Rotary International District 6880

Rotary Review
Guest Letter by PDG Jim Golson
MARCH 2018 With some information supplied by PDG Bob Kelley

OUR DISTRICT NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Rotary International President Ian Riseley has challenged all Rotary Districts to
increase giving to Polio Plus. He wants to recognize the top 20 giving districts in the world in Toronto
at the upcoming International Convention. With the help of EACH OF YOU we can be one of those
top districts.

Our district has always answered the call to support Polio. Now we have an opportunity to show our
generosity to the world. We have a head start. The Rotary Club of Montgomery has made a gener-
ous contribution of $50,000. However, we need much more than that to be one of the top 20 dis-
tricts in the world.

We need EACH CLUB to make an additional contribution. Some clubs have held “Soup and Sand-
wich” lunches and given the difference between what they would normally pay for lunch and the cost
of this lesser lunch to Polio Plus. Other clubs have taken part of their annual budget and given it to
Polio Plus. We need EACH CLUB to do something like this. Be Creative. Let’s not have any of our
clubs show up on the list of clubs that do not support Polio Plus.

We also need each CLUB MEMBER to give at least $50 to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. I
don’t think that is too much to ask of our members. Even if you have already given to Polio Plus,
please consider giving some more. Every little bit will add to the total for our District.

The time is short to meet this challenge. The deadline for contributions for this recognition is April
20.
.
Although the contest is for kudos, the purpose is deadly serious. This is a part of having Fun and
raising money for the children of the world.

We need help from each club and each Rotary member NOW to show our support for closing the
final gap in eliminating polio. Being This Close is not enough.

Someone gave their money years ago so that your children do not have to worry about contracting
polio. Please give your money NOW so that mothers in another part of the world will be equally free
of their children contracting this terrible disease.

Thank you in advance for your support in meeting this challenge.

2017-2018 District 6880
District Governor Immediate Past District Governor District Treasurer
Bill Trant Barry Cavan (Joan) Bob Mills (Dianne)
P.O. Box 2604 4691 Chrystan Road P.O. Box 165
Opelika, AL 36803-2604 Montgomery, AL 36652 Troy, AL 36081
334-705-0041 (H) 334-272-6662 (H) bmills@troycable.net
334-749-8700 (W) 334-590-7677 (C) 334-372-2318
334-728-9700 (C) dgbarry6880@gmail.com
billopelika@yahoo.com
Vice Governor District Secretary
District Governor Elect Jim Golson (Nancy) Michael Hill
Samuel Adams 457 Kimberly Drive 1912 Northgate Drive
(Sam & Mary Virginia) Auburn, AL 36832 Opelika, AL 36801
3225 Boxwood Drive 334 -502-5064(H) 334-745-4415 (H)
Montgomery, AL 36111 334-329-9533 (C) 334-844-1604 (O)
334-263-9430 (H) jim.rotary.6880@gmail.com 334-744-5795 (C)
334-356-6700 (W) hillmic@auburn.edu
334-301-0597 (C)
alico500@aol.com District Communications Officer
District Rotary Foundation Eric Lewis (Wendi)
District Governor Nominee Robert J. Kelley (Donna) 507 Forest Edge Place
James Edward Dotherow III 2002-2003 Selma Montgomery, AL 36117
(Skip & Terry) 4330 Highway 22W 334-409-9147 (H)
3618 Bankhead Avenue Selma, AL 36701-0810 334-279-9100 (W)
Montgomery, AL 36111 334-872-0115 (H) 334-221-0066 (C)
334-284-2513 (H) 334-872-1390 (W) eric@rotarywebservices.com
334-313-1543 (O) 334-327-0712 (C)
334-313-1543 (C) 4rjkelley@bellsouth.net
dgskip6880@yahoo.com

Important Links:
WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Rotary International ●www.rotary6880.org
One Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Ave ●www.rotary.org
Evanston, IL 60201-3698
Tel: +1 866-976-8279 (toll-free) ●www.DaCdb.com
Fax: +1 847-328-4101
●www.Rizones30-31.org
contact.center@rotary.org
Hours: 8:30am - 5pm Central ●www.facebook.com/D6880/
Languages:
English, French, Spanish
Making A Difference... In Our World
Rotary Districts 6820 – 6840 – 6860 – and 6880
Multi-District Conference
Join us at the Beau Rivage Casino and Resort
Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Mississippi
June 7-10, 2018

