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Taiwan Friendship Exchange Visitors in New York (update)
By Leslie Gross 
Our Rotary Friendship Exchange group arrived with much anticipation at Newark Airport on May 19, 2008. How exciting it was to meet “old friends” on our home turf! As hosts, we now experienced the pressure of making their visit as full and enjoyable as possible.
There was no rest for our visitors, as their first day began less than 8 hours later when on Tuesday, they were escorted to the east end of Long Island by Tina and Rudy, where they experienced a food tasting showcase and sampled wine at several wineries. Wednesday began early, as the Great Neck Club welcomed our visitors to their weekly breakfast. The meeting hardly ended, as they were whisked off to Manhattan, for a full day of visiting museums and sightseeing. Jet-lag was cheated again, as they visited the Mill Neck Manor and the Cradle of Aviation, on Thursday, which was followed by a dinner at Café Rustica hosted by Leslie and Louise of the Great Neck Club, and Rocco and Jill Iannarelli of the Williston Park Club.
Friday, they strolled the grounds of the Nassau County Museum of A rt in Roslyn, then enjoyed a gourmet lunch at the Peter Luger Steak House in Great Neck, with DG Sammy and Elisa Hsiao, and after lunch, for a shopping spree at Lord & Taylor. That evening, the group went to Flushing for an authentic Chinese Banquet dinner. Our role as hosts became that of guests as we were introduced to true Chinese exotic foods, such as “duck tongues and feet” and “sea grubs”. We felt a little like we were back in Taiwan!
Saturday, they watched sheep being sheared and experienced the flavor of Colonial Times at Bethpage Restoration Village. That afternoon and evening was filled with the sights and sounds of Memorial Day Celebrations at North Hempstead Beach Park. Louise, Leslie, and John and Stephanie Ryan planned a gourmet picnic on the beach, with music and elaborate fireworks, ending a most exciting day.
Sunday was a visit to Jones Beach State Park for the Blue Angels air show. After a stop at the Milleridge Inn and the Japanese Stroll gardens, DG Sammy and Elisa hosted a fantastic dinner in their home. Chinese delicacies, magnificently prepared by Pearl East, followed by toasts all around, our time together was quickly drawing to a close.
On Monday, Ed and Betty Monroe invited the group for a wonderful farewell bar-b-cue. It was hard to say goodbye, but those of us fortunate enough to have participated in this program know we were truly blessed by experiencing this fellowship exchange. We have made wonderful memories, but most of all, we have made wonderful friends half-way around the world.
A sincere thank you to Rudy Auslander, for all of his tireless efforts, planning and hosting our guests. And, thank you, DG Sammy and Elisa for initiating this exchange, and sharing your heritage with us all!
June 5, 2008:
Rotary Friendship Exchange: Mission Accomplished
Thanks to your enthusiasm and endless efforts, the Rotary Friendship Exchange Program between D7250 and D3520 was  successfully completed in the afternoon of May 26, 2008, at Freeport, Long Island, NY. At the end of the program, all RFE delegates from D3520 were invited to a Memorial Day BBQ party hosted by PDG Ed Monroe at his beautiful home. As planned, after completion of the program, some RFE delegates returned to Taiwan directly, some stayed in NY for a few more days, some went to the West Coast, but up to this morning all the members of our RFE team had safely returned to Taiwan. All of us want to express our appreciation to the well-planned program/itinerary and the profound hospitality extended to us during our stay in Long  Island. We are particularly touched by the fact that DG Sammy and Elisa both waited for us at Newark airport around midnight on our arrival day, while their daughter were in the hospital expecting to have a baby. After handed us over to the host families in Long Island, it was one am in the morning, and they were waked up by a phone call from the hospital at four am, informing them that they had a grand son. Our DG Jeffers was very happy to have received the two citations from New York State Senate, Craig Johnson. He would also like to thank for the D7250 News Letters reporting D7250 RFE delegation activities in Taiwan with photos presented by DG Sammy. Through this RFE program, the friendship between D7250 and D3520 has further enhanced and the participating members of the program have made lifelong friends, even though they are thousands of miles away from each other and living in very different cultural environments. This is exactly the result that Rotary International expects to achieve when they design the RFE program. Again thank you, DG Sammy, DG Jeffers and all the members participated in this program, without your enthusiasm and active participation, this program would not have achieved such a meaningful result.
