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 Things are heating up on the District Calendar. District Training Assemblies . . . Youth Exchange Conferences . . . District Conference . . .
Be sure to save the dates!
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Posted by Chris Etienne
 During this holiday season it is a great time to be thankful for what we have and to thank our donors and volunteers for what they have accomplished. Thank you for all you do for Rotary and for The Rotary Foundation. Without your dedication and support, The Rotary Foundation would not be able to help as many people as it does worldwide and in your own back yard.
Rotary will kick-off the holiday season by participating in #GivingTuesday on December 1. This is a global movement for charities and individuals to come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. Last year, our Foundation raised over $100,000 on #GivingTuesday to fund sustainable, life changing projects. With your support on December 1, we can transform even more lives this year.
You are invited to get involved this #GivingTuesday by making an online donation on December 1. Please visit www.rotary.org/givethegift and see what a gift to the Rotary Foundation can do to make the world a better place.
We are also pleased to announce that Rotary District 6290 will offer two special opportunities for participation in #GivingTuesday. Here are the details:
- Every Rotary club that has 50% or more of their members make a donation on #GivingTuesday will get their club’s name in a drawing where 1,000 recognition points will be given to the winning club to name a Paul Harris Fellow.
- Every Rotarian that makes a donation of $100 or more on #GivingTuesday will get their name in a drawing where three names will be drawn for each to receive 1,000 recognition points to name a Paul Harris Fellow.
Confirmation of your donation is required. When you make the online donation and receive the email receipt from The Rotary Foundation, please forward to Chris Etienne and include your name and your Rotary club’s name.
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Posted by Tom Schmidt
 The art of listening is one of the most important traits of leadership. This thought of listening is not one of the things that is thought about when talking about leadership. But listening is critical to being a leader who had credibility and evidences a caring spirit.
Recently a dear mentor, professor, friend of forty four years passed away. This man was cherished by hundreds of people. When engaged in a conversation Dr. Cliff would clearly concentrate on the most important involvement of that moment, the person he was talking to. Every person in conversation thought that they were the most important person to him. This was a learned art, the art of listening.
In our fast paced society with a myriad of things to accomplish and all of them needed to be done a few moments ago. Listening is often lost in the tyranny of the urgent.
The Art of Listening involves the following:
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 Do you want to meet some fabulous Rotarians?Do you want your club to be energized, vibrant, and attractive for new members?
Do you have new members that would benefit from learning more about Rotary?
Do you have current and/or prospective club leaders that might value connecting with helpful resources?
Do you need to attend a Grant Management Seminar to satisfy Rotary Foundation requirements for Grant applications?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions you need to mark one of these Saturdays on your calendar:
- January 16th in Elk Rapids
- January 30th in Sault Ste. Marie, ONT
- February 13th in Muskegon
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Membership 2011 - 2015 ranges from 30 to 35
Membership 2015 YTD - Net Gain of 24?!
WOW - How did they do it?
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 Support the Rotary Foundation via our District 6290 Foundation Raffle and you too might win a fabulous cash prize!
Last year's big winners included:
- First place prize: $2,440
- Second through Sixth place prizes: $488 each
- Two Rotary Clubs received $1,250 each toward a grant-eligible Rotary Foundation project
Funds raised through the raffle support the Annual Fund of Our Rotary Foundation – Doing Good in the World!
Prize drawings will take place at 3:30 p.m. on March 11, 2016
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Posted by Al Bonney
.jpg) My mantra as I move forward to learn to take over the TRF Chair job from Chris Etienne next year, is that giving to Rotary Foundation is really just contributing some amount of our personal treasure to a huge series of service projects - benefiting people in need right here in our communities, and all over the world.
Here is a wonderful example of how a US community in Arizona, struck with a debilitating fire, was helped by Clubs and Districts from all over the world, who raised $90,000 for a Global Grant to put their water system back on its feet. I love this kind of example. It demonstrates why I am a Rotarian. Thanks, Rotarians, for your generous donations to our Rotary Foundation!
FIRE DESTROYS ARIZONA COMMUNITY & ROTARY RESPONDS
In June 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire claimed the life of 19 firefighters and destroyed over 100 homes; it also severely damaged the Yarnell Water Improvement Association’s system with an estimated cost for repair at $1.5 million. And although the water services were never interrupted, keeping the system running manually was a financial and physical burden to the community.
