On Monday, December 17,  members of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville heard from two speakers, Joe Neely of the Georgia National Guard and Sandra Cathy of Rainbow Village.

Guardsman Neely presented a video of the 48th brigade’s training exercises at Ft. Ripley, Minnesota, and then talked about the mission and history of the National Guard.  He specifically addressed the role of the Guard in serving both state and federal governments and complementing the active duty Army when help is needed anywhere in the world. His unit has served in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.  He described the organization of the Georgia Guard.  There are 11,100 Army soldiers, 2,800 airmen, and 637 Georgia State Defense volunteers in the Georgia Guard.  He asserted, “The Guard always responds with speed, strength and efficiency helping to defend American freedom and ideals.”

Sandra Cathy then brought the group up-to-date on activities at Rainbow Village.  First, she thanked Rotarians for the continuing support through grant monies which have helped them secure needed computers.  She described construction plans for a Community Center with day care capacity in the future and emphasized the strict requirements that homeless families have to meet to qualify for Rainbow Village assistance.  Participants have to attend classes (life skills and character building classes), and after-school tutoring is available for children.  Rainbow Village strives to help participants build a successful future by providing help from financial planners and social workers.

Georgia Gwinnett College students were presented with their Certificate of Organization at the Dec. 10 meeting of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville. Celebrating the recognition of the Grizzly Rotaract club by Rotary International are Nic Burchell, sponsor Dr. Jill Jones, Amanda Connor, Sanah Hassan, and Lisa Oommen.

Margie Eddy-Forbes, Rotary District 6910 Governor, and President Mike Clifford of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville presented members of the new Grizzly Rotaract club with their Certificate of Organization at the Dec. 10 meeting of the club. The Grizzly Rotaract Club is a registered student organization at Georgia Gwinnett College. Shown at the presentation are Amanda Connor, Sanah Hassan, Governor Eddy-Forbes, President Clifford, sponsor Dr. Jill Jones, Nic Burchell, and Lisa Oommen.

https://vimeo.com/55307742

On December 3 the noon Rotary Club of Lawrenceville toured 12 Stone Church, the fastest growing church in the United States in 2010.  Norwood Davis, their Chief Financial Officer, led the group through the facilities at the main campus on Buford Road.  The beautiful, rustic-looking facility is tucked back in a wooded area over a wild ravine.  The main level is dedicated to adult meeting areas and the upper level to kindergarten through fifth-grade aged children.  Some of the facts shared with the group were the following:

• The church was founded in 1987 and this facility was opened in 2008.
• Their goal is to reach the unchurched of the Gwinnett County area (a population of over 400,000).
• They have three other campuses which are served from this main campus.
• Their motto is to “Inspire, Share and Give.”
• They will have ten weekly services which will serve 13,000 people. They have 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 6:00 services.
• On Christmas week-end they expect 20,000-21,000 people.
• They have the best of technology (video, audio, acoustical equipment, and screens). The group toured the video and recording centers that control the input for services.
• The church is staffed by 105-8 people, 67 of them full-time.
• They give away 10% of the money they take in to local charities or groups.
• Focus is on using videos in teaching young people.  They make their own films and musical CDs.
• The John Maxwell Leadership Center is dedicated to educating pastors and emphasizes internship experience.

What are Foundation recognition points and how are they accumulated?
Foundation recognition points are awarded to donors who contribute to The Rotary Foundation through the Annual Programs Fund or PolioPlus, or as a sponsor portion to a Foundation grant. Donors receive one Foundation recognition point for every U.S. dollar contributed to these funds. Contributions to the Permanent Fund are not eligible.
Donors can extend Foundation recognition points to others to help them become or to name them as a Paul Harris Fellow or Multiple Paul Harris Fellow. Foundation recognition points belong to the original donor until the donor’s death, or until the donor uses the points (the surviving spouse of a Major Donor may also use the points).
How do you transfer Foundation recognition points?
A minimum of 100 Foundation recognition points must be transferred at a time, and an authorizing signature is required when completing the Recognition and Transfer Request.
Individual donors are the only ones authorized to transfer Foundation recognition points from their individual account.
Club presidents are the only ones authorized to transfer Foundation recognition points from the club’s account.
District governors are the only ones authorized to transfer Foundation recognition points from the district account.
Foundation recognition points may not be transferred from individuals to a club or district.

Can Foundation recognition points of deceased Rotarians be transferred?
No. Foundation recognition points of deceased Rotarians expire unless the deceased is a Major Donor, in which case, the spouse/partner maintains control of the Foundation recognition points during their lifetime.

Can a business or organization become a Paul Harris Fellow?
No. Paul Harris Fellow awards are issued only to individuals. However, businesses and organizations can be recognized for contributions of US$1,000 or more with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Can someone deceased become a Paul Harris Fellow?
Yes. A donor can recognize a deceased individual by requesting a Memorial Paul Harris Fellow.
Do Foundation recognition points count toward Major Donor recognition?
No. Only cumulative personal outright contributions count toward Major Donor recognition.

What report tracks Foundation recognition points?
Through Member Access, your club and district leadership can view the Club Recognition Summary, which provides the recognition amount, Foundation recognition points, current Paul Harris Fellow level, and date that Paul Harris Fellow level was achieved.
Through Member Access, you can view your personal contribution history, recognition amount, and available Foundation recognition points. You can request a copy of your Donor History Report from the Foundation at contact.center@rotary.org.

On the Club Recognition Summary, what is the difference between recognition amount and available Foundation recognition points?
Recognition amount reflects all Paul Harris Fellow recognition an individual has accumulated through their personal contributions plus all Foundation recognition points given to the individual by other individuals, clubs, or districts. Foundation recognition points given to an individual do not count toward Major Donor recognition, and the maximum amount that can be shown on the Club Recognition Summary report is 9,000 (the “+” sign indicates that the actual amount exceeds the 9,000‐point maximum).
Available Foundation recognition points reflects points that a donor has accumulated through personal outright giving to the Foundation. All points listed can be transferred to other individuals to help them achieve additional Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Can clubs or districts accumulate Foundation recognition points?
Yes. Clubs can view recognition points in the Club Recognition Summary.
District Foundation recognition points are shown in the Donor History Report. Districts may request the report at contact.center@rotary.org.

How can I use Foundation recognition points to increase giving to the Foundation?
Matching outright contributions with Foundation recognition points may help your club reach or even surpass its Annual Programs Fund (APF) goal, as well as achieve 100% Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
To determine whether your club is close to achieving 100% Paul Harris Fellow status, review the recognition amounts of all active Rotarians in the Club Recognition Summary who are currently listed as active club members.
To determine whether you’re close to achieving your APF goal, review the Monthly Contribution Report.
What recognition opportunities are available with Foundation recognition points?
Paul Harris Fellow
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given in appreciation to anyone who contributes, outright or cumulatively (or in whose name is contributed), a gift of US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or the World Fund, or as a sponsor portion of a Foundation grant. The recognition consists of a certificate and pin. In addition, Paul Harris Fellow medallions can be ordered at shop.rotary.org for $15 each.

Certificate of Appreciation
Occasionally, a donor contributes US$1,000 and wishes to recognize a business or
organization. In these instances, since Paul Harris Fellow recognition can only be presented
to individuals, a Certificate of Appreciation is given instead.

Multiple Paul Harris Fellow
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow recognition is extended at subsequent US$1,000 levels ($2,000, $3,000, and so on). Recognition consists of a pin with stones corresponding to the recipient’s recognition amount level.