As someone who knows firsthand the great leadership potential of Rotaractors, I always look forward to World Rotaract Week, which we are celebrating from 8 to 14 March. Rotaractors are the focus of all three of my presidential conferences this year, and I was proud when, two years ago, the Council on Legislation voted to elevate Rotaract by including Rotaract clubs as members of Rotary International. Before that, the Council had already made dual membership possible, and shortly after, the Board of Directors decided to do away with Rotaract’s age limits.
District Governor Robert (Bob) McLean and his wife Terri pictured with RI President Elect Holger Knaack and his wife Susanne
First, a “shout out” to the Rotaractors across the district. Rotaract was officially inaugurated in 1968 with World Rotaract Week, observed annually the week of 13 March. Thank you for all the amazing work you are doing through fellowship and service to your community and the world!
The Rotary theme for March is Water and Sanitation/Hygiene (WaSH). Though one of RI's seven areas of focus, it directly impacts all other areas. Lack of adequate water and sanitation/hygiene is a disastrous problem across the globe and a growing issue in North America. The March Rotary magazine has an excellent article on failing sanitation infrastructure in rural America and the role this is having in perpetuating health and socioeconomic disparities. Highlighting the work of MacArthur “genius grant” recipient, Catherine Coleman Flowers, the article offers important insights into what is not working and shares some of the things Rotarians CAN DO to take action! One such action is as much about building positive peace as it is improving infrastructure. Flowers quotes Bryan Stevenson (founder of the Equal Justice Initiative) “...everyone is better then the worst thing that they’ve ever done.” Taking that affirming perspective, applying it to ourselves and to others, can help foster openness to conversation rather than entrench divisiveness.
PETS (President-Elect Training Seminar) Concluded for Rotary Year 2021-2022
In preparing for the 2021-22 Rotary year, the Presidents-Elect of 64 District 5580 Rotary clubs completed two 2-hour sessions of training. While this is not as many hours of training as would be required for in-person meetings, we will have monthly meetings with the Presidents and Assistant Governors beginning in July 2021 and continuing with meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month throughout the Rotary year.......
By Ann Marie Kimball, MD, MPH, Member of the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island; World Community Service chair; and member of the Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers
Rotary is engaging vigorously in the fight against COVID-19. I am honored to serve on a new task force Rotary International has created, but it’s also caused me to think about our role as Rotarians. How can we continue our progress toward polio eradication in the time of COVID-19?
Submitted by: Karl Everett, District Water and Sanitation Chair
Monday, March 22 is designated as World Water Day by the United Nations as an annual event focusing on the importance of freshwater to make us aware of the importance of water resources. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. The 2021 theme of World Water Day is the theme is valuing water. Under the theme of valuing water, the 2021 campaign is generating a global, public conversation on social media about how people value water for all its uses. The aim is to create a more comprehensive understanding of how water is valued by different people in different contexts so we can safeguard this precious resource for everyone. Referencing the World Water Day site, In the lead-up to 22 March, people and organizations host World Water Day events and participate in the global public campaign, launched in the preceding months by UN-Water on https://www.worldwaterday.org/.
Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak, District 5580 Literacy Coordinator
Literacy is the way that we interact with the world around us, and how we shape it by so doing. It is how we communicate with others via reading and writing, but also by speaking and creating.
Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Mobilizing Rotarians The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup initiative is an effort to focus attention to the Great Lakes and to all the great work that is being done to cleanup our lakes, streams, and waterways..........
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".
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Articles and photos for the District Newsletter can be sent to District Administrator Gloria Mink at gloriad5580@outlook.comand Newsletter Editor Ashley Hall atashleydhall21@gmail.com. Articles should be sent in Microsoft Word format. Photos should be sent in .jpeg format. Past newsletter issues may be viewed here.