The Rotary International Assembly was held January 14-20 in San Diego. All 529 District Governors-Elect were in attendance for their last formal week of training before taking office July 1, 2018. Congratulations to our DGE Kirk Reed who graduated with his fellow DGEs. We look forward to Kirk’s leadership. Our future is bright.
Rotary International President-Elect Barry Rassin presented his theme and logo, “Be The Inspiration,” to begin the week. He challenged the DGEs to, “. . .inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.” He also stressed that, “. . .if we want to be able to serve, if we want to succeed in our goals – we have to take care of our members first.”
I had the distinct privilege of addressing our RYLA delegates recently. Ninety-six strong, our delegates participated in leadership skill development, ethical studies, the physically challenging “ropes course,” project planning and, of course, having fun. What an amazing group of young men and women! Based on what I observed, our future is bright with these future leaders. Thank you to the Rotary Clubs that sponsored these amazing RYLA delegates.
District Governor 2017-2018
Rotary Tree Planting Downtown Tucson Feb.14th
Old Pueblo, Presidio, Sunset and Pantano Rotary Clubs will be planting trees on Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14, at 9:00 am at Jacome Park. This was made possible due to the collaboration with Tucson Clean and Beautiful and the Downtown Mayor's office.
One of President Ian Riseley's key objectives is to protect the environment and to curb climate change. One of Rotary’s goal of sustainable service is through planting 1.2 million trees, one tree for every member of Rotary International.
Delegates, Jr Counselors & Adult Advisors became Super Heroes at RYLA! Delegates gained leadership skills by identifying their personal style (True Colors), learning about Situational Leadership, practicing Public Speaking, and using the 4-way test to explore Ethical Decision Making. They also tested their courage on the outdoor Challenge Course, designed a community service project related to one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus, and did a service project for Youth on Their Own. Oh, and we had fun!
Invite your sponsored delegates to come share their photos and experiences with your Club, and keep them excited about staying involved with Rotary!
Party in Toronto June 23-27 for a Great Rotary Experience
You can register today for the 2018 Rotary International Convention in one of the most exciting cities in North America. You’ll be experiencing the delights of Toronto and connecting with Rotarians from Alaska to Zimbabwe.
Our Rotary district will be enjoying a dinner evening together on Saturday, June 23, at Badali’s Cucina, just a few blocks from the Convention Center. Stay tuned for how to reserve a spot.
Need a hotel? It’s not too late to find a good room at a good price. Call Rotary’s reservation line (847-996-5885) to explore options and nail down your reservation. And most important: register for the convention itself by going to www.rotary.org. Toronto 2018 will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
O Canada! A Rotary Experience To Remember June 24-27
The Rotary International Convention in Toronto next June will be truly memorable. If you register by December 15, you’ll receive an early bird discount, and you’ll have a number of hotel choices. Go towww.riconvention.org/en/toronto/registerto find everything you need to reserve your spot.
District 5500 will be having a special dinner on Saturday, June 23, at a well-known Italian restaurant close to the Convention Center. The prices in Canada will be reasonable because of the American dollar’s value. Pre- and post-convention tours (Niagara Falls, Wine Country, Shakespeare, and more) will also be available.
The Presidio Rotary Club raised over $1,600 for our Charitable efforts at the 1st annual trap shoot so we are doing a 2nd annual for the Spring shooting season. The date TBA.
We raise funds for our Charitable efforts including Southern Arizona Justice for Veterans. Cash Prize money for both individuals and teams! The Event cost is $50.00 per person. Please mail your check payable to: Presidio Rotary Club, PO Box 23. Tucson, AZ 85702
If registering as part of a team. Please list team name. Also, if you are a Rotarian, List your club affiliation in the comment section.
The Tubac Rotary Club hosts the 16th annual Taste of Tubac, celebrating fine wine and savory cuisine. The fundraiser, which benefits many local organizations, takes place at the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa on Sunday, April 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. It features a wonderful selection of foods from 20 area restaurants. Attendees will also get to enjoy the ever-popular silent auction and some great classic rock and country music by "Wildfire." Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 at $60 per person, or two for $115. For more information, email tasteoftubac@gmail.com or call 520-336-7638.
Sierra Vista Sunrisers Host Rising Sun Run
Join the Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary Club on Saturday, 14 April 2018 for their annual Rising Sun Run. The run kicks off at Huachuca Mountain Elementary School (3228 Saint Andrews Dr., Sierra Vista). The run features Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and 1 mile run/ walk courses with staggered start times. Registration fee information and discounts available on RunSignUp.com. Contact Eva Dickerson at evadickerson@cox.net email or (520) 732-9599.
