Rotary Ideals - July 30, 2007

ROTARY IDEALS

Rotary – the world’s first service organization – is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Here are some words and wisdom of Paul Harris, founder of Rotary International.

…about Tolerance:

“Friendship was the foundation rock on which Rotary was built and tolerance is the element which holds it together. There is enough atomic energy in every Rotary Club to blow it into a thousand bits were it not for the spirit of tolerance.”

…from a message to the Rotary Club of Buffalo in 1922

“Rotary has succeeded because in Rotary the standing of a man depends upon his deeds, not his creeds; and because its course leads toward the brightest and most alluring human objectives: the brotherhood of man.”

…from The Rotarian magazine in February, 1916

“The rise and fall of civilization will depend upon the thoughtfulness or the thoughtlessness of men. The greatest thing that can happen to man or nation is to stimulate the individual or the national thoughtfulness.”

…from The Rotarian magazine, September 1912

“The importance of placing and maintaining Rotary standards and ideals aloft cannot be overestimated. The star of hope in the Rotary ethical firmament must be high. It is hardly possible for it to be too high. May it be high enough so that there will always be something to strive for.”

…from The Rotarian magazine, February 1921

“The only way anyone can prove his love of his fellow man is through service to his fellow man.”

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

If you have more than you need, you are wealthy - July 23, 2007

If you have more than you need, you are wealthy

The last day of the recent 2007 Rotary International Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, showcased the variety of service opportunities Rotarians enjoy, from working on grassroots projects to serving at the highest levels of Rotary International’s leadership.

Two are mentioned here, taken from the Rotary International website.

A young woman from Turkey, Emine Yüzay, gave a moving speech highlighting how the results of Rotarians’ service can expand and multiply. Five years ago, Yüzay, who was born without arms, was an illiterate 17-year-old. Then she took part in a Rotary-sponsored Concentrated Language Encounter (CLE) program in her working-class neighborhood of Istanbul.

After learning to write with her feet, Yüzay now teaches other women to read and write, demonstrating the ripple effect that so many Rotary programs have. “I tried to do my best to pass what I had learned in CLE courses to other women,” she said. “I have never felt so proud and confident in my entire life.”

This spring, the Rotary Club of Istanbul arranged for Yüzay to receive prosthetic arms, which she is still learning to use. She said that she was astonished recently when she heard of a recent RI theme: Lend a Hand. “Now,” she told the assembled Rotarians, “your hands are mine, and my hands are yours.”

Hyrum Smith, a member of the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City, inspired Rotarians with his talk about what he called the abundance mentality. “When you can look in the mirror and say, I have sufficient for my needs, at that moment, you are wealthy,” he said. Smith encouraged Rotarians to decide whether they have more than they need, and if so, to use the difference to do good in the world.

You too can become a Rotarian. You too can make a difference in the world while enjoying the opportunities for fellowship and service. Please take time to learn about Rotary. It will be well worth your time! Then you will no longer have to ask "What is Rotary?"

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Shines Again - July 16, 2007

Rotary Shines Again

Rotary strives to promote peace through education. Since 1947, The Rotary Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 billion in humanitarian and educational grants and is one of the world’s largest privately funded sources of international scholarships.

– Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution is a two-year master’s-level program that trains future diplomats and leaders in the art of peace building and conflict resolution. The program selects and sends up to 60 Rotary World Peace Fellows annually to study at seven participating universities worldwide.

– Rotary awards approximately 1,000 Ambassadorial Scholarships yearly to university students around the globe to study in another country for three months to two years. These students serve as ambassadors of goodwill.

– Rotary Youth Exchange. Some 8,000 teenage students around the world participate in Rotary’s Youth Exchange program each year. Participants study in another country and learn about its history,
language, and culture.

– Rotary’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) is a unique four-to-six week cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young professionals ages 25 to 40.

Anguillians are eligible to participate in any of these programs. Please keep us in mind as you approach graduation or post-secondary study.

For more information, please check our website – www.rotaryanguilla.org – or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Why I am a Rotarian - July 9, 2007

WHY I AM A ROTARIAN

The new Rotary International President is Wilfrid Wilkinson from Canada. He tells why he is a Rotarian in the following, first published in 2006:

“I was looking for an organization which would allow me to combine my professional activities with a desire to serve my community, which had been instilled in me by my father from a very young age. When a man I came to know as the district commissioner for the Trenton, Ontario, Canada, Boy Scouts contacted me, I could not refuse to meet him.

