I ask this question as I visit Rotary Clubs during the Governor Visits. Very few Rotarians seem to know that Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) is our Rotary program. And we pay for GSE through our Foundation donations. We as Rotarians own it, and it is time we took possession of it. (District Directory pages 32 & 40)

Our GSE team to Veracruz, Mexico, has just returned. They are ready to come to your Rotary Club to present their trip program and discoveries and tell your Rotary Club about GSE! Contact GSE Team Leader Lupita R. Canales Laredo Gateway (M) 956-744-0556 (B) 956-722-4200 .

Our Rotary District will have two Rotary GSE exchanges next year. The Rotary District of Barcelona, Spain, GSE team will tour the month of May, 2008, and the the Rotary District in Germany near Munich and Nuremberg will tour June, 2008. The GSE team from Spain will tour our Rotary District March 20 to April 20, 2008; the German GSE team will tour our Rotary District from April 15 to May 15, 2008. Rotary pays all the expenses except passport and health insurance.

We will recruit one Rotarian and four non-Rotarians for each GSE team. The GSE team going to Spain must speak conversational Spanish (where is the bathroom, when do we eat, which clothes do we wear today). The GSE German team does not have a language requirement.

Please encourage your employees who are between the ages of 25 to 40 to apply. The largest obstacle for applicants is being off work for 30 days. The tours are 4 weeks long. For GSE team applications, go to: http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/161en.pdf Their application must be endorsed by your Rotary Club (no expense to your Rotary Club to sponsor). You send their application to: Terri Whitman, Rockport, P. O. Box 2142, Rockport, TX 78381 (B) 361-727-2311 (F) 790-8625 (R) 361-205-7122 .

Screening of GSE applications will be in November, 2007, in Kingsville at the Student Union. There is no age limitation on the Rotarian GSE team leader. GSE teams are home hosted with Rotarians; usually for three nights and four days. GSE team members will have vocational visits twice each week (bankers visit bankers, editors visit editors) and tourist tours the other three days. Rotarians usually take the GSE team to see Rotary projects and items of interest to the Rotarians.

You can receive first hand instruction on Grant writing for District Simplified Grants and Rotary Foundation Grants Saturday, August 11, 2007. PDG Billy Settles and PDG John Bedgood (District Directory pages 31-32) will conduct a workshop on grant writing. Most of us find the idea of writing the paperwork for a grant to be an awesome task, so very few requests are written. The Rotarians among us who have written successful grants seem to have special status in our Rotary Clubs. A Rotary Club with a Grants Writer is definitely an empowered Rotary Club. Having a Grant writer in your Rotary Club opens us new horizons of projects; suddenly you can dream big dreams that will cost thousands of dollars!

District Simplified Grants and Rotary Foundation money are used only to fund grants.

District Grants are usually in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, Foundation Grants start at $5,000, and usually for more the $25,000.

You have a project? Come to the Student Union at A & M Kingsville at 9 am on Saturday, August 11, 2007, to learn grant writing and meet the Rotarians who will be making the Grant selections. It is not those mysterious people out there somewhere who make grants possible, it is Rotarians like you who step up and write it out.

See you at your Rotary Club,

Gov. Tom Moore and Carol

Caller-Times announces new web service for organizations

The editorial page of the June 17th Corpus Christi Caller-Times included an announcement of a new website that will allow any individual or organization in this area to upload their news and photos, without charge. This site, www.coastalbend.com, might be a good alternative for spreading our stories whenever we can't get their reporters interested in covering our good news.

According to the announcement, "A menu on the left side of the Web site allows you to select which community's Web site you'd like to visit. The Web site takes you through the steps to register and begin posting articles and photos." There are 19 communities to select from, within the area bounded by Kingsville, Alice, Beeville, Rockport and Corpus Christi. Submitted by Marilyn Spencer

Edna builds on successful blood drives

Edna Rotary, Edna Lions Club and J C Hospital had another blood drive (with Rotary being the Chair) and collected 37 units out of 48 people who tried to give. This drive was held on June 22 at the Hospital's parking lot. They will be host for another one on August 24th.. --submitted by Jo Wimberly.

