RC Corbin Empty Stocking

taken from the Corbin Times Tribune  http://thetimestribune.com/x191076932/Empty-Stocking-Fund-serves-500-area-families

Additional information and video can be found at this website: http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/24th_Annual_Tri-City_Empty_Stocking_Fund_Held_136028183.html

 CORBIN — By Jeff Noble / Staff writer

It wasn’t hard to find where the party was on Wednesday. All the lines led to where the 24th Annual Empty Stocking Fund’s Christmas Party was held. And for the families and children of those in need, those lines to Forest Bowling Lanes were heartlines this holiday season.

Beginning Tuesday night and ending Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of adults and kids joined with scores of volunteers and folks to give a helping hand and make Christmas a reality for 500 children.

Corbin police and firefighters were there to help out with the crowd, which waited outside despite a pouring rain. The packages, gifts, toys, goodies to eat and the shoes were all inside the bowling lanes, after a marathon gift-wrapping session at the Corbin First Baptist Church the night before.

Santa Claus was there, too, on Wednesday, but he needed some help go get the gifts to the party.

No problem.

Keeping his trusty sleigh in mothballs until Christmas Eve, Santa decided to borrow a big U-Haul truck to trek the loads of goodies over to the bowling lanes, where this year’s party was held.

The color guard presented the flag. A few words were said by local, regional and state officials, including Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney, former State Rep. Charlie Siler and a representative from Gov. Steve Beshear’s office in Frankfort. They asked for those families and children there to receive the gifts to “make a line out back to the front, so we can bring everyone inside in an orderly manner.” Then Empty Stocking Fund organizer Joe Caldwell called for everyone to enjoy the party before they came back in, saying, “We want the kids to eat pizza, bowl a few rounds, open up their presents, and make all the noise they want to.”

Moments later, when the first group lined up at the main entrance of the bowling lanes, someone asked a volunteer, “Are we ready to let ‘em in?” Rotary Club member J. Bell Sosh agreed, and hollered out, “Let ‘er rip!”

With those three words, this year’s edition of an area tradition started in 1988 by the Corbin Rotary Club and The Times-Tribune was off and running.

It was former Times-Tribune Publisher Wink Devane who came up with the idea. With club members and volunteers wrapping those first presents on the second floor of the Times-Tribune building, that first fundraiser gave a Christmas present for some 80 children. By 1990, the event was being held at the Corbin Civic Center, and in 1993, the party was moved to the present location at the bowling lanes.

Eligibility for children to be included in the project begins in mid-November, with solicitations for donations announced in The Times-Tribune shortly afterwards. Once contributions begin coming in, donors and gift levels are recognized, which continues through December. Gifts and other items are then purchased by Rotary Club members and ultimately unloaded, recognized and wrapped Tuesday night for the party, which was held in two sessions — on Wednesday morning and Wednesday afternoon.

RC Lexington - Southern Lights

Charlie Adams visits Santa and his volunteer Rotarians
at Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park

RC Lexington conducted its annual project at Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park. Funds raised at this event purchase coats for needy children. Rotarians assist Santa as many children are photographed sitting on Santa's knee and passing along their Christmas wish lists. The job of recruiting Santas and elves has really become no job at all. It requires over one hundred volunteers to cover the thirty-four or so nights – from the Friday before Thanksgiving through December 23^rd (with Thanksgiving night off). They rise to the occasion and get the job done. Each night they show up to give four hours of their already heavily-scheduled December. Participation has become an annual family event as daddies play Santa and wives and children play elves – all in appropriate attire. Each year there are new recruits, but some are about to be fifteen-year veterans.

Charlie Adams, son of District Governor John and Christie Adams enjoyed his visit to Southern Lights with parents and his two grandmothers, too! It is rumored that DG Adams volunteered at a later date - does anyone recognize this elf?

RC Covington Founders' Day Dinner

The Rotary Club of Covington held it’s annual Founders Day Dinner on November 4^th at the Plantation Club at Twin Oaks Country Club.  The event celebrated the 91^st anniversary of the founding of the Covington Rotary Club.

The evening included a reception, dinner, entertainment, program and club history, honoring and recognizing Rotarians, an auction and dancing.

