Social media trends in 2010

Social Media Corner:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-International/7268844551
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=858557
http://twitter.com/rotary
http://www.youtube.com/rotaryinternational
http://www.flickr.com/groups/familyofrotary/


This year, the mainstream news media embraced social media, and Rotary clubs and districts demonstrated that they're comfortable using it, that it can provide great marketing, and that it can serve as an effective communication tool for reaching out to potential new members. With 2010 around the corner, social media predictions abound. Read about how social media will change in the next year.

Start the new year by writing better headlines
Your headlines matter. They are the words that make someone want (or not want) to read your Rotary story. When you send a press release about your club's efforts to local news outlets, does your headline catch their attention? Read more about writing better headlines.

January is Rotary Awareness Month
Because January is Rotary Awareness Month, it's a great time to reflect on what it means to be a Rotarian. Rotary's strength lies in the more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas, and this an opportunity to make sure your community knows who you are and what you do. Consider these tips during Rotary Awareness Month:

*Share your club's Web site or blog through an electronic news release highlighting Rotary Awareness Month.
*Invite a journalist, media professional, friend, or co-worker to an upcoming club meeting.
*Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about your club's community and international humanitarian efforts.
*Coordinate a community service project with another local organization.
*Purchase or download the RI publications This Is Rotary, What's Rotary?, or Rotary Basics, and distribute them at key locations throughout your community.

Did you know that Rotary PR Tips reaches more than 6,000 people in 115 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe? It's a great opportunity to learn how the media works and how other cultures promote their projects. What PR tip would you share with readers? Send it to pr@rotary.org.

See Yourself in Print!

Bryn Stiles, editor of Membership Matters, the Zones 24, 25, 26 & 32 Newsletter, is soliciting articles for the 2010 newsletters. Please send him your ideas and "best practices" or an article that you read or wrote that you think might be applied to Rotary membership (generational, social networking, PR, etc.) Send these ideas to Bryn at bryn.styles@gmail.com and while you're at it, how about sending to me too at judi5110@comcast.net.

Happy Holidays to you all!
Judi

Membership Recruiting Ideas

When it comes to recruiting club members, there are almost as many ideas as there are Rotarians, which is not surprising considering Rotary's diversity.

There are some universal themes that come up again and again. Others capitalize on new technologies and communication methods, or are targeted at expanding Rotary’s demographic reach. Below are 10 tips from Rotarians for increasing membership:

1. Invite friends, colleagues, or neighbors to participate in one of your club's projects.
2. Keep a supply of the Start with Rotary postcards and wallet cards, and give them to potential members.
3. Encourage prospective members who live outside your geographic area to visit the RI Web site, view membership videos, and complete a prospective member form.
4. Ask your district membership chair to contact qualified candidates who have come to the district's attention through an online referral.
5. Talk with potential members about Rotary's humanitarian work, including programs like PolioPlus. Mention the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's involvement in the polio eradication effort through Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge.
6. Invite professional women in your community to one of your club meetings. Initiate projects that focus on women's issues, and invite prominent women in the community to participate, speak, or lead.
7. Maintain contact with all local alumni of Rotary's educational and service programs, and organize events for them. Work with qualified candidates to help them join your club.
8. Advertise special programs or projects on social networking sites such as Craigslist, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Orkut, and invite visitors to your club meetings and events. Learn about RI's official social networking pages.
9. Sponsor an open house (or an open meeting with a special guest) that caters to a demographic group or classification that isn't represented in the club.
10. Maintain a Web site for your club so that interested individuals can easily find out who you are, what you do, and what inspires you.

CLASSIFICATIONS -- Food for Thought

It is just as important today as in 1905, when Rotary was first established, to recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations. ALL means ALL, not just medicine, law, science, theology, finance and education, but also law enforcement, repair, sales, service, farming, ranching, carpentry, etc. John W. Gardner, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare said: "The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity, and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity, will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither it's pipes nor its theories will hold water."

Thank you to PDG David Allen for sharing this quote.

December 2009 Membership Matters

The December 2009 edition of Membership Matters is available from the Zone 24/32 webpage. It can also be accessed by clicking on the following link or pasting it to your address bar.

http://www.clubrunner.ca/zonedata/22/html/798/Membership%20Matters%20December%202009.pdf

From Rosemary Aragon - Zone Public Image Chair

It's time to report successes!

