TAKE ACTION: www.rotarydistrict5870.org

In this issue…

Message from District Governor

Rotary Foundation

Rotary Foundation Giving Totals

Presidential Citation

Interviews with Club Presidents

Early Act First Knight Schools

Operation Vacation

Polio Eradication Update

Rotary District Save the Dates

Rotary Significant Achievement Award

Amazon Smile

Polio Race Across America

My Rotary Story

Rotary Club Events

Around the District

Registrations Now OPEN

March 19th

Grant Management Training

April 16th

District Assembly

June 23-26th

Conference of Rotary Clubs

June 26th

District Governor Installation Lunch

Message from District Governor:

Tim and I are so pleased and Proud of how many of the clubs are qualifying for the Presidential Citation online. Which means Clubs are working hard to complete their Goals!!! For some of you that may be having issues completing your Presidential Citations online, please call or email me, SOON. That's what the District team is here for. The deadline is approaching fast! In addition to entering your Presidential Citations online, there are so many things due in this month. RYLA Campers; Awards applications; Next year's board members into Rotary Club Central; 2016-2017 DAP Grant Request form are due into DAP Grant Coordinator, Beverly Luedke, just to name a few. There are a number of events to Register for, too, starting with March 19th 2016 Grant Management Training Seminars. You all can NOW register for the District Assembly on April 16th 2016; AND Conference of Rotary Clubs at Horseshoe Bay Resort, June 24th-26th 2016; AND DG Installation of Bruce Golden on June 26th 2016 also at Horseshoe Bay Resort. Please make sure, you are looking at the District Website and Calendar to help keep it all straight. I'm making my rounds to finish up awarding out Banners earned for last year, and Polio Plus COA's. If for any reason you would like me to come back and speak on any topic that would help your club reach it's Goals for this year, please email &/or call me. I would be happy to do so. As I said in my speech at the Foundation Dinner.....( but with updated figures) Our Annual Fund Giving Goal, set by the clubs for 2015-2016 Rotary year is $501,792. That's our goal. I think we can exceed goal! We currently have 68.7% of that Goal, into Annual Fund already; Putting us at $342,266. WOW! We can do this folks. It's in our reach! To date, 58 clubs that have contributed to the Annual fund already, with 1561 members EREY Eligible, and of those, 800 are now Sustaining members, out of 2644 members in our District. Let's make it another 100% Club Contribution Year!!! We only have until June 30th of 2017 to use the Jerry Johnson Trust Match for first time Paul Harris Fellows. Let's get another 330 PHF's by June 2016!!! Congratulation to Copperas Cove RC and Fairfield RC for being the only clubs so far this year to achieve 100% Paul Harris Fellow Clubs. Which club will be next??? Our Goal set by the clubs for Polio Plus this year is now at $51,400. I think we can exceed that too. Thanks to your efforts earlier this year, To date, we already have 98.1% of that goal turned in to Polio Plus. I know a few more clubs have plans for spring time Pints for Polio Events coming up. That will help to put us over the goal line. To date 43 clubs that have contributed to Polio Plus already. Let's make this year a 100% Club Contribution Year, too!!!

To all Rotarians of Rotary District of Central Texas 5870, February Started off with a Blast of the Foundation Dinner and Ended with Lone Star PETS training for the next Exciting Rotary year. I have no Doubt that March 2016 will every bit as action packed!!! Let's make a BIG SPLASH IN MARCH as this is Clean Water & Sanitation month!!!

To all Rotarians of Rotary District of Central Texas 5870, February Started off with a Blast of the Foundation Din-ner and Ended with Lone Star PETS training for the next Exciting Rotary year. I have no Doubt that March 2016 will every bit as action packed!!! Let's make a BIG SPLASH IN MARCH as this is Clean Water & Sanitation month!!! Tim and I are so pleased and Proud of how many of the clubs are qualifying for the Presidential Citation online. Which means Clubs are working hard to complete their Goals!!! For some of you that may be having issues com-pleting your Presidential Citations online, please call or

