Posted by DG Abbas Rajabi (Denver Southeast) DGAbbas2017.18@rotary5450.org
MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR
The Rotary Foundation is the heart of Rotary and an integral part of what we do as clubs on a daily basis. Our district, alongside districts around the World, will be celebrating all of the vibrant, meaningful, useful strategic work The Rotary Foundation does. We celebrate this in a couple of ways, by honoring our clubs and our members for all of the great projects we’ve been able to offer our communities, both locally and across borders.
Not a day goes by without some involvement with the Foundation to support our club and district projects. For over 100 years, the Foundation has supported and strengthened our service to our local and global projects that improve the lives of people around the world. Each and every Rotarian has the ability to create and implement projects with the help of the Foundation that will make a difference in the lives of people. From the eradication of Polio worldwide to sewing machines in Cambodia the Foundation is there to support Rotarians.
The Rotary Foundation raised over $300 million during its centennial year, exceeding the goal set for the Foundation. As 2017 comes to an end, now is excellent time to assess your personal financial situation, your charitable goals for the year, and the potential benefits of doing tax planning before year-end. Contributions to the Foundation will help you meet that charitable goal and give you a tax deduction at the same time. But more importantly, the funds collected this year will come back to district in multiples in three years to support different projects created by district Rotarians. So the bigger the sum raised now, the bigger the sum the district has for projects in three years. Now is the time during Foundation month to support The Rotary Foundation.
We also celebrate by hosting events, bringing our communities together, and educating ourselves and our members about how the Foundation operates. As a part of my commitment to Rotary and The Rotary Foundation, I want to set a reminder that it is not just in outcomes that we measure our success as Rotarians. The journey we are on, and indeed the process that we go through in cultivating service projects, fundraising, and fellowship around the World, are part and parcel of our success as members, clubs, and districts. Often we get bogged down in the processes of fundraising, losing sight of the possibility inherent in the work we do. Our day to day minutia, the processes we go through offer hope for a world that needs the best of humanity to survive.
So this month, as we prepare to honor our Foundation, let us embrace the process of all we do in service to our clubs and communities. Engaging mindfully and with presence in the processes of our Rotary goals will ensure us fabulous outcomes. Doing the right thing each day, in our work, in our meetings, in our service projects, and in fellowship takes care of the results of our efforts.
I often ask myself, by way of reminder, why I do Rotary. For me, and perhaps for all of you, Rotary affords me opportunities for service and networking. I know that the two cannot be extracted from each other or else failure is inevitable. I invite you to ask yourself why you are a Rotarian, to remind yourself to engage deeply in the process of the work you do, and be present with each step of the complex processes we undertake. We then build a network for humanity that recognizes in each of us, and in our communities the basic human needs for love, recognition and to help us all remember why it is we do what we are doing.
This November remind yourself why you joined Rotary and what keeps you coming back, and let that revitalize your efforts so that your Rotary journey is not one from point A to B, but one that celebrates all the possibilities in between. And remember to celebrate the vital work of our Foundation through fellowship, fundraising, service and fun.
DG Abbas Rajabi and Hugh Radke, District Rotary Foundation Fundraising Chair
Posted by Lynn Perez-Hewitt (Littleton) perezhewitt@hceonline.com
Looking for a fun opportunity to raise your Club’s awareness and participation in the End Polio Now Campaign? The Arizona Tucson Chapter of Rotary International has a Ride for Polio Event in conjunction with El Tour de Tucson November 11th. Any Club with an interest in 1. Raising Funds for Polio and 2. Having a fun cycling event during the week of November 11-16 can join in.
HOW? There are two ways to approach this---have an indoor cycling event with Club members at a local athletic club or gym or have an outdoor event with club members agreeing on a route and length that fits their cyclists. It is also a great way to involve friends and supporters from outside of the Club. More information on how to sign up and gather pledges and record the results may be found at the following web address: ridetoendpolio.org. Call Pam at 520-907-5671 or Lynn at 520-400-4966 if you need help or more information.
