A private reception for our Major Donors, Paul Harris Society Members, new Paul Harris Fellows (or new Multiple Paul Harris Fellows), the District Foundation Committee, incoming Governors, and our Past District Governor's was held from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. A social hour with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar began at 6:00 pm, with a sit-down dinner served at 7:00 pm. The honors ceremony followed the dinner, with the evening ending at 9:00 p.m. The sit-down dinner was $22.00 per person, prior to May 15th, and $27.00 at the door. Dinner was Pre-set with Salads, Rolls, Butter, Dessert. Choice of one of the following served by waiters: 1.) 9 oz Sirloin Steak, 2.) Chicken Francaise, or 3.) Penne' Orlando. Each choice included Red Roasted Potatoes, Vegetable, coffee, decaf, tea, also served by waiters.

In addition to the major keynote speech, our GSE Team leader shared remarks, and Governor Marlene presenting a multi-media slideshow which featured the Foundation, our GSE team's exchange with India, plus Marlene & Earl's Humanitarian trips to India and Haiti. Our Honors Ceremony included recognition of new Paul Harris Fellows (July 1, 2007 through May 15th, 2007); recognition of current Multiple Paul Harris Fellows present at the dinner; recognition of previous Major Donors; Benefactors; and Sustaining Members during this same time frame.

The Agenda:
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. - Private Registration & Reception (invitation only) hors d'oeuvres/cash bar
6:00 to 7:00 p.m. - General Registration & Cash Bar with hors d'oeuvres
7:00 p.m. - Call to Order by Master of Ceremonies DGN Fred Cholet, M. C.
7:01 p.m. - Pledge to Flag by District Grants Chair Earl Lewis
7:02 p.m. - Opening Song by DGND Paul Scott
7:03 p.m. -Welcome & Thanks to District Foundation Committee by DG Marlene B. Brown
7:06 p.m. - Invocation by PDG Ed Paparella
7:07 p.m. - ~ Dinner Served ~
7:43 p.m. - Presentation by District 4-Way Test Speech Winner - Logan
7:48 p.m. - District Foundation Update & Recognition of Benefactors & Sustaining Members
& current PHF’s & current MPHF’s present by PDG Jack Luchsinger, DRF Chair
Introduction of GSE Chair Penny Poling by DG Brown
7:53 p.m. - Remarks by GSE Chair Poling (followed by short video)
7:55 p.m. - Foundation, India & Haiti slideshow (prepared by DG Marlene & Earl)
8:00 p.m. - Introduction of Keynote Speaker R.I. V.P. Mike McGovern by DG Marlene Brown
8:02 p.m. - Keynote Presentation by Mike McGovern, Rotary International Vice President
8:17 p.m. - Introduction of 2007-08 new Paul Harris Fellows & MPHF & Paul Harris Society
Members by MC Cholet; Awards presented by DG Marlene, DRFC Jack & RIVP Mike
8:50 p.m. - Introduction of Major Donors Peg Williams, Marlene Brown, Earl Lewis
8:55 p.m. - Presentation of $10,000 Polio Challenge Check by DG Brown to RIVP Mike
9:00 p.m. - Closing Remarks by MC Cholet & DG Brown

More information available by emailing District Governor Marlene Brown.

Our 2008 Foundation Dinner GSE Speaker

Penny Poling BIO:
Oneida Rotarian Penny Poling was chosen to serve as Team Leader of our GSE Team to District 3200 in India. Penny is the Agency Manager at Access Associates, Inc. in Oneida, NY. She oversees all operations of the business including offering auto and homeowners insurance policies, reviewing customers coverage, and claims handling. She also is a Driver Improvement Instructor teaching safe driving techniques. She is a member of the Oneida's Club, and an AWANA Leader at her local church.

Since joining Rotary in 2000, Penny has served in many capacities. She has served on and chaired several committees as well as a board member. Currently President of the Oneida Rotary Club, and very active within the Club, Penny is married to Paul and has a daughter Ashley (24) and three step children, Bethany, Valerie, and Vanessa. She enjoys knitting, cross country skiing, hiking, and bird watching. Penny also recently celebrated 5 years of Cancer Survivorship. She reports she is thrilled to be leading the D-7150 team and reconnecting with the India D-3200 team.

DISTRICT 7150 PROJECTED (6/30/08)

The leadership in Rotary clubs of District 7150 is making every effort to attain and surpass the club Foundation goal for the Rotary year 2007-2008.