There is still much to be done before the end of this year!!! The Time is Now, to Crystalize your goals! The Time is Now, to make a choice! The time is Now, to revisit & complete your Presidential Citations, Membership, and Annual Fund giving Goals, You set before this year started. Follow your Strategic Plan for achieving them, and Set yourself a deadline, And Then, with Supreme Confi-dence, Determination and, disregard for Obstacles and other people's criticisms, Pull together, and Carry out your Plan! Every Rotarian in this District has the ability to continue to make a major impact on humanity one step at a time! This is how we Change the world! …....And why do we do this? So that we can continue to Serve Humanity; To provide Clean water; To provide Opportunities for economic development; To teach others to read and give opportunities for an education to those with little or no hope of one; To prevent and even wipeout Deceases like Polio. To insure the health of Mothers and Babies by providing prenatal care; and All to Promote the Ultimate goal, of World Peace!!!! As Rotarians, We are moved to Serve and This is our Choice! This is our Time! I am confident we can complete and even exceed our goals! Because I believe in you. I believe in Rotary and the Support of The Rotary Foundation. I know you all share that belief. To all of the World Class Presidents, club Officers, AG's, Committee Members, and to each and every single person in this district, There is still of time left in this Rotary year and even more lives to be impacted in the remainder of this Ro-tary Year. As you can see the clock is running. We have only 110 Days left in this Rotary year to Complete our Goals !!! So I would like to ask a favor, and that favor is that each and every one of you, finish this year stronger than ever!!! So that when the clock is about to strike midnight on June 30th, 2016. During that final second, take a deep breath, and say, wow, look what we have accomplished!!! And take that second to pat yourself on the back. Think about at how many lives we have made better since this very moment. And think of How Rota-ry can become an even greater force, for the good of all mankind.... because we reached our Goals This year!!! When we look back at this Rotary year I feel Confident that we as members of Rotary District of Central Texas 5870 will be humbled and inspired by the amount of positive impact our hard work has ac-complished and for what our service and dedication we give this year will continue to impact and transform humanity for years to come! Here is my promise to you, I will not rest till our Goals are met, and I know this great team will not either! Because The Rotary District of Central Texas 5870, is truly.....# 1 District Strong! Thank you, for Being a Gift to the World!

Per Capita Foundation Giving – as of March 8, 2016 (Top 25 Clubs)

The top 25 Clubs to date on a per capita basis are shown below. As a comparison, the top 25 Clubs from 2014-2015 are also shown.

Top 25 Per Capita 2014-15 Top 25 Per Capita 2015-16

Club Per Capita Club Per Capita

Killeen Heights $774.37 Killeen Heights $905.20

Harker Heights $709.93 Fairfield $446.50

Killeen Evening $669.85 Temple-South $348.38

Austin University Area

$496.22 Austin University Area

$266.18

Marble Falls $469.95 Killeen $242.42

Temple-South $440.02 Temple $222.21

Temple $313.80 Lakeway/Lake Travis

$218.57

Belton $259.32 Cameron $175.65

Killeen $218.92 Austin $173.90

Marble Falls Day-break

$202.32 Austin Cosmopoli-tan

$130.88

Austin Cosmopoli-tan

$190.66 Georgetown $128.77

Corsicana $171.95 Austin Capitol $128.57

Georgetown-Sun City

$164.17 Marble Falls $121.79

Georgetown $159.69 East Austin $120.00

Mexia $159.62 Killeen Evening $114.76

Austin Westlake $156.14 Round Rock Sun-rise

$114.29

Cedar Park $153.95 Corsicana $113.57

Round Rock Sun-rise

$151.92 Harker Heights $110.97

Fairfield $149.40 Austin-Oak Hill $106.82

Giddings $148.38 West Austin $104.17

South Austin $145.26 Taylor $103.40

Northwest Austin $144.17 Lexington $100.00

Bee Cave $142.80 Northwest Waco $99.77

Austin-Oak Hill $140.62 Georgetown-Sun City

$96.15

West Austin $139.57 Rockdale $94.41

Total District $176.24 Total District $129.22

Foundation Giving – as of March 8, 2016, (Top 25 Clubs)

The top 25 Clubs to date on a dollar basis are shown below. As a comparison, the top 25 Clubs from 2014-2015 are also shown.

