2. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Abbeville

4. Chartered on November 18, 1936 We are Club #2598 We are in District 6200 Zone 31

5. Rotary is an International Organization u There are 532 Districts in more than 200 countries throughout the world. u While the Rotary International president is the highest officer of RI, the chief administrative officer of RI is the general secretary, who heads a staff of about 600 persons working at the international headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois. u Our club, The Rotary Club of Abbeville is in District 6200 which is comprised of 51 clubs. The District belongs to Zone 31 together with districts in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. There are twelve districts in the zone.

6. Rotary International is governed by a president and a 19 member board of directors elected from all over the world. Directors oversee 2 Rotary zones. Annually each District elects a District Governor - but each club is an autonomous group. Rotary International President K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran Sri Lanka, South Asia District 6200 Governor Michael Hayes West Lake, La

7. In the beginning… u The first Rotary Club was organized in Chicago in 1905, by Paul P. Harris. u The club, with four members, met in rotation at the offices of the members - thus the name Rotary. u There are currently more than 34,282 clubs worldwide with 1,200,000 members worldwide. Rotary Founder Paul Harris

10. Women in Rotary u In 1988-89 women were admitted to Rotary. u Each year, women of the District 6200 continue to take leadership roles. u Today the Rotary Club of Abbeville has 10 women members!

11. We implement the object of Rotary through the Five Avenues of Service

12. Board of Directors 2015-2016 The Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Abbeville is comprised of club members serving in the different avenues of service. President – Pamela Trahan Past President - Jim Russo President-Elect - Chris Dardeau Secretary - Robert Greer Treasurer - Rob Roy Sergeant-at-Arms - Charles Dill Jr. & Ken Taylor A new board is elected to take office on July 1 of each year. All positions in Rotary are one year terms that change every July 1. This assures new Rotarians that they will be afforded an opportunity for a leadership role.

13. Club Administration – Thomas Thompson –Those things that a Rotarian does to help make successful the running of the local club. Club Public Relations – Anita Chaisson –The promoting of Rotary International and the club to our community. Service Projects – Daniel Broussard –Develops community service projects and fund raising projects to provide those services. Membership – PE Chris Dardeau –Develops recruitment and training programs for new Rotarians. Club Committee Chairpersons 2015-2016

14. Major fund-raisers were: The Rotary Club of Abbeville –St. Pat’s Comedy for a Cause –Fresh Sausage Po-Boy Sale –Giant Crawfish Etouffee’ –And many others …

15. The Rotary Club of Abbeville Service Projects u Annual Support for the Special Olympics u SLCC Scholarship u Support for Children’s Treasures u Conference on New Generations u Keep Abbeville Beautiful u Food Net Drive u Interact u 4H Pig u Choices u Camp RYLA u Adopt A Road u Norman Romero-Ronney Mayard Honor Band

16. Vocational Service Programs  Chester Broussard SLCC Scholarship  Farmer of the Year  What I Want To Be and Why Essay  Teacher of the Year

17. International Service Programs u Ambassadorial Scholarships u V.T.T. Team Participation u Strong support for Rotary Foundation u Strong support for Polio Eradication initiative u International Youth Exchange

18. The Rotary Club of Abbeville Exchanges u Vocational Training Teams –Teams of one Rotarian leader and four non-Rotarian business or professional young people visit the district for four to six weeks. –Abbeville Rotarians have hosted visiting teams, been team leaders and sponsored team members. –Abbeville is a major participant in the district’s VTT program.

19. Abbeville Rotarians Mark Shirley & Mindy Hotard With his VTT team to Australia 2014 Mark Shirley, Mindy Hotard, Keith Normand and Nick Simoneaux

20. “World Peace through Understanding”

22. Paul Harris Fellows & Benefactors u Thirteen Abbeville Rotarians and spouses are Benefactors of the Permanent Fund. u Over 102 past/present members and partners are Paul Harris Fellows. u A Benefactor is an individual or couple that has made a provision in their estate plan to gift a minimum $1000 to TRF. u Bequest Society member is an individual or couple that has made a provision in their estate plan to gift a minimum of $10,000 to TRF.

23. Awards for Abbeville Our club has received many accolades over the past few years. Here are a few: u International Service Above Self Award received by Noel Bajat, PDG u Presidential Citation (numerous times!) u Four Avenues of Service Award received by Lloyd Dore III u Club Bulletin District Award (numerous times!) u Home club for the 2011-2012 Rotary International Vice President – Noel Bajat

24. The Privileges in Rotary u The Privilege of FRIENDSHIP WITH LEADERS: –in your community –in neighbouring cities and towns –throughout North America –around the world

25. The Privileges in Rotary u The privilege of GIVING SERVICE to your community u The privilege of DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL and understanding u The privilege of helping BUILD HIGHER ETHICAL STANDARDS within your vocation through the common bond of Rotary.

26. Your Obligations in Rotary Participation u To be a Rotarian you must give of your time and talents: –in community work –in social functions –in Club and District activities.

27. Plan now to attend the Rotary District Conference in Lake Charles, La

28. Your Obligations in Rotary Attendance: u Attendance at the weekly meetings is a benefit of Rotary. A minimum of 60% is expected. u A member cannot miss 4 meetings in a row without having a qualified make-up. u You can maintain your attendance levels by making up at another Rotary Club within 14 days in advance or 14 days after a meeting is missed; or by attending a club Board Meeting, District event or an RI Convention. (Our sister club, Kaplan, meets each Thursday at noon at the American Legion Home) u Make-ups are also available at Rotary E-clubs on the Internet

29. Your Financial Obligations Guest meals will be billed to your account at a cost of $13.00 per guest (special events may be higher)

30. Where Do We Meet? u When: Meet every Wednesday at noon u Place: Vermilion Oaks Country Club u End: All meetings end promptly at 1:00 PM u Benefit: Enjoy wide ranging entertaining and informative guest speakers and the fellowship of Rotarians like yourself

31. Membership There are two types of membership in a Rotary Club: u Active u Honorary – a privilege bestowed upon a community member demonstrating the ideals of Rotary.

32. The Rotary Club of Abbeville is Fun u A service club should be fun to be a part of even when the work is tiresome. u Rotary Club of Abbeville strives to be a fun, young-at-heart club. u Social events are offered regularly. u Laughter and song are the languages of the Rotary Club of Abbeville. u We live up to RI Past President Hugh Archer’s theme: “Enjoy Rotary.”

36. You are Rotary u Participate for friendship u Participate for service u Participate for fellowship u Participate for knowledge u Participate for international understanding Remember YOU are Rotary!

37. Additional Resources u Visit www.rcabbeville.orgwww.rcabbeville.org u Visit www.rotary6200.orgwww.rotary6200.org u Visit www.zones30-31.orgwww.zones30-31.org u Visit www.rotary.orgwww.rotary.org

38. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Abbeville BE RELEVANT!