For reservations call: 228-386-7111

and use Rotary Code: ROT2018
 ALABAMA ROTARIANS JOIN THE FIGHT
AGAINST POLIO IN MEXICO
Rotary International’s theme for this
year is “Making a Difference.” For the last
40 years, Rotary has done just that by help-
ing eradicate polio around the world. Forty
years ago polio ravaged every corner or the
Earth. Even after the discovery of the vac-
cine to stop polio virus in 1955, millions
around the world were still exposed to the
crippling disease that primarily attacks chil-
dren, leaving some paralyzed or causing
death. Forty years ago, 300,000 cases a
year were reported in 100 different coun-
tries. Because of the infectious nature of
the disease, anyone exposed to the disease
knowingly or unknowingly, could travel half Nurse and mother help with administration of
way around the world and carry it with them polio vaccine to her little girl as Sam Adams
and potentially create new outbreaks every- administers two drops.
where.
The only sure way to prevent the disease from spreading was to eradicate it from the
face of the earth. Forty years ago, one million Rotarians took up the challenge. Through
their time, talents, and resources, Rotarians immunized children from age six months to six
years of age around the globe. One country after another became polio free by their vigilant
efforts.
As of today, only three countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, still have active
cases. But, in developing countries, where sanitation issues persist (since the disease is
spread by contaminated fecal matter entering the water supply) the threat is still all too real.
Our neighbors to the south in Mexico are a potential source. Last month 50 plus Ro-
tarians from Alabama, Louisana, Arizona, Nevada, California and Canada made the trek
from Phoenix, AZ to Caborca, Mexico to support the cause.
Over 500 children from age 6 months to 6 ears were immunized in a small impover-
ished town on the seacoast. Desemboque had little electricity and no fresh water until Rota-
ry recently built wells and a water tower to provide clean water for this community of 1,000
or so residents. The local Rotary Club in Caborca provided transportation, great food and
fellowship and a security detail to insure safe passage. One member of their Club, Martin
Mendez, who oversees a pediatric clinic in Caborca, and had the inspiration to join forces
with the U.S> Clubs to aid these rural hamlets.
To show the importance of this cause, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged
$250 million to make sure we continue to strive to complete this monumental task.
Rotary celebrated its birthday February 23 during the time of that visit. What a won-
derful present to the people of Mexico by being a gift to the world.
 Rotarians celebrated 113 years as a
international service organization of
goodwill.

The Corboca Rotary Club’s hospitality toward

Dr. Martin Mendez and Mike Brun-

hober celebrate a mission. Dr. Men-
dez oversees a pediatric hospital
while Mike organized the trip.

Rotarians, in groups of four, joined with local nurses

and assistants to immunize children between the ag-
es of 6 months and 6 years to prevent the polio virus

Brian Hall of Louisiana gets ready

to give a little girl the droplets of
life.
 A Rotarian poses next
to a 30 foot tall cactus.

One of the shelters

found at the Des-
emboque ejido,
which is a piece of
land owned by the
government, used
for agricultural pur-
pose in a communal
setting.

Fifty four rotarians from across

America joined with Canadians to
help our neighbors to the south by
immunizing children against the
polio virus.

South Alabama’s Dis-

trict 6880 gives $500 to
Mike Brunhober, direc-
tor of the program, to Last year’s Rotary global
support the pediatric grant lead to a mobile health
health clinic in Caborca. clinic for rural parts of Mexi-
The evening’s activities co including Desemboque.
raised over $10,000 for The ambulance-like vehicle
neonatal equipment. can provide necessary medical
and dental procedures at no
cost to the patients.
 Rotary gives $53.5 Million To Help Eradicate Polio
Submitted by PDG Jim Golson

