In Rotary, 23 February is our anniversary, and February is also the month when we focus on promoting peace. There is a reason for this: Contributing to peace and international understanding has been a high priority for us since our earliest days.every year.
District Governor Robert (Bob) McLean and his wife Terri pictured with RI President Elect Holger Knacck and his wife Susanne
Welcome to 2021 (and what a start to the year!!!)
The Rotary theme for February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution. In this day and age, this is an essential area of focus. John Hewko, CEO and General Secretary of Rotary International will be our first speaker at this year’s District Conference and he will be speaking about the process of POSITIVE PEACE. I first heard Hewko speak about this concept at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto when Hewko offered a perspective on making a difference through our Areas of Focus. As he expressed: “... when you, as a Rotarian, implement a water and sanitation project, you are a peacebuilder. When you initiate a microcredit project to empower a first-time entrepreneur, you are a peacebuilder. When you mentor a young student, you are a peacebuilder.”
Each year, the District Governor Elect is sent to District Governor training with 535 DGEs and spouses from the 220 countries in which Rotary has a presence. Prior to 2021, the training was held in San Diego, California. This was to be the first year of training to be held in Orlando, Florida, but due to the risk of COVID, the sessions were held virtually on Zoom from February 1 through February 11.
Submitted by: Patty Baltz, District Trainer (2020-2022)
Looking for ideas for club programs as the weeks ZOOM by? These may be challenging times, but they also provide a unique opportunity to enjoy club programs from speakers near and far using ZOOM!
Offering dynamic, informative, relevant, and entertaining speakers helps keep club meetings worthwhile and members engaged. Not to mention that an interesting topic can attract non-Rotarians to a meeting… friends and neighbors who could be potential Rotarians.
For most of us, 2020 went down as memorable with some aspects truly challenging and other aspects richly rewarding in opportunities to serve and connect! As we start the New Year, our District Conference Committee, with the support of District Executives, has determined that due to the uncertainty of the safety of large group gatherings, the 2021 Rotary District Conference will be held virtually. We are hopeful that health officials will allow us to incorporate locally held in-person events in conjunction with the virtual district-wide meeting.
Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak, District 5580 Literacy Coordinator
How many times in 2020 di we hear or say "Pandemic"? It was enough times that it became the Word of the Year. How did this begin? In 1806 Noah Webster published his first Dictionary of the English Language which was the first truly American Dictionary. He then went to work on his American Dictionary of the English Language. For this he learned 26 languages in order to research the origins of his Country's tongue. This volume was published in 1828 with 70,000 entries.
Editor's Note: This section showcases news items submitted by clubs. Clubs are encouraged to send news items for inclusion in "Cross Currents".
In this month's Club News we would like to ask what your club is doing during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak that is keeping clubs from holding face-to-face meetings throughout much of District 5580 pursuant to the U.S. Center for Disease Control recommendations against any gatherings where 10 or more people are in the same location.
We encourage District 5580 clubs to share what you are doing to help your communities during this challenging time!
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".
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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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