• From The Governor's Desk
• Holiday Service Project
• Polio Day
• RI President McInally Wants Your Opinion
• RYLA Looking For Students
• Rotary Longwood Club Formed
• Interactors Go Packing
• Clean Water Speakers Available For Program
• District Calendar

Thank You To Our District Sponsor

October’s theme of Community Economic and Development Month reminds us that one of our areas of focus is to work to create opportunities to help individuals and communities thrive financially and socially. We are encouraged to strengthen local entrepreneurs, particularly women, in impoverished communities, working to breaking the cycle of poverty and to help provide training and access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions.  

I know we do this in our working with organizations that offer a hand-up vs. a hand-out. We all know that education and employment are the keys to helping solve food insecurity, homelessness and a multitude of our societies issues. Keep up the great work you are doing.

This month is also a great time to think about promoting economic development and professional networking among our fellow Rotarians and potential new members via our Rotarian Business Network. Schedule one of these events with our District Chair Jeff Siebenaller for your business or your club today!  

October 24 is World Polio Day – Every Club and Rotarian should plan a celebration and encourage donations to the Polio Plus Fund to Help End Polio Now!  One of our District goals this year is for every club to contribute to the Polio Plus Fund! 100 % participation.

As Rotarians you may also join the Polio Plus Society with a modest annual donation of $100.

Rotary International has wonderful resources for our use for World Polio Day. There are wonderful Graphics, Logos, Social Media posts, Videos, Press Releases, Event templates, and more! Check them out at the link below. 

https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day-resources#graphics

In preparation for World Polio Day on 24 October, please get involved and encourage your members to join you. You can: 

• Contribute to our PolioPlus Fund
• Start a fundraiser on Raise for Rotary

By raising awareness and funding on World Polio Day, we can protect children in communities around the world so that they never again suffer the paralyzing effects of this disease. Thank you for your leadership as together, we end polio.



Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Longwood who had their first official (charter) Meeting on October 2, 2023 with 21 new members! Please join them for their Charter Celebration October 18, 2023, at Historic Cigars in Longwood, Florida, 321 N Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood, FL 32750.

You May register here: https://www.dacdb.com/Register4/index.cfm?EventID=77709794

Please mail your contribution to the club here: Tony Boni, President, Rotary Club of Longwood, 1003 Foggy Brook Place, Longwood, Fl 32750

THANK YOU to all Clubs who have completed their Membership Action Plan!  If you have not yet done so, please complete and send it to me or District Membership Chair George Stuart by the end of this month. Or you may upload your plan here:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/RotaryZone34/_202324ClubMembershipGrowthPlan

And a huge THANK YOU to all our clubs who are actively adding new members! Our District is transforming ourselves!!  We must keep our focus on ways to best engage, communicate, support, enhance our member experience, and continue to grow our membership. Our District Goal is 20% membership growth this year. We have a wonderful start.



Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle for winning the Membership Action Plan Honorable Mention for 2022-23. It recognizes a dedication to improving your club due to their participation in the MAP webinars and for their membership growth.

A huge Thank you to all our members and clubs who have contributed to the Maui and Florida relief funds. We will continue these funds until the end of October and then we will distribute the funds directly to the Rotarians in need in those Districts.

To participate in the relief efforts, please complete the liability waiver and "Become a Volunteer" forms on our new District 6980 Disaster Recovery website.

 https://rotaryfl.org/rotary-district-6980-florida-disaster-relief

 “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

Let’s all continue to work together as Rotarians to make this world a better place— to Create Hope in our Communities and in the World! 

Don Harris 

District Governor 2023-2024

Rotary District 6980 – Central Florida

District Offers Voluntary Turn-key Holiday Service Project

Greetings To All!

Many of us may recall that each year the Salvation Army fundraising includes the arrangement of “Red Kettle” Bell-Ringers positioned in conspicuous places to attract donations. The time of year to conduct the Bell-Ringing is around the corner.  Red Kettle season runs from Saturday, November 25^th, 2023 through Saturday, December 23^rd, 2023. It is conducted Monday through Saturday, 11:00am to 7:00pm each day, never on Sundays.

Several Clubs in our District already make this, or something similar, an annual activity for their Rotarians. We expect those efforts to continue as planned. This year (2023) we are looking to encourage even more Clubs to try and seek an opportunity to “Ring the Bell”. This is an easy way to get Rotarians and friends of all ages involved in an act of community service. (Yes, think student community service hours!)

The Salvation Army tells us that by picking a day, or days, a Club agrees to have a Bell-Ringing person on-site for the time of 11:00a to 7:00p. (This can be one person for 8 hours, or 8 people for 1-hour each, or any combination you choose to cover the 8 hours.) This is also an opportunity to have fun and be creative. Our District Communications Team can work with you to have a Rotary sign made which would let others know Rotary supports the Salvation Army. Likewise, you may want to dress as Santa, or Elves, or some other manner meant to show your enthusiasm for the event.

The Salvation Army will furnish the tripods, donation buckets and provide instructions for each site. You may connect with your local Salvation Army office and make plans to “adopt” a location. If you need help making contact with the Salvation Army in your County let me know.

J.J. Lullen

District Service Programs Chair

Rotary District 6980

2023-2024

Promo Fliers Now Accepted

For The District Calendar

Fliers will follow the calendar listings

Send Info to billpeeper1@gmail.com

Oct 24, Is World Polio Day

RI President Gordon McInally

Sends Video Message To All

President McInally Also Wants Your Opinion

President McInally has sent a survey to every Rotarian.

