March 2020 Newsletter
Grant Management Seminar (GMS)
 
GMS is REQUIRED by The Rotary Foundation to qualify for Global Grants and District Grants.
For a club to qualify for grant funds in the Rotary year 2020-21, at least twoclub members must have attended GMS (change from one member last year).  Note: At least one must attend in person at a live training or the live webinar. Others can attend either live training or on-line self-paced training available starting in April.  See allqualification requirements posted on the District website.
 
Who should attend? It is recommended that the club’s Chair forThe Rotary Foundation and President-Elect attend.  Please note: A Club can send as many participants as desired!
 
What will be learned: This 2 hour seminar will cover the responsibilities for grant stewardship, the application process, and reporting requirements.  This seminar will help a club start planning early for aDistrictGrant.      A DistrictGrant provides additional funds for a club’s local/community projects in 2020-21.  A club can apply for a 2020-21 District Grant between April 1st and May 31st, 2020.
 
No cost to attend this seminar!
 
REGISTRATION       
 
  • Saturday, April 4, 10am, Live Webinar
Webinar instructions will be emailed prior to the seminar.
 
 
For questions, please contact:
 
Charlie Tegarden, District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair
928-715-1001 / ctegarden@outlook.com
 
Dale Gray, Grants Sub-Committee Chair
602-418-5316 / mailto:dale@grayds.com
“Taking It to the Next Level”
2020 Club Leadership Academy 
Now Moved Online!!!
 
DGE Elizabeth Mahoney announces that this year’s Club Leadership Academy will focus on how each Rotarian can take their experience to the next level!  Using the Learning Center on Rotary.org - club members will learn how to become more effective in the leadership positions within your club
    
AS OF NOW THIS EVENT IS STILL SCHEDULED
 
 
Registration is now open!
3rdAnnual D5495 Pre-district conference Peace Event
“Stepping Up for Peace”
  June 25, 2020   10am – 4pm
  Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
 
Your D5495 Peacebuilders Network has organized a one-day peace conference at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak.  Held the day prior to the District Conference each year, this year’s event is a mix of “TED Talk” and World Café formats.  The purpose is to provide inspiring and practical ideas that Rotarians can take back to their clubs.  This years’ theme, “Stepping Up for Peace,” focuses on the winning combination of dialogue and action.  Dynamic speakers are followed by breakouts with opportunities to delve more deeply into topics.   
 
The event topics were inspired by the recent Rotary International World Peace Conference in Ontario, CA. The day is designed to give attendees a flavor of some current and effective peace-related Rotary initiatives and projects elsewhere in America and to encourage each of us to further peace in our communities as the People of Action that we are!
 
NEW THIS YEAR! High school age registrants are encouraged to attend—especially Interactors!  If your Rotary Club sponsors one or more Interact Clubs, please do consider providing your Youth with ‘scholarships’ for the day. Our Rotary Youth have demonstrated their high energy, leadership abilities, maturity, and passion for Peace.  Let’s invest in a peaceful future!
 
Registration is available through the District Conference website.  Cost is $55 to cover lunch and costs of hosting.  Be sure your club is well represented this year!
     
CONNECT THROUGH GIVING
District 5495 Rotary Foundation Fundraising Campaign for 2019-20
Goal: Raise more funds and giving participation with The Rotary Foundation
• Raise $2M to support Rotary’s good work around the world through new major gifts (see
definition below) of $10,000 or more between January 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020.
• Increase the number of members enrolled and giving automatically through Rotary Direct.
Rotary Club of Scottsdale welcomed Beth Garrow, The Rotary International Foundation's (TRF) Zone 26 Regional Major Gifts Officer. Beth joined the Rotary Club of Hawthorne, CA in 1989 and was an active member of the Rotary Club of Joliet, IL before joining California's Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club in 2016.
 
During Ms. Garrow's introduction, Rotarian and TRF Major Donor Bob Murray stated that Ms. Garrow, joined TRF in June 2016 as a seasoned major gifts officer with a 25-year development career in K-12, higher education, as well as, healthcare in Illinois and California.    
 
During her talk, Ms. Garrow stated that TRF is four-star rated with 92% ROI within Charity Navigator - the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. During 2019, over $391.5 million dollars was raised with most being directed towards RI global grants ($100 million), PolioPlus grants ($151.2 million); RI District grants ($27.8 million) and Rotary Peace Fellowship education ($5 million). After three years, fifty percent of TRF gift monies donated by Rotarians are returned to the donor's respective RI District for future domestic and international Club projects.  
 