McAllen Club recognized for Hike and Bike Trails initiative

The City of McAllen dedicated the Rotary Hike and Bike Trails of McAllen at the Rotary District Installation at McAllen Convention Center on Saturday, June 30, 2007. An award was given to Catherine Link, first woman Rotarian in McAllen and first woman Rotary Club president in McAllen, for planting the idea of Hike and Bike Trails in the minds of the McAllen Parks and Recreation Department. The McAllen City Council did not buy into the idea, so the McAllen Rotary Clubs donated the money for a $25,000 feasibility study. From the feasibility study came federal funding and city funding to build the finest Hike and Bike Trails. The City of McAllen has engraved three large rocks to be erected on the Rotary Hike and Bike Trails to commemorate Rotary's efforts. Twenty three Rotary Club presidents from Rotary District 5930, Catherine Link and McAllen Parks and Recreation Directory Larry Pressler are pictured with the commemorative stones. Submitted by Tom Moore.

Big brother is watching Rotary Marks

Rotary International has standards for the use Rotary Marks as one of our clubs found out. These standards apply to websites as well as printed items. RI is becoming more aggressive in enforcing these standards as one of our clubs found.

. . . . ., I come to you with a request. You may or may not be aware that the RI Board has developed some guidelines for the use of domain names utilizing the "Rotary" name on the part of the member clubs. Clubs are welcome to use the Rotary Marks to identify club projects, such as on club Web sites or other promotional or informational materials, provided they follow the guidelines for the use of Rotary Marks that have been set forth by the RI Board. Per the guidelines, the RI Board has requested that clubs include language that clearly identifies the club responsible for the projects, programs, and/or promotional materials. These guidelines help reduce any confusion about the level of control RI has over a certain project or program that is sponsored by a Rotary club. For your information, these guidelines are outlined in numerous Rotary resources including the Rotary Code of Policies ("RCP') and the Manual of Procedure. Please find the general name and emblem use guidelines from RCP, Sections 33.010.4 and 33.020.6, attached to this letter.

In addition, the RI Board has established specific guidelines to assist clubs and districts in developing domain names for their respective Web sites. These guidelines are featured in RCP, Section 52.020.1. Per Section 52.020.1 ., when selecting a domain name that includes the word "Rotary," the Rotary club should include language that identifies the name of its club. By adhering to the domain name and emblem use policies, Rotary clubs help RI protect the value of the Rotary Marks in the present and future.

Recently, we discovered . . . . . . . owns the domain name "rotarynews.net". The domain rotarynews.net does not include a further identifier, such as the name of your club and therefore does not strictly comply with policy. While we have not previously been concerned, we are now in the process of consolidating the rotarynews domains for use with Rotary International's regional Indian magazine, the Rotary News. Because we realize this request may come as a surprise, I am writing to you personally as part of RI's global effort to provide uniformity in the protection and use of domain names in concert with RI Board policy for use of the Rotary trademarks. While we understand that your club selected this domain name because of its obvious association to Rotary, we must ask that you change the domain name to comply with RI Board policy.

In an effort to further protect the Rotary Marks on the Internet, RI routinely purchases domain names that contain RI's most recognizable trademarks. This practice allows RI to prevent Rotary Marks from being used in domain names that are operated by non-Rotary entities and cybersquatters. At times, however, Rotarians will purchase these domain names before RI has an opportunity to do so. When this happens, my staff routinely contacts the Rotarian to request that he/she assign and transfer the domain name(s) to RI. In this instance, however, because there is a particular need for this domain, I wanted to contact you personally. I realize this will cause your club some inconvenience and I would therefore not make this request if it were not in the best interest of the association as a whole. . . . . .

Ed Futa

Submitted by Tom Moore.

Public Relations grants are available

The Rotary International Board of Directors has approved the continuation of the pilot PR Grants project for the 2007-2008 Rotary year. PR Grants will be awarded at the district level. PR Grants are designed to assist districts to reach the general public by promoting Rotary and improving Rotary’s public image.

While grants will be awarded at the district level, district governors should work with clubs to develop the PR Grants project proposal. You are encouraged to consult with interested clubs and the district’s public relations and media professionals to create the PR project plan. The district public relations committee – representing a cross-section of clubs in the district - should also be consulted.

