August, 2007

Volume No. IV

Issue No.2

ROTARY CLUB OF MASON

ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY MEETING PLACE

Starting this Thursday (8/2) through 9/27, Mason Rotary will meet

at 12:10 in the Clubhouse at El Dorado Golf Course, 3750 West

Howell Road, Mason. Their phone number is 676-2854. Please join

us!!! Paul Pratt, Secretary

BURKHOLZ, Robert Conrad - The Portage president elect, passed away in May at

at age 50 from complications of diabetes.

GREETINGS FROM YOUR GOVERNOR

Contents Title:

Governor’s Message. and

Announcements..............1

Attendance, GSE,

Directories.......................2

Ambassadorial Scholar......3

District Foundation Dinner,

Literacy...............................4

Youth Exchange..................5

Club Visits............................6

Club News............................7

Upcoming Events................8

DG Dick Sammis

Have PowerPoint, Will Travel. One month of the job opportunity of a

life time, 23 official rotary club visits, just as many club board meetings, and a million new friends. I’m lovin’ every minute of it! The beauty of this job is to see the variety and various personalities of all the Rotary clubs. Some clubs excel in singing and many excel in exception meals. The Three Rivers Club takes the art of fining to levels unimagined in other clubs, all for a good cause of course. The South Haven Club may have the best view, as their meeting at the South Haven Yacht Club looks out onto the harbor and a multitude of boats, including South Haven’s own ‘tall ship’. Best

sense of humor so far has to go to the Lansing Noon Club. During guest introductions, one father explained that his young daughter was present because she asked if she could come hear the District Governor speak. I was so flattered! The next guest explained that his neighbor heard the District Governor was speaking…..well I knew then the fix was in. Eight guests later, and I was still in tears laughing. There’s no question that the best club meetings mix in a healthy dose of humor, fun, good eats and good venue to supplement the overriding goal of service. DG Dick Sammis

>RI PRESIDENT WILF WILKINSON MOVES PETS

DATES TO FEBRUARY 15-17, 2008 TO AVOID

VALENTINE’S DAY. PEs GET THIS ON YOUR

CALENDAR!

>2009 RI CONVENTION HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM

S. KOREA TO BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

JUNE 2007 ATTENDANCE

AUGUST IS MEMBERSHIP

AND EXTENSION MONTH

2008 GSE

OUTBOUND DATES

FEBRUARY 22 – MARCH 23

INBOUND DATES

APRIL 26 – MAY 24

DISTRICT DIRECTORIES

WILL BE OUT SOON. AGs

PDGs AND STAFF, AS WELL

AS CLUB PRESIDENTS AND

SECRETARIES WILL

RECEIVE COPIES. OTHERS

FURNISHED UPON

REQUEST AS LONG AS THE

SUPPLY LASTS.

Haslett/Okemos meets at the Delta Dental Building on Okemos Rd. in August

and will be back at the Masonic Center by September.

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NEWS FROM AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR, JOE

Dick, Dick, Randy, Bill, and Charles.

I have landed in my new job and hit the ground running. I spend my days on the telephone searching for donors and support

and my nights writing reports and proposals while sipping the finest of Palestinian beers -Taybeh (Gold because their Amber

still needs work). On my third day I was brought right out into the field to some rather tense situations. Next week I will be in

Bethlehem for a meeting, and have to try and increase my vocabulary from 15 to 30 words at least.

Yesterday I recieved an email almost as if from heaven. On October 2nd I must leave Tel Aviv and return to Barcelona in order

to renew my Visa. I have decided to accept an invitation to speak in Torquay England at the RI district conference from the 5th

to the 7th. They are giving me twenty minutes in front of 900 people and I can't wait. I am going to tell them about the

foundation, both Rotary's and my own in district 6360, and perhaps most importantly I am going to tell them about my work

here in Palestine, and ask for their prayers, support, and awareness.

None of this is possible without all of you. And I promise increased dividends in the third quarter of your investment in me

(that was for you Mr Wakovia). Take care and stay in touch.

Joe

District 6360,

I wanted to hold off on this letter until I had something concrete to say. The situation in Palestine of late has been very fluid to

say the least, but oddly enough there is improvement on the horizon.

Though sadly the prospects for stability in Gaza are grim, in the West Bank there is the promise of an economic and social

resurgence as hundreds of millions of dollars in aid have been given to the newly formed emergency government which

happens to include Dr Samir Abdullah, a well respected statesman, academic, as well as the founder of my organization The

Palestinian Centre for Peace and Democracy.

