The beautiful fall weather has been such a pleasure. Even with a pandemic, and the unrest in our nation, we Rotarians remain true to our values, support each other, our communities and others around the world. We seek peace, conflict resolution, healing, education, supporting local businesses, respecting our environment and each other. I feel so fortunate to know each of you.
You have heard me say “we are where we are supposed to be at this time, now.” Dr. Robert McGregor, President of the Akron Rotary Club and Chief Medical Officer of Akron Children’s Hospital, formed a risk assessment team of Akron Rotary members who have medical, legal, and insurance expertise. They utilized a risk assessment rubric and system for the club members to use when making decisions of what their risk of exposure is to COVID if attending or holding an in-person gathering. He graciously offered to share this rubric with each of you (click here and if it appears small simply increase the view size).
The Annual International Assembly of District Governors Elect to be held in February 2021, will be virtual. When we hear any further guidance from Rotary International regarding Club meetings, we will let all of you know.
We are looking forward to celebrating your contributions to the annual fund and toward continuing the fight against polio on November 19th at the virtual Foundation Event.
The Membership Committee has exciting plans and programs in place. What a team! Invite one of the members to speak to your club – contact chair Peter Tuttle at ptuttle@ptcdi.com. They are also working hard under Jim McKee’s leadership, as Club Extension, to assist clubs by reaching out to former members who have left in the last few years for various reasons, letting them know what is happening in the Rotary world.
We are starting to list in the newsletter speakers that others may want to schedule for their clubs. When you have a great speaker – please send their contact information and details to Cheryl Warren at RotaryDistrict6630@neo.rr.com (see the article below). In Lake County, three of the clubs, Chardon, Painesville and Mentor are holding joint meetings with exceptional speakers.
Congratulations to the “Unsung Heroes” in clubs:
Jim Lechko, Lakewood-Rocky River
Barbara Stettnisch, Strongsville
Dr. Joseph Boydel, Hudson
Gayle Woodrow, Painesville
Terry Dalton, Akron
Tom Kaser, Northampton-Cuyahoga Valley
Marc West, Berea
I love seeing photos when they are taken and posted – remember to send them in to RotaryDistrict6630@neo.rr.com to include in the newsletter.
If your Club subscribes to ClubRunner create an event within ClubRunner and mark the event to be shown on the District website. Your events will then appear within the Club Calendar on both, the District Bulletin and District home page.
There is no registration fee and of course no cost for dinner! Further, there will be no GoFundMe event via the internet either, but you must register to attend!
Please plan to grab your favorite beverage and snacks and join us via Zoom November 19, 6:30-7:30. Pre-Registration is required to attend. Also note our special guest is Rotary International President-Nominee Jennifer Jones.
Click here to now. You may also find the registration link on the District 6630 Home Page. I look forward to seeing all of you via Zoom on November 19.
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center Collection
Hello fellow Rotarians!! Recently PDG Jack Young stayed in the VA Hospital for an extended period due to a recovery from surgery. (I spoke with him yesterday and he is doing quite well!!) During his stay he found that the VA was in a sorry state when it came to entertainment for its patients, our US Veterans.
You know it didn't take long for Jack Harig to rally the Rotary troops to begin gathering these much-needed items. Spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Brunswick and the Summit County S-Medina County Cluster, the needed items include:
Crossword/Sudoko/word find books (new, wrapped is not necessary) games, puzzles, and crafts all new, original factory sealed. Games (single use or multiple players). Other needed items are socks with tread (not regular socks) & non-skid slippers, 3 blade or better razors, 3 in1 body wash/shampoo /conditioner (White Rain or Arm and Hammer Brands at the Dollar Tree) and men's deodorant and underwear (sizes M, L, and XL). Items will be delivered to the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center for Thanksgiving with the goal of helping keep minds and bodies active and stimulated and letting our veterans know we welcome them home.
Want to help? Please deliver items to the Rotary Club of Akron 4460 Rex Lake Drive Akron, OH 44319 or ship direct to the same address ATTN: Mella Castner - VA
Want to make a monetary donation for specialty purchases as needed? You can always donate direct (click here).Please use 1002 (General Fund) when asked where to use the funds specifically.
