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2024 D5500 Training Assembly
For more info and to register (when open), click HERE.
Stories
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DG Don Jorgensen on Bill Buckmaster ShowDG Don Jorgensen was interviewed on the Monday. 4/15, Bill Buckmaster Show on Tucson's KVOI radio station, and gave a terrific update to the listeners on who and what Rotary is today! Listen HERE.
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Bisbee Rotary Club's 100th Year CelebrationSaturday, May 4, 2024 • 5:00-7:00pm Please join Bisbee Rotary Club as we celebrate our 100th anniversary with a great party!
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Yuma Crossing - Paint for a Cause |
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San Luis Frontera - Casino Night |
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Zone 26/27 Membership Action Plan Workshop To register, click HERE!
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2024 D5500 Conference of Clubs |
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Rotary Tucson Verde - Eco Home Tour Fundraiser |
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Tucson Sunset Rotary - Spring Garage SaleDonations Graciously Accepted, or Donate to GOFUNDME here
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Casa Grande Rotary - Community Art ProjectFriday, April 26 • 4-7:30pm  |
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Rincon Rotary - 13th Annual A Taste of Chocolate |
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Florence Rotary - Country Thunder Raffle |
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Benson - Swing Into Spring Golf Tournament Fundraiser |
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Valle Verde - Cross Border Tours |
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Marana - Tour de Cookie |
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Tucson Sunrise - Top Golf Game DaySunday, March 10, 10am-1pm  |
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Rotary Club of Tucson Verde Cleans up the Rodeo The environmentally focused Rotary Club of Tucson Verde was featured on KGUN-9 News for its plastic and aluminum recycling project at the 99th annual Tucson Rodeo.The plastic bottles and cups will be transferred to the ByFusion bins and transformed into usable structures, while the aluminum cans are being recycled for cash that the club will use to obtain a matching District Grant to fund a future community project. In the process, tons of these materials will be diverted from the landfill. This is a great example of the impact Rotarians make on the community. And it's great publicity for Rotary. Watch the segment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DUUH4f0eps
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UPCOMING CLUB EVENTS & FUNDRAISERSMark your calendar, then click the links to learn more. April 26: San Luis Frontera Rotary - Rotary Royale Casino Night April 26: Casa Grande Rotary: National Pretzel Day Art Project
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Dove Mountain - Casino Night |
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District 5500 Initiates New Branding ProtocolThe Rotary brand is an important one throughout the world and deserves to be properly used to preserve its recognition and impact.  Many of the flyers and other items submitted by clubs for publication in the D5500 weekly newsletter IMPACT! have had artwork (mainly logos) that does not comply with Rotary International branding requirements. Starting now, any article submitted for publication MUST correctly use the Rotary wheel (Mark of Excellence) and have proper club logos using the Rotary Masterbrand to be included in IMPACT! Those articles not complying will be returned for corrections. |
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Tubac Rotary - Taste of TubacSunday, April 21  |
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Small Club Membership MeetingPlease mark your calendar for a District membership training session focused on clubs under 20 members.  March 16th (Sat) 8:30- 11:00am Click HERE to register for this session! Small clubs have unique challenges that larger clubs typically do not. We will discuss enhancing the club experience and a plan to target new members. Pass this along to your presidents-elect and membership chairs, but anyone is eligible to attend. |
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Coolidge Rotary - 2nd Annual Trap ShootSaturday March 23, 2024, 8:00 am 100% of funds go to programs for children, youth and Veterans in Coolidge with scholarships, literacy and leadership training being priorities. The Club is excited about the impact it has had on the population it serves and wishes to expand its efforts. But it can't do any of it without help and so we are asking for your support to continue our work.  |
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Old Pueblo Rotary - Golf Tournament Saturday, April 20, 2024Silverbell Golf Course Old Pueblo Rotary Club is hosting its spring fundraiser, and everyone's invited to play. Click HERE to register. |
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Yuma North End Cornhole Fundraiser |
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Casas Adobes - Legacy for Learning Raffle |
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DG Don's February Message View DG Don's video message HERE! |
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Yuma Crossing - Black & White GalaSaturday, January 27 at 6:30pm Four Points Sheraton Hotel Yuma Crossing Rotary presents the First Annual Black + White Binational Dinner Gala  |
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Catalina Rotary - Tucson Rodeo Beer Sale Volunteers NeededFebruary 17-25, 2024 Come serve beer and have a little fun at the Tucson Rodeo with the Catalina Rotary Club. This is Catalina Rotary Club's largest fundraiser of the year and we would love for our fellow Rotarians to join us.  photo left to right: Steve Pender and Bob Grady Location: Tucson Rodeo Grounds Parking is free. Click here to sign up. |
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UA Rotaract - Ben's Bells ProjectSaturday, January 27, 10am - 12pm U of A Modern Languages Bldg, Room 401 Sign up to paint bells that will benefit Ben Bell's Project in Tucson and meet Interactors from various high schools!  Click here to sign up
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Dove Mountain - Southwestern Casino Night |
