HAPPY THANKSGIVING – Jill and I wish all of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving, a day full of joy and happiness shared with family and friends. We say thank you to all of you for what you do, for the caring and the generosity that you share with those less fortunate every day of the year.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life changing, sustainable projects. In 2018 The Rotary Foundation awarded $86.7 million to 1,306 global grants in these critical areas:
- Preventing Disease $35.6 million
- Providing Clean Water $18.8 million
- Supporting Education $11.0 million
- Growing Local Economies $10.5 million
- Saving Mothers and Children $7.2 million
- Promoting Peace $3.5 million
In 2019 another area of focus, Disaster Response, has been added.
Through Global Grants and District Grants the foundation allows Rotary Clubs in our district to make positive change in our communities and around the world. If you and I don’t donate to The Rotary Foundation, there will be no funds available from the district to support the many grant requests we receive from your clubs. 50 percent of the funds that you donate to the Annual Fund-Share program come back to our district three years later.
The Rotary Foundation has been rated 4 stars by Charity Navigator, their highest rating available. Over 92 percent of funds raised stay right in the foundation, enabling us to do good with more of the retained funds. Please consider a donation to the foundation today as we celebrate The Rotary Foundation in November.
The two easiest ways to donate to the Rotary Foundation are
- Go online to myrotary.org and make a donation by using your debit or credit card. While there, you can set up a recurring donation of as little as ten dollars per month.
- You can also send a check to the foundation by using the donation form found at http://my.rotary.org/en/document/contribution-form-rotary-foundation The address where to send your contribution is at the bottom of the form.
RYLA – ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS
If your club is planning to send any students to RYLA this year, we need to know in the next few weeks so we can reserve the right number of spaces by the camp’s November 30 deadline. Go to
www.ryla7950.com and enter the number of students you are sending. The event takes place May 15 – 17, 2020 at the Sea Camps in Brewster MA. Cost per student is $425. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Chuck at
chuck.sauer2@gmail.com
PROVIDENCE BRUINS
Our annual Providence Bruins hockey night is scheduled for Friday, November 22. The puck drops at 7:05 so gather up a group of your members, families and friends and make your way over to the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence for a great game and a great night of fellowship. Tickets are only $15, and $5 of that is donated back to Polio Plus by the Providence Bruins. A lot of clubs buy a block of tickets and donate them to local organizations that bring disadvantaged kids to enjoy the game. For more information and how to purchase tickets check out the flyer on www.rotary7950.com or go to:
www.providenceBruins.com/Rotary to order your tickets directly.
VIBRANT CLUBS
Dozens of present and future club leaders, along with interested Rotarians, gathered for a half-day session on building the success of our clubs. There were lots of tips and tactics on membership development and public image, an eye-opening review of all the youth-oriented programs available around the district, and a sidebar training session for clubs interested in applying for district grants.
First Lady Jill Albright reviewed the opportunities for students and families to take part in inbound and outbound Youth Exchanges. Foundation chair Kris David conducted the grants training session.
FOUNDATION DINNER Nov. 14
Our annual Foundation Celebration Dinner is scheduled for Thursday November 14th at Whites of Westport. Guest Speaker for the evening is Past Zone Director and current Rotary International Polio Plus Chairperson Michael McGovern. Michael’s presentation on where we have been, where we are and where we are going with Polio will be enlightening and totally enjoyable for all. Also planned is a recognition of Major Donors and the annual Foundation Awards Presentation.
Cash Bar begins at 5:30 PM with the Celebration Dinner beginning at 6:00 PM. Cost is $50 per person. Registration is open at www.Rotary7950.com
ALOHA ROTARIANS
The 2020 Rotary International Convention is scheduled for June 6-10, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Make plans to join Jill and me and next year’s District Governor Charlene Jarest and her husband Jake for an event-filled International Convention. For more information including costs, please visit
https://www.riconvention.org/en. Hope to see you in Hawaii. Aloha!
DISTRICT CALENDAR 2019-20
November – Rotary Foundation Month
November 7 – Budget & Finance Committee (AM)
November 7 – District Governor Nominee Designee Interviews (PM)
November 14 – Foundation Dinner
November 22 – Providence Bruins Game
For Polio Plus
December – Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
December 8 – District Governor’s Council Lunch
January, 2020 -- Vocational Service Month
February, 2020 - Peace & Conflict Resolution Month
February 15 - President PrePETS Workshop
Grants Training Seminar
March, 2020 - Water and Sanitation Month
March 5-7 - NEPETS, Sheraton, Framingham, MA
President-Elect and Asst. Governor Training
March 28 - RLI Rotary Leadership Institute
Amica Insurance, Lincoln, RI
