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<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Messages In This Digest (6 Messages) <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p><a name=toc></a><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>1. <a href="#1#1" title="#1"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>1590: US$1 million gift to fight polio eradication</span></font></a>
From: Sunil K Zachariah <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>2. <a
href="#2#2" title="#2"><font color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>1591:
Trustees refine Future Vision Plan</span></font></a> From: Sunil K Zachariah <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>3. <a
href="#3#3" title="#3"><font color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>1592:
RI Board approves new trustees</span></font></a> From: Sunil K Zachariah <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>4. <a
href="#4#4" title="#4"><font color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>1593:
November update on global financial markets</span></font></a> From: Sunil K
Zachariah <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>5. <a
href="#5#5" title="#5"><font color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>1594:
Too Many Straws</span></font></a> From: Sunil K Zachariah <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>6. <a
href="#6#6" title="#6"><font color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>1595:
Hundreds attend Rotary UN Day</span></font></a> From: Sunil K Zachariah <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Messages <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>1. <a
name=1></a><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1509;_ylc=X3oDMTJxdWh1OXJrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MDkEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"
title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1509;_ylc=X3oDMTJxdWh1OXJrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MDkEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"><b><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>1590: US$1 million
gift to fight polio eradication </span></font></b></a><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:28 am (PST) <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>US$1
million gift to fight polio eradication By Arnold R. Grahl<br>
[<a href="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/Taipei-Institute.jpg"
title="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/Taipei-Institute.jpg"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/Taipei-Institute.jpg</span></font></a>]<br>
[<a href="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/hsu1.jpg"
title="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/hsu1.jpg"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/hsu1.jpg</span></font></a>]<br>
>From left: RI Director Jackson Hsieh; Past RI Vice President Gary Huang;<br>
Trustee Chair Jonathan Majiyagbe; President D.K. Lee; Shui-Sen and<br>
Pei-Tsen Hsu, with son Hung Ming Hsu; District Governor Chang-Hsien L.<br>
Hsu; and RRCC Jason S.C. Hsu. Below: Shui-Sen and Pei-Tsen Hsu. Photo<br>
courtesy of 2008 Rotary Institute<br>
A 92-year-old Taiwanese Rotarian with more than 40 years service to his<br>
club has been honored for his family's donation of more than $1<br>
million to further Rotary's polio eradication efforts.<br>
<br>
Shui-Sen Hsu, a member of the Rotary Club of Taipei Northwest, and his<br>
wife, Pei-Tsen, were recognized for their contribution, made by the Hsu<br>
Family Foundation, during the 2008 Rotary Institute for RI Zones 4B, 6B,<br>
and 7B in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Taipei</st1:place></st1:City>
on 18 October.<br>
<br>
RI President Dong Kurn Lee and Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Jonathan<br>
B. Majiyagbe presented Hsu and his wife with a crystal piece in<br>
recognition of their contribution in support of Rotary's US$100<br>
Million Challenge during the institute, held 17-19 October and attended<br>
by more than 1,100 Rotarians from 16 Rotary countries and geographical<br>
areas in <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place>.<br>
<br>
"Rotary is indeed fortunate to have the Hsu family among its strongest<br>
supporters," Lee said after the ceremony. "Mr. Hsu's long service to<br>
Rotary exemplifies Service Above Self. Their generous contribution<br>
toward Rotary's ongoing efforts to eradicate polio is helping to Make<br>
Dreams Real ."<br>
<br>
Hsu has been a member of Taipei Northwest for 43 years, serving as<br>
president in 1974-75. His son, Hung Ming, served as president of the<br>
Rotary Club of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Taipei</st1:place></st1:City>
Yenping in 1982-83.<br>
<br>
Hsu's daughter Jane Hsiao, a pharmaceutical executive in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Miami</st1:place></st1:City> and<br>
president of the Hsu Family Foundation, says that as far back as she can<br>
remember, her father has been involved in Rotary.<br>
<br>
"Every time he comes to visit me in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, he is always<br>
asking for a place to do a make-up meeting," Hsiao says. "He never<br>
misses an available meeting."<br>
<br>
Hsiao, who launched the Hsu Family Foundation two years ago to support<br>
advancement in the field of medicine, said the contribution came about<br>
after discussions she had with District 3480 Governor Chang-Hsien L. Hsu<br>
(no relation), a former classmate of hers. The polio donation seemed a<br>
good way to honor her father, Hsaio says.<br>
<br>
Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>2. <a
name=2></a><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1510;_ylc=X3oDMTJxczNpbWZsBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTAEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"
