Sunday, January 30, 2011

Zone 29 Helps Celebrate Groundhog Day

All eyes will be on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (Zone 29) on February 2nd as we help celebrate Groundhog Day. Anyone want to guess what will be the forecast??? Well, here's one . . .


Punxsutawney Phil Better Prepare for Wintry Weather on Groundhog's Day

  • January 30th, 2011 9:31 am ET
Six more weeks of this?
Photo: AP
Much of the country including Pennsylvania and the greater Philly area are bracing for another winter weather event this week.

Attendees at the annual prediction party which begins well before dawn each February 2nd will need to make sure their top hats and tails are winterized this year.

Bands of snow will hit an area from Texas to New England on Tuesday into Wednesday including PA. Southern areas can expect ice and even tornadoes according to the Weather Channel.

In Punxsutawney, where the famous groundhog and his wife Phyllis reside, the forecast is calling for snow and the possibility of sleet.

To the east in Philadelphia the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday is for a wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain and rain depending upon the temperature.

No one knows for sure if Phil will see his shadow but Gus his gambling cousin is already betting on six more weeks of winter!

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Punxsutawney Phil Better Prepare for Wintry Weather on Groundhog's Day - Philadelphia Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-philadelphia/punxsutawney-phil-better-prepare-for-wintry-weather-on-groundhog-s-day#ixzz1CYkj7800

Membership Development & Retention

By now, all of our Rotary Clubs should have returned their Semi-Annual Report (SAR).  Shortly, we will have an update on our membership from Rotary International.  Do you have a feel for where your Clubs stand in their membership development & retention efforts and goals?

What are we doing in the Zone 28 Districts to promote membership development & retention?
I would appreciate it you would share the SUCCESS STORIES and BEST PRACTICES of those Clubs in your District who are increasing their membership through BIGGER BETTER BOLDER ideas and initiatives.

IDEAS THAT WILL BE OF INTEREST TO OTHERS MIGHT INCLUDE:
* Changing the time or day of your meeting has increased our membership
* We have made "meals" optional for our members, thereby reducing the cost
   of membership
* New Generations Clubs
* Clubs that are alternating activities of their weekly meetings:
   Week 1 - Business Meeting with Speaker
   Week 2 - Community Service
   Week 3 - Business Meeting with Speaker
   Week 4 - Social
* Effective Public Image campaign that has increased active members
* New Signature Project that has increased the awareness of our Club in our
   community
* We are sponsoring a Community-based Rotaract Club in our community
* We are sponsoring an Interact Club in our community High School
* Other success stories or best practices

PLEASE SHARE SO WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM OUR CLUB'S GREAT IDEAS.

Thank you.

New Club Leadership Plan Tells Clubs to “Be Vibrant”

Thursday, January 27, 2011

by Carrie Nunes, Leadership Education & Training Division


The RI Strategic Plan includes innovation and flexibility as key components of a strong club. Help spread the word to clubs that the new Club Leadership Plan can help strengthen them. The guide challenges clubs to evaluate practices to see what’s working and what’s not. Included are best practices that clubs can implement to become more vibrant, along with questions, ideas and resources for each. Become familiar with this new publication, Be a Vibrant Club: Your Club Leadership Plan, and help us promote it to clubs in your area.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Are Rotary 'Social' Clubs the new trend in Extension?

There are many examples of districts and clubs, helping to form these more informal versions of Rotary clubs and they are meeting with great enthusiasm. Let's explore this new phenomena with an eye on whether this fits your Rotary community.