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Oro Valley - Taste of Oro Valley LIfe |
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Casa Grande Rotary - Denim & Diamonds 2024 |
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DGE Sue at Rotary International Assembly 2024 Our DGE Sue is attending the 2024 Rotary International Assembly with all of the DGEs from all over the world and will be sending us videos periodically. View each by clicking on its link: |
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Valle Verde Jazz in the Desert 2024 |
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Tubac Rotary - Swing for the Kids Golf Tournament
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Casas Adobes Rotary - Legacy for Learning RaffleWednesday, April 17, 2024 Tickets: $20 each Grand Prize: 1-week stay in a beautiful Kauai, Hawaii condo Your ticket purchase will help fund local youth and education. Click here or on the image below for more information and to purchase tickets.  |
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Tucson Verde Tree Planting ProjectSaturday, January 20, 2024 Rotary Club of Tucson Verde will be planting trees on the south side of Tucson.  If you'd like to join them in this environmental community project, contact Ellie Patterson at ellie.patterson1@outlook.com
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Rotaract - Trail Cleanup & HikeSaturday, December 2 - 10am - 12pm Join us for a hike and trail cleanup at Richard Genser Starr Pass. The trail will be approximately 1- 1.5 miles with an option to continue hiking the full trail. Bring water and wear good shoes. Trash bags will be provided. Sign up here. Rides will be provided.  |
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Tucson Verde - Painted Hills Trail CleanupSaturday, December 9, 8:30-11:30am An annual December club project for Rotary Tucson Verde is a cleanup of the Painted Hills Trails Park, a project in partnership with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation. Caring for the natural environment is an area of focus for the environmental-based club.  |
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Casa Grande - Denim & Diamonds 2024Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 5pm to 10pm at the Pinal Fairgrounds & Event Center  Proceeds will benefit the Casa Grande Rotary Foundation’s high school scholarship program as well as additional local nonprofits. The night will include dinner courtesy of Texas Roadhouse, live auction, silent auction, raffles, live music from Harry Luge and a chance to win $5,000 and a diamond ring! More information can be found at cgrotaryauction.org. |
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Rotaract AuctionRotaract Auction This is a new fundraiser launched by Rotaract to serve Rotarians and support our large service projects! Click on the link below to access our auction catalog and potentially bid on an item! Instructions are within the sheets.  Above: a preview of our items
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RC SaddleBrooke Dictionary ProjectA group of third graders are going to be receiving a special gift: the gift of words.
SaddleBrooke members (l-r) Deb Ruhe, New Generations Chair Monica Oszust and Jim Fraioli |
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Fashion Fusion Fundraiser The BNI 6 Figure Success Fashion Fusion fundraising event on Wednesday, November 8th will benefit the Rotary Club of Oro Valley and the local service groups it supports. Recipients of the event’s proceeds will include: Southern Arizona Book Heroes, Reach for the Stars, We Care Tucson, IMPACT and Interfaith Community Services. Club President Linda Stratton and member Jane Shurtleff will be among the fashion models! For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.6figure-
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M.E.R. - Wine Fundraiser |
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Valle Verde - Cross Border Tour to Nogales, SonoraMonday, December 4, 2023 Valle Verde Rotary Club and Border Community Alliance (BCA) are organizing a cross-border tour to Nogales, Sonora. Tour price: $85.00/ person/ Limited to 15 people |
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SaddleBrooke Riders Against PolioThe "SaddleBrooke Cyclepaths" are all dressed up with somewhere to go in their work for Rotary's greatest achievement.  |
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Tucson Verde at the Zero Waste EventSaturday, November 4 from 9am - 1pm Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Rotary Club of Tucson Verde is participating in the Tucson Zero Waste Collection Drive for the third year in a row. ZERO WASTE TUCSON is a free zero waste collection drive for Tucson and the surrounding areas! As a community collaboration, its goal is to provide a resource for local households looking to safely and responsibly reuse and recycle their commonly used goods.  Bring your unwanted items here! |
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Tucson Sunset Rotary - Paul Harris Award Presentation to Steve KozachikTuesday, November 7, 5:30pm Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant, 2708 E Ft Lowell Tucson Sunset Rotary will present Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik a Paul Harris Fellow Award in recognition of all the work he has done in the Tucson area and for supporting the work of Rotary.   |
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Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary 11th Annual Rising Sun RunSaturday, November 4 Click on the photo for details and registration.  |
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UA Rotaract Bingo Night FundraiserTuesday, November 7th SAVE THE DATE! Rotarians please join us on Nov. 7th 5:30-7pm Education building room 353 for a night of bingo, fun, and special homemade Rotaract prizes in place of our general meeting! $5 a card for Rotarians, free for Rotaractors!  |
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SaddleBrooke Rotary Monster Bash |
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Green Valley Rotary Oktoberfest - This Saturday! |
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Valle Verde Putt to End PolioWednesday, October 25 Help put an end to polio…and have fun doing it! The Valle Verde Rotary Club of Green Valley presents a great new event “Putt To End Polio” at Triple Play on Duval Mine Road in Green Valley. Just $20 per person gets you in on the fun…this fun event is open to the public!
