Rotary District 5510

A Message from The Rotary Foundation Chair
What will be your legacy?

Years ago, during a visit to New York City, I saw a T-shirt that said, "He who dies with the most wins." It seemed funny at the time, but we all read the stories of people who judge their success by their wealth. The problem is that material possessions often do not bring happiness, for there is always someone who has more.

Most of us, however, want our life to be measured by what we have done. Many Rotarians have expressed their appreciation of fellow Rotarians' service by promising a contribution to our Rotary Foundation that will live on after them. The earnings from their gifts go to our Annual Programs Fund year after year. What better legacy to the world?

By earlier this year, we had almost 8,000 commitments to the Bequest Society. These represented an expected value of about US$338 million, a significant share of the almost $700 million in assets and expectancies in our Permanent Fund.

The first Australian RI president, Angus S. Mitchell (1948-49), foretold the creation of the Permanent Fund in 1992, in a speech that ended with this story from the Talmud: Choni Hama'agel saw an old man planting a carob tree and asked when he thought the tree would bear fruit. "After 70 years" was the reply. "What!" said Choni. "Do you expect to live 70 years and eat the fruit of your labor?" "I did not find the world desolate when I entered it," said the old man. "And as my fathers planted for me before I was born, so I plant for those who will come after me."

We each have that same opportunity by making a bequest to our Rotary Foundation. (Click for Bequest form and info)

Bill Boyd
Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair (First appeared in September 2011 issue of The Rotarian)

Arizona Has Its Own "Polio Plus Poster Guy"
By Dwight Grotewold, The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes

We'd like to introduce you to Sun Lakes, Arizona Rotarian, Harold (Hal) Wochholz, who is known as the 'PolioPlus Poster Guy' in our club and District 5510. Following high school graduation in 1949, with lots of ability, but little motivation, Hal enrolled at Purdue University to play football. After a year and a half, he found out he was going to be drafted for the Korean War. With his parents okay, he joined the U.S. Navy during those tumultuous years.

While in "boot camp" he proposed to the true love of his life, his high school sweetheart, and they were married They have now celebrated over 60 years of marriage. While still in their early twenties, they had a lovely daughter, and later a son. Hal, the new father, read Dr. Spock's baby book to make sure they were doing the right things for their new additions. While reading one portion where the symptoms of infantile paralysis were discussed, he said, "My gosh, I have all of those symptoms." He went to a doctor at the local naval hospital who dismissed it as being a 'stiff neck,' and sent him home. It got worse, so he returned again, and they concluded, "Yes, you do have polio." They checked him in for the beginning of a 57 year battle for him and his wife, Phyllis, his strongest teammate, and ultimate caregiver. He has battled all of the usual ailments, aches, and pains of polio, and is presently suffering from Post Polio Syndrome. He was able to avoid the iron lung, but has been using crutches, canes, and now an electric-powered wheel chair, for all of those physically challenging years that are still continuing. He very recently had his left leg amputated above the knee due to polio caused poor circulation.

Following his discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at Michigan State University and began the program in Electrical Engineering, now with great motivation to prepare himself to somehow support his family. High school years had been occupied with athletics, but he was now confined to braces and canes. This had now changed his entire life and attitude to be successful academically. He became an 'academic star' with this important family goal, receiving Highest Honors upon graduation, eventually with BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering. (Read more)

   Building The Foundation
By Alan Havir, District Governor

Rotary is a low cost and “value driven” way to give to our local and worldwide communities.  We pay $112.00 per year for R.I. and District Dues.  We are encouraged to contribute another $100 to our Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund or Every Rotarian Every Year.  This works out to less than $18 per month.  That is low for a charity that is high on our list.  Think of this in relationship to what you give to other priorities in your life or in the lives of others.

So why should we pay dues and contribute to a fund that we never see where the money goes?  I’m guessing “faith”.  Faith in our fellow Rotarians to do the right things that contribute to a world peace effort.  A hundred bucks doesn’t buy much in America anymore.  A pair of designer jeans, a dress, a round of golf or an evening out with our loved one. 

I decided to take my wife, Sandy, out for a very special $100 dinner, or $115 with the tip.  I brought along a small shopping bag with a plastic table cloth, two cloth napkins and clear plastic cups.  We went to our favorite fast food burger bin, “the In n Out Burger” at the PV Mall.  We ordered the number 3 with a chocolate shake.  I wore my Rotary pin and brought my Polio poster to place behind me.  I explained to the others around me that I am a Rotarian who is contributing $100 dollars to our TRF, The Rotary Foundation.   $100 doesn’t do much in America but it will feed a family in India or Africa for 6 months, or bring clean water to over 600 school kids, or immunize 166 kids from Polio, or put 50 dictionaries in the hands of our local Paradise Valley 3^rd grade class. 

