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EVENTS AND SUBMISSION DEADLINES
MARCH THEME
HELLO ROTARIANS, ROTARACTORS, AND FAMILY OF ROTARY!
Submitted by: Debra Warner, District Governor 
 
This month has been exciting and eventful for both Ed and me.  We started out the month going to a social at our own club, the Virginia Rotary Club.  It was a very successful event with several in attendance.  Having a social in place of a regular meeting has been very successful in many clubs in our District, to energize and attract new members.  Current members are encouraged to bring a guest and we have 3 potential members because of this event! I am shown in this picture with Assistant Governor Rosalyn Barker and President Patricia Monacelli.
 
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ETHIOPIA WELL PROJECT FINISHED
Submitted by: Alicia Helion
 
“There is no water here! Please can you do something to help?”  Gebeyehu was a nurse in his mid-20s, and had just been appointed as the head of a health center in a rural village in northwestern Ethiopia’s Amhara Region. His usual easy-going, playful voice on the phone had been replaced by the heavy tense sounds of someone holding responsibility for hundreds—without many of the basic resources needed to care for them. How could he provide for the people of Abowerum at his health center if he did not have water?
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

Ian H.S. Riseley, Rotary International President 2017-18

This month marks 50 years since the first Rotaract club was chartered, in 1968. In this special Rotaract issue, you'll meet some impressive Rotaractors from around the world and see some of the incredible ways they are Making a Difference.

In the half-century since Rotaract began, the world has seen profound changes, and young people have felt the greatest impact of those changes: the rise of technology and the information economy, the spread of education, and the tremendous influence of the internet. When Rotaract was founded, it would have been almost unthinkable for a teen or 20-something to have been an entrepreneur or a CEO. Today, young people have an unprecedented capacity to achieve – and Rotary needs their ideas and enthusiasm as never before.

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WASRAG - WATER AND SANITATION ROTARIAN ACTION GROUP
Water Day - March 22  
The UN designated day to bring attention to the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene is approaching. 
The UN theme this year is "The Answer is in Nature", encouraging nature-based solutions to the current water challenges. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 is that by 2030 everyone has access to safe water. This target includes protecting natural environments and reducing pollution. For project ideas go to http://www.worldwaterday.org/ 
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UPCOMING EVENTS
IMPORTANT DISTRICT EVENTS REMINDERS
Submitted by: Gloria Mink, Executive Secretary
 
We have several important upcoming events in our District, which include many options for your Club to get involved!  The planning for the Rotary District Conference in Thunder Bay is well underway!  In this article I am including reminders of some important dates, providing information/flyers, and encouraging participation in the literacy display, project fair, and to apply for District awards.  Also, it is time for President-Elects and Club leaders to register for our District's upcoming LEAD “Leadership Experience And Development” training, formerly known as PETS.  If you are booking lodging, reservations for Duluth should be made by March 7th and reservations for Fargo should be made by March 14th.  Rotarians wishing to reserve lodging after that date will not be guaranteed a room or the special Rotary rate.  For more information and to register today use the following links: LEAD TRAINING - DULUTH, MNLEAD TRAINING - FARGO, ND
 
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LEAD - LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT 
Submitted by: Blaine Johnson, District Governor Elect
 
It is my distinct honor to invite you to LEAD - Leadership Experience and Development.  LEAD is District 5580’s new strategic and innovative method of equipping Rotarians like yourself for leadership success at the club level, replacing PETS.
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2018 DISTRICT 5580 CONFERENCE
Submitted by: Clint Kuschak, Conference Committee
 
APRIL 26 – 28        THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO
Our District Conference in 2018 will be in Thunder Bay hosted by the four Canadian Clubs in our District – Nipigon Rotary, Fort William Rotary, Port Arthur Rotary, and Lakehead Rotary.  The theme for our Conference is “Building Bridges…Goodwill & Friendship” – acknowledging Rotary International and the capacity of Rotary, Rotary Clubs and Rotarians around the world to “make a difference” through goodwill and friendship…and the application of human and financial resources when needed.  
 
