I hope everyone stays warm and safe in this extra chilly weather that has blown into the state.
The month of February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month at Rotary. This focus area is significant to me, and I love that by being part of Rotary, I can help make a difference in this way. Not only is part of Rotary's vision is making an impact in the world but to also promote lasting change. By members taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources, we can create environments of peace. How does your club help in this area?
A few updates that I wanted to make sure and share with the clubs are regarding my visits. I had hoped to be able to do in-person visits after the first of the year, but Rotary International has given the direction that District Governors should not travel for the remaining Rotary year. I've visited many clubs virtually this year and will be reaching out to the remaining clubs to complete my virtual visits before July. Additionally, this means that we will not be able to have an in-person District Conference this year, and it has been decided we will do something virtual to celebrate the clubs. Please stay tuned for more information regarding our Virtual District Conference.
I look forward to visiting with you again soon!
Thanks,
Angela Rickman
Rotary District 5750 | District Governor 2020 – 2021
Applications for the 2022 Rotary Peace Fellowship will open in February. Rotarians and local clubs are encouraged to promote the fellowship and share information with potential candidates. Information about the program and applicant qualifications is available here.
Please contact Steve Shepelwich, District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair, at shepelwich@gmail.com for more information on the fellowships and how to get involved.
It's baaaaack- ONLINE! February 19th from 7 to 9pm. The Oklahoma City Midtown Rotary is proud to present the annual Spelling Bee(r)! This year, we're going virtual! There is no fee to watch the spellers- the ticket to compete is $50/person. In keeping with our local beer tradition at the bee, spellers can pick up a goodie bag of local brews to enjoy at home as part of their ticket price. All entry fees, sponsorships and donations empower our club to give back to the Oklahoma City arts & education community through grants.
The live feed will be broadcast from our website in collaboration with Stonecloud Brewery and The House Helps!
Sign up to SPELL, you could win $500
Ponca City Rotarians helped stock products and organize shelves for the oncoming clients of the New Emergency Resource Agency. During the pandemic, organizations like NERA have been crucial to the community by providing necessary resources. We are thankful to have agencies like NERA in Ponca City!
Thanks to the generosity of Club 29 Rotarians, 45 non-profit organizations in Oklahoma City received $15,000 in matching grants from the first Club 29 Helping Hands Matching Grants program.
The Rotary Club of Enid has a commitment to Rotary International's core Areas of Focus and made contributions totaling $12,500 to three area organizations - Enid Public Schools Foundation, United Way of Enid & NW Oklahoma, and Journey House Pregnancy Resources Center of Enid.
On January 26, 2021, the Rotary Club of Okla. City presented a $70,000 check to Rainbow Fleet Early Education Center. The funds will build Rotary Community Playground, located at near NW 45th & Western and will serve young, at-risk children in a diverse, low-income area. In an area without city parks nearby, the Rotary Community Playground will have a lasting positive impact on the surrounding community and will facilitate hands-on training to aspiring Early Education professionals.
Rotary President Jeffrey Herbel congratulated Rotarian Huge Sage for becoming a Paul Harris Fellow +5 and New Enid Rotary Club member Jacob Krumwiede, left, and new Rotary board member David Lawrence, center, were presented to the club Jan. 25 by club President Jeffery Herbel.
February Teacher of the Month Lisa Pitts is currently a fifth grade Science and STEM teacher at Oakdale Middle School, and has dedicated nearly 3 decades of her life to educating, encouraging, and inspiring children to endeavor to be future innovators, scientists and leaders. In 2021, she was named state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and in 2019 she was named Devon Energy STEM Teacher of the Game.
