What an amazing ride it has been this past year! The opportunity to serve as your District Governor has been an exciting experience. It was fun-filled, fantastic and busy, with challenging opportunities for personal growth. Brigitte and I will be forever mindful and grateful for the many friendships we made – so much more than we ever imagined. Your warmth, kindness, and commitment to doing good in our communities are permanently etched in our recollections of this wonderful year.
District Governors can accomplish very little on their own. It is the membership – the club presidents, District committees and their chairs, and the dozens of volunteers and staff – who make a difference. You are the leaders who develop projects and provide funding to make our world a better place. You are the dream builders who see challenges, take action and change lives. You see opportunities where others see only problems. Unless someone like you cares greatly, nothing changes. You are our hope for a better life, a healthier life, and better communities.
District 5500 is in an exciting cultural evolution. We are moving from a model of oversight to one of empowerment, support, and inspiration. The journey is long, but the train has left the station. This is an exciting and challenging time for us. Our future is bright as we anticipate the coming leadership of Kirk Reed, Ellie Patterson, and Diane Ventura-Goodyear.
Now, the time is near for me to step aside as your District Governor and support Kirk Reed as he takes the helm and guides us through the opportunities and the challenges of the coming year. The memories of this past year are amazing. The experience has been literally life changing and unforgettable. Forever, District 5500 will always be the heart and soul of who I am as a Rotarian. Thank you for the honor of serving with you.
Yours in Fellowship and Service,
District Governor District 5500 2017-2018
A Lively and Memorable District Governor Installation
District Governor Kirk Reed’s Installation Dinner will embody his three emphases in 2018-19:
DREAM BIG Our world needs Rotary’s dreams of progress.
HAVE FUN We can truly enjoy working together.
GET STUFF DONE Talk is cheap. We’ll put our dreams into action.
We’re all invited to wear something that represents what we do for fun: sports team gear, a hiking outfit or biking jersey, clothes for music or yoga or gardening or reading or fine dining or traveling or anything at all that we enjoy. We’ll relax, get to know each other better, and find new ways to “Be the Inspiration.”
When: Saturday, June 23, 2018
Where: University of Arizona Student Union, South Ballroom
Cost: $40.00 includes appetizer, choice of entree, dessert, and beverage
Rotarians, family members, and guests are invited. Entrees must be selected in advance (by June 12) at www.rotararyd5500.org.
Four Reasons to Sign Up for the September 28-29 District Conference
Meet President Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President when Rotary was founded in 1905.
Receive an official Rotary passport, enabling you to visit the entire world served by The Rotary Foundation — and qualifying you for Arizona or California resort vacations in 2018-19. (NOTE: Drawings will be held at the Saturday evening banquet).
Enjoy all the amenities at the Reid Park Doubletree Hotel in Tucson for just $79/night.
See youth and young adults in action, reminding us that Rotary is especially relevant in the 21st century!
2018 Award First Things First Champion for Young Children
Want to Grow Your Club's Membership?
Our 2018 Membership Seminar will bring innovative and practical ideas — ideas that really work! We’ll be learning from two of the most successful membership experts from Rotary International: Steve Lingenbrink (Seattle area) and Vicki Puliz (Reno area).
Bring your entire leadership team to:
District 5500’s Membership Seminar
Saturday, August 11, 2018
8:30 am to 12:00 noon
At Catalina United Methodist Church 2700 E. Speedway, Tucson
$30.00 tuition includes materials and instructors and morning goodies
You’ll need to pre-register at www.rotaryd5500.org, so we can have materials ready for you when you arrive.
Convention in Toronto, Anyone?
If you’ll be in Toronto in late June, don’t forget to register for our District 5500 Dinner and Celebration in honor of DG Joe Hentges on Saturday evening, June 23 at 6:00 pm. All the details are on the district website.
Also, if you’re going to the convention, you are needed to help at the Ride to End Polio booth in the House of Friendship. The Ride is Rotary’s largest and most successful fundraiser, and we can help at the booth to spread the word and recruit riders. Contact Ernie Montagne at ernie.montagne@hotmail.com
Would your club help TRVFA?
TRVFA received a $2,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Tucson.
Which makes us all think; What Rotary Clubs, who strongly believe in the mission and vision of the TRVFA and, have funds in their operating accounts on June 30th, could be used as a donation to the TRVFA?
I know a lot of clubs just put these year-end funds in their Club Foundation, never giving a thought as to how this money could immediately be invested in Rotary and the Avenue of Vocational Service.
This is my personal ASK!
The good news is - We have had a record-breaking year with 77 scholarship grants awarded in the total amount of $174,000.
The bad news is-TRVFA has run out of money and we are turning down what are probably well-qualified applicants. You can always contact me with questions.
