The Short-Term Youth Exchange Program (STEP) provides opportunities for high school students, ages 15–18 to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to exchange in a foreign country.
Participants will live with a Host Family in the selected country for a minimum of three weeks, typically during the summer, under the sponsorship of a local Rotary Club. The Short-Term Exchange asks that your family will host in return for a similar duration in time.
The exchange does not have to be back to back. There are countries that have long holidays around Christmas time and students may want to come here then, while a North American student may want to go during our summer holidays. The maximum stay will be less than 90 days because of visa requirements and will not involve a schooling component. Go to
https://www.district7040ye.com/ to find out more.
New! Rotary Basics online course – now available
Statistics show that members who receive an official new member orientation are Rotarians longer than those who do not. Not sure where to start with new member orientation?
Rotary Basics is now an
online course in the Learning Center that covers all things Rotary in an interactive, multimedia format. You’ll be able to meet members around the world, watch videos, and interact with the course to deepen your understanding of Rotary. The Rotary Basics online course was designed for new members, but it can also be a great refresher for current members or even nonmembers who simply want to know what Rotary is all about.
My Big Fab Rotary Dinner
This is something that came from district 7080 which is the district to over from us to the west. They decided that it would be such a very good challenge to try and have Rotarians across the zone participate. You invite non-Rotarians into your home for dinner on Saturday, April 6. This is something that we can do with our club wherever it is that we are. Have a nice menu and so on but let people know ahead of time that this is a meal that you're suggesting for PolioPlus now contributions.
The flyer can be found in Documents and mentions a 30-dollar donation per guest. It doesn't necessarily have to be that much it can be whatever it is that you want it to be. Because of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation your contributions are going to be tripled. Chris, Fred, and Ariane will be at the District Foundation Dinner on that day and will also give a donation.
Contact Ariane about getting donations credited for a tax receipt.
Rotary ABC's - Tolerance of Differences
Occasionally, there is a temptation to criticize the laws, customs, or traditions of another country that may seem strange or contrary to our own. In some instances, practices or customs that are illegal in one nation are completely lawful and acceptable in another.
As members of an international organization dedicated to world understanding and peace, it behooves Rotarians to exercise restraint in judging our Rotary friends and citizens from other countries when their behavior seems unusual. A Rotary policy adopted in 1933 states that because some activities and local customs may be legal and customary in some countries and not in others, Rotarians should be guided by this admonition of tolerance:
“Rotarians in all countries should recognize these facts, and there should be a thoughtful avoidance of criticism of the laws and customs of one country by the Rotarians of another country.” The policy also cautions against “any effort on the part of Rotarians of one country to interfere with the laws or customs of another country.”
As we strive to strengthen the bonds of understanding, goodwill, and friendship, these policies still provide good advice and guidance.
The Rotary Foundation Weekly Messages: WEEK 37
DO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS HAVE TO BE DONE THROUGH THE FOUNDATION? The answer is no; however, it is a wonderful way to get involved in your community. Community service projects are born when Rotary clubs from two or more countries join together to accomplish a community service project. These projects link and connect ideas from Rotary Clubs needing extra help with clubs in other countries that are willing to provide funds, materials and technical and professional assistance. Please share your service projects with the Rotary world and friends of Rotary by going to
www.rotary.org,
www.ideas.rotary.org and then sharing your project on Rotary showcase.
ARE YOU READY TO GET INVOLVED IN A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT?
Recipes
Our friends at the E-Club of Innovation are looking to get recipes from all countries where Rotary is present. Can you or somebody else in your club send them your recipe?
recipes@rotaryeclub.org.uk
Rotary Weekly
Meet the Member
The only way that we get to know each other is by having you write a little bio about yourself. We’ve had quite a few new members lately who have not seen these before. I can either take the little description that you wrote on your application, or assign you a week in the future. Contact me.
