| Rotary International District 5930 Vol. 4 No. 7 Newsletter January 2008 Print |
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Jo Anne Settles PolioPlus Report
Charles Thomas "Tom" Bond, 77, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2007.
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  Governor
Tom writes . . . .
Happy New Year
itemsCarol Rausch of the Edinburg Rotary Club has arranged for the University of Texas-Pan Am to match $1,000 Rotary Club scholarships! Thank you Carol! Also committed to matching Rotary Scholarships are:
Del Mar College, Corpus Christi You may have additional Rotary SPONSOR pins to present to Rotary members who recruit new members. Tell me how many you need (or think you will need) and I will send them to you (no limit).
In addition to the Rotary Sponsor pins . . .
• Rotary International pins (Rotary Shares) or
Tell me and I will send them. Rotary is selling new song books again ($3). They had stopped selling them for many years because of copyright problems. RYLA is January 25 - 27, for high school juniors who are leadership material. Your Rotary Club can sponsor a local student for $250. You may sponsor your own child (or grandchild). For RYLA information, go to Corpus Christi Rotary website. You must transport your student to and from RYLA. Students should arrive by 5 pm Friday; they will be released at 3 pm on Sunday. Map Thank you, Gov. Tom Moore and Carol |
He was born July 31, 1930 in Alpine, Texas.
Tom was a U.S. Army veteran. He was an architect and part owner of
McCord and Lorenz, an architectural firm where he was employed for 35
years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he
served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for many years, was a
Past President and very active Board Member of the Wesley Community
Center for many years, was a member of the West Corpus Christi Rotary Club, and the Junior
Chamber of Commerce. He had served on the zoning committee for the City
of Robstown and was active in the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
Saturday, February 23, 2008, 6:00 PM - McAllen Convention Center - $50 per person
We will serve Medallions of Pork, Tossed Garden
Salad, Double Layered Carrot Cake.
The vegetarians will dine on Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms with
sun-dried tomato and roasted vegetable risotto, charred corn relish
and grilled southwest vegetable medley; with Double Layered Carrot Cake.
Choose:
Paul Harris, renown impersonator James Young of California, will be the featured Paul Harris speaker. He will be in 1930 garb on a an authentic stage setting. You will have the opportunity to have your photo taken with Paul Harris!
(956) 984-7900 (Wyndham room rate $65) McAllen - Say "Rotary"
Letter from Peru
Dear Governor:
1. This donation was received when the emergency phase
was surpassed. At the present time the Regional Government of Ica has
established a reconstruction program and they are working on it. As soon as we have the details of each activity, we will inform you.
It will be our greatest pleasure if you send our gratitude to Rotary
District 5930 by their so important donation and Rafael Oseas Arcaya by
their good effort
Juan Carlos Falsaw - President Club Piura Norte |
Jo Anne Settles reports on PolioPlus
HELLO fellow Rotarians in District 5930. You all know my passion for the polio
eradication effort. I would like to speak to each one of you individually,
but that not being practical, I resort to electronic contact. We have a HUGE
opportunity to meet the financial demands of the polio efforts. Each of your
$$$ donations can now be matched thanks to the Gates Foundation (See below).
ALSO – I am thrilled at the coverage in the latest Foundation newsletter – the first 19 pages are all on polio. I encourage you to read them. Just click on the link below:
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/foundation/newsletter/2007/1202.pdf
The CURRENT numbers are: worldwide 763 cases as of Nov 28. At this time last
year, the number was 1723.
The Assistant Governors will be receiving a packet with some info
and some Polio lapel pens designed for those who donate $100 – just think
now that can be equivalent to $200.
Kick Out Polio NOW – I can hardly wait!
Send your money.
Jo Anne Settles, MSN, RN
Victoria Sunrise Club – District 5930 Polio Chair
Note from Governor Tom: The Gates Foundation is donating $100 million to PolioPlus, right? No.
The Gates Foundation will match our Rotary donations up to $100 million.
If Rotarians do not donate to PolioPlus or
PolioPlus Partners, then the Gates Foundation will not donate either.