Public Image Resource Group General Chair Pauline Leung (Taiwan) and Assistant General Chair Bob Tomlinson (Scotland) are looking for reports of the successful PR projects for our 2009-10 first-half progress report.


What worked?! Where did the public learn about Rotary? Please explain your successful project(s) in 200 words or less and include free-standing high resolution .jpg images this week.

Could you give me your brief description by Thursday November 20? Please don’t hide your light under a bushel—I have seen what you are doing!

Contact Rosemary at rba2002@earthlink.net

Best Practices. District 5160. RC Concord, California

‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ Plan -- A lifeline for member retention during tough times

For more than a decade, automotive services business owner ‘Harold Jamison’ had been an active Rotarian and local civic leader. Following his year as club president, Harold continued to accept leadership roles in Rotary, chaired the club’s endowment program, and volunteered for nearly every community service project. A multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Rotary club could not ask for a more giving individual to represent the ideals of our organization than Harold.

Late last year, the downturn in our economy brought about what can only be termed the ‘perfect storm’ for this Rotarian and his family. His automotive business had just failed, and the buyer of his recently sold residence defaulted on a note payable. And, like most of us, Harold and his wife watched their retirement portfolio nearly evaporate in the closing months of 2008. Cash reserves that would have normally provided a ‘lifeboat’ for the crisis this family was experiencing were simply not available. Clearly, more than just emotions were sinking.

It was quickly becoming evident this Rotarian would not be able to meet his ongoing financial obligations to an organization to which he has been so committed for so many years. Rotary was about to lose a valuable long-time member who, under other circumstances, may have continued being active in Rotary for another decade or more. Truly a loss for all concerned.

Fortunately, Harold’s Rotary club in District 5160 had recently launched a unique retention strategy to address unforeseen instances such as this. The goal of the club’s ‘Shoulder-To-Shoulder’ program, now in its second year, is to reduce potential resignations of deserving Rotarians who have been a member for at least one year, are experiencing extreme financial hardship, yet are willing to remain active members through regular attendance and by participating in club service projects.

For Rotarians approved for eligibility in the S-2-S program, annual dues, luncheon billings and other financial obligations related to membership may be waived for a period of (up to) one year. To insure that the member is living up to his or her part of the agreement, an informal review is conducted every ninety days. If a need still exists, and provided the member has continued to maintain attendance and participate in ‘no-cost’ club activities, this fee exemption program can be ongoing -- for up to one year.

For confidentiality purposes, and to avoid any embarrassment to the member, only the club president, membership director and treasurer are brought into the process. The club’s board of directors, in approving the S-2-S program last year, gave broad discretion to a committee comprised of these two officers and its membership director, trusting that sound judgment would prevail in granting a member this exemption and then closely monitoring its progress.

The Board concurred that the anticipated loss of (dues and luncheon) revenues could be absorbed with a minimal impact on club finances. The rationale is that, by lending a helping hand at a critical time, temporarily removing the financial obstacles of being a Rotarian would enable an individual to remain active in a club service role and also benefit from the ongoing emotional support of the club’s fellowship. Most importantly, when economic recovery for the member does occur, it is very likely this Rotarian may feel even a stronger allegiance to the organization, recognizing we make ‘helping our own’ as high a priority as helping others in the community. Caring is a two-way street. When we care enough about our own members to take action, we are also taking a meaningful step towards membership retention.

It may be too early to gauge the long-term success of this fledgling program, however initial results are encouraging. During the 15 months since the S-2-S program was created in this club, four deserving Rotarians were deemed to be eligible by the committee. After being on the program for less than six months, two of those members are back on solid-footing and have resumed handling financial obligations on their own - - one relocated out of the area in order to secure employment, but hopes to become active in a Rotary club in his new locale.

As for Harold, he has recently found employment with a start-up venture that appears to have potential. He attends club luncheon meetings whenever possible and currently serves as president of his Rotary club’s Foundation and chairs their monthly board meeting. Harold is confident his situation is improving as each month goes by, grateful that his Rotary affiliation and fellow Rotarians provided this lifeline which enables him to continue the work of Rotary and yet focus on the challenges that still persist in his professional and personal life.

As Rotarians, we are frequently encouraged to apply the 4-Way Test to the things we think, say and do. When it comes to helping a fellow Rotarian maintain active membership during difficult times, this club’s innovative Shoulder to Shoulder program certainly meets all the criteria!

