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October 2020 News

District Adopts PolioPlus Society Program
As Rotarians most of us are familiar with The Paul Harris Society, where one pledges to contribute
$1000 or more annually to The Rotary Foundation.  Recently our Zone, Zone 26/27, has adopted a new program which will be known as The PolioPlus Society
 
What is the PolioPlus Society? In an effort to increase sustainable giving to End Polio Now, the PolioPlus Society (PPS) was formed to encourage Rotarians to commit to a minimum of $100 per year to the PolioPlus Fund until polio is eradicated from the face of the earth. Society members receive a special PPS pin, an End Polio Now bracelet, and a certificate.
 
District Governor Elizabeth and DRFC Charlie have determined that District 5495 will participate
in this initiative.
 
 
How to donate to PolioPlus thru the Paul Harris Society:
 
• There is a QR code on the flyer and commitment letter. A smart phone camera will take donors directly to the donate page of EndPolio.org/donate, where they can make a one time or recurring donation.
 
• We encourage Rotarians to join PolioPlus Direct (the recurring option), signing up for automatic giving with a credit card. $10 (or more) per month will qualify them for the society.
 
• Of course, they also donate through their club
 
For more information on this initiative, visit the Foundation portion of the D5495 website and review the PolioPlus Society Rotarian Flyer and the PolioPlus Commitment Form by clicking HERE and review the pertinent documents.

Four Questions About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Posted by Maria Arcocha White - Rotary Club of Toledo, Ohio
(The following article was submitted by D5495 DEI Chair PDG Barb Feder)
 
 
What does the phrase "diversity, equity, and inclusion" mean to you?
 
I immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1962, when I was three years old. Growing up, I was the only person like me, and I was called names. So I’ve always been very sensitive to exclusion.

When I started my career in the 1980s, women and people of color had begun to come into the professional workforce, and U.S. businesses were starting to realize that there were growing minority populations they needed to appeal to. For me, that translated into a personal passion around diversity. But after working for almost 30 years in the diversity-training space, I realized that we were not focusing enough on creating cultures of inclusion. I started my own company to take a different approach.

I lead with inclusion, because I believe that if you create an inclusive environment, then diversity will come. If you focus only on diversity, you’re just focusing on checking boxes of people who are visibly different. You’ll never change culture because you’re not focusing on behavior.

Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act — it takes effort and practice. But over time, it should lead you to a more equitable place, with equal opportunity for all people.

 

Read more...

The Value of Rotary Friendships/Fellowship
Posted by Phoenix West Rotary "West Side Story"
In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: that of friendship and fellowship. It is one of the reasons why Rotary began in 1905. The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is businessdevelopment. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of every business community. Its memberscome from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.
 
The world’s first service club was founded on February 23, 1905 when lawyer Paul Harris and three friends met in a small office in downtown Chicago. These men wanted to rekindle in the turn-of-the-century city the spirit of friendliness they had known in their hometowns. How wise these men were. Today, we join Rotary for many different reasons, but it likely that one of the major reasons we “stay” in Rotary has to do with the friendships formed and fellowship developed over the years.
 
As I read an article in a recent issue of The AZ Republic “Never Forget Your Friends” by Harvey Mackay, a business man, author and syndicated columnist, I thought, surely he must also be talking about Rotary and the friends we make there. Do you agree?
 
 
Read more...

October 24th - World Polio Day
Posted by PolioPlus - Rotary.org

 

 

Take action for World Polio Day: 24 October

Every year, Rotarians and Rotaractors across the globe mobilize for World Polio Day to raise awareness about eradicating polio for good. If we stay committed, polio will be the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

Plan an event for your community


Join the effort to ensure every child receives the polio vaccine and end polio by organizing a World Polio Day event. In 2019, Rotary members held more than 5,900 events in 136 countries. This year, online events and activities will allow us to expand our reach even more and inspire others to join with Rotary.

Not sure how to take action for World Polio Day? From virtual event ideas to social media posts and photos, the World Polio Day Toolkit can help you start planning and promoting your activities now.

 

World Polio Day Online Global Update

Mark your calendars to watch Rotary’s World Polio Day Online Global Update on 24 October on Facebook or EndPolio.org. New this year: Those who register planned World Polio Day events by 15 October can download the global update program early – a week before World Polio Day.