Top 25 Annual Fund Giving 2014-15 Top 25 Annual Fund Giving 2015-16

Club Total Club Total

Killeen Heights $89,827 Killeen Heights $93,236

Harker Heights $41,176 Austin $35,476

Marble Falls $30,547 Temple $19,777

Temple $26,359 Temple-South $17,419

Temple-South $19,801 Waco $16,510

Austin $19,579 Georgetown $15,195

Georgetown $18,843 Lakeway/Lake Travis

$10,273

Austin University Area

$18,360 Marble Falls $9,134

Waco $16,983 Austin University Area

$9,050

Northwest Austin $12,110 Fairfield $8,930

Georgetown-Sun City

$10,835 Killeen $8,000

Corsicana $10,145 Harker Heights $7,990

Killeen Evening $8,708 Corsicana $7,723

Killeen $8,100 Northwest Austin $6,400

Lakeway/Lake Travis

$7,510 Georgetown-Sun City

$6,346

La Grange $7,471 Cameron $4,567

West Austin $6,420 Austin Cosmopoli- $4,450

Marble Falls Day-break

$6,272 West Austin $4,375

Austin Cosmopoli-tan

$6,101 Taylor $3,619

Bastrop County $5,865 Austin-Oak Hill $3,525

Pflugerville $5,730 La Grange $3,250

Belton $5,705 Rockdale $3,210

Round Rock $5,500 Round Rock $3,050

Giddings $5,490 Cedar Creek $2,886

South Austin $5,084 Austin Capitol $2,700

Total District $466,691 Total District $342,301

PolioPlus Contributions – as of March 8, 2016, (Top 25 Clubs)

The top 25 Clubs to date are shown below. As a comparison, the top 25 Clubs from 2014-2015 are also shown.

Top 25 PolioPlus Contributions 2014-15 Top 25 PolioPlus Contributions 2015-16

Club Total Club Total

Northwest Austin $12,225 Austin $14,295

Austin $11,107 Taylor $4,022

Austin University Area

$6,550 Georgetown $4,000

Georgetown-Sun City

$6,040 Northwest Austin $3,390

Georgetown $3,240 Georgetown-Sun City

$2,154

Temple-South $2,500 Killeen Evening $2,000

Killeen $2,475 Marble Falls Day-break

$2,000

Killeen Heights $2,308 La Grange $1,730

Marble Falls $2,100 West Austin $1,350

Round Rock Sun-rise

$2,000 Killeen Heights $1,315

Rockdale $1,955 Rockdale $1,130

La Grange $1,400 Killeen $1,100

Bastrop County $1,029 Lakeway/Lake Travis

$1,100

Fairfield $1,003 Austin-North by Northeast

$1,052

Yoakum $1,000 E-Club of 5870 $1,000

West Austin $925 Austin University Area

$870

Austin-North by Northeast

$865 Waco $830

Bosque County (Clifton)

$774 South Austin $695

Burnet $500 Marble Falls $688

Cameron $500 Austin Capitol $610

Giddings $490 Belton $600

Killeen Evening $460 Round Rock Sun-rise

$550

Belton $458 Shiner $500

Marlin $400 Round Rock $447

Temple $375 East Austin $300

Total District $64,243 Total District $50,430

Presidential Citation

Presidential citation deadline is April 1st

My citation was created to help set goals and create activities for the Rotary year that develop vibrant, active clubs. At least 300 clubs have

achieved all the goals I have set forth and over 12,000 clubs have completed the mandatory activities. I encourage you all to have your clubs

work towards completing as many goals as possible before the deadline.

Here are some that you can accomplish in the coming weeks:

Use Rotary Club Central to report club accomplishments in Public Image and Humanitarian Service

Have club members register in My Rotary

Share a project or contribute to one on Rotary Ideas

Post completed projects in Rotary Showcase

Support our Foundation with a gift of at least $20

Have at least one club member join a Rotarian Action Group

Work with your Rotary Community Corps to assess community needs

Regards, K.R. Ravindran Rotary International President, 2015-16

Interview with David Tucker President of the Austin-Oak Hill Rotary Club

Please tell us what factors helped you decide to join Rotary: Community involvement is a part of my job at Austin Community College. I was introduced to the Austin-Oak Hill Rotary Club by my predecessor and thoroughly enjoyed the folks there. I truly represent the phrase, "I came for the business contacts but stayed for the ser-vice." What’s your favorite restaurant in your community? The Salt Lick. What Texan doesn't like great barbecue?

