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We have great clubs and members!
We have active, engaged school and community-based youth clubs!
We do international service projects!
We do community service projects!
We fight to eradicate polio!
We have great fundraising projects!
Give the Gift of Rotary
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
Rotary is for Everyone! You Belong Here!
Rotary International is a global network of community volunteers with members, known as Rotarians, who work together to create positive change in their communities and around the world.
Rotary District 5500 (D5500) is made up of more than 50 Rotary Clubs in Southern Arizona, where our members put service above self. Our 1,500 members are leading and partnering on projects that create lasting local and global community change. Our D5500 members come to Rotary to serve. They stay for the friendships and relationships they build.
Learn more about joining Rotary
Rotary Youth
Rotary is not just for older adults!Β We have Interact Clubs for ages 12-18 in middle schools, high schools and Boys & Girls Clubs.Β We also have Rotaract Clubs for ages 18 and up in colleges and universities, and community-based, too!
Submit Your Club's Upcoming Events!
Let us help you spread the word about your club’s upcoming events, projects or fundraisers in IMPACT! Complete this IMPACT! Submission Form and return to [email protected] by Friday for the following week’s newsletter. Include your photo or graphic as a separate attachment as a jpg or png file.
WHAT ABOUT PAST PROJECTS & FUNDRAISERS?
We’ll feature them in our Rotary in Action Quarterly. The deadline for the next issue (September) is August 10, 2024.Β Here’s the Rotary in Action Submission Form to complete and return to [email protected].
About Rotary District 5500
Service Above Self
Rotarians at the 1911 convention embraced an early version of our primary motto, Service Above Self. They also adopted an early version of our secondary motto, One Profits Most Who Serves Best.Β
NOTE:Β This website is still in development, so please report any errors, omissions or problems to [email protected].Β Thanks!
Rotaract and Rotary Clubs
Number of Members
News & Information
December is Disease Prevention & Treatment Month
Rotaryβs Commitment to Disease Prevention and Treatment
Rotary is dedicated to fighting and preventing disease, with Disease Prevention and Treatment being one of its Seven Areas of Focus. Disease and illness not only cause pain and suffering but can also lead to prolonged hardship, including loss of employment and income. These challenges affect families and diminish the overall quality of life.
Rotary and Rotarians are committed to helping people live healthier lives. Our signature project in this area is the global effort to eradicate polio. However, Rotary's impact extends far beyond polio.
A notable example of this commitment is the Tubac Rotary Club's partnership with the St. Andrewβs Childrenβs Clinic in Nogales, Arizona. Every month, the club supports the clinicβs efforts to provide essential healthcare services to families from Mexico. Their work is truly remarkable. Additionally, the club has applied for a Global Grant to expand the clinicβs annual cleft palate surgery program in Hermosillo, Mexico, further enhancing their impact.
Over the years, Rotarians in District 5500 have made significant contributions to public health. These include providing fresh drinking water and building sanitation facilities for schools, delivering healthcare services, distributing wheelchairs, immunizing children, and testing students for diabetes. They have also supported medical and dental clinics, working alongside healthcare professionals to improve lives.
The Rotary Foundation Weekly Message: What Kind of Memorial and Tribute Gifts Are Possible?
You can honor a loved one in a meaningful way with a contribution to The Rotary Foundation that helps sustain our efforts around the world.
The easiest way is to start at rotary.org/donate and select the option to make a donation in honor or in memory of someone. You can contribute to the Annual Fund-SHARE, the World Fund, the Endowment, PolioPlus, the Disaster Response Fund, a specific area of focus, or a global grant.
As the donor, youβll receive gift credit and a tax receipt (where applicable). The person youβre honoring, or their family, can be notified of your gift by email, or you can choose to print a notification and deliver it yourself.
Consider making a gift to the Foundation today to honor someone you love.
Empower Yourself: Utilize a Tax Credit to Support Those in Need
The Rotary Vocational Fund Needs Your Support
As members of Rotary, we are presented with a significant opportunity through The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA). The Board of TRVFA strongly urges every Rotarian and Arizona taxpayer in our district to take advantage of the Arizona Credit for Contributions to Qualified Charitable Organizations by donating to TRVFA.
