ROTARY DISTRICT 6540

YOUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2009 ISSUE IV

DISTRICT GOVERNOR JOHN BALVICH

$ $ $ $ $ AND THE WINNER OF $500 IS $ $ $ $ $

Pictured above is the Membership Growth Team of the Michigan City Rotary Club receiving

from PDG Fred Bettner, District 6540 Membership Chair, a check in the amount of $500.

Pictured are Don Regetz, Chairman, Suzy Vance and Pat Harris.

In October 2008 the District announced a membership promotion that would award a $500

check to the club that had the greatest percentage increase by the end of December 31,

2008. The Michigan City Club, in a well-planned effort, increased their membership from 62

to 72 members, a 16 % increase! Congratulations are in order for a job well done.

This $500 award is the first of three awards. The promotion will be continued through the

end of the Rotary year. A $500 check will be awarded again at the close of March 31, 2009,

the end of the third quarter and at the end of the Rotary year, June 30, 2009. Again the

checks will be presented to those clubs who demonstrate the greatest percentage increase

growth during the last two quarters of this Rotary year.

Michigan City is doing its part in fulfilling our Governor’s goal of a 10% increase in new

members this Rotary year. It is hoped that other clubs will follow their example and do their

part.

Celebrate Rotary’s 104th

Birthday on February 23rd

Promote Rotary

Awareness Month

Read Gov. John’s Message

on page 2

Shinkansen

DGE Floyd Lancia goes to

San Diego and returns

speaking Japanese

page 3

Can you win Gov. John’s

$5 offer? Read more to

find his offer.

Enjoy An Evening in Hawaii

Register for District

Conference, See Page 7

AND WHO WILL BE THE NEXT WINNER OF $500

Did your club come out of the gate running for the next $500? Give the Michigan

City club a real race for the next two $500 checks to be present based on March 31

membership and June 30 member ship totals. Secretaries, remember to provide

membership number to the office by the 5th of each month.

In Rotary, February is WORLD UNDERSTANDNG MONTH. Hopefully we will all give thought

to how we as an organization and as individuals can bring the world closer together through our service to others.

The refrain “Let There Be Peace On Earth And Let It Begin With Me”….more than suggests the hope that we can be

that powerful force to make a difference to make our world a better place. We celebrate the birth of Rotary on

February 23rd. I hope that your club will recognize Rotary’s past, present and future. Promote the 23rd as “Rotary

Day” in your community. Plan a high visibility community service project or event for Rotary Day that will help

communicate what Rotary does in your community.

If you need help please use this information provided by Rotary's Public Image Resource Group

100 Ways to Celebrate Rotary Day (PDF). Let your imaginations run wild! You may select one or many options and tailor your celebration to your community – or come up with your own creative Rotary Day activities. Remember, the idea is to share the Rotary story with the general community, so your celebration efforts should be directed to the community, the media and the general public.

Rotary Day Proclamation (.doc). A proclamation is an official recognition of a particular event or day. Often ―proclaimed‖ by a government authority, the day is recorded in the public record and may be announced in such forums as a city council, provincial government or national parliament. This formal recognition also provides a good ―news hook‖ for potential media attention. This proclamation sample can be tailored and sent to your local community, regional or national government decision-makers asking that a specific date – February 23 or another day – be named Rotary Day and declared an official day in your community.

Celebrate Rotary Day Poster. To help promote the event in your community, two Rotary Day poster designs are available for districts and clubs to use. A graphic designer can modify the blank section or insert local photos. You can also print the poster out is and write in local event information. The poster is designed so that it can stand alone, if needed.

The Rotary International Board of Directors adopted “enhance the internal and external recognition and public

image of Rotary” as the No. 2 goal in its Strategic Plan. Think of the impact of everyone celebrating Rotary Day

together.

Governor John Balvich

P. S. Go to www.rotary6540.org to download above items

Betty Lou and Floyd Lancia are being greeting by incoming RI President John Kenny and his wife June. President Kenny unveiled his theme of "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands" at the International Assembly in San Diego last month. President Elect Kenny announced his goals for the coming year--Water, Literacy, Health and Hunger. Also announced was an additional matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Grant Foundation of $100,000,000 to aid in the eradication of Polio.

