The St. James Rotary Club recently served over 800 people and the residents of the area donated in excess of $ 17,000.00 to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
March brings us to Rotary’s Water & Sanitation Month. Our District has a long history and strong focus in this area. Many of you know it has been
a huge part of my Rotary service via our District’s work in East Africa.
Fifteen years ago District 5950 leadership developed the Safe Water Plus (SWP) program. It has done millions of dollars of WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) work worldwide. SWP made an impact in Haiti and East Africa, and is currently implementing an $800,000 project in Honduras. Also in development is a huge project in Guatemala.
Once Rotary eradicates polio – our #1 cause – the next focus is probably bringing safe water to every corner of the world. I believe this need comes before every other RI Area of Focus. Without this critical necessity it is impossible to fight disease, improve child health, maintain or grow local economies, promote peace, or even educate children. Until a community has clean water and safe sanitation practices, no other effort can be sustained.
Since implementing Future Vision we hear over and over how Foundation programs are all about sustainability. Knowing how permanent and effective District 5950’s efforts toward the great work of The Rotary Foundation are helps us become one of the most generous districts in the world. Because we prioritize water and sanitation work, we are able to effectively do great work in all six Areas of Focus. It’s just one more example of how each of you is a Gift to the World.
Join Districts 5950, 5960, 5970, and 6000 for a celebration and FUNdraiser supporting PolioPlus. Come cheer on the MN Twins vs. New York Yankees on Saturday, June 18. Game time is 1:10 p.m.
Order tickets early to claim one of the reserved Home Plate View tickets (Sect. 309 for $60) or Box Seat tickets (Sect, 101 for $75). The order deadline is May 18.
World Water Day 2016 is March 22. The day was first observed in 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared a World Day for Water. The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources.
Improving water quality and access to water is one of Rotary International’s six Areas of Focus.
One way to practice World Water Day in your clubs is to eliminate water from your weekly meeting. Right! No morning coffee… no beverage with the meal…no stop at the water fountain. Give it a try, and make it an annual club tradition to salute Rotary’s work.
District 5950 leaders encourage you to sign up for the District Conference (May 12-13) at the Mystic Lake Conference Center. Registration is also open for District Assembly (April 9) at Mankato State University-Edina location.
What’s the difference? One analogy is that District Conference is like Christmas and District Assembly is like New Year’s Eve.
The Conference is a year-end celebration of all our clubs have accomplished. Awards, recognition and appreciation are showered like gifts.
By contrast, District Assembly kicks off a new Rotary year with optimism, fresh resolutions/goals, and a new leadership team.
Both events are valuable opportunities to learn how our clubs form the foundation of the District, and how District 5950 creates training and support programs to strengthen our clubs. Be part of these important annual events. Register now!
Those who attended our District Conference in May 2015 heard the unforgettable performance by 100 Edina middle school students who are part of the Harmony Bridge project. Harmony Bridge is the creation of Dallas Brass founder and trombonist Michael Levine. Harmony Bridge brings music students and their music -- and company -- to nursing homes, senior residences and other appropriate venues. Rotary clubs are ideal partners in this project, bringing modest financial support as well as logistical and organizational help to a project led by the student leaders.
Harmony Bridge has performed in communities around the country. On January 23, 2016, under the sponsorship of the Edina Morningside Rotary Club and with the support of a DDF grant from our district local grants committee, Harmony Bridge rolled out in a big way in Edina with performances at The Waters of Edina, Vernon Terrace, Heritage of Edina and York Gardens. Approximately 40 students appeared at these venues, played familiar tunes from the Harmony Bridge songbook, introduced themselves to the seniors, and socialized with the residents. Edina Sun Current covered the events in this linked article.
Harmony Bridge is a great way for Rotary clubs to touch the lives of young people and teach them the value of giving back to the community using talents they are developing in school. These Rotary clubs also touch the larger community as students’ parents get introduced to Rotary and its dedication to the community. For information on how your club can get involved, contact Michael Levine at Mike@harmonybridge.net.
District 5950 is co-sponsoring “Guatemala: Prosecuting Genocide, Rebuilding Communities,” a talk on finding justice for rural Mayan communities after 36 years of conflict and genocide in Guatemala. The program is on Thursday, March 31, 2016, from 7-9 p.m. at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Kelley Board Room (second floor), 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105.
Event speakers include Ellen J. Kennedy, Ph.D., Executive Director of World Without Genocide, and Robert Halagan, J.D., Rotary District 5950 Governor-Nominee and a World Without Genocide board member. Dr. Kennedy will discuss the genocide in Guatemala and efforts to prosecute the perpetrators. Mr. Halagan will speak about transitional justice through development, particularly Rotary’s economic and educational projects in Guatemala that empower women.
The event is open to the public and no reservations are necessary. Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for students and seniors.
World Without Genocide promotes education and action to protect innocent people, prevent genocide, prosecute perpetrators, and remember those affected by genocide. Visit http://www.worldwithoutgenocide.org or contact 651-695-7621 for more information.
The Eden Prairie Sun Current reported on the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary's fundraiser that had young adults and older ones enjoying a fun activity together.
The Maple Grove Press and News featured a story of three collaborating groups in Maple Grove reaching out to the community for support of its Sew-a-thons to create more feminine hygiene kits for Days for Girls.
The Pope County Times in Glenwood, MN highlighted two Rotary projects that impact students, their Ethics Workshop and donation of warm clothing to the local elementary school.
The Apple Valley Sun This Week highlighted that the Apple Valley Rotary honored Bill Tschohl for his many years of services, particularly regarding polio efforts.
If your Rotary Club has been in the news lately and you'd like the rest of the district to know, please email jeanne.zetah@hotmail.com to share some details and include the link to the article.
.jpg)