Thanks again,
Lee Dueringer, President dueringe@cals.arizona.edu
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.
RYLA Registration Opens July 1
Get Ready to Reserve Spaces for RYLA! Registration opens July 1st.
Checks can be sent July 1 to reserve spaces for Delegates and made out to District 5500 RYLA. Cost is $400 per person. Mail checks to San Luis Rotary, Attn. Marcos Ramirez, PO Box 13926, San Luis, AZ 85349.
Send Barbara Harrison, District 5500 RYLA Chair, your RYLA POC information, so she is communicating with the right person. bjsharrison@comcast.net / 520.250.3437
Check www.rylad5500.org for information and applications. Download the brochure, applications, club planning calendar, updated presentation and 2018.
Community-Based Rotaract Club
Grant Management Seminars Required for 18-19 Rotary Year
Registration is now open for the 2018 Grant Management Seminars. Each club wanting to apply for a grant in the 2018-19 Rotary year must have at least 2 members attend one of these seminars by June 30, 2018.
Both District and Global Grants are partially funded by The Rotary Foundation, and the seminar is a requirement of the Foundation. The seminar originally scheduled for May 5 in Tucson has been canceled. There will be two webinar-based seminars: one on May 30 and one on June 30. Rotarians may register for one of those using the links below:
It’s been another good year for our D5500 District Grants Program. We were not only able to qualify and approve 15 separate club service projects to receive funding totaling $61,140 but for the first time, we were able to commit all of our available district grant funding for this Rotary Year. This is a significant milestone and clear indication that many more of our clubs are taking advantage of available matching district grant funds.
Now that we’re near the end of our Rotary Year, please remember two things. First, it is not too early to start thinking about your club service project for next year. The D5500 District Grant Application for RY2018-2019 is available for download on our D5500 website. Completed applications are requested by 15 July 2018 but may be submitted as late as 31 August 2018 if there are not enough approved applications. Unfortunately, applications submitted after the 15 July deadline will only be considered if funding is still available after meeting the requests of all complete and approved club applications which were submitted on time.
Second, remember where our District Grant funds come from. In a very real sense, these are your funds. Fifty percent of the total donations of D5500 Rotarians to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund (AF) three years ago come back to us as District Designated Funds (DDF). In turn, up to half of those funds may become available to fund your D5500 District Grants Program. So, your club’s continuing support of the Annual Fund ensures that we’re able to have a District Grants program at all.
Rotarian and Immediate Past President of the Tucson Sunset club Tom Parsons was recently featured in the May issue of Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers 2018.” His area of specialty is Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law.
D5500 Triple Crown Recognition for Support of The Rotary Foundation
District Governor Joe Hentges has approved a new district program recognizing Rotarians for extraordinary support of The Rotary Foundation. D5500 will award Triple Crown Recognition to those Rotarians who support The Rotary Foundation as:
Members of the Paul Harris Society (committed to give at least $1000 annually to TRF, (excluding Endowment Fund), Members of the Bequest Society (having bequeathed at least $10,000 to TRF), Major Donors (total giving to TRF of at least $10,000) or members of the Arch Klumph Society (total giving to TRF of at least $250,000).
This is designed to encourage giving to any of the TRF programs, especially Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, and Endowment Fund, thus helping TRF live up to its motto of Doing Good in the World.
For more information about Triple Crown Recognition or if you want to help D5500 administer this program, please contact D5500 Fundraising Chair Ernie Montagne at ernie.montagne@hotmail.com.
Benson Rotary Turkey Masters Was a Hit
Fifty-seven(57) golfers and an exceptional number of sponsors made for a fun day with many prizes and over $8,000 net raised for the Benson Food Bank. We thank all who participated and express special appreciation to our Rotary friends who were sponsors and those who played the course. There were no Rotary team challenges, so the traveling trophy stays in Benson this year. Mark your calendars now! Next tournament will be May 11, 2019.
District Awards
Plan now to submit your club accomplishments for the 2017-2018 District Awards. Awards are given in five Avenues of Service (Club, Youth, Community, International, and Vocational), Service to Veterans and Literacy. Submissions are due August 1, 2018.
The District 5500 Award Program recognizes the accomplishments of clubs that excel during the 2017-18 Rotary year. The Awards will be presented in September 2018 at the District Conference. Categories of District awards include:
Avenue of Service Awards: In each of the Avenues of Service, no more than three clubs will receive an award for best achievement.
NEW: Literacy Award
Has your club been engaged in Literacy projects in your community this Rotary Year? If so, consider applying for the NEW District Literacy Award.
For more information, contact Anita McDonald, 2017-2018 District Awards Chair. Her contact info ismsmathlady@live.com or 520-271-7207(cell).
