District Governor Dot Green made her official visit Tuesday and issued a challenge for Charlotte Rotary to step up and become a real leader for the 44 clubs in District 7680.
     The member of the Monroe club said there are four general areas the club should stress this year to be successful: membership growth and development, successful programs that meet the needs of the community and the world, support for the Rotary Foundation, and carrying the message of Rotary beyond the walls of the club.
     "I have met with your leadership and am very, very impressed and very, very inspired by your club and what it is doing," the retired banker said. She cited the club's newsletter and its support for adult literacy, the Sugar Creek Learning Center and Habitat for Humanity.
     She said the club has what it takes to grab hold of RI President Frank Devlin's theme for the year: "Create Awareness. Take Action."
     Governor Dot said one of the most significant things we can do this year is to "ask a friend or an associate or a family member to become a member." She challenged Charlotte Rotary to set a "leadership pace" in membership development. Citing District 7680 as being part of one of the most dynamic areas in all of Rotary, she challenged the club to "go for it" to ensure the club's and Rotary's future.
     We should reassess our commitment to the Rotary Foundation, she said. The top club in the district last year (Charlotte South) had an average giving of more than $170 per member. Charlotte Rotary was at $85.68. There is room for growth.
     Club members, the district governor said, should recommit to supporting district events — to networking, information sharing and having fun with fellow Rotarians. She urged everyone to attend the District Conference May 18-20 in Charleston.
     She made a special appeal for Charlotte Rotarians to attend the Paul Harris Fellowship banquet at the Renaissance Hotel in Charlotte on November 8 when RI President Frank Devlin will be speaker. "This will be a great meeting," Governor Dot said, "and you will be glad you attended."
     The Rotarian since 1988 urged the club to "take action on behalf of those who don't have what we have." She noted the success of the Polio Plus campaign to rid the world of that dreaded disease.
     She noted the Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust program which started in Sumter, S.C. and has now grown to be supported by all the Rotary districts in North and South Carolina and Georgia. Through this program, Rotarians in supporting clubs weekly donate their pocket change for Alzheimer's disease research.
     The project has already supported one $100,000 research grant to Emory University Medical School. Later this Rotary year, another grant of some $250,000 is expected to be awarded. Charlotte will begin supporting the program this year.
     Rotary International is supporting several international projects including clean water campaigns, female literacy, and microbanks for small loans at the village level. Closer to home Rotary International is working to support people with disabilities to find meaningful work and support themselves. She urged support for these projects.
     Governor Dot also urged all Rotarians to learn more about Rotary and what it is doing locally and internationally by using the Internet. She cited www.rotary.org, www.frankdevlin.org, www.rotarydistrict 7680.org and www.charlotterotary.org as great sites for information about the organization and what it's doing to make our communities, states, and world a better place for everyone.
     "It's incredible what Rotary is doing," she said. "And Charlotte Rotary can be a world leader it that effort with renewed vigor and renewed commitment."
     Her husband Nat, who's also a Rotarian, accompanied President Dot. She's halfway through visiting the district's 44 clubs.
     President Don introduced the district governor and presided. Lee Morris introduced guests and visitors and Leland Park gave the health and happiness report. Thomas Moore, as usual, provided appropriate musical accompaniment.
     Chuck Lineberry led the singing of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" in honor of the district governor. Julian Aldridge gave the invocation. Others at the head table included Herb Harriss, former President Ken Harris, Cindy Johnston and Frank Martin.

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New Member

2000
Will Moving and Storage

Charlotte Van & Storage
213 Verbena St. (28236)
704-525-4660
fax 704-529-1507

     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Will.

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