It is May. Most of us have had our COVID vaccinations and we are opening up a bit. Clubs are meeting in person. Hopefully we are starting to get out and see friends and family I want to invite every Rotarian in the district to our District Conference on June 26, 2021, we will begin with brunch at 10:30 A.M. and finish after a good lunch and speaker at 4:00. This will be a chance for us to reconnect and reset. The year of the pandemic took its toll on individuals, businesses, and organizations all over the world. Rotarians have done an excellent job of keeping their projects and good works going under less than ideal conditions. However, I would be minimizing the problem if I pretended that Rotary has felt the same since March of 2020. We long to be together. This District Conference is designed to help us reconnect, recharge, and enjoy the company of fellow Rotarians. There will be no training, and our business meeting will be efficient and short. We will have two excellent speakers. We will hear from our 4 Way Test contest winners. We will remember Rotarians who have passed away. We will honor our presidents. We will honor our centennial clubs. We will pass the title of District Governor from me to Steve Wilder. We will have two delicious meals and plenty of opportunities to visit and catch up. Please to make plans to join us. I am anxious to see all of you and reconnect.

 

 

Your Club Presidents, Presidents-elect, and Foundation Chairs have been emailed information about our upcoming 2021-22 Local Foundation Grants. This current year, 30 Rotary Clubs in our District shared $51,750.00 providing funds for their communities (see below). Applications are below.

 

2021-22 Local Grant applications are due by May 15^th (http://www.rotary6650.org/application.pdf).

 

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.

 

 

 

I cannot believe it is already May!

 

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 now open! Before May 7, the cost to register is only $49. After that, it goes up to $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