 
The year 2019 was not particularly good in Rotary International’s ongoing effort to eradicate the poliovirus world wide.  The data as of February 19, 2020 states that there were 173 cases of polio contracted from the wild poliovirus and 329 cases of vaccine derived polio (cVDPV) in 2019.  Thus far in the current year there have been 12 cases of polio as a result of the wild poliovirus and 6 cases of cVDPV, 4 in endemic countries and 2 in non-endemic countries.  All 12 cases have been reported in Pakistan. (Elsewhere in this newsletter you will read that Pakistan has already had 17 cases this year.)
 
At this point in time one year ago we had 9 cases of polio, 7 in Pakistan and 2 in Afghanistan.  Here is a summary of just what has occurred in the last week:  Afghanistan: two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples; Pakistan: five WPV1 cases and six WPV1 positive environmental samples; Angola: one cVDPV2 case; Côte d’Ivoire: six cVDPV2 positive environmental samples;Ethiopia: one cVDPV2 case; Ghana: two cVDPV2 cases; Philippines: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample.
 
Our task in the polio eradication effort is far from complete. We must double and triple our efforts so as to not let the situation get out of control. Please consider a personal donation to the End Polio Now – Make History Today Campaign.
In next month’s newsletter, up to date figures for the District’s End Polio Now Champions Award will be released.
 
 
Please click on Read More to see images from the recent PolioPlus trip to Caborca, Mexico.
 

The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG) António Guterres yesterday visited a kindergarten school in Lahore during the first nationwide polio campaign of the year and vaccinated students with the polio vaccine. More than 39 million children across the country are set to be vaccinated during the February campaign.

The UNSG commented on the polio eradication efforts of the country, saying that, “Polio is one of the few diseases we can eradicate in the world in the next few years. This is a priority of the United Nations and I am extremely happy to see it is a clear priority for the Government of Pakistan.”

“My appeal to all leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, is to fully support the Government of Pakistan and other governments around the world to make sure that we will be able to fully eradicate polio.”

As part of his visit, Secretary-General Guterres met with frontline workers of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme and expressed his deep solidarity. There are currently 265,000 frontline workers who go door to door during campaigns to ensure that as many children as possible are vaccinated against polio. Almost 62% of these workers are female. Women are key to helping the programme rally community members, parents and caregivers in support of polio eradication.

 

                                        Membership Minute

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our new collaboration with Toastmasters
 
Rotary is proud to be working with Toastmasters International, a leading international educational organization that helps its members become more effective speakers, communicators, and leaders.
 

 

7th Annual Conference a Success!
 
Our largest conference of the year — Interact District Conference— was held this past February 22. It was an extremely successful event, due to a number of things. We were able to have this wonderful conference at the beautiful Canyon View High School with the help of their Interactors and the Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary Club. Though it was a rainy day, that did not stop the enthusiasm of all our AGs and our 230 attendees. 
 
                  Our attendees were able to experience four amazing breakout sessions. They helped pack a giant container with all the mobility devices our clubs collected throughout the year. They also learned how to solve their Interact club’s problems and learned more about mental health. Finally, our Interactors were able to create homeless care kits. With this breakout session, we were able to pack and  donate 230 homeless care kits to a local homeless shelter. This is the very first time we did something like this, and I am really proud to say it was this successful. These breakout sessions would not have gone this great without the wonderful work of the Assistant Governors. They worked hard for months to make sure the attendees were able to get the best experience.
 
                  We were also able to have two wonderful speakers: David Talbot and Bob Solis. David spoke about his nonprofit organization, Crutches 4 Africa, with whom we partner. After his wonderful speech, the Ambassadors to Kenya and Mexico was announced. In our afternoon assembly, Bob Solis talked about the power of Rotary and his own organization which helps orphan kids in South Africa whose parents died from HIV/AIDS. 
 