Notes from District Rotary Foundation Committee
Before the end of the Rotary year June 30, please give as much as you can to the Annual Fund of the Rotary Foundation. This funds our District Grants and Global Grants. Also, ensure your club sends in any funds you are holding for the Annual Fund before June 30. DG Joe’s goal for us is $200 per capita. We can’t let him or our fellow Rotarians down!
The deadline for submission of applications for 2018-19 District Grants is July 15. Please plan your projects now. Find the application and guidelines at the District websitewww.rotaryd5500.org. In 2018-19, we will have $75,000 to give to clubs for support of your local projects.
Incoming club presidents are requested to appoint a member to lead club Rotary Foundation fundraising, activities, and projects. Please advise Michael Drake, Chair of the DRFC of the name and contact information for the appointee. Incoming club presidents are also requested to put your Rotary Foundation goals in Rotary Club Central.
Our annual Rotary Foundation seminar and celebration dinner will be in Tucson on Saturday, November 3, 2018. Please save the date and look for more details.
Michael Drake Chair, DRFC
520-624-2488
Michael@DrakeLawAz.com
Upcoming Council on District Legislation
The Council on District Legislation will be held on September 28, 2018, during the District Conference in Tucson. Any member in good standing or any District Standing Committee may propose an amendment to the Bylaws of Rotary District 5500, Inc. to be considered at the Council. Pursuant to Bylaw Section 11.1, any such proposal must be submitted to 2018-19 DG Kirk Reed at least 60 days before the Council meeting. That is, proposals must be submitted by July 30, 2018.
Marana Rotary Book Fair Benefits Local Communities
Rotary Club of Marana raised $5,623.36 to purchase books for Marana Communities. The Rotary Club of Marana, in partnership with Scholastic Book Fairs, is hosted a book fair on Tuesday, May 22nd at Roadrunner Elementary School in Avra Valley. 1,673 books were donated to the MHC Healthcare WIC (Women, Infants, & Children), who will distribute them to their clients. These books are meant to be read to children 0-5 years of age by their parents (or an older sibling). This project is part of a District-wide effort to assist in early childhood development.
The Tour De Cookie is a fundraising event for the many local, national, and international service projects that the Rotary Club of Marana undertakes each year. It is also a time when our community comes together for that most scrumptious of American treats: the cookie. Along a 30-mile loop of the Santa Cruz river bike path, twelve community organizations and businesses had a station where they handed out cookies to joyful riders. This was not a race, but a casual ride with great friends, family, and uniquely delicious cookies. Nearly 200 riders came out to ride the loop and most importantly to collect their cookies!
Marana Rotary Celebrates 50 Year Rotarians
It’s not often that a club is able to celebrate a 50-year member of Rotary. This past week the club celebrated not one but TWO 50 year Rotarians! John Zwick celebrated his 53rd year of service and Harold Burtzloff celebrated his 50th! All members and guests in attendance raised their voices in a musical tribute to John Zwick and Harold Burtzloff for their combined 103 years of Service Above Self.
Foundation Facts from PDG Frank Presson
Did you know that Rotary can pay you to donate? By giving real estate to the RI Endowment Fund, you can not only receive an income for life but also get a tax deduction, avoid capital gains tax, get rid of the worry, and move up in the major donor list—even to Arch Klumpf status.
Some Rotarians have children that are not good at managing money. They are in quandary about how to provide their kids an income stream without having it wasted.
Giving to the RI Endowment fund can assure the kids receive a lifetime income stream, you get a nice tax deduction now, and the remainder stays with Rotary to continue doing good.
On Friday and Saturday, April 27th and 28th, members of the Fort Yuma Rotary Club planted trees at local schools and at the Humane Society of Yuma in their effort to plant a tree for every member in their Club. Thirty-four trees were planted in two days with another 40 being delivered by Fort Yuma Rotarians to Crane School District to be planted at various schools throughout the school district. Project Committee Chair, Annette Lagunas, arranged to have the trees, mulch, and stakes donated for the project. Trees included shade trees and citrus trees, which will be used in school learning gardens. In total, the Club has been involved in the planting of over 80 trees this year in the community, surpassing its goal of 70.
Tubac Rotarian Keynote Speaker at "Too Good for Drugs"
It’s encouraging when a drug diversion program succeeds in keeping people safe. That is what made May 14th especially sweet. That’s when more than 20 young people graduated from the Amado Youth Center’s Too Good for Drugs program.
The program’s instruction included topics like goal setting, decision making, and understanding addiction. It also included resiliency skills training and drug misuse prevention.
Guest speakers at the graduation included State Representative Rosanna Gabaldon, District 2, and Tubac Rotarian Byron Thompson who gave the keynote speech.
Congratulations to all of the students who participated in this worthwhile endeavor, and to the Amado Youth Center for offering the program. The center was the recipient of the proceeds from the Tubac Rotary Club’s New Year’s Day golf tournament.