Additional photos from the elegant evening are available on the club’s Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Covington-Kentucky-Rotary-Club/261742540534086

Upcoming Events

January
28 - Rotary Leadership Institute, Lexington

February
11 - RC Bluegrass and RC Richmond Diamonds and Denim
25 - RC Corbin and RC London International Dinner in Corbin

March
3 - RC Somerset-Pulaski County International Dinner
22 - 25 Presidents Elect Training (PETS) in Nashville, Tennessee

April
20 - 22 District Conference in Somerset, Kentucky
21 - 22 RC Georgetown Kite Festival

May
3 - RC Paris Run for the Roses fundraiser
6 - 9 2012 Convention in Bangkok, Thailand

RC Somerset - Wreaths Across America

The Rotary Club of Somerset joined with other volunteers to organize our local Wreaths Across America tribute on Saturday, December 10. Wreaths were placed in memory of those who have served or in honor of those currently serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. An additional wreath was placed for those Missing In Action and/or Prisoners Of War. For additional information see www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Additional photos can be found at RC Somerset's webpage: http://somersetrotary.wordpress.com/

RC Winchester

RC Winchester hosted the Leadership Winchester class at the club meeting on 12/16/11. Sounds like a very interesting program!

RC Florence Holiday Service Projects

The Florence Rotary Club conducted two signifcant holiday events – one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.

FOOD for FAMILIES – A community service team led by Jack Lundy organized a Thanksgiving food drive. The group gave each team in the club a grocery sack and a list of items with which to fill it – turkey, ham, canned goods, dairy products, etc. The teams far exceeded the request. Several members of the club filled an entire sack by themselves. The club donated the food to the Rose Garden Mission food pantry in Florence. The Rose Garden Mission, operated by the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, relies totally on donations for support. Jack Lundy reported that this year's food drive was the most successful to date.

FLORENCE ROTARY CHRISTMAS CONCERT FUND-RAISER – The Florence Rotary Club puts on a Christmas concert each year to raise money for a local charity. The entire cast of singers and musicians came from the Northern Kentucky area. Several were professional performers who donated their time. This year's concert was a rousing success. Several of the performers brought the crowd to their feet. One of the concert-goers remarked afterwards that "this wasn't just a concert … it was a worship experience." The Florence Rotary Club raised $5,000 for Santa's Workshop at a local church. Santa's Workshop brings needy families to the church at Christmas for meals, clothing and gifts for the children.

RC Campbell County welcomes a new member

Greg Young, a manager with Heritage Bank, is sworn in as the newest member of the Campbell County Rotary by Rotary President Arnd Rehfuss. The Campbell County Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at the Highland Country Club in Ft. Thomas. The service club contributes regularly to community events and service projects. Welcome Greg!

RC Middlesboro recognizes a local citizen for service above self

RC Middlesboro has been running a program this year recognizing both youth and others in the community that have demonstrated citizenship and service above self. Last week we recognized Paige Cloud. She teaches developmental math at the SCKETC (community technical college). The reason her story is so interesting is this. She dropped out of high school early and out of pressure from her peers and mother went back school to get her GED, spent one year at South East and then a math degree from UK. She feels that she can relate to these students just out of high school going to college,because she knows the pressures they are dealing with at this age. This is a picture of our incoming president Ann Maciula giving her the award.

RC Covington Holiday Open House

On December 4^th, club President Marja Barrett invited the Covington Rotary Club members and their families to an open house at her home.  Many members and spouses attend this social gathering and had a wonderful time.

Additional photos from this fun event are available on the club’s Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Covington-Kentucky-Rotary-Club/261742540534086

RC Pikeville Pancake Breakfast

The Pikeville Rotary Club once again held a profitable Pancake Day on Dec. 2. Over 800 folks were served hot pancakes and sausage at the East Kentucky EXPO Center. The largest crowd ever helped the club make $6500 for local projects.

RC Covington rings the bell for the Salvation Army and holds other service projects

In addition, RC Covington recently held a canned food drive to benefit Be Concerned, a local food pantry. RC Covington also raised funds and collected toys for the John G. Carlisle Elementary School. Rotarian Kinny McQuade played Santa Clause with Rotarians as elves handing out presents to the kids.

Governor’s Message: Change the world for the better and change ourselves for the better.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Leo Tolstoy

In a book about 1950s cold war spying between the USA and the Soviet Union, I keep discovering Tolstoy quotes. The front line of the cold war is an ironic place to find motivation for a Rotary newsletter but the above quote made me think of the effect of Rotary on Rotarians.

