Hello everyone.

 

Can you believe that your district governor made an error in the last issue and stated April was Rotary’s Maternal and Child Health month when it is really Environment month. In 2019–2020 the Rotary international Board of Directors unanimously approved the addition of the new area of focus “supporting the environment. “At the time, The Rotary Foundation chair stated that more than $18 million in Foundation global grant funding had been allocated to environment related projects over the five years prior to this decision.  He stated that creating this distinct area of focus to support the environment will give Rotary members even more ways to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact.  District 5500 members have embraced this new area, including the creation of our cause -based club, Tucson Verde, with focused projects that concern our water, natural environment, food waste and how we repurpose glass and plastics. During this month of emphasizing the Environment, it might be a good time for us all to consider how we personally can make a difference.

 

 

I am pleased to report that our Strategic Action Plan for Rotary Years 23-26 has been unanimously approved this week by the District’s Corporate Board.  The development of this plan began in July 2022 when I tasked the committee of approximately 28 members from across the district, and over 100 members who provided input, to think creatively, broadly, and realistically to plan the next three years to strengthen the district.  The Action Plan was finalized April 1. This planning effort was led by DGE Don Jorgensen who submitted it to me as Chair of the Corporate Board on April 6 and it was approved on April 13^th.  Electronic copies of the Plan will be sent to all club Presidents and District Leaders to share with members and will also be available on the district website.  I want to express my appreciation to DGE Don for his leadership of this process and to all who participated in this effort.  It required a tremendous amount of work by all.

 

 

I am so pleased to share that the Governor of the State of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, has proclaimed April 15-22, 2023, as ROTARY WEEK OF SERVICE and urges all citizens to recognize, applaud, and join the service efforts of this organization as it builds goodwill and peace throughout Arizona. You can read the full proclamation by going to:

 https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50063/Documents/en-ca/7c03055d-ee9f-46cb-80ec-5d478df05f09/1/

 

 

In addition, an article about the Arizona Rotary Days of Service appeared in the Arizona Daily Star on Thursday, April 13^th.    To read it you may go to the following link:

 

 

 

The District Assembly is the major District leadership training event. Workshops offer motivation, inspiration, Rotary information and new ideas for club officers, committee chairs, and leaders.

 

The District Assembly gives current and future club leaders what they need to stay up to date with best practices of Rotary, qualify for grants, and share the latest and greatest ideas on how to serve your communities, grow your clubs, engage your youth, obtain grants, and have fun with Rotary.

 

Date/Time:  May 6, 2023, | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Via Zoom

 

Audience:        Current and Future Club Leaders, Club Secretaries, Club Treasurers,

Public Image Chairs, Membership Chairs, Service Projects Chairs, Rotary Foundation Chairs

 

To register, please visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50063/Documents/en-ca/3cbe87b1-cb70-4837-ad6b-e842ba205c81/1/

 

 

We have a great location for the District dinner in Melbourne. We are at the Rendezvous Hotel, 328 Finders Street, Melbourne on Saturday, May 27th. Cash bar opens at 5:30pm and dinner is served at 6:15pm. It is a 3-course dinner with a choice of entree on the registration form. Entrees are Spring Creek Barramundi (Asian seabass); Cape Grim Beef Tenderloin (Gluten free) or Vegan entree. The cost is $72 per person. More than it has been in the past but dining out in Melbourne is expensive. The link to register is below. If you have a guest that is not a Rotarian, please choose their entree also. 

 

 

Information is also on the District website.

 

 Cut off is May 10th. The Restaurant must have the guarantees by the 11th.

 

 

All reports are due May1st. Here is the Final Report Form.  Please e-mail the Final Report with attached receipts to: districtgrants@rotaryd5500.org. If you have any questions, please contact District Grant Chair Kristi Halvorson at kristi@greenskerry.com.

 

 

 

Ask each of your members to bring a friend who could be a candidate for membership. A pool of candidates could also come from the non-Rotarians who participate in your club’s service project during Arizona Rotary Week of Service from April 15th-23rd.  In addition to experiencing a Rotary service project, a candidate would be introduced to your club & learn more about all the good things it does. 

  

Even if your club does not participate in a service project during this week, holding a meeting in which members invite potential candidates is recommended. Quite a few clubs have not had even one new member join their club this year, and we are more than half-way through the year. There's always room for more members in any club!

 

Here is a primer on how you could hold such a meeting.

 

 

 

 

Dates To Remember 

 

                   

                     

District 5500 publishes The Glance weekly. Submit inputs to TheGlance@rotaryd5500.org by Friday.