You may know that nearly one-third of Columbia Metro Rotarians are recognized as Paul Harris Fellows.  What exactly does this mean?

The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary over 100 years ago.  The Fellowship was established in his honor in 1957.  A Paul Harris Fellow is an individual who contributes $1,000 or in whose name that amount is contributed.  Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a pin, medallion and a certificate when he or she becomes a Fellow.  This identifies the Paul Harris Fellow as an advocate of the Foundation’s goals of world peace and international understanding.

The Rotary Foundation is a registered charity that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

Programs the Rotary Foundation supports include Polio Plus – a program designed to eradicate Polio from the world.  It supports Humanitarians programs, including grants to fund club and district service projects – and matching grants for international projects.   The Foundation also supports educational programs – like ambassadorial scholarships, Group Study Exchange, Rotary Grants for University Teachers, and Rotary World Peace Scholarships.

It’s hard to believe that a quarter of our year has already passed.  As we enter a new month, please remember that October is Rotary Vocational Service Month.

This month focuses on:

-  Adherence to and promotion of the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the public.

-  The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, not just those that are pursued by Rotarians.

-  The contribution of your vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of the community.

During this month, I encourage all Metro Rotarians to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service.  Think about how what you do, and what we do as a group, helps others within our community.  We have a number of tremendously talented individuals within our membership, and we need to constantly be thinking about how we can best use our time and talents.

Have a great month!

President Cindy

PROGRAM – Jim Spieler, Paul Harris Fellowships

GREETERS – Joy Block & Dave Holtgraewe

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Rob Quinn

PROGRAM – Anne Voshaar, German Foreign Exchange Student

GREETERS – Beth Lammers & Sally Beth Lyon

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Josh Kittle

PROGRAM – Dr. Dianne Lynch, President of Stephens College

GREETERS – Jeff Davis & Lyle Johnson

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Jed Friedrichsen

Did you know that September is New Generations Month for Rotarians?  It’s called that because we know that investing in our young people is the same as investing in our future.  Worldwide, Rotarians take pride in the fact that they have youth programs available for many to explore and enjoy. 

Locally, we invest as well:  For one thing, we have a very impressive and active Rotaract club.  Secondly, the RYLA event each year allows students to meet, network and exchange ideas through a week-long camp.  Finally, our Youth Exchange Program has been a very popular part of our annual plans, and exposes international students (and our members) to new languages, new traditions, new thoughts, etc.

On a related note, please don’t forget about our exchange student Anne.  She is anxious and willing to learn more about everything we do, whether at work or play.  We will have her “wish list” of activities online soon.  In the meantime, please contact her at your convenience to plan an activity.  She is the first person listed in our online membership directory.

As always, thanks to all of you for your dedication to Metro Rotary!

President Cindy

District 6080 Governor Raymond Plue visited Metro Rotary on September 15.  Gov. Plue gave an informative overview of Rotary International’s plans for this year and the focus of District 6080 to help make those goals a reality.  Gov. Plue has been very active during his Rotary career, and some quick facts about him are:

• Raymond first joined Rotary in 1968.
• He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Chilton, Wisconsin; the Rotary Club of Athens, Georgia; the Rotary Club of Bondi Junction, New South Wales, Australia; the Rotary Club of Fayetteville, Arkansas and the Rotary Club of Columbia South, Missouri.
• He has supported the naming of all members of his family including grandchildren, as Paul Harris Fellows.
• He has supported the naming of Paul Harris Fellows on four continents showing his involvement in the fellowship and internationality of Rotary International.
• Raymond was named Rotarian of the Year in 1995 by the Rotary Club of Bondi Junction, New South Wales, Australia and Rotarian of the Year in 2003 by the Rotary Club of Columbia South, Missouri.
• Raymond was the Rotarian Team Leader of the District 6080 Group Study Exchange Team to District 3130, Maharashtra State, India during January 2004. Raymond supported the naming of all four GSE Team members as Paul Harris Fellows at the 2004 District Conference.

PROGRAM – District 6080 Governor Raymond Plue

GREETERS – Lynda Baumgartner & Marnie Clark

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Liz Magee

On August 31, Rotary District 6080 announced that Columbia Metro Rotary was awarded a District Simplified Grant in the amount of $1,000.  These funds will enable a Rain and Butterfly garden to be constructed at the Park Avenue  Child and Family Development Center Playground (below)!   This project will have a positive impact on the students we currently reach through our Partner in Education relationship with the Columbia Public Schools’ Title I Program.  In addition, Columbia Metro Rotary will provide over $1,700 in matching funds to complete this project. 

A special thank you to Andrew Stone for authoring this grant proposal, and to all Rotarians who assisted in the application assembly and process.

The Metro Board of Directors met September 8 at the Columbia Country Club.