 

Pakistan Poilo Volunteers:  Want a Community's Trust? Start By Listening
Posted by From GPEI Website
Locally recruited health workers in Pakistan lead efforts to engage with families.
 
Welcome to Pehlwan Goth, Pakistan. A low-income neighborhood on the edge of Karachi city, it is home to many families from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province who have moved here for work.
 
An open sewage drain lined with litter runs the length of the settlement. Cattle are often seen grazing near the heaps of garbage. It is a high-risk area for polio, and virus is regularly detected in the environment.
 
Samreen, a 25-year-old Polio Area Supervisor, leads a team of four community health workers in the area.
 
“I started working with the Polio Eradication Program four years ago and I am happy to say that we have made a lot of progress here. This is my neighborhood; this is where I grew up and this helps me immensely. People here listen to me, especially the women, and I know most of the children by name,” says Samreen.
 
Converting refusals
 
There are around 32,000 children under five years of age in Pehlwan Goth. In April 2019, parents of around 3,000 children refused the polio vaccine. Through the hard work of supervisors like Samreen however, now over 80% of these children have received vaccines.
 
“I am in charge of an area that has 210 households with 196 children. In 2019, families of more than 50 children refused vaccines. That’s almost one fourth of all the children in my area,” said Samreen.
 
 
Read more...

District 5495 Valley Peace Conference Seeks to Build Platform for Peace
Posted by Dr. Honora Norton
Over 200 people of varied backgrounds came together at the 3rd Annual Pursuing Peace Conference – all with a common goal of creating peace.  Each person, attending the virtual conference held on September 18, 2020, learned that peace is a powerful experience and can be, and is, life changing.
 
The attendees joined together to be inspired and learn from experts on how to promote peace, prevent and cure disease, provide clean water and sanitation, improve the health of mothers and children, support basic education and literacy, and provide economic and community development.
 
Past Rotary International District Governor and Sergeant at Arms at Arizona House of Representatives Chuck Fitzgerald served as host of the one-day event.  Invitations were sent to leaders from health care, academia, national and local government, public safety, faith-based organizations, business, and communities to discuss changes needed to create world peace.  2020-21 Rotary International District 5495 Governor Elizabeth Mahoney assisted as co-emcee of the Conference.  
 
The Conference’s six general sessions included Clarence Carter, Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; Brenda Cressey, Trustee, The Rotary Foundation; Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, General Director and Dean, ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management; John Viscount, writer, filmmaker & Storyteller and co-founder of Peace Now; Jorge Meruvia, General Coordinator of “National Encounters-A Stronger Mexico: Pillars of Positive Peace,” and Rotary Peace Fellowship Alumni; and, Lisa Jernigan, Co-Founder Amplify Peace – Listen-Learn-Live.  
 
 
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Peace Poles, Peace Awareness, and Peaceful People of Action
Posted by Steve Bjornstad
Your D5495 Peacebuilders have been enthusiastic about Peace Poles for at least the past few years. There are estimated to be over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace and, today, many grace the parks, schools, and business centers of Arizona communities thanks to the efforts of Arizona Rotarians.
 
As many of you know, Peace Poles originated in Japan in 1955 and are created and installed as a monument displaying the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth” written in the several languages of each community. They have become the most recognized monument dedicated to peace in the world. For many, they represent the highest aspirations of peace and goodwill inherent in the human heart, symbolizing the hopes and dreams of the entire human family.
 
 
Read more...

Upcoming Peace E-Conferences
Posted by PDG Nancy Van Pelt
 
Rotarians, perhaps you attended our recent Pursuing Peace Conference and want to learn more.  Perhaps you were unable to attend and hoped for another opportunity to connect Rotary and Peace.  
We’ve recently been invited to TWO e-conferences that may interest you!
 
The first event, offered by District 5300, will be content-rich, with an impressive slate of speakers that includes the Lead Economist of the World Bank, immediate past Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney, and more! Please do check out the speakers and agenda.  CLICK HERE for a copy of the flyer and more information. 
 