He stated in his email message, "Rotary is, above all, a collective effort, and we rely on members like you to help us understand how we can improve and grow in the future. This survey is your opportunity to tell us whether Rotary is meeting your expectations."

If you have not seen the survey click the link below to participate.

Is BuildingLeaders

Rebuild Yourself Has Candidates

Nov. 3 Commitment Deadline Approaching

Cynthia Borgwing is a new Rotarian sponsored by DGE Sonya LaBosco, but she is not new to the Rotary principle of serving others.

In 2021, Cynthia founded REBUILD YOURSELF to provide adolescents with peer support, mentorship as well social and life skills to show teens that they are not alone and are valued.

"One would be astonished to understand that depth of insecurity among adolescents," said Cynthia who went to explain that REBUILD is currently helping over 600 students.

"RYI IS AN OUTSTANDING PARTNER TO HELP REBUILD OUR STUDENT’S MENTAL HEALTH.

I CALL ON ALL CLUBS TO SPONSOR REBUILD STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS IN THEIR INTERACT CLUBS AND OUR ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY THIS YEAR"

...DIST. GOV. DON HARRIS

"RYLA is our long-established program to help build teens into future leaders,' explained Dist. Gov. Don Harris. "What more perfect fit is there than to partner with REBUILD YOURSELF to help round out and build confidence in the young people Cynthia is working with."

Since the Pandemic we have not filled our maximum of 130 slots at RYLA. This has effectively driven up costs and limited the effectiveness of the program.

RYLA District Chair, Eddie Fernandez, supports the concept saying, "Filling all of our slots with kids who will surely benefit from this collaboration is terrific."

REBUILD YOURSELF founder and Executive Director, Cynthia Borgwing explained, "What perfect synergy! We have so many kids that will benefit from the RYLA program. It will literally help change lives."

ACT NOW.! LET EDDIE AND CYNTHIA KNOW OF YOUR SUPPORT

Send a note to Eddie (eddie.rotary@outlook.com) and Cynthia (cynthia@reguildselfcare.com) to let them know how many kids your club can sponsor. They will follow up with you with full details.

Dates For Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Set

February 21-25, 2024, Check These Details

• LOCATION: Florida Elks Youth Camp, Umatilla
• COST: $400 per attendee
• QUALIFICATIONS: Age 16-17, a junior in a District 6980 high school
• IMPORTANT DATES:

September 5 – All event information will be available on the District website along with an email that will be sent to all Club Presidents.

November 3 – Commitment forms / funds due from clubs

January 19 – Students applications completed

February 2 – All student information submitted to camp facility

February 21 – First day of camp

• Volunteers and donations always needed
• CONTACT: Eddie Fernandez at eddie.rotary@outlook.com

Click Below For All Details

The Rotary Club Of Longwood

Will Launch Inaugural Meeting

Based in the Longwood area The Rotary Club of Longwood will hold its first meeting October 18. The club, lead by long-time Rotarian, Tony Boni, is meeting at 135 Church St. Longwood from 7:30-9:00 AM.

Interactors Gearing Up

 For Food Packing Oct. 21

Make Sure Your Club Is Planning To Help

There are 28 Interact Clubs in District 6980 and the goal is to have at least one member from each club participate in the food packing slated to start at 8:15 and run until 11:30. This is a great opportunity for students to add another community service project to their college application! Sign up below

Rotary Couple Working To Provide

Clean Water Coming To Orlando Oct. 29-Nov. 9

Invite ""Beyond Water" To Speak To Your Club

One billion people don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Another billion don’t have access to a toilet. 5,000 children die each day from diseases caused by a lack of safe drinking water and proper sanitation. Diseases such as diarrhea are caused by drinking contaminated water and kill more than 2.2 million people each year.

Learn what Beyond Water is and what they are doing to help provide clean water in East Africa by inviting CEO Sharon and husband Pete Crean to speak to your club. Contact St. Cloud Rotarian Sasha Love Higgins 407 969 6332, sasha@slhbrands.com, to schedule a presentation.

October 14 Champions Ride for Charities Rotary club of Lake Mary 7:00 a.m. Seminole State College – Heathrow Campus

Oct. 21, 8:13-11:30 AM Second Harvest Food Packing

Oct 24, World Polio Day.

Nov. 6, Taste of Altamonte presented by Altamonte Springs Rotary Cranes Roost Park, 5:30-8:00 PM $75 Per Person, $125 Per Couple

Nov. 8, Rotary Club of Lake Mary 50^th Anniversary Celebration – Heathrow Country Club

Nov. 11, 7:30-10:30, Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast, Longhorn Steakhouse 12315 Narcoossee Rd. Lake Nona, $10, Vets eat free.

Nov 17, 1:00-4:00 PM Million Meal Food Packing Second Harvest 411 Mercy Dr. JJ Lullen jjmailbox76@bellsouth.net

Nov 5, 1:00-4:00PM,Taste of Dr. Phillips. 20 restaurants participating $75 per person. tasteofdrphillips.com

Dec 16, 8:15-11:30 AM Million Meal Food Packing, Second Harvest 411 Mercy Dr. jjmailbox76@bellsouth.net

Feb 21-25, 2024 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. See article above for important dates, contact Eddie Fernandez, erfernandez24@hotmail.com

Feb 29-Mar 3 2004 Osceola Rotarians sponsor Rotary Cruise For A Cause. Leaving Port Canaveral on MSC Seashore $50 per room to benefit Guardian Ad Litem. Contact Cheri at 321333 8213.