Make A Difference: E-Donate
The new E-Donate service allows community members who wish to give back to Veterans a quick, safe way to pledge their support online. You choose the medical center, the amount, and the account. E-Donate, a new online donation option at http://go.usa.gov/2zJV provides community members who wish to give back to Veterans at a VA medical center a simple and safe way to pledge their support to the account of their choice. We have known for years that our citizens want to show their support to the service members who defended their freedoms. While not everyone will have the time to volunteer, now anyone can take five minutes online to thank Veterans in any number of ways. The E-Donate option allows donors to select from a number of accounts at the medical center they wish to donate to. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative costs are appropriated, so donors can be sure 100 percent of their donations go to the accounts they select and the Veteran patients they are choosing to support. People would be amazed if they could see how far their dollar goes toward making a difference in the lives of the people who dedicated themselves to us first. Donors can use the E-Donate button below. Donations can be made by credit or debit card or directly from any US bank account. The actual donation is made through a secure website of the U.S. Department of Treasury Department. A minimum of $5 is required for online donation.
Quick reminder...if you haven't placed your order for the beautiful Rotary Wreaths! You need to get your order in by Nov 17th.
We have a limited number...so don't miss out!
There's nothing like the smell of fresh pine to bring in the Holidays! The wreaths are thick with various greens and will last beyond the holidays.
These are supplied by Puritas Nursery. Dale, the owner, is a member of our Rotary Club.
The Nursery is a great place to get all your Christmas decorations. I'm sorry to say that the train display will not be set up this year, due to Covid 19 precautions.
Rotary has been at the forefront of polio eradication since 1985, helping to immunize nearly 3 billion children and reduce polio cases by 99.9 percent. Your support has contributed to our progress, and now the World Health Organization has certified its African region to be free of wild poliovirus! This is a historic and vital step toward the global eradication of polio. But polio remains a paralyzing threat to children in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other high-risk countries, and our work fighting this devastating disease won’t stop until it is gone for good.
A gift of just $15 protects five children from polio for life.
Enroll in Rotary Direct, the Foundation’s recurring giving program, and help us end polio. With Rotary Direct, you select how much you want to donate and how often. And you can manage your giving online through Donor Self-Service on My Rotary.
Lee is a member of the Rotary Club of Mentor and Assistant District 6630 Governor for Lake County.
He shared how this fundraiser is structured so Clubs who may be looking for fundraising ideas could implement this themselves or participate.
My wife and I participated in a 24-hour running event called “The 24 in 24”. We got involved after getting to know the gym owners that created the event.
This was a concept invented/created in 2015 by local gym owner, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Anna Dey. The event was intended to challenge participants to 24 hours of running, while simultaneously raising funds for a local child battling Leukemia. Specifically, they were to run one mile every hour for 24 consecutive hours, never double up on miles and no make-ups. Each runner found sponsors to support the giving portion of the event and they raised $13,000 for a local child and his family.
The first 24 in 24 was held indoors on the treadmills at Anytime Fitness Concord with 15 Challengers making the attempt. The local response was intense, and Anna realized that this fundraiser needed to do something more and for more families with for kids in need. She wanted to help provide their “wishes” and bring them joy. She added the mission statement "To grant wishes for children battling life threatening illnesses in our community by facilitating a physically demanding 24 hour challenge." She then had to partner with a local charity and chose A Special Wish Cleveland Foundation which has a $0.97 on the dollar pass through directly to the families.
The next year, 2016, was held outside with more runners at a local high school track; and in 90+ degree weather. This year raised $31,000 and received even more attention locally. Anna believed this could one day change the lives of hundreds of families for the better and became committed to its growth.
In 2017, the event moved to Classic Park, Home of the Lake County Captains, where it has been ever since. The field of Challengers grew every year until it arrived at 200 runners in 2019, which is where it now caps out. To date, the 24 in 24 has raised over $670,000 for children with life threating illnesses.
From a fundraising standpoint, the layout is as follows: 200 challengers are divided into 10 groups designated by a child for whom they are running. With the notoriety of the event, all 200 spots filled in less than a day of registration opening and there is a long waiting list for anyone that must drop out. Each runner was asked to raise $700 to support the costs and the donation. Further, each child/team had a $1500 sponsor; again, these are usually filled within a few days of announcing. Lastly, each of the 24 miles had a $500 sponsor. All ages are welcome, I think this year we had from 10 years old to 71. All fitness levels are accepted, only need to commit to raise funds and the will to finish.
This year alone, the event raised approx. $250,000 by the check presentation at 1 pm Sunday Oct 11. Money will still come in for a week or two as the challengers continue to post pictures online and discuss recovery at work and in their peer groups.
My wife and I raised a little over $4,600 most of which came from ROTARIANS – THANK YOU.
We also sponsored a mile and my company sponsored Team Penelope and supplied some food and energy drinks. Mentor Rotary also sponsored a mile. Anna gave a special recognition to the club’s Be the Match bone marrow program since one of the children was saved by that matching program and each challenger took information to get on the registry.