Single taxpayers may claim a tax credit for contributions up to $470.00, while married couples filing jointly may claim up to $938.00.
The Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO) Code for TRVFA is 20698.
Eligible applicants for assistance are Arizona residents who meet designated low-income criteria and successfully pass a screening interview conducted by a local Rotary club. Your generous donation has the potential to not only transform individual lives but also to support those who depend on them.
Help Us Empower Others to Help Themselves
Donations typically experience a notable increase as the tax filing deadline approaches. During the Rotary year ending on June 30, total contributions to TRVFA amounted to $250,376, falling short of our record high of $278,529. Our objective remains set at $350,000 for the current year. We awarded an unprecedented $311,346 in grants, with a significant number of recipients pursuing careers as Certified Nursing Assistants (38%), CDL Truck Drivers (18%), and Nurses (11%).
Would Your Club Like a Presentation on TRVFA?
Several Rotarians within our district are prepared and willing to provide this service. Please notify us, and we will arrange for your club to be included in the schedule. To learn more about TRVFA, please visit trvfa.org. The mailing address for TRVFA is PO Box 14412, Scottsdale, AZ 85267.
National research indicates a 16% increase in participation in vocational studies. All Rotarians should engage in this effort.
Peace Pole Celebration December 12th
The Kino and Sunset Rotary Clubs have donated two Peace Poles to the International School for Peace and Saint Francis.
One Peace Pole will be installed in the front courtyard, while a smaller, portable Peace Pole will be shared between the two organizations.
A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, December 12th, beginning at 2:15pm. Kindergarten students at the International School for Peace for the upcoming academic year will attend this ceremony accompanied by their teacher. Parents will receive further details regarding the event.
All other students are encouraged to attend with a parent or designated caregiver.
https://internationalschoolforpeace.com
Rotary District 5500-Wide Happy Hour
Every 3rd Friday, starting December 20th
All Rotarians are invited to join us for a District-wide Happy Hour, hosted by the Rotary Club of Oro Valley.
The Happy Hour will be held at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort on 245 E Ina Rd, in the Palm Room from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, starting on Friday, December 20th.
This Happy Hour will be held at the same place and at the same time on the 3rd Friday of each month. Your guests can also be included.
Any Rotarian attending will also be given a 20% discount card for all current and future meals and drinks for + 9 guests at Westward Look!
Please join us!
Casa Grande Rotary: Denim & Diamonds Fundraiser
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Steal These Graphics
District 5500 Peacebuilders Network Zoom Meeting
Wednesday, December 11, 6:00 pm on Zoom
βThe War That Never Endedβ
Our December meeting features a presentation by Angel Pilato, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), PhD. Her story, βThe War That Never Ended,β will focus on UXO (Unexploded ordnance) in Laos that are still as deadly today as they were 50 years ago.
Even though there are millions of UXO still in Vietnam and Cambodia, Pilato selected Laos because it was the most heavily bombed country per capita in the world. On a more personal note, Angel reported that a lot of the pilots from her base were shot down and killed in Laos.
These unexploded UXO remain active after 50+ years and it may take 100 years to ever see the land totally free of them. It will be a fascinating story and Angel is fully committed to the removal of UXO in Laos that remain deadly, especially to children.
Dr. Angel Pilato, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, was the first woman assigned to manage an Officersβ Club and the first and only woman to run an O-Club on a fighter pilot base in a war zone. Her memoir, Angelβs Truck Stop: A Womanβs Love, Laughter, and Loss during the Vietnam War, highlights some of the challenges, conflicts and choices she confronted.
Retiring from management and academic positions, Pilato continues to advocate with The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) to remove the UXO from Laos. Angel has a private pilotβs license, is a former Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, a life member of The Red River Vally Fighter Pilots Association called the River Rats, and is involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
Please invite other members and friends to this special presentation. We also encourage you to share any peace projects your club is doing or ideas about peace programs with other members during the Zoom meeting.
Questions? Please text Ellie Patterson at 520-360-7181.
