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News from Around the District

OCTOBER 2024 DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE
 
Happy fall everyone!  Time is running short to register for the Club Experience Summit that we are holding at 10 AM (doors open at 9:30).  If you want to learn how to grow and retain membership in your club from those who have done so - Paradigm at Mentor High School at 10 AM on October 19 is the place to be!  Clubs in our district will share great ideas to make our meetings more engaging and how they grew dramatically in a single year while retaining members!  Brand new members will tell us what they want from Rotary.  Be there or be square! Register Now
 
October is Community Economic Development month in Rotary.  Economic development provides the foundation for peace by providing jobs and the ability to support one's family.  While that is a very important topic, I want to take the remainder of my monthly letter to address a question I received recently.  The question was "why doesn't Rotary pick something new to work on.  Polio is like, so 1910."  My answer follows:
 
Forty five years ago we made a promise to the world's children that we would eradicate the scourge of polio from the planet.  Getting out now would not only break that promise, but models show that, if we were to stop, 200,000 children would be paralyzed due to polio within ten years.  The goal is in sight - there has been an uptick this year, but the wild polio virus remains endemic to a border area in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  We can and will keep the promise.  We have the support of the governments of both countries.  The health workers on the ground performing the vaccinations are building the relationships of tribal leaders and educating them to increase support at that level to get all children vaccinated.
 
COVID taught us how a virus can rapidly spread from a small group to the entire world in a very short time.  If we were to stop our work, the virus would break out and spread across the world, paralyzing thousands of children.  Rotarians cannot allow that!  In 1985, polio paralyzed 360,000 children per year.  There are 120 million people living and walking today who would have otherwise been paralyzed without our vaccination work.  We have had 40 cases of wild polio virus this year.  That is an uptick from the twelve total cases last year, but the end remains near!

Dale Smith
District Governor 2024/2025
Rotary International District 6630
Past-President
Rotary Club of Mentor
The Magic of Rotary

PINTS AND POURS TO END POLIO 
Thanks to all who have attended our events to date. 
 
Pints to End Polio dates listed below
 
It's a perfect time and place to join us and invite your friends to learn more about Rotary.
 
ALL ARE WELCOME!
 
 
OCT 12th MENTOR CLUB FORWARD REVERSE RAFFLE
On Saturday, October 12th, Mentor Rotary Club will be holding their First Annual Forward Reverse Raffle to benefit the City of Mentor Police. 
 
Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase AED - Defibrillators for the Police patrol cars. 
 
This exciting event will be held at Lamalfa Centre Hotel and Suites on Saturday evening from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.   Outstanding food selection. 
 
We will have a live band "RISK FACTOR” playing.  Lamalfa Centre Hotel is part of the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel chain, The owner is a past president of the Mentor Rotary Club.  There will be approximately 7 themed raffle prizes from Outdoor: Backpack Leaf Blower, rakes, outdoor gear, Auto Truck Accessories, Holiday,   Gift cards valued at more than $500, and a few others.  We will have a 50/50 raffle and many side boards.
 
Come out and support Rotary and our police while having a great time with friends. 
 
 
Ticket prices are $125 for individual and $200 for couple.  For additional information contact Neil Sawicki, 440-339-8585.  
 
 
OCT 19th  CLUB EXPERIENCE SUMMIT -- ALL CLUBS INVITED!
 
Nearly all of the clubs in our district have seen decreased attendance rates at meetings.  In most cases we are also not growing significantly.  The purpose of this summit is to share great ideas that have been shown to increase member engagement, attract new members and retain members.  We have five clubs in District 6630 that have had net growth of 25-50%!  We need to hear how they did that!
 
On Saturday October 19, 2024, we will hold a club experience summit at Paradigm at Mentor High School. We will hear from District 6630 Rotarians to learn how they make meetings more engaging, listen to growing clubs on how they became more attractive and engaging to new members, and hear from brand new members on why they were attracted, why they joined and what will keep them in Rotary.  The graphic below gives a few more details about the event.  Please join us after the event at Collision Bend Brewing in Euclid (Yes Euclid!) for a Pints to End Polio to continue conversations that started at Paradigm, celebrate how far we have come in eradicating polio and pause to remember that the fight is not yet complete!
 