Best Regards,
John Chen 2007-09 Chair, RFE Committee
D3520
Group Study Exchange: Districts 7250 & 3810
by Mike Muchmore
Our outbound Group Study Exchange Team spent an unbelievably wonderful month of March as guests of District 3810 in the Philippines. Now it is our turn to reciprocate by hosting the Philippine GSE team here in District 7250. Their team arrived April 19, and will be with us through the District Conference on May 17-18, 2008. They are being hosted by several of our district’s clubs and will visit some of Long Island's historical, cultural, and educational sites. Team members will also get an opportunity to spend some tourist time in Manhattan. Since an important part of the GSE experience is to be vocational in nature, the team will spend several days with their Long Isla nd counterparts, seeing how their work is done here. GSE is a 40-year-old program of the Rotary Foundation aimed at promoting international friendship and understanding. Every year thousands of young professionals participate all over the Rotary world.
In the photo: (left to right) Tom Tierney (pres. Mineola-Garden City), Tess Matriano (District 3810 Team Leader), Gabor Karsai (District 7250 outbound team leader), and Tanya Tabucal (District 3810 team member)
Annual Membership Meeting of the District 7250 Foundation
by Cap Powers
The meeting will be held as part of the Plenary Seessions Friday Afternoon May 16th of the District Conference. The Main Business of the Meeting will be the election of the Trustees of the Foundation for 2008-2009. The Nominating Committee made up of Ed Minicozzi, Tom Gelsdorf, and Ravi Booplapur have offered up the following Slate of Trustees for next Year: Ed Minicozzi, Sammy Hsiao, Ed Monroe, Eilene Gentilcore, Tom Gelsdorf, Ravi Booplapur, DGN yet to be named,and Bernard Sandler. The Membership who vote are the Existing Trustees and the Presidents of the Clubs (or proxies for them who are members of their Clubs). Nominations can also be made from the Floor and the Quorum to hold the meeting is one third of the Membership.
Art Auction at the North Shore Rotary Club
By Lil Gillies
The North Shore Rotary Club held their 3rd Annual Art Auction at the Glen Cove Mansion on Friday, April 11, 2008. Over eighty people attended and were treated to tasty hors d’oeuvres while previewing nearly 150 pieces of framed art. The collection included such well know names as Norman Rockwell, Ansel Adams and Monet. There were even guitars signed by the Rolling Stones! Bidding was lively and many people happily left with several purchases to decorate their homes. A portion of the proceeds from this auction will go to Engineers Without Borders, a group of CCNY college students who are doing their part to provide water to three villages in the Omoa mountain region of Honduras. Martin Nolen, the project man ager, and his team have already installed a system there that is providing both clean water and electricity to the village of Nueva Suiza. We look forward to holding our fourth annual art auction in the spring of 2009.
Spirit Haven Center, Celebrity Actors, and the RI Convention
By Lisa Mueller
Hello, fellow Rotarians in District 7250! I am so excited to report to you that the host committee of the Rotary International Convention has asked me to help provide several celebrity actors and celebrity look-a-likes for the House of Friendship at the upcoming RI Convention, in Los Angeles, June 15-18, 2008! In addition, the celebrity actors have agreed to be available for autographs, photo ops, and interviews with the press to talk about their interest and involvement in the Spirit Haven Center Project.
The Spirit Haven Center, as you probably know, is an alternative energy project that has recently become an official club project of some of the Rotary Clubs of District 5280. The project’s main goal is to assist individuals and communities in the natural and logical expansion of the use of wind and solar power, geothermal energy, and other alternative energy sources, as well as expanded recycling programs, conservation efforts, and efficient building practices.
Other clubs in our district and several clubs in districts 7260, 6450, 7190, 5300, 5010, 5030, and 6980 are currently considering their level of involvement with this project! And, I welcome any clubs or individual Rotarians that want more information about this exciting new project, to give me a call at (516)564-1058 or visit our official website www.SpiritHavenCenter.org.
