Rotary International District 6860 Newsletter November 2022
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
By Carol Argo
Dear Rotarians,
November is Rotary Foundation Month. As you all know, Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever. We connect people through approximately 1.4 million members; we transform communities with approximately 47 million volunteer hours each year, and we fund sustainable projects ($333 million awarded in 2021-2021).
Past Rotary International President Holger Knaack recently said in a speech that he heard someone refer to giving to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) as an investment in the causes of Rotary. This really resonates with me as a Rotarian, and I hope that it will with you as well. The Rotary Foundation received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the 14th consecutive year. This rating is the highest given by Charity Navigator and is an indication of the excellent stewardship and oversight provided by the foundation. I feel assured that when I give to TRF, my gifts are a sound investment in supporting the causes of The Rotary Foundation: ending polio, promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clear water, supporting education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, protecting the environment, and disaster response. I hope that each of you will consider your gifts to The Rotary Foundation as in investment in promoting peace and improving the lives of people around the world.
Contributions to The Rotary Foundation in our district have declined over the past five years. This is reflected most noticeably in the amount of money (DDF – District Designated Funds) available in our district annually to support global and district grants. The more we give; the more DDF we receive to support these grants. This is why the award amounts for the district grants that are so important to our clubs to help with local and international service projects have declined. We, as members of Rotary and Rotaract, can reverse this trend by giving more, or for some, by making a first time gift to Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation.
The district has set a simple goal to increase giving to the Annual Fund and to Polio Plus by 3 percent over last year. Please consider making a one-time or recurring commitment to support The Rotary Foundation. You can donate on-line https://www.rotary.org/en/donate. Your club may also offer an option to include regular contributions to TRF through your club billing. Check with your club Rotary Foundation Chair on options available to you, and if your club does not have a Foundation Chair, consider appointing someone for this role.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I am thankful for my family, for my health, for the roof over my head, for clean drinking water, for my Rotary friends and connections, and for the opportunity that I have through Rotary to touch someone’s life in a very positive way.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Carol Argo
Governor
Purple Pinkie Program – thank you to everyone who participated this year!
DG6780 Al Clark, Margo Hughes, John Downes and DGN6860 David Allgood were on hand for the presentation of the “big check.”
This year the amount raised was $1,305,564. The five-year total is now at $4.5 million. Participating districts include 6780, 6860, 6880, 6800, 6040 and 6760.
For every box of 10 long donuts the $25 donation turns into $187.50 through the magic of matching funds. All the money is donated to End Polio Now.
Rotaract Club of Talladega College
Left to right: Dr. Barbara Johnson (Provost of Talladega College), Dr. Judetta Cowden (Co-Sponsor, Rotarian, Director, Talladega College), Jordan Washington (student), Jeremy Upton (Rotaract Vice President), Dr. G. Vincent (President, Talladega College), Mya Towns (Rotaract, Secretary), Chanlaya McKenzie (Rotaract Treasurer and Miss Talladega College), Kendraih Moore (Rotaract President), Dr. Zibusiso Nkiwane (Sponsor, Rotaract, Professor, Talladega College).
The Rotaract Club of Talladega College inducted their new officers on October 20, 2022. Congratulations to Kendraih Moore, President, Jeremy Upton Vice President, Mya Towns Secretary and Chaniaya McKenzie Treasurer. The ceremony was held at the William R. Harvey Museum of Art. Dr Judetta Cowden and Dr. Zibusiso Nkiwane (both members of RC of Anniston Morning) serve as Rotaract Advisors organized the event with Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Barbara J. Johnson providing welcoming remarks, and a very special visit by Talladega College President, Dr. Gregory Vincent.
2022 Annual Trip to Rotary International Headquarters, Evanston, Illinois
Left to right: Belinda Johnson, Bobby Johnson, Erik Simonson, Bob Van Loan, Jennifer Kyle, Bryant Brooks, Dan Stephens, Jessica Payne, and Gordon Martin
We returned to Evanston, Illinois November 12-14, 2022 for the district’s annual trip to Rotary International headquarters. We experienced a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The Visitor Center staff at RI organized a very informative visit with key staff providing overviews of Membership, Grants, Learning Center, Brand Center, The Rotary Foundation giving, Club and District Support, and ending with a tour of RI headquarters led by R.I. staff Gina Clark who organized the visit for us. Seventeen people participated in the trip this year which was led by PDG Sue Mitchell and PDG/DG Carol Argo.
The trip is open to every Rotarian in the district, and we especially invite club PEs and Presidents to participate. Plan on joining us for next year’s trip which will be in October or November 2023.
The Importance of Goal Setting – Rotary Club Central
Why do we need goals? A saying attributed to Yogi Berra gives us insight - “if you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.” Goals provide direction and focus, they identify what’s important, are used to measure progress toward success, keep us motivated, and keep us accountable. Each year club presidents are asked to work with their club leadership to identify goals and put those goals in Rotary Club Central. Having a shared set of goals provides direction for the club leaders to work toward.
Less than 15 percent of clubs in our district have set Rotary Foundation Giving goals in Rotary Club Central this year. I encourage club presidents to enter and periodically review progress toward achieving goals for Members and Engagement, Rotary Foundation Giving, Service, Young Leaders, and Public Image. Log in to My Rotary at www.rotary.org, scroll down to Online Tools and select Rotary Club Central. If you need help with entering your goals, contact your Assistant Governor for assistance.
2022 District Awards Recognition
The Rotary District 6860 Awards Recognition Program is intended to recognize the accomplishments of Rotary and Rotaract clubs that excel during the 2022-2023 Rotary year. All Rotary and Rotaract Clubs in our district are encouraged to plan and apply for awards…EVERYONE enjoys recognition for their efforts. AWARDS are the way we can say “Congratulations for a job WELL DONE!” from the district to the clubs! All district awards share a common due date of March 31, 2023, except the District Vocational Service Award which is due January 1, 2023. For the purpose of applying for awards, a Small Club is defined as having 50 or fewer members and a Large Club is defined as having 51 or more members.
Detailed information and links to application forms are on the district website https://www.rotary6860.org/awards-program.php
We want every club in the district to apply for awards. Consider identifying someone (or a small committee) in your club to be responsible to submitting award applications. Awards will be presented at the Joint District Conference in Perdido Beach, April 28-30, 2023. Please make sure your club is represented to receive citations and awards.
Save the Dates
Check the DACdb calendar to learn about upcoming training and events.
2023 DATES:
Coming Soon: Online Rotary Leadership Institute training
January 27-28 Mid-Year Conference – Homewood Public Library
February 16-18 RYLA – Huntsville
February 23 District Foundation Dinner – Decatur
March 16-18 MSPETS/AGI – Chattanooga
March 31 District Training Assembly - Gardendale
April 28-30 District Conference (with South Alabama) – Perdido Beach
May 4-6 International Peace Conference - Birmingham
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