February 2019 Newsletter

As we finish up the seventh month of the Rotary year, I can report that the clubs are healthy.  Many clubs are overflowing with their winter guests.  Planning for various club activities whether community service projects or fundraising events is well under way. And the pieces are in place for these successes to continue next year.  DGE David reports excellent registration for the upcoming PETS.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interact District Governor Colton Cagle, and his Interact District Council, announce that their 6th Annual Interact District Conference will be held on Saturday, February 23, from 9:00 - 4:00, at Westwood High School, 945 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Mesa.  At least 400 members and advisors of Interact clubs from across the state are expected to attend this action-packed, high-energy pinnacle event for youth of this Rotary year.
 
Register now for the Rotary District 5495 Conference, to be held on June 21 & 22, 2019 at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley Scottsdale.
 
On Friday June 21, the morning will begin with the Annual Meetings of the e-Clubs, and Council On Legislation. Conference will officially open with lunch at Noon on Friday. The day will be capped off with the Surf’s Up! Party, featuring live music from the Southwest Surfers.
 
Conference continues on Saturday with highlights such as Rotary Under 30, Keynote speaker Judge Tommy Webb, and Rotary’s Got Talent- Season 2! The fun weekend will continue with Toga Party Hospitality Night!
 
For more information and to Register, go to the District web site and click on Conference Registration is OPEN! Or go to the dropdown menu under District. Or go directly to this address:
 
Watch your email box for upcoming announcements about Rotary District 5495 Conference 2019. See you there!
The Responsible Rotarian
Service Through Caring for Our Environment
 
Rotarians are great at raising awareness and taking action for positive change, locally and globally.  Our efforts have increasingly included a focus on service through caring for our environment.  We realize that water, soil, energy, and air—all of the elements that sustain all life on our beautiful blue planet—are fundamentally linked with both the causes and effects of the world’s greatest challenges.  In fact, the state of the environment impacts every one of Rotary’s 6 Areas of Focus.
 
Most Rotary club leaders know that a portion of each club member’s dues paid to Rotary International purchases general liability insurance and directors & officers liability insurance for the clubs and the district. However, you may not know who is covered, or for how much.
Rotary Club of Scottsdale Rotarians Receive Gift of Life Recognition
 
At a recent Rotary Club of Scottsdale meeting, Ms. Keli Jo Hause, Gift of Life - Arizona Inc recognized Scott and Patti Miller for their long-time support of Gift of Life - Arizona Inc. Gift of Life-AZ - a nonprofit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization administered by participating Rotarians and friends for the purpose of providing open-heart surgery to needy children worldwide. The mission of Gift of Life-AZ program has provided medical care and support for needy children and their families worldwide who are suffering from congenital heart defects.  Scott Miller, Past Rotary Club of Scottsdale Club President, served as on Program's Board Treasurer.  Patti Miller serves as Rotary Club of Scottsdale's Executive Administrator.  For many years, both Scott and Patti have shared their gifts of time, talent and resources to advance the work of Gift of Life-AZ.  Additionally, Ms. Hause, thanked the Rotary Club of Scottsdale for its support of the Program.
 
On Sunday, March 24th, the Sun Lakes Rotary Club will hold its 26th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes. This tournament represents the Club’s major fund raiser allowing it to support local K-12 Education programs, College and Vocational Scholarships, Local Food Bank and numerous charities in the greater Sun Lakes/Chandler communities and some international community projects involving water, health, education and the eradication of Polio world-wide.
Are you an incoming club officer or director?  A committee chair?  A member with an idea for your club and uncertain where to begin?  The 2019 Club Leadership Academy (CLA) is something that you do not want to miss.  CLA was born with the merger that created Rotary District 5495.  This highly anticipated, district-wide educational event brings trainers and facilitators selected from both inside and outside of Rotary to maximize your learning experience.
RYLA Pinerock, held in Prescott, just completed their 2019 event, and it was a huge success!  Now, RYLA Ponderosa, held in Heber, is up!  This program will be held March 28-31.  Please consider sponsoring a student or students to attend this life changing program!  
 
We have a visitors’ day on that Saturday, March 30!  Tours will be conducted—watch students climb the tower, run through the outdoor team challenges, participate in ethics and public speaking classes, and pack food for St Johns Food Bank!  It is truly amazing to watch our students in action!  They are the future leaders!
 
Registration is open and runs through March 24.  Please go to www.ryla5495ponderosa.org for information on the camp and forms to be filled out.   This process is all online. 
 
For any questions or concerns, please contact Sherry Mischel, Director, at sherryfmischel@outlook.com or call 602-510-3339.
 
Thank you!
Sherry
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grant Management Seminar (GMS)
REQUIRED by The Rotary Foundation to qualify for Global Grants and District Grants
 
For a club to qualify for grants funds in the Rotary year 2019-20, at least one club member must have attended GMS. (See all qualification requirements posted on the District website.)
 
 
At Gift of Life-AZ, we feel extremely lucky and a little bittersweet. As Yaakov Smirnoff* wrote: “The human spirit is not measured by the size of the act, but by the size of the heart.”  This sentiment has been born out countless times by the Rotarians, host families, hospitals, doctors, volunteers and generous donors who have participated in our program over the past 35 years.  These volunteers participated, one way or another, in saving the lives of more than 350 children - 11 of which were from right here in Arizona. We are eternally grateful for all their contributions!
(It’s a Good Thing)
 
Here's an idea that can save you money and help our foundation, The Rotary Foundation.
 
If you have an IRA and you are over 70.5 years old, you are Required to take a Minimum Distribution (RMD) each year. Some or even all that amount could be made to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).