Our Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee tells us “we must be the agents for the change in the world we want to see.” In effect we are to think about and create change in the world. Our Rotary clubs give us the awareness of the need for change and the means to make that change in the world. Typically awareness comes from our club’s weekly meeting speakers or those who ask for our clubs' assistance. Not only is that awareness of the needs in our communities, but the needs of those around the world. The effect of that awareness is better communities and a better world.

But what is the effect on the Rotarians? The cynical would say that awareness of the world’s need for change would be a negative and demoralizing. But Rotarians know that from awareness comes action in the form of service to others. And from that service to others we find satisfaction. It is not that Rotarians are any “better” than other people; it is that Rotarians, whether cognitively or subconsciously, value that satisfaction of service enough to become aware of the need for change and want to make the needed change. I would say to Tolstoy, “If everyone acted to change the world, we would not need to think about changing ourselves.”

Last week I had the opportunity to help out on a small administrative matter regarding RC Whitesburg’s partnering with the Dollywood Foundation to bring the “Imagination Library Project” to Letcher County (See http://6740newsletter.blogspot.com/2011/12/rc-whitesburg-starts-imagination.html .) While on the phone with our region’s representative for the Dollywood Foundation, I told her about attending “Imagination Library” presentations at Rotary conferences and how much Christie and I learned about the importance of introducing books to young people and the result that new found awareness has had on our 20 month old Charlie. Because of the message which caused change in his parents, Charlie is definitely a beneficiary of the “Imagination Library” even if he never receives a book from that great organization. I invited the Dollywood Rep. to speak at our District Conference in April. Accepting the invitation, the representative told me, “We love speaking to Rotary Clubs and events, and we love working with Rotarians, because of the awareness and action Rotary provides in our mission to increase literacy in America.”

John B. Adams
Rotary Club of Somerset-Pulaski County Kentucky USA
District 6740, Governor 2011-12

Visit District 6740 Newsletter at:
http://www.6740newsletter.blogspot.com/
Facebook Search Term " jbasomerset "

Nominations for District Governor 2014-2015 being accepted

Greetings everyone!

The purpose of this correspondence to make the formal invitation to District 6740 Rotary Clubs to suggest one of its Rotary club members for consideration by the District Nominating Committee for Selection of the Nominee-Designate for the office District Governor for Rotary Program Year 2014-15. The deadline for submission of the suggestion by Governor-Nominee Data form (see below) is January 16, 2011.

To suggest a member for consideration by the Nominating Committee a club must:

1. Adopt a Resolution of the Rotary Club which suggests one of its eligible members to the District Nominating Committee for consideration to be the committee’s designate nominee. Clubs may nominate only one of its own club members. The Resolution must be made at a regular club meeting and the Club Secretary should witness the adoption of the resolution.

A "suggested” motion by a club member (other than the Rotarian to be suggested): "Madame or Mister President (or other person presiding), I rise at this club meeting to make the motion for a Resolution of the Rotary Club of __name of club___ to suggest the District Nominating Committee to consider our fellow member ____name of member__ for selection as District Governor Nominee Designate for the Rotary Year 2014-15." Then the presiding officer should ask and take a "Second to the Motion” by another club member, and then a vote of the members.

2. The Suggested Member must then complete Pages 1-3 the "Governor-Nominee Data Form” including the photo request and spouse/partner information request. (Note: The form is available digitally and can be completed via word processing which is highly recommended. If you are reading the invitation via e-mail it should be attached. If you are reading hardcopy or if the form is not attached then please e-mail me at jbasomerset@aol.com)

3. The Suggested Member must then read and faithfully execute "the Candidate’s Statement” on the top of page 4 of the Governor Nominee Data Form.

4. The Club Secretary then faithfully execute the "Club’s Statement of Candidate’s Qualifications” middle of page 4 of the of the Governor Nominee Data Form. In doing so the club’s secretary certifies the following: 1. The suggested member is a club member in good standing, 2. That the suggested member has been suggested by resolution of the club, 3. That the suggested member meets the Qualification of Membership and the membership information is accurate. (Note: the club secretary does not have to send a copy of a written resolution with the Governor-Nominee Data Form - the exicution of the "Club Statement of Candidates Qualification is sufficent.)

5. Send the form to DG John Adams via e-mail: jbasomerset@aol.com (please call me at (606) 678-4916 to confirm receipt) or USPS: John Adams, 5 Hillandale Place, Somerset, KY 42501. (again, please call to be on the lookout for the mail or call me to confirm reciept.)