For additional information on the Shoulder to Shoulder program mentioned in this article, contact:
Rick Ernst, Membership Director
Rotary Club of Concord, CA USA
District 5160
email: rick_ernst@comcast.net

From Zone 20 "Membership Energiser"

Something to think about......

RESISTANCE TO CHANGE
There (has been) a lot of discussion on the resistance to change. Many will resonate with the list of excuses quoted below by Dunphy on Organised Change... It’s time for us all to move on and build a strong Rotary... The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands!

“EXCUSES FOR A CLOSED MIND”
It’s never been done before
It’ll never work
We don’t do that kind of thing in our organisation
Not that again
It’s too radical
It has been like that for 15 years
Nothing will ever change it
It will cost too much
It is not my responsibility
Let’s talk about something else
It is impossible
We tried that once before
Yes we do, but not right now.

Resistance to change is world-wide -- but..
“Cause change and lead, accept change and survive, resist change and die.”
Ray Noorda - 1924-2006, technology pioneer, Novell Corporation CEO.

Thanks to the Rotarians in South Africa for this information.

Social Media Revolution

Is social media a fad?

Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?

Take a look at this video.

“What is Rotary?”

RRIMC Jim created an exercise that may be useful at your next membership presentation (try it yourself.)

Imagine that you are a fresh-out-of-college advertising firm employee, had just joined a local civic organization and were assigned to the PR committee. Immediately the chair asked you for a lead paragraph for the organization's PR brochure, and wanted it tomorrow because they were supposed to have something for tomorrow night's board meeting. Frantically you scanned your college notes and found this exercise:

Fill in the blanks from the selections below:

(A) ____________ is the (B) ___________ with more than (C) ____________.
(A) ____________ members are volunteers who work (D) _______________ to combat

(E) _______________ under the motto (F) ____________.

A. (Name of organization) Engineers without Borders, Doctors without Borders, Lion's Club, Kiwanis Club, Sertoma, Dentist without Borders, Red Cross, Child Fund International, The Gates Foundation; World Vision, Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO), Girl Scouts, United Way, Food Banks, YMCA, YWCA, Boy's and Girl's Club, Heifer International, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, (and the list goes on.)

B. (Pick the phrase that matches) only engineering organization, only doctor's organization, world's largest service organization, only organization of ordinary people performing extraordinary work, premier service response organization, Sharing Skills – Changing Lives, World's largest organizations for boys and girls, world's only organization dedicated to -----, etc

C. (Specify the number of volunteers/members/donors)

D. (Specify the regions that the organization serves)

E. (Specify the cause that matches) water- and sanitation-borne illnesses, contagious diseases, malaria, blindness, ignorance, starvation, farming, normal childhood problems, HIV&Aids, Education, Health and Social Well-being, Disability, Governance, birth defects, heart defects, cancer, etc.

F. (Specify the organization's motto) Service to Mankind; Serving the Children of the World; Provide Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity; Be Prepared; People helping children; Ordinary People helping Disadvantaged Children; etc

You filled in the blanks with appropriate wording; the ecstatic PR chair presented it to the board. They liked the statement because it is written for John Q. Public, is politically correct, and tells something about what the organization does. The board unanimously approved the brochure for printing. But in your hurry, you missed the fact that this exercise was from the class, "Subtleties that will get you fired."

An adverting firm would be severely reprimanded if their executives approved the statement and submitted it to me or to Jack Welch who, in his Six Rules for Success, states "If you don't have a competitive advantage, don't compete." Now I am not even close to being in the same league as Mr. Welch, former GE president and CEO (1981-2001.) He is a "Tiger Woods" of industry; I don't belong in the same state where Mr. Welch plays. But I do know that the above statement is bland because it does not catch anyone's attention or give any organization an advantage. Try this simple exercise: Fill in the blanks as if it was for your Rotary club. After you do that, change the statement to where it is specific to your club's target audience (prospective members) and points out your club's distinctive position (competitive advantage.) If you do not know either of these, well - - can you, should you, compete?

So the next time someone asks you what is Rotary, how would you answer in a way that would give you a competitive advantage over another organization for your target audience's time, talent, and/or treasure?

Muse about this and discuss it at your next club board meeting!

