District 9640 Australia November 2001 Newsletter

NOW LET'S GET TO WORK!!!

Since September 11, I have read the hundreds of e-mails posted to the various Rotary
listservs and bulletin boards. The many messages of sorrow were certainly appropriate.

The many reaffirmations of Rotary's object of World Peace and Understanding were
certainly in order, but I was very disappointed that so few (about 12 out of
1000+ total messages) actually gave any tangible suggestions as to how to
accelerate the process or as to how Rotarians could help handle the effects
of terrorist attacks.

As you know, many Rotary conferences are closed with the holding of hands and singing
"let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." I would suggest that the time
has come for each of us as individual Rotarians to make a personal commitment to work
on some facet of the problem and to take advantage of the structure of our clubs and
districts to compound our efforts. It is great to have the Four Way Test and the Object of
Rotary and the various Rotary Peace Programs, but we must personally demonstrate our
own commitment with tangible efforts and programs to provide peace while at the same
time be able to respond locally to the results of terrorist attacks or other disasters.

On 23 September I sent an Open Letter to Rick King, our RI President,
suggesting the creation of a "World Peace Projects Programs" (similar to our WCS
Program), and District-wide seminars on "Conflict Resolution" and "Ethics and Integrity".
Unless each of us are practicing the techniques of conflict resolution, adhere to a strict
code of ethics and act with integrity, we are destined to repeat the errors of the past that
ultimately result in conflict and possibly terrorism. Merely stating and subscribing to our
Four Way Test and the Object of Rotary will not get the job done, we need strong
individual Rotarian demonstrations and Club to Club efforts to advance the cause
of peace.

At the same time, we cannot ignore the results of acts of terrorism and the devastation
caused by natural disasters. I am very proud of my District Governor, Brenda Cressey for
creating a Disaster Preparedness Program. If you haven't got one in your District, I would
suggest you consider establishing one. Information is available from DG Brenda Cressey at
brenda@tcsn.net or our District Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, Sandy Grasso-Boyd at
grasso38@home.com.

We have all had the chance to express our thoughts these past few weeks, Now Let's Get
to Work on solutions to the problem. I would suggest that you post your activity and also
keep Rick King's office informed by copying his Administrative Aide, Dan Mooers at
mooersd@rotaryintl.org.

Jim Johannsen, PDG, D5240, 1992-93, Rotary International
Editor of Web Site, World Community Service Resource Network (www.RotaryWCSRN.org)
Member, World Community Service Resource Task Force, 2000-01 (WCS T/F)
District 5240 Task Force Coordinator, 2000-01
Chair, District 5240, Direct Relief International Task Force
Liaison to District 6110 WHARF from D5240, Group 8/DRI Task Force
e-mail - RotaryWCSRN@aol.com (WCSRN general communications)
:
The following responses to the above item by PDG Jim have been noted:

Excellently written, Jim. It is just unfortunate that we do not have Rotary Clubs in Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.
Pakistan has limited Rotary Clubs, and they are standing for peace in the world. We have to be very blessed
that Rotary is in that great country. Would Rotary be making a difference today in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan
if clubs were there? I believe that the violence and poverty would be greatly reduced with their presence.
We need Rotary in every country.

Jim

James Wood
Terre Haute, Indiana USA
woodj@prodigy.net 20.10.01

OK Let's start with something simple we can all do. Start sponsoring new members.
I'd like to see 5 million members by February 2005. If you think you can't sponsor
1 a year I'd like to know why. My goal this year is 10 personally sponsored members.
I challenge you to match that. I'll even help you...
Chuck Graham, PP/Secretary
RC Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise D5160 20.10.01

