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Press Release “Small Society Big Hats”

February 14, 2019 / / 0 Comments
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Press Release

“Small Society Big Hats”

How an idea to raise funds at a Zone Meeting has turned into a 15 year adventure.

The White Hat Society was formed in September 2004 at the Rotary Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona to promote regular, significant, annual giving to the Rotary Foundation. One member bet another to give $5000 to get another member to give and so on. PDG Ed Mullen was amazed that they raised over $250,000 almost overnight.  As a true Texan, PDG Bill Bryce, the other Founder, suggested that they give out White Hats as a symbol of true Texan giving. Bob Lowe of Russell Hampton Company agreed. However Bob came up with the idea of a White Hat pin instead. Bob and his Russell-Hampton Company provide all of the White Hat pins at no cost. The society calls it a “Concho”. They were helped in their start-up by then RI Director – later President – Ron Burton and they dedicated the Society to him.

And now in November 2018, White Hat donations to the Foundation exceeded $5,000,000 US, with more than 450 members. The Society started out with 5 levels each of achievement represents $5000. Level 1 Charter Membership; Level 2, 3, and 4 Concho awards, and Level 5 Lifetime Award.

Since June our contributions to the White Hat Society has grown over 25% as we now are over $5 Million. The majority – over $600,000 – has come from District 5890 which encompasses most of the area in and around Houston, Texas.

Rotarians in Districts 5000 –Hawaii and District 5150—Northern California insisted on pushing the envelope. This is why the WHS has created 5 new levels ; Ascendant Membership Level 6, Lone Star Membership Level 7, Diamondhead Membership Level 8, Kona Membership Level 9, and Golden Gate Membership Level 10.

Membership in this Society requires a donation to the Rotary Foundation of $5,000 US in a single Rotary year. Our Members receive a White Hat Certificate, a White Hat pin marked with a Southwestern Concho provided at no cost by Russell-Hampton, an email subscription to the White Hat newsletter, and an invitation to the White Hat celebrations held in major cities around the world.

Donations on behalf of the White Hat Society must be made directly through the member’s own Club, District, or Foundation account in the usual manner. No funds should ever be sent to the Society. Donations must represent new contributions to the Foundation and not ‘Points’.  Once the $5,000 level has been reached in a Rotary year, simply notify the Society to receive the membership kit. Donors should notify The White Hat Chairman, PDG Ed Mullen of District 5870, ed.mullen@taptrain.com, 254-698-2304 of their contributions and status. We operate on the principles of the Four Way Test, so your word is good enough.

WH members need NOT make a donation every year. One gets you into the Society. However, for each subsequent $5,000 donation a new pin, emblazoned with additional Conchos, and a new certificate reflecting the elevated status is earned. Simply report the additional donations to the Society. Spouses and Partners may jointly receive the Honors unless each chooses to make a separate $5,000 donation.

Donations may take any form accepted by the Foundation and may be applied to any of the Foundation’s programs. Those donations applied to the Annual Fund count toward Paul Harris Fellowships and Major Donor status in the usual way.

Donors should notify The White Hat Chairman, PDG Ed Mullen of District 5870, ed.mullen@taptrain.com, 1-254-698-2304 for updates of their contributions and status. The White Hat website, www.taptrain.com/rotary is provided and maintained by milMedia Group of Killeen, Texas, www.milmediagroup.com.

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Newsletter No. 4

July 9, 2018 / / 0 Comments

Edited By:

Ed Mullen, Founding Chairman

Jeff Matera, RC Marble Falls, Texas, Editor

What we have accomplished!

Over $4,240,000 raised in the last 9 years. And still growing. Almost 50 districts in North and South America have contributed to this special society, born out a few fellow Rotarians creating a special bond. Your White Hat Society has been holding a special place in Rotary Giving.

