Jonathan Majiyagbe 's speach

Dear Rotarians, 
At our April meeting, The Rotary Foundation Trustees examined how the current global economic crisis has affected the Foundation’s ability to support Rotarians’ good work worldwide. Like all foundations, we have experienced substantial unrealized investment losses, forcing us to suspend Matching Grant applications in March of this year. These losses will also have an impact on the amount of money available for program awards in the coming year.  
In determining our program and operations budgets for 2009-10, the Trustees made some very difficult decisions. We were fortunate to have the Future Vision Plan to help us focus strategically on what we believe to be best for our Foundation, next year and beyond. For example, funds for polio eradication — our top priority — remain secure, as do the resources to launch the Future Vision pilot in July 2010. We will, however, accelerate the elimination of several programs slated to be discontinued in 2010-11. Effective 1 July 2009, the Foundation will no longer fund the following: 

• Rotary Grants for University Teachers , except for grants already awarded
• Volunteer Service Grants
• Cultural and Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships , except for grants already awarded 

In addition, the World Fund allocation for Matching Grants was reduced to US$9.5 million for 2009-10, about 70 percent less than the original budget for 2008-09. Districts are encouraged to  use their District Designated Fund (DDF), which is secure and not affected by budget cutbacks in any way, to help carry out their humanitarian service projects. Keep in mind, however, that DDF may not be used to support program activities that have been eliminated. 
The budget for Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants was also greatly reduced and will only support new projects that are part of our alliance with USAID to improve water and sanitation in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Philippines. We have also suspended some other activities for 2009-10, including the Scholarships Fund Pool for Low-Income Countries, Regional Scholar Seminar Grants, the Rotary Alumni Celebration at the 2010 RI Convention, and training for Rotary Foundation alumni coordinators. 
Looking ahead, the Trustees agreed that World Fund Group Study Exchange (GSE) partner districts will spread their exchanges over two years in fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12, with one team being funded in each of the years. GSE funding determination for 2012-13, the final year of the program before the Future Vision Plan is implemented across the Foundation, will be made in April 2010. 
Read more information about the impact that budget decisions will have on grant application processing for Educational Programs and the Humanitarian Grants Program. 
We understand that many Rotarians will be disappointed by one or more of these cutbacks. Given the current economic situation, however, it was essential to reduce the Foundation’s 2009-10 program budget to $153.3 million, which is slightly less than the projected actual for 2008-09 and $27.1 million less than the original 2008-09 budget. Our 2009-10 operations budget, including staffing for the Future Vision pilot, is $43.1 million, about $1.6 million under last year’s budget. Thanks to cost-cutting measures this year, however, we anticipate the 2008-09 projected operations expenses to come in at about $4.6 million under budget. 
As troubling as our current economic situation is, we must remember that our Foundation experienced tremendous growth when investment markets were favorable. In good years, we were able to provide tens of millions of dollars to address critical problems in every part of the world. I have every hope that we will once again have a bounty of funds to disperse so that Rotarians can continue to do good in the world for decades to come.  
That outcome depends in large part on the continued support of our 1.2 million Rotarians. Although we have had to suspend some of our activities, there can be no moratorium on humanitarian service in Rotary. I am happy to report that Rotarians are continuing to give generously to our Foundation; year-to-date total contributions are higher than last year at this time. Without this support, the program cuts would have been even more painful.  
As we work through this economic crisis together, I urge every Rotarian to make a contribution to our Annual Programs Fund by 30 June. Your gifts will strengthen our long-term ability to respond to urgent humanitarian needs and work for a world at peace. I promise you that the Foundation Trustees and our staff will endeavor to protect, maximize, and leverage our Foundation assets as much as we possibly can in today’s volatile economic climate. 
Jonathan Majiyagbe
2008-09 Chair, The Rotary Foundation Trustees

LIFE IS MOST BEAUTIFUL

LIFE IS MOST BEAUTIFUL !!!!

Small Story......Truth of life  

Once  a Junior School teacher asked her students to bring some potatoes in a plastic bag to school. Each potato will be given a name of the person whom that child hates. Like this, the number of potatoes will be equal to the number of persons they hate. On a decided day the children brought their potatoes well addressed. Some had two, some had three and some had even five potatoes. The teacher said they have to carry these potatoes with them everywhere they go for a week. As the days passed the children started to complain about the spoiled smell that started coming from these potatoes. Also some students who had many potatoes complained that it was very heavy to carry them all around. The children got rid of this assignment after a week, when it got over.
 
The teacher asked, "How did you feel in this one week?" The children discussed their problems about the smell and weight. Then the teacher said, "This situation is very similar to what you carry in your heart when you don't like some people. This hatred makes your heart unhealthy and you carry that hatred in your heart everywhere you go. If you can not bear the smell of spoiled potatoes for a week, imagine the impact of this hatred that you carry through out your life, on your heart?"

MORAL: * OUR HEART IS A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN THAT NEEDS A REGULAR CLEANING OF UNWANTED WEEDS. * FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEHAVED WITH YOU AS EXPECTED AND FORGET THE BAD THINGS. THIS ALSO MAKES ROOM AVAILABLE FOR STORING GOOD THINGS.

Result man -result

A Priest dies and is awaiting his turn in line at the Heaven's Gates. Ahead of him is a guy, fashionably dressed, in dark sun glasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket & jeans.

God asks him: Please tell me who you are, so that I may know whether to admit you into the kingdom of Heaven or not.  

The guy replies: I am an Bus Drive Tamilnadu !

God consults his ledger, smiles and says to the Driver : Please take this silken robe & gold scarf and enter the Kingdom of Heaven ...

Now it is the priest's turn. He stands erect and speaks out in a booming voice: I am Pope's Assistant so & so, Head Priest of the so & so Church for the last 40 years.

