net). The International Fellowship of Digital Technology Rotarians provides ongoing advice. We encourage members to send us articles, comments, announcements of upcoming events, stories of event successes and any other information that would be of interest to our membership. We will post these on the website and/or include them in the newsletters.
3. Host a RWAF booth at the annual Rotary International Convention.
4. Plan a wine dinner party some time during the convention. Annual wine dinners have been well attended and a lot of fun. We are investigating the possibility of a cruise similar to the very successful one we did at the Brisbane convention.
5. Organize at least one wine tour during the year and possibly one after the convention. Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
6. Increase our membership. All of us know at least several Rotarians that would enjoy being members of our Fellowship. Our booth at the RI convention has been very successful in bringing in new members. We also receive many letters of interest to which we respond.
7. Encourage members to form local chapters that meet several times during the year for fun and fellowship. These local chapters are encouraged to accomplish service projects as another way to extend our Rotary service. Periodically we have very successful universal Fellowship projects that all individual members and/or local chapters can be involved.
8. Prepare and publish an annual financial statement and adhere to all the rules and regulations that Rotary expects of all Fellowships.
9. Provide value for our membership dues. By the end of this year we hope every member will have learned a little more about wine appreciation and will feel that belonging to the RWAF has been worthwhile.
10. Have fun. Learning more about any hobby or personal interest should always be fun but enjoying a good glass of wine over a good meal with family and friends and knowing more about what made this particular pairing of food, wine, people and setting so special can be memorable. Whenever we mention the Wine Appreciation Fellowship we see smiles and it seems that wine appreciation provides a common language among Rotarians.
As always, the officers and board members can be contacted via the web page. |
Passing of Karen Smithson
 As some of you may already know, Karen Smithson passed away from cancer on December 27th. Karen was the past president of the San Antonio Northeast Rotary Club in 1993-1994. Her name was Karen Burchard at the time. Karen became the first woman to serve as president of a San Antonio Rotary club. At the time of her induction as club president, Karen told a reporter for the San Antonio Express-News "I am very honored, very flattered and very challenged to do a good job - not only representing my club and Rotary International, but I feel like I will be representing the females who are in Rotary, which was opened to women only five years ago." Memorial donations can be made in Karen's name to the San Antonio affiliate of the Susan B. Komen foundation at www.komensanantonio.org Historic Moments: Women in Rotaryby Susan Hanf and Donna Polydoros, Rotary International News
The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary. "My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world," said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01.
The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow for the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings.
The response to the decision was overwhelming: By 1990, the number of female Rotarians had skyrocketed to over 20,000. Rotary has nearly 188,000 female Rotarians. Women have served in leadership positions as high as the RI Board of Directors and The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees.
Timeline of women in Rotary
1950
An enactment to delete the word male from the Standard Rotary Club Constitution is proposed by a Rotary club in India for the Council on Legislation meeting at the 1950 RI Convention.
1964
The Council on Legislation agenda contains an enactment proposed by a Rotary club in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to permit the admission of women into Rotary clubs. Delegates vote that it be withdrawn. Two other proposals to allow women to be eligible for honorary membership are also withdrawn.
1972 As more women begin reaching higher positions in their professions, more clubs begin lobbying for female members. A U.S. Rotary club proposes admitting women into Rotary at the 1972 Council on Legislation.
1977 Three separate proposals to admit women into membership are submitted to the Council on Legislation for consideration at the 1977 RI Convention. A Brazilian club makes a different proposal to admit women as honorary members.
The Rotary Club of Duarte, California, USA, admits women as members in violation of the RI Constitution and Standard Rotary Club Constitution. Because of this violation, the club's membership in Rotary International is terminated in March 1978, only to be reinstated in September 1986.
1980 The RI Board of Directors and Rotary clubs in India, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States propose an enactment to remove from the RI and club constitutions and bylaws all references to members as male persons .
1983-86 In a lawsuit filed by the Duarte club in 1983, the California Superior Court rules in favor of Rotary International, upholding gender-based qualification for membership in California Rotary clubs. In 1986, the California Court of Appeals reverses the lower court's decision, preventing the enforcement of the provision in California. The California Supreme Court refuses to hear the case, and it is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
1987 On 4 May, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that Rotary clubs may not exclude women from membership on the basis of gender. Rotary issues a policy statement that any Rotary club in the United States can admit qualified women into membership. The Board "encourages all clubs in the U.S. to give fair and equal consideration to candidates for membership without regard to gender."
