Introduction:

What does Vocational Service Month mean to you?  To me it means career days, classification talks and vocational service awards.  It is the recognition that all jobs and careers have value.  It is one of the Avenues of Service, a major root of the Rotary tree.  When we join a Rotary Club we join representing our profession, our classification.  http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_html/voc_service_files/frame.htm  . 

But most importantly to me, Vocational Service Month means the Four-Way Test.  For Rotary, The Four-Way Test is the cornerstone of all action. It has been for years, and it will be in the future.

Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Time for a Review:

Well, as I write this newsletter, I have visited 63 of 65 clubs, I have circulated my goals for the district and listened to your goals and plans for the year. The Conference is over, we have held our first District Council, WCS, Interact, Foundation, and Strategic Planning Meetings.  The GSE Team from France has visited our district and we have selected a strong team to represent our district next Spring.  Youth Exchange training has been conducted and the students have arrived.  The District’s Interact and Rotaract Clubs have started their years and attend the District Conference.   After four months it is time to review where we are compared to where we want to be.  The year is not over, it has only just begun.  As your Governor, it is now time to look at the district goals and to help you accomplish your goals so that at the end of June we can say “Yes, we had a successful year!”.

We will be chartering a new club in Orleans on November 22nd.  http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=246.  I hope you are planning to attend.  Rotary International has provided me with the result of the Semi-Annual Reports which 50 of 65 clubs returned to RI (required in July each year with your RI dues).  These reports indicate a district membership of 2158 as of July 1.  District records indicate 2144 (with all but one club reported).  I wonder what the real number is?  Septembers attendance/membership reports indicate that a district membership of 2164, GROWTH GOOD and Orleans still is not counted.  But, Eleven (11) clubs still have missing reports.  Each club at my visit seemed to understand why membership growth is important, lets also commit to filing timely attendance and membership reports.

Next month is The Rotary Foundation Month and the end of the calendar year is approaching.  Lets ask members to consider making the Foundation one of this years charities and send in a contribution before the end of the year.  Clive Talbot and I are available if you want a Foundation Program.  Also do not forget Foundation Alumni (GSE Team members and Scholars)and WCS Committee members, these are the recipents of Foundation contributions.

Our Interact and Rotaract Clubs have started there years, are your mentoring the club you sponsored.  Lets make sure that the Interact and Rotaract clubs have good sponsors and advisors and are invited to our club meetings and events.  Lets volunteer to help with their events. And lets grow the Youth Exchange Program for next year and double the number of students inbound and out, short and long terms.  If you missed the conference you missed a great Youth Exchange experience.  And we were glad to have the Rotaractors and Interactors join us for lunch Saturday and participate in some of the Plenary meetings.  MIXING OF THE GENERATIONS.

I hope by know your fundraisers and community and international projects are taking shape.  Club committees busy?  Are you reviewing how well your club is operating, look at the Club Leadership Plan again.  Will it help?  I plan on looking at the Club Leadership Plan and the District’s organization.  Review is healthy.  A wise Governor said in his Official Visit presentation, “You don’t have to be sick to get better!”. 

Oh, yes leadership succession.  A reminder to all New York Clubs, nominations for Distict Governor 2011-2012, are due by the end of January 1.  You should have received the following notice:

1. Be a member of good standing of a functioning Rotary Club in the District.
2. Have full qualifications for membership in the strict application of the clubs membership provisions, and the integrity of the Rotarian’s classification must be without question.
3. Have served as a president of a club for a full term or be a charter president of a club having served the full term from the date of the charter to June 30, provided that this periond is for at least six months.
4. Demonstreate willingness, committment, and ability, physically and otherwise, to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the office of governor as provided in RI Bylaws.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the qualification, duties and responsibilites of governor as prescribed in the RI Bylaws, and submit to RI, through its general secretary, a sighed statement acknowledging a clear understanding of them. This statement shall be also confirm that the Rotarian is qualified for the office of governor and willing and able to assume the duties of the office and to perform them faithfully.”

