Well it is February and the darkest days of the pandemic seem to be all around us as we hear staggering numbers of Covid cases and deaths. Doctors and nurses tell us they may have to ration care and they are suffering mental breakdowns because of the work they do. On top of everything else there is now a new, more contagious, mutation of the virus. So we need a little boost! First of all there is hope on the horizon. If you have not received your vaccination yet and don’t know where to turn call 211. You can talk to a real person and get the information you need. If you have the information you need, please get your Covid vaccination as soon as you are eligible. We want all Rotarians to be protected. Third, even if you get the vaccination, continue to wash your hands, social distance, and wear your mask. You still could carry the virus to someone else. We can beat this virus if we all work together. I want to encourage you to keep up the good work. Rotarians have been filling in gaps for food and other needs since last March. We can be proud of how we have responded to this terrible crisis. Don’t stop now when we are so close to the end. Keep looking for ways to help. Could you help direct traffic at mobile vaccination sites? Could you offer logistical help at indoor vaccination sites? Could your club offer rides to elderly folks who have no way to get to the vaccination site? There are plenty of possibilities. This month I have included some pictures of Rotarians having fun to remind us of our favorite part of Rotary. District 6650 Rotarians need to be united once again. For this reason I have moved District Conference to June 26, 2021. I want us to be able to get together and have a great time celebrating as we see out my District Governor year and welcome Steve Wilder as our new District Governor. We will all be able to laugh and talk together, even if we  can’t hug or shake hands yet. Let us look forward to that time as we “keep on keepin’ on.”

 

Dear President-Elect,

 

As you know, I will become District Governor on July 1, 2021. You will become President of your Rotary Club. What an exciting year we will have together!

 

As part of my preparation to be your District Governor, I am required to attend a final training known as International Assembly or (IA).

 

IA was supposed to take place in Orlando FL this year, with the 535 District Governors-Elect from all around the world coming together for this magnificent week-long event showcasing the work of Rotary across the globe. Well, we are not in Orlando this week as you might guess, but instead we are taking part in the first ever virtual International Assembly.

 

This event started today. The big reveal of the Rotary theme for 2021-2022 was made this morning. Rotary International President-Elect Shekhar Mehta broadcast his message from the JW Marriott Hotel in Aerocity New Delhi, India. His theme this year will be SERVE TO CHANGE LIVES.

 

Please join me in celebrating this great news!  We all look forward to a deluge of graphics and logos being launched this week, that we can all use in our Rotary messages, letters, newsletters, and other communications.

 

I hope you are all staying well and healthy. We are in different times right now, but I know all of you are ready to make a difference in Rotary, in your community, around the world and for ourselves.

 

Sincerely, in Rotary

 

Stephan B. Wilder

District Governor Elect 6650

 

                 

                     Rotary Club of Boardman

 

                     The Four Way Speech Contest

 

 

 

 

Dear Fellow Rotarians:

 

The Rotary International Convention, scheduled for 12-16 June 2021, in Taipei, Taiwan, will now be a virtual event in response to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. This decision, made by the Rotary Board of Directors, is necessary to protect the health of everyone involved.

 

A virtual convention is a wonderful way to experience all that Rotary has to offer, from the comfort and convenience of your home.

 

For more details about the 2021 Rotary International Virtual Convention, please visit https://convention.rotary.org/en/taipei .

 

Yours in Rotary,

Michelle Charles, DGN