Dinner was less than $15 and we had made a commitment to help others.   It was a special moment for both of us.  I know you can think of a special way to share the Rotary experience with your loved one.  Do something that say’s “this is my way to share Rotary, to reach within and embrace the world around me”. 

TWO MORE THINGS  

FIRST.  Thank you all the Rotary clubs in District 5510 for sharing your wealth. .  Together each club has contributed to two water projects; one in India and one in Kenya.  We have put $50,000 of purified water in two school districts that serve 300,000 school children.  We will keep them in school because they will not be susceptible to water bourn disease.  They can even take this water home for their families. 

SECOND.  Thank you in advance for attending the Foundation Dinner November 19th.  This is for all of you to celebrate the most fundamental form of giving to Rotary International and sharing the experience with others like yourselves.  This will be a fun night as well as informative, enlightening and uplifting?  Bet on it.  So come and experience what makes all Rotarians special and connected.  Rub shoulders with people like you who care about the world around them.  See what we can do together and form a new bond with a new friend.  If you don’t come you will be missed.  Be present.  

It's time to apply for your Arizona State Tax Credit
A Message from The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona

Don't just pay your Arizona State Taxes...............................Direct it to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA), where your dollars will go to support the vocational education skills of economically qualified individuals. The direction of your Arizona State Tax liability to TRVFA qualifies you for a dollar for dollar credit against your Arizona State Tax liability. Joint filers are eligible for a tax credit up to $400.00 and single filers up to a $200.00 tax credit. Go to www.trvfa.org to direct a portion of your taxes to a Rotary program that deserves your support. You may also use this on your federal itemized deductions for additional tax savings! Please make your commitment today. The deadline for applying for this tax credit is December 31, 2011.

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Events For Everyone

Rotary Foundation Training Event for all Rotarians info Nov 5
Thanks For Giving Dinner info Nov 19
Mexican American Friendship Conference & Grants Exchange info Nov 17-21

Deadline for applications for District Governor of 2014-15 due to DG Alan Havir  12/31/11

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Maybe We Are Crazy?
By Patrick Walsh, District Memebership Chair

“You must be crazy!” came the shout from the table at the back.

“Not crazy.  We all know the definition of insanity: expecting different outcomes when you keep on doing the same thing” President Pete patiently explained to the outcry in response to having informed his club that their board had approved a change in location, time and format of the regular meetings they had had for years.

And thus began the journey of yet another bodacious (bold and audacious) Rotary Club somewhere in the world as they responded to the RI Challenge to embrace the New Generations into the family of Rotary.

Some clubs have had it easy. They launched from Day One with a New Generations look and feel. One such club is Scottsdale North: They meet at 5:45 pm Wednesdays at X-Tapa Joe’s on Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale. Members can stop by on their way home and drink and eat as little, or as much as they want, and pick up their own tabs. They have dispensed with programs and focus more on answering the following question at their meetings: How can we give back to our community?  “This has kept costs down and is a draw for the younger generation.” wrote Dena Oppenheim, Club President. “We want to have a more hands-on approach rather than check writing and it is more attractive to younger persons.” Continue reading

Boulder House Wrap Up and Event Report

 
Camelback Crossroads Rotary, with a little (Ok, a LOT) of help from friends in the community, was able to throw a wonderful event on October 13th and raised over $1,000 for End Polio Now! Not bad for a first time fundraiser and a new club! Head over to their blog to read all the details!

 Fall Leadership Conference - Technology Training Highlights

On Sunday, October 23 a dynamic group of Interact, Rotaract and Rotary members met at ASU. We had three breakout sessions for Rotarians offering practical solutions to common technical issues Rotary Clubs face. We recorded the sessions and placed them on YouTube for our Rotarians who were unable to attend. Here are several videos for you to enjoy:

Howard Adams: Using Technology for Club and District Administration (video) (Slides PDF)

Michael Sherron: Using Social Media to Promote Club Projects (video)

Phil Sexton: How to Build a Club Website Using Wordpress (video) (Powerpoint Slideshow)

Tempe South Rotary Serving With Two Interact Clubs

A group of volunteers helped repaint, clean up, and brighten a Phoenix home on September 24th for Homeward Bound. Representing the Corona del Sol and Compadre Interact clubs, as well as Tempe South Rotary, the volunteers worked to repaint the exterior of the home and touch up paint around windows and doors. In addition, they planted flowers at the front of the home.

