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2017 Annual Rotary Foundation Dinner - November 15

The 2017 Annual Rotary Foundation dinner will be held Wednesday, November 15 at the Hershey Lodge (325 University Drive, Hershey) in the Aztec Room. 

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Dinner with speaker - Rotarian John Nanni, Polio Survivor (Click here to view John's complete bio)

​$65 per person

Dinner Menu: Roasted beet & arugula salad, Wild mushroom stuffed chicken and Pumpkin white chocolate trifle. 

Registration Deadline: November 10, 2017

Click here for more information and to register! 

Why Rotary Membership Matters
The ability to serve more, reach farther and complete projects quicker happens when we increase Rotary membership. Who is responsible for growing membership? The RI President? Rotary Directors? District Governors? Membership Chairs? Club Presidents? Or, EVERY Rotarian? Opinions may vary, but one thing is true; membership is a responsibility of ALL of us. Whether you agree or disagree, the truth remains that membership growth cannot happen by simply attracting new members. We know that all Rotary Clubs are different. Therefore, each Club must implement a strategy specific to them. More importantly, as vital as it is to attract new members, we must also keep current members engaged and involved to retain their membership.
 
At the Zones 24 and 32 Rotary Institute, General Secretary John Hewko shared that Rotary attracted and inducted 150,000 new members in 2016. Unfortunately, we lost almost the same number of members the same year. In some countries, membership is declining while in others it is increasing.  Therefore, Rotary has had the same membership for the last 15 to 20 years. The majority of declining membership has happened in the US. Due to this trend, the Rotary Board of Directors made a tough decision to redistribute the Zones and increase the Zones to areas where Rotary is growing (particularly in the Asian continent).  There are 34 zones in Rotary International and 17 Directors that serve on the RI Board. The US will lose two zones and the ability to nominate one director to the Board of Rotary International. The issue is not the number of directors or the need of balancing a budget. The issue at hand is why is the US consistently decreasing membership, while other areas like India or Japan are consistently growing?
 
Common sense says we need to do three basics things to change the membership trend in the US:
  1. Attract more Rotarians and have less attrition. Charter new clubs that meet the needs of our customers (Rotary club members), while still keeping our mission, values and principles.
  2. Engage, involve and welcome new Rotarians to avoid them leaving. Many new members leave Rotary during the first two years of their membership. Each Club needs to assess if they are really welcoming. Does the culture of the club allow creativity and innovation? Is our club attractive and relevant? Does the culture of our club welcome all persons of good character?  
  3. Utilize, as needed, the opportunities for meeting flexibility that the Council on Legislation adopted in 2016. Planning is fundamental and the adaptability to change is essential. Clubs need to begin in an honest discussion related to membership. Keep in mind who the final beneficiaries of your Rotary membership are. It is not just the Club, District, Zone or Rotary International, but the people we serve, the friends that we make and the communities that we support.
We are all equally responsible for growing Rotary membership. Take the lead and create a membership strategic plan for your Club. Think about “Service above Self”, both locally and globally. If not today, when? If not here, where? If not you, who?
The decision is yours! Looking forward to working with you until the end of this Rotary year and remember that your leadership responsibilities as Club President or District officer goes until June 30th. We can be the change in the current momentum! Let’s grow our membership in our clubs, in District 7390 and in the US. Check out the Rotary Membership Resource Guide! (click here)
Nominations for District Governor 2020-21
The time has come to begin the nominating process for our District Governor 2020-21.  In this way we will continue our three-year projection for District 7390’s leadership.
      I encourage all D7390 Clubs to survey your membership and suggest a qualified candidate for the District Governor Nominee 2020-21. Suggestions must be made in the form of a resolution adopted at a regular Club meeting and certified by the Club Secretary. You may suggest a Rotarian from another Club so long as you first obtain the concurrence of the Club where the proposed candidate is a member.
      Every club has an outstanding leader who could be a potential District Governor. Look around and ask yourself, who is that person in my club? It is the person who is a good leader, interested, involved, gives financially to Rotary and The Rotary Foundation and is helpful to other members. Ask that person about his or her interest in serving as District Governor. We all need to give encouragement and “plant the seed” for others to move forward.
      When submitting a candidate for 2020-21 Governor, the following must be submitted: the Club resolution and the Governor Nominee Data Form (DG App 2020-21).    
Read more...
RMB Event Scheduled for November 14 in Harrisburg!
Mark your calendars!  The Rotary Club of Harrisburg Keystone will host a RMB networking event on Tuesday, 14 November at the Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron Street in Harrisburg, starting with registration at 6:15 pm and ending at 8:00 pm.  Attending the event will cost nothing, and you buy your own drinks.  Hors d'oeuvres will be provided.  Attend and make great connections for your business or project and enjoy the fun and fellowship of Rotary.  Bring potential Rotarian guests and don't forget family of Rotary. Click here to register! 
Paradise Club Fundraiser
You're Invited!!
Rotarian Community Connections!
 
