June, the last month in the Rotary year, is also Rotary’s Fellowships Month. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to attend any Rotary Convention know why: The numerous Rotary Fellowships have booths next to each other during each convention, to welcome old friends and to make new friends who share common interests.

In San Antonio I joined the Fellowship of Birdwatchers. This group sponsors a birding trip immediately following each convention; that year the birders gathered at Choke Canyon and Lake Corpus Christi. In Barcelona, I joined the Fellowship of Dog Lovers, and I continue to enjoy reading the newsletters. In Copenhagen I joined the Wine Fellowship; we cruised the canals together, with a delicious dinner and – what else – many types of wine. In each of these fellowships I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to meet a new circle of friends who place service above self.

These fellowships open up new ways for Rotarians to meet, greet and promote understanding with fellow Rotarians and their families, from all over the world. The other fellowships that immediately spring to my mind embrace motorcyclists, music lovers, RV enthusiasts, philatelists, and pilots. But this is only a small subset. If you’re fortunate enough to make your way to Salt Lake City for this year’s convention, be sure to linger at the fellowships’ booths in the House of Friendship. You’ll probably find a Rotary fellowship that you want to join.

Isn’t it appropriate that Rotary promotes these fellowships? The first Object of Rotary is fellowship, springing from a tiny club of four young men who sought each other’s fellowship. If you stop to think about it, wouldn’t you agree that fellowship is the most important reason all of us keep coming back for our Club meetings, week after week, all year long?

Our fellowship keeps us coming back – to our Club, District, Zone and RI meetings. Our compassion and generosity whenever and wherever we gather are what keep us relevant after more than 100 years. We Rotarians are generous with our time, our skills, and our wealth. We see problems and we figure out ways to fix them. We don’t ask for gratitude or repayment. Many times we don’t even meet the people we help, yet we feel a tug of fellowship when we think of our connectedness to them.

This is the month when members of our Clubs gather at special times for our once a year fellowship to ceremonially welcome incoming officers, thank the outgoing officers, and recognize members whose efforts have made a real difference. It’s the month when District leaders gather from all over South Texas to celebrate the installation of our new District officers.

I’ve started to reflect on the wonderful year that is coming to a close. My fondest memories are of meeting and getting to know the officers and members of our 55 clubs, and learning about all the big and little ways in which our clubs improve their own members’ lives as they improve the lives of others. At District Assembly, May 19, it gave me a warm feeling to see so many of the people I’ve visited this year.

My one sense of loss from this year is my time away from my own Club members. I think I may have attended my own Club meetings only six or seven times this year. Sure I’ve missed hearing our great line-up of weekly speakers, but most of all I’ve missed the weekly fellowship of my Club Family of Rotary. After missing my Club meetings for seven weeks in a row, I finally had the opportunity to attend my Club’s last meeting in May. It felt like a family reunion to me! I plan to make it to every meeting in June, and I look forward to making most of my Club meetings next Rotary year.

Many, many thanks to all of you who have made this year my favorite year in Rotary! For me, you made being District Governor the very best job in Rotary. District officers, I’m aware of the countless hours you gave in service to our Clubs. Club officers and members, you always made me feel welcome; you shared your time and resources with me. You described and sometimes even showed me the difference you’re making in your communities. Some of you even took me across the border to show me the significant difference you’re making in the lives of the people of Mexico. I will cherish these memories of your fellowship with me and with one another, always. And I hope for future opportunities to visit with you.

RI President's Representative finds our District unique

Dear Marilyn,

I write this on the flight back to India. Much has happened after Binota and I left Corpus Christi early on the 22nd. We checked in for the Council on Legislation (COL) and quite a COL it was. Many far reaching changes were legislated on. We did meet with President Bill Boyd and tell him about attending your conference and its highlights and he was delighted. We then went to Sonny and Ann Brown, our friend from the Board of Directors and Trustees in El Paso and spent three nights with them. Then on to Toronto for two nights with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, lugging those four suitcases all the way, mind you. Then I went on to Evanston for two more nights and now I finally get to go home. Binota has stayed back. And after we left COL, my laptop crashed and there was no way we could get it back on.