The forgoing steps are a summary of Rotary International Bylaw 13.020.4.

Eligibility Requirements for District Governor

To be eligible for the position of District Governor, a Rotarian must:

(1) Be a member in good standing of a functioning Rotary Club in the District;

(2) Have served as President of a Club for a full term, or as President of a charter club from the date of the charter until June 30^th, for a period of at least six months;

(3) Demonstrate the knowledge of and the ability to fulfill the duties outlined in the RI Bylaws, Section 15.090 (a summary is found below); and

(4) Have completed seven years of membership at the time of taking office.

Summary of the District Governor’s Duties

A summary of Governor’s duties includes strengthening existing Rotary Clubs, organizing new Clubs and promoting membership growth, issuing a monthly letter to each Club President and Secretary in the District, supporting the Rotary Foundation in service as a District and RI spokesperson, when appropriate, hold the District Conference and other District meetings, and insure the District nominations and elections are conducted according to the RI Constitution and Bylaws. The Governor is also responsible for visiting all the clubs in the District.

Before taking office on July 1, 2014, the candidate must be willing to participate in the District’s activities, plan for his or her year of service, select a site for the District Conference, set District goals, and conduct District training meetings (including District Training Team Seminar, PETS and the District Assembly). The District Governor Elect must attend Zone GETS training (fall) and the International Assembly (mid January).

Summary of the District 6740 Governor Nomination

Process and "No Campaigning” Guidelines

District 6740 follows RI's "Nomination Committee" format or plan for selecting its District Governor. The clubs "suggest" candidates to the Nomination Committee and the suggestion is accomplished by a completed Governor-Nominee Data Form. All Governor Nominee Data forms are due to the District Governor, John Adams, on January 16^th 2012. Those persons selected by the clubs shall be interview by the Nominating Committee on January 28^th 2012 in Lexington Kentucky and on that date the Nominating Committee will select a single Nominee Designate. The Nominee Designate will then be announced and published on January 30^th 2012 by District Newsletter and e-mail. Those suggested by a club, but not selected by the committee may submit their names within 14 days of the publish date as a "Challenge Candidate” (Please note there is not a provision for "floor nominees” the specific RI "challenge candidate” process must be followed. I am not promoting the idea of a challenge candidate, but want to make sure clubs are aware of the procedure should they elect to do so.) If there are no challenge candidates, the committee’s nominee-designate is presumed to be the district’s selected Nominee for District Governor 2014-15. The formal nomination by election of the District Governor 2014-15 shall be at the District Conference April 20-21 2012 (in Somerset). The District Governor Nominee is then formally elected at the 2013 International Convention (tentatively to be held at Lisbon, Portugal 23-26 June, 2013; the Nominee is not required to attend) and then assumes the role and title of District Governor-Elect taking office as District Governor on July 1, 2014.

Please be aware that Rotary International and the District have guidelines against "lobbying” "canvassing” and "campaigning” for Rotary Offices. Before taking any action beyond suggesting a candidate or completing the Governor-Nominee Data Form, please review the guidelines.

Closing

If you need additional information, do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and attention to this invitation. Strong leadership of our District is vital to our success in serving others.

Sincerely,

John B. Adams,

Somerset-Pulaski County Rotary Club

District 6740 Governor 2011-12

December and January Events

December
5 - 23 RC Lexington photos with Santa at Southern Lights, Kentucky Horse Park
5 - RC Paris Community Christmas Concert
8 - RC Paris Coat and Blanket Drive
10 - RC Bluegrass Richmond Zumbathon
17 - RC Augusta Christmas Parade
21 - RC Corbin Empty Stocking

January
28 - Rotary Leadership Institute, Lexington

Ho, Ho, Ho ... Santa is visiting the Horse Park and "Southern Lights" thru 12/23

Join in on the Christmas fun and support RC Lexington at Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park. Santa will be visiting and available for photos as you tour the park and enjoy the lights and holiday spirit! Below is some information about RC Lexington's participation in the fundraising project

Lexington Rotary Club’s Santa Claus/Winter Coat Program

In November 1996, the Rotary Club of Lexington was approached about getting involved in a magnificent Christmas light show called “Southern Lights” which at that time was in its infancy at The Kentucky Horse Park, one of Kentucky’s premier tourist attractions.

