What’s Happening in District 5500?

The District Governor is arriving! 

Yes, he is – and I am so looking forward to visiting all 51 Rotary Clubs and our two Satellite Clubs.  Club visits begin on August 12 and finish up around December 15. 
Why does the District Governor visit clubs?  Is this an annual inspection tour?  Absolutely not!  Annual visits are my chance to communicate directly with District club members, and to listen to the club leadership and gain a better understanding of the uniqueness of each club.  We can talk about district-level resources and support, when requested.
I look forward to engaging in Q and A with club members.  We will talk about many things that define each club: club projects, club goals, club successes and challenges.  Hopefully, the District Governor’s annual visit will serve as a catalyst to strengthen the relationship between our clubs and district and will strengthen the programs of Rotary.
In another newsletter article, you will read about some of the exciting activities, breakout sessions and world-renowned Rotary speakers that are a part of our Fall Conference, October 13-15.  I want to call your attention to the Sunday morning salute to our Rotarian veterans and active duty personnel.  We have not done this before, and it is long overdue! Check out our new District Conference website — another first —  by using this link: http://www.rotaryd5500conf.org
Until we meet again in fellowship and community service.…
— Joe Hentges
District 5500 Governor, 2017-2018
 


Exceptional Training Available for Past Presidents
The Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy (RLA) is an exciting and innovative distance learning approach to leadership development. Through this vehicle, selected Rotary Club Past-Presidents obtain exceptional training at home, via their computers, under the guidance of some of our most capable and experienced Past District Governors and senior Rotarians. Students will be able to work at their own pace and on their own schedules, within the guidelines of the program. To be eligible to attend RLA the nominee must be a Rotary Club Past-President.
Nominations must be received no later than August 31, 2017. For more information, visit www.ArizonaRLA.org or contact Chuck Fitzgerald at chuckfitzgerald@gmail.com or 623-229-7674.


3rd Annual Arizona Rotary Water Summit
Join leaders, exchange ideas and take action as we explore the power of a water project at this summit on Saturday, August 12, 2017, in central Phoenix. Cost is $15 at the door. Our guest speakers include water project champions in Arizona, as well as Christina Welch, Rotary Scholar to the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. Her expertise relates to water resources in conflict areas; you may read an article by her here.
 
Register for the Summit today at https://2017azrotarywater.eventbrite.com
To speak at this summit, or for more information, please contact Chuck Fitzgerald at 623-229-7674 or chuckfitzgerald@gmail.com.


A Message from the International President
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
For many years, one idea has stood at the heart of all our service: sustainability. Sustainable service means our work continues to have a positive impact long after Rotary’s direct involvement has ended. We don’t dig wells and walk away; we make sure communities can maintain and repair those wells.  If we build a clinic, we make sure that clinic has a way to keep running without ongoing support from us.  
One way I’d like for you to contribute in our quest for sustainability is through my tree planting initiative. I ask that you have one tree planted for each member of your club sometime between now and Earth Day, 22 April 2018. The Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group is a great resource that can help you get started.
— Ian Riseley
Rotary International President, 2017-18


Commit to Membership Growth and Retention
Zone 26 is working with our District Governor to offer Clubs help and insights about membership, both increasing and retaining members.  The Sustainable Rotary Club Project is a 3-year endeavor to help clubs with membership growth and retention. Your club commits to a 3-year effort. The President, President-Elect and Membership Chair sign a commitment form. There are no negative consequences for failing to meet the 3-year goal. Clubs get assistance monthly from the Zone, the District, and fellow clubs.
Each participating club will be included in monthly telephone or email communication with Deniel Banks, the Zone coordinator.  Clubs will share their experience with membership issues and hear the experience and ideas of the other clubs from across the Zone. There will also be a short pre and post project assessment.
DG Joe Hentges encourages all clubs in District 5500 to seriously consider participating in the Project, and would like to see 6 or more clubs involved. DG Joe would like all AGs to present this to their clubs. Click this link to get more information and to access the project forms: LINK HERE.  As always, DG Joe or Membership Chair Norm Rebenstorf can answer your questions.


Coming Attraction:
                            Fall District Conference
This year’s District Conference will be held October 13-15, 2017. The theme is “Change A Life.” Keynote speakers are Jennifer Jones, Susan B. Neuman, Michael Angelo Caruso and John Matthews – our own Rotary International Director.  There will be more than 20 breakout sessions and special events for our Interactors and Rotaractors Saturday morning.  Friday evening will be the favorite Casita Night sponsored by clubs and Sunday morning will include a salute to Rotarian veterans and active duty personnel.  The conference will be held at the redecorated Hilton DoubleTree Hotel Reid Park in Tucson.  Rooms are available for only $79 per night, plus taxes.  Early Bird Registration is only $185 for the entire conference – and what a conference it will be!
Find out more about the conference, watch the video and register for the conference and the hotel at the new website, created by Tom Nelson, Bisbee RC President, and Ray Naylor, District Conference Vice-Chair. Thanks, Tom and Ray!