DGE FLOYD LANCIA AND BETTY LOU ATTEND INTERNATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSEMBLY

Betty Lou and Floyd Lancia are being greeting by incoming RI President John Kenny and his wife June. President Kenny unveiled his theme of "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands" at the International Assembly in San Diego last month. President Kenny announced his goals for the coming year--Water, Literacy, Health and Hunger. Also announced was an additional matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Grant Foundation of $100,000,000 to aid in the eradication of Polio. >

Shinkansen

Say What? What is Shinkansen? Well, since you asked—

Shinkansen is the Japanese bullet train that was launched on July 1, 2008 for it’s maiden voyage, from

Tokyo to Fukuoka. The Series N700 is billed by Japan Railways as the world’s fastest bullet train in service

(France’s faster TGV train has been used only to break speed records), with a top speed of 186 mph. The

Shinkansen is able to accomplish this speed by having a motor in each of the cars. The combined effect of

these motors all moving the train in unison is the Shinkansen effect. While working as a single unit and

having each car produce the necessary energy to produce it’s own power, the recording breaking speed is

accomplished.

You say—What does the world’s fastest train have to do with Rotary?

Well, Rotary’s future is in your hands, and its successes will rely on you as a member. Each member must work toward having his/her club become a team. A team that will develop a true work ethic shared by all! Each of us as Rotarians must understand and implement teamwork with the Shinkansen effect.

Envision your Rotary club as a train, with its engines and cars. Each member’s assignment is to ensure that his/her club achieves Shinkansen, the sense of teamwork that creates better service. Shinkansen — the feeling of all for one and one for all. This effort lends value to the club’s work and imagination to its service. If you and your club can apply the Shinkansen effect, Rotary’s future will most certainly be brighter. Think Shinkansen, work Shinkansen, and remember, ―The future of Rotary is in Your hands‖.

In a letter posted on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Web site this week,

Bill Gates praises Rotary International's work for over two decades in fighting to

eradicate polio and discusses the progress being made on ending the disease

Gates cites the vital work of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Rotary

International in the global effort to make polio the second disease to be

eradicated, after smallpox. In referring to Rotary, the letter states that "we

wouldn't be anywhere on this without their efforts. Gates announced a new

US$255 million challenge. Own the hat that Bill Gates wore and autographed at

Rotary’s 2009 International Assembly. This month, the signed baseball cap will be

auctioned on eBay. Bid on this piece of Rotary memorabilia to help support

Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge for polio eradication. Go to www.ebay.com

by 12 February to place your bid on item 180325654751

LIFE IS A GIFT

Rotarians of District 6540, Foundation Chair, Dan Ryan

Recently I received an email that included these thoughts:

Life is a gift today. Before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the

taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before whining about the distance you have to drive, think

of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you complain about your job, think of those

unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job. Today before you complain about life, think of

someone who has died too early.

This got me to thinking about those in need. Those less fortunate who have no voice, often because they can't read or

write, The one billion people who go to bed hungry every night, with thirteen million dying annually from hunger. Those

who walk miles for water, if it can be found, and often when they do, it is dirty and full of disease causing impurities.

I thought of the 2.8 billion people who live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.00 a day, with more than half

surviving on $1.00 a day. Sadly, I think of the 30,000.children who die daily. The children who will never have a chance

at life.

But there is hope...Rotary is their hope...Rotarians like those in District 6540 are their hope. As Bill Gates recently said,"

The world would not be where it is without Rotary and it won't get where it needs to go without Rotary." He said this as

his Foundation pledged another 255 million to ending polio.

Let's do all we can. I will be advising each Club soon as to your giving this year compared to recent years .Make this

your most giving year ever. So many depend on your sacrifice. Every Rotarian Every Year. Yours in Rotary,

No virus found in this incoming message.

“GLOBAL ECONOMY, THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES” is the topic

for the March 10, 2009 conference to be held at IPFW. Gov.

Balvich will welcome approximately 1000 students from northeast

high schools sponsored by their local Rotary clubs. The guest

speakers include Richard Mourdock, Indiana State Treasurer, Jim

Hartung International known Port of Authority Administrator, formerly

at Burns Harbor, IN and Gerry Dick, TV Host and creator of INside

Business President and managing editor of Grow Indiana Media

Ventures, LLC. Discussion and interaction with students will take

place prior to lunch and will be followed by small breakout sessions

for students. The speaker portion is recorded and will be repeated

at eight additional locations in the district.

