District Governor Rick Bricker and his wife Susan Bricker
Greetings Rotarians,
What an interesting year it has been. Who would have thought that a virus could cause so much change in our lives. We took on doing Zoom meetings over night. Social distancing is the new norm. The district has adapted very well to the circumstances that we have been dealt. Great job everyone! I have had some Rotarians ask when we can get back to meeting face to face. The answer to that is when it is safe to do so. Please follow local and state guidelines when going back to face to face meetings. I do believe that some clubs will use a combination of face to face and Zoom meetings. Some clubs will continue to use only Zoom and that’s ok. I am hearing from a lot of clubs that they have better attendance doing Zoom meetings.
Submitted by: District 5580 Governor-Elect Bob McLean
Hello, All:
Recently, RI Director (and Zone 25B - 29 champion) Suzi Howe provided DGEs and DGNs with an overview of her most recent Rotary International Board of Directors Meeting; the primary focus of the information she shared were RI POLICIES related to conducting business/meetings with the impact of Covid-19.
While the 2020 Rotary International Conention in Honolulu was cancelled due to COVID-19, a virtual Rotary Convention will be held June 20-26, 2020. Learn more about this free event here.
Submitted by: Bob McLean, District Governor (2020-2021) and Patty Baltz, District Trainer (2020-2021)
As recently as early March, the plan was to conduct this year’s PETS (Presidents-Elect Training Seminar) in April at Madden’s Resort, giving District 5580 Presidents-Elect the opportunity to take in PETS and District Conference in a single trip. Then along came the coronavirus pandemic, which required cancellation of the conference.
Submitted by: Tim LeClair, District 5580 Grant Subcommittee Chair
Grant Subcommittee Report – May 2020
The grant cycle for the fiscal year of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 is drawing to a close. During this grant cycle, the grant subcommittee considered 21 grants involving over 25 clubs for a variety of projects doing the work of rotary in the world. The grant subcommittee approved grant projects totaling $314,000, and funding of $134,661, including funding of 9 local district grants, 2 international district grants, 3 world community service grants, 3 global grants, and 1 district grant. Following is a summary of the current year grant projects:
Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak, District 5580 Literacy Coordinator
All of us are aware of the toll COVID-19 has taken on many people as it spread around our world. There is something we perhaps don't think about--it has also impacted many kinds of Literacy. There are a few things we should think about.
We are really excited right now, about membership...and how we see membership growth coming about as we switch over to meeting electronically. That's right, excited about membership growth...we all know that we need to GROW ROTARY.
It is easy to see the health crisis created by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. What’s not as easy to see are the long-term impacts of the crisis on peace, particularly in states with government and public health infrastructures weakened by violence or unrest.
Submitted by: Allison Kingston, Community Fundraising Coordinator, ShelterBox Canada
ShelterBox and Rotary are official project partners in international disaster relief. ShelterBox is a registered charity independent of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation
20 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Working Together in The Philippines
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 Past District 5580 Governor Dr. David J. Fihn of the Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary Club who passed away May 13 at age 87.
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.