Rotary District 6290
Monthly e-Bulletin
   

Volume 1 | Issue 6

  
Stories
Still Undaunted!
Rotary International District Governor, Dave Thomas and wife Carol

 

It’s hard to believe that only 11 months ago, in June 2019, I sat down to write my first Governor article for the July Newsletter. At that point, I had only visited a few clubs and was inspired by their energy and enthusiasm. I labeled the article Undaunted because these clubs inspired me to try and be the best Governor I could be. A year later, I am still inspired by our District, Our Clubs and the kind people that make them up.

They say that Leadership is easy when things go as planned. True leaders show their mettle when times are challenging. PDG Tom Schmidt is my ideal governor. To me he is a hero that leads rather then a bureaucrat that tells. His example of Servant Leadership was the model I aspired to in my service. The World is filled with big idea people. They can pontificate with absolute certainty on what to do in any situation. However, in my career, I have always gravitated to the doers. People who wake up with a “can-do” attitude. People like Kathy Hegedus, Chris Etienne, Jane Millar, James White one and James White two. I could go on naming all those in our District that make it great. Our Youth team led by Ed Swart, our District Conference team led by Jane Millar, and our Foundation team led by Gernot Runschke. Where would we be without leaders like these?

However, in the end, we always come back to the players on the field. As good and well intentioned as the District coaches on the sidelines may be, the game is won on the field. 59 2019-2020 Club Presidents who showed up weekly to make a difference. Meaningful and inspiring meetings, fund raisers, and community support would not – could not - have happened without your dedication and commitment. I know it takes a team because I had a team as well. The 4G led by DGE Jon Catlin and the 13 Assistant Governors led by John Gronberg made my job much easier. I know your club team members did the same for you. Please thank them from me for making your clubs work. I am so proud of all the wonderful things your clubs were doing in the first 9 months of your Presidency. Then along came COVID-19 to raise the difficulty challenge of your Presidency. Nary a heartbeat passed until you gathered your thoughts marshalled your team and struck back with Zoom and other virtual and other ways of continuing your mission. I never doubted you for a moment; But gosh – I’d be lying - if I didn’t acknowledge how proud you made me. “Service Above Self” isn’t a catch phrase. It’s a lifestyle and I thank you.

When I thought about my final article, I considered putting a “Merrie Melodies – Looney Tunes” meme of “That’s All Folks” waving goodbye. I could even superimpose my face over Porky Pig. However, upon reflection it would be completely wrong. It’s not over in any way. It’s only begun and District 6290 goes on “UNDAUNTED”. Thank you for a great year.      Gov. - Dave
First "virtual Scholarship Winner Ada-Cascade Rotary Club
 
Ada-Casade Rotary Club first "virtual" Service Above Self Scholarship
 
Natalie Bauman was recently awarded the first "virtual" Service Above Self Scholarship.  Here is the essay she shared in her application:
 
What does Service above Self mean to you?

I believe that service above self is one of the most important motto's to
follow. Service above self means helping others before helping yourself. It means
setting aside your preconceptions or differences and serving for the sole purpose
of benefiting others. If everyone could revoke their personal interests and focus
on supporting others, imagine how great our world could be. The greatest
achievements are brought by coming together with others to leave a constructive
mark on communities, nations, and countries. It is so important to have a selfless
attitude and assist others because it can create a chain reaction of paying it
forward where the people you show care and service to will feel inclined to do the
same to others which creates a more positive society. By having this unselfish
outlook, we are able to connect with others and let go of our ego to act from the
heart.

For service to truly be a good deed it must be done unselfishly and without
seeking any reward for yourself. The most sincere acts are when you do not
expect anything in return for the things you have done. This demonstrates your
true level of care and commitment to those you are helping. Selfless giving
produces overwhelming amounts of joy that cannot be obtained when actions are
shallow and self-centered.

Service above self is humility, grace, compassion, and nobility. Service
above self is staying after class to tutor a student you notice is struggling,
building relationships with those at a shelter you regularly volunteer at, shoveling
your elderly neighbors’ sidewalk, and serving meals to those in need. It is a way
to connect with the community and leave a beneficial impact on many lives,
which moreover, brings you joy and contentment.
Hunger relief in Honduras
 
Hunger relief in Honduras  
        
The Comayagua Rotary Club and El Ayudante in Central Honduras have been our international host partners on numerous global and district grants. These partners have directed installation of 1000s of water filters and dug many latrines in villages where a working relationship existed with the leaders.
 
Now they face the hunger and threat of starvation from COVID19 effects in these same villages. Since DDF funds have been used there are requests now for   individual and club donations to fund food bags. Our Honduran partners prepare and share food bags which are very inexpensive;
  • 16-18 lb. food bag of beans, rice and tortillas costs only $7
  •  1 food bag feeds a family of 5 for a week,
  • With each resident receiving two servings per day, 10 servings daily for the family, total of 70 per week, or just an average of 10 cents per serving.
 
With access to this inexpensive food a $70 donation would feed 10 families for a week, and $700 would feed 100 families.
 