God consults his ledger & says to the Priest: Please take this cotton robe & enter the Kingdom of Heaven ...

'Just a minute'  says the agonized Priest. 'How is it that a foul mouthed, rash Driver is given a Silken robe & a Golden scarf and me, a Priest, who's spent his whole life preaching your Name & goodness has to make do with a Cotton robe?'

'Results my friend, results,' shrugs God.
'While you preached, people SLEPT; but when he drove, people PRAYED'
It's PERFORMANCE & not POSITION that ultimately counts  .................

Result man -result

A Priest dies and is awaiting his turn in line at the Heaven's Gates. Ahead of him is a guy, fashionably dressed, in dark sun glasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket & jeans.

God asks him: Please tell me who you are, so that I may know whether to admit you into the kingdom of Heaven or not.  

The guy replies: I am an Bus Drive Tamilnadu !

God consults his ledger, smiles and says to the Driver : Please take this silken robe & gold scarf and enter the Kingdom of Heaven ...

Now it is the priest's turn. He stands erect and speaks out in a booming voice: I am Pope's Assistant so & so, Head Priest of the so & so Church for the last 40 years.

God consults his ledger & says to the Priest: Please take this cotton robe & enter the Kingdom of Heaven ...

'Just a minute'  says the agonized Priest. 'How is it that a foul mouthed, rash Driver is given a Silken robe & a Golden scarf and me, a Priest, who's spent his whole life preaching your Name & goodness has to make do with a Cotton robe?'

'Results my friend, results,' shrugs God.
'While you preached, people SLEPT; but when he drove, people PRAYED'
It's PERFORMANCE & not POSITION that ultimately counts  .................

From Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s article on qualities of a leader. Amazing read !

From Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s article on qualities of a leader. Amazing read !

 The first major aspect of good leadership is letting go of control. Are you in control when you’re sleeping or when you’re dreaming? No! Are you in control of any other function in your body? Your heart is pumping all by itself. Your liver functions by itself. The food you stuff in the stomach gets digested all by itself. Do you have any control over them? Are you in control of the Sun and Moon moving around the globe or even the globe rotating on itself? Are you in control of the thoughts that come into your head? So, when you realise you really do not have any control over all major things that are happening in your life, you’ll stand up and laugh. “Oh, what am I thinking, am I in control of something?” Then you will realise that the idea that you are in control is an illusion. And then you relax. And that relaxed state is called surrender. What is surrender? A state of mind, where you are absolutely at home, totally relaxed — with no fear, anxiety, burden or problem. That state is called surrender. Surrender is our very nature; you don’t have to do it. When you are in your natural state of childlike innocence, you are already in a state of surrender. When you cannot surrender, then you make effort, and effort makes you surrender. So when you say, “I cannot relax”, I will say, “Ok, hold your fists tight and tight and tight.” Then, when I ask you to make it tighter and you cannot do that, what do you do? Being tired, you just drop. This is coming to the other end with effort! For a leader, it is also important to be in the present moment.
 
So, what are the qualities of good leadership? How can you be a dynamic, confident and enthusiastic leader?
The first quality of leadership is to set an example. A leader doesn’t just order things; he does it so that others can do it.
Second aspect is that a leader takes good care of those whom he is leading.
Third aspect is that he doesn’t create followers. A good leader creates leaders. And then chain reaction happens. A leader should delegate responsibility.
The fourth quality is that a leader does not depend on authority. He just does a thing, whether authority is invested or not. It comes by itself.
The fifth aspect of leadership is that he does not worry about position. The respect that you gain through virtue is very different from the respect you gain through the position.  The respect you get through a position is short-lived and temporary. But the respect that you gain just because of your smile, your attitude, your virtues are there with you all the time. You may be a chairman of this committee, a president of that committee, or you are barrister here or governor of that state — these are all momentary, temporary. They come and they go. And the respect you get because of this position is not genuine, it is not from the heart, it is not true. But the respect you gain because you are a nice person, is genuine, it lasts long. It is spontaneous.
The sixth quality is that a leader is alert and when challenges come, he is not disturbed. A good leader is one who does not drop things when challenges appear.
The seventh quality of a good leader is one who does not care for comfort, but who stretches himself beyond the comfort zone. Anything creative, dynamic and great can happen only when you stretch beyond your comfort zone where we are often struck. We think we cannot do something: just make an effort and put one step ahead, and you will find that that you are expanding your comfort zone. Creativity transcends your comfort zone. Or, when you step out of the comfort zone, your creativity comes into play.
The eighth aspect is that a leader should not mix head and heart. If you mix head and heart, you are in a mess! When you have to work, you work with commitment and you live with your head. In life, in situations other than when you are working, listen to your heart.
The ninth quality of a good leader is that he should be multi-dimensional and see from the other’s point of view. Put yourself in other person’s shoes, look from the other person’s point of view.
 The tenth aspect is that the leader doesn’t depend on one-sided information. When you get some news from one side, don’t take any decision or conclusion till you hear from the other side also. A leader should be a good communicator.
 The eleventh is that a leader should have a direct approach.
The twelfth quality of a good leader is not to judge oneself. You have this tendency of judging yourself, “Am I good? I’m no good.” The self-judgment is an obstruction. Stop doing that. Don’t judge yourself. When you judge yourself, you are judging others also. Then you oscillate like a pendulum. If you feel you’re good, then you are saying that others are not so good. So when you find that others are good, and then you feel that you are no good, you blame yourself. Judgment is very similar to self-blame and blaming others. We have to get out of this vicious circle of self-judgment. That is also the state of surrender. When you have surrendered to the Divine that means that you no longer judge yourself. Self-judgment is not necessary. A child is so innocent, why? Because the child doesn’t judge itself.

