I know many of us felt the impact and significant challenges with the ice storms in our community recently, and my thoughts have been with you; and I hope this finds you doing well.
In the Rotary world, November marks our time to reflect on the foundation. The Rotary Foundation is an essential component of the good we can do, and I would encourage you to look at ways to support the foundation. You can maximize year-end giving by encouraging members to make a gift on Giving Tuesday, which is on December 1st.
Another new fundraising tool that I recently learned about is called Raise for Rotary. This site is a peer to peer tool that allows you to create fundraising pages that are easy to share with family and friends through social media and email, similar to "Go Fund Me." Check it out at raise.rotary.org, and I'd love to hear any successes with your clubs using it to raise funds for projects.
Finally, I'd like to wrap up by sharing that I will be visiting OKC Sunrise for a virtual visit on November 19th. I look forward to these visits and connecting with you during these challenging times. Please continue to use new and innovative ways to keep members engaged and connected, and I look forward to a time when we can meet in person and celebrate the friendships and work we do as Rotarians.
Thanks,
Angela Rickman
Rotary District 5750 | District Governor 2020 – 2021
I would like to begin by introducing myself. I am Jonna Herbert, RYE Chair for our District. I would like to take a moment to make sure that you have all had your club training and if not, let you know that you can notify me and I will come to your location/zoom to host this training. If your club is offering Youth Exchange, I would love to hear from your Club Chair to get to know what the plans are and how things are going!
November 2020 teacher of the month, Jason Smith, is a history teacher at Crooked Oak High School. Jason earned a bachelor degree in social studies education from UCO. He has taught World History, US History, Government, Critical Thinking, and has also been the soccer coach. In his free time, Jason enjoys reading history books, and shares his passion for history and government with Crooked Oak alumni through social media. He cares about the students and wants to see them grow in academics and be contributing members of society.
On Saturday, October 17th , our members got to serve at the Stockyards City Steak Cookoff. One of our member’s wife and another member’s employee attended Steak Judging school on day before and tasted 97 steaks! They judged them by flavor, appearance, doneness and texture. The rest of our group served in various positions — hungry of course, from the smell of those steaks!
Where else can you wear dress up like an Incredible with Ninja moves or a chicken driving a motor cycle and serve 200 hotdogs to passersby in their cars? On October 23rd, the West Oklahoma City Rotary joined the staff at Dale Rogers Training Center to give DRTC clients with their families a hotdog, condiments, and a bag of chips as they passed by in cars. DRTC staff gave away candy and treats. Jay Thurber and his wife Kristin, owners of the Chuck House, prepared 200 hotdogs and furnished buns, condiments, and the sacks to put them in!
On Friday, October 23rd the West As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, rom September 23rd to October 21st , club members Johnson, Patrick Alexander and Danna Syzmanski routinely collected for End Polio Now. Every Wednesday John Johnson faithfully gave a biography presentation of an achiever who had polio and how it changed their life. It’s funny how one never think’s about Polio until it becomes a weekly topic, so Johnson did a great job in creating an absent awareness in our members. Their team also asked the club to donate one week of brag bucks from October ’20 to June ’21 to the End Polio Now campaign, which the club was happy to do! They also got super creative by offering members the opportunity to buy Paul Harris Fellowship’s in someone’s honor. One of our members is receiving his 6 th PHF award for taking part. Note: The great ICE STORM 2020 set the director of team, John Johnson’s notifications back because of being out of power for more than a week. So, the club is waiting for his final presentation to tell us the total amount West Oklahoma City Rotary Club donated to End Polio Now.
The Rotary Club of Enid and President Jeffery Herbel have welcomed 6 new members. Eric Benson, Ken Hunnell, Ghent Hopkins, Courtney Strzinek, Cole Hammock, and Rev. Devon Krause.
The Rotary Club of Enid hosted the first Annual Pints for Polio at two restaurants and two Brewing companies in Enid on National Polio Day, October 24th. All money raised from the event will be given to assist in the efforts to eradicate polio.
