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ROTARY DISTRICT 5300
THE HIGHLIGHTER
NET EDITION
(web address: http://www.district5300.org)

Highlighting the World of Rotary, District Activities,
Club Events and the People that Make it Happen!

ROTARY 2000-2001:  CREATE AWARENESS - TAKE ACTION 

SEPTEMBER IS YOUTH ACTIVITIES MONTH 

GOVERNOR'S  MESSAGE
From Sal Briguglio ( Rancho Cucamonga )

Dear Fellow Rotarians:

 September is Youth Month in Rotary.  This is a great opportunity for us to highlight all of the youth-oriented programs that our district will be participating in this year; starting with our new (Junior RYLA) Team Leadership Camp.  This is a leadership experience for 8th graders.  This program will be run at Desert Sun Center and we will have RYLA graduates act as facilitators for these 8th graders.  These facilitators will also be Interact students.  The purpose is, not only to teach the 8th graders leadership skills, but, to give them an opportunity to learn about Interact and Rotary.  Consequently, when the Leadership Camp participants graduate and go on to high school, they will be more interested in joining their local Interact Club, and will also want to influence their friends to share in the Interact experience.

We will conduct the Dan Stover Music Competition, and the Four-Way Speech contest once again this year.

As in past years, the Dan Stover finals will be a part of the District Conference in June of 2001.  The Interact Symposium and RYLA will once again be highlights of the District's youth programs.

I have been advised that we already have more than 290 reservations for slots at RYLA.  The camp can only accommodate 288 students; therefore, it is very important that all clubs, which intend to participate, turn in their registration forms ASAP.

In reviewing club goals and objectives during my club visits, I am very pleased to see that activities and projects, which help provide for children, have a high priority.  Whether it be providing shoes, clothes or books, clubs want to provide for the needs of children.

Due to the very successful "Reading by 9" program, providing books for needy young students has become increasingly important.  Clubs have been able to partner with the Rose Hills Foundation, which has agreed to make a $40,000 grant available to 40 clubs, in our District, at the rate of $1,000 per club in the form of a matching grant. Rose Hills Foundation will match $1,000 raised by a club, for a total of $2,000 for the "Reading by 9" program. The money will purchase reading books for needy children.  In many cases these books will be the first and only reading books that a child has ever had.  Clubs are encouraged to put their club sticker inside the books, so that the children and the public will know that the books were donated by generous Rotarians to help encourage reading.

I am proud of each and every one of the clubs providing programs for the children in their communities.  It is a legacy that we are creating for today's youth, who will become the next generation of Rotarians.  It is comforting to know that through our efforts we will have left this world a better place!

Yours in Rotary,   
SAL BRIGUGLIO - District Governor 2000/2001

KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF CUSTOMER SERVICE
From PDG Steve Garrett (Sierra Madre)
PRESENTED IN 2 PARTS - CONCLUSION

OVERVIEW FROM PART 1 (AUGUST ISSUE): - "The future success of Rotary is dependent on growth; to not grow is to die.  Growth requires attention to two simultaneous strategies: bringing in new members and creasing the level of retention among current members.  Central to Rotary's retention of current members are a few very important questions.  Who are the customers of Rotary? What motivates them to be our customers? What is the cost of our service, and are we providing good value in service relative to cost?  Finally, how do we provide "knock your socks off customer service?" Failing to understand the importance of these questions will turn the local Rotary club into a failure, and ultimately the failure of Rotary International.  Rotarians have much to offer their communities; their failure would be a great loss to the world.  It is important that we recognize the answers to these basic questions."

PROVIDING KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF CUSTOMER SERVICE

Organizations that produce exceptional results seldom do it by accident; it is usually the result of good planning and exceptional leadership.  This is true of family, community and business organizations.  Excellent parents take pride in a series of exceptional offspring.  Successful football coaches field championship teams year after year.  Some business leaders breathe new life and profits into a succession of companies.