                  Our IDC committee did a wonderful job of planning of this conference. They spent a lot of time planning which breakout sessions to do and arranging to provide a wonderful lunch from Chipotle. Asa Marette, who is the Executive Assistant Governor, was the head of the Conference Committee. She truly did an amazing job of planning and executing of this conference. Also, I would like to say a special thank you to all of you from Rotary who were able to attend parts or all of our conference.  Know that you are always welcome!
SAVE THE DATE – TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
 
BARLEENS DINNER SHOW
 
Have Your Club Purchase a Table of 8 and Make It an Outing
 
Wear Your Best Hawaiian Clothing to Coincide With the International Convention in Honolulu and Our Own District 5495 Hawaiian Themed Conference 
 
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Superstition Mountain– Apache Junction and Gold Canyonis proud to announce “PEOPLE of ACTION” a FUNdraising event for the Rotary Foundation. Our objective is to raise  $12,000 for the Foundation.
 
District 5495 Governor David Simmer and Superstition Mountain Rotary President Bob Benjamin, invite you to join fellow Rotarians on Saturday, March 21, 2020 for an evening of delicious food and LIVE entertainment. The Barleens “Variety Spectacular” show will provide music, comedy, impersonations and a walk down memory lane with lots of laughs and — most important — a FUN evening! Doors will open at 5:15pm.  Dinner served at 6:30pm.
 
For more information CLICK HERE.
 
In cooperation with the Barleen Family the Superstition Mountain Club has secured this exclusivedate for a Rotary fundraising event. The Barleens Dinner Show – a 33-year family tradition in the East Valley — is located at 2275 E Old Apache Highway, Apache Junction. Over the years the Barleens have entertained and delighted thousands of families. If you have never seen the show, this is your opportunity.  If you have seen the show in the past, come-on back for a brand new experience!
 
Our goal is to FILL the Theater with 460 Rotarians, family and friends from across the state of Arizona who want to support the Rotary Foundation.
 
TICKETS for this fantasitc event are just $62 per person which includes dinner, the Barleen Family variety show and a $25 contribution to one of the world’s most highly regarded charities — the Rotary Foundation.
 
Tickets are on a first come first serve basis– i.e. once your reservation is made and PAID seats will then be assigned based on e-mail date and time stamp. 
 
CORPORATE SPONSORS are available to ANY Rotarian or business at $500. Your Contribution includes dinner and show tickets for 8, contribution to The Rotary Foundation, and preferredseating for 8.   Sponsors: please provide a high resolution company logo for advertising at the event. 
 
STAY-CATION  For those traveling from a distance, accomodations are available at special rates for rooms at the new Marriott Residence Inn.
 
For more information, contact Harvey Clark at 203-841-7666 or by email at harvey.clarksuperrotary@gmail.com.
 
 
 Together we see a world where people unite, and take action to create lasting change — across  the globe,in our communities and in ourselves
 
 
                                                       
 
 
 
The board of The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona is always motivated when we get letters like this one.  We would like to share it with Rotarians during this final season of giving for this Rotary year.  Since donations to TRVFA qualify for Arizona Tax Credit as a Qualifying Charitable Organization, they may be able to make this kind of difference in someone's life without it costing them anything:
 
Dear Members of the Rotary Club (of Pebble Creek),
 
Back in June of 2019, I interviewed with your board as I was seeking financial assistance (from TRVFA) as I was interested in completing a nursing assistance program through the East Valley Medical College in Mesa Arizona. 
 
I am happy to report back to you that I am not only a graduate of the program but I am duly licensed through the State of Arizona as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). I am actually now working in my new role at Abrazo Hospital- West Valley Campus in Goodyear Arizona.  
 
I am enjoying my new position so muchthat I am actually exploring the possibility of training to become a surgical technician in the near future.  I would like to offer my profound gratitude for your generosity through your financial assistance as you have improved the quality of my life so much.
 
For that I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
 
With Gratitude,
Elisa 
 
Elisa's "financial assistance" was a grant from The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.  The grant was sponsored by the Pebble Creek Rotary Club as a result of her successful interview with them last June.  Sponsoring clubs do not have a financial obligation.  The purpose of having local clubs interview the applicants for TRVFA grants is to have local Rotarians get an impression as to whether the candidate is likely to complete their course of study and be likely to be successful in their new vocation.  
AS OF NOW THIS EVENT IS STILL SCHEDULED
 
 
Aloha!  District Conference brings the Islands to Arizona!
 
Let’s get this out of the way right up front!  This is not your grandfather’s District Conference!
 