Please join us for an afternoon of entertainment and an opportunity to dine together while connecting with other local Rotarians. Share the joy and laughter of the popular holiday musical Our Christmas Dinner A heaping scoop of humor, a slice of family memories and some unexpected surprises serve up the most wonderful meal of the year. After the show, you’ll get a chance to meet fellow Rotarians before sitting down together for a taste of fresh, delicious dishes from our Dinner Smorgasbord. 
 
When: Tuesday, November 28 (Doors open at 3:30 p.m., State show at 4:00 p.m., Networking at 5:30 p.m., Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
When: Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & State (2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA)
Cost: $50 per person. A portion of the proceeds benefits Paradise Rotary
 
Experience Rotarian fellowship and Smucker family hospitality! Please RSVP NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21. To make reservations, please call group sales at 717-768-1110 and mention code RCC. 
Rotary Club Feeds Children in Haiti
In September 2017, the District 7390 Rotary Grants committee approved funding for the Rotary Club of Hershey’s application to feed more students at our schools in Haiti! As the number of children at our schools continues to grow, we aim to be able to feed each student daily since these meals may be their only substantive nutrition each day. This grant will provide for the preparation of 10,000 meals to 60 students for the current school year. We are so grateful to the District 7390 Rotary and the Rotary Club of Hershey for their support and look forward to working with them to help empower more Haitians to excel in education!
Hanover Club Recognizes Veterans
With Veterans Day approaching, the Rotary Club of Hanover presented Armed Forces Rotary pins to their military veterans on Tuesday.  Hanover’s Veterans served in all branches of the service to include the Coast Guard.  Art Stabler (pictured at far right) is the oldest veteran and served in WWII.  Hanover’s veterans served their nation with honor and now serve Rotary with that same honor.
Harrisburg Student and Teacher of the Quarter
The Rotary Club of Harrisburg honored their Student and Teacher of the Quarter. Each student and teacher receives  a certificate and $25 gift card.  
We honor students and teachers from Harrisburg High, SciTech and Steelton-Highspire High Schools.
Rotary NID (National Immunization Day) Trip to India - January 2018
Are you interested in participating in a National Immunization Day in India? The next one is scheduled for late January 2018.  Not only will you be participating in an important Rotary service project, but you will be seeing some of the world's best attractions. We will visit several cities in India. If you are interested in participating in this trip, please plan ahead as it takes at least one month to receive a VISA for India. For more information on obtaining a VISA, visit www.travisa.com
 
  • When: January 18-31, 2018
  • Cities:  Several different cities
  • Cost:​ $2575 plus flight to India and back, assuming some home stays in India. I find that Indian hosts are delightful people.
  • Fun:  Most assuredly
If you are interested in participating, please contact PDG John Kramb by email at pdgjohn2015@gmail.com.  He will take your name and keep you posted as information comes forth.
 
Substitue Teacher and Teacher Shortage - Critical Education Issue in Central PA
Central PA suffers from a critical shortage of Substitute Teachers and Teachers.  Certifications are down by 60% in the last 5 years. This has a serious impact on education in our schools. This is part of a wide spread national trend, and currently affects children in our communities.   Coverage in the Wall Street Journal, NBC News and local publications have recently addressed this. 
 
If you want to hear more about this problem and possibly help to be part of the solution, contact Debby Abel, Harrisburg Rotary member.  We can provide a speaker for your meeting dabel@abelpersonnel.com
Upcoming Events
Grant Training Seminar
Radisson Hotel Harrisburg
Nov 04, 2017
7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
 
Grant Committee Meeting
Johns Diner
Nov 06, 2017
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
 
YE - Compatibility Weekend
Red Lion Hotel
Nov 11, 2017 – Nov 12, 2017
 
RI United Nations Day
Nov 11, 2017
 
YE - 2018-19 Outbound Interviews
Red Lion Hotel
Nov 11, 2017
7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
YE - 2018 STEP Interviews
Red Lion Hotel
Nov 11, 2017
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
 
Rotary Means Business - Northern Tier
Appalachian Brewing Company
Nov 14, 2017
6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
 
Rotary Foundation Dinner
Hershey Lodge
Nov 15, 2017
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
YE Inbound Overnight Social - Maryland
Nov 18, 2017 – Nov 19, 2017
 
AG/AMC/AFC Meeting
Perkins Restaurant
Nov 29, 2017
5:45 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Russell Hampton
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