ROTARY DISTRICT 5010 ALASKA/YUKON JULY 2012 Governor s Message Welcome to the New Rotary Year John Hewko General Secretary of Rotary explains new and pending changes at Rotary International Page 1 Page 4 George L Stewart Federal Restrictions on Charitable Donations Page 5 Welcome to the New Rotary Year Hello Awesome Rotarians! Welcome to the New Year of Rotary. A special thank you to all of those that have stepped up to the plate and are now serving as club President. Also deserving of our thanks are your club directors and committee chairs. These people are there to make sure your club stays vibrant and growing. My request of you is to offer your time, ideas and talents to assist them in doing their jobs. Your District officers and committee chairs are also here to assist you and your clubs. One of my goals this year is to update our communications within the District. Our committees have already started using GoToMeetings, a program that allows committee members, Assistant Governors and others to hold meetings online. We are in the process of creating a schedule of routine meetings, which will be posted to the District Website. Continued page 2 PEGGY POLLEN 2012 2013 DISTRICT GOVERNOR
2012 Photo Contest winners First place. Shot outside Kisumu, Kenya. Says Benson, This photograph, of a little child trying to get fresh water for the family, is unpretentious and poignant and tells an important story. You know exactly the situation and are moved by the look of expectation in her eyes, as if she s asking for help. It is an image you stop and look at, and that is the main criterion for good photography. Darryl Brown, Rotary Club of Boulder, Colo., USA Continued from page 1 At this point the District website is up to date with current committee chairs. I would like to request each of you log in to ClubRunner and update your personal information. Most of our communications will be transmitted through the emailing program in ClubRunner and I wouldn t want you to miss out on any valuable information. I am in the process of entering my club visits on the district calendar. I am so looking forward to these visits. Other important dates that will be readily available will include Youth Exchange Events, RYLA, District Conference and club events where Rotarians from the District will be invited. If you need assistance uploading your event information you can contact Tim Trueblood our District Website Committee Chair. (he s listed on the site ;-) My goal with this website is to have a one stop information location where Rotarians can find the information they need. Too often finding the correct contact can lead to a very frustrating project and burn-out. Another goal of mine is to get your feedback on what our District is up to and has to offer you as a member. To this end I will be sending out short surveys to get your input on various areas of the District. Our first survey was an information gathering survey and a request to find out how valuable our District Newsletter is to you. To my great surprise over 190 of our members responded in the first four hours. This leads me to believe you are very interested as members of Rotary and wish to take a more active part in what our District is doing. For this I thank you. It also let me know enough of you read the District Newsletter. Here s the first one of the New Year. So, here we go you amazing Rotarians. I stand ready to assist you in your endeavors this year. Onward and Upward, Your DG, Peggy Humanitarian grants from The Rotary Foundation enable Rotarians to increase their support of international service projects that can help in areas such as this lettuce farm in Niger. Contributions to Rotary Foundation funds enable Rotarians to carry out humanitarian and educational projects. Donors may direct their gifts to three main funds: the Annual Fund, which supports the Foundation s humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs worldwide; the Permanent Fund, which provides an endowment; and the PolioPlus Fund. Contribute to these funds now, and learn how the Foundation recognizes donors. 2
CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS Here is a great opportunity to enjoy the boys of summer and help END POLIO NOW! Enjoy 5 Super home games and bonus tickets to any home game plus the All-Star game and home run derby. It's a great time for everyone in the family to see some great games, have a hot dog, some peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Sue Foley, Jon Dyson, Jeff Blake, Jon Deisher and Bob Weel have put together a Glacier Pilots Baseball Package with a special Rotary END POLIO NOW night at Mulcahy Stadium on July 10, 2012. This VIP Mini Plan Pack retails for $20, a $50 value, and the Glacier Pilots are giving $10 of each sale back to Rotary's END POLIO NOW effort. You can't lose with this fabulous promotion! I will have tickets available at all the meetings, or just give me a call and I am happy to delivery as many packages as you need. They make a great gift to employees or clients. DISTRICT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2012 2013 ENROLL NOW! Now is the time to enroll in District 5010 s Leadership Academy for the 2012-13 Rotary year. What is the Leadership Academy, you ask? It is an advanced educational program for those interested in learning more about Rotary and practical application of the information in projects, within your club or in district Rotary service. The District 5010 Leadership Academy is a six-month series of online learning topics (starting in September) designed to increase the knowledge of past club presidents, presidents elect or other Rotarians who are considering Rotary leadership positions now or in the future. The Leadership Academy class of 2012-13 is limited to 20 participants. Academy topics include: - Rotary s Digital Communications: Navigating