From the Land of a Thousand Smiles

As you read this message Val and I are winging our way to Bangkok to enjoy our International Convention with fellow District 5320 Rotarians and an estimated 27,000+ Rotarians from around the world.  This will be our eleventh International Convention and we’re already looking forward to number twelve next year in Lisbon, Portugal.  RI Conventions are like no other experience imaginable.  The camaraderie, plenary sessions and speakers are awe inspiring and doors open around every corner for new opportunities in Rotary.  There really is something for everyone.  For those staying home this year you can still catch the excitement right from your living room. The first RI Convention webcast goes live on Tuesday, 8 May 2012 9:15 to 11:45 (GMT + 7.0 hours) Bangkok, Thailand.  Join by clicking or pasting this link in your browser:

http://rotary2012.sessionupload.com/

Also quickly approaching is our very own District 5320 Conference: June 1-3 at the Long Beach Hilton.  District Conference Chair Roy Jefferson and his committee have put together an exceptional group of speakers, sessions and events that will entertain and educate all in attendance.  The conference theme is “Celebrating Rotary Stars” and we will be welcoming some of Rotary’s biggest VIP’s.  Past Rotary International President Cliff Dochterman is without a doubt one of the most sought after public speakers in the Rotary world and will be kicking off our Conference weekend June 1^st at the lunch session.  The number of speaking engagements that Cliff commits to is becoming increasingly limited so if you have not yet had the chance to hear him speak, now is the time.

Following Cliff is another dynamite speaker and burst of Rotary energy: John T. Capps.  John T. inspires Rotarians all over the world and is known for displaying his pride by tattooing Rotary wheels onto his head.  Additional Rotary Stars include our RI Presidential Representative, Bansi Dhurandhar, who will be joining us all the way from India and Vincent Graffeo, President of a 200 member Rotaract Club.  Also hear Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and recent Peace and Fellowship Scholar Brad Darling talk about his recent travels and “A Journey to Peace”.

Hospitality night will shine especially bright as all of our Rotarians enjoy fellowship together, and I can’t think of a better time to introduce new and potential members to the District.  I am greatly looking forward to meeting many of them at the New Members Reception, to be held Friday afternoon.  So many clubs and members have responded positively to our goal to grow membership, however, all of us can think of one more person to introduce.  Reach out to those who have the mission of Rotary in their hearts and show them how they can be a part of this phenomenon we know as Rotary.  It might just change their life.

If you haven’t made a contribution to The Rotary Foundation yet, this is the simplest way to make an impact.  Rotary Direct is a quick and easy means to support our Annual Programs Fund (APF) which drives our ability to do District Simplified Grants, Ambassadorial Scholarships, Matching Grants, Youth Exchange and Vocational Training Teams (just to name a few).  The Rotary Foundation will be offering double Foundation recognition points for all recurring contributions through Rotary Direct to the Annual Fund between 1 April and 1 July 2012.

Is there a special person in your life that you would love to give a Paul Harris Fellowship to?  Val and I have honored all of our family members and many friends with PHF’s. The real joy in honoring someone is explaining how every dollar plus interest is changing the world.  Believe it or not, I have just thought of someone special in our lives that we have yet to honor, and that will change today.

As I look out of my office window I can see another one of our Rotary Public Image trailers being wrapped with a message about Rotary’s efforts to create clean water and sanitation.  Thanks to Rotarian Sarah and James Naccarato of Iconography, there will soon be 12 trailers displaying our Polio eradication efforts and Six Areas of Focus throughout Southern California.  Helping spread that word can be as easy as wearing your Rotary pin every day.  Let’s tell the world what we’re all about!

Val and I look forward to seeing you for an unforgettable District Conference.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Governor Greg and First Lady Valerie Owen

For 18 years, PDG Mike has served as Camp Director for RYLA 5320.  In that time, hundreds (thousands!) of high school students have built confidence and self-esteem while learning the values of teamwork and leadership.  All of them have been touched by Mike’s compassion, acceptance and warm smile.

As Mike is preparing to turn some of his duties over to the “next generation” of  leaders, Team RYLA wanted to thank Mike for his years of service.  They also wanted to say:  ”Sit down!”

At the close of RYLA camp on Sunday, Rotarian Jerry Kress unveiled the new metal bench installed at Idyllwild Pines campground which is dedicated to Mike and RYLA.  Jerry also presented Mike with a memory book of comments and tributes from the Rotarians and clubs of Rotary District 5320 who raised the funds to purchase and install the new bench.  Because of these generous Rotarians, extra money is also available to sponsor a RYLA campership in Mike’s name next year.

Thank you PDG Mike!

Rotary District 5320 Speech Finals were conducted on Saturday at Long Beach City College. Congrats to all the speakers and to our winners for this year, Tiffany Lam (1st place, RC Fullerton), Paige Ridgeway (2nd place, RC Fullerton South), and Kenneth Phin (3rd place, RC Lakewood). They will be presenting their speeches at the District Conference on June 2nd/3rd.

Even better: 3 club-level executive suites are going fast.  First come, first served!

And don’t forget the Chili Cook-Off, Batting Practice and a great deal on a custom Angel ball cap!

