January is finally here. As we look forward to 2021, our thinking doesn’t have to stop at the end of these 365 days. Are you thinking ahead about what you will be doing in 2022, 2023, and beyond?
We cannot foresee the future, but we can steer ourselves where we want to go. I think it is important that every Rotary club hold a strategic meeting at least once a year. Past RI Director Greg Yank, who has a lot of experience working with clubs on their plans, shares his viewpoint.
A famous aphorism states, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Planning is essential to achieving success in all areas of life, including Rotary, and we’re getting better at it 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!!!)
January is Vocational Services Month followed by a timely Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month in February. Now more than ever, our world needs engaged Rotarians to support, encourage, and strengthen the process of POSITIVE PEACE.
When we speak of Vocational Service, it is honoring all walks of life that contribute to the well being of our community and our world. Vocation Service amplifies and exemplifies integrity and the highest ethical standards. To this day, the 4 Way Test is an outstanding model of how we engage with each other AND hold ourselves accountable for the things we think, say, and do.
Vocational Service provides a path for combining our skills, talents, and experiences in service to others. Be it mentoring with STRIVE, distributing dictionaries, facilitating at RYLA, building a park, or being a voice for the voiceless, we demonstrate the process of peace with our ACTIONS and IMPACT.
Originally aired on Lakeland Currents, a local public television program presented by LPTV (Season 14, Episode 11)
District Governor Bob McLean of the Central Lakes Rotary Club joined Lakeland Currents host Jason Edens for a discussion about Rotary’s role in our region and the multitude of services we provide.
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: District Governor-Elect Keith Brokke
This school project is an example of how our world community service (WCS) funds are used for bricks and mortar projects in other countries. WCS funds are exclusive to District 5580. Each Rotarian pays $15 in annual dues towards this fund, so in essence every Rotarian and District 5580 helped to fund this project and all 20 schools D5580 has built in Guatemala.
The New San Antonio School Sinaché
Written by: Carolina Corzo (a primary contact in Guatemala)
Originally appeared in “Rotary en el Corazón de las Américas”, edition No. 21 (Rotary magazine of Central America)
Quiché is a beautiful department of Guatemala, full of natural and cultural wealth, but with many needs, which are well known to our Rotary friends of District 5580, who, since the day they got to know Guatemala, they have returned every year to carry out service projects. They always allocate district funds for Guatemala and carry out at least one visit to the ongoing project, studying at the same time the needs of the communities to plan the next one.
During their annual visit they met San Antonio Sinaché, Zacualpa, Quiché. When they watch that the children received classes in a sheet wall room and dirt floor, they decided that their next project would be to provide a suitable place for children to attend to a school in a closed building, protected of the wind and the rain, so that they could enjoy a healthy environment for their education and development.
Submitted by: PDG Herb Schmidt, District Foundation Chair
Already! Half of the Rotary year is gone! Many good things have happened in our district the past six months. Among them are the great projects our clubs have worked on to improve people’s lives in our communities, and communities around the world. With help from the Rotary Foundation through global matching grants our district is sponsoring two Global Scholars, helping fund a project to treat children with chronic heart disease in Sri Lanka, cooperating on a project in Thailand treating cervical cancer and promoting and supporting a small business development program in northern Ethiopia. These projects total $387,731 for which our district has committed $72,042. With help from district matching grants our clubs are doing projects such as park improvements, a water filtration project in Haiti, an all abilities playground and a natural playground, a childhood literacy program in Ghana and supporting a technology lab for kids. District funding for these projects comes through the Rotary Foundation SHARE program. This year $70,808 was available for these projects.
Submitted by: PDG Gary Nolte, District Polio Plus Chair
Are you looking for a club program? Gary and Cindy Nolte are available and willing to "Zoom" anywhere with their Polio program. As we are behind this year on fundraising, all of the exposure we can give to Polio Plus, will be of great help. They can be contacted at NOL951@aol.com or 701-261-6964.
Submitted by: Allison Kingston, Community Fundraising Coordinator, ShelterBox Canada, Rotaract Club of Toronto
ShelterBox and Rotary are official project partners in international disaster relief. ShelterBox is a registered charity independent of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation
In November, ShelterBox awarded Rotary International with its first Global Humanitarian Service Award, in recognition of Rotary’s outstanding partnership throughout the years.
Founded in 2000 by Rotary members in the United Kingdom, ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and essential supplies to help communities through their toughest times. ShelterBox and Rotary officially became project partners in disaster relief in 2012.
Submitted by: PDG Craig Loughery, District Membership Chair
Has membership been affected by the Pandemic? Affected, yes; negatively- well, yes and no...Unlike the dinosaurs which were obliterated by the effects of a huge asteroid hit, we have been able to quickly adapt, and avoid disaster- not only avoid disaster, but capitalize on recently developed technology...and evolve a new pattern of functioning.. Thru the use of ZOOM, many clubs have been able to keep meeting, stay in touch, even come up with ideas on how to create improvements in their operations...and thus help membership goals.
The next meeting will be held on January 28, 2021 at 4:30 PM (Central Time). Join DGN Kay Biga, as we look at how we can grow our percentage of women members.
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!
Submitted by: PDG Craig Loughery, District Membership Chair
Ely Rotarian Jeff Sundell and Rotary President Todd Heiman presented Boundary Waters Care Center Executive Director Adam Masloski with fifty-seven $25.00 gift cards for many of our local restaurants as a thank you to his staff for their ongoing hard work and dedication throughout this challenging year. The project was a coordinated effort to support our local eating establishments while thanking our healthcare workers during this holiday season.
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 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. Articles should be sent in Microsoft Word format. Photos should be sent in .jpeg format. Past newsletter issues may be viewed here.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}