We did have to wear masks except for when running and we had “campsites” so we can do contact tracing. They limited the normally enormous crowd and hourly visits to 2 non-challengers per runner at a time. We had to wash our hands every hour after our run and all the donated food was handled by a non-challenger who followed normal food protocols for COVID.
Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Baldwin Wallace University and Director of the Cognition, Brain & Language Lab. pledwidg@bw.edu 440-826-3173
His theme throughout the presentation was “people driven excellence.”Mr. Taylor is an American business executive, dynamic speaker, and leadership guru. He is the CEO and President of LinkedXL, a Business Operating Systems Architecting Firm. Mr. Taylor spent 30 years with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT), serving as Director of North America Manufacturing and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. As the Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Goodyear, Mr. Taylor led diversity and inclusion strategies for 64,000 employees across the 22 countries where Goodyear operates. Mr. Taylor has been called upon by universities, international conferences, global publications, and the U.S. Army to demonstrate how to drive and sustain effective results through embracing the culture and enabling employee ownership.
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Don't forget about people within our own District who would love to present as well (https://rotarydistrict6630.org/districtorganizationchart ) Jim Lechko, Foundation Chair; Rick Pollack, Peace Fellows; Jack Young, ShelterBox; Cheryl Warren, ClubRunner and MyRotary; to name a few!!
THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION has speakers available for virtual appearances at Rotary Clubs. The FTC protects economic markets by investigating and prosecuting deceptive advertising and unfair methods of competition and by providing free resources for individuals and businesses. As part of its education mission, attorneys, investigators, and paralegals from the Commission’s Cleveland office routinely speak on topics such as Coronavirus scams, privacy, scams that target small businesses, and much more.
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Rotary Service and Engagement
October, 2020
Connect.Partner.Serve
Maintaining community development during a pandemic
The United Nations sees the COVID-19 pandemic as more than just a health crisis — it’s affecting communities and economies at their core. While the impact varies from country to country, the pandemic will likely increase poverty and inequalities on a global scale. That’s why the UN is encouraging socioeconomic responses to try to mitigate the harm to lives and livelihoods for years to come.
The UN has issued a framework for a response to COVID-19 to support countries’ social and economic recovery. During October, Community Economic Development Month, consider how you can take action to support your community. The framework consists of five key areas:
Protecting health systems to ensure that essential services remain available.
Helping people cope using programs that can provide access to basic services and reduce poverty.
Protecting jobs and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and informal sector workers through economic response and recovery programs.
Advocating for policies to help the most vulnerable and strengthening regional responses.
Investing in community-led response systems and promoting social cohesion.
Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Groupworks to alleviate hunger by teaching people, particularly in developing countries, how to grow the local foods that best fill their nutritional needs.
Rotary Action Group Against Slaveryraises awareness that slavery still exists in some places and supports programs, campaigns, and projects to end it.
Your district’s international service committee can connect you to local experts, many of whom are also part of a Rotary Action Group, to help you with community economic development projects. You can always contact your district leaders for assistance.
And remember Rotary’s service partners for your next community economic development project:
Ashoka helps find creative solutions to social problems.
Peace Corps promotes peace and community development.
ShelterBox provides disaster relief such as emergency shelter and aid to families.
Explore international service, virtually
Project fairs open opportunities for members from around the world to meet in fellowship, learn about other cultures, and form partnerships to support projects in different countries. Many of the upcoming fairs will be virtual events.
The online events will still offer attendees a chance to see existing or potential service projects and establish partnerships and friendships. Consider joining a project fair in a part of the world that interests you and where you’d like to make a difference. Stay up-to-date on the events with this map or by looking at My Rotary.
Read more about how project fairs build long-lasting friendships and partnerships.
Akron Rotarian Dr. Jeff Kempf was recognized for his vision in the development of The St. Damien Collaborative for the Improvement of Pediatrics in Haiti. This is a unique partnership of US Children's Hospitals and Universities.
The Akron Rotary Club and other clubs in District 6630 were very supportive and involved in providing funding when Dr. Kempf orchestrated sending a team of physicians to St. Damien and in turn brought their team to Akron for training.
St. Damien Children's Hospital has partnered with collaborative members from Akron Children's Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, University of Connecticut, Dell Children's Hospital. East Tennessee State University, The University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Nebraska Medical Center, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter, as well as others as part of the St. Damien Collaborative.
During the fundraiser, Mitch Albom, author of Finding Chika and Tuesdays with Morrie, did several readings.