Rotary Information Sources - Membership - The Rotary Foundation and Future Vision - Public Image for Effective Rotary Clubs - New Generations - Club, District and the Rotary International Organization Applications are now being sought for the 2012-2013 Leadership Academy. Your help is needed in identifying and nominating potential candidates in your club or letting us know if you are interested in participation. In addition to submitting your own application, you can also nominate another Rotarian from your club. In addition to strengthening your club with more Academy participants, it s also a lot of fun to have a study partner! Registration will continue until July 15 or as space permits. The application form and more information are at www.rotary5010.org, Download tab (lower right side of the home page) or http://www.clubrunner.ca/data/5010//html/160826//districtleadershipacademyenrollmentpacket.pdf. You may also wish to browse the Academy website www.district5010leadershipacademy.org for more details about the topics, lists of graduates and other participant information. Questions? Completed applications? Contact PDG Gayle Knepper at rotary5010@ak.net. ANCHORAGE AREA PRESIDENT S MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012 7:00am The monthly presidents meeting will occur every 1 st Wednesday of the month. They will be held in the 3 rd floor conference room of Ahtna Technical Services Inc., located at 560 E 34 th Ave Suite 300. This is a secured building that you need a badge to access, so the entrance door will be propped open and you will need to take the stairs to the 3 rd floor, as the elevator is non- operational without a badge. Below is a link to a map with the office location. There is also the option to attend this meeting via telephone by calling into the conference line. The call in numbers will be included on each meeting s agenda. The July meeting will occur on July 11 th because of the 4 th of July holiday. A separate meeting invite will follow to include that meeting agenda. If you have any questions please feel free to contact myself or Krystal Nelson. 3
John Hewko Rotary International General Secretary Preparing for the New Rotary Year A new Rotary year is set to begin, and with it several programs aimed at helping clubs and districts enhance their projects, share information, and increase membership. In addition, a new group of leaders will take over at the club, district, and international levels. Sakuji Tanaka, of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Japan, will become Rotary s 102nd president on 1 July and will encourage Rotarians to foster Peace Through Service. Read a profile of Tanaka from The Rotarian and download his convention speech. Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, of the Rotary Club of Trenton, Ontario, Canada, will take over as Rotary Foundation trustee chair. Read his biography and download his convention speech. Other changes include the following: Beginning 1 July, The Rotary Foundation and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group will work together to offer resources and consulting services on major water and sanitation projects to several districts through a one-year pilot called the project enhancement process. These optional services will enable grant sponsors to tap into the technical expertise of their fellow Rotarians who are professionals in the field. To learn more, read these FAQs. In order to focus goal setting at the club and district levels on membership activities, the RI Board has set a membership goal of 1.3 million Rotarians by 30 June 2015. The Board has also approved regional membership plans that were created by committees of Rotary leaders led by the directors in each region. Each plan addresses the region s unique needs and customs. Districts and clubs are encouraged to use the regional membership plans as a guide in developing goals and strategies that are realistic and achievable and take into consideration historical trends and the opportunities within each region. RI will be launching Rotary Club Central in an effort to measure the organization s global impact. The new online tool allows clubs to set and track service, membership, and Foundation contribution goals. Through Rotary Showcase, Rotarians can share photos of and information about their clubs service projects with the Rotary community and their Facebook friends. By indicating funds spent and hours volunteered, clubs and districts will also be helping track Rotary s global impact. A new convention website launches later this month, providing the latest news, travel tips, registration, housing information, and more on Rotary s largest annual gathering. Register now for the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, Portugal, 23-26 June. The End Polio Now website will also be redesigned to include infographics, social media campaigns, status reports, and maps. RI will hold three Rotary Global Peace Forums in 2012-13, each consisting of a two- or three-day program to engage and inspire Rotarians and community leaders. The forums will take place 30 November to 2 December in Berlin, Germany; Continued 4
