A personal word to all the leaders in 6290 . . of which there are quite a number, both formal and informal . . . . to thank you for your contribution to the Rotary mission of making better communities in our world, one community at a time.
We have had a good year together. The world is a better place ... just a bit . . . thanks to the work we have done together through grants, service projects, membership drives, creating fun and fellowship in our clubs and finding ways to get to know some fellow clubs a bit better too. You did a lot to reduce hunger in our communities, provide clean water where it was unsanitary. Clubs have provided literacy initiatives to help parents read to their children and help children read for themselves. Clubs have found food for school children who would have none over the weekend or on school holidays and clubs have generously helped to provide disaster relief after international crisis as in Nepal in April. All this because our leaders led the way.
We have a great deal to be proud of in District 6290. My desire in this last newsletter is to say thanks to our leaders who fulfill our Rotary lives. Rotary is an organization of leaders who come together, get ideas and make things happen. Our world and our communities are better – just a bit – each time this happens. Because we are leaders this process just keeps working year after year.
In just a few days we will start a new Rotary Year with a cast of new and returning leaders to take us forward into new and exciting adventures of service. Remember, these formal leaders need our support, just as we have needed your support all this year. But it is not only our formal leaders to whom we look for guidance, ideas and inspiration. We have hundreds of informal leaders, throughout all our clubs all over the district, who provide valuable and important leadership by having ideas and getting things done. Support and honor our informal leaders too.
So, as we close this Rotary year by saying thanks to ALL our leaders for their valuable contribution to make our Rotary lives more meaningful and our communities better, let’s not forget to congratulate our new and returning leaders for next year, pat them on the back and tell them you will support their leadership next year.
Thanks for a great year, 6290. It was wonderful fun working with you, watching you and being inspired by you. Joan and I will remember these days together for many years.
Question: What happens when District Governor Al Bonney asks the clubs in District 6290 participate in a district-wide service project to alleviate food insecurity in their own neighborhoods?
Answer: 89 projects get developed and implemented that have the same result – our food insecure neighbors gained greater access to the food they needed for themselves and their families.
The collective impact from the hunger relief efforts of the clubs in our District was nothing short of amazing. To give you a glimpse of what was done, Al gathered the stories of the 50 clubs that joined the effort and presented them in a Three Squares Impact Report for the 2014-2015 Rotary year so that we could all have the opportunity to try to appreciate what has been done to feed our low income neighbors.
We hope you enjoy learning about the great work that’s been done in District 6290. Thank you for Lighting Up Rotary!
It's one of Rotary's most highly regarded programs--so much so, that some employers credit hours invested by Rotarians as formal leadership training! In District 6290 we feel so strongly about the quality and impact of this program that we have budgeted funds that are available as matching scholarship funds -- Clubs send one member and the District will fund a second. All you need to do is notify Kathy Hegedus at the District Office and she'll make it happen for you!
If you have attended Rotary Leadership Institute, PDG Tim Knaggs encourages you to share your experiences with your fellow club members. Encourage new members and emerging leaders to attend. To help us help you tell that story, please send your personal testimonials to tknaggs@charter.net.
The recently concluded five-part webinar series about membership set a new standard for Rotary, as the sessions were the most popular webinars Rotary has ever produced. Now you can join the thousands of participants from 109 countries by viewing the five sessions on demand. Discover innovative new ideas and strategies for strengthening and growing your club's membership.
Over the last two years, the Board of Directors and TRF Trustees have expanded the definition of "alumni" to include all Rotary program participants – not just TRF alumni. This list now includes (but is not limited to):
Rotary Youth Exchange
Group Study Exchange leaders & team members
Interact members
Global Scholars
Rotaract members
District Scholars
Rotary Youth Leader Award (RYLA)
Peace Scholars
Past Rotary Foundation Volunteers
Past Ambassadorial Scholars
Any alumni of a Rotary recognized program
Our alumni are a missed opportunity with regard to continued engagement in the family of Rotary. Imagine if we kept in touch with all these alumni on a regular basis? Instead, we tend to lose track of our valuable resources only to wish we had just kept in touch. Now, we wonder, where the heck are they?
One of the most significant differences between Rotary's former website and the new rotary.org is that most of the information we need, as Rotarians, requires that you have an 'account' to access MyRotary. Once you have registered, which is a VERY simple process, you gain access to vast resources on Rotary's programs, as well as helpful tools, brochures etc. In this newsletter we link to information that is for Rotarians only, which means you need to be registered. Download step-by-step instructions.
Rotary is releasing $40.3 million in grants to support polio immunization activities in 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan, the three countries where the disease has never been stopped. The funds come at a critical time and will build on gains Rotary and its partners have been making in the fight to eradicate polio. Nigeria, the last polio-endemic country in Africa, is approaching one year without a case of polio.
If you have an interest in, or experience with, water and sanitation projects, plan to attend the 11th annual Thirsting to Serve Conference. Held at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College, this one-day event provides invaluable information for those that are interested in supporting an existing project and/or launching their own. Online registration is available now.
Over the past few months you have read about some ways to save energy at home. The purpose of sharing these was to encourage you to change some habits, and then have you send some of your savings to our Foundation. If you didn’t send anything in this year – yet – would you sign up for EREY and just KNOW you will be saving more than $100 in a year by following several of my suggestions? If you choose to donate a total of $100 or more you become a sustaining member. Please give. rotary.org/give If you don’t do it today you will forget. And the reasons for giving? I hope you know what fantastic work our Foundation continues to do all around the world. This is why I choose to give.
During the upcoming year, the District newsletter will be released on the 1st of each month. The deadline to submit materials is the 20th of each month. If you have an example of a 'best practice' or have other great news to share, please complete our 'Club News' submission form (found at www.ridistrict6290.org under Public Image, or in the FAQ section in our monthly newsletter). Electronic photos are encouraged. Please try to limit your submission to 300 words or less.
