I‘d like to thank the clubs that offered service projects during the Arizona Rotary Days of Service and to all who supported the effort.  Individual projects as well as all District Rotarians received good publicity in local newspapers and recognition for our humanitarian work from the Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs who proclaimed April 15 - 23 as Arizona Rotary Days of Service for 2023.  If anyone took a few pictures at any of the events, I ask that you send them to Myron Donald (newsletteraz5500@gmail.com) for our Club Showcase and to Wendy Hobbs (wbtus@aol.com) who will put them together as a group for our website.  Thanks again for an amazing April 2023.

 

 

 

For the past several months, DG Larry Horton of District 5495 and I, along with a few very committed individuals prepared a Bill for our State Legislature proposing an Arizona Rotary license plate.  I am very pleased to report that the Bill was approved by the Legislature and was signed by the Governor last week.

 

I know you want to purchase the plate tomorrow, but there is still a bit of work to be done like developing the design and creating a new Arizona Rotary Foundation to receive the funds earned from the sale of the license plate.  Our agreement with District 5495 is that all revenue from the sale of the plates will be split 50-50, just as the cost of $32K required from the State to create the license plate was split 50-50. 

 

So, what might the income look like for this effort?  Currently a special plate is $25. The state will retain $9.  The remaining $16 will be deposited into the new AZ Rotary Foundation and then be evenly split between the two districts. The initial funds we receive will go towards replacing the $16K from district funds. Also, District 5500 will need to create a new 501(c)3 to accept the monies.  More details to follow but we don’t anticipate the new plates to be available until sometime in 2024.  Then, you can replace those magnets with a visible, permanent license plate or show your pride with both. 

 

 

 

HAVE YOU SUBMITTED YOUR AWARD FORM(s)?????  THEY ARE DUE MAY 15.

 

Clubs are to submit their applications for one or more of the award categories by May 15 to Kasia Yuska, kasiarotary@gmail.com and don ‘t forget to nominate the club member who inspires your club members because they show-up, support, encourage, mentor, and enjoy fellowship and fun events, for the INSPIRE Award.   Everyone nominated will be recognized and three will be selected for special recognition.

 

Information and nomination forms are listed on the district website at 2022-23 District Inspire Awards for Clubs and Individuals | Rotary District 5500 (rotaryd5500.org).

 

 

Lastly, I’d like to encourage all Rotarians to consider making an End-of-the-Rotary-Year contribution (before June 30, 2023) to the Annual Fund or whatever area of the Rotary Foundation you choose.  Rotary Foundation funds flow back to the district according to the Rotary Year and we want to ensure there will be adequate funding for clubs in the future to help support their projects.  Donations can be made on your “MYRotary” page (| My Rotary) or on the Rotary International webpage (Donate | Rotary International). 

 

 

 

 

Dates To Remember 

 

                   

                     

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