November brings to mind three key themes for me. Gratitude, Giving
and my Granny.
In The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life, author Janice Kaplan shows how focusing on gratitude can bring us real joy and fulfillment. Her bestselling book, based on her own experience and a survey by the John Templeton Foundation, reveals a surprising “gratitude gap.” While 94% of Americans believe grateful people lead happier fuller lives, less than half express gratitude regularly. The book’s message is simple but powerful, by noticing the good around us, even in small ways, we can lift our spirits, find more meaning, and live brighter lives.
On Giving. As Rotarians, we understand that while giving feels good, its deeper significance is bringing help to those in need. Nearly all donors, Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike, feel a moral duty to support others if they have the means. Generosity, however big or small, has the power to transform lives, including our own.
My Granny. Born in November of 1908 and lived until she was 101. Despite enduring many difficult losses and tragedies throughout her lifetime, she always modeled laughter, happiness, grace and generosity. She shared her love and admiration for simple things, morning-glories twisting up twine, digging potatoes out of the garden, cultivating close friendships, caring for family, simple celebrations of the holidays. Her legacy of kindness and positivity is a gift I cherish.
This November I encourage you to find gratitude in your daily life, consider giving a gift to the Rotary Foundation, and reflect on a special person that has made a positive affirming difference in your life. Practicing these three have the power to change us, to make us more thoughtful resilient people, and to cultivate within us a spirit of love, hope and contentment.
Yours in Rotary Friendship and Service,
DG Tamie
THE DISTRICT IS HERE FOR YOU
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE ROTARY?
You can. Here's how...Rotary may have one of the most democratic legislative system of any organization. It is a little clumsy and expensive, but very effective. Any Rotarian in the world can make a change in how Rotary International operates and change any part of the constitution or bylaws. The legislative body is called the Council on Legislation (COL). It meets every three years and is made up of one representative from all 500+ districts in the world. Click here to read more.
CELEBRATING OUR INTERACT CLUBS!
East High School Interact Club has been awarded a Significant Service Award by Rotary International. The Interact Club, sponsored by Denver Mile High, has been in existence for a few years and has accomplished significant service in a variety of areas. Additionally, Cimarron Middle School Interact Club gathered bedding for some 40+twin beds for the non-profit Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) for children in the area. Click here to read the full stories.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2025 RI CONVENTION
Early-Bird Pricing Ends December 15th
Calgary, Alberta, Canada | June 21-25, 2025
Registration is now open for next year’s Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada! Share ideas and inspire people at the 2025 Rotary International Convention! Do you have an idea or a project that you want to tell the wider Rotary community about? Breakout sessions at the Rotary International Convention can inspire participants, help them polish their leadership skills, and give them new ideas for projects, fundraising, strengthening membership, and more.
MLK MARADE: The 2025 MLK Marade festivities will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, which is a federal and state holiday commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Members of all Rotary clubs in District 5450 are invited to participate in the Marade and there will be a 4’X8’ banner in front of the group. All Rotarians are encouraged to wear a Rotary cap or baseball-type hat and to invite family members to come along.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE DENVER INDIAN CENTER
Since 2010, Rotary clubs in District 5450 have provided service and financial support at the Denver Indian Center, Inc. - existing to assist native Indians and residents of the Westwood area, located on Morrison Rd. in southwest Denver. Recently the DICI has employed Brian Heider to work with organizations, like Rotary, that would like to physically and financially support the work of the DICI. Brian has created a list for needed assistance - click here to read the full story, access Brian's contact information, and see where you/your club can help out!
FOLLOW THE DISTRICT ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!
Follow the District's Facebook page to get up-to-date news and information about interesting things happening in our District and in Rotary around the world.Please follow us:https://www.facebook.com/District5450Rotary/
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Colorado Early Colleges Castle Rock Interact/Young Rotary co-presidents Addie Bell and Maria Jose Miranda display their recently received 2023-2024 Ron Prascher award. This Interact club is sponsored by Castle Rock High Noon Rotary Club. The Young Rotarians just had a recruiting event at their school and more than doubled their membership!
Make sure to check out the CLUB EVENTS page and see all of the events happening around the District.
Post your story on your club's website or Facebook page, and then send the link to office@rotary5450.org.Doing so will give your club more exposure - readers will see the story on your club's site, which will let them know more about your club and members.
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
The Impact of Rotarians Giving to EREY:A Commitment to Service and Sustainability
As Rotarians, we often reflect on the profound impact our contributions have on communities both locally and globally. One of the key initiatives that exemplifies our commitment to service is the Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) program. This initiative encourages every Rotarian to contribute annually to The Rotary Foundation, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of our service projects.
Understanding EREY
EREY is not just about financial contributions; it's a call to action for every member of Rotary to engage in the mission of the Foundation. The concept is simple yet powerful: when every Rotarian gives, no matter how small the amount, we collectively create a significant impact. This consistent support fuels essential programs like PolioPlus, peace initiatives, and various community development projects worldwide.
The Power of Collective Giving
When we contribute to EREY, we are not only supporting the Foundation's work but also reinforcing the values of Rotary. Every dollar donated enhances our capacity to respond to urgent needs and invest in sustainable solutions. Contributions have funded clean water projects, education initiatives, and health care programs that change lives. The collective effort of Rotarians across the globe demonstrates our unwavering commitment to service.
The Spirit of Giving Tuesday
As we approach the end of the year, I want to highlight the importance of Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to generosity and giving back. This year, let’s make a special effort to align our Giving Tuesday contributions with the EREY initiative. It’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on our commitment to service and to encourage fellow Rotarians to contribute. Whether you’re considering a first-time donation or increasing your annual support, your participation on Giving Tuesday can help amplify our collective impact.
Personal Stories of Impact
Many Rotarians have shared how their contributions to EREY have personally impacted their communities. From funding local scholarships to supporting international disaster relief efforts, the stories are as diverse as our membership. I’ve heard from fellow Rotarians who have witnessed firsthand the transformation their contributions have brought—whether it’s helping to build a school or providing clean water to those in need. These stories highlight the tangible results of our giving and inspire others to participate.
Encouraging Participation
To foster a culture of giving, I encourage clubs to engage members by sharing success stories and emphasizing the importance of EREY and Giving Tuesday during meetings and events. Setting individual and club goals can motivate members to contribute, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Recognizing and celebrating contributions, no matter the size, reinforces the idea that every gift counts.
A Legacy of Service
Contributing to EREY is an investment in the future of Rotary and the communities we serve. As we approach the end of the Rotary year, let us reflect on our commitment to service and the legacy we want to leave behind. Every contribution strengthens our mission and ensures that we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
In the spirit of Rotary, I invite each of you to embrace the EREY initiative wholeheartedly, especially this Giving Tuesday. By giving annually, we affirm our commitment to the ideals of service, leadership, and fellowship that define our organization. Together, we can ensure that our impact is not only felt today but will also resonate for generations to come. Let’s make a collective commitment to EREY this Giving Tuesday and watch as our contributions create a ripple effect of positive change around the world.
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