The specific need of the show’s sponsors was a Santa Claus who would talk to visitors while sitting in a sleigh in a winter wonderland setting with “elves” available to take pictures at a nominal cost of $5.00.  At the same time, our club recognized a dire need in the community for a coat bank for young school-aged children.  Combining the two programs seemed a logical move.  One of the Club’s members, whose family owned a chain of family clothing stores, volunteered to secure new coats at the phenomenal cost of $10 each in a variety of sizes and colors, and the Santa/Winter Coat Program was born.

Never in recent history has a project so captivated the hearts of Lexington Rotarians as this one did.  This is evidenced by the fact that each year better than one-third of our active members of all ages give, not their money, but their time, for this wonderful cause. 

The project has done more to get its members involved than anything the 96-year club has ever done. 

The Christmas 2010 event marked the fifteenth consecutive year that Rotarians, friends, and families have opened their hearts and cleared a night during their busy holiday seasons in order that children in Fayette County might have warm coats.  The job of recruiting Santas and elves has really become no job at all.  It requires over one hundred volunteers to cover the thirty-four or so nights – from the Friday before Thanksgiving through December 23^rd (with Thanksgiving night off). They rise to the occasion and get the job done. Each night they show up to give four hours of their already heavily-scheduled December.  Participation has become an annual family event as daddies play Santa and wives and children play elves – all in appropriate attire.  Each year we have new recruits, but some are about to be fifteen-year veterans.

Christmas of 1996 netted approximately $5000, with each successive year bringing in more money. The ambitious Santas and elves of 2010 grossed $22,295.  

Approximately eight hundred children in the community received coats that first year, compliments of the Rotary Club of Lexington.  All Fayette County school family resource coordinators and most of the social service agencies in the county eagerly await notification that it is time for the annual Rotary fall coat distribution.  In the fall of 2007, hats, gloves and socks were included along with the coats.  Twelve hundred coats, 1200   hats, 2400 pairs of socks, and 2400 pairs of gloves were picked up in October 2010 by grateful recipients.  Many children in families who have had no prior knowledge of a Rotary Club now proudly wear their Rotary gifts and know that Rotary is indeed a service club which believes in its motto of Service Above Self.

An additional feature of the coat distribution process, added in 2002, was the participation of a junior Girl Scout troop.  To earn their community service badges they participated, along with Rotary volunteers, in sorting the coats by size and gender to make distribution easier.  Theirs is truly a labor of love – children helping children less fortunate than they.

All of the participants, if asked, would tell you what a heart-warming and personally rewarding experience it continues to be for them.  One “Santa” likes nothing better than to tell his favorite story about the evening.  The sister of a little boy who had badly crippled legs shared with Santa that “He is o.k.  He was born that way.” My own personal favorite experience, as coordinator of the program, happened in cleaning out my storeroom several years ago. Oddly, a baby’s pacifier fell off a shelf.  Only I would know why such an item would be in the office and why it evoked such a myriad of memories and emotions.  Most people remember using any method possible to entice children to give up their pacifiers.  If so, you can relate to a somewhat harried mother who took her wee one to see Rotary’s Santa Claus at the Horse Park, promising him that he could talk to Santa if he would agree to surrender his pacifier to the jolly fat guy.  Apparently it worked, but, frankly, I’m happy that I was not a first-hand witness to the event and only heard the story when “Santa” came in and dropped the child’s former “best friend” on my desk.

While not every community has a Kentucky Horse Park which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors during the holiday season, every one does have a mall, a park, or some other facility which could be made to accommodate Santa, and the project could be emulated on a smaller scale with modifications anywhere where Rotarians have the heart to make it work.

2012 Rotary International Convention - Bangkok, Thailand

6—9 May 2012

Enjoy Thai Hospitality

Make Friends from Around the World

Take in Spectacular Sights

Experience a Vibrant Culture

Taste Delicious Thai Cuisine

Renew Your Commitment to Service Above Self

Have Fun in a World Class City

Register on line by Thursday Dec. 1 for

significant registration savings!

For information on hotels, planning and the

delegation itself,

contact Convention Coordinator

Jeanne Clark

President

Pikeville Rotary Club

jeanne@setel.com

Join the District 6740 Delegation in

Bangkok, Thailand - Land of a

Thousand Smiles!

