District News

RI Ambassadorial Scholar Program

Your club has a unique opportunity to support a graduate student abroad through RI's Ambassadorial Scholar program. Applicants are reviewed, selected and funded by the District. All you have to do is encourage students to submit application information prior to August 15, 2008, to study in 2009-2010.

The Foundation of Rotary International sponsors one of the largest international scholarship programs in the world. Scholars study in a different country, where they serve as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill. Since 1947, more than 47,000 scholars from 110 countries have received scholarships of more than $476 million through The Rotary Foundation.

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.

July-August 2008

Applicants should complete the 2009-10 application available on the RI website, carefully researching possible institutions of study. There is no need to apply for or take language tests at this time. Applications must be submitted to local Rotary clubs by August 15, 2008. Applications should be submitted to Marsha Barwick by August 22, 2008.

Downloadable Form: http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/139en.pdf

Meet Tom Marshall,
Your new District Governor

Tom is a native of Wisconsin and calls Jefferson his home.  He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Wisconsin Rapids for 31 years.  He has served as a Club Secretary, Vice President and was Club President in 1985-1986.  He also served as President of Club Foundation and served as the club’s Youth Exchange Officer for 28 years.

His involvement with District 6250 includes serving as Rotary Youth Exchange Outbound Coordinator for the past 30 years.  Tom serves as Assistant Governor with PDG’s Don Abraham and Don Mayo.  He is a two time Paul Harris Fellow and attended the International Conventions in Kansas City, Montreal and Chicago.

Click here to learn more

Changes to the District's Youth Exchange Team

A few changes are occurring to our district's youth exchange team. As you may know, Jean Hathway has retired as the Inbound Coordinator. We so appreciate what she has done with the Inbound program. Our students have been well-served by her. Toni Pabon has decided to take on that position so we are looking for someone to be the district youth exchange registrar (to register students and staff for all their events and to arrange for supplies for many of their events) and/or to help with the district database data entry for youth exchange. (We are planning on putting the district website online so some of that data entry will be done by other people). Harry Van Camp,  the current District Chair is going to be working with Pam Buchda on building our Rebound program to help keep these students involved with Rotary. Harry is a tough act to follow but I will be taking over as District Chair.

So, we need a new youth exchange Registrar and Information Coordinator.
With so much of the registration and data being unified, it is possible that the two positions can be combined. If you are interested, please contact me. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated and you will be giving so much help to the district youth exchange program. You will be part of a great, fun team.

— Judy Levine
    Judy.Levine@inacom.com

New IRS Reporting Requirements for ALL Clubs!!!!!

As you may or may not be aware, at the end of the 2007-2008 Rotary fiscal year, the IRS will be requiring all Rotary clubs and districts in the United States to submit either a IRS form 990 (for those clubs and districts with gross receipts of over $25,000) or an electronic version, referred to as an e-Postcard report (for those clubs and districts with gross receipts under $25,000). For reporting purposes, the deadline to submit the required information for the 2007-2008 fiscal year will be 15 November 2008. Please note that per the IRS, 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.

The IRS has requested that Rotary International remind clubs of this new filing procedure. This is critical information for ALL ROTARY CLUBS. The paper can be found on the RI website: http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/info_paper_clubs_irs.pdf.