THE MINUTARIAN

September 17, 2023 | Issue 12

Rotary Youth Exchange

Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Since 1972, as an official program of Rotary International, exchange students have had the educational and cultural experience of a lifetime.

Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.

Working with local Rotary clubs and host families, exchange students have the opportunity to unlock their true potential. They develop lifelong leadership skills, learn a new language and culture, and build lasting friendships with young people from around the world.

Long-term exchanges last a full academic year, and students attend local schools while living with multiple host families.

Short-term exchanges last from several days to three months and are often structured as camps, tours, or homestays that take place when school is not in session.

This Rotary year, District 6970 clubs are hosting 8 visiting students and likewise, 8 local students are participating in outbound exchanges. You can read their stories at:

https://www.rye6970.org

If your club is interested in sponsoring or hosting in the next Rotary year (2024-25), informational sessions and applications are being accepted now. The deadline for Outbound applications is October 15.

It has been said that wars would cease if everyone could participate in a youth exchange. This Program is one of Rotary's most consequential and epitomizes the Focus on Promoting Peace.

I would encourage you to contact any member of the District Youth Exchange leadership team to find out how you and your club can participate. https://www.rye6970.org/officers/

John

John Tabor | District Governor 2023-2024

Rotary District 6970

John Tabor

District Governor

DISTRICT CALENDAR

September 23, 2023

Interact Summit

President Elect Training Semina r - PETS 1

(3 options)

October 7 Deland

October 14 Gainesville

October 21 Jacksonville

Nov 17, 2023

District Icemen Social

January 13, 2024

RLI - Deland

January 27, 2024

Membership Summit

Daytona State College - Daytona Beach

March 1 - 3, 2024

President Elect Training Seminar - PETS 2

May 3 - 4, 2024

District Conference

Jags Suite Raffle for Polio

October 15th vs. Colts

October 24th is World Polio Day! One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio

Together, WE CAN END POLIO! Be a part of history, won't you?

This year, as just one of the World Polio Day events, District 6970 is highlighting our partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since this partnership began it has resulted in over $1,212,174 going to The Rotary Foundation for PolioPlus with the Gates Match.

This year the Jaguars are donating one Luxury Suite to the October 15th game, Jaguars vs Colts. The proceeds from this raffle will go to The Rotary Foundation at the end of the season along with all our ticket sale proceeds, to get us that much closer to eradicating polio!

The winner of the raffle will receive 20 Suite Tickets and 3 Parking Passes. The raffle will end at midnight on Thursday, October 5th and the winner's name will be announced on Friday, October 6th.

Help us End Polio forever! For more information and to get your chance to win the luxury suite to the Jags vs Colts game click on the link below: https://rotarydistrict6970.org/jaguars-raffle-tickets/

Limited Upper Bowl tickets remain for Colts (10/15) and Panthers (12/31)

https://rotarydistrict6970.org/jaguar-tickets-for-district-6970/

Meet your District Leadership

Scott Burgess

Chair, D6970 Rotary Youth Exchange

RC Bartram Trail - Julington Creek

Past President, Assistant Governor

Rotarian 11 Years

Rotary District 6970 Night with the JAX Icemen

Friday, November 17, 7:00 pm VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL

It’s the Jacksonville Icemen vs. the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, and Rotary is in the spotlight as the Non-Profit of the night!

We’ve secured 200 fantastic seats all together in section 107, spanning 11 rows. This is your golden opportunity to mingle with Rotarians from different clubs in the district and create amazing memories.

Bring the whole gang – your kids, grandkids, friends, and potential new members. The more, the merrier! Don’t forget to flaunt your Rotary Club apparel and deck yourself out with plenty of pins. We’re aiming for a night of incredible family fun and a showcase of the Rotary Spirit. Be sure to swing by our Rotary information table too!

For more info visit the District Website: https://rotarydistrict6970.org/night-with-the-jax-icemen/

Purchase Tickets

District 6970 Disaster Relief Committee

The Disaster Relief Committee is seeking volunteers to serve in a variety of roles. This may be as simple as general labor or may involve specific skills or expertise.

If you have interest or specific experience that would be useful in formulating or executing any District Disaster Response please contact:

Chair Richard Knoff

904-699-1072

[email protected]

Rotary Responds

Turkey Earthquake Relief

District 6970 partnered with over 50 Rotary clubs across the Southeast US and Turkey to complete a Global Disaster Grant for $182,900. D6970 contributed $5,365 from individual members and $20,000 of our District Designated fund. D6970 contributions represented over 13% of the total grant, making us the largest single donor. The Rotary Foundation contributed $63,440 in matching disaster funds.

The project involved the development of a mobile care center for primary school children in the area impacted by the earthquake in south central Turkey. The center gave children a place to gather safely and try to rebuild their lives after this horrific trauma.

Morocco Earthquake Relief

A ShelterBox emergency assessment team is in Marrakesh finding out what support is needed following the earthquake. The team is assessing the damage as well as speaking with local people, authorities, organizations, and their Rotary network trying to understand how many people are without adequate shelter.

They are in touch with Rotary in District D9010 and their District Governor. The ShelterBox deployed team met with local Rotary in Marrakesh and with other connected local organizations.

The earthquake hit just after 11pm local time under the cover of darkness and most people would have been at home asleep. It’s the strongest earthquake to be recorded in the region and was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria. Buildings have been flattened or left unsafe for people to stay in. Homes and schools have been destroyed and people have lost homes and loved ones. There is uncertainty and panic, and people have little choice but to sleep in the open for fear of more powerful aftershocks that could collapse already weakened buildings.

For more information on the ShelterBox organization and their efforts go to: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/