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 "We don't have the money to do a massive media campaign," RI President Ravi responded, according to DG 7620 Ken Solo's recent Blog post. I suspect President Ravi also knew, but didn't want to cast shadows, that a massive public relations media campaign would be a massive waste. Contrary to what many Rotarians believe, very few people in the world, or in any community, have any interest whatsoever in joining a local Rotary club, much less the discretionary time and money.
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 You may have seen some of the Facebook posts about the annual, Tuscon-based Ride for Polio. Rotary General Secretary John Hewko and eight RI staff members bicycled in El Tour de Tucson on 21 November. Together, they raised more than $2.9 million for Rotary’s fight to eradicate polio. When matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the funds the team raised will total nearly $9 million.
What you may not have known is that local clubs took on an 'indoor' ride for polio. Using stationary bikes at local gyms and, through solicitation of pledges/sponsors/donors, Rotarians extended the reach and, therefore, the impact of this great FUNdraiser.
In Traverse City, with the enthusiastic support of PDG Al Bonney, Rotarians joined forces and pedaled for Polio raising $4,790. AWEsome job!
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"Today is my A-#1 most fav day to be a Rotarian! We are distributing entire thanksgiving meals to the needy in our county. This program started in 2008 feeding 10 families, we've grown it every year since, and this year we are feeding 101. So proud of the work my club has done on this." -- Ben Montgomery, Club President, Big Rapids Rotary
Team Turkey Delivery!
From the Pioneer - BIG RAPIDS — More than 100 area families will sit down to a turkey dinner on Thursday thanks to the Big Rapids Rotary Club.
Each year, the group raises money to provide the ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal for families who need a little assistance. Since the project’s inception seven years ago, the number of meals Rotarians provide has increased tenfold.
“This started in 2008 with 10 families,” said Deb Tyson, chair of the Bob Sinclair Memorial Thanksgiving Meal Program for the club. “We ended up making enough money to feed 101 families this year.”
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Posted by Kris Thomas
 2015 was the inaugural season for the Healthy Harvest Program; a partnership between Food Rescue, local Rotary Clubs and area farmers to provide locally produced, healthy food to our neighbors in need. Through Healthy Harvest, a team of volunteers, lead by local Rotarians, visited area farms and gathered fresh fruits and vegetables that would have otherwise gone to waste, and Food Rescue transported the donations from the farms to food pantries in the five county Grand Traverse area.
The first of 13 farm/grower visits took place on August 25 and the last on November 3, with seven donors participating in the program. In total, 12,364 pounds of fresh produce was harvested. The following is a summary of the donations to the program:
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 TRAVERSE CITY - Record-Eagle — Hungry children and adults in the region should find a bit more fresh food on their tables in the coming months.
A $32,000 grant will purchase a new freezer for the Cadillac location of the Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank.
Rotary Charities of Cadillac and the Cadillac Area Community Foundation will contribute $16,000 each to a massive freezer that will allow the food bank to store more meat and other perishable food to be distributed to the agencies throughout northwest lower Michigan.
The food bank's Cadillac location helps supply agencies in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. It also serves Wexford, Manistee, Mason, Lake, Missaukee and Osceola counties.
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90.8% Programs
5.9% Fundraising
3.3% Administration
According to Charity Navigator
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The Rotary Foundation has continued its steady growth, moving up one spot to 93rd in The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual ranking of the top 400 nonprofit organizations in the United States. The ranking is based on monetary contributions from private sources and reflects the increasing generosity of those who support Rotary’s mission.
According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the Foundation received $259,594,884 in 2014, an 8.3 percent increase from the previous year.
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Posted by Paul Bergsma
 The Rotary Club of Kentwood, MI, is partnering with the Rotary Club of Garabito-Paya Jacó in Costa Rica in a project to raise literacy levels for children at or below poverty levels in the country of Costa Rica through church sponsored community literacy programs. This is a humanitarian service project that provides an opportunity for vocational service by clergy from RI District 6290.
The Rotary Club of Kentwood has pledged $4000 for the project. The RI District 6290 Foundation has given a matching grant of $4000 to this project. This is an international project that will make a significant difference in the lives of school age children from families at or below the poverty level in shantytown.
We ask that you share this information with the members of your club. Please encourage those members who are clergy to consider joining the team and ask all members to bring this opportunity to the attention of clergy in your area who may wish to participate. Membership in Rotary is desired but not required.