Join us for the luau!…. team-building activities….the hospitality night….inspiration to strengthen Rotary in your community……Island games…..the polynesian dancers…..the Human Library….all while joining Rotarians across our District to make a significant difference in the lives of others.
 
And make it a real get-away!  This year’s Conference will be held at the beautiful Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak in Phoenix.
 
  • $99 suites — extend your stay as much as three days before or after the conference for the same low price!
  • Resort Fee is waived
  • Water Park with a lazy river
  • Free internet
  • Spa services available
  • Coyote Camp for children available
 
Break out your Hawaiian shirts, shorts, sandals and enjoy the most gratifying, energizing, fun, friendship-making, and heart-tugging District Conference EVER!
 
Conference Registration: rotary5495conference.org (Note: If the link is not yet working, check back soon.)
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Registration: https://book.passkey.com/e/50072786
 
Aloha!
Say hello to Honolulu, home to the 2020 Rotary International Convention. And the best way to see this island paradise?
Hang with local Rotarians and Rotaractors
 
Discover Aloha
in Honolulu, Hawaii!
 
Register for the 2020 convention now and save up to $200. The early registration fee is $450 for Rotarians and $120 for Rotaractors through December 15th. Register at riconvention.org. While there, download the promo kit to encourage your fellow Rotarians to attend Rotary’s biggest event of the year — or watch and share an enticing video that previews the Rotary Convention.
 
Experience the culture of Hawaii at events planned by the Host Organization Committee in Honolulu; they include a concert at the Waikiki Shell, a sunrise walk for peace, an ancient fishpond project, and a meal with local Rotarians.
 
Things to know when you arrive that will immediately acclimate you to the Hawaiian way:
 
 
 
 
“After her granddaughter, Jada, was born with a rare form of cancer in infants and was given a bone marrow transplant, Jeana Moore, a fellow Rotarian from Deer Park, WA, established the Jada Bascom Foundation to bring attention to the tremendous need  for bone marrow donors, and began walks around the country to register donors.
 
     These weren’t just walks in the park!  Jeana has walked over 4000 miles in the last 10 years, all for this cause.! Her first major walk was from Seattle to Los Angeles and then all the way to New York City, with a backpack and a sign attached that reads “Text LIFE to 61474.”  During her walks, she sleeps in a tent she carries, or, when lucky, is able to stay in a donated home or hotel.
 
     To this point, Jeana has signed up over 5000 donors to the National Bone Marrow Donor program!
 
    
EAT YOUR HEART OUT GOLFERS!!
 
On Sunday, February 16th, Charlie Barrett (left in the picture) was hitting balls for his first time at our contest and after some effort scored a hole-in-one!  Of course, as any of us would do, he let his people know about it.  One of those was his son, Randall.  Well Randall, a veteran of the hole-in-one, joined Dad in short order to hit balls.  Before you know it, he also got a hole-in-one.  The good news/bad news is, son's second shot was closer than father's, but, of course they both get in the finals!  Congratulations to both of you.
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale welcomed Bridget Binsbacher, Executive Director of the Arizona Cactus League Association, to the Club's luncheon meeting held at Scottsdale's McCormick Ranch Golf Club's Pavilion.  During his introduction, Rotarian Tim Baughman stated that Ms. Binsbacher serves as Vice Mayor and Councilmember for the City of Peoria. Ms. Binsbacher is the first employee of the Arizona Cactus League Baseball Association.
 
Ms. Binsbacher's tireless dedication as a community volunteer has not gone unrecognized. Bridget is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow recipient in recognition of her "service above self" community service contributions and was named one of 2016’s Who’s Who, Top Five Women in Business Leaders of Arizona.  In July 2019, AZ Business and AZRE magazines announced Ms. Binsbacher as one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2019.
 
According to Ms. Binsbacher, since 1947, the Arizona Cactus League Association has consisted of members with direct interest in the good of the league.  The Association has provided a forum to share operation efficiencies, to establish and nurture business relationships with respective Major League Baseball franchises and to facilitate and participate in activities to promote and fundraise for the Cactus League. 
 
 
Sun Lakes Rotary Club confirms 5thAnnual Cruise
 
The Club Cruise and Travel Committee is presenting the Rotary Clubs 5thAnnual cruise on a Princess 12-day British Isles Cruise on May 16, 2020 that starts and ends in London with presently over 25 signed up. This cruise includes Normandyand we have also put together a Normandy“private tour”just for our group.
 
