…
We have great clubs and members!
We have active, engaged school and community-based youth clubs!
We do international service projects!
We do community service projects!
We fight to eradicate polio!
We have great fundraising projects!
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
Rotary is for Everyone! You Belong Here!
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
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, comradery and networking opportunities of our other clubs! Visit their website HERE!
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!
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
The Power of Public Image in Your Club’s Membership Attraction
In today’s fast-paced world, the public image of organizations is crucial for attracting new members, and Rotary is no exception.
A strong public image showcases your club's values, community impact, and global reach, significantly enhancing membership attraction.
A compelling public image fosters trust and credibility. When potential members see your club’s commitment to community service, they are more likely to view it as an effective way to contribute.
Trust is essential for attracting individuals who want to be part of something special.
Highlighting opportunities within your club through social media, newsletters, and community events can illustrate the exciting and impactful work your members are involved in. This visibility attracts individuals eager to engage in meaningful activities and connect with like-minded people. A strong public image also encourages word-of-mouth promotion.
Ultimately, your public image should reflect the actual contributions your club makes in your community. While occasional stories about Rotary International are fine, potential members are primarily connecting with your club.
Leveraging public image is not just about looking good; it’s about effectively communicating your club’s mission and values. By investing in a positive public image, your club can attract community members eager to make a difference, ensuring continued growth and success in serving your community.
ShelterBox USA Update
There is a lot happening behind the scenes at ShelterBox USA. Here is a brief update of recent response decisions for our District 5500 supporters that demonstrates the strength of collaboration between ShelterBox USA and Rotary.
If you would like to schedule a club presentation: “ShelterBox: What’s new in 2025”, please contact PDG Don Jorgensen or DGND Leo Lawrenson, District 5500 Volunteer Ambassadors at [email protected] or
[email protected], or call Don at 520-906-9148.
• Southeast USA Hurricane Relief: In addition to the $100,000 matching gift grant to the Rotary Zone 33/34 Disaster Relief Fund, ShelterBox USA is providing extensive emergency supplies. These include 600 solar lights with battery power banks, 200 ShelterBox bags for supply distribution, 250 zero-degree thermal sleeping bags, 110 portable cook stoves, 600 water filters, and 800 warm comforters. This comprehensive response demonstrates the strength of collaboration between ShelterBox USA, Rotary, and our corporate partners.
• Flooding in Spain: Severe flash flooding across southern and eastern Spain is having a devastating impact. Thousands of homes have been destroyed with torrents of water wrecking villages, towns and infrastructure. It’s the worst flooding to hit Spain for three decades. Currently in Spain, the most suitable emergency shelter options are being offered locally. The Spanish Government has not asked for international assistance and has the experience and capacity to manage most disasters independently. This means that whilst the flooding has been devastating for those affected, ShelterBox is not well placed to respond at this time.
• Tropical Storm Trami, Philippines: Severe Tropical Storm Trami, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Kramine, brought heavy rainfall that led to landslides and heavy flooding in the Bicol Region of the Philippines on October 22nd. Over 1.7 million families have been affected across the country, and almost one million people have been reported to be displaced. We have a team in the affected region to coordinate a needs assessment and partner scoping.
Rotary Foundation Month: Polio
As an international community, Rotary is able to bring together leaders willing to take on the world’s toughest challenges.
Polio eradication is one of our longest standing and most significant efforts. Along with our partners, we have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. We have reduced polio by 99.9 percent worldwide, and we are committed to not stop until we end the disease for good.
Ride to End Polio: Saturday, November 23
Our District has had a significant impact through our annual Ride to End Polio on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
I wrote about Mike Harris and his commitment to end polio in my letter in July. Our Ride began in 2009 and, assisted by the Gates Foundation’s two-to-one match, we have raised over $60 million to aid in Rotary’s fight to end polio. There is a tribute to our efforts at Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston.
There is also a District pre-ride dinner on Friday evening, and all are welcome to join us.
There are opportunities to help by either donating to a rider or directly to End Polio Now, helping at the Aid Station (contact the Valle Verde Club) along the route or joining us at the gathering location (contact the new Rainbow Club) at the finish line!
TRF Weekly Message: What is a Paul Harris Fellow?
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given to anyone who contributes at least $1,000 to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved global grant. This recognition, which consists of a certificate and pin, can also be given on behalf of someone else.
More than 1.6 million people have become Paul Harris Fellows since 1957, including notable figures such as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and polio vaccine developer Dr. Jonas Salk.
Are you ready to become a Paul Harris Fellow and support The Rotary Foundation at this level?
Florence Rotary - Bunco Night
Friday, November 22 from 6-9pm to benefit FUSD Scholarships
The Ride to End Polio is Saturday, November 23rd
The Ride to End Polio is a signature event for District 5500 in the annual El Tour de Tucson.
Check out the 2024 District 5500 Ride to End Polio website for route map and other details, then come join the excitement this Saturday.
New Post-Ride Gathering Area! Rainbow Rotary Club of Tucson is hosting the booth at the finish line. You'll find them one block from the finish line in a great spot to gather, share stories, eat, drink and reminisce. Click here for a map.
