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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 

 DEVLYN FOUNDATION DINNER A GREAT SUCCESS

Governor Sal and his hard working Foundation Dinner staff sold out the 700 seat ballroom at the Pasadena Hilton for the February 2nd Celebration that featured RI President Frank Devlyn as keynote speaker. The black tie optional dinner and dance provided an opportunity for fellowship and recognition.  The Major Donor Reception, prior to dinner, allowed time for the donors to fellowship with President Devlyn, and also have their picture taken with the RI President.

The evening provided an opportunity to recognize Rotarians who support The Rotary Foundation.    Throughout the evening Major Donors and Paul Harris recipients were recognized on a large screen on the stage.  This approach allowed for well-deserved recognition of individuals in a very time efficient manner. Following the dinner, new Paul Harris Fellows had the opportunity to have their picture taken receiving their recognition certificate and medal from RI President Devlyn.

The District 5300 Rotary Foundation Committee in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Pasadena, who acted as the host Rotary club, deserve a special thanks for a wonderful evening. 

TOP 10 CLUBS IN MEMBERSHIP GROWTH JUNE 30TH - JANUARY 31st
From District Web Site, www.district5300.org  

Virgin Valley Sunrise leads the district with a 21.43% growth in membership. Other clubs with high percentage growth are: West Covina Sunrise, Rancho Cucamonga, Moapa Valley, Alhambra, Industry Hills, Temple City, Laughlin, Las Vegas North and San Dimas.  The new Las Vegas South Sunset club already has 17 members.  Alhambra has the largest number of new club members with 9.  The District has had an increase of 43 new members during this Rotary year. 

TOP 10 CLUBS IN ATTENDANCE:  June 30th - JANUARY 31st
From District Web Site, www.district5300.org  

The leader is South El Monte with 91.29%. Followed by: Claremont with 90.66%, Rancho Cucamonga 87.43%, Virgin Valley Sunrise 85.29%, Sierra Madre 84.71%, Boulder City 83.86%, Five Points 83.57%, Rancho Del Chino 83.04%, Altadena 81.70%, Boulder City Sunrise 79.86%. Good job, keep it up!    Congratulations!

DISTRICT CONFERENCE TO BE SCENE OF "WHO KIDNAPPED
THE GOVERNOR" - A GAME OF WHO, WHAT, AND WHERE

A REAL MYSTERY, WITH REAL PEOPLE, REAL WEAPONS, A REAL CRIME SCENE, AND ONE REAL VICTIM...SEVEN SUSPECTS, TEN WEAPONS, SIX CRIME SCENES, AND ONE VICTIM.
CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY?

REGISTER NOW FOR 2001 DISTRICT 5300 CONFERENCE
From www.district5300.org 

The Doral Palm Springs Resort is the site of the District Conference on June 7-10, 2001.  Fill in the Registration Form located on the District Web Page (www.district5300.org) and avoid the rush.

AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE
From Sylvia Whitlock, Committee Chair (Duarte)

It is time to start recruiting scholars for Rotary's most prestigious scholarship program.  This is your chance to get some young person started on a career of value.  Just look around at your colleges and find those students who would be ambassadors of goodwill for Rotary

For additional information or applications, please e-mail Sylvia Whitlock at sylvia5@msn.com or call 909.596.3586.  Completed applications will be due the end of March 2001.

2000-2001 DISTRICT AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR DOING WELL
From District Web Page

Currently attending the London School of Economics, Ambassadorial Scholar Brendan Murphy is pursuing a Masters of Science degree in Accounting and Finance.  He was recently elected as the student representative from the Accounting and Finance Department to serve on the Student/Staff Committee.

Brendan, who was born and raised in Pasadena, holds dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland.  He attended Pasadena Polytechnic School and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in Business Administration.  While at Vanderbilt he participated in various community service projects including Habitat for Humanity.  The district's young scholar was sponsored by the San Marino Rotary Club.

PLAN NOW - CLUB AWARDS DUE DATE IS APRIL 10TH

How will other clubs know about great projects?...By your club submitting your club projects for the various awards available on the district and International level. It's very easy to participate:  Your Club can submit your projects and accomplishments for awards in the following categories:

21st Century Challenge
Presidential Citation
District Governor's Awards
Governor's Special Awards
Club Outstanding Rotarian
International Award

Your club can choose to apply for recognition on one of the above, or shoot to take home kudos in all of the above listed award categories.  Your Club President should have received information on all of the requirements for each of the award categories.  Each category has different requirements, so make sure you have the criteria on hand. If you are missing criteria on any of the above, please contact Heidi Larkin-Reed (Apple Valley): Phone: 760.242.2753, Fax: 760.242.0303, e-mail: larkinreed@yahoo.com.

