Why Attend the District Conference?

[Pages:25]Rotary District 5180 Newsletter

Issue 10, April 2013

Documenting the Vision & Accomplishments of Rotarians in the Sacramento, California Area from Walnut Grove to Oroville

Why Attend the District Conference?

This year's "Camp Rotary" District Conference is just around the corner and the committee is in

the final planning stages to put on a great family-friendly event.

In visiting clubs around the District I have been asked by Rotarians, both young and old, why they should go to the conference.

This made me realize two things: New members have no idea what a District Conference is; and "seasoned" members who "have been there, done that" do not realize that Rotary is ever-changing.

Rotary is bigger Rotary, to most of our members, is understood within the confines of their weekly meetings and an occasionally service project.

To many members, Rotary is not "1.2 million members worldwide," but only the members in their club.

Rotary friends A District Conference is that place that gets Rotarians out of the confines of "just their club." At the conference, they can learn more about Rotary and make new friends who have the same values and ethics. It is also a place where

you can see friends who you have not seen in many years and catch up on old times.

Rotary recognition The District Awards ? although the not most important part of a Conference or the reason we work in our communities ? allow clubs to show off the work they have done in the past year and receive recognition from their peers for a job well done.

I remember a number of years ago when my club was awarded the top club in the District. I felt so proud when we received that recognition from our peers, not only for myself but for my fellow club members who worked tirelessly for that honor.

The District Conference is that time to let other clubs in our District know what great things your club does in your community. You need to be a part of that.

See `DG Bob' on page 2

April is `The Rotarian' Magazine Month!

DG Bob: Don't miss out! The District Conference is FUN for everyone!

Continued from page 1

Rotary Updates Rotary International is ever-changing. Unless you go to an International Convention, it is very hard to realize and follow the constant changes in the organization.

Over the next several years, the International Convention will be located outside the United States. So the District Conference is the one place where you can catch up on Rotary around the world.

From the quality International level of speakers to our youth explaining how what we are doing is changing their lives, you can get the true feeling of what Rotary is doing to make a difference.

This year we are having specific sessions that highlight our Youth Programs ? conducted not by Rotarians, but by the youth who have experienced them.

Rotary is family I have always been a firm believer that Rotary should be an activity for the entire family.

Where better a place for us to show our families about serving their fellow man and making the lives of others just a little bit better. Our children learn by their experiences and the people they are around. For one weekend, we are letting our families see that helping others is not just a random occurrence, but an everyday happening.

Rotary is FUN! Not only does a District Conference have all of the above, but you will have a great time doing it. Please join Chris and me at Camp Rotary, May 10?12 at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nevada.

It is my promise that your family and you will not be disappointed.

District Conference is May 10 ? 12

Oklahoma State Senator Brinkley to be keynote speaker

SACRAMENTO ? District 5180 is proud to announce the keynote speaker for the District Conference: Oklahoma State Sen. Rick Brinkley (R ? Dist. 34).

Senator Brinkley is a motivational speaker who believes in giving back to our communities in exchange for what we have taken.

Prior to assuming office in the Oklahoma State Senate in November, 2010, he served as the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma. His emphasis was on protecting consumers, especially the most vulnerable in society, and helping consumers to find businesses they could trust.

"When we highlight the bad players in the marketplace, good businesses can succeed," he said on his Facebook page.

Senator Brinkley was recently named the Majority Whip of the Oklahoma State Senate, and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Oklahoma State Finance Committee.

You will enjoy his wit and story telling. This is one every Rotarian should attend. Don't miss out!

Check out this YouTube video:



The "Camp Rotary" District 5180 Conference will be held May 10 ? 12 at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nevada. There will be Rotary Family Fun, for everyone. Don't miss out!

Peace Through Understanding Forum

By Lynette Andersen District 5180 Peace Chair

The Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club hosted the first "Peace Through Understanding Forum" on March 7 at Laguna Creek High School. The keynote speaker was Father Thomas Bonacci, Executive Director of the Interfaith Peace Project.

Rotary International President, Sakuji Tanaka's international theme this Rotary year is "Peace Through Service." President Tanaka has urged all Rotary clubs and districts to organize club or district peace forums, community peace forums, or other peace activities. A number of Rotary clubs in District 5180 have conducted programs on peace, but the event at Laguna Creek High School, organized by Nancy Milton, an attorney/mediator and conflict coach, was, by far, the most ambitious.

In addition to Father Bonacci, who used his not-so-subtle sense of humor to explain how open and uncensored conversations about stereotypes, misunderstandings, and general knowledge of the many faith traditions in the world promote peace, we heard Emily Jones' District 5180 Speech Contest speech. Emily was the winner of the speech contest at the "club level" and will represent Laguna Sunrise at the semi-finalist contest. The topic of the speech contest this year is "Peace Through Service."