“Accompanying my proposer was another Rotarian who went to the same church that my family and I attended.

“Something they said to my wife, Joan, and me struck a chord. Associating with the business leaders of Trenton, a town where we had lived for less than two years, was very appealing.

“Small towns are great for raising a family, but getting to know people socially was something both Joan and I wanted. Knowledge of Rotary’s programmes, first locally and then internationally, captured my imagination and allowed me to progress from being a new member to an involved Rotarian.

“Experiencing an international convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1964 fanned the flames for service and showed m the true inter-nationality of Rotary.

“During the odd peaceful moment, Joan and I often think of the towns and cities we would not have visited, the speakers and world leaders we would not have heard, the truly great international projects that we would not have seen, and the friends that we would not have known if I had not been asked to join Rotary in November of 1962.”

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Fellowships - Another reason to join Rotary

Another reason to join Rotary – Fellowships!

The Rotary Club is the world’s first service club, formed in 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris. Since that time, Rotary has grown to include 1.2 million members and clubs in more than 200 countries around the world.

The Rotary Club offers members many benefits in addition to the opportunity to serve their communities. Rotary Fellowships is one of those benefits, and yet Rotary Fellowships seem to be one of the best kept Rotary secrets.

A ROTARY FELLOWSHIP is a group of Rotarians who unite themselves separately from Rotary International to pursue a specific worthwhile activity which advances the Object of Rotary. Fellowships are formed around interests or hobbies, so Rotarians with those similar interests can get together to promote Rotary at the same time as enjoying their personal interests.

A Fellowship includes Rotarians in at least three countries. Rotarians from all over the world share their passions and do the good works of Rotary through those avenues.

Some Fellowships that may interest Anguillians are the following international fellowships:

--Cricket-Loving Rotarians
--Dog-Owning Rotarians
--Fishing Rotarians
--Home Exchange Rotarians
--Rotarian Lawyers
--Rotarian Physicians
--Rotary-on-Stamps
--Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians
--Wine Appreciation Fellowship

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

July is Literacy Month - June 25, 2007

Literacy and Rotary International – July is Rotary Literacy Month

For many years, Rotarians have been active in efforts to reduce illiteracy, from building schools and paying salaries of teachers to serving as tutors to collecting and distributing books and audiovisual materials to libraries. Rotarians are working with governments to create large-scale replicable literacy projects in the developing world.

The RI Board of Directors has designated July as Literacy Month, a perfect time for Rotary clubs to develop their own literacy projects as well as raise awareness of Rotarian efforts worldwide to eradicate illiteracy.

Considerable progress has been made in recent decades in reducing illiteracy; yet, close to a billion people lack the most basic literacy and numeracy skills. Millions more are functionally illiterate, lacking the skills necessary to meet the demands of everyday life. UNESCO illuminates some of the greatest challenges for those tackling illiteracy:

-- 98 per cent of the world’s illiterate population is in developing countries
-- 50 per cent of the world’s illiterate people live in India and China
-- More than 50 per cent of the population of Africa is illiterate
-- 2/3 of all those who lack literacy and numeracy skills are women
-- More than 130 million school-age children are not attending classes

When reading with your child, every story can be an exciting and fun learning opportunity! Here are some tips to make it happen:

ESTABLISH A ROUTINE

Pick a convenient time to read with your child each day. Many families find bedtime ideal. Other times may include after a meal, in the tub or after school. Keep a book with you while you’re out of the house in case you have to wait somewhere with your child. Try to read to your child at least once a day.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotarians Make a Difference - June 18, 2007

Rotarians make a difference

Rotarians around the world make a huge difference in the lives of individuals and communities. The Rotarian, Rotary’s long-standing international magazine, provides some excellent quotations from prominent Rotarians through the years:

…on Rotary’s support for humanitarian initiatives

“Rotary has the ability to organize campaigns to mobilize support for some of the worthiest causes that exist, and that makes Rotary a precious resource.” (Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the UN)


…on women in Rotary

“Just the face of Rotary has changed. But Rotary’s commitment to service has not changed -- and that’s why we join, because we want to serve.” (Sylvia Whitlock, first female president of a Rotary club)

…on Rotary ethics

“In order for us to improve the world in which we live, each Rotarian must show high ethical standards in private life and professional life. Rotary does not force members to act with integrity; these qualities must be present in the heart and mind of each Rotarian.” (Paul L. Santens, RI director, 1995-97)