"Greenies" on the move in Green Valley
Green Valley Rotarians have several projects underway. With the successful January Spaghetti Spree (aka Pasta Pig-out) literally under their belts, all eyes are on the March 25 Spring Bacchanal, which features fine wines, craft beers, flavored mineral waters, gourmet comestibles and live entertainment in a “Hollywood movie set-like” atmosphere. Tickets are $20.
Members also are preparing for their annual Volunteer of the Year program in April which recognizes non-Rotarians who give their time, effort and talent to the community. The winner receives a check to their nonprofit of choice and rides in October’s White Elephant Parade.
The “Greenies” are also reprising last year’s popular monthly themed Haiku contests. It’s a lot of fun with winners receiving coffee cards or used book gift certificates plus bragging rights.
Green Valley Rotarians meet at 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays at Grill on the Green, 5800 S. Camino del Sol.
SaddleBrooke Rotary Host Fore For Kids Charity Golf Tournament
SaddleBrooke Rotary’s 20th annual Fore For Kids Charity Golf Tournament takes place at the Oro Valley Country Club on April 23rd. This year’s principal beneficiary is Make-A-Wish Arizona which grants wishes to Arizona children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The great thing about playing in a 44Kids tournament is that even if you don’t win, the kids always do. Since its inception, this tournament has channeled more than $500,000 to youth-centered organizations in Northern Pima and Southern Pinal counties.
Gather a foursome and sign up! Checks will be made to a 501(c) (3) organization so there may be a tax deduction available. For further information and to pay with a credit card, visit http://www.fore4kids.com
January 2018 Dashboard of District and Zone 26 TRF statistics
Greetings PDG Michael Drake and Happy New Year Rotarians! We had a great finish to 2017--our numbers are way up over the last Dashboard done in mid-December. Great work on everyone's part.
Here are some Zone 26 statistics in the Rotary World:
#5 in Total Giving: $6,282,788. #6 in Annual Fund: $2,916,727. #3 in Polio Plus: $1,309,123 #1 in Other Giving: $1,484,407 (grants, etc.) #4 in per capita giving (Annual Fund): $101.90/capita
We are in the second half of this Rotary Year and we want to have a strong finish. Continue "Making a Difference" in your Clubs and Districts--we will "Be the Inspiration" for the future.
Warm regards, Marge Cole Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator Rotary International Zone 26
Did you know you can adjust your major donor status by contributing money to the Annual and/or Endowment Funds? You only receive Paul Harris points for the Annual Fund but you receive major donor status as well for Endowment contributions.
Thanks to you, we are very close to meeting DG Joe Hentges’ Endowment goal.
Frank Presson
District Endowment chair
Dr. Robert C. Robbins, President of the UofA , Speaks at SaddleBrooke
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club is hosting Dr. Robert C. Robbins, President of the University of Arizona, to speak at the SaddleBrooke at HOA 2 Ballroom 8 am to 9 am on March 29th. A buffet will be served. Cost to attend this wonderful event and to hear what is happening at the University will only be $20 per person. If you are interested in attending, contact Dick Kroese at 520-825-2226 or Doug Sweetland at 520-818-6541
2017-18 Four-Way Test Speech Contest
The purpose of Rotary District 5500’s Four-Way Test Speech Contest is to help youth understand and apply Rotary’s Four-Way Test in their daily lives and to foster the use of the Four-Way Test in their communities and the world at large.
The District Contest will be held on April 14th 10:00 am. In the Social Hall at Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ 85711.
The topic for the 2017-2018 Speech Contest is: “How Can the Application of the Four-Way Test Make a Difference in our Global Community?”
Vail Rotary Club Presents Cash Donation to Vail Food Bank
Voyager RV Resort members and the Vail Rotary Club of Vail, AZ were able to present the Vail Food Bank (ReSources) with a check for $950. This was also made possible by grants from our special friends at the Safeway Foundation. Our club started the Back-Pack program four years ago and Safeway stepped up from the beginning with annual grants for each school year. This past fall, the ReSources group expanded, graciously taking over the Vail school district Back-Pack program in its entirety. This presentation took place on Saturday, January 13th, 2018.
Casa Grande Daybreak Changes Meeting Location
Our meeting place has changed. We now meet at Mimi's Café every Wednesday at 0700, except for the 3rd Wednesday of each month when we enjoy our monthly social gathering at a member's house for a potluck dinner.
Kino Rotary Club Hosts Golf Tournament
Join the Kino Rotary Club on Saturday, June 9, 2018 for their 11th Annual Golf Tournament. The tournament takes place at the Randolph North Golf course (600 South Alvernon Way, Tucson). 0730 is the Shotgun Start. Visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4818 or contact Golf Chair Raul Bejarano at (520) 481-5710 to play, donate or volunteer.