Your conference was unique in many ways. The focus on youth was great and I enjoyed the show on the History of Rotary. You have a huge, Texan-sized district and obviously are a dedicated Rotarian. Your District being a border area, there are many opportunities for service and you are obviously utilizing them well. Thank you for being with us, for driving us around, showing us a bit of Southern Texas, and for giving us Billy and Jo Anne Settles as our aides.

You have led from the front and led well. Congratulations on the Paul Harris Society initiative and I hope you can do your $200,000 for Annual Programs Fund giving. You will, if you go for it.

Binota and I thank you and Dave and everyone else for your kindnesses and courtesies. We felt very well cared for.

Till we meet again, please accept our sincerest thanks, warmest regards and the very best of wishes.

Good luck and God bless,

Yours sincerely,

Kalyan Banerjee

District responds to Greensburg, Kansas, tornado

As all of you surely know, disaster has struck a town in Kansas - in the form of an EF5 tornado. Most

of the town of Greensburg has been leveled, and some townspeople were killed. After consultation with DGE Tom - who had consulted with Grants Chair John Bedgood and Foundation Chair Billy Settles, I have decided to send a District 5930 check for $2,000 from our district's Humanitarian Fund to the Wichita Rotary Charitable Fund for them to disburse the funds as they see fit to help the families of Greensburg.

If your club would also like to make a contribution, please follow the instructions of DGE Rod, District 5690, in the email below.

Area 6 reports a successful GSE visit

The GSE Team has come and gone from Area 6. We had a very successful visit with them during their stay.

Tuesday evening we enjoyed dinner at Kings Inn (the shrimp and fish were great). Wednesday a Mexican breakfast at the Tapatio Restaurant got everyone off to a great start. Each visitor was dropped off at various businesses in Alice to further enhance their knowledge. We all met back at the Alice Country Club for the team's presentation at our noon meeting. The afternoon was filled with fun and educational opportunities in Freer. Club President Norman Jenkins escorted us to a simulated vehicle accident presentation to high school student that included personnel and their autos, highway patrol department, local police department, ambulance and fire department, and the funeral home hearse to take away the deceased students involved in the accident. At the conclusion of this presentation we were escorted back to the fire department for an excellent educational tour. We returned to Alice where the team leader and a team member met PDG John Bedgood, had a great steak dinner, and spent the night. The remaining three team members went home with Elva Short and were treated to a Chinese dinner at the China Bear Restaurant where they truly enjoyed shrimp prepared in numerous ways. The girls talked until midnight, it was basically a girl's slumber party. Thursday they were treated a great home cooked breakfast. They departed for Falfurrias where club members greeted them for lunch then took the GSE team to Raymondville to meet Brownsville Club members.

It was such a rewarding experience. Rotary brings such wonderful people and joy to our lives through programs such as the Group Study Exchange program. --submitted by Elva Short.

Girl Scouts and Brownsville Sunrise Rotary help Brownsville parks see green!

On Saturday, April 28th, members of the Sunshine Girl Scout Troop 008 as well as Troop 231 along with members of the Brownsville Sunrise Rotary Club gathered to celebrate Arbor Day at Brownsville’s newest Little Miss Kickball Field.

Although President Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day, members of the community waited until Saturday to plant several “friendship trees.” Special guests were Paul Johnson--Regional Urban Forester of the Texas Forest Service, Skip Keller--Brownsville Parks and Recreation Director; and Mike Frazier--Sunrise Rotary Community Service Lane Chair. As a special treat, delicious breakfast tacos and water were donated by Rudy’s Bar-B-Que.

You can stop by any weekend and see an average of 500 children playing kickball.

“We thought the new park could use a little shade,” says Hector Hernandez, Club President. Submitted by Hector Hernandez.

District responds to Eagle Pass tornado disaster

AG Annette Alonzo announced that District 5930 deposited $1,000 into the American Red Cross – Maverick County Tornado Disaster Relief Fund. Our Rotary District has asked each club to consider donating funds through the account set up with IBC Eagle Pass. The account number is 1410033384 and deposits may be made at any IBC Bank. Many clubs in our district have made donations, but very few clubs are indicating club names on the deposit slips.

Since the Eagle Pass group wants to send thank you letters the clubs, they would appreciate having the club names on the deposit slips. would appreciate an email from participating clubs with the club name and amount deposited.