Best Practices Website

Have you checked out the Best Practices Exchange on the website? This is a great place to see innovative ideas that are working -- from around the world! Rotary STILL Shares!

www.rotary.org/en/membershipbestpractices

Another "Best Practices" Idea from D 5030

This year District 5030 had 27 young people for 5 GSE team member spots. DG Nancy Keenholts Dalton talked about the tremendous interest Alums show in joining Rotary. She told them that she would be contacting those that were not chosen for the team to visit a Rotary club. They all seemed thrilled with this. Nancy did tell them that their future interest in joining a club would have no bearing on the decisions made by the committee. These are young people with good jobs, many with advanced degrees and interested in service work and -- 25-40 years old!!!! They are exactly who we want. DG Nancy will be contacting them through the district membership team to get them invited to meetings at Rotary clubs. GREAT IDEA!!

ROTARY NANNY - Great Idea from D5030

FREMONT ROTARY PILOTS A NEW FIRST: A ROTARY NANNY

The Rotary Club of Fremont here in Seattle has inaugurated a change in its meetings that is likely a first for Rotary Clubs around the world: It has hired a Rotary Nanny who will provide child care for the children of members and guests attending weekly club meetings in Seattle. This Halloween will introduce another first: a children’s Halloween party with their Nanny at a regular Rotary meeting.
All the children who regularly attend Rotary meetings are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the Rotary meeting.
Fremont Rotary meets each Tuesday evening from 5:30pm through 7pm at a brewery, Hale’s Ales, in the Fremont/Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Hale’s Ales is located at 4301 NW Leary Way in Seattle.
The Rotary Nanny, a grandmother who actually works as a nanny full-time for families in the Fremont neighborhood, was hired because the club invites its members to bring their young children to weekly meetings, and several do. Among the 22 members, approximately one-third have children or grandchildren under seven years old who frequently attend meetings. For example, the four youngest, and newest members, have four children.
Several of the children are Paul Harris Fellows, a Rotary designation denoting $1,000 has been donated in their names to the Rotary Foundation. The foundation, a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions for the single purpose of doing good in the world, has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion in its 90-year lifespan.
“It’s very important that we give child care at our meetings a try,’ said Jean Withers, president of the club, talking about the Nanny Pilot which began in early July. “Having childcare for our kids means our younger members can choose to join an after-hours Rotary Club, be of service to our community, and still enjoy their children before the kids go to bed. Several members also bring their husbands and wives, and the kids beg to come to Rotary to see their friends.”
‘We have already seen attendance at our meetings begin to peak this fall,” said Withers.
She noted that several enthusiastic members---one the senior member of the group who has no children---have donated puppet theaters and screens to entertain the children. The children eat dinner with the Rotarians and retire to ‘RotaryLand’ with their nanny while adults enjoy a speaker about local or international issues and conduct Rotary business. The children then ring the bell ending the meeting.

“This is just one more way we have integrated children into our Rotary Club,” Withers said. “When we clean up the Burke-Gilman Trail, there are always 3-5 children working along side our members. Do you really think those kids will ever litter?”

For more Information, contact
Jean Withers 206.819.5326

Zone 24/32 Membership Matters - November 2009

The November 2009 edition of Zone 24/32 Membership Matters Newsletter is ready for downloading. Click on the image to the left.

There are many interesting stories and ideas happening out there. If you are a Club or District Membership Chair please send the editor what is happening in your Club or District.

Human interest stories, best practices, successes and things that didn't work out. Let others know what you are doing.

Remember - the Future of Membership is in Your Hands!

Bryn Styles
Editor

Membership on the Move

This is an excellent newsletter from “Down Under”……….. including an especially compelling article on a “club in trouble.”

Best Practices – District 5130

Introducing The 33% solution. It's as easy as 3,2,1.

District 5130

The 33% solution is a great way of getting all of your members involved in attaining new members. This is what you do as the presenter for this new program. You can do it as a 7 - 10 minute membership segment, or expand it to a 25 minute presentation. You can do this as an individual or with the club membership chair. Ask the following questions:

a) Who in your club is vivacious, outgoing, likes to socialize? (Ask them to come up) ENTHUSIASTIC, “ROTARY ON THE SLEEVE”

b) Who is a member that is the bean counter, to keep everything on track?
PROCESSES, RESULTS (call them up to the front).

c) Now, who is that person who enjoys orienting, taking care of others, making sure they’re welcome, involved? MENTORS, KEEPERS OF THE FLAME (like your Aunt Tess/Uncle Joe, a member who understands the ins and outs of Rotary and your club).

d) OPTIONAL STEP if doing a longer presentation: Look at these three people and ask them individually, "Why are you a Rotarian?" Each will answer in their own fashion, but they all will have a reason. Ask them to answer in a few sentences or “25 words or less”

e) Now ask them, "Do you think the three of you can bring in ONE new member?
(Give them a little time - 30 sec.) to discuss it.

f) Then ask them, “In what period of time??” or "how long do you think it will take you?" (Another 30 secs.)It can take them anywhere from one month to several months. It all depends on them. This becomes a TEAM effort rather than falling on one individual. They can encourage each other.

g) You can then ask, "How many teams cam you have in your club using this method?"