Zumba! Join RC Richmond Bluegrass on December 10th

Richmond Bluegrass Rotary

Welcome you to A Holiday

ZUMBATHON

Saturday December 10^th

Methodist Church Multi-Ministry Building

401 W. Main (Behind the Church)

10:00 AM till Noon

Admission $25.00

All Proceeds to benefit

Madison County Special Olympics Team

       

RC Whitesburg starts an Imagination Library

The Rotary Club of Whitesburg has received a District Simplified Grant through Rotary International to start Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Whitesburg. Children ages 0-5 years of age are eligible to enroll if they live in the service area (the service area includes children living in Whitesburg with the zip code of 41858 in their 911 address). Each child will receive a free book monthly. The Dollywood Foundation will mail out the books and the Rotary Club will pay for the postage. This is one of the many literacy projects the Rotary Club of Whitesburg is doing this year. The goal is to improve reading scores of children when they enter school. Schools that will be impacted by the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library are West Whitesburg, Cowan, Beckham Bates and Martha Jane Potter. The Rotary Club hopes to expand this program to all zip codes in Letcher County in the future. The Rotary District Governor John B. Adams presented the check to Rotary President Margaret Hammonds on his recent visit to Whitesburg.

Upcoming Events

December
5 - 23 RC Lexington photos with Santa at Southern Lights, Kentucky Horse Park
5 - RC Paris Community Christmas Concert
8 - RC Paris Coat and Blanket Drive
10 - RC Bluegrass Richmond Zumbathon
17 - RC Augusta Christmas Parade
21 - RC Corbin Empty Stocking


January
28 - Rotary Leadership Institute, Lexington

February
11 - RC Bluegrass and RC Richmond Diamonds and Denim
25 - RC Corbin and RC London International Dinner in Corbin

March
3 - RC Somerset-Pulaski County International Dinner
22 - 25 Presidents Elect Training (PETS) in Nashville, Tennessee

April
20 - 22 District Conference in Somerset, Kentucky
21 - 22 RC Georgetown Kite Festival

May
3 - RC Paris Run for the Roses fundraiser
6 - 9 2012 Convention in Bangkok, Thailand

Ron Burton, RC Norman Oklahoma, declared RI President-Nominee

From Rotary.org ...

RI President Kalyan Banerjee officially declared Ron D. Burton the Rotary International president-nominee on 1 October. There were no challenging candidates.

The Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in 2013-14 selected Burton, a member of the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA, in August. He will be formally elected at the 2012 RI Convention in Bangkok, Thailand.

Burton retired as president of the University of Oklahoma Foundation Inc. in 2007. He is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as the bar associations of Cleveland County and the state of Oklahoma. He is admitted to practice in Oklahoma and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

"This is an exciting time to be a Rotarian," Burton says. "I believe we are well poised to capitalize on our strengths as we embrace the [RI] Strategic Plan and the Future Vision Plan. My vision is to have every Rotarian appreciate what it means to be a Rotarian. With these two tools, we can make that happen."
Active in his community, Burton is a founder and past president of the Norman Public School Foundation, and founder and past board member of the Norman Community Foundation. A recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, he is a past vice president of the Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Burton believes that Rotary's promotion of high ethical standards is one of the qualities that sets it apart from other organizations.

"It assures those dealing with us that we can be trusted," he says. "Most of us are in a business or profession that already has a code of ethics. Vocational service in Rotary just adds to that responsibility. We have an obligation to go above and beyond to make sure that all our actions are above reproach."

A Rotarian since 1979, Burton is vice chair of the Future Vision Committee and a member of the Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force for the United States. He has served RI as director; Rotary Foundation trustee and trustee vice chair; International Assembly moderator, assistant moderator, and group discussion leader; and district governor.

His other service to Rotary includes chair of the 2011 New Orleans Convention Committee, vice chair of the Investment Advisory Committee, liaison trustee of the Vocational Service Committee, Permanent Fund national adviser, and regional Rotary Foundation coordinator. He was aide to 2006-07 RI President William B. Boyd.

Burton has received the RI Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service, Distinguished Service Award, and International Service Award for a Polio-Free World.

Burton and his wife, Jetta, have two children and three grandchildren

Rotary Youth Exchange in action!



RC Georgetown Japanese Youth Exchange student, Yotoro, trying on a helmet inside a C-130 at the air show.



