District 5580 "Cross Currents" June 2018
Ian H.S. Riseley, President 2017-18
For 60 years, choosing a theme has been the privilege, and sometimes the challenge, of each incoming president. Looking back on those past themes opens a small window into the thinking and the vision of each leader – how they saw Rotary, the place they saw for Rotary in the world, and what they hoped Rotary would achieve.
When my turn came to choose a theme, I did not hesitate. I knew immediately that our theme in 2017-18 would be Rotary: Making a Difference. For me, that small phrase describes not only what we do now, but what we aspire to do. We want to make a difference. We strive to help, to have an impact, to make the world a bit better.
Over the past two years, I have seen so many ways that Rotary is doing just that. In California, after the devastating wildfires last year, I saw Rotarians Making a Difference to those who had lost everything. In Guatemala, I saw the difference that simple wood stoves are making in the lives of women who had been cooking on open fires: They no longer breathe smoke when they cook, they spend less time gathering firewood, and they are using their stoves to start small businesses. In Israel, I visited a Rotary-supported hyperbaric center that is helping brain injury and stroke patients return to healthy, productive lives. In communities around the world, Rotarians are Making a Difference by resettling refugees, immunizing children, ensuring a safe blood supply, and helping young people learn and thrive.
International Rotary convention brings 24,000 people to Toronto
Most multi-cultural convention to be held in the city
What an honor it has been serving this year as your District Governor! As this year comes to an end, I reflect upon the incredible journey that I have been on for past 3½ years and the very best part of this journey has been visiting clubs. It has been my goal to visit clubs whenever possible to get to know you, to see firsthand the great things you and your clubs are doing and to understand your needs so the district may better serve you. Ed and I have been wholehearted welcomed at every club we visited, and we say thank you for the kind reception wherever we went. What a year it has been with over 200 visits! It has been our pleasure to travel District 5580 to visit and learn about how all Rotary clubs, regardless of size, are “Making a Difference” in their communities and many in the world as well; I am so proud to be a member of District 5580! I want to thank each one of you for all that you do in your service to Rotary.
The first is a Summer tour. There are two tours offered which they can pick from, a US East or a West coast. The tours are about two weeks long and are paid for by the student.
The other remaining event that Inbounds have the option to do is the Central States Rotary Youth Exchange (CSRYE) Summer Conference. CSRYE is a multi-district organization which we belong to. All of our Inbound and Outbound exchanges are arranged by and through CSRYE. It is made up of 19 individual Districts located in the upper central portion of the US and Bordering Canada.
- 18 holes of golf (6 holes best ball – 6 holes alternate golf – 6 holes scramble
- Breakfast prior to tee time and luncheon voucher for use at any time following play
- Registration gifts valued at over $30/couple
- Flight awards