With individual/club support in our District we could help our partners with this crisis and feed families in many villages.
 
Tax deductible donations can be sent to;
 
El Ayudante Missions USA Inc., P O Box 154
Rodeo CA 94572
Funds are shared with the Comayagua Club for each to prepare and distribute food bags.
 
Paul McNergney, Grand Haven Club
  •  
Council on Legislation
Past District 6290 COL representatives, Chris Etienne
 
COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION
 
 
Once every three years, Rotary International conducts a review of its constitutional documents.  These are the RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. The Council on Legislation (COL) is Rotary’s body to debate and vote on proposed enactments. Each district sends one representative to the COL.  PDG Lody Zwarensteyn is our District representative to the 2022 COL, with PDG Tom Schmidt serving as alternate.
 
Any club may propose enactments. If your club would like to propose an enactment for the Council, please read the following.
 
Deadline to Submit an Enactment   Proposed enactments from clubs and districts for the 2022 COL must be received by Rotary on or before 31 December 2020. The earlier you submit an enactment, the earlier the Constitution and Bylaws Committee can review it. If defects are found, you will have more opportunities to correct them and have your enactment considered by the COL.
 
 
Proposing Enactments Clubs, districts, the RI Board, the general council or conference of RIBI, or the COL may propose enactments. However, an enactment submitted by a club must also be endorsed by the clubs in its district at a district conference, a district legislation meeting, or through a club ballot, before it can be submitted to Rotary.
 
Enactments should not address process, policy, or procedures. These types of changes should be suggested through resolutions, so that the Board and Trustees can decide whether to update Rotary’s or The Rotary Foundation’s Codes of Policies. The Codes are more flexible and are changed more frequently.
 
To begin, consider impactful changes. Constitutional documents are an organization’s foundation and define its structure. When proposing changes, try to address the structure and organization of Rotary. Changes should be more permanent, not ones that can change as policies are updated.
 
In considering a proposed enactment, please review past enactments. The legislation book for the 2019 COL is posted on the Councils page of My Rotary. Look to see if your idea has been proposed before.
 
For help in drafting an enactment, ask for help. Past District 6290 COL representatives, Chris Etienne and Jane Millar, are very knowledgeable about the constitutional documents as well as Council Services staff.
 
How to Propose Enactments For a club to propose an enactment, the club’s board of directors must first submit the proposed enactment to the club members for adoption before sending it to the district. A district conference may also propose an enactment directly to the district. Any enactments proposed by clubs or districts are then voted on, or endorsed, by the district at a district conference, a district legislation meeting, or through a club ballot. If a district does not have enough time to vote on a proposed enactment in person, the governor may conduct a club ballot. Once endorsed, the proposer may submit the enactment to Rotary through an online form by 31 December 2020. The district governor must also confirm the district’s endorsement by 31 December 2020.
 
Proposed enactments must include the following
1. Name of the proposing club or district
2. Confirmation from the district governor that the enactment was proposed or endorsed by the district 3. The proposer’s statement of purpose and effect, 300 words or less. This statement should identify the issue or problem that the proposed enactment seeks to address and explain how the proposal addresses or resolves the problem or issue.
4. A Word document with the proposed changes marked. Find the related sections of the constitutional documents that need to be amended to bring about the change. For example, if you are proposing a change to the Object of Rotary, you will want to mark changes in the RI Constitution and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. Make sure that all related sections are properly amended. To mark your changes in the constitutional documents, please use the Word versions that are found on the governance documents page of My Rotary.
 
You will want to save a copy of your amended version of the constitutional documents, before submitting it to Rotary.
 
In addition, all proposed enactments should be submitted within 45 days of being endorsed by the district.
 
For additional Information If you have questions about Rotary’s legislative process, please email Council Services at council_services@rotary.org.
Additional information can also be found in the following resources:
· COL article of the RI Constitution
· COL article of the RI Bylaws
· COL and Council on Resolutions article of the RI Code of Policies
· Councils page of My Rotary
Volunteers Needed!
 
The Holland Rotary clubs have started a project to provide home sewn face masks, initially for medical professionals, now for everyone. We (Holland noon club and after hour club) work through a platform called 3DC19.com. 3DC19 was initially started by a Rotarian at Holland noon club, Charles Elwood, using 3D printers to print parts for face shields and ear savers. Since we added home sewn masks on the first week of April, we have delivered more than 2000 masks.  
 
We need both volunteer home sewn mask makers and to know who are in the community that need masks. We have a coordinator and central distribution center in Holland. We collaborate with other organizations that also make home sewn masks to serve the broader community.
 
We welcome other clubs in our district to join us. Besides volunteers for sewing, they will need a local distribution center and coordinator so we can share the resources and masks.
 
We have secured more than 300 yards of fabrics and elastics through connections and donations. We'd be happy to share these resources of other clubs that have the needs.
 
For more information, please check this website. https://3dc19.com/sew-shop/
 
ThIf any Rotarians want face masks, they can simply send the request via the link on that page as well or click here
Rotary District Conference 2020 Recap