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Our first look at the 2024 WASH World
Meet the 2024 WASH-RAG Operations Team
| The 2024 WASH-RAG Operations Team from left to right: Lisa Talley (Marketing & Communications), Michael Brown (Vice-Chair & IT Support), Monica Louie (Professional Services), Big Rich Churchman (Technical Officer), Carolyn Meub (Ambassador Program), Abdul Rashid Alhassan (Rotaract), Ian Rumbles (Administration), Patrick Coleman (Membership), Michael Fernando (World Water Summit), Wade Nomura (Chair), and Steve Werner (Sponsorships and Fundraising) Not available for this photo. | |
The WASH-RAG Operations Team in Orlando, Florida, USA. | |
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The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Rotary Action Group (WASH-RAG) Operations Team meets once a year in person. Twice a month the WASH-RAG Operations Team coordinates a virtual team meeting, as well as multiple committee meetings.
On January 27, they meet to discuss the upcoming year and final preparations for the World Water Summit 16 in Singapore on May 24, 2024.
The 2024 WASH-RAG Operations Team lives in multiple cities all over America, Europe, and Africa. This year they met in Orlando, Florida, United States of America, and individuals traveled from England, Luxembourg, Zambia, and Ghana.
They invite you to become a WASH-RAG member, WASH Ambassador or meet them in Singapore at the World Water Summit 16!
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The WASH-RAG Operations Team would also like to thank and introduce the WASH-RAG Board of Directors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-24
Mary Beth Growney Selene
(Chair - District 6250, USA)
Patricia Merryweather-Arges
(Vice-Chair- District 6450, USA)
Mike Colasurdo
(Treasurer, District 7505, USA)
Neil Van Dine (District 9980, Haiti)
Chris Etienne (D-6290 - USA)
Beatrice Mwalwega (D9213 - Uganda)
Ravi Vadlamani (D-3150 - India)
Ron Denham (District 7070, Canada)
Patrisio N. Njiru (District 9212, Kenya)
Brian Hall (District 6840, USA)
Kundleswar Panigrahi (District 3261, India)
Julia Phelps (Secretary, Non-Voting)
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Pictured: WASH-RAG Operations Team Patrick Coleman (Membership), Abdul Rashid Alhassan (Rotaract), Abdul Rashid Alhassan (Rotaract), and Michael Fernando (World Water Summit). | |
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SHIT and Sustainable Sanitation: We can't wait!
Submitted by the World Water Summit 16 committee
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Ever wonder what happens to "shit"?
After all, as a critical part of WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene),
sanitation addresses the important need to keep human excreta separate and safely managed – from the time it is produced
until it is safe for human contact.
Ever seen a "shit-flow diagram"?
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Toilets are a big part of the solution, but sanitation involves more. A whole supply chain can provide income for entrepreneurs: pit emptying, transportation, processing, distribution, and sales of fertilizer or briquettes. And in healthcare facilities, sanitation includes the important process of contaminated waste management. | |
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Held each year on the Friday before the International Convention, the WASH-RAG World Water Summit provides an opportunity for Rotarians to share knowledge and experience, learn from experts, and strengthen relationships.
Come Learn, Share, and Take Action!
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YOU MUST LOGIN TO RECEIVE THE MEMBER PRICING
- WASH-RAG MEMBER: $100 USD
- NON-MEMBER: $125 USD (includes annual membership)
- Rotaractor: $25/WASH-RAG member, $50/non-member (includes annual membership)
- Virtual Attendance: Plenary Sessions and Breakout - WASH-RAG Member: $10 / Non-Member: $25 (includes annual membership)
For inquiries about your registration or the event, please email or visit our website.
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| Will you attend the World Water Summit 16? | | | |
What are our WASH WARRIORS doing? | |
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Gratitude – The Key to a Healthy Heart and Mind!
Submitted by WASH-RAG Membership Chair and Rotary Foundation Major Gifts Advisor Dr. Patrick Coleman from Luanshya, Zambia
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Author Dr. Patrick Coleman, Rotary Africa Magazine December 2023. | Rotary Africa Magazine December 2023. | |
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I am currently in South Africa for surgery on my back following a fall two and a half years ago. The fall caused a disk in my lower spine to become pinched, leading to extraordinary pain. After over a year of physiotherapy and pain medication with little improvement, Dr Ncumisa Jilata diagnosed the need for surgery. She skilfully removed the damaged disk, built a new one and made necessary adjustments to alleviate the pressure on my nerve. Her expertise has been invaluable and I expressed my gratitude to her.