DO NOT WAIT FOR DISASTER

No country can afford to ignore the lessons of the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti. We cannot stop such disasters from happening. But we can dramatically reduce their impact, if the right disaster risk reduction measures are taken in advance.

Recently, I visited Chile's earthquake zone and saw how countless lives were saved because Chile's leaders had learned the lessons of the past and heeded the warnings of crises to come.

Because stringent earthquake building codes were enforced, much worse casualties were prevented. Training and equipping first responders ahead of time meant help was there within minutes of the tremor. Embracing the spirit that governments have a responsibility for future challenges as well as current ones did more to prevent human casualties than any relief effort could.

Deaths were in the hundreds in Chile, despite the magnitude of the earthquake, at 8.8 on the Richter scale, the fifth largest since records began. In Haiti, a less intense earthquake caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. Haiti had non-existent or un-enforced building codes, and very poor preparedness.

The lessons are universally applicable. No country is immune from disaster, be it earthquakes or floods, storms or heat waves. More and more intense natural disasters are affecting all five continents, we believe as a result of climate change. Many of the world's poorest people live in high-risk densely populated cities in flood or earthquake zones, or both.

The culture of disaster risk reduction must spread. I am encouraged that we already have a head start in this regard.

The Hyogo Framework for Action, a 10-year plan to make the world safer from disasters triggered by natural hazards, was adopted by 168 governments in 2005.

Hyogo gives national authorities a blueprint to assess and reduce risks through planning, training, and better public education. For example, making sure that schools, hospitals, and other key public infrastructure meet certain safety standards.

Based on the Hyogo Framework, the U.N. has made disaster risk reduction a priority. I have appointed a Special Representative for implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action. Last year I launched the first global assessment report on disaster risk reduction in Bahrain.

Progress

There has been progress. Bangladesh lost more than 500,000 people during Cyclone Bhola in 1970. It subsequently built 2,500 cyclone shelters on elevated concrete platforms and trained more than 32,000 volunteers to help in evacuations. When Cyclone Sidr struck in 2007 with an enormous sea surge, the death toll was less than 4,000. Cyclone Nargis, a similar event in unprepared Myanmar in May 2008, cost 140,000 lives.

Cuba weathered four hurricanes in 2008. It sustained $9 billion of physical damage but very few lives were lost.

The evidence is overwhelming. Yet the lessons of these disasters are forgotten with depressing speed. Many governments have failed to follow through on the practical measures Hyogo proposes.

Some states argue that they cannot afford to embrace the prevention model. I say no country can afford to ignore it.

We know prevention actually saves governments money in the long run. When China spent $3.15 billion on reducing the impact of floods between 1960 and 2000, it averted losses estimated at about $12 billion.

Similar savings have been recorded in Brazil, India, Vietnam and elsewhere.

Everyone has a role to play.

Governments, central and local, have to do what it takes to make communities able to cope with both continuing challenges and sudden shocks.

In flood and earthquake-prone areas, the solution is to enact and enforce building regulations. For flood prone areas, it is to move or improve squatter settlements, restore natural coastal barriers such as mangrove swamps, provide more suitable land and better infrastructure for the urban poor and install effective early warning systems.

These measures will keep many thousands of people alive who may otherwise perish. The U.N. is ready to help governments build preparedness at the country and regional levels. Donor nations need to fund disaster risk reduction and preparedness measures. Adaptation to climate change in particular means investing in systems for disaster reduction, preparedness and management.

The Chile and Haiti earthquakes showed us once again why action before disasters makes all the difference. To prevent natural hazards turning into disasters, we must all act sooner and act smarter. — Courtesy: U.N. information Centre, New Delhi

(Ban Ki-moon is Secretary-General of the United Nations

REAL LOVE

My wife called , 'How long will you be poring over that newspaper?
Will you come here and make your darling daughter eat her food?'
I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene.
My only daughter Sindu looked frightened.
Tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to its
brim with Curd Rice.
Sindu is a nice child , quite intelligent for her age. She has just turned
eight.
She particularly detested Curd Rice. My mother and my wife are orthodox ,
and believe firmly in the 'coolingeffects' of Curd Rice! I cleared my
throat , and picked up the bowl. 'Sindu , darling , why don't you take a
few mouthful of this Curd Rice?Just for Dad's sake , dear. And , if you
don't , your Mom will shout at me'I could sense my wife's scowl behind my
back.
Sindu softened a bit , and wiped her tears with the back of herhands.
'OK , Dad. I will eat - not just a few mouthfuls , but the whole lot of
this.
But , you should...' Sindu hesitated.
'Dad , if I eat this entire curd Rice , will you give me whatever I ask
for?'

Oh sure , darling'.

'Promise?'

'Promise'.

I covered the pink soft hand extended by my daughter with mine , and
clinched the deal. 'Ask Mom also to give a similar promise' , my daughter
insisted. My wife slapped her hand on Sindu's , muttering 'Promise' ,
without any emotion.

Now I became a bit anxious. 'Sindu dear , you shouldn't insist on getting a
computer or any such expensive items.
Dad does not have thatkind of money right now. OK?'

'No , Dad. I do not want anything expensive'.

Slowly and painfully , she finished eating the whole quantity.
I was silently angry with my wife and my mother for forcing my child eat
something that she detested.
After the ordeal was through , Sindu came to me with her eyes wide with
expectation.
All our attention was on her.

'Dad , I want to have my head shaved off , this Sunday!' was her demand.

'Atrocious!' shouted my wife , 'A girl child having her head shaved off?
Impossible!'

'Never in our family!' my mother rasped.
'She has been watching too much of television.
Our culture is getting totally spoiled with these TV programs!'

Sindu darling , why don't you ask for something else?
We will be sad seeing you with a clean-shaven head.'

