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February 2024
Governor's Message for February
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Happy Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month in Rotary | |
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Happy LOVE Month in February!!
Happy Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month in Rotary!
Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across the country celebrate NO GREATER LOVE Month each February. It's a festive time and perfect occasion for expressing gratitude to our Veterans for demonstrating their GREATEST LOVE by serving to protect our land, promote peace, and preserve our American ideals!
Peace Building is the cornerstone of our Rotary mission as well. It's the first of our 7 Areas of Focus. Peace has a unique status in Rotary. We approach creating PEACE as a living, dynamic expression of human development. There's significant attention directed at PEACE becoming our next Polio-Sized mission in the world!
More than 100 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide in 2023, representing 1% of the global population and is equivalent to the 14th most populous country in the world. The number includes refugees and asylum seekers as well as the 53.2 million people displaced inside their borders by conflict.
Although the solutions that will end conflict are complex, Rotary believes that when we work to create PEACE at home, those efforts take on a global effect, and do indeed CHANGE THE WORLD.
Rotary's peace building initiatives include investing in sustainable & measurable PEACE programs in our communities along with educating & creating a Peace Builders network of conflict prevention leaders.
Rotary has Peace Centers in Thailand, North Carolina, England, Uganda, Sweden, Australia, and Japan. 1500 plus Peace Fellow graduates from 115 nations are actively creating solutions to upright the strife and suffering caused by conflict. Rotary Action Groups exist for Peace, and for Refugees, Forced Displacement and Migration as well.
Now is a perfect time to invest in conflict prevention and peace building in your own community!
* Partner with schools and local agencies that teach conflict resolution skills
* Fund scholarships for peace builders
* Support cross-cultural exchanges & youth exchanges
* Mentor in schools to model professional career pathways that foster peace, kindness, and respect for differences and diversities
* Host community dialogues teaching alternatives to disputes
* Sign up for ROTARY POSITIVE PEACE ACADEMY! Learn to define Positive Peace, how to measure Peace, and how to implement it for ecological sustainability, improved well-being, GDP growth rates, better business outcomes, and so much more! And it's free!
https://www.positivepeace.academy
https://www.rotaryiep.org/
Rotary reaches beyond borders, beyond divisions, beyond limited mindsets that perpetuate conflict. Love wins. Rotary wins. There's truly NO GREATER LOVE!
In loving celebration,
DG Sharalyn Davis
District Governor ’23-24
Union City Rotary
sharalyndavis@gmail.com
616-719-7286
Live the Heart of Rotary through the ARTS!
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District Conference 2024
Registration NOW OPEN!
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Let’s Create Hope!
Register NOW for the 2024 District 6360 Conference
“Building Resilient Communities
through Dynamic Rotary Service!”
Rotary District 6360 Conference
May 3-4, 2024
Kalamazoo Radisson Hotel
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Serving with LOVE is at the core of EVERYTHING we do as Rotarians! Join us at this year’s educational and inspirational CONFERENCE to learn, grow, engage, share, energize and CELEBRATE our commitment to serving others with open arms, willing hearts and inviting spirits!
Come Get Rotarized!
From Urban Gardens to Mental Health Walks,
Community Art Hops to Peace Scholar Talks!
Youth, Strategic Doing, Bridge-Building & More,
Unique Projects, Passionate People, Brilliance & Beauty, are in Store!
We’ve planned an Action-Packed Event that features each of Rotary’s Areas of Service in impactful ways! Knowledge is POWER! Rotarians lead best with our full humanity on display. This conference seeks to inform and transform. Building resilient communities begins with our own resiliency. When we get inspired, we rock with sensitivity and strength!
“Together, we can support one another, our loved ones, our clubs, and our communities, to CREATE HOPE IN THE WORLD!” Rotary International President Gordon McInally, 2024
Come get Rotarized!
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Invite a Mystery Shopper
to Your Club Meeting
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Did you ever wonder what’s the first impression a potential member gets when they first visit your club? Are they likely to visit again? A mystery shopper can help you get honest, candid answers to this question. Some answers might cause you to make changes which will help your club to be more attractive to the next visiting potential member.
A mystery shopper could be a friend from a nearby town or maybe a new neighbor or even a hired professional mystery shopper. The goal: After their visit, are they likely to visit again?
A post visit report or interview is essential and would answer many questions.
1. How did you find out about our Rotary? Was it easy?
2. Did you find our meeting location easily?
3. Was the time of our meeting convenient?
4. What did you think of our meeting location?
5. Were you greeted? How?
6. How was the weekly presentation?
7. How would you describe your Rotary experience to a friend?
8. What did we do that makes you want to visit again?
9. What did we do that makes you never want to visit again?
10. How could we have made your first visit more attractive?
District
Membership Goal:
55 More by 2024
Members as of 7-1-23 1993
Members as of 1-27-24 2028
+ 35
WE CAN DO IT!
