DISTRICT 6290 NEWSLETTER January 2011

District Governor Tim Knaggs And Wife Susan

Inside this issue: DistrictDistrict 6290,6290, whatwhat doesdoes itsits DistrictDistrict Gover-Gover- nornor dodo fromfrom thethe startstart ofof thethe RotaryRotary YearYear JulyJuly 1,1, 20102010 throughthrough JanuaryJanuary 5,5, 2011?2011? HeHe attendsattends DG Message 1-2 61 Rotary Club meetings visiting with nearly 61 Rotary Club meetings visiting with nearly GSE 3-4 3,0003,000 Rotarians,Rotarians, whilewhile travelingtraveling thousandsthousands Ambassadorial ofof milesmiles crisscrossingcrisscrossing northwestnorthwest Michigan,Michigan, 5 thethe UpperUpper PeninsulaPeninsula andand partsparts ofof OntarioOntario Scholar Youth Exchange Canada.Canada. WowWow…. what a great time and experience it in 6-7 has been. I have witnessed the true spirit of Rotary being played out by Rotarians all across our Rotary District from Byron Bringing Clean Center to Wawa, all centered on the same set of Rotary’s core Water 8-9 values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity, and Leader- To Honduras ship. I have seen the Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” pre- sent amongst all Rotarians. It has been very rewarding to see STRIVE 10 the community projects, hear about world community projects and see the commitment of Rotarians to make this world a bet- ter place. Thank you for this gift and the opportunity to serve Tech Talk 11 this year and help each of our clubs to become BIGGER, BET- TER and BOLDER. There is still much to be accomplished dur- ing this Rotary year of 2010-2011: the Foundation Banquet on Thirsting to 12- April 1, 2011, dollars to raise for The Rotary Foundation, Polio Serve 13 Plus support and so much more! We do this as we go about “Building Communities - Bridging Continents.” And don’t forget 15- Club Attendance the District Conference May 12-14, 2011 a time for Fun, Fellow- 16 ship and Celebration. This and future issues of the newsletter will highlight events of the upcoming Conference. VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 Page 2

DG Message—continued WeWe areare planningplanning anan extraordinaryextraordinary event!event! VisitVisit Cadillac!Cadillac!

The Rotary Club of Cadillac is looking forward to hosting Rotary District 6290’s Annual Confer- ence, May 12th – May 14th, 2011.

Located on two beautiful lakes, Cadillac is a vibrant community of 10,000 residents who enjoy a quality of life balanced by industrial development, thriving commercial business districts, and pic- ture-perfect natural resources.

The conference will begin at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12th with a “Welcome Reception” where FUN, FRIENDS, & FELLOWSHIP, come together at the Wexford County Historical Museum in the Historical District of Cadillac. Featuring Michigan beer & wine tasting, appetizers, desserts & music, this event will be hosted by: The Rotary Club of Cadillac.

Check in early: Registration for the conference will be open at our host hotel, “McGuire’s Resort, from 10am – 6pm. Registrations can be found at: ww.cadillacrotaryclub.org DG Tim Knaggs

Baldwin Club Visit

DG Tim Knaggs' last club visit with the Baldwin Club pictured with Club President Mike Dermyer Page 3

Group Study Exchange Group Study Exchange with Germany By Ed Kaminski, GSE Chair

This coming May, our District 6290 will be receiving a Group Study team from District 1800 in Germany that will spend four weeks as our guests in various locations within our dis- trict. The German team will consist of six people, a Rotarian leader and five team mem- bers, all young professionals between the ages of 25 and 40. The German team will arrive in Grand Rapids on Monday, May 9th and is scheduled to return to Germany on Friday, June 10. Gisbert Kuhtz, a lawyer and member of the Rotary Club of Naumberg, will be the team leader.

