Governor's Message

The new Rotary year has just begun and already it's in full swing. The calendar is filling up, clubs have installed new officers, district committees are working hard...it's amazing how much goes on even during a time of year we sometimes consider to be a little slower than the rest.In order to keep you informed on a timely basis, we are trying something new with my Governor's Newsletter this year. As we've done in the past, we'll send you a synopsis of articles at the beginning of each month. But we will also be posting articles and information as available at http://rotary6440.blogspot.com. You can check there periodically throughout the month to find out what's new in District 6440. Our district website, www.rotary6440.org, will also be continually updated. Please bookmark both sites and visit them regularly.We have an outstanding group of club leaders beginning their terms. They are supported by an equally outstanding district leadership team. Please take advantage of the assistant governors and district committee chairs and their expertise. With the wide range of experience they represent, it's likely someone can provide you with information on a proposed project, challenges you're facing, or new ideas. From club programs to recruiting members to world community service projects, we've got people ready and willing to help you make this the best year ever.I look forward to working with all of you as we continue our efforts to eradicate polio, enrich our communities near and far, and enjoy the unique fellowship for which Rotary is known.

End Polio Now

Polio eradication is truly within sight. As long as we remain focused and work together, this vision can become reality. The challenges are many, but perseverance by thousands of volunteers and professionals has chipped away and will continue to chip away the obstacles. Those volunteers include each of us!

How do we do that? How can I help “End Polio Now?”

1. Save the Date. October 24. Friday. United Nations Day. This will be the official launch of Rotary District 6440’s public awareness campaign. We want every club to do “something” in its community. We will help you not only raise awareness about polio eradication, but raise awareness of Rotary and your own club! Collectively, we can make a major impact.

2. Reserve local signage for the October 19 – 26th. We will provide copy ideas and other materials that you will be able to use.

3. Volunteer to be on the District 6440 “End Polio Now” committee. (A) We need experienced, energetic people to create, coordinate and implement a district-wide PR campaign, including the October 24th event. (B) We need volunteers who are willing and able to make presentations to both Rotary clubs and non-Rotary groups.

4. Give us ideas. So often we hear, “Someone should do X” or “If only we had Y.” This is your chance to help us!

5. Appoint a Club “End Polio Now” Coordinator. Each club will benefit from a single point person who will receive news, ideas as well as materials from the district to be used by the club members and other community groups.

6. Schedule an “End Polio Now” program for your club. Your members will be proud and appreciate learning the latest about Rotary’s polio eradication 20-year project. They will be inspired to want to be personally involved.

How do we do these? To volunteer, get on the District 6440 “End Polio Now” distribution list, or schedule a program, contact Bill Byrne (w.byrne@comcast.net or 847-564-9216).

And do it right away. October 24th will be here soon!

World Peace Fellowship Deadline Extended

The trustees of The Rotary Foundation have extended the deadline for the two year, master's degree World Peace Fellowship program to August 1, 2008. In addition, they have removed the limit on the number of applicants a district can endorse. So if you've had someone working on an application who just didn't get it done, please have the potential candidate contact Jill Brickman (jillbr@aol.com) right away so that the district committee can complete its screening prior to the new deadline.

New EREY Eligibility Report

Any Rotarian who contributes to the Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary Foundation is now automatically identified as an Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) contributor on the new EREY Eligibility Report. The report also identifies Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members (contributors of $100 or more to the Annual Programs Fund) and those who are eligible to participate in their district’s Paul Harris Society ($1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund). Like the revised CRS, users may run the report for ALL individuals associated with the club; or they may suppress non-members by selecting only club members.

Both the Club Recognition Summary and EREY Eligibility Report as well as the Monthly Contribution Report are useful tools for verifying contributions to the Foundation, and monitoring individual and club progress toward the various recognition opportunities available. Additionally, these reporting enhancements will allow for individuals and clubs to identify any contribution errors in a timely fashion. Please note, corrections of contributions from one gift designation to another must be made within 90 days of the gift date receipt, AND within the same Rotary fiscal year.

These reports are available to current district governors, district governors-elect, district Foundation chairs, annual giving subcommittee chairs, club presidents, and club secretaries until 30 June 2008. On 1 July, the reports will be available to the new club and district officers. Go to www.rotary.org and click on Member Access on the upper right-hand corner.

