Friday, April 22, 2011

World Earth Day Greetings

What are you doing to Green Your Home...Your Community!


Last year on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, the Earth Day Network launched the Billion Acts of Green® campaign from the National Mall in Washington, DC. 
A total of over 100 million Acts of Green have since been logged at billionactsofgreen.org, making this campaign the world’s largest environmental service project. 
Earth Day Network’s goal is to reach 1 billion before the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio in 2012.  
Billion Acts of Green rewards simple individual acts AND larger community initiatives that support sustainability and bring us closer to measurably reducing carbon emissions. Participants record their Acts of Green at www.billionactsofgreen.org where they can also send
messages to government officials, sign petitions, and make pledges to live a greener life. 

What counts? Earth Day events, planting trees; cleaning up beaches and parks, community meetings on energy efficiency, sustainability and green economy issues; large-scale light bulb changes and workplace renewable energy retrofits are some examples. Simple gestures like choosing to bike instead of drive may be also recorded.
ABOUT EARTH DAY NETWORK: The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, the Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 25,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. www.earthday.orgwww.billionactsofgreen.org

What are You Doing in Your Community? 
Rotary Clubs have lot of exciting Green projects. Do share with us. 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Rotary Peace Scholarship Applications Invited


Applications for Rotary Peace Fellowships are invited by Rotary District 3080.
The fellowships are for study at one of the six Rotary Peace Centers to obtain either a master’s degree in international relations, peace studies, conflict resolution, and related areas, or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies.
The Rotary Peace Centers have been established by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in partnership with prestigious universities throughout the world.
During their studies, Rotary Peace Fellows will work to advance knowledge of issues related to peace, causes of conflict, and world understanding. The fellows will participate in a Rotary Peace Centers seminar and will commit to a career related to international relations, peace, and conflict resolution.
Rotary Peace Fellowships cover up to two academic years and provide funding for round-trip transportation, tuition and fees, room, board, and other limited expenses.  The certification programme available only at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand is for a period of three months. 
For more information and a fellowship application, please contact Rtn. C.J. Singh, District Secretary (seejaysingh@gmail.com). More detail can also be downloaded from Rotary International website at www.rotary.org/rotarycenters.
The last date for sending the application is 10th May 2011.
The Rotary Peace Centers are hosted in University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England; International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan; Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; and Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Charanjit Singh
District Secretary
Rotary International District 3080
3366, Sector 32D, Chandigarh 160031
M: +91 93161 33924
O: +91 172 5016581, 5001581


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

PR Grant

All the Club Presisdents are requested to complete the installation of the hoardings in their respective communities as per the designs sent earlier.  The installations must be completed by 15th of May and the bills of expenses must be submitted to District Secretary for processing.  The estimates, as communicated earlier too, must be approved in advance and details of number,  location and size of the each site should be provided.
Look forward to your early action. 

Friday, April 8, 2011

Joy of Giving!


The Rotary Foundation has always been supported by ordinary people who give both their money and time. Of course, there have been few millionaires who gave substantial gifts. But when India reached the milestone of over US $11.8 million last year and ranked number three in the Rotary world, the support was from Rotarians in many clubs including our district with contribution of $330,000+. Success in collecting funds isn't a sprint. It is a marathon.
Large-hearted Rotarians have continued to contribe handsomely and in spite of economic recession and other setbacks, they have supported The Rotary Foundation.
Only you can take the step to reach higher levels. Let us surprise all by reaching more majestic heights. Shall we target for US 400,000 during 2010–2011? We are capable of achieving it. Let us provide The Rotary Foundation with another unique feat of excellence. Let us optimise our performance. $100 average per Rotarian to APF and the $30 mandatory contribution to Polio Challenge Fund can help us achieve the target easily. Let us inculcate pride in our achievements. Let us go that extra mile with confidence. Let us do the unthinkable, the almost unattainable. Let us make Rotary proud of our efforts. Let us be generous and contribute to the Rotary Foundation, whatever be the amount.

The success in Polio Eradication Program can be seen in India, with about 200,000 cases in India at the start in 1985 to only 42 cases in 2010 and only one so far in 2011. We are this close to Eradicate Polio and the world looks up to Rotary  with confidence to complete the task. This would be the second disease after smallpox to be eradicated. History will always talk of Rotary's initiative and role in to make the world Polio free and safer for future generations.

Rotary is poised to be more relevant, more effective and more useful. This can only be achieved if we are sincere in our action and our support to the foundation and all the programmes. As stewards of The Rotary Foundation, Rotarians are responsible to donors to use donations appropriately. You know that funds are used in a responsible manner  thru you to support projects in your district & clubs.


TRF is the driving force behind most of the work we do in our communities – This year our district has taken up or is participating in projects of value approx $500,000. It is you, my friends, who have taken the money from your pockets to promote life giving programmes as polio eradication, Medical Missions, Multispecialty Health Camps including Cancer Detection & Awareness Camps, Heartline, Peacemaker Bank, Water Filters for schools, Eye IOL, School Benches, Sanitation, RWH, RVTC, literacy, health promotion and ultimately peace. This has all been possible because of the generous contributions of Rotarians. Let us continue with the generous giving and reach the target of $100 average contribution per member to the APF of TRF, with each member contributing something, get the satisfaction of doing good, feel good, thank god for his generosity & blessings and be blessed again. Bring out your cheque book with a smile on your face and a feeling of satisfaction in your heart that you have donated to a cause.


There are many Rotarians in our clubs and district who have never had the joy of contributing to the Foundation.  When people join Rotary they have the inclination to serve and we do need funds to take up projects. You need not donate large chunk of money maybe Rs.500… Rs.1100… Rs.3100… Rs.5100… Rs.21000… Rs. 51000 or more.... at your ability, discretion & will get the satisfaction of doing good, feel good, thank God for his generosity & blessings, be blessed again.