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Mexico USA Friendship Conference and Global Grants Exchange The Mexico USA Friendship Conference and Global Grants Exchange was started in 2000 between Rotary districts in Arizona and Mexico. As suggested by the name, it is a Rotary conference focused on friendship between members in both countries, but it is also the best way to get your club involved in doing international global grant projects. If your club has never participated in a global grant, this conference is a great way to get started, by either proposing a project or making a funding pledge. The beauty of clubs working together comes from the leveraging of Rotary Foundation giving to make a lasting impact in our communities and communities across the globe. This year's conference takes place Oct. 27-29, 2023 in Prescott, Arizona. Click here to Register. |
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ShelterBox Disaster Relief in ActionShelterBox is on the ground in Morocco, responding to the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the country earlier this month. The team is liaising with Rotary, the government, and local authorities to reach remote areas. ShelterBox is responding in Libya, supporting people whose homes have been severely damaged or washed away by flood waters following Storm Daniel. Your help is needed.
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International Peace DayEvery year, on September 21st, the world unites to celebrate International Peace Day. The UN General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more. As Rotarians, we are people of action and peace is a result of action. However, RI President McInally said that it is not enough, as people of action, to simply avoid making war. If we are to Create Hope in the World, we must aggressively wage peace. And any work towards building peace needs to be brave and bold. Are we up to this challenge? Of course we are. We are Peacebuilders and Peace Ambassadors of District 5500. May you find and spread peace on this International Peace Day.  |
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Partnering for Peace: Friends of Peace Corps and Rotary
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CLUB EVENTS & FUNDRAISERSRotary Club of Tucson 17th Classics Car Show Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10am - 4pm The Gregory School - 3231 N Craycroft Rd., Tucson For more information, tickets and sponsorships, go to TucsonClassicsCarShow.com
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Strategic Action Plan Updateby Bob Grady, Strategic Action Plan Chair
DG Don has set up a Strategic Action Plan Monitoring Team with the following D5500 Rotarians: Emma Carrillo, Tucson Kino Bob Grady, Catalina (Tucson) Steve Johns, Sierra Vista Sunrise Bruce Monro, Tubac Marcos Ramirez, San Luis Frontera Bob Shogren, Casa Grande Daybreak If you have questions about the Plan, reach out to one of us. Speaking of questions… Why does District 5500 need a Strategic Action Plan and goals? |
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District Grants Updateby Kristi Halvorson, District Grants Chair Four additional clubs have received District Grants: Tucson Rotaract: STEM tools - Delivery of calculators and thumb drives ($750) Sierra Vista Sunrise: Echo Hope Ranch - Training for mental/autistic clients ($4,000) Sierra Vista: Good Neighbor Alliance Dining Project ($4,000) Green Valley: High School Mentoring Project ($2,000) Valle Verde: School Clean Drinking Water and Outdoor Study Area Project ($3,199) |
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Congratulations New D5500 Arizona RLA Class!Six Rotarians from District 5500 have been selected to participate in the 2023-24 Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy. They are: Emma Carrillo (Tucson Kino), Sue Horton (Valle Verde), Leo Lawrenson (Oro Valley), Kay Phillips (Sierra Vista Sunrise), Fatima Smith (Yuma Crossing), Reba Webber (Mountain Empire)
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2023 District Conference Club SponsorshipsOur District 5500 Annual Conference of Clubs is October 6-7, 2023 at the Casino del Sol Resort in Tucson. We have an outstanding roster of speakers and great breakout sessions ready for you. To keep the registration cost as low as possible so more Rotarians can attend, we rely on club sponsorships to help meet expenses. If your club would like to be recognized as a Conference sponsor, please contact PDG Michael Drake at michael@drakelawaz.com for information.
