Final Month of the Rotary Year 20-21
 
Can you believe it’s June already? This Rotary year is nearly over. I can only recap how very proud I am of all the work Clubs are doing to keep their members together. You figured it out and you DID IT! Some Clubs still had fundraisers and most Clubs partook in multiple community projects. It’s so important to note that there are many Clubs that will be receiving a citation this year – truly astonishing!
 
As I finish up my year as District Governor, I have a few requests to the District 5500 members (stated below).  As I often heard, "If you don’t ask you will never know." So here goes:
 
  • Please sign up for the FIRST Virtual District Conference.
  • Please sign up for the FIRST Virtual District Conference. Registration is only $10.00, which will be donated to the Annual Fund. (The money will be returned to our District in a form of grant money).  We have some magnificent Keynote Speakers, some incredible breakout sessions, and, of course, Happy Hour. Would you consider registering on the District website, rotaryd5500.org for the “WHOVA” Virtual District Conference?
  • A couple of months ago, I had reached out to each Club President requesting that you ask your members to create an account for Rotary.org (RI’s website). This website has published the online Learning Center, a Brand Center, and a very simple way to donate using Rotary Direct. I am happy to report, that Coolidge and Marana are tied in second place and Sierra Vista West and Tucson Kino have 100% of their members with an account. It’s still not too late to sign up, I created a simple video that walks you through the entire process step by step. Before the year is up would you consider setting up a https://my.rotary.org/en/signup account?
     
  • Hybrid meetings will be here for the duration. Many Clubs realize they can add members by offering an online component to their meetings. Clubs have learned they can invite better speakers from Rotary International, the Zone, as well as across the District. Inviting visitors to join your Club from other countries is so much fun too. We have learned a great deal from our exposure to online.  We can offer more Rotary training sessions, work closely with other organizations, achieve faster decisions, and reduce driving (and automobile pollution). If your Club wants to grow, are you considering Hybrid meetings to attract new members?
     
  • I’m also very excited about the new Rotary Focus, Protecting Our Environment. The Global Climate Pledge would like 2 million pledges by 2022 (highlighted in the May Rotary magazine). Here is the link, https://www.globalclimatepledge.com/  I just signed up today and it took all of three minutes. Would you consider adding your name to this group?
     
  • As you know June is Rotary Fellowships month. Fellowship is one of the core values of Rotary. Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, and Rotaractors join together to share a common interest in worthwhile recreational activities such as hobbies, sports, etc. It is a good opportunity to further our vocational development through acquaintance with others of the same profession and explore new opportunities for service. Throughout the wide world of Rotary, many members share similar hobbies, recreational activities, and occupations. The Virtual District Conference is offering Fellowship Breakouts on Friday.  Would you consider joining us?
     
  • Thank you all for supporting Rotary. In the Rotary year, 2020-2021 most Clubs met on Zoom, and therefore members didn’t have meal expenses. If you typically spend $20.00 a week for a meal, x 52 weeks, that’s over $1,000 you could donate to the Annual Fund, Polio Fund, or Disaster Relief Fund. Would you consider donating to Rotary.org/donate  before June 30th?
I personally want to thank every member of District 5500. D5500 is the greatest District a District Governor could ask for. Our Clubs were able to withstand the pandemic crisis and become even stronger. I wish you all peace and happiness in the future.
 
Diane Ventura-Goodyear
District Governor 20-21