2ND ANNUAL GEORGE R. HENSEL PRIZE IN ETHICS ESSAY CONTEST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
From Kathy Brandes, Assistant Governor, Region B (Monrovia)

The second annual District 5300 George Hensel Ethics Essay Contest will be held in the spring of 2001, with the winners announced at the District Conference in June.  As with last year's contest, this essay contest is designed to challenge high school students to analyze urgent ethical issues confronting them in today's complex world. 

The contest is open to high school students throughout District 5300, with prizes of $100 to $1000 awarded to the winners.  Applications with additional information and requirements have been mailed to all presidents.

2001 INCOMING GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE MEMBERS SELECTED
From District Web Site

Rotary District 1200 in England has selected the GSE team that will be in our district during may and June, 2001.  Team members include: Kate Brookes, a Police Sergeant (Traffic) who is sponsored by the Chippenham Club; Lorraine Sers, a Senior Staff Nurse who is sponsored by the Dorchester Club; Paul Lees, a Police Sergeant, sponsored by the Wellington Club; and Onome Stenlake, a Youth Worker, sponsored by the Dorchester Club.  A schedule for the Teams stay in the district will be announced at a later date

GSE EXCHANGE FOR 2001-2002 ANNOUNCED
From Margaret Cooker, DG 2001-2002 (Victorville)

We have just heard that our GSE (Group Study Exchange) pairing for 2001-2002 Rotary year will be with District 4500 - Brazil.  This is exciting news since we have not had a team exchange with this area since 1968 (incoming) and 1970 (outgoing) when the area was identified as District 464.

The District is in the Northeastern area of Brazil (the hump that sticks out into the Atlantic ocean), and includes the fantastic beach area of Recife (which has 16 Rotary clubs).  With 85 clubs and 2,377 members, the district encompasses 3 states: Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba and Pernambuco, and is in Rotary Zone 20.  Our district is in Zone 24.

The Northeast covers 18% of the country.  It was once the center of the sugar industry during colonial times.  Life-threatening droughts are responsible for the lack of development in this area, but it is not under-populated.  Some of the best beaches in Brazil are located in the northeast, a long coastline blessed with year-round sunshine.  Among the best coastal resort cities are Recife in Pernambuco, Joao Passoa in Paraiba, Natal in Rio Grande do Norte.  Portuguese is the official language of Brazil - so we may need to take advantage of the crash language course through RI. 

As I get more information about the area I will keep you posted and, with the able assistance of Tim Harris (Victorville), I will be setting up a web link to information in the near future.  Ram Kumar (Arcadia) has agreed to be my GSE Chair in California.  If you have an interest in being considered as team leader please contact either Ram or myself - please start thinking of young business and professional people who you consider to be good candidates for this exchange.

PLAN TO ATTEND THE DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND FELLOWSHIP DINNER
From Margaret Cooker, DG 2001-2002 (Victorville)

Save Friday, April 27th for the Fellowship Dinner at Felipe's Winery in Rancho Cucamonga and Saturday, April 28th for the District Assembly at the Marriott Hotel near the Ontario airport.  Carolyn Anderson (Rancho Cucamonga) is planning a great evening of fellowship and friendship for the Friday event.  She indicates that if you want to stay over Friday night, you need to make reservations early as hotel space in the area is limited.

Steve O'Neill (Rancho Cucamonga) has gathered a great team for planning the District Assembly.  There will be special sessions on Membership Development and Retention, Foundation (how to complete those drated forms and the process for Matching Grants), the RYLA club process update, as well as Avenues of Service information.   Presidents for 2002-2003 will have time with their District Governor, Lee Harlan (Claremont).  If there are any session topics that you would want to have included, please contact DG Margaret or Steve O'Neill as soon as possible.

A great leadership speaker is planned for Saturday lunch.  2001-2002 Presidents need to get their teams on board for this event.  Assembly Signup Forms will be mailed to each club. 