Of your Club’s activities, what do you consider the one thing that best identifies what your Club is all about? Education. From our work in the local elementary schools, Interact Club, and scholarships to underprivileged college students, we believe education is the key to a better future for the youth of our community. What is your Club doing this year to attract new members? We have changed our meetings from weekly luncheons to a combination of of two lunches and two evening socials to allow more opportunity for not only our members but also visitors to attend who cannot make the lunch meetings. Do you have any advice to offer others in the District about how best to achieve a successful fund-raiser? Focus. We have one major fund raiser each year - a golf tournament. We work to involve every member and to ensure that every detail is covered. This gives us an enjoyable and profitable event. Do you have any innovative plans for Rotary-related publicity during your Presidency? We are fortunate to have a creative webmaster that keeps our website and e-newsletters interesting and fresh. Frequent communication with our membership has been a goal of mine this year. As President, what’s your biggest concern for the coming year? Member involvement. My challenge to the membership was to "find their place" in our club. We've seen members step up to new roles and challenges which has led to a new excitement level in all aspects of the club. What’s the best book you’ve read in the past 3 years? One of the best books I've read is The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James Hornfischer. This is the extraordinary story of the U.S. Navy's finest hour in the famous Battle off Samar. What’s your favorite quotation? "God is writing a story in you that He intends to be read by others." - Justin Gerhardt What one thing would you most recommend as a “must see”, a “hidden treasure”, for visitors to your community? The many, many miles of hike and bike trails through southwest Austin accessed through the Rotary Trailhead at the Will Hampton Public Library Grounds.

Interview with Karen Daly President of the Hutto Rotary Club

Please tell us what factors helped you decide to join Rotary: I joined Rotary when I was City Manager in Greenville, Texas in 2004. After changing jobs, I was glad to rejoin the Hutto Rotary Club in 2014. What’s your favorite restaurant in your community? Hutto Rotary meets at The Downtown Hall of Fame but we have lots of restaurants that are my favorites.

Of your Club’s activities, what do you consider the one thing that best identifies what your Club is all about? Hutto Rotary is known for our outstanding scholarships and generous giving to Hutto non-profits. We do this by raising funds from an annual golf tournament. What is your Club doing this year to attract new members? Hutto doesn't have a lot of employers yet but as new businesses are arriving, we ask their leaders to join our Club. We've increased our membership this year and have exceeded our goals. Do you have any advice to offer others in the District about how best to achieve a successful fund-raiser? The more involvement you have from all of your club members, the more successful it will be. Rely on each member's strengths and it should be a resounding success. Do you have any innovative plans for Rotary-related publicity during your Presidency? Our meetings are listed in the Hutto News and we have provided them with guest columns that are featured on the front page of the paper. As President, what’s your biggest concern for the coming year? Hutto is a mobile town and our members tend to move away so keeping our Club growing is a challenge. What’s the best book you’ve read in the past 3 years? I like all of Daniel Pink's books and research. I recommend "Drive" to up and coming leaders. What’s your favorite quotation? "There is a special place in hell for women who don't support other women." - Madeline Albright What one thing would you most recommend as a “must see”, a “hidden treasure”, for visitors to your community? Our hippos, of course! We have over 2,000 hippos all over Hutto.

Interview with Larry Leahy President of the Yoakum Rotary Club

Please tell us what factors helped you decide to join Rotary: Many years ago my parents told me that I would be judged by the com-pany I keep. Joining Rotary put me in the company of the civic and business leaders of my community and their influence helped me be-come a more positive role model in my community. Of your Club’s activities, what do you consider the one thing that best identifies what your Club is all about? Without a doubt it has to be the Jameson Center that provides support and direction to the youth of our community and is beneficial to all concern.

What is your Club doing this year to attract new members? We are actively recruiting spouses of current members. We currently have one husband and wife who are both members and in December we will welcome a spouse of a current member into our club. Do you have any advice to offer others in the District about how best to achieve a successful fund-raiser? Make sure that your project team is passionate about the fund-raiser. Without your fundraiser just becomes another task. Do you have any innovative plans for Rotary-related publicity during your Presidency? Don't know if it is innovative but we now have a PR Board Member who is ensuring that our message is consistent throughout all media venues. As President, what’s your biggest concern for the coming year? Like many of us, I am concerned about membership. Yoakum is a great community but unfortunately we are not seeing the population growth that a lot of Texas is seeing. Therefore membership needs to be our priority. What’s the best book you’ve read in the past 3 years? The Quest by Daniel Yergin. A great book on energy security and its influence on our world. What’s your favorite quotation? Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. What’s your favorite restaurant in your community? Mi Tierra and H&H Cafe What one thing would you most recommend as a “must see”, a “hidden treasure”, for visitors to

your community?

