I was a Rotary Scholar at the University of Cape Town in 1961. During

my year there, I traveled 16,000 miles through South Africa and the

countries now known as Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia. I visited 35

Rotary clubs, met countless Rotarians, and became immersed in the

rich culture of Southern Africa.

During my initial visit, I developed a deep appreciation for both the

traditions and the challenges of life in Africa, and my respect and

admiration for the land and people have caused me to return several

times as a Rotarian.

Now – almost amazingly – I have a unique opportunity to use my experience as a Rotary Scholar to enhance

the role of Rotary in Africa!

This is the fourth year of the Reach Out to Africa (ROTA) initiative, and the ROTA Committee for this year has

been streamlined to move more quickly and efficiently to achieve its goals. We need to increase the number

of Rotarians in Africa! I also hope to see a substantial increase in international service projects for Africa,

particularly those projects with assistance from The Rotary Foundation. The ROTA Committee has an

excellent website, and I encourage all Rotarians to review it at www.reachouttoafrica.org. (Continued on Page 2)

To Submit Content, please send pictures & stories to: rotary7770news@gmail.com (Please send pictures as JPG’s & stories in MS Word if possible – Thanks, Chad)

Clubs Featured this month:

St. Andrews (Columbia)

Bluffton

Pawleys Island

Georgetown Lunch

Murrells Inlet

Mt. Pleasant Lunch

Summerville Lunch

St. Andrews (Charleston)

Lake Murray-Irmo

Oakbrook (Summerville)

Carolina Forrest Sunrise

North Charleston Breakfast

Spring Valley

St. John’s Parish (Charleston)

Keep sending in the Good News!

November 2010

(From page 1)

I have implemented two new activities this year to make it easier for Rotarians to

visit Africa and to increase their involvement in international service projects. The

first is Ray's Rotary Reunions, to be held in Cape Town 3-5 February, and I hope

many Rotarians will join me in the Fairest Cape for that event. The second, Rotary

Project Safaris, will facilitate visits by Rotarians to the areas of the world where

poverty is prevalent, and where local Rotarians have developed many beneficial

projects that need financial assistance. More information about the reunions and

the safaris is available on the RI president's pages at www.rotary.org/president.

Please contact elsa.sanabria@rotary.org for any needed assistance.

I am proud to be a product of The Rotary Foundation, and it will be the most significant achievement of my

presidency if I can serve as a catalyst to enhance Rotary in Africa! So come join me for the reunions and the

safaris. Help me to complete the circle from being a Rotary Foundation Scholar in Africa to helping Rotary in

Africa to be Bigger, Better, and Bolder!

RI President, Ray Klinginsmith

Watch the video invitation here: http://vimeo.com/15742737

Excerpt from

Bulletin from

Rotary Club of

Randwick in

Australia reports

on Leslie Beuchele

our Ambassadorial

Scholar

Regional Education Center Coordinators collaborate

with local Rotary Clubs to win the prestigious

2009-10 Rotary International Vocational Service Award

Regional Education Center Coordinators collaborated with local Rotary Clubs to meet Rotary

International President John Kenny’s challenge to Rotarians worldwide: “get involved in a

vocational service commitment as a role model of our professional lives.” REC Coordinators

directly aligned John Kenny’s vision for vocational service with South Carolina’s statewide initiative

– Personal Pathways to Success. As a result, Rotary Clubs in District 7770 adopted South

Carolina’s EEDA Personal Pathways to Success program that involves a youth mentorship

program and a career development program.

Personal Pathways to Success is the public face of the Education and Economic Development Act

that was passed by the General Assembly in 2005 to address the state’s economic and workforce

crisis. The project connects education with business by challenging Rotarians to assist students

in experiencing the WOW in the world of work. School becomes cool when students understand

the relevance of school work and the world of work. Rotary volunteers provide career

development through extended learning opportunities so that students see the relevance of their

education and become engaged and empowered to succeed. Students gained a responsible role

model and a mentor who will fill them with hope, confidence and inspiration. Students are also

empowered to make a successful transition from school to the world of work to become productive

citizens

The Rotary District 7770 Personal Pathways to Success project led by REC Coordinators

won the prestigious 2009-10 Rotary International Vocational Service Award!

