Mark your calendar and plan to join us for Rotary After Hours via Zoom this Thursday, May 7, 5:30 - 6:30 pm! Get comfortable, grab your favorite food and beverage, and log in. Friends and family welcome! We'll be gathering as one group and then dividing into breakout rooms for easier conversation.
The 2019-2020 Rotary year is nearing its (unexpected and unique) end. With the guidelines put in place because of COVID-19, club leadership continues to consider new and innovative ways Rotary membership can add value to our personal and professional lives. The Rotary Club of Rochester is a community of members, not just the name of an organization. All are encouraged to participate in the evolution of the club as we must make changes to meet the needs of our members during these unique times. If you have specific ideas, please connect with a current board member. You can find their names and contact information here.
Club leadership hopes you are already taking advantage of the opportunities offered through Zoom social gatherings and programmed meetings. Although COVID-19 restrictions do not currently allow members to meet physically in-person, Zoom allows us to see each other's faces and interact. We are making every effort to continue with meaningful programming, in addition to offering social opportunities. If you have not joined us because of challenges with the technology, please contact the Rotary office or a fellow Rotarian for assistance.
Finally, club leadership is also aware that COVID-19 guidelines may have impacted you and/or your business financially. We hope opportunities for additional support being provided by the government and other generous organizations are helping those who qualify. The situation has already impacted planning for the financial future of the club, as well. In order to help with cash flow and allow the club to better budget for expenses encountered throughout the Rotary year, preferred dues payment is by auto pay. If you are not already using the auto pay option, please complete the form found here and return it to the Rotary office. Because Rotary International and District dues are invoiced in July, club leadership asks that all members make their 2020-2021 Rotary dues payment or auto pay commitment prior to June 30, 2020.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel comfortable addressing them to club President Colin Aldis or Elizabeth in the Rotary office.
In an effort to follow COVID-19 response guidelines from health and governmental organizations, modifications have been made to the schedule of upcoming Rotary gatherings and events. Club leadership continues to review guidelines and is working to do what seems best for our members and the community.
Upcoming Events:
May 6 - Rotary Club of Rochester Board Meeting via Zoom, 7:00-8:30 am
May 7 - Rotary After Hours via Zoom, 5:30-6:30 pm
May 11 - Salvation Army Lunch Service (canceled)
May 12 - Rotary Club of Rochester Foundation via Zoom, 11:30 am - 1 pm
May 13 - World Community Service Meeting via Webex
The Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund Grant
Purpose: To provide Rotary Foundation funds to our clubs to fill COVID-19 related needs in their communities
We asked clubs to submit requests, ranging from $500 to $2,500, as to how they would use these funds in their communities. With only allowing 12 days until the deadline for submission, we didn’t know what the response would be…and we were overwhelmed by the response! 33 of our clubs requested funds totaling nearly $67,000, while contributing over $20,000 of their own money in these proposals! With only $25,000 to be able to disperse obviously clubs won’t get their full requests, but we will still be able to do a great amount of good in our communities.
District Sponsored Grant
Purpose: To bring the District together to make significant contributions to three organizations that operate throughout all communities in our District
Every year, our District receives District Designated Funds (DDF) from The Rotary Foundation that we use to match grant requests from our clubs. Due to COVID-19, we have funds leftover from grants that were not able to be completed this year. To make best use of these funds and not roll them forward to future years (where they can only be spent internationally), we wanted to use them to make significant contributions to three organizations:
Scrip cards to Apollo Liquor, Kwik Trip, and Menards are still available for purchase to support The Rotary Club of Rochester. Remember, you purchase and spend the cards at face value, and the club receives 5% back from Apollo Liquor and Kwik Trip, and 4% back from Menards. The club gets an additional 5% on purchases at Kwik Trip, other than gas, inside the store.
If you would like to make a scrip purchase, please email the Rotary office with your request. Apollo is sold in $10 increments, and no change is given in store. Kwik Trip may be purchased in increments of $5 up to $25, increments of $25 up to $100, and then $200, $250, and $500. Credit remains on the card until the full value is spent. Menards cards may be purchased in any denomination between $10 and $2000 with the credit remaining on the card, as well. Apollo and Kwik Trip cards will be delivered within a few days, and Menards cards may take up to two weeks. Scrip cards make especially great gifts for celebrations, including birthdays and graduations!
Separate from the Scrip program but another way to support Rotary is Amazon Smile. If you are already shopping on Amazon, please consider shopping Amazon Smile instead. Same items are available, but if you designate The Rotary Club of Rochester Foundation as your organization of choice, Amazon donates a portion of your purchase to RCRF. Thank you for your support!
Rotary Club of Rochester members, do you have a 2019-2020 graduate? We would like to honor them at our June 11 (date change) Midday Meeting!
By May 28, please email to the Rotary office (romnrotary@gmail.com) your graduate’s school, major (if a higher education student), activities/experiences/achievements, and upcoming plans. We encourage you to invite your student to join you in person at the meeting, but for those graduates who cannot attend the meeting, please send a photo, as well. A brief PowerPoint presentation will be shared during the meeting.
Please contact Rotarian Kelly Engler or the Rotary office if you have questions. Congratulations to those with graduates!