By this time next month Steve Wilder will be your District Governor and I will take on the title of PDG or Past District Governor. It is a very distinguished title, and one that I will treasure. However, I am leaving the office of District Governor confident that we are all in good hands. Steve Wilder is a competent and caring person who is more than ready to lead us. Michelle Charles and Rich Tirpak are both leaders that I respect and admire. As they come up through the District Governor Line, we will all be better for their leadership.

 

As I reflect on the events of the last year, I cannot help but be amazed at all we have accomplished. Our presidents, committee chairs, and members have kept the work of Rotary going against all odds. Not one Rotary Club in our district used the pandemic as an excuse to not get work done. Fundraisers were modified and continued to happen. Scholarships were given; food banks were supported; American flags went up; and projects were completed. Global Grants and District Grants were written and implemented. Our Youth Programs continued to function, on-line when possible, and others are ready to accept young people as soon as it is safe. Our Foundation giving was phenomenal, and we significantly increased our Paul Harris Society Membership this year.

 

I hope all of you will come to our District Conference and celebrate all we have accomplished. It has been a long time since we have been able to be together.

 

Finally, I want to tell you that it has been an honor and a pleasure to be your District Governor this past year. I look forward to the future and supporting Steve, Michelle, and Rich as we grow and serve.

 

We had 32 clubs submit local grant requests for the $40,000 or so grant funds available to our district this upcoming Rotary year. That is the highest number ever to submit projects. The District Rotary Foundation Committee will review these requests and notify clubs by the end of June. Checks usually arrive in August or early September.

 

Please note, final reports from last year’s project are due by June 15, and funds will not be given to clubs who have not submitted their reports (interim reports are acceptable).

 

2020-21 Final Local Grant reports are due by June 15^th (http://www.rotary6650.org/FinalReport.pdf).

 

 

 

A few years ago, our District supported a Rotary Global Grant to provide a classroom-based library for elementary schools in Cam Lo, Quang Tri, Vietnam, under the oversight of PDG Sieglinde Warren and PDG Nguyen Do of D6600.

 

With that success, this past year Sieglinde and Do expanded the program to Trieu Phong District, QuangTri Province, Vietnam, with a target of 4131 children at 1st to 3rd grade levels, 2722 children at 4th to 5th grade levels, and 380 education managers, teachers, and librarians.

 

Now, the District Rotary Foundation Board has agreed to support a new Rotary Global Grant project in Gio Linh district, Quang Tri Province, which will target of 2399 children at 4th and 5th grade levels this year and 3971 children at 1st to 3rd grade levels next year along with approximately 362 education managers, teachers, and librarians.

 

In rural areas of Vietnam, parents don’t have enough money to feed their children and pay for education, so it is rare to spend money on books. The funding provided to schools does not allow purchase of books for the students. The book is absolutely precious things for children.

 

These class-room libraries:

 

Thank you Sieglinde for helping our District to make difference in the world.

Have an idea for a Rotary Global Grant?  Please contact Dr. Peter Apicella, DRFC (Peter@salemrad.com), or Dr. Meena Patel (durdarshan@sssnet.com). The District has funds available, and we would love to provide guidance.

 

 

 

Welcome to June!

 

This is your LAST CHANCE to sign up for the Rotary International Convention.

The 2021 Virtual Convention will open innovative opportunities to learn and to engage with the family of Rotary, all around the world from the comfort of your own home.

 

Registration is open and the cost of the convention is just $65.

 

It is SUPER easy to register – just click here: About - 2021 Virtual Convention: Rotary Opens Opportunities (cvent.com)

 

The Convention is scheduled for June 12 – 16, 2021. You will be able to connect virtually with other Rotarians from around the world. The Convention will feature live discussions with Rotary leaders and other notable speakers. Join us virtually to explore how our digital network makes our global relationships more powerful.

 

 

I hope to “see” you at the Convention!

 

Yours in Rotary,

Michelle Charles, DGN
6650 Rotary Convention Chair