Congratulations to Hastings, soon to be our 4th largest club with 80 members. They have 10 new members.
Mike Gallagher, District 6360 Membership Chair
269-209-1566
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Rotary International
Upcoming Monthly Themes
February: Peace and Conflict Resolution Month
March: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month
April: Environmental Month
May: Youth Services Month
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Rotary Action Group:
Mental Health Initiatives
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Looking Inward:
Rotary Mental Health Toolkit
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As individual Rotary clubs throughout D6360 begin the inclusion of a mental health committee through their bylaws, they are benefiting from the resources provided by Rotary International that support President Gordon McInally’s Mental Health platform of breaking stigma, raising awareness, and increasing access.
RI Mental Health resources include seven Toolkits. Each toolkit is focused on one of the platform pillars. Looking Inward is a toolkit that addresses breaking stigma. Looking Inward can be used collectively by a club, or individually by any Rotary member.
Looking Inward materials include:
- A discussion of mental wellbeing
- An anonymous questionnaire
- A power point presentation for club use
The toolkit is 1) a starting point for understanding ‘mental wellbeing’; and 2) an assessment of the wellbeing of fellow Rotarians; plus, a self-assessment of your own level of wellbeing.
By nature of who Rotarians are, that is, individuals committed to service; Looking Inward offers effective tools for being able to look within and make personal improvements in communication, connection, and club cohesiveness. We are only as helpful to others to the extent that we are helpful to ourselves first. When we understand the importance of that and take care of our personal positive wellbeing, we will effortlessly be a happier and more productive member for our club. The questionnaire also allows members to express their thoughts on improving their overall Rotary experience.
Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire here. Thank you!
RI cares about your personal wellbeing, and the wellbeing of your club.
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Jacquie Blackwell MA Psy is owner of Amazing Learning Center Mental Health Services. She has been a member of Lakeshore Rotary Club since 2020. In 2021 she was named Rotarian of the Year for creating the ‘Take it or Leave it’ winter accessories holiday-tree service project. Jacquie chairs the D6360 Mental Health Steering Committee. | |
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards | |
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Each summer thousands of young people are selected to attend Rotary-sponsored leadership camps or seminars in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, France, Argentina, Korea and numerous other countries. In an informal out-of-doors atmosphere, 50 to 75 outstanding young men and/or women spend a week in a challenging program of discussions, inspirational addresses, leadership training and social activities designed to enhance personal development, leadership skills and good citizenship. The official name of this activity is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program (RYLA), although the event is occasionally referred to as Camp Royal, Camp Enterprise, Youth Leaders Seminars, Youth Conferences or other terms.
The RYLA program began in Australia in 1959, when young people throughout the state of Queensland were selected to meet with Princess Alexandra, the young cousin of Queen Elizabeth 11. The Rotarians of Brisbane, who hosted the participants, were impressed with the quality of the young leaders. It was decided to bring youth leaders together each year for a week of social, cultural and educational activities. The RYLA program gradually grew throughout all the Rotary districts of Australia and New Zealand. In 1971, the RI Board of Directors adopted RYLA as an official program of Rotary International.
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District RYLA Ready to Go! | |
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Planning and preparation are underway for RYLA Camp 2024!
Camp will be held July 12-14, 2024, at the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center on M-37 in Dowling MI. Check-in will begin Friday at 3:30 pm and check-out will be Sunday at 4:00 pm
Clubs are encouraged to take advantage of the UNLIMITED BOGO being offered this year! This means that for every paid camper, a second camper will be admitted free of charge. The fee remains $225/camper this year.
The theme of camp this year is currently in development.
There will be 3 days of fun, friendship, and fellowship as young people engage in activities that will be both physically and mentally challenging. There will be times that individuals may be forced to step outside of their comfort zone, but will find that they receive support and encouragement from their teammates and staff. They will find out things about themselves that they never knew before. Personal growth is assured.
There will be a picnic lunch on Sunday, July 14 for all families, School counselors, and Rotarians.
We are also encouraging Rotarians to volunteer to become involved in Camp. There are openings for team leaders, counselors, and chaperones. All adults (over 18 years) must register as a volunteer and submit to a background check through Central States Rotary Youth Exchange www.CSRYE.org
All clubs in District 6360 will be sent an electronic packet of information regarding camp. Further information can be found on the district webpage under the Youth Services tab: https://district6360.com/index.php?storyid=225625
RYLA camp needs your support! We are looking for a Registrar and a Camp Nurse! We ask you to step in and lend a hand to this outstanding Rotary experience for the youth in our community! Contact Don for more details!