Ambassadorial Scholar: 
The Most Important Time of My Life
By: Roger (Dick) Johns, Baldwin Rotary Club
Some Rotarians may consider sponsoring Ambassadorial Scholarships to be “too expensive”. If true, I’d consider this to be short-sighted, especially in a world that so badly needs “international understanding”. We live in an area where there are more outstanding colleges and universities than perhaps anywhere in the world, with thousands of superb students, many of who would represent us well abroad and then return to spread the message of Rotary in our society. Consider my own story…
One of the deans in my college in Louisiana was a Rotarian and invited me to apply for the Rotary fellowship. I wrote to Dr. Carl Michalson from Drew University School of Theology in New Jersey about beginning my theological education in Europe. He responded immediately and enthusiastically and recommended a year with Dr. Gerhard Ebeling at the University of Zürich. I had taken three years of German in college, plus three months of study in Germany, so I was well prepared and up for the challenge!
In the fall of 1964, in Zürich, I met Herr Sprüngli. He was my sponsor for the Rotary Foundation Fellowship for International Understanding (now called the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program). He was also the owner and chairman of the Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli (makers of the famous and delicious Lindt chocolates). Soon after I arrived and got settled into the Rotary Studenthaus, Herr Sprüngli invited me to the Lindt Store on Paradeplatz (this street was rumored to control about ¼ of the world’s gold supply, and some of the most famous watch shops!). Can you imagine how wonderful it was to be invited to one of the world’s largest and most appealing confection stores and be allowed to sample any kind of delicacy I desired? This began the most important year of my life.
The year went well and my visits with Rotary clubs were enriching, including attending the Swiss National Exposition in Lausanne (a major event every 25 years). The burning questions the members of the Swiss clubs asked me about concerned the race situation in the American South and the Vietnam War. At first I gave a lot of information, but basically said that I was not guilty: it was “those people” who were doing all the damage. Later I came to realize that I was a part of “those people”. It was one of the most significant lessons of my year abroad.
Following my year in Zürich, I spoke at over 50 Rotary clubs in two districts of Louisiana, New Jersey, and North Carolina. This turned out to be extremely valuable training for me in networking, meeting new people, and public speaking. I was able to share insights and experiences in Switzerland that were deeply meaningful to me. In 1974, I became a Rotarian in Texas and have been a member ever since. It is impossible for me to measure the impact on my life that my year as a Rotary Fellow has had.
I will not bore you with the facts and figures concerning the number of Rotary Fellows and Ambassadors, their accomplishments, and where they are now. What I can give, is personal testimony to the fact that this is a pre-eminent and unique program. What is its value? To me, incalculable! I received $2,000 for my year abroad and now it costs $26,000! Calculate that over more than 40 years and I see it as an incredibly worthwhile investment in my life. I continue to teach, preach to, and affect literally thousands of people and every day I make use of resources that I would not have access to, had I not been chosen by Rotary.
I have given back as best I could in my 40+ years in Rotary. One year, while still in Texas, I donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. I was unaware that my club had selected me to receive a Paul Harris Award, so after I received my medal, I gave the one that I had sponsored myself, to my wife!
As with many challenges that Rotary takes on, if there is a real commitment, then we can make it happen. An annual award might be difficult, but perhaps one every other year, or even, every third year. How many others can we help guide in the most important years of their lives? I think it is worth considering. I have never known Rotary to back away from such a challenge when it would produce such dividends.
DG Sammy’s Homecoming Celebration
By John Ryan
The Rotary Club of Great Neck hosted the Homecoming Celebration of Governor Sammy Hsiao, on February 7, 2008, and what a homecoming it was! The expression of love and support for Sammy was overwhelming. Well over 150 Rotarians and guests, including Governor Elect Thomas Gelsdorf, Governor Nominee Ravi Bhooplapur, and many Past District Governors and Club Presidents, enjoyed great food, fellowship, and fun at the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s Officer’s Club.
Sammy was presented with the official Governor’s chair, which was beautifully hand carved. Sammy was also presented with proclamations from Jon Kaiman, Supervisor of The Town of North Hempstead and Judi Bosworth, Nassau County Legislator, both members of our club, and prospective member Mayor Jean Celender of Great Neck Plaza.
Coincidentally, our event took place on the Chinese New Year and special thanks must be acknowledged for Tai Wong (West Hempstead Rotary Club) who organized the traditional Chinese Lion Dance with the help of kids from the Herricks school district. It was a true highlight of the evening!
During Sammy’s term as Governor he has touched the hearts of many of us, as he shared of himself and shared Rotary throughout the district. Being a District Governor is most definitely a full time job, if done correctly. Sammy has truly raised the bar for future Governors. He began his term by bringing everyone together, has proceeded to keep the energy flowing, and will conclude his term by leaving behind a wonderfully united district.