Club looking for Partners for their Projects
To help club’s fine partners for their Service Projects or Global Grants, we have established a file on the district web site called “Projects Looking for Partners”.
We can store files on the site to which clubs can refer people to get information about the projects and identify a point of contact for the projects. We prefer the file to be a .pdf format and the file need to be under 10 MB
District Web Site>Service Projects>Files>Projects looking for Partners
This is a new file and we are just beginning to populate it. It will only be effective if clubs utilize it.
-Ray Naylor
Another Successful Passport Event for Tucson Presidio
The Tucson Presidio Rotary Passport event on October 7th, 2017 was another success. Participation may have been down this year, but everyone had a great time. Café 54 was the recipient of our proceeds. Among other things, Café 54 is “a unique employment training and placement program for adults recovering from mental illnesses." Downtown restaurants and bars The Funky Monk, Maynards, Highwire, Shanty, Miss Saigon, Johnny Gibson’s, The Curry Pot and more gave participants a sampling of their food and drinks. Steve Hepner, past president of Cienega “Vail” Rotary Club, won the raffle. He was awarded $1000.00 in cash and a one week stay at the Grand Mayan Los Cabos.
3 Reasons Why PETS in Los Angeles Will be a Great Learning Experience
Why will we be at to the LAX Marriott for our President Elect Training (PETS) Seminar February 9-11?
•An unsurpassed Rotary learning experience. We’ll be with six other Rotary districts, learning from some of the finest speakers and leaders anywhere.
• Reasonable cost. Our district will be increasing reimbursement to clubs from $300 to $500 to cover transportation costs, if needed. Easy flights from Tucson are available.
• Fellowship. When we attended PETS at the Hilton in Mesa, most President Elects from north of us went home each evening. At Southwest Rotary PETS in Los Angeles, all Rotarians will be together at the LAX Marriott. We’ll enjoy two fellowship evenings, an extraordinary House of Friendship, and a plenary event honoring our district.
The Rotary Club of Tucson service project committee welcomes all Rotarians and friends of Rotarians to participate in a Day of Service at the YMCA Triangle Y Ranch Camp in Oracle AZ on Saturday April 14 8:30AM to 4:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to participate in a fun service project to help the Ranch prepare for the summer camp season. The YMCA Ranch has provided a week of camp experience to underprivileged children from all over southern Arizona since 1948. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM and is free to all participants. There will be tasks for all skill set levels and all ages. Participants can work for two hours or 6 hours and leave when you want. There is also an opportunity to spend Friday night at the Ranch for $35 PP that includes lodging and breakfast. Steak dinner will be served Friday night for $10 PP. Families and friends of Rotarians and their children are welcome. Contact Dave Gallaher, Rotary Club of Tucson at dave@tucsonindustrialrealty.com or 520-907-4983.
Rotary Club's Annual Car Show Raises $186,000 for Local Charities
The Rotary Club of Tucson raised nearly $186,000 for local charities with its classic-car show.
The 11th annual Tucson Classics Car Show was held in October and brought the total raised by the event in its history to more than $1.2 million, according to a news release from the club.
The money raised at last year’s show goes to:
Make Way For Books, the primary beneficiary, which received $74,300.
Pima County JTED received $37,150.
GAP Ministries received $37,150.
Caregiver Institute of Tucson received $9,287.
YWCA Women’s Impact Fund received $9,287.
The Rotary Club kept $18,575 for its discretionary fund for smaller charitable grants that will be made throughout the year.
The club said more than 25,000 people attended the car show, which featured more than 400 classic cars.
The next show is already in the planning stages and will be held Oct. 20.
Save the Date: February 2018
Peace Building Conference
“In February 2018, the eyes of the Rotary World will be on Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Zones 24 and 25 will host the Presidential Conference on Environmental Sustainability and Peace — one of six international peace building conferences planned for the 2017-2018 Rotary year. President Ian Riseley has made environmental sustainability a major focus for his year and we are honored that he has chosen Vancouver to hold the first Presidential Conference on this key area.”
John Matthews, International Director, asks that you “save the dates” of February 9-11, 2018, and share this information with all Rotarians in your Clubs. For more information click here.
District Governor’s Challenge Literacy Projects
As a result of some of the corporate sponsorships for the District Conference, we were able to come away with a small surplus. Because the conference theme was Literacy and the District Governor encouraged all clubs, even smaller clubs, to participate in the “Governor’s Challenge - Literacy Project” the district will use the extra funds to offer small grants to clubs for a Literacy Project (The overview of the literacy project can be found at the following site: (http://rotaryd5500.org/SitePage/service-projects)
Some guidelines for obtaining some of these funds:
A club must have some funds to add to complete the project.
