Dear District Rotarians:

Lorrie and I returned home October 24th from visit with Rotary Club of Aliceville the 50th Club Visit since we "opened" at Athens on July 7.  We have, as I mentioned in an earlier issue of my weekly "Tuesday Topics," enjoyed every visit and in no small way will miss the travel, visits and fellowship that has been established within our district.  On October 26th we visited Rotary Club of Roanoke and were impressed to find a packed house of Rotarians and their spouses. An incredible spirit of camaraderie and excitement was evident as they conducted final preparations for a club sponsored "team build" of a chidrens' playground at the local park. Rotary - local communities - what a team!  Five clubs remaining for the official DG Visits are still scheduled and pleasantly anticipated. 

With exception of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, scheduled for visit on January 3, 2007, the last visit will be at my home club of Pell City on November 7th.  The day prior, Lorrie and I will be at Rotary Club of  Decatur where I've been invited to speak for the club's annual Veterans' Day Program. Do remember our service personnel and hold them in your thoughts and prayers while continuing to honor them and our country's commitment to freedom, equality and the rule of law.  This year's election is an important one.  Lead the Way to the polls in your communities and "Do The Right Thing."  

On August 14, following an exciting visit with Rotary Club of Florence, Lorrie and I headed to Decatur for rendezvous with the district Communication Team's Editors, Dr. Sue Mitchell, Webmaster (see www.rotary6860.org) and Dr. Carol Chenault, DG Newsletter Editor. Ellis Chenault, Carol's husband, edits the Decatur Club's newsletter and  assisted us in learning of the new Email Service contracted to manage our data base and "blast" the weekly Topics and monthly DG Newsletter to our clubs and members.  We were EXCITED for the possibilities of reaching you and of the opportunities to SPREAD THE WORD and SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF ROTARY. We're still excited and that also includes satisfaction that we are poised to reach out to greater numbers of you and AT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED COSTS.

I and the Editors are aware that many of your clubs are maintaining excellent websites and other electronic and/or printed media to keep members informed and connected to "what's happening" locally.  I ask each of you to consider keeping the Communication Team  in mind as you become aware of special news and/or project information that may be of interest to us all. We hope you will ZAP IT our way - TO WEBMASTER, SUE AND EDITOR, CAROL. Don't be bashful; these professionals know how to edit. The Rotary network WORKS! It can also be of significant value internally to inform, improve and inspire even greater opportunites for enhanced performance of our clubs.  Think about it! Toot your horns and SHARE THE WORD.

Press on. Enjoy the rest of this issue. Thanks to  Editor Carol!

Yours in Rotary,

Dennis

GSE Team Leader Chosen

from Tuscaloosa Rotary Nerve 

Rotarian Jim Merrell has been selected as team leader for the next Rotary Group Study Exchange.   The District 6860 team will visit French District 1770 March 12 to April 7, extending to 25 the international exchanges by the North Alabama District.
     Carol Argo, who chairs the District GSE Committee, said Jim was chosen as "someone who has the skills and capabilities to build a team, someone who is flexible, someone who will be able to allow the team to shine."

    Rotary International says the ideal team leader "acts as advocate, confidant, mediator, organizer, intermediary, consultant, colleague, friend, motivator, arbitrator, and protector of team members."  The description says the leader should have "outstanding interpersonal communication skills, public-speaking skills, and the ability to imbue a team with a sense of mission."
     Jim was selected by the committee from a pool of four nominees from around the district.  They were "all excellent candidates," Carol said, all with the "qualities and skills to build a wonderful team."  She speaks from her experience as a 1996 GSE team member to England, and as a long-time member of the District Committee.

Jim said he is "excited about the opportunity to lead a team of young professional people, who are about to have the opportunity of a lifetime."  For some of them, he said, it may be their first international experience.  It should be "an opportunity to better understand the French culture and the French people, and better opportunity for them to understand what it's like to be an American and live in Alabama."

    Jim's exposure to Rotary goes back to high school days, when he was president of his Interact Club in Illinois, and "had opportunity to attend Rotary meetings fairly often."  With appreciation for internationalism, he has encouraged his two children in their travel and study abroad. 

    In its forty years of operation, Group Study Exchange has sponsored about 46,000 individuals on more than 11,000 teams involving most countries of the world.

WHAT?

The Rotary Leadership Institute offers a leadership course in three one day parts.