Note also that a Governor must have been a member of Rotary for 7 years at the time of becoming Governor.

Also remember, This is the time to plan your succession.  RI recommends that annual club elections be held not later than December 31, following the procedures of your club by-laws.   December 31st is also the deadline to report next years President and Secretary to RI for the annual Directory and to the District Treasurer and Governor-elect. Don’t wait until the last minute.  Update your club’s Profile on the website to include your President-Elect and Secretary ASAP.

Club Presidents review the RI recommended checklist and see how you are doing  http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/pres_checklist.pdf .

District Awards

At the District Conference numerous awards were presented for the year 2007-2008.  These are the measure of a successful year.  The awards given were:

Presidential Citations for 2007-08:

ROTARY CLUBS:  Alexandria Bay, AuSable Valley, Brockville, Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills, Cataraqui-Kingston, Chesterville, Clayton, Cornwall, Cornwall Sunrise, Gouverneur, Laval, Montréal-Lakeshore, Mont-Tremblant, Napanee, North Renfrew, Ottawa, Ottawa Stittsville, Perth, Petawawa, Plattsburgh Sunrise, Potsdam, Prescott, Shawville, Theresa, Watertown, Watertown Sunrise, and Westmount.

ROTARACT CLUBS: Carleton-Ottawa University and Queens University

INTERACT CLUBS: General Vanier School, Rothwell-Osnabruck and Makenzie High School

Congratulations to all, well done! Great Year Edmond!

2009-2010 Ambassadorial Scholars:

Our three Scholars, one Ambassadorial and two Stoiber Scholars have received their assignment and each will be going to thier first choices. 

The 2010-2011 Scholarship applications should be on the RI Website by December and information will be sent out and on our disrict  website.  Applications must be received by the District Chair Joan Heyland by March 31st and the interviews will be May 9th.   

News can be good:

Congratulations and thank you to the Bell High School Interact Club presenting $3,000 to the Nepean-Kanata Rotary Club to rebuild a school in Kenya.  The recognition of this event featured the Bell High School Interact Club, Nepean-Kanata Rotary Club and Youth Exchange Student Natalia Alburquerque,  all working together for a great cause. Thank you to the Nepeanthisweek.com.  http://www.nepeanthisweek.com/article/7021       

What Rotary Can Offer:

During my visits we have often talked about what Rotary can offer new members and their employers.  Immdiate Past RI President Wilf Wilkinson on October 6th offered his thoughts on this subject in Montréal.  His speach titled ”A Voice for Business and a Path for Peaced”  is summarized by PDG Jack Troughton for your benefit.

Past Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson gave an inspiring speech in our District. He struck very strong themes. 

He drew attention to the recent emphasis on the battle between Wall Street and main Street.  Wilf reminded the audience that “Rotary has a membership that represents both Wall Street and Main Street.”n He pointed out that Rotarians are “influenced by the ‘Four Way test’ and the core values of Rotary which are: Fellowship - Service - Diversity - Integrity - Leadership.”  He concluded that the battle between Wall Street and main Street would not be possible if all of business embraced high ethical standards.

Wilf went on to offer the idea that Service Clubs “can build Paths of Peace in a World I believe is yearning for Peace.”

 “Let’s face it”, Wilf stressed, “the biggest difficulty that threatens peace all around the world, is the economic disparity that exists between rich and poor.  Service Clubs can are effectively bridging the gap.” 

He concluded his remarks by pointing out that “Service Clubs bring people of developed and under developed countries together, both locally and internationally.  They work to serve others and by doing so create Paths of Peace.”