Recovery means I cannot travel for two weeks, so PDG Shirley Downie, a long-time friend in Rotary, has kindly offered her home for my recuperation. My journey from Sandton Mediclinic to Midrand was made possible thanks to PDG Francis Callard and PDG Jankees Sligcher. Their collective efforts showcase the essence of Rotary’s spirit of cooperation and support.
I am grateful to my extended Rotary family and I have made sure they know it. I’ll be home in Zambia in a few days but I must avoid sitting upright for another four weeks. PDG Shirley’s reclining chair and a similar one at my home will aid my recovery. Driving might resume in about eight weeks, albeit over short, smooth distances.
Teaching and Rotary presentations will be confined to Zoom for a few weeks. I am thankful for Eric Yuan, whose platform has been a crucial tool for maintaining connections during Covid and beyond.
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WASH-RAG Rotaract Chair Abdul Rashid Alhassan with WASH-RAG Membership Chair Dr. Patrick Coleman. January 2024. | |
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The past year has been filled with opportunities to express gratitude to friends and strangers alike for their assistance. It’s vital to acknowledge even the smallest acts of kindness. We often forget to appreciate those who have helped us in the past, whose actions have significantly shaped our current circumstances. We must remember to express our gratitude, as it can influence our journey in the future. As we approach the end of 2023, many consider New Year’s resolutions.
Here’s a suggestion: set daily reminders to express gratitude. It could be a note on your phone, bathroom mirror or car dashboard. I plan to place a reminder on my laptop to ensure I show gratitude in all my interactions.
According to The Mayo Clinic, expressing gratitude has numerous mental and physical benefits. It improves sleep, mood, immunity and can decrease depression, anxiety, chronic pain and disease risk.
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Here are some tips for expressing gratitude:
- Write a thank-you note or email that’s specific to the recipient’s actions.
- Choose the method - handwritten, typed or emailed - based on your preference and the urgency of your appreciation.
Finally, thank you for reading this and other articles over the years. By saying “Thank you,” we contribute to the world’s emotional health and “Create Hope in the World.”
-Originally appearing in Rotary Africa's December 2023 Edition.
-Reprinted with special permission from the author
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Are you Working for WASH? | |
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You Can Introduce Your Club to WASH-RAG
It’s easy to become a WASH Advocate! Why not be a presenter at your next Club, District or Zone meeting! Expand your reach and promote WASH in your community.
Did you know you don't have to be a Rotarian to join WASH-RAG?
Your environmentally minded friends, water-conscious community members, and the general public can join us too! Tell them to check us out at www.wash-rag.org or forward this newsletter!
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Find or become an
Ambassador or Cadre Member!
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The WASH Rotary Action Group Ambassadors is a corps of knowledgeable members who provide support and promotion of the WASH goals of WASH Rotary Action Group and
The Rotary Foundation.
For more information click the button below:
| The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers is a group of Rotarians who volunteer to use their professional skills and technical expertise in Rotary’s Areas of Focus or financial auditing to advise Rotarians who are planning and working on Rotary Foundation grant projects. The Cadre includes more than 700 members from 75 countries, speaking more than 80 languages. | |
Print out our FAQ PDF to hand out at your next club social!
Thank you for sharing our mission!
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Submit your stories, videos, and pictures for upcoming Newsletters to us at info@wasrag.org.
WASH-RAG reserves the right to edit stories for length and content. By submitting a story you give us permission to publish and make public your contact information including but not limited to your email or club's website.
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The WASH Rotary Action Group is pleased to consider partnerships with any corporate supporter. Due to the unique attributes of water sources and water provision, acceptance of corporate support does not imply an endorsement of any particular water technology. Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary partners must evaluate any technology to determine if it is the best solution for the conditions where the program will be implemented. The WASH Rotary Action Group can provide guidance about where different technologies work best, but Rotarians and Rotary clubs must make the final decision about how to implement their programs. Email us about your ongoing or finished project at info@wash-rag.org. | |
This Rotary Action Group is RI-recognized and operates in accordance with Rotary International policy, but is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International. To learn more please contact the WASH Rotary Action Group by email at infor@wasrag.org Thank you. | | | | |
