A note from Governor Ineke It is already the month of December,

And there are so many things to remember. Bell ringing, gift wrapping, parties and food,

And service projects to do the community good. Don’t forget your tax write off to the Foundation before the year ends.

But most of all spend quality time with family and friends. Bob and I were honored to attend so many Christmas and Holiday parties and getting together with friends and the family of Rotary. The Mooresville Lake Norman Rotary had their annual Christmas party at the home of Barry and Chris Ervin. It was a great homecoming for PDG Bob.

District Governor Nominee Designate The district is pleased to announce that the Nominating Committee, chaired by PDG Ken Dresser, has selected David Hare to be our District Governor for 2018-2019. David has been a member of the Charlotte-Top of the Week club since 1980 with perfect attendance for 32 years. He was awarded the community service award of the Debrecen(Hungary) Rotary club in 2013 for his collaborative work that purchased two transportation vans for severely disabled children at the Immanuel Home in Debrecen. David’s work defined “collaboration’ by bringing together 12 clubs in 3 districts, churches and other NGO’ to make this a happening. David has served as Assistant District Governor, a member of the District Conference Committee and chaired the District Grants Committee for three years. He is a supporter of the Foundation as a Paul Harris Fellow and a Bequest Society member. His hobbies include tennis, singing, reading and travel when time permits. He has been married to Kim for twenty six years and they have two daughters. Welcome, David!

Club Service Ashe County Rotary Club’s Christmas Wreaths Steve Miller, president of the Ashe County Rotary Club shows a sample wreath. Their club sells these wreaths as a fund raiser and assists other clubs with this project. Queen Charlotte is promoting the wreaths as a fundraiser for the Charlotte Evening Rotary.

Community Service Davidson Rotary Christmas Tree Village The Rotary Club of Davidson will be on the Davidson Town Green displaying beautiful trees during the Christmas in Davidson 2015 celebration. Each sponsoring business will partner with a non-profit organization of its choosing to compete in a contest. Those visiting the village will be given the opportunity to vote on the tree or trees they like most. Each vote cost a dollar. Visitors to the village may cast as many votes as they wish for as many trees as they like. They will be limited only by their benevolence. So not only will your business be featured in a positive light, but you will also be able to raise much needed funds for the non-profit organization of your choice. A sponsored non-profit organization will receive a dollar for each vote cast for their tree. Additionally, the trees with the most votes will receive additional funding from the Rotary Club of Davidson at a special ceremony in January 2016. And it will be a fun!!! Truly a “WIN – WIN” scenario. The Rotary Christmas Tree Village is arguably the most popular spot for attendees of Christmas in Davidson. So be sure to get on board now! Cost for your sponsorship is only $250.

Community Service Service Above Self At so many places the Rotarians help with Bell ringing, gift wrapping and feeding the homeless on Christmas morning.

Taylorsville Rotary has their own annual Reindeer Romp

Mount Holly Rotary in the Christmas Parade

Kannapolis Rotary Express Train In Kannapolis the visitors to Village Park can enjoy a leisurely ride on the Rotary Express Train, a g-24 scale replica CP Huntington engine and three coaches that was a new addition to the park in 2008. Hours of operation are Saturdays from 10am - 7pm and Sundays from Noon - 6pm through October 18th. Admission is $1.00 per person. The Winterland Express Train will re-open during the month of December for the Celebration of Lights. Admission is $2.00 per person.

Union County Rotarians Limo Service What do Rotarians do when the Foundation Banquet is an hour away plus traffic?? Carpool in style. Thanks to Club Member, Lenora Bowman who owns Johnny B's Limo Service the Waxhaw Weddington Club arrived to the banquet in style! We even had special guests from the Monroe and Union West Club. Thanks to all for the fun and fellowship!

Community Service Concord Rotary Club’s 36th year collecting food items for the Salvation Army at Concord-area Food Lions and Harris Teeters.

Operation Christmas The Rotary Club of Gastonia surprised the entire first grade of Sherwood Elementary students with 115 shiny new bicycles, locks and helmets. They grilled 425 hot dogs for chili, mustard, ketchup and a bun and hosted a hotdog lunch. Gastonia Police were there to teach the new bike owners how to practice bicycle safety. Students from the club’s Interact and Early Act Clubs turned out to help. Everywhere there were smiling faces. The students were given quarters so that they could participate in the “World’s Greatest Meal.” The kids learned, along with proud parents and grandparents about Rotary’s efforts to “End Polio Now.”

Youth Service Early Act First Knight - Gastonia Rotary Club had another great Knighting Ceremony at Grier Middle School, highlighting the character trait of Defense. Students were recognized for standing up for their beliefs and for doing so in a peaceful and non-confrontational way.

