A periodic electronic news update and information letter to leaders across Zones 25 and 26 and beyond

December 31, 2009
Volume 2 Issue 3

Turn up your speakers and listen to a message from the Director

President John Kenny Ends 2009- Begins 2010 in Pasadena with the Rotary Rose Parade Float

President John Kenny and his spouse June ended 2009 in Pasadena where he toured the construction of the 31st annual Rotary Rose Parade float and will kick off 2010 attending the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game.

John had this to say about this marvelous public relations venture of Rotarians from around the United States: “Rotary's participation in the Annual Tournament of Roses Parade provides a great opportunity to reach millions of people with the message of Rotary's commitment to service. This is a unique public relations opportunity.

The 2010 Tournament of Rose theme is "A Cut Above the Rest." The Rotary float will be titled "Service Above the Rest," which captures well the ideal of Rotary service. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses estimates that the parade is seen by 40 million people in the United States and 300 million people internationally in more than 200 countries. What a wonderful audience to reach with Rotary's message of service!”

President John and June Kenny Tour Rose Parade Float Construction and Add a Few Flowers!

Click here to see Video of 2010 Rotary Rose Parade Float and this Public Image Enterprise.

Click here to see real time last minute float preparations.

Bellevue Early Registration Deadline Tonight!

Click here to register for the 2010 Rotary Institute in Bellevue, Washington and experience Rotary "Around Our World". The deadline for the $145 per person registration fee is midnight tonight. Registration price is $160 after that until March 31.

Click here to view the newly remodeled, beautiful Bellevue Hyatt Regency hotel and register at our very special $149 rate. This rate is applicable from September 23 to October 6 so you can enjoy this vibrant city.

In District 5300 Rotary Club of Upland Wins Competitive Matching Grant for Water Systems

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Upland in District 5300 and to the Rotary Club of Sedona in District 5490. They are 2 of only 16 in the world to be awarded Competitive Matching Grants in October of 2009. They were both structured to help provide water supply systems in Kenya.

The RC of Upland in partnership with the RC of Kisumu in District 9200, Kenya will be providing a deep water borehole, electric pump, pump house, water tower, water tank, and pipeline to the community in Marera, Kisumu, Nyanza, Kenya. All for only $46,987.

The RC of Sedona in partnership with the RC of Narok-Masai Mara in District 9200, Kenya will be rehabilitating a borehole, providing water tanks, and pipelines to three schools and a clinic in Mosiro, Narok, Rift Valley, Kenya. At the bargain price of $40,110.

Congratulations Rotarians for leading the world in Service Above Self.

Rotary Zones 25/26 Ethics Initiative Update

The Ethics Initiative was established in 2007 by then-RIDE Paul Netzel. His vision was to create an ongoing set of ethics training modules that could be used with Rotary's youth programs and which might be adaptable for Rotary clubs.

A select committee of leaders from RYLA, Interact and other Rotary groups from Zones 25/26 (then Zones 23/24) was established and chaired by PDG Roy Massey. The Josephson Institute of Ethics was engaged to assist in undertaking four-phases of activity. The Phase-I Needs Assessment - which involved over 1,000 Rotarians and youth programs leaders and participants - underscored the need and strong support for the development of an ethics program.

Phase-II included the development, field-testing and finalization of training modules targeted for RYLA and Interact programs. A total of 12 Pilot Districts - 5000, 5080, 5100, 5110, 5160, 5170, 5190, 5230, 5280, 5300, 5330 and 5340 - signed on to help fund, develop and field-test the ethics materials.

Phase-II culminated with an all day training session at the Josephson Institute in Los Angeles on October 24, 2009 involving 30 district trainers and RYLA and Interact counselors. All affirmed that the "Living The Four-Way Test" training materials makes the subject of ethics relevant to today's youth. The training modules will advance and enhance the stature and effectiveness of ethics and ethical leadership in Rotary's RYLA and Interact programs as well as in Rotary clubs.

The Ethics Initiative now moves into Phase-III: The Evaluation Phase. It will involve the original 12 Pilot Districts plus an additional 10 Districts from within Zones 25/26. This phase is expected to run through calendar year 2010. District leaders interested in participating should contact PRID Paul Netzel or PDG Roy Massey for details.

Also during 2010 a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity will be established to facilitate the initiative's Phase-IV: the official roll-out, marketing and training support network for other interested Rotary zones and districts across North America and beyond.

Investment Update for Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation

There is continuing improvement in the financial picture for Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation since during the first third of this Rotary year. Positive market performance this fiscal year through September resulted in investment earnings of US$11 million for Rotary International and $58 million for The Rotary Foundation. We are continuing to see further improvement this quarter, though the markets remain volatile. Click here for report from General Secretary Ed Futa.

Ken Boyd Is Director Nominee In Zones 25 and 26

Ken was President of the Kerman Rotary Club in 1975 and Governor of District 5230 in 1990-1991. As Chair of Rotary's World Membership and Retention effort he and his committee conceived, developed and implemented a program that resulted in the largest single year's growth in Rotary's history, approximately 55,000 net new members and 1,158 new clubs.

Ken is a bishop for the local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Kerman, California and a graduate of the University of Southern California.

Ken and his wife, Susan, have four children and 10 1/2 (one on the way) beautiful grandchildren.

Far West Reception at the Montreal Rotary International Convention

On June 21, 2010 at 5:00 PM in the Montreal Science Centre Perspective 235° (degrees of view) Hall we will meet and invite our Rotary friends to our Far West Zone's Reception. This year we will have a smashing view of Montreal as we share goodies, sip our favorite drinks, share our new adventures, and celebrate our theme, Vive l'Amitié ("Long Live Friendship").

The Science Centre in the Old Port of Montreal is ideally located in the center of all the action with views of Old Montreal, The Old Port, and the Saint Lawrence River. We'll see the Sunset and the glittering lights of Montreal while we share convention experiences and Celebrate Friendship.

Vive l'Amitié ("Long Live Friendship")

Starting mid-January you'll be able to purchase tickets at www.rotaryzones2526.org/events.html.

You can find more information on Zone events on the Zone Website Calendar.