The fall season is my favorite and now that 80-degree days have given way to the first snowfall, I release a big sigh that I’ve made it through another hot season. Yes!!! However, as we enter November, holiday season television commercials startle me, and I start to feel the stress of gift shopping. No wonder my kids had me dress as a Party Pooper for Halloween last year… My wife of course feels the opposite about all the above: warm weather and the holidays with family are her jam!
This serves as a reminder to me, and perhaps to you, that what I crave and perhaps need is not the same as what many others crave and need. What brings me serenity is perhaps a thorn on the rose for many, causing stress and even hardship. It reminds me to be kind with others knowing each of us experiences the world in novel ways. It also reminds me that different states of emotional wellbeing are always present around us, whether we are tuned in to them or not.
Emotional and mental wellbeing gets more attention nowadays, and as a society we have more awareness, advice, and tools than ever before to help address the growing need, which is a good thing. Social technology and media connect us with a world, both local and global, that is as complex and worrisome as it has ever been. There is a place, and in fact a need, in this larger context for Rotary to cultivate, to function and to act with each other, for each and for all our neighbors. As the colder days draw us more indoors into the company of others, let’s celebrate our joys, empathize with our challenges, and do our part to sow peace in this world.
THE DENVER INDIAN CENTER NEEDS YOUR HELP
Rotarians’ compassion and caring for our Indigenous brothers and sisters has been wonderful. Since 2010 Rotary Clubs in our District have worked with the Denver Indian Center by contributing cash, blankets, food, clothes, winter hats, gloves, and coats; and working to build an improved playground, raise funds through fundraisers, assist with a 9Health Fair, and much more. Click here for a complete list of needs.
The Parker, University Hills, and Denver Southeast clubs continue the work this year with gifts and time during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. If your club would like to be involved, please contact David Wright at the DIC, 303-936-2688 or go to https://denverindiancenter.org/donate/
THE DISTRICT IS HERE FOR YOU
DISTRICT INTERACT CONFERENCE: YOUNG ROTARY AROUND THE WORLD! November 11 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now for only $10. Encourage your Interactors to attend this dynamic program. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP TIP OF THE MONTH: We all wish to feel Important. Make your guests feel like visiting royalty.
EAST HIGH SCHOOL YOUNG ROTARY/INTERACT CLUB CHARTERED – it’s been over a year since Rotarians approached East High School to create a Young Rotary/Interact Club of service. It took the energy of many to get it going, and now it is going strong! Tom Cella and Tony Vaida (Denver Mile High Rotary) approached the school and spoke with teacher, Aimee Arens. She was excited about the opportunity. The Interact Club has officially chartered and meets over lunch with a growing membership. Members participated in a Peace Walk September 20 and will be attending the Fall Interact Conference on November 11.
ROTARIANS DOING BUSINESS WITH ROTARIANS!
Who better to work with than your fellow Rotarian? Check out the new Rotary Business Network page on the District website. This is a great opportunity to support other members in the District, and know that the person you're working with lives by the 4-Way Test. You can find a list of businesses or join the monthly Zoom connections meeting the first Wednesday of every month.
CO ROTARY LICENSE PLATES NOW AVAILABLE!
In order to obtain your license plate, your club secretary must sign the Membership Verification Form, which you must take the signed form to your local Department of Vehicles office. The cost will be about $65-70 depending on your county. You will need to turn in your current license plates at the time of your order, and you will be given temporary paper plates. Your new plates will be mailed to you in 2-6 weeks. Click here for the complete application process. Show your Rotary support - order your plates now!
JOIN THE DISTRICT'S ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY! Register now for only $5 per year!Let other Rotarians know how to reach you! http://rotary5450.business/
CLUB MEMBERSHIP & GIVING REPORT 10.10.2023- Click Here
CLUB CONNECTIONS
BOULDER ROTARY named Peter and Beth Ornstein the 2023 recipients of the Jim Swaeby Peace Award for their work with the nonprofit organization Sustainable Israeli-Palestinian Projects (Sipp - www.sipprojects.org) The award recognizes outstanding achievement for the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world of fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service". It is awarded annually to a person or persons living or working in Boulder County or to an organization based in Boulder that exemplifies the ideals of Rotary. The award commemorates the contribution of Boulder Rotarian Jim Swaeby, who gave his time, talent, humor, and passion to build a better world.
WHEAT RIDGE NAMED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR for all of their work with the Wheat Ridge community.
Pictured are Kim Buck and John Altland, club co-presidents, and Dominick Brennan, Chair of the Chamber.
CASTLE ROCK HIGH NOON teams up with ARVADA SUNRISE to continue our work with The Navajo Nation! Members of Castle Rock High Noon went on their 5th 1400-mile journey to take nearly 600 books to 3rd graders in the Navajo Nation of Northeast Arizona. This year, each student received a beautiful hardbound dictionary AND a Navajo Alphabet book. Click Here to read the full story and see the excitement of the students.