Conference Memories:

Some District Dates to Remember in November - Foundation Month

Rotary Day at the UN - November 8th  http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=234

District Council and Strategic Planning Meetings -November 15th - http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=180

Ottawa Area Membership Seminar - November 19th - http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=217

Charter Night Orleans Rotary Club - November 22nd - http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=246

Council of Governors Meeting - November 22nd - http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=192

Youth Exchange Short Term Orientation - November 29th - http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=41

Introduction

September is New Generations Month, so think about ways your club can become more involved with the next generation of Rotary – our youth. Does your club sponsor an Interact club? If so, when was the last time you conducted a joint service project with the Interactors? Is your club involved in your district’s Rotary Youth Exchange program? Does it nominate outstanding youth from your community to participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)? Has it conducted any recent service projects benefiting local youth? Don’t forget Rotaractors!

Your club’s involvement in youth programs not only can help attract younger prospective members who have families, but also can lead to increased satisfaction and retention among current members, who gain a sense of fulfillment by working with young people. As an added benefit, involving your community’s youth in Rotary’s programs and service projects teaches them about Rotary’s extraordinary work and prepares them to become the Rotarians of tomorrow.

But more importantly our involvement with youth makes these young adults better citizens of their community and the world.

District Chairs:

Youth Exchange:  Chris Edgell  http://www.rotary7040.com/program-ye.php

Interact:  PDG Bette Miller  http://www.rotary7040.com/program-interact.php

Rotaract:  Pat Brown   http://www.rotary7040.com/program-rotaract.php

RYLA:  Daniel Godbout   http://www.rotary7040.com/program-ryla.php 

All these committees need your support.  We need representation from each area of the district.  If you are interested in helping contact the committee chair.

Support of Youth with Handicaps:

This Summer, I was impressed with the support our district clubs give to youth with handicaps and their families. Especially the support given to two summer camp programs. On August 27th, I attended the 60th Anniversary of the Easter Seals Camp Merrywood in Perth.  I was amazed at the support this camp receives from Ontario Rotary Clubs.  In Northern New York, the Rotary Clubs in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties support the NYSARC camp at Dodge Pond.  This year a basketball court was built for the camp. These camps not only provide a quality outdoor experience to the children with handicaps, but a rest for their families. 

From the Character Counts Newsletter:

Lets face it.  Personal trauma and tragedy – like illness or injury, death of a loved one, loss of a job, or an unexpected breakup of a relationship – are unavoidable. The question is: Will these private calamities erode our capacity to be happy or help us become stronger and better able to live a meaningful and fulfilling life?

Consider how differently carrots, eggs, and coffee beans are affected by the extreme adversity of being boiled.

Like the carrot, adversity can soften us. We can emerge more flexible, understanding, compassionate, and grateful or we can let our life spirit turn into a soft mush. Like the egg, the boiling water can make us harder, stronger, tougher, and wiser or we can become more cynical, pessimistic, callous, and inaccessible. And like the coffee bean, we can willingly transform our lives into something better or simply lose ourselves completely.

We can’t control what happens to us, but we have a lot to say about how we react and, therefore, what happens in us. The first step to turning adversity into advantage is to get out of the hot water as quickly as possible. Don’t dwell on catastrophe. Grieve, but move on. Don’t define your life by misfortune.

Second, force yourself to move forward. Draw on inner strengths, the people who love you, and your faith to help you transform your life into something better. Formulate a vision of a more purposeful life filled with people and experiences that will help you become more fulfilled.

Victoria and Iqaluit

September was highlighted by the events of two weeks.  First was my visit to Iqaluit, Nunavut and the second was the Zone 22 Institute in Victoria, BC.  I have spoke of both experiences since my travels and I have been changed by both experiences.  In many ways, both were learning experiences. 

In Victoria, I was struck by the beauty and the affluence of the community, but as the Honorable Steven Point,Lt. Governor, pointed out their are still opportunities for service in the native communities of British Columbia and one did not have to go too many blocks in Victoria to see the homeless on the streets.

And during my visit to Iqaluit, I was struck by difference of the scenery compared to my Adirondack upbringing, but the beauty of the trundra and the art made by the Inuit people.  There are many opportunities for service in that community also, especially help for the children.