…on Rotary and peace

“I am convinced that a just and lasting peace will never b achieved with the military weapons of war; but rather, it will only be built using Rotary’s tools of peace – friendship, goodwill, tolerance, helpful humanitarian service, and car for those who live in poverty, hunger, and hopelessness.” (Clifford L. Dochterman, 1992-93 RI President)

For more information about Rotary and how you might join us, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Reaches out to the Community - June 11, 2007

Rotary Reaches Out to the Community

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She has been recognized and acclaimed throughout the world for her selflessness and her humanity. In 1981, Mother Teresa spoke the following at the Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil:

“If we really want to love, if we really want to live, we must love until it hurts…No Rotarian whose motto is Service Above Self, I think, should call himself a Rotarian if he does not make time to serve…If we love, we begin to serve. And this is where that beautiful motto begins that the Rotarians have made this year, Take Time to Serve.”

Every year, the Incoming Rotary International President adopts a motto. The motto for the current Rotary year is “Lead the Way.” The motto for the new year which begins July 1 is “Rotary Shares.”

The incoming president for the Rotary Club of Anguilla for the 2007-2008, Seymour Hodge, hopes to share Rotary with all Rotarians and all others on the island of Anguilla. It’s a chance to serve our community and make the world a better place.

Rotarians around the world make a huge difference in the lives of individuals and communities. For more information about Rotary and how you might join us, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

What you should know about Rotary - June 4, 2007

What you should know about Rotary

What is Rotary. Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

Members. Members of a Rotary club are part of a diverse group of professional leaders working to address various community and international service needs, and to promote peace and understanding throughout the world. Rotary is the world’s first service club.

Benefits. The benefits of membership in the local Rotary Club are numerous: You will have

-- the opportunity to effect change for the better within the community
-- the opportunity to develop leadership skills, and
-- the opportunity to gain an understanding of — and have an impact on — international humanitarian issues.

As a Rotarian, you will also have the opportunity to develop relationships with community and business leaders.

District Conference. The Rotary District 7020 Conference 2007 was held in early May in the Cayman Islands.

International Conference. The International Conference for 2007 is planned for the week of June 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Even if you don’t travel as far abroad as Utah, you will have many chances to meet others like yourself in our own District 7020 which includes many of the islands in the Caribbean – Anguilla’s neighbours.

Rotarians around the world make a huge difference in the lives of individuals and communities. For more information about Rotary and how you might join us, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

A Caribbean Rotary History - May 28, 2007

A little Caribbean Rotary history

Rotary International has been a strong and powerful force in the Caribbean since the late 1950s. The first club chartered in the district was The Rotary Club of St Thomas in 1957, followed by The Rotary Club of St Croix in 1958, and by The Rotary Club of Kingston, Jamaica, in 1959. Rotary International continued to charter non-district clubs; until 1973, there were some 41 clubs with charters.

The Rotary Club of Anguilla was chartered in 1978.

The District 7020 is composed of 68 clubs in 10 different countries or territories (as of July 1, 2006) :

- Anguilla - 1 club
- Bahamas (except Grand Bahama) - 7 clubs
- British Virgin Islands - 2 clubs
- Cayman Islands - 4 clubs
- French West Indies (St-Martin & St-Barthelemy only) - 3 clubs
- Haiti - 15 clubs
- Jamaica - 22 clubs
- Netherland Antilles (Sint-Maarten only) - 2 clubs
- Turks & Caicos - 2 clubs
- U.S. Virgin Islands - 10 clubs

The total Caribbean membership is 2,548 as of January 2004.

Rotary club members are part of a diverse group of professional leaders working to address various community and international service needs. Through community service and other means, Rotary club members help promote peace and understanding throughout the world. Our members are our most important asset. They are the force that allows Rotary to carry out its many humanitarian efforts and achieve its mission.

For more information about Rotary and how you might join us, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Disaster Relief - May 21, 2007

Rotary assists in Disaster Relief

Rotary District 7020, which comprises Anguilla, includes a total of 64 Rotary Clubs in 10 different countries or territories.

The district is located in the Caribbean, on two geographical areas, separated by Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. On the West side, there are 46 clubs, including Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Haiti, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands. On the East side, there are 18 clubs: US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, French West Indies (St. Maarten and St. Bart’s) and Dutch St. Maarten.

