In This Issue:

• Plugged In - With District 5230 Governor, Young Koh
  
  
• District 5230’s Information Resource Center (IRC)
  
  
• Community Service and the Preserve Planet Earth
  
  
• District Message from International Service and
  World Community Service
  
  
• Interact has Become a Worldwide Phenomenon
  
  
• RYLA / Camp Royal for 2011
  
  
• RI President Ray Klinginsmith to Visit District 5230
  
  
• New Generations 2010/2011
  
  
• Public Relations in September
  
  
• Rotaractors: Link between Interactors and Rotarians
  
  
• CHOICES FOR TEENS Ramps Up in Central Valley
  

Rotary International has designated September as New Generations Month and asks clubs to focus on service efforts for young people under the age of 30.

I am reminded of a powerful statement that Past RI President Carl Wilhelm Stenhammar made in 2005-06: “Like many others, I have a dream. My dream is that every 17 year old could become an exchange student. If the world could achieve this, there would be no more wars.”

In addition to your ongoing youth projects, such as Youth Exchange, Camp Royal, Interact, and Rotaract, I encourage you to undertake activities that address such needs of young people as health, human values, education and self-development.

In an effort to determine what the greatest needs of young people are in the community, you can hold a Conference for New Generations. This meeting will give young people a forum in which to voice their concerns and articulate their needs, while encouraging community leaders to include young people in their work to improve community life. As early conference is most valuable, thereby allowing adequate time to develop a plan of action for addressing the issues for your young people….Building Communities—Bridging Continents.

For additional ideas and information, do not hesitate to call New Generation Operating Officer Sam Lucido (559) 917-1259 or slucido912@aol.com.

Yours in Rotary,



Young Koh
Governor, 2010-11
District 5230

With the advent of the Internet, distances and differences diminished among people everywhere. It became much easier to establish positive relationships, share ideas, and bridge gaps between cultures and ethnicities. In a fraction of a second, we can communicate with anyone on the other side of the world, in a neighboring city, or right next door. The Internet facilitates the mission of Rotary: provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace …

As most of you are aware, District 5230 and each individual club have a ready-made presence on the web called the “Information Resource Center” (IRC 2.0). Developed by a former North Carolina District Governor, the IRC includes a “District and Club Database,” (DaCdb) specifically designed for Rotary. As its name implies, the DaCdb contains a wide range of District information combined with a powerful yet easy to use website content management system.

The IRC offers each club the ability to quickly and easily share information with anyone who has access to a computer. As an added benefit, the database greatly simplifies administrative reporting required of all Rotary Districts and Clubs. The IRC is the portal through which any Rotarian can obtain information regarding District and club operations and programs. Want to know who’s involved in a particular program? Need to contact the chair? Looking for a member of another club? Where and when will the District Conference be held this year? All this and more is available with the click of a mouse. There is even an in-depth tutorial on the IRC itself, explaining how to get the most from the system.

As powerful as it is, not every club is using the “IRC” to its fullest advantage, and some are not using it at all. This is unfortunate because the system quickly becomes indispensible once you understand what it can do for your club. Fully 95% of IRC web pages, referred to as “U-Pages,” are generated and maintained by Rotarians possessing little or no web-development experience. These are the pages each club uses to describe their Club, its leadership and accomplishments. In addition to the homepage, they include: “About us,” “Our Service Projects,” and “News and Information”. Each club is free to use these pages as they deem appropriate.

The IRC also incorporates a “Calendar” that will display a year’s worth of District and Club events, accessible from individual club sites or the District website. All this can be added or accessed with the click of a mouse. Individual club websites are linked directly to the District site and calendar information detailing events of interest to the entire District can be directed to the District calendar and viewed by anyone in the District.

In summary, the District’s IRC 2.0 is each clubs’ link to the world. It is easy to use, requires no previous web design experience and yet is sufficiently powerful to enable individual clubs to present who they are and what they do in a dynamic and visually stimulating manner. And best of all, the system is provided by the District free of charge. So why not use it to your club’s fullest advantage?

I haven’t said much about the District side of things, but everything you ever wanted to know about District operations: leadership, committees membership or service projects is there, all easily accessible with a simple click of the mouse.