NPH USA is a registered 50l(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Federal Tax 10# 65-1229309. Donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Posted by Susan Colville-Hall
ICC WITH UKRAINE
Stew Buchanan and I met with Claudine Schooley and the group that is forming the ICC with Ukraine last Thursday. They are doing some pretty awesome work. The projects were presented here. Stew, Doug Hausknecht and I will continue to meet with this group.
Claudine Schooley, Chair of ICC Ukraine – USA, served as host and introduced 22 members (from Rotary districts all over the U.S. and Ukraine) and guests who attended the International Zoom meeting entitled, Hearts of Europe Global Grant Program, Wednesday, Oct. 21. Susan Colville-Hall and Stew Buchanan attended from the Rotary Club of Akron. Guest speaker, Mykola Stebljanko, PDG Rotary District 2232, Ukraine-Belarus, presented on the USAID Hearts of Europe Global Grant Program. A jointly funded 3-year program by USAID and The Rotary Foundation, it has an application window which opened in March 2020 and closes with projects completed and reports submitted by the 4th quarter of 2022.
Grants are administered by The Rotary Foundation and are matched by the Club and USAID.
For example, you have $15,000 from the Club + $15,000 TRF + $15,000 USAID = $45,000.
Program requirements are the same as Rotary Global Grants. There are a few additional requirements. **** see last paragraph
The three initial projects selected for implementation in Ukraine are:
1. Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (Estimated Budget - $95,000)
2. VTT: Exchange of Experience in Cardiac Surgery (Estimated Budget - $136,000)
3. The Ring of Care for Mother and Baby (Estimated Budget - $166,000)
Mykola Stebljanko is available to present at any USA club zoom meeting, and he looks forward to receiving invitations. Mykola Stebljanko is also willing to participate to a zoom meeting at the virtual ICC table (House of Friendship) at District 5240 Conference, November 6-8, 2020. Claudine also made an announcement about the ICC World Conference in Kiev in October 2021.
***** In addition, (1) projects should increase engagement and strengthen relationships between Rotary members in the U.S. and in Eastern Europe. (2) The International Club must be a Rotary Club/District in the U.S. and Host Club must be one of the Eastern Europe countries where USAID has a presence. (3) A member of the International Club or District must visit the project and meet members of the Host Club and involve Rotaractors in the Project if a Rotaract Club is in the vicinity. Pre- and Post Project Surveys and Quarterly Reports are required.
Yours in Service -
Susan Colville-Hall
Posted by Cheryl Warren
DISTRICT GOVERNOR MYERS PRESENTS TERRY DALTON WITH THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S CITATION - THE UNSUNG HERO AWARD
The unsung hero award is designed for Club Presidents to pay tribute to a person whose special service to Rotary has placed them in a category all of their own. A person whose dedication and commitment to Rotary has been given without recognition, without reservation and unselfishly. Many times it's done very quietly and behind the scenes.
Each Club President is asked to select only one member annually from their Club for this prestigious award from the Governor.
Dr. McGregor said "Terry has an uncanny ability to read my needs before I even know what they are." He added that Terry is quite the parliamentarian and is the Robert's Rules champion.
Terry has served the Club for many years as our Club Secretary and chair of the Scholarship Committee. He is a veteran, has a degree in Social work and is an Eagle Scout.
Terry does a lot of things behind the scenes that most of us never see... organizing the scholarship interviews, finalizing the recipients, awards, and attendees for their presentations. He facilitates putting together all the board meetings, records minutes and keeps our Club records in great order. In addition, this year, he has organized several special meetings for our Club President and stepped in to help with the virtual weekly meetings and provides a recap of the speaker presentations so we can share them with others. "No" is simply not in his vocabulary!
He shared that the the reason Rotary has been so meaningful and impactful in his life is that he truly lives by Service Above Self in all he does.
CONGRATULATIONS TERRY!
Posted by Sandy Naragon, Akron Club Grants Chair
AKRON CLUB AWARDS $7,000 GRANT TO THE WELL CDC'S AKRON HOPE PROGRAM
Every year, the Rotary Club of Akron (RCOA) is eligible to apply for Rotary District Matching Grants up to $7,000 ($3,500 from District; $3,500 from RCOA). Projects must fall in the following areas of service: Peace & Conflict (Prevention/Solution); Disease Prevention & Treatment; Water & Sanitation; Maternal & Child Health & Welfare; Basic Education & Literacy; Economic or Community Development and new in 2020—Supporting the Environment.