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Publish Your Club Events!Let us help you spread the word in IMPACT! about your club's upcoming events, projects or fundraisers. Download a fillable form here and email it to kasiarotary@gmail.com by Friday for the following week's newsletter. What About Past Events? We'll showcase your club's service projects and fundraisers in our new quarterly e-zine: Rotary in Action. Download a fillable form here and email it, along with photos and any information that shows the impact your event had on the community, to kasiarotary@gmail.com. |
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LAST CALL for 2024 District Video PhotosDon't miss the chance to have your club's service projects included in this year's district video. We have again been asked to produce a 2-3 minute video for PETS promoting the great service projects we do in our District. We're looking for photos showing "Rotarians in Action!" We do so very much in our communities and beyond. Let's brag a bit! Email your photos to Sue Archibald at eggsuetrev@aol.com no later than Friday, December 1st. Please send them as jpeg files so she can transform them into a video format. Your photos must be of service projects within the last 12 months. |
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DISTRICT NEWSNew Generations Service Exchange New Generations Service Exchange is a short-term, customizable program for university students and professionals up to age 30. Participants can design exchanges that combine their professional goals with a humanitarian project. Are you interested? |
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Create Hope for MauiA Special Message from District Governor Don All of us have seen the awful destruction of the disastrous fires in Maui. Many Rotarians of District 5000 (Hawaii) are directly impacted. There are nine Rotary clubs on Maui and it has been reported that the homes of two Club Presidents have been destroyed. Many of you have already reached out and asked how we can help. Early in a disaster, often the most effective way to help is a contribution of cash to a trustworthy and reliable organization. The District 5000 Foundation has established a Maui Relief Fund. Below I have shared an appeal that District Governor Mark Merriam sent to all the Rotary members in District 5000. It includes a donation link to make contributions to the Maui Relief Fund. If you wish, this is an opportunity to help our fellow Rotary members in Maui and their neighbors. Thank you.
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Time to Register for the District Conference!You do not want to miss the 2023 Annual District Conference of Clubs on October 6 & 7! Register here. We are calling it the “Conference of Clubs” because this year it features over a dozen breakout and plenary sessions delivering exciting ideas and roundtables on Club Service Projects, Fundraising, Member Engagement, Empowering Girls, and more. The Conference also features outstanding national speakers at every meal who will Empower and Inspire you, and a fun Friday evening social event.
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SaddleBrooke Monster Mash FUNdraiserHold on to your horses, or actually your brooms! Save the date: October 20th at 5 pm. The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke invites you to join in the fun at an amazing Halloween party that will raise funds to serve the Copper Corridor and beyond. |
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Educate – Inspire - Entertain! That’s the goal for our Annual District 5500 Conference setfor October 6-7, 2023. Connect with world-class speakers and inspiring presenters. Enjoy great breakout sessions featuring the latest Rotary-focused tips for service projects, growing membership, community connections, personalgrowth and more. To register, go to www.rotaryd5500.org or CLICK HERE. |
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Old SHOWCASE Editions |
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GLANCE NewslettersThe Glance - Weekly District News |
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DG Nominations Open Now! Now is the time for your Club to nominate a candidate! We are accepting applications now for an individual who would begin immediately as: 1) District Governor Nominee (DGN) and serve as District Governor in the 2025-26 Rotary Year, or 2) District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) leading to District Governor in the 2026-27 year. Application packets are available on the District website (CLICK HERE) and due July 31, 2023. During August members of the interview/selection committee representing each of the 14 Regions of the District and past District Governors will be identified and interviews will take place in late August. In the months prior to their DG year, both individuals selected will receive comprehensive training, guidance and support provided by Rotary International, the Director and team of Zone 26/27 and our own PDGs.
