Posted by Peter Ewing MD District Governor 2014-2015, pmjewing@earthlink.net
Rotary began as an organization promoting business connection and fellowship. Quickly it was realized that an organization serving only to develop business networks and acquaintances would not long survive, Soon, service was added and became Rotary’s central focus. Service to others, to our communities and to communities of the world as exemplified in our motto “ Service above Self”. It is the fourth Object of Rotary that highlights “The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service."
Every project and program of Rotary is a vehicle for advancing peace, goodwill and understanding. Rotarians and Rotary clubs work to help people improve their lives through partnering on projects in the six areas of focus. It is these projects that allow us to realize and respect the differences that exist within the “Family of Man”. By really listening to those we wish to serve we learn what will really help them and we grow to understand each other. Our Youth programs offer us the opportunity to help our young understand the breadth of human experience that exists in the world. We learn that people often look at life differently than we. Programs such as Ambassadorial Scholarships, World Peace Fellowships and Group Study Exchanges promote our understanding of people and cultures. The family of Rotary is a kaleidoscope of colors, beliefs, ideas and realities that mirrors the world we work to serve.
Past RI President, John Kinney, said, “The bedrock upon which Rotary is built is our commitment to ethical behavior.” And Paul Harris suggested that the bricks from which Rotary is built are fellowship and service. But the mortar that holds it all together is TOLERANCE. It is only through understanding AND tolerance that we will achieve world peace.
Let us celebrate what Rotary is and stands for during this month of Rotary’s 110th Birthday!
Posted by Carol Carper, Evergreen, ccarper1337@gmail.com
Water, Sanitation and Flood Recovery: Mitigation, Scalability and Community Development
This year’s 3rd Annual Water Conference on February 14th, organized by Rotary District 5450 Water and Sanitation Service Resource Committee, is a one-day conference that brings together experts in the field of health, hygiene, water, and sanitation. The conference is designed to broaden collaboration between Rotary, Educational institutions, and local and international WASH practitioners.
Keynote speakers include notables such as Erica Gwynn, Steve Werner, Mike Smith, and Dr. Peter Van Arsdale. Registration is now open for the conference that will be held at Red Rocks Community College.
Posted by Peter Ewing MD District Governor 2014-2015, pmjewing@earthlink.net
Points Match Announced
As I reported during the Mid Year Presidents meeting, our Rotarians are being very generous this year. We are now nearly sixty percent through the Rotary year. DGE Kevin O’Connell has just returned from International Assembly and heard the inspiring presentation of RIPE Ravi Ravindran of next year’s Rotary Theme, “Be a Friend to the World”!
I have been honored to attend two club meetings to recognize incredible generosity and a third visit is needed. Three significant contributions have been made, two to the Endowment Fund of the Rotary Foundation and another to the Polio Plus fund. Individual donations from our Rotarians to the Polio Plus Fund are already beyond the goal our clubs set for the year and will likely reach over $100,000. Our Annual Fund donations are also moving forward very well and we may even reach the goal I set for our District, $550,000. To date we are at $276,896.46.
Each year the members of Rotary eClub One, an international, internet-based Rotary club, get to meet face-to-face at our annual dinner. This year we are excited to return to the city of the Rotary club that sponsored us, Boulder Colorado! The dinner will be held on Wednesday, April 29th and we would love to meet our fellow Rotarians for dinner at the Hotel Boulderado! Please click on the link to order your tickets today!
Posted by Debi Bush, D5450 Membership Chair and Denver Cherry Creek Rotary membership@rotary5450.org
Flexibility Is The Name Of The Membership Game
Every so often the question of virtual Rotary meetings comes up by potential members. Rotary understands that it has to accommodate individual needs and not force potential members into the meeting structure that has been in place for more than a century.
Enter eClub One in our own District 5450! The President Elect for eClub One, Emmanuel, has this to share with all of us so we can understand the beauty of eClub One and how this club forged the way for continued flexibility within Rotary. There are lessons to be learned that can be applied to “terra” Rotary clubs as Emmanuel refers to them.