That alone is success, but it is not over. We are looking forward to a terrific turn out for the district conference which as you know, will be held within the borders of our district, this year. For information about the conference feel free to call me, John Ryan, at (516) 535-3420.
And finally, I’m sure I speak for my entire club, when I say, “Welcome Home, Sammy!”
Gift of Life India
By Ravishnakar Bhooplapur, Chairman of Gift of Life India
In India, approximately 8 children out of 10,000 suffer from congenital heart diseases. In 2002, District 7250 decided to reach out to those children, by creating the “Gift of Life India” project.
This project has, thus far, been responsible for providing over 1,000 children with free medical care including cardiac surgery, and 20 matching grants were completed. Approximately $1 million dollar has been raised for the cause and the Rotary Foundation has provided the matching grants.
Two dozen hospitals and 10 districts are actively involved, so far. And, there are absolutely no administrative costs, since Rotarians are contributing their time and efforts for the cause.
It is very satisfying for me, to see the smiling faces of the children, after successful surgery. I believe that what one can give to make a difference in someone else’s life can indeed help give meaning to one’s own life.
One of the major objectives of Rotary is promotion of peace and international understanding through its educational and humanitarian programs. Rotary Clubs initiate thousands of humanitarian projects each year. They address many of the world’s problems that create instability and trigger conflicts, such as: hunger, poverty, poor health, ignorance, and illiteracy.
This project is a perfect example of how Rotary can promote peace and understanding between nations through international community service. I am, personally, very proud of our District, for having taken the lead in making this project so very successful!
Rotary Friendship Exchange
DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2008
Visit to District3520 in Taiwan April 10-20, 2008
Preparations are bein g made now for the upcoming Friendship Exchange with District 3520 in Taiwan, departing JFK on April 10, 2008. This Friendship Exchange will be led by DG Sammy who knows Taiwan very well. This is open to all Rotarians and their partners. You must be able and willing to host Rotarians from District 3520 in your home May 10-20, 2008. For information contact PDG Rudy Auslander.
Joint Meeting with Tom Suozzi: Huge Success
By Rony Kessler
On January 14, 2008, the Mineola- Garden City Rotary Club officially hosted members from eight Rotary Clubs for the first joint meeting of the year! We met for lunch, at the Garden City Hotel with Tom Suozzi, our Nassau County Executive, as the keynote speaker.
There were seventy Rotarians in attendance from the following clubs: Franklin Square-Elmont, Floral Park-Bellerose, Hempstead-Uniondale, Malverne, Mineola-Garden City, Westbury-Carle Place, West Hempstead, and Williston Park.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal, warm fellowship and an excellent presentation about the current state of Nassau County. DG Sammy Hsiao recognized me with the District Service Award, AG Rony Kessler, for my efforts in organizing this meeting. A sincere “thank you” to all who participated!
Rotary District Project: Organ Donation
By Daniel Flori
In the spirit of Rotary’s dedication to helping others, District 7250 is committed to the Organ Donation Program. At last year’s district conference, the Organ Donation Program was approved as a new district project. There are over 95,000 people on the organ transplant lists and with continued awareness of this great program; Rotarians can once again help save lives! Contact the Organ Donation Program chair: Daniel Flori at (917) 678-3117, or e-mail liveon4267@aol.com to arrange for an Organ Donor Program guest speaker for your club meeting, today!
Personal Message
from your humble editor and webmistress…
Having been a Rotarian for only about two years now, I almost cannot fathom that I ever was not. I want to tell you all how important being a member of Rotary is for me, and thank each one of you that has welcomed me into the family of Rotary, but for that I’d need several more pages!
I come from an extremely small family, only eight living members, (soon to be nine, since my sister, Christa, has announced she and her husband Henry are about to be parents). I never knew what it was like to have lots of relatives. But, as I travel the world
and visit other Rotary Clubs, (in six states and Canada, so far) I’ve experienced the Family of Rotary. The instant fellowship and the welcoming feeling are like nothing else in my life.
I want to offer a very special and sincere “THANK YOU” to DG Sammy, for allowing me the honor of joining him on several of his official club visits. As much as Sammy declares that I help him and the district with my service to Rotary, he has given me a unique and special opportunity to meet so many new friends, in a very short period of time, and for this I am grateful!
