2005 - 2006 Board

Chairman and RGHF Ambassador: Matts Ingemanson: Inventor, Rotary Club of Yonkers, NY (former member: Rotary Club of New York City #6), NYC, USA, CICO; D7230 Vice Chairman 2001-2003  Newsletter Editor (2001-2002 and 2003 -) Joined the project in the early months of 2001. Ambassador of History and Sr. Vice President since March 2003. General Manager of the fellowship departments Chairman 2004-2006

1. Foster the creation of web pages and encourage their use.

2. Encourage Rotarians to explore Rotary's past, as a tool to better understand its present and its future;

3. Provide valid Rotary information to Rotarians and the community at large.

Secretary, PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT MANAGER, Rajinder Singh Bedi, PHF, Corporate Law, Rotary Club of Delhi Qutab, District 3010, India, Chairman, Family of Rotary Committee; District Correspondent, "Rotary News" & "Rotary Samachar"; Past President: RC of Dimapur & Charter President of RC of Mokokchung, District 3240, Rotarian for more than 30 yers; served as Editor, Club Bulletin; Director and Chairman or Member on most of the District Committees and Club Committees; "Legal Eagle Award" from PPG Inc.; Editor, Supreme Court Journal; Fellow, Indian Council of Arbitration; Secretary, Bar Association of India; Author of 14 Law Books; member of the fellowship since November of 2003. Appointed to the board in December of 2003, Elected for the 2004 term. Also senior editor/coordinator for "What Paul Harris Said."

"Before I joined Rotary I thought it was a Roti eating (Dinner) Club. But when I entered Rotary, I realized early that Fellowship for the Greatest Good and Service Above Self was the real spirit of Rotary.

In 1917, Paul Harris had said, 'The power of combined effort knows no limitation.' Rotary & Rotary Foundation has, through the combined efforts and sacrifices of thousands of Rotarians, contributed billions of US$ towards improving quality of life (health, education, environment, vocations) and ushered in peace where there were conflicts. Latest example is contribution of more than one billion US$ towards Polio Plus Program. RGHF Project would create a great repository of Resource for future Rotarians, Rotary Clubs and the Rotary leaders. It is a great opportunity to serve on the Board of RGHF at this period of Rotary Global History."

Treasurer: Geri Appel: Marketing, PP Wichita 30, KS, USA,  2000-2001, Governor D5690 2002-2003, Founding Advisor, and a vice president of the executive committee, Rotary's Global History Project. Joined the project in November of 2000. Presently Vice President and assistant secretary treasurer for the fellowship.

"The Mission of Rotary's Global History  Project web site is to recognize and document the histories and current events of the pioneer clubs in what has become the world’s oldest and largest service organization.  'Rotary's rendezvous with destiny' depended on the success of these first 100 clubs.  Without them leading the way and spreading Rotary's vision and message, Rotary would not be what it is today.  These 'mother clubs' of all the other Rotary clubs in the world have much to share with existing and new clubs around the world.  Come on in and visit us!"

Dr. Edward (Eddie) Blender, Dentistry, RC of Vail-Eagle Valley, Colorado USA, PDG 5470: Country Representative USA and Canada - New Models for Rotary Clubs - Pilot Project (2001-2007); RI Membership Asst. Zone Coordinator  (2001-03); Contributing Editor "What Paul Harris Said"; Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Zone 25, (2002-2004); Edits the Zone "Our Foundation Newsletter." Edits the Zone 25/26 newsletter "From the Director's Chair"; GETS INSTRUCTOR 2001 and 2003 and Appointed as an International Assembly Training Leader at Anaheim 2003 and 2004; Elected as a representative to the 2004 Council on Legislation. He has served as the President’s Representative to District Conferences many times. He is a recipient of The Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service.  Eddie is a founding member of Rotary's Global History  Project and a Vice President. He is the President-Elect of the INTERNATIONA FELLOWSHIP OF DENTAL VOLUNTEERS.  He was the - senior contributor of "What Paul Harris Said" our weekly "Rotary Minute" and has been contributing editor since its inception (WPHS) in November of 2000. He now produced "Why I am a Rotarian" and a monthly foundation newsletter.

"Rotarians learn from each other; we learn from the men and women who care enough to help build a better world.  What better teachers are there then our predecessors in Rotary.  Read their stories, read their accomplishments. You will be convinced, and a convinced leader becomes an extraordinary convincer. The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see."

Maureen Bond: Trading Administration,  RC of Bulawayo , Zimbabwe, President 2001-2003

"To record all the events/ happenings of this important organisation. Being able to know how Rotary began and how and why we are where we are today. I so admire the dedication of the people who have began this huge task of documenting the 1000's of stories, people who are involved and highlighting what still needs to be done. Through this I am making so many friends with Rotarians throughout the world who share this same passion for history and wanting to extend this knowledge to my fellow Rotarians . In Africa at the moment, we are so consumed with trying to get round all the difficulties we face daily and make ' plan B ' in case of any war or exile, this is a great way , for me personally, of beating the stress and coming into focus again with everyday life and the outside world."

SPANISH TRANSLATIONS: Carlos García Calzada: Architect, Club Rotario Acapulco, MX, D4180, President 2006-2007; former member of Puerto Vallarta Centro D4150, Charter President 00-01, President 2002-2003, Club webmaster. District webmaster 2002-2003. DICO 2003-2004. CICO 2002-2003. Club Rotarian of the Year 2001. Conferencié Presidente 2003 D4150.  Assistant Governor 03-04. Master photographer IFPO. Microelectronics and Circuit Design degree. MPHF. IFRAA. ROTI. ROTALatino. Architecture History Professor. Design Professor. Member of the Fellowship Board and the executive committee. Chairman and webmaster of the Spanish section  of the project and manager of the operations department. 

