During a recent Zoom meeting with Rotarians and Rotaractors, I looked at the smiling faces on my screen and realized how much our organization has changed in a short period. It is clear that there is no going back to the "old normal" in Rotary — and I see that as an exciting opportunity!
District Governor Robert (Bob) McLean and his wife Terri pictured with RI President Elect Holger Knacck and his wife Susanne
For those who have participated in club visits this Rotary year, you have heard me reference a favorite quote from an outstanding Rotarian, John Hewko, who serves as CEO and General Secretary of Rotary International.
Submitted by: Bob McLean, District 5580 Governor 2020-2021
Last week, a message was sent to District 5580 Leadership reminding all of us that Rotary is deliberately NON-POLITICAL and non-religious; open to all who promote peace. With the 4 Way Test as our compass, Rotary has earned the trust and respect of organizations around the globe (including political and religious) by focusing on our mission; doing good in the world through service above self. If you are interested in reading the article, your club or district leadership can easily provide a copy for you.
One of our most fundamental rights AND responsibilities as citizens (U.S., Canada, or any democracy) is to participate as active informed VOTERS. In 2012, Rotary helped bring that to a new level of appreciation for me when District 5580 was host to a GSE team from Tasmania District 9830. One of the team members was a guest in our home, a smart young professional. In the course of discussing the similarities and nuances of our respective countries she shared that, with few exceptions (other than paying an opt-out fee) everyone in Tasmania is REQUIRED TO VOTE. And since it is required, she and her friends take it upon themselves to be informed about the issues and people they are voting for. That is fascinating and inspiring; to have an entire population who are informed and participating VOTERS in their democracy.
So, borrowing from our friends down under, regardless of who or what you may be voting for, I would wish for all that we take the time to be informed citizens and participate. VOTE! It is one of the most treasured rights we have as citizens.
Submitted By: Kay Biga, District Governor 2022-2023
District 5580 is assembling a task force to look at how we can grow our percentage of women members. If you are interested in joining in, please e-mail DGN Kay Biga at kbiga@aol.com. You can also call (218) 390-6507 for more information.
Explore the power of Engagement and how “Rotary Opens Opportunities” at this year’s District 5580 Virtual One Rotary Summit and gain a better understanding of how Membership, Public Image, and The Rotary Foundation work together.
By David F. Andrews, three-time past president, Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, Ontario, Canada, and chair of District 7070’s Public Image Committee
Local civic and government officials and representatives from ten Rotary clubs at the 2019 World Polio Day event. Photo by David Andrews
After many years of celebrating World Polio Day with proclamations, updates from Rotary and health leaders, and flag-raising ceremonies, the 10 Rotary clubs in District 7070 (Ontario, Canada) took a different course in 2018. An in-person event held in a new global classroom and simultaneously streamed live is now serving as a great model as we approach holding our first World Polio Day live event in a COVID-19 world.
District 5580 now has a Membership Committee, and an organized approach to growth and retention. Here is the Structure of the Committee, with the duties of those involved.
Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak, District 5580 Literacy Coordinator
Information on many subjects and organizations is available to us through the internet. One of these organizations is the Minnesota Literacy Council which was founded in 1972 as Literacy Minnesota. It is the only statewide nonprofit volunteer Literacy organization in Minnesota..
The Mission of this Council is to share the power of learning through education, community building and advocacy. The Council
offers an on-line training site for adult volunteers and professional development courses for Adult Education in many areas of Literacy education.
For more information about the Literacy Council's background, on-line training and volunteer opportunities visit the Literacy Council's Home Page at www.literacymn.org.
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!
Click "read more" to view events and news shared by fellow District 5580 Clubs!
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 Gene Nordberg of the Bowman 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
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.
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