I look forward to my continued service to Rotary District 7250 and I wish you all a joyous holiday!
Happy Chris-Quanz-Aka everyone!
Lisa Mueller
District 7250 Webmistress
JFK Rotary Club’s 35th Annual Christmas Party
By PDG Rudy Ausland er
On December 14, 2007 we were pleased to have DG Sammy Hsiao join us for the JFK Rotary Club’s 35th Annual Christmas Party for learning disable and deaf children at Terminal 4 at JFK International Airport.
Oceanside’s Third Annual Tip-Off Classic
By Mark Harris
On Friday, November 30, 2007, the Oceanside-Island Park Rotary Club team up with their High School Interact club to host their 3rd Annual Tip-off Classic between Oceanside and Lawrence High Schools.
District 7250 Paul Harris Society
By PDG Eileen Gentilcore
The District 7250 the Paul Harris Society was formally chartered at the Rotary Foundation Dinner on November 13, 2007. If you want to become a member of the PHS please contact DG Sammy Hsiao or call Eileen Gentilcore at (516) 921-5933.
New IRS Reporting Requirements for 2008
Beginning in 2008, Rotary Clubs and districts with gross receipts of $25,000 or less will be required to file Form 990_N, an electronic e-Postcard report. This report is required annually starting November 15, 2008.
Failure to meet the annual filing requirement for three consecutive years will result in revocation of the tax-exempt status of the club or district in question.
We would like to stress that this form is not required for submission until 2008. Clubs are being alerted so that adequate receipts may be kept through the course of the year.
To learn more about this requirement, and obtain the necessary e-Posted report, go to www.irs.gov/eo or call (877)829-5500. Additional information regarding Rotary and US tax status is available at www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/info_paper_clubs_irs.pdf
November 24, 2007: 
by DG Sammy
ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE
Rotary Friendship Exchange is Rotary 's Exchange program for Rotarians and their families. Friendship Exchanges allow Rotarians the opportunity to experience another culture firsthand in the homes of Rotarians in other countries. Participating in a Friendship Exchange offers Rotarians an opportunity to make a personal contribution to advancing world understanding while expanding their own horizons.
Friendship Exchange is not simply a way to obtain friendly lodging during a business or vocation trip. The exchange of Rotary families and couples who are motivated by a sincere desire to learn about others and to share international fellowship can be an effective tool in promoting better human relation around the world.
The schedule is being developed for an exchange with district 3520 in Taiwan during April 2008. The exchanges with India, Israel are under organizing. If you are interesting in participating in the Rotary Friendship Exchange program, please contact our District RFE Chair, Rudy Auslander.
 November 3, 2007:
by: Lisa Mueller
Today, Rotarians from around the world were privileged to experience an informative and exciting Rotary session in the general assembly hall of the United Nations in New York City! It was truly a unique day, that few are ever afforded. I highly recommend that you check it out next year!
 August 9, 2007:
by: Stuart Schneiderman
The Soutwest Queens Rotary Club provided DNA kits for fingerprinting of the community's children at the 106th Precinct's Night Against Crime. The NYPD officers skillfully fingerprinted the children and educated everyone about the importance of this program. Parents keep their own child's kit. In the event of an emergency, the police will have their fingerprints, DNA sample, and photo to aid in properly identifying the child.
July 13, 2007:
The Long Island City YMCA will recognize the Queensborough Rotary Club for its long and esteemed record of support at the YMCA’s Eight Annual Frank Tempone Service to Youth Dinner Dance event on Wednesday October 17, 2007, at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, Queens. The club is being honored for it’s financial support of the Long Island City YMCA programs (including summer camps, after school child care, swimming classes, and a variety of teen and family programs) for many years, during which time, the Queensborough club has donated over $90,000. This Rotary Club played a large role in opening the new YMCA facility in 1999 by raising funds to build it, thereby providing over 23,000 people the benefit of YMCA programs and services, each year. For more information, contact Michael Keller of the Queensborough Rotary Club.
Get empowered to keep clubs vital at 2007-08 membership conferences --- source: Rotary International News - July 2, 2007
To promote membership growth, RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson invites you to join him in one of seven presidential conferences about sharing the magic of Rotary. The conferences will be held in Canada and the United States in July and August, and each one opens with an evening reception followed by a one-day meeting.
