This does not seem like a time for great optimism, but it has to be. Long before Rotary was founded, the world dealt with great crises that tested humankind's ability to progress and endure. In the age of Rotary, the world has faced many more catastrophes; however, we have survived, and every step of the way, Rotary has helped the world heal.
District Governor Robert (Bob) McLean and his wife Terri pictured with RI President Elect Holger Knacck and his wife Susanne
Challenge and change translate into OPPORTUNITIES, and this year’s theme “Rotary Opens Opportunities” is a magnificent fit as we are blessed with an abundance of opportunities!
Submitted by: Gloria Mink, District 5580 Administrator
District 5580 is now calling for nominations for the office of District Governor for the Rotary year 2023-2024, and qualified Rotarians may submit a nomination for consideration by the District Nominating Committee. The Nominee must submit the following documents:
Photo of Nominee (head and shoulders) in .jpeg format, if emailed.
The above documents must be received no later than October 2, 2020.
Please take time to review the Qualification Guidelines (included in this letter), as you will want to make certain your nominee meets the criteria prior to submitting his/her nomination. Following receipt of all nominations, the District Nominating Committee will schedule interviews with each nominee at a specified time. Interviews will be held at Arrowwood Lodge in Baxter, MN on Saturday, October 24, 2020.
Submitted by Gloria Mink, District 5580 Administrator
District 5580 held its first ever Virtual Awards Celebration and Change of Gavel Event on June 18. The award winners by category are as follows. Congratulations to all of the winners!
The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment.
Rotary’s first-ever virtual convention attracted more than 60,000 registrants and 175,000 viewers during its weeklong program. The robust participation shows that Rotary members are finding ways to experience fellowship and fun, key parts of Rotary’s annual international convention, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the cancellation of the in-person convention planned for Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, this year.
Editor's Note: John Hewko is the general secretary and CEO of Rotary International. Rotary International is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., is co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital and professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is the author of "Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism" (Johns Hopkins University Press).
(CNN)The world is desperate for a vaccine against coronavirus. If and when it is discovered, will the voices of the anti-vaccine movement tell their adherents to turn it down?
Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak, District 5580 Literacy Coordinator
During these difficult times we have acknowledged and celebrated the efforts of many folks from Hospital Workers to Public Service Persons, all well deserved. There are two other groups who have given their time and talents in recent weeks: Teachers and Librarians.
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
ShelterBox Update
August 2020
20 YEARS OF SHELTERBOX: 20 Years of Partnership
From the founding members in Helston-Lizard, to our partnership with Rotary International, to the individual Rotarians who passionately support us both personally and through their clubs – the passion, trust, and dedication from Rotarians all around the world, is an important part of ShelterBox’s past, and our future.
Participants in the art and wine event show off their creations.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, our Rotaract club realized the need to stay connected more than ever. We switched to an online platform and started brainstorming ways that we could fight the feelings of isolation that were building up because of social distancing. That’s when we decided to hold a virtual art and wine event as a fundraiser.
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 other District 5580 clubs to share what you are doing to help your communities during this challenging time!
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".
This month we remember Thomas Wheeler of the Duluth #25 Rotary Club, Michael Weiner of the Fargo Rotary Club, and Bruce Nugent of the Thunder Bay Fort William Rotary Club.
You can visit a Rotary Club anywhere is the World!! You can also add your club to the list and you could have an international visitor at your next club meeting!
While the world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more Rotary clubs are meeting online via Zoom or streaming their meetings on Facebook. The Rotary Club of Mt Lawley is creating a list of online Rotary club meetings happening around the world so that you can "visit" other clubs.
To add information on your online club meetings and to access the database, please take a short moment to fill out this form bit.ly/addmyonlinemeeting
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Articles and photos for the District Newsletter can be sent to District Administrator, Gloria Mink, at gloriad5580@outlook.com and to Newsletter Editor, Greg Carlson, at gregory.carlson@ndus.edu. Articles should be sent in Microsoft Word format. Photos should be sent in .jpeg format. Past newsletter issues may be viewed here.