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIESTA?
From Margaret Cooker, DG 2001-2002 (Victorville)

The Rotary International Convention for this year is being held in San Antonio, Texas - an easy trip for us all - June 24-27, 2001.  In case you have missed the information, the January issue of "The Rotarian" is devoted to the Convention, San Antonio, and Texas.  You can access all the RI registration forms via the District web site www.district5300.org, then "click" on the FIESTA logo.

As to getting there, some are using their RV's and joining the Fellowship of RV-ers like Glen Pierce (Victorville) to extend the fellowship of the Convention even further.  Some are planning to join the "Rotary Train" that Cliff Houser (Altadena) is organizing - a wild Rotary party across the west to Texas - and fly back!!  Some are flying, some are driving....however you plan to get there- PLAN ON IT!!!  If you have never participated and wonder about it - ask someone who has been to an International Convention to share - what a FELLOWSHIP!! What a PARTY!!!

Remember to sign up for the Far West Breakfast on Monday, June 25th ($25) - this form is also available through the same links.  See the International aspect of Rotary striving for World Peace one person at a time!!! Go early and sit in on the Youth Exchange, Rotaract, Foundation or World Project sessions.  Meet new people and make new friends (and maybe extend your business contacts!!) Drop in on Governor Sal at his hotel close to the Convention Center!!

When you know where you are staying let me know so that we can make sure that we can all PARTY!!! PARTY!!! Party!!! (one of the complaints we always have is not knowing where all our friends in the District are staying and being able to expand the fellowship even further).  Any questions or suggestions, please call (760.243.5928), fax (760.243.8012) or e-mail me (mcooker@rotarymail.net).

MATCHING GRANTS CYCLE
From Sal Briguglio, District Governor (Rancho Cucamonga)

The following cycle was established by the Trustees to create a systematic means for Rotary clubs and districts as well as The Rotary Foundation staff to process Matching and Helping Grant Applications, Grant Awards and Reports.

WHY A CYCLE?

Provide an opportunity for Rotarians to appropriately plan and Implement a project in a given time period.
Promote effective stewardship of Foundation funds.
Provide improved management of the Matching Grants Program.
Enable staff to better assist Rotarians in successfully completing grant applications. 

*  Any applications received after the March 31st deadline will be returned to sponsors who can update the request and reapply the following Rotary Year.

RI TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE UPDATE

Online Learning renovated and expanded.  The Technology TF Online Learning web site has just been renovated and significantly expanded.  The site is http://www.frankdevlye.org/technology/learning.  Now the site offers four types of Online Learning.  First, look for new Rotarians.  What's new on the Net promoting the work of the Task force, Club Meeting Program Materials for use in regular club meetings, and Special Resources for specific training and unique resources.  We believe "distance learning" or "Online Learning" as we choose to name it, has vast potential for Rotary and our continuing efforts to educate and train Rotarians and Rotary leaders.

New First Look for new Rotarians.  In Online Learning we introduce First Look, a new series of modules designed to compliment the orientation for new Rotarians done by their club.  Clubs should be encouraged to invite new members to access the web site www.frankdevlyn.org/technology/learning and review the courses to learn more about Rotary .  This new series might also be useful to those of us who are "not so new" Rotarians as well!!

Electronic Version of ABCs of Rotary.  Few Rotary publications have been as popular as Past President Docterman's "ABCs of Rotary."  Now Online Learning features an electronic version of this outstanding source.  The book has such wide application that we offer it twice:  In First Look for new Rotariand in Special Resources for all of Rotary.

The Rotary Foundation.  Online Learning now offers a useful overview module explaining our Rotary Foundation.  This is good material for a club program, and also is useful material to help a new Rotarian know more about our Foundation.  The module uses a business-like approach to explain how the Foundation functions, and more clearly sets out how contributions come in to the Foundation, and then how money is spent in the many programs of the Foundation.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA SUNRIZE SETS FISHING TOURNAMENT FUND RAISER
From Glenn Ueda, Tournament Coordinator, Rancho Cucamonga Sunrize

The Third annual "Hooked on Rotary" Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 2001.  The trip will be aboard the 75' charter boat Toronado and will depart from Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach.  Departure time will be 9:00 pm on Monday, May 21st and the return will be on Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:00. 

The trip will be limited to the first (30) anglers.  Cost will be $110.00 per person.  The first two years of the event have been sell-outs.  The fee includes your entry (the boats jackpot is separate) into a six place jackpot!  The first three places will receive trophies.  Also included are a tackle pack/goodie bag, and raffle drawing while underway.