Teams can be formed easily:
• Who is outgoing? Please stand with (use name of outgoing individual),
• Who is a bean counter? Please stand with (Ralph), and
• Who is like your "Uncle Joe?” Come on up.

Now form teams by choosing one from each category. You now have a team with the potential of bringing in a new member as soon as a month, two months, whatever they decide. If you have an overlap, that's okay, put them where they a fit in.

It’s as easy as 3, 2, 1:

3 Rotarians
2 Months
1 New Member

HURRAY!

My own club had a contest to see which team brought in the most members within a six month period. It was exciting and the club's energy level went up in enthusiasm and hope for our future.

I should also mention that if a member doesn't want to play, they don't have to.
If you are going to present at a different Rotary Club, I suggest that you ask the President's permission and ask the club membership chair to assist you. Or, you can present this to a club's board and train them to bring it to their own club. There are many variations to this program and they all work. Any questions?

By this time everyone is having fun and engaged. And the final result is that your members will want to do this.


Chris Parr-Feldman
District 5130
District Membership Chair. 2009-10
icur4rotary@aol.com
707.544.3004

Volkswagen brings the fun: Giant piano stairs and other ‘Fun Theory’ marketing

Volkswagen brings the fun: Giant piano stairs and other ‘Fun Theory’ marketing

Posted using ShareThis

Updated "How to Propose a New Member" brochure

The updated How to Propose a New Member brochure is now available. Discover how to increase your club’s membership.

This easy-to-use publication includes:

- Tips for finding new members
- Administrative steps for proposing a new member
- Membership Proposal Form
- Information about prospective members, relocation, and referrals

Download the brochure and distribute it at club and district meetings when discussing recruitment. Or post a link on your club and district Web sites and newsletters.

The How to Propose a New Member brochure (254, US$6 per pack of 25) is also available for purchase at shop.rotary.org.

You Tube - "Why Rotary?"

Rotarians answer the question "Why Join Rotary?"
Share this link with prospective Rotarians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1xjqH43Wq8

Membership Matters - October 2009

The Zones 24, 25, 26 and 32 Membership Matters newsletter October 2009 edition is now available.

Stiles, the newletter editor, is always looking for articles, stories, best practices. Please forward to bryn.styles@gmail.com.

Social networking expands Rotary horizons

This is a great example of the benefit of using Social Networking to expand our Global horizons and friendships.

Imagine the exposure and information about Rotary that can also be extended to our non-Rotary social network friends with just a few personal comments or Rotary links on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages!

Read more at: Social networking expands Rotary horizons.

Kenny establishes membership goals

From Rotary International News
17 September 2009

Clubs can earn a certificate signed by RI President John Kenny by meeting his membership goals for 2009-10.

The top 10 clubs and top 10 districts, as determined by RI, will also be acknowledged onstage at the 2010 convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Read the entire article.

Best Practice from Nevada, District 5180

From the Rotary Club of Nevada County South:
"When a Rotaracter turns the age of 30 they leave Rotaract. Often times it is a financial burden for these young adults to join a Rotary club. The board has passed a new policy for Rotaracters wanting to transfer from Rotaract to our Rotary club. The only expense to these new members is a $50 entry fee and the weekly meals. The club will sponsor two RI dues payments, one payment for District dues and the first $100 to the Paul Harris Society. We encourage ALL members who know of Rotaracters coming of Rotary age, to let them know of this policy."

This might be a consideration for other new young Rotarian prospects who have more time and energy to contribute than they have money.

Rotary Marketing and "Networking"

Research shows us that many prospective members are looking for a way to get better acquainted with other business and professional people in the community. This can also be a factor to retaining Rotarians through down turns in the economy, such as we're suffering now.

Here is an article that appeared in the August 2009 issue of The Rotarian Magazine that talks about how marketing and networking can be beneficial to the club and to the members - Free advice from marketing expert Mary Shallies.