It goes without saying; all Rotarians share a mission to serve our communities and those that are in need. So, what kind of community project can Rotary Clubs undertake that not only helps our local communities, the whole Earth, and in these economically challenged times not drain each clubs’ budgets? That would be Preserve Planet Earth. District Governor Young Koh has set a goal to have the District, in its entirety, to participate in Preserve Planet Earth. There are many reasons to participate in this relatively simple and inexpensive project. Why trees? There are many reasons; here are just a few reasons why to participate In Preserve Planet Earth. Trees help to reduce global warming, give off oxygen that we need to breathe, and children have been shown to retain more of the information taught in schools if they spend some of their time outdoors in green spaces with tree. Plus this project helps each club to work towards the Presidential Citation goals.

How many trees do you need to plant? It is recommended that each club plant a minimum of one tree. Additionally, it is suggested that you coordinate with city leaders, schools district administration, or local business leaders to place a plaque of recognition on or nearby the tree. Make sure that you also contact your local news stations and newspaper for participate in the planting.

These are just a just few limited suggestions for the Preserve Planet Earth. Don’t stop there, let your imaginations soar; don’t sit back until the end of the year. Start your projects today. With that said, as your Community Service Officer, please don’t hesitate to contact me to help assist you with all of your community service projects! I look forward to working with all the clubs throughout the year.

DG Young Koh has asked us to assist him and all district clubs to track, monitor, record, and publicize their international projects. Bill has been involved with the El Nino project with the Fresno Downtown club, and appreciates the rewards of worthy international projects and has seen the “power of Rotary” in World Community Service.

Dean has been involved with many District International Service opportunities over the years including Group Study Exchange, Home Exchange, and Friendship Exchanges. We are excited about our task and want to be a resource to you and your club in your efforts this year.

Each club in our district is expected to have at least one international service project. Some are continuing projects and some clubs will be looking at a new club project. Most clubs operate independently with little or no shared knowledge about International Service with other clubs in our district. We intend to develop a clearing house to include various information about each club’s project. This could be a valuable resource in your planning and development of projects. It could be an impetus for joint club projects, and will become a valuable record of our total district efforts. The gathered information will also provide good material for our District newsletter so we can all be proud of our efforts.

Each club president will be receiving a survey form requesting information about your club’s international service project(s). This should be given to the club’s International Service Chair and then returned to Dean or Bill. We will compile the information and distribute it to each club president and International Service chair. This will be a really great resource for all of us! The survey will be emailed to club presidents soon and needs to be returned by September 1, 2010.

An additional request: Bill is currently in talks with several Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) about developing an Optometry project in Haiti. Children would receive the first priority, then adults. We will also be doing a used eye glasses collection. I would appreciate contact from any Rotarian with experience in Haiti, any who are fluent in French, and any with optometry experience. Updates will be coming in the future.

A second request: Please send us the name of and contact information for your international chair. On behalf of DG Young Koh, we look forward to working with you to help make your international service project(s) outstanding!

“en servicio”,

Interact is a service club for young people ages 14 to 18. Sponsored by local Rotary clubs, Interact clubs give young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. Interact is an international organization that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship and promotes international understanding and peace.

The name was created by combining the words "international" and "action." Interact clubs are sponsored by Rotary clubs as a program of Rotary International. Rotary clubs provide guidance and inspiration, but the Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Clubs take a variety of forms, both single-gender and mixed as well as large and small. The membership base of a club can be drawn from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools from the same community.

Interact clubs are encouraged to -  Be school-based or community-based; Have a Rotarian adviser and a faculty adviser for school-based clubs; Meet at least twice a month. Interactors must attend 60% of regularly scheduled meetings; require no financial support from the sponsoring Rotary club.
Each year, Interact clubs complete at least one community service project and at least one project that furthers international understanding and goodwill. Interactors develop a worldwide network of friendships through exchanges with local and overseas clubs. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends.
Popular projects include: Fundraisers; WAPI assembly; Clean-up REC Trails;
Through their service activities, Interactors learn the importance of:

• developing leadership skills and personal integrity
• demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
• understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
• advancing international understanding and goodwill

The first Interact club was initiated in 1962 by the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, USA. Two months later, the first Interact club outside the United States was established in Tanjore, India. Today there are more than 9,000 clubs in over 110 countries with an estimated membership of 200,000 youth worldwide.