Rotary International has recognized the need for disaster preparedness in this District. Rotary raised over $1.2 million USD for the community after Hurricane Ivan ravaged the Cayman Islands.

In January, 2007, numerous experts and Rotarians were brought together in a North American Disaster Relief Conference in New Orleans to address plans for dealing with similar disasters in the future.

A major concern being addressed is communication prior to, during, and after disasters. Rotarians are assisting in the set up and distribution of a Satellite Telephone system via Global Star. At present, the system is being tested in our District.

The Rotary District 7020 Disaster Relief Plan should be in place by May of 2008. The plan will likely include liaison with the various Government plans as well as other non-governmental organization in the islands and around the world.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Youth Exchange - May 14, 2007

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

Since 1927, students and host families all over the world have had their horizons broadened and their lives enriched by the generosity of Rotary's Youth Exchange program.

Administered by Rotary clubs, districts and multidistrict groups, the program today involves more than 82 countries and over 8,000 students each year.

The first documented exchanges date back to 1927, when the Rotary Club of Nice, France, initiated exchanges with European students. Exchanges between clubs in California, USA, and Latin American countries began in 1939, and exchange activities spread to the eastern United States in 1958. In 1972, the RI Board of Directors agreed to recommend Youth Exchange to clubs worldwide as a worthwhile international activity that promotes global peace and understanding.

Long-term exchanges usually last for an academic year. Short-term exchanges vary from a few weeks to three months. You will not attend school on a short-term exchange, but you will most likely live with a host family.

Exposure to new cultures and ways of life can foster a better understanding between people from different lands. That understanding can be the foundation on which lasting peace and harmony can someday rest.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary is Friendship and Family - May 7, 2007

ROTARY IS FRIENDSHIP AND FAMILY

Friendship and family are the foundation of Rotary. Friendship and family are the rock on which Rotary service is built.

Rotarians lead the way. Rotarians build lifelong friendships. Rotarians improve international understanding. Rotarians encourage tolerance of diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, culture, religion and profession. Rotarians promote world understanding and peace.

Rotary supports and nurtures the concept of the Family at the club level. Rotary fosters a sense of family atmosphere within our clubs. This family atmosphere contributes to membership growth. This family atmosphere helps us to strengthen our clubs and our commitment to service.

For more information about Rotary and the Family of Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Shares - April 23, 2007

ROTARY SHARES

Are you someone who wishes to contribute to your community? Are you a former Rotarian? A potential Rotarian?

ROTARY is the world’s first service organization. Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

The theme for the upcoming Rotary year is Rotary Shares. Sharing Rotary does more than strengthen Rotary; it ensures that Rotary continues a second century of service. Rotary Shares means inviting people to join their local Rotary clubs.
Rotary Shares is a call to action.

The incoming president of the Anguilla club, Seymour Hodge, asks everyone to focus on sharing their leadership, skills, and dedication to the club to make Rotary stronger. Rotary will only be able to continue sharing if it continues to grow. Without new members, nothing else matters.

In addition to new members, the Rotary Club of Anguilla is also reaching out to former club members, including club members' widows and widowers. The opportunities you have to help your community or the world community-at-large may not come your way again.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Shares - April 16, 2007

ROTARY SHARES

“The 2007-08 theme Rotary Shares will act as a daily reminder of what ordinary people can accomplish through the extraordinary work of Rotary,” said RI President-elect Wilfrid J. Wilkinson at the 2007 International Assembly recently in San Diego.

"What makes Rotary great is our expressing the love in our hearts through the work of our hands and our minds," said Wilkinson. "As Rotarians, we don't just sit back and talk about loving other human beings. As Rotarians, we demonstrate that love, and we share that love, through helping each other."

Almost everything Rotary does involves sharing, Wilkinson said. "We share our time, we share our talents, and we share our money with others who need our help."

Furthermore, he said, "In Rotary, sharing doesn't mean giving away what you have to spare, what you don't need for yourself. Sharing means giving of yourself, selflessly, for the good of others."

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Changes the World - April 9, 2007

ROTARY CHANGES THE WORLD

Several of Rotary’s major programs are listed here in brief – PolioPlus, Humanitarian Grants, and Disaster Recovery.

Polioplus. Rotarians have mobilized by the hundreds of thousands to ensure that children are immunized against this crippling disease and that surveillance is strong, despite the poor infrastructure, extreme poverty, and civil strife of many countries. Since the PolioPlus program’s inception in 1985, more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine.