Paradigm is a meeting space on the far northeast corner of Mentor High.  Signs will direct you to Paradigm.
 
Attendance is free but we encourage registration in advance so that we can prepare for you.  CLICK TO RSVP
 
 
 
OCT 17th CLEVELAND CLUB TO BE HONORED

Greater Cleveland Food Bank to receive
prestigious Community Service Award
by the Rotary Club of Cleveland
 
All Invited: Thursday, October 17, 2024, 5:30pm-7pm at
GCFB’s Community Resource Center, 15500 S. Waterloo Road, Cleveland
 
The Rotary Club of Cleveland is delighted to present this year’s Community Service Award to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a vital organization dedicated to bridging the meal gap in our community, connecting individuals with the nutritious meals they need to succeed.
 
The need for food and nutrition is a chronic problem in the greater Cleveland area. In 2023, more than 400,000 people experiencing food insecurity and poverty were served by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and its 1,000 partner agencies across the six-county service area. Now, the organization expands its reach and impact with its Community Resource Center, providing additional services for those who need it the most.
The award will be presented on Thursday, October 17, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:00pm at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Community Resource Center, 15500 S. Waterloo Road in Cleveland.
Tiffany Scruggs, VP of Community Access & Executive Director of the Community Resource Center will accept the award. The evening will also feature heartfelt testimonials from the Foodbank's supporters, highlighting the critical need for their services.
 
“We cannot say enough about the important work our friends at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Community Resource Center do for our community,” says Jessica Hanes, Community Service Chair for Rotary Club of Cleveland. “For 45 years, they have been true People of Action, a beacon of hope for many who do not know where their next meal will come from.”
 
All are invited to join the event. Tickets are $25 per person and include food and beverages. RSVP and register with Rotary Club of Cleveland via email at rotarycle@gmail.com or via phone at 216.556.8637.
 
The Rotary Club of Cleveland was founded in 1910, the 18th Rotary Club to be chartered. It is part of a global network of 1.4 million community leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.  Locally, Rotary Club of Cleveland serves the Cleveland community with projects directly benefitting local organizations such as:

   • W. 25th Street Rapid Site – Red Line Green Way greenspace beautification and walking path
   • Thesmacher High School Recognition Day – recognizing CMSD high achievers
   • St. Augustine Community Cupboard
   • College Now! Scholarships
   • Greater Cleveland Chapter of American Red Cross
   • Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and many more

For more information, visit: RotaryClubofCleveland.com.
 
Contact: Sharon Lerch, Executive Director
216-556-8637, rotarycle@gmail.com
 
 
NOV 9th INTERACTION 2024 - REGISTER NOW
Our annual Interaction event is quickly approaching! Here is the information on where and when it will take place:
 
Saturday, November 9th
Woodridge High School
4440 Quick Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264 
Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Time: 4:00 PM
 
We are currently planning a day filled with speakers, breakout sessions, and fun that will culminate in the selection of a district-wide service project for all clubs to do together chosen by our Interact students.  We are asking everyone planning on attending this event to register by clicking on the link below (leave the line for student attendees blank unless you are registering a school):
 
 
We would love to see representatives from all Interact clubs at this event. If your club does not sponsor an Interact club currently, we still encourage you to attend yourself or send a representative from your Rotary club to learn a little more about the process. 
 
We will provide a light breakfast and lunch to any attendees, and a free t-shirt to anyone who registers by October 21st. Please consider attending this amazing event yourselves, but also encourage your Interact advisors and students to attend as well.  
 
Please direct any questions about the Interaction to me at chelsea.talty@westg.org. We hope to see you and your Interact students on November 9th!
 
 
GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES BID TO HOST SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES 2030
GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES BID TO HOST
SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES 2030
Ohioans are encouraged to pledge their support to back the bid for Cleveland
 
Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Special Olympics Ohio, Destination Cleveland and key partners from around the state announced a bid to host the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games. Held every 4 years, these Games would welcome 5,500+ athletes and coaches, 100,000+ fans, and require 10,000+ volunteers for 8 days of 16+ sports, opening and closing ceremonies, and more. The economic impact is estimated $70M+, and we know the legacy of hosting this event will leave behind much more.
 