Click here to join Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 823 8671 1638
Passcode: 668208
Be a Part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Team
Whatβs new in the Rotary Youth Exchange?
Do you want to be a part of one of the most exciting and rewarding programs in Rotary? Do you know about the short-term options for students? Do you want to find out why and how youth exchange students impact lives and create worldwide families?
How can you belong to a group of Rotarians that make a most memorable year in the life of an exchange student? Your passion, expertise or great ideas are needed to ensure the program grows and thrives. We can use help with marketing, recruiting and coordinating
Contact Cindy Dooling at [email protected] for details and more information!
Rotary District 5500
Rotary brings together leaders who build friendships, exchange ideas and take action in their communities. Join us!
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NEW COURSE!
Get Ready: Club Learning Facilitator will help set you up for success to serve in this role. Learn about your responsibilities as a club learning facilitator, such as developing your clubβs learning plan, motivating club leaders to attend learning events, and creating skill-based learning opportunities for members.
This course is currently available in English, with additional languages coming soon.
my.rotary.org/learn?deep-link=https%3A//learn.rotary.org/members/learn/course/internal/view/elear...
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Take the Power of Giving course to learn how your donations to The Rotary Foundation impact communities around the world.
my.rotary.org/learn?deep-link=https%3A//learn.rotary.org/members/learn/course/internal/view/elear...
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Are you new to Rotary? Take the New Member Basics courses to learn more.
Visit rotary.org/learn for the first time on a desktop or laptop. Once you have an account, you can access the Learning Center on a mobile device.
Select View courses about Rotary to get to this course series.
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Saturday Dec. 7th Barnes and Noble on the East - Broadway location
Angel Heart Pajama Project
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Tucson Sunset Rotary Club service project at Gospel Rescue Mission. Jerry Jordan, PDG Diane Ventura-Goodyear, Kevin Hamlin (organizer)Laura Ziady and Dr. Gordon Goodyear ... See MoreSee Less
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Tucson Sunset Rotary Club exhibited the spirit of Service Above Self with a Thanksgiving food distribution project at Gospel Rescue Mission.
Each club member volunteered for 3 hours handing out food to those in need.
Over 2300 meals were served and 843 food boxes were distributed.
This is truly Rotary at work.
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Photos from Rotary International's post ... See MoreSee Less
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A Thanksgiving Message from DG Sue:
As Rotarians of District 5500, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the impact of our service and the blessings we share. From local initiatives to global projects, your commitment to Service Above Self transforms lives and brings hope to communities near and far. This season, let us celebrate the power of unity and the privilege of making a difference.
We are thankful for the gift of fellowship that connects us, the opportunity to serve those in need, and the trust of the communities we uplift. Through clean water projects, literacy programs, and countless acts of kindness, we exemplify Rotaryβs values and leave a legacy of goodwill.
Gratitude for these opportunities inspires us to do even more.
As we gather with family and friends, let us recommit to the Four-Way Test, ensuring our actions build goodwill and benefit all concerned. May this Thanksgiving season renew our purpose and strengthen our resolve to create a brighter future for all. Thank you for your dedication and the
impact you make every day.
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At the Ride to End Polioβs pre-ride dinner, our Rotary Youth Exchange student from Japan, Kaoru, gave a great presentation. He talked about - and showed slides of - his life in Japan, his time in Arizona (so far), and the goals he has for his year with us.
One goal was to ride in El Tour de Tucson with the Rotary team.
Itβs so uplifting to see the positive impact Rotaryβs Youth Exchange program can make in a young personβs life.
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Congratulations and bravo to all the Rotarians who participated in the Ride to End Polio during El Tour de Tucson this past weekend. Your dedication, energy and generous hearts are helping to eradicate polio worldwide. π π π π π π ... See MoreSee Less
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AVENUES OF SERVICE
We channel our commitment to service through five avenues, which are the foundation of club activity.
Club
Service
A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
Vocational Service
Rotarians work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.
Community Service
We find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.
International Service
We promote peace & understanding globally by sponsoring or volunteering on projects around the world.
Youth
Service
Rotarians work to empower young people through leadership development programs, encouraging the next generation of leaders.