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Submitted by: Debra Warner, District Governor 2017-2018I hope the new year is finding each of you well! January was a busy month for Ed and me. We started out the New Year by going to Haiti with fellow Rotarians District Governor Nominee Rick Bricker, Dr. Cleantus Jean, Jr., Rick Adams and his wife Kathy Adams from The Faith Project. Our District has been partnering with the Faith Project for several years on projects. During this trip, we were able to visit the sanitation sites funded through a District 5580 Grant this year and to see the progress on this project. It was so rewarding to see how our District is Making a Difference in the Village of Garde Saline! During our travels to our District clubs, Ed and I heard many clubs express an interest in partnering in a Global Grant. Kathy Adams has written an article, "Leadership Transforms a Community", on Garde Saline which outlines how you and your clubs can partner with other clubs to help fund and/or take part in a “boots on the ground” project in this village.
On January 27, the District 5580 Nominating Committee selected Bob McLean from Central Lakes Rotary to serve as the District Governor Nominee Designate to serve as District Governor for 2020-21.When asked what was most important to him as a future District Governor he said: “The entire organization of the district is designed to support of our most important asset, Engaged Rotarians. The face of Rotary is transforming in exciting and innovative ways. As District Governor I want our district to be a leader in that transformation, to strengthen our long tradition of SERVICE, and to boldly share our experiences of belonging to something that is truly meaningful; “Doing good in the world”, for ourselves, our community, and our world.”
Submitted by: Rick Bricker, District Governor Nominee This past week I had the privilege of spending time in Haiti with our District Governor, Debra Warner. As you might imagine, we discussed Rotary every day covering a variety of different subjects. One evening we got on the subject of visioning and how important it is. This has prompted me to write this testimonial on what visioning has done for my club.
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Submitted by: Kathy AdamsPhoto: District Governor Debra Warner and Rotarians’ Ed Williams; Rick Bricker; Rick Adams; and Dr. Cleantus Jean, Jr., visit the sanitation site funded through a Rotary grant.
During a January 2018 trip to Garde Saline, Haiti, where Rotary District 5580 has been involved for several years, I was reminded of a quote from former Rotarian and football great, Vince Lombardi: “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made not like anything else, but through hard work. That’s the price we pay to achieve that goal or any goal.”
Haiti is a country that has survived on handouts for generations. International governments and thousands of aid groups, including Rotary Clubs, have brought much-needed resources into Haiti.
Rotary International President Elect Barry Rassin has called upon us to “Be The Inspiration” in 2018-19. We promise to inspire Presidents-Elect and club officers to lead their clubs and to empower them to achieve success! This one day training will include dynamic sessions with a focus on leadership strategies for successfully leading your club and inspiring volunteers; strategically engaging members and investing in your community through service projects; making Rotary relevant to diverse groups and attracting young professionals to your club; and creating a sense of enthusiasm and momentum in your club.
Register today!
APRIL 26 – 28 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIOThe 2018 District Conference is scheduled for April 26-28, and our Canadian Rotarians in Thunder Bay (Fort William), Thunder Bay (Port Arthur), Thunder Bay (Lakehead) and Nipigon Rotary Clubs are ready to welcome you to the Valhalla Inn for an exciting weekend of “Building Bridges, Goodwill & Friendship.” What could be better than coming together to “Make a Difference” and to celebrate our International goodwill and friendship? Thunder Bay, ON is a great city with much to enjoy. The Conference will be a fantastic event, long remembered as one of the best. Join us, won’t you! More information: District Conference
Submitted by: Thomas Riley, Inter-Country Committee ChairYou missed the early registration for the 2018 RI Convention in Toronto, but don’t miss the Convention itself. You can still register, and there are still convenient and inexpensive ways to attend.
March 31 is the last day for online registration at the rate of $410. You can register at www.riconvention.org/en/toronto.
Submitted by: Craig Loughery, Public Image Chair
WHEREAS, the vast majority or people have heard of, or seen signs of, Rotary; and WHEREAS, Most people are unaware of what Rotarians actually do, in their communities and around the world; and WHEREAS this problem, which hinders membership growth and financial capabilities, is now widely recognized by many members, and the leadership of Rotary; THEREFORE, it is resolved and in action, that District 5580 is actively LEADING THE WAY in supporting individual clubs in promoting their Public Image with financial assistance, where appropriate and feasible..
Submitted by: Linda Marrin, District Trainer
At 170,000 square miles, District 5580 is one of the largest geographic districts in the world! This makes training members of our 66 clubs a challenge because of the travel required by either trainers or participants or both! Our training committee is always trying to find ways to meet these challenges to deliver needed and requested training to you.
The 11 members of the training committee come from all over our district, from Thunder Bay to Virginia to the Brainerd area to Bismarck! Many of the members have additional club and district level responsibilities, it’s a busy team of hard working Rotarians. We meet monthly by webinar and and are in the process of forming subcommittees to help take advantage of training opportunities and needs.