PR Grants enable districts to place RI produced television and radio public service announcements (PSAs), billboards, banners, and newspaper supplements in their communities. Districts are strongly encouraged to utilize Rotary’s Humanity in Motion materials to help promote a consistent message.

For the 2007-2008 Rotary year, grants will be available up to US$6,000 until funds are depleted. Also new:

Only districts are eligible and only one application will be considered per district. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to ensure the PR Grant application is completed correctly.

Districts must contribute a minimum of one-third of the total PR Grant amount requested and provide a detailed description or visual representation of any proposed artwork.

PR Grants will be awarded to ensure fairness and an equitable spread of Rotary promotion across the globe.

You are encouraged to work with your district public relations committees to develop the PR plan for your district. Read about last year’s successful projects.

Download the application

PR GRANT DEADLINES

PR Grant applications must be submitted via e-mail, fax or postmarked by 1 October 2007 (Must be to District by September 15)
Notification regarding grant approval will be e-mailed to the district governor by 1 December 2007
PR Grant projects must be implemented and all reimbursement requests submitted by 1 June 2008

For further information regarding the PR Grants program, please contact a member of Rotary’s Public image Resource Group or

Sincerely,

RI Public Relations Division Submitted by Tom Moore.

Membership Training available

CONTACT INFORMATION

Conference Information Contact
PDG Pete Snider

Rotary International President (2007-2008) Wilf Wilkinson invites clubs, districts, and Rotarians to a Presidential Membership Conference in Denver on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4, 2007.

Rotarians from 27 districts in Zones 25 and 26 as well as other Rotarians from around the country will attend this outstanding event

Targeted to Rotary clubs, this conference will focus on the need for change and practical ways to increase new membership, retain existing members, and extend Rotary through new clubs.

Keynote speakers will include RI President Wilf Wilkinson, General Secretary Ed Futa and an outstanding line up of speakers with experience in membership development. Speakers will include non-Rotarians exploring changing community demographics and volunteering trends.

The conference will feature interactive roundtable discussion opportunities to exchange ideas and best practices.

Who should attend:

· Club membership committee chairs and members

· Club presidents and club officers

· District membership committee chairs and members

· District governors, DGE, assistant governors, and officers

· All Rotarians enthused about strengthening Rotary

Click For Complete Conference Details

Please consider asking your club board to invest some of the club's budget to send a few club leaders to this important conference. Conference organizers are confident that this investment will pay off in terms of stronger club membership growth.

Council on Legislation changes affecting membership

The 2007 Council on Legislation adopted 97 items, 59 of which were enactments that change the RI constitutional documents. All policy changes take effect on 1 July. Some of the changes that affect membership administration are summarized below. (Each adopted enactment is identified by number so you can easily locate it in the Report of Action.)

ATTENDANCE

07-11: The club board can cancel a club meeting for commonly recognized holidays.
07-14: Club members are required to attend or make up 50 percent rather than 60 percent of regular meetings in each half of the Rotary year.
07-334: Assistant governors are excused from the requirement of attending at least 30 percent of their own club's regular meetings in each half of the Rotary year.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

07-42: Rotaractors who have ended their Rotaract membership within the preceding two years and have been accepted into a Rotary club are exempt from paying a club admission fee.
07-57 and 07-330: Clubs can elect Rotary Foundation alumni into active membership, even if the classification of the alumnus is filled.
07-329: Clubs can elect into active membership people with good reputations in the community who have demonstrated a commitment to service and the Object of Rotary through personal involvement in local affairs.

DUES

07-283: RI per capita dues will be US$23.50 per half year in 2007-08, $24.00 per half year in 2008-09, $24.50 per half year in 2009-10, and $25.00 per half year in 2010-11. Dues will remain at $25.00 per half year until changed by the Council on Legislation.
07-287: For each new member, clubs will pay prorated per capita dues until the beginning of the next semiannual period for which dues are payable. The amount payable for each full month of membership will be one-twelfth of the per capita dues.

