Barry Rassin, Rotary International President 2018-19
One early June, more than 30 years ago, I had a business trip scheduled to Las Vegas. I had been a Rotarian for about six years, and I thought of myself as an active member: I attended every meeting, I’d served as club secretary, I knew everyone in my club. But for me, Rotary was very much a community organization. It connected me to Nassau and perhaps even to the Bahamas — but no farther.
November is a time of Thanksgiving. It is also a time to celebrate the wonderful work of The Rotary Foundation. Established “for the purpose of doing good in the world,” the Foundation continues to fulfill its purpose.
The Rotary Foundation is a unique foundation. Our Foundation is led by Rotarians. Our Foundation is supported by the contributions of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs. Our Foundation partners with Rotary Clubs to support Rotarian projects across the globe. Perhaps you see the common thread there – Rotary.
This isn’t just The Rotary Foundation, it is our foundation.
Submitted by: Keith Brokke, District Foundation Chair
November is foundation month. When I think of this I can’t help but think of all the great projects District 5580 is doing around the world. This year we’re building a school in Kenya and another in Guatemala; we’re building a clinic in Tanzania and another in Bolivia. We are doing WASH (water and sanitation in schools) in Guatemala and Honduras and a portable water purification unit capable of purifying 30,000 gallons per day (through reverse osmosis) was recently delivered to Puerto Rico to help those affected by the 2017 hurricane.
Submitted by: Karl Everett, Harbortown Rotary Duluth International Committee
In September, 2018, a team of six Rotarians from District 5580 and St. Paul District visited Rotary projects in the Real Cordillera Mountains and Amazon Rain Forest in Bolivia. District 5580 representatives Karl Everett, Stacey Ackerman, and Alena Pringle had a very successful twelve day journey to Bolivia visiting numerous Rotary funded medical clinics, water projects, schools and road projects. We thank Segundo Velasquez of Mano a Mano International and Dr. Jose Velasquez of Mano a Mano Bolivia for working with Rotary on current and future Bolivia Rotary projects, and for support on our Bolivia tour and tours of the Mano a Mano Headquarters and Agricultural Center.
A group of Rotarians from Fargo and Park Rapids completed a mission trip to Puerto Rico from Oct 31, 2018 to Nov 7, 2018 along with members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Included with the group were Kevin Wallevand of WDAY TV and his camera man. They’ve created a news story that will air on WDAY/WDAZ and all ABC affiliates in ND on Thanksgiving evening at 6:30 pm. Check out the ad that will be shown 2 or 3 times during the featured story by clicking on the image.
Submitted by: Lu Ann Hurd-Lof, Park Rapids Rotary Club
The Park Rapids Rotary Club tackled an ambitious membership drive last spring.
Working with an expanded Membership Committee and the club’s board of directors, Pat Sullivan laid out a plan for a kickoff at the club meeting on St. Patrick’s Day. Pat, who owns an insurance agency, patterned the launch after a corporate sales conference with teams and incentives. Committee members led four teams with fun names and provided details of the challenge.
The groundwork was laid in advance. More than 100 new member packets were assembled with a member information form, new club brochure, a weekly club bulletin, a Dist. 5580 monthly newsletter, club photo directory, a newspaper insert published prior to July 4th, Rotary Basics and Every Rotarian Every Year brochures and a Rotary International magazine all inserted in an official Rotary pocket folder.
Paul & Lynn were selected as the recipients of the 2018 Brainerd Lakes Chambers of Commerce Business Legacy Award. The presentation of this prestigious award was held last Thursday at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, MN with over 600 people in attendance. Their natural curiosity, desire for sustainability and the ability to form their ideas into reality has created a business culture at Hunt Utilities Group and Happy Dancing Turtle that believes in giving back to our communities! It is my pleasure to share the following link to the special video which preceded the award presentation and Lynn (& Paul's) eloquent acceptance speech. Click here to view the Business Legacy award video produced by Whiskey Creek Media. Photo courtesy of Brainerd Dispatch.
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Barry Rassin, Rotary International President 2018-19
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Blaine Johnson, District Governor 2018-2019
Submitted by: Keith Brokke, District Foundation Chair
Submitted by: Karl Everett, Harbortown Rotary Duluth International Committee
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Submitted by: Lu Ann Hurd-Lof, Park Rapids Rotary Club
Paul & Lynn were selected as the recipients of the 2018 Brainerd Lakes Chambers of Commerce Business Legacy Award. The presentation of this prestigious award was held last Thursday at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, MN with over 600 people in attendance. Their natural curiosity, desire for sustainability and the ability to form their ideas into reality has created a business culture at Hunt Utilities Group and Happy Dancing Turtle that believes in giving back to our communities! It is my pleasure to share the following link to the special video which preceded the award presentation and Lynn (& Paul's) eloquent acceptance speech. 