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ROTARY DISTRICT 5750 NEWSLETTER MAY 2020
DISTRICT GOVERNOR Lance Singleton OKC Sunrise Rotary [email protected] DISTRICT GOVERNOR ELECT Angela Rickman Ponca City Rotary [email protected] DISTRICT GOVERNOR NOMINEE Matt Tipton OKC Midtown Rotary [email protected] DISTRICT TREASURER Alex Lancaster Midwest City Rotary [email protected] DISTRICT SECRETARY & WEBSITE PDG Megan Law Rotary Club of Oklahoma City [email protected]
www.Rotary5750.org
Dear Rotarians, It has been a time of seclusion and concern yet hope; and now the world be-gins the process of getting back to a sense of normalcy. Some may find it easy to return to normal and others will take it slow and cautiously. During this life changing event, we all must adapt. What seems like the distant past, I recall visiting all but 1 club in our district; and it was one of the best experiences. As I visited with each of you, my theme was to be “change agents”, like Mission Impossible… your mission should you choose to accept it. Well, we’ve sure had to adapt over the last two months; and we’ll continue to change how we do things as Rotarians. But the key to everything is HOW we change. We have to take all that is good about Rotary, the SPIRIT of Rotary - the willingness to serve, the integ-rity, the diversity, the fellowship, the leadership – our very DNA – this is the platform we must use moving forward. So, how can you use the spirit of Rotary in pursuit of your successful chang-es as a club and Rotarian. I love what Napoleon said, "What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve." If you believe in yourself and believe in your club, then you can achieve absolutely everything you set out to accomplish. Just think, two months ago you were... (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
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DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE — CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE ...meeting weekly in-person and now, you’re meeting virtually! Talk about adapting! If you’ve not taken on the opportunity to meet virtually, touch base with our district team and we’ll be glad to help. Remember, we have a dedicated page on Rotary5750.org to give you ideas on how to keep members engaged. We have all endured difficult times. We always get through them. We have no choice. The question is how quickly and how successfully. Personally, I committed to restrict myself from checking stock market fluctua-tions and new Coronavirus cases. These metrics are beyond my control so it’s a waste of my time. I intend to focus my energies on helping my family, friends and Rotarians. I will connect as we’ve done all year. I will be encouraging and urge them to be a change agent…strive to become the solution for those in need right now. As a District Governor and business professional I have experienced so many wonderful highs and a good number of challenging lows. I have never been more determined to be a problem solver than I am at this mo-ment. I wish you good health and a sense of optimism. We can and will overcome this… and be better because of it. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. Yours in Rotary, Lance Singleton District Governor 2019-2020
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DISTRICT GOVERNOR CALENDAR 2019-2020
May 15, 2020 District Grant Applications due for 2021-22 year
May 15, 2020 *DATE EXTENDED* District Governor Citation Due
June 6-10, 2020 *CANCELLED* Rotary International Convention
Honolulu, Hawaii
https://www.riconvention.org/en/honolulu
June 30, 2020 Presidential Citation Information due
https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/office-president/rotary-citation
July 1, 2020 Start of new Rotary year!
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DISTRICT 5750 NEWS
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 flexibil-ity 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 uncom-fortable 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 calen-dar 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 calen-dar 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
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DISTRICT GOVERNOR CITATION DEADLINE EXTENDED With our current COVID-19 battle, the Governor’s Citation has been extended to May 15. Since club meetings are not taking place in-person, gaining new members is most likely a challenge. Therefore, points in this area will be based on results through March; however please count points within the “Unite People” section based on your results through the extended deadline. I am very proud of all clubs for your energy and commitment to Rotary; and hanks to the clubs that have already submitted.
