RFE 2010 Team to India Ready

The RFE Team met on Saturday for their final orientation and are ready for their trip.  They depart on Wednesday January 13th and return February 2nd.  Their official RFE visit will be hosted by District 3060 in Surat, India.  However, District 3050, in Jaipur is hosting a heritage tour of India as well as a visit to the Jaipur Heritage Girls Schools, the site for the TRF Matching Grant funded by several clubs in the District this year.

Follow the team on there trip by visiting Amanda Shuford’s Blog at http://www.themisadventuresofamanda.blogspot.com/ Amanda, her Mother (Cathleen) and father (PDG Hamp Shuford) will participate in the trip as well.

2010 Friendship Exchange, India

Participants:

Wade Hampton Shuford III  (RC of Catawba Valley)
Kathleen Elizabeth Shuford
Amanda Lindsay Shuford (Teenager)
Clyde Dean Lutz (RC of Lincolnton SR)
Ginger Voyles Lutz
Rankin Allen Whittington (RC of Lenoir)
Sandra Whittington
Billi Joyce Black (RC of Franklin Daybreak)
STEVEN RAY STUDEBAKER (RC of Hendersonville Four Seasons)
ELIZABETH MARY TAIT
Jamie Anna Van Harlingen
Ann Van Harlingen (RC of Franklin)

Your itinerary will be as follows :

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Saturday evening the annual District 7670 Foundation Banquet was held in Hickory.  The evening was a great success with heavy attendance and great representation from the whole District.

Keynote

PRIP Frank Devlyn delivered the keynote speech, inspired us to support TRF and also recognized numerous Rotarians for their support of TRF and commitment to Rotary.  In attendance there were numerous special guests including Past RI Director Ken Morgan and his wife Winnie and PDG Mark Markanda.

Introductions

At the Banquet, Frank Dean the current DGNDE was officially presented as well as the Outgoing GSE Team to the Philippines.  Frank Dean gave an enthusiastic preview of his commitment to Rotary and the good works that the Foundation does around the world.  Frank promised a FANTASTIC year and great things to come in District 7670.

Pictures and more information are to follow soon.

Have you ever heard Rotarians speak about their personal experience participating in a polio eradication exercise?

These trips have a profound effect upon the individual.  If you ever have a chance to go on one, you should; it will change you forever.  Can you imagine what the clubs in your District could do if you could get ONE person from each club to have such an experience?  It would have an extraordinary effect on the expression of Rotary in your District.

The purpose of this e-mail is to offer to the Rotarians in your District, such an opportunity. From November 4–11, 2009, Rotarians will travel to Benin, West Africa to participate in a National Polio Immunization Day program and attend the 5^th Annual West African Project Fair. 

Attached to this correspondence is a detailed folder describing the trip to Benin, summarized as follows: 

  2009 West Africa Polio Trip Info

Trip Dates:                    November, 4 -11, 2009

Travel to:                       Cotonou, Benin (West Africa)

Program includes:          Hotel accommodations, transfers, most meals, hands-on polio eradication field work, visits to local communities to experience and explore Rotarian humanitarian programs, West Africa Project Fair registration, special Rotary and fellowship events, sightseeing, etc.

In addition to polio eradication, participants will spend time with Benin Rotarians to explore their communities and see the service and experience fellowship that only Rotary can provide.  Further, participants will attend a two-day West Africa Project Fair, where Rotarians from 15 West African nations will present possible humanitarian grant projects.  It is an extraordinary event that will expose your members to new cultures, projects, friends and opportunities.

Rotary clubs and Districts are playing a vital role in meeting the $200 Million Polio Challenge, and for that we thank you.  However, we invite you and your members to participate, first hand, in Rotary’s historical achievement.  This may be the one of your last opportunities to participate in a polio eradication trip.

Let me know if you have any questions. Because of limited space, we expect this program will sell out in the next few weeks.  I hope that you will join fellow Rotarians to provide service, fellowship and a wonderful highlight of your year as District Governor.  We hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards for a successful Rotary year,

Bradford R. Howard, PDG

Rotary District 5170

West Africa Project Fair Committee

516 Grand Avenue

Oakland, CA  94610

Phone:  (510) 834-2260

FAX:  (510) 834-1019

E-mail: Rotary@HowardTours.net

The winner of the 2008 red Corvette was Charlie Reep of the Rotary Club of Catawba Valley!! Thank you all for participating in this great event and helping stop Polio NOW!!