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December 2011
May you and your family enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday season. Virtually every club in district 5510 actively supports its local community during this time of year. Thanks to everyone who rings a bell to raise money, adopts an angel from a tree, delivers a meal, visits the elderly, wraps packages, smiles in crowded stores, holds a door open for a harried shopper, and pauses to value the person closest to them. All of these acts of kindness bring value to the our community. - Service Above Self
The Editor
Mexican/American Friendship Exchange Hikes the Arizona Trail
Visiting members of the US-Mexico Friendship Exchange got a special treat on Sunday, November 20th. Our visitors from Mexico hiked a portion of The Arizona Trail in connection with the "800 MILES TO END POLIO NOW" project. The hike was followed by excellent box lunches, drinks and lots of fellowship.
New friendships were formed and lots of pictures taken.
Chandler North Rotary Club hosted the event which was held at the base of Apache Leap sometimes knows as Picketpost Mountain. Each visitor was presented with an Apache Tear
as a reminder of their visit.
Sun Lakes Rotary Club provides support to
Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank
Gary Whiting, PDG and Sun Lakes Rotarian
Each year the 90+ members of the Sun Lakes Rotary Club support the Rotary International Foundation and its major PolioPlus project, Gift of Life-Arizona for children suffering with congenital heart defects, and several local charities in the Sun Lakes/Chandler area and this Rotary year will be the same. As such, one local charity that came to Club President, Bonnie Whiting’s immediate attention for support is the Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank located in Chandler. Because of the slow economy and high unemployment in the East Valley there is an overwhelming need to help keep family hunger at bay. The Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank wages a daily fight against hunger by providing food and basic necessities to those in need.
As explained by Executive Director, Aimee Runyon, there is presently more demand than supply, and help is needed. They are presently providing food to over 500 needy families per month and need a constant supply of donated food as the demand is rapidly growing. Additionally, they need more refrigeration and storage for fresh food such as meat, poultry, vegetables and fruit. 
With these needs in mind, the Sun Lakes Rotary Club used a local Rotary District Simplified Grant of $1,500 and $3,000 from the club treasury to purchase a new refrigeration unit which is now installed and in use. Additionally, at each weekly Rotary meeting, there is a guest speaker to address the club members on a variety of subjects. In recognition of their time and effort, the Rotary club is donating a total of $1,500 in their names to the Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank to help provide further assistance.
The Sun Lakes Rotary Club is urging all who read this article to consider joining forces with the Sun Lakes Rotary Club by providing a donation of a few items of food or a cash donation for this holiday season. If you have some spare time to share, they also need the manpower to help out. Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank is located at 650 North Arizona Ave., Chandler 85225 and can be reached by phone at 480-766-2625 or their website: www.matthewscrossing.org for more information.
The Sun Lakes Rotary Club is proud of its history in helping and providing assistance in both the local and international communities with monetary donations and personal “hands on” involvement. Let’s help all we can to those in need during this holiday season and these tough economic times.
Scottsdale North: District Simplified Grant
By Dena Oppenheim
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale North received a District Simplified Grant to help Banner Sun Health Research Institute’s (BSHRI) Longtine Center for Molecular Biology & Genetics in the purchase of a FlexiVap Work Station (see photo). This instrument will significantly reduce the human labor required to conduct chemical analyses of cellular material to identify, for example, the presence of amyloid beta peptide, a key molecule that forms toxic plaques in the Alzheimer's brain.
The BSHRI, a non-profit 501(c)(3) medical research institute, is one of only 29 research organizations in the U.S designated as an Alzheimer's Disease Center by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Aging (NIA) in recognition of its outstanding research achievements. The Longtine Center is headed by internationally noted research scientist Alex Roher, MD, PhD. The Institute conducts basic and pre-clinical laboratory research as well as clinical research to find the causes, biomarkers, and treatments of Alzheimer's disease with the goal of finding a way to prevent Alzheimer's disease. www.rotarynorthscottsdale.org
and in the end…................
By Alan Havir, District Governor
At times, do we ever wonder why things weren’t going our way. Maybe our feelings were hurt, a job failed, plans didn’t work out or we let someone down. Pressure, anxiety, consternation and the complexities of life cause us discontent and pain. We’re waiting for something good to happen to take us out of this place of ‘in between’. We find blame and fault with other things around us.
“So often times it happens, that we live our lives in pain and we never even know we have the key”, Don Henley the Eagles. It really isn’t about us. The world cares about what we can do and what we give. Because what we give, is what we get. 
At night I said prayers with my kids. At the end of the prayer I added the line, “and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make”, John Lennon. It’s the basis of the “four way test”. It’s the law of the universe. For every action there is an equal reaction. It’s the golden rule. It was the Beatles final statement of their collective work.
As Rotarians our lives are defined by what we bring to one another. The best part is that no matter where we are in life we can always do something good for others. We win when we can renew our commitment to those things outside of ourselves.
Let’s renew our commitment for next year and plug in to our Rotary spirit. That’s why we join together around the world from all faiths, political affiliations, races and nationalities in peace. It will bring peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind. Just “Imagine all the people, living life in peace”. J.L.