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DG Don's Greeting Message |
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Highlights of the Installation of 2023-24 District Governor Don Jorgensen Over 130 Rotarians gathered on the last Sunday in June 2023 to celebrate the Installation of new District Governor Don Jorgensen. The event was preceded for the first time by an end-of-year District Awards Celebration. (See previous “Awards” article.)Rotarians were welcomed to the festivities by Emcee Emma Carrillo (Tucson Kino Club President) who kicked off the fun with a demonstration of the proper use of hand “clappers” with the aid of DG Don’s 3-year-old grandson Ryan. Highlights of the DG Installation included:
DG Don shared a moving description of how his early life (13 schools, 15 homes) and challenges connected him to Rotary. His repeated experiences as the “new kid” underscored the need for clubs to welcome and engage new members; his understanding and work in alcoholism and behavioral health connects with Rotary’s ‘service above self.’ DG Don noted that all Rotarians have that ‘service gene’ for life. He also discussed moving examples of adding friends and value to his life through his Rotary travel adventures around the globe.  DG Don shared that he is committed to supporting each club and club president to help achieve their goals, with new District tech teams and communication teams to support club efforts. District goals will include helping clubs to a) Measure and share the real-life impact of the Club service projects across the District, and b) Communicate the impact of Rotary club projects effectively to their members, potential members, and communities. He emphasized that District 5500 will expand on this year’s Rotary International theme of “Create Hope in the World” with “Create Hope – Change Lives.” |
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Rotary Youth Exchange Applications Due Oct. 15 Now is the time for clubs to consider sponsoring and hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student for the 2023-24 Rotary year.Please help spread the word about this wonderful Rotary opportunity to teenagers in your local high schools, neighborhoods, and families using this flyer. The district RYE committee has been hosting Zoom information sessions for prospective RYE students and parents with one more session set for Tues., Oct. 4, from 6:30-7:30 pm. Clubs who are willing to sponsor and host a student will need to interview the student and parents within a week after the Oct. 15 application deadline. They will need to sign and submit the Club Agreement after reading the Frequently Asked Questions about the Club Role with Rotary Youth Exchange. We are also looking for a few volunteers to join the District RYE Committee as we work to grow the program. We'd like to sponsor more outbound students and host more students from other countries in both short term exchanges as well as the traditional 10-12 month exchanges. Please contact District Youth Exchange Chair Cindy Dooling or Database Admin. Jeanne Zetah if you'd like more information on becoming involved.
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Mexico-AZ Friendship ConferenceAnnual Arizona-Mexico Friendship Conference and Global Grant Exchange Scheduled The annual Mexico (D4185 in central Mexico) and Arizona (D5495 and D5500) Friendship Conference and Global Grant Exchange will be held in Zacatlan, Puebla, Mexico October 27 through November 1, 2022. Give and receive support on potential Global Grant projects; enjoy great fellowship, fun, and scenery; and celebrate Dia de Los Muertos. Here is a promotional slide presentation. Contact PDG Michael Drake for more information at 520-624-2488 or Michael@DrakeLawAz.com.
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World Polio Day 2022District 5500 To Hold Event Oct. 22 On Saturday, October 22, 2022 District 5500 will observe and celebrate World Polio Day, which is Monday, October 24, 2022. We will have a special program on Zoom from 9 am to 10:30 am Arizona time. (PDT, MST). The program will include a short history of the disease and Rotary’s pledge to eradicate it, an update on eradication efforts, and how we Rotarians in D5500 can help. A D5500 Rotarian polio survivor will tell his personal story. And we will recognize and honor members of the D5500 PolioPlus Society, 62 of whom have committed to give $100 per year to PolioPlus. Presented by your District Rotary Foundation Committee and PDG Michael Drake, PolioPlus Chair. You need to register so you will receive a Zoom invitation. If your club would like to hold its own event, the Tool Kit has ideas, templates, logos, press releases etc. Or you can join the World Polio Day program on the Rotary International Facebook page to watch with other end polio supporters. Global health experts and partners will share our progress on the road to polio eradication. |
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Statement on Racism from Rotary International |
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Online Grant Management TrainingD5500 Grant Management Training Now Available OnlineDistrict 5500 is offering a new way for Rotarians to get grant management training. The webinar format used for the past few years has been replace with online learning courses. In order for a club to qualify to apply for any Rotary Foundation grant, including District Grants, at least two members of the club must successfully complete the 3 courses. |
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PEOPLE OF ACTION |
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Supporting the Rotary Foundation |
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District 5500 Rotary Literacy
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