title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1510;_ylc=X3oDMTJxczNpbWZsBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTAEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"><b><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>1591: Trustees
refine Future Vision Plan </span></font></b></a><b><span style='font-weight:
bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'> Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:31 am (PST) <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Trustees
refine Future Vision Plan By Janis Young<br>
[<a href="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/hurricane4.jpg"
title="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/hurricane4.jpg"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/hurricane4.jpg</span></font></a>]<br>
Rotary Foundation District Grants will retain much of the flexibility of<br>
the current District Simplified Grants Program. Photo courtesy of Rotary<br>
District 7020<br>
At their October meeting, The Rotary Foundation Trustees took<br>
significant steps to refine the Future Vision Plan<br>
<<a
href="http://www.rotary.org/en/aboutus/therotaryfoundation/FutureVision/Pages/ridefault.aspx"
title="http://www.rotary.org/en/aboutus/therotaryfoundation/FutureVision/Pages/ridefault.aspx"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotary.org/en/aboutus/therotaryfoundation/FutureVision/Pages\<br>
/ridefault.aspx</span></font></a>> before the pilot application period
begins in January.<br>
Reflecting the plan's goal of simplification and flexibility, their<br>
decisions establish specific policies that fill in the broad outline of<br>
the plan.<br>
<br>
In the area of Rotary Foundation Global Grants, the Trustees set initial<br>
policies designed to help clubs and districts work within the six areas<br>
of focus. For example, the Trustees agreed that there will be no age<br>
requirements for vocational training team members and that teams may be<br>
made up of three or more members, with no maximum. In addition,<br>
qualified past and current district governors and governors-elect may<br>
serve as team leaders.<br>
<br>
Policies for selecting global grant scholars will also be flexible.<br>
Scholarships can be awarded for one to four years of graduate-level<br>
study. Applicants must demonstrate either unconditional or conditional<br>
acceptance to their chosen university. The Rotary Foundation will vet<br>
each scholarship proposal before a formal application is submitted to<br>
determine whether it fits within an area of focus. This process, which<br>
will be used for all club- and district-developed global grant<br>
applications, is designed to increase the acceptance rate of grant<br>
applications.<br>
<br>
To further simplify the grant-making process, the Foundation will accept<br>
all club- and district-developed global grant applications throughout<br>
the year. Under this system, for example, a scholarship application<br>
showing proof of admission could be submitted months, not years, before<br>
the term of study begins. The Foundation will assess each application<br>
based on its support of the areas of focus. Additional assessments may<br>
be required depending on the award amount or complexity of the project.<br>
Only club- and district-developed global grants over US$100,000 will<br>
require approval by the Trustees.<br>
<br>
Rotary Foundation District Grants will retain much of the flexibility of<br>
the current District Simplified Grants Program. Districts may receive<br>
one district grant per Rotary year. Districts will be encouraged to<br>
submit applications during the planning year for immediate payment at<br>
the start of the program year; however, applications may be submitted<br>
during either year. Within 12 months of receiving the grant, districts<br>
must submit a final report to the Foundation listing the distribution of<br>
the funds. As part of the qualification process, districts must also<br>
report the use of all district grant funds to their clubs.<br>
<br>
The application period for the pilot will begin immediately after the<br>
2009 International Assembly in January and continue through 15 May.<br>
Selected districts will be notified and announced to the Rotary world in<br>
June<br>
<br>
Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary<br>
<br>
3. <a name=3></a><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1511;_ylc=X3oDMTJxNDEycGx2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTEEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"
title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1511;_ylc=X3oDMTJxNDEycGx2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTEEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"><b><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>1592: RI Board
approves new trustees </span></font></b></a><b><span style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:35 am (PST) <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>RI
Board approves new trustees<br>
<br>
At its November meeting the RI Board approved President-elect John<br>
Kenny's selection of four distinguished Rotarians to serve as Rotary<br>
Foundation Trustees to begin serving 1 July 2009. They are:<br>
<br>
* Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Rotary Club of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Trenton</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place>
*<br>
Ashok Mahajan, Rotary Club of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Mulund</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> * Lynn
Hammond, Rotary<br>
Club of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Loveland</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Colorado</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place>
* Gustavo Gross, Rotary Club of El<br>
Rímac, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lima</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Peru</st1:country-region></st1:place> (Note: Gross will serve the
remainder of Trustee<br>
K.R. Ravindran's term, 2009-10)<br>
<br>
Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary<br>
<br>
4. <a name=4></a><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1512;_ylc=X3oDMTJxYTBlZG45BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTIEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"
title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1512;_ylc=X3oDMTJxYTBlZG45BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTIEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"><b><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>1593: November
update on global financial markets </span></font></b></a><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:37 am (PST) <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>November
update on global financial markets<br>
Dear Rotarians,<br>
The crisis in global financial markets continues and the value of<br>
Rotary's investments has declined in line with the markets. The<br>
performance of our funds for the first fiscal quarter ended 30 September<br>
was as follows:<br>
<br>
Rotary International<br>
<br>
* General Fund: -9.4%<br>
<br>
The Rotary Foundation<br>
<br>
* Annual Programs Fund: -9.6% * Permanent Fund: -10.1% *<br>
PolioPlus funds: 0.9%<br>
<br>
Most of the losses to date are due to declines in the market prices of<br>
the securities held (often referred to as unrealized losses*) and would<br>
only be realized if the securities are sold. To date, this has not been<br>
necessary. Given the global economic recession, it may be some time<br>
before we can fully recover these losses. All money for the eradication<br>
of polio is invested in U.S. Treasury securities and generates positive<br>
returns.<br>
<br>
Rotary's cash flows continue to be strong and have been sufficient<br>
to pay for all operating and program expenses without having to sell<br>
investment securities at a loss. Both the Rotary Foundation Trustees and<br>
the RI Board of Directors made decisions at their recent board meetings<br>
consistent with this year's budgets and plans. Additionally, they<br>
are monitoring the financial reserves closely and took the following<br>
actions:<br>
<br>
At their October meeting, the Trustees restored the Foundation's<br>
operating reserve to its minimum required level and requested staff to<br>
prepare a contingency plan that includes options for reducing<br>
expenditures, if necessary.<br>
<br>
At its November meeting, the RI Board restored the investment earnings<br>
reserve to its maximum level. This reserve covers operating expenses<br>
during periods when investment earnings drop below budget. Additionally,<br>
the RI Finance Committee identified several cost-cutting measures for<br>
consideration when preparing the budget for fiscal 2009-10.<br>
<br>
As noted in my communication of 29 September, Rotary's senior<br>
leaders, the Financial Services staff, Rotary's investment<br>
consultant, and I continue to closely monitor the financial markets. We<br>
are taking all possible steps to ensure that Rotary remains financially<br>
strong in this difficult economic environment.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Ed Futa<br>
General Secretary, Rotary International<br>
<br>
For more information on unrealized gains and losses<br>
<<a
href="http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/Financials/FAQ/Pages/ridefault.aspx"
title="http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/Financials/FAQ/Pages/ridefault.aspx"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/Financials/FAQ/Pages/ridefault.aspx</span></font></a>><br>
<br>
Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary<br>
<br>
5. <a name=5></a><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1513;_ylc=X3oDMTJxMWd0OTFxBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTMEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"
title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1513;_ylc=X3oDMTJxMWd0OTFxBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTMEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"><b><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>1594: Too Many
Straws </span></font></b></a><b><span style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:16 pm (PST) <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><br>
Too Many Straws<br>
<br>
The Initial Check Dams<br>
<br>
We all know that if you invite your friends to join you in your favorite<br>
beverage and you give each of them a straw, the more that join you, the<br>
quicker your favorite beverage is gone. The same thing is true with<br>
bore holes and dug wells in an aquifer. While an aquifer has a recharge<br>
capability, when the draw rate exceeds the recharge rate, the result is<br>
to draw down the aquifer. As the aquifer recedes, wells go dry, plant<br>
life changes, and crops dwindle. If the draw down is sustained for a<br>
long enough period, the area becomes a desert.<br>
<br>
This week, October 21, 2008, I had the privilege to visit the check dam<br>
projects of the Rotary India Water Trust in the central Rajasthan region<br>
of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Here the Trust, in partnership with Rotary Clubs and other<br>
donors, is building check dams on water courses designated by local<br>
officials. As you drive through the region, you see India Mark II pumps<br>
on well after well. Some look well used. Some look abandoned and<br>
dusty. This was the dry season so the plant life looked dry and tired. <br>
The animals looked great in some areas and not well nourished in other<br>
areas.<br>
<br>
The first check dam we visited was the first dam the Trust had built. <br>
It is in a water course where a series of three dams had been<br>
constructed. Before the check dams, the crops of the region had<br>
dwindled from two per year to one per year and the yield had diminished.<br>
After the dams' second year of operation, the depth of the water in<br>
wells ceased retreating and the water level had risen. Crops had<br>
increased to three plantings per year, each with an increase in yield of<br>