This initiative was selected as a model project and is now posted on Rotary International’s

ProjectLINK database on the Rotary International website.

2009-10 District 7770 Governor Alan Walters submitted the

vocational service application to Rotary International on

behalf of Georgetown Lunch Rotary, home club of Patty

Shortt who served as 2009-10 District 7770 Vocational

Service Chair. Governor Walters presented the 2009-10

Rotary International Vocational Service award to Patty

Shortt and Randy Dozier, 2009-10 Georgetown Lunch

Rotary President at the October 5, 2010 Georgetown Lunch

Rotary meeting.

For additional information contact Patty Shortt –

pshortt@scpathways.org

Brazil is hot, as in a hot, happening place to visit. And, that’s good for District 7770 Rotarians, because our next Rotary Friendship Exchange trip is heading there. The NY Times featured this lovely photo of part of the very area we’re visiting in the 14 November 2010 travel section From 2 - 15 May 2011, Rotarians from District 7770 will be traveling to District 4640 in the state of Parana in Brazil. If this District sounds familiar, it’s because our most recent Group Study Exchange team hailed from this area. They were so popular that their team leader, Emerson Delazari Donini and I (Andra Watkins) decided to continue our connection with a Friendship Exchange next year. The Brazilians will visit South Carolina 3 - 16 October 2011 on their reciprocal trip. We are looking for FIVE (5) Rotary applicants from around District 7770 for this trip. Spouses or

other partners, except for children under the age of 18, are welcome to accompany the Rotarian.

Applications are available Here: www.rotary7770friendshipexchange.wordpress.com Click on “RFE Handbook and Forms” in the right-hand column

A little about Parana: It is a state in Southern Brazil, touching both Paraguay and Argentina. Iguacu Falls, one of the most spectacular cataracts in the world, is partially located in this state and will be an area visited on the exchange. We will also visit the city of Curitiba, one of the largest cities in Southern Brazil. An area rich with rain forests, we will have ample opportunities to view native animals and birds at whatever speed works best for each participant. Parana is also culturally diverse, with immigrants not only from Portugal but also Spain, Italy, Poland, the Ukraine and Germany. I can say from personal experience that the people are some of the nicest and most fun we’ve ever had in our District. GSE team leader to Brazil Judy Burnstein of the Daniel Island Rotary Club will agree with me.

Application (Last page of this Newsletter) for RFE District 4640 Brazil details:

Applications due by December 15, 2010 for outgoing trip. Applications must be accompanied by a $500 deposit per couple; $250 is non-refundable. Required team meetings will be held on the following dates prior to departure: Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 5pm; Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 5pm; Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 5pm. Please clear those dates on your calendars before applying. More info: Contact Andra L. Watkins, District Friendship Exchange Coordinator any of the following ways: mobile 843.870.0888; email andra@positusonline.com; email andrawatkins@gmail.com; or by commenting on the blog www.rotary7770friendshipexchange.wordpress.com.

Charles D. Beaman, Jr recently spoke to the Lake Murray – Irmo Rotary Club. He is responsible for the system’s overall operations. Mr. Beaman served as president of Palmetto Health from the date of inception, February 8, 1998, until his appointment as the system's CEO and president on January 2, 2007. Prior to the creation of Palmetto Health in 1998, Beaman was president and CEO of Baptist Healthcare System of South Carolina, Inc. where he had worked with the hospital system for 25 years. Mr. Beaman joined Baptist Healthcare System as a unit manager in 1973. Over the next 15 years, he served in various management positions with increasing responsibilities including director of Unit Management, vice president and executive assistant to the president, executive vice president and CEO of Baptist Medical Center and system's chief operating officer. In 1987, he was named president and chief executive officer of Baptist Healthcare System of South Carolina, Inc., formerly South Carolina Baptist Hospitals, Inc. Mr. Beaman talked briefly on the overall Palmetto Health

