GRSP Student Looking Forward to Year in States

“I want to meet people. People of different cultures. People of different origins, ethnicities, religions.” 

Braselton Rotarians got an update from Georgia Rotary Student Program participant Alice Harting, of Sweden, at its Sept. 21 meeting.

Those are a few of the words Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) recipient Alice Harting used to describe her goals for the year. Harting, of Sweden, spoke to the Braselton Rotary Club in September about her goals while participating in GRSP this year.

Harting said she hopes to meet people from different countries and hear about their culture. “Those are truly fascinating stories,” she said.

Harting also wants to share her stories from Sweden with others. She gave Braselton Rotarians highlights of her life in Sweden, describing her family, where she lives and her hobbies including water sports and team gymnastics. Harting also wants to learn more about American culture while staying with her host families. “I have the most amazing host families that have welcomed me and taken care of me like one of their own,” she said.

She noted the biggest difference she’s noticed in Americans is their sociability and friendliness with strangers. And she’s already picked out some of her favorite American foods: waffles and pulled pork.  At the Thursday meeting, she was looking forward to attending a football game set for that weekend. “That’s pretty much as American as you can get,” Harting joked.

Georgia Rotary Student Program student Alice Harting (middle) is shown at the Braselton Rotary Club meeting with (left) GRSP trustee Mike Alexander and (right) host family member and Braselton Rotarian Shawna Anderson.

Harting hopes to travel in the western United States and to the nation’s national parks. Harting is attending Georgia Gwinnett College and — while she plans to study math or physics when she returns to Sweden — she’s using her courses to better learn about American culture. Harting is enrolled in anthropology, sociology, psychology and more.

“Given how this program is based on differences in culture, to take those kinds of courses is a good supplement to understand what’s going on around you and to understand other people,” Harting said.

Submitted by Alex Pace - Rotary Club of Braselton, Public Relations Chair

Rotarians Provide Safe Water in Myanmar

When the water RISES, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties RISES to assist.  One of the six areas of focus that Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation supports is water and sanitation. Thousands of children and adults die annually from water borne illnesses.  

In August 2015, Cyclone Komen hit the countries of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.  More than 1 million people were displaced. The cyclone moved inland up to the Chin State of Myanmar causing devastating landslides and flooding the regions of Sagaing, Magwe, Ayeyarwaddy, and Rakhine States.  With the news of the fatalities and the need for clean water, the Rotary Club of Yangon jumped into action to help rebuild and provide one of life’s most crucial resources, safe water.

The Rotary Club of Yangon reached out to The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, and other Rotary clubs and Districts throughout world.  The Rotary Foundation funded a Global Grant for $84,640 to fund the construction of ten clean water systems throughout the village of Magyibinzu in the Ayeyarwaddy Division of Myanmar.  Of the total amount, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties contributed $2,000 and Rotary District 6910 contributed $1,000 towards the grant. 

The village, with a population of 2000, had been without water since the cyclone hit in 2015.  During the monsoon season, flooding occurs quite frequently leaving low lying areas with little access to clean and uncontaminated water.  Half of the village is under waist deep water during monsoon season, leaving their wells with water that is not safe to drink.

The Sawyer PointOne filtered water systems are built with nearly five foot platforms to avoid being under water during the rainy season. The village monks and villagers will constantly monitor the systems.  Each family will receive two, ten-liter water tanks with cover and tap for collecting clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.  The filters remove bacteria, protozoa, and viruses borne from unclean water.  A total of 700 bottles were distributed.  Each household will pay a very minimum sum each month so a full-time person will manage and maintain all the pumps and filters daily.  The Rotary Club of Yangon will visit the village every six months for three years to survey the systems to assure maintenance. 

Rotary makes amazing things happen!  Rotarians help develop, fund, and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems, provide access and support programs, and create the resources to facilitate, measure and enhance the quality of life for under-developed countries in the world.  For more information on how to get involved with all the amazing work Rotary International is doing around the world visit www.greeneputnamrotary.org.

Submitted by Laura Dent - Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam Counties, Public Relations Chair

District 6910 Governor Message-Sept 2017

Deep in our hearts is Texas 

As this is being written cleanup efforts are underway in Houston and the surrounding area. There are many ways we can help. Our support of ShelterBox is just one example of how District 6910 is demonstrating we are people of action. Many of our clubs support ShelterBox.org each year and have been for years.  ShelterBox has set up a Harvey Relief Fund. Mike Freeman, ShelterBox chair for the district, has confirmed 100% of donated funds to Harvey relief will go to the victims of hurricane Harvey.  Please visit the following link to make donations - ShelterboxUSA.org

How do trees keep you in suspense?

I’ll tell you next month. It is time to start planning. I have asked that one tree be planted for each Rotarian in District 6910. This goal should be easily achievable at a relatively low cost. The entire community will benefit environmentally and financially from each tree.  There are many sources for obtaining trees, based upon the size and species selected, but the “Golden Rule” of tree planting is to choose the right tree for the right place. If your club would like some guidance with your planting project, visit the below website links and/or contact your local electric power provider, many of which offer free trees to be planted.  Additionally, we have speakers available who can provide a program to your club to assist you with your planning.  Please contact Doug Bolton for additional information at (dougbolton@yahoo.com  678-858-2080).

https://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/uf/tom_natl/tree_owners_manual_web_res.pdf

https://www.treesaregood.org/

https://www.arborday.org/

Rotary Means Business

Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them.

Rotary Means business is the newest fellowship in Rotary International. The RMB Fellowship provides an opportunity for all Rotarians to network on a global basis to enhance their businesses. 

We encourage any active Rotarian in good standing who is interested in doing business with other Rotarians to join Rotary Means Business Fellowship. 

You have to be odd to be #1

That’s right and District 6910 is not just odd, we are amazing! July 1^st through August 31 we have generated the highest “net” member increase for our zone, a total of 53 members. For comparison, the next closest district has an increase of 32. Our goal is a 300 net increase on July 1, 2018. Every single Rotarian in this district is asked to do one thing…find at least one person that will make as good of a Rotarian as you.  

These are the newest members in the RC of Green and Putnam County. Pictured from left to right is Chuck Forbes, Beth Patrick, Kip Dominy, Donna Osborne and Jim Remington.

Yours in Rotary service,

David Cooper

District Governor