If we donate to PolioPlus Partners before June 30, 2008, the Rotary
Foundation will match each $1.00 donation with $0.50.
Each dollar you donate now generates $2.50 for PolioPlus with the Gates match. After June 30th, there will only be the Gates Foundation match. The Gates Foundation match is over a three year period. We receive full Paul Harris credits for all donations made to PolioPlus and PolioPlus Partners.
We can donate money to eradicate polio now, or explain the dangers of polio to our grandchildren and their children in the years to come. The PolioPlus money is needed now. Let us complete our promise to the children of the world.
Are Edna Rotarians vampires?
The Edna Rotary Club is proud of
its blood drives. For the 2007 year they
had a total of four drives.
The statistics are:
January - 47 showed up to donate and 33 were accepted
as donors
June - 47 showed up to donate and 38 were accepted as
donors
May - 30 showed up to donate and 23 were accepted as donors
November - 23 showed up to donate and 19 were accepted as
donors
They are very happy with the number of people that supported their drives and hope to do even more next year. Submitted by Jo Wimberly.
Kingsville has a new Eagle Scout
Zachary
F. Michalk, Venado District's newest Eagle Scout, receives the Certificate
of Achievement of the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians from
the Kingsville Rotary Club. Pictured from left to right are Forrest Michalk--Zachry's
father, Eagle Scout Zachary F. Michalk, Martin Chiuminatto--Venado District
Chairman and Rotarian, and Sam Nelson--Merit Badge Counselor and Rotarian. Submitted by
Lisa Brown.
Texas Lieutenant Governor visits Harlingen
Texas
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst was the guest speaker at a joint meeting for the three
Rotary Clubs in Harlingen on Tuesday, November 27, 2007. He has served the State of
Texas as Lt Governor since 2003. He discussed areas of interest in the State of
Texas, more specifically the items that affect the Rio Grande Valley. The
proposed “superhighway” that would stretch from Mexico to Canada was not a
priority with the Texas Department of Transportation. Calling border security a
major challenge, Dewhurst called for work visas for illegal immigrants. “We’ve
got to secure the border,” he states. Dewhurst also stated that education is the
key to the door of opportunity. The future of Texas is being forged every day in
our classrooms. He closed by answering questions from the audience. Submitted by
Joan Cocozza.
Calling all Rotarian stars!
Come
to the 2008 RI Convention in L.A. to "see the stars" and to be a star that
shines among your fellow stars in the Rotary constellation!
Come to celebrate and showcase the good being done during the 2007-08 Rotary
year, receive an update on long-term projects such as PolioPlus, and plan to
share Rotary in the world with your fellow stars.
Meet the Rotary stars at the reception on 14 June 2008. Make contact with
Rotary stars from your area of the world at their kiosks. Then plan to meet
TRF alumni stars at the Rotary Alumni Celebration from 13-14 June 2008 and
invite TRF stars from your district to join you there! Register here:
https://riweb.rotaryintl.org/
On Saturday, see singing star Natalie Cole, an enduring light in the areas
of jazz, R & B, and pop! She will be appearing at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE,
courtesy of the LA Host Organization Committee. Home/Host Hospitality on
Monday and the Hollywood Bowl Concert on Tuesday round out these special
events. Buy your tickets now at:
http://www.rotary2008.com/ticket_orders.htm
Come to learn and be inspired by plenary speakers including humanitarian
stars Dr. Margaret Chan, Director, WHO (World Health Organization), on
Tuesday, June 17 and Ambassador Stephen Lewis, Co-director, AIDS-Free World
Foundation, on Wednesday, June 18. We'll also offer a fabulous line-up of
breakout sessions on a variety of topics, with formats that include panel
discussions, interactive discussion groups, and workshops.
The House of Friendship promises to be exceptional with two stages for
entertainment, the Global Marketplace (Business EXPO sponsored by the HOC),
an Internet cafe, booths with displays by Global Networking Groups, projects
from clubs and districts, products from RI Licensees, and great food and
areas where you can relax and meet members of the Rotary family!
Enjoy Rotary, enjoy the RI Convention, enjoy L.A. and environs through Host
Committee events and tours. For more about the destination, go
www.rotary2008.com. For all
late-breaking convention news, go to
www.rotary.org.
