Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.
By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.
It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. And some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
Waterloo—which first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
Did you know? Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.
> Now is the time to update your club officers for 2024-25 so that communications flow easily from Rotary International and District 6440.
We ask your club to report incoming club officers to Rotary to help us compile resources for Rotary members around the world, including the Club search function found on My Rotary. This will also ensure that incoming club officers receive vital information from Rotary. This is a reminder that if you have not already done so, President -Elects or Secretaries should submit the names of your club’s incoming officers by the end of May. This should be done in ClubRunner Submit or verify:
The names of your club’s 2024-25 president, president-elect, vice president(s), secretary, executive secretary/director, treasurer, Rotary Foundation chair, membership chair, club learning facilitator, public image chair, and service projects chair as well as their contact details, such as mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone and fax numbers
Your club’s meeting details: place, address, day, and time
Your club’s contact information: a permanent phone number and, if you have them, a permanent email address (Such as RotaryclubofX@gmail.com) and mailing address (P.O. Box preferred) where all club officers can receive mail, as well as your club website.
>Club Runner is introducing significant changes to it's platform. Presidents, Secretaries, Bulletin Editors, Web Page administrators, and anyone else who uses ClubRunner on a regular basis is encouraged to sign up for one or more of the training sessions that are currently being offered online.
>Save the Date: The District Governor Installation Dinner for DGE Thor Davidson is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26th at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn beginning at 5:30pm.
Look for more information soon and a link to register.
****District Committees: Please click here to see the District 6440 organization chart that includes links to contact the people on our leadership team.
Whether it's Rotary Basics for your members, The Rotary Foundation, End Polio Now, Membership, Public Image, or Shelter Box, if you are looking for a program for your club, we have District committee members who would be happy to come to your club meeting, in person or virtually, and talk to your members about these and other Rotary topics. Rotary is a large organization to understand and navigate, but our committees want to help!
****Please post your club events such as service projects and fundraisers to the District 6440 Calendar, so the word gets out! (Let us know if you need help posting)
Grant & Project Deadlines (thank you Gov. Mary Bak)
>Mental Health Task Force: Mental Health Grants are available until funds are exhausted. Some 15 grants have been awarded to support mental health providers. This can be a multi-club or single club project; it requires a 'hands-on' element.
Contact Mike Quirk, District Grant Chair, to find out if funds are still available.
All District Rotarians are invited to volunteer to serve on the District Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to implement our Strategic Plan focus area. This group will be the lead to establish a sustained District presence advocating DEI. Diversity is a fact; Equity is a choice; Inclusion is an action. The more participants from our District, the richer the discussion will be.
Please contact DGE Thor Davidson if you are interested in participating.
> Public Image Grants are available until June 10, 2024. Don't wait to apply! Awards will be made to reimburse clubs for APPROVED Rotary marketing materials. The grant will be half of what the club spends on approved materials, with a grant maximum of $500 or $650 for approved Membership Materials.
This grant will be open all year. For more information and to apply, use this form: Public Image Grant.
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