Wonderful, fellow Rotarians! I am honored and ready to serve District 5450 and the incredible and active Rotary Clubs within.
As the start of a new Rotary year is upon us, I am energized by RI President Stephanie Urchick’s 2024-2025 presidential theme.
“The Magic of Rotary” is a theme that emphasizes the transformative power of Rotary’s work in communities around the world.
However enticing, instead of focusing on the glitter of “magic” in this theme, I believe an equally powerful word is “communities.”
Community is a word associated with our own individual clubs. Our sense of belonging, our Rotary family. The group of individuals that we share a kindship with, a common belief. Our belief in humanity and in “Service Above Self.”
Through our Rotary community we accomplish incredible work. Impactful programs and projects that alone, we could not do ourselves.
Whether serving a community close to home, or across the globe, our sense of community is at the heart of much of what we undertake as Rotarians.
I often comment that community happens when we do what we love together. When we know that we are part of something that makes life for others better, we make our own lives better too. That’s the magic of Rotary. That’s what makes Rotary irresistible!
Together, as we begin a new Rotary year, I hope to encourage each of you to truly feel the magic. “The Magic of Rotary” that resonates directly from our own hearts and Rotary communities, out into communities around the world.
$15 for Rotarians | $5 for Non-Rotarians & Rotaractors
See the film that sparks action...and what WE can do to Come Together to Nurture Common Good.
There here has been a steady membership decline in church, service, and community organizations and clubs since the 1960's. Science has shown we are better together than apart, both for the good of our community, democracy, and our own mental and physical health.
Join your fellow Rotarians to hear from keynote speakers, participate in a variety of breakout sessions, and visit exhibits in the House of Friendship. Registration includes a continental breakfast and buffet lunch. Only $50 per Rotarian or $10 per Rotaractor. REGISTER NOW!
THE DISTRICT IS HERE FOR YOU
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2025 RI CONVENTION
Calgary, Alberta, Canada | June 21-25, 2025
Registration is now open for next year’s Rotary International Convention is in Calgary, Canada! What a great way to get to interact with Rotarians around the world, learn from distinguished speakers, know The Rotary Foundation and all its programs and grants, and explore enlightening breakout sessions against the backdrop of Calgary's picturesque beauty nestled amid the Canadian Rockies. Experience the Magic All Around! Click Here for more information.
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES ROTARY ACTION GROUP
Rotarians for Mental Health (R4MH) is assisting with the creation of a District 5450 chapter of Rotary Action Group – Mental Health Initiatives (RAGMHI). Once the chapter is established, R4MH will be phased out. The chapter is required to have a board of directors with at least 5 members. If you are interested in learning more about the chapter or being involved as a member and/or director, please email Bill Farrow (whfarrow@outlook.com). Please note that directors will be working directors, taking ownership of the chapter’s goals and objectives. Click Here to Read More
AWARDS SCHEDULE UPDATE! Since the annual District Conference has been permanently moved to the fall, the awards schedule has been changed to the full prior Rotary year July 1 through June 30. Click Here to learn about all of the available Club, District and District Governor awards.
CO ROTARY LICENSE PLATES NOW AVAILABLE!
In order to obtain your license plate, your club secretary must sign the Membership Verification Form, which you must take the signed form to your local Department of Vehicles office. The cost will be about $65-70 depending on your county. You will need to turn in your current license plates at the time of your order, and you will be given temporary paper plates. Your new plates will be mailed to you in 2-6 weeks. Click here for the complete application process. Show your Rotary support - order your plates now!
JOIN THE DISTRICT'S ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY! Register now for only $5 per year!Let other Rotarians know how to reach you! http://rotary5450.business/
CLUB MEMBERSHIP & GIVING REPORT 06.10.2024- Click Here
CLUB CONNECTIONS
There are lots of Club activities this month! Make sure to check out the CLUB EVENTS page and see all of the events happening around the District. Examples include:
Golden, Aurora Gateway & Denver Cherry Creek Golf Tournaments
Conifer's ConiferFest
Denver Metro South Blood Drive
Five Points RiNo Pub Crawl
Denver Southeast Hops & Grapes
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
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
Welcome to an exciting new Rotary year!
My name is Mike Klingbiel, and I am honored to lead our District Foundation efforts this year. I am incredibly enthusiastic about collaborating with all our members and clubs once again. Together, I am confident we can effectively meet the needs of the communities we serve.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to David Willman for his exceptional leadership over the past five years. David has set a high standard of dedication and support for our District, and I am humbled to follow in his footsteps.
I'm pleased to share that many of our dedicated members continue serving on committees for the Foundation, ensuring continuity of service for the year ahead. Additionally, we have exciting opportunities for those interested in serving at the District level. If you're interested, please reach out to me at foundation@rotary5450.org.
Our recent Grants training was a resounding success with over 100 enthusiastic attendees reconnecting in person. Our team did an excellent job preparing members to pursue grants this year. Now, it's time for clubs to qualify by submitting the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) and IRS Form 990 showing good standing to office@rotary5450.org.You can find the MOU guidance here.
I'm thrilled to announce increased funding availability this year with over $100,000 for District grants and $284,000 for Global grants. These resources will empower our clubs to make even greater financial impacts on their projects.
Polio has been a challenge in the world this past month. We have had two new Polio cases, and one more new case of wild poliovirus caused paralysis —this time in Afghanistan. As Marny Eulberg our Zone 26 End Polio Now Coordinator and our District chair said “I have nothing else to say, except we must continue our fight until there are no more cases anywhere in the world. We must keep our promise to the children of the world to rid the earth of polio!!”
Finally, mark your calendars for February 1, 2025, for our Foundation Dinner at Wings Over the Rockies. We are honored to have Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick as our keynote speaker for this special event.
I look forward to an incredible year ahead. Until next month, take care and here's to a successful Rotary year!