Week of Oct. 5-12, 2008

By Dr. Larry Hashimoto
President 2008-09
Redondo Beach Rotary Club

On Sunday, I represented our club in hosting SCOTS (Scholars and Counselors Orientation Training Seminar) at the Red Onion in Palos Verdes. It's a training seminar for outbound and inbound Ambassadorial Scholars and their host counselors in our District. The RI Ambassadorial Scholarship is a prestigious $24,000 scholarship to be used to study in a foreign country for 1 year, learn the culture and traditions of the host country, and to be an ambassador for your country and spread goodwill. The money comes from our annual contributions to the RI Foundation.

Having been a host counselor last year for Morana Song from South Korea, you realize that these scholars are selected by Rotary, not only because they are amongst the brightest and best students, but also because they want to make a difference in the world. Ironically, our 3 inbound scholars this year are all from South Korea and are presently attending UCLA!!!

Also in attendance were RI Ambassadorial Scholarship Alumni that told amazing stories about how the scholarship and the experiences they had during their studies abroad changed their lives forever. After hearing these young adults, I realized that the money given to the Foundation is really money well spent, by not only changing the lives of our young people around the world, but also making the world smaller and a better place for the future.

So, I want to thank the club for their contribution to the RI Foundation and especially Bill Paul, our Foundation chair, and Bill Gard for getting the club to contribute to this wonderful organization. Because of the Foundation and the great work Rotary does throughout the world, especially for our kids and young people, Rotary will go on until eternity. Go Rotary! Larry