With 22 confirmed cases in 2017 to date, and just one case in 2018, the world is on the brink of eradicating
polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children each year. Rotary
gives $53.5 million to help eradicate polio and challenges the world to continue the fight to end the disease.
Rotary is giving $53.5 million in grants to support immunization and surveillance activities led by the Glob-
al Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
More than half of the funds
will support efforts to end
polio in two of the three
countries where polio re-
mains endemic:
•Afghanistan: $12.03
million
•Pakistan: $19.31
million.
Further funding will sup-
port efforts to keep 10
vulnerable countries polio
-free:
•Cameroon: $1.61
Million.
•Central African Repub
lic: $428,000 million
•Chad: $2.33 million
•The Democratic Repub-
lic of Congo: $6.48 mil
ion
•Ethiopia: $1.82 million
•Iraq: $2 million
•Niger: $1.71 million
•Somalia: $3.29 million
•South Sudan: $835,300
million
•Syria: $428,000 million
An additional $731,338 will
fund research to be conducted
by the World Health Organi-
zation (WHO), and another
$518,000 will go toward tech-
nical assistance in West and
Central Africa.
Photo by Khaula Jamil
While significant strides have been made
against the disease, polio remains a threat
in hard-to-reach and underserved areas
and conflict zones. Despite a historically
low case count, as long as a single child
has polio, all children are at risk, which
underscores the need for continued fund-
ing and political commitment to eradica-
tion.
Rotary has committed to raising $150
million over the next three years, which
will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation, yield-
ing $450 million for polio eradication
activities, including immunization and
surveillance
Rotary started its polio erad-
ication program PolioPlus in
1985, and in 1988 became a
partner in the GPEI, along
with WHO, UNICEF, and
the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. The
Bill & Melinda Gates Foun-
dation later became a partner.
Since the initiative launched,
the incidence of polio has
plummeted by more than
99.9 percent, from about
350,000 cases in 1988 to just
22 confirmed cases in 2017
(as of 25 January). Rotary
has contributed a total of
more than $1.7 billion — in-
cluding matching funds from
the Gates Foundation — and
countless volunteer hours to
protect more than 2.5 billion
children in 122 countries
from polio.
Rotary brings together a
global network of volunteer
leaders dedicated to tackling
the world’s most pressing
humanitarian challenges. Ro-
tary connects 1.2 million
members of more than
35,000 Rotary clubs in over
200 countries and geograph-
ical areas. Their work im-
proves lives at both the local
and international levels, from
helping families in need in
their own communities to
working toward a polio-free
world. Visit Rotary.org
and endpolio.org for more
about Rotary and its efforts
to eradicate polio.
Spouse’s Night at the Country Club March 6. Rotarians Johnny Wallace and Woody Collins are pro-
fessional party planners for the club. Every year they come up with a new and exciting program that
everyone looks forward to. The larger effect is that our club members get to connect not just on a
D
professional and civic level but with each member’s family thus developing stronger bonds of friend-
ship, service and fun. No dinner party is complete though without Jay Reynolds dedicating his time
and portable cooker. This year it was prime rib cooked to perfection. Yum, yum. Thanks to our
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president, Jason Windham, for donating the beef and to all those who made yummy desserts. Near-
ly every Rotarian and significant other was present this year. Fun was had by all!! M
O
P
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George Durbin is Demopolis’s Rotarian of the Year in a landslide!! George, forever to be known as
Santa Claus, is pictured on the right receiving his award from Club President Jason Windham who
presented the award at Spouse’s Night on March 6, 2018. George moved to Demopolis with his love-
ly wife Karen in 2016. He has been an active member since joining November 2, 2016. George re-
ceived the honor because he has taken service above self to heart. This year he volunteered to at-
tend the District Mid-Year Conference in Dothan, to be our treasurer elect when that position became
available but most importantly he said he would serve as Santa Claus at the club’s family Christmas
Party. After receiving a standing ovation from a packed house, George dedicated the award to his
father who told him “you have not lived until you have volunteered.” We are extremely pleased he
volunteers for Rotary. Congratulations George!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SEUSS!! The Demopolis Rotary Club read to

young people at Westside Elementary School and U.S. Jones Ele-
mentary School on March 2 as part of National Read Across Ameri-
ca. The event is held each year on a school day closest to March
2. March 2 was selected because it is the birth date for the author
of the Dr. Seuss children books. In 1997, the National Education
Association moved to create a day to celebrate reading. In 1998, it
became an official day at schools across the country to encourage
youth to read. Demopolis Rotarians have participated in this event
for many years. This year fourteen club members participat-
ed!! Those members pictured at West Side included: Brandon Tay-
lor, Rick Dunn, Katie Windham, Ashley Coplin, Patricia Moore, Joe
Parr, Jason Windham, Jay Reynolds, Rob Pearson, Robert Blanken-
ship, Karen Durbin (wife of member George) and Hunter Comp-
ton. Kelly Helms and Paul Miller read at U.S. Jones.
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!! The Demopolis Rotary Club read to young people at Westside El-
ementary School and U.S. Jones Elementary School on March 2 as part of National Read Across
America. The event is held each year on a school day closest to March 2. March 2 was selected
D
because it is the birth date for the author of the Dr. Seuss children books. In 1997, the National
Education Association moved to create a day to celebrate reading. In 1998, it became an official
day at schools across the country to encourage youth to read. Demopolis Rotarians have partici-
E
pated in this event for many years. This year fourteen club members participated!! Those mem-
bers pictured at West Side included: Brandon Taylor, Rick Dunn, Katie Windham, Ashley Coplin, M
Patricia Moore, Joe Parr, Jason Windham, Jay Reynolds, Rob Pearson, Robert Blankenship, Karen
Durbin (wife of member George) and Hunter Compton. Kelly Helms and Paul Miller read at U.S.
Jones.
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P
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Club President Jason Windham (left) thanks Clint Sumlin for

