October 2011 Issue

Please enjoy this issue of our newsletter for 2011-2012. Our Rotary Calendar has many activities that we should be planning on participating in. It is rather difficult for anyone to attend 100% of the meetings, trainings and projects we have in our clubs and the district, but it is critical to the development of every club to have good solid representation at these events. It is the only way to bring upcoming changes, new ideas and news to each club. Please review the list in this issue and insure that your club has a solid presence at each event. 5510 will be stronger for your effort. DG Alan looks forward to seeing you at the Fall Leadership Conference 10/23, and our two Foundation events 11/5 for the seminar and 11/19 for the dinner.

Lucinda General, Editor

Vocational Service Month - October

Meet Microcredit Borrowers in Nogales, Mexico, October 29

Small loans to small business owners make big differences in business growth and funds available to help families help themselves in developing countries.

Rotarians have contributed about $150,000 to a microcredit bank in Nogales, Mexico, over the past two years. On October 29, in Nogales, Mexico, about sixty small business owners who have benefited from these small loans will be displaying their products and sharing how small loans from this Rotarian supported microcredit project have substantially changed their lives and the lives of their children.

Rotarians and interested others are invited to meet these borrowers personally . We will meet at McDonalds (252 W Crawford St, near the border) in Nogales, Arizona at 11:30 AM and we will walk across the border . You will need a passport to reenter the USA. Transportation on the Mexican side will be provided to take us to the Borrower Expo site. We will have interpreters on site and we will return to the USA border about 3 PM. For more information and registration for the trip, contact Wayne Rish of Rotary Club of Fountain Hills at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 480 664 4820.

Microcredit Project in Nogales can yield great results for your club!
2011-2012 Changemaker Award Enhancement

If your club is seeking ways to achieve the Rotary President's Changemaker Award, you may want to consider participating in the Microcredit Matching Grant project in Nogales, Mexico.

Participating in the Nogales Mexico Microcredit project will allow your club to qualify for three areas in the International Service section of the Changemaker Award:

-Participate in The Rotary Foundation's educational and humanitarian service program.

-Find a Rotary club partner in another country and conduct an international project as either the project host or sponsor.

-Carry out a sustainable international service project related to at least one of the areas of focus in the RI Strategic Plan.

For more information about participating in the Microcredit Matching Grant international service project, please contact Wayne Rish of Rotary Club of Fountain Hills: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 480 664 4820.

The New Shape of This Century
By DG Alan Havir

WHAT DOES ROTARY LEADERSHIP LOOK LIKE TO YOU? In 1905 four men got together to give back to their community. They had already built a strong bond from working together in their professions. Each was a leader in their personal and business life and were now reaching out to their community. They were also young. Paul Harris was 36.

They shaped the century going forward. They were thinking outside the box. Asking the question "what can we do for others"? From a small idea came a big result. Who would have thought then where we would be today?

So now, what do you think? Where do you think Rotary is going? Where is your club going? Where are you going?

I know where I'm going. Scientists say that the earth is four and a half billion years old. And, we are in our "half" life. I don't know if I will make it through the next four and a half billion years. Maybe not even a million. These numbers are so big they make my head hurt. The best I can do is pass on leadership skills, ideas, integrity and Rotarian Core values to someone younger, someone who can assimilate these ideals and move them forward. For that, we need three things.

TALENT. A group of raw talented, highly motivated High School and College students that are inspired to lead others. That would be Interact and Rotaract, part of what we call New Generations. And don't forget the X gens who are integral in connecting the generations. We must start giving them the keys to the kingdom now. OPPORTUNITY. Programs to develop young talent designed to deliver the experience of leadership. Programs like; FLC (Fall Leadership Conference on October 23), PWR (Presidents Winter Retreat), and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award). PURPOSE. As we work with and train young leaders they develop a sense of purpose by working alongside Rotarians to give Service Above Self to all parts of the world besides their own neighborhood in a total embrace of humanity.

"You are the ones who make NEW, the shape of this century", Dali Llama, July 2011.