Starr Zolton, Laredo Daybreak President, happily reports that her club raised over $650 for the victims of the Eagle Pass disaster and deposited the funds into the IBC account. They hope our Eagle Pass Rotary friends will let us know of other ways we can help.

According to Annette Alonzo the Calhoun County Rotary Club is making a contribution to the relief efforts and encourages everyone to keep it up.

Brownsville Rotarians are community heroes

United Blood Services is a non-profit organization working in the Valley to supply Valley hospitals on a daily basis. Did you know someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds? On Saturday, May 12, 2007, from 1:00 PM. to 7:00 PM at the Sunrise Mall, a Community Blood Drive took place and was sponsored by the Brownsville Rotarians. The Rotarians and the Brownsville community rolled up their sleeves to donate. Hector Hernandez, Brownsville Sunrise President, donating blood as Sylvia Longoria offers moral support.

Blood is one of the most critical resources when disaster strikes. Rotarians around the world answer the call by promoting blood drives, educating communities, and volunteering at blood donation centers. But several clubs and districts have found creative ways to make every drop count. Free T-shirts, movie passes, and cholesterol screening were given.

The Brownsville community thanks all donors and Rotarians for their giving hearts and true understanding of the importance of donating blood. Pictured to the right in front row is from left Sylvia Longoria (Brownsville-Sunrise Rotary Club member) and Jessica Reyes (Secretary of the Rotaract Club at UTB/TSC). The back row is from left Ana Trejo (President of the Rotaract Club at UTB/TSC), Luis Trejo, Rosy Cummings (Vice-President of the Rotaract Club at UTB/TSC), Christian Llanas (Rotaract Club at UTB/TSC member), Val Rispoli (President of the Brownsville Rotary Club), James Seguin (Brownsville-Sunrise Rotary Club member), and Hector Hernandez (President of the Brownsville-Sunrise Rotary Club). Submitted by Valda Rispoli.

District GSE Teams leaves for Mexico

Make time for PR

As the new Rotary year approaches, this is the time to begin planning your public relations efforts. In the upcoming weeks, discuss with your club how you can plan now to promote Rotary next year. Click on the link below to discover important Rotary dates throughout the year.

Laredo Daybreak Helps Beautify Laredo

For the past three years Laredo Daybreaker, Luis Lopez, has been on a mission to help beautify Laredo. Through his efforts and the monetary donations of many Daybreak Rotarians the Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club donated $5,000 for the purchase of trees to plant in the Laredo area. They partnered with the City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department and recently inaugurated the tree planting at several Laredo city parks. Currently, live oaks, crepe myrtles, and Fan Tex ash have been planted. Additional trees will be planted in the near future at Texas A&M International University.

Pictured from left to right is Kiko Meza, Club President Starr Zolton, and Luis Lopez. Submitted by Daniel Guevara.

Codicils are available for Rotary Foundation Giving

We have all heard and perhaps seen the good the Rotary Foundation does to assist the poor of the world. Many of us cannot make a commitment for making a donation while we are alive or we are not able to make a substantial donation at this time. Codicils are a painless way to remember the Rotary Foundation in your will. Codicils bequeathing monies for the Foundation are now available on-line--prepared by attorney Kevin Shleicher from the Ingleside Rotary Club for $1,000.00, $5,000.00, $10,000.00 and $25,000.00. $1,000.00 and $5,000.00 codicils will designate you as an Rotary Foundation Benefactor. $10,000.00 and above makes you a member of the Bequest Society.

If you are willing to bequest funds to the Rotary Foundation, print out the codicil of your choice, and sign it in front of a notary and two witnesses--you will need to know the execution date of your current will--and send a copy of it to the Rotary Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Ill. 60201-1894. You should also attach a copy to all copies of your will and the original should go to the executor of your estate.

Rather quick and painless. Submitted by Tom Plumb.

Tom Moore is pleased with District Assembly

A huge THANK YOU to the Kingsville Rotary Club and the Kingsville Sunrise Rotary Club for handling District Assembly registration. All they had to do was:

It's the volunteer efforts of the Kingsville Rotarians that make our District Assembly possible.

A tremendous amount of information was exchanged among 181 Rotarians and it was such a fun morning.