speaking to the club on February 28. Sumlin is part of the 17th
Judicial Circuit's Drug Task Force for Marengo, Sumter and
Greene Counties. Lisa Anderson also works for the task force
and is shown seated in the photo. Sumlin updated the club on the
Task Force's efforts at stopping illegal drugs. Sumlin said that
the Task Force has seized large quantities of drugs making their
way from Mexico to large urban areas in the Northeastern US as
well as seizing hundreds of thousands of drug money making
their way back down through our area going back to Mexi-
co. The big issue affecting the Task Force is rumored legislation
making it more difficult to seize drug money and the state legisla-
ture wanting the money to be placed in the State's general
fund. The State provides no funding for the Task Force. The
Task Force is overseen by Federal Government regulators and a
local board among others. The Task Force provides a vital role in
the fight against illegal drugs in our three county area.
 Craig Schumacher, Director of the
Sleep Lab at Bryan Whitfield
Memorial Hospital, spoke to the
club on March 14. According to D
Craig, most adults need 6 to 9
hours of sleep each day. Sleep E
disorders can substantially in-
crease ones risk for heart attack
and stroke.
M
O
The Demopolis club is saddened to say farewell to
P
two young active members. Morgan Hurst (left)
and Chris Brontrager (right) are pictured with club
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President Jason Windham on their last day with the
club. Both are relocating to Birmingham. They L
will be greatly missed. We enjoyed their fellow-
ship and talents as they helped to make our club I
better. We are all better for having known them
and wish them all the best.. (left) S

Demopolis Rotary gets HYPNOTIZED. Denise Oatley Hall, Comedy Hypnotist, was the entertainment for
the Demopolis club at Spouse’s Night on March 6. Rotarians Woody Collins (left side in group photo) and
Johnny Wallace (second from left) not only booked this fun act from Tampa, Florida but also were great
sports and participated. It appears that Wallace went into a deeper sleep. After being hypnotized by “The
Laughter Specialist”, Rotarians and guests on stage stuffed toilet paper in their clothes, played musical in-
struments and otherwise acted silly to the amusement and laughter of a packed house at the Country Club. A
great time was had by all in attendance. Thanks to Collins and Wallace for setting up a great new event for
fellowship and fun!! We can’t wait to see how y’all top this event next year. This is just one of the benefits
of being a Rotarian. If you want to get hypnotized and be a part of a great club providing professional net-
working opportunities that is dedicated to community service in a fun setting, ask a Rotarian about joining
today.
 P
Point Clear Rotarian Diane
Anderson has selected three

O
groupings of premium wines
each valued at $700 to be
raffled at the Point Clear
Rotary Club’s Taste Of Ro-
tary event April 17, at
I
theFairhope Civic Cen-
ter. You do not have to be N
present to win. Raffle tickets
are $20 each and may be T
obtained from any Point
Clear Rotary member or C
L
contact Noah Funderburg
at pronoah@me.com, 251
517-7601 or 205 292-0901.
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The Point Clear Rotary Club honored the Fairhope A
High School March students of the month at a re-
cent meeting held at the Sweetwater Café off Old R
Battles Road. Seated, from left, is faculty pat-on-
the-back recipient Kate Nettles who is a curriculum
leader at the school. Center is Elaine Thomas, fac-
ulty event coordinator; and cross country and la-
crosse senior Savannah Ryan. Standing are Point
Clear Rotarian Phil Webb, football wide receiver
Jeremiah Delrish and PCRC member David Cam- M
eron
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Montgomery Sunrise recently heard G
from Rear Admiral (Retired) Kent
Davis who is the Director, Commu- O
nication and Outreach of The Air M
University at Maxwell AFB. He dis-
cussed the history of the base, the E
impact of our military in Alabama, R
and the upcoming 100th birthday of
Maxwell Y

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 T
The March 6th Troy Rotary meet-
ing was hosted by Alex Whaley &
Bob Whaley. They invited Brent

R
Jones Deputy Director of Athletics
for External Operations at Troy
University. Brent was asked to talk
about the new North end zone foot-