Yoakum Community Hospital. One of the nationally ranked community hospitals and a great supporter

of our Club.

Interview with Rudy England President of the Capital of Texas Rotary Club

Please tell us what factors helped you decide to join Rotary: I

wanted to be involved with an organization that makes a differ-

ence in the community. Previously I had been involved with the

Kiwanis Club and the Optimist Club, but after asking around, I be-

came convinced that Rotary was the premier civic club and service

organization.

Of your Club’s activities, what do you consider the one thing

that best identifies what your Club is all about? We have an

exceptional speakers program, largely due to our location in the

State Capitol.

What is your Club doing this year to attract new members?

We have been more active on Facebook and Twitter this year. Among other things, we are using social

media to tell people about the speakers we have coming and to encourage visitors.

Do you have any advice to offer others in the District about how best to achieve a successful

fund-raiser?

Our fundraising is done in conjunction with our semi-annual wine tastings and social events.

Do you have any innovative plans for Rotary-related publicity during your Presidency?

Expanding our social media presence.

As President, what’s your biggest concern for the coming year?

Continuing the positive momentum and better coordination and integration with Rotary International,

especially at the District level.

What’s the best book you’ve read in the past 3 years?

Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life by James Hollis

What’s your favorite quotation?

Some men see things as they are and ask 'why?' I dream things that never were and ask 'why not?'

What’s your favorite restaurant in your community?

Matt's Famous El Rancho

What one thing would you most recommend as a “must see”, a “hidden treasure”, for visitors to

your community?

Take a guided tour of the State Capitol.

Early Act First Knight

Bastrop ISD

Bluebonnet Elementary (Cedar Creek Rotary)

Cedar Creek Elementary (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Emile Elementary (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Lost Pines Elementary (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Mina Elementary (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Red Rock Elementary (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Bastrop Intermediate (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Cedar Creek Intermediate (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Smithville ISD

Brown Primary Elementary (Cedar Creek & Bastrop Rotary)

Killeen ISD

West Ward Elementary (Killeen/ Harker Heights Rotary)

Willow Springs Elementary (Harker Heights Rotary)

Reeces Creek Elementary (Killeen Rotary)

Harker Heights Elementary (Harker Heights Rotary)

Haynes Elementary (Killeen & Killeen Evening Rotary)

Austin ISD

Dawson Elementary (Austin Rotary)

Pecan Springs Elementary (Cosmopolitan, University Area, East Austin, Austin & E-Club Rotary)

LaGrange ISD

Hermes Elementary (LaGrange Rotary)

Georgetown ISD

Mitchell Elementary (Georgetown Rotary)

Williams Elementary (Georgetown Rotary)

Jarrell ISD

Jarrell Elementary (Georgetown Sun City Rotary)

Jarrell Intermediate (Georgetown Sun City Rotary)

Giddings ISD

Giddings Elementary (Giddings Rotary)

Flatonia ISD

Flatonia Elementary (Flatonia Rotary)

Shiner ISD

Shiner Elementary (Shiner Rotary)

Waco ISD

Parkcrest Elementary (Northwest Waco Rotary)

Round-Top Carmine ISD

Round Top – Carmine Elementary (LaGrange Rotary)

O P E R A T I N

V A C A T I O N

Thank You for your Service!