Thank you,

Alan Havir, DG 2011-12

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 Upcoming Events For All Rotarians

Havasu Falls Youth Exchange Hike     info   Oct 13-16
Fall Leadership Conference at ASU    info    Oct 23
Rotary Foundation Training for all Rotarians  info    Nov 5
Thanks For Giving Dinner    info      Nov 19
Mexican American Friendship Conf & Grant Exchange    info   Nov 17-21

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Three Family Generations support Gift of Life-Arizona
Gary Whiting, PDG and GOL-AZ Board President

History in the making! GOL-AZ has received significant support from three generations of the John Van Houten family. GOL-AZ expresses their THANK YOUto Flagstaff Rotarian since 1990 and PDG, John Van Houten, his son, James Van Houten, and grandson, Jameson Van Houten for their financial and personal support.

PDG John became a Rotarian in 1954 when he was invited to join the Yuma Rotary Club. He became very involved in Yuma Rotary Club community projects and soon rose to be Club President in 1958-59. In the early 60’s, John’s business took him from Yuma to the Phoenix area where he helped charter the Rotary Club of Phoenix Mid-Town and became a charter member. As his Rotary experience and leadership developed, John was elected to be a District Governor in 1984-85 of what now is D5490. During his year as District Governor Elect under then District Governor, Jack McFalls, John was asked to look into the New York Rotary Gift of Life project and see if a like humanitarian project could be implemented for the Rotary Clubs of the Arizona Rotary Districts.

Along with the assistance of some Arizona Rotarians and the generous Phoenix pediatric medical community, John finalized the Arizona Rotary GOL-AZ project as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit in April, 1985 during his year as District Governor. The mission continues to be helping underprivileged children from around the world who are suffering from congenital heart defects and without this medical and surgical intervention most likely would not have an opportunity for a normal and healthy life.

So here we are 26 years later having helped save the lives of over 260 children from 24 different countries of which 24 are from Arizona, with the financial and personal support from Rotary Clubs, Rotarians, Friends of Rotarians and Friends of GOL-AZ that keeps growing each year. When the first heart surgery was performed in 1985, GOL-AZ paid a stipend to the hospital foundation of $3,500 for a surgery that cost over $100,000. Since then, we have had to increase the stipend to $5,000, then $6,000 and now we are approaching $12,000 per surgery because of the dramatically increasing hospital costs and our present economic conditions.

Presently, there are 23 children on the waiting list as we work with hospitals for bed and staff support, and the pediatric cardiologists and pediatric cardiology surgeons who graciously donate their time and talented skills to save these children’s lives. We hope that you will consider joining John Van Houten’s family in making a financial donation to help make this happen.

For more information and to make a donation, please visit our website www.giftoflifeaz.orgor take the time to see GOL-AZ on Facebook and let us know that you “Like” this project.

Water! A Crucial Element of Survival

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Please contact DG Alan to offer support for our District wide project for clean water to aid in Africa.

Triple Crown Passed the ¼ Pole
By John Pennypacker, Annual Fund Chairman

It is time to check the standings of District 5510 clubs in the Triple Crown race. Some interesting facts as we review the standings at the end of 2010 – 2011. Over 64% of Rotarians in the district are Paul Harris Fellows, 34% are Sustaining Members and 13% are Benefactors. When viewed through the Triple Crown binoculars 7% of district Rotarians qualify are winners. Surely we have more winners than that.

So let's see what it takes to be a WINNER. To qualify for the Triple Crown you must be a PHF, donate to the Annual Programs Fund at the Sustaining $100 level, and be a Benefactor. At of the end of June we had 91 winners who met these criteria. (See chart) This is not meant to be an annual prize, but simply recognition of those who are able to support the programs of The Rotary Foundation through these forms of giving. For those who qualified last year, please encourage others in your club to pony up.