Governor Debra, our District leaders and the Conference Committee have put together an informative and entertaining program for Rotarians and their guests.  Registrations are flowing in and the Conference Committee is actively organizing and preparing to welcome everyone.  
 
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DISTRICT AWARDS
Submitted by: Julie A. Rothmeier, Awards Chairperson
 
Our Rotary District Conference is just around the corner, which is a great time for fellowship, learning new things, and sharing with other clubs, the wonderful accomplishments made this year.  As the District Awards Chairperson, I would like to encourage every club to submit at least one nomination for an award.  Who is that one person in your club, who stands out in your mind, that not only goes above and beyond  with your club, but also with in the community, or Internationally?  
 
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INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
INSPIRATION AROUND EVERY CORNER
Join the Rotary world in Toronto 23-27 June for the Rotary Convention. With a variety of exceptional keynote speakers, the convention is sure to broaden your perspective. Check the preliminary schedule to see the breakout sessions, where you'll learn about interesting projects and gain new skills to share with members back home.
 
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DISTRICT NEWS
PUBLIC IMAGE - IS YOUR CLUB "CONNECTED" OR "DISCONNECTED"?
Submitted by: Craig Loughery, Public Image Chair
 
Public image commands that you have a good way to connect with those who see you. This is how they form the image you want them to have of your group.  This is what leads to successful engagement.  As you know, (or we hope you know), our District offers financial help to clubs for new or updated materials.  Plus, as part of this, we specify that to receive help, your project must have a way for the interested public to find out more about YOU- to get in touch with your club. 
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DISTRICT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Herb Schmidt, PDG, District International Service Chair (DISC)
 
As you plan your local projects for the upcoming (2018-19) Rotary year, please consider scholarships at colleges and universities in our District that provide training, which complements Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus.  Scholarships are long term investments for improving the lives of people by providing the development of future leaders with expertise in these fields.  The Rotary Six Areas of Focus are:
 
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10 TIPS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY MEMBERS - ASK!  FOLLOW-UP!
Submitted by: Donald R. Cavalier, PDG, District Membership Chairperson  
 
Give your potential members a meaningful Rotary experience by offering the opportunities to make a positive difference and connect with others in our communities and throughout the world.  They’ll make valuable friendships and feel good about Rotary and the work we’re doing to make the world a better place.  Remember, you have to “ASK”! and Follow-Up.
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LITERACY CORNER
Submitted by: Marge McPeak, Literacy Chair
 
As we all know , there are a number of types of Literacy, all important in their fields of information and knowledge.  However, there is a “lighter” side to Literacy—Literacy Holidays.  Here are a few for the coming months.  Maybe one will spark an interest for a Club program!
 
 March 16- Freedom of Information Day
 April 8-14-National Library Week
 April 30-Children’s Book Day
 May 2-Harry Potter Day
 May 21-National Readathon Day
 
Find a day and celebrate!
DISTRICT ANNUAL FUND
Submitted by: Jim McDonald, Annual Fund Chair
 
Your gift to the Annual Fund helps Rotary clubs create positive change in communities at home in District 5580 and around the world.  With just one third of the year left (4 months) it is not too late to make your important contribution towards making a difference in our communities. Please review your clubs Monthly Contribution Report, and contact those members who have not yet made a donation to the Annual Fund. We encourage all members to make even a small donation to this important cause.
 
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YOUTH IN OUR DISTRICT
DISTRICT 5580 YOUTH EXCHANGE
Submitted by: Blake Carlson, Youth Exchange Chair
 
The District youth exchange has several events during the year where the exchange students get together for a weekend.  The most recent event was held January 19-20, at the Deep Portage Learning Center located near Hackensack, Minnesota which is south of Leech Lake.  Deep Portage is a full service environmental education/outdoor recreation center located on a large tract of land.  The students and adult volunteers are housed and fed at the center beginning Friday night until Sunday morning.
 
