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Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Rotary District 5750 supports the great work of 36 active community-based clubs with nearly 2,000 Rotarians. In addition to our clubs’ amazing and impactful work, our District also promotes incredible programs that enrich lives near and far. To find out more, check out www.rotary.org to find a club near you or peruse our club directory in the menu above to visit your nearest club this week!

DISASTER RESPONSE GRANT

Hello District 5750 Club Presidents and Foundation Chairs! Thank you to all who supported our Hand Sanitizer Project for our first responders! Those efforts made a real difference in our communities and we are proud to be People of Action in times like these!

The reason for our communication today is that we have another great opportunity to help those in need by way of a Disaster Response Grant offered by Rotary International. We applied for and received $25,000! We have formed a special committee to oversee the use of these funds, and we have some exciting opportunities for your clubs to get involved; and again, be PEOPLE OF ACTION!

We are very aware that our clubs depend on fundraisers to bolster club finances, which are then used in your communities for special projects. We know that due to COVID-19, many of the planned fundraisers have been postponed or cancelled. With this is mind, we have come up with some creative ways for you to get involved and benefit from this Disaster Grant, even if matching funds are not an option for your club.

The focus of our grant is providing food to those in need due to COVID-19. We have a broad range of ways to help when it comes to providing food. Below we have outlined three potential ways for your members to get involved. Please note, if your club wants to present another idea on how to get food in the hands of those in need, we are open to creative ideas that would be a best fit for your community! Keep in mind, any idea brought to the committee must include a process of invoicing for product. RI does not allow the distribution of unrestricted funds in donation form.

Potential participation opportunities include:

1. Identify a food pantry or food bank in your local area and work with them to obtain food. This option would require some level of matching funds from your club as well as an invoicing process to show the purchase of the food for the pantry.

2. Identify a Meals on Wheels, or similar program, and work with them to obtain food for their efforts. This option could require some level of matching funds, but that could be minimized if club members are willing to volunteer time to help prepare, package or deliver food for the program. This option will also require an invoicing process to show the purchase of food.

3. Host a food drive for residents in your area. This option would not require matching funds. The grant money would be distributed to your club through actual invoices for product, to secure non-perishable food, and your club would then plan and host a drive-through grocery pick-up for those in need. One of our committee members has done this recently with a church group, and we are happy to offer planning ideas to help your food drive be a success.

Again, the above are just some ideas. We want to welcome creativity and flexibility so that each community is served in the best way possible. The form (AVAILABLE HERE) is required for your participation. Please complete the form and return no later than June 29, 2020. We will then respond and determine next steps for your project.

Thank you for your wiliness to serve your local communities. Rotarians of District 5750 are answering the call, and I couldn’t be prouder!

VIRTUAL DISTRICT LUAU CELEBRATION

DG LANCE SINGLETON JUNE MESSAGE

Dear Rotarians,

What an extraordinary year, in so may ways! Indeed, we’ve experienced a time in which “connecting” has more meaning than ever before. Our world was transformed literally overnight and through the strength of Rotary fellowship we have connected…perhaps better than when our lives were uninterrupted by the virus. As we celebrate fellowship this month, let’s be thankful for such a tremendous organization that helped forge the bonds with our fellow Rotarians.

I invite all Rotarians of District 5750 to attend our District Celebration Luau on June 18, 6:30 pm. We’ll celebrate together and recognize the efforts of clubs and our support of the Rotary Foundation. Rotary International President, Mark Maloney will be sharing his inspiration with us, so you won’t want to miss it! It will be a great hour of fellowship. Details will be sent soon; and all will be able to attend in the comfort of your home sporting your favorite luau outfit. Be sure to have your favorite luau beverage, too!

As this Rotary year comes to an end, I encourage all Rotarians to consider one last donation to the Rotary Foundation. Currently, Rotary is ~ $14 million (only $11.66 per Rotarian) short of our End Polio Now annual goal in which the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matches 2 for 1. We don’t want to miss out on $100 million, do we! Oklahomans have always been very generous, and this will be another shining example of how Okies provide support when needed.

Speaking of the Foundation, we were awarded $25,000 in Disaster Response; so be on the outlook for a special grant to provide food in your community. There is flexibility and details will be sent in an email to current club presidents. The deadline to submit an application is June 29, so work with your club to utilize this great opportunity and be People of Action.

Throughout this Rotary year I’ve had the pleasure to meet so many Rotarians in our great district; and this has been one of the most rewarding experiences. One of the most notable qualities in all of you is the loyalty you have shown for Rotary. Loyalty is what makes for great people, winning teams and our topflight Rotary organization.

President Ronald Reagan said, “You’ve got to give loyalty down, if you want loyalty up.” Perhaps a better way of this saying this is I firmly believe that respect is earned, honesty is appreciated, love is gained, and loyalty is returned…and all of you have earned my deepest respect and loyalty.

A word that describes the impact you’ve had on me is grateful. I know that many people helped me along the way, from my supportive family to mentors and Rotary friends. Many people helped shape this treasured year. This experience would have been markedly different without all that valuable support. Seeing what all of you have contributed reminds me that I could never have managed alone.