The Parker Club, President Ken Claiborne, is organizing an event. So if you are a cyclist looking for a Club to join with in your endeavors, give Ken a shout at kmclaiborne2@gmail.com
The 11th annual State of the State Luncheon co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Southeast Denver and District 5450 will be held December 7th at the Denver Marriott Tech Center (noon to 1:30 pm). In addition to keynote speaker Susan Klebold, Governor John Hickenlooper will address the State’s efforts in the areas of mental health and wellness. CLICK HERE for the EVENT FLYER. The luncheon will be preceded by a Mental Health Symposium presented by the Rotary Mental Health Initiative (9 am-11:20 am; Free/Registration Required) and a Mental Health & Wellness Expo (11:00-11:55 am; no charge to attend). FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER CLICK HERE.
Save the Date for May 19 and 20, 2018 for a celebration of Rotary with keynote speakers like former DU Chancellor Dan Ritchie addressing how Rotary can help reach consensus in a divided society. Add to this break out sessions, panel discussions, and club projects that show Rotarians of action creating lasting change in our community and you have an action packed 36 hours of fun and fellowship celebrating Rotary.
The top six reasons a Rotarian should plan to attend their first Rotary International Conference in Toronto June 23-27, 2018:
It couldn’t be any easier to go. There are three-hour non-stop flights for less than $500.
Toronto is an easy city to navigate. Public transportation works well and there are no language issues.
Toronto is a fun city that is world famous for its food and entertainment.
World-class speakers, entertainment and programs provide opportunities that most people will never experience.
Attending will make you even more proud to be a Rotarian by providing you with an enormous sense of connection and appreciation for the greatness and effectiveness of Rotary around the world.
No matter what your Rotary passions are, the connections you will make and the resources available in the gigantic House of Friendship will make you a better Rotarian and improve your projects’ results.
Posted by Gail Lehrmann (Parker) glehrmann@aol.com
Rotary Day at the United Nations celebrates two organizations’ shared vision for peace and highlights the critical humanitarian activities that Rotary and the UN lead around the world.
The event also honors people who make a positive difference in their community, their country, or around the world. Each year about 1,000 guests attend. Rotary Day at the United Nations is open to the public. The audience includes:
The Rotary International president and directors, Rotary Foundation trustees, other Rotary leaders, and Rotary club members
Leaders from the United Nations
Experts from other nongovernmental agencies
Renowned humanitarians
Young leaders who attend to exchange ideas, learn about the UN, and meet international leaders
Under Rotary Day 2017’s theme of “Peace: Making a Difference,” Rotary will honor six Rotary members or Rotary Peace Centers alumni who have done outstanding work for peace, professionally or as volunteers. The event will be held Saturday, November 11, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Rotary leaders, UN officials, and humanitarian experts will educate and inspire participants to work for peace at local, regional, and global levels. General and breakout sessions will address the UN Sustainable Development Goals and emergency and humanitarian assistance. A special session developed by and for young leaders will highlight the importance of education to peace.
Rotary District 5450 is accepting nominations for our 2020-2021 District Governor.Any Rotarian, who has served as club president, is a member in good standing of his/her club, and been a member of Rotary for at least seven years when he/she becomes District Governor, may be nominated.
This nomination must be accompanied by a formal resolution adopted at a regular Rotary Club meeting or by the club’s Board of Directors. Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2018 - click here for the application.Review of nominations and interviews must be completed by February 28, 2018. Any past club president interested in serving as District Governor should contact his/her club President for nomination by the club. Nominations for District Governor are to be submitted directly to the Chair of the DG Nominating Committee, Past District Governor Bill Downes by January 31, 2018 at DGBill2016.17@rotary5450.org.