Map of Germany showing Team Leader Gisbert Kuhtz District 1800

The team members pictured below from left to right will include Bettina Dombrowski, a public relations officer sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hannover-Leinschloss, Corina Jüch, a doctor of internal medicine supported by the Rotary Club of Burg-Genthin, Robert Neumann, who specializes in economic research and is backed by the Rotary Club of Stassfurt, Lars Reiher, an industrial clerk from the Rotary Club of , and Peter Stefan Straubel, a designer sponsored by the Rotary Club of Naumberg-Saale. Page 4

Group Study Exchange—continued

The team will arrive in time to participate at the 6290 District Conference in Cadillac where they will be making a presentation to us. They will also be able to meet and get to know us while there. The District 6290 Group Study team, which will depart for Ger- many in June, will also be coming to the conference. While the itinerary for the Ger- mans is not yet fully arranged, it is anticipated the team will spend time in Canada and also visit some U.S. clubs, including, among others, Rockford, which has had a sister club relationship for a number of years with the District 1800 - Club. This connection has resulted in substantial contributions from Gifhorn-Wolfsburg to support the purchase and distribution of Bio-Sand Filters into third world countries to provide clean water to families using contaminated water sources.

Clubs interested in participating as hosts for the German Team should get in contact with District Chair Edward Kaminski at [email protected].

DATE THE SAVE 2011 ROTARY DISTRICT 6290 CONFERENCE MAY 12—14 AT MCGUIRE’S RESORT CADILLAC, MICHIGAN! The 2011 Rotary District 6290 Conference scheduled to be held May 12-14 at McGuire’s Resort in Cadillac will be a great opportunity for all Rotarians to learn, share and experience all that the District offers to their members.

From the opening session on Thursday thru the closing on Saturday the days are filled with Rotari- ans sharing knowledge and experiences. Our keynote speaker, Richard Paul, will inspire and chal- lenge you to greater levels than you thought were possible. The plenary sessions will bring you information on a variety of Rotary topics including the fifth avenue of service “New Generations”.

For an overview of the conference please click here

Rotary Club of Cadillac is planning an extraordinary conference. For a more detailed schedule for the conference click here.

To download a registration form for the conference, please click here.

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Meet our 2011-2012 Ambassadorial Scholar—Madeleine Levey

Happy New Year, District 6290!

My name is Madeleine Levey-Lambert and I have been selected to represent District

6290 on a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year. I am

thrilled to have been approved by Rotary International in order to pursue my interest

in Middle Eastern Studies at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.

My interest in the field of Middle Eastern studies, and Middle Eastern politics in particular, began when I

spent a year in Israel prior to enrolling at the University of Michigan. While in Israel, I was disheartened

to find that two groups of people living side-by-side were unable to reconcile their differences in order to

live harmoniously and end their century old conflict. I became determined to learn as much about this

conflict as possible so that I may one day help to negotiate a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace.

This interest has taken many forms while at the University of Michigan, where, in my three years, I have

accomplished many things. I am a Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies double major and am in

my third year of Arabic language study. I am a Middle East writer for the Undergraduate Journal of Inter-

national Affairs as well as a three-time scholarship recipient of the Arabic Language Flagship Program.

This past summer I worked with the Jewish Dialogue Group on its Guidebook for Deliberation on the Is-

raeli-Palestinian Conflict. I also interned at the United States Department of State in a bureau where I was

fortunate to work on many projects that affect the region of the Middle East.

As I prepare for my experience abroad, my next step is to submit my application to the American Univer-

sity of Beirut and to figure out my living arrangements while there. In doing these things, I am always

careful to take into account Lebanon’s ever-changing political climate. I am excited for my abroad

experience as well as for the opportunity to share my unique background while serving as a Rotary Am-

bassadorial Scholar. I also look forward to meeting Rotarians in the Beirut area and helping out with

some of their projects. I am infinitely grateful to district 6290 for this remarkable opportunity and for the

support the district has shown me during the application process. I look forward to getting to know the

members of the district better and to sharing my experiences.