What qualities make some organizations successful where others flounder or fail?  Observation and experience tell us there are seven identifiable habits of those who lead successful organizations, including Rotary clubs and Rotary districts.  The first of those 7 Habits is maintaining a consistency of purpose.  You can relate that constancy of purpose to the first and foremost idea expressed by Stephen Covey in his best selling book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. "Begin with the end in mind."  In other words, know where you are going before you start the journey or process.  A good question then, would be, what is the purpose, the mission, or the desired end result of Rotary?  What is our Mission Statement?  It can be found in the 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, to encourage and foster (1) The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; (2) High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society; (3) The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life; (4) The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The second of the 7 Habits involves leadership.  One of the great mysteries of Rotary is the how and why a group of successful business and professional leaders within the organization quickly become shy followers with the marginal competency when acting as part of a committee of volunteers?  What are the missing qualities, skills of knowledge that make a difference between success and failure in two closely related, but different roles? The difference is one of manager or leader.  Though the two roles look the same in many ways, they are very different.  Dwight Eisenhower, the man who persuaded a hundred thousand soldiers they should leave their ships and run across a beach where folks were trying to kill them once gave an excellent definition that described the difference between the two roles. "A manager gets people to do things the manager wants done."  " A leader gets people to want to do the things that need to be done."  To succeed as an excellent organization based on excellent customer service, Rotary needs better leadership.  Leadership is about visions and values, while management is about strategies and tasks.  The aim of successful leaders to help people do a better job, and to achieve a high level of pride and satisfaction.

The third of the 7 Habits is staying close to your customer.  Understand their needs and listen to what they have to say.  Leaders must remove barriers that deprive members of their right to pride and satisfaction.  They celebrate success; they work at identifying small and large accomplishments.  The responsibility for "knock-your-socks-off" customer service is not limited to the membership retention committee:  it is the responsibility of every Rotarian.  We should be encouraging club leadership to contact former members to determine why they are no longer internal customers.  Better yet, we should be asking all current members about their satisfaction with the organization.  Too often the leadership of our organization takes the attitude that this is my year to be in charge and this is what we are going to do, and how we are going to do it.  We forget that if we don't take care of our customer...somebody else will.  When we take care of our customers, we take care of ourselves.  It takes months to find a customer...seconds to lose one.

The fourth of the 7 Habits of successful leaders is to be innovative.  Too often we begin our Rotary year by reviewing last year's projects, appointing the same committee with the same chair.  Sadder yet, we expect different results.  Those actions are the very definition of insanity?  Paul Harris was quoted as saying, "This is a changing world, and we must be prepared to change with it.  The story of Rotary will be rewritten again and again."  As Rotary leaders, we must encourage the organization to identify and take on new challenges.  We have to end the practice of budgeting on the basis of prior years, and drive our fear of failure to encourage innovation.  Every Rotary club, every Rotary district that doesn't have a least one project or disappointing program isn't taking appropriate risk.  You only fail by not trying, or not learning from disappointments.

Habit number five of the 7 Habits for successful Rotary leaders is to create a learning organization.  Success in today's society goes to the Renaissance citizen; the idea of education throughout life is one of the great benefits of being a Rotarian.  The classification system complements the idea of Rotary as a learning organization by assuring a mixture of occupations and experiences.  Through participation in weekly club meetings, district assemblies, district conferences and international conventions, Rotarians gain a greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities available to us to apply our efforts to encouraging and fostering the ideal of service.  We need to recognize that continual learning is the basis of continual improvement, and that this is a basic tactic for delivering "knock-your-socks-off" customer service.  As Rotary leaders, we need to encourage everyone to make sure that weekly meetings are a feast of ideas and information.  We can't afford to waste any of those seventy-five hours of the Rotary year!!  Efforts must be made to improve the quality and diversity of the weekly program.  Too few of our members attend a district assembly or district conference.  These should be the high point of every Rotary year.  We need to concentrate the planning of these events around the needs of our internal customer, not the glorification of our Rotary leaders.

Successful Rotary leaders practice number six of the 7 Habits by encouraging everyone to document what they do.  We replace the entire Rotary leadership team every year, and yet very few of our committees or project chairs submit reports.  Great chefs use recipes; great athletic teams have playbooks.  Every Rotary project should be written and reported to the Board.  First, it forces the committee to think through what they are doing.  Second, it is the starting point for the next time this project is embarked upon.  Third, it is the baseline from which improvements can be made.  A commitment to participate in a project or program provides an opportunity for great success and high return to the internal customer in the form of "karma" points, self-esteem and self-actualization.  The opportunities also carry the risk of failure, frustration, discouragement, and the loss of the internal customer.  Documentation of successful programs and projects minimizes the risk of losing internal customers.

