2013 will see Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland celebrate 10 years of providing service to the community through the holding of a Know Your Blood Pressure (previously known as Stroke Awareness Day) event.

Many clubs have old-brand materials from running these days in the past and for 2013 it is essential that new-brand materials produced by the Stroke Association are used to ensure that the correct information is given out along with the latest statistics and advice.

We are therefore offering an amnesty of materials for 2013 and clubs who have these are encouraged to recycle them and we will replace these free of postage charges.

If your club has not held a KYBP event before it is a great way to:

• Give service to your community helping to prevent stroke and save lives;
• Raise awareness of Rotary and the benefits of membership;
• Raise awareness of the Stroke Association as a registered charity reliant upon voluntary donations and, we hope;
• Appeal for funds.

If you would like to know more or to get involved then please call Rachel, Tara or Terry on 01527 908918 or send them an email.

All Clubs are invited to attend the forum with visiting speaker from Life Education charity and other presentations. Food and refreshments will be available with a charge of £5. Please complete form attached. For more info contact Scott Maclachlan.

There will be a District Vocational Service Forum at York Gate on 15^th February 2012. Learn about the “Forgotten Service” and how it has been separated from the Community Team at RIBI to give it more emphasis. This is open to all Rotarians and there will be a guest speaker from the Institute of Business Ethics. Contact Scott Maclachan for more info.

The RI Secretariat is looking to promote examples of successful, innovative, diverse and replicable model vocational service projects. We are therefore looking for feedback from clubs in District 1130 on Vocational Projects from last year.  Please consider submitting entries that address topics such as mentoring programs, job fairs, vocational training, scholarship programs and project partnerships with organizations like Goodwill Industries International. Vocational service projects can also involve Rotary programs such as RYLA, Open World, andRotary Community Corps.  A few of the best projects will be highlighted on the RI website and in other publications to celebrate the observance of Vocational Service Month in October. All of the submissions will be considered for inclusion on ProjectLINK, Rotary’s online database for projects in need of resources and successfully completed model projects.   Draft entries should be addressed to me and I will arrange for entry forms to be completed before the deadline at end of August

Scott Maclachlan, Chairman of District Community & Vocational Committee

The unfolding disaster in the Horn of Africa is a combination of the worst drought for 60 years and the rising food prices. The immediate need is for food. A number of charities are already working in the area and the Disaster Emergency Committee will launch an appeal today. The DEC consists of 14 member agencies including Save the Children, Red Cross and Oxfam. As this is an emergency, I would suggest that Rotarians support the DEC Appeal or one of the specific charities.

Thank you for your support,

Drew Hughes, RIBI International Resource Group Coordinator

Dear Lorraine
I am pleased to inform you that the Rotary Club of St Marylebone has been awarded the Community Service Cup, which I understand you will be receiving on behalf of the club.  The award which consists of a silver cup and a certificate will be presented during the 3rd plenary session of the conference on the Sunday morning, directly after the break. I would ask you to be in place at the front of the hall a few minutes before the end of the break, and if you identify yourself to the Sergeants at Arms they will show you where to go.  Congratulations on this award
PDG Keith Paver, RIBI Conference Chairman, Dublin 2011