system, but concentrated most of his remarks on the proposed new 76 bed hospital next to the current Parkridge Surgery Center near Irmo. This will be a full-service 24/7 hospital that will include an emergency department. The selection process to choose an architectural firm is currently underway. Relocation of the road is expected to take place in early 2011. Construction of the building is expected to begin in late 2011 with anticipated opening of the hospital in late 2013. The newest member of the Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary club, Mark Boone, was inducted on September 22, 2010. Mr. Boone is affiliated with Community Roundtable, which is an organization whose purpose is to encourage and enable the entire community to promote positive youth development. We welcome Mark Boone to our club. Pictured: President: Dr. Judy Johnson, Kelly Payne, Mark Boone, Mr. Boone's Mother. Please visit our club when you can...we'd love to see your smiling face at 7:30 AM on a Wednesday. Seven Oaks Park at the intersection of St Andrews and Piney Grove Roads. Call Michael Cromer for more details-803-932-9181

The Spring Valley Rotary Club made a $6,000 contribution to Sistercare at their October 14 meeting. Pictured from left to right are: President-Elect Dennis Rabon and Past Community Service Director Bill Campbell with Sistercare representatives Libby Campbell, Community Group Counseling Services Coordinator/Counselor and Bill’s wife, Executive Director Nancy Barton and Grant Manager Leah McKee.

Sistercare provides services for battered women and their children residing in Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. They had an immediate need for equipment and furniture for their Children’s Shelter Project. The Spring Valley club provided the initial $3,000 which was matched with a District Simplified Grant of another $3,000. The Spring Valley Club has supported Sistercare for twenty years.

The Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast donated $1,250 to the America Red Cross Heroes for Fire Victims. Please see pictured at the check presentation from left to right Cal McRae, President of the Rotary Club, Paul Heinauer, Chair of the Heroes for Fire Victims Campaign, and Rob Fowler, meteorologist for WCBD. The funds were made available from the proceeds raised at the Club's 22nd Annual Gift of Life Golf tournament. The tournament was held at Westcott Plantation on October the 7th with over 200 golfers. It was a beautiful day with participants and Rotarians enjoying the event. The Club was very excited to be able to net over $30,000 to support the Gift of Life Program, which has helped over 120 under-privilege children have life-saving /altering operations, and other local charities such as the Red Cross. Our Club meets on Thursday at 7:30 AM at the North Charleston Embassy Suites Hotel - visitors always welcome.

The Rotary Club of Bluffton recently welcomed three new members into the club during their regular meeting on October 20. Shellie Hodges, Owner of the Bluffton Business Club; Jay Parks, former Michael C. Riley Elementary School Principal and Bob Ward, former Assistant Attorney General (Michigan) were pinned by their sponsors, Michael Reeves, Wendell Sutton and Brooks Williams respectively. The Bluffton Rotary focuses on many local events and fundraisers annually including the Bluffton Oyster Roast every January, the Bluffton Village Festival in May, and the Sunday Concert Series held over the summer and the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival in October. The club has given back generously to the community via projects such as the building of both the Community Center building and Field of Dreams at Oscar Frazier Community Park – both located in Bluffton Park – and through annual events such as Happy Feet (the purchasing of shoes for children in need) and Christmas Angels (gifts for families dealing with hardships.) The club also supports the Bluffton High School Interact Club and is currently hosting an international exchange student. Over the years, the organization has also awarded several college scholarships to local students interested in furthering their education.

The Rotary Club of Bluffton recently presented a certificate and a $50 savings

bond to their October Student of the Month, Molly Minasi, a fifth grade student in

Kristie Ferrari’s class at Michael C. Riley Elementary School.

Molly was accompanied to the Rotary breakfast by her parents, Matt and Kelly

Minasi as well as Michael C. Riley Principal, Adrienne Sutton who introduced

Molly to the club and expanded on all of the student’s accomplishments.

On October 26, Jon Ozmint, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, spoke to the St. Andrews Rotary Club in Columbia on the changes and financial improvements impacting the Dept. of Corrections. He also spoke about his recommendation to merge the 3-P Department (Pardon, Probation, and Parole) with the Corrections Department in order to combine their functions at considerable savings to SC taxpayers. Jon is a graduate of The Citadel, and later graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. He began his legal career by serving on active duty in the Judge Advocate General's Corps with the U.S. Navy, in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. After four years with the submarine force in New London, CT, Ozmint returned to his home of Anderson, SC.

