As we focus on membership in Rotary this month, I ask you to help make history this year. For more than 20 years, our membership has stood at 1.2 million. Rotary is a vibrant organization with a 116-year history, members in more than 220 countries and geographic areas, and a rich legacy of work in polio eradication and other humanitarian programs. Rotary has changed so much in our own lives and the lives of others. As we Serve to Change Lives, don’t you think Rotary could have an even greater impact on the world if more people were practicing Service Above Self?
Lynne and I have enjoyed our visits to 17-D5580 Rotary clubs as of August 11, 2021. Each club has its own culture, which makes them unique and yet we are all one in the world of Rotary. As we visit clubs, we drop off yard signs as developed by DGE Kay Biga. One sign promotes “Women in Rotary” (the initiative Kay started late last fall in our District. The second sign “A Proud Rotarian lives here” has also been widely popular with our D5580 Rotarians.
The best way to boost your membership is to assess your club. This can be done by scheduling a Visioning Session with the District, or you can access a wide variety of resources right from your own computer. Visit www.rotary.org then log into your account. From there click on Learning and Reference, then Learn By Topic and finally click on Membership. Under the Membership topic there is a wide variety of resources to grow and assess your club.
If you are already logged into Rotary.org then simply click on this link and it will take you right to the page.
There are so many ways to improve people’s lives both here at home and around the world. The Rotary Foundation can be your means to making a positive difference in people’s lives. Half of the funds that you give to the Rotary Foundation come back to our district in the form of District Designated Funds (DDF). The other half goes into the Rotary Foundation World Fund the which provides the matching funds for large international projects. The DDF our district receives provides the matching funds for our district club’s local and international projects. Both the district matching grants and the, unique to our district, World Community Service (WCS) matching grants provide a 1:1 match for club funds. What a great way to leverage your resources and make a difference in people’s lives! Funds are still available so if you have a special project in mind for this Rotary year please contact our Grants committee chair, Molly Herrington, molly.j.herrington@gmail.com .
These are the great projects that have been approved for our clubs this Rotary year. About half of the committed projects for this year are for international projects while the other half benefits our communities here at home
Description
Club
Centennial Rotary SEARCH proj
Superior Sunrise
Park Improvement - picnic tables
Central Lakes
Rotary 4 Recreation
Minot Rotary
Cultural & Reading Literacy K-6
Moorhead Rotary
Sheltering Project - HIV Center Expansion - Brazil
Dickinson
Nigeria Health Care Center
Duluth Skyline
Providing Education - Ecuador
Dickinson
School Supplies - Chad
FM AM Rotary
Detroit Lakes South Shore Park Construction
Detroit Lakes Noon
Camp Confidence Cabinet Replacement
Brainerd Lakes Sunrise
Shelterbox USA
Shelterbox CAN
If you see a need, either in your community or internationally, please consider applying for a district or WCS matching grant, a great way to “Serve to Change Lives”.
If your club needs a program on the Rotary Foundation, either Zoom or in person, please contact me at hjs2107@gmail.com or 701-361-0547.
Editor's Note: This section showcases news items submitted by clubs. Clubs are encouraged to send news items for inclusion in "Cross Currents".
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
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 your club events, news and projects to Ashley by the 10th of each month. We can include information in our Monday Minutes and in our newsletter.
Editor's Note: This section honors the Rotary legacy of District 5580 Rotarians who have passed away during each month. Clubs are encouraged to send information and share reflections for inclusion in "Cross Currents".
Jerry Arason was a member of the International Falls Rotary Club, loved the outdoors and loved his community. Read more about Jerry and his amazing life HERE
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Articles and photos for the District Newsletter can be sent to District Administrator Gloria Mink at gloriad5580@outlook.comand Newsletter Editor Ashley Hall atashleydhall21@gmail.com. Articles should be sent in Microsoft Word format. Photos should be sent in .jpeg format. Past newsletter issues may be viewed here.
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