Posted by District Governor Tim Murphy, 2015-16 (Edina)
Greeting 5950!
We’re off and running in our Be a Gift to the World Rotary year. August is Membership month; membership is a focus of my program at club visits.
I tell my “Rotary story” as an example of how to become a real Rotarian and not just a Rotary member.
Worldwide, Rotary membership has remained around 1.2 million members for the past 12 years. In the U.S., our issue
is not attracting individuals; it is our inability to retain them.
On average, 100,000 members slip through our hands every year. We acquire members -- but do not integrate them into the culture of our clubs or mentor them into becoming real Rotarians.
Awarding a Rotary pin does not make a new member a Rotarian! As in business, if we take really good care of our customers (Club members), they become raving fans and our best marketing tools. Once someone joins Rotary, we are responsible for transitioning that member into a real Rotarian. Rotary calls this sponsorship. It may take months or years,
but be there for that person.
Our Support and Strengthen Clubs district chair, Steve Solbrack (St. Louis Park), has a team ready to help your club. RI president Ravi and his club support team in Evanston also compiled “A Dozen Ways to Make a Difference” to help you. It's a good article in case you missed it.
Posted by Irene Kelly (Eden Prairie AM), Training/Leadership Development Chair
Think “hooking up” with ideas, not people.
District 5950’s Fall Training captures our enthusiasm for the new Rotary year and propels us toward ambitious club goals. Join us on Friday, September 25 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for speakers and sessions that appeal to all members, whether district and club leaders or new Rotarians. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes by 1:30 p.m.
Breakout Session Topics:
Membership focus on retention, engagement and recruitment
PublicRelations with components of telling your Rotary story
The Rotary Foundation with focus on how fund raising supports programs
Area Governors' briefing with DG Murph and AG Coordinator Jeff Ohe (Edina)
Come meet and mingle with Rotarians from all 64 clubs in District 5950. Share program ideas and success stories from your own club during breakout sessions. Then...enhance your leadership skills at lunch!
Registration is OPEN. Register onlineBEFORE September 15th. Training fees allow every club to register up to ten attendees for free.
Posted by Carol Parish (Plymouth), District Grants Chair; Tim Mulcrone (Chanhassen), PolioPlus Chair
District 5950 has a unique opportunity to participate with the Courage Kenny Foundation in co-sponsoring their second polio survivors conference, “Life After Polio: Realities and Practicalities,” on Friday, October 2 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Rotary’s campaign to rid the world of polio...and we are very close to doing just that. The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute has a related focus; their goal is to assist those who survived the disease to lead a richer, fuller life while dealing with the chronic health concerns that may remain.
District 5950 Rotarians can volunteer as hosts at this day-long conference, and to promote Rotary’s 30-year effort to eradicate polio.The event’s target audience is people who have a personal connection with the disease, yet may be unaware of Rotary’s efforts.Follow this link to register as a volunteerhost on October 2.
Any District 5950 club has the opportunity to financially co-sponsor this event (in addition to the District’s sponsorship).
If your club is interested, please contact PolioPlus Chair Tim Mulcrone (timmulcrone@aol.com) ASAP because conference registration is nearing its capacity.
DistrictGovernor nominations for the 2018-19 Rotary year are due Friday, September 18, 2015. To submit a District leader's name for consideration, or for more information, contact Past District Governor Jim Nelson at jnelson@briggs.com or at 612-889-7309. Nominees will complete this District Governor Nomination Form.
Global Scholarships applications are due September 30, 2015 to District Scholarship Committee Chair Ellen Kennedy (mailto:kennedy@worldwithoutgenocide.org).District 5950 will provide funding for up to two Global Grant Scholarships for graduate study in a country other than the U.S., where the area of study and applicant’s planned vocation is in one of The Rotary Foundation’s six areas of focus. Application information and the application form are available on the District website.
Five metro Rotary clubs are making adaptive winter sports more available to those with disabilities. The Rotary Clubs of Edina, Golden Valley, Lake Minnetonka-Excelsior, Minneapolis City of Lakes, and Plymouth are pooling together to buy $15,000 worth of new equipment for the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute's ski and snowboard program in Bloomington.
More than 1,200 lessons are given each season through the program at Hyland Hills in Bloomington. Participants range in age from six to 60+, with disabilities including cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, autism and visual impairments. The goal of the program is to bring adults with disabilities together with their families, friends and community volunteers to participate in a sport that challenges and motivates them to realize their true potential.
Courage Kenny provides all of the necessary adaptive equipment, specialized instruction or training, volunteer support and encouragement to ensure participants have a successful experience.
Rotary’s new member benefits program gives Rotary members access to discounts on a variety of products and services selected with their interests in mind.
Discounts & special offers
Rotary Global Rewards offers discounts on car rentals, hotels, dining, and enter-tainment. More products and services from companies the world will be added throughout the year.
How it works
Anyone can view the offers and discounts on Rotary Global Rewards. But onlyRotary club members who are signed in to their My Rotary accounts can redeem them. Access and redeem rewards from a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Rotary’s campaign to rid the world of polio...and we are very close to doing just that. The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute has a related focus; their goal is to assist those who survived the disease to lead a richer, fuller life while dealing with the chronic health concerns that may remain. 
More than 1,200 lessons are given each season through the program at Hyland Hills in Bloomington. Participants range in age from six to 60+, with disabilities including cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, autism and visual impairments. The goal of the program is to bring adults with disabilities together with their families, friends and community volunteers to participate in a sport that challenges and motivates them to realize their true potential.
