MESSAGE FROM THE PROSPECTOR

District Governor Stan Smalley

December is World Understanding Month

It is mid-February and about 65 days before our District Conference, April 24 to 26 (okay, so I am excited and counting the days). More importantly, there are only 2 weeks left to take advantage of the “early registration” discount, a 15% discount on both the registration and meal package. That’s a $56 savings (for two) to come to the Conference. For those of you that are coming to work at your Club’s Prospector Night food and beverage establishments, be sure to register by February 29, 2008 to get your 15% discount. This is the last opportunity to get an “early registration” discount.

I am really pleased about the excitement I have heard about the Prospector Night Party (Friday night). At a recent Club Fundraiser that Marsha and I attended, I was talking with one of the members of the club and she said they were going to “knock the socks off” the competition and I do NOT dare say which Club told me that……Don’t miss out on this great evening where the great Clubs of our District 5160 strut their stuff. Sign up today, the form is attached.

During our club visits, Marsha and I heard about clubs, or groups of clubs, who have the very best barbeque of tri-tips, pork, wild game, etc. One club even claims the best carnitas in the District (can you guess which club?). I challenge each of you to put your cooking where your mouth is. My goal for the Prospector Night is that it surpasses all previous Hospitality Night Parties (and that will be a huge feat) and that no one goes away hungry, thirsty or lonely. For clubs that want to have do barbeque, I have budgeted District Conference funds to assist in the purchase of meat items. Who has the best?

I have also enjoyed the excitement in the whole planning process, especially the frequent e-mails going back and forth throughout the District about the arrival of the GSE team from District 9220. Their team is comprised of young professionals from the countries of Madagascar, Mauritius and La Reunion. I have asked that the incoming GSE team be available to as many of our 66 club members as possible. As usual, the GSE Committee has done a fabulous job. They have the GSE team in 7 different locations in District 5160. I would ask that in those 7 locations that the clubs plan multi-club meetings with the GSE team to provide the opportunity for all Rotarians to meet our GSE team. The culminating event for the GSE team from District 9220 will be having the UN Ambassador from Madagascar at the District Conference in Sacramento to bid farewell to our incoming AND outgoing GSE teams on Saturday night as they leave together for Madagascar.

I am excited about the District Conference Red Carpet presentation for the Rotary International President’s Representative, Roger Hayward, from Ontario, Canada. Our Past District Governors and each of the 66 Club Presidents in our District will walk the Red Carpet and meet our President’s Rep. I really want to present to Roger our outstanding Club Presidents and their partners along with our great past District leaders to our special RI guest. I know most of the Club Presidents are registered for the Conference, if you haven’t yet, please do. The Red Carpet awaits YOU!

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS SCORE SHEET

Chrissy Pahl

The Awards and Recognitions Score Sheet can be found at . It is a new format, as the Rotary Club Structure has changed. In addition to the overall Club awards, there will be special awards for Community, International, Club Service, Club Fundraiser and Vocational Service projects.

We encourage each club to participate in the process. Especially apply for one of the 4 avenue of service awards. You all do so much. Share it! Turn in the report by April 4^th.

Rotary International Presidential Citation

Chrissy Pahl

We must not forget about the 2007-08 Presidential Citation. DG Stan reminds us to apply for the Citation. Earn a place in the Winners Circle by having a net increase of one member by 31 March 2008 and Did the club president bring a new member into Rotary between 1 July 2007 and 31 March 2008? It’s easy to apply. The form is attached. Send it to DG Stan by April 10^th.

New TIDBIT ON MADAGASCAR

The Island of Madagascar is quite diverse in its geography from the rainforests on the East side to the West where lies the remnants of forests, (15% 0f the original is left). This is because of the previous habits of “slash & burn” in these central highlands. It is because of those habits that erosion is a major problem. The red laterite soil is exposed and the Country is often called “The Red Island”. The ridge of the Island has mountains, the tallest being 9,436 feet so snow is common. The Island has two seasons, hot and rainy from November to April, cooler and dry from May to October. The East side and sometimes the far north and south have occasional cyclones.

ZONES 23 and 24 TO RECOGNIZE

PREMIER ROTARY PROGRAMS

PDG Candy Pierce

Does your club have a terrific Rotary program that you would like to share with other clubs throughout our two Zones? Would you like to be recognized as a club that has a “Premier Rotary Program? The mission and the overview are listed below. If you have a Premier Rotary Program you would like to tout, please go to the link below where you will find detailed criteria and an example of a Premier Rotary Program (PRP). Then send the information to PDG Candy Pierce for consideration. To reach Candy via e-mail: candy4golf@aol.com or by phone (707) 953-3735.

Mission: The Mission of the Premier Rotary Programs is to shine a spotlight on a select number of emerging or established Rotary community service programs created by individual clubs in order to provide opportunities for Rotary clubs to learn about new and innovative programs that might be replicated in their own clubs.

Overview: Phrases such as "I had no idea this program was going on" or "I wish every Rotary club could learn about this program!" have likely been uttered by every District Governor at least once during their year as Governor. Why do these Programs remain largely "invisible" to the outside Rotary world? One reason is that few clubs have a mechanism and/or user-friendly access to be able to communicate the nature of these remarkable Programs to the outside world. Our hope is that this Website will be the vehicle for clubs/districts to showcase their Premier Rotary Programs (PRP). Share your PRP with the rest of Rotary! Contact Candy Today.

http://www.rotaryzone2324.org/programs.html

ROTARY GOES TO THE SYMPHONY, Contra Costa County

DG Stan Smalley

Greetings Club Presidents and all Rotarians of District 5160

Annual Rotary Goes To the Symphony Day will take place on March 9, Sunday & March 11, Tuesday concerts. This program has been very successful and in the past events we have had between 40-75 Rotarians from up to 15 clubs.

We are very excited to announce that this year 25% of all ticket sales will support the Symphony’s Music in the School program which serves eight elementary schools in Contra Costa County every year.

This year we will also provide a special table to display a Rotary Banner and club information. All participating Clubs will be recognized on stage at both concerts.

Please contact me for tickets and if we can promote this great program to your Club Membership.

Regards, Judith Parker

Development Director, California Symphony

877 Ygnacio Valley Road, #200 Walnut Creek, CA 94596

tel (925)280-2490, fax (925)280-2494, jparker@californiasymphony.org

www.californiasymphony.org

ROTARY TODAY---Local Rotary on Television

Tune into Rotary Today created by Tom Bryan from the Niles Rotary Club in District 5170. The program airs at 9:00 AM each Saturday on KCNS Ch. 38 or Comcast Ch. 21. The format of the program is to interview Rotarians in the Bay area about their passions for Rotary Service. The balance of the program features various Club projects. Check it out.

LN-4 PROJECT

Vic Georgiou

Check out the latest news on the LN-4 Project. Look to the bottom if you want to join the e-mail list. http://ln-4.org

Thank you for Sharing Rotary,

District Governor Stan Smalley

Stay tuned, there’s more…..

Some Outstanding Rotary Club Projects and News, District 5160

Send us your Club Headliner. Then, send it to your Local Newspaper.

Danday94@aol.com

Woodland Rotary Club

Woodland Rotarian Karen Hedington, left, helps load Christmas gifts for two families served by the Yolo County Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence program. Woodland Rotarians picked gift tags with the ages and sizes of the recipients and brought the wrapped gifts to the Rotary meeting before Christmas.

Danville Rotary Club President Lori Sato honored as Danville Area Chamber Business Person of the Year. Congratulations, Lori!