If you need additional information, please contact Don Deibler, RYLA Camp Director, at 269-599-1341,
donalddeibler@yahoo.com
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The Rotary Foundation
Annual Fund Contributions YTD
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2024 Grant Management Seminars | |
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We are pleased to report that the Grant Management Seminars for 2024 have been scheduled!
Does your Rotary Club plan on applying for a grant from The Rotary Foundation this year? Then you need to make sure at least two members attend a Grant Management Seminar!
All Grant Management Seminars will be held via Zoom only!
Are YOU planning on attending?
Please register on DACdb
or email rotary6360@gmail.com to register
for one of the following sessions:
Saturday, April 6 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Monday, April 22 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Tuesday, May 7 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
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Culture Cafe Conversations:
From "2 to 22" Through
Impactful DEI Action
Feb. 21, 6:30 PM Via Zoom
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Zoom on DEI featuring Sharna Hatcher, DGE from District 6380.
"From 2 to 22, Recapturing Rotary!"
Sharna D. Hatcher
Attorney and Counselor
DGE, Rotary District 6380
Chair, DEIJ Committee
Regional Lead, Membership Committee
Topic: DEI Featuring Sharna Hatcher, DGE from District 6380
Time: Feb 21, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83076975965?pwd=VDBiMHNWZ3gyRy95RldCdkRIT0UwQT09
Meeting ID: 830 7697 5965
Passcode: 6360
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Rotary Friendship Exchange | |
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An interesting Rotary program of fellowship is the Rotary Friendship Exchange. This activity, originally recommended by the New Horizons Committee in 1981, is intended to encourage Rotarians and spouses to visit with Rotarian families in other parts of the world. It may be conducted on a club-to-club or district-todistrict basis.
The idea is for several Rotarian couples to travel to another country on the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Later the hospitality is reversed when the visit is exchanged. After a successful pilot experiment, the Rotary Friendship Exchange has become a permanent program of Rotary.
The Rotary Friendship Exchange is frequently compared to the Group Study Exchange program of The Rotary Foundation, except that it involves. Rotarian couples who personally pay for all expenses of their inter-country experience. Doors of friendship are opened in a way which could not be duplicated except in Rotary.
Rotarians seeking an unusual vacation and fellowship experience should learn more about the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Some unusual Rotary adventures are awaiting you!
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People of Action in Action - Together | |
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BIG NEWS for D6360
We are excited to share that we have officially kicked off the “People of Action In Action - Together” (POAIA) pilot initiative to grow membership in District 6360!
Thanks to DGE Mark Odland who pushed for our participation, we have been selected to take part in a multi-year pilot to grow Rotary Membership through the power of collaboration between Clubs, District and Zone. Chaired by Zone 28 Coordinator, Doug Logan, the POAIA pilot plan is to provide wrap-around support from Membership, RI Foundation and Public Image specialists to build vibrant and thriving “Membership Clubs that do Service.”
The 3 Districts selected for the pilot represent the distinct cultural/geographic regions across Zone 28. Considering the diversity of Zone 28, Michigan-based D6360 was selected to participate, as was Western Canada D5360 and Eastern Canada and Maine D7790. So, this is a big deal! Ironically, D6360, is one of only 6 Districts in Zone 28 that showed positive membership growth this past year. Keeping in mind that normal attrition is 10-15%, the rate of attraction needs to increase, with an environment created to retain and we achieved just that!
Leaders of the initiative in D6360 are DG Sharalyn Davis, DGE Mark Odland, DGN Jackie Huie (POAIA Coordinator), DGND Tim Lee, PDG and Zone AG Curriculum Coordinator Kathy Gallagher, Zone Membership, PDG Margie Haas, District Public Image Chair Nancy Peterson, PDG District RI Foundation Chair Nathan Triplett and District Membership Chair Mike Gallagher.
Participating Clubs
To participate in the pilot, we were tasked to select 3 Clubs that provided a solid mixture of historic dynamic leadership, historic membership scale and community growth potential.
Those clubs are the Rotary Clubs of Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph-Benton Harbor as well as aligning AGs, Mike Alverson (BC), Jim Cupper (Kazoo) and Jim Maier (SJBH). Stay tuned for what we learn and plan to share with the District so everyone can benefit.
If your club would like to be a part of Phase 2 of the pilot, which would start in 2025, please reach out to DGN Jackie Huie at jhuie@johnsonrauhoff.com.
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Virtual Dream Career Event!
February 22, 2-5 PM
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An exciting opportunity is being presented to High School Sophomores and Juniors in Rotary District 6360. On Feb. 22, 4-5 pm, Rotary will be holding a District-wide "Virtual Dream Career Event!"
