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 …and more than the United Nations, too!

We have great clubs and members!

We have active, engaged school and community-based youth clubs!

We have great fundraising projects!

We fight to eradicate polio!

We support ShelterBox, assisting displaced people worldwide!

PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS

Rotary International is a global network of community volunteers with members, known as Rotarians, who work together to create positive change in their communities and around the world.
Rotary District 5500 (D5500) is made up of more than 50 Rotary Clubs in Southern Arizona, where our members put service above self. Our 1,500 members are leading and partnering on projects that create lasting local and global community change. Our D5500 members come to Rotary to serve. They stay for the friendships and relationships they build.

Learn more about joining Rotary.

Fill out a brief contact form.

Rotary District 5500 has a new club about to go active- the Rainbow Rotary Club of Tucson, an LGBT+ centered club with the same great service, comraderie and networking opportunities of our other clubs!  Their website should be up soon!

2024 D5500 Ride to End Polio

Rotary District 5500 is a major supporter of the fight to eradticate polio!  Our annual Ride to End Polio is one of, if not THE, greatest fundraising events to help eradicate this deadly disease worldwide, a Rotary project for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. For more info or to register, click HERE!

 

Rotary Youth

Rotary is not just for older adults!  We have Interact Clubs for ages 12-18 in middle schools, high schools and Boys & Girls Clubs.  We also have Rotaract Clubs for ages 18 and up in colleges and universities, and community-based, too!

2024 District 5500 Conference of Clubs October 18-19 - Casino del Sol, Tucson

This year’s Rotary theme is “The Magic of Rotary” and the 2024 Rotary D5500 Conference of Clubs promises plenty of magic to elevate your Rotary experience!

At this year’s Conference of Clubs:

  • You’ll hear from leading Rotary speakers from around Arizona about new initiatives
  • Gain critical Rotary leadership, marketing and fundraising skills
  • Learn what is happening in the Mental and Behavioral Health field in Tucson
  • See what’s happening globally with our International Project Fair
  • Meet nonprofits and other service organizations in the House of Friendship
  • And so much more!

Click HERE to learn more!

Submit Your Club's Upcoming Events!

Let us help you spread the word about your club’s upcoming events, projects or fundraisers in IMPACT! Complete this IMPACT! Submission Form and return to [email protected] by Friday for the following week’s newsletter. Include your photo or graphic as a separate attachment as a jpg or png file.

WHAT ABOUT PAST PROJECTS & FUNDRAISERS?

We’ll feature them in our Rotary in Action Quarterly. The deadline for the next issue (September) is August 10, 2024.  Here’s the Rotary in Action Submission Form to complete and return to [email protected].

About Rotary District 5500

Service Above Self

Rotarians at the 1911 convention embraced an early version of our primary motto, Service Above Self. They also adopted an early version of our secondary motto, One Profits Most Who Serves Best

NOTE:  This website is still in development, so please report any errors, omissions or problems to [email protected] Thanks!

Rotaract and Rotary Clubs

Number of Members

News & Information

TRF Weekly Message: What is Rotary's Polio Fundraising Challenge?

Rotary is committed to raising US$50 million every year for polio eradication. Through our partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, every $1 of that is matched 2-to-1. 

Raising both funds and awareness and mobilizing volunteers are among Rotary’s primary roles as a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

With our members, we’ve contributed more than $2.6 billion to fight polio, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation, and Rotary volunteers have dedicated countless hours to protecting children everywhere. 

You can take action and raise awareness on World Polio Day, 24 October, and throughout the year. 

Help end polio by making a gift to the PolioPlus Fund at endpolio.org


Microcredit: Building Sustainability

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Building sustainability is key to a successful economic development project. Microcredit programs across the world provide the investment into an individual’s ability to do just that.

The objective of a microcredit program is to provide opportunity for individuals to start, sustain, or expand an income generating business venture by offering seed money in the form of a loan --- often called micro-loans or micro-credits. 

The microcredit program’s purpose is to empower people to become economically self-reliant. The motivation is to provide “empowerment – not dependency” to individuals who have difficulty getting credit through the normal banking system. 

 

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Save the Date! October Peacebuilders Meeting

YOU'RE INVITED!
Wednesday, October 23, 6:00 pm on Zoom

Title: Update on Regional Chapters of the Rotarian Action Group for Peace and their role in promoting Rotary's focus on positive peace


Our October speaker is the "one and only” Brigitte Faubertcurrently a member of the Rotary Club of Hounslow, in a London borough in West England. Brigitte joins us regularly for our Peacebuilders bimonthly meetings here in southern AZ.

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Meet Rotary Youth Exchange Student Aryanna Turner

Aryanna spent her Rotary Youth Exchange year in Finland with a short initial time in Estonia. Those countries form a multi-district. 

During her year abroad, Ary was able to travel to many countries in Europe with her Rotary Youth Exchange team and made friends from all over the world. Always a passionate student of languages, she also added three new languages to her repertoire.

Ary is a freshman at NAU, continuing her passion for learning, keeping her positive outlook on life and its many opportunities with a smile that shines as brightly as she does.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE LONG-TERM 2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR IS OCTOBER 29.

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Make Your RYLA Reservations!

There are still openings available for RYLA 2025, so don't wait.
Reserve your club's spots now.


HOW TO RESERVE A SPOT FOR RYLA

Clubs can reserve spots for the RYLA by emailing [email protected]. Each club can reserve up to 5 spots with additional spots opening up in early fall.

Click here for more information. 



World Polio Day is October 24

Plan an Event for World Polio Day

There are some great resources available to help your club organize a World Polio Day event. Check them out: 

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Register Now for the 2024 Ride to End Polio

The buzz has already started for this year's Ride to End Polio during the Tour de Tucson on Saturday, November 23.
It will once again feature new routes aimed to make the ride safer and more enjoyable.

To register for the Ride to End Polio, click here.
You can also register for the Pre-Ride Dinner here.

 


Celebration of Life for District Conference of Clubs

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Have any members of your club passed on since October 2023?  Please let us know so that they will be included in the Celebration of Life at this year's D5500 Conference of Clubs October 18-19, 2024.  Click HERE for a simple fillable PDF form that should be completed and returned to Leo Lawrenson.


Be a Part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Team

What’s new in the Rotary Youth Exchange?

Do you want to be a part of one of the most exciting and rewarding programs in Rotary? Do you know about the short-term options for students?  Do you want to find out why and how youth exchange students impact lives and create worldwide families?

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Update on District Conference 2024 Sponsors 

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Congratulations to RC Tubac, the latest Club to help sponsor our upcoming District Conference.

Of course, thank you to all Clubs and members who have so far helped out and sponsored the District Conference 2024. RC Valle Verde, RC Oro Valley, RC SaddleBrooke, Ron Darrah, Charlotte Gates and Anne Fisher.

We are on our way to achieving our goal thanks to your generosity and support.
 

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AVENUES OF SERVICE

We channel our commitment to service through five avenues, which are the foundation of club activity.

Club
Service

A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.

Vocational Service

Rotarians work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.

Community Service

We find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.

International Service

We promote peace & understanding globally by sponsoring or volunteering on projects around the world.

Youth
Service

Rotarians work to empower young people through leadership development programs, encouraging the next generation of leaders.