RYLA 2020 The district is working very hard to ensure a very rewarding RYLA event this July. As you can imagine planning a youth camp during this recovering pandemic has become quite the challenge; and yet, our brilliant RYLA team is preparing a camp every student will always remember. So, clubs keep those applications com-ing; and more importantly, continue your financial support for the future of Rotary. Here is what’s in the works… eRYLA! The world’s most powerful virtual leadership retreat! Trailblazer Retreat July 8-10 (Wed-Fri), Camper Retreat 13-17 (Mon-Fri). We will be engaging students in a variety of activities throughout the week, using a single platform as a “base camp” for ease of navigation, from which we will be using several different apps, videos, chats, and other platforms. We’re working to make sure: (a.) all our outcomes are met, (b.) it is fun, and (c.) there is a mixture of screen time games, rich debriefings, as well as movement/non-sitting/screen-light engagement. We are planning sessions too that will help with the students’ mental well-being. BONUS! In addition to making our RYLA happen for our campers, we have around 80-90 returning students (in some leadership capacity). eRYLA is also for their growth and development. They are learning to navigate and lead in this digital environment, learning also how to keep the human side present, even in a virtual world. The focus of eRYLA will be the same as the regular camp, focusing on power skills like self-awareness, respect for differences, critical thinking, motivation, leadership, creativity and innovation to name a few. So, keep the momentum of RYLA strong. We’ll have a very successful camp this year. To the future of Rotary, Jeff Gabelsberg Lance Singleton RYLA Chair, 2018-2021 District Governor, 2019-2020
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District 5750 has pledged $25,000 to the Rotary Disaster Response Fund’s COVIC-19 grant program. Last week, we donated $12,500 in District Designated Funds. We’ll do the next $12,500 early in the 20-21 Rotary year. These funds were raised by our district Rotarians through their donations to the Annual Fund. We greatly appreciate everyone’s donations to the foundation and their willingness to put these funds to work during these trying times.
DISTRICT 5750 FIGHTS COVID-19 PANDEMIC
ENID - $10,000 DONATION & FESTIVAL OF FLAVOR The Rotary Club of Enid donated $10,000 to Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma, the local Food Resource Center (FRC). The club utilized the money accumulated from the members paid but uneaten meals category. The Enid club has 144 members and it is anticipated the weekly meetings will be suspended for six weeks. With the thought of making a donation to help the community, it was decided to support Loaves & Fishes. They have been on the front lines of feeding our community of Enid, setting records for family’s served each day of the food distribution. The mission of Loaves & Fishes is to provide groceries to the food insecure families of Enid and Northwest Oklaho-ma and the Enid Rotary Club is helping to ensure the mission is fulfilled.
President Elect Jeffery Herbel delivers the check to Loaves & Fishes
Enid Rotary held its annual Festival of Flavor fundraiser on March 10th . The event included 30 restaurants from through-out Enid that had food to sample. There were over 400 in attendance and the event raised over $12,000. A portion of the proceed are donated to Enid High, Chisolm and OBA for their graduation events.
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OKLAHOMA CIITY - APRIL TEACHER OF THE MONTH Katie Alsup, Social Studies 7th & 8th grade teacher at Belle Isle Enterprise is the April 2020 Teacher of the Month. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History Education from Okla. City University, and has taught for 7 years. Katie is charge of the hospitality committee at her school where she arranges off-site after school get-togethers on a monthly basis, various lunches and staff birthday parties. She has also hosted student observers and student teachers in her class as well as serving on education panels at Oklahoma City University. She believes that teaching is an act of service, and she uses a project-based
teaching style, encouraging her students to be themselves and create an environment of patience and inclusion. Her students are encouraged to be themselves, not be afraid of making mistakes and to learn all they can. She is active in her church, and is a board member of the Oklahoma YMCA Youth and Government Organization. Congratulations, Katie!
CHANDLER - MEETINGS CANCELLED Chandler Rotary Club has not met since the last newsletter came out. Two of us did attend the zoom meeting for the Foundation training. We will also be having a board meeting on Fri-day. There are less than 10 on our board and we will have it where there will be plenty of room for us keep our distance. Our regular meeting location has been contacted, but unfortunately it is a local restaurant and they are not sure when they will be fully open, so our board will have to make a decision about what to do. Wishing all of our fellows club members safety and success in your endeavors.
