THE GLANCE

Weekly Updates for District 5500 Rotarians
December 14, 2022

 
 
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RI Convention in Melbourne, May 27-31, 2023 (Virginia Leavitt, vleavitt2336@gmail.com) 

If you are planning to attend the RI Convention next year December 15, 2022, is the last day for the reduced rate.  On the 15th the rate increases from $475 to $575.  Register online at Rotary.org.

If you are planning to attend, we will have a District 5500 dinner on Saturday, May 27, 2023.  We are working to find a fun place where we can all enjoy some fellowship.  As soon as the venue and pricing are arranged, we will set up registration and let you know.

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District 5500 World Polio Event Video (Teree Bergman, luvgoldens@me.com)
 
The recording of the District 5500 World Polio Day event is now available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40OuIanOgpk.

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ShelterBox in Ukraine Update (DGE Don Jorgensen, donjorgensen@comcast.net)  
 
District 5500…Thank you for all you do!

Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine ShelterBox USA has been sending several response teams for families in need. "What they found was freezing temperatures there’s a lack of power. There’s no heat," said president Kerri Murray of ShelterBox USA.

As temperature in Ukraine fall below zero, the response teams are compelled to start yet another project, making it the fourth one this year. "Because people will die because of these extraordinary circumstances they’re facing in the middle of the water situation," said Murray.

“This new project will also include things like sleeping bags, high thermal blankets, and water carriers in so right now it’s basic things to help families in these extraordinary circumstances," said Murray. “All of this has put a big strain on our warehouses around the world where we pre-position aid, so what we’re doing right now is we’ve launched an end of year holiday campaign, where people can go to our website, and they can pick the items they like to donate," 

ShelterBox’s new Ukraine programs will provide 1,000 of the most vulnerable families with stoves and wood.  Contact Volunteer Ambassadors Leo Lawrenson, leo@lawrenson.com or Don Jorgensen, donjorgensen@comcast.net  to request a club presentation. And watch our latest reports from Ukraine and elsewhere: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/home-page/news/events/

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The Rotary Foundation and Qualified Charitable Distribution (Linda Stratton, lindastrat@gmail.com

It's December 2022 - are you cringing at the prospect of taking your taxable IRA Required Minimum Distribution before the end of the year?  If you are, have you considered donating it to the Rotary Foundation?  This Qualified Charitable Distribution will bypass your taxable income on your 1040 tax form. The QCD is a highly tax-efficient way to make a charitable gift.  You have to be at least 70.5 years old to be eligible.  The QCD is a donation DIRECTLY from your IRA to a qualified charitable organization like Rotary.  If you are not itemizing any more due to the high standard deduction, this is the way to go.  Ask your tax advisor how a QCD will benefit you.  Act now while you still have time in 2022.
 
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Wear Your Rotary Shirt on Saturdays (Bruce Monro, bruce-tubacaz@outlook.com)
 
Do you wear clothing with your favorite sports team’s logo?  What about your favorite college or university, the Nike swoosh or even your employer’s logo?  You most likely wear this clothing because you want to let the public know that you are proud to be associated with these organizations.  What about Rotary?  Are you proud to be a member of the world’s largest service organization, making a difference in local communities and helping to eradicate polio?  Why not wear your Rotary logo clothing when you are out in public?  Yes, you do this when working on a service project, but how often would that be?

What if EVERY Saturday, EVERY D5500 Rotarian wore their Rotary shirt or hat when going to Costco, Home Depot, the golf course, etc.?  Fourteen hundred people in Southern Arizona would be wearing a Rotary logo at the same time!  Let the public know that there is an organization named Rotary.  We shouldn’t be a secret.  Maybe, after seeing several other people wearing a Rotary logo, someone will approach you and ask what Rotary is and what it does.  This is an opportunity to begin a conversation to inform that person about our great organization.  No, it won’t directly lead to a new member, but it could, down the road.

Be sure to have your short elevator speech ready if you get a question.

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ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN
Registration for Southwest President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS)
DGE Don Jorgensen
 
BEFORE DECEMBER 31
Clubs should verify membership data on Rotary International as 2nd half dues will be based on the information on file as of December 31, 2022.
 
2023
2023
2023
January 9
DG Meeting with Club Presidents
DG Anita McDonald
 
More details to follow
January 13-16
RYLA 2022-2023
April 15-23
Arizona Rotary Week of Service
DG Anita McDonald
 
More details to follow
April 15
Four-Way Test Speech Contest
Debbie Haddock
May 27
District Dinner in Melbourne, Australia during RI Conference
Virginia Leavitt
 
More details to follow
 
 
                   
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