With prior service in the Army Reserve, Jon is currently a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Upon leaving active duty, Jon accepted a position as a prosecutor in the Tenth Circuit Solicitors Office. In 1994, the Attorney General appointed Ozmint Deputy Attorney General and Chief Prosecutor for the Statewide Grand Jury. In that position Jon supervised the largest contingent of law enforcement agents, attorneys and staff in the Attorney General's office. Jon has served on various boards and commissions and is licensed to practice law in several state and federal courts.

Summerville-Oakbrook Breakfast Rotary Club’s golf tournament was held October 28th. This picture shows the Shelterbox display set up for the members to view after golf and during dinner. In the photo from left to right are Oakbrook Rotary members Cecile Fedol, Gary Lukridge, and Ben Perkins along with Summerville Rotary Club member and assistant district governor Don Nye who also serves as one of the Shelterbox representatives for the district.

District Governor Rick Moore continues his travels around the district. Here are some pictures from a recent stop in Mt. Pleasant.

DG Rick recognizing Immediate Past President Tina Garrett with the Clubs’ EREY Foundation Banner.

First time Paul Harris Fellows were awarded to Zoe Davis and Rebecca Gooden.

6 Time Paul Harris Fellow and Paul Harris Society member Jerry George was also recognized.

The Carolina Forest Sunrise Rotary Club has worked to help provide playground equipment and with the construction of the new Carolina Forest Community Playground.

With a District Simplified Grant, the club has purchased the sliding board, water fountain and other pieces of equipment. Club members also helped to build the park along with thousands of other community volunteers. No money was expended on the development of the park; all was volunteer help.

Left Picture - left to right: Wright Penn, Pres. Elect; Bob White, Membership Chair; Brent Taylor, Parks & Recreation Director; Carlos Scheer, Club Member, Ellison M. Smith, Jr., Club Pres.; Janice Simmons, club Director; and, Kelly Cauble, Club Member.

Right Picture - left to right: Brent Taylor; Wright Penn, Janice Simmons, Kelly Cauble, Ellison M. Smith; Carlos Scheer and Bob White.

A District Simplified Grant was matched by the Chapin Sunrise Rotary Club to purchase $2500.of Christmas Gifts for underprivileged children. Shown getting an early jump on the shopping are Club Members Barbara Seward, Stephanie Smith, Joe Herndon and Eric Holcombe, Club President. Eric’s wife, Lindsay, Stephanie’s son, Foster, and Social Worker, Rachel Parker, also helped with the shopping.

St. John’s Parish Interact Club at John’s Island High School

in Charleston recently celebrated the installation of their officers.

The Rotary Club of St. Andrews held its 21st annual St. Andrews Rotary Golf Classic on October 21st, 2010 at Shadowmoss Golf Club.

76 golfers participated & the event raised over $7,000. Proceeds went to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry and Happy Wheels of MUSC.

B&GC picture - from left to right, Robbie Kennemur - Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, Anitra Pregiato - Executive Director for the Boys of Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, Bobby Reece - St. Andrews Rotarian and Chair for the Golf Committee, and Robb Rosol - St. Andrews Rotary Club President.

Happy Wheels picture - from left to right, Bobby Reece - St. Andrews Rotarian and Chair for the Golf Committee, Jackie Shealy - Director of the Happy Wheels program at MUSC, Robb Rosol - St. Andrews Rotary Club President Below: St. Andrews Rotarians, Allison Earhart and Melissa Kubu - Volunteer Extraordinaire and Charlie Ledford, St. Andrews Rotarians

Over the years, The Rotary Club of St. Andrews in Charleston has supported and cultivated the West Ashley High School Interact Club. Under the guidance of Gwen Pardee, Rotary Club of St. Andrews Interact Advisor, the West Ashley Interact has grown from 30 members in 2009 - 2010 to 64 members for 2010 - 2011! We are currently participating in their Christmas Tree fundraiser where proceeds will go towards The Gift of Life program. The attached picture is the induction of the 2010 - 2011 Interact Club Officers which took place on November 8th.

left to right, Robb Rosol - St. Andrews Rotary Club President, Katie Reeves - West Ashley Interact Club President, Gwen Pardee - St. Andrews Rotary Interact Advisor, Will Moody - West Ashley Interact Club Vice-President, Rashard Smith - West Ashley Interact Club Secretary, Melissa Whicker - West Ashley High School Interact Advisor.

