The week of Friday 15th of August 2008

Keep up with Sarah Strange, our Ambassadorial Scholar, in her Blog from Egypt.


Photos from the Sweet Tea Jubilee
RECAP of District Governor Bob Wilson visit from the Asian Herald Dated August 2008
By Ranjit Rawlley

Link to original article (PDF) in the Asian Herald Newspaper.

Honoring the spirit of Rotary International and the inauguration of its new president, the Dilworth South End Rotary Club on July 18th and distinguished guests were treated to an inspiring overview of Rotary's work around the globe, with a successful outreach one prominent guest represented, and with an inclusiveness all could appreciate.

SPECIAL GUESTS were several prominent members of the South Korean community in Charlotte who were invited because Rotary International's new president, Mr. Dong Kurn Lee, is the first Rotary International president from South Korea. (President Lee is also a successful businessman, chairing Bubang Co. Ltd. and Bubang Techron Co. Ltd., a group of companies that manufacture electronics and home appliances.)

Members of Charlotte's South Korean community were invited to hear Bob Wilson, President Lee's representative as Governor of Rotary District 7680. One guest, Dr. Ki Hyn Chun, Editor of the Asian Herald, talked briefly about his coming to the United States to Lenoir Rhyne College on Rotary Ambassadorial scholarship forty years earlier, and talked about the Asian Library that he has built at Baxter Street in Charlotte.

Others guests included Dr. Chun's wife Sunny, Mr. Eun Young Cho, Mr. David Pak and Mr. Joseph Yi.
The speaker, Gov. Wilson, is a Charlotte native who was a Morehead Scholar and served in the Vietnam War as a fighter pilot. A successful businessman, he has been involved in a number of projects in the Carolinas, including Habitat for Humanity and programs for at-risk youth in school.

Gov. Wilson noted that Rotary is uniquely placed in the world during these troubled times. An organization with an ethical focus, an $800 million foundation, open to men and women from all nations, religions and races, Rotary has a goal of building global goodwill and friendships by acting in a beneficial manner to all those with whom Rotarians come in contact.

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS. Gov. Wilson commented that the Rotary theme for 2008-2009 is "Make Dreams Real" and that President Lee realized one of the most pressing issues for the world today is childhood mortality. Every day, roughly 30,000 children under the age of five die from preventable causes, including measles, malaria and pneumonia, as well as malnutrition and lack of access to clean water. Threatened from birth, far too many of the world's children never realize their dreams and full potential.
Gov.Wilson asked the club to embrace Rotary's goal to save more lives of children under the age of five by providing nutrition, clean water, and health care, and to help provide more schooling to these children so they can have long and productive lives.
Gov. Wilson also reminded us that in 1985 Rotary took on the challenge of removing polio from the earth. At that time there were 385,000 cases of polio diagnosed every year. Now there are only 1,313 yearly. With the help of a $100 million matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Rotary will attempt to raise an equivalent amount of money to rid the planet of polio altogether.

LOCAL FOCUS. The district focus for 2008-2009 will be on youth programs, and in that work Gov. Wilson said he would like for different Rotary clubs to collaborate on projects. Gov. Wilson also said he would like our club membership and the rest of the Rotary clubs in the district to reflect the diversity of the local community, making people of diverse backgrounds and persuasions feel welcome at our meetings. To promote diversity in the spring of 2009, the Rotary district will be hosting a group study exchange of Muslims from Egypt.
On behalf of people whom the Rotarians of Charlotte Dilworth Club may never know, in places they may never have heard of, suffering from diseases that are hard to spell, Gov. Wilson thanked members of the Dilworth Rotary Club for what they do to alleviate the suffering of strangers.

DilWorth Noting
Update We are very close... Once again the Dilworth Rotary club membership has stepped up to the challenge we have $1,220/- of the $ 2,500 goal raised. For those who have sent in donation thank you. The money will start to be put to use this week building housing.
For those who would like please write your check to Dilworth Charities and mark it in the memo line for the Alto Cayma mission. It will be tax deductible because the Dilworth Charities is a 501(c)3 under the federal tax code. Mail it to Ed King.
News about Members

Jim Stump was named Rotarian for the week on August 8th 2008. Highlights of his nomination include his 15 years of perfect attendance, his service to the district as Past District Governor and his dedication to the Foundation with multiple years of service as Club foundation Chair. For this and all his other work for Rotary Jim Stump is named Rotarian of the Week.

July 25: "Bridging the Gap : Labor Shortage when Baby Boomers Retire" - Denise Altman, MBA, CPA, CPBA, Altman Initiative Group,Inc.
July 18-District Gov. Bob Wilson makes his annual visit.
July 11-John Cervantes spoke on making birthdays special for homeless children and Alaa Al-Ghanim, a visiting English teacher from Basra, Iraq
June 27-Ranjit Rawlley is inducted as our new president after passing of the gavel from Dewey Jenkins.
June 20: "How "Communities in Schools" Is Helping our School Children in Mecklenburg County" - Bill Anderson, Executive Director, Communities in Schools