June 2020 My Rotary journey began 40 years ago when I joined the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, at the age of 25, and it has brought my family and me many unforgettable moments. But nothing could have prepared me for connecting with the world as president of Rotary International. My individual Rotary journey has become a shared Rotary journey with each of you.
All of the incredible people Gay and I met this year — Rotarians, Rotaractors, and the extended family of Rotary — will be an inspiration for the rest of our lives. We visited clubs and projects from Uruguay to Ukraine, from Nigeria to New Zealand, and beyond. We were privileged to crisscross the globe, circumnavigating it twice and moving back and forth between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Each country and each stop held its own Rotary magic. While in Zimbabwe in March, we participated in a medical vocational training team mission with Rotarians from India, providing health, hope, and life itself to the thousands who came for treatment. We also felt the energy of more than 300 young people at a Rotary Youth Symposium in Harare. What a thrill it was to be with these young people!
District 5870 has contributed a total of District Designated Funds of $111,102 to Covid-19 related activities. We created and funded a District DAP Grant in the amount of $61,102. We were awarded from The Rotary Foundation a District Disaster Response Fund Grant in the amount of $25,000.
This total of $86,102 will be contributed to three hospital organizations who have a footprint in all corners of our District. These organizations are Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation, Ascension Seton Foundation and St. David’s Foundation. The donations are exclusively to be used for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment to be distributed to hospitals and clinics throughout our District.
My goal in this writing is to succinctly describe the “big picture” of the Foundation. I also encourage each member to study the Foundation on Rotary.org—there is more detail to reinforce what Kent and I will offer during May.
Bottom line—We want all members to understand the Foundation and thusly support it with an annual donation.
In my judgement, the RI Foundation is an ingenious creation designed to support the vision of “World Peace and Understanding.” It has an “endowment component” made up primarily from bequest gifts to assure the fund well into the future. It has a “designated gifts” component, that includes support of polio-plus, peace scholars, disaster relief, as examples. It has a “World Fund” component from which major initiatives attack world wide issues. It has an “Annual Fund “ component that is designed to create a partnership with local Districts and Clubs. It seeks to generate funds for local community and global initiatives. Each year, each District receives back half of the club donations made three years prior. These funds are then expended through a grant process let by each Governor.
If you have not made a donation to the “annual fund” this Rotary year, please do so. A $25 donation goes a long way to serve others above self.
I spend a lot of time thinking of family, not just my own or the extended family of Rotary, but also the families we are helping in the communities we serve. In many parts of the world, mothers and children face challenges to survive that most of us will never comprehend. According to the World Health Organization, the risk of a woman in a low-income country dying during pregnancy or childbirth, or from related causes, is about 120 times higher than that of a woman living in a high-income country. It is encouraging that infant mortality rates are declining globally, yet 4 million babies annually still die within the first year of life.
Rotary International President-elect Holger Knaack is encouraging Rotarians to seize the many opportunities Rotary offers to enrich their lives and the communities they serve. Knaack, a member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany, revealed the 2020-21 presidential theme, Rotary Opens Opportunities, to incoming district governors at the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, on 20 January.
Rotary isn’t just a club for people to join, but rather “an invitation to endless opportunities,” said Knaack, who becomes president on 1 July. He emphasized that Rotary creates pathways for members to improve their lives and the lives of those they help through service projects.
Ordinary Rotarians can find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
This is the fifth annual appearance of What It’s Like, a proven favorite with readers inside and outside Rotary. If you’re a Rotarian with a great story — or you know someone connected with Rotary who’s got a fantastic tale — we want to hear it. Look for the best stories in future issues of The Rotarian.
Rotarians of E-Club Central Texas are making a difference in their communities and by reaching around the world with Rotary Foundation Global Grants. We are so excited to be working on our first global grant with four clubs in Nepal to provide teacher training and technology in their schools. If you would like to donate it will count towards a P.H. award and make a big difference. Contact Suresh Pahwa on the details. Thank you!
We just want to say thank you to all who joined us on the bat cruise. It was great to see everyone. If you have photos to share please send to Linda Tyler and we will add them to our photo album.
We will be taking orders through the fall until November 19 with distribution of products at the board meeting/social Dec. 3rd (In time for holiday delivery). This is our only fundraiser for the year and we use the funds to support Pecan Springs, RYLA, Interact and so much more! Please consider supporting us!
We don’t always see ourselves this way. We don’t talk much about being “peacemakers” even in times when people most desire peace. People want peace in their home, community, state, nation, or world. We long for it, but don’t usually see ourselves as the “peacemakers.” But it is true. That is who we are.
24 October is World Polio Day! World Polio Day is a time for Rotarians all over the world to raise awareness about our efforts to eradicate polio for good. Join us by hosting an event in your community. Not sure what to do for World Polio Day? Here are a few ideas:
Host a gathering for friends and club members to watch the Online Global Update.
Organize a fundraiser and invite guests to experience what its like to vaccinate children by viewing Rotary's virtual reality film, "Two Drops of Patience." (Download Rotary's VR app to your Apple or Android device.)
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about the importance of ending polio. Send it to the letters or opinion page editor for consideration.
Share information about Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The sponsoring Rotary Clubs for Pecan Springs met with the new Interim Principal, Andrea Williams to kick off the new school year. We are all excited about getting started and helping the students at the school.
Pictured: Vicky Lindsey/ Mary Reynolds (ARC), Brenda Osbon (E-Club), Tony Ruff (Cosmo), Jean Nelle/Hen Koock/Ivan Milman (University), Andrea Williams Interim Principal At Pecan Springs Early College Prep Austin.