The maximum amount available is $500 per club. This level would support 8 projects.
A fast turn around would be required (see below)
A club that already has a project funded by a District Grant will not be able to apply for this funding.
Process / Key Dates:
A one paragraph write-up about the project. Due 15 March 2018
Include amount of money the club has to contribute to the project.
Indicate the amount of funding needed. Remember $500 max per club.
March 23, 2018 we will respond back to the club.
The project must be completed by 1 June 2018
Any questions and or submittal should be directed to Ray Naylor at rwnaylor@comcast.net
Ray Naylor
District Service Project Chair
Tucson and Sunrise Rotary Clubs: Bravo Base Open House & HMS Fastners
Feb. 16th 10am to 4pm - Serving Tucson Since 1953
Food, Need Items, Workshops, Guided Tours
10:00 am Breakfast: Momma V and Youth for Veterans
1:00 pm Lunch: Tucson Creative Catering
4:00 pm Dinner: Operation 13:2
Backpacks and Need Items:
Tucson Sunrise & Tucson Rotary Club
Haircuts: Juan Carlos Montesdeoca
Open to the Public, 550 E. 19th St. Feb. 16th 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Workshops & Special Speakers:
Mechanics - Desert Survival - Disaster Readiness
Tiny House Village Planning by Ibrahim Mubarik
Event and Workshops hosted by Veteran Rescue Mission
Contact at 520-329-9192 or https://veteranrescuemission.org/
Get Smart Online - Social Media 101
For those who were unable to attend the live webinar, below is the link to the recording of the full webinar.
The recording is archived in GoToWebinar, so it may look like you are registering again, but don’t worry! Just type in your name , if it is not already there, click on “register” and it will take you directly to the recording. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8449480064630128642
My name is Kay Phillips and I’m honored to be chosen to serve as editor for the District 5500 newsletter. I’m a member of the Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary Club where I am the current Public Image Director. I’m a former U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer who works as a contractor on Fort Huachuca. I also moonlight as a freelance reporter for the Sierra Vista Herald/Review, playwright and screenwriter.
District 5500 Membership Chart
Club Name
Members as of July 1, 2016
Members as
of July 1, 2017
Members as
of Jan. 31 2018
Ajo
8
8
8
Benson
15
16
17
Bisbee
21
19
19
Casa Grande
29
21
24
Casa Grande Daybreak
10
9
9
Catalina (Tucson)
57
56
56
Coolidge
14
10
9
Douglas
12
8
8
Eloy-Robson Ranch
14
8
0
Florence
21
19
19
Fort Yuma
60
67
67
Gila Bend
10
7
7
Gila Valley
21
20
24
Globe
21
19
19
Green Valley
30
32
36
Kearny
8
0
0
Marana
19
21
21
Marana Dove Mountain
25
23
17
Maricopa
9
12
11
Miami
19
18
17
Mountain Empire-Sonoita
21
15
13
Nogales
27
24
24
Old Pueblo (Tucson)
32
37
40
Oro Valley
33
34
40
Pantano (Tucson)
21
18
22
Pima (Tucson)
12
0
0
Rincon (Tucson)
30
40
35
Rio Rico
20
19
19
SaddleBrooke
41
42
48
Saddlebrooke Sunrise
27
30
28
Safford
16
17
15
San Luis Frontera
8
11
12
Sierra Vista
51
53
54
Sierra Vista South
12
13
17
Sierra Vista Sunrise
25
28
25
Sierra Vista West
18
19
18
Somerton
15
18
17
Superior
7
4
7
Tubac
27
28
28
Tucson
229
237
231
Tucson (Casas Adobes)
33
33
33
Tucson Kino
16
17
16
Tucson Presidio
21
30
22
Tucson Sunrise
56
48
46
Tucson Sunset
21
19
19
Vail (formerly Cienega)
15
14
14
Valle Verde-Green Valley
55
47
46
Willcox
11
13
11
Yuma
113
115
112
Yuma Crossing
25
23
30
Yuma Foothills
18
18
14
Yuma North End
9
10
11
Yuma Sunrise
18
20
22
District Totals:
1,506
1,487
1,477
Loss of 19 from July 1, 2016 =
-1.3%
Loss of 10 since July 1, 2017 = -0.7%
Newsletter Submission Guidelines
All clubs are encouraged to submit news of previous and upcoming activities for newsletter inclusion. Please keep summaries to about 100 - 125 words, add a headline and include a photo with a caption if appropriate. Then add a “for more information link” to websites and forms.