On June 4th, 2010, The Rotary Club of St. Andrews sponsored a "Party on the Patio" at the Outback Steakhouse in West Ashley. We held a silent auction that evening which raised $4,000 that went to one of our favorite charities, The Charleston Miracle League. Although raising money for charity was amazing, the most favorite and meaningful part of the fundraiser was participating in a "St. Andrews Rotary Day" on November 6th at the Charleston Miracle League. Here our Rotarians were able to buddy with players, be fans in the stands, and be a part of a game where everyone is safe and hugs and high-fives are welcome. We were truly able to give back to the children of the Charleston Miracle League.

left to right, Kathy McGhee - St. Andrews Rotarian, Robb Rosol - St. Andrews Rotary Club President, Melissa Kubu - St. Andrews Rotarian, Betsy Ellingson - Charleston Miracle League President.

Three students from Lowcountry Preparatory School, from left, Noelle Coker, Jenny Perrick and Elizabeth Connor, are volunteering at a Rotary fundraiser to eradicate Polio, Thursday, Nov. 4, at Outback Steakhouse. Coker is interested in a career in nursing, Perrick, biology, and Connor, international business. The event is put on by jointly by the Rotary Club of Murrells Inlet and the Rotary Club of Pawley’s Island, which are helping Rotary International raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The resulting $555 million will support immunization campaigns.

Left, Chris Garner, president of the Rotary Club of Murrells Inlet enjoys the event with two other Rotarians. The event is put on by jointly by the Rotary Club of Murrells Inlet and the Rotary Club of Pawley’s Island. After 25 years of hard work, Rotary and partners are on the brink of eradicating this disease. They are pushing to root it out once and for all in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children.

Right, Beverly Causey, president of the Rotary Club of Pawley’s Island, shows silent auction items at a Rotary fundraiser to eradicate Polio, Thursday, Nov. 4, at Outback Steakhouse. Rotary clubs also provide “sweat equity” and Rotary club members have volunteered their time and personal resources to reach more than two billion children in 122 countries with the oral polio vaccine.

Left, Outback Steakhouse food seems to be enjoyed at a Rotary fundraiser to eradicate Polio, Thursday, Nov. 4, at Outback Steakhouse.

Right, Two good smiles from Kay Mackall and Vern Craft at a Rotary fundraiser to eradicate Polio, Thursday, Nov. 4, at Outback Steakhouse.

Lou Mello has provided the following Paul Harris Society

Update & Historical Perspective:

2010-2011 through Nov 19. 2010 218 active PHS members

61 of 79 clubs with PHS Members 102 renewals 2010-2011

16 new members 2010-2011

2009-2010 218 active PHS members

61 of 79 clubs with PHS Members 151 renewals 2009-2010

19 new members 2009-2010

2008-2009 227 active PHS members

59 of 78 clubs with PHS Members 151 renewals 2008-2009

24 new members 2008-2009

2007-2008 206 Active PHS members

57 of 78 clubs with PHS Members 130 renewals 2007-2008

50 new members 2007-2008

2006-2007 118 renewals 2006-2007

30 new members 2006-2007 50 of 78 Clubs with PHS members

Total of 161 current active PHS member

2005-2006 99 renewals in 2005-2006

20 new members 2005-2006 Net 119 members

2004-2005 126 Charter members 2004-2005

6 deceased 3 moved out of district 1 resigned from Rotary

1 not renewed Net 115 members

Rotary Youth Exchange 7770 would like to thank the following clubs:

OUTBOUND STUDENT APPLICATIONS 2011-12

***We are currently accepting applications for the 2011-12 school year,

Deadline for initiating the application is December 1, 2010. Please contact

Vicki Tatum (dentistt@aol.com) if you have a student interested in studying

abroad for a year. Remember, we DO accept children and grandchildren of

Rotarians***

WE NEED CLUBS TO HOST INBOUND EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN 2011-12

We will be sending out requests to club president-elects BEFORE January to

ask you and your club to host an inbound foreign exchange student for the

school year of 2011-12 starting in August, 2011. Please consider this great

opportunity to change the life of a young person and breathe some youth

and enthusiasm into your club. Our goal is to host 12 students next year. I

have already heard from several clubs but we will need more! Join the fun!