double the previous single crop. The net result is a six times increase<br>
in yield in the area. The pictures below shows the current status of<br>
this initial effort.<br>
<br>
The Lee Dam Inauguration<br>
<br>
The inauguration of the dam had been carefully planned. The Trust and<br>
villagers had hung welcome signs at the entrance to the region and at<br>
the village.<br>
<br>
The second site we visited was the newest of the Trust dams. On October<br>
21, 2008, we had the honor of inaugurating the Lee Dam. RI President<br>
D.K. Lee had laid the cornerstone of this dam in 2007 when he visited<br>
the site. A year later the dam is complete and has gone through its<br>
first rainy season. The importance of the first rainy season is that<br>
the maximum aquifer recharge is achieved then (when the aquifer is at<br>
its maximum depletion).<br>
<br>
The inauguration ceremonies started with a greeting by the village<br>
elders which included marking our foreheads and anointing the men with<br>
colorful turbans and the ladies with scarves. The project staff from<br>
the village introduced each of the guests and village elders. The<br>
village elders made speeches then Past RI Director Sushil Gupta was<br>
given the floor followed by myself. When all the initial formal<br>
presentations were made, we hiked the one half mile up the water course<br>
to the dam site.<br>
<br>
The inauguration of the dam was an unveiling of the permanent plague on<br>
the cornerstone that President Lee had set a year earlier. The pictures<br>
below show that unveiling and dam site.<br>
<br>
The first monsoon season had passed and the dam had filled. Note the<br>
current water level. The Trust staff told us this was a normal response<br>
to the first filling. The recharge of the aquifer rate is highest after<br>
the first filling of the dam. Subsequent seasons produce a slower draw<br>
down of the stored water. However, the stream bed which had previously<br>
been absolutely dry had running water and pools in it (photo to the<br>
right above).<br>
<br>
Total management of the aquifer appears to be the only way to achieve<br>
long term results. Sustainable water supplies are what we owe the<br>
people we serve. There is a story about an African Chief who asked for<br>
a bore hole so his villagers could have safe water. When the drilling<br>
rig came to the village, they asked him where they should put the bore<br>
hold. They first proposed placing it near his hut. He said no. They<br>
then offered the school. Again he said no. They went through a couple<br>
more logical options to which he also said no. They then asked where<br>
they should put it. He showed them and commented that he already had<br>
bore holes in each of the other places and they didn't work.<br>
<br>
Just drilling a bore hole or digging a well serves as the beginning of a<br>
relationship and obligation not the end of it. Our Rotarians should<br>
feel obligated to make sure that the water source continues to deliver<br>
safe water for at least five years. The obligation probably means<br>
getting involved in the management of the areas water sources and their<br>
utilization by the residents. By doing so, we decrease the rate of<br>
child mortality and Make Dreams Real.<br>
<br>
PDG Charles E. Clemmons<br>
<br>
General Coordinator 2008-09<br>
<br>
Water Resource Group<br>
<br>
Rotary International<br>
<br>
Source: PRID Sushil Gupta / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary<br>
<br>
6. <a name=6></a><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1514;_ylc=X3oDMTJxMzhhZ2NtBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTQEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"
title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1514;_ylc=X3oDMTJxMzhhZ2NtBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1MTQEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNzA4MzY4MA--"><b><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>1595: Hundreds
attend Rotary UN Day </span></font></b></a><b><span style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:21 pm (PST) <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Hundreds
attend Rotary UN Day By Jennifer Lee Atkin<br>
[<a href="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/UN_day2.jpg"
title="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/UN_day2.jpg"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/UN_day2.jpg</span></font></a>]
<br>
[<a href="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/UN_day.jpg"
title="http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/UN_day.jpg"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/UN_day.jpg</span></font></a>]<br>
Jenkins and Salil Shetty, director of the UN's Millennium Campaign, (at<br>
top) welcome participants to Rotary UN Day. Bottom; RI President Dong<br>
Kurn Lee meets Jonathan Olunga of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Uganda</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the 10,000th Gift of Life<br>
patient. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson<br>
More than 900 people, including Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors<br>
from more than 44 countries, attended Rotary International Day at the<br>
United Nations in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:City>
on 8 November.<br>
<br>
The day featured panel discussions on water, literacy, health, and<br>
hunger. Speakers came from within Rotary, the UN, and other partner<br>
nongovernmental organizations, illustrating how organizations can work<br>
together to tackle these challenging issues.<br>
<br>
Speaking on one of the panels, Martin Silink, president of the<br>
International Diabetes Federation <<a href="http://www.idf.org/"
title="http://www.idf.org/"><font color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.idf.org/</span></font></a>>
(IDF), said that<br>
half of the 440,000 children with diabetes worldwide lack access to the<br>
insulin they need to live.<br>
<br>