How is your club doing? Check the chart to see if you are keeping pace with the Scottsdale Sunrise and Pinnacle Peak clubs. The race is on to see which club becomes the first 100% Triple Crown club. Remember, the easiest of these criteria to meet is becoming a Benefactor. This won't cost you a dime. Simply make provisions in your estate planning to contribute $1000 or more to the Permanent Fund. You can think of this as your last Happy Dollars. You might consider reviewing TRF Gift Acceptance Policy Manual with your spouse and estate planner as you will find multiple means to contribute to the Permanent Fund. Click this for a link to the guidelines.

For questions regarding this program and recognition of individuals, please contact John Pennypacker, District 5510 Annual Programs Fund Chair, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Lucinda General This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it our Permanent Fund Chair or Barb Feder, District Rotary Foundation Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

October 13-16 Havasu Excursion
By Chuck Flint

It’s that time of year again. The Rotary Youth Exchange Program of District 5510 is hosting its annual Havasu Falls Expedition for all of the Rotary Youth Exchange Students in the state of Arizona. Everyone is invited to join us on this fun-filled 4 day trip to one of the most beautiful places in our state. Our trip begins on Thursday, October 13^th, departing Phoenix and staying in the Historic Route 66 Motel in Seligman. On Friday, we descend into the canyon (only 2,000 feet in 11 miles) to the campground and camp there with all meals provided for two days. On Sunday, October 16^th, we hike out. All of your gear will be put on horses and mules so that you do not have to carry anything other than personal items and water. You will need to provide your own tent, sleeping bag and duffle bag.

For questions or an application, please contact Chuck Flint at either email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or cell phone: 602-980-3474.

800 Miles To End Polio Now

From now until Feb. 14, 2012, Rotarians along with friends and family all over Arizona are celebrating their mobility and hitting the trail-The Arizona Trail, that is, to “End Polio Now”.

You, too, can join in. It’s simple. All you need to do is pledge to hike, run, ride your horse or mountain bike a portion of the scenic Arizona Trail while raising money to help Rotary eradicate polio!

The Arizona Trail is a scenic, non-motorized trail that stretches for over 800 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border in the south to the Arizona-Utah border in the north. The trail is divided into 43 passages that are now divided into 100 sections in celebration of Arizona’s Centennial.

Rotary Club of Scottsdale Greets Former Exchange Students

Over the past few weeks, three Rotary Youth Exchange students sponsored by the Rotary Club of Scottsdale came back to Scottsdale to visit with club members, their host families and local places of interest. Maxine Goffinet attended Desert Mountain High School during the school year 2008- 2009. He came from the French speaking part of Belgium, near Liege. While going to school here in Scottsdale, he played on a local rugby team. He is currently a college sophomore in Belgium, studying law. Both Janelle Brown, an out-bound Scottsdale student, who spent her 2007-2008 school year in Argentina; and, Laura Sanchez, an in-bound student from Spain, who spent her 2008-2009 school year in Scottsdale, enjoyed the opportunity to meet with their Rotary sponsors and supporters.

For over 75 years, students and host families have broadened their horizons through Rotary Youth Exchange. More than 80 countries and over 8,000 students each year participate in the program, which is administered at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs, such as, Rotary Club of Scottsdale. To learn more about the Rotary Club of Scottsdale's exciting up-coming speakers and programs, go to www.scottsdalerotary.org or call (602) 717-0730. The Club typically meets Mondays at 12:00 Noon at Camelback Golf Club and is open to Rotarians worldwide and guests of Rotarians. The Rotary Club of Scottsdale is part of a global network of over 1.2 million Rotarians in over 34,000 clubs worldwide.

Pictured: Rotary Club of Scottsdale’s President-Elect, Kari Baker; Youth Exchange Chair, Max Rumbaugh; Youth Exchange Committee/Past President, Jeanette Griswold; and, Club President, John Thornton with Maxine Goffinet

Rotarians: You want to host a Rotary Youth Exchange Student? Terrific!!
By Machel Considine, Youth Exchange Chairman

Good host families are found in many different varieties. While it is nice to have a teenage child already in your own family still living at home, it is not mandatory. Many successful host families have been childless or retired couples. Also, there does not have to be both a father and a mother in the home. Many single parent families have been quite successful hosts. And yes, we still need more families to round out this year's placements.