It has been an exciting and thrilling year of connecting with you and I am honored to have served with you. We have Connected the World; and I look forward our new year, Rotary Opens Opportunities. I wish all my fellow District 5750 Rotary family and Angela Rickman, District Governor 2020-21 the very best. Stay Connected!

Yours in Rotary,

Lance Singleton
District Governor 2019-2020

FULL NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE HERE

DISTRICT GOVERNOR 2022-23 ANNOUNCED

Rotary District 5750 is pleased to announce our District Governor Nominee Designate as Deena Fisher of the Woodward Rotary Club. Deena will serve as District Governor in 2022-23.

Deena K. Fisher recently retired as the Dean of the Woodward Campus and Professor of History at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Oklahoma State University and master’s in Social Science Education and in School Counseling from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In 2006, Dr. Fisher attended the “Institute for Management and Leadership in Higher Education” at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is a contributing editor for the textbook, Oklahoma—Land of Contrast. In 2012, Fisher was inducted into the Journal Record Woman of the Year’s “Circle of Excellence”. She is a proud graduate of the Leadership Oklahoma Class of XXIV and has been an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Psi Chapter for 25 years.

She serves on the Executive Board of Directors for Leadership Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, and the Oklahoma Historical Society where she has been elected President for a three-year term. In addition, she serves as a board member on both the Oklahoma African American Educators’ Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Educators’ Hall of Fame. She is an OKCEO Program Outreach Consultant Champion for the Potts Foundation in northwest Oklahoma.

In her community, she is an active board member of the United Fund, Friends of Historic Fort Supply, Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum, William S. Key Correctional Institution Citizen Advisory Board, and Woodward Industrial Foundation Advisory Board. She is a past chair of the Woodward Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Dr. Fisher was recognized as the “Woodward Citizen of the Year”.

Deena has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Woodward since 1996 where she has served as Club President twice, Vice-President and Secretary for eight years. Under her Presidency, the Rotary Club of Woodward won the Gold Chapter Award. In addition, she has chaired Membership, Club Service and International program committees. She served four terms as an Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 5750, and served on several committees including District Governor selection, District Vocational Education, District 4-Way Test Judge, and participated in the District Rotary Leadership Institute. She received the "Light of Rotary" District Award in 2014-2015. Deena is sustaining member and a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. She says that it is the philosophy of Rotary that means the most to her as a Rotarian. This is followed closely with the deep bonding of Rotary friends she has met over the years.

Most importantly, she has five grandchildren who are the sunshine in her life.

THE ROAD TO ROTARY NORMAL

Recently, the Rotary International Board of Directors conducted a virtual meeting; and the following guidance is provided to encourage all Rotarians to take the safe route with in-person meetings. As you read through the items, keep in mind the health and safety of Rotarians is of paramount importance. Creativity and flexibility are terms that come to mind when we think about how we need to address this crisis. I have enjoyed spending time with several clubs virtually over the last few days and hope that each of you and your families continue practicing good health habits. We hope to announce very soon an upcoming district-wide event you won’t want to miss!

I encourage you to meet with your board and club and determine the best course for you. As a district we will be following similar guidelines.

Approved holding a virtual Rotary International convention on 20–26 June 2020;
Agreed to the following general principles:
- The health and safety of all participants in Rotary programs, meetings, and events is of paramount importance.
- No in-person meeting or event shall be mandatory for any Rotary participant who may feel uncomfortable attending because of the pandemic.
- All conveners and organizers of Rotary meetings are strongly encouraged to consider all health concerns in deciding whether to hold in-person meetings.
- All conveners and organizers of Rotary meetings shall fully comply with all health and safety rules in effect in that location.
With the principles above in mind, adopted the following rules and guidance for specific activities:
- All RI Board meetings shall be conducted virtually (and not in-person) for the remainder of calendar year 2020.
- All RI committee meetings shall be conducted virtually for the remainder of 2020.
- 2020 Rotary Institute conveners are strongly encouraged to conduct their institutes virtually.
- Governors are strongly encouraged to use virtual meetings for club visits that occur during calendar year 2020. (at least the first half of the next Rotary year)
- Regional leaders are strongly encouraged to use virtual meetings for training seminars and other events during calendar year 2020. (at least the first half of the next Rotary year)
- The general secretary shall prepare a risk assessment of conducting the Rotary Youth Exchange Program during the 2020–21 Rotary year.

Just remember, the safety of our fellow Rotarian is the upmost priority. Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Yours in Rotary,

Lance Singleton
District Governor, 2019-2020

MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT IDEAS

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to support the Rotary Clubs of District 5750 in their efforts to maintain engagement during times when many clubs have reduced in-person meetings, projects or social events. We have developed this guide with ideas and strategies for Club Leaders to consider. The following is an offering of support, not a requirement. Club Leaders are encouraged to consult with their boards to assess and determine which strategies will be useful on the local level.

None of these strategies is a replacement for timely, transparent and regular communication with your members about your plans to continue modified operations throughout this time. Be sure that all committee and office leaders in your club are equipped with consistent messaging to minimize confusion to your members and to streamline communications about changes as they arise. Consider sending brief weekly updates to your members or provide a timeline for when decisions will be reviewed and modified if necessary.

Have a great strategy that’s working for you? Send details to District Secretary Megan Law so it may be added to this guide and shared with others.

View the complete guide Here: https://rotary5750.org/sitepage/maintaining-engagement