'No , Dad. I do not want anything else' , Sindu said with finality.

'Please , Sindu , why don't you try to understand our feelings?' I tried to
plead with her.

'Dad , you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that Curd Rice'. Sindu
was in tears.

'And you promised to grant me whatever I ask for. Now , you are going back
on your words.
Was it not you who told me the story of King Harishchandra , and its moral
that we should honor our promises no matter what?'

It was time for me to call the shots. 'Our promise must be kept.'

'Are you out your mind?' chorused my mother and wife.

'No. If we go back on our promises , she will never learn to honor her own.


Sindu , your wish will be fulfilled.'

With her head clean-shaven , Sindu had a round-face , and her eyes looked
big and beautiful.

On Monday morning , I dropped her at her school.
It was a sight to watch my hairless Sindu walking towards her classroom.
She turned around and waved.

I waved back with a smile.

Just then , a boy alighted from a car , and shouted , 'Sinduja , please
wait for me!'

What struck me was the hairless head of that boy.
'May be , that is the in-stuff' , I thought.

'Sir , your daughter Sinduja is great indeed!'
Without introducing herself , a lady got out of the car , and continued , '
That boy who is walking along with your daughter ismy son Harish.

He is suffering from..... .... leukemia.' She paused to muffle her sobs.

'Harish could not attend the school for the whole of the last month.

He lost all his hair due to the side effects of the chemotherapy.
He refused to come back to school fearing the unintentional but
cruelteasing of the schoolmates.'

Sinduja visited him last week , and promised him that she will take care of
the teasing issue.

But , I never imagined she would sacrifice her lovely hair for the sake of
my son!

Sir , you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul as
yourdaughter...'

I stood transfixed. And then , I wept.
'My little Angel , you are teaching me how self-less real love is!'

*The happiest people on this planet are not those who live on their own
terms but are those who change their terms for the ones whom they love..*

Problem :: Emperor Akbar had heard that a certain astrologer was boasting that he was never wrong in his predictions.He had him brought to the court to punish him.

"You say you can foretell the future accurately,: Akbar said to the terrified man."Tell me when will you die".

The man said he had to consult his charts and the Emperor gave him an hour to do do.But instead of consulting his charts, the astrologer consulted Birbal, who told him what he should say.

Birbal's Solution :: Returning to the court, the astrologer announced that according to his calculations he would die 3 days before the Emperor.

Akbar suspected that the man was bluffing but was so frightened by the prospect of dying soon after astrologer that he sent him away unharmed.


Management Moral :: Often it is possible to get the better of people by exploiting their fears. If the astrologer had predicted any other date for his own death, Akbar could have ordered him put to death at an earlier date just to prove him wrong.Fear can cloud your judgement and thwart your best of plans.If you dream of accomplishing a lot, learn first to banish your unreasonable fears and act with a clear mind.

Child Sex Abuse

A lead article “Our crimes against our children” by Praveen Swami (The Hindu, January 21) should have opened Indian parents' eyes to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). The government report revealed that every second child in India faces sexual abuse. Fifty three per cent of children are sexually abused in their family environment and boys are more at risk than girls.

Talking with children about their bodies opens communication channels between children and parents. Teaching them strategies to recognise sexual abuse empowers them. Listening when a child reports a disturbing incident, believing him and standing up for him against the abuser is crucial.

Indian families prefer to hush up CSA incidents; they let the abuser go scot-free to abuse more children, and to further traumatise the child. Parents' job is to safeguard their children, not to protect adults' reputations, even if they are a cousin, a spouse or a grandparent. Parents must understand how child abusers silence their victims. The child often thinks it is his/her fault the uncle or aunt touched him/her inappropriately. The predator threatens harm to the child or to the family, exploiting the child's misplaced sense of responsibility for the family's safety.

When we teach our babies the names of their body parts, we must include the names of private parts. Children must not be ridiculed or scolded about their private parts. If someone touches a child's private parts, the child must not keep it secret from his parents. Show the child where nobody else can touch (bad touch). Explain exceptions to the rule such as bathing, washing after toilet use and examination by a medical professional (always with the parent present). Role-play good touch and bad touch.

Children have good instincts. If they feel uneasy with over-exuberant affection from an adult, tell them it is okay to get away. A child requires permission to be firm about his/her physical boundaries and to be rude if the adult does not stop. Every child should understand that his/her safety is more important than anything else, whether a teacher's or a driver's job, a family member's character or his own parents' marriage.

The sad truth is that many parents abuse their own children physically, verbally and emotionally. A child whose self-esteem and self-confidence are already battered by the family is at high risk from sexual predators. Good parenting should make the child bold and aware.

Show the child, which parts on an adult's body he/she mustn't touch even if cajoled or forced to. Firmly remove your little child's hands if he/she playfully touches your private parts, explaining that no one can touch them without your permission. Explain that older children or teenagers cannot fondle younger children's genitals. Even if the abuser is daddy's best friend or daddy himself, the child must get help. Parents must know sexual abuse symptoms. An abused child may start bedwetting or soiling underwear, have bruised genitals, fear or dislike a person, develop mood swings, show changes in temperament or lose interest in school, hobby classes or social activities. It is essential not to instil a fear of strangers or adults. 