Club Recognition Summary Improved

A change in the Club Recognition Summary, which identifies club members’ Paul Harris Fellow recognition levels and available Foundation Recognition Points, replaces the Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member columns with new columns showing the date and designation of a donor’s most recent contribution to the Foundation. The revised Club Recognition Summary also allows for users to run the report for ALL individuals associated with the club; or they may suppress non-members by selecting only club members.

Changes to The Rotary Foundation Reports

To provide better information to Rotarians worldwide, changes have been made to the reports that are made available to clubs and districts worldwide -- and we've created a new report for EREY donors -- that's Every Rotarian, Every Year! Now, clubs will be able to track when their members' last contributions were received by the Foundation and verify that the contributions were submitted correctly. This will help clubs comply with the 90 day limit on submitting corrections to have contributions moved from one fund to another. Better yet, the report can be viewed by active club members only or the report can list everyone associated with the club, like non-Rotarian Paul Harris Fellows that are credited to the club.

Also, for clubs that are vying for Rotary Foundation banner recognition, they will want to keep an eye on the new EREY Eligility Report based on contributions to the Annual Programs Fund only. These contributions are what come back to our district to be spent on Foundation programs like District Simplified Grants that clubs may apply for as well as Ambassadorial Scholars, Matching Grants, Volunteer Service Grants, Grants for University Teachers, etc.

GSE Team Members and Leader to New Zealand Needed

Applications for members of our group study exchange team to New Zealand are needed by August 11, 2008. The team will travel in April, 2009. Team members must be non-Rotarians between 25 and 40 years of age (at time of application) who have written permission from employers to participate in the program. They must live or work within District 6440's boundaries and be United States citizens.

One team leader will be chosen. The leader must be an experienced Rotarian with the leadership abilities needed to build a team, of young non-Rotarians, to travel to New Zealand and learn about their vocations, another culture, and be good ambassadors for America.

Group study exchange promotes goodwill and understanding. Travel costs are covered by The Rotary Foundation and hosting is provided by New Zealand Rotarians. This fabulous program has enriched thousands of lives over the years. Much more information on the program is available at www.rotary.org.

Applications and more information about this exchange are available from outbound coordinator Mark Parisi at markdparisi@aol.com.

Foundation Alumni to Purchase Shelter Box

Alumni of Rotary Foundation programs who live or work in District 6440 are currently raising funds to purchase a Shelter Box for use wherever it's needed. People who've been Ambassadorial Scholars, group study exchange team members, and Peace Fellows will join forces to come up with the money needed for the purchase.

Rotary's effectiveness in using the ShelterBox program has received a great deal of positive publicity lately. More information is available at www.shelterboxusa.org.

It's important to keep Foundation program participants involved in Rotary activities and this is one way to do it. Jim Runnfeldt, a Long Grove Rotarian who was a GSE team leader, coordinates alumni activities for our district. Please see the website at www.rotaryalumni6440.com for more information.

Evening at Ravinia August 17th

Our district will host an evening at Ravinia on Sunday, August 17th, featuring an evening of George Gershwin music with performers Michael Feinstein and Jane Monheit. There will be a catered picnic beginning at 6:00 p.m. with Italian sausage and beef, Polish sausage, red hots, side dishes, dessert and soft drinks. You may bring your own wine or beer.

Tickets are available until August 9th. Please visit www.rotary6440.org for ticket and meal prices and the registration form.

Arlington Heights Sunrise and Wheaton Change Locations

Effective 1 July 2008, the Arlington Heights Sunrise Club will move its Tuesday morning 7:15 am meetings to the DoubleTree Hotel, 75 West Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights. They will also be offering makeup meetings at a cost of $10. Join them for breakfast!

The Rotary Club of Wheaton will meet at Arrowhead Golf Club, 26 W 151 Butterfield Road in Wheaton. They'll continue to meet at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesdays.

New Newsletter Format

This year we're trying something new. News items will be added throughout the month. You can check back here anytime to find out what's new in District 6440. At the beginning of every month, you'll be send a synopsis of postings so that you're informed of anything that's happening in the district: upcoming events, deadlines, projects, etc.

We will continue using www.rotary6440.org for all web site content.