How to Organize a Club:

• Form an Interact subcommittee.
• Identify the membership base.
• Hold informational and organizational meetings.
• Complete the Interact Club Organization List. 
• Submit the list to Rotary International.

Interact clubs allow Rotary’s new generations to be involved in community life and develop skills to become responsible and productive members of society and it’s also one of the most significant and fastest growing programs of Rotary service.
If you would like help starting or reestablishing your Interact Club please contact: John W. Mims, Interact-Coast Rep.

Also to be eligible to participate in Rotary's 2010 Interact Video Contest completed entry forms must be received by 1 December 2010. Download the contest rules and entry form to participate, and watch last year's contest entries on YouTube at Rotary International's Interact Video Contest channel.

What does a Rotary club need to do to be an effective participant in Camp Royal?

The first priority is to develop a personal rapport with the high school administrator or counselor at the school the club is sponsoring. It’s important to create this connection. So invite them to be a guest at your Rotary meeting. Allow them to understand “Service above Self”. Having done this, they stay motivated and seek to find the best students for your club to interview.

Once you establish rapport, share with them the profile for a good candidate for Camp Royal. While different candidates demonstrate various leadership potential, the most successful candidates for Camp Royal meet some or all of the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership experience or potentia
• A cooperative nature and willingness to participate in a group
• An awareness of current events and international issues
• Strong communication skills
• Good performance in school or work
• Enthusiasm for sharing newfound skills with others
• Proven dedication to community service

Ideally, your candidates will include students who have already been involved with Rotary, through Interact or contact with our Youth Exchange.

The RI Board encourages clubs to consider inviting socially and economically disadvantaged youth who have leadership potential. These youth may not have easy access to leadership development opportunities, so the potential impact is all the greater.

One last thing. I can’t overemphasize the need for the student to be cooperative and willing. Camp Royal is NOT an intervention. And, it’s not a reward for improved grades. It’s a leadership camp. We do not want someone who could be disruptive or disrespectful. A student with a history of discipline issues does not thrive in RYLA. If they become disruptive, it is unfair to other campers, as well as the camp’s counselors and staff, as it takes up so much precious time and energy.

Use your instincts and be sure who you are sending. Having a group of Rotarians interview the candidates helps the selection process go smoothly and will improve the overall quality of your choices.

Camp Royal is an experience which will transform a dynamic student leader into a better one. We consistently make the best better.

I hope this described for you how your club can be an effective participant in the Camp Royal experience. Contact me at bekleckner@hotmail.com if you would like me to present a program about Camp Royal at your regular meeting.

Mark you calendars!!! RI President Ray Klinginsmith and his wife Judie will be visiting District 5230 on Saturday, February 19, 2011.

The District 5230 Foundation Gala Committee has been hard at work making the necessary plans for this important event. Several important decisions have been made. Tickets for this event are tentatively priced at $75.00 each. You can sponsor a table of 10 for $1,500, which includes a Paul Harris Fellow to be presented by Ray at the dinner.

Individual table sponsors will be also be available for $750, which will also include a Paul Harris Fellow presented by Ray. We hope to have tickets purchases available by October 1st on the web.

New Generations, (formally know as Youth Services) is Rotary’s commitment to our youth. There are four (4) defined areas of service to the youth of our district:

1. Interact
Interact is a service club for young people ages 14-18 that are sponsored by local Rotary clubs giving young people an opportunity to participate in fun meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. They are in most local High Schools through out the district.

2. Rotaract
Rotaract is a Rotary sponsored service club for young men and woman ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based and they’re sponsored by local Rotary clubs. This makes them true “partners in service” and key members of the family of Rotary. We currently have a community based Rotarct club in the Fresno area.

