Do you know that 400 million people in the world do not have access to basic health care or cannot afford what is available? Millions of people suffer the results of disease: poverty, misery, pain and even death. Rotary performs a leading role in preventing and fighting disease across the world. Grants totaling $65 million have been given by the Rotary Foundation to fight disease. The results are amazing: health clinics for women, babies and youth; pre-natal care that has dramatically increased birth and baby survival rates, reduction of HIV infections by up to 95 percent in some countries; a reduction in polio cases by 99.9 percent since our programs began in 1985, and the list goes on.
None of this would be possible without the support of YOU, our Rotarian donors to The Rotary Foundation. TRF is the backbone of the work of our Rotary Clubs. It transforms your gifts – your donations – into service projects that Change Lives – that save lives – both close to home and around the world.
We have a formidable task facing us as Rotary fights disease and brings basic health care to new areas of our world. December is Rotary Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. Please do what you can to support the work of The Rotary Foundation as we begin this month of peace, joy, love and caring. Give a check to your local Rotary Club Foundation Chair or use this link to donate on line via credit card or check: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/contribution-form-rotary-foundation.
Joe Hentges
District Governor 17-18
District 5500 Receives Presidential Citation at Zone Institute
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.
Rio Rico Club Rounding Up
Bikes for Tykes for Holidays
The Rotary Club of Rio Rico has launched its 5th Annual Bikes for Tykes Round-up. A $50 contribution buys a new bicycle for a young child or you may donate a new bike.
Please send your holiday donation checks to:
Rio Rico Rotary Foundation, a 501(C)(3)
P.O. Box 4925
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
Call John Morrison520-455-8186for details on how you can help. The deadline is December 16.
For Thanksgiving, the Rio Rico Rotary distributed over $6,000 worth of coupons for Thanksgiving dinners with the help of Rio Rico Schools andGarrett's IGA Supermarket.
Nogales Club’s Outreach Includes
Newspaper Ads, Social Media
Rotary Club of Nogales President Bobby Astengo's priority task this year was to ensure that we Transform, Connect and Inspire the community of Nogales, Arizona, by informing its residents about our active Rotary Club with wonderful projects in which they too could participate.
The public relations task is being carried out with print ads in the local newspaper, Nogales International. The ads are created in house using Brand Center (Rotary.org) approved images and logos in conjunction with images of club members performing service projects.
This ad is depicting members and a student using sign language during this years' Dictionary Project for all local area third grade students in which a little over 600 dictionaries were handed out to eager children.
The ad also carries the consistent social media address, @nogalesrotary that is good for three of the most popular social media sites: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Rotary Club of Nogales is a club with #PeopleofAction
For details, contact Bobby Astengo, President, Rotary Club of Nogales, 520-377-0620.
Rotary Club of Nogales Press Release dated 11/23/2017 Thanksgiving Day
On Thanksgiving Day, Rotary Club of Nogales members, family and friends gathered together in partnership with Villas Market and Nogales Community Food Bank to deliver Thanksgiving Baskets to local community families who would have otherwise found it difficult to enjoy in the traditional turkey dinner that most enjoy on this day. The baskets contained an already cooked turkey for ease of preparation on that day, along with most of the traditional food sides.
Rotary members with family members and friends were greeted by eager and smiling faces. For more information about Rotary Club of Nogales and what 'Service Above Self' and 'People of Action' is all about, like us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at #nogalesrotary ..or ask a Rotarian!
RYLA is coming soon!
Junior Counselors and Adult Advisors have been chosen. If your Club’s candidates were not selected, you will get a refund. Training for both is January 7 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in Tucson.
Look for an email to your Delegates the first week of December welcoming them to RYLA and giving information on what to bring, bus schedules, etc. Clubs are being copied on the email; be sure your Delegates receive the information.
Find out if your Delegates need help with supplies or warm clothing to attend RYLA. If so, ask club members if they can loan these items.
Annual Fund Goals have not yet been reported by 31 out of 51 clubs. Rotary International needs those numbers so they can make up their budget for the year. Each club is required to post those numbers before July 1.
