Mark Your Calendars

March 20 – 34^th Annual Orange Police and Fire Awards, noon, Turnip Rose, Orange

March 27 – “Rotary Shares” Area Speech Contest, noon, Turnip Rose, Orange

March 27 – Car Show Planning Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Grand Street Center

April 5 – District Assembly – Beckman Hall, Chapman University 8:00 a.m.

April 16 – Car Show “Bag and Tag” – goodie bag and raffle collection. 5:00 p.m., Grand Street Center

April 17 – Car Show Sponsor VIP Reception – 5:30 p.m., Cask ‘n Cleaver Steakhouse

April 18 – Business Rotarian of the Year – 11:30 a.m., Turnip Rose, 300 S. Flower, Orange

April 20 – 14^th Annual Orange Plaza Car Show!

April 26 – Rotarians at Work Day Food Drive

Matt Halchoski Advances to Area Speech Contest

El Modena student Matt Halchoski will represent Orange Sunrise at the area competition set for noon, March 27th, at the Turnip Rose. (This is the regular meeting of Orange Rotary.) Students from Orange and Villa Park will speak on the theme “Rotary Shares”. The winner advances to the District final.

Come out and support Matt as he competes for the area title.

Two New Members Join the Team!

Thomas A. Hood, a financial advisor at Citi Smith Barney, and Keith Oldoerp, an educator in the Irvine Unified School District, will be inducted into membership at our March 27th meeting. Tom is sponsored by Rae Shirer and Keith was introduced by Joe Spiegelberg. Don’t miss this meeting, as we welcome district leaders and our two newest members!

Orange Police and Fire Departments to be Honored

The Rotary Clubs of Orange are proud to host the 34^th Annual Orange Police and Fire Awards on March 20, 2008, at the Turnip Rose. Four fire personnel and six police department members will be recognized for their service to the community.

The sold-out event begins at noon. Don’t be late!

(There is no regular club meeting on the 20^th, as all members are encouraged to attend the awards event.)

Orange Sunrise Recaptures Elwyn Bowling Title!

For the second straight year, Orange Sunrise Rotary took home the “Rotary Challenge” trophy, winning the division at the annual “Elwyn California Bowl-a-Thon” on March 8^th. Orange Sunrise fielded two teams of four this year, and were aided by a cheering section of family and friends. Bowling on the “A” team were John Bouyer, Joe Gozzo, Dennis Kauten & Gena Turner. The team “B” lineup included Theresa Bouyer, Jack Sappington, Rae Shirer and Kelli Colombo.

Gathering for pizza and fun were Joyce Sappington, Bryan and Marcelle Kerl with visiting relatives Ann & Norm, John L. Bouyer and Jason and Tracey Curtis.

Proceeds of the event, which included a silent auction, benefit Elwyn California. Elwyn provides vocational training and job placement for persons with disabilities. For more about Elwyn, click here.

Fourth Annual Business Rotarian of the Year – Nominations Open!

The Business Rotarian of the year will be honored Friday, April 18^th, at a luncheon at the Turnip Rose. Project Chair Doug Tipping is accepting nominations for candidates who exemplify the Principals of the Four Way Test. Candidates should be respected in their chosen field, have high ethical standards, and be Rotarians who are active in community and humanitarian service.

For the nomination form, click here.

District Assembly – Something for Everyone!

New members and future club leaders are encouraged to attend the District 5320 Assembly, April 5^th, at Chapman University. The Assembly is free to all members. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., with the first sessions beginning at 8:00 a.m. In addition to special sessions for incoming officers, there will seminars on membership, the four avenues of service, the Rotary Foundation, and special information for new members.

President-elect Bryan Kerl has made reservations for lunch at the Citrus City Grille in Old Towne, immediately after the Assembly ends at noon. Confirm your planned attendance with Rae Shirer by March 21^st.

Do Business with Rotarians!

Advertise in the 2008-2009 District Directory! Deadline for submitting your ad is May 2, 2008. More than 2,000 Rotarians all over Orange County and the best part of Los Angeles County receive these directories.

For the order form, click here. For more information, call Jim DeBoom at the District office, 714-921-1881.

Have Fun, Save Money

Register today for the Rotary International Convention, hitting town (LA) June 15-18. Two reasons to sign up before March 31: our District receives a rebate from registrations prior to that date. But the best reason is that you will save $40!!

Don’t miss the best opportunity you may have to attend an international convention at an affordable price and convenient location! Sign up today at www.Rotary2008.com.

And Now a Word From Someone Famous

“It’s not just altruism. It’s not a payback. Philanthropy is good for us. It’s in our own best interest. It’s personally rewarding when you see lives change because of an action you take that, though simple for you, means so much to others. You sleep peacefully at night.” Brad Pitt.

