banner
FEBRUARY 2016
REFLECTIONS - LOOKING FORWARD
 
We are a little past the middle of our 2015-2016 Rotary year. Let us reflect on our accomplishments and look forward to new horizons.
 
Reflecting on the recent President's Dinner January 9th, I think all who attended would agree that it was a wonderful success. Rl President K.R. (Ravi) Ravindran's visit to 5450 was January 8th and 9th. The dinner was held at the Denver South Marriott and was sold out with 540 attendees!  PDG Dan Himelspach, with the assistance of Operations Manager Bev Mendel, and decorations by Dan's wife Leslie Lawson, helped to make the evening memorable. RIP Ravi delivered a powerful speech on polio eradication.  As many of us know, the event also served as a fundraiser for polio plus and resulted in over $35,000 being raised towards Rotary's goal of polio eradication!!!
 
Earlier in the day, RIP Ravi attended presentations on our District's involvement in RYLA (including RYLA plus); our Rotary Community Corp sponsored by the Rotary Club of Parker; and the Peaceful Schools Program. RYLA, RCC, and Peaceful School participants did a fine job of describing their experiences (a few photos of the groups is included herein). President Ravindran was impressed by our District's involvement in these areas and had questions which the participants aptly answered.
 
Yes, we have reason to be proud of our accomplishments this past six months, but certainly there is much left to do. Let us all review this years' Club goals and determine how to reach them looking forward to June 30, 2016.
 
Surely increased District membership and retention has been one of my goals. Sad for me to report that our District membership slipped at the end of 2015. At the start of this Rotary Year our membership numbered 3,086. We rose in the ensuing months to 3,116 and have dropped to 3,053 as of December 31, 2015. As we look forward let us all be reminded that each and every one of us is a member of the Membership Committee.  Membership is each Rotarian's responsibility.
 
On a positive note, our Clubs have added four new Interact Clubs since July! How wonderful to be supporting and mentoring our youth. The Peaceful Schools Program is growing and RYLA is at capacity. We do so much - let us review our goals for this Rotary Year and determine how to reach and surpass them by June 30, 2016.  BE A GIFT TO THE WORLD AND SHARE ROTARY WITH OTHERS!
 
ANNOUNCING THE DISTRICT LITERACY CONFERENCE: LITERACY IS POWER!
 
February 27, 2016  |  8:30 am - 3:00 pm 
 
Don’t miss this District Literacy Conference!  Our focus will be on new perspectives about how literacy skills change lives, in Colorado and around the world. We will have exciting speakers from  for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the morning and will be sharing club initiatives in the afternoon.  It will be a great opportunity to learn about what other clubs are doing, both locally and abroad, as well as learn about potential partner organizations in the community. Click here to learn more about the program and to register. Space is limited so don’t delay.  Light breakfast and lunch will be served.
 
If your club wants to pitch its literacy initiatives in the afternoon session, please contact Karen Loeb at kcloeb@gmail.com or call 303-796-7960.
 
KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS OPEN
 
"All in the Family"
 
As part of our ongoing discussions about growing membership (i.e. attracting) and engaging existing Rotarians (of which retention is a by-product), we continue to talk about flexibility. One aspect that is frequently inquired about is types of memberships. There used to be Active, Senior Active and Honorary. In its desire (and ours) to simplify, Rotary now has two designations: Active and Honorary.
 
How can we attract more Active members? Well, one concept is that of spousal or family memberships. Several clubs in our District have couples who are both full-fledged, dues paying members. Our own DG Mary Kay’s club, Highlands Ranch, has six couples. That’s keeping Rotary “all in the family” and a way to perpetuate service and community. When asked to provide some testimonial stories about having a spousal membership, the Highlands Ranch club provided the following:
Read more...
CELEBRATE YOUR HARD WORK!
Join us at Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge to celebrate all of your Club's accomplishments at the 2016 District 5450 Conference.
 