PCPD is a locally grown community based organization which works to support democracy and peace by fostering dialogue,

educating citizens about the peace process, encouraging organizational democracy and the empowerment of women, and acting

as the center-mentor of similar organizations throughout the West Bank. I am proud to have earned the opportunity to work

with them and excited to continue down the path with the education provided me by district 6360.

Beyond PCPD I have thought of another project I hope to pursue over the course of time. Palestine does not have a Rotary

Club, and I feel that an organization like Rotary with its international credibility and unique focus on conflict resolution has an

important if not vital role to play in one of the world’s most important conflicts. The Rotary foundation is the largest

international scholarship fund on the planet, even more significant is their focus on peace. For this reason I am here, and I am

proud to say that district 6360 is with me.

After looking into the idea for some time I mentioned it to incoming district governor Dick Sammis. He has offered his support

in a way that makes me confident that this project-dream could not only come to fruition, but that it could indeed be an integral

part of peace and reconciliation.

I am grateful for the experience and education I received last year and am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for me to

put some of the investment and expectations to the test. Thank you district 6360 and keep up the good work!

Joe DeVoir

2006-07 Ambassadorial Scholar

St Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary club’s International Ambassador

PS. I have been invited to speak at the Rotary International in Britain and Ireland (RIBI) District Conference in October to over

900 Rotarians. I will give them your kindest regards, and pass theirs back home.

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DISTRICT FOUNDATION DINNER

Dear Club President:

The Rotary 6360 District Foundation is preparing for a memorable evening of Golden Trowel Awards and

the annual drawing of the winners in the Foundation Raffle. The first prize in the raffle will be for

$2,000.00 and a maximum of 1,500 tickets will be sold.

We need your nominations for GOLDEN TROWEL AWARDS by August 31,2007 in order that we may

review the nominations and determine the winners on a timely basis. An attachment to this letter of a

nomination form will provide you with the information needed on your NON-ROTARIAN nominee.

Please complete the nomination form and send it by August 31, 2007 to:

SUE MILLS

6164 E. Longview Drive

East Lansing, Mi 48823

E-mail suemills@comcast.net

Phone 517-332-5535

You will be receiving raffle tickets and dinner tickets to sell in the near future. Your help in selling these

tickets will help your foundation fund grants and projects during the upcoming year.

"Rotary Shares Literacy"

Plan your literacy goals for 2007-2008

Possible Literacy Projects include: Schools

School Partnerships—Mentors, Tutors

Dictionaries/Computers

Sponsor an author visit.

According to Rotarian Barbara Groner, the Dowagiac club will be starting the STRIVE

program this year.

In order to highlight a club each month, send your club's literacy projects to:

Betty Lee Ongley, Literacy Chair,

Bongley123@sbcglobal.net

RECOGNITION DINNER Tuesday, October 23, 2007

WALLDORFF BREWPUB & BISTRO

105 East State Street

Hastings, Michigan 49058

Social hour at 6:00 pm, Dinner at 7:00 pm

Cost is $40.00 per person

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6360 Youth Exchange Student News

2nd

Annual Youth Exchange Picnic

Who: All students, members of host families, counselors, Rotarians, family, friends & other

interested parties, including students interested in becoming a Youth Exchange

student in the future.

What: Picnic style lunch. Informational meeting. Meet the exchange students and

host families. Discussion about the exchanges, tips, hints, etc.

Food and refreshments provided by Rotary Dist 6360 Youth Exchange

Program & The Rotary Club of Jackson

Swimming, boating & games and much more will be available.

When: Saturday, August 25, 2007. 1:00 pm – ?:?? Foreign Exchange Students will stay the

night for additional training and fellowship.

Where: Camp McGregor, 10380 Adams Road, Clark Lake, Michigan 49234

Why: Discuss the 1st month of the exchange with host families, students. Also, clubs

interested in participating in the program will receive valuable information about

Rotary Youth Exchange.

Other: Comfortable cabin space will be available for an additional $10/person or $20/family.

Price includes food.

RSVP by August 22, 2007 to Dan Zimolzak, Chair, Rotary District 6360 Youth Exchange.

517-796-0986 or e-mail dan.zimolzak@jcisd.org)

Experience Rotary’s International appeal at the 2nd

Annual Youth Exchange picnic on

Saturday, August 25, 2007. All Rotarians and their families are invited to a potluck lunch celebrating the

arrival of this year’s Rotary Youth Exchange students. A full family event, hamburgers and beverages

will be provided by the Rotary District Youth Exchange program and The Rotary Club of Jackson. Help

our students experience an All-American picnic. Bring a dish to pass.

¡ ATTENTION CLUBS !

There will be an informational meeting and discussion about the Youth Exchange program, at t he picnic.