If you’d like to explore the possibilities, here’s what this opportunity will give your family:

* Promotes world peace and understanding (Rotary Youth Exchange goal)

* Knowledge of a new culture

* A lasting bond with a person from another country

* Provides your children an opportunity to have a “brother” or “sister” from a foreign country

* Breaks down old barriers and prejudices, especially for the older members of the family

* Words and phrases in a new language provides encouragement to your children to learn a new language

* Most host families end up doing old-fashioned kinds of activities that they used to do but have not done in a long time. That is, playing board games or visiting local places you have never been to or have not been to in a long time

* Better understanding within your own family

* After hosting, when you travel abroad, you have “family” to visit. Seeing a new country through the eyes of “family” is far more rewarding and interesting than just being a tourist!

The responsibility of hosting an exchange student is not complicated, but does require understanding, compassion, and patience. Host families are responsible to provide a loving atmosphere, a bed, although not always a separate room and three meals a day. We expect your family to treat the student as a contributing member of your family, not as a guest. Rotary will not reimburse your family for the expenses of hosting a student. Hosting is a voluntary self-supporting activity. However, your family will not be responsible for health, accident, medical, or dental costs of an exchange student. The student will have insurance and is responsible for any costs not covered by that insurance.

The time period for hosting is about 3 months. The first period goes from the student’s arrival in late July or August until the end of November. The second period runs from late November until mid-March. The third period runs from mid- March until the student goes home in June or early July. NOTE: It does vary a little because the actual host families work out the exact dates of the move.

MYTH: Host Families must be Rotarians.This is the beauty of it all; anyone qualified can be a host family whether they are a Rotarian or not. It is a great way to recruit future Rotarians! If you would like to host a student or have a fabulous friend or neighbor who is not a Rotarian who might be interested, contact Machel Considine, RYE Chair D5510 at 480-961-1170 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Congratulations on your decision to enrich your life, while making a world of difference in the life of an exchange student! (Photo of students in 2000-01)

Airpark Rotary Continues to Make a Difference!

At a recent meeting, four local business professionals were added to the global network of Rotary International as new members of the Scottsdale Airpark Rotary Club. While at this meeting, attendees learned about the Mission of Mercy's mobile health clinic's volunteer opportunities from its Executive Director Catherine Amiot. Mission of Mercy (www.amissionofmercy.org) serves the medically uninsured of Maricopa County by providing free, quality medical care to those in need of a helping hand...no questions asked. Additionally, led by club member Dennis Brookshire, the members discussed the upcoming service projects that members will support over the upcoming year: Dictionaries for Scottsdale 3rd graders; October 22nd Rotary's 800-Mile Walk to End Polio; sponsorship of deployed military families; partnering with a Rotary Club in Zambia to help support an in-need high school (club members will be travelling to Zambia soon); and, partnering with AARP to conduct "driver training" classes for seniors. To learn more about this club's success story and join in great service opportunities and fellowship, contact Club President, Dan Hollerbach, 602-757-5100 or see www.scottsdaleairparkrotary.org. The club typically meets 5:30pm Mondays at the Paradise Bakery at Gainey Ranch Village in Scottsdale.

Come see the 'Southwestern Stonehenge'
Architecture Tour and Fundraiser - Special Engagement - October 13th

I have been around Rotary all of my life, my dad was a Rotarian. I did my first piece of public speaking at his Rotary club when I was in sixth grade. Back then I thought Rotary was just a bunch of men who were friends, raised money for town stuff, and had fun with each other. That was close to correct. I had no idea then, how important a role Rotary would eventually play in my life.

1993 my husband received a job opportunity that dictated that we leave the US for Costa Rica. After nearly 10 years of 60+ hour weeks working in the automobile business, I was in shock with not having a full time position that offered me an identity and respect. Discovering the world of Rotary in Latin America opened an entire new world of challenges, opportunities, and sanity. Here I was, five plus years after the constitutional change of admitting women into Rotary, but now in a society where women have a totally different place than in the US. I received varying degrees of warm reception as I was attending make-up meetings. The day I found the Rotary Club of Rohrmoser, bells went off. They were a seventeen-member powerhouse, with open minds, and hearts. They captivated me. In short order I was inducted in December 1993.