Again, as on all past cruises, Rotarians, family and friends are included so it can be FUN and a shared experience for everyone.  If you have an interest make contact with Rotarian Lisa Phillips via cellphone 503-720-4978or lisa@rwassociates.net Additionally, Lisa is a Travel Agent and can also help with travel transportation and other side travels.
 
 
Read More For Cruise Itinerary.
Done in a Day 
Building Bunk Beds for Kids
 
President Gary reported that the Saturday, January 25 DIAD was a “great hands-on event attended by approximately 60 people including Phoenix West Rotarians and volunteers from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Thanks to Shawn for organizing the event.” You will recall that late last fall we had a program by Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds bunk beds for children who have no beds—Our club had the opportunity to pitch in to close the gap for children in need! Thanks to all who helped!
 
 
Sun Lakes Rotary Club presents Healing Vets Project May 7, 2020
 
This is the 2ndyear the Sun Lakes Rotary Club has presented this fundraising project for disabled military veterans in need of a helping hand through the effort of Healing Waters. www.projecthealingwaters.org   This annual project is now in its 5th year and will again be held at Desert Wind Harley Davidson located in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday,March 7, 2020.  
 
Please check out how you and your Rotary club can support and become involved regardless of your personal attendance or participating in the motorcycle ride.  Please visit website www.healingvets.org and look at the Hot Air Balloon Flight raffle.  If you are a motorcycle rider, why not come and join in on the ride and fun. 
 
There are also opportunities to be a sponsor through the Healing Vets website by downloading the Sponsor Package or by contacting Sun Lakes Rotarian, Stan Kaufman at 480-339-0247 or emailstan@healingvets.org  
 
It’s not too early to post on your calendarand to encourage your club and members to become involved and provide support.
 
PDG Gary Whiting, Sun Lakes Rotary and Club Committee Member

John Angelo introduced our speaker of the day Karen Blackbird, Resident Services Manager for Mercy Housing Southwest Arizona. Karen moved to Arizona to get her master’s degree at ASU (go Sun Devils) where she graduated in 2001. She feels fortunate to have worked in the social services arena in the areas of Foster Care, Adoptions, Counseling, Mental Health, the homeless, seniors and Veterans. Currently Karen works with Mercy Housing South-west as the Resident Services Manager for 13 affordable housing properties in Arizona that serve low-income seniors and individuals with special needs. 

What followed was a fast paced informative, fact laden presentation about homelessness in Arizona in general and Mercy Housing in particular. Karen explained that Sister Timothy Marie O’Roark, a Sister of Mercy of Omaha, who witnessed the horrible conditions in which poor families lived, founded Mercy Housing in 1981. She saw that many had little or no help accessing af-fordable housing, and she vowed, “We can do better.” Some 35 years later, Mercy Housing serves nearly 60,000 people in 21 states with over 22,500 units of housing and is one of the largest affordable housing providers in the United States. Mercy Housing provides housing and other services in El Mirage, Avondale, Tolleson, Glendale, Guadalupe, Mesa, Gilbert, Tucson and five centers in Phoenix. 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TAX DEDUCTIONS/CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2019 TAX YEAR UNTIL THE FILING DEADLINE, APRIL 15, 2020!

T’is the season to support Rotary’s great work AT NO COST TO YOU!  

I am asking a huge favor in the spirit of Rotary.  I am asking that EVERY ROTARIAN in District 5495 take advantage of the Arizona Credit for Contributions to Qualified Organizations by donating to charities that will benefit Rotary programs.  If you support one or both of the programs outlined below you will get dollar-for-dollar offset of your Arizona Tax.  It is not necessary to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit.  (See the contribution caps outlined below.)  

If you are an Arizona taxpayer you have the incredible privilege of directing tax dollars to causes that benefit those who need a helping hand or a nutritious meal.

Here are the two AZ tax credit programs that benefit Rotary programs.

  • The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) provides vocational scholarships to those who just need a bit of help to get an education that can transform their lives.  (More information on donating below.)
  • Manzanita Outreach provides everything necessary for our RYLA campers to have fun while helping others — packing nutritious meals for those who are food insecure.  (More information on donating below.)
  • OR SPLIT YOUR TAX CREDIT DONATION.   The main thing is to GIVE NOW TO BENEFIT ROTARY PROJECTS!!!