WEATHERFORD - CAR SHOW Please join us in celebrating the 30th Anniversary Heartland Cruise Car Show on June 19-20, 2020 in Weatherford. Kick off Father’s Day Weekend Friday evening in Towne Centre with a Welcome Party, Regis-tration, Food Trucks, Craft Vendors and ending the night with a spectacular Cruise with cash giveaways! Saturday events will include: Burnout Contest, Loud Exhaust Contest, Children's Activities, Inflatables, Poker Walk, Food & Craft Vendors, Tons of Giveaways & Much More! There will be 20 vehicle classes with awards for the Top 3 in each class & goody bags to the first 300 entries! All makes, models and special interest vehicles are welcome! Register your vehicle by June 1st, 2020 to receive one free annual event t-shirt! The annual car show is being hosted by the Weatherford Rotary Club and Heartland Cruise Car Club. All proceeds will benefit the Weatherford Police Department D.A.R.E. Program. To register a vehicle, become a ven-dor or sponsor our show, please visit our website at www.heartlandcruisecarshow.com.
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BRICKTOWN - VIRTUAL MEETINGS Bricktown Rotary has entered the virtual world! On April 6th, the club began holding their regular meetings via Zoom. The meetings have been received well by the members. President Lealon Taylor says members are finding it relatively easy to invite guests to virtual meetings. One guest who had been visiting the club since the pandemic hit, asked to join the club during one of the meetings. Instead of holding a board meet-ing, the entire club decided to hold a vote immediately and unanimously voted him in! The official swearing in/pinning will be performed when the club returns to in-person meetings. Two other guests have expressed interest in joining since being a part of the virtual meetings. Taylor said that some members have suggested holding a virtual meeting occasionally in the future just to mix it up a bit. He also expressed that the quality of speakers have been phenomenal. Speakers have includ-ed: State Representative Jason Dunnington, Former Governor David Walters, Small Business Administration Specialist Cindi Carter and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Joy Hoffmeister. Future speakers in-clude John Budd, Chief Operating Of-ficer for the Stitt administration and a representative from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma has been invited. Taylor said that Bricktown will vote as a club to resume in-person meetings sometime this month. He said that a significant majority of the club need to feel it's safe to meet in-person again before that occurs
PONCA CITY - SANITIZER DELIVERIES Members of Rotary International are People of Action. With that in mind, the leadership of Rotary District 5750 created a 50/50 matching grant program titled, “Together, we FIGHT COVID-19”. The grant addresses a critical need for our first responders and care facilities…hand sanitizer. The district purchased 275 gallons of Liquid Hand Sanitizer 70% v/v Ethyl Alcohol/ water mixture from Prairie Wolf Spirits in Oklahoma City and packaged it in ½ gallon containers. Local Rotary chapters then purchased
and distributed the hand sanitizer in their communities throughout Oklahoma. Members of Ponca City Rotary donated units to first responders in Ponca City and Kay County including Ponca City Fire, Kay County Sheriff, Kay County Health, Survivor Resource Network, NERA, and Marland Children Home. They also donated units to care facilities including Creekside Village, Ponca City Nursing, Renaissance, Shawn Manor and Via Christi Village. Rotarians wore masks created and donated by Debbie Winterrowd and observed proper so-cial distancing guidelines. President Elect Jamie Phillips says “ I am part of Rotary because we are able to make a positive contribution in our area and in this case having a direct impact on fighting the Coronavirus in our community”.
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OKLAHOMA CITY - ROTARIAN CELEBRATES 100 YEARS! Rotary Club of Oklahoma City Rotarian David Wade's father- in-law, Bill Rapp, celebrated his 100th birthday in April. Rapp joined the Shawnee Rotary club in 1958 and served as President of the Shawnee Rotary Club from 1987-88. He still goes to work everyday. Bill visited the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City on Janu-ary 28, 2020. Because of pandemic restrictions, Bill's birthday was celebrated by friends and family driving by! Watch the news story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVay8EYdsek
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