The position of District Governor is both rewarding and challenging. All Applicants should be aware that it is a three year assignment, not including one or two post assignment years as Past District Governor. The selected Nominee will work closely with District leadership and Rotary International before becoming District Governor to guide our District in serving the Rotary mission in the coming years.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve Rotary in this way. Thank you for your prompt response and consideration of this very important role.
Posted by Lynn Perez-Hewitt (Littleton) membership@rotary5450.org
Just like the gas gauge, speedometer and oil light on the dashboard of your vehicle, membership data is necessary. What they can’t tell you, just like your vehicle’s dashboard, is where to go and how to get there.
So, how do you get anywhere? You get a map and plan a route. And, of course your vehicle has got to be in good shape (i.e. enough gas, tread on your tires, adequate oil pressure.)
Translated to your membership efforts, the data tells you how you’re doing with your efforts. Are you growing? Holding your own? Losing members? How many prospects might you need for one invitation to result? How long do people stay with the club? Three years? Less? More?
Remember SMAG? Specific, Attainable, and Measurable Goals. Using these steps creates your plan. This is your map. How are you doing? Need any help?
A plan and a map are no guarantee you’ll reach your destination, but without them the Jon Kabat-Zinn quote will be all too accurate, “Wherever you go, there you are.”
Exemplary Membership Growth:
Denver LoDo Denver Stapleton Highlands Ranch South JeffCo
RI President Ian Riseley of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, says that meaningful partnerships with corporations and other organizations are crucial to Rotary’s future.
“We have the programs and personnel and others have available resources,” says Riseley. “Doing good in the world is everyone’s goal. We must learn from the experience of the polio eradication program to maximize our public awareness exposure for future partnerships.”
“Governments see Rotary as positive representatives of a civil society,” he says. “We should work with them to advocate for peace and conflict resolution, just as we are advocating for polio eradication.”
President Riseley is a former member of the Australian Polio Eradication Private Sector Campaign and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation’s Service Award for a Polio-Free World. He and his wife, Juliet, are Multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors, and Bequest Society members.
President Riseley will be speaking at the RI President's Dinner and Polio Fundraiser on January 6, 2018 - the event has sold out the past two years. Don't miss out - REGISTER NOW!
Posted by Jim McGibney (Denver) jimmcgibney@me.com
It is the Holiday season again, and with District 5450’s help we can be assured that many more families served by the Denver Indian Center will have a Thanksgiving dinner and get presents for their children.Here where we can all make a difference:
1- Contribute $10 to purchase a Turkey Coupon. Recall- each $10 coupon helps provides a dinner for 6, and the Denver Indian Center provides all the fixins. These coupons are used both at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We need to have those to the DICI as early as possible, certainly no later than the 13th of November. You can mail those directly to the Indian Center at Denver Indian Center, 4407 Morrison Road, Denver 80219. If you collect money at an upcoming luncheon, please send a check and add a note it is for the Turkey Coupons. The coupons and fixins will be given to families on the same day they have their 9News Health Fair, which is mid November.
2- The committee encourages those who can provide Christmas presents they need need to be at the Center by mid December. They need presents for all ages, but in particular, teen age boys and girls seem to be short on presents each year. Rotarians play Santa and Mrs. Claus and talk with the Children as they are given their presents.
3- Warm Coats, hats and gloves can be used anytime from now to the end of the year. Each of the past 8 years, all of coats that Rotarians have donated have been have been used by the Indian families.
4- Mike Oldham is leading a Food Pantry Program for the center and the goal is to have one Rotary Club a month take on a food drive. By the end of the Rotary year we hope to have made a significant health difference thru good nutrition.
Thanks for every Rotarian’s generosity! Nothing above is a hardship for us, but the positive impact on the families is great. We hope you can help the families that are served by The Denver Indian Center.
Posted by Carole Baumbusch (Denver Southeast) carolebaumbusch@gmail.com
With the holidays coming you can support the Peaceful Schools Program by purchasing one or multiple sets of 5 children's books that model and explain Rotary’s powerful guiding principles (4-Way Test) in easy-to-understand narratives. These books are priced at as little as $7 per 5-book set.