Additionally, 17 of the 51 clubs have not submitted any contributions to the Annual Fund and we are now five months into the Rotary Year.
Thanks for your help. — Gary Friedman
Rotary D5500 Annual Fund Chairman
Rotary D5500 District Foundation, Secretary
Character Awards Presented by Kino Club to HS Students
Six area high school students were honored with Character Awards presented to them, their families and representatives from their schools at a community breakfast November 3.
The Kino Rotary Club of South Tucson established the spring and fall Character Awards in 2011 to honor high school students who serve as role models in their schools and community via service to the community and modeling the Rotary Four-Way Test.
The awardees were Luis Preciado Gracia, Star Academy High School; Zamara Fabela Marina, Desert View High School; Jaynelle Granados Gutierrez, Sunnyside High School;
Monique Cazares, Baboquivari High School; Carlos Eduardo Chavez, Pueblo High School; and Brianna Guerrero, PPEP Tec High School.
Each honoree received a certificate of recognition and a $50 gift card. In addition, the Kino Club will donate $25 to a charity of each student’s choice. The students’ names will be added to a plaque presented to each school.
— Dave Fawcett
Marana High Interact Club Holds 1st Elections
Last August, the Casas Adobes Rotary Club approached Principal Dr. David Mandel about starting an Interact Club at Marana High School. He enthusiastically agreed and quickly asked Science Teacher Dr. Jeffry Ensign to be the Club’s Faculty Advisor. Dr. Ensign, a former Rotarian in Ohio, has been instrumental in the successful launching of the Club.
The MHS Interact Club is up and running with officers pictured, left to right, Treasurer Brianna Miller, President Morgan Murphy, Dr. Ensign, Secretary Daymian McNally and Vice-President Joe Shields.
While the Casas Adobes Club is processing the RI Certification Form, the Interactors will meet regularly, adopt a constitution and bylaws, and discuss potential projects.
The Casas Adobes Club is excited about the bright future of the Marana Interact Club and members appreciate the support of Principal Mandel and guidance from Dr. Ensign. But the biggest reason for lofty expectations is the maturity and aptitude of the Club Officers.
— Mike Kloehn
Casas Adobes Rotary Club
Tucson Sunrise to Break New Ground
With 4 Way Test in Spanish
Starting this spring, the Tucson Sunrise Club is going to initiate a project with TUSD- Hollinger Elementary to teach the 4 Way Test in a second-grade class in Spanish. The English version of the Goober Guys has been translated into Spanish for the elementary schools in Hermosillo and Nayarit. The Spanish version will now be used at Hollinger where a class is split into English for half a day and Spanish the other half.
New member Salvador Lopez and Dan Stringham, from the club, will be conducting the Spanish class. Dan translated Tim and Pam Aalbu’s Goober Guys into Spanish. A report will be submitted to the District newsletter when the class is complete, along with photos this spring. Interested in knowing more? Dan’s email is Barba_Rosa77@yahoo.com.
Old Pueblo Rotary Raises $1,053.00:
Annual Fall Bake Sale
Old Pueblo Rotary club raises $1,053.00 for the Boy Scout Troop 339.
Rotarian Joe Davey (photo 1) did a spectacular job auctioning pies, cookies and cakes that were supplied by the boy scouts. Photo 2 is Rotarian Pat Kerr with Troop 339 leadership team.
Proceeds from last year will be used to start a community garden at Flowing Wells High School.
— Sam Behrend
President Old Pueblo Rotary Club
SaddleBrooke Club’s Art Celebration Features Work of Diana Madaras
Join the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke at “Celebrating the Art of the Southwest” on December 3 from noon to 3 p.m.
Tickets for the event at the Mountain View Country Club in SaddleBrooke may be purchased at the Club for $35 or online at saddlebrookerotary.com
Artist Diana Madaras will make a presentation on “Finding Your Own Creativity” and her work will be featured along with the following artists: Chris Bubany, Tom Philabaum, Chauncey Homer, Lauri Kaye, Al Gann, Diane West and Whitney Whitening.