SAILING 2010 AND ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

Thanks to Jay Cook , Charleston Breakfast Club, for taking all of the Inbound

Exchange Students sailing. It was perfect weather and a day the students

will never forget.

Sponsoring Clubs 2010-11: 1. Beaufort 2. East Cooper Breakfast 3. Florence 4. Goose Creek 5. Hilton Head Island 6. Hilton Head Island - Sunset 7. Lake City 8. Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 9. St. Andrews - Charleston

Hosting Clubs 2010-11: 1. Beaufort 2. Bluffton & Lexington 3. East Cooper Breakfast 4. Florence 5. Hampton 6. Hilton Head Island 7. Marion 8. St. Andrews - Charleston 9. Spring Valley 10.Summerville

District 7770 Nominating Committee is seeking qualified applicants for District Governor in Rotary Year 2013-2014. The District Governor Nominee Application is also available on our District Website, www.rotary7770.org or on the Rotary International Website www.Rotary.org.

Please Mail completed applications to: PDG Alan Walters, Nominating Committee Chair, 24 Cole Drive, Pawley’s Island, SC 29585

Rotary Club of Bluffton set up shop at the Payless Shoe

Store in Bluffton for the club’s annual “Happy Feet” event

Happy Feet is an opportunity for the Bluffton Rotary to work with Michael C. Riley Elementary and Red Cedar

Elementary schools to purchase shoes for students in need. Invitees are identified by the schools, then asked to

visit the Payless shoe store in the Kitties Crossing Shopping Center prior to the store’s regular operating hours.

$2,000 is ear marked each year by the Bluffton Rotary for the event and this year the club outfitted

approximately 100 students. Rotarians, teachers and Payless staff members joined together to assist the

students with their shoe selection. The Bluffton Rotary also provided donuts, coffee and juice throughout the

morning.

“This year’s event was very successful,” stated John Kirkland, Youth Services Chair for the Bluffton Rotary.

“Although it was my first year over-seeing the program, I found it to be extremely rewarding and I look forward

to participating again next year. Needless to say it was time and money well spent.”

The Bluffton Rotary focuses on many local events and fundraisers annually including the Bluffton Oyster Roast

every January, the Bluffton Village Festival in May, and the Sunday Concert Series held over the summer and

the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival in October.

The club has given back generously to the community via projects such as the building of both the Community

Center building and Field of Dreams at Oscar Frazier Community Park – both located in Bluffton Park – and

through annual events such as Happy Feet (the purchasing of shoes for children in need) and Christmas Angels

(gifts for families dealing with hardships.) The club also supports the Bluffton High School Interact Club and is

currently hosting an international

exchange student. Over the

years, the organization has also

awarded several college

scholarships to local students

interested in furthering their

education.

Pictured on left - Bluffton Rotary

Member and former Michael C.

Riley Elementary Principal, Jay

Parks, looks on as an elementary

student is fitted for a new pair of

shoes during the Bluffton Rotary’s

Happy Feet program.

 

Rotarian Action Groups Update November 2010 

Rotarian Action Groups conduct hands‐on, international service projects that advance the Object of Rotary. They’re organized by committed Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors who have expertise and a passion for a particular type of service.  Rotarian Action Groups are recognized by Rotary International and operate in accordance with Rotary policy, but they are not controlled by Rotary International.  To learn more about Rotarian Action Groups, visit www.rotary.org/actiongroups.  

The Rotarian Action Groups Update is a quarterly communication distributed to active Rotary district chairs.  The contents of this publication are provided by the individual Rotarian Action Groups.   

Rotarian Action Group for the Alleviation of Hunger & Malnutrition 

Hunger issues are not new to Rotarians.  We have been feeding the hungry for a very long time because we know that in order to break the cycle of poverty, we must first make minds and bodies strong.   