Jim Rohrer, our District Visioning Chair, has developed a program to help clubs identify their strengths and areas where improvement is possible. Growing Stronger Together gives club members an opportunity to complete an anonymous four question survey to see what aspects of the club the members consider to be strengths or non-strengths.
The idea is to utilize the results of the survey as a logical starting point for some new club initiatives. Jim presented the program and survey to Carbon Valley Rotary in September – the club had a 92% participation rate. Sixty-five percent of the members said they joined Rotary as an opportunity for service, and while the club does focus a majority of efforts on community service, many survey comments noted a lack of true community impact. Club President Beverly Mendel stated “the survey results were a real “eye-opener” and members and the board have already had several brainstorming sessions including the possibility of varying meeting times and surveying the three towns about community needs.”
If your club would like more information on the Growing Stronger Together program, contact Jim Rohrer at jim.rohrer2@gmail.com.
Posted by Mary Jean Ewing (Boulder Flatirons) maryjeanewing@earthlink.net
District Polio Giving has been generous this past month. As of October 26th, six additional clubs have given, helping raise our District total to $27,775. Two clubs, Arvada and Aurora, have surpassed our District Committee Aspirational Goal of $50 per club member. Congratulations!!! Six additional clubs are more than halfway there.
October has seen many clubs celebrate World Polio Day in a variety of clever and traditional ways. There have been meetings focusing on books: one a discussion of David Oshinsky's "Polio: An American Story;" the other featuring recently published "Two Drops That Changed the World” written by Grant Wilkins (our PDG and past Rotary International Director). Special speakers have been lined up to tell Rotarians about everything from Rotary's history with Polio eradication, to current immunization improvements, to the current status of eradication efforts and next steps.
Clubs have posted pictures of their events on club websites, our District Polio Facebook page and reported their efforts to RI. Several Clubs found it easy to report their successes to World's Greatest Meal: Grand Lake reports sending in $500 collected at a special meeting and adding $500 of Club funds; and, South Jeffco celebrated the 90th birthday of long time member, Neal Creswell, in Morrison. Funds are still coming in.
World Polio Day events were recorded and can be found by looking up www.endpolio.org. The program was shorter this year and well worth the time. The movie "Breathe" was introduced. Several Rotarians in our District have seen the released film and found the movie very inspirational. It is our understanding that this film will be taken by RI, et al to the Sundance Film Festival. Hope you had a chance to see it!
Posted by Nan Jarvis (Mountain Foothills) johnnan@comcast.net
PDG Bill Downes and Nan Jarvis (Maternal & Child Health Chair) hosted a table at this event put on by the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition on October 12 at the History Colorado Center. DG Abbas Rajabi, PDG Peter and Mary Jean Ewing, PDG Mary Kay Hasz, PDG Dan Himelspach, Dave & Candice Talbot (Crutches4Africa), and CU student Hailey Davis joined Bill and Nan in support of CCIC, whose mission is to protect Colorado children and communities from vaccine-preventable illness.
Worldwide, vaccines save an estimated 2.5 million children's lives every year. In 2015, 472 Colorado children were hospitalized with vaccine-preventable diseases. Also in 2015, charges to treat vaccine-preventable disease in Colorado children totaled more than $35 million. Among children in Colorado who were hospitalized for vaccine-preventable disease, 66.5 percent were four years of age or younger. Please go to www.childrensimmunization.org for information or contact Nan Jarvis, 303-242-2615, johnnan@comcast.net.
Posted by Mary Alice Jackson (Centennial) cmajack@me.com
Prime Timers got their start because of two unrelated situations. First, the Centennial Rotary Club was named as an “Innovative Club” during the 2016-17 Rotary year. And second, two different “single” friends of one of our members mentioned that they wished that they had someone with whom to attend social activities.