A Little International Service creates the FAMILY OF ROTARY

The Harlingen Rotary Club was recently involved in a “clean-up” effort at the Hogar Quietud nursing home in Rio Bravo, Mexico. This nursing home was founded by Asilo Padre Bigote, who met them at the home and even sang a song as they left. Ron Burgamy, incoming Treasurer, supplied a bus to take them to Rio Bravo and return. Bill Reagan, International Director, made the contact and arrangements for the jobs that needed to be accomplished. On a Saturday morning, they met at 7 a.m. loaded mops, cleaning supplies, and one lady with beautician supplies to help with the residents. The men were assigned the job of cleaning out a very very old building. It was full from ground to ceiling with broken fans, motors, and unrecognizable objects which needed to be removed to make the building usable. To add to the unsightly appearance, weeds surrounded the area waist high. When this crew left, 5 hours later, the grass was mowed and the building was clean and usable. One lady was in charge of sorting and folding clothes for the residents and the other lady with her beautician supplies made many residents very happy with hair cuts, manicures, and even a shave for one man.

When this group left the Hogar Quietud nursing home, there were a number of feelings present in this group. One was complete exhaustion. But the more important one was gratitude for what our country provides for our elderly and what by our own initiative, we are able to enjoy. Many third world countries live in extreme poverty. Yet, if it were not for this home for the aged, these people would probably be dead or living in the street. The Harlingen Rotary Club participants came away with a feeling of Family in Rotary with only a few hours of dedicated labor.

If you have something to share about your club or another club, please let me know. RI President Wilf Wilkerson’s theme this year is Rotary Shares. When we come together as a group with mutual goals, we Share Rotary as a family. Joan Cocozza; 956-428-4702 or

Names of Rotarians who worked at Hogar Quietud. Left to right: Ricky Leal, Joey Gonzales, Joan Cocozza, Eric Ziehe, Mira Murphy, Padre Bigote, Ron Burgamy, Bill Reagan, Paxton Warner, Glenn Hill, and Alan Johnson

Port Isabel has another boat

Stan Hulse, a member of the Port Isabel Rotary Club, reports they have their major fundraiser well underway.

To raise funds they are raffling a 2007 ShallowSport Boat with motor and trailer for only $10 a ticket (or 10 for $90). See www.pirotary.org.

If you are not a boater - no problem. They'll sell it and give you the money.

They really need your help as they are only 65% through paying for the boat. Tickets are available from any Port Isabel Rotarian or online at http://www.pirotary.org/boat.htm.

Thanks in advance and good luck.

Laredo ties Paul Harris to fundraiser

The Laredo Rotary Club kicked off its new year with a Paul Harris Fellow event honoring Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores. Over 400 people, Rotarians and community supporters of Rotary and Sheriff Flores, attended the evening events to observe and participate.

This was the culmination of several weeks of planning by President Manuel “Guero” Benavides and his select committee, and it seems to have paid off big. The club expects to net over $30,000.00 to use in its planned Service Above Self programs in the 2007-08 year. While the money is important to The Rotary Foundation and to the Club, there are additional benefits that should be considered.

Selecting an appropriate honoree has advantages for the honoree and for Rotary. This one gave a great opportunity to say thanks for a job well-done, and to say it in a very public way. It is important to let people who do good know that what they do is appreciated. That has to be a part of what Rotary is about, for Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. It connects Rotary and what it does to important community people to tell a bigger story. It builds “good will and better friendships.” And that’s good for Rotary.

Another benefit is that it creates an opportunity for Rotary membership growth! Probably more than half of the 400 people present were non-Rotarians. They mixed with Rotarians and discovered for themselves what Rotary is about. Rotarians rubbing shoulders with non-Rotarians creates another acquaintance. When inviting one of the attendees into Rotary, it will be an easier task because the initial contact has been made. The selling has been done--a good beginning for August Membership Month.

Photo: Left to right, Sheriff Rick Flores and President Guero Benavides at the head table. Submitted by Chuck Owen.

Port Isabel to build on successful Honduras project

In February, 2007, 36 Rotary and Interact volunteers from Texas, Vermont, New Hampshire, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Montana, traveled to Trujillo, Colon, Honduras, to build schools. Sponsored by the Port Isabel and Trujillo Rotary Clubs, the work crews were joined by villagers as they built schools in the communities of Los Tigres, Remolino, and 18 de Abril....more commonly referred to as the Tiger School, the Encinas School, and the Rodriguez School.

