June 2008

Aloha Fellow Rotarians,

It is hard to believe that the Rotary year is almost over.  Part of me is relieved that my workload will lessen, but a huge part of me will miss this incredible job that all of you entrusted me with this year. 

Being a District Governor is the best job I have ever had.  I cannot put into words the incredible feelings I experienced over the past year, as watched from a bird’s eye view, all the hard work that was done by every club in this district.  Your humanitarian work garnered worldwide attention.  Your Foundation giving this year put us as one of the top giving districts in the world.  All of you have so much to be proud of.

I would like to personally thank, again, Chuck Burke, for doing an outstanding job as the District Conference Chair.  From all the reports I have been receiving, everyone had a good time and left the conference inspired and motivated which was the primary goal of the conference team.

Looking forward, we have an incredible man filling my shoes on July 1st.  I know Ayman will raise the bar once again in this district as we Make Dreams Real for so many people less fortunate than us.  In case you didn’t know, I will head up the New Generations committee for Ayman, which will be an exciting new chapter in my Rotary life!

Paige and I would like to thank all of you again for the tremendous support, friendship, and generosity that you bestowed upon us this past year.  All of you have made a tremendous impact in our lives.

With much Aloha,

DG George

HANALEI ROTARY RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

submitted by Michael Somers, Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Rotary President Sally Motta accepts the Significant Acheivement Award from District 5000 Governor George Fontaine

Each Rotary year, the District Governor is allowed to nominate and submit one Rotary Clubs Community Service project to receive the RI Significant Achievement Award. This year, District Governor George Fontaine submitted the "Growing our Own Teachers" Service Project nomination to Rotary International to receive their validation and approval for the Rotary Cub of Hanalei Bay to receive their highest Rotary Club award honor.

The project must meet the awards strict criteria of being able to be replicated by any club in the World, address a significant problem or need in the Community, enhance the image of Rotary, and once it is launched, permanently continue as an ongoing project. A few of the previously awarded Rotary sponsored projects that meet these criteria are Polio Plus, The Wheel Chair Foundation, Cleft Palate Surgery, Read To Me, Shelter Box and Rotarians At Work.
     

On Sunday, May 25th, President Sally Motta accepted this  prestigious award on behalf of the Hanalei Bay Rotary Club. The  Growing Our Own Teachers program started with the University of  Hawaii at Manoa offering their state wide teacher education program which allows teacher candidates to study on their own island and get full teacher certification upon graduation. As a guest speaker at the club on Nov. 30, 2006, Dr. Kani Blackwell, a Professor and Elementary  Cohort Coordinator for Teacher Education on Kauai, spoke of the shortage of qualified teachers nationwide, and specifically about the need for certificated local teachers on Kauai. She appealed to the Hanalei Bay Rotarians for financial aid to help ensure that her 12 most in need current candidates in training, would have the funds to  graduate in 2009. Inspired by Dr. Blackwell, the Hanalei Bay Rotarians enthusiastically responded and established a "Growing Our Own Teachers" Scholarship Initiative with the goal of raising $50,000  by Dec. 2007.

Rotarian Robert Dickstein spearheaded the fund raising initiative to which 36 of the Hanalei Bay members contributed their talents, time and money. Michael Somers created a brochure, George Corrigan provided special printed T-shirts, Steve Whitney designed program description pages with PayPay capability on the club's website, and a Scholarship Selection Committee was formed consisting of Bob Capwell, Jonathan McRoberts, George and Robert. 

Radio interviews, newspaper articles, grant applications and a mailing campaign raised community awareness and donations for the scholarship fund. With special thanks to John Gillen, Tony Motta and our hard working club members,the largest one day garage sale on Kauai raised $4,800. The Kapaa, Kalepa Sunrise & Poipu Beach Rotary Clubs supported the initiative by contributing generous financial donations. With Cal Stanny's large matching grant, Pierce Brosnan's major donation and the generosity of many members from our club and other caring members of our community, a total of $54,000 was raised in just over 9 months. On Dec. 13 2007, the 12 candidates received scholarships totaling $48,000!