April 22 - 24  |  Be a Gift to the World - Lead with Your Heart
 
Al la Carte Registration Options
Discount for First-Time Attendees (full conference only)
 
 
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
 
One year ago, our District began an ambitious pledge drive to raise one million dollars in pledges to the Rotary Foundation’s Endowment Fund. The Rotary Foundation is a two-sided organization. The Annual side includes monies donated by Rotarians each year. This includes monies donated to the Annual Fund, The Polio Plus Fund, and Grant Proposals from clubs. From these donations, an individual becomes a Paul Harris Fellow and a Major Donor.
 
The Rotary Foundation’s Endowment (formerly Permanent Fund) helps fund projects and programs of Rotary with the income generated. Anyone, who pledges $10,000 or more to the Endowment, becomes a Bequest Society member. Our district began this pledge drive with 134 Bequest Society members. Once completed, we had added 56 new Bequest Society members and another 7 who increased the level of their previous pledge. In total we had 63 individuals or couples making pledges, which resulted in a total of $2.22 MILLION dollars benefiting the Endowment.
 
Read more...
GEORGE MAYBEE, COMMERCE CITY ROTARIAN RECEIVES SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD
 
Each year Rotary International accepts nominations for the Service Above Self Award, which is the highest award Rl can bestow upon a Rotarian.
 
Since 1992, the RI Service Above Self Award has honored Rotarians who demonstrate exemplary humanitarian service and embody the motto of Service Above Self.  This award recognizes Rotarians for their humanitarian service.
 
 
George was nominated not only by our District 5450 District Governor, but also by DG Jennie Herring District 9920, Australia, for George's humanitarian work in Christmas Island. The award was presented to George by RIP Ravindran, DG Mary Kay Hasz and DG Jennie Herring.
 
George and his Rotarian wife, Sharon have spent years  assisting the people of Christmas Island as well as citizens of Mongolia  and are currently involved in Commerce City Rotary Clubs' mental health initiative. Congratulations George!!!
 
CONNECTIONS AMONG CLUBS ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES
 
PR Tips n’ Tricks!
 
Over the past few months, we have received quite a few questions about how to connect with the District Facebook page, website, and newsletter.  Here are those instructions.  You can always get to it through a new “hot link” on the District PR page.
 
Recently the Executive Committee expanded the purpose of the District’s Facebook page, District website, and monthly District Newsletter to include options for clubs to share activities and opportunities.  It is meant to facilitate sharing among clubs, and is not open to private organizations or individuals wanting to gain access to our membership.  Following are guidelines for how to use Facebook, the District website, and the monthly District Newsletter.
Read more...
WASH SYMPOSIUM - MARCH 19, 2016
 
Introduction to the new D5450/5440 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) strategy.  Understand the challenges of providing adequate facilities, dealing with unhygienic schools high youth employment, and gaining Rotary support.  Learn about the strategy, monitoring and evaluation.  
 
Who Should Attend:  If you are interested in WASH projects you should not miss this event.  Metropolitan Stare University of Denver.  Register NOW!
 
Participant Takeaways:  Attendees should finish the day better equipped to create more effective and Sustainable WASH projects and identify potential partnerships with other institutions. 
 
 
COLLABORATING FOR MENTAL WELLNESS
 
In August, 2011, my son was institutionalized due to serious mental health issues. I had recently become president of Boulder Valley Rotary and decided to share our family’s experience with our club. Mental health issues, especially on a personal level, had rarely been openly discussed. I was totally amazed how many members offered their support and shared their stories about their friends, loved ones and themselves. 
 
Traditionally, our club commits to a 3 year focus on one area of community service. This allows us to develop long-term relationships with community organizations and commit to multi-year projects.  In early 2013, we committed to focus on mental health projects for the next 3 years.
 Janeen (center) the first graduate, poses with Jessica and Ezra, leaders of the Chinook Cooks training program.
 
Read more...
KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS OPEN, PART 2
 
Developing Young Leaders
 
Another membership option alluded to in the other membership article in this month’s district newsletter is that of the Corporate Membership. It has been around for years in Rotary and some of our local clubs have implemented the corporate membership in some form or fashion.  In years past, many employers (especially larger organizations) would subsidize an employee’s dues for Rotary. That seems to be happening less frequently and probably started with the recession of 2008.
 