PEACE out of CHAOS - a Pandemic 
 31st Annual Rotary District 5300 Peace Conference
Saturday, October 24, 2020 9:00am – 1:00 pm
A Free Virtual Conference
To Register: www.district5300.org/peace-conference/
 
 
The second event, offered by our friends in Southern Arizona District 5500, will be held on November 7 from 9:am-noon.  Entitled Inner Peace in a Time of Conflict
 
 
Read more...

Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy (RLA) is Underway
Posted by RLA Dean Gene Medina
 
The Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy (RLA)year is underway. On August 29th,  26 RLA candidates and 8 academy faculty, representing Districts 5500 and 5495, and 29 Rotary clubs, participated the 17thannual Student Orientation program via Zoom. What a learning adventure! What a talented group of candidates. 
 
We had opportunities to reflect on the work of “People of Action”, meet academy colleagues, hear our Governors’(Diane and Elizabeth) thoughts about RLA and its role in district leadership training, and review the six courses of the academy program:  
  • September:The Rotary Brand: Become a Rotary Brand Champion
  • October:Understanding and Utilizing The Rotary Foundation (TRF). 
  • November:Collaboration and Funding to Meet Needs.
  • January:Building on a Heritage of Leadership and Accomplishments: Districts 5500 and 5495
  • February:How to Succeed in Membership Growth and Retention
  • March:Rotary’s Fiduciary Responsibilities and Youth Protection. 
Using a self-paced, computer-based online learning framework, candidates work independently online at their own pace and on their own schedule. Learning is facilitated and guided by talented and experienced past District Governors and senior Rotarians. These courses range from 8 to 12 hours to complete.
 
Read more...

Register Now For Rotary Internation Convention in Taipei
 
 
Feel the Energy in Taipei

The 2021 Rotary International Convention will be here before you know it, and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Join us in energizing Taipei, Taiwan, 12-16 June, to connect with people of action from around the world. Together, we’ll discover opportunities to expand our potential through motivating sessions, inspiring speakers, lively entertainment, and much more.

Help us build a program of inclusive breakout sessions to provide new ideas for service, strengthen membership, and celebrate Rotary’s diversity. We’re seeking proposals in Chinese, English, Japanese, or Korean. Submit your proposal online by Wednesday, 30 September.

We hope you’ll join us to Feel the Energy in Taipei. Explore the official Facebook event page and click to show that you’re interested or planning to attend. Then, you’ll receive updates and be able to connect with other attendees. Download and use our promotional materials to encourage your network to attend.

October Message From Interact DG Ashton
Hello everyone! I hope you are doing well.
 
            In any year, there are always struggles maintaining membership in an Interact club, and this is especially true right now. As our Assistant Governors work with their clubs, many find that the clubs are struggling because of a lack of membership, lack of leadership, and lack of service projects. On top of this, some clubs are in the process of rebuilding after years of inactivity. This is why we are especially hopeful for the Virtual RYLA and Virtual Fall Leadership Conference. 
 
            Our Fall Leadership Conference has the theme “Together We Can,” and we aim to give club officers and advisors the much-needed tools to lead their clubs this year. One of the tools we will be presenting at the conference is a website made by one of our own AGs called Volunteer Hero. Volunteer Hero is a website that advisors can use to track community service hours done by club members. Using a centralized system to track hours makes everything more accessible and more efficient, and members still have a way to submit hours, even if they are not at school in person. This year, FLC will be condensed into a three hour morning session, and while it does seem short, our committee is working very hard to make sure our clubs get all the information they need to function.
 
            As I have been talking at Rotary meetings and workshops, I am super excited to see how many Rotarians are interested in youth services. Whether you are helping at a RYLA, sponsoring an Interact club, or helping at an event, your participation is what makes Rotary Youth Services as meaningful as it is. Your support allows high schoolers like me to really grow as both a leader and as a person. If you would like to connect with your Interact clubs, we can connect you with the club and the Assistant Governor assigned to the club. You can always contact me at ashtonkling34@gmail.com or Art Harrington at arthts@msn.com. Don’t forget that Interact is the start of the chain that leads all the way to Rotary.
 
         Thank you, and stay safe!