The Rotary Club of Austin and Killeen host Ft. Hood Military families each month in Aus-

tin through Operation Vacation, thanks to our major sponsors: Rotary, Austin Hotel

Lodging Association, County Line Restaurants, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Su-

per Shuttle ExecuCar and Toyota Killeen. Ft. Hood selects a non commissioned officer

and his/ her family and sends them to Austin for a fun, stress free weekend. They receive

a two night stay at one of Austin’s favorite hotels, a rent car, meals including a BBQ din-

ner with all the trimmings from County Line and tickets to some of Austin’s best attrac-

tions. It is Austin’s way to say thank you to our soldiers for their service to our coun-

try, keeping us safe even at the sacrifice of quality time with their families. “It is always

inspiring and very moving to see these families blown away by all the details arranged

for their special weekend”, says Mary Reynolds, Rotary Operation Vacation Chair and

AHLA Board member. One soldier and his wife who also serves in the Army said they

have never been thanked over their ten years of service for just for doing their jobs

but was quoted to say “Thank you so much for allowing us to have this wonderful expe-

rience. We had such an amazing experience. You guys showered us with so many gifts,

much more than we deserve. We are grateful beyond words” -Sgt. 1st Class Trivitt. What

a great way to show our military that they are appreciated and respected.

Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Tangalin and his wife Judith at the

Four Seasons

1st Lt. Jesse Graham and his wife Kelly @ The W Hotel

Sgt. 1st Class Bobby Trivitt, Sr., wife Claudia, Monique(12),

Bobby, Jr. (10), Yaretzi(7), Noah(2)

Registration Pricing

Packages Advance Door

3 Day $199 $235 (Includes Meals)

2 Day $149 $185 (Includes Meals)

Sunday Only $40 $45 (Luncheon)

Meal Add On Advance Door Friday

$70 $80

Saturday Lunch

$35 $40

Saturday Dinner

$70 $80

Sunday DG Luncheon

$40 $45

Registrations

Now OPEN

June 23-26th

Conference of Rotary Clubs

June 26th

DG Installation Lunch

Amazon Smile

You can support the Rotary Foundation every time you shop on Amazon. How? By joining AmazonSmile. It is a simple and

automatic way for you to support the Rotary Foundation every time you shop, at no cost to you. Just go to smile.amazon.com

instead of amazon.com. You’ll find everything you find at amazon.com with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a

portion of the purchase price to the Rotary Foundation. It is one of the nearly one million organizations you can select from.

Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for

donations. Eligible products are marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages.

You use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. All your account settings remain the same: shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, etc. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, select the Rotary Foundation to receive donations from eligible

purchases before you begin shopping. AmazonSmile will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you

make at https://smile.amazon.com/ will result in a donation.

POLIO RACE ACROSS AMERICA

We want your district in RACE ACROSS AMERICA’s $10 million dollar challenge for PolioPlus. THE RACE: We have entered a four man bicycle team in Race Across America – RAAM http://www.raceacrossamerica.org. RAAM is one of the 25 most difficult events in the world with 3000 miles distance and 170,000 feet of climbing (that’s six times Mt. Everest). It is an intense, grueling, and challenging bicycle race. However, it is not as grueling or as challenging as living with po-lio. The race starts June 18th, 2016 in Oceanside, CA and ends in Annapolis, MD hopefully less than seven days later. Our team name is “Team Rotary RAAMs Polio”. We will be riding around the clock in shifts through 12 states with 55 time stations we have to make. Our team will consist of four rid-ers, 12 crew, and four vehicles that will move across the country at 17 to 20 mph. We have been busy getting funded, securing vehicles, and picking riders and crew. We are about halfway on all of those. Rotary’s General Secretary, John Hewko, has given us the support of RI to help this effort suc-ceed. http://ideas.rotary.org/Project/Profile/045759a7-59f7-4b3a-90d2-84a812939125. You will be able to follow us and keep up with our progress at: http://www.facebook.com/RotaryRAAM/?ref=hl THE CHALLENGE: There are 329,323 Rotarians in the USA, give or take a few. We just completed 30 years of Rotary’s effort to eradicate Polio from the world. And we are truly “THIS CLOSE”!!! As you know, when Rotary started this campaign there were 127 endemic countries in the world with 350,000 cases per year. Today there are only two countries left and we only had 70 CASES in 2015!! Although we only have the two countries left, we still use over 100 million doses of vaccine per year at 60 cents each. So, here is the CHALLENGE…if each Rotarian in the USA will give just $30 dollars to PolioPlus to commemorate the 30 years we have been in this fight, we will raise the $10 million!!! This will be-come $30 million with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2 to 1 match. The challenge dates will be for money given from now till June 30th, 2016. All money will count for your districts Polio giving. Well, there you have it. Will you help us in the effort? Only 70 kids in 2016 is our lowest number ev-er! However, that is still 70 children whose lives have been changed for life!! Please join us and let us know how much your district raises at: rlyonm@cox.net. In the Best Bonds, Bob McKenzie Rotary Club of Tulsa Past President - 2010-11 rlyonm@cox.net 918-694-0480

