Governor's Message for March | |
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March is a special month filled with endless possibilities for CELEBRATION! I believe that life is an adventure meant to be enjoyed, and to be celebrated whenever possible! I’m so grateful for you and our shared journey of invigorating, improving, and celebrating our communities through Rotary!
Spring’s arrival offers hope, health, and happiness as we anticipate brilliant colors, golden sunshine, and renewal this season! St. Paddy’s Day invites us to sparkle and shimmer, dance and frolic! Shine on!!
March also features International Women’s Day, Daylight Savings Time, Ramadan, Easter, and an abundance of daily, weekly, and monthly recognitions and holidays! I invite every Rotarian to share 5 favorite celebrations with their clubs this month! Taking time to notice and acknowledge is good for the soul. Gratitude and Celebration are a practiced state of mind!
March 2024 has been proclaimed “March is Reading Month” in Michigan. I invite every Rotarian to become a reading buddy at your local elementary school. I started this recently and recognize it as a powerful investment in the next generation of successful citizens! It’s a gift to yourself and your mental health as much as it benefits kids. Being around youth is energizing, and celebrating WITH the next generation keeps us current and connected.
I just returned from Guatemala after taking part in the Guatemala Literacy Project. It is a network of individual Rotarians and the nonprofit Cooperative for Education, dedicated to improving education for underserved students in Guatemala. Since 1997 (27 years) over 800 Clubs around the world have participated in the GLP, making it the largest multi-club, multi-district project in Rotary that is not directed by RI itself. www.guatemalaliteracy.org/volunteer. It is strikingly successful in the way it is transforming their society. Every Rotarian would benefit from experiencing it! International Service is why I joined Rotary 20 years ago, and it is why I stay. Many of today’s young professionals crave meaning and connection and to truly make a difference. As the largest, richest service organization in the world, the accessibility for purposeful service through Rotary is extraordinary!
March is our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month in Rotary! Clean water, sanitation and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. Our District has been at the forefront in leading the WASH movement internationally over the years! Congratulations to club members and District leaders who have been part of this important effort through distributing water filters, digging wells, building dams, and contributing to a healthier planet and people everywhere!
Finally, our District Team of Leaders offers education and support to members and clubs in every area of Rotary. Call on these folks to present to your clubs, connect on zoom, provide information and support. They are our most valuable resource!!! Contact our Administrator Ingrid to help connect you – rotary6360@gmail.com.
Area Assistant Governors – Jim Maier, Mark Odland, Tim Lee, Jim Cupper, Ed Schaadt, Mike Alverson, Heather Tritchka, Vivian Davis, Gregg Guetschow, Teresa Brandell, David Pike
Treasurer – Gregg Guetschow
Secretary – Ed Schaad
Conference Chair – Jay Larson
DEI Co-Chairs – Raj Wiener & Tom Rosenbluth
Membership – Mike Gallagher
Innovative Club Champion – Syd Bastos
Public Image – Nancy Peterson
Communications (DACdb) – Ed Foster, Mark Rodg
District Newsletter – Ingrid Nova
Rotary Foundation – Nathan Triplett
Fundraising – Teresa Brandell
Polio – Ed Foster
Grants – Betty Mercer
Paul Harris – Kathy & Rick Merrill
International Service Projects – Sung Lee, Steve Zebell
Empowering Girls – Wendy Weaver
WASH – Anthony McCrumb
Environment– Michelle Skedgell
Learning/Training – Margie Haas
Youth Services – Margie Haas
RYLA – Don Deibler
Interact – Cindy Igoe
Service/Arts Projects – Andy French.
Mental Health – Jacquie Blackwell.
Serving and Caring is what we do! Congratulations on all THE GOOD IN THE WORLD that YOU do!!! You’re incredible!
In Celebration!
Sharalyn Davis
District 6360 Governor
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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Rotary Action Group:
Mental Health Initiatives
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Corewell Health Sponsors Mental Health First Aid Training | |
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D6360 Mental Health Committee has fantastic news.
