District Governor Gary Chenoweth and his wife Mary
Greetings D6290 Rotarians,
2020-2021 RI theme was Rotary Opens Opportunities… Did it ever… Opportunities on WAYS to keep our Rotary clubs above water during the pandemic year! Jon experienced it all during his club visits, Zoom, hybrids, some live, etc. and he adapted well. Many times, during District meetings Jon would quote the old proverbial phrase “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade”! Jon and D6290 Leaders did just that during the year. In addition to providing day-to-day support to our clubs, additional initiatives were started. During the year, The Mighty Platform, an internet educational and communication tool was launched; District initiating a PolioPlus Society Membership program (still only 2 new wild polio cases YTD); and most recently D6290 become one of only a few global Rotary Districts to become a Champion of a new Haitian initiative “HANWASH”. You will hear more about all these new initiatives in the coming months. So, it’s easy to state, under Jon’s leadership, a lot of lemonade was made last year. Thanks, Jon for serving D6290 well as District Governor!
Now it’s onto the Rotary year 2021-2022. As incoming DG, I feel two specific areas are critical for D6290 clubs to continue to serve local and international community needs effectively this year and into the future.
First area: Club Leadership Development. In recent years, many of our clubs have struggled to implement leadership succession plans. To me, the struggle seems to have gotten worse over the last several years. This trend must change! D6290 needs to come up with strategies that produce new passionate Rotary leaders. It will not be easy, but not impossible either. FYI. After the Great Lakes President-Elect Training Session (GLPETS) decided that the 2021 March Training Conference was going to be all virtual, D6290 Educational Leaders were very concerned about the level of training our club’s President Elects (PEs) would receive from this venue. Shortly after this concern was raised, DGE Paul Heroman introduced an educational and communication internet platform that he was familiar with. Paul felt that this platform, called Mighty Platform, would provide good additional needed training for PEs. After a 6-month trial was completed, it became quite clear to Leadership Team, that the Mighty Platform was a perfect tool for District to provide effective training not only for PEs but also for Presidents and for other club officers and throughout the year. I’m excited to announce, The Mighty Platform, which is being rebranded as “The 6290 Network”, will become a permanent tool for District.
Second area: Membership Growth. This has always been a key goal for Rotary every year. However, this year it’s even more critical that we emphasize and support this activity. Club membership in North America has dropped significantly during the past year…somewhat as a result of clubs going dark during covid months but not the total reason. Recently I heard John Hewko, RI’s General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, state that Rotary’s global membership has been at 1.2 million members for 20 plus years. However, NA, Europe, Australia, and New Zeeland’s memberships levels have been dropping over those same years. Global membership has stayed at 1.2m members level as a result of increases in Asian countries. In addition, new RI President ShekharMehta’s main goal this year is to grow global membership from 1.2 to 1.3 million members! Now that is a WOW GOAL! I would love it if District 6290 would become a model for breaking the declining NA membership trend. During the coming year, Educational Team is planning on providing our clubs with the latest methods, practices and strategies for growing organic membership. Also, with the assistance of local clubs, District Leaders will be looking to adding more Rotaract clubs. Recently a Holland/Zeeland Community Rotaract club has been chartered. Hopefully this model is the beginning of something special! Forming Rotaract clubs and not just at college locations.
I’m sure you all agree, Michigan, Ontario and our countries need more Rotarians now and not less!
The 2021-2022 theme is “Serve to Change Lives”. For me that theme goes both ways, I have experienced tremendous joy since becoming a Rotarian!
In conclusion, I’m very excited and honored on becoming the D6290’s District Governor for this Rotary year! Visiting our clubs (hopefully live) and making new Rotary friends is going to be awesome!!
There are many ways to join in the celebration, but here are a few activities to get you started:
Say it loud, say it proud! Let everyone in your social network know that you are a proud member by changing your Twitter and Facebook profile to the I’m a Proud Member,I’m a Proud Rotaractor, or I am a Proud Interactorgraphic. Copy and save the graphic as your profile picture for August.
We Are Rotary. Using the hashtag #WeAreRotary, post photos to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Vine of your club members at work in your community or abroad to show how Rotary makes a positive impact in the world.
Making a difference. Rotary clubs are known for the high-impact service projects they undertake locally and globally. Share stories about your service projects and how they improve lives on Rotary Showcase. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see what Rotary members around the world are doing to celebrate Membership Month.
What does Rotary mean to you? Rotary members have pushed polio to the brink of eradication, delivered clean water to those in need, improved their local communities, provided scholarships to the next generation of peacemakers, and continued to do good in the world.
At its June meeting, the RI Board of Directors, with guidance from the DEI Taskforce, took additional steps to ensure our organization values and lives the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion by revisiting and strengthening Rotary's 2019 DEI statement. The result is a new Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion adopted in June 2021:
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.
The Board of Directors convened the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce in 2020 and tasked it with assessing the current state of DEI within Rotary and developing a comprehensive plan of action with achievable, measurable, and meaningful outcomes for Rotary. This plan is currently in development and will be presented to the Board of Directors in October 2021.
Additionally, the Board agreed to:
Provide DEI training for incoming, current, and past RI officers
Promote the Rotary Code of Conduct
Establish protocols to report Code of Conduct violations
More information about these decisions, and our ongoing focus on DEI, will be available on rotary.org/dei in the coming weeks.