Upcoming Club Events within the District

March 19 Grant Management Training 9am—12pm 3-hour & 1-hour GMTS will be presented Georgetown Healthcare Foundation Community

March 19 Round Rock Rotary Club Raffle Drawing for 2016 Polaris Ranger 570 @ 6pm March 29 Bastrop Rotary Club Friend Day Hampton Inn @ 11:45am—1pm

April 4 Austin University Area Rotary Club 20th Annual Golf Great Hills Country Club @ 12:15pm

April 4 Giddings Rotary Club Lone Star Opry Country Music Giddings High School Cafeteria @ 7:30pm-10:30pm

April 6 Taylor Rotary Club Annual Golf Tournament Taylor Country Club

April 16 District Assembly Central Texas College in Killeen Registration starts at 8am General Session Begins at 9am April 20 Shiner Rotary Club Raffle Drawing for the John Deere D 125 Lawn Tractor

April 18 Austin-Oakhill Rotary Club Golf Tournament Falconhead Golf Course

Newsletter

To get your club featured in the newsletter or to submit an article about your club.

Please email Jill McNabb at jill.mcnabb@gtfcu.org

Rotary Global Rewards

SHELTERBOX

I wanted to keep you updated on Tropical Cyclone Winston (category 5 cyclone) which has

devastated the island nation of Fiji.

Key Points

· Reports are that this is the strongest storm ever recorded to make landfall on the South-

ern Hemisphere.

· Wind speeds are being compared to Typhoon Haiyan.

· At least 29 people have been killed and more than 13,000 people are homeless and in

shelters.

· Officials anticipate the numbers to rise as they reach the outlying islands.

· The damage to homes was very significant with complete or partial damage to thou-

sands of structures.

ShelterBox’s Response

· ShelterBox operations (Ops) was working over the weekend mobilizing the ShelterBox

Response team to deploy this week.

· Bruce Heller (TX) is deploying as team lead along with Todd Finklestone (IL) and both are

currently making their way to Fiji.

· Ops has notified us that we have 16 boxes on Fiji with Rotarians, 58 boxes and 100 tents

in Auckland, and 209 boxes in Melbourne.

· In addition, we have made a link between ShelterBox and Sea Mercy, a charity using

superyachts to reach isolated areas. They have the logistics, connection, and storage and have

offered us assistance with moving the New Zealand equipment.

News Articles:

· ShelterBox mobilizing response team to Fiji

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Social Media ideas:

One of the quickest ways to help is by sharing our updates with your entire network and en-

couraging them to share with their networks. Here are a few examples:

· @shelterboxus pre-positioned aid in Fiji can be used as shelters in immediate aftermath. Help replenish stock http://bit.ly/1QvHkz5 · Category 5 cyclone hit Fiji leaving 13,000+ in shelters. @ShelterBoxus sent response

team + using in-country aid - http://bit.ly/1QvHkz5

EAFK Service Club

(Pecan Springs Early College Prep) The EAFK Rotary Service club for Pecan Springs Early College Prep sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Austin, Cosmopolitan, University, E Club and East Austin completed their local service project Thursday by taking the greeting cards they handmade along with cookies to the residents at

the Walnut Hills Nursing home across the school from the school. The residents loved seeing the kids and the students had fun making the residents smile for a change. One of the students

spoke Spanish to two of the residents and the nursing home aid said she could not believe the student got them to talk- they hardly ever talk to anyone and they hugged the boy when he left

their room. The student said they reminded him of his grandpa that he had lost last year and that he missed him very much. Aaron Thorp brought his therapy dog to visit the people as well

and he was quite a hit. The exciting thing is the students learned that service projects don’t have to be big or hard to do to make a difference in someone’s life. They made the people happy just

by visiting them. The students were escorted to the home by Ms. Nancy Reynolds, Kinder teacher, Tami Kyle and Aaron Thorp of Cosmo club and Mary Reynolds of the Rotary Club of

Austin.

