31st World Affairs Seminar - Whitewater, Wisconsin

The 31st World Affairs Seminar will be held June 16-22, 2007 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The very timely theme is:

“GLOBAL HEALTH PRESCRIPTION FOR SURVIVAL - WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?”

We live in an interdependent world. We trade. We travel. We watch “the news”. It’s all good. Right?

But what are the consequences of globalization for the way we think about our health – inside our political institutions, in light of our economic models and plans, hemmed in by national healthcare systems, dealing with our own national and even individual health issues, aware of the dangers of infectious disease, hearing rumors of global pandemics, wide-eyed at the ravages of African AIDS?

What are the most important trends and patterns? Which institutions are engaged in the global conversation? What have we learned, and what work remains? This week will take us well beyond “the bird flu”. Come gather around the table with leaders from the front lines.

We’re going to talk. It’s going to be great. We need you!

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Rotarian Anne Edwards and two Anguillian students from Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School - Ms. Sherise Brooks and Ms. Shellya Rogers -- are planning to attend this conference. We look forward to a full report on your return!

Rotary Elixir - Week of June 11, 2007

Community Service and projects

Service defines Rotary's character; whether local or international, it promotes Rotary's appeal and visibility in the community, and is the reason Rotary continues to grow.

Community service responds to the needs of a local community. Rotary clubs should determine top priorities for service projects by first learning about a community's needs and assets, and then developing a response that addresses them.

An effective service project:

• Responds to a real issue, not an imagined one


• Improves the lives of community members


• Incorporates the abilities of those who are served


• Recognizes all participants' contributions as important and necessary


• Comes from a realistic assessment of resources available


• Aims for specific goals and objectives with measurable results


• Builds a working network

About Community Service

A community, defined in its simplest terms, is a group of people who have something in common. But in real life, it is something far more complex than that. Each member — every individual, group, organization, and business — draws benefits from the community in many different ways. For a community to thrive, each of its members must honor a commitment to contribute to the well-being of the whole by returning those benefits in kind.

Rotarians recognize the importance of giving back to the community. Every Rotary club and every Rotarian assumes a responsibility to find ways to improve the quality of life for those in their communities and to serve the public interest. When those efforts are effective, they not only contribute to the greater good, they also promote Rotary's positive image.

What makes a community service effort effective? Relevance.

A community service project must address a real, current community concern or issue. Rotary clubs should start by surveying their communities to find out where help is needed. Once a club has listened to its community, it can begin to envision effective responses to problems.

Some community service projects can benefit from other RI programs, including: Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Community Corps, Rotary Volunteers, or Youth Exchange.

Rotary Elixir - Week of June 4, 2007

Rotary International Public Relations (PR) Grants

Learning about Rotary is an ongoing challenge. Rotary International is a very complicated organization. But little bit by little bit, we can all learn more about Rotary and how to benefit from being part of the world’s first service organization.

Public Relations Grant. Did you know that there is a grant available for Public Relations? I learned that recently from Barry Rassin, a Director of Rotary International who is a member of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau.

The Rotary International Board of Directors recently approved funds for grants to assist Rotary clubs and districts in their outreach efforts to the general public, promoting Rotary and improving Rotary’s public image. The grant will enable Rotary clubs to place Rotary billboards, banners, the RI prepared TV and Radio Public Service Announcements in their local TV and radio stations, or newspaper supplements that feature local Rotary stories.

For the 2006-07 Rotary year, funds have been allocated, ranging up to US$3,000 to support media projects during the current Rotary year. Assistance will be available until the funds are depleted. Grants may be available for the 2007-2008 Rotary year. The PR grant application can be downloaded from the following website:

http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/pr_grants.pdf

The Rotary International contact is Thomas Rothstein at 847-866-3134.

Public Relations Award. There is also a Public Relations Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize Rotary clubs that have generated increased awareness and understanding of Rotary through outstanding media coverage or public relations efforts. Competition and selection of winning entries take place at the district level.