Silink encouraged Rotarians to undertake diabetes projects and noted<br>
that the UN passed a resolution in 2006 creating World Diabetes Day<br>
<<a href="http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/"
title="http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/</span></font></a>>
, observed on 14 November.<br>
<br>
C. Wayne Edwards, a past district governor and member of the Rotary Club<br>
of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Tallahassee</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Florida</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
described how he was inspired by his<br>
diabetic wife to raise money for diabetes causes during his year as<br>
governor. The result was a $106,000 project that, with help from IDF,<br>
provided a diabetes camp for children and established seven clinics in<br>
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bolivia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<br>
<br>
Other highlights of the day included an address by Grace Agwaru of<br>
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Uganda</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
who in 1975 was the first heart surgery patient treated under<br>
the Gift of Life <<a href="http://www.giftoflifeinternational.org/"
title="http://www.giftoflifeinternational.org/"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://www.giftoflifeinternational.org/</span></font></a>>
program, a<br>
Rotarian-supported initiative.<br>
<br>
"By saving my life, you have enabled me to reach out to so many<br>
people in other communities and help them," said Agwaru, who works<br>
for the Teso Foundation for Sustainable Development<br>
<<a href="http://www.teferd.humanitus.org/"
title="http://www.teferd.humanitus.org/"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://www.teferd.humanitus.org/</span></font></a>>
. Agwaru also introduced the 10,000th<br>
Gift of Life patient, 11-year-old Jonathan Olunga of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Uganda</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<br>
<br>
Some of the loudest applause of the day went to Anand Balachandran,<br>
interagency coordinator of the World Health Organization, who cited the<br>
effectiveness of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative<br>
<<a href="http://www.polioeradication.org/"
title="http://www.polioeradication.org/"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://www.polioeradication.org/</span></font></a>>
by contrasting today's four<br>
remaining polio-endemic countries with the more than 125 that existed<br>
when the initiative was launched in 1988.<br>
<br>
"This work could not have happened without Rotary," Balachandran<br>
said.<br>
Projects in the spotlight<br>
Other Rotary service projects spotlighted during the day included<br>
Adopt-a-Village <<a href="http://www.toadoptavillage.org/"
title="http://www.toadoptavillage.org/"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://www.toadoptavillage.org/</span></font></a>>
, which addresses<br>
health, hunger, and education needs in impoverished communities in<br>
<st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>; Reach Out and Read <<a
href="http://www.reachoutandread.org/" title="http://www.reachoutandread.org/"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>http://www.reachoutandread.org/</span></font></a>>
, which<br>
makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric care; Rotary Books<br>
for the World <<a href="http://www.rotarybooksfortheworld.org/"
title="http://www.rotarybooksfortheworld.org/"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://www.rotarybooksfortheworld.org/</span></font></a>>
, which collects<br>
and sends books to impoverished communities in southern <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>;
and The<br>
Seed Program <<a href="http://www.seedquest.org/spi/default.htm"
title="http://www.seedquest.org/spi/default.htm"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://www.seedquest.org/spi/default.htm</span></font></a>>
, which sends<br>
vegetable seeds to people in the developing world and teaches them to<br>
grow their own food.<br>
<br>
First-time Rotary-UN Day attendees Thomas and Rosenia Devine of Emmaus,<br>
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:place></st1:State>,
said the day's program had given them many ideas to<br>
take back to their club.<br>
<br>
"Our club wants to do more international projects, so I was very<br>
interested in learning more," said Rosenia, president of the Rotary<br>
Club of Emmaus.<br>
<br>
Peter Marshall, a member of the Rotary Club of Mineola-Garden City, New<br>
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:City>, said he
has attended the event for the past 12 years but this<br>
year's program "was even better than I expected."<br>
<br>
"Every year, I come with an empty briefcase and leave with one<br>
that's full of great ideas," <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Marshall</st1:place></st1:City>
added, showing a portfolio<br>
stuffed with notes and brochures.<br>
<br>
A youth program aimed at high school-age students ran concurrently<br>
during the morning session.<br>
<br>
Summing up the significance of the day, RI President-elect John Kenny<br>
said: "If we look sensibly at the problems and work together toward<br>
the solutions, our world will be better than it was before. All of us<br>
are here today because we want to be the ones to work toward the<br>
solutions."<br>
<br>
H. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bradley Jenkins</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">RI</st1:State></st1:place>'s representative to the United Nations in
New<br>
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:City>, was lead
organizer of the event, along with alternate RI<br>
representatives Sylvan M. Barnet Jr., Robert A. Coultas, William A.<br>
Miller, and Helen B. Reisler.<br>
<br>
Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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