I have invited the Iqaluit Rotary Club to become more active in our District and would like to invite District clubs here in the south to join the Iqaluit Club in projects in their community, helping the young children.  http://www.rotary7040.com/clubs.php?scope=nu&lang=en

I also took an expedited chef training course from Chef Ray Lovell, President of the Iqaluit Rotary Club.  I still can’t cook, but I can cut a mean arctic char.

Thank you to the Iqaluit Rotary Club and President Ray!

Presdent DK Lee:

As he has said before, the Power of Rotary is when we work together. We need to continue water projects but be just as proud of digging latrines.  We should focus on children, break the grip of poverty thru education, and take up the Gates Challenge to continue the task of polio eradication.

Sharing the Rotary experience by bringing in a new member to your club is one of the most important tasks of a Rotarian.  With new members come new hands, minds and hearts. Diversity is most important to bring in women and men of all ages with different skills and talents.

How important is membership growth to DK?  Well at the ceremony where I escorted DGE Arnold to meet the RI President and RI VP Monty, DK leaned over to me and asked “How is your membership?”.  He asked each of his Governors how there membership drive was going.

Honorable Steven L. Point, Lt. Governor of BC

His happiness test:  Do what you do best and happiness will follow.

Three steps to making a difference;

Step 1:  Have a dream or thought.  you now have the obligation to make it happen.

Step 2:  Talk about the dream with others, there is power in words.  Get the the opinions of others

Step 3:  Bring it ot reality with actions.

Recognition Night

Competition is good and so is recognition and awards.  Zone 22 has a Recognition Night at the Institute recognizing many for there service to Rotary and District Membership and Foundation achievements.  In membership those districts most successful have brought in over 150 new members.  We had a good year last year, but have a way to go.  If we meet out goal our district has a chance at one of the membership awards.

With regards to the Foundation, Districts are recognized for % increase in Permanent Funds, per capita giving, in TRF contribution, Major Donor and Bequest Society Members.  We have a long way to go, but what I would like to concentrate on this year is reaching our goal of $100 per member.  Again we had a good year last year achieving over $90 per member in Annual Giving. Our best year ever.  Sixteen of the twenty-four Zone 22(24) have reached this plateau.  I think we can join this group. 

As DK say lets work together as a team.  Rotary and our District will benefit if we meet our Membership and Foundation goals.

Well, Just got the latest Membership Report.  Middle of September and still alot of reports missing, but congratulations to the following clubs with net increases from June.  Kingston, Watertown Sunrise, Ottawa-Bytown, Pembroke, Lake Placid, Cornwall Sunrise, Longueuil Rive-Sud and Saranac Lake.

Introduction

August has been a bitter sweet month.  Past District Governor Harold Passmore passed away.  His memorial service was held on August 26th.  Hal was a Rotarian for over 60 years. He was a member from 1947 to 1956 in Fort William, Ontario, from 1956 to 1959 in Saskatoon Saskatchewan and from 1959 till the present in the “Rotary Club of Brockville” Ontario. He was president of the Brockville club in 1964/65 and was District Governor for district 704 in 1968/69. He also led the GSE team to Australia in 1974.  He will be missed by many in the District and his contribution to Rotary and District 7040 greatly appreciated.

I have completed 40 visits and I am encouraged by the club plans.  Now the plans must be executed. 

Membership

Sadly  some of the membership gains of 2007-2008, were lost in July. Apparently, in July we added 25 new member but lost 48.   Retention is critical. Lets find out why these members are leaving.  Remember to send representatives to the Membership Seminars in Clayton on September 13th,  http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=167 and Ottawa - Nepean on November 19th, http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=217 .  If you have not read the August Membership Moment do so.  Thank you Bob Hanna, Bertrand de Cardaillac, Manon Lennon and all the participants at the Montreal Seminar for the excellent exchange of ideas.

Ethics

Many have asked me about the poem quoted in part during my club presentation.  The entire text is provided below.