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 This year’s Presidential Citation includes goals that are measurable and, if achieved, make Rotary stronger.
One goal which should be easily achieved is in the 'Foundation Giving' category: Have at least 10 percent of club members enrolled in Rotary’s recurring giving program, Rotary Direct.
What is Rotary Direct? It's a super easy direct-deposit program offered by Rotary Foundation. You can set up recurring donations (monthly, quarterly or annually) of a specified amount which will be automatically charged against your credit/debit card.
Why use Rotary Direct?
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 The 2015-2016 District 6290 Governor’s Citation recognizes Rotary clubs for an array of achievements that promote our:
- Membership growth for more vibrant clubs
- Greater use of Public Image to grow club vitality,
- Growing leadership depth to promote sustainability
- Increased support for and use of our Foundation,
- Participation in the District Service Project and Youth Services
Use this form to track this year's accomplishments. We will recognize our outstanding clubs at the 2016 District Conference
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Posted by Phil Becker
 The Rotary of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has established an endowment fund to support two student scholarship programs to assist the Chinandega, Nicaragua, Children of the Dump Project in memory of Rotarian Elizabeth S. ‘Betsy’ Demaray, who passed away January 25th, 2013 . The endowment fund will support a Scholarship Program for North American students to experience the Rotary Shoebox Distribution Trip to the Children of the Dump Project in Chinandega Nicaragua as well as a University Scholarship Program for graduates from the Children of the Dump School.
The Sault Ste Marie Club will match all contributions made between July1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 dollar for dollar!
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 Life Leadership Conference is a big deal at Muskegon Rotary. In 2015 they selected nine students to attend this highly regarded youth leadership event. The month prior to the event the club hosts a reception to recognize the students and their parents. As a follow up to the conference, the students are asked to lead a regular club program.
Muskegon is one of forty clubs that sponsored students to our Life Leadership Conference. Why isn't that number sixty clubs?
In Coopersville the daughter of Rotarian Catherine on their club leadership board was being interviewed for Miss Coopersville and had such an excellent interview that the judges asked her about her poise and speaking ability. She attributed it to being at LLC and gaining confidence for being herself.
Elsewhere in the District . . . it was just a few years ago that two students returned from LLC and became the spark that resulted in formation of an Interact Club in Benzie . . . LLC alums seek out Rotaract Clubs at the colleges/universities they attend . . .
Our youth leadership and youth exchange programs are outstanding sources for candidates. If you aren't sure what's involved with sponsoring a student, please contact John Noling, District LLC Chair.
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Superior Heights students in the Canadian and World Issues class are inching closer to help end Polio. The class held a fund raising dinner on Thursday November 19 at Superior Heights to raise awareness and generate funds for End Polio Now. Sault Ste. Marie, ONT LOCAL2 cameras stopped by the class to hear from some of the students involved in the event.
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 Attending the annual convention is a perfect way to experience Rotary’s internationality, exchange ideas with fellow members, and discover new avenues – and potential partners – for service.
Whenever the event is held in Asia attendance sky rockets. The Seoul Convention Committee is projecting 40,000 attendees in 2016! Dates are May 28 - June 1.
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Most notable developments?
In 2015, wild poliovirus transmission is at the lowest levels ever, with fewer cases reported from fewer areas of fewer countries than ever before.
In 2015, 57 wild poliovirus cases have been reported from two countries (Pakistan and Afghanistan), compared to 305 cases from nine countries during the same period in 2014
Nigeria removed from list of endemic countries in September 2015
Afghanistan - last reported case of Type 1 is September 6, 2015
Pakistan - last reported case of Type 1 is during week of November 22, 2015
KEEP READING FOR AN Endemic Country Summary (as of 11/29/2015)
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For the month of November our District led our Zone with a 74 net gain. D6290 is in the top 15% of membership gains for this year. Great job! Let's keep growing.
* All numbers reported through November 29, 2015
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During the upcoming year, our goal is to release the District newsletter at the start of each month. The deadline to submit materials is the 20th the month to issue. If you have an example of a 'best practice' or have other great news to share, please complete our 'Club News' submission form (found at www.ridistrict6290.org under Public Image, or in the FAQ section in our monthly newsletter). Electronic photos are encouraged. Please try to limit your submission to 300 words or less.
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