The peace forum also included an impressive panel of dignitaries from Elk Grove. Gary Davis, the Mayor of Elk Grove, Robert Lehner, Elk Grove Chief of Police, Steven R. Lapham, Assistant U.S. Attorney, specializing in prosecution of hate crimes, Dr. Steven Ladd,

Superintendent of Elk Grove Unified School District, Orlando Fuentes, Chair of Elk Grove's Multicultural Committee, and Matthew Banicki, Chair of Elk Grove's Youth Commission, participated in a panel discussion, answering impromptu questions posed by members of the audience.

"Peace" is an abstract concept, often prone to rote or superficial platitudes. Refreshingly provocative, it was obvious that each of these men had made a personal commitment to promoting peace in their community. The panelists gave thoughtful responses to topics that ranged from gun control to respecting diversity; they talked about personal experiences that fostered their attitudes and values; each spoke of how they have implemented those values as policy-makers in Elk Grove.

DG Bob attended the peace forum, and, along with Rotarians and Interactors from Laguna Creek and Elk Grove High Schools, the audience included a group of students from Grant High School and their adult mentors from IAMPEACE, a peace mentorship program at Grant.

The example set by the Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club should be emulated in other communities throughout District 5180. Whether the issues in your community are bullying at school, cyber-bullying on the internet, gangs, or domestic violence, Rotary clubs throughout District 5180 should be encouraged to assemble similar panels and discuss the specific issues related to peace that affect their communities. After all, before we can hope to promote world peace, we much first facilitate peace in our own neighborhoods, homes, and hearts.

Buddy & Energizer Bunny visit the Families And Books Center

By Beth Wilcoxen Rotary Club of Fair Oaks

After hanging out together for several weeks at the Fair Oaks Community Center and having front-row seats at the weekly meetings of the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks, Buddy and Energizer Bunny were so ENERGIZED with the excitement that the new Families And Books Center at the Fair Oaks Library would be opening soon. Buddy and Energizer Bunny were thrilled with the opportunity to visit the Library even before the opening celebration of the Families And Books Center (FAB).

As they entered the Library, the Rotarian friends were immediately drawn to the bright and varied colors of the freshly remodeled area especially planned for the young children and families in the Fair Oaks area. They found shelves full of cleaned and sorted books, and when they opened the new books added to the collections, they found a big sticker that had their special emblem, the Rotary logo, and even the name of The Rotary Club of Fair Oaks!

As Buddy and Energizer Bunny wandered through the rows of books and past the tables, they became more and more curious to get to the far side of the room. They could see displays on the walls, hear a grandma reading a book, and little fingers working away on the pre-reading toys. Wow, this is what they really wanted to see! As they rounded the corner, they both stopped in awe of all of the things to do. Children were sitting on the big caterpillar rug sharing the brightly colored beads and levers on big wires and boxes. A family found a reading game on the computer, and there was the little girl on the new sofa enjoying the book being read to her.

Well, this is where Buddy and Energizer Bunny wanted to be! They looked through the picture books on the shelves, peeked in all the bins full of books, then climbed up on the new little sofa together to share a book. They had just enough time to play with the toys before the Library closed, and as they were leaving, Buddy and Energizer Bunny decided had to come back to the Families And Books Center opening celebration to be able to each take home a new book from the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks. One more thing for sure, they would even check out a story to listen to on their trip together to Camp Rotary in May with all of their Rotarian friends.

FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR. Rotarians in Rancho Cordova honored Captain Kevin Snider. Left to right, Rick Blakeman, Capt. Snider, John Chapman, Battalion Chief Jenkins

Rancho Cordova Rotarians honor Firefighter of the Year

RANCHO CORDOVA ? For over 30 years the Rancho Cordova Rotary Club has annually selected a Firefighter of the Year from the Sacramento Metro Fire District and this year's honoree was Captain Kevin Snider. Snider has led the Fire Department Chaplaincy, both formally and informally for the past 18 years.

Presented with the honorary plaque at a recent lunchtime meeting of the Rancho Cordova Rotary Club, Snider was lauded for his extensive service to the public and his fellow firefighters. The citation accompanying the award read by Rotarian John Chapman noted that during his career Capt. Snider had responded to nearly 2000 requests for service throughout the county and the State of California.

Incredibly, he has officiated at funerals, conducted hospital visits, and responded to requests for services for both the public as well as injured firefighters almost every time in his off-duty hours. He performed countless invocations, and presided over promotions and special ceremonies too numerous to mention.