What Will Matter

by Michael Josephson http://josephsoninstitute.org/index.html

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.  Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed important will fade away. It won’t matter whether you were beautifull or brilliant. Even you gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?  How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.  What will matter is not your success but your significance.  What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not you competence but your character. What will matter is not how many people you know, but how many will feel a lasting loss when your’re gone.  What will matter is not your memories but the memories of those who loved you.  What will matter is how long you are remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circomstances but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.

Legislation

At the District Conference two proposed amendments will be voted on.  These amendments have been discussed at both PETS and the District Assembly and transmitted to clubs earlier in August.  The procedure for voting is:

“These policies and procedures may be amended by a two-thirds majority of incoming presidents, or duly appointed representatives present and voting at the District Assembly or PETS, or by a two-thirds majority of the presidents, or duly appointed representatives, present and voting at the District Conference or by ballot-by-mail. Each club shall be entitled to one vote.”

Proposed Amendments to District 7040 Procedures

Section II – Nomination of District Governor

Article 1

Preamble.

Whereas the Rotary Club of Iqaluit, Nunavut is now in District 7040 but separate from the three main geographical areas of the District, and Whereas the District has already chosen to continue the historical three-way rotation for the selection of District Governor Nominee, and Whereas the District wishes to afford to the Iqaluit club the opportunity to participate in the District Governor nomination process, and Whereas the Rotary Club of Iqaluit chooses to join the existing geographical area of Ontario for that purpose,

NOW, THEREFORE, the District proposes to amend Article 1 of Section II of DISTRICT 7040 PROCEDURES to implement that change.

 Article 1 now reads as follows:

It is the practice in District 7040 to select the District Governor Nominee annually from the district’s three geographical areas on a rotating basis, namely New York, Ontario and Quebec, in that order.

PROPOSAL:

It is the practice in District 7040 to select the District Governor Nominee annually from the district’s four geographical areas on a 3-year rotating basis, namely New York, Ontario + Nunavut, and Quebec, in that order.

Article 3

Preamble.

Whereas Rotary International urges districts in the Manual of Procedure to seek out and nominate the best qualified person for the office of Governor, and Whereas it is felt that a minimum of two qualified candidates is necessary to satisfy this guideline,

NOW, THEREFORE, the District proposes to amend Article 3 of Section II of DISTRICT 7040 PROCEDURES to implement that change.

Article 3 now reads as follows:

In the event that an area fails to propose a qualified candidate by the January 1 deadline, that area shall be considered to have passed its turn and the District Governor shall issue an invitation to all other clubs in the district to submit suggestions for District Governor nominee. The following year, the traditional sequence of the geographical areas shall be restored.

PROPOSAL:

In the event that an area fails to propose two qualified candidates by the January 1 deadline, the District Governor shall forthwith issue an invitation to all other clubs in the district to propose a qualified candidate for Governor Nominee by April 1. If one candidate had been submitted by the required geographical area in the first round, this candidate will be considered along with any additional candidates from the district.  The following year, the traditional sequence of the geographical areas shall be restored.

District Conference

The District Conference Registration Form has recently been revised.  For the revised form and Conference News check http://www.rotary7040.com/press/conference_en/ .  Included will be information on President Lee’s Representative. Reservations will be taken by Nav Canada Conference Centre.  Checks should be made out to the Massena Rotary Club Conference 2008, credit cards will be processed by the Massena Rotary Club (Visa and Mastercard only).

Website

Recently some District 7040 Rotarians received an email with a virus.  The webmaster’s newsletter  http://www.rotary7040.com/press/webmaster/ provides some advice on how to prevent spam.

The Website now includes more functions which used to be part of the published District Directory, including a roster of club and district officers and PDGs.  This is only available to those registered.  Sign up now at http://www.rotary7040.com/loginRequest.php  to take full advantage of website features.