We are thrilled to be a finalist through this highly competitive bid process. We need your help to leave no doubt that Cleveland has the community involvement, support, and desire to host these athletes and welcome their families and fans.
 
We are requesting you sign & share the pledge page below with your networks. Our goal is to get tens of thousands of pledges to not only blow the selection committee (and our competition) away – but show Special Olympics Athletes, their families, coaches, supporters and more that Cleveland is a premiere destination, inclusive, and ready to host the best USA Games yet.
 
A few things that could help you spread the word are below. OR you can repost from the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission &/or Destination Cleveland social media pages.
 
BEST PRACTICES FOR ORGANIZING EVENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN AND YOUTH (A Supplemental to the RI District 6630 Youth Protection Policies and Procedures Manual)
The District 6630 Youth Protection Committee has been working to assist Club Youth Protection Officers in their efforts to assist club planning and execution of safe youth related activities. The District Website already contains detailed video presentations, as well as power point downloads of the September 18, 2021 youth protection training seminar. The actual policy and procedures manual is also contained on the District website.
 
In an endeavor to assist in using the policies and procedures manual a subcommittee of the District Youth Protection Committee has created the Best Practices for Organizing Events Involving Children & Youth (click here) for your review, study and use.
 
I would like to thank Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski and her subcommittee for their efforts in preparing this document.
 
On a different topic, District Youth Protection Officer Carrie Malotte and her team of Assistant District Youth Protection Officers have been working diligently to implement the District’s Youth Volunteer Management System, including the Youth Protection Course which is part of the system. If your club is one of the dozen or so clubs who have not responded to District Youth Protection Officers attempted contacts please do so (Carrie can be reached at CarrieMalotte@Westfield-bank.com)
 
Sincerely,
 
John L. Reyes
Rotary International District 6630 Youth Protection Committee Chair
2024-2025 ROTARY PRESIDENTIAL THEME

Have you updated your Club web and social media sites with the new theme?

Need help building a logo for your Club to include the theme?
For assistance, Email or call Cheryl Warren 330-495-9814. 

2024-25: The Magic of Rotary

2024-2025 Theme logo - EN

RI President-elect Stephanie Urchick celebrates the magic of Rotary. She says members create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.

Download 2024-25 theme logo materials (.zip)

2024-25 presidential theme branding guidelines (PDF)

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Mark Your Calendars for These Events!
2024-2025 District Leadership
2025 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

OUR CAUSES

The collective leadership and expertise of our 1.2 million members helps us tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, locally and globally. We are united by common values and vision for the future as we sharpen our focus with targeted specific causes that will reach communities most in need.

We have identified specific causes to target to maximize our local and global impact. At the same time, we understand that each community has its own unique needs and concerns.
Through  and other resources, we help clubs focus their service efforts in the following areas.

PEACEBUILDING AND CONFLICT PREVENTION

Today, 42 million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution. Through our partnerships with several leading universities, Rotary Peace Fellows develop the skills to strengthen peace efforts, train local leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and support long-term peace building in areas affected by conflict. We provide up to 100 peace fellowships per year at Rotary Peace Centers.

DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

More than 100 million people are pushed into poverty each year because of medical costs. We aim to improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in underdeveloped areas. Our members educate and mobilize communities to help prevent the spread of major diseases such as polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. Many of our projects ensure that medical training facilities are located where the workforce lives.

WATER. SANITATION, AND HYGIENE

More than 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. At least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water. Our projects give communities the ability to develop and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems and support studies related to water and sanitation.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, we provide immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improve access to essential medical services, and support trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Our projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.

BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY

Sixty-seven million children worldwide have no access to education and more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and develop opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also help strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.

SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT

Providing our members more ways to bring about positive change in the world.

Community Minded People Like You and Me
If you like talking and tweeting about issues that matter
in both your local community and communities abroad,
come and see how you can join the conversation at Rotary
and do something to make a real difference in the lives of others.