July 20 was our club planning session for 2019-20. We had great participation and got lots accomplished. Thank you DG Jim Henry for your guidance and for inducting our officers. Members who were unable to attend can view club documents for more information.
New members joined us and contributed greatly. We are so happy to have them join us. Welcome Carol, Jerry, Celeste, Tiesa and Erin.
Ashley wore her Rotary shoes!
Martha was presented with Service Above Self award for her deep commitment to Rotary.
When PDG Bruce Golden called me back in February 2017 to let me know I was the District Governor Designee I was thrilled. I also thought to myself, July 1, 2019 is a long way away. Well, it wasn’t that far away because we are here now. A new Rotary year is underway. My training as well as the training for all District and Club officers is over. I was able to accompany PDG Jerry Chapman on over 80% of his club visits and met many of you at that time. I am really looking forward to my visit to all of the clubs and meeting with as many of you as possible. I am so excited for the year ahead and the things that we can accomplish.
During the month of June, a contest was held to challenge the Rotarian advisors of District 5870’s Interact Clubs to register their Clubs with Rotary International in time for the start of the new Rotary year. Six Rotarians representing ten Interact Clubs entered the contest. All of the clubs were entered in a drawing for $50 to be awarded to an Interact Club that met the qualifications.
And the winner is… Benold Middle School Interact Club, Mr. Julian A. Grant, Advisor!
If you missed the contest deadline, you can still easily register your Interact Club(s) by going to https://my.rotary.org/en/report-your-interact-club-advisor Complete the information, submit and your annual reporting requirement for Rotary International is finished.
What are you waiting for? Why not get ‘er done today?
Mark Daniel Maloney is a principal in the law firm of Blackburn, Maloney, and Schuppert LLC, with a focus on taxation, estate planning, and agricultural law. He represents large farming operations in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, and has chaired the American Bar Association’s Committee on Agriculture in the section of taxation. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar Association, and the Alabama Law Institute.
Caroline Barboza, far left, a junior at Manor New Tech High School, and Hailey Sherrill, a senior at Smithville High school, were chosen to represent Bluebonnet at the 2019 Government-in-Action Youth tour, which includes a trip to Washington DC and a $1000 scholarship. Caroline is a member of the Interact club at Manor New Tech High School which is sponsored by Rotary E-Club District 5870. Jacob Neidig, a senior at Elgin High School, center, is the alternative.
RYLA will be held from June 30-July 5 at McKinney Roughs in Bastrop. We will be involved in a number of events including serving one of the meals. In order to participate you must complete the volunteer form which can be found here. You cannot participate unless this form is completed.
Many thanks again to Joan and Kent for arranging the Shelter Box presentation and for hosting Jessica at their property, 9E Ranch Cabins. We were delighted that District Governor,Jerry Chapman, was also in attendance. Jessica Metcalf, the Strategic Giving officer, gave an in-depth talk about the organization and its work throughout the globe.
Shelter Box has made such a difference by supplying housing and supplies to those who have been displaced by disaster and conflict. The most recent focus has been as a result of Typhoon Idai in Southern Africa. Over 1.5 million people have been affected by it.
Please join us in congratulating Beverly Luedke of the Rotary Club of Temple South who has been selected by the District Nominating Committee to serve as our Governor for Rotary Year 2021-2022.
We just want to say thank you to all who joined us on the bat cruise. It was great to see everyone. If you have photos to share please send to Linda Tyler and we will add them to our 
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24 October is World Polio Day! 
The sponsoring Rotary Clubs for Pecan Springs met with the new Interim Principal, Andrea Williams to kick off the new school year. We are all excited about getting started and helping the students at the school..JPG)
July 20 was our club planning session for 2019-20. We had great participation and got lots accomplished. Thank you DG Jim Henry for your guidance and for inducting our officers. Members who were unable to attend can view club documents for more information.
New members joined us and contributed greatly. We are so happy to have them join us. Welcome Carol, Jerry, Celeste, Tiesa and Erin. 
Ashley wore her Rotary shoes! 
When PDG Bruce Golden called me back in February 2017 to let me know I was the District Governor Designee I was thrilled. I also thought to myself, July 1, 2019 is a long way away. Well, it wasn’t that far away because we are here now. A new Rotary year is underway. My training as well as the training for all District and Club officers is over. I was able to accompany PDG Jerry Chapman on over 80% of his club visits and met many of you at that time. I am really looking forward to my visit to all of the clubs and meeting with as many of you as possible. I am so excited for the year ahead and the things that we can accomplish. 
The district installation of officers was a great event attended by our members
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Caroline Barboza, far left, a junior at Manor New Tech High School, and Hailey Sherrill, a senior at Smithville High school, were chosen to represent Bluebonnet at the 2019 Government-in-Action Youth tour, which includes a trip to Washington DC and a $1000 scholarship. Caroline is a member of the Interact club at Manor New Tech High School which is sponsored by Rotary E-Club District 5870. Jacob Neidig, a senior at Elgin High School, center, is the alternative. 
RYLA will be held from June 30-July 5 at McKinney Roughs in Bastrop. We will be involved in a number of events including serving one of the meals. In order to participate you must complete the volunteer form which can be found .JPG)
Many thanks again to Joan and Kent for arranging the Shelter Box presentation and for hosting Jessica at their property, 9E Ranch Cabins. We were delighted that District Governor,Jerry Chapman, was also in attendance. Jessica Metcalf, the Strategic Giving officer, gave an in-depth talk about the organization and its work throughout the globe.
Please join us in congratulating Beverly Luedke of the Rotary Club of Temple South who has been selected by the District Nominating Committee to serve as our Governor for Rotary Year 2021-2022.