The last of the 7 Habits of successful Rotary leaders is to control cost.  The goal is not to get the same results at lower cost.  It is more a matter of getting a better return on investment.  If there is a possibility of accomplishing four times as much with a doubling of expenditure of time and money, which may well, translate to a higher return on investment.  The key part of this question is balancing the benefit to both internal and external customers against the cost of time and money.  Excessive cost can be defined as effort spent that does not yield sufficient benefits for both internal and external customers.  Excessive cost includes time considered wasted, and money spent that is resented.  Our members have many people and organizations competing for their time and money.  If we fail to satisfy his or her needs someone else will.  The difference between a business enterprise and Rotary is very small, but has large implications.  In business, we are striving for increased productivity from decreased resources.  In Rotary, we seek increased profits from increased resources.  We are in the satisfaction business.  It is difficult to truly quantify the dollar value of the resources we utilize.  The dollar amount can be added up, but the time commitment of 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide probably dwarfs the dollar commitment.  The more difficult task is in measuring the value of our efforts in creating better people and communities.  Eliminating polio from the world is an investment with fantastic returns; returns we could never begin to quantify in monetary terms.

The need for Rotary increases as we develop a better world with less hunger, more humanity and increased health.  In some of our communities Rotary represents one percent of the population; in the United States, Rotary represents a little over one-tenth of a percent of the population.  Throughout the world Rotary, represents two-hundredths of a percent of the population.  Logic would suggest that our potential customer base is far greater than we suspect.  Our members have many people and organizations competing for their time and money.  Provide ample opportunities to widen involvement.  Remember the different needs of younger, older and different members.  If we don't deliver "knock-your-socks-off" customer service, someone else will.  If we do deliver "knock-your-socks-off" customer service the demand for our services will expand exponentially by word of mouth and referral.

2000-2001 R.I. PROGRAM IS A PRO-ACTIVE CONCEPT
From James Speer PDG, Past R.I. Director (Covina)

R. I. President Frank Devlyn and the Board of Directors, has given the Rotary world a unique concept of services for the year.  It is different in that the program focuses on twenty areas of need, which provide a smorgasbord of opportunity to Rotary clubs and districts.  Each focus is organized through a Task Force of Area and Zone Coordinators who serve as a pipeline of ideas and accountability.

Clubs and districts are encouraged to select the focus, which is considered most critical in their own area.  It is up to the club or district to CREATE AWARENESS AND TAKE ACTION on the specific chosen focus.  The twenty areas of focus include the following:

THE RUSSIANS WERE HERE - LEARNING ABOUT DEMOCRACY
From the Pasadena Star News &  Daily Bulletin (Inland Valley)

Four representatives from Russia visited clubs in our district during the week of August 13-20.  The week's activities were sponsored by Rotary clubs from  Arcadia Sunrise, Claremont, La Verne, Montebello, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, San Marino, and South Pasadena.  Accompanying the visitors during their stay was PDG Garbis Der Yeghian (La Verne).

The Russian's visit was part of the Library of Congress' Russian Leadership Program initiated last year.  The four visiting dignitaries were part of 500 Russian Federation local, regional and national leaders visiting the United States this summer. Rotary International received approval from the Library of Congress to act as hosts to Russian visitors throughout the United States.  Rotary International has established 40 service clubs in Russia since 1900.

The Russian contingent was here to learn how democracy functions, especially at the local level.  They were interested in how the mayor and city council are elected, how budgets are formulated, and what services cities provide.  South Pasadena Rotarians took the group to the Pasadena courthouse, a visit with Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, the Pasadena Police Department, and the Huntington Library where they received a special behind-the-scenes look at the rare book collection and research section. 

One of the visitors noted, "In America, people know little about Russia and its history, and people in Russia know little about Americans."  "Better communication between the people of both countries should help contribute to a better understanding."  Another stated, "This type of exchange program provides an opportunity for Russians and Americans to break down barriers and work together."

Inland Empire Rotarians provided the Russians with wine tasting at the Filippi Winery in Rancho Cucamonga and an opportunity to see how local government works in Claremont, La Verne and Rancho Cucamonga.  During their city-to-city jaunt the Russians were most impressed by the services provided by the local governments.  They commented on the abundance of services for both children and the elderly.  They also noted, "Everywhere we visit, there is concern for the health of the people."  Underscoring many of the comments was the relative wealth of America.  "It is difficult in Russia because we don't have the money to do many of the things we see you doing for your people."  

Highlighting the weeklong visit was the groups' attendance at the Democratic National Convention where they had the opportunity to meet with many U.S. Senators, members of Congress and visiting dignitaries.  All the Russian visitors agreed that, "there is much to take back - basically everything."

VIRGIN VALLEY CLUB HOSTS VETERANS DAY PARADE & CELEBRATION
From Gary Cutler, President Elect (Virgin Valley)

Mesquite, Nevada will be the site of the 4th Annual Veterans Day Parade, Celebration, and Celebrity Golf Tournament.  Mark Sunday, November 5, 2000 on your calendar.  The day's' events are sponsored by the Virgin Valley Rotary Club and the Veterans Day Parade Inc.  Proceeds will benefit the Veterans Day Parade Fund, Scholarships, We Care for Animals, Cub Scouts, and other Rotary Charities.

