INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Rotary International Foundation Support

Each July, the Rotary Club of Houghton Lake makes a $1000 donation to recognize the outgoing club president as a Paul Harris Fellow. Rotarians can add a donation to the Rotary Foundation when paying their quarterly dues. In 2007 for our Club's 20th anniversary, 26 Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to Rotarians and spouses!

2007-08 Goal: Sponsor another Paul Harris Fellow and increase individual member Foundation support.

Long-term Inbound Exchange Students

The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake has sponsored nine long-term and four short term inbound exchange students. The Rotary CLub of Houghton Lake is currently not sponsoring any inbound exchange students.

2007-08 Goal: Sponsor one long-term inbound exchange student.

Long-term Outbound Exchange Students

The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake has sponsored three short-term and two long term outbound exchange students. Trisha Ancel was the club’s first outbound long term exchange student in 1999. Trisha visited Brazil during her one-year exchange. Jennifer Wagner was the club’s second outbound long-term exchange student in 2002. Jennifer visited Finland during her one-year exchange.

2007-08 Goal: Sponsor one long-term outbound exchange student.

International Disaster Support

The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake has stepped up to support many disaster relief programs both sponsored by Rotary International and by other organizations. The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake has provided direct support to Rotary relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims, refugees in Afghanistan and flood victims in Newfoundland.

2007-08 Goal: Support Rotary disaster relief programs when needed.

Polio Plus

The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake has met and surpassed the District 6290 request for support. Individual members pledged support that was invoiced during quarterly dues. Regular quarterly dues include a $25 reminder to maintain the $100 annual Paul Harris Sustaining Member status.

2007-08 Goal: Continue Rotary PolioPlus support until global success.

Ambassadorial Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake sponsored Ambassadorial Scholarship candidate Sean Swider who achieved designation as District alternate in 1998. A new candidate is currently being investigated.

2007-08 Goal: Identify and select a new Ambassadorial Scholarship candidate.

Group Study Exchange

The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake has yet to sponsor outbound GSE members or host an inbound GSE team.

2007-08 Goal: Investigate involvement in hosting an inbound GSE team.

WCS Bio-sand Filters

In 2004, the Rotary Club of Houghton Lake invited Sue Bodenner to speak to our club about the Haiti Water Filter and Lab in a Suitcase projects. The Rotary Club of Houghton Lake donated $750 to sponsor water filters and $250 to sponsor a Lab in a Suitcase. In February 2006 and 2007, Houghton Lake Rotarians Debbie Banks and Robert Gandolfi traveled to the Dominican Republic with the District 6290 Clean Water team to help install water filters in the Dominican Republic.