Originally starting with just one Charter Member level for a single $5000 contribution, the bar was raised to 5 levels capped as a Lifetime Member achievement for 5- $5000 contributions. Those levels have now been broken to achieve levels as high as 10 levels in the past several years and still we don’t know how much it may be able to achieve. (See stat chart in this newsletter).

With this amazing foundation, only 10% of the districts have members. Our Society’s wish now is to stimulate giving from every single. As part of your membership, we ask that you help stimulate your fellow Rotarians wherever they may be to participate in this cause.

News note: Jeff Matera of the Marble Falls Club is helping me manage the society, you may see his name from time to time. Thanks.

Ed Mullen, Founding Chairman ed.mullen@taptrain.com

Jeff Matera, RC Marble Falls, Texas,  Editor

Time to Celebrate

2019 will be the 10th year of the Society’s founding. Time to have a reunion. We are attempting to make plans for a weekend get together of all members. We are searching for a North American location easily accessible to all members and their significant others No date has been set yet. We are encouraging all members to provide us with suggestions for this event.

We Remember Not to Forget.

Here are the names of Charter and all members of the Society who have passed away. We have received this information from our district inquiries. We would like to ask if there are any on the roster that we have lost who are not recognized in this section. Please contact us so that we may document for our database.

Name          District

  • Rosey Tan 5160
  • Robert Ballie 7690
  • Dave Berry 5000
  • Ivan Butterfield 5890
  • Bob Danner 5770
  • Clyde Griffin 5870
  • Nancy Griffin 5870
  • Edwin Lee 5150
  • Patty Wolfe 5150
  • George Meriwether 5870
  • Barbara Feder 5510/5495
  • Gene Neal 5870
  • Patsy Derr 5870

Lost then Found

In our recent data based update we were unable to obtain e-mail addresses for the following society members. If you are able to provide their e-mails or other information about them to the society we would really appreciate your help. We would also ask for your help in reviewing any errors and omissions on our site as well. We appreciate your help.

District Last Name First Name
5870 Alford Jake
5910 Austin Rose PDG
6200 Bajat Noel
4420 Bastos Terezinha
5150 Behring Ken
5150 Bell William
5150 Bianchini Marcia
5890 Busscemi Charlie
5830 Durrant Fay J. PDG
5000 Flinn Nalani PDG
7080 Freese Jack
5000 Green Dal
5870 Harrah William
5730 Hibert Harvey
5000 Hunkle Les
5000 Kim II
5150 Kreitman Keith
5890 Kroll Lindsey
5000 Matsui Cedric
5890 Mauldin Earl
5320 Maxwell Helen
5320 Maxwell Peter
5000 May Dick
5690 Nygaard David
5320 Owen Josh
5510 Patmos Jim
5830 Roberts James
5910 Summers Hugh
6200 Thomas Ruthie
6200 Walter Gislason
5150 Wilde William

 


For the Record.