Golf registration forms for the ( 5-Man Team Scramble - 4 Man Team w/Celebrity ) 8:00 AM Shotgun need to be returned by October 15th.  A special 3 day/2 night hotel/casino package has been arranged.  For further information on any of the events, contact Jeff @ 702.346.1335.  ( See the Home Edition of the District Newsletter for a Golf Registration Form ).

UPLAND ROTARIANS LOOK FOR 6 CLUBS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN APPROVED WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
From Steve Baer, Assistant Governor, Region C (Upland), Bobbi Arjo, President (Upland)

The project has received the blessing of RI!  All the behind the scenes work has been done!  Interested clubs need to pledge $1000!  Once matched, the seven clubs ($7000) will equate to a $28,000 project.

The project is to support An International Literacy Program for Deaf Children and Adults in Honduras.  The illiteracy rate in Honduras is high and is further compounded amongst the deaf population. 

Participating clubs will provide financial aid to Signs of Love, a California nonprofit organization under the direction of Ms. Robin Hanna, founder and president.  Ms. Hanna recently moved from her home in Rancho Cucamonga to relocate in Honduras.  She has made contact with three Rotary clubs in Honduras who are very eager to partner with clubs from our district.

Additional information may be obtained from club President, Bobbi Arjo @ 909.981.1255, e-mail bobbiarjo@cs.com; or from Gene Jeffers @ 909.986.6651; e-mail jeffersg@crossnet.org.

LAS VEGAS WEST CLUB EARNS SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARD
From Ken Fong, President (LV West)

On June 29, 2000, the Clark County School District presented the Las Vegas West Rotary Club with the School District-Partnership Program award for helping at risk children as School-Community Partners.  The LV West club was the only local Rotary Club awarded the honor. 

Principal Barbara Fox of the Twin Lakes Elementary School awarded a bronze award to John McMillan, Chair for Community Service of the LV West Rotary club.  Ken Fong, President, and Stephen Segal, Co-Chair also attended the Annual Awards Banquet.

Youth related activities of the Las Vegas West Rotary Club include volunteering as reading mentors for at-risk children; donating new shoes and coats to low- income children; and donating money for computers, books and playground equipment.  The Club also helps at-risk children at Helen Jydstrup and Twin Lakes Elementary Schools.

APPLE VALLEY ROTARIAN IS LOOKING FOR PACIFIC CREST TRAIL HIKERS
From Brad Towle, Club Secretary (Apple Valley)

Brad Towle (Apple Valley) started out the new millennium with a 10-year goal to walk the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, in segments, of course.  He is still in training and really only doing 5-10 mile day hikes, but will be increasing to overnight hikes on the trail by the end of August.  Brad is also interested in forming a relay team of hikers to pass a Rotary Wheel the length of the PCT.  Rotarians who are interest should contact Brad @760.247.0880, e-mail brad0948@aol.com.

A SPIN AROUND THE WHEEL
By Anne Donofrio-Holter (Montebello)

EDITOR'S NOTE: This new feature provides a brief summary of club activities from around our district compiled from club bulletins.  If you would like your club's events and highlights included in "A Spin Around The Wheel'" please send your weekly club edition to Anne Donofrio-

The Rotary club of Apple Valley is putting together a time capsule to be opened on January 1, 2100.  Items placed in the capsule will become the property of the Apple Valley Rotary of 2100.  Members are busy thinking of items to place in the capsule that would (hopefully) be of interest 100 years from now.

The Alhambra club accompanied needy children from their community to Mervyn's for a shopping spree.  Contributions from the club helped purchase a short video entitled "Fire Safety House," which will be used to teach 3rd graders how to live safe and survive fires.

The American Legion has made the Altadena club the custodian of a large sum of money.  Interest from the money may be used to award scholarships to participants in local high school ROTC programs.  Students who have high scholastic achievement and a large of degree of Americanism will be considered.  The funds are also available to provide monetary awards to individuals and groups who display the same characteristics.  In addition, the club donated $500 to the Nazareth, Israel Rotary club to help with a Junior Achievement project aimed at teaching business and entrepreneurship as a way to stimulate start-up businesses and the creation of jobs.

The Montebello club presented its annual public safety and service awards to the city transportation employee of the year, the police officer of the year, the firefighter of the year, and the paramedic of the year.  Each honoree received a plaque from the club in honor of his/her individual achievements.