Our 2007-08 District 7150 Foundation Goal is:
Paul Harris / Multiple Fellows -- 2,000
Sustaining Members – 300 (each club strive for 100%)
Benefactors – 163 (each club strive for 1)
All Time Foundation Giving: $3,000,000.
Recognition History
Major Donors = 10
Bequest Society Members = 8
Paul Harris Society Members = 3
Program History
Scholars sponsored = 61
World Peace Scholar = 1
Group Study Exchanges = 27
Volunteer Grants Awarded = 5
Volunteer Service Grants = 2
Matching Grants Sponsored = 31

DISTRICT 7150 AT A GLANCE (6/30/07)

As of June 30, 2007, the Foundation reported the following District 7150 stats:

Paul Harris Fellows -- 1,754

Sustaining Paul Harris Fellows -- 222

Benefactors -- 117

All Time Foundation Giving: $2,840,304.

The need for services supported by the Rotary Foundation continues to grow. It is important that Rotarian's provide additional financial support to the Annual Fund so the District can maintain its level of support for Matching Grants, Group Study Exchange and Educational projects in addition to wrapping up efforts to eliminate Polio in the world.

* Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) is the slogan used to emphasize Sustaining Memberships. Sustaining Members contribute $100 at a minimum every year to the Annual Fund to provide reliable source of Funding for Rotary's continuing programs including the relatively new "Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution”.

* A Paul Harris Fellow is someone who has contributed $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation (this can be US $1000, 1000 Recognition points, or a combination of the two. Simply mail the completed recognition and contribution form with your check.

* A Multiple Paul Harris Fellow is someone who has contributed gifts of $2,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation. Simply mail the completed recognition and contribution form with your check.

* Each donor who annually contributes $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation will be awarded membership in the Paul Harris Society of District 7150. Simply mail the completed recognition and contribution form with your check and nofify your District Paul Harris Society representative.

* The Rotary Foundation recognizes as Major Donors couples or individuals whose combined personal outright or cumulative giving has reached $10,000. All outright contributions made to the Foundation are included in this total, regardless of the gift designation.

* The Permanent Fund is an endowment fund designed to provide additional support, from its earnings, to the Annual Fund. It also supports the World Fund, out of which come our GSE teams, Volunteer Grants, Matching Grants, and 3-H Grants.

* The Benefactor Recognition is given to an individual or couple that has made a provision in their estate plan to gift a minimum $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

* The Bequest Society member is an individual or couple that has made a provision in their estate plan to gift a minimum $10,000 to TRF.

More information can be found on the Rotary Giving link here.

You are encouraged to participate in and promote The Rotary Foundation within your club so we can continue with the Foundation’s basic tenet of – "DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD."

Take a reading of your club progress at this point, and if your Club Foundation Chair is having difficulty downloading the RI Foundation reports, let us know and we'll help.

Jan. 2008- Our District Foundation Committee approved a request from DG Marlene for a $100 for qualifying District Rotarians. For every new Sustaining Member donation of $100 which is matched by $100 from your Club by April 30th 2008, we have pledged to match it with $100 (until what we’ve set aside for this runs out – first come, first served)! If you have $700 toward your Paul Harris Fellow, and you & your Club do the $100 + $100 match, we'll also match that! Download the information form here.

These donations – earmarked to either the Annual Fund or the Polio Plus Fund, OR to either or Haiti Project or our India Project (under MG #'s) - go to The Rotary Foundation in that Rotarian’s name, making these Rotarians Sustaining Members on their way to earning a Paul Harris Fellow. We will be recognizing the following: these members individually, those clubs with 100% of their members contributing, new & existing Paul Harris Fellows, Multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society members, and Major Donors, at our May 29th, 2008 Rotary Foundation Dinner Celebration, which will be keynoted by The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair, Dr. Robert Scott!"

We've received our number for a Matching Grant for our Water/Sanitation Project in Haiti - read more here - and for a Water/Literacy Project for girls/women in India - read more here. Download writeable Pledge letter for Haiti project & writeable Pledge letter for India project. Donations to either one of these projects are also eligible for Paul Harris Fellow recognition. Contact DRF Chair Jack Luchsinger or DG Marlene for program. - DG Marlene & Chair Jack

Read more about the District Haiti Project & District India Project * Water Projects * Polio Projects

Sharing Rotary at the '07 District Foundation Seminar: Speaker PRRFC Mac Leask, Keynoter Bob Hood, DRFC PDG Jack Luchsinger, DG Marlene Brown, Speaker PRID Bill Cadawallder

Our District-wide Foundation Seminar was held on Saturday, October 20th, at Harts Hill Inn. Our dynamic speakers shared fascinating information about what an amazing difference in our communities and in the world The Rotary Foundation is making.