Hodag Rotary News - Archive  Apr 1, 2008

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	HODAG (Rhinelander) Rotary News   Official Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Rhinelander Rotary Club   www.rhinelanderrotary.org	Rotary International   www.rotary.org	District 6220   District Governor
Jim Schulz, Webmaster

APRIL 2008  

Notes from the Webmaster

March was a busy month for Rhinelander Rotarians, capping things off with our Annual Spring Gala on the 30th.  The event was a huge success on many fronts.  Be sure to read more about it below and check our website for photos taken at the event. High on the "things to do" list for April might be our New Member Orientation meeting on the 22nd.  See details below.   js

Website Statistics:   (March) Member Visits - 300, Non-member visits - 206. Most popular website items: Member Directory, Calendar, and Photo Album, Gala Auction Items.

As always, please forward comments, corrections and updates to the webmaster.

*****UPCOMING EVENTS*****
Weekly Programs for     April, 2008
		Monthly Chair -          Larry McKitrick
April 7	(Meeting Program - Larry McKitrick)   Larry introduces Tim Obukowicz who will speak on his 6-month hike on the Appalachian Trail.
April 14	(Meeting Program - Bob Schindelholz)   Bob introduces Carl Rasmussen and Nichole Lysne with Wisconsin DOT who will speak on Planning and Programming.
April 21	(Bill Schroeder has program)   Bill introduces fellow Rotarian Jim Kumbera who will update us on current Oneida County Economic Development projects.
April 28	(Jeanne Smith has program)   Jeanne Smith introduces Marte Smith, (former Rotarian and current husband) who will speak on Patriot Guard Rider - Military Support Group.

***********  CLUB NEWS ************ 

 IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GALA!!!!! 

A capacity crowd, once again, convened at Holiday Acres for Rhinelander Rotary's annual Spring Gala.  In addition to a gourmet meal, musical entertainment, the live and silent auctions, raffles, and opportunities to socialize with spouses, friends, RYE students, and fellow Rotarians, near record funds were raised to be allocated to worthy programs, agencies, and individuals locally, nationally, and around the world.

  GET READY FOR FERDINAND!!!        Rhinelander Rotary has just learned the identity of our next Rotary Youth Exchange Inbound Student.  Ferdinand Whor, from Kloster Schontal, Germany will be with us for one year starting this August.  Our club is currently seeking three host families for Ferdinand.  If you are interested, or know someone who might be, contact RYE Inbound Coordinator, LeeAnne Miller

Paul Harris Awards   Three Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded last month by Rhinelander Rotary.  In absentia Rotarian Ed Mouw was awarded a fellowship with son Pete accepting on Ed's behalf.  At the Gala Kathy Vick-Martini was awarded a fellowship for her years of coaching the RHS Mock Trial team.  Rotarian Al Hoffstetter got a fellowship through his participation in one of the club's two 5-Clubs.  

New Member Orientation Meetting

Want to learn more about Rhinelander Rotary?  How about Rotary activity in our community, country, and around the world?  All "new" Rotarian should plan on attending the New Member Orientation Meeting on April 22, at 5 p.m. at the Northern Advantage Job Center.  "Old" Rotarians are also invited and would benefit by updating their familiarity with our club's activities.  A light meal will be served.  Pre-registration is required.  Contact Rotarian Dan Kuzlik.

****CLUB ALLOCATIONS****

Rhinelander Rotary Club allocates funds to deserving organizations and programs locally, regionally, and world-wide.  Our club's allocation committee advises our club on suggested allocations throughout the Rotary year (July 1st thru June 30).  Rotarians are asked to make known to prospective organizations the availability of funds from our club.  

                                      A representative of the RHS Academic Decathlon

                                      receives an allocation check from Rotarian

                                      Mike Werbowsky

*****MISCELLANEOUS*****

 New Attendance Policy Rhinelander Rotary has adopted a new policy on member attendance.  To more closely comply with Rotary International's policy on membership attendance as well as our club's bylaws and constitution, Rhinelander Rotary will now require all club members to attain a 6-month attendance average of 30% of all meetings.  Members not fulfilling this requirement will be advised at the end of the 6 month period that they will have to increase their attendance average to this level during the next 6 month period or their membership will be terminated.  As always, make-ups at other clubs' meetings  will be credited toward this requirement and allowances for special circumstances will be granted on a case by case basis. 

What's a Make-up?   In light of the new attendance policy adopted by Rhinelander Rotary Club, we are reminded that you can get "credit" for missed meeting by attending a Rotary meeting at some other Rotary club in another city (or country).  While attending a Rotary meeting elsewhere, ask the greeter of the club to give you a make-up card.  When you return to our club, give the card to Al Hofstetter, our club secretary, who will then credit you for a recently missed meeting.  You can also attend a "virtual" Rotary meeting online.  There are several website-only Rotary Clubs that you can visit and, after reading the online materials, be sent an e-mail make-up notice.  For more information on how to attend an online Rotary meeting contact Al or our webmaster.  Additionally, make-ups are granted for participating in Rotary board meetings, committee meetings and all other club events.

Four-way Test   One of the cornerstones of Rotary is adherence to the Four-way Test.  Club President Bill Kingsbury has adopted as a goal for Rhinelander Rotary greater understanding and adherence of this policy.  The four components of this test are:  (1.) Is it the truth? (2.) Is it fair to all concerned? (3.) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? (4.) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?  

****NEWS FROM OUR  RYES*****

(Rotary Youth Exchange Students)

  Currently Overseas  Ourr three outbound students currently living in their host countries:   Ryan O'Grady (Germany) , Kaitlin Estelle (Slovakia)and Emily Erdrich  (Turkey).  As their year-long exchanges enter the final months for our outbounds, all have moved to their third, and last host families.  Some have taken some international trips to other countries recently.  Others will being doing the same shortly before coming home to Rhinelander. The students will return to Rhinelander in late June or early July.

NEW RYE's  Our 2008-09 Rotary Youth Exchange - Outbound students are Morgan Moller (Denmark), Matt Persike (Chile), and Kelley Ruetten (Belgium).    They will be continuing in their training as exchange students and will leave in August.  The three "outbounds" have been attending training conferences throughout our district as well as completing numerous training assignments given to them on a monthly basis.  (As an added note, the outbounds visit our noon club meetings once each month.  They do this to increase our club's familiarity with the students as well as increasing the students skills in speaking with adults.)

 Take Carla With You!    

Our Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student Carla Hamoud Baldasso from Brazil is busy at Rhinelander High School, extra cirricular activities and touring around the midwest attending conferences and meeting with other RYE "inbounds".  Recent trips have taken her to Chicago and Florida.  She will be taking an extensive trip to the Western United States in June.  Carla is willing and able to visit with club members for family trips, meals, and events throughout our district.  Contact Bill Kingsbury or Jim Schulz for more details.

********* NEW MEMBERS *********

 (You can view the detailed profiles of our new members in the "For Members only" link on our club website)

 MAUREEN O"MELIA

Maureen's first days as a new Rhinelander Rotarian have not been without controvery.  Besides being the brother of Rotarian John O'Melia, she won the big pot raffle ($304) at one of her first club meetings.  (The raffle drawing on that day was run by brother John!!)

SUE BESSERT

Sue is the new Executive Director of Downtown Rhinelander, Inc.