Three classrooms were built at the Tiger School, a community of Chortis Indians. Rotary volunteers had to walk in 40 minutes to reach the community in 90 degree heat and high humidity. Initially the community members had to carry their materials into the school. Then they decided to fill in major ravines in the cattle path leading to the school with rocks making it possible for a truck to bring in the remaining materials. Sand for the concrete, however, was carried in from a nearby river bed. The three classrooms will allow a school further into the mountains to send their students to the new school. The original two classroom school was made of adobe and thatch. This school will be the only cement block structure in the community, the only structure that is painted in the community, and the school has the only latrines in the community. The school cost $7,658.71 to build.

Two classrooms were built at the Rodriguez School, a Hispanic community ten miles from Trujillo. Funded by District 5930, this school was dedicated to past DGs Ray Cocozza and Fernando Cuellar. The old one classroom school was constructed of barnboard with a dirt floor. Latrines were also built. Another school will be combining with this school to use the beautiful new space. The new school cost $9,635.65 to construct. There is no power in the community so a Matching Grant will be submitted to bring power to the villagers and to the school.

The community of Remolino was bulging at the seams with over 300 students in three classrooms so they built two adobe and thatch classrooms to handle the excess students. A new concrete block structure was built to replace these "portable" classrooms. Additionally, the new classrooms were wired and painted and the existing classrooms were painted and rewired and their latrines were repaired. .All of the projects here cost $10,145.65.

These three schools were dedicated in June, 2007, with major community fiestas. Joan Cocozza, widow of Ray Cocozza, joined Tom Plumb, coordinator of the work crew effort, at the dedications.
Additionally, the Rosendo Nunez Bonilla School in Trujillo, received some major renovations: a new roof, new toilets, a new paint job, and new wiring (thanks in large part to the Edna, Texas Rotary Club). Finally, the 380 students can actually see what they are studying!! The Bonilla project cost $6,636.23.
The volunteers stay at an Ocean front resort ($40 per night) paying their own expenses and raised $41,983.79 for these projects and support costs (eg vans, plaques, gas, etc.) It is an experience of a lifetime!!!

We are currently recruiting for February, 2008. Our website is www.handstohonduras.com. If you are interested in joining the work crew next year contact . The scheduled weeks are February 6-14 and February 14-22, 2008. We will need to raise monies toward the construction of classrooms at five schools. We will also be applying for a matching grant to provide water to the Barrio Cristales, a black community of 750 households, and power to the Rodriguez School. Consequently, we need to raise over $63,000.00. Clubs who contribute and major individual donors will get their names on a plaque.

This year we will also try and provide 100 computers to schools on the north coast of Honduras, at a cost of $25-$35 per computer.

Tom Plumb

More pictures available in the District Scrapbook

Edna Club Wins Award for Public Relations Campaign

The Rotary Club of Edna was recognized by Rotary International for its successful 2006-07 public relations campaign. The certificate states that the Public Relations Award is “for outstanding achievement in launching a successful public relations campaign to promote awareness and understanding of Rotary.”

The cover letter to 2006-07 Club President Jo Wimberly, signed by RI President Bill Boyd, says, in part,

The Public Relations Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Rotary clubs in promoting the good works of Rotary. Effective public outreach fosters community understanding, appreciation and support for the Object of Rotary. The public relations project of the Rotary Club of Edna has enhanced Rotary’s image in your community.

Congratulations, Edna! Submitted by Marilyn Spencer.

JoAnne Settles wins PolioPlus award

Regional Service Award for Polio Free World presented by then District Governor Marilyn Spencer to JoAnne Settles at the District Installation. Submitted by Tom Moore.

Everyone had fun at the Governor's Installation

The Famous Actors for the twisted fairy tale Cinderfella were PDG Charlie Wilson, PDG George Dawson, PDG John Bedgood, PDG Billy Settles, PDG Marilyn Spencer and PDG Jorge Verdusco. They were dressed up in wigs and costumes to animate the story at the District Installation in McAllen, Texas.