Sponsors for the event include: Southwest Airlines, Shimano American Corp, Penn Reels, Hobie sunglasses, Point Loma Sports Fishing, Rubios Restaurants, Claim Jumper Restaurants, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Ironman Lures, Western Outdoors Publications.

Fishing instruction will be provided throughout the trip.  Fishing tackle, rod and reel rentals are available at the landing in Long Beach for a nominal fee.  Most of the funds that are raised from this event will go to underprivileged youth to be used at the pre-Christmas Target Gift Spree.  Contact Glenn Ueda, Tournament Coordinator @ 909.987.0909x2239 or e-mail glenn@wlc-architects.com

EAST LA CLUB SPONSORS MENTAL ILLNESS SPEAKERS BUREAUFrom Dolores Diaz-Carrey, President ( East Los Angeles) 

Chances are you have a family member or know someone afflicted with one of three major biological mental illnesses - schizophrenia, bi-polar or clinical depression.  Historically these diseases have been marginalized and grossly misunderstood by the general public

Two million Americans suffer from schizophrenia.  One out of every five American families is affected by mental illness.  Treatment works - if the person gets it.  But, stigma causes too many people to hold back from seeking help when they need it.

In keeping with the International Rotary theme, "Create Awareness-Take Action," the East Los Angeles Club sees a great opportunity to bring about greater awareness and understanding of these debilitating disorders.  Under the club sponsorship, San Gabriel Valley NAMI, (National Alliance for Mental Illness) has assembled and trained a speakers contingent available to address Rotary Clubs in District 5300.  Those afflicted as well as their family members compose the speaking teams, providing both personal and historical perspectives on mental illnesses. Contact Rudy Salinas @ 213.739.5640 or Betty Harris @ 626.446.2364 to schedule speakers for your club.

NORTH LAS VEGAS MINI GRANT AWARDS CEREMONY MARCH 16TH
From District Web Page

Twenty-four Mini Grants will be awarded to eight schools in the North Las Vegas area.  These Mini Grants will total $7,200.  The grants will be awarded at a special St. Patrick's Day Party to be held on Friday, March 16th at the Fiesta Hotel and Casino, located at Rancho and Lake Mead.  The ceremony will begin at 6:00 pm.  School Principals, the teachers who will receive the Grants and their families are invited as well as any Rotarians from the Las Vegas area who would like to attend.  Please RSVP to Don Harrison: 702.458.4000, cell phone 702.283.0110 or e-mail don@harrisondoor.com.

LAS VEGAS NORTH WOMEN HAVE SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO MEXICO
From Charlotte Leas (Las Vegas North), District Web Page

In January, two North Las Vegas women represented Rotary District 5300 and the North Las Vegas Rotary club on a fact finding and goodwill trip to the Chihuahua area of northern Mexico. Their original destination was the village of Choguita, but snow in this mountainous region prevented Charlotte Leas and Annette Hardy from attaining their goal.  The North LV Rotarians met with 8 other Rotarians from District 5730 from the South Texas area.  The group assembled to establish a protocol for the Feed the Children Project sponsored by Rotary International.  Charlotte has been an active member of the Las Vegas North club since 1995, Annette is the wife of Eldon Hardy, long time member and two times President of the Las Vegas North club. 

Rotary District 5300 has sponsored a number of benefits to raise money to provide dehydrated food from Breedlove Food Processing Center in Lubbock, Texas that is intended to supplement the diet of the school children in Taharamara Indian Village of Choguita.  Other clubs from California and a Helping Grant from Rotary International will add additional money, which should bring the project to about $18,000 to $20,000.  The Breedlove Food Company is also establishing a measuring program, which will track the physical and educational development of children being given the foods.  The food supplements are mixed with water and when cooked can become either a soup or casserole, which contains all the daily nutrients that growing children need.  This project is also part of the Feed the World Project sponsored by Rotary International.

Refer to the District 5300 Web Page for pictures, and a complete dialogue on the trip.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE SENIORS CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
From District Web Page

This project is being held Wednesday, April 18th 2001 to Sunday, April 22nd at the TPC in Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada.  This is a fund raiser coordinated by the North Las Vegas Rotary Club.  Each club will get paid for their time.  This could add money to a club's treasury with very little effort.  Boy Scouts, Church groups and other community groups are also invited to participate.  Each club or service organization will be paid on an hourly basis.