Corewell Health is offering in-person, Mental Health First Aid Training to D6360 Rotarians absolutely FREE!
Here are the details:
Friday April 19
11am-5pm
Lunch provided
Corewell Health, Center for Wellness
133 West Main Street, Benton Harbor
MHFA trainings typically cost $25 per person. Corewell Health is generously making this certification available at no charge – including lunch! And, it’s an exclusive training for Rotarians in our District.
Mental Health First Aid is like CPR for helping those experiencing emotional pain or crisis. The training teaches how to recognize emotional distress, how to approach/talk to a person with this behavior, and how to refer them to resources. Satisfactory completion of the training offers a three-year certification.
Becoming a certified Mental Health First-Aider falls in line with RI President Gordon McInally’s Mental Health platform; and D6360 Mental Health Committee’s goal to enable all members to be trained. This is an amazing offering from Corewell Health, and we would be amiss not to take advantage of it.
Mental Health First Aid is more than just a buzz word with Rotarians. It is a topic that is given high priority in many countries, including the U.S. – as well as becoming a public health movement in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity released this video The Importance of Mental Health First Aid Training which beautifully captures why certification is critical, and what to expect when taking the training. How interesting that this video also touches on the exact same points that President Gordon makes to raise awareness; erase stigma; and improve access. You can view the video here: Mental Health Webinar | February 2024 - YouTube
Here are your action steps for promoting and registering for this fantastic opportunity:
1. View and Share the video Mental Health Webinar | February 2024 - YouTube
2. Talk it up at your club and encourage each other to register. Or …
3. Invite a member of the MH Committee to visit your club … and we’ll encourage them to register!
4. RSVP email your commitment to attend to: jacquie@pdispirit.com
As you RSVP, further instructions will be emailed to you.
It’s exciting to know that Rotarians are on the leading edge of a cause that holds international, national, and local attention; and that we are making a positive impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
It’s even more exciting to know that ultimately, we are Creating Hope.
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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. | |
Exciting News from RYLA Camp! | |
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The new and improved all-electronic registration program is now up-and-running! There will no longer be the need to print, scan, or email registration documents!
Registration for camp will begin on March 1 and conclude on May 31, or when we have 60 qualified campers! Don't delay, clubs should be recruiting students from their local school districts and Interact clubs.
For more details, see the RYLA tab on the district website HERE!
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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Pancake Breakfast March 7 | |
Gull Lake Area Rotary Club
Helping Our Youth
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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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Interact, the Rotary youth program, was launched by the RI Board of Directors in 1962. The first Interact club was established by the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida. Interact clubs provide opportunities for boys and girls of secondary school age to work together in a world fellowship of service and international understanding. The term, Interact, is derived from "inter" for international, and "act" for action. Every Interact club must be sponsored and supervised by a Rotary club and must plan annual projects of service to its school, community and in the world.
Today there are over 7,200 Interact clubs with more than 155,000 members in 88 countries. "Interactors" develop skills in leadership and attain practical experience in conducting service projects, thereby learning the satisfaction that comes from serving others. A major goal of Interact is to provide opportunities for young people to create greater understanding and goodwill with youth throughout the world.
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DEI is for Those Who Are Willing | |
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District 6380 Governor-Elect Sharna Hatcher grew her club from 2 to 22 using DEI principles. She shared her powerful story at our February meeting featuring a Culture Café Conversation.
ARE YOU WILLING?
- Who do you know who’s not at the table?
- Whose perspectives are missing from your decision-making?
- Do you want to grow your club with members who share the values of DEI?
- Do you know who you are and where your club’s passion lies?
- Can you identify potential members who would value Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and shared values of DEI?
- Are your projects, fundraisers, and meetings welcoming and inclusive?
- Do you celebrate diversity?
- Do you have an annual DEI assessment and create DEI metrics?
- Do you know what resources are available to you?
Call on us to get started or if you have any questions!
