Did you know that The Rotary Foundation (TRF) was named in 1918 … in Minneapolis? We’ve come a long way in the last 100 years, and clubs in District 5950 have had a significant impact:
Millions (conservative estimate) of people have clean water because global grants sponsored by 5950 clubs funded wells.
In developing countries, hundreds of girls are still in school because 5950 clubs made and funded hygiene kits.
In Guatemala, dozens of women have become business owners and educated their children because D5950 clubs sponsored economic development projects.
Eight Peace Fellows have been sponsored by clubs in District 5950 since 2010.
This is just a snapshot of the impact clubs in 5950 have in the world.
In our 5950 communities, your contributions have funded (2018):
Food on the weekend for over 400 students in Maple Grove and Rogers receiving KidPacks
Telescopes for loan in Great River Regional Libraries to support STEM learning for borrowers
A native garden, artwork and Rotary-branded benches (built by Eagan Kick Start Rotarians) in two Eagan parks.
Again, these are merely snapshots of 5950 Rotary clubs’ impact.
What has been your club’s impact? Let’s share the impact our generous giving has on Facebook. Post your club’s project(s) and impact (samples as above) with pictures on https://www.facebook.com/Rotary5950. (You get “extra credit” if you use a People of Action template.)
5950 Rotarians, you are very generous! Thank you for your support of TRF, the vehicle that allows us to match dollars for so many projects. My message is: Search your heart to see if you can increase “just a little” what you contributed last year. Our communities and the world benefits! Kudos to each of you for the commitment you have made to TRF. You are an INSPIRATION!
Posted by Lloyd Campbell (Glenwood), Membership Chair
Looking for a new way to make your community aware of Rotary and identify prospective members at the same time? Bring together a cross-section of residents to brainstorm a local project and create a Rotary Community Corps (RCC), a team of non-Rotarians working in partnership with a Rotary club to improve their community. All team members are adults who share Rotary’s commitment to service. Flexible meetings encourage diversity and a skill mix from all walks of life. Each RCC is sponsored by a Rotary club.
Last month’s newsletter featured Glenwood Rotary’s RCC, a $10 million dollar “Complete Street” project in this bike-friendly community. They anticipate that some of the non-Rotary volunteers will become club members. For more information on creating a Rotary Community Corps, contact Membership Chair Lloyd Campbell at lloydwcampbelljr@gmail.com or 651-343-6172.
Posted by PDG Jim Nelson, District Rotary Foundation Chair
At September’s Zone meeting, District 5950 placed first in the three important Rotary Foundation (TRF) categories for Rotary year 2016-2017: - Most Total Giving - Most Annual Fund Giving - Most PolioPlus Giving
We lead the 28 districts in our Zone in giving because we lead in doing. We’re motivated by the results achieved in local and global projects through TRF grants. Last year our District Grants Subcommittee awarded $192,538 in grants for 45 local and small international projects. And our Global Grants Subcommittee awarded $241,260 for nine large global projects, which was matched by the TRF global fund to the tune of $362,348. And with the leverage of club funds and other funds, the total project funds came to $1,884,452.
November is Foundation Month in Rotary. It is up to each of us to support TRF and its mission of doing good in the world. Service through Rotary projects is only one piece of the Rotary magic, but it is a critical piece.
Are you part of our District’s success? We ask every Rotarian to give a dollar a day ($365 annually). We lead the entire U.S. with 318 Paul Harris Society members who have pledged to give $3/per day every year ($1,000 annually)! Even if you can’t give at that level, please consider how a modest $1/per day can change lives here and around the world.
Posted by Greg Krauska (Chanhassen), D5950 Shelterbox Liaison
ShelterBox Response Team applications only open up once a year. If you have an urge to get involved in the field with Rotary’s disaster relief partner, now is your chance! Applications are due November 9.
We are looking for volunteer speakers, youth group facilitators and more. And if you believe you have what it takes to respond to disasters, our global Response Team awaits. Members are asked to commit to two three-week deployments each year. Candidates should be in good physical shape, able to function at a high level in challenging environments, and willing to travel globally on a moment’s notice. Travel costs are covered after the candidate qualifies.
Watch the video and go toShelterBox Response Teamonline to understand the expectations and qualification process. Questions? Reach Greg Krauska (Chanhassen) at 612-801-7821 or gkrauska@hotmail.com.
