The Goal

of the Rotary AIDS project is to alert and educate every single Rotarian in the world about the AIDS epidemic. To reach 1.1 million Rotarians in over 25,000 Rotary clubs world-wide, the Rotary AIDS Project produced a 30 minute videotape called "The Los Altos Story". The video personalizes the statistics of AIDS and captures the emotional trauma of the disease in a compelling and dynamic way. The Project also produced a video and manual on how to organize and run a Rotary AIDS symposium. Additionally, a third video titled "Making A Difference" summarizes the efforts of the Los Altos AIDS Project and was produced as a companion to the other two videos. Project members believe service-minded Rotarians will take action to:

• CHANGE attitudes and behaviors
  
• EDUCATE others about AIDS
  
• SUPPORT those affiliated with the disease
  
• ENCOURAGE scientific research to find a cure
  

Since 1990 The Los Altos Story has been a sensitive film telling the dramatic story of how AIDS changed the lives of three Rotarians - Dushan "Dude" Angius, Walter Singer and Greg Betts. A documentary about real people, places and events, the Los Altos Story was produced by the Los Altos Rotary Club in association with Gregory Hoblit, a producer and eight time Emmy Award Winner (LA Law, Hill Street Blues). The film was written and directed by former NBC news correspondent and five time Emmy Award winner Robin Young. Winner of the 1990 Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting, "The Los Altos Story" also won cable TV's highest honor, the ACE Award, for Best Public Affairs Special.

A Call to Action Our story begins when president-elect Dushan "Dude" Angius stepped up to the podium at the June 1989 Assembly to address the club. After sharing his family's devastating experience with AIDS, Dude asked club members to help him start an AIDS project. "People with AIDS are dying alone. It's added a whole new dimension to my life in terms of 'What can I do in the future? What can Rotarians do?' I don't know exactly what we can do, but we need to do something about AIDS." said Angius.

Dushan "Dude" Angius

Rotary AIDS Project Task Force

was created in response to a call to action from Los Altos Rotary President-elect Dushan "Dude" Angius.
At the June 1989 Assembly of the Los Altos Rotary Club, Dude told members that his son, Steve, had AIDS. After sharing his experience in learning about the effects of this devastating disease, Dude asked the club to develop an AIDS project to help others understand the magnitude of the spreading AIDS epidemic.
Inspired by Dude's call to action, ten fellow Rotarians volunteered to develop a plan within the Rotary network to address the world-wide problem of AIDS. With the belief that Rotarians can take a leading role in the global fight against this lethal disease, the Task Force accepted the challenge to act as a catalyst in promoting awareness of AIDS through education and information.

The Challenge

How do you reach 1.1 million Rotarians in over 25,00 Rotary clubs world-wide?
The Task Force decided a professionally produced video tape was the answer. With the help of top professionals in the industry, a half-hour videotape - The Los Altos Story - was made. The videotape tells the dramatic story of how AIDS changed the lives of three fellow Rotarians. The sensitive film captures the emotional trauma of the disease in a realistic way.
The Task Force faced another challenge-how to raise enough money to make and distribute the videotape. To raise the necessary funds, the Task Force obtained support from surrounding Rotary Clubs, the Rotary International Foundation and Corporations. Task Force members also believe individual Rotarians around the world will accept the challenge and make a commitment to support the Rotary AIDS Project.
The AIDS Task Force continues to educate, support and encourage locally, nationally and internationally to fight this deadly epidemic.

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