PDG Gaylan Duncan and DGE Tom Moore were really surprised at the number of Rotarians who were singing R-O-T-A-R-Y for the first time. The singing was wonderful! When asked Juan Sentile, the Texas A & M Kingsville senior, played the piano as loud as 181 Rotarians singing!

The large Student Union ballroom was such a spacious and a wonderful place to hold the plenary session and luncheon.

The coffee and Danish (pastry) were fresh and delicious, the lunch with the chocolate pie was amazing!

What a surprise that PDG Everett Driskill, Harlingen Sunrise Rotary, was District Governor for our District Assembly Luncheon speaker Thomas Thorfinnson from Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Thomas held us spellbound as he told of the Haitian farmer who wanted to award Thomas the two eggs and when the farmer dropped the eggs in his nervousness the farmer's daughter tried to reclaim the lost eggs from the dirt because the eggs were so precious to their family. Thomas described the reach of the Foundation.

In one project of the first ten water wells they drilled in Haiti, eight were dry. The discouragement they must have felt and the hopelessness that the villagers must have felt. We are so fortunate. We are fortunate to have people like Thomas who reach out with the help of our Foundation to improve life for others.

We are fortunate to have our own Thomas, Thomas Plumb. Tom is making a difference in Honduras with our help. Tom Moore has no sweat equity left for the people of Honduras, so he has sent money and asked Tom Plumb to hire unemployed Honduran laborers to do his share of volunteer sweat equity. Submitted by Tom Moore.

Come to the District 5930 Installation

Rotary District Installation

Saturday, June 30, 2007 • 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

McAllen Convention Center • $30/person meal/wine

Wyndham Garden Hotel (956) 984-7900 (Room rate $65) McAllen

Laredo Daybreak helps with sports physicals

Over a 20 day period the Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club and Mercy Ministries of Laredo teamed with the Laredo and United Independent School districts to perform over 200 middle and high school student athlete sports physicals. Daybreak Rotarians helped the Mercy Ministries health professionals administer these exams. Mercy Ministries offers physicals to student athletes of limited financial means for $10. To help defray this cost Daybreak Rotary applied for and received a District 5930 matching grant.

"It was a great feeling to be able to help these kids get their physicals so they can participate in athletics," stated Ed. Ramirez, Daybreak past president responsible for obtaining the matching grant. He is pictured on the left along with Juan Riojas assisting with heights and weights. "Every year we have more and more kids that qualify for this reduced fee and it was great to team up with the Daybreak Rotary in this endeavor," said Martha Martinez, Mercy Director of Operations.

On Saturday, May 19, a group of 56 student athletes from Cigarroa school were screened at the Mercy Ministries location also aided by supervised Medical students from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Submitted by Daniel Guevara.

Exchange Student reports from France

It has been quite a while since my last update. I decided that this time, I will not only update my sponsor YEO, but also the other Rotarians in my sponsor club, my family, my friends, and all the other people that have helped make this exchange year possible for me.

As many of you know (but not all) that my return date is June 3rd. A little early I know, but only because I will be moving cities and that should take some time to do so. Now, what exactly does June 3rd mean to me? Well, there are the pros and the cons.

However, I do not know what is going on in my head, I know that I will be going home but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I guess I’m trying not to face the truth… that I’m going back. I love my home, my family and friends, I love them. But, I don’t even want to think about leaving all the wonderful people I met here. I’m sure I’m going to see them again one day, but its not only the people I’m going to leave, it’s the culture, the country….

Whenever people start talking about it, or start planning what’s going to happen the day I leave, I tell them not to speak about it in front of me. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to handle leaving. It was hard enough for me to leave home when I knew that I was going to see everyone again, but this is different. Either way, the thing that I have loved most about all of this is, well… the friends that I have made from all over the world. My two best friends here, Kateena, who comes from Australia, and Keiju who comes from Finland. Now I have friends from all across the world, from Canada, to Colombia, to Sweden, to Germany, to Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, and across the US. It is unbelievable. I even have family in Africa now, where, I will be welcomed with open arms no matter when it is that I will go. Isn’t it amazing? I even have family across the world!