The recipient of the 2020-2021 Matching District Grant is The Well CDC! The RCOA Board of Directors selected The Well’s Akron Hope program after reviewing seven proposals from worthwhile area non-profits. The Akron Hope program serves Mason Community Learning Center, the local elementary school in the Middlebury neighborhood on the eastside of Akron.
The goals of Akron Hope are to connect families to stable housing, living wage jobs, and other community resources; provide resources for students to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially; and increase the civic engagement of parents within the school and the community. The program hopes to serve 600+ students (including 300+ at a second elementary school) and 100+ families.
Thank you for your support of Rotary Camp last year through the 30th annual Akron Rotary’s Chili Open Golf Classic presented by Wayne Homes! Below is a short video highlighting our trials and successes through the uncertainty of 2020. As a result of your support we are able to continue our mission of creating a world where there are only abilities!
Under Brandon's leadership, he has selflessly helped so many people to restart their lives and find purpose through his motto "every human being regardless of their past has the right to a fair and equal future." He is a true visionary in his commitment to solve the problem of reentry by simply "arming those re-entering society with a skill set and a smile." He has truly enriched the Cleveland community with his transformative program, restaurant and shops.
Distributions completed in Philippines and Vanuatu
Philippines: Typhoon Vongfong (known locally as Ambo) devastated communities across Eastern Samar in the Philippines earlier this year. The destruction caused by the typhoon and the torrential rain that it brought with it affected nearly half a million people. ShelterBox quickly responded, working closely with our partner Terres des Hommes (TdH) to provide essential aid items to families whose homes were destroyed by the powerful typhoon. We distributed tarpaulins and rope, as well as additional household items which will enable families to rebuild their homes and provide a private space to protect themselves from the threat of coronavirus. Post-distribution monitoring was completed in late September, drawing our fourth response in the Philippines since March to a close.
With Tarpaulins and other household items families can begin the process of recovery after Cyclone Ambo.
Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Harold made landfall in Vanuatu earlier this year devastating communities across the country. The catastrophic cyclone decimated everything in its path as it tore across Vanuatu. It also damaged food crops and infrastructure. We have been working with our local partner CARE Vanuatu to get much-needed ShelterBox aid to 2,000 families. In September, the final distributions in South Pentecost were completed. These distributions targeted any remaining gaps identified after post-distribution monitoring. Families received tarpaulin, rope, tools, solar lights, and kitchen sets. READ MORE HERE https://www.shelterboxusa.org/home-page/news/vanuatu
Distributions underway in India and Tanzania
India: When Cyclone Amphan hit India’s coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha earlier this year it destroyed 1.7 million homes. The cyclone was the strongest to hit the River Ganges Delta since 1999. We quickly responded, working with our partner Habitat for Humanity India to distributed essential aid items to 1,400 families in the Sundarbans, one of the worst affected areas. Throughout September distributions of tarpaulins and rope, household items and hygiene kits have taken place. The hygiene kits include masks, soap, and a bucket to support families in preventing the spread of coronavirus. India is currently dealing with a rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases. To ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and the people we are supporting, our trusted partner Habitat for Humanity India ensured mitigations against the spread of the virus throughout the response. https://www.shelterboxusa.org/home-page/news/cyclone-amphan
. Distribution site for Cyclone Amphan response
Tanzania: Torrential rain and flash flooding across the south-east regions of Tanzania earlier this year resulted in thousands of homes being severely damaged or completely washed away. This has forced families to resettle to camps on higher ground. We have been working with the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) to support families who lost their homes to the flooding. Throughout September TRCS completed distributions of shelter kits and solar lights to families displaced by the flooding. To mitigate against the spread of coronavirus, the number of people present at distributions was limited, social distancing was promoted on site and handwashing stations were made available. Post-distribution monitoring began at the end of September.
Tanzanian Red Cross preparing demonstration of aid package supplied by ShelterBox.
Protracted Responses to conflict displacement
Did you know over 79 million people are displaced right now due to conflict? That is the most in recorded history. ShelterBox has earned two Nobel Peace Prize nominations for our work helping families displaced by violence and war.