This month PDG Don Kelley shares a view about Rotary's significance. Please ubmit your article for inclusion in a future issue. Send to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A Higher Standard
By Don Kelly, Governor 2006-2007

Rotarians are reliable, dependable, available, give more than they take, add value, and serve; they hold themselves to a higher standard through discipline and self-government.  Self-government is extremely important because Rotary sovereignty rest in the individual and not in the organization of any Rotary club, any district, Rotary International, district governor or any group of past district governors. The self-governing power is in the hands and hearts of Rotarians who volunteering grouped themselves into clubs and districts, and Rotary International to support human improvement efforts all over the world. However, Rotary International, Rotary districts, and Rotary clubs, are merely a mirror image of Rotarians living exemplary lives. 

Rotarians hold themselves to a higher standard as seen by the conduct of their lives.  The Rotarian life should be transparent, crystal clear and dedicated to the "Object of Rotary," and living the "The 4-way Test." Dedicated to total transparency in having positive effects on the "Object of Rotary" and crystal clear in what we think, what we say, and what we do. The "Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. "Service Above Self" leads good people called Rotarians to be ambassadors for peace and hope.  In today's troubled times good people are needed now more than ever.  All around us we see poverty, sickness and preventable disease where we as Rotarians can make a huge difference.  Rotarians see the world as it is, and imagines a better world in which to live by nurturing relief projects that is changing the world one life at a time.

Rotarians hold themselves to a higher standard and can proudly say: You can rely on me because I am reliable. I am dependable because you can depend upon me. I am available and waiting for a call to service. I always give more than I take. I add value. More importantly, I serve.  Individual Rotarians have the power to continuously make the world a better place in which to live. Rotarians are famous the world over for their higher ethical standards, convictions and human relief actions.

Thank you District 5510 Rotarians for your world class higher standard.

GSE Opportunity for 2012
By Dan Coons, GSE Chair

First, a big thank you to Bryon Harrington who has done an awesome job of managing our districts's GSE program for the past three years.He has organized teams to and from Switzerland, Scotland and Australia.  And for anyone who has been involved in these exchanges or have seen the teams at district conferences they realize the benefits of Bryon's efforts.  Bryon has now turned over the GSE Chair responsibilities to Rotarian Dan Coons who has been seen shopping for a large cowboy hat (one of Bryon's trademarks) hoping that would add a touch of Bryon's leadership to his new job.

And now for those opportunities.  The second half of the Australian exchange will occur from May 14, 2102 to June 12, 2012.  The Group Study Exchange is a cultural and vocational exchange.  Therefore we are looking for these types of opportunities for the incoming group.  The occupations of the group are a police officer, a registered nurse, a commercial real estate agent and a city planner,  The team leader is a real estate agent.  If you or any of your contacts have vocational opportunities for these professions please email Dan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Read more

 Havasu Falls Hike 2011
By Chuck Flint 

The 2011 Rotary Youth Exchange Havasu Falls Trip began on Thursday, October 13th.  We stopped at the Gurley Street Grill in Prescott for our usual dinner to kick the trip off.

This trip is a wonderful opportunity for the Youth Exchange students  from all three Arizona Rotary Districts to get to know each other, provide moral support in time of stress and create an opportunity for international understanding.  All 37  hikers (27 Youth Exchange Students and 10 adults) stayed at the Historic Route 66 Motel (we rented the entire motel) on Thursday evening.

Friday started out at  6 am at Westside Lilo's Restaurant for breakfast and were on the road by 7:30 for the 1.5 hour drive to Hualapai Hilltop, where the pack station is located.   All bags were tagged and prepared for loading on to the pack horses as the 37 hikers began the 10.5 mile descent to Supai, the village below.  Everyone stopped at the village for lunch. Then it was down the remaining 1.5 miles to the Havasu Falls Campground. Continue reading

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Celebrate Our Foundation

 We begin with at 5 pm at the Chapparal Suites in Scottsdale with a No-Host Social hour, followed by dinner, entertainment, and recognition of donors. Past RI Director Phil Silvers comments will broaden our horizons about Rotary around the world. Please register today $45 pp Use the link on the home page of www.rotary5510.org

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 Two peanuts walked into a bar, one was a salted.

 A dyslexic man walked into a bra.

An invisible man marries an invisible woman, the kids were nothing to look at either.