Dr. Sarah Puberty To Speak At Interact Fall Leadership Conference
Posted by PDG Art Harrington
Dr. Sarah Tuberty will be our outstanding motivational speaker for this year’s Fall Leadership Conference
for Interact Club leaders and advisors.  FLC this year will be packaged in a condensed virtual 9:00 a.m. to noon format on Saturday, October 24 — and it will be FREE!
 
As a former President of an Interact Club, a leader in RYLA, a Rotary Youth Exchange Ambassador, a Rotaract leader, and now a Rotarian, Sarah is a living model of our Fall Leadership Conference Theme this year, Together, We Can! 
 
Born without a left hand, Sarah will share her incredible story about how it is possible to overcome immense challenges you encounter in life, and how Rotary’s programs have helped to shape her life, and make her the person she is today. After graduating from St. Mark’s College in California, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer.  
 
 
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Scottsdale North Rotary Club Featured in Foothills Food Bank News
Posted by Cherry Baumbusch
Since 2000, the Scottsdale North Rotary Club (formerly the Pinnacle Peak Rotary) has been a wonderful supporter of the Food Bank. Stacy Edwards dropped off a shopping cart filled with school supplies and fantastic backpacks for our September school drive.  The group has volunteered in the warehouse on Saturdays sorting food, hosted food and monetary drives with their 28 members and adopted families during the holidays.  They have also done special projects assisting clients in need. 
 
Thank you, Rotary, we can always count on your commitment to service in our community.
 

Prescott Sunup Rotary Continues Medical Grade Mask Donation Project
Posted by Terry Smith
Last month, Sunup Rotary of Prescott embarked on a huge project to provide those in our community who are facing acute challenges with top-quality, 3-ply medical-grade masks which were purchased and the then donated by friends in Taiwan. This week the Sunup Rotary Club of Prescott delivered another 4000 of these masks, bringing our total mask donations to over 5000. The club delivered masks to the following shelters and food banks this week: 
 
  • The Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ) operates an emergency homeless shelter, offers advocacy towards obtaining housing and income, repair assistance to low income homeowners, and operates a thrift store to serve their clients in need. 2500 masks.  
 
The Yarnell Food Bank provides food and basic provisions to the Yarnell area community through weekly deliveries to families and individuals and by welcoming all drop-ins on Fridays from 8 AM – 12 PM. 500 masks.
 
Prescott Area Shelter and Services (PASS), which provides temporary housing, resources, individualized case management, and a pathway to permanent housing for women, children, and veterans. 500 masks
 
Prescott Community Cupboard Food Bank provides desperately needed support to people who are experiencing food insecurity. The food bank provides emergency food supplies to all in need, between 2:30 – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. 500 masks.
 
The Sunup Rotary Club is committed, as are all Rotary clubs, to working to meet the needs of our communities. The club is currently meeting on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 AM at the Prescott Resort. Visit us at our website at www.prescottsunuprotary.org for more information on the club. You are most welcome to join us at our meetings!
 

Rotarians Learn of Valleywise Health's COVID-19 Safety Net
Posted by Dr. Honora Norton
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale welcomed Steve Purves, President, Chief 
Executive Officer and Ambassador of Valleywise Health, as keynote 
speaker at its recent Rotary meeting.  During the introduction, Rotarian John Abbs, noted that Mr. Purves works with the publicly elected five-member Board of Directors who represent the Maricopa County Special Health District, to provide executive leadership for the growth and development of Valleywise Health.
 
Mr. Purves has received numerous advocacy awards and honors, such as, 
being named by Phoenix Business Journal as one of top 25 most influential leaders in Phoenix.  Mr. Purves serves on ASU Health Advisory Board, Health Care Futures Council, Arizona Health andHospital Association, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and more. Additionally, Mr. Purvis has served as a Rotary Club President and holds Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow honors.
 
Mr. Purvis stated that Valleywise's mission is to provide exceptional care, without exception to every patient, every time. Established in 1887, Valleywise Health (formerly Maricopa Integrated Health System) is Arizona's largest and longest serving public teaching hospital and health care system.Valleywise Health includes Roosevelt Campus Hospital, Arizona Burn Center, Arizona Children's Center, the Valley's only Level I Trauma Center for adults and children, three behavioral health centers (Mesa, Phoenix and Maryvale), Maryvale Hospital's24/7 Emergency Department and a network of 12 federally Qualified Community Health Centers that serve Phoenix and Maricopa County.
 
