District 5000 - Newsletter - Archive (Dec 15, 2007)

The holidays are a wonderful time of year. We all have so much to be thankful for and we Rotarians give so much to our community both locally and internationally. Do you remember the biblical story about the three wise men that followed a star? In a way this story could be about Rotarians. We as leaders are always seeking the brighter light in the sky, never faltering, in our path to building peace in our world. We have so much to be proud of this past year. We put over $40,000 back into our community statewide through our District Simplified Grant program with projects ranging from literacy to providing fresh drinking water to firemen in the field. We improved the lives of so many children with projects like dictionaries, Keiki Vision and our Back to School drive. We've helped the homeless and those suffering in poverty and sickness. The list of projects goes on and on. Thirty clubs have already committed to doing a World Community Service project this year. It is projected that our international projects will top $600,000 this year. Yes, be proud of what you have accomplished and keep following that bright star, because the world depends on us to get things done that governments can't or won't do.

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Waianae for a fantastic Christmas Parade on November 24th. Paige and I were honored with an invitation to represent Rotary in the parade. The entire Waianae community was there to enjoy the numerous floats, and of course Santa made a visit giving out candy to all of the children along the route. This parade was a huge undertaking and the entire club did a fantastic job coordinating this. If you have never been to this parade before, you'll definitely want to attend next year.

Congratulations also go out to PDG Claude Thompson and all of the Oahu Rotary clubs who put on another successful RYLA camp during Veterans Day weekend. Over 94 young adults attend this year. I was truly impressed with degree of training they received and it was very apparent to me that many of these young adults had a life changing experience over the weekend. I encourage you to get involved with the future RYLA camps on the neighbor islands and see the transformation these young adults go through for yourself.

Paige and I want to wish all of you the happiest of holiday seasons. Please take time to enjoy your family and your Rotary family. Happy Holidays!

DG George

What's Happening?

A HUNDRED MILLION THANKS

For the first time in The Rotary Foundation’s history, contributions to the Annual Programs
Fund (APF) exceeded US$100 million in 2006-07, reaching $103.3 million. The real success,
however, will be spelled out in the programs and projects that can now be funded as a
result of this increased support.

Districts spent more than $19.3 million of their District Designated Fund (DDF) for humanitarian
programs in 2006-07 — using nearly all of the highest amount ever budgeted by the Foundation for this category. They also spent nearly $15.1 million in DDF for Ambassadorial Scholarships, Rotary Grants for University Teachers, and Group Study Exchange.

Districts are encouraged to spend as much as possible for programs in the first Rotary year
the funds become eligible, to help meet a world of human needs.

The Foundation sends a hearty thank you to all Rotarians worldwide whose generous support
helped make possible the Foundation’s milestone achievements in 2006-07. If every Rotarian raises the bar for giving to the Annual Programs Fund in 2007-08, the Foundation can save and change more lives than ever before.

For more great stories like this, read the latest Every Rotarian Every Year Newsletter here.

Read District 5000's EREY November 2007 Newsletter

IMAGINE $200,000,000.00!

Wow... that's a lot of zeros!

The Gates Foundation has awarded The Rotary Foundation a challenge grant of $100 million, which Rotary will match, dollar for dollar, over three years. This is the largest single grant ever given to a volunteer service organization and represents a tremendous validation of the approach and success of our PolioPlus program. Read on for more info about this incredible gift!

GSE TEAM RETURNS FROM DENMARK

See photos

IRS reporting requirements for Rotary Clubs

Click here for information

A CALL FOR SURVEY PARTICIPATION

By request of RI Director 2007-09 for Zones 23 & 24, please encourage all youth, especially, though not limited to, former participants in RYLA, Interact or Youth Exchange programs, toparticipate in this confidential Ethics Survey

This is an opportunity for them to serve Rotary far into the future.

Rotary District 5000 Awards

Up to date Criteria and Submission Forms are now online!

Click here to get there!

District Conference 2008

Register early and SAVE!!!

Register here

fax or mail it in today!

Your early registration gives the committee the information they need to make this an event to remember!! We want the best for you and this way, you can help make it happen!!

Beautiful Wailea Maui!