To date, 210 countries, territories, and areas around the world are polio-free and 134 have been certified.

3-H Grants. Health, Hunger, and Humanity Grants fund large-scale, multi-year projects around the world that enhance health, alleviate hunger, or improve human development. Since 1978, 287 projects in 75 countries have been funded at a cost of $74 million. In 2005-2006, 11 new projects were approved. Program awards were $3.1 million.

Disaster Recovery. Created in 2005-2006, this program allows Rotarians to contribute funds in response to specific disasters. During 2005-2006, the Rotary Foundation provided monies for three Disaster Recovery efforts: Hurricanes Stan and Wilma (Guatemala and Mexico), Hurricane Wilma (USA), and the Earthquake in India and Pakistan. Total contributions to the three accounts were $1.3 million. Total awards in 2005-2006 totaled $1.6 million.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Means Service - April 2, 2007

ROTARY MEANS SERVICE

Rotary follows Four Avenues of Service. The Four Avenues of Service are Rotary's philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based.
Club Service. Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club.

Vocational Service. Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.
Community Service. Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.

International Service. International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.

Rotary International through its clubs – including the Rotary Club of Anguilla -- carries out its main service objectives— in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.

Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development.

The 4-way Test - March 26, 2007

The Four-Way Test

From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.

This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy.

Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. It asks the following four questions:

"Of the things Rotarians think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

Why Join a Rotary Club - March 19, 2007

WHY JOIN A ROTARY CLUB?

There are many reasons why someone might join a local Rotary Club. In summary,

-- To bring about change within the community

-- To develop leadership skills

-- To gain an understanding of — and have an impact on — international humanitarian issues

-- To develop relationships with community and business

-- To gain a world network of friends and peers

Professional networking. The Rotary Club reflects the leadership in the community – owners, executives, managers, and professionals. These people make decisions and influence policy within the community. Members will find very interesting peers among the Rotary Club members.

Service opportunities. Rotary offers opportunities for humanitarian service in the local community or the international community. Rotarians who participate in service opportunities can contribute to improvements in health care and the environment, and can help try to eliminate hunger, poverty, and illiteracy.

International study/scholarship. Since 1946, Rotarians in Georgia, USA, have promoted world peace through understanding by offering scholarships to international students for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities. Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsor students recommended by a Rotary Club in their home country.

The students become adopted members of a Georgia "host family," but live on-campus at the school they attend. This is a scholarship program, not an exchange!

Each year, about 80 students from all over the world make friends in the United States and other nations and learn about differing cultures and life styles. Georgia Rotarians believe "Peace is Possible" and through GRSP promote international goodwill through the bonds of friendship and understanding.

To be eligible for this Georgia scholarship, students must be between 18 and 25 years of age by August 1 the year studies begin, must not have studied in the USA, and must be single. The scholarship covers one scholastic year, from August to May, and is for study in colleges and universities located in the State of Georgia.

Students who may be eligible should email Kitty at ladykit@xplornet.com or call Anne at 264-729-1738.

International awareness. Rotarians are active in 166 countries around the world. International service projects and exchange programs foster global understanding of the world around us. The goal is to build goodwill and peace in the world. International service projects provide an exciting opportunity to achieve this goal.

Rotary Changes the World - March 12, 2007

ROTARY CHANGES THE WORLD

Rotary Changes the World through its programs. Rotary offers students locally to participate in studies in other countries for the purpose of promoting peace and goodwill in the world. A few of the opportunities are outlined briefly here.

Rotary World Peace Fellowships. Each year, up to 60 students around the world are sponsored to study at one of the six Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution for a masters-level degree.

Since the program’s inception in 2002-2003, 233 fellows from 60 different countries have participated at a cost of nearly $14 million. In 2005-2006, 53 peace fellows from 25 countries began studies at the six Rotary Centers totaling $2.9 million for the two-year program.

Rotary World Peace Fellowship Program – 2008-2010

This is a 2-year Masters program in Peace and Conflict Studies. The scholarship is tenable at one of seven worldwide Rotary Centers. The Rotary World Peace Fellowships are offered on a world-competitive basis. Each Rotary district – including District 7020 and Anguilla -- may submit one candidate for competition in the worldwide selection process for up to 60 Rotary World Peace Fellowships offered annually. Closing date for receiving applications at the district level is May 15, 2007, with interviews conducted during June 2007.