The Board thanks the task force for its ongoing commitment to creating a more just, open, and welcoming Rotary experience during this past year. The task force's work is critical to the organization's long-term success. The Board also extended the work of the DEI Taskforce through June 2023.
If you witness or experience someone acting in a way that violates Rotary's DEI statement, email DEI.Inquiries@rotary.org.
Russ was first introduced to Rotary in Hastings, NE in 1979. He was transferred by his company prior to the completion of his official induction into the Rotary Club of Hastings. His induction had to wait another 2 years until 1981 when Russ was inducted into the Minnehaha Rotary Club in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1986, Russ was transferred to Grand Rapids, MI where he became a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids East. He later served as the Club’s vice president and member of the board of directors.
Russ started his journey as a global Rotarian in 1993 when he became a charter member, vice president, and board member of the Rotary Club of Kuningan, Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1995 Russ joined the Rotary Club of Menteng, Jakarta, Indonesia where he also served as vice president and member of the board of directors. In 1998, Russ joined the Rotary Club of Hong Kong, China, serving as a vice president and member of the board of directors. In 1999, Russ joined the Provisional Rotary Club of Beijing, China, while maintaining his membership in the Rotary Club of Hong Kong. Russ became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Beijing, serving as vice president and a member of the board of directors. Due to the resignation of the Club’s president during the Rotary Year 1998 – 1999, Russ stepped in as the Club’s president from January 1 through June 30, 1999, then fulfilled his year as the Club’s president for the Rotary Year 1999 – 2000. From 2006 – 2009, Russ served on the Rotary International China Advisory Team and as Assistant Special Representative for China, charged with overseeing club affairs for the newly formed Rotary District 0052. Russ became a member of the Rotary Club of Holland, MI in 2011 where he served on the Club’s board of directors and as Foundation Chair. Russ served as president of the Holland Rotary Club during the Rotary Year 2017 – 2018 and as board chair during the Rotary Year 2018 – 2019. In 2013, Russ was appointed chairman of the membership committee for District 6290. Russ currently serves as an Assistant District Governor – Macatawa Region District 6290. Russ is a member of the Paul Harris Society and a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation. He is active with the Rotarian Action Group for Peace and the Rotarian Action Group for Military Veterans, having served in the U.S. Army Security Service from 1968 – 71.
Russ attended Central Nebraska Community College, Hastings, NE. He obtained his CLU from American College, Bryn Mawr, PA, and is a Fellow of the Leadership Institute, Babson College, Wellesley, MA. He serves as an ambassador for the West Coast Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Holland Salvation Army board of advisors, and as a commissioner on the City of Holland International Relations Commission. Russ and his wife Chanda have been married for 52 years. They have one son, Shawn, and two Granddaughters, Chanda and Cassie.
With 50+ years of business, leadership, and management development experience, including 20 years living and working in Asia as a senior executive for a US multinational company, and as an advisor-mentor to senior management and boards of directors of companies and organizations operating in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, Russ has a solid understanding of what it takes to operate successfully in the global world of today.
Rhonda joined Rotary in 1991, as a member of the Rotary Club of Houghton Lake where she served as 2020-2021 Club President. She enjoys active service opportunities and fellowship provided by her club. She and her husband, Bob, are Paul Harris Fellows. Service is an important part of her family’s life, as her husband and son serve as Rotarians and her daughter has served in Interact and Rotaract.
Born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Rhonda is proud of her ‘Yooper‘ heritage. She graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She attended the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, graduating in 1987 with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree, and has practiced dentistry in Lake City and Houghton Lake. Her semi-retired status has allowed her many opportunities of humanitarian service along with service to dental and Rotary missions in the U.S. and in El Salvador.
Rhonda serves on District 6290’s Rotary Interact Committee and the District RYLA Committee for the Life Leadership Conference. She has served as International Chair and Rotary Youth Exchange Officer for her club, and she currently serves as an advisor for the Rotary Interact Club of Houghton Lake.
Rhonda is a member of the American Dental Association and Michigan Dental Association. She is active in her church where she serves as Lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and as a member of the Pastoral Council. She enjoys volunteering classroom time and science instruction at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Catholic School.
Along with humanitarian service, of particular importance to Rhonda are family relationships and friendships. She enjoys gatherings at her home, at Michigan Stadium, and during travel, locally and internationally. Her personal interests are enjoying nature, organic gardening, cooking, travel, zip-lining, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Rhonda looks forward to serving Rotary and Interact Clubs as District Interact Chair, to help inspire collaboration efforts of leadership and service among our amazing youth in District 6290.
Jared Kosanovic, has completed his Ride to End Polio across the continental United States.
Jared was a participant in the totally self-supported BikeNonStop.com race that began at Trillium Crossing in Portland, Oregon on June 27, 2021; Jared crossed the finish line today, July 21st, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
When Jared heard that Austrian Rotarian Kurt Matzler could not participate in the annual Race Across America, he established a fundraising link to The Rotary Foundation, choosing polio eradication as the focus of his ride. Along the 3,472 mile route, wearing the Rotary Ride to End Polio jersey, he raised awareness and $5,735 for Rotary's Polio initiative, surpassing his initial goal of $1/mile.
Riding an Otso Waheela, with an average moving speed of 12.2 mph, his total moving time was 11 days, 19 hours, and 52 minutes.