O
ball stadium construction. The sta-
dium project Engineer Charles In-
gram and Architect Walter McKee
were also in attendance. Brent has
oversight of the areas of marketing,
media relations, Troy Sports Prop-
erties, licensing and branding. He
Y
joined the Troy staff from Southern
Miss where he served as the Senior
Associate AD for External Affairs.
During his tenure at Southern Miss,
the Golden Eagles set numerous
attendance records including having the highest attended football and women's basketball game
in each program's history. Additionally, under Jones' guidance Southern Miss led Conference
USA in football attendance with a 25 percent increase from the previous season. Brent stated that
he is most impressed with the beauty, facilities, and cleanliness of the Troy University campus.
He believes that Troy is the best university for athletics in the conference. The moto of “One
Troy” expresses support for all areas of athletics. All teams are setting records including Track
and Field with their newly installed track. With sixteen sports utilizing the same training equip-
ment the new North stadium weight room for football will help reduce the over use. Football set a
new attendance record last year. The new North end zone will include 65,000 Sq. Ft., an athletic
food and nutrition center, coaches’ offices, and a museum of Troy football history and highlights.
The 25 million project will add 400 special reserved seats, high end concession area, and desig-
nated parking. The new North end zone video scoreboard will be the largest in the Sunbelt Con-
ference. Brent made the point that this building would be used 365 days of the year, and it will be
a major advantage for recruiting the best athletes. North end zone tickets can be reserved now but
are expected to fill up soon. Pictured are Alex Whaley, Walter McKee, Brent Jones, Bob Whaley,
and Charles Ingram.

Troy Rotary meeting was hosted by Ed

Telfair & Russell Thomas. They invited Beth
Mullins Troy University Softball Team Head
Coach. Beth thanked the club members for
their many years of support. The team mem-
bers have lead the conference in grade point
average (GPA) for the past four years. The
team members are a younger group this year
but they are working hard behind the scenes.
They are reading a book “Chop Wood Carry
Water” by Joshua Medcaft for inspiration.
Coach Beth Mullins made the point that there
is no such thing as an overnight success. She
reminded everyone that the girls softball
games are free to attend. Pictured are Ed
Telfair, President “booty” Bruce, Coach Beth
Mullins and Russell Thomas.
At a recent Troy Rotary meeting the Troy
University Rotaract Club president Indiann
T
Poret, an international senior from France,
shared their clubs project to supply clean R
water filters that are needed in undeveloped
countries. Indiann has been a regular guest
at the last several Troy Rotary meetings.
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Pictured are President “Booty” Bruce
and Indiann Poret. Y

For the past three years, the Auburn Rotary Club has offered Foundation Football to its
members. This is an opportunity for members to compete against one another in their A
U
knowledge of football while at the same time contributing to the Rotary Foundation.

Each member picks one college team and one pro team. For each win these teams have, the
member donates $3.00, and for every point these teams score, the member donates ten
cents. Whoever donates the most money at the end of the year is the winner and their name B
U
is etched on our Foundation Football Trophy for eternity!

We had 41 of our over 100 members participate. These members gave a total of $5,875.10
to the foundation. On top of that, the Auburn Rotary Club is providing a 50% match, for a
combined total of $8,812.65. R
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Montgomery Rotary Guest Speaker on Monday, March 12th was Tom Parker, who is an As-
sociate Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. Justice Parker spoke to the club about a his- M
torical purchase he made that turned out to be much more than he expected. The books
made historic travels and belong to some rather famous people including the fourth owner O
were none other than Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States. N
T
On Monday, March 12th, we welcomed G
our newest Rotary member, Susan Craw-
ford. Susan is the IT Coordinator for the O
Alabama Gazette. She enjoys playing the
sax, percussions, and piano. We are excited M
to have you join Susan and look forward to
your fellowship & service in the club! E
(Pictured left to right: DGE Sam Adams,
Susan Crawford, and President Lance R
Brown.) Y

Montgomery Rotary has a new Paul Harris

Fellow. The award was given to President
Lance Brown (right). Past District Governor
Bob Callahan was there to present the award.
This is an outstanding achievement!!!
 Pictured above is guest
speaker for 2/27/2018
R
Lee Lawson with the Bald- O
win County Economic De-
velopment Alliance. Bald-
B
win County is one of the E
fastest growing counties of
it’s size in the United
R
States. Lee explained why T
and what may be coming in
the future. Baldwin Coun-
S
ty is always looking ahead!! D
A
Pictured right is Christine L
Fahy with the Buckaroo Foun- E
dation. This Foundation is a
non-profit organization found-
ed to provide access to physi-
cal therapy and hippotherapy
for special needs children and
adults. The Buckaroo Founda-
tion helps many by paying
therapy bills, purchasing
equipment, building handicap
accessible ramps/bathrooms/
parking and etc.