The purpose of the district conference is to advance the Object of Rotary through fellowship, inspirational addresses, and the discussion of matters of importance to Rotary clubs and Rotary International. The conference showcases Rotary programs and successful district and club activities. For Rotarians, the conference is an inspirational celebration and an opportunity to enjoy fellowship.

TENNIS ANYONE?

For more information, please contact tournament chair: Dave Wagner - 808.874.8801

STATEWIDE DICTIONARY DISTRIBUTION A HUGE SUCCESS!

Kahului Rotary's PE Sandy Baz and President Randol Leach are surrounded by grateful 3rd graders from Lihikai School. Each received their very own dictionary as part of a statewide Rotary effort to equip each 3rd grade student with a priceless tool to better their education.

See more photos from around the District here.

Thank you to participating clubs and to everyone who helped make this year's project a success. Special Mahalo to Chair Gloria King who once again made this project effortless and fun for all.

1 for 1 Membership Challenge

The winners of the One for One Membership Challenge for September are Tiffany Stampfer (new member) and Sponsor Ed Baumgartner of the Rotary Club of Mililani Sunrise.

They have each won a certificate for $100 to use towards the 2008 District Conference. They are now also placed in a drawing for a Grand Prize where the winners will receive free registration to the conference and round trip airfare to Maui ... read on ...

OAHU

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN GREEN BERRYs?

GOING GREEN for the Warriors!

Mary Ann Berry, of the Rotary Club of Ala Moana, stated at the start of the UH football season that she would color her hair green for the Boise State game on November 23 if UH was undefeated up to that game.

True to her word, Mary Ann AND husband Dave, President of the Ala Moana Club, sprayed their hair green for the game. It was this display of faith and loyalty that spurred the Warriors to victory and the first outright WAC championship in school history.

2007 WEST OAHU ROTARY CLUBS WEINBERG PROJECT

Submitted by Oran Spotts, Rotary Club of Wahiawa-Waialua

Linda Sato member of Wahiawa/Waialua displaying group project sign

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving Rotarians from the Four Clubs in the Central Oahu District met in a joint venture at the Easter Seals facility in Ewa to participate in the Weinberg Foundation Community Project spearheaded by the Kapolei Rotary Club.

Approximately 38 Rotarians participated from Kapolei, Wahiawa/Waialua, Mililani, West Pearl Harbor and Waianae (which was excused for their Christmas Parade) in scraping old paint, replacing hand rails, removing nonskid surfaces and repainting, replacing hand rails on the wheel chair ramp leading to the main building.

It was a lot of fun with camaraderie from all attending. Next year it was decided that we will continue the Weinberg Foundation Project with the Mililani Club spearheading the project.

See more pictures of this great project here!

EARLY ACTORS SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER!

Submitted by Rita Casella, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset

Seventeen Early Actors along with 3 parent chaperones spread a little Holiday Cheer on Monday, December 10, as they sang Christmas carols to the Senior Citizens at the Adult Day Care Center at Central Union Church.

These talented Early Act kids made beautiful Star of David and Nativity Scene ornaments to give as gifts to our treasured kapuna. The next Early Act Club meeting with be on January 7. You are always welcome to attend the meetings, from 2:45 to 4:00 in Classroom B-1 on the Punahou School Campus and share in?the goodwill and energy of these wonderful youngsters!

Falalalala Lalalala!

This night was the culmination of months of planning by our keys advisors pictured above: L to R. David Napier, Campbell High School; Michelle Murray, Nanakuli High School; and, Merry Ifuku and Diana Okamura, Kapolei High School.

JOINT INTERACT FUNDRAISER HELD IN WEST OAHU

Submitted by Dan Fullenwider, Rotary Club of Kapolei

On Friday, December 7th, The Interact Clubs of Campbell, Kapolei and Nanakuli High Schools conducted a joint fundraiser for the Well of Hope, a water project for the village of Jilo Alger, Ethiopia.

There were games, a talent contest, music and dancing. We had a DJ and Sonya Mendez sang acappella. Members from the Well of Hope foundation were present and brought door prizes to be given out during the night.