DEATH OF FOUNDER OF GIFT OF LIFE IN THE USA

Friends

With great sadness, I report to you the passing of PDG Tony Zino, principal founder of
Rotary's wonderful Gift of Life program.
Tony passed away Saturday morning, Sept. 29, in Florida where he had been living in
retirement for the past three years. He was 89 years of age.
For those who may not know the program, Rotary clubs working through their district GOL
committees, bring in children from developing countries and provide new valves, repair holes
in the heart, implant pacemakers, reconstruct vascular deformities, or whatever else is needed
to give these children a chance at life. The surgery is done without cost to the families, by
highly skilled cardiologists, at some of our finest pediatric cardiac care hospitals. The success
rate is 96% or higher, compared with success rates of 50% or less in many other nations.
Children are selected because they are not expected to live (usually, not past the sixth or
seventh birthday), and because corrective surgery either is not available in their homeland,
or the waiting list is too long, or the cost far exceeds the family's resources.
To date, well over 3,000 children have been saved by GOL. In our district alone, we have
helped over 200 -- representing about two dozen countries. Tony's district, 7250, has done
much more.
Recognizing that such operations today cost about $100,000, and that GOL arranges to get
them for free or for club contributions of $4,000-$5,000 (the cost of supplies needed), the
magnitude of this good work is just breathtaking.
The greatest advantage of GOL is that somewhere, among the children saved, one of them will
become another Mother Teresa or Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King, Jr. One or more
of those children will lead their nation out of hunger or poverty, or away from illiteracy or disease
or war. We cannot know which child, so we try to save as many as we can. The world is going
to be a better place due to these children saved by GOL; and this we owe in great part to the
fountainhead of GOL, our friend Tony Zino.
Tony, a widower, devoted 15 or more years, prior to his final retirement in 1998, to building
Gift of Life. He criss-crossed the US countless times, and traveled to at least 23 other nations
to help set up GOL programs. He has been honored in every way that a Rotarian can be
recognized, especially being presented personally with the Service Above Self Award by
pres. Cliff Dochterman on stage at the Melbourne convention. He is a true missionary
of love and healing, as near to a living saint as anyone I have ever met except for Mother Teresa.
Even if your district has not participated in Gift of Life -- either sending or receiving children -- all
of us in Rotary owe Tony our respect and our thanks. He was a missionary of caring, a bringer
of healing, a man who loved all mankind.
As one of the myriad who were privileged to know and love Tony, I cannot think of anyone else
who matched his warmth and his enthusiasm for life. He was joyful in his chosen work of building
Gift of Life throughout the world, and he infused that joy into everyone he spoke with. His
goodness will always be remembered.
The funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Manhasset, L.I., New York on
Wednesday morning.
Memorial contributions to Gift of Life, in your own district or district 7250, would be appropriate;
or a contribution to The Rotary Foundation, in the name of this great Rotarian, this great
humanitarian, this great human being.
YIR,

Kent L. Aldershof, Governor 1997-98, D. 7490 Monday, 1 October, 2001
_{Gift of Life website}

AN APPEAL FROM MONGOLIA

The following email message has been received by the Club:

"I am writing from Mongolia, Rotary club of Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia is a newly opened country struggling
its way to the market economy system. Mongolia used to be one of the communist countries in the past.

Many international organizations trying to help Mongolia to find the right way on the transitional process of
development. There are many international projects helping different sectors of economy to grow. In this
circumstances, learning English becoming very important issue on the transition to the market system.
Developing countries like Mongolia need to have more people who are good in English.

With this regard, I am wondering whether your club can help to fund 3 to 6 months English language
study anywhere in Australia.

Your kind response will be very much appreciated.

Yours in Rotary services

Undral B.

Rotary club of Ulaanbaatar

International relations"

	Rotary Foundation Month - November 2001
	Brian Knowles attends meeting in China
	Our Exchange Students - Louisa & Christina
	Expressions of Interest for District Committees
	Nominate on line for District Committees
	2001 Christmas Cards to benefit ARHRF
	The Rotary Foundation Seminar - 4 November
	2001 Melbourne Cup Calcutta - 5 November
	Rotary's 1st 100 Clubs and history of Rotary
	The Great Spirit of Rotary is Growing!
	Now let's get to work!!!
	World Community Service Resource Network
	Rotary Community Corps Handbook
	Death of founder of Gift of Life in USA
	An appeal from Mongolia
	November 2001 Newsletter - page 2