Seminars are held at convenient locations within Zones 29 & 30.

Learning sessions are facilitated in a way that emphasizes group discussions.

WHY?

Rotary needs an influx of leadership as club officers every year.  It is difficult at the club level to learn enough about Rotary to maximize their club's experience during their year in office.  Volunteer leadership skills are often different from business leadership skills.

WHO?

The institute recommends that clubs nominate those Rotarians in their club that exhibit the potential for club leadership, not necessarily as future club presidents.  They should preferably be 2-3 years away from a key leadership post. 

HOW MUCH?

The current seminar costs are $65 for each session.  This covers the cost of materials, food and refreshments for the session.  Faculty members donate their time.  Participants or their clubs cover the cost of transportation and lodging if needed.

WHERE?                                                                                                                               WHEN?

Birmingham Area                      Gardendale Civic Center; Gardendale, Alabama                        2/10/2007

Little Rock Area                       PDC Company; Little Rock, Arkansas                          2/17/2007

Cincinnati Area             Kenton County Library; Covington, Kentucky               2/24/2007

Saint Louis Area                       Southwestern Illinois College; Granite City, Illinois                     2/24/2007

QUESTIONS?

Keith Lape, RLI-HOA Chair                            (217) 245-1137           keithlape@verizon.net

Glen Vanderford, Vice Chair                            (731) 668-9851           gv6760@bellsouth.net

Marilyn Hummelstein, Vice Chair                      (870) 935-8110           mmh@him.com

Don Brackhahn, Regional Vice Chair    (573) 364-7330           brack@fidnet.com

Tom Milford, Regional Vice Chair                     (256) 880-6657           tommilford@bellsouth.net

Bob Molloy, Regional Vice Chair                      (318) 797-6213           jabmolloy@bellsouth.net

Sivaji Subramaniam,Regional Vice Chair           (937) 439-0303           SSDG6670@SBCglobal.net

Dave Weller, Marketing & Registrar                 (502) 695-6039           rotarydave6710@bellsouth.net

Richard Wagner, Secretary                               (309) 473-2308           richard.wagner@countryfinancial.com

Regional Leadership Institute - Heart of America

Registration Request 2007

All seminars start with registration 7:30 AM

Classes 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM; Breakfast, Lunch and Breaks are included.

Seminar Selection:          PART I          PART II          PART III          GRADUATE

DATE:___________Location______________________________________________

COST: $65

Please Print Carefully

NAME:_________________________________________________________________

BADGE NAME:_________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________

CITY:_________________________________ STATE:_______ ZIP:______________

TELEPHONE (H):_______________________________________________________

TELEPHONE (B):_______________________________________________________

FAX:___________________________________________________________________

E-MAIL:________________________________________________________________

ROTARY CLUB NAME:_______________________________DISTRICT:_________

NUMBER OF YEARS IN ROTARY:_____________________

Signature:__________________________________________Date:______________

Return this form with payment to:

Dave Weller

19 Regents Park Lane

Frankfort, KY  40601

(502) 695-6039

Rotarydave6710@bellsouth.net

Make checks payable to Rotary Leadership Institute - Heart of America Division (RLI-HOA)

Call for Nominations for District Governor, 2009-2010

In accordance with the Rotary International By-Laws and district 6860 Policy Manual, District Governor Dennis has directed the following notice be published in the October issue of the Governor's Newsletter.

"On or before December 15, the president of any club wishing to place the name of one of its members in nomination shall file with the chairperson of the Nominating Committee a resolution of the club, adopted at a regular meeting of the club naming such candidate and certifying that the nominee meets the qualifications for District Governor Nominee. The resolution shall include the signed statement by the candidate that he/she understands the duties, responsibilities, etc. of the office of District Governor, a current photograph and a biographical sketch of his/her personal and Rotary background. Qualifications for the office of District Governor are listed in the By-Laws of RI, Manual of Procedure, Section 13.020.1 - 13.020.12."

The form used by the District Nominating Committee is the same form required by RI for the submission of the selected Governor-Nominee.  The Governor-Nominee Data Form is available from the Nomination Committee.

PDG Tom Milford, Chairman

1234 Deborah Drive

Huntsville, Al 35801

tommilford@bellsouth.net

Nominations for Governor must be received by the Nominating Committee Chair by close of business Friday, December 15, 2006.