I’d like to express my sincerest thanks to all who attended, served as presenters, displayed their projects in the House of Friendship, brought baskets for the silent auction, helped in one of a thousand other ways, the District Conference Team and our sponsors for making this year’s conference a huge success.  Slightly over 250 people, including about 50 youth participated in the District Conference and a total of 67 people attended the Empowering Girls Forum, where we kicked off the District 5500 Empowering Girls Network.

 

The goals of the District Conference Committee were clear; Invite and Engage community and Rotary volunteers, provide learning experiences for people of all ages, be an example of how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strengthen what we do and of course, have plenty of fun and laughter.  All of these goals were accomplished.  Again, Kudos to ALL who helped accomplish these goals and had any role in making the conference a memorable experience.

 

Be sure to check out the District website (Home Page | Rotary District 5500 (rotaryd5500.org)) and Facebook sites ((9) Rotary District 5500 | Facebook and (9) Rotary District 5500 Group | Facebook) for lots of pictures of the event

 

 

 

At the conference, during the Council on District Legislation, the Annual business meeting, the club delegates elected the following Rotarians to serve on District and RI committees.

 

Member at Large to District Corporate Board of Directors for a three-year term 7/1/23 – 6/30/26: 

 

           Ann Huber of the Rotary Club of Tucson Sunset

 

Past District Governor and a Past Club President to the District Finance Committee for a three-year term, 7/1/23 – 6/30/26.

 

           IPDG Hank Huisking of the Rotary Club of Sierra Vista Sunrise

           Past President Jennifer Hoffman of the Rotary Club of Tucson

 

Election of Representative and Alternate to RI 2023–2025 Council on Resolutions and 2025 Council on Legislation.

 

Representative: PDG Diane Ventura-Goodyear of the Rotary Club of Tucson Sunset

 

          Alternate: PDG Ellie Patterson of the Rotary Club of Tucson Verde

 

Member to District Charitable Fund Board of Directors for a three-year term, 7/1/23 – 6/30/26

Joyce Finkelstein of the Rotary Club of Green Valley

 

 

 

Robert “Bob” Grady is our New DGND

 

Recently the nominating committee comprised of representatives from our 14 regions and five Past District Governors met and selected Bob Grady as the District Governor Nominee Designate to serve as District Governor for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year.

 

Bob joined Rotary in 2015 and is a member of the Catalina (Tucson) Rotary Club. He served as Secretary, President for two consecutive terms, chair of the Racial Justice Work Group, and on the Board. Currently, Bob is the Region 8 Assistant Governor which includes the Rotary Clubs of Tucson, Catalina(Tucson), Pantano, and Rincon. Bob is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute and the Rotary Leadership Academy.

 

Bob is a native of New Hampshire and attended the University of New Hampshire, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration with a minor in Economics. He earned his MBA in Organization/Information Systems from Bentley College outside of Boston. Bob has had numerous challenging positions in business and industry that utilized his management and financial talents to achieve business turnarounds and process improvements.  Regarding Rotary, Bob is not interested in helping the district just survive but to thrive. His experiences in strategic planning and fostering creative solutions will positively impact our District.

 

Bob and Connie have been married 42 years and have a daughter and three grandsons living in Tucson and a son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in League City, Texas. His passions are jazz and classical music, audiophile electronics, reading, travel, exercise and, when time permits, hiking and cycling.

 

Please join me in congratulating Bob on his selection as DGND.

 

 

 

Is your club one of those remaining who have not yet selected your President for next year – 2023-24?  If so, it’s getting late.

 

Pre-PETS (President Elect Training Seminars) are underway this month, with online mini-courses and group sessions beginning this month. The multi-district in-person SW PETS Conference will take place at Marriott LAX February 2-5, 2023.

 

If your club has already elected your President-elect, please send their name, and contact information to DGE Don at donjorgensen@comcast.net. (Please add their information to ClubRunner and at www.rotary.org as well.)

 

We don’t want your president-elect – or your club – to miss out on important updates, changes, or opportunities for next year.  Time to act!

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, October 22, 2022, District 5500 will observe and celebrate World Polio Day, which is Monday, October 24, 2022.  We will have a special program on Zoom from 9 am to 10:30 am Arizona time. (PDT, MST).   The program will include a short history of the disease and Rotary’s pledge to eradicate it, an update on eradication efforts, and how we Rotarians in D5500 can help.  A D5500  Rotarian polio survivor will tell his personal story.   And we will recognize and honor members of the D5500 PolioPlus Society, 62 of whom have committed to give $100 per year to PolioPlus.  Presented by your District Rotary Foundation Committee and PDG Michael Drake, PolioPlus Chair.  Go to the district website at www.rotaryd5500.org to register so you will receive a Zoom invitation.

 

 If your club would like to hold its own event, the Tool Kit has ideas, templates, logos, press releases etc.  Or you can join the World Polio Day program on the Rotary International Facebook page to watch with other end polio supporters.  Global health experts and partners will share our progress on the road to polio eradication.

 

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The annual Mexico (D4185 in central Mexico) and Arizona (D5495 and D5500) Friendship Conference and Global Grant Exchange will be held in Zacatlan, Puebla, Mexico October 27 through November 1, 2022.  Give and receive support on  potential Global Grant projects; enjoy great fellowship, fun, and scenery; and celebrate Día de Los Muertos.   Here is a promotional slide presentation.  Contact PDG Michael Drake for more information at 520-624-2488 or Michael@DrakeLawAz.com.

 

 

We are happy to announce that the second round of District Grant applications from $250-$2,000 will open October 1^st until the funds run out on a first come, first served basis.  We have $27,297 available funds and checks will be sent out within three weeks of submittal and approval.  If you have a current District Grant, a Final Report must be filed and approved before submitting a new grant application.   All Final Reports must be received within 60 days of completion or by May 1, 2023.

 

Your club must be qualified to receive District Grant funds.  Please see the Qualification webpage for details and the District Grant webpage for the Grant Management Webinar on YouTube that must be previewed by two of your club members.  The District Grant application and President’s Certification form that must accompany the application can be found on the District website.  Please e-mail them to: districtgrants@rotaryd5500.org.

 

 If you have any questions, contact Kristi Halvorson, District Grants Chair.

 

 

 

Did you know that Rotary recognizes a special category called Triple Crown Donors?  This group is donors who are members of the Paul Harris Society, Bequest Society Members, and Major Donors.  Paul Harris Society members donate at least $1,000 to the Annual Fund and/or Polio Plus every year.  Bequest Society members have made a minimum $10,000 bequest to Rotary in their estate plan, and Major Donors have cumulatively donated at least $10,000 to Rotary.  Special thanks to the Triple Crown Donors of District 5500!

 

Dates To Remember