Community Service Way to go, Lake Norman Charter School Interact Club! They Stuffed Stockings for “Stockings for Hope” to help area homeless children at Christmas. Great bunch of kids giving back to the community!!!

Youth Service Charlotte Southpark Rotarian Bob Ziegler with Andrea King of Esther's Heart (far right) and Nancy de Luna of Communities in Schools (center) made a bulk food donation to Esther's Heart in support of its weekly meal bag program at Montclaire Elementary. A portion of the support was made possible by a District Grant. Thanks to Charlotte Southpark Rotary for making this program possible for the kids at Montclaire!

Community Service Who is that jolly Old Saint Nicolas? Union West Rotary Rotarian and Past District Governor Graham Wilson and his lovely wife Barbara serve the community at the Union West Library and in the Indian Trail Christmas Parade. The beard is real!???!!!

Youth Service Service Above Selfie Picture on Left - Kings Mountain High School Interact helps the Kings Mountain Rotary Club to serve lunch to seniors! Picture on Right – Union West Rotary picking up trash

International Service North Mecklenburg County Rotarians fill shoeboxes and help at the Distribution Center along with Early Act and Interact.

International Service Charlotte Providence Rotary decided this year to provide packages for our overseas military personnel. Their goal was to fill 5 boxes, but they filled 17! Go, Providence Rotary!

Foundation Become a Paul Harris Society member Just for a little more than many spend on coffee each day, you could become a member of the Paul Harris Society. Support The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund--SHARE, through your pledge and gift of $1,000 each year.

Talking about coffee? What is up with the discussion about Starbuck’s red cup? I have an idea for Christmas. Let’s ask Starbucks for this Logo?

Foundation You are never too young to become a Paul Harris Fellow Charlotte Dilworth South End Rotarian David Hodgkins continued a tradition of honoring family members as Paul Harris Fellows by selecting his late mother-in-law Mrs. Louise M. Beaudry and his new grand-daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Hodgkins as the newest ones to receive PHF honors. And there were many more Paul Harris Fellows in the District, like Boiling Springs Rotary Club president Tom Hart.

Foundation CNBC ranks Rotary Foundation in top 10 charities worldwide On Giving Tuesday, CNBC, one of the leading consumer and business news media outlets in the U.S., named its top 10 charities in the world, ranking The Rotary Foundation No. 5. Charities were chosen for changing the world while maintaining excellent financial standards. This is what CNBC said:

1. Direct Relief Founded in 1948, Direct Relief is California's largest international humanitarian nonprofit organization. This organization provides medical assistance to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and disaster, both in the U.S and throughout the world. 2. MAP International MAP International is a global Christian health organization that partners with people living in conditions of poverty. Its mission is to save lives and develop healthier families and communities. Founded in 1954, it provides medicine, helps to prevent disease by improving water supplies, and promotes health to create hope and lasting change in more than 115 countries. 3. Catholic Medical Mission Board Providing health care for the world's poor is the mission of Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), a leading faith-based NGO. It accomplishes this by building healthy, sustainable communities through local engagement and partnerships and by focusing on the leading causes of mortality for mothers and children in targeted communities throughout Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. 4. United Nations Foundation The United Nations Foundation was created in 1998 with a $1 billion gift from entrepreneur Ted Turner to support United Nations causes and activities. 5. The Rotary Foundation This not-for-profit organization works to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. Using Rotary Foundation grants, Rotary's 34,000 clubs across the globe develop and carry out sustainable humanitarian projects and provide scholarships and professional training opportunities.

Foundation This Rotary Year since July 1: We have 2700 members in our District that have donated $1 or more to our Foundation We have 350 members that have donated $100 or more to our Foundation We have 34 members that have donated $1,000 or more to our Foundation We have 8 members that have donated $10,000 or more to our Foundation THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you!

Foundation Next Grant Seminar!!! (This is where you and your club can learn about receiving Grants!) Saturday February 27 from 9 till 12 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cornelius. Foundation Giving per Capita – so far….. 7 Clubs have reached the $100 per capita average to the Foundation and are eligible for District Grants! EREY $105 Alleghany County EREY $204 China Grove Rotary EREY $147 Huntersville Happy Hour EREY $103 Mooresville EREY $159 North Wilkesboro EREY $108 Taylorsville EREY $136 Union West

Inspire others through storytelling and presentation Fundraising is not just asking for a gift, it inspires people to give. Tell the story of Rotary. Your gift is used to fund high impact, sustainable solutions to pressing needs in your community and around the world. Talk about The Rotary Foundation projects you’ve been personally involved in, those which have been a life-changing experience for you and for those helped by the project. Inspiration leads to joyful giving which results in recurring gifts rather than obligatory giving.