Mission Rotary Club encourages reading
The
Mission Rotary Club had one of the best programs this year. It was held at
Ruben Hinojosa Elementary their partner school in Mission.
The program had :
- Singing by the Choir.
- Power Point presentation by School Principal Dr. Deborah Arce.
- School Tour.
Note : Fifth Graders were assigned as greeters ( Nice touch )
What made this program so special, was the fact that at the beginning of the school year, the Mission club donated 20 books related to volunteering, the 4-Way-Test, community service among others... and that Dr. Arce, assigned a space in the library where a desk was set and named The Rotary Desk and where only students reading these books may sit.
ROTARY READING AWARD
Once the students have read all twenty books and have taken and passed the
exam, their parents have to attend a regular weekly meeting at the Mission
club, in order for the students to receive a Paul Harris Academic Medal at
the end of the school year.
Programs and projects like this, not only create awareness, but also bonds
with the kids. They get to learn about the 4-Way-Test and how to apply it to
their daily life...
Note: Club attendance increased in 30%.. having meetings
out of the regular place is a good alternative. Submitted by
Paul Petit.
The more you know, the healthier you can be
By Armando G. Avalos,
Health Committee Chair
What
you should know about the Flu (Influenza) and Pandemic Flu? Flu, or
influenza, is that it is a
contagious illness caused by the flu virus. It attacks the nose, throat and
lungs in people. Anyone, including healthy people, can get the flu. Serious
health problems from the flu can happen at any age.
There are three types of flu viruses: A, B, and C. Influenza type A viruses
can infect people, birds, pigs, horses, and other animals. Wild birds are
the natural hosts for these viruses. Influenza B viruses are usually found
only in humans. Influenza type C viruses cause mild illness in people.
• Seasonal flu follows predictable yearly patterns, in Texas generally from
October through March. Viruses associated with seasonal flu include
influenza A, influenza B and influenza C. People usually have some immunity
built up from previous exposure to circulating seasonal flu viruses.
• Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infection caused by bird flu viruses.
These bird flu viruses occur naturally among birds worldwide. Rarely,
transmission is possible from sick or dead birds to people.
• A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic is possible when
an influenza A virus makes a dramatic change that results in a new or novel
virus to which people have little or no immunity. The new virus then begins
to cause serious illness, spreads easily from person to person and can sweep
around the world quickly.
Flu is very contagious. It can be caught from breathing in droplets in the
air from someone sneezing, coughing or talking. The flu also is spread when
people touch something with the flu viruses on it such as a doorknob or
handrail, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. People can
spread flu from one day before symptoms appear to seven days after symptoms
go away.
Symptoms of flu come on suddenly, one to four days after the virus enters
the body. These symptoms include:
• Sudden fever (100.4° F or more)
• Headache
• Tiredness, sometimes extreme
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Body aches
Children also may have an ear infection, nausea or vomiting. Young children
with flu can develop
high fevers and seizures. Generally, people start feeling better after the
body's temperature returns to normal, in about three days, and are ready to
return to their normal activities in about a week. Tiredness and a cough may
linger for several more weeks.
In people with chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease,
kidney disease or diabetes, flu can lead to pneumonia and other
life-threatening illnesses. Others at higher risk of complications include
those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, the very young and pregnant
women.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and its severe complications. It
takes about two weeks after vaccination for a person to be fully protected.
A live, weakened vaccine given as a nasal spray also is available for people
5 to 49 who are in good health and are not pregnant. A vaccine will need to
be developed to match a new or novel virus strain that is transmitted person
to person.
Other prevention suggestions include:
• Wash your hands often, especially after being in contact with someone who
has a respiratory infection or with children who get viruses easily.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick. Keep children at home if they are sick.
• Wipe surfaces such as bathroom and kitchen sinks, faucets and counters
with a mixture of one part household bleach to nine parts water.
• Take good care of yourself physically and emotionally. Submitted by
Armando Avalos.
Laredo Daybreak stays busy
INTERACT CLUB
The Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club has sponsored a new Interact Club in Laredo.