RYLA

Your assistance is needed on the RYLA Committee, especially Rotarians in Ontario and New York.  If you are interested in the training of youth, contact Daniel Godbout from the link on the District RYLA Webpage  http://www.rotary7040.com/program-ryla.php 

Youth Exchange

The number of inbound and outbound students is down considerably.  We would like to grow the program.  To learn more go to the Youth Exchange Leadership Seminar, check it out at http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=202 .

Remaining Club Visits

• Rotary International: http://www.rotary.org
• E-Clubs:  http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/eclub_list.pdf
• Rotary Zone 22:  http://www.clubrunner.ca/zprg/dxhome/_home.aspx?zid=22
• Rotary Zone 31/32:  http://www.rotaryzones31-32.org/ 

INTRODUCTION:

Well, the 2008-2009 Rotary Year is here and I have started my club visits. This has been an enlightening and fun experience. Clearly the best part of being Governor. By the end of July, I will have completed 25 visits all over our district. As I have traveled the district it is obvious that we live in a beautiful part of the world.  During this year, I will use this newsletter to talk about my priorities and areas of interest, as well as, highlighting the success stories that you send me.  I want to share ideas about membership growth and retention, the Rotary Foundation and PolioPlus Challenge, strengthening our clubs and district, effectively using the Website, effective Public Relations and turning challenges into opportunities for service. I, of course, will discuss the theme “Make Dreams Real” and my sub-theme “Dream Big” and RI President Lee’s focus on reducing child mortality.

DISTRICT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Administration

• Strengthen clubs and address leadership continuity by promoting the Club Leadership Plan and promotion of the Presidential Citation
• Improve Training and increase Rotary knowledge at the District and club level
• Utilize Website to replace the district directory and establish the website as a vital source of Rotary Information
• Develop new district and club leaders
• Increase District Efficiency

Membership

• Increase District Membership by 10%
• Club Extension: two new clubs in District
• Conduct a minimum of two Membership Seminars
• Obtain Club Membership Chair contact information from each club
• Distribute best practice information thru Governor’s Newsletter and Membership Minute

Our Rotary Foundation

• Donation to Polio Challenge - $65,000 district wide, average $1,000 per club, encourage community and district PolioPlus fundraisers
• Increase donation level per member to $100, $220,000 district wide
• Increase donations to Permanent Fund thru promotion of Benefactor, Bequest Society and Major Donor Programs at special Foundation events
• Obtain Club Foundation Chair contact information for each club
• Recognize Foundation donors
• Promote Foundation educational Programs

Service Projects

• Promote club projects in their communities utilizing District Simplified Grants
• Promote club international projects with DDF matching grants
• Focus community and international humanitarian programs on reducing infant mortality
• Grow Youth Exchange club participation

Public Relations

• Promote effective club and district Public Relations initiatives thru education
• Support 2010 Montreal Convention and HOC Committee
• Promote 2009 Annual Conference of the USA-Canada Youth Exchange Network in Montreal

ETHICS CORNER:

Each day remember the Four Way Test:

• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to All Concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Rationalization is the enemy of any ethical code. Circumstances will challenge our resolve.

Michael Josephson of Character Counts tells us:  You Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Implicit in the question is the idea that if you’re not perfect, you have no qualifications or moral standing to teach, preach, or punish others. That’s simply not true. Of course, inconsistencies between our words and personal conduct will undermine our credibility and give others an excuse to reject our message, but valid and valuable lessons can still be taught by imperfect people. We shouldn’t give up on our pursuit of perfection, but we also shouldn’t wait till we’re perfect to teach what we know and believe is right.”

DISTRICT WEBSITE NEWS - www.rotary7040.com 

During 2008-2009 we have plans for further improvements to the Website.  I decided that this year we would not publish a District Directory.  Many Districts have not published a directory of years.  We will be adding the directory functions onto the website. As this is done, I ask that you be patient. Your support is needed.

To access and update member information one must be a District 7040 Rotarian and register with the email address which is recorded on a club roster in the club database. The President, President-Elect, Secretary and eSecretary (position description at http://www.rotary7040.com/press/webmaster/), all designated in the Club Profile, are able to edit other members profiles, in addition to the club profile and club events.

