GOING UP

Do you have an interest in skyscrapers? if so, link above to find out all sorts of information about your favorite tall building.

NOW, A 5TH AVENUE OF SERVICE

Representatives at the 2010 Council on Legislation approved an enactment 28 April to add a fifth Avenue of Service: New Generations.
After adopting an amendment to change the name from Youth Service, as originally proposed, to New Generations, the Council narrowly supported the addition to article 5 of the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. The 263-250 vote was received by surprised gasps and applause after a short debate.
New Generations joins Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service as the foundation of club activity. Before starting a project, Rotarians are asked to think broadly about how their club and its members could contribute within each avenue.
“It’s a significant change – a historic day in Rotary,” said Council Chair Mark Daniel Maloney. “Rotarians have always strongly supported youth activities even though they were never part of the four Avenues of Service. I think this strengthens our commitment.”
The Avenue of New Generations recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development activities, community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.
Representative Ronald P. Sekkel, of District 5170 (California, USA), proposed the enactment by saying that New Generations is the future of Rotary.
Opponents argued that youth services are already covered by the four Avenues of Service. One representative said that adding a fifth avenue could decrease emphasis on the other four avenues.
Representative Emile M. Rijcken, of District 1900 (Germany), said the new avenue is well deserved.
“The volume of activity in youth programs shows how strong Rotary can be,” she said. “The addition of New Generations to the Avenues of Service will contribute in an enormous way toward public opinion.”

PEOPLE BEING PEOPLE

Police in Berwick, Maine, made an easy collar in April, solving four residential burglaries. As it turns out, their two suspects (ages 33 and 32) committed the crimes while wearing their GPS monitoring bracelets following an earlier arrest in New Hampshire, and their movements perfectly coincided with the burglars' route.

AROUND THE WORLD WITH PEPSI

TELL THEM THANKS

Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day, a time when we pay tribute to the educators of our youth, past and present, who literally change the world every day with their dedication and commitment to our children. Part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, this day has been officially celebrated for over 30 years and was first promoted by Eleanor Roosevelt.

As we pay tribute to these unsung heroes we are reminded of a wonderful animated short, produced by Walt Disney in 1952, called Teachers are People – with our old friend Goofy reminding us of the difficulties inherent in the profession. Let’s take a look:

TODAY IN HISTORY

MAY 4

1970:Four students are killed and nine are wounded when Ohio National Guardsmen fire on antiwar protesters at Kent State University.

1961: Freedom riders. Thirteen black and white volunteers board buses in Washington, D.C., and head for New Orleans to protest segregation.

1979: Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain’s first female prime minister.

KEVIN PRESENTS MISSY WITH HER NAME BADGE

DO YOU REMEMBER?

If you were a tyke in the 80s, one whose face was typically plastered to the TV set on Saturday mornings, you might be happy to learn that your generation is getting a little retro love. Today Warner Brothers is releasing Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s, Vol. 1 on DVD. Packed with hours of material, the collection includes such classics as The Flintstone Kids, The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley, Mister T, Thundarr the Barbarian, Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos and The Kwicky Koala Show.

EARTH DAY UPDATE

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

More than one billion people around the world celebrated the 40th annual Earth Day on 22 April. Here are some of our favorite stories and projects that showcase the work that Interactors, Rotaractors, RYLArians, and Rotarians do around the world to conserve resources and protect our planet:

• The Rotaract Club of Mumbai Shivaji Park, India, discussed the origin of Earth Day and ideas to celebrate it on the club’s blog. 
• A Canadian Interact club celebrated Earth Hour at its high school. 
• Rotary clubs organized Earth Day activities around the world. 
• Rotary clubs are attracting new, younger Rotarians with a focus on the environment.
• Rotarians are supplying communities in Central America with safe, fuel-efficient stoves.

ROTARY SUPPORTS BITONE

DO YOU REMEMBER?