We have overcome so many challenges these past two years and changed numerous lives. It brings me great joy that we have worked so hard this year to grow Rotary through the Each One, Bring One initiative. The result has been excellent growth in membership. Let us keep up the momentum. I am happy that you have put a spotlight on all we do by organizing projects around the world in our Rotary Days of Service. The future looks brighter than ever for Rotary and our 1.4 million members.
Our District 5580 WASH Chair is Karl Everett of Duluth Harbortown Rotary. Karl has a genuine passion for water, sanitation and hygiene as do PDG Bob McLean (past D5580 WASH Chair) and I. Many Rotarians have asked what the next signatory Rotary project will be once Polio is officially eradicated. Many of us believe it will be water, sanitation, and hygiene.
District 5580 has several water, sanitation, and hygiene projects currently throughout the world. The D5580 Grants Subcommittee (Chaired by Bismarck Rotarian Molly Harrington) recently approved $15,000 in DDF (a WASH project) to partner with the Vista Hermosa Rotary of D4250 in Guatemala City on a $221,000 Global Grant to provide water and sanitation to 14 schools located within a 75 km radius of Guatemala City.
Submitted by: Karl Everett, District 5580 Water and Sanitation Chair
According to Rotary WASRAG Newsletter “Water insecurity is increasing worldwide. 36% of the world’s people live in water-scarce regions. On average, droughts affect over 50 million people annually and cause more than $5 billion of damage. These numbers are set to increase, due to population growth, rapid urbanization, and growing economic demands for water. Climate change further intensifies these pressures in many regions. In most cases, these threats are not just the result of weather variability but are also related to inadequate water management and governance issues. These dynamics render societies more vulnerable to short term water scarcity and longer-term droughts, while directly affecting local economies and social relations.”
What can we do as Rotarians? Tuesday, March 22 is established as World Water Day to make us aware of the importance of water resources.
The Virtual Rotary District 5580 Conference is just around the corner and the District Awards are open for nominations!
Our District Awards Chairperson, Rozanne Casey, would like to encourage every club to submit at least one nomination for an award. We have fantastic clubs in District 5580, and great Rotarians!! Let’s recognize them at our virtual District Conference, with the awards they deserve. Submitting the award is very easy. Go to our District Website, https://rotary5580.org/50019/Page/ShowSitePage?ClassCode=SitePage&Slug=awards-updated-march-2022 to choose the award you wish to submit, fill in the information and submit. All nominations must be submitted by April 1, 2022
On behalf of the Host Organization Committee, we cannot wait to welcome Rotarians and guests to Houston and the great State of Texas for the 2022 Rotary International Convention. The saying goes that everything is “Bigger”, “Better” and “Friendlier” in Texas, and the goal of the Houston Host Organization Committee is to have each of you feel that every moment as our guest while in Houston! From the humble beginnings of this great city, Houston has been led by “People of Action” who have taken this City to great heights including, to the moon and back.
Get ready for the 2022 North Star Zone at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota!
Pictured: Holly Callen, Gloria Mink, Wes Mink, Joe Ruskey, Debra Warner, and Pat Merryweather-Arges, Rotary International Director 2022-2024
In preparation for the North Star Zone, a team of Rotarians met at the Radisson Blu and the Mall of America for a little FUN, creating videos to share exciting news about the event. Stay posted to see the videos!
The 2022 Rotary Zones 25B and 29 Institute will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 15-18. This is the place to meet fellow Rotarians from around our Zone, network, learn from experienced Rotary members, and share your talents with others. You never know who you will meet, or how you will be inspired. Our paired Zones extend from Canada down through the middle of the US to Texas.
You are invited to Rotary’s original Project Fair: Uniendo America
Rotary’s original project fair: Uniendo America, is 20 days away! The fair is organized by Districts 4240 (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama) and 4250 (Belize, Guatemala and Honduras); 7 countries that form the heart of Central America.
We can't wait to share our region's needs and partner with fellow Rotarians!
Submitted by: Herb Schmidt, District Foundation Chair
Fellow Rotarians; this month’s Rotary theme is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. WASH (Water and Sanitation, Hygiene) is a Rotary Action Group that focuses on bringing clean water, providing sanitation systems, and training to use these systems and keep them functional, as well as teaching personal hygiene.
Rotary Action Groups are independent, Rotary-affiliated groups made up of people from around the world who are experts in a particular field, such as economic development, peace, addiction prevention, the environment, or water.
Join Rotary as we come together to help districts affected by the worsening Ukrainian humanitarian crisis.
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, Rotary has made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We are deeply concerned about the Ukraine crisis and need your help. Rotary is made up of people of action, especially in difficult times. In response to the deepening refugee crisis, The Rotary Foundation Trustees have decided to prioritize contributions made to the Disaster Response Fund until 30 April 2022 to support disaster response grants for districts affected by these events. These expedited disaster response grants can be used to supply water, food, medicine, shelter, and clothing.
ShelterBox Ukraine update, designated fund established
Restricted fund open: ShelterBox USA is accepting gifts specifically designated for our response work to Ukraine and surrounding countries impacted by the conflict.
ShelterBox responding to the Ukraine crisis
ShelterBox has a team in Poland assessing the type of emergency shelter and essential aid items people need, and which locations in eastern Europe we will focus in. This team includes assessment experts, logistics experts, and safety/security experts. We are coordinating with Rotary, and other organizations to ensure that together we help as many people as possible.
Today, ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray provided an update from Poland during the International Women’s Day panel which also features Rotary International President Elect, Jennifer Jones.
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.
A team of Detroit Lakes Noon Rotarians and District Governor Keith Brokke, participated in the 26th Annual Polar Fest Plunge. Past, present, and future club presidents (including District Governor Nominee Dave Long and District Co-Trainer Travis Stone) jumped in the frigid water after surpassing their goal of 100 donations totaling over $6,000. Funds raised benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes.
CLUB OF DULUTH SKYLINE
Skyline Rotary member, Jim Curtis, pushing CC (Cecilia) as she learns how to Fat tire Bike at West Duluth "Winter in the West Fest 2022". It's an event that brings outdoor winter activities exposure to neighborhoods for engagement and skill building in hopes to create new user groups of winter recreation.
Thanks to Stephen Margarit (Fort William Rotary) for providing the following about PDG Dave Murray:
David John Murray was born in Hove, England and immigrated to Canada in 1959. In 1972 he became a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Petawawa. He moved later to Thunder Bay and joined the Fort William Rotary Club in 1977. Since then, Dave was a stalwart of Fort William Rotary and he participated in many projects, committees and events both at the club and district level.
Articles and photos for the District Newsletter can be sent to District Administrator, Gloria Mink, at gloriad5580@outlook.com and Renae Ronquist at renae@surgetoday.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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