DG Bret McKeand Message October 2021

 
By D5495 Governor Bret McKeand
 
Serve to Change Lives is Rotary’s worldwide theme for 2021-22, and after the first three months of the new Rotary year I’m proud to report our Rotarians in District 5495 are doing an incredible job living up to that promise!
 
I’ve had the incredible pleasure – and honor – of visiting nearly two dozen of our clubs since July 1, and the work we’re doing in Arizona is not only phenomenal – but more important, meaningful and impactful to citizens living in our communities, our state and throughout the world.
 
Coming off a year in which the pandemic presented stiff challenges to our clubs, it’s uplifting to find all our Rotarians in District 5495 remain committed and focused on community service. Despite the resurgence of a new variant of the Coronavirus, our clubs are undeterred and continue finding ways to help others.
 
Hearing about all the great projects pursued by our clubs – and the direct impact these projects are having on our fellow citizens and members – is so inspiring, invigorating and motivating. But more important to me, personally, is it reinforces the importance of Rotary and the role it – or I should say we – play in creating positive change throughout our world.
 
During my club visits I’m anxious to hear of the great workclubs are doing, but I’m also just as eager to share the worthy projects pursued by other clubs. Rotarians in our district ARE making a difference and it’s important all of us hear about those good works.
 
The district’s Public Image Committee -- led by PI Chair and my Chief of Staff Angel Aguirre -- recently revamped our district’s website to do just that: Share news of what our clubs and Rotarians are doing in our district to Serve to Change Lives.
 
I encourage you to visit www.rotary5495.org. Bookmark it and return often to keep abreast of current activities, fundraisers and general news of the district, our clubs and our Rotarians.
 
We’re attempting to create a website that is not only more reflective of what our clubs are doing, but is intended to share information on projects so other clubs and individual Rotarians can collaborate and work together on common interests. The more we work together, the stronger our results -- and the more we can Serve to Change Lives.
 
Much like a newspaper, the website’s stories are separated into nine general sections/topics: District News, Club News, Community Service, Youth Activities, International Service, Polio Plus and Peace, and we have section specifically for DGE Larry Horton’s Rotary podcasts and a special section featuring photo albums of district events.
 
And since the district website is meant to reflect the work of our clubs, we need our clubs to feed us information. Whether it’s a fundraiser, service project, club award or any other activity you wish to share with your fellow Rotarians in District 5495, we encourage you to send it to editor@rotary5495.org.
 
You’ll still find many of the helpful resources related to our district activities and Rotary in general, but we’re hoping the new changes spotlighting our clubs will be an added attraction helpful to all clubs and Rotarians. We believe the changes also give Rotarians a better opportunity to see what’s happening in the district outside of their own club.
 
You may also notice a slight change in our monthly newsletter as well. The newsletter has been re-designed to provide a more expansive look at news posted on the website – with links taking the reader to that story on the website. Again, news will be posted throughout the month on the website, so don’t simply wait for the newsletter to hit your mailbox – visit the website often.
 
With all that’s going on in the world today – a worldwide pandemic, wars, famine, political strife, natural disasters – it’s easy to lose confidence in our humanity and grow frustrated. What impact can we Rotarians expect to make with our little efforts here and there?
 
Rotary proves that one person can make a difference in the world and we’ve seen it time and time again that Rotarians with great vision and determination can accomplish great things.
 
Simply visit our district’s website and you’ll see proof of Rotary’s impact here in Arizona – and how Rotary gives well-intentioned individuals a forum to do things that no one person could ever achieve alone.
 
We are People of Action and we are Serving to Change Lives! Thank you for all you do!
 
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World Polio Day, Oct. 24: Please let me or the website editor know if your club is hosting a special event for World Polio Day. I would love to share that with other Rotarians in our district. I’ll be participating in the 2021 Ride to End Polio to be held Nov. 20 as part of the El Tour de Tucson bike ride.
 
I’ll be joining other Rotary district governors from the West Coast, as well as other Rotarians in Arizona, in the 28-mile bike ride to raise funds for Rotary's Polio Plus campaign. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the Rotary Polio Plus fund -- which are then matched 2-to-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
 
Of course, I wouldn’t put myself through such an arduous task if there wasn’t a purpose or reason behind it! I’m raising funds for Polio Plus and asking others to support me by making a donation online at http://www.PledgeReg.com/289190
 
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. You can follow my adventure and efforts in the bike ride at my Facebook page.