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ROTARACT UPDATE
Submitted by: McKenzie MacFarlane
 
This month Rotaract clubs around the world are going to be celebrating Rotaract’s 50th Anniversary on March 13th. To celebrate this upcoming milestone Rotaracts are having fellowship events and participating in all kinds of service projects. Rotaract first started when Rotarians in North Carolina chartered the first Rotaract Club to give young people a place to do good and take action. Today there are over 10,000 Rotaract Clubs and 250,000 Rotaractors worldwide. The Twin Ports Rotaract and the Thunder Bay Rotaract club have been extremely active this year taking action in their communities and carrying out good deeds.
 
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WHERE TO FIND RYLA STUDENTS
Submitted by: Beth Althoff, RYLA Chair
 
Each club and RYLA chairperson has their own methods for recruiting students to apply for RYLA. For some an engaged school counselor is a direct connection to students. For others maybe past RYLA students are the ones recommending others apply. Here are some tips for finding the students to send. 
 
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CLUB NEWS
ROTARIAN MAN - DETROIT LAKES NOON MEMBER DAVE LONG
It's a bird. 
It's a plane. 
ITS SUPER ROTARIAN MAN !
 
Rotarian Man — aka Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary member Dave Long — struck his best superhero pose as he plunged into Little Detroit Lake. He and his fellow Rotarians raised over $2,500 for the Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes.  https://youtu.be/PW4dxHIHo6U
 
 
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ROTARY RECOGNIZES PARK RAPIDS STUDENTS' ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Submitted by: Lu Ann Hurd-Lof
 
Nearly 300 students have received recognition as Students of the Month since the Park Rapids Rotary Club started this program at Park Rapids Area High School in the mid-1980s.
 
The students are chosen by a faculty committee and recognized at school board meetings monthly during the school year. The students, all seniors, are chosen for their leadership and other contributions as well as academics and extracurricular talents.
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HONORING MEMBERS
RODERIC (ROD) CAMPBELL
Roderic (Rod) Campbell
Feb. 7, 1925 – Feb. 1, 2018
Rod was the President of Campbell Lumber until he sold the company to his employees several years ago. The 93 year old continued to go into the office until the time of his death. 
 
As a very active member of the community his memberships includes Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, UW-Superior Foundation, SMDC Foundation and several other civic organizations. Rod was an active and engaged member of the Superior Rotary Club for 54 years. He was a Past President. Rod was outspoken in his support of the Foundation and earned a PHF+8. Rod Campbell was highly regarded and respected in the community. Members of the Rotary Club of Superior mourn the loss of their dear friend and mentor. 
MARK R. ECKMAN
Mark R. Eckman, (center) lifelong Duluth Resident and retired Infectious disease Doctor was ‘born again’, in the words of his wife, Mary, when he joined Duluth Rotary#25 sixteen years ago. Always active in the community, Mark found many new ways of ‘Service Above Self” volunteering on many Duluth Rotary projects including highway adoption clean-up, serving food at youth service events, selling and distributing roses, and assisting on countless events. He was one of the quickest to offer his help whenever asked and will always be remembered as the quiet guy who never said “NO”, who didn’t need to be a chairman or leader or “out front”, he simply wanted to give of himself to make things better.
DON HILLIGOSS II RECEIVES BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD POSTHUMOUSLY
Dan Johnson of the Hibbing-Chisholm Breakfast Rotary Club hands the Business Person of the Year Award to Cindy Hilligoss Tuesday at the Hibbing Park Hotel. Her husband Don Hilligoss II received the award posthumously. Looking on are Mark Groettum of the Hibbing-Chisholm Breakfast Rotary Club, sitting, and Charlie Hilligoss.
 
Follow this link to read an article in the Hibbing Daily Tribune about this event: Car dealer honored posthumously
 
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