People keep on asking me, “If you had the chance to do it again, would you?” Only, what I answer surprises them, “No.” I would not do it again. I went through things that were too hard to bear and hard to over come. I don’t think I can ever accept going through the same situations if I ever had the choice. But if anyone ever asked me whether they should do an exchange or not, I would tell them, “Do it. Do not even think twice about it. It will change your life and open so many doors in your universe.”

That’s what I’ve been telling people. And I think they appreciate that more than just a cruel, “No.”

Two weeks ago we had our Rotex weekend in a city about three hours away from where I live. I enjoyed myself so much with strangers whom I had so much in common yet so many differences. This meeting was the last of our Rotex weekends together. I couldn’t stop my tears from coming down. Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one who seemed to be worried whether her mascara was running or not.

Also, about one month ago I did my Rotary presentation. I was so nervous, but I managed to do it. What kept my nerves climbing higher and higher was hearing several Rotarians tells me that the Mexican exchange student they received last year made such a great presentation, something I did not really want to hear before I did my own. Before beginning, I greeted everyone and placed on each seat: my Rotary clubs banner (Laredo Under Seven Flags), a Laredo postcard, a tourist magazine of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo giving all the statistics and activities, and a lovely blue bonnet. After giving my presentation I explained what each gift symbolized or what it contained, and everyone seemed very please. To my surprise, one by one, the Rotarians and their wives walked up to me congratulating me. Telling me that out of all the years they have been receiving students, they have never seen a presentation, yet a student like me. My school director (principal) who is also a Rotarian, came up to me and told me how much of an influence I have played in the school, how I helped them open their minds on the image of Americans. He said, “Out of all the Americans we have had, we have yet to receive one like you, and I doubt we will find one to fill in the impact you left on us.” Upon hearing this, my eyes started to tear. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I always try to satisfy people by doing my best, and apparently I carried my goal through.

My families were so proud of me. I felt like all my accomplishments I owed to them. They offered me so much love and support; I still don’t know how I will ever thank them.

Life is so curious. One year ago from today, I would like to know what was running through my head, because I’m pretty sure what I thought of then is nothing compared to what I think about now. And it bothers me as well, because I know I have changed. I can feel it so much, but how exactly? I haven’t the slightest clue. I feel that only time will answer that question.

I still have the same plans I did a year ago, only with some slight differences. For instance, I still want to do journalism, but I will take some time off. And with this time I will devote it to a wonderful idea that my parents (my real ones) helped inspire; a creation of a book. For my own good, it feels like it is something in which I need to do. Many people do not understand what it is like being an exchange student, yes, they have an idea, but they can never know the truth. Maybe this will help people understand, or be aware of what it is. Perhaps, people will also understand a little more about Rotary and how different it can be across the globe. I am still not completely sure what this book will be for, but in the end all I want is for it to exist.

There is this part inside of me that is screaming with happiness. There is always this secret part in me that hasn’t changed from the beginning of my exchange year until now. The part where sometimes I want to scream, “I’M A FOREIGNER, NOT AN IDIOT!” *sigh* My apologies for the language. But being an exchange student I have also learned to respect people that are not in their native land, it is not always easy.

There were many times during my exchange year that I forgot what being a “Youth Ambassador” was really about. There are many times when you question yourself if you are sending out the right message or not about your country. I think, it is only in the end that you can answer that question. I feel a sense of pride from time to time. I feel like I managed to carry out a message. I do not expect people to change the views on certain topics, but wouldn’t it be nice, if it helped opened there minds? That’s what people need, they need to open there minds and learn, not judge and stereotype, not hate and be jealous. And I suppose that is where Ambassadors come in.

This week, my second to the last, I have so many activities to do I can not even begin to imagine how exhausted I will be toward the day of my return home. But I’m living it and I’m loving it and, I suppose, that is the most important thing right now because, soon, I will be back with my loving family and friends...

Participate in the Edinburg Rotary Fishing Tournament

Have too much game? Hunters for the Hungry has the solution

The Edinburg Rotary Club provided over 5,900 pounds of processed meat to the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley during the 2006-07 hunting season. This is the only protein that the Food Bank receives. They are located at 2601 Zinnia Ave, McAllen, TX 78504, and may be reached at 956-982-8101.

