Dear 5830 Rotarians,
 
It has been extremely inspiring as I have visited so many of our clubs across the district. The good works our Rotarians are doing or plan to do this year make me feel good to be working alongside each of you! Your support for school children, the hungry, and the less fortunate is so very uplifting. Besides the difference you are making in your communities, you also have fun together! Angela and I have seen how much members of the clubs like being together! I really believe this is one of the most attractive aspects of Rotary membership.
 
September is Rotary focus on Education and Literacy. Our clubs do this very well. From dictionaries for elementary students to scholarships for seniors and school supplies for the needy, we are all really involved with improving the educational opportunities for children and students in our communities. Continue to find opportunities and identify needs in your schools that your club can work to find solutions for. I challenge every club to find opportunity to volunteer in your schools. I’m confident every elementary school principal would love to have adults to come read to their students, or even better, listen to a youngster read to you. This type of service is invaluable to building confidence in young students.

 
 
I sent contact information for several Harvey relief options to club presidents at the beginning of September. I will include these again at the end of this newsletter. I urge every club to do as much as you can. The most needed donations now are money. Whether you give from club funds or pass the hat at a meeting, PLEASE DO SOMETHING! The recovery for this disaster will take months if not years.
 
Membership growth ideas have been one of the key questions every club has asked me when I visit. I really encourage every club to “think outside the box” and look at doing things differently. The following are some of ideas that have been shared during my visits:
  1. Attract instead of recruit. Seek out those who want to serve. You must ask them!
  2. Hold a monthly social meeting in the evening in place of a normal meeting. Invite prospects!
  3. Review your classifications and identify areas you are lacking. i.e. Realtors, bankers, or car salesmen.
  4. Determine how you can adjust your dues-meals and/or attendance structure to be more affordable for younger prospects.
  5. Identify second and third tier employees at local companies who could be Rotarians.
  6. Identify new retirees; look at who replaces those who leave positions as potential prospects.
  7. Hold Satellite club meetings at alternative times (with no meals!).
  8. Look at teachers, administrators, professors in your local schools and colleges as potential prospects.
World Polio Day is October 24th. I know we have many clubs who have planned special events around that day. I strongly encourage every club to hold some type of emphasis on the fight to eradicate polio on or around that day. We have only had 10 cases of polio in 2017 to date. Many of you have seen the “Why Zero Matters” video with my club visit and understand why we must finish this fight. Get your plans together to educate your club, community, and school children on why we must get to zero!
 
The Polio Truck Raffle ticket sales are moving along very well. Please make the effort to sell/ buy Four or more tickets. Clubs will send all money raised and ticket stubs to District Polio Chair-PDG Shirley Griffin 32 Bramlette Place Longview, TX 75601. District 5830 will make donations to the Rotary Foundation for each club based on the money raised.
 
The Joint District Conference with District 6190 and our District will be held on November 10-11th in Shreveport. Friday, November 10th, will be at the downtown Hilton Hotel and include Rotary Leadership Institute training. This training is open to all Rotarians. It is an excellent way to learn leadership skills that can be used in your professional life, as well as, learning more about Rotary. There will be a social for young professionals that afternoon, and then we will have a dinner that evening with entertainment. Saturday, November 11th, will be held at Centenary College. There will be a variety of training activities, speakers, a service opportunity, along with breakfast and lunch. Awards and recognitions for the 2016-2017 Rotary year will be handed out. We will recognize the Bill Campbell and Bill Rains awards. Please pit this event on your calendar and plan to attend. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to see old friends and make new ones!
 
I encourage each club president to continue to pursue the Rotary Citation. Track your club service hours and donations each month. Put this information in Rotary Club Central. As you complete your projects and goals, make sure you put them into RCC as well. Hosting a World Polio Day event, planting one tree per member, updating your club’s social media accounts- all of these are ways for your club to receive recognition for the good work it does!
Continue to “Make a Difference!”
 
Harvey Relief Options
Rotary District 5930 is partnered with McAllen North Rotary Fund - a 501 (c) 3 to set up an Emergency Relief Fund.  Please make checks to McAllen North Rotary Fund (Fed tax # 27-3855943) and mail to Rotary D 5930, McAllen North Rotary Club, 501 W. Nolana, McAllen, TX 78504. Questions and requests for help can be sent to DG Betty Ramirez-Lara, cell 956-683-5706bettylararotary@gmail.com , P O Box 3882, McAllen, TX 78502
 
Rotary District 5910 has a Rotary District 5910 Charitable Foundation and funds can be sent to:  Rotary District 5910 Charitable Foundation, c/o Bobbie Applegate, 985 IH-10N, Suite 111, Beaumont, TX 77706.
Questions and requests for help can be sent to DG Rhonda Herrington, cell 903-724-8515rhonda.herrington@yahoo.com, 616 S Sycamore, Palestine, TX 75801.
 
Rotary District 5890 has a District 5890 Charities, Inc. and funds can be sent to: District 5890 Charities, Inc., c/o Jackie Barmore, 3525 Preston Ave., Pasadena, TX 77505
Questions and requests for help can be sent to DG Bill Palko, cell 303-618-6859, home 713-450-2623william.palko@amergybank.com, 202 Blue Castle Lane, Houston, TX 77015.
 
A receipt for the donations over $250.00 should be sent to the donors for tax purposes and if requested for any amount.
In Rotary Service,
DG Ted Huffhines