The Arcadia club recognized a 6th, 7th and 8th grader from each of the three local middle schools as Rotary Students of the Year.  In addition to receiving a plaque from the Rotary club, the students at Foothills Middle School had their names displayed as Rotary Students of the Year during the entire summer.

Members of the Las Vegas University club have been paying weekly visits to The Shade Tree, a shelter for women and children.  Members bring food and interact with the residents by telling stories, and putting on hand puppet shows for the children.

Las Vegas North members are participating in the Hunger Plus "Souper Bowl" program.  Proceeds from the event will help support a school lunch program for an Indian village located in the border town of Loveland, Texas.  The goal is to raise $6,300.  Mesquite and Pahrump as well as all clubs in Las Vegas plan to participate in the fundraiser.

Southern Nevada Clubs are planning to participate in the "Safe Streets Halloween" program sponsored by a local radio station.  Clubs will help purchase candy and supervise activities for local children.

Barstow Rotarians helped support the Kids Care Fair immunization clinic held the end of august at the Barstow Mall.

The East Los Angeles club voted to approve the forming of a committee for the Winterveldt literacy project in South Africa.  The project was presented in the March 2000 District newsletter.

Monrovia Rotarians received a thank-you from the Board of Education for helping fund the communication folders used in grades K through eight.

UP-COMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

ARCADIA SUNRISE-SUNSET SUSPENDS EVENING MEETINGS From Ram Kumar, President
The club will continue to meet every Wednesday morning @ 7:10 AM at the Santa Anita Bar & Grill in Arcadia.  We are working on a program to make the evening meetings financially viable.  Suggestions welcomed. 

READING BY 9 PROGRAM Contact Kathy Brandes, Assistant Governor Region B (Monrovia) or Steve Baer, Assistant Governor, Region C (Upland).

2001 ROSE FLOAT CONSTRUCTION AND PREPARATION From Steve Garrett, Rose Float Committee Chair (Sierra Madre).  
Follow the activities at www.rotaryfloat.org .

DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM SEMINAR , From Cliff Houser, Membership Chair (Altadena).  
Scheduled for September 16, 2000.  8:30 - 11:30 am @ the Bidwell Forum, 140 S. Glendora Ave, Glendora.  Future dates: January 6, 2001 and April 21, 2001.

RYLA 2001 COMMITTEE MEETINGS From Paul Courtney, Chairman. (Barstow).  
 Wednesday, October 4, 2000 @ 7 to 8:30 pm. Paul Courtney residence, 18127 Pier Drive, Spring Valley Lake, 760.245.1277;  Tuesday, November 14, 2000 @ 7 to 8:30 pm 124 North 1st Ave., Arcadia, Ca.  626,294.0802

 INITIAL ROTARY TLC SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 2000 From Roger Schulte (Upland).
On October 6-8, 2000, Rotary District 5300 will institute a new district-wide program for youth.  Called ROTARY TEEN LEADERSHIP CAMP (or Rotary TLC).

FOUNDATION  INFORMATION MEETING From Steve Garrett (Sierra Madre).  
District will host a multi-district Rotary Foundation information meeting  Saturday October 14, 2000 in Ontario.  Contact J. R. Capps (Ontario) @ 909.625.0781 for more information.

SOUTHERN NEVADA PGA FUND RAISER From Randy Pote, Chairman (LV North). 
Wednesday, October 11 to Sunday, October 15, 2000.  For sign-ups and additional information contact Randy Pote @ 702.252.8661 or Barry Channing (LV North) @ 702.314.2401.

INTERACT SYMPOSIUM From Steve Garrett (Sierra Madre). First Interact Symposium the weekend of November 10-12, 2000 at the Desert Sun Science Center, Idyllwild, California and the second Symposium May 18, 2001 at the Cottontail Ranch, Calabasas, California

DISTRICT 5300 MILLENNIUM ACTIVITIES
DATES TO REMEMBER

DISTRICT CALENDAR - SEPTEMBER  & OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER 2000 - YOUTH ACTIVITIES MONTH

OCTOBER 2000 - VOCATIONAL SERVICE MONTH

DISTRICT OFFICERS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Refer to District Directory for Further Information

Editor for both Net and Home Edition is A. C. Lani Exton (Glendora)
He can be reached at (W) 626.792.2186 - (H) 626.963.0578 - (Fax) 626.440.9414 - e-mail lbesaga@aol.com

NEWSLETTER EDITOR - A. C. LANI EXTON (GLENDORA)  (B) 626.792.2186