Our club’s innovative status led us to look for “big ideas” in community service. The club member thought a Senior Center would be a big help for her friends. And thus, a project was born. A committee was formed and members began the search for a location. After visiting many unproductive sites, they found the Streets of Southglenn Country Club clubhouse.
Several committee meetings later they decided to outline a plan and write a District Grant request. With the grant in hand, the kickoff was planned for the end of September at Koelbel Library with the hope of having 25 to 30 people attend.
Kick off plans included
a free lunch planned for 70 (just in case)
senior services vendors from the Alzheimer’s Association, TLC Meals on Wheels, South Suburban Parks & Rec., Arapahoe County Library senior services, and Bemis Library
members of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office there to talk about Senior Safety
Posted by Chuck Prather (Westminster 7.10) cpratheriv@comcast.net
Westminster 7:10 Rotary Club presented Westminster Deputy Police Chief Mike Cressman with the 2017 Vocational Service Leadership Award. The Vocational Service Leadership Award recognizes individuals that distinguish themselves through their contributions to their profession or to their communities. These contributions align with Rotary’s values of providing service to others, demonstrating integrity through act and deed and advancing a more global understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Deputy Chief Mike Cressman has served with the City of Westminster Police Department for 40 years. After graduating from the University of Florida, Mike was hired by the City of Westminster Police Department in June 1977. Arriving in Westminster with a bachelor’s degree based on “competency-based education standards” Mike utilized this educational experience as the basis for developing the Police Department’s competency-based criteria in use today for training police officers. Mike promoted to Sergeant in 1982 and to Lieutenant (present day Commander position) in 1990. In 1994, he graduated from the FBI National Academy.
Posted by Lee Mulberry (Highlands Ranch) rlmulberry@gmail.com
Rotaraction (www.rotaraction.org) is an online Rotary club for 18 to 30-year-old people, and is accepting new members. The structure of Rotaraction differs significantly from Rotaract. First, it is entirely online, second the primary communication tool is a smart phone app. Third, all Rotaraction members will be full Rotarians.
Rotaract Clubs will not be impacted as their value proposition is quite different and still valid. Rotaract is geographically bound just as Rotary Clubs are, Rotaraction, by being online, will not have geographic boundaries nor regular meeting times.
Rotaraction was formed to fill a need - a way to get/keep young people involved in Rotary, especially since Rotary currently has a limited value proposition for this demographic. The online meetings will consist of “Blog” posts and discussions, each member will have responsibility for writing blogs and responding. In addition, each member will be required to do a minimum number of hours of community service during the quarter. We will encourage them to create a relationship with a local Rotary Club.
Our research has shown that this demographic has very little desire to spend time in meetings, they want to communicate quickly, easily and at their own convenience. They much prefer to engage in service projects. Many are in college and even if there is a Rotaract club, attending meetings can be too time consuming.
In addition to the time issue, belonging to most traditional Rotary Clubs is cost prohibitive. Our college members face many costs and often have little opportunity to earn money. Our working young adults also tend to have limited disposable income. Therefore, the club dues are just enough to cover District and RI dues.
The attached report shows Annual Fund and Polio Plus goals entered by each club into Rotary Club Central, and the numbers and per capita achieved by each club (arranged by Area.) The District 5450 goal is to have an increase in Membership, and for Every Rotarian to give something Every Year (EREY).
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE DISTRICT, CLUBS & THE GLOBE!
The Rotary Foundation is the heart of Rotary and an integral part of what we do as clubs on a daily basis. Our district, alongside districts around the World, will be celebrating all of the vibrant, meaningful, useful strategic work The Rotary Foundation does. We celebrate this in a couple of ways, by honoring our clubs and our members for all of the great projects we’ve been able to offer our communities, both locally and across borders.
Jim Rohrer, our District Visioning Chair, has developed a program to help clubs identify their strengths and areas where improvement is possible. Growing Stronger Together gives club members an opportunity to complete an anonymous four question survey to see what aspects of the club the members consider to be strengths or non-strengths.
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