Students who may be eligible should email Kitty at ladykit@xplornet.com or call Anne at 264-729-1738.

Ambassadorial Scholarships. The Rotary Foundation sponsors one of the largest international scholarship programs in the world. Scholars study in a country other than their own where they serve as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill. Since 1947, more than 47,000 scholars from 110 countries have received scholarships at a cost to Rotary of more than $476 million. In 2005-2006, 731 scholars from 59 countries studied in 60 countries. Program awards were $14.8 million.

A strict application procedure is necessary. For the academic year, 2008-2009, District 7020 offers one Ambassadorial Scholarship worth $23,000 USD.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

Rotary Promotes Scholarships- March 5, 2007

ROTARY PROMOTES SCHOLARSHIPS -- $23,000 USD

The Rotary Foundation sponsors one of the largest international scholarship programs in the world. Scholars study in a country other than their own where they serve as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill.

Are you an Anguillian university student who meets the criteria listed below? Or do you know of an Anguillian university student who would qualify for the following Rotary scholarship available to District 7020? The Rotary Club of Anguilla is one of 18 clubs in District 7020.

For the academic year, 2008 – 2009, a One-year Ambassadorial Scholarship worth approximately $23,000 USD is available to a student in District 7020. Deadline for application is July 1, 2007. This scholarship will assist in funding air travel, tuition, books and housing.

All Ambassadorial Scholarship candidates must meet the following criteria:

-- Must have completed at least 2 years of university or college course work at the time the scholarship period begins OR have a secondary school education with employment in a recognized vocation for at least 2 years.

-- Must be citizens of Anguilla

-- Must not be related to a Rotarian

-- Must make application through the Rotary Club of Anguilla

-- Must make plans to study or train in another country or territory where there are Rotary clubs

-- Must exhibit ambassadorial qualities

-- No age or gender restrictions apply

-- Desire to embark upon a course of study that is in harmony with Rotary’s objectives (alleviation of poverty, health concerns, literacy and education, environment, water management, hunger management, etc.)

Students who may be eligible now or in the future should email Kitty at ladykit@xplornet.com or call Anne at 264-729-1738. Other scholarships are available and more information will be forthcoming in a future Rotary Rap.

Object of Rotary - February 26, 2007

Object of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, the following:

-- High ethical standards in business and professions

-- The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life

-- The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Rotarians offer service in distinct avenues of service including community and international service.

Rotary, the world's first service club, celebrated its centennial in 2005. You, too, can be part of this exciting opportunity for service in your community.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.

About the Polio Effort - February 19, 2007

About Polio efforts

Despite tremendous progress in reducing the incidence of polio, the disease still exists. Polio will continue to threaten children everywhere as long as it exists somewhere. In this age of global travel, a new outbreak of polio might only be a plane ride away.

Did you know that . . .

-- Rotary International is the spearheading member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and is the largest private sector donor.

-- Rotary International has contributed more than US$600 million to the polio eradication activities in 122 countries.

-- In addition, tens of thousands of Rotarians have partnered with their national ministries of health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with health providers at the grassroots level in thousands of communities.

Polio is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under the age of three and can cause paralysis within hours.

Before eradication efforts began in 1988, polio paralyzed more than 1,000 children a day, which totaled about 350,000 children annually. Now, the incidence of polio has since declined by more than 99 percent.

Vaccinations easily can stave off polio. Vaccinations have prevented an estimated 500,000 children per year from contracting polio. A child can be protected against polio for as little as 60 cents (US) worth of vaccine.

Only four countries are still polio endemic — an all-time low: Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

A polio-free world is within our grasp. Join Rotary’s effort to end this crippling disease.

First edition of Rotary Rap - What you don't know but should know about the Rotary Club - February 12, 2007

What you don’t know – but should know – about the Rotary Club


The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA, was formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The name "Rotary" derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.

Today, 1.2 million Rotarians belong to some 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Anguilla is one of those clubs.

In 1985, Rotary made a historic commitment to immunize all of the world's children against polio. Working in partnership with nongovernmental organizations and national governments thorough its PolioPlus program, Rotary is the largest private-sector contributor to the global polio eradication campaign. Rotarians have mobilized hundreds of thousands of PolioPlus volunteers and have immunized more than one billion children worldwide. Rotary has contributed half a billion dollars to the cause. At this point in time, the goal is very close to being realized, with only a few African countries showing signs of polio resistance.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.