For more information about the Tubac Rotary Club’s ongoing programs, meetings, and special events, please call Patricia Thompson at 520-336-7638
Rotary Sponsored Credit for the Poor in Nogales
Rotary-sponsored Micro Credits (MC) are back in Nogales! On Cinco de Mayo, a group of 19 Arizona Rotarians and family members, along with the Mayor of Nogales attended the inauguration of an office dedicated to MC for the poor in Nogales. A new grant for $89k is already in action sponsored by a Rotary Global grant. Our partner and administrator of our funds and loan portfolio in Sonora is FinReg, which is now in Nogales as well as our two grants in the Hermosillo area. Other distinguished attendees were current D5500 Governor, Joe Hentges, Michael Drake, PDG 5500, PDG’s Barbara and Abe Feder from District 5495. Representing the D5500 on the MC Committee was Dan Stringham. Please contact Dan Stringham or Abe Feder for more information; a club presentation; where to send your check; or to schedule a Nogales visit. Barba_rosa77@yahoo.com, 520-260-1095; abefeder1@gmail.com, 602-622-7289
Saddlebrooke Rotary Inducts Two New Members
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club greeted two new members this month: Eileen Terry and Frank Shipton. Both have had successful and fulfilling careers, and we are looking forward to them sharing their talents with us!
(Photo Caption: Doug Sweetland, Elaine Terry, Savo Fries, Frank Shipton, Ron Lenz (membership chairman) and President Debbie Foster.)
Your warmth, kindness, and commitment to doing good in our communities are permanently etched in our recollections of this wonderful year.
District Governor Kirk Reed’s Installation Dinner will embody his three emphases in 2018-19:
ideas — ideas that really work! We’ll be learning from two of the most successful membership experts from Rotary International: Steve Lingenbrink (Seattle area) and Vicki Puliz (Reno area).
must have at least 2 members attend one of these seminars by June 30, 2018. 
We were not only able to qualify and approve 15 separate club service projects to receive funding totaling $61,140 but for the first time, we were able to commit all of our available district grant funding for this Rotary Year. This is a significant milestone and clear indication that many more of our clubs are taking advantage of available matching district grant funds.
Tom Parsons Kudos
District Governor Joe Hentges has approved a new district program recognizing Rotarians for extraordinary support of The Rotary Foundation. D5500 will award Triple Crown Recognition to those Rotarians who support The Rotary Foundation as:
Community, International, and Vocational), Service to Veterans and Literacy. 
from District Rotary Foundation Committee
Marana Communities. The Rotary Club of Marana, in partnership with Scholastic Book Fairs, is hosted a book fair on Tuesday, May 22nd at Roadrunner Elementary School in Avra Valley. 1,673 books were donated to the MHC Healthcare WIC (Women, Infants, & Children), who will distribute them to their clients. These books are meant to be read to children 0-5 years of age by their parents (or an older sibling). This project is part of a District-wide effort to assist in early childhood development.
national, and international service projects that the Rotary Club of Marana undertakes each year. It is also a time when our community comes together for that most scrumptious of American treats: the cookie. Along a 30-mile loop of the Santa Cruz river bike path, twelve community organizations and businesses had a station where they handed out cookies to joyful riders. This was not a race, but a casual ride with great friends, family, and uniquely delicious cookies. Nearly 200 riders came out to ride the loop and most importantly to collect their cookies!
Rotary. This past week the club celebrated not one but TWO 50 year Rotarians! John Zwick celebrated his 53rd year of service and Harold Burtzloff celebrated his 50th! All members and guests in attendance raised their voices in a musical tribute to John Zwick and Harold Burtzloff for their combined 103 years of Service Above Self.
By giving real estate to the RI Endowment Fund, you can not only receive an income for life but also get a tax deduction, avoid capital gains tax, get rid of the worry, and move up in the major donor list—even to Arch Klumpf status.
safe. That is what made May 14th especially sweet. That’s when more than 20 young people graduated from the Amado Youth Center’s Too Good for Drugs program.
along with the Mayor of Nogales attended the inauguration of an office dedicated to MC for the poor in Nogales. A new grant for $89k is already in action sponsored by a Rotary Global grant. Our partner and administrator of our funds and loan portfolio in Sonora is FinReg, which is now in Nogales as well as our two grants in the Hermosillo area. Other distinguished attendees were current D5500 Governor, Joe Hentges, Michael Drake, PDG 5500, PDG’s Barbara and Abe Feder from District 5495. Representing the D5500 on the MC Committee was Dan Stringham. Please contact Dan Stringham or Abe Feder for more information; a club presentation; where to send your check; or to schedule a Nogales visit. 
