District 5580 "Cross Currents" - July 2025 (Jul. 16, 2025)

JULY IS MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH MONTH

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

Francesco Arezzo

President 2025-26

(Presidential message retrieved from: https://my.rotary.org/en/who-we-are/office-of-the-president/presidential-message)

July 2025

Francesco Arezzo is an orthodontist in private practice and owns an agricultural enterprise that produces extra virgin olive oil in Sicily.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR MESSAGE

District Governor:

Elaine Hansen

July is Maternal and Child Health month! What can your Club contribute to advancing Maternal and Child Health? Many clubs have done something in recent months, or in the past year, on this topic. Let’s start a monthly list of how our District is serving the Rotary mission. Send me a quick one or two line email with your club name and what you have done to advance Maternal and Child Health!!

As we think of Maternal and Child Health, please keep those affected by the tragedy in Texas in your thoughts and prayers. A large, organized Rotary response is in process. This is in our Rotary Zone.

UNITED FOR GOOD

Get ready for a fantastic Rotary District 5580 Conference in Duluth, Minnesota, taking place October 24–25, 2025! Our headquarters hotel, the Holiday Inn & Suites, has secured a special conference rate of $160 per night and will also host all plenary sessions and breakout meetings. We’ll kick things off with a memorable Opening Ice Breaker Reception at the historic Lake Superior Railroad Museum—an ideal setting to mingle, network, and enjoy Duluth’s maritime charm. Be sure to reserve lodging soon to reserve your spot—this promises to be an engaging, fun-filled weekend, blending Rotary fellowship with the unique spirit of Duluth!

For hotel reservations:

By Phone:

218-722-1202 Option 3

Refer to Rotary District 5580 Convention Room Block when making your reservation to receive the special conference rate.

Online:

Simply click on the link below and enter your arrival and departure dates.

Rotary District 5580 Convention

INTRODUCING 2025-26 PUBLIC IMAGE TEAM

Submitted by: Linda Marrin

Introducing Your Rotary 5580 Public Image Team for 2025-26

Shaping Tomorrow's Vision, Today

With great anticipation and excitement, we are proud to announce your District Public Team for 2025-26. Charged with the mission of elevating our district's presence, fostering positive engagement, and advancing our story in the heart and minds of our community, this team brings together a dynamic blend of experience, creativity, and dedication. Whether you're a club president, a committee chair, or a passionate member, get ready to be inspired by the leaders who will champion our district's image in the year ahead.

JULY ECO CHALLENGE

Submitted by: John Stephenson, PA Rotary

WHAT IS A CLIMATE FRIENDLY & SUSTAINABLE ROTARY CLUB?

Having just returned from a very inspirational the 2025 RI Conference in Calgary I’m reminded to reflect on this Buddhist Proverb shared with us by Cory Davis, an Agrologist who was speaking at ESRAG’s Environment Hub:

“If we wish to know the future, take care of the present!”

What better way for Rotarians to live the Four Way Test than to take on the project of making your own Rotary Club “Climate Friendly & Sustainable”. Thanks to Michael Koch from the Rotary Club Munchen-Residenz we now have a road map consisting of 7 Steps:

2026 FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE - CROATIA

District 5580 to have a Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) with Croatia.

In May 2026 a team of 5 couples from District 5580 will be traveling to Croatia to stay with host Rotarian families and a team from Croatia will be visiting District 5580 in September 2026.

The Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) program provides a means for Rotarians to visit other Districts where they will be hosted by fellow Rotarians with food, lodging and transportation and then reciprocating by hosting Rotarians from the other District. The participating Districts organize the exchanges through their own RFE committees. The intent is to make the exchanges fun and inexpensive for all concerned.

https://rotary5580.org/sitepage/friendship-exchange

CLUB NEWS

WE CAN ONLY SHARE YOUR CLUB'S NEWS, IF WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR CLUB'S NEWS!

The number one thing most clubs want to know is what is happening around the District, but we can't help spread the word if we don't know what your club is up to.

Please submit a summary of your club events, news and projects to Renae Ronquist and Gloria Mink by the 10th of each month. We can include information in our Monday Minutes and in our newsletter.

News can be sent to r enae@surgetoday.com and gloriad5580@outlook.com.

VILLELLA NAMED DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF THUNDER BAY

Submitted by: Brian Walmark

Thunder Bay Own Matthew Villella Named District Director of Toastmasters District 106 — First Person from Thunder Bay to be District Director for D106.

Thunder Bay, ON — Toastmasters International and District 106 is pleased to announce that Matthew Villella has been elected as the new District Director for District 106 — becoming the first Thunder Bay Resident to hold this leadership position for District 106.