Please be in touch with me, both before and during my journey at [email protected]

Best wishes for a healthy and happy new year!

Madeleine Page 6

Fremont student finds challenge in Germany By Sarah Jane McGinn

My name is Sarah Jane McGinn and I am currently an exchange stu- dent in Friedberg, Bavaria, Germany through Rotary International’s Youth Exchange Program.

When I decided I wanted to become an exchange student, I did some research and no exchange program was as highly recommended as Rotary International. I interviewed with Fremont’s local Rotary club and filled out a fairly extensive application. Once I was accepted by the local club, I also had to meet and interview with our Rotary Dis- trict, 6290. I was officially accepted into the program in November of 2009.

From November 2009 through July of 2010, I met often with other exchange students and Rotary members, these weekends were an integral part of my training to live and study abroad for a year. We learned about safety, host families, the roller coaster of emotions, and the importance of being an ambassador overseas. It was also helpful to talk to past exchange students about their ex- changes.

I had taken two years of high school Spanish and I was hoping to go somewhere where I could ex- pand on my knowledge of that language. However, exchange isn’t always about getting what you want.

I was chosen to go to Germany. In my last trimester of sophomore year at Fremont High School, I added a German class to get acquainted with my new language. I arrived in Munich, Germany on Sept. 10 to the welcome and open arms of my host parents. On Sept. 11, I had an orientation program and on the 13th I began my jun- ior year of high school at Konradin Realschule.

By the first weekend, I had been introduced to many German “family” members and friends. I had also donned the traditional dirndl and walked in the Oktoberfest Pa- rade in Munich.

So much was happening and it was exciting and overwhelming. I still could not speak German very well, but my understanding came along quicker. It was quickly decid-ed that I would be better off going to German lessons for six weeks at a language school rather than trying to understand all of the classes at high school.

My experiences in the first two months have been amazing. I have been to the tops of moun- tains, I have visited castles and have trav-eled the Autobahn many times. I have learned to navi- gate the trains and buses that get me to and from my city to other cities in the area. I have met other exchange students who I will be friends with for the rest of my life. I have learned already so much about the culture and history of Germany. Spending four days in Berlin with other Rotary ex- change students has been a highlight of this exchange.

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Fremont student finds challenge in Germany—continued

The downside so far is that I’m always tired. It seems all exchange students are tired, because our minds are constantly working to translate everything going on around us.

Leaving home isn’t what I expected. I don’t believe there is any training for that, there is only adap -tation. I have settled in with my host family and feel more comfortable every day talking and inter- acting with them. My daily routine is often what keeps me from missing my home, my family and my pets.

I have gone back to Konradin Realschule after my six weeks of German class. I get to see friends that I have gotten to know and school is pretty much the only time I can interact with them socially, although I’ve gotten plenty of invitations to hang out. My main priority this year is to learn the lan- guage and embrace the culture. Although school is difficult because I can’t understand a lot of what’s going on, it is still mandatory. I am on a student visa and let’s face it, I am an exchange stu -dent.

I still have seven exciting months here in Germany. My school is going on a trip to England this spring. They will all be working on the English language and I will be soaking up the culture. The Rotary district here in Bavaria has planned exciting weekends for us. I will visit Nurmberg for four days, I will learn to ski in the Alps (I wish I had practiced that a bit in Michigan!).

Before I return home in July, I will travel for three weeks with other Rotary exchange students to see all that Germany has to offer. By then I know I will be proficient in German and day to day life will just come a little easier.

To sum up: life is a challenge. I have to work harder and think more every- day just to have a conversation. I’m constantly being pulled out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things. This is what I signed up for. I accepted this challenge and so far I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I’ve learned so much in such a short time and had opportunities I wouldn’t have had at home. I still have so much to look forward to.

