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Six graduate from latest Rotary Leadership Institute

District 5495 held its latest Rotary Leadership Institute May 20 in Prescott. Six students completed their third session of the RLI three-session program and received their RLI certificates at the end of the day.

The graduating students were (from left in the photo): Fred Doten of the Rotary Club of Laughlin; Diana Hutchinson of the Rotary Club of Gilbert/Queen Creek; Dave Hutchinson of the Rotary Club of Gilbert; Jan Gray of the Rotary Club of Scottsdale; Carla Krcmarik of the Rotary Club of Mesa West and Laura Trout of the Rotary Club of Flagstaff.

The program was held at Yavapai College and the graduation ceremony was held near a Peace Pole installed last year by the Rotary Club of Prescott Frontier.

 The Yavapai College Peace Pole is the realization of a vision held by Nancy Van Pelt, PDG and Peacebuilder Network Founder. The Peace Pole was sponsored by the Prescott Frontier Rotary Club in collaboration with the Yavapai College Foundation.

 The project was intended to provide art students an opportunity to participate in the development and realization of a public artwork. Following a rigorous concept review process, the YC Art Design Committee selected the final design for installation adjacent the college library entrance. The Peace Pole was designed and fabricated by YC art student Ron Miller.

 For additional information on the Peace Pole,  contact Robert Wertz, Peacebuilder Committee, Chair, PFRC.

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Rotary Leadership Academy graduates recognized at district conference
 
Congratulations to the District 5495 Graduates of the Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy’s (RLA), Class of 2022-23. Graduates were recognized and presented with their certificates and pins during this year's district conference held May 5-6.
 
The following District 5495 Rotarians completed the intensive, six-month program that provides in-depth information on Rotary and its operations:
 
Dan Coons, Mesa West Rotary Club
Mike Flores, Gilbert/Queen Creek Rotary Club
Angela Lopez, Phoenix 100 Rotary Club
Lynette Prouty, Valley Verde Rotary Club
Joe Sweeney, Prescott Rotary Club
Michelle Holcomb, Fountain Hills Rotary Club
Ruth Tan Lim, Mesa Sunrises Rotary Club
Sean Green, Mesa West Rotary Club
 
This accomplished and talented group of Rotary leaders have met and exceeded the program challenges and demonstrated the rigor necessary to complete the Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy’s academic program. They successfully completed the Academy’s course of study.  
 
Each month (September, October, November, January, February, and March) of this Rotary year, they worked both online and via Zoom to explore Rotary leadership through the Academy’s six courses. On the average, each course calls for 10-12 hours or cumulatively 60 to 72 hours or more of online, offline and Zoom learning activities for the completion of all courses. As you know from your own experiences, Rotary seminars, and workshops in and of themselves can be quite challenging given the time constraints of our busy lives.  Their commitment is truly above and beyond and has called for a Rotarian’s personal tenacity, commitment, and determination.
 
RLA is intended to be the Rotary graduate program follow-up to the three levels of Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) and follow-up learning opportunity for past club presidents.  It is a source for linking talented Rotarians to the leadership needs of our district. The Academy explores in depth the areas of (1) How Rotary Works/Arizona Rotary Leadership, (2) The Rotary Foundation, (3) Working Collaboratively to Meet Fundraising Needs, (4) Pathways to Rotary, (5) Becoming a Branding Champion, and (6) Fiduciary Responsibilities and Youth Protection. Through these courses and conversations with one another and faculty RLA students deepen their Rotary knowledge and skills and enhance their leadership talents.
 
District 5495 is truly fortunate to have leaders of their caliber providing Rotary leadership services now and in the future.
 
When you see them at a club meeting or district activity/event, please be sure to congratulation them on their outstanding accomplishment.
 
If you are interested in expanding your Rotary leadership knowledge, understandings and skills and learn about the Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy (RLA), a joint leadership learning partnership of District 5500 and District 5495,
 
Check out the Arizona Rotary Leadership Academy’s  website: arizonarla.org
 
Photo: District Governor Larry Horton with RLA Graduate Joe Sweeney.
District 5495 Rotarians support TRVFA during Dbacks game!
This year's District Conference was capped off with a Rotary Day at the Ballpark May 7 and dozens of our district Rotarians cheered on the Arizona Diamondbacks as they took on the Washington Nationals.
 
The event served to raise funds for The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.
 
District Governor Larry Horton and other Rotarians celebrated the Seventh-Inning Stretch along with Diamondbacks organist Bobby Freeman. The Rotary team joined Bobby Freeman in the popular rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"
 
Bobby Freeman is a strong supporter of Rotary, and The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.
 
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Iron Lung Lager beer raises fund for End Polio Now campaign
Rotary District 5495 is taking donations for Iron Lung Lager beer to benefit ongoing efforts by Rotary International to eradicate Polio once and for all. In partnership with Mudshark Brewing out of Lake Havasu, Arizona, 100% of the proceeds benefit PolioPlus through Rotary. 
  1. Iron Lung Lager premiered at the District Conference Celebration on Friday, May 5th, at Hospitality Night. Depending on the demand and supply of this first order, another chance to donate for the beer will happen in June.
  2. We will also be offering this donation opportunity in the Fall for World Polio Day and District 5495's Pints Fight Polio events. 
  3. If your state has a brewery who would like the recipe so your Rotary District can brew Iron Lung Lager to raise funds for PolioPlus then contact: beer@mudsharkbrewery.com
  4. For information to purchase your supply of Iron Lung Lager, contact DG Larry Horton or visit the Givsum site by using the QR code below.
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Rotary Leadership Institute planned for May 20 in Prescott
District 5495 will hold its next Rotary Leadership Institute May 20 at Yavapai College in Prescott.
 
The program takes place 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the college, 1100 E. Sheldon Street, Prescott, 85040.
 
Cost is $60 (most clubs will pay for the cost if they can), which includes breakfast pastries, lunch and study materials.
 
Topics include rotary basics, leadership, ethics and vocation, service and foundation, communication and membership.
 
RLI is a worldwide Rotary activity that some refer to as Rotary's "College of Knowledge." RLI touches on everything Rotary; it is not a leadership course in order to become a club officer. RLI is made up of three one-day sessions to give you an overview of what Rotary is and what it does worldwide.
 
Its goal is to create enthusiasm for Rotary and show the enormous potential of Rotary service and how with knowledge and excellent leadership in clubs, the world will benefit.
 
To register, click here.
 
For information, contact Polly Cady at pcady@cadyfam.com.
 
 
'Week of Service' kick-off project benefits Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Dozens of District 5495 Rotarians teamed up with volunteers from other organizations on Saturday, April 15, to kick off "Arizona Rotary Week of Service" with a special project to benefit Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
 
Rotarians joined volunteers from several other organizations to build beds for children living in homeless shelters and in foster care. The special kick-off event took place in the parking lot of American Furniture Warehouse in Glendale.
 
A total of 100 beds were built from scratch. Volunteers assisted with cutting the boards, sanding, assembly, staining and more.
 
District Governor Larry Horton thanked Rotarians who participated.
 
"Imagine a child who woke up this morning sleeping on the floor actually going to sleep tonight in the comfort of a bed. That's pretty powerful," said Larry.
 
Check out a live broadcast of the event on Channel 10, Fox news.
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