Amy, Allison, Mark, Dennis and Lorrie are pictured above in a rare photo of just parents and children -- expertly edited by Ellis Chenault of Chenault Studios, Decatur, AL.

Dear District Rotarians:

As noted, here we are -- The Family of Rotary - - each thankful for this special season and the many  other opportunities that are  available throughout the year.  We of the Family of Rotary do indeed enjoy a unique fellowship that is appropriately focused  on the blessings afforded by our commitment to Service Above Self.

Elsewhere in this issue we will take a look at some important mid-course guidance and adjust where necessary our procedures essential  to keeping you informed.  The move to electronic distribution of my weekly Tuesday Topics and Monthly Newletter provides opportunity to reach each and every one of our 4000 members directly and we will continue to press on toward that goal with your understanding and help.

I invite your attention to the other reports of Star Club Status, 100% PHF Club recognitions and other items of interest as we Lead the Way.

In Rotary service,

Dennis

 of

Birmingham East

and

Shades Valley

100%  Paul Harris Fellow Clubs 

  DECEMBER 2006 FAMILY MONTH  

AND OTHER  SPECIAL TIMES OF ROTARY'S YEAR.  

Half gone, half to go! And a time to take stock, THEN enjoy a Happy New Year! 

Lorrie and I were just the other day thinking of the 55 clubs visited to date; how very much we enjoyed each and how much we look forward to celebrating the New  Year with our flagship club, Rotary Club of Birmingham on 1/3.

  Cullman Club Renovates Downtown Breezeway 

 "Located adjacent to the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, the breezeway has been upgraded through efforts of the Cullman Rotary Club and the Cullman County  Master Gardeners ..."

 " ... and According to Rotary President Charles NeSmith, members of the club have toyed with the idea of placing benches in the downtown area for sometime especially since the building was purchased in 2004."

"EREY"  -  Every Rotarian Every Year

 Most clubs - but not all - completed Club Goals Reports and are progressing to their targeted goals for support of the Annual Programs Fund of TRF.

At the mid-point of the Rotary Year the following clubs have reported progress at or near 50% of goal progress:

Cullman          195%(**)      
Decatur            65%                
Jasper                52%

Montevallo       66%                
Grt Shoals        101%              
Tarrant PV         79%
Tuscaloosa       49%                
Haleyville          48%                
Grt Huntsville 100% (*)
Tusc. AM         40%                
Decatur DB      71%

(*) Star Clubs

These eleven clubs understand the power of money & time at work for the Rotary Foundation. 
If you have $$ on hand that are part of your members' commitments, SEND THEM  ON TO TRF. Our District's progress is 26.22% of goal.   It makes sense;  every dollar that is put to work NOW  earns interest and/or return on investment and  supports the work of The Foundation of Rotary International and its commitment to

DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD

THE EXTENDED FAMILY OF ROTARY
By Frank Deaver
Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama USA

     December is "Family Month" in Rotary.  But is the "Family of Rotary" limited to Rotarians?  Certainly not!  Included in the spirit of Rotary fellowship and service are Interact, Rotaract,  RYLA, Ambassadorial Scholars, and Group Study Exchange teams.  They are all members of the extended Rotary Family, sharing in the principles and practice of Service Above Self.

     A non-Rotarian who exemplifies the spirit of Rotary is a Portuguese Catholic priest, once a GSE team member to the United States.  His parish is the small county of Alandroal, in east central Portugal.  There is little population there because of so little economic opportunity.  The soil is thin, covering worthless rock.  Olive trees find little room to sink their roots.  Grain crops are sparse.  Grazing land will only sustain small herds of goats.  And there is nothing to attract industry. 

     Young people with employable skills leave.  Those who stay behind are the very poor, the illiterate, the dependent.  They need a shepherd.  They need a friend.  And in Father John they have found both.  These are his people, to him an extended family. He has been their shepherd for many years, and they have learned that he is truly their friend, their father and brother, their family.

     Father John ministers to twelve congregations, with six services every Sunday. His messages are rather informal, quite personal.  He has no manuscript and no notes, but his words and manner are encouraging, optimistic.  He walks among the people as he speaks. He genuinely cares, and they know it, for it shows.

     During the week he is among his people, actively demonstrating that he cares.  He sips coffee with them at sidewalk cafes.  He affectionately pats the heads of infants, playfully chats with children, tenderly comforts the sick and handicapped, and personally addresses the concerns of many others.  He is there whenever someone needs a friend.

     Father John is not a Rotarian.  There is no Rotary Club in Alandroal County.  But he was selected by District Rotary to be one of its GSE goodwill ambassadors.  And back home he is a daily goodwill ambassador among his own people.  Like a good Rotarian, Father John is family to his people, the poor.  He is family to those who desperately need family.

     Father John, not a Rotarian, is a daily example of living the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self."  He is an example of the extended "Family of Rotary."