Child mortality rate drops worldwide

A UNICEF study released in September shows a drop in child mortality worldwide. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson

Improved antimalaria measures and simple health practices have contributed to the decline of child deaths worldwide, according to a report released by UNICEF in September.
The study showed that an estimated 8.8 million children under five died in 2008 compared with 12.5 million in 1990, a drop of 28 percent and the lowest since recordkeeping began in 1960, UNICEF says.
"These new figures underscore the importance of the work that Rotary does," says 2008-09 RI President Dong Kurn Lee, who chose to focus on child mortality during his term. "The great majority of child deaths are preventable, and most of them can be prevented with relatively inexpensive interventions -- something as simple as a water filter, antibiotics, or a trained birth attendant."
The UNICEF report attributed the drop in child mortality largely to health interventions such as immunizations, vitamin A supplements, improved prevention of mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission, and the use of antimalaria mosquito nets.
Although all regions of the world have made progress, millions of children still die each year, with 40 percent of those deaths occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, and Nigeria, according to the report.
Lee's emphasis on reducing child mortality inspired clubs and districts to initiate new projects and come together for two international conferences devoted to the issue.
In 2008, more than half of all World Community Service health projects focused on reducing child mortality, involving medical clinics, health care training, and nutrition, according to Rotary International's ProjectLINK database.
Here are a few examples of innovative Rotary club projects that are addressing child mortality:

• Rotary clubs in Great Britain, Ireland, and Tanzania collaborated to form Rotarians Eliminating Malaria in Tanzania. The group used two Matching Grants and one Health, Hunger and Humanity Grant to provide more than 200,000 mosquito nets to communities in and around Arusha.
• To help improve maternal health, members of the Rotary clubs of Bagé-Minuano, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and Jackson Hole Supper, Wyoming, USA, are establishing a center to collect and redistribute breast milk at a hospital in a low-income area of Bagé.
• The Rotary Club of New Manila Heights, Quezon City, Philippines, launched a project in 2007 to treat 90 children under the age of 10 for tuberculosis. Headed by a Rotarian physician, the effort provides medicine and distributes food to the children.

"It's important to recognize the progress we've made, and how we've made that progress," Lee says. "But we also need to acknowledge that there is still a great deal left to be done in the area of child mortality -- and that there is a very great deal that we as Rotarians can and should be doing." 

chanakya Mantra

"A person should not be too honest.

Straight trees are cut first

And Honest people are screwed first."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC 75 BC) 

    

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"Even if a snake is not poisonous,

It should pretend to be venomous."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC) 


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"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody.  If you cannot keep secret with you , do not expect that other will keep it. ! It will destroy you."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC) 
 

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"There is some self-interest behind every friendship.

There is no Friendship without self-interests.

This is a bitter truth."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC) 

    

**********
 
 
"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions -

Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply

And find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC) 

    

**********
  

"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC) 

      

**********
 

"Once you start a working on something,

Don't be afraid of failure and

Don't abandon it.

People who work sincerely are the happiest."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC) 

    

**********
  

"The fragrance of flowers spreads

Only in the direction of the wind.

But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC) 


**********
      

"A man is great by deeds, not by birth."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC) 

    

**********
 

"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years.

For the next five years, scold them.

By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend.

Your grown up children are your best friends."

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)   


**********
      

"Education is the best friend.

An educated person is respected everywhere.

Education beats the beauty and the youth."

Chanakya quotes  (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)

Representative network

Representative network

R otary International appoints representatives each year to UN bodies and nongovernmental organizations worldwide. These representatives increase awareness and recognition of Rotary's programs, policies, and activities within the global community. They meet regularly with officers and staff from international agencies to

• Discuss parallel concerns and potential areas for cooperation
• Inform organizations about Rotary’s programs
• Gather information about other groups’ developments and programs

In addition, RI representatives promote Rotary by attending panel presentations and exhibits and by presenting keynote speeches at major events hosted by the United Nations and other international organizations. Contact External Relations staff  for more information.
Rotary International appoints representatives to:
African Union
In 1997, Rotary International became the first nongovernmental organization headquartered outside of Africa to establish official communications with the African Union. Together, they have addressed critical issues in Africa, including health care, education, family planning, and shelter.
Council of Europe
Rotary International established official relations with the Council of Europe in 1995 to strengthen cooperation with entities in the region. Through the council, representatives proactively share information about Rotary’s work with influential members of the European community. RI representatives actively participate in the council’s committees for nongovernmental organizations.
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Rotary International appointed a representative to this UN agency in 2002 to focus on the diverse Asia-Pacific region. During Rotary’s 2004-05 centennial celebration, the commission honored Rotary by housing the centennial bell at its headquarters. As the UN’s development arm in the region, it aims to reduce poverty, manage globalization, and tackle emerging social issues.
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
This a regional commission within the UN promotes economic and social development throughout western Asia. In 2004, Rotary International appointed a representative to the agency, which hosted a Rotary-UN Day event that was attended by hundreds of Rotarians and guests.
Economic Commission for Africa
This commission promotes the economic and social development of its 53 member states. It also works toward regional cooperation and international development assistance for Africa. Its relationship with Rotary began in 2004.
Economic Commission for Europe
This commission strives to promote sustainable economic growth among its 56 member countries. It analyzes economic and environmental issues and serves as a forum for communication among its members on topics such as trade, the environment, and transportation. The commission’s relationship with Rotary dates back to 2004.
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Rotary International appointed a representative to this commission in 2004. It works to promote economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean by coordinating and strengthening relationships among countries in the region and conducting outreach to other nations.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Since 1997, Rotary has maintained official relations with this organization, which works with both developed and developing countries to ensure good nutrition for all and to improve agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. IFAD works with rural poor people, governments, donors, non-governmental organizations, and other partners to create country-specific solutions to poverty, such as increasing access to financial services, markets, technology, land, and other natural resources.
Organisation Interational de la Francophonie
This organization represents French-speaking governments and communities worldwide, united to prevent conflict, promote cultural diversity, and ensure human rights. In 2006, Rotary appointed its first representative to this body.
Organization of American States
In 1997, Rotary International extended its representative network to this regional organization. It brings together nations in the Western Hemisphere to strengthen cooperation on democratic values and debate major regional and global issues.
UNESCO
Rotary's relationship with UNESCO dates back to a 1942 Rotary conference in London to promote international cultural and educational exchanges. This event was an impetus to establish UNESCO, whose mission Rotary has supported for several decades. Rotary recently launched the university-based Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution, which directly reflect UNESCO's goals for global peace and understanding.
United Nations Environmental Programme
In the late 1990s, Rotary International established official relations with this organization to help address environmental concerns and promote the wise use of natural resources for sustainable development. In particular, Rotary has addressed environmental challenges through its emphasis on water conservation and management.
United Nations Headquarters
Rotary maintains an office at UN headquarters in New York City. It’s staffed by representatives who attend meetings and events of various UN agencies, as well as programs of other nongovernmental organizations in the international community.
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Rotary International's official relations with this agency date back to the late 1990s. It aims to provide adequate shelter for all by promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements.
United Nations Office at Geneva
RI representatives are involved with many Geneva-based UN agencies and programs, including the International Labor Organization, the UN High Commissioner on Refugees, and the World Health Organization.
United Nations Office at Vienna
Since 1984, RI representatives in Vienna have worked with focused intergovernmental bodies on the issues of substance abuse, youth, peace, and aging.
World Bank
Rotary appointed a representative to the World Bank in 1997 to help promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and protect the environment in developing countries. With the World Bank's innovative financial support, Rotary, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization have leveraged about US$165 million to help eradicate polio in priority countries.
World Food Programme
Rotary has maintained official relations with this agency since 1997. As the food arm of the UN, it works to eradicate global hunger and poverty by providing emergency food aid and supporting economic and social development.