Cameroon: Violent Boko Haram attacks, extreme weather conditions and the impact of coronavirus in the Lake Chad Basin have resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis in the Far North region of Cameroon. The area now hosts over 114,000 refugees and more than 320,000 internally displaced people. To add to the already critical situation, heavy rains throughout September have seen thousands of people affected, with the region being one of the worst hit in Cameroon. We have been working with our trusted partner IEDA Relief in the Far North region to support families who have been forced to flee their homes. In September, we completed distributions which included 743 tents with household items including water carriers, kitchen sets and blankets, 560 shelter kits, 2,000 tarpaulins and rope, and additional household items for families with added vulnerabilities. We are now beginning our next project in the Minawao refugee camp. PDG Louis Turpin, D7210 NY, is looking for Global Grant partners to help fund this work. He can be contacted atrotary.turpin@gmail.com
Ethiopia: Rapid political and social reform in recent years and an increase in inter-communal and secessionist violence across Ethiopia have led to volatile patterns of displacement. Conflict, drought, flooding, an infestation of locusts and now the coronavirus pandemic continue to be key drivers of humanitarian needs across the country. It is reported that more than two million people in Ethiopia need shelter assistance. Throughout September, we have continued to work with our trusted partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and distributed tarpaulins, rope, and essential household items to 3,500 families.
ShelterBox and IOM distribution in Ethiopia
Syria: There is still no end in sight to the conflict and violence that continues in Syria. The focus is now on the last opposition stronghold of Idlib in the North West of the country, where up to one million people have fled their homes since December.
As well as the constant fear of violence, families displaced have the added threat of coronavirus to add to their worries. We have continued to work with our trusted partners ReliefAid and Bahar Organisation throughout these difficult times. In September, we helped 800 families with shelter and household items. We are now planning the next project a winter response in Syria with ReliefAid which will include shelter, household items, and warm clothing for children.https://www.shelterboxusa.org/syria
Online speakers available for club and district meetings and events Looking for a presentation or keynote address? Need video to share at your next event? Send me a note with your requests and I will be sure to get it scheduled. We have curriculum for PETS and District training and leadership learning events. Contact me for more information btobin@shelterboxusa.org
Worlds Strongest storm of 2020 Hits the Philippines
Over the last weekend of October, the strongest storm to make landfall in 2020 occurred. Super Typhoon Goni, devastated the eastern Philippines. The fifth tropical storm to hit the island nation in the past 3 weeks. It’s winded of 140 miles per hour and torrential rainfall have caused landslides and extensive flooding, forcing almost 1 million people from their homes.
In addition to seeking shelter in evacuation centers and unable to protect themselves from COVID-19, thousands of families are particularly vulnerable to contracting the virus.
ShelterBox is working hard to mobilize our response teams to respond to affected areas to help the families Needing help. With that ShelterBox needs you and your Rotary Club's continued help and support.
For further information as to how you can help, please feel free to contact Jack at Jack1villa@aol.com or 440-759-4000
Medina Sunrise Rotarians gathered at The Society - Camp Paradise early Saturday morning to paint the outdoor lodge pavilion and picnic tables during the camp's annual fall clean up.
Camp Paradise provides a wonderful environment for both indoor and outdoor activities. Established by the Society of Handicapped Citizens in 1967, the 11 acre facility in Medina County includes a lodge, updated sleeping cabins, craft cabin, two picnic pavilions, the Stone Natatorium (with both a pool and a whirlpool), basketball court and therapeutic play area. The camp can be utilized by outside groups and organizations for meeting space and by community members for reunions, parties and other special events. To find out how to reserve the Camp Paradise facilities for your special event, please contact the SHC office at (330) 722-1900.
"We are neighbors, community leaders, and global citizens who come together to work for the common good," stated Don Spickler, Rotary Foundation Chair and Past President of the Society of Handicapped Citizens. "With your help, we can accomplish even more."
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For over 25 years, Medina Sunrise Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to children's parks, water and health initiatives, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to making a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond through our time, talents, and treasure. We are part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Join us. Rotary Connects the World!
PHOTO (L to R):
David Sheldon, Don Spickler, Kent Morgan, Ed jakubick, Paul Knizner, Toby & Chris Butt, David Lariviere, Kevin Lauterjung, Dave Brown, Judy Cross (not pictured)
"Committed to making a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond through our time, talents and treasures."
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Membership Minute
October 2020
Ideas for strengthening membership
Engaging alumni to strengthen Rotary
Each year, thousands of people become part of the family of Rotary by participating in Rotary programs, including Rotary Peace Fellowships, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and New Generations Service Exchange. After a positive experience in these programs, Rotary alumni often wish to join a Rotary or Rotaract club. In a recent Membership Feedback Survey, Rotary found that:
52% of membership candidates in our online membership leads system are current or former Rotary program participants or scholarship recipients
41% of Rotary program participants would like more information about Rotary membership
If you want to help alumni continue their Rotary journey, here are three ways to engage them:
Feature their success stories in your club and district communications to show that you value their dedication to service.