Posted by Keith Moeller, Kurt Nelson and Gayle Noakes (Mpls. City of Lakes)
Imagine enhancing your vocation and improving your business by learning from and sharing your business challenges and successes with peer Rotarians. This is how Rotary started, with Paul Harris and his fellow business owners coming together to learn from each other’s business experience.
Two years ago, Kurt Nelson and Keith Moeller (Minneapolis City of Lakes) envisioned a fireside chat/Ted Talk environment where Rotarians would come together and encourage each other, leveraging the passion and natural skills of each.
Now, about 10 people meet monthly for one hour. One member facilitates, ensuring everyone gets to talk about that month’s topic. The topic leader initiates the conversation. Members share their experiences and help others with struggles they may have.
This Peer Group is a way to build vocations and grow together. It brings value to members’ own professions and businesses. And it is a compelling membership benefit to offer prospective members.
To meet the needs of future Rotarians, clubs need to connect in a deeper way and support each other. While we want to be careful not to cross the line of promotion and turn off our fellow members, we believe Rotarians desire to do business with and refer like-minded people of integrity who apply the 4-Way Test in all their dealings.
If you think a Peer Group would add value to the members in your club, contact Gayle Noakes atgayle@gaylenoakes.comfor more information.
If your club is seeking involvement in a large global grant, consider how this one will save babies’ lives and support mothers in Upper Midwest indigenous communities.
Did you know the United States has the highest rate of premature birth and infant/maternal mortality compared to similar developed countries? The Fargo-Moorhead Rotary Club is partnering with the March of Dimes and health centers serving indigenous communities to develop Group Prenatal Care (GPC) programs to serve native families across the Midwest.
Group Prenatal Care provides education, medical care, social support and empowering women in a group during their pregnancy. GPC can reduce premature birth and increase the health of pregnant mothers by decreasing stress, reducing smoking rates, and increasing breastfeeding. With the help of the March of Dimes, four native communities have already agreed and four more have expressed interest in offering GPC programs if funding is made available.
To provide this program to five native communities across Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, we need to raise $40,000. Please contact me if your club will partner with us: Herb Schmidt at hjs2107@gmail.com or 701-361-0547.
Posted by Peter Hawkins, District 9920 (Auckland, New Zealand)
Visit New Zealand with fellow Rotarians. Enjoy small-group excursions. Make worldwide friends who share your values. A Friendship Exchange arranged by the Rotary Club of Pakuranga (Auckland, New Zealand) invites you on their 2019 tour.
A recent participant says, “We really appreciated seeing things that larger tour groups can’t, such as alternative routes to see unique places of interest, breaks and lunch at delightful little towns, and the plane ride over the Southern Alps and the Glaciers. All amazing!”
Interested? Contact District Friendship Exchange Coordinator Sam Dalal (Burnsville Breakfast) at 612-964-4400 or bombayflyr@icloud.com.
Monticello Rotary and Area 13 Assistant Governor Marianna Khauv brainstormed how to bring the district to members because not all can attend D5950 training events. By the October 22 event, Club President Andy Moll had extended the invitation to neighboring clubs; representatives from at least eight different clubs attended the “Re-discover Rotary” dinner and program. District leader speakers addressed:
- Make this the best year of your life - Rotary is my family - Bring international activity into your club - Think outside the box for membership.
Marianna summarized, “It was a great opportunity to invite spouses and guests to see what Rotary is about!”
Not seeing your emailsfrom the District or RI? You may need to update your communication preferences in ClubRunner. These allow you to opt in or out of emails from your Club, District, Zone, Events and ClubRunner. To update, go to the Privacy tab in your ClubRunner profile.
Looking for a car mechanic? A printer? An accountant? Look no further than your fellow District 5950 Rotarians. You can do a member search by Classification in ClubRunner. Click the Membership tab and then Search Member eDirectory tab. Do not forget that others cannot find you if your classification information isn’t up to date in your profile.
Did you know that The Rotary Foundation (TRF) was named in 1918 … in Minneapolis? We’ve come a long way in the last 100 years, and clubs in District 5950 have had a significant impact:
At September’s Zone meeting, District 5950 placed
ShelterBox Response Team applications only open up once a year. If you have an urge to get involved in the field with Rotary’s disaster relief partner, now is your chance! Applications are due November 9.
Visit New Zealand with fellow Rotarians. Enjoy small-group excursions. Make worldwide friends who share your values. A Friendship Exchange arranged by the Rotary Club of Pakuranga (Auckland, New Zealand) invites you on their 2019 tour.