Conference locations and dates are: Philadelphia, 13-14 July; Nashville, Tennessee, 20-21 July; South Bend, Indiana, 27-28 July; Denver, Colorado, 3-4 August; Vancouver, British Columbia, 10-11 August; San Jose, California, 17-18 August; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 24-25 August.
The conferences are intended for all Rotarians who are committed to strengthening Rotary membership, but especially club and district membership development committee members, club presidents and officers, and district-level officers including governors.
The meetings are designed to empower Rotary clubs to take up their own membership initiatives that will help Rotary stay vital and growing in the years to come. Participants will learn about and discuss practical ways to identify and recruit new members, retain existing members, and extend Rotary through new clubs. Participants will also discuss how clubs and districts can effectively manage change.
“In order for Rotary to continue to meet the ever-increasing demand for humanitarian service, we must continue our work toward membership retention, growth, and development,” says Wilkinson. “We must build stronger clubs, and keep Rotarians informed, connected, and involved.”
Conference participants will attend at no cost to Rotary International, meaning participants will cover their own registration fees, as well as travel, lodging, and meal costs. Further details, including conference venues and program information, will be posted on RI’s Web site and announced in other Rotary International and local media when available. Registration and arrangements are being handled at the local level.
 July 1, 2007 - District Governor’s Message
Dear Fellow Rotarians, Family, and Friends,
Though a thousand candles are lit from a single flame, the life of that flame will not be shortened. Truly, happiness is never diminished by being shared. The word “shared” holds particular meaning for me as the incoming 7250 District Governor, as this year’s Rotary International theme is “ROTARY SHARES”. As your governor, I have made it my personal charge to foster this sharing spirit amongst our district clubs and beyond.
In the coming months, one of my main focuses will be on intra-district events for the members of District 7250. These occasions will be opportunities for Rotarians to meet and share Rotary with each other and their families. Additionally, we plan on holding the District Conference physically within the district this year and inviting all Rotarians to attend in an effort to encourage more involvement and unity. I am also interested in extending the helping hand of District 7250 internationally through programs such as the Group Study Exchange, the Youth Exchange and Fellowship Exchange Programs.
In the past, Rotary has taken a low profile approach by not actively publicizing our good works. Amazingly, many of our fellow business colleagues and neighbors are not familiar with our work with polio immunizations, Gift of Life operations for needy children, Rotacare free medical services, extensive scholarship programs and our other local/national/international humanitarian efforts. Few realize that our Rotary Foundation is the largest scholarship granting organization in the world. Regardless, the reward for us lies not in recognition but in the service itself. As Rotarians, it is our like-minded dedication to others that acts as the bedrock of our inner joy. We succeed in bringing this joy to our families, friends and communities (both local and international) by sharing Rotary with those around us.
I am excited to begin serving in this new capacity as District Governor and equally excited to have the opportunity to work with truly wonderful people. My incoming Club Officers, Assistant District Governors, District Officers, Committee Chairpersons and past District Governors are all generous, talented individuals dedicated to the ways of Rotary. They and all the members within District 7250 exemplify the highest ideal of Rotary: service above self for those in need.
Yours in Rotary,
Sammy Hsiao
District Governor -2007-2008
April 9, 2007
The Rotary Thrift Shop
The Rotary Club of Gold Coast-Lake Success is proud to announce the grand opening of The Rotary Thrift Shop. Location: 741 Middle Neck Rd, Great Neck, NY 11024. Phone:(516)424-4449. Open daily from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
The Rotary Foundation: Fund Development
- Taking action for the future of humankind
Major donors act on vision to help others
In 1980, at age 18, Ravishankar Bhooplapur became the youngest member of the Rotary Club of Dharwad, Karnataka, India. Seven years later, he made another commitment - to help people in need by contributing a percentage of each paycheck to The Rotary Foundation.
Since then, Bhooplapur has made good on that commitment time and again. Continuing on to become an assistant governor of District 7250 (New York, USA) and a member of the Rotary Club of Great Neck, he founded Gift of Life, India, which treats children with congenital heart defects. He has participated in two National Immunization Days in India and helped obtain matching grants to fund health initiatives there. He also sponsors 120 Indian children, providing them with food water and an education. In addition he has established dialysis and physiotherapy centers, eye care centers, and blood banks for immigrants in New York. In 2003, Bhooplapur received the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.