Being accepted as a member of Club Rotario de Rohrmoser was like being given the keys to a huge jewelry box. These men and women showed me pieces of their country and culture that I never would have experienced simply living there as a US expatriate. It was fabulous to see this tiny club conduct an annual maxillofacial surgery clinic year in and year out, benefiting hundreds of children in Central America. Small sure can be powerful! I was accepted as an equal, when I initially was a distinctly different outsider. I still get tears in my eyes when I recall the emotions that Rohrmoser touched me with. Continue to read

5510 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SPECIAL THANKS TO BERGE FORD AND WELLS FARGO

Rotary District 5510 welcomes sponsors interested in supporting our Rotary programs and youth development activities.

Sponsorship opportunities include acknowledgement and web link on the District 5510 website, event recognition, event program placement, logo on t-shirts, and other public relation opportunities. Sponsors are invited to support events appropriate to their cause and have significant impact on results.

We are pleased to announce Berge Ford as a title sponsor for our signature youth programs including the Fall Leadership Conference and RYLA.

In addition, we wish to thank Wells Fargo for their generous contribution in support of our Dictionary project.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 - $5,000. For more information please contact DG Alan Havir.

Volunteer Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon for Gift of Life-AZ to receive prestigious Hon Kachina Award for 2011
Gary Whiting, Centennial PDG and GOL-AZ Board President

The success of the GOL-AZ project depends on three important factors of money, hospital bed and staff availability, and a pediatric cardiac surgeon. Take one of these away and the necessary life saving heart surgery for an underprivileged child suffering with a congenital heart defect most likely will not happen. As such, the GOL-AZ board members are constantly involved with each of these factors that have ensured the GOL-AZ project success of over 260 life saving surgeries since 1985.

Over these many years, we have worked with several dedicated and talented Pediatric Cardiologists and Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons who each have so graciously volunteered their time and highly trained skills to the Rotary GOL-AZ project. One of these Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons is Michael Teodori, M. D. Clinical Professor and the Director of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Department of Surgery in Tucson, AZwho has performed over 40 complex corrective open-heart surgeries for GOL-AZ since 1989 both in Arizona and Mexico. Additionally, Dr. Teodori has recently traveled to Ethiopia to perform 18 surgeries for The Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia and Healing the Children project.

Dr. Teodori was just recently voted as one of the “Best top docs in America” by his peers and now will be honored at the upcoming Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards gala dinner on Saturday, October 1^st with the prestigious Hon Kachina Award in recognition of his volunteerism in Arizona. This 35^thannual event will be held at the Camelback Inn – Marriott Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.

Before moving to Tucson in 2009, Dr. Teodori was Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division at Phoenix Children’s Hospital working with children from newborn infants to teens with congenital heart defects requiring surgery where he helped develop the state-of-the-art Children’s Heart Center. With all this, he still found time to perform over 300 open-heart surgeries per year which is around 70% of Arizona’s pediatric heart surgeries and with a mortality rate under 3% - one of the best in the nation. Additionally, at Phoenix Children’s he was noted as a distinguished cardiovascular surgeon on the Summit for the Ross Procedure where only a few hundred cardiothorasic surgeons in the world have mastered this procedure and are so licensed.

Please take time to visit our website www.giftoflifeaz.orgfor more information on GOL-AZ and see us on Facebook where we hope that you will let us know that you “Like” this Rotary project of the Rotary Clubs of Arizona Districts 5490, 5500 and 5510.

Participate in Peace Conference

On Sunday, November 13, 2011 in Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Convention center our Zone 25-26 will conduct a Peace Conference featuring among others Mr. Arun Gandhi who is the Founder of Gandhi Worldwide Education and the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for students. Please use this pdf file for added details and registration form.

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Confucius Didn't Say:

She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off.
A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.
Every calendar's days are numbered.