Volunteers are needed for all shifts to assist with parking and directing traffic.  If you can not work a full shift, we will be glad to have you for any hours that you are available.  We guarantee a good time, plus you will be given a pass to the Senior classic.  Contact Barry Channing, Chairperson @ 702.314.2401 or email @ Barry@Intermediausa.com , or John Miliken @ 702.497.6348, e mail Credit_Plus@moondog.net.

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 Sierra Madre Rotary is teaming up with Vroman's Bookstores, to support the second annual student recognition program.  Club members and Vroman's will select students from local high schools for outstanding achievements in the classroom as well as extra curricular activities.  Recipients will be awarded a $50 gift certificate from Vroman's and will be recognized at an upcoming Club meeting.  The program aims to promote literacy, encourage young adults to continue reading and honor hardworking students.

Alhambra Rotarians Don Keenan, Olov Lindberg, Barney Velarde, Gary Yamauchi, Angela Janes, Stan Yonemoto, Luis Carlos and Dewana Carlos delivered toys to children in an Ensenada, Mexico orphanage last month.

Arcadia Rotarians helped the American Red Cross by donating 43 units of blood, three units over their goal.

Ontario Rotarians, along with other local service clubs, Interact, and the Boy Scouts, joined forces to plant some 2,000 rose bushes on Euclid Avenue, between Riverside Drive and the 10 freeway.  The roses were planted in existing rose planters that had long been bare.  The original rose planters commemorated the Armstrong Rose Company in Ontario, a long recognized nursery industry leader for their rose bushes.

The Boulder City club presented baskets of cookies, fruits, and nuts around town to men and women who were working on Christmas Eve instead of being with their families.  Deliveries were made to the local fire department, police department, and area hospitals.

For several years the Altadena Rotary has supported the Junior Achievement (JA) program in the former Soviet bloc country of Armenia.  This year, JA will be involved in the instruction of over 1,400 teachers who will learn a new civics curriculum being implemented by the Armenian Department of Education.  The club has also linked up with the Rotary Club of Nazareth, Israel to provide a Rotary Foundation matching grant to start a JA program in all eight high schools there.

Apple Valley Rotarian Matt Bullock hosted a tennis program for community children who might otherwise never be introduced to the game.

The Victorville Club donated funds to the Happy Trails Foundation (in the name of Dale Evans), the International Wheel Chair Program, and the Country of India.  In addition, eleven members responded to the plight of a local woman being treated for Leukemia by donating blood.

The combined contributions of the Rotary Clubs of the Las Vegas Valley may contribute to the survival of a tribe of Mexican Indians that have been ravaged by drought for the past five years.  Due to weather conditions, there have been virtually no crops harvested in the area and the tribe is literally on the edge of starvation.  Club members donated food and supplies to the Indians on a recent trip to Mexico.

The South El Monte Club recently made donations to the Lincoln Training Center for first aid supplies and to Wheel Chairs for the World, a charity drive started by Rotary International.

The Rotary Club of Arcadia is now a sponsor member of the L. A. County Arboretum Foundation.  In addition, the club has ordered 600 books for the Reading by Nine program.

The Monterey Park Club contributed $250 to the Wheelchairs to Mexico program.  Combined with contributions from other clubs, the program will purchase 250 wheelchairs for those in Mexico who cannot afford one.

DISTRICT 5300 ACTIVITIES DATES TO REMEMBER

UP-COMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

INTERACT SYMPOSIUM From PDG Steve Garrett (Sierra Madre). 
The second Interact Symposium May 18, 2001 will be held at the Cottontail Ranch, Calabasas, California

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

DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM SEMINAR , From Cliff Houser, Membership Chair (Altadena).    Future date:  April 21, 2001.

BOULDER CITY CLUB SPONSORS PANAMA CANAL CRUISE, From Frank Carroll (Boulder City)
The Rotary Club of Boulder City is sponsoring a 14-day cruise from Miami to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal.  The cruise will be on the Carnival ship Ecstasy, embarking Miami on May 4th and debarking in Los Angeles May 18, 2001.  Contact Frank Carroll @ 702.294.3173 for further information, and complete itinerary.

DISTRICT CALENDAR - MARCH & APRIL

MARCH 2001

APRIL 2001 - MAGAZINE 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