Submitted by: Keith Brokke, District Foundation Chair
We’ve just crossed the half way mark in Debra Warner’s year as District Governor. Each Rotary year at this time, we assess and analyze how our District stands with our District Designated Funds, Polio Plus funding and Endowment. We have many great projects underway currently that we can all be very proud of, but these projects don’t happen unless we, as Rotarians continue to give to The Rotary Foundation.
Submitted by: Don Cavalier, Membership ChairThis is the halfway point of our Rotary year of 2017-18.
We have to become “People of Action” when it comes to membership if we are to survive the future. Involvement of our District membership committee, all the Assistant Governors, Club Presidents, Club Membership Chairpersons and the 2,892 Rotarians in District 5580 need to become “active” in recruiting new members for our clubs.
Submitted by: Herbert Schmidt, PDG 2016-17, Vice Governor 2018-19, District International Service Chair (DISC) Rotarian Action Groups help Rotary Clubs and Districts plan and carry out community development and humanitarian service projects in their area of expertise. The groups are organized by Rotarians and Rotaractors who are proficient, and have a passion for service, in a particular field. There are many different areas to be involved in. For more information on Rotary Action Groups please refer to: ROTARIAN ACTION GROUPS FLIER
The Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians, recognized by Rotary International, and focused on WASH projects. Since then it has facilitated many hundreds of projects – helping clubs find partners, ensuring sustainability, stressing the importance of a needs-driven approach, and developing best practices.
Submitted by: Keith Brokke, Foundation Chair
District Grants Chair, Dave Long, wishes to remind you that your application for a District Grant (local community or international project) must be submitted by March 31, 2018. Applications for District Grant projects can receive up to $5,000 per club, up to $10,000 for partnering with 1 additional club, or up to $15,000 for partnering with 2 or more clubs.
Remember, too, that your club needs to become Qualified to participate in the 2018-19 Grants program.
Submitted by: Herbert Schmidt, PDG 2016-17, Vice Governor 2018-19, International Service Chair
The District International Service Chair (DISC) is a newly created position, under the District Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC), at the request of RI president Ian Riseley. I have been appointed to implement this program in our district. The job description for this position has not yet been fully developed, however these are the preliminary areas of focus.
Bob Becker, Rotarian for 61 years, died December 15, 2017 at the age of 86.In 2009, Bob was selected Rotarian of the Year for District 5580. In part, the application submitted by his fellow Rotarians read:
“If we are honest with ourselves, when we look at the Rotarians within our own clubs, it’s not difficult to pick out those that will be in Rotary “for a season” and those that will be with us ”for their life”. Bob Becker is a Rotarian for life. He loves Rotary and all that it means, supporting his club and its members through every triumph and every challenging time, always with kindness and compassion. Bob is a man who has had to face challenges of his own this year involving health issues, surgeries and more; yet he remains dedicated in his commitment to Rotary and his fellow Rotarians. He is a friend, a mentor, and an example to follow. Even on matters where he disagreed this year, Bob graciously went with the majority and never complained, but rather committed to move forward with a positive attitude. Central Lakes is pleased and honored to submit his nomination for District Rotarian of the Year.”
Bob lived and breathed – “Service above Self” and the 4 Way Test outlined every facet of his life, always, always, giving it HIS ALL and expecting no less from his collaborators.
The Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary club would like to invite fellow District 5580 Rotarians to our annual ice fishing derby on February 10, 2018 on Little Detroit Lake. Our 8th annual derby promises to offer more than a typical ice fishing tournament. As part of the community's annual Polar Fest celebration, numerous activities before and after the derby offer excitement to last for days. 
The Grand Rapids Rotary Club is holding the 14th Annual Reverse Raffle on Friday, March 16 2018. The event will be held at the Timberlake Lodge from 5 pm – 10 pm and each ticket includes a buffet dinner. Only 400 tickets will be sold giving each buyer a 1 in 400 chance to win the $10,000 cash grand prize! There are also additional cash and other prizes. Contact Rozanne Casey at 218.259.4141 or grmnrotary@gmail.com for more information or to purchase a ticket. 
The Rotary Club of Cloquet will be hosting its first "Rotary March for Veterans Celebration" on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the AAD Shriners Building in Hermantown, MN. Featuring Nationally Recognized Entertainment:
“Letters From Home: The Patriot Show”
5:30PM – Social
6:30PM – Dinner
7:30 – Entertainment
Tickets on Sale Now Until February 19th for only $30!
Call Aspenridge Chiropractic at 218 879-1942.
The purpose of this event is to raise funds, the majority of which will be donated to our area Veterans, focused on helping them adjust, cope and heal after returning home from active duty. The remaining funds will go towards the Cloquet Rotary Club and its mission.
Submitted by: Hilary Macdougall & McKenzie MacFarlane, Rotaract Chair
Submitted by: Eric Northard, Interact Chair 
Alessandro Notari and Lyssie Byer were crowned Nevis High School Snow Daze Prince and Princess Jan. 29.