UPDATE- ALL 12 teachers graduated with Bachelor of Education Degrees May 16, Hanalei Bay has established "Growing Our Own Teachers" on Kauai as its own 501(c)3 tax exempt Foundation, and the Teachers Program has expanded to the Rotary clubs on Maui and Big Island.

Visit their website at: http://www.hanaleirotary.org/   to download the PowerPoint and find more detailed program information. Contact: Robert Dickstein, "Growing Our Own Teachers" Scholarships Chair, Hanalei Bay Rotary Club.  Email: rad630@hotmail.com 

ROTARACT

 submitted by John Steelquist

As discussed at the District Conference, Rotaract had a great year in District 5000. An important event was the start of two new Rotaract Clubs in Downtown Honolulu and West Hawaii.  These clubs were sponsored by the Metropolitan Honolulu and Kona Rotary Clubs.  These clubs are a first for Hawaii because they are community based and not attached to a college or university.  Their members are young professionals aged nineteen to twenty-nine working in the community.  The enthusiasm and imagination of these Rotaractors is amazing.

Another Exciting event was the visit to Hawaii by four Rotaractors and a Rotarian Advisor from Kyoto.  (see Photo)The Chaminade Rotaract hosted them and a Rotaractors from Maui also visited with them.

The District New Generations Rotarians will be changed in July.  PDG George Fontaine will replace PDG Claude Thompson and Rotarian Tony Gedeon will replace Rotarian John Steelquist.  Claude and John know they will having a rewarding time with our Rotary Youth.

Aloha,

John

Congratulations to our Rotary District 5000

Four Way Test Contest Winners & Essays

Nozomi Yamashita La Pietra - Hawaii School for Girls "Rotary Shares"

Sara White Waialua High School "A Truthful Dilemma"

Alyssa Tamayo Baldwin HIgh School "Rotary Shares"

Read the winning essay's here

"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?"

RC of Ala Moana President Dave Berry and PE Richard Kagehiro with members of the Early Act Club at Lunalilo School.

The Early Act Club started a "Pennies for Patients" project to benefit children who are hospitalized.  In just two weeks they have raised over $800.  They also collected stuffed animals for the hospitalized kids.

ROTARY CLUB OF LAHAINA SUNRISE TO SPONSOR

JULY 4TH FIREWORKS CELEBRATION

Submitted by Kate Bahr, Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise

Lahaina – Fundraising for the 4th of July Fireworks is in full swing.  Fireworks are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, July 4, over the ocean in historic Lahaina Town.  Coordinated by the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise, this is the eighth year that the community of West Maui has come together to finance this terrific family event.

“West Maui is the only community on Maui that organizes a fireworks show,” said Theo Morrison, Rotarian Community Service chairperson.  “We are appealing to the businesses and residents of West Maui for financial support of this great community event. We need to raise approximately $40,000 to cover all costs.”

The 4th of July in Lahaina is a free family event for all. There will be excellent viewing of fireworks throughout Lahaina Town and in neighborhoods mauka. All monetary donations are welcome and may be sent to the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise, P.O. Box 913, Lahaina, HI 96767.  The Fourth of July festivities are coordinated by the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise.  For information, call Theo Morrison at 264-6480.

DR. KANI BLACKWELL IS INDUCTED AS AN HONORARY ROTARIAN

On Thursday May 15, the Hanalei Bay Rotary Club paid tribute to Dr. Kani Blackwell by naming her as an Honorary Rotarian.

She was inducted by President Sally Motta after Kani finished her PowerPoint presentation about the Growing Our Own Teachers on Kaua'i initiative.  

'Dr. B' said that she was surprised and excited to become a Rotarian and was very happy that her husband of 37 years, Paul was by her side to experience the happy event with her. Kani was recognized for her untiring efforts on behalf of local elementary school teacher candidates, including mentoring, offering encouragement to them and assisting our Club with fund raising $54,000 for their Tuition Scholarships in 2007.

Sally spoke of her pleasure in welcoming Kani into Rotary and presented her with a framed Certificate of Honorary Membership along with a Rotary lapel pin and name badge.  Sally added that Kani will be welcome with full privileges at any of the 33,000 Rotary Clubs around the world.

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 "One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present.  In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present."

~ Stephen Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People