Thailand Water Filtration Project

The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees has approved a matching grant application from the Morristown Rotary Club to provide water filtration systems to 30 villages in Thailand, which currently have no access to clean drinking water. The Project Contact is Bill Zierer (Morristown) who went to Thailand last year as a Rotary Volunteer and oversaw the installation of three systems of the type shown in the attached photographs. After returning home last spring, Zierer began work to apply for the grant.

While the grant request was awaiting approval, Zierer began speaking to Rotary clubs that expressed interest in the project. The Morristown Club pledged $7500 and commitments were made by other clubs and Rotarians, leading to a total commitment of the $30,000 proposed by the grant from the internaional partner. That amount was matched 1:1 from the District Designated Fund and 1.5:1 from the World Fund. With a matched donation from the host partner Khon Kaen club in District 3340, the budget for the project is $108,000.

Last Wednesday, the Morristown club held a formal kickoff for the project at its regular meeting. Participating in the club's presentation of its check for $7500 were John Zierer, Club President Sam Fulk, Bill Zierer, Frank Rothermel, Assistant Governor Don Baldus and club member Kathy Mullins. Mullins is chair and John Zierer secretary of the club's steering committee for the project. Rothermel chairs the district committee on Water Management, Health and Hunger.

Celebrate Rotary Foundation Month With Carolyn Jones!

ICUFR Sponsors On-Line Discussion

Beginning at 5 pm CST on Sunday, November 25, the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians will host an on-line discussion with†Trustee Carolyn Jones, the first woman to serve as a Trustee. The discussion ends at 8 pm CST on Tuesday, November 28. During the allotted time, any registered user may post a question for Trustee Jones and she will periodically respond.

Anyone may register by clicking on "register" at ICUFR Community Forum. If you have questions about the process, please send a†request to retextor@comcast.com and you will be forwarded the original message from ICUFR.

Rotary Friendship Exchange

An Exchange Program for Rotarians and Family Members

Are the members of your club aware that Rotary has a program that encourages and coordinates exchanges of Rotarians and family members with other districts around the world? Under this program, individual Rotarians, teams of Rotarians with family members, or groups of Rotarians of a single occupation may participate in an exchange including being hosted in Rotarians' homes and sharing cultures. Jim Cundall (Knoxville) has accepted an appointment to develop this program for our district. To learn more about the program, check out Rotary Friendship Exchange at rotary.org. If you are interested in participating in such an exchange or helping Jim with its development, please contact him at jimcundall@travelwithpop.com.

Important Upcoming Dates

November 16 -- Rotary Foundation Dinner (Knoxville)
November 25 -- On Line Discussion with Trustee Carolyn Jones
December 14 & 15 -- Ambassadorial Scholar Orientation (Nashville)
December 14 & 15 -- 2nd North American Rotary Emergency Disaster Initiative Workshop (Nashville)
December 21 -- Suggestions for DG 2010-2011 due to PRIVP John Germ
December 31 -- Club Officer 2008 - 2009 Report Due to RI

Where's Governor Robin This Week?

Tuesday - Official Visit to Cleveland Club
Friday - Rotary Foundation Celebration (Knoxville)

Rotary Shares -- November is a time for thanksgiving and for sharing our selves and our means with those who it is our privilege to help.

DG Robin Textor
Rotary International District 6780