District 5580 April 2021 Newsletter (Apr 15, 2021)

April is Maternal and Child Health Month

Rotaract News

Drum roll, please! Starting Tuesday April 13, 2021, one regional Rotaract Outstanding Project awardee will be announced each day. Checkout Rotaract's Facebook Page for the awardees!!

May be an image of text that says '2020-21 ROTARACT OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARDS ROTARACT CLUB OF ISLAMABAD BANGLADESH, SOUTH ASIA REGION "Project Beacon" supported the education and wellbeing of children with new challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic The club renovated the local school, distributed materials and provided tutoring and guidance to students.'

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

Rotary International President, Holger Knaack (Presidential message retrieved from: https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/office-president/presidential-message)

April 2021

This year, we celebrate Earth Day on 22 April with a new sense of purpose. The environment is now an area of focus for Rotary. Solutions for all great tasks always start with you and me, and there is much we as individuals can do simply by changing our behavior: Cutting down on our use of plastic and using energy wisely are just two examples. But now we have the opportunity to do more together.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR MESSAGE

District Governor Robert (Bob) McLean and his wife Terri pictured with RI President Elect Holger Knaack and his wife Susanne

The Rotary theme for April is Maternal and Child Health. It is shocking to know that over 6 million children under the age of five die each year from diseases, malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. Sadly, 80% of maternal deaths could be prevented if there was access to needed health services and trained health care workers.

With partners from around the world, including District 5580, a unique Global Grant is supporting the work of FM-AM Rotarian Dr. Alicia Belay to train and implement group prenatal care for indigenous women in five communities across the Midwest. Over the past two years the five sites received technical support and assistance from indigenous liaisons to enhance collaboration across project partners and ensure sustainability of their programs. You can learn more about Maternal and Child Health at this year’s District Conference when Dr. Belay shares her experiences in applying her skills learned as a Global Grant Scholar.

And speaking of the District Conference, REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.......

The clubs of Bagley, Park Rapids, Fosston, International Falls, Bemidji and Bemidji Sunrise are excited to host the 2021 Rotary District 5580 Conference in Bemidji…albeit virtually, the First City on the Mississippi. We are confident, ready and able to host this legendary District Conference in 2021.

REGISTER NOW

ITS FREE

DISTRICT 5580 TECH GRANTS UP FOR GRABS!!

RYLA UPDATE

DISTRICT CONFERENCE

ROTARY DISTRICT 5580 DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Check out this video invite from District Governor Bob McLean.

Register for the 2021 Rotary District 5580 Conference today!

Go to: www.bemidji2021.com and register for free!

LEGENDARY SERVICE DAY

LITERACY CORNER

Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak, District 5580 Literacy Coordinator

Literacy is important in all walks of life, but we don't often recognize its importance in a Democracy.........

CLUB NEWS

Editor's Note: This section showcases news items submitted by clubs. Clubs are encouraged to send news items for inclusion in "Cross Currents".

We encourage District 5580 clubs to share what your accomplishments and events!

Take a course in the Rotary Learning Center!

Spotlight ad - Strategic Plan Priority 4

Take a course in the Learning Center for strategies on attracting new members.

Log into My Rotary to access courses by topics.

https://www.rotary.org/en

HONORING ROTARIANS

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".

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Newsletter articles contain a Social Media Share Bar allowing them to be shared on various Social Media platforms.

Articles and photos for the District Newsletter can be sent to District Administrator Gloria Mink at gloriad5580@outlook.com and Newsletter Editor Ashley Hall at ashleydhall21@gmail.com. Articles should be sent in Microsoft Word format. Photos should be sent in .jpeg format. Past newsletter issues may be viewed here.