Shenendehowa Rotarians Achieve International Recognition

On January 17th, two local Rotarians boarded a plane and headed for San Diego on the exclusive invitation of Rotary International. Africa Project Coordinator and member of the Shenendehowa Rotary Club, Karen LaVine, along with Rotary District 7190 Past District Governor, Anne Cargile were part of a very select group of people chosen by Rotary International to present the work they have been doing in Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

Titled “My Wish” for Africa, the project was selected out of thousands world wide to be featured at the 2008 International Assembly Projects Exposition in San Diego, California. The projects exposition features effective service projects that demonstrate the internationality of Rotary. “Exhibiting at the International Assembly is an outstanding opportunity for your project to gain visibility and support” stated Young Ja Lee, spouse of the Rotary International Incoming President (2008-2009), D.K. Lee of Korea. “Your exhibit will be seen by district governors-elect, current and incoming Rotary International Board Members, Trustees of the Rotary Foundation and their spouses.”

Stunned when she received the letter of invitation, Karen LaVine stated “I read the invitation a number of times and then spoke to our local District Governor, Harriet Noble who confirmed the significance of the invitation.” District Governor Noble had submitted the project for consideration as one of thousands of projects performed by Rotary clubs worldwide working to “save and change lives”. View more photos of this event here.

LaVine and then District Governor Cargile had traveled to Zimbabwe in May 2007 to meet with African Rotarians and to meet with many of the poor and disadvantaged people who could benefit from the assistance Rotary can provide. With the support of the Shenendehowa Rotary Club, the Southern Saratoga Interact Club (Rotary high school students) and Rotary District 7190, a variety of projects are currently under way. Sewing machines for young men and women in Zimbabwe to provide sustainable income and vocational training through computer classes for young adults along with tuition assistance for young students in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Kigali, Rwanda are some of the areas of focus right now. “After leaving Zimbabwe in 2005 after my first trip to Africa, I felt it was necessary to locate and train Africans at the “grassroots level” to continue the work that Rotarians had started while we were there.” said Karen LaVine. In support of that commitment, LaVine has taken that a step further and is working to provide support for qualified adults to become Youth Leaders and providing scholarships that allow them to attend a 2 year Young Leader Development and Empowerment Training program. During the 2 year process, these adults will be engaged in a mentoring relationship with a veteran national leader and will be specifically equipped to serve in a significant leadership role upon completion. One individual LaVine has been mentoring for over 2 years is now being considered for acceptance into this program. LaVine refers to this as “the gift that keeps on giving.”

Rotary International, the world’s oldest service organization is comprised of 1.2 million Rotarians and 33,000 clubs located in 168 countries around the world. Its members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world. Founded in 1905 as the world’s first service organization, Rotary quickly expanded around the globe. Clubs are nonreligious, nongovernmental, and open to every race, culture and creed. The Shenendehowa Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 7:15am at Coburg Village. The public is welcome. For more information contact Karen LaVine at 383-5668 or visit www.shenrotary.org.