Truth -

We live in a nation*
· where Pizza reaches home faster than Ambulance & police,
· Where you get car loan @ 5% and education loan @ 12%,
· Where rice is Rs 40/- per kg but sim card is free,
· Where a millionaire can buy a cricket team instead of donating the money to any charity,
· Where the footwear, we wear ,are sold in AC showrooms, but vegetables, that we eat, are sold on the footpath,
· Where everybody wants to be famous but nobody wants to follow the path to be famous,
· Where we make lemon juices with artificial flavors and dish wash liquids with real lemon.
· Where people are standing at tea stalls reading an article about child labor from a newspaper and say,"yaar bachhonse kaam karvane wale ko to
phansi par chadha dena chahiye" and then they shout "Oye chhotu 2 chaii laao....."
Lets  try to eradicate even one of the above .. It will be a great thing…

Rotary Foundation Global Grants

Rotary Foundation Global Grants

Rotary Foundation Global Grants support large, grant-funded activities that relate to one or more of the six areas of focus  and have a long-term impact. Clubs and districts can either create their own global grant-funded activities or sponsor packaged global grants that are developed by The Rotary Foundation in cooperation with its strategic partners.   

Club- and district-developed global grants 

Clubs and districts can use District Designated Fund (DDF)  or cash contributions to fund global grant activities and get matching funds from the Foundation. When developing grant-funded activities, clubs and districts should consider the following: 

• Grant-funded activities must be sustainable and measurable. For example:
• ‎‎How will a project benefit the selected community in the future, after the grant has been spent?
• How will a scholar's studies support one or more of the areas of focus?
• How will a vocational training team project support capacity building, either for the team or the benefiting community?
• Activities should stem from real community needs. Community needs assessment tools  are available to help identify community needs.  

• Global grants must be sponsored by two Rotary clubs or districts: a host partner in the country where the activity takes place and an international partner outside the country. Both partners must be Future Vision pilot members.
• Both partners must be actively involved in the planning and implementing of all global grants. This includes maintaining communication and developing plans for the shared responsibilities in all of the grant's stages.  

Funding

The minimum award amount from the World Fund for a global grant, regardless of activity type, is US$15,000, which results in a minimum total financing of $30,000. The World Fund award is based on a 100 percent match of DDF ($1.00:$1.00) or a 50 percent match of cash contributions ($0.50:$1.00).  

Business cycle

All Rotary Foundation Global Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. A two-step online application process will be accessible via Member Access . Additional documentation for non-Rotarian scholarship and vocational training team applicants will be on the RI Web site; the grant sponsors will upload these items electronically to the application. 
Proposal
For club- and district-developed global grants, Rotarians will submit a brief online proposal before submitting a formal application. The proposal should provide an overview of the grant activity's objectives and demonstrate how the activities fit within an area of focus. This process is designed to increase the acceptance rate of grant applications. 
Application
Once a proposal has been accepted, Rotarians will submit an online application that provides the Foundation with more detailed grant activity and budget information. (Depending on the award amount or complexity of the project, the Foundation may request additional details.) Club- and district-developed global grants of $100,000 or more will require the Trustees ' approval.  
Payment
Once an application has been approved by the Foundation, both sponsors have authorized the agreement, and all associated cash contributions have been received, the Foundation will issue a payment.  
Reporting
Reports showing measurable success of the grant activity will be due to the Foundation every 12 months from the first issued payment. A final report is due when the grant funds have been completely spent and the objectives of the activity have been met. 

Types of activities

Global grants support a variety of activities based on the needs of the benefiting communities or participants. All grant-funded activity must follow the eligibility requirements in the Terms and Conditions for Rotary Foundation District Grants and Global Grants . The grant structure is designed to allow clubs and districts more flexibility in creating grants that will further the mission of The Rotary Foundation  within the areas of focus. 