The sponsorship involved the Early College High School at Texas A&M
International University. Over 130 students have signed up for the Interact
Club and officers have been elected. The Officers include 2007-2008 Interact
Club (Early College High School):
President: Antonio Carranza , Vice President: Yvonne Rosas Treasurer: Joshua Champion Secretary: Rosario Garza, Director: Andrew Carranco, Director: Celina Carver
The new club is already planning activities for the new year to help the
community of Laredo.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
On December 1 Daybreak Rotarians held their annual Christmas party with
dinner and dancing. Of significance is that for the second year in a row
Daybreak Rotarians brought age specific Christmas gifts for children of
parents undergoing drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation. Over
$2,800 in Christmas gifts were donated by Daybreak Rotarians. At the party
five new Rotarians were inducted and enjoyed their first Christmas party as
Daybreakers. Submitted by
Daniel Guevara.
Edinburg's Sixth Annual CajunFest coming in February
Feeding
the hungry in the Rio Grande Valley and vaccinating children throughout the
world against polio . . . These are but two of the many humanitarian
projects supported by Rotary Clubs throughout the Valley. These and many
other such projects will be funded by proceeds raised at the
Edinburg Rotary
Club’s Sixth Annual CajunFest, to be held on Saturday, February 9, 2008, at
the Echo Hotel and Conference Center in Edinburg.
Edinburg Rotarians are putting the final touches on CajunFest’s gala evening
featuring dinner, dancing, and fundraising auctions. Dinner comprises all
you can eat of delicious Cajun cuisine including seafood etouffeé, Cajun
boudin, smoked pork, shrimp, jambalaya, fried turkey, and alligator! The
renowned RiverRock Band will offer dance music until the last guest leaves.
Special guest Carl Gremillion, supreme Cajun duck caller from Baton Rouge
will provide additional entertainment throughout the evening. The fund
raising auctions, conducted with enthusiasm by auctioneer John Mace, will
provide an opportunity to bid on everything from fine jewelry to vacations
to home decor. There will be blackboard and tabletop auctions, as well as
one of the most exciting live auctions around, offering major items
including antique furniture, fine art, and an all-terrain vehicle. The
evening is designed to be a memorable social event for the Valley while the
auctions raise funds to support the club’s projects.
“Service is the reason Rotary exists,” said Dr. F. J. Brewerton, President
of the Edinburg Rotary Club’s “Service Over Self (SOS)” Foundation, a 501 (c
) (3) corporation which sponsors CajunFest. “There are Rotary Clubs in
virtually every country around the world, all working to provide
humanitarian service, to encourage high ethical standards in all vocations,
and to build good will and peace throughout the world. Approximately 1.2
million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 167
countries throughout the world.”
 |
| CajunFest Committee members (l to r): Mark Magee,
Mimi Cardenas, Diane McLarty and Elias Longoria |
“Locally, we focus on programs to alleviate hunger, to support medical
services here and across the border, and to motivate and educate youths in
our community through a variety of leadership and scholarship programs,”
said Brewerton.
“For example, the Edinburg Rotarians actively participate in a program
called Hunters for the Hungry, which is sponsored by the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Commission. The Commission encourages land owners to donate meat
when animals such as deer and pigs are harvested from ranches and farms,”
said Brewerton.
“The animals are processed into two-pound packages of ground meat that are
delivered frozen to the Food Bank” Brewerton explained. “Our Club funds the
processing.” According the Terry Drefke, Director of the Food Bank, this
donation from the Edinburg Rotary Club is the only meat that is available to
the clients they serve. “Edinburg Rotary Club’s efforts to help feed hungry
families in the Valley is to be applauded. They have worked for several
years with hunters, area ranchers and meat processors to provide game-deer,
hogs, etc in an effort to control wild animal populations and feed needy
families. The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley is very thankful for their
support and work,” said Drefke.
“Our fundraising program provides scholarships to area students. In
addition, Edinburg Rotarians support a Youth Exchange program with families
in foreign countries, and we also help support a program called Adoption
Awareness, which was founded by one of our sister clubs in the Valley,” said
Brewerton. “And, we strongly support the Edinburg Library and have recently
contributed $10,000.00 to the newly built public library, The Dustin Sekula
Memorial Library.”