What is a “Dream Career” Event? It’s where high school students interview people about their “dream” career. This year we are targeting sophomores and juniors. Students learn more about a career’s educational requirements, daily tasks, challenges, and joys. For more information, please visit the website: http://www.rotarystudentprogram.org/index.php/en/about.
Students: We have openings for up to 30 students to participate in this first ever Rotary District-wide event. Please promote to your sophomores and juniors. First Come, First Serve!
To apply, students should use this link:
https://forms.gle/YK2q1wpRtRJ9vjLA7.
ROTARIANS are needed! Calling all Rotarians to be a “Rotary Host” or “Career Mentor!”
A Rotary Host will be in the interview session (virtual) with the student and the professional career mentor to make sure the interview goes smoothly.
A Career Mentor is the person in the “dream career” that will be asked questions by the student. Students will be given 17-20 questions to ask their Career Mentor.
If you are interested in becoming a Rotary Host or a Career Mentor for the one hour session, please sign in here:
https://docs.google.com/.../1ItBbYfjJnNuLYztWPPa8.../edit...
Space is limited so please share this information and poster with Rotary Clubs and High Schools:
https://www.canva.com/.../U_Nhk4OzxLSyDo_wKLsoTg/view...!
Space is limited. Sign up now!
For More Information Contact:
Margie Haas, Jackie Huie, District Chair
Rotary District 6360 Rotary Student Program
Youth Services Program Coordinator District Governor Nominee
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What's Up in Youth Services? | |
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Youth Services Programs are gearing up for a fabulous Spring and Summer! What Youth Programs will your club participate in this year? We offer and coordinate for you:
1. RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) Camp
a. July 12-14, 2024
b. Work with your schools to find 2-4+ students that have leadership potential to invite to RYLA.
c. Look for Student Application Packets
d. Rotarian Volunteers for Camp are needed
e. See the Article from Don Deibler, RYLA Camp Director, donalddeibler@yahoo.com; 269-599-1341
2. District Interact Conference
a. To be held at District Conference, Friday, May 3
b. Each Interact Club to bring 4-6 members
c. Look for more information to be sent soon
d. For more information contact District Interact Chair, Cindy Igoe, igoecindy1@gmail.com, 313-689-9455
3. Rotary Student “DREAM CAREER” Event
a. 30 Students from anywhere in District 6360 – high schools or home school -- will interview Career Professionals in their “Dream Career”
b. February 22, 2024 – 4:00 – 5 pm
c. Via Zoom
d. We need YOU as a Host Rotarian or Career Professional Mentor!
e. See article below. Contact DGN Jackie Huie, Chair, jhuie@johnsonrauhoff.com;
269-930-1325
4. Rotary Youth Exchange -- Please see article below.
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The Wonderful World of Youth Exchange!
Although it’s just February, 2024, we are NOW looking for clubs to host students from other countries for the 2024-2025 school year! We will have four (4) students coming into our district starting August.
What are the benefits of being a host family? (As told from former host families)
· Getting a new family member and welcoming the student to become a real part of your family.
· Reliving favorite American holidays and tourist locations with your new student.
· Expanding your horizons and learning about a new country and culture.
· Learning more about your own culture and language as you help the student learn English, and about Michigan and the United States.
· Getting an opportunity to try food, games or other items from your student's country.
*** FYI -- Host Families do NOT need to be Rotarians!
The benefits of hosting last a lifetime!
Please consider hosting a student!
For more information contact Margie Haas, Youth Exchange Chair,
haasmargie@gmail..com; Cell Phone: 269-838-3392
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Let The Sun Shine
Solar Energy Project at school in Antalya-Olimpos, Turkey
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Climate Change and Energy Crisis are threatening our planet. Solar energy, being renewable source of energy, installation of solar panels on roof top of a school with 1700 students seems to be one of the ways to reduce carbon emissions and save energy. Solar projects must focus on reduced energy consumption, reduced pollution or emissions, increased energy efficiency.
Additionally, the project site is an apt place with reference to current energy sources (natural gas ), storage systems and usage as a result of which the project solution fits a demonstrated environmental needs. It will also set a precedent not only schools in Antalya but also those situated all along the red climate zone of the Mediterranean. The sun is a free, clean, and consistent source of power that has been producing energy for billions of years. It is high time we benefited from THE SUN.
Clubs or Rotarians need to make their checks payable to "The Rotary Foundation" and mail them to Timothy Lee. Any questions or for a copy of the draft grant please contact:
Timothy Lee, Sturgis Rotary Club
62279 Roundtree Court
Sturgis, MI 49093
Questions? 317-502-9634
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District Foundation Corner
For general questions about your District 6360 Foundation and how it can help your Club, please contact Foundation President
Gary Campbell, campbellgary929@gmail.com
Any correspondence should be sent c/o Rotary District 6360
to 741 Wolverine Road, Mason, MI, 48854
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