• Humanitarian projects : Global grants may be used to fund humanitarian projects, provided that they
• Support the goals of one or more of the areas of focus
• Produce measurable outcomes in the benefiting community
• Achieve results that can be sustained after the grant funds have been expended
• Have been developed in conjunction with the benefiting community to address their most pressing needs
• Seek to address community needs in an integrated manner  
• Scholarships : Global grants may be used to provide funding for academic studies provided that they
• Fund graduate-level study that relates to one or more of the areas of focus
• Fund studies for a term of one to four academic years 
• Sponsor the academic studies of an individual traveling from the international sponsor district to the host sponsor district

At the time of application, the following documents and information must be provided:

• A letter of acceptance to the proposed school
• Foreign language proficiency exam results
• The host partner club or district and host counselor information
• Vocational training opportunities : Global grants also may support vocational training teams, which are groups of professionals traveling abroad to either learn more about their profession or teach local professionals about a particular field. They
• May build the capacity of either the team itself or a specific benefiting community
• May be carried out in conjunction with a humanitarian project or scholarship   
• May be multivocational but must share a common purpose in support of the selected area of focus 
• Must consist of a minimum of one Rotarian team leader and three non-Rotarian team members with no maximum limit of participants
• Have no restrictions on participant age or length of time for training
• Permit one or more teams to travel under each grant

Resources for the Future Vision Plan (PDFs)

• Cooperating Organization Memorandum of Understanding (Word version)
• International Travel Checklist
• Global Grants Scholar Application or download the Word version  
• Global Grants Vocational Training Team Participant Application  or download the Word version
• Global Grants Vocational Training Team Itinerary  or download the Word version
• Principles of Sustainability for Global Grants

Packaged global grants

Packaged global grants offer a variety of sustainable projects and activities designed by The Rotary Foundation that incorporate best practices in the fields of education and international development, as well as best practices developed by Rotarians.
Packaged global grants may include collaborations with non-Rotary strategic partners, Rotary-affiliated entities such as Rotarian Action Groups , or Rotarians in the field. These projects and activities support the areas of focus  and can include scholarships, humanitarian projects, and vocational training.
Because the initial work of designing the project and find a cooperating organization has already been done, Rotarians can focus their talents and energies on implementing these projects and activities. Rotarians must actively participate in global grants, but the nature of participation may vary from grant to grant and could include

• Providing technical expertise or direct service
• Promoting and publicizing the project
• Identifying project beneficiaries

The requirements for international partnership between project sponsors will vary, depending on the project's or activity's needs and objectives.
The Rotary Foundation is currently developing the first packaged global grants for the pilot and will notify Rotarians as they become available. Because this is a new process, the Foundation will start with a few packaged global grants and steadily increase the number of grants over the course of the pilot.
If you have any questions about packaged global grants or ideas about possible packaged projects or activities, please e-mail The Rotary Foundation .

BE PROUD THAT YOU ARE A ROTARIAN -INVITE NEW MEMBERS

We are proud of our profession or organization because we believe in our
profession we have faith and confidence on our profession or organization
.Because we believe our profession or organization will give us name, fame
and will fulfill our need. The pride in doing something or some where you
belong is like a human. It is a quality of a human being. When you join a
profession or organization you must have complete faith & believe in that
profession or organization.

We must be proud of the organization. We must better say that I am a
Rotarian. .Instead of criticizing we should be positive in our thoughts,
 and talk about all those good things, good work, good deed done by Rotary &
Rotarian. Then only we will be able to enhance the image of Rotary and can
see Rotary to be there for century’s to come.

I feel proud of Rotary when I see Rotarians working to eradicate polio virus
and I see there will be no children walking with a stick or crèches or
crawling. I feel proud when I see Rotarian helping in Somalia, in Srilanka,
in Philipines, in earthquake in Haiti. When I see schools, houses being
rebuilt by Rotarians after tsunami in Srilanka . When I see orphan children
are able to live a life of a normal child I feel proud to be a Rotarian.I
feel proud when i see all those service projects done by Rotary in the
community.

So if you are proud to be a Rotarian you should be wearing Rotary  pin with
pride everyday, You should be telling about the great works of Rotary,
how  Rotary is helping the community., You should be talking to a stranger and invite
him to join Rotary. You should be propagating and publicizing Rotary’s good
work.
--
''Each member: reach one, keep one''
Invite your friend, colleague, or neighbor to join Rotary

REPRESENTIVES TO OTHER ORGANIZATION

As a truly international organisation with approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belonging to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, Rotary is dedicated to building goodwill and peace throughout the world. Rotarians carry out humanitarian projects and exchange programs to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education and the environment.
Rotary participates in a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural and educational activities designed to improve the human condition. Rotary grants support projects that provide health care and medical supplies, clean water, food, job training, youth development and education to millions of people in need, particularly in the developing world
Rotary International appoints representatives to:
African Union
Council of Europe
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
Economic Commission for Africa
Economic Commission for Europe
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Organisation Interational de la Francophonie
Organization of American States
UNESCO
United Nations Environmental Programme
United Nations Headquarters
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
United Nations Office at Geneva
United Nations Office at Vienna
 World Bank
World Food Programme

ROTARY MEMBERSHIP IN INDIA

Greetings.
 I would like all of you to start a discussion on Membership
Issues and Concern. Since last ten years we are stuck at 1.2 million
members. Since 2002 our membership has been stagnant at 1.23 million. But
number of club has increased. In fact as per the statistics, the membership
has decreased from 1.24 million to 1.23 million in last seven years but
number of clubs has increased from 31256 to 33790. This shows we have made
new clubs by breaking old clubs.

But in India number of clubs has increased from 2469 to 2949 and number of
members have increased from 93471 to 105661 in last seven years.

Though we have tried twice specific membership drive but did not last long.
We have not been able to find a long term solution. There is no sustainable
membership development in Rotary.

All our effort should be to focus on net growth in membership. I would like
to give some facts and suggestions for membership growth.