Invite them to participate in your club and district service projects and social events.
Work with your district alumni chair to find your local alums and get in touch with them.
Learn how District 7780 (Maine and New Hampshire, USA) engaged with program participants to start the Rotary Club of New Voices District 7780, a dynamic club of younger professionals who are alumni of the district’s RYLA program.
Ultimately, when we make alumni feel appreciated and show them how their contributions enhance Rotary, we strengthen our organization and increase Rotary’s capacity to do good in the world.
The State of Rotary Membership
COVID-19 has posed new and previously unimagined challenges. But within every challenge can be an opportunity. The new State of Rotary Membership presentation shows how Rotary is doing as of 1 July 2020. The 13-slide PowerPoint presentation can be shared and is easily customizable to meet your region’s needs.
Member Leads Updates
My Rotary has several new features to help club and district leaders see and manage the membership leads they get when people express interest in joining Rotary through Rotary.org. The system now allows districts to report it when a club has admitted a member. It also allows clubs to admit a candidate after the 30-day limit. (Under manage status, then change status, choose Club admitted candidate.) And, in the Member Center, under Refer a new member, the I want to refer this person to my club option allows all Rotarians to recommend candidates for their clubs. Learn more about Managing Membership Leads.
Service Above Self Award
The Service Above Self Award — one of Rotary International’s highest distinctions — honors Rotarians and now also Rotaractors who help others by volunteering their time and talents. Only district governors can nominate candidates for this award, and no more than 150 outstanding members receive the award each year. If you know someone who has demonstrated exemplary service, encourage their district governor to nominate them for the Service Above Self award by completing the online nomination form by 31 October.
Fellow Rotarians, it's that time again! Help Akron Rotary Camp earn $ to send kids to Camp! Save your ACME receipts from August 6 to December 26 to earn some Community Cash Back on ACME Fresh Market Store Brands. Receipts can be mailed or dropped off to Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319. As always, thank you for your support!
Regards,
Mella Castner Director of Development Akron Rotary Camp 4460 Rex Lake Drive Akron, OH 44319 330.644.4512 ext. 3206 330.322.7206 www.rotarycamp.org
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Rotary in Review
30 October 2020
A roundup of Rotary news
World Polio Day event focuses on achievements
Rotary’s 2020 online global update program on 24 October hails this year’s historic achievement in polio eradication: Africa being declared free of the wild poliovirus. Celebrities, global health experts, and Rotarians highlighted Rotary and its Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners efforts to continue the fight for a polio-free world. Read more
This week's stories
Contact tracing and how it works
Contact tracing has been a cornerstone of public health for much of the past century, even before the novel coronavirus. Rotary and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have built a vast grassroots surveillance network that has been instrumental in bringing polio to the brink of extinction. That infrastructure is making the response to other disease outbreaks quicker and more focused. Learn more
Why I finally joined a Rotary club
Erin Maloney had never given much thought to joining a Rotary club. She had little interest in the traditional Rotary model of weekly meetings. But after attending the 2020 Virtual Rotary Convention led by her brother, 2019-20 RI President Mark D. Maloney, she discovered several reasons to join, including an increased flexibility and people who share her interest in ending modern slavery. Learn more of her story on our blog, Rotary Voices
Historic moments
Paul Harris launched the first Rotary club in Chicago in 1905. But do you know what year the organization crossed the ocean and became intercontinental? Learn more
New courses available in the Learning Center
A series of leadership courses in the Learning Center will help you achieve your professional goals and grow as a speaker. Learn more
Share how your Interact club members are taking action across the globe, in your community, and in yourselves in the 2020 Interact Awards.
NEW this year, we’re inviting Interact clubs to submit a video, photos, and/or an essay showcasing their club’s service projects or leadership development activities.
Submit your nomination by 1 December 2020 for a chance to be named “Best Video,” “Best Photo,” or “Best Essay” and receive funds to support your Interact club’s next project. Rotary clubs, Rotaract clubs, teachers, and parents can all work together to make your Interact club’s vision a reality.
Share your expertise at the 2021 Rotaract Preconvention in Taipei, Taiwan! Submit a breakout session proposal or volunteer to be a sergeant-at-arms or social media ambassador by 1 November.
Rotaractors, Rotarians, Rotary alumni, or Rotary partners may propose breakout sessions. The Rotaract Preconvention is currently scheduled to be an English-only meeting.
Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement of generosity. It’s a day that empowers all of us to give to our communities through service, kindness, and financial support — all acts that Rotary values deeply. One easy way to take action on Giving Tuesday, 1 December this year, is to make a gift to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund-SHARE.