Membership Matters for September, 2009

Membership Newsletter for Zones 24-32

Check out ideas and best practices from other Districts and Zones

Membership Newsletter from District 5160

Great information and ideas from the newest Membership Newsletter from District 5160

Check it out -- use it in your district!
Thanks Vic!

Next Gen's Bring New Ideas!

Next Gen Rotarians Bring New Ideas! Another great reason to cultivate our next generation of Rotarians -- they often come up with terrific ideas that we tradionalists would never think of!

Maloney's and Rotary - Fighting Polio with Shots

La Jolla New Generation's and Maloney's Tavern in Downtown, San Diego are teaming up for a fundraiser on Friday, August 28th starting at 6pm. Maloney's has been gracious enough to donate the proceeds of select alcohol sales from their upcoming theme night to the Polio Plus program.

This is a great opportunity for fellow Rotarian's and the community to come together and have fun while supporting a great cause. The "Animal House" theme and movie night includes various drink special's. There is no cover to this event so bring as many family and friends (21+) as you can.

Welcome to the RI Zones 25-26 Membership News

Welcome to the new Zones 25-26 Membership News!

RRIMC Barbara Risher Welch, Zone 26, and I will be using this vehicle to give you regular Membership updates accessible at your convenience. You are invited to sign up to receive regular notices when something new is posted. We hope this alternative to a monthly newsletter will give you timely information that you can use in your districts!

Blogging is new to us, so bear with us as we acclimate to this new (to us) technology -- we can learn new tricks!

Thank you for making Membership a priority!

Judi Beard Strubing
Zone 25 RRIMC 2008-2011
judi5110@comcast.net
541-342-2474 (H)
541-953-2336 (C)

Judi Beard Strubing - Zone 25 RRIMC 2008-2011

Judi Beard-Strubing is a native Oregonian. She is married to Bob Strubing and has three married children and three precious granddaughters.

She joined Merrill Lynch in 1983, where she was Assistant Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor prior to her retirement in 2008. Judi remains a partner in the Allen-Strubing Group within the company, and continues consulting with her partner, as a PIA portfolio manager.

Judi has been an active volunteer in the Eugene community for some 35 years. Currently, she serves as a Trustee on the Board of Northwest Christian University. In 2001, Merrill Lynch named Judi the recipient of the National Life Time Achievement in Community Service Award.

As a 1993 charter member of The Rotary Club of Eugene Airport, Judi served as club president during 1998-1999 and has served in many district capacities. She served as Governor for District 5110 during the Rotary Centennial Year, 2004-2005.

She traveled to Honduras in 1999 as part of a Rotary Discovery Grant team, Bolivia in 2004 as part of a Rotaplast medical team, and in 2006 she traveled with a team building fuel-efficient stoves in the highlands of Guatemala. She returned to Bolivia in 2008 to oversee the completion of some grant-funded projects and explore other possible projects to benefit the Bolivian people. She is a member of the Paul Harris Society, Major Donor, and the Rotary Bequest Society. Judi has served as GNATS and GETS Instructor, GETS Administrative Chair, International Trainer and twice as RI President’s Representative. She is the Regional RI Membership Coordinator for Zone 25.

Judi and Bob enjoy time in the Southwest and Latin America exploring their interests in Native art. The fall weekends find them at every University of 0regon football game, whether at home or out of town. Their real joy is family time spent with their children and granddaughters.

Barbara Risher Welch - RRIMC Zone 26 2007-2010

Barbara was President of the Montebello Rotary Club in 1996-1997 and was the first woman President in the history of the club since its charter in 1924. She joined the Montebello Rotary Club in 1991 and has had perfect attendance ever since her induction. She is very proud of the fact that her father is also a Past President of the same club in 1973-74 and reached 46 years of perfect attendance.

Barbara held numerous board positions within her club. At the district level, she has held the office of Assistant Governor, District Community Service Chair, RYLA Chair and RYLA committee, District Governor nominating committee and fundraising committee, and finally District Governor for District 5300 in 2003-2004. She was one of the organizers of the first District 5300 Teen Leadership Camp in 2000, a RYLA camp for 8th grade students.