Click for details on our website here!

The Rotarian Magazine – News You Can Use!

April is Magazine Month and a reminder that Rotarians possess, in my opinion, one of the best published magazines in the world.  From its humble beginnings as a 12 page periodical in 1911, The Rotarian continues to document the stories of our great work in a simple, beautifully laid out format.

On page 14 of this month’s Rotarian magazine, you will find a paragraph highlighting our District’s very own annual Angels End Polio Now event, through which we have raised over $65,000 to End Polio Now in collaboration with two neighboring Districts.  The accomplishments of our District 5320 Clubs are exceptional and something to be proud of and shared.  With the talents of the Angels End Polio Now Chair Kevin Padilla and his committee, we are sure to have another successful Rotary/Angels event.

Another article this month includes Rotarians’ comments on networking opportunities, in terms of both quantity and quality.  The Objects of Rotary encourage and foster the ideal of service as a worthy enterprise for the development of acquaintance, high ethical standards in all businesses, professions and communities to advance world understanding and peace.  All of us know quality people whom we network with daily and genuinely enjoy giving back to their communities.  It would be difficult for any one of them to not find their passion identified in one of our six areas of focus: water & sanitation; disease prevention & control; children & maternal health; education & literacy; economic & community development; and certainly peace & conflict resolution.

A special thanks to the Club Presidents and members who have made great strides in membership development.  Your efforts are paying off.  Our membership numbers are currently up for the year.  However, traditionally the month of averages 45 terminations, but we can change this trend!  My plea is this: please find and introduce 3 solid new members by May 30^th.  Many clubs have 3-9 members in their pipeline and that is terrific.  You can make this happen.

It’s hard to believe, but the International Convention in Thailand is right around the corner.  There are currently over 27,000 registrants.  If you have never attended an International Convention I would encourage you to take advantage of this special opportunity.  The speakers, events, information and interaction with Rotarians from all over the world will be unforgettable.  Join Valerie and me in Bangkok for the experience of a lifetime.

Speaking of fun, this year’s District Conference to be held June 1-3 is going to be a spectacular event!  VIP guest speakers include Past Rotary International President (and a personal hero of mine) Cliff Dochterman, R.I. Presidential Representative Bansi Dhurandhar, Past District Governor J.T. and Jane Capps and our own two-time ambassadorial scholar Brad Darling.   Please watch for information from Conference Chair Roy Jefferson as he releases the exciting details.

My final request to you is this: if you haven’t already made a personal contribution to The Rotary Foundation, please do so in any capacity that you can.  This is one of the best investments we can make for future generations.  Our contributions are invested for three years, then, half of what we contribute to the Annual Giving Fund comes back to our district.  A benefit that many Rotarians don’t yet realize is that we will be operating within the structure of the Future Vision Plan when this money comes back to our district.  Under the plan, like now, the clubs that give can use these funds.  In the future, we will be able to use the funds for district community projects or world projects.

Thank you for all you do in Rotary.  It’s making a difference, saving lives, creating futures where none existed and transforming our world beyond imagination.  It’s pretty cool what we can accomplish together, and just remember: They haven’t seen anything yet!

Greg Owen, District Governor

Additional Magazine Resources:

The Rotarian Online

Past Issues of the Rotarian

Go Paperless ! Get The DIGITAL Rotarian Magazine

Recorded Webinar

Print to Digital – Moving Your Message Online

Date/Time: 22-Jun-2011

Duration (minutes): 60

Learn best practices for putting your Rotary print newsletter online and discover options for your PDF email newsletter.

Recording link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/381873248

Orange Coast Community College
Saturday March 31st
9am~12pm

The contestants will be randomly placed into one of the one hour time slots.

The winning contestants will advance to the final competition to be held on April 21st.  Competition champions will be perform at the District 5320 Conference, June 1-3.

For more about the Youth Speech Contest, click here.

Congratulations to the singers that have been selected to compete in the semifinals of the Rotary District 5320 Young Singer Competition.  Below is the schedule of the approximate times that each singer will be competing.  Please be at least 15 minutes early so you have time to check in and complete your packet.  You are welcome to come early and watch the competition.  Winners will be announced immediately after the last performance.

VERY IMPORTANT SINGERS.     You will be performing one song in the semifinals and the finalists will be performing two songs on Sunday afternoon.  You will need to bring 2 copies of the sheet music for the songs you plan to sing.   They need to be in the key in which you will be singing.  If you must bring a transposed song, please make sure it is either written out in the new key (preferred) or chords symbols in the new key are written in.   Please mark clearly the cord symbols in the music so the accompanist can follow the music.  The same will be required for both songs that the finalists will perform.

The program will be held at Long Beach City College in Building G.  LBCC is in Long Beach north of the 405 Freeway.  Exit the 405 Freeway at Lakewood Blvd and proceed north past Carson Street to Harvey Way.  Turn right on Harvey Way through a residential area until you reach LBCC on the right.  Park in Parking Lot E.  You do not need a permit or sticker.  That lot is reserved for us and no citations will be issued.  Proceed down the path between Building J and H to the plaza area where we will be located.

For more information about the contest, click here!