3. RYLA
Camp Royal is Rotary’s leadership training program for High School students who have completed their 11th grade and have previously demonstrated leadership ability. There are separate boy’s and girl’s camp each summer at Sequoia Lake, near Kings Canyon National Park. This last year we had 99 boys and 98 girls attend. If you need any additional information contact Bruce Kleckner by e-mail at bekleckner@hotmail.com.

4. Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Exchange is a program for students ages 15-18 ½ (including children of Rotarians) to spend a year studying and living abroad among people from other lands and experiencing their culture and the opportunity of our district clubs to host students from different origins, sharing our culture and hospitality. Our program is lead by Melissa Mears. All information and forms for the program are posted to our district web site or you can contact Melissa by e-mail at melissamears@hotmail.com. Outbound student placement interviews will be held Nov. 19-21. Have your club sponsor a student.

October 24, 2010 is World Polio Day. One of the best things about Rotary is the opportunity to share successful ideas between Clubs and Districts. Here’s an idea from District 5170 with all the details which we are encouraging you to implement in your Club. This is a great Public Relations tool and also a super kick off for the year ahead.

Last year at this time, District 5170 launched a district wide campaign to engage town/city mayors to proclaim Rotary's pledge to End Polio Now. The campaign was extremely successful.

This year District Governor Young Koh, along with the Zone, would like to encourage you to participate in a district-wide campaign by inviting each club president to:

1. Personalize the proclamation (attached to this newsletter) with your club name and city/town.

• Call your mayor's office and schedule a meeting:
• Invite your mayor to proclaim October 24th World Polio Day
• E-mail the personalized proclamation to your mayor's office in advance of your meeting

2. Ask your mayor to place the proclamation on the September or October City Council Agenda

3. During your meeting with the mayor, take time to get to know him/her and the current issues.

4. Tell the mayor that your club leadership and members will be attending the City Council meeting.

5. Attached are the instructions and proclamation template for your use.

6. During the City Council ceremony – take photos of the mayor issuing the proclamation.

7. E-mail the photos, the mayor's name, the city/town and your club name to our District Newsletter.

This is a Rotary first for Northern California. All districts in Zone 25 and Zone 26 are invited to participate. Please consider joining the campaign to achieve 100% district mayor’s proclamation and join in the October 24th events.

Special Notice: October 24th World Polio Day Save the Date - 4-District Collaboration All Rotarians are invited to participate and meet Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith. The day events include:

• Rotary Bridgewalk across the Golden Gate Bridge
• Fellowship at the San Francisco Ferry Building
• Lighting of the San Francisco Ferry Building with Rotary's pledge to End Polio Now.

Please distribute the flyer to club members, ask club members to share it with their Facebook friends, and post it on your club's website. Please keep us posted and share your great ideas that can be implemented across the District for more success in creative Public Relations.

Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club program for young people between 18 and 30 years of age. Rotaract clubs can be either university or community-based but regardless of which case they are sponsored by local Rotary clubs.

This makes Rotaract clubs true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary with Rotaract members linking Interactors (ages 12-18) and Rotarians (ages 18 and over).

In all cases, Rotaract efforts start at the local, grassroots level, where members address community needs while promoting international understanding and peace through friendship and service.

Rotaractors can help organizing Interact clubs and/or mentor Interactors in existing clubs, participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, become Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars and/or Group Study Exchange team members.

In the Fresno area, an example of each type of Rotaract Club is presented here for illustration purposes (although numerous other Rotaract Club exist in District 5230).

Rotaract Club of CSU Fresno is an example of a university-based club whose members are able to provide service above self in their academic setting. This club was originally formed in 2004 at California State University, Fresno (a.k.a., Fresno State) under the sponsorship of Rotary Club of East Fresno but for reasons lost to time, the club did not achieve recognition by the student government of Fresno State (Associated Students, Inc.) and lost inertia. In 2010, under the dual sponsorship of Rotary Club of East Fresno and Rotary Club of Fig Garden Rotary the Rotaract club was re-energized with 23 new members. Fresno State student organization status/recognition has now been achieved thanks to the active and enthusiastic efforts of current Rotaract Club of CSU Fresno president, Will Forath, (Fresno State student, son of a Rotarian, and former Interactor), along with efforts of Professors Walter Loscutoff (East Fresno) and Susan Geringer (Fig Garden) who act as club advisors and liaisons to the sponsoring Rotary Clubs. The success of this Rotaract club is tied to its active involvement in local and international service projects as well as its recruitment of new members from the ranks of former Interactors and offspring of Rotarians. In addition, providing continuity through electing officers from younger student members and active advising from faculty who provide liaisons to sponsoring Rotary Clubs is critical.