Barbara is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Rotary Foundation Benefactor and began the Paul Harris Society in District 5300, and has been a member since 2004. She is a PRLS recipient, Rotarian of the Year for 3 years, and is on the District 5300 Board of Governors. Barbara was the Rotary International Membership Coordinator (RIMZC) for Zone 24 from 2004-2006 and is currently serving a 3 year term as Regional Rotary International Membership Coordinator (RRIMC) for Zone 26. She has served on the faculty for the Governor Elect Training Seminar (GETS) for Zones 23 and 24 from 2005 to present, a trainer for the 2006 Southern California/Nevada President Elect Training Seminar (PETS), and has been on the Zone 23/24 Institute committee for 2 years.

Barbara recently was a member of the Host Organizing Committee for the RI convention in Los Angeles. During her Governor year she led the first district-wide service project to Puerta Vallarta to deliver containers of wheelchairs through the Wheelchair Foundation. Barbara has had the distinct honor of representing RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar at the District 6600 Conference in Ohio and RI President Wilf Wilkinson at the District 5830 Conference in Texas.

Barbara was raised in Montebello and lived there until 1992 when she and her husband and children moved to Seal Beach. She attended UCLA after high school, transferred to CSULA where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1981. Barbara works as an emergency room RN in Montebello, though her main profession is working in her family's funeral home, Risher Montebello Mortuary as a licensed funeral director.

Barbara is also involved in her community as a member of the Montebello Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and past Chairwoman. She was also the Chairwoman of the Montebello Chamber Ambassadors. Barbara is in her 2nd term as President of the Beverly Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, a Beverly Hospital guild member, and was a charter member of the Business and Education Partnership Foundation. Barbara also assists with both of her daughter’s Girls Scout troops, and was an AWANA leader for her children's youth group at church.

Barbara and Greg were married in 1982 and have four children, Nathan, Zachary, Kaylie and Jenna ranging in age from 12-21 years. Together they have traveled to nine Rotary International conventions, and Nathan had the privilege of riding on the Rotary Rose Parade Float as a RYLA student in 2004. As a family they enjoy snow skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, scuba diving and motorcycle dirt bike riding. She also enjoys playing tennis, running, kickboxing, scrapbooking and being a soccer mom.

Greg Podd

Greg Podd is a C.P.A. (Certified Public Accountant) and a P.F.S. (Personal Financial Specialist) having operated his own practice since June 1979. During his professional tenure, he has written four professional continuing education courses and has been the keynote speaker and chairperson at five national conferences.

Greg has taught many courses as a guest professor at Arizona State University in the Master of Taxation program and has made presentations to over 20,000 Certified Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants from the United States and foreign countries. He was also the President and owner of a very large metal fabrication firm for the telecommunication industry and a healthcare software development firm.

Greg became a Rotarian in May 1982 and is a member of the Evergreen Rotary Club. He is currently serving as a member of the of the Rotary International Investment Committee for the term July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2015 and as a Regional Rotary International Membership Coordinator for the term of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011. He also chaired the Rotary International Presidential Membership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona – January, 2009 and will be chairing the Zone 27 Institute 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He served as a member of the Rotary International Finance committee for the term July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2009, as a member of the Rotary Foundation Investment Advisory Committee for the term July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 and as a Rotary International Membership Zone Coordinator for the term June 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008. Greg also served as a Rotary Foundation Major Gifts Advisor for the term of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 and established his District’s Million Dollar Dinner raising over $3,100,000 for the Rotary Foundation in one night.

Greg was the Group Study Exchange Leader to District 3790 – Philippines in February, 2006. He has served as the President’s Representative for Rotary International every year since 2005 and was District 5510’s representative to the Rotary International Council on Legislation – 2007. Greg also established and chairs the "Rocky Mountain Rotary Leadership Institute" training seminar for all Rotarians in the western part of the United States (2007 – 2010).

Greg has served as a member of the Zone 25, 26 Executive committee (2004, 2005, and 2008) and Treasurer for the Zone Institute for 2004 and 2005. During the Zone Institute for 2006, 2007 and 2008, he served as the District Governor Nominee trainer and author of the course material. During the Zone Institute for 2004, 2005 and 2008 he served as a District Governor-Elect trainer, and author of course material and as a District Governor trainer and author of the course material. Greg has been a speaker at many District Conferences, President Elect Training Seminars, Membership Seminars and Foundation Seminars.

Greg is the recipient of the "Service Above Self Award" and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service Award. Greg and his wife Pam have been married for 34 years, and have three beautiful children; Kyle, Melanie and Bryan and one grandchild, Carter. All members of the family are Paul Harris Fellows with Greg and Pam being Multi Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society Members, Rotary Foundation Sustaining, Bequest Society Members and Major Donors.