Here is the current compilation listed by district

  Dist LVL> 10 9 8 7 6 L 4 3 2 C Total Est. Value
1 3360 1 1 $             5,000
2 4170 1 1 $             5,000
3 4420 1 2 2 3 12 20 $         185,000
4 5000 1 1 2 1 4 2 1 7 27 46 $         565,000
5 5100 1 1 $             5,000
6 5150 5 11 2 4 3 46 71 $         885,000
7 5160 1 1 2 $           40,000
8 5180 2 2 $           10,000
9 5220 1 1 $           15,000
10 5230 1 2 2 5 $           55,000
11 5240 3 3 $           15,000
12 5320 7 2 1 2 13 25 $         315,000
13 5400 1 1 $             5,000
14 5420 1 1 2 $           35,000
15 5440 1 2 3 13 19 $         150,000
16 5450 2 7 9 $           85,000
17 5470 1 2 3 $           20,000
18 5490 1 1 $           25,000
19 5495 1 1 $           10,000
20 5500 1 1 $             5,000
21 5510 1 4 5 10 $           90,000
22 5520 1 1 $             5,000
23 5630 1 1 $             5,000
24 5690 1 1 $           25,000
25 5730 1 1 3 5 10 $         100,000
26 5750 2 1 1 2 6 $           90,000
27 5770 1 5 6 $           50,000
28 5779 1 1 $             5,000
29 5790 2 2 4 $           60,000
30 5810 2 3 6 11 $         110,000
31 5830 4 6 10 $           70,000
32 5840 2 1 1 1 4 9 $         115,000
33 5870 8 2 3 7 44 64 $         575,000
34 5890 2 2 1 5 11 21 $         210,000
35 5910 4 4 $           20,000
36 5930 1 1 $           10,000
37 5950 2 2 $           10,000
38 6080 2 2 $           10,000
39 6110 1 8 9 $           50,000
40 6200 1 1 4 6 $           50,000
41 6580 2 2 $           10,000
42 7040 1 1 $           25,000
43 7080 2 2 $           10,000
44 7390 1 1 $             5,000
45 7430 1 1 $           25,000
46 7690 2 1 3 $           55,000
47 7890 2 2 $           10,000
RH 1 1 $             5,000
 Total 6 1 2 0 1 56 16 17 54 254 407 $      4,240,000

 

Top 10 Districts

Members                       Contributions

  1. 5150 71                           $885,000
  2. 5870 64                           $575,000
  3. 5000 46                           $565,000
  4. 5320 25                           $315,000
  5. 5890 21                           $210,000
  6. 4420 20                           $185,000
  7. 5440 19                           $150,000
  8. 5840 9                             $115,000
  9. 5810 11                           $110,000
  10. 5730 10                           $100,000

73% of the members gave 76% of the contributions

Newsletter No. 2

December 20, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Newsletter #2

The White Hat Society has expanded into District 5150, Northern California. Led by Governor Mark Flegel at the District Conference in Yosemite National Park, the District has recruited 21 members. The District has appointed August Reader of San Francisco Rotary Club #2 as its White Hat Chair. District 5150 has tied with District 5870 (Austin, Texas) for the largest number of White Hat pins and conchos awarded and leads in the Number of Rotarians. District 5890 (Houston, Texas) is third.
In a recent ceremony at the Park Cities Club in Dallas, Texas, PRID Ron Burton awarded White Hats to PDG Pete Snider and Sherry and to Bill and Phyllis Slicker of District 5810.

In addition to the two generous lifetime donations of $250,000 each, the White Hat Society has succeeded in raising $360,000 for the Foundation through its $5,000 standard.

Thanks to the leadership of White Hat Society Founder, PDG Bill Bryce, D-5870, we are scheduling a White Hat weekend in New York in the Fall of 2007. Bill will send information to all White Hats soon and will take reservations for the trip.

Newsletter No. 1

December 20, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Newsletter No. 1

The White Hat Society has its first two Lifetime Awards. TRF Trustee and Past R.I. Director Ron Burton and Jetta of District 5770 and PDG Eddie Blender and Patricia of District 5470 have each contributed more than $250,000 to the Foundation. They have become Lifetime (endowed) Members!
Rob Lowe of Russell-Hampton is designing a new pin.

In addition to the two generous donations, the White Hat Society has succeeded in raising more than $260,000 for the Foundation through its $5,000 standard.

The Society also welcomes Multiple Concho Awardees, those who have given more than one $5,000 gift. They include:

  • PDG Bill Bryce and Sarah, District 5870, 3rd Concho Award.
  • PDG Jorge Verduzco & Olga, District 5930, 2nd Concho Award.
  • PDG Jack Mayo & Nita Louise, District 5870, 2nd Concho Award.
  • PRID Roy Trout, District 5770, 2nd Concho Award.
  • Jake Alford, District 5870, 2nd Concho Award.
  • Don Ray & Linda George, District 5870, 2nd Concho Award.

The most recent Foundation Dinner and White Hat Award ceremony took place 24 February 2007 at the Airport Hilton in Austin, Texas. R.I. President Bill Boyd presided. Contact PDG Pat Derr (pderr@hot.rr.cpm) for details.