(photo of Carlos Garcia on top of Colorado's Pikes Peak, by Marce Garcia. Paul Harris climbed Pikes Peak in 1891.)

"Es un honor pertenecer a la junta directiva del mayor y mas ambicioso proyecto por internet acerca de Rotary. En esta página será donde millones de personas de habla hispana alrededor del mundo tengan la oportunidad de incursionar al mas sublime y profundos sentimientos de nuestra organización, desde el primero de ellos "la tolerancia" del que Harris heredó de su abuelo, hasta lo que nuestra Fundación Rotaria ha impulsado, "la paz mundial" . Conociendo el pasado, amamos nuestro presente, y creamos con certeza nuestro futuro".  

"It's an honor to be part of the board of the biggest and the most ambitious project on the internet about the history of Rotary. This web site will be where millions of people who speak Spanish around the world, will have the opportunity to absorb the most sublime and deep feelings of our organization, from the first one of them "tolerance"  the heritage to Harris from his grandfather, even our Rotary Foundation that brings us closer to "world peace". Knowing the past, we love our present, and we'll create with certainty our future".

Founding Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus, Dick McKay: Manufacturing, Chicago Club #1 IL, USA, 2001-2002 Secretary, 2003-2004 president, ROTARY/One; Founding Secretary Treasurer of the executive committee, Rotary's Global History Project. Joined the project in January of 2001. On 5 January 2004, McKay was named "Founding Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus of RGHF and he continues to serve on the board.

(McKay is seen ringing the first "Centennial Bell" on 1 July 2003 at Chicago)

"To create more excitement and involvement for the centennial celebrations in 2005 by revealing the history and evolution of the First 100 Rotary Clubs to the World of Rotary, utilizing the Internet"

Don Murphy, Managing Webmaster: Donald E. (Don) Murphy, Information Management, Charter Member (2000) and President (2003-2004), Rotary Club of Salida, CA, USA. District 5220 Webmaster (2003-), District 5220 Insurance Committee Chairman (2001-), Paul Harris Fellow.  Fellowship member since November of 2003, Don was the Managing Webmaster of the project and he was also editor of the "books section" of our library. Recipient of the "1905 Society Award" As this project grew, so did the need for webmasters and leadership. From a field of over 20 webmasters, one rapidly emerged at a leader. This Rotarian became the managing webmaster for the entire project, a consultant to the Board on management, insurance, bylaws and an assistant to the chairman. He also laid plans for a complete revision of the website, guiding the webmaster team to achieve new technology, architecture and design to be introduced to the Rotary world in July of 2004. In addition he is creating a special project of the writings and books of all presidents of Rotary International.

"Keeping Rotarians engaged in Rotary activities is the key to retention. Nobody leaves when they are involved. Participating in this project keeps me immersed, and it provides me with a lot of information to share with those in my club and in my district. I’m looking for that one piece of information that will make somebody pause and read further. The more we can do of that, the more hands and the more funds we’ll have for Rotary’s good work around the world. We’ll lead others by providing an example that others will respect and want to emulate."

DG Helen B. Reisler: Public Relations Consultant; 1st woman President 2001-2002 Rotary Club of New York (club # 6). RI " Distinguished President" award, "1905 Silver Nickel" medal for "9/11" achievements. (Profiled in December 2002 Rotarian Magazine "Ground Zero"). 5 X recipient District #7230 Public Relations award, 3X Paul Harris Fellow. Producer of the video series "New York Rotary-A Club That Works" and the documentary "Gift of Life-A Child's Story" both shown on Manhattan Cable T.V. Manager of the Fellowship Department November 2003.

"This is the most exciting "Fellowship" project that Rotarians have ever undertaken----by Rotarians, for Rotarians, and about Rotarians. We have been traveling on "fast forward" for so long that it's about time we stopped to examine our "roots." The information will most certainly give us more "club esteem" and inspire us to work together into the future with the bonds that will be strengthened between us as a result of this global project."

Calum "Cal" Thomson, multi-PHF (3), CPF, Benefactor. Transport Management, RC of Longniddry & District, RI D1020 Zone 17. District 1020 Rotary Foundation Grants Officer 2004-05,  researcher/writer and History Fellow for Rotary Global History Fellowship since the winter of 2001 Cal is also the coordinator for the conventions and convention host clubs sections. He is also webmaster for "What Paul Harris Said" and our History Minute Yahoo Group. He was awarded the "Ches Perry" Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Chicago and is a Paul Harris Fellow of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Appointed to the board in January of 2004. Elected to the 2004 Board

    "Looking at my Pelican History of America's index, I cannot find any references to "Rotary" or "Paul Harris".  I do, incidentally, find the names of some eminent Rotarians such as Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D Roosevelt.
    We shall have to find our own history.
    Understanding the past is, obviously, important in helping to explain the present. Why, for example, did the movement expand so rapidly? The answer lies with the early pioneers who understood that the "Booster" concept of self interest was flawed and only appropriate for short-term advantage. If the movement could adapt to serve the community both at home and abroad, it would be able to attract men (and women) from every part of the globe.
    Rotary has to provide  history as a resource for all of its 30,000 clubs. In the age of the world-wide web, it is so easy for one inaccuracy to spread like a common cold. Rotary Global History Fellowship (An Internet Project) web site should be a repository of all definitive answers.
    Rotarians, the world over, can examine the past and also read of Rotary critics such as G. B. Shaw or H. L. Mencken and realise that in reality, the sternest critics are club members themselves.
    So, let us learn from the past and try to live up to those who began these Adventures in Service."