This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about Rotary Youth Exchange. Participants will hear team

leaders, students, host parents and others speak about the program. Participants will leave with a better

understanding about Rotary Youth Exchange and will be able to assess their club’s ability to host or

sponsor a student. COME & JOIN THE FUN & FELLOWSHIP!

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South Haven Club visit – Don Hixson & Dick

August Club Visit Schedule

8/1 Bronson Wed noon 11:45 - 1:00

First Congregational United Church

8/3 Otsego Fri breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 Hinkle's Bakery

8/6 Quincy Mon noon 12:00 - 1:15 Union Church

8/7 Delta Waverly Tues noon 12:00 - 1:30 Carraba's Restaurant

8/7 Jonesville Tues dinner 6:00 - 7:30 First Presbyterian Church

8/8 Grand Ledge Wed noon 12:00 - 1:30 Grand Ledge Opera House

8/9 Coldwater Twp Sunrise Thur breakfast

7:00 - 8:15 Coldwater United Methodist

8/9 Lakeshore Rotary club Thur noon

12:12 - 1:30 Five O'Clock Sports Bar

8/13 Battle Creek Mon noon 12:00 - 1:00 Burnham Brook Center

8/15

South Lansing-Holt Wed noon

12:00 - 1:15 Holiday Inn south

8/16 Delton Area Thur breakfast 8:00 - 9:00 Delton Kellogg High School

8/16 Plainwell Thur noon 12:15 - 1:30 Plainwell Comfort Inn

8/20 St Joseph/Benton Harbor Mon noon

12:15 - 1:15 Berrien Hills Golf Club

8/21 Constantine Tues noon 12:00 - 1:00 Constantine United Methodist

8/22 Vicksburg Wed breakfast 7:15 - 8:30 Vicksburg Community Center

8/22 Hillsdale Wed noon 12:00 - 1:00 Hillsdale Golf & Country Club

8/23 Gull Lake Area Thur breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 Area Community Center

8/23 Paw Paw Area Thur noon 12:00 - 1:00 First Presbyterian Church

8/27 Hastings Mon noon 12:10 - 1:30 Emmanuel Episcopal Church

8/28 Middleville Tues noon 12:15 - 1:30 Middleville Inn

Be sure to let Linda know if any changes need to be made – 517-543-7929 District6360@cablespeed.com

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The Jackson area Rotary clubs rebuilt a wheelchair ramp originally built in 1995. We used plywood back then, and it fell apart. Now, we use nice decking. This is the little girl in our book, Checkered Flag Teams (pp 195-196)! Brittany is 17 now, and as cute as ever. I gave her Mom a copy of our book. I explained that Brittany was the inspiration for the story about Rotary and teamwork. The little girl is Brittany's niece. Renée

HASLETT/OKEMOS HAS END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION

President Joan Smith presented the Rotary International Rotarian of the Year plaque to

Duane Possanza, 37 year member of the club, Paul Harris Fellow and HOR

Foundation Treasurer for many years.

President Joan Smith presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Jean Frentz

Perfect attendance pins were presented to Dave Ruppert (12

years), Steve Harsh (33 years), Mike Ma (1 year) and Ken

Whitmyer (15 years).

The Haslett/Okemos Rotary Club Foundation recently made local and international donations in

service to others. Working with a Rotary Club in South

Africa, a $1000 donation was able to buy 10 sewing

machines for a job training program for handicapped

students at a school there.

Closer to home, the Foundation awarded three $1000

scholarships for continuing education to graduating

Meridian Township students. Awards were granted to

Patsy Kufta, Meridian High School, Shani Turke, Haslett High School.

Presentation of the sewing machines at Thuthukani, at left is school Principal,

Marthie Combrinck and Anne Schneller Coordinator of Sponsored Student Recruitment,

Center for International Programs, Michigan State University. On the right are the

sewing teacher and the Empangeni Rotary Club president.

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UPCOMING DATES . . .

> August 4, 2007. Quarterly District Meeting, Schuler’s, Marshall, MI > February 15 - 17, 2008 PETS [Mandatory for PE’s] Radisson Hotel, Kalamazoo > May 16-18, 2008 Friday - Sunday, District Conference, Potawatami Inn, Angola, IN >June 15-18, 2008, RI Convention, Los Angeles, CA

DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES FOR THE NEWSLETTER IS THE 25TH

OF EACH MONTH.

DISTRICT OFFICE INFORMATION: LINDA FOSTER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ROTARY DISTRICT 6360 AND EDITOR 316 BEECH STREET CHARLOTTE, MI 48813-1006; 517-543-7929; FAX: 517-543-3041; district6360@cablespeed.com

Rotary District 6360

316 Beech Street

Charlotte, MI 48813-1006

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