The work of Rotary has no boundaries and we hold the key. Our Rotary experience can be local or international, large or small. Expanding Rotary is our challenge this year. How can we do more? Consider hosting an exchange student, volunteer with Interact, send a Sophomore or Junior to RYLA, attend the International Convention, visit another Rotary Club, or hey…how about attending the District Conference June 8th and 9th.
There is much to celebrate. Just imagine all the people you have already touched, all the goodwill and all the people living life in peace.
Sandy and I wish you Happy Holidays.
Interested in International Serevice in Mexico?
Join the Rocky Point Team
By Howard Adams, Rotary Club of Phoenix El Puente
A number of Rotary members and clubs are doing projects or have been involved in individual efforts to make life a little better for our neighbors south of the border in Rocky Point, Mexico. It was also found that a number of members have expressed a desire for "hands on" rather than check writing international projects. So on October 15th 2011 a team of volunteers from around the District came together to explore the possibilities for doing this as a group organized and managed by our clubs and its members rather than a District run effort.
Since the meeting, the District has created the means for such a team to start working together. The team iscurrently called The Rocky Point Team. Its mission is:
To provide opportunities and support towards projects that have an international reach
and provide the participants with live, hands-on experiences.
I say currently, because this article is just the introduction of the team. The team itself will decide what its name is, what projects it will pursue, its own schedules, how it is organized and be self-sufficient rather than being driven by the District and its administration.
For those of you familiar with or interested in supporting projects in Rocky Point, simply Register for the District's website and find out more about the strategy and direction the team has started on. Should you have any problems registering or logging in, contact me at
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for support.
Once registered, you can get much more information by exploring the Rocky Point Team Forum and reading the initial team strategy, and acrticle called First Things First - Getting Organized on the team's web page.
Other reasons to get involved:
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- Working as a virtual team allows individuals to work at their leisure when contributing while allowing the team as a whole to realize its goals.
- You can easily visit the projects considering they are only 3.5 hour drive from Phoenix or Tucson.
- The upcoming requirement of Rotary International's "Future Vision" program will require that international grants be a minimum of $50,000.00 USD.
- Working through teams such as this will better enable clubs to work together to meet this minimum.
- The Rocky Point Team is an example of using social media and technology to come together around a common cause despite distance, languages, time zones, ages, and culture.
- Such teams are not only here to stay but replacing the more traditional live meetings at a rapid pace.
- Having fellow Rotarians helping you learning to use new technologies like forums, working through web pages, audio/video conferencing, and more will extend your reach towards Serving Above Self.
One other reason often cited by some current members, Rocky Point provides a wonderful, inexpensive means to help others including the family by speding time togther on a great beach
Election Time! December of Every Year
Is your club in sync or out of sync? The standard club constitution states that club presidents are to be elected no less than 18 months and not more than 24 months before taking office. (2010 MOP, Club Constitution section 5b) Therefore, this month each club is to elect the people who will be Club President beginning 7/1/13 when Jay Jones serves as District Governor. Please, if you are still trying to find the perfect person to be president on 7/1/12 to serve with Abe Feder as governor - then dig in, do some canvasing and elect both people to get back on track. As soon as the President, Secretary and Treasurer are identified for July 1, 2012 please update the district database and mark these people as the 'elects'. That will insure that the correct people receive information about PETS 2012 to be held March 2 & 3, 2012.
Also, last call for applicants for the position of District Governor to serve in 2014-2015.
Please contact Alan Havir for the application form. Due date: 12/31/11
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A Message to all Arizona State Tax payers from
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.............
Maximum credit amounts are listed below for Married Filing Joint:
Working Poor Charity Credit (Maximum credit = $400.00) The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona. http://www.trvfa.org/Military Family relief Fund (Maximum credit = $400.00) Must fund ASAP to insure credit status. Retain credit receipt for documentation.Public School Credit (Maximum credit = $400.00) Contact your public school of choice. Retain receipt for documentation.Private School Tuition organization ( Maximum credit = $1,000.00) Contact you private school of choice. Retain receipt for documentation.
Do not double up one credit at the expense of another. Each credit has its own maximum allowable. Specific questions should be referred to your personal tax advisor. Please take advantage of the Working Poor Credit to benefit your own bottom line, and the people of Arizona who can use your help from this fund.
Charitable Gift Anuity - 2011 Advantage
The Rotary Foundation's payment rates for Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA) will be reduced after 31 December 2011. Thus, individuals considering a CGA to support The Rotary Foundation, obtain tax benefits and obtain Major Donor status may want to act this December instead of waiting until January. Click to review a brochureentitled Whose Future brochure - an easy tool to share the benefits of a CGA. This contains current rate information examples. Should you desire a customized sample of the possible benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity please contact Peter Doetschman, Planned Giving Officer, at (847) 866-3833.
By Jim Bissonett, Assistant Governor (The Rotary Club of Paradise Valley)
Everyone has a story to tell about why they are in Rotary and what it means to them.