CENTENNIAL ROTARY PARTNERS WITH THE CITY TO MAKE AN IMPACT! For the first time, the city offered recycling at their October 21 Sip in Centennial event. Glass, plastic & aluminum beverage containers, were collected in dedicated recycling bins from people participating in the event, and from vendors who were pouring samples of whiskey, beer and wine. Club members also collected paperboard beverage cartons and corrugated cardboard packaging from vendors and the City of Centennial, broke it down, and added it to the load of recyclables successfully diverted from the landfill. Member and former Centennial Rotary Club President Trip Butler and his wife Sheri also collected plastic ice bags and plastic tablecloths that they are able to recycle through Ridwell, a private recycling service for Hard-to-Recycle materials they subscribe to.
DENVER LODO member Charlie Hunt was invited to the CSU Tribute Garden unveiling on October 15th. The event, organized by CSU’s Office of International Programs, was a celebration of the visionary stalwart CSU Rams who in 1961 conducted a robust feasibility study which would lay the foundation for what we now know as the Peace Corps. Click Here to read the full story.
CONGRATULATIONS TO HIGHLANDS RANCHfor the successful creation of their Rotary Clubs of Colorado Endowed Fellowship for Pediatric Mental Health.
Post your story on your club's website or Facebook page, and then send the link to office@rotary5450.org.Doing so will give your club more exposure - readers will see the story on your club's site, which will let them know more about your club and members.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.Click the links below to read the full stories...
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION HAS SUPPORTED SERVICE ABOVE SELF FOR 106 YEARS NOW! We celebrate The Rotary Foundation as November’s Rotary theme.
106+ year history of humanitarian work
Weathered wars, recessions, pandemics, etc.
Stable reserves and fiscal management
Conservative investment strategies
4-Star Rating on Charity Navigator for 15+ Consecutive Years NOW!
This year, you may be asking how can I as a Rotarian help in honoring and celebrating Rotary Foundation month. Quite simply, there are three quick and easy steps to follow - CLICK HERE to read more...
THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR IMPACT - Trustee Chair's Message: This month, as we celebrate The Rotary Foundation, let’s recognize it for what it is: one of the world’s best humanitarian organizations. Many charities, relief organizations, and nonprofits do the same type of work, and the public associates them with the causes they work on. But I wonder how many people know that Rotary supports those same causes — seven of them in fact — which we call our areas of focus. CLICK HERE to read more...
2023 END OF YEAR GIVING OPPORTUNITIES- this year, Giving Tuesday will fall on November 28, 2023. Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement of generosity. It is a giving day recognized around the world that empowers us all to give back to our communities through service, kindness, and financial support – all beliefs that Rotary values deeply. Use your IRA to make a tax-free charitable contribution: if you are 70 1/2 or older you can transfer up to $100,000 per year directly to an eligible charity without paying income tax on the transaction. Click Here to read more...
DISTRICT 5450 GRANTS MANAGEMENT UPDATE - As a reminder continue to send in your MOU documentation and your final 990 submittals to office@rotary5450.org. Our District TRF Grant has been approved, funding is coming shortly, so get your grant applications for your projects in soon. Up-to-date lists for clubs that are qualified can always be found on the Grants page of the District website.
We have a great grants review team with great experience to support you in 2023-2024, so reach out and say hello when you can. Our team is ready to help and guide your project's success! Grants5450@gmail.com is the team’s email address.
HELP WANTED! The D5450 The Rotary Foundation Committee is looking for some new committee members. For just a small amount of your generous time each Rotary year, you can help in the following areas:
District Foundation Chair (mentored in year one)
District Fundraising Chair
Annual Fund Giving Committee Chair
Rotary Peace Fellows Committee Chair and Members
Club Qualification Chair/Member
CLICK HERE for more information on the TRF programs and to join our active Rotary committee.
Spread the word because every child’s health matters.
10/25/2023 WEEK-END: Polio This Week - 1 Wild Polio Virus Case is Reported from Pakistan. Total Global Cases are 10 in 2023, 30 in 2022, 6 in 2021, 140 in 2020, 176 cases in 2019 and 33 cases in 2018.
POLIO PLUS - GET ON THE ERADICATION TRAIN – JOIN THE 5450 POLIO PLUS SOCIETY. Reaching that ZERO goal requires the continued dedication of all Rotarians and the necessary funds to keep up the difficult work. The District Polio Committee has set an “aspirational” goal of each club donating an amount equal to or greater than $50/member to Polio Plus/End Polio this year and every year until the world is declared POLIO FREE. WE HAVE A great opportunity for you to do good in the world by becoming a member of the 5450 POLIO PLUS SOCIETY. It’s easy to become a member. All you need to do is complete the PolioPlus Society pledge form, scan it, and send it to our Polio Plus Committee.
From October 30th to November 5th, a targeted SNID is underway in specific districts of Pakistan. The campaign aims to reach every child under the age of 5 with life-saving polio vaccines. Let's support this campaign by spreading the word, encouraging vaccination, and ensuring that no child is left behind. Together, we can build a healthier future for every child. #VaccinesWork#PolioFreePakistan#EndPolio
RAISE FOR ROTARY: Fundraising is Now Personal at Rotary with the online and mobile-friendly program for members and supporters, called Raise for Rotary. Raise for Rotary gives members, donors, and participants a new opportunity to create custom fundraising pages to share with their social networks and raise funds for The Rotary Foundation. Choose your occasion, what you want to support and inspire your community! By sharing these fundraising pages more people will learn about and support the good work that Rotary and Rotaract clubs do in local communities and around the world. Click Here to read more or go to the Raise for Rotary site.
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