A club that grew by more than 20% and is keeping his members.
Posted by Sue Fox (Denver) Rotary-Peace Corps Alliance Committee, vodkatonic@comcast.net
Volunteers Needed for March 2015 Library Renovations
Carl Dickerson is a member of the Cantonment Rotary Club in Florida and honorary member of the San Jose Rotary Club in Costa Rica, and program director of Give-A-Book. Carl is trying to help a Peace Corps Volunteer to get Rotarians, Interactors, Rotaractors or others to participate in two mission teams in March to assist in the renovation of a library in the Costa Rica community where the Peace Corps Volunteer serves. The notice is short because it was only recently that the Peace Corps Volunteer obtained a grant from Peace Corps for the construction costs.
Give-A-Book has partnered with Rotary District 4240 with many literacy projects over the years that involved collaboration with Peace Corps Volunteers, especially in Costa Rica and El Salvador. Most of the projects involved providing books to schools and community libraries where the Volunteers were serving. The signing of the Official Peace Corps-Rotary agreement encouraged the District to continue and strengthen their Peace Corps/Rotary collaboration in Costa Rica.
Anyone interested should correspond directly with Carl atcarldickerson55@gmail.com. Please also letSue Fox, District Chair of the Rotary-Peace Corps Alliance Committee, know of your interest as well.
Every year our Rotarians are encouraged to donate to the Foundation SHARE program so that in three years, money is available to match our club’s grant proposals, district and global. But each year some grants go unfunded because of inadequate SHARE funds donated. LET’S HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM!
Last year we had a Paul Harris Society Challenge which resulted in 178 Paul Harris Society charter members, Rotarians who pledge to donate at least $1,000 every year to the Annual Fund as long as possible. That has resulted in a base for our yearly Annual Fund contributions. This year we are encouraging EVERY Rotarian to donate to the annual fund and are using a points match to promote that effort.
Posted by Chad Stamm (Boulder) rotary@chadstamm.com
Know the Requirements for One-On-One Situations!
The attached flyer gives a step-by-step for any Rotarian working with protected persons, including RYLA, YRYLA and Rotary Youth Exchange. Make sure you are in compliance with District 5450's Abuse & Harassment Prevention Policy.
Posted by Kim DeCoste (Denver Southeast) kim@decosteassociates.com
Save the Date! April 18, 2015
The 9th Annual Veteran's Appreciation Breakfast is coming on April 18, 2015 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum:
Organized by Denver Area Rotary Clubs & Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (COESGR) and Co-hosted by Denver Southeast Rotary & COESGR
Free hot breakfast for the first 500 Veterans who register.
The program is from 8:30-10:00 and features Navy SEAL John Choate & Arlington Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Sentinel, Thomas Tudor
There is also a Success Fair for Veterans from 10:00 -12:00.
Honorary Chairs: Senators Hank Brown, Michael Bennett, and Corey Gardner, and Congressman Mike Coffman Master of Ceremonies: Marty Coniglio, 9News
Posted by Dan V. Clark, Commerce City, danvclark@gmail.com
Applicants For World Peace Fellowships Being Sought
The Rotary Foundation explains, “Candidates for Rotary World Peace Fellowships should have proven leadership abilities in addition to the academic, volunteer and at least three years professional experience that demonstrates a commitment to peace and conflict resolution.” There are two separate programs available.
1) Up to 60 applicants are selected annually for a two year Master’s Degree Program at one of the six Rotary Centers for International Studies. Selected USA scholars may not attend USA universities.
2) Up to 25 applicants are selected to study at the Rotary Center - Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand for one three month program beginning in either January or July.
The attached reportshows year-to-date giving to The Rotary Foundation and End Polio by club, and per member. The District 5450 goal is for Every Rotarian to give somethingEvery Year (EREY).