Rotary District 5440 has two Friendship Exchange opportunities available.  A Friendship Exchange is an international exchange program for Rotarians and their families that provides participants with the opportunity to experience other cultures by staying in the homes of Rotarians in other countries.

Friendship Exchange Goals:

•        Advance international understanding and peace through personal contact across borders.

•        Meet Rotarians from other countries and learn about their culture firsthand

•        Arrange international service projects directly with Rotarians in another country

•        Develop long-lasting club relationships

The first opportunity is to visit India, District 3250, between February 1-16, 2013.  To view a short promotional video on the exchange click here.  Outbound participants should budget $3,000 for this trip.  Allow enough time for visas and inoculations.  If interested in you need to contact Raju Jairam by November 30, 2012.  The incoming group from India will visit District 5440 May 10 to June 1, 2013. 

The second opportunity is to visit the United Kingdom, District 1010, between June 1-16, 2013.  Outbound participants should budget $2,000 for this trip.  If interested contact Raju Jairam.  The tentative dates for the incoming group from Scotland to visit District 5440 is September 21 to October 6, 2013.

For more information on either exchanges, click the title of this story to be directed to another page where you will find downloadable flyers.

     This month's Rotary International focus is World Understanding.  As I write this column here in Honolulu, Hawaii, surrounded by Interact and Rotaract students and their Rotarian sponsors and supporters from around the world, the meaning of President Tanaka's theme of Peace Through Service and it's impact on our world has come alive.
     President Tanaka chose three venues for his signature Peace Forums -- Berlin, Honolulu and Hiroshima.  Why there?  In his visit to our district last month he said these cities and their residents suffered greatly during the Second World War.  As a Japanese citizen born in 1939 and raised during the war-torn years in his native land, peace has been a driving force during his entire life.
     Nearly 1,900 people have joined President Tanaka here this week to gain a true understanding of peace and conflict resolution.  In his closing remarks Tanaka become quite emotional as he spoke of his years as a child in war-torn Japan.  After he told the audience, "I wonder what my parents would say if they were alive and here today to see this conference." He stopped to compose himself for a time before continuing.
     Young people who are part of Rotary's New Generations made up at least a third of the participants.  I've spent time with young Interact club member Trevor Knudsen from Pittman High School in Tuloc, California who is organizing others in his club to create their own peace forums.
     Casper Rotaract leader Debbie Mueller is attending her second peace forum to help her prepare an annual  community peace event in March.  Mueller won the district's peace forum scholarship last fall that enabled her to travel to the first forum in Berlin. She told me she is here in Honolulu on her own to learn more so that she can make a difference for the students she teaches and Rotarians in our district.
     Two young Interact girls from Illinois spoke eloquently about their dream to participate in the Rotary Peace Scholarship program because of their exposure to the world of Rotary.  Dozens of former Rotary Peace Scholars are here this week to share their experiences.  They are telling us what they have done since graduating to apply the knowledge they have gained to communities and nations around the world.  They are among more than 700 who have studied under the Rotary Peace Scholarship program since 2002.
     There could be no more powerful message about peace and conflict resolution then the words we heard from keynote speaker Daw Aung San Suu Kyl.  Following her election by popular vote as Burma's leader in 1988 she was placed under house arrest until 1995, and again from 2003 until 2010. Today she serves as a member of Burma's Parliament and has been recognized for her peace efforts with more than 120 international awards including the United States Congressional gold medal and the Nobel Peace Prize. She was surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents during her visit, which marked only the second time she has traveled to the United States since her release.
     Hearing so many powerful voices for peace and working side by side with fellow Rotarians from countries around the world is incredibly moving. 
     The experience here is one more example that we can all share in being Rotary Proud!

Mike Forney
District Governor

 The Purpose:

To ignite every ROTARIAN by involving them in one or more of the following activities.

 Rationale:

Everyone has something to contribute toward the success of their Club; therefore,

every person has the power to make a difference.

 How to Become a Premier Club and Receive Premier Recognition

Multiply the number of Club members by 10 (for example, 50 members x 10 = 500 points.)  This will be the Club minimum number of points needed to become a Premier Club.

How to Obtain Points? Click here for more information

 Club Recognition:

District Award to best Club on percentage basis will be presented at the District Conference or other appropriate time.

Every Premier Club will receive the ignite emblem shown above to sew onto their banner.

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