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Archive for the ‘Rotary’ Category

Canadian physician and epidemiologist Bruce Aylward on eradicating Polio

With the help of Rotary International Polio has almost been completely eradicated. But as Bruce Aylward says: Almost isn't good enough with a disease this terrifying. Aylward lays out the plan to continue the scientific miracle that ended polio in most of the world — and to snuff it out everywhere, forever.

Below is his presentation at the March 2011 TED Conference

For more information on Rotary's End Polio campaign navigate your browser to:

http://www.rotary.org/en/EndPolio/Pages/ridefault.aspx

Posted in Rotary, Service

“Ride Lawrence” Project Awarded Significant Achievement Award from Rotary District 5710

At this year's District 5710 banquet Lawrence Central Rotary was awarded the Significant Achievement Award for our community service project: Ride Lawrence.

Ride Lawrence's intention is to be a clearinghouse for bicycling information in the City of Lawrence and the Douglas County Kansas area.

On July 16th we are also sponsoring a Community Bike Ride that will offer activities for every age and skill level, including a Training Wheels Take-off area for kids wanting to learn how to ride without training wheels.

The event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, at the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum. Several bicycling organizations have already volunteered to help with the event. Contact me if you would like to help or need more information (gbrenner@sunflower.com).

Posted in Biking, Rotary, Service

KU Football Coach Turner Gill Visits Lawrence Central

We were treated to a talk from Coach Gill who discussed his positive coaching philosophy and what values he imparts in his players and some wonderful stories from his years before coming to KU. One great acronym he imparts on his players is "BELIEVE"

B. Believe in each other
E. Empower people by encouragement
L. Learn and press on toward the Goal.
I. Influence by being a positive role model.
E. Expect great effort all the time
V. Visualize Excellence
E. Enjoy the college football experience

Here's a pic of Club President Carolyn Chinn-Lewis with Coach Gill.

Thanks Coach!

Posted in News, Rotary, Uncategorized

So what is Rotary Anyway?

I get asked this all the time. No we don't have funny hats, no we don't carry swords (although that would be really cool!) and no there are not any mini cars or motorcycles (again, it would be cool!)

In this month's The Rotarian magazine Susie Ma asked different Rotarians what their talking points are in less than 1 minute :

ANNE L MATTHEWS, Rotary Foundation trustee, USA

Rotary is the most prestigious nonpolitical, nonsectarian service organization in the world. It's a little over 100 years old. Our purpose as Rotarians is to promote peace and understanding through a wide array of educational and humanitarian programs under the auspices of The Rotary Foundation. The heart and soul of the Foundation is to help people who are less fortunate all over the world.

JOHN F. GERM, Rotary Foundation trustee vice chair, USA

Rotary is a service organization dedicated to high ethicalstandards and promoting service projects to enhance thelives of people in the community and around the world. The purpose of Rotary is to improve lives through educational and humanitarian programs. Sometimes I take people who want to know more about Rotary to club meetings. I give them a copy of The Rotarian to let them read about what Rotary is doing.

ANTONIO HALLAGE, Rl director, Brazil

Rotary is a worldwide organization of professionals with high ethical standards. We are involved in our communities with professionals and with youth.

WILLIAM B. BOYD, Rotary Foundation trustee chair-elect, past Rl president, New Zealand

We exist to serve people. The best example of this is the polio eradication campaign. A lot of people you meet don't understand Rotary, so you need to make the point that it is a service organization with an international aspect. When I come through U.S. immigration and tell them I'm here on Rotarian business, they ask me, "Are you coming for business purposes?" say, "No way. I'm a Rotarian. Rotary is a volunteer organization. I don't get paid to make speeches. and I'm not very good at it anyway."

KALYAN BANERJEE, Rl president-elect, India

Rotary is a volunteer organization with 1.2 million business and professional leaders from around the world who get together in friendship, provide humanitarian service, and work for peace. They conduct projects to address challenges such as illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns. One of the cornerstones of Rotary is our firm belief in maintaining high ethical standards in our business, professional, and personal lives.

SAMUEL F. OWORI, Rl director, Uganda .

Rotarians believe in helping those who are less fortunate. We make acquaintances with good-quality people, people with good morals, people with influence. In business and professional life, Rotary is a big advantage. You meet people you ordinarily would not meet. You make an impact by promoting peace and understanding. Polio eradication is a big selling point. We need to leave the world a better place than we found it.

EKKEHART PANDEL, Rl director, Germany

In Germany, Rotary is one of the biggest volunteer nonprofit service organizations. We have a lot of diversity in our clubs – diversity in gender, religion, profession, and business. Our worldwide network is very good at reacting to needs in less developed countries. We do many projects in Africa since it is at our front door.

DONG KURN LEE, Rotary Foundation trustee, past Rl president, Korea

Rotary gives you the opportunity to build relationships, but more important, it gives you the opportunity to contribute to society. Rotary means the chance to help those who are less privileged. Weekly meetings allow you to meet with friends, to think about others, and to make donations. Everyone needs this.

Posted in Rotary

Lawrence Central Helps with Salvation Army & Christmas Parade

The Lawrence Central Rotary family was busy Saturday 12/4 as we worked double duty on Mass Street downtown. We staffed the Salvation Army Kettle drive in front of Weaver's Department Store for the day and also helped with crowd control for the annual Downtown Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas parade. It was a little chilly, but it was great to be out supporting our community and seeing old friends and new.

The Lawrence Journal World did a story about past president Scott Wagner and his family manning the kettle collecting donations for the Salvation Army. Click HERE to see the entire story.

Posted in News, Rotary, Service