We conclude the year with Fellowship Month.  Metro Rotary has never had an issue with fellowship events, and I am pleased to have enjoyed them all this year!  As this year comes to a close, I want to thank each and every Metro Rotarian who has assisted me this year, and helped to make Metro Rotary a truly special group of people.  You are the best! 

While this year is ending, I know Vice President Jim Sharrock has been busy planning to ensure next year begins without hesitation.  You may have noticed sign-up sheets circulating for various committee chairs and other responsibilities.  If you have not yet signed up to assist, please do so in the very near future.  Each committee has its strong points, and combined, they all total up to a successful year. 

I know you will join me in supporting Jim during his presidency and the other officers and board members.  Thanks again to each of you!  This has been a wonderful year, and I am honored to have served as your President!

President Cindy

Rotary International was founded in 1905.  What began as four men meeting in local Chicago businesses has now grown to 1.2 million Rotarians belonging to over 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.   

Metro Rotary will celebrate its 18^th birthday next month.  Since our club’s founding in 1993, we have seen many professionals come and go, but our core mission has remained true.  As a result, we have been able to assist many people, both locally and on an international level.  Five of our charter members remain active today!  A special thank you to Win Burggraaff, John John, Ginny Northcutt, Audrey Spieler and Jim Stock.  Your devotion of time and talents has played a key role in our club’s growth, and we appreciate each of you.

As a reminder, we only have two months left in this Rotary year.  I encourage you to remain involved in our club’s activities, and plan ahead to be even more active in the year to come.  Help make Metro Rotary History!

President Cindy

Last month, we celebrated literacy.  This month, we put our reading skills to the test.  Everything in our lives depends on consistent, accurate and constant communication.  We receive Rotary communications regularly; through our weekly meetings, club emails, club website, district website and Rotary International.    

As part of your membership in our club, you receive the monthly magazine, The Rotarian.  This publication offers many insightful stories about Rotary projects and clubs throughout the world.  Over 1.2 million Rotarians are reading the same magazine in 23 languages. 

Please take the time each month to read through your issue.  I’m confident you will be impressed with the many activities our fellow Rotarians are involved in, as well as how we are able to assist people who do not have the same resources we have available.  If we want to promote Rotary to others, we need to be well informed! 

Thanks again for all you do to make Metro Rotary such a success! 

 President Cindy

Metro Rotarians have played a large role in assisting charities both locally and on a much broader level.  While it is easy to look at the big picture, it is always helpful to stop and look at the most basic human needs and explore how we can assist our fellow men and women.

About six years ago, Metro Rotary stepped up its commitment to literacy by becoming Partners in Education with the Columbia Public Schools’ Title I Program.  On a regular basis, we have members who volunteer their time to go into local schools and read to children or have the children read to them.  This goes a long way in assisting the children and teachers with improving the students’ abilities to read and comprehend.  While this may seem a basic process, we must remember that “Being literate does not just mean the ability to read a book or a newspaper.  Being literate means being able to comprehend the instructions on a medicine bottle, a set of directions or a job posting.”  (Excerpt from G.E. Estess, Sr., Foundation Trustee Chair, March, 2010 message on literacy)

I urge everyone to strongly consider volunteering to read a book to a child this month even if you cannot work this into your regular routine.  I guarantee you will find the experience very rewarding.  Please contact Les Gelband, Tom Rose or Jim Cherrington for more information.

Thanks again for all you do to make Metro Rotary such a success! 

President Cindy

We enter the shortest month of the year with the largest snowfall (hopefully) that we will get in a while! While it’s very easy just to focus on ourselves, we have to remember that there is a much bigger world out there.

As Metro Rotarians, I encourage you to think back during this month about all the things we do, and have done, that has an impact worldwide. Our continued support of the Youth Exchange Program and the Group Study Exchange Program are both excellent examples of how we reach out globally. I am confident that we have learned as much from the individuals we have sponsored as they have learned from us. Another good example is the number of water projects that we have assisted with financially. A special thank you to Tom O’Connor for his tireless efforts in securing the paperwork and grant applications that have resulted in cleaner water to many people overseas.

This year is flying by, and I can’t believe how much we have done! Thanks for all you do to make Metro Rotary such a success!

President Cindy

Happy New Year!  As we enter the second half of this year, I know everyone is still excited from all the wonders that the annual holiday season brings.  It’s a time for reflection of the year past, but also a time to look forward at what is to come.

As we begin 2011, I encourage you to reflect on Rotary.  Hopefully, you are aware of what a fantastic organization you are a part of and what Rotary means locally and internationally.  As a refresher, I offer the following:  in February, Rotary will celebrate its 106^th birthday; there are over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide; there are over 32,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries; Rotary has helped all but eradicate polio; the Group Study Exchange program has helped more than 57,000 young professionals explore their career fields; and the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars program has helped more than 47,000 students from 110 countries study abroad.  Rotarians make a difference!

Thanks again for the role each of you play to make Metro Rotary such a wonderful organization.  I look forward to the next six months!

President Cindy

We all have many things to be thankful for, and families are an important part of all our lives. As Rotarians, we are fortunate to have an extended Family of Rotary. We appreciate and are very familiar with our fellow Rotarians that we see weekly, but we also have Rotary family members in other clubs, other districts, in other states and other countries!

This is a wonderful time of year, and an excellent time to reflect and give thanks for all our blessings. Your efforts to further our club’s charitable causes are most appreciated, and they have had an impact, direct and non-direct, on many individuals. Our club’s continual devotion of time, talents and financial resources is a reflection of our members. I am grateful for everyone who continues to place Service Above Self!

Thanks for all you do on behalf of Metro! Have a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes for a safe and healthy 2011!

President Cindy

As a Rotarian, we all know there are many good things that occur because of The Rotary Foundation.  Because of our financial support, The Rotary Foundation helps fight hunger needs, works to reduce child mortality, promotes peace and conflict resolution, provides basic education and literacy support and helps eradicate polio! 

By giving only $100 each year through the Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative, you become a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member. Contributions to EREY are the primary source of funding for Foundation programs.

It is because of these valuable causes, plus many others, we must continue our support of The Rotary Foundation.  Please continue to donate as your budget allows!

President Cindy

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

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