The first training for club champions of those clubs participating in the Rotary Family Health Days to take effect from 09 to 11 May 2013 will happen this coming weekend on 16 February 2013. The venue is the Krugersdorp Rotary Club house at the Golden Age Village Hall, Heading Street, Krugersdorp. Invitations have been sent to all participating clubs to register their club champions to attend this event. Registration start at 8h30 and training will happen from 9h00 to 11h30.

Club champions are requested to bring their memory stick in order to receive documentation and plans for the successful execution of the screening on selected sites.

To date, 67 sites fitting the DoH requirements have been qualified. D9400 is running short of only three sites to make the 70 sites expected from district. The RFHD Steering Committee is thankful to all the clubs in district that are participating in this multi-partneship event that is geared to take the country by storm. The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation are the main sponsors and other partners are Rotarians for Family Health and Aids prevention (RFFA); USAID; Centres for Disease Control & Prevention CDC); the national Department of Health (DoH) and all the Rotary clubs affiliated to district in South Africa.

A Club Runner training session took place in Polokwane on 26 January 2013 for region 6 clubs under PDG Ian McGlashan as DGPR. Region 6 clubs comprise Haenersburg; Giyani; Letaba; Louis Trichardt; Phalaborwa; Polokwane; Pieterburg 100; Potgietersrus and Tzaneen. All clubs in the region except Louis Trichardt and Giyani are now integrated with Rotary International. We are grateful to AG Grant Daly who not only pulled this training together but also provided the venue at his Hillary Training Centre premises.

The importance of integrating individual clubs with RI is to consolidate and sharing of the same information regarding membership existing on the different portal systems used by clubs, districts and RI. The other benefit is that clubs only need to update one system at their disposal and all information is seamlessly transferred to other systems. The District e-Directory is also automatically updated when members update their own profiles. The secretary roles are reduced to focusing on good club administration instead of member details and changes. Essentially, Club Runner improves efficiencies of running clubs and can be utilized by all club members.

Year to date, 51 clubs in D9400 have been integrated with RI. The challenge we have now is to integrate the remaining 36 clubs before POETS invitations are sent out to 2013/14 incoming club officials. The District utilizes Club Runner to communicate with clubs and if we have to achieve the objective of reducing information clutter, then we have to ensure that we have accurate club official related information in our databases. We appeal to those clubs that have not yet taken the opportunity to use Club Runner to contact Administration for intergrating clubs or for necesary training. 

RIP 13/14 Ron Burton unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2013 International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, the annual training event for incoming district governors.

“If we really want to take Rotary service forward, then we must make sure that every single Rotarian has the same feeling about Rotary that each one of us here has today,” Burton said. “We need to make sure that every Rotarian has a meaningful role to play, that they’re all making a contribution, and that their contribution is valued.”

Burton said the July launch of The Rotary Foundation’s new grant model, Future Vision, makes it an exciting time to be a Rotarian. He said the new grant model, which has been used by about 100 pilot districts since 2010, represents a new era for the Foundation, and will help Rotarians get excited about Rotary’s ability to change lives.

Join Y-FM's Faith Mangope as she engages with the youth during a one of a kind D9400 New Generations Seminar. The theme of the morning is "The Ripple Effect", outlining the consequences of an individual's decision to make a difference. The seminar is set to inspire South Africa’s young people to take an active role in the betterment of their communities.

Mr Shaka Sisulu, a businessman and the founder of one of the country’s largest social development programs, “Cheese Kids” has accepted to the keynote speaker of the morning. He will also bedisplaying his book, "Becoming" that sells for R85.00 a copy.

Rotarians are requested toencourage Interacts, Rotaracts, Youth Exchange Alumni and potential youth ready to make a difference to attend.RSVP to Faith at [email protected] before 25 January 2013 for a day of vibrancy, vigour and youthfulness.

PDG Tini Eksteen is no more. He met up with his death as the year 2012 came to a screeching halt. The Rotary family and specifically D9400 is poorer this morning and deeply mourning his death. Messages of condolensces have been pouring in ever since the news were broken. 

Tini was District Governor in 1998/1999 in District 9250 and the theme of his year was “Follow your Rotary Dream”. Tini did so much for Rotary, was a founder member of the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100 and looked after Group Study Exchange program in particular for many years.

The Rotary Family of District 9400 and Rotary International in general sends it heartfelt condolences to Vida and the family on the passing on of Tini. He was a community leader, a reputable business person, a Friend of Rotary, a father and the son of the soil. His contribution to the development of our community will be sorely missed.

