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JULY IS NEW LEADERSHIP MONTH
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
Rotary International President, Holger Knaack (Presidential message retrieved from: https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/office-president/presidential-message
 
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.
 
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DISTRICT GOVERNOR MESSAGE
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! 
 
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2023-2024 DISTRICT 5580 GOVERNOR CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: SUBMISSION DEADLINE OCTOBER 2, 2020 
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:                                                                                                                                                   
  1.  Governor-Nominee Data Form;
  2.  Curriculum Vitae to accompany Governor-Nominee Data Form;
  3.  Resolution adopted by Nominee’s Rotary Club;
  4.  Consent to Background Check by Nominee; and
  5.  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. 
 
DISTRICT 5580 AWARDS CEREMONY RECAP
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!
 
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SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT BECOMES A NEW AREA OF FOCUS
Originally appeared here.

The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment.
 
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ROTARY’S FIRST VIRTUAL CONVENTION INSPIRES MEMBERS TO INNOVATE AND STAY CONNECTED
Originally appeared here.
 
 
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.
 
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WILL A COVID-19 VACCINE SIGNAL AN END TO THE ANTI-VACCINE MOVEMENT?
 
Originally appeared here on June 1, 2020. 
 
By John Hewko and Peter J. Hotez
 
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?
 
John Hewko
 
Peter J. Hotez
 
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LITERACY CORNER: KUDOS TO TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS
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.
 
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SHELTERBOX UPDATE: 20 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP
Submitted by: Allison KingstonCommunity 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.
 
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ROTARACT ART EVENT PROVES VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING CAN BE FUN
Originally appeared here on July 7, 2020
 
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.
 
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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". 
 
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!
 
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".
 
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.
 
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VISIT A ROTARY CLUB ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME
 
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
 
View the list of online meetings here: https://bit.ly/OnlineRotaryMeetingsDatabase
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 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.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) - Cancelled
Jul 12, 2020 – Jul 18, 2020
 
Monthly Club President Call
Jul 21, 2020
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Monthly Club President Call
Aug 18, 2020
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
ZONES 25B & 29 INSTITUTE - Cancelled
Sep 08, 2020 – Sep 13, 2020
 
Monthly Club President Call
Sep 15, 2020
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE
Sep 30, 2020
 
GRANTS SUB-COMMITTEE WEBINAR MEETING
Oct 15, 2020
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Monthly Club President Call
Oct 20, 2020
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
DISTRICT LEADERSHIP MEETINGS
Oct 23, 2020 – Oct 24, 2020
 
Monthly Club President Call
Nov 17, 2020
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Monthly Club President Call
Dec 15, 2020
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE
Dec 31, 2020
 
Monthly Club President Call
Jan 19, 2021
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
GRANTS SUB-COMMITTEE WEBINAR MEETING
Jan 21, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
EXECUTIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE WEBINAR MEETING
Jan 23, 2021
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
 
Monthly Club President Call
Feb 16, 2021
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Monthly Club President Call
Mar 16, 2021
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mar 31, 2021
 
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