This Friday take a look at the video “Make no small plans“. A great example of how Rotary uses grant money to help better the lives of those in need! This video is the story of how one man and his Rotary club started helping two villages in India, and eventually received a large grant from the Rotary Foundation that provided more than 50,000 people with a variety of services.

Don’t miss your chance to purchase some great auction items, while funding scholarships for students, at the 2011 Rotary Foundation Dinner & Auction on February 25 at The Holiday Inn in Springfield. Here’s a taste of some of the items available at this year’s auction: Trip for two to the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival 2012. Trip includes: (2) 3-Day Festival Packages and (2) night stay in condo at Nye Beach in Newport. 2 Round Trip Airline Tickets to Las Vegas, plus 3 night stay at Worldmark 2 Tickets to “Nike Clash of the Champions” on March 8, 2011 at Matt Knight Arena. Package...

Triggered by an earthquake deep beneath the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, the so-called Boxing Day Tsunami killed almost 230,000 people in eleven countries, leaving millions homeless and causing billions of dollars in damage. In this photo, a young boy stands proudly by his bicycle in Galle District, Sri Lanka. As the major disaster relief organizations stepped in, Rotary focused on projects addressing rebuilding and recovery. The 62 Rotary clubs in Sri Lanka, where 187 coastal schools were destroyed, raised $12 million to build 25 schools. The international disaster relief charity ShelterBox,...

It was nothing short of a magical season for the hometown Oregon Ducks, and while they came up short of a national title, losing 22-19 to Auburn in the championship game, their 12-0 regular season will go down in Duck history. From the thrilling touchdowns, long runs, amazing catches and sometimes nerve-wracking slow starts, the Ducks made it to their first BCS Championship Game and fought hard. Even though the season ended in a tough loss, there are still lots of great memories to keep from the season. Did you have a favorite moment from this year? A play that will stick in your mind forever?...

Rotary International provides a number of resources to help strengthen its clubs and the relationships among Rotarians. If you’re looking for information about how to tackle common issues that arise within clubs, or are looking for resources to help get an idea off the ground (fundraisers, special events to support your club, etc.), check out this page on the RI website: Your Voice, Your Solution. Drawing from ideas that were successfully implemented in 2010, the page shares stories of Rotarians who turned a great idea into a great way to support Rotary. It also answers frequently asked questions...

A Rotary International float made its way down the Rose Parade route on Saturday morning in Pasadena, California. It was the 32nd time a Rotary float had been in the parade. The 2010-2011 RI theme, “Building Communities, Bridging Continents” was reflected in a design that included bears representing different communities around the world. The design came to life with the help of thousands of flowers, a Rose Parade tradition. A big thank you goes out to all Rotarians and volunteers who helped bring this beautiful float to life! To see a slideshow of photos detailing the float’s...

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Now, 2011 isn’t far away! If you’re looking for fun, festive ways to ring in the New Year, look no further than the Travel Lane County event calendar. The First Run is a 10K and 5k run/walk event along the Willamette River. You can participate in events on New Year’s Eve or on New Year’s Day, and can enjoy ringing in the New Year with pre- and post-race parties. The events start at Valley River Inn and the race entry fee is $15. For more information, call 541-484-9883. Before you start your New Year’s celebration, you can head to the Lane...

Are you interested in seeing firsthand the work Rotary International does to end polio worldwide? If so, jump at the chance to join a team heading to India, February 15-February 23, 2011. You’ll have the chance to see for yourself just how polio eradication efforts are accomplished and how Rotary is making a difference in another part of the world. India’s government recently announced polio immunization dates in February. It’s short notice, but there is still time to act if you’re interested in going. The polio campaign in India has been a success, thanks in large part...

Check out this photo from the 1923 Rose Parade. This float was entered by the Rotary Club of Pasadena, California and began a longstanding tradition of Rotary involvement in the Rose Parade. On January 1, 2011,  Rotary International float will ride along the parade route and mark the 32nd consecutive year that a Rotary float has been part of the festivities. The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee was established when Rotary entered a float celebrating its 75th anniversary. Recognizing that the Tournament of Roses and all the events surrounding it provided a wonderful opportunity to spread the...

This Fall marks the first publication of a District 5110 Interact Newsletter! Interact DG Katie Wilson created the first district newsletter, which provides information about upcoming Interact service project and challenges clubs to take on a service project during the holiday season. A few highlights from the newsletter: April 30, 2011 is Rotarians at Work Day. This year, Interact clubs hope to team up with Rotary clubs and do an informal service project benefitting homeless teens in their areas. As IDG Katie puts it, “usually we are so blinded by our own lives that we can’t even see...