The PDGs were extremely good sports and the twisted fairy tale left the audience thoroughly amused.

Rotarians attending the District Installation insisted that District Governor Tom Moore go up on stage to help lead the "Amigo Uno Balie!" with Larry Swenson during the District Installation in McAllen. Governor Tom was twisting and turning, and really shaking the platform. Fortunately everyone else was dancing in place, also, so they didn't notice when Governor Tom disappeared!

United Way awards grants to local groups in Freer

President of United Way John Ulbricht along with Executive Director Peggy M. Duncan and Norma Lozano, Campaign Director, who are based in Laredo bestowed Community Initiative Venture Grants totaling $35,000 to three local organizations in Freer. This comes with the help and partnership of ConcoPhillips and its employees and local companies.

Receiving grant awards during a special noon luncheon held at the Best Western where the Freer Rotary Club received a check for $12,700 accepted by President Norman Jenkins. The money will be used to renovate the Rotary Park building. Other organizations receiving awards were the First Baptist Church, $14,400, and the Freer Volunteer Fire Department, $7,900.

Freer Little League takes first place

Freer Little League 9-12 year old team, Gold Sox, sponsored by the Freer Rotary Club took first place in the boys 9-12 year old group. Pictured: The Gold Sox--Adrian Munoz, Jose Guajardo, Kevin Salinas, Adrian Hasette, Dustin Martinez, Cody Arnold, Nikolas Villarreal, Mark Smith, Richard Gonzalez, Robert Salazar, Jacob Cantu, Roman Kujawski, and Gilbert Carrillo--with the manager, Rudy Guajardo, Sr., coaches Rudy Guajardo Jr, and Adrain Hasette, and Rotarians--Ann Jenkins, Arturo Martinez, and Norman Jenkins. Congratulations Gold Sox.

Freer gives scholarships

Freer Rotary Club President Norman Jenkins awards local scholarship to high school senior, Tricia Salinas, at graduation Scholarship Ceremony. She will be continue her college study to be a Pharmacist/Radiologist Technician at Coastal Bend Community College and plans to finish at Texas A&M University.

Freer Rotary Club President Norman Jenkins awards a scholarship for the Four-way Test Speech Contest winner to high school senior, Carina Moreno. She was the local winner and advanced to the Area Four-Way Test Speech Contest which was held at Kingsville where she won then advanced to the District level. She will attend the University of North Texas at Denton where she will study business Submitted by Norman Jenkins.

Suggestion for student of the month

Governor Tom points out that even though many clubs invite students as guests, the clubs are not giving them full value. He suggests giving them a certificate to document these visits. The students can then use the documents when applying to college and to expand their resume'. Here is an example from the McAllen North Club.

Raffle opinion poll

We need your opinion:

We are thinking about a Polio National Immunization Day (NID) raffle that would include the travel and expenses to participate in the India Rotary District of the Taj Mahal NID. India has three NID per year. The India Rotarians in the Rotary District of Taj Mahal host the winning couple for up to a week, so the couple can adjust to jet lag and fully participate in the NID of several million children.

Is this a raffle that would appeal to Rotarians, or should we continue with the raffling of a new truck?

Check-out the new District website

The new District website has been operating since the first of the Rotary year. Have you visited to discover the new features? It has drop-down menus and everything. Some new features include an events calendar. Please send your events for posting. Another new feature is a list of proven programs; go there to get ideas for a program and speakers. If your club has an outstanding program that may interest others please it; remember Rotary Shares.

There is an extensive support section that answers practically any Rotary question. Under the Make-Up button you will find a list of District meetings and a choice of eight on-line make-up sites. The home page contains the Governor's visit schedule and a synopsis of the current District Newsletter.

Related to the website, rotary5930.org email addresses are available and will be used to forward mail to an established email account (Gmail recommended because of its spam filtering and POP availability). We can establish a sub-domain for clubs who do not have a web page, but would like one.

Please send your suggestions, questions, and comments to Jack Whitmire, below.

The South Texas District 5930 Newsletter is published the first day of each month. , Victoria Rotary Club, edits and distributes it. by the 24th of the month prior to publication. Jack is, also, our webmaster.

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