The Rotary Foundation Annual FUND/Share
Get more bang from your giving buck by donating to the Annual Fund/SHARE. Your donation is invested and comes back to our district three years later.
We ask all Rotarians to make The Rotary Foundation one of their personal charities by giving at least $10 a month through Rotary Direct.
Mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday, December 3rd!
Pre-Ride Dinner Reservations Closing Soon
Gear up for a great ride at the Friday Night Pre-Ride Dinner!
Whether you're riding to end polio in the El Tour de Tucson or just want to show your support for this great cause, come join the excitement at Brother John's Bourbon and Barbecue.
An entertaining program is planned, plus great food, door prizes and fun Rotary fellowship. Plus it's a chance for you to meet Rotary CEO John Hewko and his wife Marga.
All for just $50. Click here to register for the dinner, and do it soon, before registration closes.
District 5500 Guatemala Collaborative Forum
Has your club supported or is engaged in projects in Guatemala? Why not consider helping us create a Rotary District 5500 Guatemala Collaborative Forum (a focused discussion group)?
As a part of the Guatemala Collaborative Forum (GCF), your club would join with the Rotary clubs of Tucson Sunset and Oro Valley, and other non-Rotary organizations in the Tucson Area in support of the people of Guatemala.
Rick Chimblo (RC of Oro Valley) and Eugene Medina and PDG Diane Ventura-Goodyear (RC of Tucson Sunset) want to increase interest in International Service throughout the District, one of DG Sue Archibald’s Areas of Focus.
- EcoFiltro Water Sanitation Projects
- The Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP), Annual Global Grant
- English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) Programs
- The use of The Four-Way Test “Goober Guys” bilingual book across our District and in Guatemala schools and libraries– a perfect working tool in ESL classes
Consider the GLP Annual Global Grant, one of the largest grassroots, multi-club, multi-district projects in Rotary. It is coordinated by the Ohio Pathways Club in D6600. The 2024-2025 Global Grant - is hosted by the Rotary Club of Nueva, Guatemala (D4250) and is sponsored by the Windsor-Roseland Club in Ontario, Canada (D6400). The Rotary Club of Oro Valley (D5500) contributes $1,000 annually to this very large global grant, which typically raises over $500,000 each year.
Does your Rotary Club provide annual support for the GLP? With a D5500 GCF, and the approval of DG Sue, our District would become an annual donor to this Global Grant, and Rotary International would match 80% of the District Designated Funds (DDF). Simply every $1,000 our D5500 clubs donate would be $1,800 to the GLP Global Grant. This is an example of how the District 5500 GCF could coordinate its Guatemala giving.
If you are interested in learning more about the proposed Guatemala Collaborative Forum or would like to help us with its formation, please contact Rick Chimblo by email [email protected]
Tajikistan International Book Project
The Willcox Rotary Club supports Tajikistan students learning English by supplying them with books every year since 2016.
We could use your help.
The books we provide equip students for crucial exams such as the IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT. These opportunities transform students' lives, enabling them to study abroad, return home, land excellent jobs, and achieve career success.
We are a small club and can always use help with the books that we send to the students. If you would like to help, you can purchase a book here to ship to Tina L.J. McGee, or email [email protected] and she will send some suggestions.
Rotary District 5500
Rotary brings together leaders who build friendships, exchange ideas and take action in their communities. Join us!
... See MoreSee Less
- likes 0
- Comments: 0
- Shares: 0
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Photos from Rotary Learning Center's post ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Photos from Rotary Learning Center's post ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
You are invited to join the Rotary Club of Oro Valley for a District-wide Happy Hour on the 3rd Friday of each month, starting on 20 Dec 2024 at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort on 245 E Ina Rd, in the Palm Room from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Your guests can also be included.
Any Rotarian attending will also be given a 20% discount card for all current and future meals and drinks for up to 9 guests at Westward Look!!
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
USA-Mexico Friendship Conference & Matching Grants Exchange ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Photos from Rotary International's post ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Wise words indeed #rotaryinternational ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Looking to improve your facilitation skills? We offer a variety of courses to help you develop these skills.
Want ideas for small group atcitivies at your next learning event? Browse our Leader's Guides.
Check out the Learning Facilitator course catalog on Rotary's Learning Center: my.rotary.org/learn?deep-link=https%3A//learn.rotary.org/members/learn/catalog/view/74
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Photos from Rotary Learning Center's post ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Photos from Rotary Learning Center's post ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The event of the season is almost here!
District 5500 Ride to End Polio 2024 takes place on Saturday, November 23rd.
Come cheer on our Rotary riders at the Pre-Ride Dinner the night before at Brother John's. ALL ARE WELCOME!
For more info and to register for the dinner, visit polioride.org/
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Rotary Club Central Resources is now updated in all languages!
Learn more about crafting goals for your club's success, including planning for three years and priority goals, in the Rotary Club Central Resources course today.
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Photos from Rotary Learning Center's post ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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.