Rotarian John Chapman reflected on Capt. Snider's background, noting that he was born and raised in Sacramento, attending Mira Loma High School and now resides in Carmichael. At the presentation ceremony, Snider was accompanied by friend and fellow firefighter Battalion Chief Charles Jenkins, who praised Snider for his calm nerve and willingness to help those in need. Captain Snider's dedication to duty and the ideals of the Metro Fire Department reflect credit upon himself and Metro Fire.

RANCHO CORDOVAN OF THE YEAR. The Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova has been a source of excellence for the City of Rancho Cordova. Rotarian Ross Johnson was named "Rancho Cordovan of the Year." This is the third year in a row that the city has named a member of the Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova to this honor.

Rotarian Ross Johnson named `Rancho Cordovan of the Year'

RANCHO CORDOVA ? On March 14, for the third year running, a member of the Rancho Cordova Rotary was named Rancho Cordovan of the Year by the Cordova Community Council in a big dinner event at Rancho Cordova City Hall. This year's winner of the title was none other than Ross Johnson, a past president of the club, as well as the local chamber of commerce.

Cordova Mayor Linda Budge presented Johnson with the award, reflecting on his many years of service to the Cordova community, including stints on the board of directors of the community council, the arts commission, and the city's building and land use committee. From the Rotary perspective, Ross founded the first Rotary Community Corps on the West Coast almost two years ago, and that organization is flourishing under his guidance and support. Ross was and still is directly active in in many community service activities, including providing an ongoing source of baby food for the Cordova Food Locker, a local entity that provides nourishing meals for the poor in the community.

Surrounded by Rotary friends and family Ross spoke eloquently about his drive to improve life in Rancho Cordova for all of its residents, and he put his money where his mouth is when he undertook the organization of the labor and installation of Mather Lake Rotary Park a few years back in a multiyear project that tested the endurance of all of the volunteers that participated.

Preceding Ross with the singularly distinctive honor as top Rancho Cordovan, Neil Orchard was named for the honor in 2011 and last year Rotarian Conrade Mayer garnered the award, but Thursday night was all about Ross as his wife, Sandy and his children and grandchildren surrounded him as the room burst into applause.

LET'S PLAY BALL! Rotary Softball League seeks to expand

SACRAMENTO ? Commissioner John Swentowsky of the District 5180 Rotary Softball League is looking for two new teams to join the league.

Games are played on Monday nights starting on June 3 at the Sacramento Sports Complex.

They play senior rules and have a great time.

Sacramento, Roseville, and Point West also have teams.

What a great way to meet Rotarians in the District and have a good time.

If your club is interested contact John at (916) 488-1130 or email him at swentowsky@.

If your club cannot field 10 to 12 players to form a full team, join forces with another club in the District. There are presently two combo teams comprising of the Rotary Clubs of Elk Grove and West Sacramento and the Rotary Clubs of East Sacramento, North Sacramento, and Arden Arcade. The Rotary Clubs of

Interested in fielding a team for next summer?

Talk to your club president about getting your club on the District's Softball Game Roster.

Come to Polio Plus Day with the Sacramento River Cats

SACRAMENTO ? District 5180's annual Polio Plus Day with the Sacramento River Cats will be held on April 21. Bring the family and your friends to this great American pastime, and help to put an end to a dreadful disease.

See the attached flyer for incentives that will be provided to your Rotary Club.

Even if you can't go to the game, remember that your tickets can be purchased and turned in for a game at a later date. You will still get part of your purchase price going to Polio Plus.

Got questions? Tom Cicchini's got answers! Contact him at tom.cicchini@.

District to launch area-wide Membership Drive

SACRAMENTO ? District 5180's energetic and innovative membership committee is developing a Membership Drive in the District from April 21 through May 4 as a time that clubs can show off what they are all about.

During this time period the District has our Polio Plus Day with the River Cats (April 21) and Rotarians at Work Day (April 27).

This is a great time to invite businesses in your neighborhood to visit your club, join in fun events, and work shoulder to shoulder with your Rotarians doing service in your communities.

Details are on the District website or on the District's Membership website along with letters and other ideas on how to make this two week period a success. Share this with your fellow Rotarians and get a head start!

See the attached flyer.

STRS Leadership Training to be held in May

SACRAMENTO ? On Friday morning, May 10, District 5180 will conduct the acclaimed STRS program for those interested in leadership training. Sign up on the website.

The conference will officially open with a 3 p.m. afternoon session welcoming everyone to Camp Rotary. Take advantage of this great opportunity!

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