The Rotary Club of Marin Sunrise, California (formerly Larkspur Landing), is chartered on 28 May. It becomes the first club after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to have women as charter members. Sylvia Whitlock, of the Rotary Club of Duarte, California, becomes the first female Rotary club president.
1988
In November, the RI Board of Directors issues a policy statement recognizing the right of Rotary clubs in Canada to admit female members based on a Canadian law similar to that upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
1989
At its first meeting after the 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Council on Legislation votes to eliminate the requirement in the RI Constitution that membership in Rotary clubs be limited to men. Women are welcomed into Rotary clubs around the world. |
Local Rotarian recognized by
San Antonio Business Journal
The San Antonio Business Journal recently announced its list of winners of its 2011 40 under 40 awards. We are very proud to share with you that Rotary District 5840's own Public Relation Chair, Leroy Alloway, was on this list. When Leroy is not working on increasing Rotary's awareness to the public, he is the Director of Community Development with the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority.
Each year, the newspaper selects 40 exceptional individuals under the age of 40 who are making great strides in their professional careers and are contributing positively to the San Antonio community. The winners were selected from a pool of more than 200 nominations. The newspaper solicited nominations between August to October 2011. Winners will be honored at a special event on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at the Omni Hotel.
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Alamo Heights Interact Club recognized
submitted by Rick Berchin
The Alamo Heights Interact Club, sponsored by the Alamo Heights Rotary Club, was recently recognized for their holiday program in Alamo Heights Magazine. Please click on the link below to view the article.
http://www.AlamoHeightsMagazine.com
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PolioPlus Update
by John Hutcherson, District PolioPlus Chair
Thank you for all of your help on PolioPlus in 2011. Results are remarkable. As of December 28, 2011 there were 604 new cases of polio in the world. That is 304 fewer cases than same time in 2010!!!! Rotarians around the world and the polio eradication community are celebrating. And working harder than ever to further reduce the cases of polio to 0.
India has had only 1 new case of polio in 2011 and that case was diagnosed in January, 2011. Congratulations.
The end is in sight, but the last steps are very difficult and very expensive. Please keep your contributions to PolioPlus flowing to the Rotary Foundation so we can be finished in a few short years.
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The "Polio Pig" this way comes
by Al Muniz
We are travelling the district with the "Polio Pig". I want to thank the San Antonio West Rotary Club as they gave us this little piggy bank at our visit to the club. This was the first Club that District Governor Sherri (my employer as chauffer and valet) and I visited.
Those of you who have already been visited by us are aware that we have introduced you personally to him. You have been very generous to Mr. Polio Pig. He has received from you $5,589.04. At seven immunizations per Dollar that equals to approximately 39,123 children that can be immunized against Polio. Wow! You are really great. All monies placed by you in Mr. Polio Pig are sent to Polio Plus in the name of your individual club.
A special mention goes to the Rotary club of Cuero where Mr. Polio Pig was given $1,696.00. One Rotarian gave us a check for $1,000.00 Dollars. He will be a brand new Paul Harris fellow in a few weeks. Cuero is at this moment the leading contributor club to Mr. Polio Pig. Please remember that this is only what has been given to him (Mr. Polio Pig) Wow!
We have now driven or coasted about 20,000 miles in the district. We have visited some of the outlying clubs more than three times. It is really great to see club members more than once over the course of the year. After the second visit you feel like old friends and can share some of the travel tips with Rotarians around the district. We have been to one restaurant about five times and the last time we were there one of the customers wanted to know if we had immediate seating? She said since I was dressed up she thought I was working there. I wonder if I can apply as greeter at a restaurant after I am done driving Miss Sherri?????
Keep your comments and on "The Road Ahead" anecdotes coming. Share your stories with other Rotarians. Stuff the Polio Pig and keep working to do the best, especially for the children of the world. Remember: We are the present and if we do not prepare the way for the future (children) there will be no future.
Reporting from behind a large flowering cactus I bid farewell you until the next crossroads (Ouch, I should not have waved).
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