When I first joined Rotary, I wanted to be involved with a group that helped others who were in difficult circumstances. Previously, I had been involved in my church, the local chamber of commerce, and supporting local school and youth programs. I really did not know if I would like Rotary. I wasn't sure what kinds of activities they did, but I did know that many of the people in Rotary were leaders in their business. I thought it would be good for me to develop connections beyond my own familiar surroundings. I wanted to be with leaders! So, I actually sought out Rotary before it sought me!
When I went to my first few meetings, I was impressed with the orchestration of the meeting. From the opening bell and pledge to the program updates and speaker, it was interesting and well delivered. People I did not know previously were welcoming and friendly.
In that first year, there was much to learn about the projects of Rotary and how the club was structured and worked. However, I was making new acquaintances, and that was the most enjoyable aspect! Rotary quickly became a priority weekly destination for fun, fellowship, and service.
I was impressed by the commitment of Rotarians! I made new friends! Rotary had an ethical standard in the 4 way test! I was in an organization unlike any other! The more involved I got in my club, the more important Rotary became in my life.
Early on I was introduced to the Object of Rotary. It still strikes me as being the best description of Rotary. More than anything in my years of Rotary, this is stated "Object" is something I keep coming back to, because it is the essence of what Rotary means to me.
"The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowshipof business and professional persons united in the ideal of service."
Serving others is truly rewarding. For me the Object of Rotary is noble and unique in the delivery of service to others. The Object of Rotary essentially describes how Rotary accomplishes its mission, and for me it is the reason I am a Rotarian.
Shen Yun Chinese Cultural Extravaganza - Raise Money for End Polio Now!
 Here's another way you can support our district's efforts to raise money for polio eradication. The Shen Yun Performing Arts show is coming up at the end of January. For every ticket purchased through this link, Shen Yun will donate 10% of the ticket price to End Polio Now. This event is a miracle - you get to experience 5,000 years of Chinese culture in two hours.
There are three performances, January 27th - 29th, at the ASU Gammage Auditoriaum. Tickets start at $50.
Click here to purchase tickets for Shen Yun 2012!
Success for Microcredit Borrowers Expo Oct 29
By Wayne Rish
Twenty three borrowers took advantage of the sunny, warm weather on the main Square in Nogales, Mexico to demonstrate their business products and seek new customers at the Borrowers Expo October 29.
One of the borrowers we interviewed was Señora Duran and her story was representative of several others. She has successfully managed her Avon Products and health care products business for seven years. Although she make good margins and commissions (in excess of 40%) her business growth and her income were stagnant due to her inability to borrow funds from a commercial source.
In July 2011 she borrowed $300 from funds Rotarians and the Rotary Foundation made available through a Matching Grant supported by many Rotary clubs and Rotarians in District 5510. In the intervening months, she said she has earned about $120 additional net income per month with the new business growth. She works from home, sells for cash, and has four children. Her husband works full time, earning $8 a day. The additional net return she has earned since July has paid for her children's school clothes, shoes and fees and additional inventory. She is a very smart business woman and recognizes the tremendous opportunity that small loans like this give her to grow her business and help her family. She commented that the borrowing process and fees are very reasonable and intends to expand her borrowing and her business.
Microcredit projects like this are among the most successful and cost effective humanitarian self-help programs. In addition, your contribution will be tax deductable; the Rotary Foundation will match your contributions with 50 cents per dollar and provide Paul Harris Credits dollar for dollar. There are no minimum or maximum contributions and we have Mexican borrowers qualified and waiting for all the funds we can raise with this project through March 2012. If you would like to learn more about this Rotarian supported microcredit project in Nogales, Mexico, or consider participating in this international matching grant project with your club, contact Wayne Rish of Fountain Hills Rotary Club at
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or 480-664-4820.
CALLING ALL MOUNTAIN BIKERS
RIDE THE ARIZONA TRAIL #18
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 10:00AM located east of Superstition Mountain off highway 60 just before the Arboretum. We will be on the north side of the freeway. Look for the Rotary marker.
RSVP TO: Alan Havir, 623-297-1541 or
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. Let us know your T-shirt size and make your $25 check payable to Rotary District 5510.
Go online to the http://endpolioaz.org/ and sign up and pledge for the trail ride. We recommend a minimum pledge of $100 to endpolionowaz.com. Gather sponsors and friends and have them pledge $5 or 10 for every mile you ride.
Below is the website information
http://aztrail.org/passages/pass_18.html This is the site of the trail.
http://endpolioaz.org/about-the-arizona-trail This is the map of the trail go to site 18. It starts near Highway 60 just before the arboretum. Just before the road goes into a two lane you can turn left (north) about a few blocks. That will be our start instead of the actual start south of highway 60.
RIDER LEVELS:
We will have three riding levels advanced, average and novice for the out and back ride.
Advanced riders will go all the way to the end of Trail 18. There are tough climbs that stress the moderate rider.
Average riders can to the base of the mountain climb and enjoy the terrain.
Novice riders can ride the trail north and south enjoying the day.
ROTARIAN FUN; We will have refreshments and nibbles for the riders. This will be a fun assembly of riders for the whole day. Bring the family.
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.
Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
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