The Rotarian Action Group for the Alleviation of Hunger and Malnutrition provides the opportunity for Rotarians from every corner of the world to form a network of individuals working to alleviate hunger and malnutrition.  We share our experiences, projects, successes, challenges and needs with one another to create a pool of information and partnerships in service.  Our Rotarian Action Group works toward the alleviation of hunger by meeting the short‐term needs of immediate food supply where appropriate while working to develop the necessary infrastructure that will enable communities to become self‐reliant in either developing or being able to purchase their necessary nutritional needs.  By partnering and coordinating our efforts with other groups and organizations working in the field, we are able to stretch our dollars and avoid duplication. Instead of random, separate hunger and malnutrition projects, the action group can connect us and strengthen our efforts to make our Rotary projects and programs effective. Visit us at www.alleviatehunger.org for more project and membership information. 

Rotarian Action Group for Polio Survivors & Associates  

The Rotarian Action Group for Polio Survivors and Associates would like to announce the presentation of the first 100 tricycle wheelchairs from two matching grants that will eventually produce around 1000 chairs.  

The Rotary Club of Traverse City, MI was the coordinator for the first of the two grants. The Rotary Club of Casco Bay Sunrise, Portland, ME coordinated the second grant; together they totaled $120,000.  In the end, seven districts and 27 Rotary clubs from three continents joined Polio Survivors & Associates to partner with the Rotary Foundation for the total grant.  It was an international affair that took 18 months from its inception at the 2007 RI Convention in LA until both grants were funded in December of 2008.  The combined effort of the two grants is the largest effort to assist polio survivors in Nigeria to date.  In addition to purchasing new equipment, the grants purchased enough building supplies to construct around 1000 wheelchairs for polio survivors in Northern Nigeria.  

The wheelchairs will enable survivors the independence to go to school, to learn a trade or get started in microlending or other small business. The wheelchairs are built with assistance from local Rotarians and members of the Handicapped Advocacy and Rehabilitation Center in Jos, Nigeria, which has agreed to donate the labor needed for this project. They are eager because the need is great and the additional work created will benefit the community. Moreover, by purchasing and bringing into the community the machinery to build these wheelchairs, the project will be sustainable even after it is completed – all that will be needed is additional funding to procure parts.   

Rotarian Action Groups Update | November 2010 | 1

The first 100 chairs were presented by the Rotary Club of Naraguta through assistance of the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.  

Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit (RAGM) 

Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit (RAGM)’s mandate includes supporting educational events, making us excited to share opportunities for Rotarians to get involved and learn about Microcredit.  

On September 11, 2010, The Calgary Microcredit Conference kicked off with many great speakers including representatives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Kiva, CAUSE CANADA, MicroEnsure and others. For complete details, please visit www.calgarymicrocreditconference.com.   

Next up was The Toronto Microcredit Conference held on 2 October 2010. Their outstanding line‐up was to include speakers from more than 20 organizations, including World Vision, CARE, CGAP (World Bank), Grameen Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information please contact Gord Crann, gordon.crann@sympatico.ca or visit: www.microfinanceconference.ca. 

 Lastly, the Victoria Microcredit Conference will be held on 5 March 2011. Details are to be advised; for information contact Mary Coward at marycoward@shaw.ca, or to learn about past conferences, please visit www.rotary5020.org/newsletters/uploaded_files/20080924125148newsletter.pdf. 

With over 130 million borrowers, each with an average of five dependents, Microcredit is one of the largest known anti‐poverty tools, and Rotarians play a proud part in this sustainable solution. If you are interested in hosting a Microcredit Conference or learning more about Microcredit check out www.ragm.org or contact us at info@ragm.org. 