Mark Your Calendars

Feb 21 – YMCA Playground Dedication, 5:00 p.m. Grand Street Center

Feb 22 – District 5320 Annual Conference, Hyatt Regency Newport:

12:00 “Rotary 101” Luncheon

2:00P Plenary Sessions

4:00P Hospitality Night

Feb 23 – District 5320 Annual Conference 8 a.m. to 4

Feb 23 – Governor’s Ball 5:30 p.m.

Feb 24 – District Conference Brunch 10:00 a.m.

Feb 28 – Car Show Planning Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Grand Street Center

March 6 – Club Board Meeting, 4:45 p.m., Grand Street Center

March 8 – Elwyn Bowl-a-Thon! 4 to 10 p.m., Fountain Valley Bowl

March 13 – 34^th Annual Orange Police and Fire Awards, noon, Turnip Rose, Orange

March 27 – Car Show Planning Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Grand Street Center

No Club Meeting February 21 – But Be There Anyway!

Why? Because we are just too busy! Come early, at 5:00 p.m., to the Grand Street Center for the dedication of the YMCA playground, funded by Orange Sunrise Rotary and local community groups and businesses. The presentation will include the unveiling of the Rotary wheel as a permanent display at the playground. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a mixer at the Grand Street Center that evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. So, come and show your club spirit and make some new friends!

District Conference Offers Something for Everyone

Don’t miss the “Rotary 101” Luncheon on Friday, February 22, hosted by the Rotary Club of Long Beach. This unique program introduces the history and service of Rotary’s first 100 years to new members and old.

After lunch, plenary sessions on a variety of topics are offered before the “year’s biggest cocktail party” on Friday night. More than 30 clubs will present “Ports of Call” with food and drink from around the world. Orange Sunrise and Fountain Valley will team up to present the “Port of New Orleans” with some special Mardi Gras flavor. Only $25 registers a Rotarian or guest for all plenary sessions throughout the weekend and the Friday night bash. Not sure if you are already registered? Contact Teri Snyder for details. Registration is open online at www.Rotary5320.org.

Matt Halchoski Advances to Area Speech Contest

El Modena High School students Matt Halchoski and Kenny Dills competed on January 17^th in the club level competition of the annual Rotary District 5320 speech contest. Speaking on this year’s theme, “Rotary Shares”, each student spoke for 3 to 5 minutes in front of an audience of club members, Rotary guests and family. El Modena speech coach Molly Chertock was on hand and, while judges tabulated the results, Molly gave the club an overview of the opportunities for students to improve their speaking skills through school and district programs.

The competition was judged by local Toastmasters Blanche Katz and Frank Adamo. Each student was presented with a scholarship check by President John Bouyer. In the photo, John presents to Matt (right), while Kenny (center) looks on. Winner Matt will advance to the area contest in March and, if successful there, to the District finals in April. Thank you to project chair Tracey Curtis and timer Dolores Marikian for assistance with this year’s event!

Orange High School Attendance Awareness Campaign Brings Surprises!

Graphic design students at Orange High School have launched an innovative campaign to increase student awareness of the need to attend every class, every day. The “Be the Change” campaign is intended to show students that there is a direct connection between attendance figures and money granted to the school for important items like computers and other supplies.

Kicking off with a “post-it” blast, the students spread the message on campus through hundreds of post-its bearing the slogan “Be the Change”. Curiosity grew about the anonymous post-its! The graphics design team has since “gone public” and is promoting attendance in a variety of innovative ways, using blogs, traditional advertising media and more.

The program was presented to Orange Sunrise on January 31^st by Ed Hansbury, graphics arts teacher for Orange High School and the Central Orange County ROP. Ed brought along Martin and Brooke, two students actively involved in the campaign. The students are seeking partnerships with Rotary clubs and business people to help with supplies, printing and ideas. If you have something to contribute, contact Teri Snyder for details!

Advertising Opportunities

Get your business out there and tell other Rotarians what you do! Advertise in the upcoming District Directory for Rotary year 2008-2009. Flyers will be available at our next club meeting.

Support the Orange Police and Fire Awards by advertising in the program for the March 13^th event. Business card ads are only $25. Give your check and card to Rae Shirer this week to be included in this special program.

Foundation Thought

This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about our scholarship programs. Ambassadorial Scholarships is one of the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships programs. Last year, 737 Ambassadorial Scholars from 70 different countries studied and served as ambassadors of goodwill in over 60 countries. The Rotary World Peace Fellow program had 64 Peace Fellows from 27 different countries studying at the seven different Peace Centers. Although the program is still young, we are already seeing our graduates take important positions. One graduate, Arnoldas Pranckevicius is currently serving as the domestic policy advisor to Mr. Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania. Another, Richard Gee, is serving as senior legal advisor to the chief electoral officer for Afghanistan. Let’s make sure our local community is aware of our commitment to education and world peace through conflict resolution.