A big challenge with even bigger re- wards: that is what being an ex- change student really is. Sarah Jane McGinn enjoying the view in the Alps near Oberstdorf with a Canadian Friend. Page 8

District 6290 Brings Fresh Water to Honduran Villages Page 9

District 6290 Brings Fresh Water to Honduran Villages—continued

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STRIVE

LUDINGTON

The Ludington Lake Jump has selected its charities for this year and next.

In an announcement during the Ludington Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, the Lake Jump committee announced Ludington Rotary’s STRIVE program is the 2011 beneficiary of the 11th annual Lake Jump.

Deb Kinnaird, Rotary past president, submitted the application for STRIVE and has set a funding goal of $75,000 to ensure continued funding of the program to mentor students.

The Lake jump, originally dreamed up by MOM disc jockeys, has raised nearly $275,000 for local charities and organization since its inception.

GRAND RAPIDS NORTH

GR North Rotary has been active in the Strive program with Northview HS for 15 years. We work together with our students by meeting with them individually, and as a group, taking in field trips , and community service projects, such as the BigBrothers/Sisters Bowlathon each March. We try to combine work with play. One event this past fall was visiting ITT Tech Institute to try to match students goals with a possible career path. The ITT tour and orientation gave us something to shoot for , with all their educational career opportunities available. Big thanks to Jerry Roberson our long term Treasurer/Secretary, And our Strive Chairperson Lisa Cummings for keeping us on the path to progress. Page 11

Rotary Tech Talk

Rotary Tech Talk by Joe Veneklase, Kentwood Rotary [email protected] or 616-328-5566

We’re Looking for a Few Good Presenters

Are you a fan of Facebook, Skype, webinars, LinkedIn, Twitter or Survey Monkey? Maybe you’re using another software program or online service that has Rotary ap- plications. Are you using technology in your club projects or operations that most other clubs are not? Technology is changing our lives. The world is shrinking while productivity driven by technological breakthroughs is rising. How can Rotarians put technology to better use in fundraising, promoting membership, managing clubs and implementing projects? You might already have the answer. Would you like to present at this year’s district conference or is there someone you'd recommend as a presenter on the use of technology? If it's not you, maybe you know a friend or professor or family member that would enjoy presenting highlights in an easy to under- stand way and how it might apply to Rotary service. I would be happy to take your call or email recommendation and follow-up. I hope you'll be able to at- tend and maybe present at the Rotary District 6290 Conference May 12 - 14, 2011 in Cadillac, Michigan.

Free Web Conferencing

Last year Americans spent 4 billion hours in traffic. We endanger our lives, pollute the environ- ment and waste work and personal time while spending billions on gas, maintenance and car payments. In addition, we throw away time and money driving to and from meetings when we probably could have attended from our home. Everyone has 24 hours in a day but how do we use this resource? If you commute just one hour a day for five days a week for 50 weeks a year, you are spending 240 hours a year or 40 hours a week driving for six weeks to and from your work with most likely no tax deductions and no hourly wage. What if an employer offered you six extra weeks of vaca- tion annually and a $10,000 raise for the same responsibilities? You’d probably scramble over the table to shake their hand and close the deal! Well, I can’t offer you that deal but I can tell you where to download free web conferencing soft- ware called Mikogo (http://www.mikogo.com). This freeware will allow you to host up to 15 Ro- tarians or work associates and allow everyone to speak with each other and share desktops for viewing reports, Power Points, photos, Internet sites or drawing on a “whiteboard” with a “mouse”. Whether you’re reviewing a club’s financial information with officers or presenting an informa- tional Power Point with club members, there is no cost. You do need a computer and a means to call in but it can be done from anywhere in the world! Page 12

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CLUB ATTENDANCE Page 15

How is your club doing?

"Our success or failure will not depend upon the machinery of Rotary or its physical growth, but upon the extent to which Rotary’s ideals or ob- jectives are translated into positive, tangible re- sults in personal, business, community, and in- ternational life. We shall be known by our works."

— Almon E. Roth, 1930-31 RI president, in The Rotarian , July 1930

Almon E. Roth, 1930-31 RI president