25% to 28% of clubs (8610) have less than 20 members. Out of this 1522 clubs
(5% to 6%) have less than 10 members, 3221 clubs (10% to 11%) have less than
15 but more than 11 members and 3867 clubs (11% to 12%) have less than 20
but more than 16 members.

If we can focus on the clubs having less than 20 members and bring up the
membership to 20, we can add at least 50000 members within the existing
clubs. There is a great opportunity in clubs less than20 members. Dist.
Governors should be asked to focus on these clubs and assign a senior
Rotarian as Smaller club Membership Coordinator to bring up their membership
to 20. His responsibility will be to only concentrate on clubs having less
than 20 members in the district.

There are more than 120000 foundation alumni but only 2% have joined Rotary.
Rotary head quarter should prepare district wise list of foundation alumni
and send them to respective District Governor. The DG should assign a senior
Rotarian to contact the alumni and invite them to join Rotary. He should
correspond with the alumni, write to respective club Presidents. There are
many potential members among alumni. It will be worth the effort.

There are 8000 Rotract clubs and 184000 Rotractors. Out of the total
rotractors 18% who leave rotract every year as they either join a profession
/ work or they are above the age limit. Clubs should focus on their Rotract
clubs and find rotractors who can become eligible Rotarian( who have joined
work or have crossed the age limit). The DG should ask the club presidents
to find and invite the rotractors who are eligible to become Rotarian.

I am sure if we can focus on the above we can add more than 50000 members
with less effort who will be Rotarian of quality.

I would like you to think about it and give your feed back and comments.
--
''Each member: reach one, keep one''
Invite your friend, colleague, or neighbor to join Rotary.

PDGAswini Kar(2002-03)Dist-3260

SRI ABDUL KALAM SPEACH

Why is the media here so negative?

Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.

Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours..
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are.. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai .. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand ..
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?

In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan
Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.

When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians…..

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India needs from us.

Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.

Thank you,

Dr. Abdul Kalam

2 SAMPLES OF NEW MEMBER INDUCTION

---NO.1

Clubs should hold an appropriate induction for new members.It
is recommended that each club develop its own procedures for a dignified and
meaningful induction ceremony. Clubs may wish to consider the following:
New Member Induction
• Presided over by the club president with involvement of the new member’s
counselor or sponsor
• Inviting the spouse of the new member to attend, if appropriate
• A photo for posting in the meeting room and for inclusion in the club bulletin
may be provided
Ceremony
• Welcome to Rotary (brief explanation of Rotary and its scope and the
responsibilities of member)
• Short biography of new member
• Presentation of Rotary material
• Presentation of pin, membership card, club roster
• Announcement of assignment to club committee
• Counselor/sponsor remarks
• New member response
• Club response (welcome to member)
Clubs are also encouraged to develop a strong membership information program
that educates the prospective Rotarian on the benefits and responsibilities
of being a Rotarian before the member is inducted.


2.
Induction Procedure

“Well begun is half done”, runs the adage.  I have heard of a
corollary to this also.  “Badly begun is half undone”.  This is true
in the matter of induction too.

Usually the sponsor gives a nice picture of Rotary to the new member
and naturally the invitee reaches the induction meeting with high
hopes and enthusiasm.  A slip-shod meeting is sure to dampen the
spirit of the new member.

Instead if the meeting is carefully planned and turns out to be a
solumn function the new member returns home determined to contribute
his/her best to the club.

At the induction meeting the new member should be the cynosure.
He/she should feel that every member is eager to make friend with
him/her.

The president invites the new member and his/her spouse to the podium
(the sergent-at-arms leads them to the dais) and the sponsor to
formally introduce them to the audience.  The introduction should be
crisp and attractive and not just a recital of the curriculum vitae.

The installing officer first compliments the sponsor for having shared
Rotary with the new member and for bringing one more friend into the
club’s fold.  The induction speech, though preferably limited to
fifteen minutes, should contain the basic Rotary information,
highlight programmes of TRF (particularly Polio Plus) and the
importnce of attendance.

After the induction speech the installing officer attaches the Rotary
emblem to the lapel or apparel of the new member and then asks the
newly inducted member to repeat a suitable oath.

Bernard Sachaefer,  Past R.I. director, in an article in.  The
Rotarian, has given a model pledge.  It reads:

“With the acceptance of this emblem, which opens doors of friendship
and bridges gaps, I pledge:

Not to be just a cog in the Rotary wheel, but to the part of its
driving force.

To make my Rotary attendance a joy and not have it become a burden.

To serve my club in any capacity in which I am asked to serve.

To recognize my community  as my particular plot of ground given to me
to till, not only for my security, but for that of all mankind.

To be an ambassador from my vocation, to my club, my community, and
society, as I know I must vindicate my affiliation with Rotary.

To be proud to associate with men (now, persons) of all colors,
creeds, and races, knowing with deep conviction that international
understanding is the root and not the fruit of international peace.

The future of Rotary is in your hands –this year theme
To put Rotary to work where I work,

To live Rotary where I live,

In other words, I will make every effort of  body, mind, and spirit
not to just be a member, but to be a ROTARIAN.”

Once the pledge is over, the installing officer then presents a kit
comprising of essential Rotary  information books, ‘clubs’
constitution and  bylaws’, four way test plaque membership card,
‘declaration for Rotarians in business and professions’ etc.

If the induction officer is good at the job, by the time the induction
ceremony is wound up with the final words of congratulations to the
spouse and wishing the member well, hardly fifteen minutes world have
been utilized.

The club president also wishes the new member all the best in Rotary
and asks the audience to give a standing ovation to the new member
couple.

Reply speech from the new member is not advisable on the occasion.
Now the induction ceremony has planted the Rotary seed in the heart of
new member.  If there is good fellowship in the club and the club has
good programmes with the new member’s participation, the seed will
grow.