Some Current Functions (some of these functions require members be registered)

• Governor’s Calendar
• International, Zone, District and Club Events
• Club profiles
• Club Rosters
• Rotary Information
• Link to club websites
• Group emailing from club roster data
• Member look-up
• List of AGs and their Clubs
• Governor’s Official Visits
• Governor’s, WCS, Webmasters, Conference Newsletters
• List of Past District Governors

Under Development

• List of District Committee Chairs
• District Goals and Objectives
• Directory to find contact information for District and Club officials

Please let us know how the website might be more helpful.

MEMBERSHIP

My goal for membership net growth is 10% or approximately 225 new member and two new clubs.  We are actively working on a new club in Orleans, Ontario, thanks to the efforts of PDG Russ Hicks. I don’t think we have ever had a net district increase of 225.  According to Membership Chair, Bob Hanna (bob.hanna-at-rotary7040.com), the 2007-08 net increase was +66, a great achievement.  But look at the numbers closely.  While we added 269 new Rotarians, we lost 203.  In 2008-2009, lets continue to recruit new Rotarians, but also concentrate on keeping those we already have.  Please attend an upcoming Membership Seminars:

• Montreal (2 seminars, French and English): August 23rd,  9am to 2:30 pm, Laval Community Centre, 3235 East St.-Martin Bvld., Laval, QC
• Clayton, NY: September 13th, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Dr. Clayton, NY
• Ottawa (Nepean): November 19th, details to follow

A related note, recently someone lamented that no one was looking at the Attendance numbers anymore.  Well, I do and you should too.  Low attendance could very well indicate a problem; boring programs, poor food or bad venue.  It means that somehow the expectations of your members are not being met. Maybe a lack of fellowship. Some of those not attending meetings are those leaving Rotary.  Find out what is going on.  Send in those Attendance Reports. I will be watching.  Send them to your AG too.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

I recently met with District PR Chair Chris Cochrane and we have some ideas for this year, but we need your help.  Rotary International is again offering PR Grants up to $10,000 and we want to take advantage of this opportunity.  These are again district level grants and Chris and I are asking for your ideas.  In the past, the grants have been used to place RI produced television and radio public service messages, billboards, banners, and newspaper supplements.  The district must contribute one-third the total PR Grant amount.  We must submit our application by 1 October 2008.  We would like ideas from clubs by 1 September to provide time to prepare the application for submittal.  Please submit your ideas to chris-at-cochrane.net or peter.bashaw-at-rotary7040.com .

DISTRICT CONFERENCE

The 2008 District 7040 Conference will be at Nav Canada Conference Centre ( http://conference.navcanada.ca/) in Cornwall, Ontario on October 17, 18 and 19 October, 2008.  I know you are looking to register and you will be able to do so soon.  We are talking with Nav Canada to  register directly with them, but have not completed the arrangements yet.  Keep watching the website for information and the new Conference Newsletter (http://www.rotary7040.com/press/conference_en or http://www.rotary7040.com/press/conference_fr) .  Refer questions to Conference Chair Kathy Kelly-Ori at stellmarksolve-at-aol.com .

Good news, Dick Pound has confirmed that he will be our keynote speaker at Lunch on Saturday.  He will also participate in the youth program that afternoon.  For those who are not familiar with the Olympics, Dick Pound has been a Canadian member of the International Olympic Committee for 20 years, just resigned in 2007 as head of the World Anti-Doping Agency,  and author of the book “Inside Dope” . His topic will be “Ethics and Dope in Sports”.

SCHEDULE OF CLUB VISITS

ROTARY LINKS

• Rotary International: http://www.rotary.org
• E-Clubs:  http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/eclub_list.pdf
• Rotary Zone 22:  http://www.clubrunner.ca/zprg/dxhome/_home.aspx?zid=22
• Rotary Zone 31/32:  http://www.rotaryzones31-32.org/