May the strength and comfort of the Lord be with his family during this trying time. May his soul rest in peace!

The funeral will be held on Monday 07 January 2013 at NG Oos Kerk , Cnr Betz & Natorp Street, Polokoane/Pietersburg. Proceedings will start at 12pm.

Messages of condolences are available here...

Rotary Clubs in D9400 and the public are invited to submit nominations for an award to “The One” before 31 January 2013. The One is an International Humanitarian Award and a project by District 3450, Hong Kong, Macao & Mongolia, sponsored by Richard Elman to a Non-Rotarian identified by Rotarians all over the world. The One premise is that every beginning starts with ONE and seeks to find that special hero who amongst others:

• wakes up every morning and puts others before himself/herself;

• dedicates his/her whole life to helping others in need;

• Embodies the Rotary Motto...SERVICE ABOVE SELF

The winner will be awarded a Trophy and US$100,000 to be utilised in respect of the related project of “The ONE”. The next two finalists will each receive US$5,000 and the Rotary Club who nominated “The ONE” will also receive US$5,000. IPDG Anton Meerkotter has been appointed to represent District 9400 and to promote and advocate the nomination of candidates for the identification of the 2013 “The ONE” awardee.

The nominee will have to share his/her experiences with the world in their own words and do a 1 000 word essay describing his/her achievements. Additional assessment materials such as pictures and videos are also vital. No incomplete nominations or nominations received after 31 January 2013 will be considered for the award of “The One”.

“The ONE” will be announced at a function in Hong Kong in June 2013. To enter, please view: www.theonerotary3450.org and feel free to download some Marketing and PR materials for “The ONE” from the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gii3mtb93dv12tg/bipHvCTcW88

As a year end holiday gift, United Airlines is again offering a donation of 10 million miles to benefit charity miles partners. Rotary has been United's partner for many years through the "Rotary Miles" program, which has provided free airfare for hundreds of children and adults in need of lifesaving surgery and other worthy causes.

From 6 December to 25 December, you can vote once each day for Rotary on each of your devices such as laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. Charities receive a portion of the miles based on the percentage of the overall vote they receive. So forward the link http://10millioncharitymiles.com/ to everyone you know. Last year, we took second in the contest, receiving 2.5 million charity miles.

Your vote could help Rotary come in first this year in the 10 Million Charity Miles Giveaway! So  vote now and everyday till 25^th December

RFFA has expanded its ROTARY FAMILY HEALTH DAY in 2013 to the country of South Africa (in addition to Uganda and Nigeria/Lagos). And, an unprecedented commitment was made by the South Africa Government’s Department of Health to pay for all the staff and free medical services provided at this event in May of 2013. They even supported this commitment by signing a Letter of Intent to RFFA.

The uniqueness of the Rotary Family Health Day model is the interdependency of each partner organization upon the other to make it happen. We each do our part, as follows:

Ashok Mahajan, RI Membership Committee Chair writes for us!!!

There is a valid concern in Rotary about membership development. Despite all our efforts, we are not only stagnating but even falling in Membership strength. There may be many reasons for this — and each one of us has more than one reason to project but there is one reason that must be highlighted and addressed.

When we add new members in an existing club, we bring the new member with fanfare and enthusiasm. However, we fail to retain those members and soon many of them leave Rotary. The plan for retaining members is almost non- existent in most clubs. When a new member joins Rotary, he (or she) feels proud, privileged, happy and important. Soon the scenario changes. Neither the club leadership nor the proposer pays any special attention to the new member. There is disappointment, disillusion and even distress. The outcome is obvious — membership loss.

The Three Rivers Rotary Club had a unique way of celebrating the World Polio Day on 24 October 2012. The day started early when some members visited local schools to make presentations on awareness and the rationale about the the need to eradicate Polio once and for all...Then it was off to conducting presentations at local  and district municipalities.

Past President Mgezi was the guest of honour during the seating of the Sedibeng District Municipality Mayoral Committee meeting and was given 5 minutes to explain the importance of the day to the mayoral committee members. A symbolic gesture of support by district council was provided by way of showing the Polio campaigns "This Close" sign.

The Rotary Lecture on Polio Eradication...

Join us on World Polio Day, 24 October, and make your voice heard.  Rotary created a page on the social media service Thunderclap, which enables supporters to sign up to share a single message through their social media accounts. The message will go out at a designated date and time to amplify the voice of our cause.  