He and his wife, Jayasheela, have contributed more than $250,000 to the Foundation and committed $1 million to the Permanent Fund as Bequest Society members. They are charter members of the Arch C KlumphSociety, which is named after the founder of the Foundation and honors major donors who contribute $250,000 or more.
“The Rotary Foundation was the medium that allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of helping people in need,” said Bhooplapur. “I can only wish that many more peoplein the world can be touched by the notion that saving lives is not only a noble thing but a very much needed value in the world today.”
 March 10, 2007
by: Lisa Mueller
The joint PETS Conference with our neighbors from District 7260 was a smash success! Fun, food, and fellowship. What more can you ask for? The keynote speaker, Michael Colasurdo from District 7500 was just terrific. He told some inspirational stories and gave us some sound advice. He suggested that some folks might need to try a bit harder not to be a RINO. That means: Rotarian In Name Only.
PDG Kathy Gibson commented, “Michael was wonderful! He is really fun and entertaining. I never laughed so hard! ”
January 23, 2007: YEP Commit tee Meeting
by: Lisa Mueller
Suzanne Saramack, Yamil Sarabia, Bill Fanning, Sammy Hsiao, Donna Rivera-Downey, Bali Sing, Chuck Pacifico, Thomas Gelsdorf, Cornell Frank, and Lisa Mueller attend the first Youth Exchange Program committee meeting of 2007 at the Girl Scouts Headquarters in Garden City. This is a huge undertaking, but the committee is enthusiastic and urges all the members to support this program at the club level. More details to follow...
Recognizing The Rotary Foundation
January 2007
Dear Rotary family,
What do the National Council for International Health, the International Public Relations Association, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Food Programme all have in common? Each of these organizations has recognized Rotary International and its Foundation for their work in polio eradication.
Since launching the PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary has garnered attention worldwide for its groundbreaking effort to rid the world of polio. Rotary has been officially recognized by organizations and governments on nearly 60 different occasions. This is something about which each of us can be extremely proud.
For example, in 1996, the National Council for International Health presented one of its four annual Leadership in Global Health awards to Rotary in recognition of PolioPlus. The NCIH president hailed Rotary’s “outstanding leadership and progress toward the eradication of polio” as a model for private-sector support of international health.
In 2000, the International Public Relations Association presented Rotary with its President’s Award, which recognizes individuals or institutions that have used mass communication to promote the principles of peace, social justice, or cultural understanding.
In 2002, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation named The Rotary Foundation as recipient of the Gates Award for Global Health. The award, which includes a US$1 million prize, recognized Rotary’s leadership and impact in the field of public health, most notably for our top priority of eradicating polio.
In 2004, the American Academy of Pediatrics recognized Rotary’s polio eradication efforts with its Excellence in Public Service Award. And in 2006, the World Food Programme presented Rotary with its Award for Exemplary Humanitarian Leadership for helping to give more than two billion children a life free from polio.
Countries all over the world also have thanked us for our efforts on behalf of their children.
In 1987, Peru honored Rotary with the Daniel Alcides Carrion Award, the country’s highest honor in the field of health and medicine, for its support of Peru’s Expanded Program on Immunization.
In 1994, the Philippines recognized The Rotary Foundation for its participation in the National Immunization Days of 1993, which reached 9.6 million children under the age of five. In 1996, Angola honored Rotary for supporting its first NIDs, held despite the civil strife that racked the country — an amazing achievement.
Rotary’s spearheading partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative — the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — also have recognized us on many occasions throughout the years.
Rotary truly has been a pioneer in the field of global public health, particularly polio eradication. The success of the public-private partnership forged with WHO, UNICEF, and the CDC has served as a model for more recent global health initiatives, such as the measles campaign.
Those working on initiatives to alleviate poverty and improve health, such as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, look to Rotary as a model for engaging civic organizations. At the annual Rotary-UN Day in November, I was often reminded of the extraordinary role our organization has played in providing the vision for a better and more peaceful world for everyone.
Each of you has made this achievement possible, my Rotarian friends. Thanks to your efforts, Rotary enjoys unprecedented worldwide prestige. Now it’s time for our outstanding accomplishments and projects to be recognized. Rotary and the Foundation have earned it!
Sincerely,
Luis Vicente Giay
Trustee Chair, The Rotary Foundation, 2006-07
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©2006-2008 Rotary District 7250 and Celebrity Entertainment Corp.
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