25-27 January in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; and 17-18 May in Hiroshima, Japan. The Council on Legislation will meet in April in Chicago to discuss and enact changes to the RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. The council meets every three years to review resolutions submitted by clubs, district conferences, the General Council and Conference of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, and the RI Board. The Council comprises more than 500 representatives from every part of the Rotary world. As the Future Vision pilot enters its final year, Rotary clubs and districts will start preparing for Rotary s new grant model, which launches 1 July 2013. The RI Board of Directors will seat eight new directors 1 July, along with RI President-elect Ron D. Burton, of the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA. The new directors for 2012-13 are Ann-Britt Åsebol, of the Rotary Club of Falun-Kopparvågen, Sweden; John B. Boag, of the Rotary Club of Tamworth North, Australia; Jacques di Costanzo, of the Rotary Club of Marseille Phocea, Bouches-du-Rhône, France; Takeshi Matsumiya, of the Rotary Club of Chigasaki-Shonan, Japan; Anne L. Matthews, of the Rotary Club of Columbia East, South Carolina, USA; Gideon Peiper, of the Rotary Club of Ramat Hasharon, Israel; Andy Smallwood, of the Rotary Club of Gulfway-Hobby Airport (Houston), Texas, USA; and Bryn Styles, of the Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, Ontario, Canada. The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees will seat five new trustees, including Stephanie A. Urchick, of the Rotary Club of Canonsburg- Houston, Pennsylvania, USA, who has been appointed for a two-year term, replacing Anne L. Matthews, who is joining the RI Board. The others, who will serve four-year terms, include Ray Klinginsmith, of the Rotary Club of Kirksville, Missouri, USA; Michael K. McGovern, of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA; Samuel F. Owori, of the Rotary Club of Kampala, Uganda; and Julio Sorjús, of the Rotary Club of Barcelona Condal, Spain. 2013 RI Convention Register early and save Looking for more convention news and information? Visit the Host Organizing Committee website and discover Lisbon. 5
Federal Restrictions on Charitable Donations A not widely recognized problem, which came up at the end of 2011, is the fact that Charitable Donations can no longer be made from a retirement fund with no tax consequences. Until the end of 2011 it was possible to make a Charitable Roll Over from an IRA or similar retirement account with no tax being charged to the donor as long as the money went directly to a recognized charity (Rotary Foundation, 501c3, etc). Now, to make a donation from an IRA the donor has to pull the money, pay income tax and get a small write-off on subsequent taxes. Overall the donor loses 20-25% in the process. There is a Solution on the Horizon Senate Bill 557 (sponsored by Senator Charles Schumer of NY). Information I ve received from Miles Baker, a Legislative Assistant for Senator Murkowski, indicates that this bill will: 1) make PERMANENT tax-free IRA distributions to qualified charitable organizations 2) allow rollovers to begin at age 59½ (details available) 3) eliminate the $100,000 annual cap 4) permit private foundations to receive contributions I have discussed this bill with representatives at The Rotary Foundation and they are working hard to get this important legislation passed. I encourage all Rotarians to contact Senators Murkowski and Begich (and Senators in other states if you have contacts) and urge them to support this important legislation. A number of Charitable organizations will be hurting and may go out of business if this legislation does not pass. George L Stewart, Past President, Girdwood Rotary Club 6
1. How often do you read the District Newsletter? a. 23% - Monthly b. 62% - Sometimes c. 15% - Never 2. Do you receive a Club Newsletter a. Yes, Printed at meeting 26% b. Yes, ClubRunner 63% c. No 11 3. How often do you access your ClubRunner Account? a. Monthly 28% b. Sometimes 45% c. Never 27% 4. I would be interested in attending a Webinar on how to use ClubRunner? a. Yes 42% b. No 58% 5. Have you used Member Access on the Rotary International Website? a. Yes 55% b. No 45% 6. How satisfied are you, generally, with the activities of Rotary as you understand them? a. My own club i. Dissatisfied 0% ii. Somewhat Dissatisfied 5% iii. Neutral 9% iv. Satisfied 42% v. Very Satisfied 44% vi. Can t Say 0.4% b. Rotary International ii. Somewhat Dissatisfied 1.1% iii. Neutral 23% iv. Satisfied 50% v. Very Satisfied 23% vi. Can t Say 4.1 c. Rotary Foundation ii. Somewhat Dissatisfied 1.1% iii. Neutral 16% iv. Satisfied 50% v. Very Satisfied 29% vi. Can t Say 5 d. Rotary Image & Reputation ii. Somewhat Dissatisfied 5% iii. Neutral 7% iv. Satisfied 47% v. Very Satisfied 41% vi. Can t Say 0 e. Rotary Inclusiveness & Diversity ii. Somewhat Dissatisfied 1.1% iii. Neutral 23% iv. Satisfied 50% v. Very Satisfied 23% vi. Can t Say 4.1 f. Rotary s Relevance to Today s Issues i. Dissatisfied 0.8% ii. Somewhat Dissatisfied 5.6% iii. Neutral 11% iv. Satisfied 52% v. Very Satisfied 29% vi. Can t Say 1.5 7. In which of these areas do you feel you club could most benefit from ongoing additional training programs. a. Sec/Treas Rules Policies best practices 20% of 45 responses b. Membership Growth & Retention 65% of 150 responses c. Fundraising 36% of 82 responses d. Leadership Tech and Best Practices 50% of 116 responses e. Club Finances & Budgeting 16% of 36 responses f. Organization of Service Projects 32% of 74 responding g. Strategic Planning 28% of 64 responding h. Foundation Programs 26% of 59 responding i. Participation in Rotary Foundation Grants and other programs 41% of 95 responding j. Social Media 36% of 82 responding k. Other 27 8. Have you held a leadership position in your Club or the District a. Yes 64% b. No 36% 9. How long have you been a Rotarian? a. Less than 1 Year 10% b. 2 5 Years 25% c. 6 12 Years 24% d. 12 25 Years 28% e. 25+ Years 13% 10. Would you tell us how old you are? a. Under 30 6 b. 31-40 24 c. 41-50 56 d. 51-60 100 e. 61-70 53 f. 70+ - 28 Total Responding to Survey 267 A special thank you to all that took the time to answer the survey. Please take the time to make your voice heard. Your input is not only welcomed, it s what makes our District run. Sincerely, Your DG Peggy Don t forget to register for the conference, a zipline experience awaits! Rotary Survey Says 7