Foundation 21 Clubs applied for District Grants $103,000 awarded to the following clubs: CLUB, PROJECT & TOTAL COST INCLUDES CLUB FUNDS AND GRANT Albemarle E.E. Waddell Ct Track & Baseball Field $20,000 Ballantyne Smart Technology & School Initiative $10,000 Charlotte North Shamrock Pollinator Garden and Film $ 5,000 Charlotte South Beach Blast $16,500 Charlotte South Park Montclaire Elementary $ 9,000 Charlotte Top-of-the-Week Do the Write Thing Contest $ 3,200 Charlotte University City Beds for Alto Cayma $ 2,000 Charlotte West, Charlotte South Park and Charlotte South NewGen Peacebuilders Seminar $15,000 Concord - Afton Sunset Dorton Park Rotary Emergency Shelter $ 3,556 Gastonia East Robot STEM Initiative $28,800 Kannapolis STEM Classroom at Woodrow Wilson $ 6,577 Kings Mountain Early Act First Knight 2015-2016 $ 5,030 Mecklenburg County-South DRIVE Inc. $ 6,000 Mount Holly Rotary Community Garden Education Workshop $ 6,260 North Mecklenburg County Ramsey Creek Beach Lifeguard Chairs $ 8,800 Rowan County Service Above Self Youth Awards $10,000 Shelby Rotary First Responders Memorial $20,000 Southwest Cabarrus Elementary School Weekend Backpacks $16,800 Troutman Troutman ESC Park Fitness System $25,000 Wadesboro 3-D Printing for Anson Youth $21,050

Foundation Global Grants $103,000 awarded to the following clubs: 59 Rotary Clubs in District 7680 – Accra East Rotary, Ghana Disease prevention and treatment Rotary Family Health Days Ghana - About 40,000 underserved men, women, children will be the beneficiaries. DDF and 59 Clubs in District 7680 $ 6,000 25 Other Districts $ 52,591 World Funds $ 55,800 $114,391

District 7680 - Sunyani Central Rotary, Ghana Water and sanitation Provide clean water, sanitation and job training around Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. DDF Global Grant 7680 $ 12,000 11 Other US Clubs $ 24,600 7 Other Districts $ 75,700 World Funds $100,000 $212,300 District 7680 – Kilifi Rotary, Kenya Maternal and child health, Economic and community development Mobile Health Interventions for Malnutrition & Maternal. DDF Global Grant 7680 $ 8,600 3 Other US Clubs $ 1,600 2 Other Districts $ 36,000 World Funds $ 45,400 $ 91,600 Ballantyne Rotary – Bayonnais, Haiti Provide clean, safe water to the people of Savanne Ronde, Haiti, a community of about 3,000 residents. The project will also include hygiene and education. Ballantyne Rotary $10,000 DDF Global Grant 7680 $10,000 World Funds $15,000 $35,000 Charlotte Rotary – Montrouis Rotary, Haiti Water and sanitation Mahanaim Safe Water Project DDF Global Grant 7680 $40,000 3 Other US Clubs $ 1,600 2 Other Districts $36,000 World Funds $40,100 $91,600 Charlotte University Rotary, Greater Statesville Rotary – Arequipa Ciudad Blanca Rotary, Peru Water and sanitation Provide equitable community access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene. This project will provide modern sanitation facilities for 350 students in a rural school. DDF Global Grant 7680 $ 15,000 World Funds $ 15,000 $ 30,000 Concord Rotary, Ashe County Rotary and other Rotary Clubs - Vista Hermosa Rotary, Guatemala Basic education and literacy Project delivers learning materials, text books and computers to schools in impoverished communities. Concord Rotary $ 1,000 Ashe County Rotary $ 100 17 Other US Districts $ 72,710 98 Other US Clubs $ 128,080 World Funds $ 137,300 $ 339,190

Mooresville-Lake Norman Rotary – Bahia de Jaltemba-La Penita Rotary, Mexico Basic education and literacy Improve basic education and literacy by rehabilitating the existing school. DDF Global Grant 7680 $ 3,000 5 Other Districts $ 41,750 Mooresville LakeNorman$ 3,000 21 Other US Clubs $ 43,900 World Funds $ 68,195 $159,845 District 7680 - Valle de Sula-San Pedro Sula, Honduras Disease prevention and treatment, Maternal and child health Create a Pediatric Cardiac Unit in San Pedro Sula,Honduras. DDF Global Grant 7680 $ 8,312 1 Other District $ 40,688 2 Other US Clubs $ 13,300 World Funds $ 50,000 $112,300 District 7680 - Calcutta Metropolitan, India Water and sanitation Provide a sanitary toilet to villagers and also explain to them the benefits of using such sanitary toilets. This will reduce the incidence of water, mosquito and fly born diseases. DDF Global Grant 7680 $ 10,000 2 Other Districts $ 15,000 3 Other US Clubs $ 22,500 World Funds $ 35,886 $ 83,386