If we reach our goal of having 100 people add their account, our polio eradication message will be shared simultaneously across all supporting accounts on World Polio Day to raise awareness of the fight to end this crippling disease. 
Visit our page on Thunderclap to add your voice. For more information about polio, visit www.endpolio.org.  

Steve Hamilton will be coming to Johannesburg in the second week of October (and maybe extended to the third week) to do his presentation for schools and drug rehabilitation centres in Gauteng. He was recognized as one of the best speakers at the 2012 Discon in KZN. Some of you were not able to attend Discon 2012 but now you will have the opportunity to hear his address!

Share your passion for Rotary with your family, friends, and community during Membership and Extension Month in August. This year you’re invited to take part in two activities designed to help you remember why you joined Rotary, what keeps you coming back, and why others should join.

The ShelterBox Project in District 9400 was launched with a vengeance at Discon 2012 including a full display and opportunity to present the projects aims and objectives in the District to the delegates. It attracted a lot of interest with a number of Rotarians from all corners of the District expressing their desire to become involved. So we now have a team of 22 Rotarians and there is always room for more, especially from clubs in the North West and Limpopo Provinces of South Africa as we only have one ShelterBox Rotarian in each at the moment. If you would like to volunteer, or have but you have not received any ShelterBox emails to date, please let me know as I may have missed your details from Discon.

DISCON 2012 @ CHAMPAGNE SPORTS RESORT

On behalf of DG Anton and DGA, Annetjie the Discon Committee and everyone else involved in organizing the conference, we thank you for attending.

 IT WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!

DGE Martin’s Assembly was attended by Rotarians interested in D9400’s and Rotary International’s future plans; meeting future District leaders and establishing the budgets (past and future).  

Champaign Sports, here we come!

More than 300 Rotarians and friends of Rotary have registered for the 2012 D9400 District Conference at Champaign Sports in Drakensberg, Kwa-Zulu Natal starting on 7-10 June 2012. Champagne Sports Resort is a very unique Drakensberg Resort, with a convenient location, country club atmosphere, luxury accommodation and friendly staff.

The Fiscal Agent advises as follows

The bad news is that the Rotary exchange rate for June 2012 is 8.30 to the US Dollar.

The good news  that you can still use the Exchange rate of  7.70  until the end of May

Dear Rotarians:

I am pleased to announce the new Telling Your Story resource kit for attracting and retaining Rotary club members and communicating the value of being a Rotarian.

Membership is our responsibility, to ensure the longevity and success of our organization. We need every member in every Rotary club around the world to understand the value of being a Rotarian and referring prospective members.

The Power of Rotary Moments

 

Sakuji Tanaka: The Power of Rotary Moments 1 month 4 days ago

Click the image above for a special video message from me, and find out how to create your personal Rotary Moment. As Rotarians we have a tendency to be humble and keep our achievements to ourselves. But now is the time that we must share them with those around us and with the world.

To support you in your efforts, I am sharing the Telling Your Story resource kit. I believe this kit will provide you and your Rotary club with the materials necessary to make membership a priority.

Yours in Rotary,

The district grant application form and the Memorandum of Understanding is available as downloadable documents on ClubRunner. The latter document must be signed by the Club President and the President Elect. The application form is a reminder to the Club Foundation team to apply for district grant funding for the 2012/2013 Rotary year. Please note the deadline for this application is 14 May 2012.

Copies of the signed MOU and the district grant application form must be sent by email to myself and PDG Chris. Please don’t wait for the deadline date to submit your district grant applications. Late applications will not be considered.

 Yours in Rotary service,

 PDG Greg Stathacopoulos

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

DISTRICT 9400

2nd Annual Conference

7 June – 10 June 2012

Champagne Sports Resort

Dear Fellow Rotarian and Spouse/Partner

Annetjie and I thank those of you who have booked for Discon already. We are pleased to announce that just over 50% of the clubs in D9400 have registered. A few challenges have been put out there for clubs to have the most attendees and groups of over 15 have already booked! This is excellent news. So, the challenge is for your club to do likewise.

..."This is a wow honestly. We are surely progressing and that is the kind of organisation I want to belong to. I am introducing this in my club and will encourage every one to use it. Please keep me informed. I love this club runner and well done and thank you for your hard work. You are free to send this email to everybody to whom you feel to send it to"...Neville Solomon - RC of Roodepoort...