Any Rotarian is invited to share in the day. Contact one of the area

coordinatior to join to hear great speakers and where you share with

future Rotarians. Ch.Tim Gibson, timothy.gibson@wachoviasec.com

Thursday, March 12, ,

Manchester College, Jeri Kornegay, jskornegay@manchester.edu

Culver Military, Dave Hogsett, davidh15503@embarqmail.com

Goshen College, Connie Horvath, Connie.Horvath@nationalcity.com

Valparaiso Univ. Musa Pinar, musa.pinar@valpo.edu

Rensselaer HS, Ken Ahler, docahler@pol.net

Logansport, McHale Ct. Maureen Land , jmwland@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 17

Hammond, Purdue, Mary Kaczka, mkkaczka@comcast.net

Wednesday, March 18

South Bend, IU, Don Berger, djberger1@aol.com

WORLD AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

SPEECH CONTEST

Rotary Clubs of Valparaiso and Chesterton

sponsor the District Speech Contest

Saturday, April 10

Chesterton High School

District Chair Rex Richards and Chesterton

High School Speech Coach, Bob Kelly has been

distributing flyers at speech events during the

school year. Rotary Clubs may hold contests

for their local students. Detailed information,

registration forms, etc may be downloaded

from www.rotary6540.org

In 1987, the first Rotary Youth Leadership

Award camp in District 6540 was held. Since

then, our district has held this event each

spring. This year, the 22st annual RYLA camp

will take place at Camp Tecumseh, near

Brookston, Indiana, on April 17-19, 2009. Clubs

must register students by March 1. Cost per

student is $200. Jack Cross, District Chair,

cross@ffni.com Details and forms may be

downloaded www.rotary6540.org

RYLA

PDG Jim Jeselnick is very proud to share the thirty (30) clubs who were recognized with the 2008-09 Presidential

Citation. Congratulations to the following clubs:

Anthony Wayne Bluffton Chesterton-Porter Churubusco Columbia City Concord Twp

Crown Point DeMotte/Kankakee Elkhart Elkhart Morning Fort Wayne Fowler

Garrett Hammond Kendallville Kentland LaGrange LaPorte

Ligonier Logansport Michigan City Mishawaka Monticello Nappanee

Nappanee Peru Plymouth South Bend Syracuse/Wawasee Wabash

Warsaw

This year’s club leadership should be reviewing the criteria to be recognized and plan for completion by March 15 to

provide the completed Citation form to DG John at the district office. Michigan City club president, Mike Hackett is

the first to complete their form. Details and forms are downloads at www.rotary6540.org

We are daily bombarded by commercials to get us healthy and to stay healthy. What about our Rotary club’s health? Is

your club healthy?

There was a time when Rotary was the service club of choice. In some communities, it still is. In others, it is not. How

can Rotary in your community regain—or retain—preeminent status? It can—by doing the BASIC things—by making

your Rotary club relevant in the lives of its members and to new members, by being active in the community and by

weaving the core values (the Four Way Test and the Object of Rotary) into the fabric of our Rotary lives. These are the

things that make Rotary clubs and Rotary International great and healthy institutions in our communities and

worldwide. These are the values that keep Rotarians in Rotary and make Rotary attractive to those who are

considering joining your Rotary club.

A Rotary is relevant in the lives of current and new members if it is thought of as the place to go for fun, satisfaction

and support. Rotary clubs must engage their members quickly and continuously. Some members will serve on

committees, some will grab quickly onto projects or some form of community service. Some members have talents

and resources to share while others will need direction from the club’s leadership. Some will not always attend club

meetings, but will participate in projects, community service or social events.

The key, fellow Rotarians, again is RELEVANCE. How can or is my Rotary club making my life more fulfilling? This is the

question every Rotarian asks sooner or later. In my opinion it determines whether they stay active or drift away. Every

Rotary club has to help every Rotarian—present and new—find his or her place in the club—to give each member and

his or her family reasons to think that their Rotary club is a significant part of their lives.

This probably means change in some form or the other in practically every Rotary club today, i.e. Change the meeting

time? More social events? More projects? …. and more effort on the part of EVERY Rotarian to ASK—another—to join

Rotary.

Remember, again

“IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME!” Membership Chair PDG Fred Bettner

A Recipe for Rotary Club Health and Growth

PRESIDENTIAL CITATION FORM

GOV. JOHN INVITES YOU! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

DISTRICT CONFERENCE, SWAN LAKE RESORT, PLYMOUTH, INDIANA

FRIDAY, SATURDAY MAY 1 AND 2

Print your registration form at www.rotary6540.org and pay by check or credit card

HEAR JIM’S CONFERENCE KEYNOTE PRESENTATION ON SATURDAY MORNING

He has proven to be both inspiring and entertaining on the speaking circuit.