RC Somerset and RC Somerset Pulaski County Vocational Service

Somerset Community College welcomed students to campus

for annual Rotary Access to Careers day

Surrounded by dozens of empty pizza boxes, Rotarians Rusty Butler (Somerset), Tiffany Bourne (Somerset-Pulaski) and Dr. BJ Parson (Somerset) are shown (front) with Somerset Community College Recruiters Sean Ayers and Ken Upchurch (back). The Rotary Clubs sponsored the annual Rotary Day event and provided lunch for nearly 200 area students. High school students from Pulaski County High, Somerset High, Southwestern High and Somerset Christian School were given tours of SCC and provided with information on applying, financial aid, scholarships and more during the event, which was held on November 16. Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, and centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey, and Russell counties. For admission and program information, visit their website at somerset.kctcs.edu.

RC Georgetown recognizes the 25th anniversary of Toyota

Nancy Walker and RC Georgetown celebrated the 25th anniversary of Toyota by distributing Rotary theme pins at the Anniversary Party held at Keeneland recently. Club President Nancy Walker gave one to Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho and pinned it on his lapel at the celebration. Mr. Cho remembered Georgetown Rotary fondly and was very honored.

December is Family Month

from Rotary.org

Family Month celebrates the family of Rotary, which includes everyone involved in Rotary's work, such as the spouses and children of Rotarians. 

For more information, watch the Rotary minute about how clubs can benefit by involving Rotarians' families.

Improvements to the Recognition Process

Dear District Governors of Zones 30 & 31:

I am happy to report that The Rotary Foundation is improving its donor recognition and contribution reports in order to provide better customer service and improve donor satisfaction. There are a few changes that I thought you should know about in order to respond to questions and concerns.

First, effective 1 October 2011, Foundation recognition points will be awarded for all contributions to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, or the sponsor portion of a Foundation grant. One Foundation recognition point will be given for every US dollar contributed to these funds, which can then be extended to others to help them become a Paul Harris Fellow. Donors will no longer need to be a Paul Harris Fellow themselves before Foundation recognition points are awarded.

Second, new and improved reports will be available to club and district officers on the Member Access Portal by the end of September, including:

• Benefactor Report

• Club Recognition Summary Report

• Donor History Report

• Every Rotarian, Every Year Eligibility Report

• Monthly Contribution Report

Other forthcoming enhancements include a new TRF Contribution Form, Recognition Transfer Request Form, electronic tax receipting for contributions and additional contribution/recognition reports. Donor recognition processing time and associated costs will also decrease as the benefits of a new system are fully realized.

Implementation of these improvements will begin over this coming weekend. As a result you will find Member Access and the Contribute page on rotary.org to be down periodically. In addition, we anticipate some delays or glitches with the enhanced contribution and recognition reports you are accustomed to. This may include the standard reports available to you via Member Access as well as some of the custom reports that you occasionally receive from me or my fund development colleagues.

We ask for your patience and understanding during this period, and know that the support we are able to provide you and your clubs as a result of this effort will be even better!

Thanks for your attention,

Monica M. Sullivan
Annual Giving Officer, Zones 30 & 31
The Rotary Foundation
Office: 847.866.3282
Fax: 847.328.5260
TRF Contact Center
Available for all general Foundation-related inquiries866-9ROTARY (866-976-8279)Contact.Center@Rotary.org

DG visit to Pikeville

The Pikeville Rotary Club was pleased to welcome District Governor John Adams (Somerset-Pulaski Rotary Club) to its Board meeting and to the regular weekly meeting on Dec. 9. John has been a Rotarian since 1999. He has headed up multiple committees for that club, serving as its president in 2006-07. On the district level, John has been an aide to PDG Tom Ashford, a two term assistant governor, the grants sub-chair and, in 2008, he was awarded the District Governor’s Citation for Service. John has attended five international conventions, is a multilevel Paul Harris Fellow and is a member of the Paul Harris Society.

John’s message to members included congratulating the club on its growth in new members, its continued support of the PolioPlus drive, and the effective leadership of its officers and board. He urged the club to continue its efforts in the area of public relations, noting that most communities are not fully aware of the important work done by their local Rotary clubs. He also stressed the importance of each member’s participation in The Rotary Foundation, reminding us that the Presidential Award is contingent upon 100% support of TRF by the club’s membership.

The DG is married to Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow Christie Champlin Adams and they are the proud parents of Charlie, who is almost two. John is a partner in the Adams and Venters law firm in Somerset. He is also a member and session elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Somerset.

At the conclusion of the program, President Jeanne Clark, on behalf of the club, presented John with an inscribed desk clock for his continued leadership as district governor.

Jeanne Clark