Class of 2018-19

Most clubs have already heard from their student for next year. If you have not been notified that your student has been issued their immigration status for entry into the US, then please contact the Savannah Office. Email service has been sketchy at best and a new email system has been put in place in the home office, so it is possible that the email notifying you that the school has accepted the student may be lost in cyberspace. The Savannah Office asks that the host family and president contact the student either by phone or email to welcome them into the program. It is always amazing to us that this step sometimes gets lost in translation and the student doesn’t hear from their club at all. It is important to let the student know that someone will meet them at the airport and to have the student arrive at a time that is convenient. Midnight on a Monday night is not convenient!!! You will want them to arrive a week or so ahead of time, depending on the number of host families, in order for them to get time-acclimated and in order for you to bond with your student. Students these days are experts at social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and others and this is an inexpensive way to make and continue contact throughout the summer with your student. Be sure to tell them about yourself and your club and to encourage them to read the student handbook before they arrive

One of the many benefits of hosting a student is the fact that we get to meet other Rotarians. The interesting thing is that we will become friends – not only with our students, but with other Rotarians. As we take our students to other clubs for visits or email with other Rotarians, working through the logistics of getting our students through the Visa process and then on a jet to the US, we are reminded of how wonderful it is to be a member of a fraternity of Rotarians that cares so deeply about the Georgia Rotary Student Program.

Rotacon Conference

At the Rotacon Conference this year, the festivities began with the GRSP students and Rotary Youth Exchange students marching in to the conference center. The GRSP students carried flags from 25 countries and the Rotary Youth Exchange students wore their blazers covered in ribbons and pins. Our hearts swell each time we hear the marching music and see these students from so many countries bearing so many different flags. Alec and Donna lip synced a beginning number for the Rotacon Conference and at the end, students were given confetti poppers to announce the start of the Conference. It was a lot of fun.

We were able to make two individual awards at the Rotacon Conference. The Rotary Club of Pelham picks one student each year that exemplifies what the Georgia Rotary Student Program is about - peace through understanding. The recipient this year is Aaron Bezuidenhout from Zimbabwe, who is sponsored by Rotary Clubs in District 6910. Floyd Fort, President of the Rotary Club of Pelham, presented the award at the Rotacon Conference, but Mr. Bezuidenhout was not able to attend. He will be given the award at the District 6910 Conference.

Another award was presented by Mr. Will MacArthur of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. Each year RC Sandy Springs asks for nominations from the clubs in District 6900 for the Frank E. Bentley Sr. GRSP Leadership Award. The award is given in honor of PDG Frank Bentley, who was a long term supporter of the program, to a Rotarian who has given Service Above Self to the Georgia Rotary Student Program. This year the award was given posthumously to Tony Wright, a great Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Columbus. Ben Richards, President of the Rotary Club of Columbus, nominated Tony and received the award on his behalf at District Conference. He said that Tony and his wife Natalie served as a GRSP host family for the club twice officially; however, their home was always open to their GRSP student. Tony and Natalie constantly had GRSP students and alumni in their home over the last ten years. He was in contact with these alumni from around the world almost on a weekly basis.

Tony was appointed a Trustee serving seven clubs: Columbus, North Columbus, Muscogee County, Harris County, LaGrange, West Point and Meriwether. He actually was appointed to an eighth club, Quitman County, this last year and accompanied the District Governors on their official visits to these clubs the last two years. As a Trustee, he increased the engagement of these clubs in GRSP through the sponsorship of students and promoting the GRSP endowment. All the Trustees and Officers of GRSP recognized Tony’s love for the students, his leadership and his commitment to continuous improvement of GRSP. Tony led by example by being a a generous donor to the GRSP Endowment and attained the Ronnie Waller Fellow this past year which is at the donation level of $10,000.

Awards for the largest per capita giving will be awarded at the yearend celebration at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, which is a fantastic venue. The Rotary Club of Griffin has been sponsoring this award for many years and has called it the Jake Cheatham Memorial Award in honor of a great Rotarian and sponsor of the Georgia Rotary Student Program.

Incentive Rebates

For those clubs that wish to receive a rebate for next year, it is not too late to get in your donations to reach the $50 per capita giving required to receive a rebate. A club can ask their trustee for that information or can request from me or the Savannah Office. Any of us would be happy to review what is needed to assure a club some extra funds to be used in whatever way the club desires. Donations will be accepted until June 30 to be allocated to giving for this year.