He effectively delivers the message that “no achievement is out of reach” and

demonstrates how to “create your own reality,” while speaking of his athletic

experiences, setting and reaching goals, overcoming fears, the importance of

physical, mental, and spiritual fitness.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friday evening dig those Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts; straw hats out of the closet, ladies wear

flowers in your hair. The steel drums will be playing, hula dancers will greet you with leis and fun will begin.

Hula Dancers Tahitian Dancers Fire Knife Performance The

Barefoot Hawaiian performs more than 600 shows around the world a year. This places the Barefoot

Hawaiian among the largest and most-booked of all the Polynesian Performing Arts companies in the world

and among the prestigious few with such long-lived reputations. They are the number one Hawaiian

entertainment company in the Midwest. Don’t miss the fun on Friday evening May 1

JIM DREYER, GREAT LAKES SWIMMER

In his career Dreyer has already swum across all five Great Lakes and the length of

Lake Michigan. “Swimming the length of the other four lakes in a single event would

comprise swimming the entire length of the Great Lakes basin,” Dreyer said. “That is

all there is left for me to do here. I’ve set records crossing all the lakes, crossing the

largest one alone, and crossing a couple of them combined with Ironman-distance

running and biking. Swimming the whole thing at once will be the ultimate finale.”

According to Dreyer’s 2008 plans, the approximate 1300-mile swim, estimated to

take four months, will have him swimming 58 consecutive 20 to 25-mile stages

alone while towing the weight of his supplies. The route, which includes swimming

along the shorelines of six states and a Canadian province, also includes 35-mile and

29-mile open water crossings of Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. If successful, Dreyer

will eclipse the world distance record for a staged self-sufficient swim he set in 2003

swimming the length of Lake Michigan.

D

Congratulation to the Rotary Club of Roseland! They were one of four

clubs in Indiana recognized for the percentage of members purchasing

Rotary plates. This is great public relations in your community and club

fundraiser. Clubs receive $15 refund for each member who purchases

the plate. Download the application forms and distribute to members.

Details are on the district website www.rotary6540.org

P

PRECONVENTION EVENTS A TASTE OF THE 100TH ROTARY CONVENTION PLENARY HIGHLIGHTS

BE ENERGIZED BY RENOWN SPEAKERS Each year, Rotary holds a series of preconvention meetings for Rotarians. to celebrate international fellowship and the spirit of Rotary. Rotaracts, Interactors, Foundation Alumni, Peace Scholars, etc. Our District’s Peace Scholar, Kathy Clark will be participating in the World Peace Symposium. See personal news on next page. Join Kathy to celebrate and share the completion of her Peace Scholarship.

Monday, June 22 Theme of the day:

Growth of Rotary

Tom Henderson, CEO of ShelterBox

Wednesday, 24 June Theme of the day:

Rotary in Action

Deepa Willingham, founder of the

Promise of Assurance to Children

Everywhere (PACE Universal). The PACE

Universal school (PLC) in Piyali Junction

(outside Calcutta)

Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, founder of both

the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife

Research

Birmingham Power Point , Find the Hoosier Past District Governor. Gov. John is paying $5 to the first person to indentify

the PDG. http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/Events/Convention/Pages/promotingconventions.aspx

Jane Goodall

You may tour Birmingham by canal

boat through the Victorian heart of

Birmingham, England. We glide past

steps worn into the embankment by 240

years of passengers trudging up to

higher land; the two towers that

inspired J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The

Lord of the Rings ; and factories

transformed into outdoor cafes and lofts

as part of the city’s ongoing renaissance.

“Birmingham has more canals than

Venice.”

Once the heart of the industrial revolution, Birmingham, population of one

million, is now the heart of England’s convention industry, hosting a G-8

summit, the International Red Cross, and Microsoft, among other groups.

More than 30 million people visited in 2006. This makes it a fitting location for

Rotary International’s 100th convention, to be held here June 21-24.

On June 23, top restaurants, and a choice of three cultural events, including

performances at Symphony Hall and the recently renovated Town Hall, where

Charles Dickens read A Christmas Carol and Charles Darwin lectured.

WHERE HAS KATHY CLARK BEEN AND WHERE IS SHE GOING?