We're preparing for a Total Solar Eclipse in April and DEI Committee Member Uma Umakanth of Lansing Rotary has created a very special DEI thought piece for experiencing the Solar Eclipse through a DEI lens.
Learn more about our District's DEI efforts HERE!
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DEI in the Sky
By: Uma Umakanth, Lansing Rotarian
and President, Symbiosis International
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A celestial exhibition of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will happen for a few minutes during Monday, April 8, 2024. That is when the total solar eclipse will amaze millions of people in North America, from Mexico, to USA, and Canada. During totality, the moon and the sun dance the celestial tango and become perfectly aligned to reveal their respect for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In these few minutes, the sun and the moon vanish from our sights even though we will be staring at them. What we see is a hole in the sky, black in color. This black hole will be surrounded by a beautiful corona, the masterpiece of the painter Nature.
Below: Total solar eclipse of 2017
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We will be able to see the night sky in the middle of the day. At the horizon, we will see twilight and we will not know if it is dusk or dawn. This twilight will be all around us. Yes, 360 degrees of twilight.
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We will feel a cool breeze, a breeze that is about 20 degrees lower than a few minutes earlier. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and many stars will be visible. Even a comet (12P/Pons-Brooks ) may become visible.
Many people describe a total solar eclipse as a magical, emotional, and spiritual experience. Totality is the only time we can look at the solar eclipse without the eclipse glasses. When we take off the eclipse glasses, we can also virtually put on the DEI glasses and marvel at how the dominant celestial objects – sun and the moon – vanish from our eyes and let other celestial objects and natural phenomena coexist. During totality, we can see stars and planets in daytime, maybe even a comet. Night sky, dawn, and dusk coexist in the middle of the day.
Dawn and dusk are not restricted to the east and west, but all around us. The beautiful corona of the sun not visible at any other time will be visible to the unaided eyes.
We can literally see a black hole in the sky, the disk of the moon that blocks the sun. Total solar eclipse Includes a Diverse set of celestial objects and phenomena, and Equitably makes them visible.
To enjoy this experience safely and to learn more, please visit www.GoSymbiosis.com/Rotary
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Virtual Dream Career Event Great Success! | |
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On Feb 22, the District held a "Virtual Dream Career Event" matching high school students with professionals in their Dream Careers. Participating in the Event were 36 Rotary Hosts, Mentors and students. Included were Rotarians from 7 Rotary Clubs.
Participating Rotary Clubs and Rotarians
- Grand Ledge: Ariel Backus
- Gull Lake: Don Deibler
- Hastings: Margie Haas & Allison Wakeman
- Kalamazoo: Taylor Huie
- St. Joseph-Benton Harbor: Jackie Huie, Mike Huie, Mark Kreter, Afiya Latham, Caitlin Sampsell, Mark Widmer & Jennifer Zerrenner
- Sturgis: Tim Lee
- Williamston Sunrise: Raj Wiener
Mentors included Actors, Biochemists, Doctors and Lawyers from as far away as California, including Actor Joel Stiengold (https://www.joelsteingold.com/) and 4 School Districts - Portage, South Haven, St Joseph and Williamston.
Student input
"Thank you for organizing this event! I learned a lot and I hope you keep doing it for years to come!"
"I think this was a great event and helped me tremendously! "
"I loved it, I got my questions answered."
"I found the experience very informative and useful. I thought the size for breakout rooms was great, because it allowed me to ask specific questions that I may not had time to ask if the breakout groups were larger. Overall great!"
Plans are underway for a March 28, 4-5pm "Virtual Dream Career Event: Trades." If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Jackie Huie.
Learn more HERE!
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Rotary Student Program Going Strong | |
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The Rotary Student Program was off to a BIG START in 2024 with several activities in the new year, including One-on-One Career Mentoring, a Virtual Dream Career Event, SPARK and an Interact Club Leadership Series.