Your club and members will want to have a conversation about the framework for a corporate membership. As with other types of membership, a club has the flexibility for determining how it would work. Over the past 18 months, more clubs have inquired about corporate memberships so there is an interest as a way to attract more Rotarians and deliver a value proposition to prospective members and their employers.
Read more...
LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT
 
Charter Celebration
 
On November 12, 2015, Lakewood High School was the site for the Charter Celebration of the newly formed Interact Club of Lakewood High School. Some sixty people attended this event, including the 15 LHS students who were being recognized as the charter members of the club, plus their parents, their faculty advisor Ms. Sheila Kitt, School Principal Ms. Lisa Ritchey, and School Activities Director Ms. Anna Allen.
 
Representing Lakewood Rotary, the sponsoring club, were some 35 member and their spouses, and a number of dignitaries from Rotary District 5450 who gave keynote addresses. All were there to honor the members of this new club at Lakewood High School.
Read more...
CRUTCHES 4 AFRICA: NAKURU, KENYA
 
To all of you that helped collect mobility devices and then load everything into the container, distribution has begun!  We were recently in Nakuru where to our surprise there were big goings on around the arrival of the container!  There was an "opening" celebration with dancing and speeches.  The governor himself was there to preside over the event.  (Kenya has counties like we have states, it was that kind of governor). 
 
We had rain most every day making transport and distribution a challenge, but we got a lot done!  Each day we had opportunity to distribute at 2 or 3 locations as well as to the folks that found their way to our container every morning seeking mobility.  You see, each day we had to select mobility devices that were to go to the sites ahead of us, so we spent the early part of the day working in the container.  Often interrupted by those in need.
 
Interrupted may not be the right word... to give someone the gift of mobility is a delight!  All too soon it was time for us to head back home to D5450.  About 2/3's of the container remaining to be distributed, it was left in good hands and a solid distribution schedule put into place.  We are adding photos every day to the Crutches 4 Africa web site, please check in to see what you, we, us, have accomplished.  www.crutches4africa.org  the international project of Mountain Foothills Rotary Club.  David Talbot, proud Rotarian.
 
 
DENVER NUGGETS VS. BROOKLYN NETS
 
 
 
District 5450 Fundraiser Night
 
Friday, March 4  |  7:00 pm  |  Pepsi Center
 
 
To purchase tickets as a large club contact Rachel Ekanger: 303.405.1693
RI CONVENTION IN SEOUL KOREA

 

In 2016, Rotary International will be holding the International Convention in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK). The current projection is the meeting might exceed the current record attendance, which was in Osaka, Japan in 2004 and was 43,381. We are hoping to top 45,000 this coming year.

Rotarian Jim McGibney, Club 31, was appointed in 2011 to the position of Honorary Consul to the Republic of Korea in Colorado, and has worked to promote the relationship between Colorado and the ROK. The focus has been on Visa's, Driver license exchange, visiting Executives and much more.

For those that are interested in Seoul and Korea, Jim has developed a 30 minute program that he presented to the Rotary Club of Fort Collins and to the Denver Rotary Club. He is scheduled to give that program in Steamboat Springs in November.

If you have an interest or any questions on the program, please feel free to contact jim at jmcgibney@earthlink.net or by phone at 303-888-3689.  You can also watch a great (short) You Tube video for the convention at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbeRjRF-x0E. 

°¨»çÇÕ´Ï´Ù.     (Thank you)

 

In addition, members and guests of District 5450 are invited to the Rotary eClub One annual meeting in Seoul.  All the details can be found at https://rotaryeclubone.org/about/joinusinseoul/.

 

 

ANNUAL CLUB GIVING 01.31.16
 
The attached report shows year-to-date giving to The Rotary Foundation and End Polio by club, and per capita.  The District 5450 goal is for Every Rotarian to give something Every Year (EREY).
 

Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage
 
 

 
Rotary District 5450 - Colorado, USA
Submit Articles by the 25th of the Month to:  office@rotary5450.org