Adoption Awareness Day

This was the big Adoption Awareness Day. 40 children were there and up for adoption and 32 sets of Parents looking to adopt. We shall see in a few days how many applications for adoption there

are as a result of this one day fun event.

Sponsored by: Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club

Killeen Heights RC Visits Matamoros Mexico

Three years ago, the Rotary Club of Killeen Heights and Rotary Club

of Matamoros Profesional joined forces to create a grant to bring fresh water to the

residents of some of the poorest communities in Matamoros, Mexico.

On Saturday, 16 January, nine members of the Rotary Club of Killeen Heights

traveled to Matamoros, Mexico to once again visit with the villagers and see what had

been accomplished and what more was needed. Rotarians who traveled to Matamoros

were: Mike Keefe (President), Jose Segarra (Past-President), Barbara Merlo

(Past-President), Bill Webster (Master-at-Arms), Minerva Trujillo (member), Donna

Hansen (Director of Public Relations), Todd Perrin (member), Annalaura Sanchez

(member), and Jim Bondi (Past-President). The team traveled to Brownsville where

we spent the night.

The Matamoros colony we visited was one of the poorest communities in the

area. Upon our arrival we were greeted by a group of families, children and spouses

who were so excited to meet with us and thank us for our participation in the water

project. One gentleman proudly showed us the details of the piping that provided

water to his home. The Clean Water Supply Project supplied water to approximately

90 families (400 plus persons). This community does not have a clean water supply

and residents need to buy their water from a tanker truck at a much higher price;

approximately 65 gallons of water per week. Special thanks to Rosa Posada, Rebeca

Porras, Irma Gonzalez and the entire Matamoros Profesional Rotary Club.

All of us that traveled to Matamoros Tamaulipas will always remember

the joyful tears in the faces of those families receiving fresh water continuously and

daily. None of us know the power of our contributions until we see the faces of those

receiving the benefit of our incredible project. We truly look forward in returning to

the Matamoros Profesional Rotary Club soon. We are planning to present a more

detail presentation at one of our upcoming Rotary meetings in the very near future.

Early Act/First Knight Rotarian Mary Reynolds was our guest speaker on March 1st. She told us about Rotary's Early Act/First Night program.

EarlyAct FirstKnight® (or EAFK) is a powerful, daily character education program for elementary and middle schools made available by The Knights of

The Guild. Created by Dr. Randall Parr and sponsored by participating Rotary

Clubs and their community partners, EAFK creatively teaches and motivates students to become civil, service-oriented people during their most formative

years.

Spectacularly themed around historic champions of chivalry who lived by high

moral codes and performed gallant deeds of service, we combine proprietary

elements like:

year-round campus visits by our staff knights in full period regalia;

live-action dramatic presentations at your school;

group mentorship on-campus by local Rotarian leaders;

an exclusive online curriculum with daily, ten-minute lessons;

exciting school-wide student knighting ceremonies;

parent education;

faculty training;

excellent client support; and,

up to 100% financial sponsorship for qualified schools. EAFK is unlike any other character-building program. Combining excellent

academics with professional theater and practical guidance from one of the

largest service organizations on earth makes EAFK fascinating for young students, easy for busy teachers to use, popular with parents, and amazingly

effective.

EAFK - Better student self-management, resulting in:

Fewer disciplinary referrals

Less bullying

Sharper academic focus

More quality teaching time

Enhanced parent involvement

Enriched learning environment

Improved attitudes

Visit the EAFK website for more information.

Literacy Check Presentation

The Rotary Club of Waco

The Literacy Committee members from the Waco Rotary Club recently presented a check for

$2,064 to the Klaras Center for Families. The Literacy Committee works to identify local or-

ganizations whose mission, in part, is to encourage and strengthen literacy in our communi-

ty. This donation will allow the Klaras Center to purchase computer tablets which will help

improve the academic readiness and future skills of the children and adolescents it serves.

* Pictured left to right are Kathy Reid (R), Jim Newkham (R), Georgia Price (KC), LuAnne

Klaras (KC), Kiera Collins (KC), Kelli McAdams (KC), Leonard Englander (R) and Craig Cherry

(Rotary Club President).

(R) = Rotary

(KC) = Klaras Center

Harker Heights RC Delivers Coats Rotarians donated 60 coats to Harker Heights Elementary School and delivered the winter wear to members of the school’s student council.