Over 100 people participated in this fun-filled event. This was an unusually large turn out given the recent weather related emergencies. The kids were great and had a blast. Everyone is looking forward to the next joint event.

MAUI

MAUI ROTARY CLUBS CELEBRATE 70 YEARS OF ROTARY ON MAUI!

On November 17 the Rotary Clubs of Maui celebrated seventy years of service on the Valley Isle at the King Kamehameha Golf Club in Waikapu.

Each attendee received a historical book that was specially created for this event by Maui's noted Rotarian author, Jill Engledow. The book highlights Rotary on Maui since 1937, growing to eight clubs, with over 300 Rotarians, providing service locally and internationally.

District Governor George Fontaine spoke about the future of Rotary on Maui and it's role internationally to promote world peace and help people in need everywhere.

The night was closed out rockin' to the sounds of Jimmy Mac and the Kool Kats. It was a great night and a great time was had by all. Thank you to everyone who attended and special mahalo to those who flew in from the outer islands to help us celebrate! Here's to another 70 years!

BIG ISLAND

ROTARY CLUBS OF SOUTH HILO NAMES SUSAN HEINZ AS ROTARIAN OF THE MONTH

President Stevenson recognized Susan Heinz as the Rotarian of the Month for December.

Sue is a PHF, chair of Youth Services Volunteer background checks, she completed the English as Second Language course, decorated the Hilo Huli stage last two years, filled in as secretary and newsletter editor, helped organize the requirements needed to obtain the Presidential Citation and District Governor's Citation. DG George asked her to provide copy to all clubs for their use, created and maintains the club website-2nd best in the district, Vocational Service Director

KAUAI

KAUAI'S GROWING THEIR OWN TEACHERS

The ballroom of the Princeville Hotel was the setting for the Growing our Own Teachers on Kaua'i Scholarship awards luncheon on December 13th. To show support of the UH Manoa Teacher Education program was Peggy Cha, Chancellor of Kauai Community College, five Department of Education administrators, Brent Mitzutani, Barbara Baker, Billie Smith, Dora Hong, and Fred Rose, and Teacher of the Year, Richard Larson.

Twelve aspiring teachers were awarded scholarships to get them through their last semester of training to become elementary school teachers on Kaua'i. The University of Hawaii, Manoa's Statewide Teacher Education program provides teacher candidates with a method of receiving their BA Degree and teaching certificates without having to relocate to Oahu for classes.

READ ON ....

Got a great story? Wanna share?

Submit your club's activities and stories (print ready ) and photos (jpg format) for newsletter consideration! We can't publish it if you don't submit it!

District 5000 is looking for Rotarians to advertise their business on the Rotary District 5000 website & newsletter!!

Platinum Sponsor - $500

Listing on all pages for one year

(includes the district newsletter)

Gold Sponsor - $300

Listing on all pages for nine (9) months

(includes the district newsletter)

or listed on sponsor page only for one year

Silver Sponsor - $100

Listing on all pages for three (3) months

(includes the district newsletter)

or listed on sponsor page only for 6 months

Bronze Sponsor - $50

Listing on all pages for one (1) month

(includes the district newsletter)

or listed on sponsor page only for 3 months

Attention all club members:

Be a part of your District website.

Submit your name, email address, and club name for your password to log into the members area to see schedules, training, district members' contact information and other restricted information.

You will also receive your own copy of Maluna Pono'i via email.

Clubs' newsletters are posted on your page of the district website. Contact us to get your club's newsletter & photos listed.

Pictures are also being posted to share! See the clubs' photo albums here.

See our Rotary Elves in action!!

Upcoming Fundraisers

Rotary Club of Honolulu Hula Bowl Fundraiser!

Your club can benefit from this fundraiser too!!

Click on the banner for details.

Submit your club's fundraiser information for posting on the District website. Click here to see the upcoming club events!

Rotary Club of Volcano

Founders Golf Tournament

Saturday, April 19th at Volcano Golf & Country Club. First tee off time will be 8 a.m.

Continental breakfast and lunch provided and with lots of great prizes and surprises so hold the date and plan to join us for a day of fun!

More information contact: Dianne Morgado

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain." ~Author Unknown

"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running." ~Author unknown