Edinburg Rotary served as a primary sponsor for the beginning of the Texas
Scholars program in the Edinburg School district and maintains a scholarship
endowment at the University of Texas-Pan American.
Tickets for CajunFest 2008 are $100 per person and include all the Cajun food you can eat, an open bar, dancing to the fabulous music of RiverRock band, and the opportunity to bid on a variety of wonderful auction items to help Edinburg Rotarians fund their many service projects. Tickets may be ordered by visiting http://edinburgcajunfest.org, by calling J.P. English 956-383-6289, or by contacting the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Submitted by Diane McLarty.
January marks Rotary Awareness Month
Because January is Rotary Awareness Month, it's a great time to reflect on that famous question, "What is Rotary?" Rotary's strength lies in the more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas of the world, and this is the time to make sure your community knows who you are and what you do. Consider these tips during Rotary Awareness Month:
- Share your club's Web site or blog link through an electronic news release
about Rotary Awareness Month.
- Host a question and answer "press conference" session during one of your
meetings in January, and invite local media.
- Coordinate a community service project with another local organization.
- Purchase or download the RI Publications This is Rotary, What's Rotary? or
Rotary Basics and distribute them throughout your community.
RI will be launching Rotary: Humanity in Motion IV public service
announcements (PSAs) focusing on membership next month. The kit will be
distributed to all district governors-elect at the 2008 International
Assembly and mailed to every club. It includes new PSAs for television,
radio, print, and outdoor (billboard), all designed to help you promote
Rotary club membership. The PSAs and supplementary materials - poster,
postcards, wallet card, and newspaper supplement - will provide an efficient
and professional way to share Rotary with your community. In the meantime,
all current Rotary PSAs can be downloaded
here.
Victoria Knowledge Bowl is coming in February
The three Victoria Rotary clubs have teamed with Victoria Adult Literacy Council to host the Victoria Knowledge Bowl on February 15.
It's
a lot like trivial pursuit but more challenging and fun! Teams answer a
variety of questions based on subjects including history, arts, literature,
science, geography, pop culture, and current events. Answers are tabulated
and winners are announced!
Trophies will be awarded in each division. Winning teams will be featured in
the Victoria Advocate.
Form a four-person team and play! Mail the completed form and the $100 entry
fee to 306 King Arthur St, Victoria TX 77904, or register online at
http://victoriaknowledgbowl.com.
The registration deadline is Monday, February 11. After you enter you'll
receive a registration confirmation packet via email.
Sponsors are needed, too. Sponsorship information is available from the same
page as team registration.
Proceeds benefit the Victoria Adult Literacy Council, a non-profit agency
whose purpose is to increase adult literacy through free instruction and
community outreach in order to improve the workforce and raise the quality
of life in the Victoria area.
This aligns with Rotary literacy goals. Have your club sponsor a team and check-off literacy support for your Presidential Citation. Submitted by Jack Whitmire.
| January 2008 - Rotary Awareness Month | ||
| 1 | Submit RI Semi-Annual Dues and Report | |
| 3 | Submit December membership attendance report | David Carrales |
| 24 | Submit February Newsletter Articles | Jack Whitmire |
| 25-27 | RYLA Camp On Lake Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi Rotary Club |
| February 2008 - Rotary World Understanding Month | ||
| 2 | Submit January membership attendance report | David Carrales |
| 2 | District raffle commences | |
| 6-14 | Hands to Honduras first session | |
| 9 | Sixth Annual CajunFest | Edinburg Rotary Club |
| 14-22 | Hands to Honduras second session | |
| 15 | Victoria Knowledge Bowl | Victoria |
| 16 | Governor's Executive Committee Meeting | DG Tom Moore |
| 23 | Paul Harris Dinner | McAllen |
| 24 | Submit March Newsletter Articles | Jack Whitmire |
| The South Texas District 5930 Newsletter is published the first day of each month. , Victoria Rotary Club, edits and distributes it. by the 24th of the month prior to publication. Jack is, also, our webmaster. |
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