The event will benefit the Senior Village of SaddleBrooke and other charities serving seniors.
Raffle prizes include a $1,000 shopping spree at the Madaras Gallery.
Empire Rotary teams with students;
Sends Donation after Hurricane Harvey
This is part of a letter — and check — sent to Rotary District 5910, which includes Beaumont, Texas, to help students affected by Hurricane Harvey:
I have enclosed a check for $1,519.10 from the Mountain Empire Rotary Club, District 5500. We represent three communities — Elgin, Patagonia and Sonoita. The week after Harvey hit one of our members, Rosann Clark, stated that the students at her school — she is the school counselor — wanted to do something to help students being affected. She came up with the “Pennies for Harvey” Project. Her school, Patagonia Elementary and High School K-12 has 175 students. The enthusiasm caught on and Elgin Elementary School K-8 with 112 students, jumped on board. The students raised $1,019.10 and our club added $500. As you can see Rosann had the “honor” of counting all that change!
The students also are sending some notes for you to share with students who suffered from the hurricane. We are so happy to send this to you! I know it’s a small “drop” but it is coming to you with much love!
Yours in Rotary,
Sue Archibald, President, Mountain Empire Rotary
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona, Inc
Your 2017 AZ Charitable Tax Credit will make a meaningful difference in someone's Life! Donate today at trvfa.org
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.
Start 2018 off at the Rotary Club of Tubac’s 14th annual New Year’s 5 clubs only golf outing on Monday, January 1.
The event in two-person scramble format will be held at the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. The $59 charge includes a cart and range balls. Proceeds benefit the Amado Youth Center.
Fire Disaster Response: Here’s How to Best Help Victims
Donations are being accepted to benefit the victims of the disastrous fires in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties through a tax-deductible foundation organized by Rotary District 5130. A Rotarian-led committee will direct immediate support to community members affected by the fire in the three Rotary Districts impacted by this disaster.
LARCA (Lake Area Rotary Clubs Association), which so successfully collected and distributed almost $1 million in response to the fires that occurred the last two years, has now expanded its efforts to include the Lake, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino County victims of the most recent fires still blazing in those four counties. Please read the attached flyer and press release for full information on how and why to donate.
Rotary Wheel:
Icon for Rincon 50th Anniversary Year
For nearly 100 years, the Rotary Wheel (six spokes, 24 cogs and a keyway) has been our symbol. This year, Rincon has adopted it as our 50th anniversary “icon” with a picture of our weekly program presenter, “50 years, 50 presenters.”
In June,2018, it will be moved to BSA Camp Lawton on Mount Lemmon, in honor of Dick Hughes, our senior member and huge Boy Scout supporter. The 80-pound wheel, sand-blasted and painted, will be presented by PP John Lee.
— Tom Eiff , Rotaryd5500
Global Rewards Chair
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.” says John Matthews, International Director.
John Matthews 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.
Veterans honored by two SaddleBrooke Clubs
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club joined the SaddleBrooke Rotary Club to provide a Veteran’s Day luncheon for World War II and Korea Veterans. The event was held at the SaddleBrooke Vista dining room. Emerson Knowles presented a slide show about Contagious Hope: The Legacy of the American Warrior. To all our veterans we say “Thank you!”
Pictured is Emerson Knowles with Savo Fries
SaddleBrooke Sunrise President Debbie Foster, members Mary Anderson and Maggie deBlock
U of A Rotaract Club
Rotaract Club Volunteers at the Marana Rotary Club's aid station for 35th annual El Tour de Tucson- Ride to End Polio.
What is the status of your club’s membership: just right, needs to expand and be sustained, challenged? I am guessing you are concerned. If Rotary and being a Rotarian equates to doing good in our communities and “doing good in the world,” what are you going to do to sustain Rotary and our good work? How will our local, regional, national, and global Rotary communities confront this challenge given our current conditions and the evolving generational, societal and global changes?