 
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Rotary Youth Exchange From the International Service Perspective  
Posted by PDG Abe Feder
Everything You Wanted To Know About Youth Exchange But Were Afraid To Ask
 
An Interview by PDG Abe Feder International Service Chair with Donna Goetzenberger and Machel Considine District 5495Youth Exchange Chairs
 
1-Donna, Machel we all know that R.I. has 6 areas of focus (soon to be 7).  Where do you think that Youth Exchange fits?
 
Rotary Youth Exchange absolutely fits into Rotary’s programs! RYE belongs to the cornerstone of the Areas of Focus “Promote Peace.” In RYE, we always say “Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace and understanding one student at a time.”
 
2-In brief terms can the two of you outline the Y.E. process as it impacts our District and its Clubs.
 
Well,Youth Exchange plays an important part toward cultural understanding and respect among world citizens.   In fact, our United States government, through the U.S. Department of State (DOS) recognizes the importance of Youth Exchange and acknowledges the value of the program by stating,“Youth programs empower the next generation and establish long-lasting ties between the United States and other countries. Exchange programs focus primarily on secondary schools and promote mutual understanding, leadership development, educational transformation and democratic ideals.” This means that our District and the involved clubs are contributing to mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to friendly and peaceful relations.  We do this through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges that engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and rising leaders in the United States and more than 160 countries.”
 
 
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Membership Moment

Why growing membership is so important

One of the most important things your club can do is nurture and sustainably grow your membership. Surveys have shown that prospective members are attracted to our clubs that offer them flexible formats. It’s also critical to encourage participation by offering people service projects that create lasting change in their communities. See some of the ways that clubs are being innovative and watch this video about the importance of providing a variety of formats for potential members.

Learn More HERE: (MyRotary.org sign in required)

Virtual RYLA Coming Soon
Posted by PDG Sherry Mischel on Sep 26, 2020
 
SAVE THE DATE!
 
A first in Arizona rotary history!!:  A VIRTUAL RYLA program will be presented over the weekend, October 9 and 10, 2020.  Participate from the comfort of your home or wherever you may be.  Do not miss out on this exciting and innovative program!   
 
 
  

Scottsdale Rotarians Learn about Current Status of Evictions During COVID-19
Posted by Dr. Honora Norton
 
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale welcomed Mark Zinman, a partner within Zona Law Group P.C. as keynote speaker at it recent Rotary meeting.  During the introduction, Rotarian Jason Brock, noted that Mark has been practicing as a landlord attorney for over fifteen years with a focus on multi-housing communities and single-family residential property management issues. Mark has handled real estate matters for property owners, property managers and investors. This includes quiet title and easement litigation, evictions, fair housing disputes, litigation resulting from trustee's sales and civil litigation relating to landlord-tenant matters; as well as, advising on development of operational policies.  
 
Mark stated that over 200 (70,000 annually) people a day are moving to Maricopa County, and they need a place to live. Due to limitations to building, supply has not kept up with demand and rents have increased.  Per Elliott Pollack Study, the apartment industry generates an annual impact of 21,907 jobs, $695.9 million in wages and $3,8 billion in annual economic output.   Per Mark, landlord ROI is only 9% the rest on the monies are directed back to the property. 
 
Mark has been advising clients about changes in the industry as a result of COVID-19, through AMA seminars and his firm’s newsletter, podcasts and other mediums.  He discussed the impact of COVID-19 to renters and landlords. There was an estimated $130M in rental funds, but that was for residents and required residents to apply.  At the same time, there was a federal moratorium on some rental properties, and the Governor’s executive order delaying writs for all properties in the state.  By preventing evictions, it removed the incentive for residents to apply.  Also, there are significant issues with releasing that money (only 7% as of 8/10/2020).  This has created a conflict between landlords and tenants over a public issue.  Mark recommended as an easier solution – if landlords were not being paid, they should have been able to apply for rental assistance.  This would have avoided residents being evicted and owners could still have been paid. 
 
 
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