HAVE YOU FULFILLED THE SECOND DUTY OF THE WHITE HAT SOCIETY –RECRUITING A NEW MEMBER?

Newsletter No. 3

December 20, 2017 / / 0 Comments


Newsletter #3

Have you fulfilled the second duty of the White Hat Society –recruiting a new member?

The White Hat Society has established in 20 Districts to date.  They are 5150 (California), 5220 (California), 5420 (Utah), 5440 (Wyoming), 5450 (Colorado), 5470 (Colorado), 5510 (Arizona), 5520 (New Mexico), 5730 (Texas), 5750 (Oklahoma), 5770 (Oklahoma), 5790 (Texas), 5810 (Texas), 5870 (Texas), 5890 (Texas), 5910 (Texas), 5930 (Texas), 6080 (Missouri), 6110 (Arkansas), and 6200 (Louisiana).  White Hat giving to the Foundation has exceeded $1 million and 100 members.

Thanks to the leadership of White Hat Society Founder, PDG Bill Bryce, D-5870, the White Hat Society celebrated in New York during November 2007.  We all arrived on a Thursday at the Yale Club, the private hotel of the Yale Alums.  Our Society co-founder, Bill Brice, is a Yale grad and arranged for our group to stay there.  Quite a place!  22 stories across the street from Grand Central Station and just up from the United Nations.  It has several restaurants and cocktail lounges, two floors of excellent gyms, one floor with the university-level library, and a great staff that doesn’t take tips.  Free broadband, too.

As the group began to arrive on Thursday at various times, some went shopping; some toured museums and such.  Drinks in the Club Lounge, and then we attended a presentation by the actor John Lithgow (Third Rock from the Sun), there in the Club.  Quite entertaining with 15-year old Single Malt in a magnificent meeting hall with the five U.S. presidents who were Yale grads staring down at us.

Our group assembled early Friday morning for breakfast on the 22nd floor and were joined by Gillian Sorenson, former Associate Secretary General of the UN and current leader in the UN Foundation.  She had invited us to New York and offered to give us a personally guided tour behind the scenes at the UN.  After breakfast, she gave a talk on the history of the UN and Rotary, then took us to it.  We went into the General Assembly, and several other impressive meeting rooms, toured most of the building, oohed and awed over the Art, then had lunch in the Delegates’ Lounge, along with the diplomats from many countries.

After lunch, we walked back to the Club through Midtown Manhattan.  Some went shopping; some went touring.  Had a great dinner that evening in the club.

We met for breakfast again and decided on the day’s activities.  The Saturday morning for most of us was a tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  It was the ‘Rembrandt Exposition’ and we had a simply wonderful time. Then across Central Park to the Tavern on the Green for lunch, a beautiful place, good food, excellent service.

Some of us then cabbed down to the World Trade Center site.  They are rebuilding it and the evidence of ruin is there to be seen.  What a somber, chilling experience. There was a steady stream of people coming and going, many with tears in their eyes.

Back to the Club, then, where we gathered for Sherry and cheese in Bill’s suite, then went to an off-Broadway play, ‘Stomp.’  There was lots of stomping and syncopation.  Late night drinks at the Club after the play, and a foray into the neighborhood for a post-midnight dinner.

The whole purpose of this trip was to share fellowship among our White Hats and to have fun.  This is the essence of Rotary, we believe.  And, by the way, Rich Kaye, RC of Killeen-Heights (Texas) came up with an innovative way to create White Hats and Major Donors simultaneously in his Club.

We hope that next year’s meeting may be in San Francisco where we have the largest contingent of White Hats.

There was a lot of ‘buzz’ about the White Hat Society at the International Convention in Salt Lake City.  Expect more White Hats soon!

Many thanks to Bob & Kathy Lowe of Russell-Hampton Company for designing and donating the WH pins.