Rotaract Club of Fresno County is an example of a community-based club whose members are young professionals, including college students, who share similar civic-minded activities. This club was formed in 2010 under the sponsorship of Rotary Club of Fresno and Sanger Rotary Club. The active and energetic efforts of current co-presidents of Rotaract Club of Fresno County, Gilbert Felix and Megan Garcia, have helped form a vibrant and visible club with Face Book presence and 123 members. The club is seeking progressive and conscientious young people who are young professionals and/or who attend Fresno State, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno City College, Reedley College or recent graduates. In addition to regular business meetings, the club invites members and nonmembers to get involved in one their numerous service projects.

Other Rotaract clubs, both university and community-based have grown and prospered over the years in District 5230 providing a valuable link between Interactors and Rotarians by allowing young people to provide service-above-self throughout their developmental and professional lives.

Currently active Rotaract clubs in District 5230 include the following:

• Rotaract Club of California State University, Monterey Bay (university-based) sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Marina; Monterey; and Seaside.
• Rotaract Club of CSU Fresno (university-based) sponsored by Rotary Clubs of East Fresno and Fig Garden.
• Rotaract Club of Fresno City College (university-based) sponsored by Rotary Club of Sunrise.
• Rotaract Club of Fresno Pacific University (university-based) sponsored by Rotary Club of North Fresno.
• Rotaract Club of Porterville College (community-based) sponsored by Rotary Club of Springville Sierra Sunrise.
• Rotaract Club of Reedley College (university-based) sponsored by Rotary Club of Reedley.
• Rotaract Club of Fresno County (community-based) sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Fresno and Sanger.
  
  

Congratulations and high kudos to Mitch Drake, Kerman Club and David Leon, Fresno Latino Club, who hosted CHOICES training sessions. Thanks to their efforts, our District now has an additional 65 Rotarians trained in CHOICES and ready to present in Fresno and Tulare middle schools this year.

Rotary Clubs who participated in CHOICES Training in July and August are: Clovis: Pres. Victor Etchart, Firebaugh: Pres. John Baltierra, Fresno Airport: Pres. Tim Conboy, Fresno Cultural Arts: Pres Jack Morrison, Fresno Latino: Pres David Leon, Hanford: Pres, Joe Casey, Hanford Sunrise: Pres Mike Johnston, Kerman: Pres Mitch Drake, Sanger: Pres. Valerie Klose.

Funding Options for District 5230 in Central Valley :

1. 2:1 Matching Grant (For clubs that pay $500 for their program, the district will double match with another $1,000.) District Simplified Grant
2. 1:1 Matching Grant (For clubs who no longer qualify for the district matching grant—either because they’ve used it for something else or because they can’t meet the $500 min. requirement—CHOICES may be able to offer first year funding to support their program. NOTE: this option is at the discretion of CEG and is on an “as available” basis.)Contact Tiffany Markey at 206-323-9827
3. 100% First Year Funding (Any club that is interested in CHOICES, but cannot afford even one or two classes out of their club budget can be put on a waiting list (until March 2011) for potential grant funding from CHOICES in the future. Should funding become available at a later time AND the club meets all CHOICES screening parameters, they may then be able to obtain their first year funding to get them started.) Contact Tiffany Markey at 206-323-9827

Monterey and Salinas Rotary Clubs fall under the license jurisdiction of Community of Caring and there is NO financial cost for becoming a CHOICES presenter…..but we do need more Rotarians trained. Please contact Kathi Speller at 831-915-4553 for CHOICES Training dates.

If interested in discussing any CHOICES options, please contact Bob Kramer, District Chair.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2011
MAY 12-15, MONTEREY, CA
HYATT MONTEREY HOTEL & SPA