You will find some exciting guidance in: Rotary International, Strategic Plan Survey Results, 2017, Executive Summary. It provides a clear framework for understanding Rotarians’ views of club membership and helps expand understanding of both the dimensions and challenges of club membership. It is well worth a read.(https://my.rotary.org/en/document/strategic-plan-survey-results-2017).
If you choose toread more, I briefly explore the breadth of the club membership challenge and close with a few suggestions about next steps you may take.
— Gene Medina, Pantano Rotary Club of Tucson
District 5500 Membership Chart
Newsletter Submission Guidelines
All clubs are encouraged to submit news of previous and upcoming activities for newsletter inclusion. Please keep summaries to about 100 - 150 words, add a headline and include a photo with a caption if appropriate. Then add a “for more information link” to websites and forms.
Just model your submissions after those in this newsletter and you'll be set.
Additionally, put the name of your club and the month the article will run in the subject line of your email to newsletterd5500@gmail.com. Submit the article ONLY as a .doc or docx. No pdfs or flyers, please. Typically the deadline is the 15th of each month for publication around the 1st of the next month.
For the month of December the deadline will be December 15th, publication January 1st.
Show off your club activities to others in District 5500! How can District 5500 keep you better informed? What more would you like to see in your District 5500 Newsletter?
Please send your comments to AG Diane: newsletterd5500@gmail.com.
Our Impact on Fighting Disease
d even death. Rotary performs a leading role in preventing and fighting disease across the world. Grants totaling $65 million have been given by the Rotary Foundation to fight disease. The results are amazing: health clinics for women, babies and youth; pre-natal care that has dramatically increased birth and baby survival rates, reduction of HIV infections by up to 95 percent in some countries; a reduction in polio cases by 99.9 percent since our programs began in 1985, and the list goes on.
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The ads are created in house using Brand Center (Rotary.org) approved images and logos in conjunction with images of club members performing service projects. 
he baskets contained an already cooked turkey for ease of preparation on that day, along with most of the traditional food sides. 
Look for an email to your Delegates the first week of December welcoming them to RYLA and giving information on what to bring, bus schedules, etc. Clubs are being copied on the email; be sure your Delegates receive the information.
Rotary International needs those numbers so they can make up their budget for the year. Each club is required to post those numbers before July 1..png)
The MHS Interact Club is up and running with officers pictured, left to right, Treasurer Brianna Miller, President Morgan Murphy, Dr. Ensign, Secretary Daymian McNally and Vice-President Joe Shields.
ing to initiate a project with TUSD- Hollinger Elementary to teach the 4 Way Test in a second-grade class in Spanish. The English version of the Goober Guys has been translated into Spanish for the elementary schools in Hermosillo and Nayarit. The Spanish version will now be used at Hollinger where a class is split into English for half a day and Spanish the other half.
pectacular job auctioning pies, cookies and cakes that were supplied by the boy scouts. Photo 2 is Rotarian Pat Kerr with Troop 339 leadership team.
Join the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke at “Celebrating the Art of the Southwest” on December 3 from noon to 3 p.m.
sm caught on and Elgin Elementary School K-8 with 112 students, jumped on board. The students raised $1,019.10 and our club added $500. As you can see Rosann had the “honor” of counting all that change!
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disastrous fires in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties through a tax-deductible foundation organized by Rotary District 5130. A Rotarian-led committee will direct immediate support to community members affected by the fire in the three Rotary Districts impacted by this disaster.
kly program presenter, “50 years, 50 presenters.” 
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.” says John Matthews, International Director. 
tary Club to provide a Veteran’s Day luncheon for World War II and Korea Veterans. The event was held at the SaddleBrooke Vista dining room. Emerson Knowles presented a slide show about Contagious Hope: The Legacy of the American Warrior. To all our veterans we say “Thank you!”
cerned. If Rotary and being a Rotarian equates to doing good in our communities and “doing good in the world,” what are you going to do to sustain Rotary and our good work? How will our local, regional, national, and global Rotary communities confront this challenge given our current conditions and the evolving generational, societal and global changes?
appropriate. Then add a “for more information link” to websites and forms.