In November, I left Brisbane to embark on the part of the Fellowship known as an Applied Field Experience

(AFE). I flew to Thailand in order to work along the Thai-Burma border with Burmese refugees. While there, I

attended 2 Rotary meetings and supported the efforts of an amazing Australian Rotarian, Debbie Ralf, who

taught a sewing course for an agency that was run by Burmese and provided housing and education for

orphaned children and women with HIV. I fixed and donated a phone for a refugee family, bought a pair of

eyeglasses for another refugee in need and donated money towards the cost of a funeral, realizing with clarity

that it's sometimes the most basic needs that go unmet when people live in poverty. Through a long time

Burmese friend that lived in the area, I had the fortunate opportunity to meet with leaders of various social

service providers at one of the local temples and at various organizations themselves to discuss current and

long-standing issues. I further met two long-time Rotarians, one from the Netherlands, the other from

Australia, both of whom had been living in Thailand for quite some time and were fully engaged in various

aspects of community service work. They introduced me to various projects that serve the local populations

and have an international spin. One, named School to School (S2S), matches schools from Thailand to

schools in other parts of the world, initiating culture exchange and resource support.

Additionally, I was able to promote Rotary International programs through the aforementioned Rotary

meetings, as well as at various organizations, such as WEAVE (Womenʼs Education for Advancement and

Empowerment- working with marginalized women and children from Burma), at Peopleʼs Volunteer

Association (working with migrant community and marginalized community members), and among locally-

based foreign volunteers. I printed, paid for and delivered English teaching books and cds to volunteers, to

local refugees and to voluntary Burmese-run organizations, as well as facilitated screen-printing job for Rotary

aprons. Further, I met with and learned the ins and outs of an amazing media organization, run by and for

karen (an oppressed ethnic group of Burma) refugees and subsequently wrote a funding request for them,

while exemplifying the grant-writing process, so they will be better-equipped to maintain resources. I have

further committed to perform development work for an amazing clinic that serves more than 400 refugees a

day. (By the way, if anyone has an interest in a matching grant project, the latter-mentioned clinic would be a

great way to go! Please contact me for details or donation information about the clinic, the S2S project, or about

a number of other supportive measures that could be undertaken to assist the hundreds of thousands of refugees in

along the border.)

After the Thai-Burma border work, I flew to Sweden to be with my beloved husband and to engage in work with the

Swedish Red Cross. I am developing and will present numerous sessions of a Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity training. As

Sweden is the top refugee resettlement country in Europe, this is a highly relevant issue.

I will return to Australia to finish my last semester at the University of Queensland as a Rotary Peace Fellow, then head

to England for the 2009 Rotary World Peace Symposium. I hope to see you all there! I am continually grateful for the

opportunity to partake in such an enriching and re warding educational endeavor!

Yours in Rotary, * The 2009 Rotary World Peace Symposium will be

Kathy Clark immediately before the 100th Rotary Convention

Albion 34 Angola 45 Anthony Wayne 105 Auburn 45 Berne 39

Bluffton 34 Boswell 14 Butler 13 Chesterton/Porter 48 Churubusco, 28

Columbia City 52 Concord 35 Crown Point 68 Decatur 30 Delphi 38

Demotte/Kankakee 49 Elkhart 187 Elkhart Morning 23 Fort Wayne 193 Fowler 16

Garrett 19 Gary 38 Goshen 112 Griffith 30 Hammond 47

Highland 12 Huntington 55 Kendallville 37 Kentland 25 LaGrange 20

LaPorte 37 Ligonier 20 Logansport 79 Merrillville 52 Michigan City 68

Mishawaka 21 Monticello 54 Munster 39 Nappanee 30 N Manchester 35

Otterbein 14 Peru 46 Plymouth 58 Portage 24 Rensselaer 61

Rochester 35 Roseland 26 Schererville 22 South Bend 252 South Gateway 22

Sunrise Edison Lakes 23 Syracuse/Wawasee 21 Valparaiso 164 Wabash 58 Warsaw 96

Message to club presidents and secretaries from Barb: I will be calling all secretaries or presidents in

February who not reported membership for January. Please be ready to confirm your July 1, 20086 and

December 31, January 1 membership totals. . Many of you have paid for one number on July 1 to the

district and another to RI, therefore it is not possible to know we have an accurate number. Please check out

the district website for your membership record keeping, it is easier than and faster than completing a form

and mailing or faxing. Please contact Barb, if you have questions. 866-02601789 barb@rotary6540.org

MEMBERSHIP REPORT