The Rotary Club of Enid donated $750 to the New Teacher Program at Enid Public Schools.
On Oct. 17th, the Midtown Rotary hosted the first ever Cornholio event. This was an international and local cornhole tournament to bring awareness to Rotary’s worldwide effort to eradicate polio. Pictures of the event are attached. In total: $1,475.00 was raised for Polio Plus/TRF.
Also, OKC Midtown Rotarians Emily Duncan and Justin Mitchell for becoming Paul Harris Fellows!
On October 6th, all third graders in both Cushing and Ripley school districts were given free dictionaries on behalf of the club. A total of 139 dictionaries were handed out to students in the two schools.
Cross Country Meet
On October 8th, the club sponsored a water station for a state-wide cross country track meet being held in Cushing. A total of 568 bottles of water were handed out to athletes and spectators throughout the day.
Fill the Bus
On October 13th, the club donated over $2800 worth of school supplies to all five schools in the Cushing school district. Supplies included hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and ear buds in addition to normal school supplies like paper, pens, and pencils.
Rotary Park
This fall, the club has sponsored the rehabilitation of Rotary Park in Cushing. Over $9000 has been spent to upgrade the existing gazebos and build awnings over picnic tables. We also held a park work day to provide some of the labor within the club to offset costs.
Fall Radio Auction
On October 25th, the Cushing club held their 34th annual radio auction. Members solicited bids from individuals and businesses throughout the community and actioned them off via radio and FB live. The club raised over $10,700 this year!
Daniel W. Schuerch has been a high school teacher for 13 years, 7 at Harding Fine Arts Academy. He received his doctorate degree in Microbiology from OUHSC.
Daniel is department chair for Biology, Conceptual Physics and Environmental Science at Harding Fine Arts Academy. He has had several professional research papers published, and received the Award of Excellence from OSSM. Dr. Schuerch has received several grants and awards including an Ingenuity STEM grant from Devon, and a grant through Donors Choose for lab supplies and Chromebooks.
Pictured: Janet Vernon- TOM Chair, Dr. Schuerch, Cori Loomis, and President David Walters
November 2020 teacher of the month, Jason Smith, is a history teacher at Crooked Oak High School. Jason earned a bachelor degree in social studies education from UCO. He has taught World History, US History, Government, Critical Thinking, and has also been the soccer coach. In his free time, Jason enjoys reading history books, and shares his passion for history and government with Crooked Oak alumni through social media. He cares about the students and wants to see them grow in academics and be contributing members of society. 
On Saturday, October 17th , our members got to serve at the Stockyards City Steak Cookoff. One of our member’s wife and another member’s employee attended Steak Judging school on day before and tasted 97 steaks! They judged them by flavor, appearance, doneness and texture. The rest of our group served in various positions — hungry of course, from the smell of those steaks!
hotdogs to passersby in their cars? On October 23rd, the West Oklahoma City Rotary joined the staff at Dale Rogers Training Center to give DRTC clients with their families a hotdog, condiments, and a bag of chips as they passed by in cars. DRTC staff gave away candy and treats. Jay Thurber and his wife Kristin, owners of the Chuck House, prepared 200 hotdogs and furnished buns, condiments, and the sacks to put them in!
The Rotary Club of Enid and President Jeffery Herbel have welcomed 6 new members. Eric Benson, Ken Hunnell, Ghent Hopkins, Courtney Strzinek, Cole Hammock, and Rev. Devon Krause. 
On Oct. 17th, the Midtown Rotary hosted the first ever Cornholio event. This was an international and local cornhole tournament to bring awareness to Rotary’s worldwide effort to eradicate polio. Pictures of the event are attached. In total: $1,475.00 was raised for Polio Plus/TRF.
Dictionary Project
Daniel W. Schuerch has been a high school teacher for 13 years, 7 at Harding Fine Arts Academy. He received his doctorate degree in Microbiology from OUHSC.