Send in Your Checks  Reserve Spaces for RYLA
Reserve spaces for delegates and junior counselors now. Spaces are reserved upon receipt of your Club’s check.  Cost for delegates and junior counselors is $400 per person. Checks should be made out to District 5500 RYLA, and mailed to San Luis Rotary, Attn: Marcos Ramirez, PO Box 13926, San Luis, AZ 85349.
Applications for junior counselor and adult advisors are available at www.rylad5500.org and can be sent in anytime. Candidates will be interviewed in the fall.
 
Visit www.rylad5500.org for more information or contact     Barbara Harrison, District 5500 RYLA Chair, at bjsharrison@comcast.net / 520-250-3437 to schedule a RYLA presentation.


Raise $ for Your Rotary Club With this Easy-Sell Raffle
All clubs are invited to sell tickets for the Rotary Club of Tucson’s classics car show and keep half of their sales.  Tickets are just $5 each and are a chance to win this beautiful 2008 C-6 Corvette convertible or $15,000 cash, and four other great prizes.  And, each ticket is also an adult admission to the Tucson Classics Car Show on October 21 at the Gregory School.  The winning tickets will be drawn there, but you do not have to be present to win. This annual event raises money for charities targeting early childhood literacy and job training.  This is a Win-Win!
For tickets, contact Chuck Sawyer at 520-780-2828 or email him csawyer2004@comcast.net 

Wine, Food and Fun in Old Bisbee
The Bisbee Rotary Club’s Vintage Bisbee event will be held October 7, from 4-7 p.m. in the city park of Old Bisbee.
For information and tickets go to vintagebisbee.org or contact event chair, Tom Nelson at 888-236-9322.



Supporting the Rotary Foundation

 

In 2016-17, our clubs contributed $244,714 to the Annual Fund, the operating account at TRF.  This is $162 per capita.  The three top per capita giving clubs were Marana Dove Mountain ($714), Valle Verde Green Valley ($562), and Marana ($364).  Congratulations!
 
Our Centennial Campaign ended June 30, 2017.  Our goal was to have $5 million in contributions and “expectancies” (bequests in wills, life insurance, etc.), and we raised $3.6 million.  Excellent!
For the polio eradication program, the Ride to End Polio in November, 2016 raised $11.3 million, with the worldwide fundraising effort and the Gate’s Foundation match.  In addition, clubs contributed $88,635 directly to Polio Plus.
At the end of 2016-17, we had 89 members of the Paul Harris Society, Rotarians who have committed to give $1,000 per year to the Annual Fund.
                                                — Michael Drake
                                                Chair, District 5500 Rotary Foundation Committee
 
 
 


Save the Date  2018 Peacebuilding 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 peacebuilding 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   
 
John 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:
Club Name
Membership as of
Members as of
Net Change
 
July 1, 2016
June 30, 2017
2016-2017
Ajo
8
8
0
Benson
15
16
1
Bisbee
21
19
(2)
Casa Grande
29
21
(8)
Casa Grande Daybreak
10
9
(1)
Catalina (Tucson)
57
57
0
Cienega (Vail)
15
14
(1)
Coolidge
14
10
(4)
Douglas
12
9
(3)
Eloy-Robson Ranch
14
8
(6)
Florence
21
19
(2)
Fort Yuma
60
67
7
Gila Bend
10
7
(3)
Gila Valley
21
24
3
Globe
21
19
(2)
Green Valley
30
32
2
Kearny
8
0
(8)
Marana
19
21
2
Marana Dove Mountain
25
23
(2)
Maricopa
9
12
3
Miami
19
18
(1)
Mountain Empire-Sonoita
21
15
(6)
Nogales
27
24
(3)
Old Pueblo (Tucson)
32
37
5
Oro Valley
33
34
1
Pantano (Tucson)
21
18
(3)
Pima (Tucson)
12
0
(12)
Rincon (Tucson)
30
40
10
Rio Rico
20
19
(1)
SaddleBrooke
41
42
1
Saddlebrooke Sunrise
27
30
3
Safford
16
17
1
San Luis Frontera
8
11
3
Sierra Vista
51
53
2
Sierra Vista South
12
13
1
Sierra Vista Sunrise
25
28
3
Sierra Vista West
18
19
1
Somerton
15
18
3
Superior
7
4
(3)
Tubac
27
28
1
Tucson
229
237
8
Tucson (Casas Adobes)
33
33
0
Tucson Kino
16
17
1
Tucson Presidio
21
30
9
Tucson Sunrise
56
48
(8)
Tucson Sunset
21
19
(2)
Valle Verde-Green Valley
55
48
(7)
Willcox
11
13
2
Yuma
113
115
2
Yuma Crossing
25
23
(2)
Yuma Foothills
18
18
0
Yuma North End
9
10
1
Yuma Sunrise
18
20
2
DISTRICT TOTALS:
1,506
1,494
(12)
       
 
 
New Newsletter Submission Guidelines
 
All clubs are encouraged to submit news of previous and upcoming activities for newsletter inclusion. Please keep summaries to about 100 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. No pdfs or flyers, please. The deadline is the 15th of each month for publication on the 1st of the next month.
 
Questions? Contact Maria Parham at newsletterAZ5500@gmail.com or 520-975-3335
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage
ClubRunner