Rotarian Action Group for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness (RAGMSA) 

One of the success stories of the Rotarian Action Group for MS Awareness (RAGMSA) is its e‐mail group.  The idea behind this was to create a feeling of camaraderie amongst its participants. The members of the e‐mail group were all people with MS or people whose lives were touched by MS. They were also Rotarians. The hope was that a feeling of togetherness and community would arise. This has happened on more than one occasion: when the comment was made by members that this should count as a make‐up for a club meeting; and during my hospitalization when two members of the group stepped up to moderate the group in my absence. The group was allowed to continue because two of its members took on my role as moderator when I was unable to function. This shows the level of support and commitment within the group. This was what was hoped for when the e‐mail group was first constructed.  Now we should endeavor to build on this by getting new members for the group. With more members we can encourage more discussion and exchange of ideas about what MS Awareness is. Please contact the group's moderators at cheriebinns@verizon.net or keekee812@earthlink.net. 

Rotarian Action Group for Population Growth & Sustainable Development (RFPD) 

Fast and unsustainably growing world population is the root of all major challenges of today: water shortage, depletion of natural resources and the threat of war over the remaining ones, global warming, hunger and malnutrition, poverty, spread of diseases. Jeffery D. Sachs calls ‘Sustainable Development’ the challenge of our generation and stresses that without attention to family planning, there could be no sustainable development. Being Ban Ki‐moon’s Special Advisor and having served Kofi Annan, advising on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Professor Sachs is widely considered to be the leading international economic advisor of his generation. For his tireless commitment to population issues, RFPD presented him with the Nafis Sadik Award for Courage.  

The commitment to MDG 5 of the UN‐ and the G8‐Summit has proven the importance of this MDG for the achievement of all other MDGs. Improving the health of mothers and children and empowering women to exercise their reproductive 

Rotarian Action Groups Update | November 2010 | 2

Rotarian Action Groups Update | November 2010 | 3

rights are the only ways forward to steer population growth onto a sustainable path. For years RFPD has been addressing population issues, currently preparing to scale up its successful Maternal Health Project. Past RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe recently published an article about this project, which can be found at: www.rifpd.org; see also: www.maternal‐health.eu.  

Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) 

WASRAG is very pleased to announce the launch of Start with Water, designed to support excellence in Rotary club water and sanitation work, RI’s Strategic Plan, and The Rotary Foundation Future Vision Plan.  

The program provides map‐based listings of projects, a tool to link clubs together, technical support including “Ask an Expert” forum, resources and more. Of particular interest are the “endorsed” projects available on the site. Endorsed projects are developed by Regional Teams based on rigorous planning to improve sustainability.   To learn about getting your club project endorsed, email info@startwithwater.org. 

Research has shown that access to safe water and adequate sanitation is the foundation for effective community development. With this base, Rotary clubs can continue work in other areas of development, knowing a strong foundation has been laid. WASRAG encourages and supports Rotary club WASH projects. Remember:  Start with Water! 

Save the Date: This year’s day‐long World Water Summit will be held Friday May 20, 2011 in New Orleans, immediately before the international convention. Please keep this in mind as you make arrangements for this year’s convention. WWS4 information is available on the WASRAG website: www.startwithwater.org.  You can also visit us on Facebook, Twitter or our blog. 

 

APPLICATION FOR ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE DISTRICT 7770

Name of Rotarian:

Name of Partner:

Nicknames, if applicable:

Home address:

Home telephone number, with area code:

Other telephone number, with area code:

Rotarian and partner e-mail addresses:

In case of emergency, contact name, address,and phone number with area code:

Ages (optional):

What is (or was) your career field?

What is (or was) your Partner’s career field?

Do either of you smoke?

Hobbies/interests:

Home Rotary Club:

Number of years in Rotary:

What Rotary positions have you held?

What Rotary positions do you currently hold?

What is your classification?

Have you ever participated in RFE? If yes, list all past experiences.

Please list any physical or health limitations for you and your partner.

Signature of Rotarian:_____________________________________ Date:

Signature of Club President:________________________________ Date:

DEPOSIT OF $500 PER COUPLE IS REQUIRED. $250 IS NONREFUNDABLE.

DISTRICT 7770 / 4640 BRAZIL ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE2 MAY - 15 MAY 2011- 7770 VISITS 4640 BRAZIL3 OCTOBER - 16 OCTOBER 2011 4640 BRAZIL VISITS 7770

APPLICATION DEADLINE 15 NOVEMBER 2010SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATION TO ANDRA@POSITUSONLINE.COM