Donations of wild game will be processed at Aguilar's Meat Market in Edinburg. Contact Eddie at Aguilar's or members of the Edinburg Rotary Club to find ways to help.

People who have made a difference pictured from left to right: Roel Trevino (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service), Larry Hunter (Chairman), Eddie Aguilar (Meat Processor), F.J. Brewerton (initiated club participation), and Mark Pena Edinburg Rotary Club President. Submitted by Tamara Sanchez.

Diploma Plus students graduate

The proof is in the pudding or so they say. Fourteen graduating seniors from the two Laredo school districts will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas in 2007. They will do so, in part, because Rotarians cared enough to provide a little push in the form of encouragement and extra spending money during the school year.

We are talking about the results of the Laredo Rotary Club’s Diploma Plus program. At the Laredo Rotary Club May 23rd meeting the fourteen graduating seniors were invited to be honored and to receive their last $125.00 quarterly check. They were accompanied by their school sponsors who had a part in selecting students to participate in this program for at-risk seniors. The sponsors received certificates of appreciation from club president, Cecilia Garza.

After being selected, the Diploma Plus students were required to maintain a “C” average and a 95 percent attendance record in order to continue in the program. All students did. The good news is all students will walk the stage.

President Cecilia Garza awarded a Paul Harris Fellow to a long-time community service oriented business woman, Martha Narvaez, a floral shop owner and operator. This recipient spent her lifetime working to be successful while giving back to the community. Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas was on hand to offer his appreciation, too. Garza said she wanted to show the students what they could do in the future.

In a moment of serendipity--the icing on the cake, perhaps--at the end of the student recognitions Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores, who was present as a guest of the club because he will be honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Laredo Club in a fundraiser on July 12, took the floor and offered to match up to $10,000.00 raised in his award event. The sheriff said he wanted to help the club do more for at-risk high school students. He said, “They looked a lot like I did 25 years ago.” The sheriff proudly said that confiscated drug money from drug dealers was going to help educate at-risk youth of the city. Submitted by Chuck Owen.

Smaller clubs often face unique challenges in their membership development efforts. However, increasing membership by even a few members pays big dividends: more hands for service, more money for projects, more friends for fellowship, and more people willing and able to take on leadership positions.

To encourage smaller-club efforts, the RI Board of Directors recently established the Recognition of Smaller Club Membership Growth program, which honors the achievements of small clubs who make growth a priority and succeed.

The program will begin 1 July, recognizing clubs in the following categories that meet the Board-established membership goal by 15 May 2008:

District governors-elect recently received the award guidelines and a list of the clubs in the district with fewer than 20 members. If your club has fewer than 20 members, DGE should be contacting you to begin establishing a membership action plan for 2007-08. If you haven't heard from your him by June 1, consider contacting him to express your interest in participating in this program.

If your district governor agrees that your club reached its membership goal by May 15, 2008, he may submit your club name to RI. All clubs nominated by their district governors by June 30, 2008, are eligible to receive a recognition certificate signed by the RI president.

If you're attending the RI Convention this month, be sure to check out the following membership development opportunities.

Each workshop will be led by representatives from RI's Membership Development and Retention Committee and experienced regional Rotary International membership coordinators from various parts of the world. They'll discuss trends, action-oriented strategies, best practices, and programs that clubs can implement.

Choose the topic and style that's right for you: Workshops feature presentations and questions for a panel of experts. Interactive discussion groups invite participants to discuss membership strategies and best practices with fellow group members.

Resource Center

While you're in the House of Friendship, stop by the Resource Center: Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. There you can meet staff, purchase publications and DVDs, make donations to the Foundation, learn about the RI Web site, and much more.

Pick up free membership development materials (while supplies last), including:

The attached editorial from today’s New York Times greatly appeals to me. It reminds me of how Rotarians come up with simple, inexpensive solutions to immediately provide short term solutions to problems, instead of waiting for the long-term solutions we don’t have the resources to achieve – like ShelterBox. These flashlights sound wonderful to me. They might give us an idea for another way to help people who face the loss of electricity due to some natural disaster. It often takes several days to restore electricity after a major storm hits the Gulf states.

Club Category	Membership Goal
Fewer than 10 members.	At least 10 members
10-14 members	At least 15 members
15-19 members	At least 20 members