Additionally, put the name of your club and the month the article will run in the subject line of your email to newsletterAZ5500@gmail.com. Submit the article ONLY as a .doc or docx or an email. No pdfs or flyers, please. Be sure to use the correct Rotary Brand in all Photos. Typically the deadline is the 21st of the month for publication around the 1st week of the month.
For the month of February the deadline will be February 21st, publication March 7th.
his theme and logo, “Be The Inspiration,” to begin the week. He challenged the DGEs to, “. . .inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.” He also stressed that, “. . .if we want to 
be able to serve, if we want to succeed in our goals – we have to take care of our members first.”
ing trees on Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14, at 9:00 am at 
Public Speaking, and using the 4-way test to explore Ethical Decision Making. They also tested their courage on the outdoor Challenge Course, designed a community service project related to one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus, and did a service project for Youth on Their Own. Oh, and we had fun!
nvite your sponsored delegates to come share their photos and experiences with your Club, and keep them excited about staying involved with Rotary!
The Tubac Rotary Club hosts the 16th annual Taste of Tubac, celebrating fine wine and savory cuisine. The fundraiser, which benefits many local organizations, takes place at the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa on Sunday, April 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. It features a wonderful selection of foods from 20 area restaurants. Attendees will also get to enjoy the ever-popular silent auction and some great classic rock and country music by "Wildfire." Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 at $60 per person, or two for $115. For more information, email 
which features fine wines, craft beers, flavored mineral waters, gourmet comestibles and live entertainment in a “Hollywood movie set-like” atmosphere. Tickets are $20.
This year’s principal beneficiary is Make-A-Wish Arizona which grants wishes to Arizona children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Road, Tucson, AZ 85711.
Voyager RV Resort members and the Vail Rotary Club of Vail, AZ were able to present the Vail Food Bank (ReSources) with a check for $950. This was also made possible by grants from our special friends at the Safeway Foundation. Our club started the Back-Pack program four years ago and Safeway stepped up from the beginning with annual grants for each school year. This past fall, the ReSources group expanded, graciously taking over the Vail school district Back-Pack program in its entirety. This presentation took place on Saturday, January 13th, 2018. 
Join the Kino Rotary Club on Saturday, June 9, 2018 for their 11th Annual Golf Tournament. The tournament takes place at the Randolph North Golf course (
ants, we have established a file on the district web site called “Projects Looking for Partners”.
but everyone had a great time. Café 54 was the recipient of our proceeds. Among other things, Café 54 is “a unique employment training and placement program for adults recovering from mental illnesses." Downtown restaurants and bars The Funky Monk, Maynards, Highwire, Shanty, Miss Saigon, Johnny Gibson’s, The Curry Pot and more gave participants a sampling of their food and drinks. Steve Hepner, past president of Cienega “Vail” Rotary Club, won the raffle. He was awarded $1000.00 in cash and a one week stay at the Grand Mayan Los Cabos. .png){kind=small}
ril 14 8:30AM to 4:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to participate in a fun 
service project to help the Ranch prepare for the summer camp season. The YMCA Ranch has provided a week of camp experience to underprivileged children from all over southern Arizona since 1948. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM and is free to all participants. There will be tasks for all skill set levels and all ages. Participants can work for two hours or 6 hours and leave when you want. There is also an opportunity to spend Friday night at the Ranch for $35 PP that includes lodging and breakfast. Steak dinner will be served Friday night for $10 PP. Families and friends of Rotarians and their children are welcome. Contact Dave Gallaher, Rotary Club of Tucson at 
l be on Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Zones 24 and 25 will host the Presidential Conference on Environmental Sustainability and Peace — one of six international peace building conferences planned for the 2017-2018 Rotary year. President Ian Riseley has made environmental sustainability a major focus for his year and we are honored that he has chosen Vancouver to hold the first Presidential Conference on this key area.”
Because the conference theme was Literacy and the District Governor encouraged all clubs, even smaller clubs, to participate in the “Governor’s Challenge - Literacy Project” the district will use the extra funds to offer small grants to clubs for a Literacy Project (The overview of the literacy project can be found at the following site: (
below is the link to the recording of the full webinar.
My name is Kay Phillips and I’m honored to be chosen to serve as editor for the District 5500 newsletter. I’m a member of the Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary Club where I am the current Public Image Director. I’m a former U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer who works as a contractor on Fort Huachuca. I also moonlight as a freelance reporter for the Sierra Vista Herald/Review, playwright and screenwriter. 
