Hello Rotarians.

 

April is the Rotary month focused on Maternal and Child Health. It is a time to reflect on our own personal experiences growing up while we also respond to the needs of families today. I could provide a thorough list of club projects focused on the needs of children, from babies on up, but I would surely miss a club and I do not want to have that happen. I can simply say what you are doing is especially important. It is an investment in a child’s future, and I am proud of all you are doing in this area of focus.

 

I am also proud of our launch of the Arizona Rotary Days of Service. It allows us to tell our story and to invite those who are not Rotarians to experience the joy we receive when helping others or helping our communities to be the best places to live. Even if you do not have a project on the site, you can still “like” our District website (Home Page | Rotary District 5500 (rotaryd5500.org)) or Facebook site Rotary District 5500 | Facebook) and hit “share.”   Sharing our news with Rotarians and those outside of Rotary is absolutely essential to getting the word out about all our projects and events. Individuals, groups, businesses, organizations will be absolutely amazed at what we do and may want or help us increase our impact or to join us. On that note, I want to encourage you to read our Rotary Showcase that came out on, yes, April 1, April Fool's Day. In addition to service projects like the Human Trafficking Forum, there are several fundraisers scheduled in April. Take a look on the D5500 webpage at Home Page | Rotary District 5500 (rotaryd5500.org) and look for the heading “Showcase”.  Even better, you can subscribe to The Clubs’ Showcase at Sign Up | Rotary District 5500 (rotaryd5500.org) and never miss an edition.

 

Kudos to the Ride to End Polio Committee and Chair PDG Kirk Reed for being the force behind the tremendous articles in the April edition of the Rotary Magazine about the Rotary Ride to End Polio as part of El Tour de Tucson and District 5500. You absolutely must read, pages 2-3 and 18-20 and learn how the Ride began and a little about those who have contributed to its success. John Hewko, General Secretary of Rotary has participated for 10 years in the Ride. He shares that his biking adventures led to one inevitable destination: Tucson.

 

Awards, Awards, Awards……

Be sure to also check out the eight categories for 2022-2023 District awards. I am sure your club is worthy of recognition in one or more of the categories. For more information go to the District Website and click on the link at 2022-23 District Inspire Awards for Clubs and Individuals | Rotary District 5500 (rotaryd5500.org)

Have a healthy, safe, and fun week.

 

 

 

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

 

For more information, 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. 

 

I am missing the names of 3 Rotarians that have registered.  If you know someone is attending but not on the attached list, please let me know or forward this to them.

 

Information is also on the District website.

 

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

 

 

 

The SECURE ACT of 2019 eliminated the "stretch IRA" for most non-spouse beneficiaries.  Now an inherited IRA must be depleted in ten years instead of stretching withdrawals over the beneficiary's lifetime.  Accelerating withdrawals within the ten-year time limit will impose a much greater tax burden on beneficiaries.  Because of this, many Rotarian donors are increasingly leaving retirement assets to charities and non-retirement, tax-favored assets to individual heirs.  The distribution of retirement assets to charities, like the Rotary Foundation, is not taxable.  Your tax and financial advisors should be able to advise you if this is a good strategy for your estate.  Meanwhile, a bequest of $10,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation qualifies the donor for the Bequest Society, so please let Rotary know!

 

 

 

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 friends or co-workers 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.