The Annual Fund-SHARE system is Rotary’s primary way of making sustainable projects possible both close to home and around the world. It empowers Rotarians to use these funds to create lasting change where our help is needed most. Last year, the Foundation awarded 490 district grants and 1,359 global grants as a result of Annual Fund-SHARE contributions made by generous donors.
On Giving Tuesday, make The Rotary Foundation your charity of choice so that together, we can keep Doing Good in the World.
GRANT UPDATES
Expanded funding options for global grants
The Foundation Trustees have made another change to the way that global grants are funded, following their decision to stop matching cash contributions to grants because of the high demand for global grants. This latest change will give Rotary clubs and districts more flexibility in financing grant activity.
There’s no longer a minimum World Fund match for global grants. This means that grant sponsors can use any combination of District Designated Funds (DDF), cash, or directed gifts and endowment earnings to fund a global grant, as long as the minimum project budget is $30,000. The maximum World Fund award remains $400,000. As noted before, the Foundation will provide a 100 percent World Fund match for all DDF contributions, but not match cash contributions.
The best way to ensure sufficient World Fund resources for grant activity in the future is to give generously to the Annual Fund-SHARE.
Grant model evaluation report
The Rotary Foundation’s global grant model is evaluated every five years. The findings provide the Trustees with critical information about Rotary grants so they can make data-informed decisions about the model. We’re now in the second year of the current cycle. Learn more about the grant model evaluation’s findings from the first year of the cycle.
Updates to the Grant Center
We are continually striving to improve the grant experience for Rotary members and have made two recent changes to the Grant Center:
Grant sponsors now need to provide bank account information as soon as the grant application has been submitted, a change from the previous process in which they sent that information after a grant was approved. Note that providing account information at this earlier stage doesn’t guarantee approval of a grant, but it will lead to a smoother payment process for the grants that are approved. Grant sponsors now receive an email when they submit their application, asking them to sign into the online system and provide the account information.
Districts officers can now submit proposed district grant spending plan items for review by their regional grants officer directly in the Grant Center. When you look at your district grant report, there’s a new option to submit these items for staff review. This will provide more transparency in the review done by the Foundation and more consistency in project approvals and declines. District officers can see new items as soon as they are approved and see explanations for items that aren’t approved.
Clarification about international contributions to global grants
The August edition of Giving & Grants contained incorrect information about international contributions to global grants. For global grants, 15 percent of all contributions, not of the project budget, need to come from outside the country. We regret the error.
RESOURCES & REFERENCE
Attend a project fair
Rotary’s project fairs connect clubs that are seeking international service projects with those that are interested in collaborating with global partners. Register for an upcoming virtual project fair to learn about activities in other regions of the world, connect with other members, and foster new friendships:
Rotary and Rotaract clubs can now seek project partners through Rotary Showcase. As part of this feature, your club can list proposed projects and seek partners for financial or other kinds of support, share your project budget for global grants, and connect with other clubs to build relationships — all with the goal of implementing new service projects to improve communities around the world.
A Guide to Global Grants is a resource for members who are interested in applying for a global grant or developing more effective and sustainable service projects.
The Learning Center offers a variety of material, including information about fundraising and participating in grants.
Congratulations to Jim Lechko for all that he does to promote the RI Foundation. He is always there to help and educate others.
Back in 2015 when my partner Marsha Pappalardo was District 6630 Foundation Chair I was asked by the District If I could get a Iron Lung at our event. I happen to know a Rotarian in Nebraska who had an Iron lung.
It was felt that many people had no idea how polio victims had to live.
Therefore, I contacted Bill Balou who happened to have an Iron Lung he used for Rotary presentations. He agreed that he and his club president would bring it to our District Foundation event.
I feel it is important that all persons know how this has affected us and see how they had to live.
There are some Rotarians who had Polio but many who had family members affected by this terrible health issue.
Just think if you had to live in an Iron Lung to survive.
We as Rotarians and friends of Rotary are honored to be part of an organization that has undertaken the challenge to eradicate Polio in the world.
Jim is to be commended for his dedication to continually educate members in our District.
Below is a picture of Marsha and I are with the iron lung which saved many lives and provided hope for those who had this health issue and called this their home for many hours.
Berea Rotary members, BW Rotaractors plus Mark from Allshred were busy at the annual Rotary Shred Fest.
Thanks to BW for letting us use the Bonds Administration Building parking lot. We had a steady stream of donors all morning. And thanks to the City of Berea for arranging the Shred Fest with Allshred.
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