Background on the Rotary Student Program
Since 1905, the 1.4 million member Rotary organization has worked toward the common goal of making the world a better place. In 2007, Southwest Michigan Rotarians decided to leverage the network of Rotary to provide a relevant service to every community by connecting young people with professionals in dream careers. What started as one-on-one in person meetings between Rotarians, Students and Professionals now has in-person and virtual components. The goal is to give every young person the opportunity to connect with a mentor in their Dream Career. To fulfill that goal, every Rotary Club in the world is invited to host this program collaborating with local high schools. Moving forward, the Rotary Student Program will be seeking Rotarians interested in being on the District 6360 Committee. Reach out to Jackie Huie for interest at jhuie@johnsonrauhoff.com
Through the Rotary Student Program, high school students are matched with professionals in Dream Careers. This past month, four St. Joseph High School students completed the program by meeting with a mentor and sharing their experience at a Rotary Meeting. Participants included:
- SJHS Sophomore, Addison Covert, with a Dream of becoming an Anesthesiologist and meeting with Dr. Dudley, Head of Anesthesiology at Corewell Health, Lakeland, SJBH Rotary Host Rick Villa
- SJHS Senior, Kaiden Tevis, with the Dream of becoming a Mechanical Engineer and meeting with Whirlpool Engineer, Mandy McIver, SJBH Rotary Host Rick Villa
- SJHS Junior, Ava Panicucci, with the Dream of going into Medicine and meeting with Duke Fellow at Duke University Healthcare, Dr. James Bevenour, SJBH Rotary Host Jackie Huie
- SJHS Senior, Lola Laurent, with a Dream of becoming a Sports Reporter and meeting with NHL Sports Reporters Maura Carey and Regan Holgate, SJBH Rotary Host Jackie Huie
See more great photos HERE!
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Rotary's Shift from Training to Learning It’s Official: The Rotary culture is shifting from “Training” to Learning. Head to the Learning Center on My Rotary to learn more about Rotary and public image (or a variety of topics.) Courses are free and are included in your membership!
(Login with your My Rotary credentials.
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What's In a Name? Video
In case you missed the last Public Image live on zoom event, you can find the recording for the What's In a Name? webinar, held in January | Watch HERE
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Kalamazoo Rotary Club Hosting
5:01 Social Event
March 12
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Kalamazoo Rotary Satellite Club 5:01 Social Event
Tuesday March 12th at 5:01pm
Location: KNAC (within Kalamazoo First Baptist Church)
315 West Michigan Ave in Downtown Kalamazoo
Metered parking is available on Church Street and in the area surrounding Bronson Park. A parking deck is available at the Radisson Hotel one block east.
All Rotarians and Guests welcome!
We will have a cash bar and pizza available.
This is a great opportunity to connect with members from other clubs, to introduce prospective new members to Rotary, to scope out the May 2024 District Conference city and to celebrate spring!
Please join us in Kalamazoo on March 12th!!
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What's Up in Youth Services? | |
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There’s a lot going on in Youth Services!
1. RYLA Camp is getting ready to open registration for all high school students to attend RYLA Camp 2024. Watch your emails for Opening Registration information with the new online application link. See Don Diebler’s article! Camp dates: July 12-14, 2024. Registration closes May 31. Let’s have every club send at least two (2) campers!
2. Interact – plans are underway for a District Interact Conference on Friday, May 3, at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo. This event will be in conjunction with our Rotary District conference. We hope every Interact Club will be represented. Watch for more information from Cindy Igoe, District Interact Chair.
3. Rotary Student Program – See Jackie Huie’s articles!! Wow! This is a real service to our high school students.
4. Rotary Youth Exchange – NOW IS THE TIME to commit to hosting a student from another country for 2024-25. We will have four (4) students assigned to District 6360 that we will host. Interested? Not sure what it all will involve?? Find out on Thursday, March 21, at 6:30 pm. We will hold a Youth Exchange facilitated session online. We will answer your questions: How to find host families? How much will it cost our club to host? What responsibilities will the club have? And more! Come find out on March 21! Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83303619097?pwd=UEVkOHlYaTdkZEdTK3BscDFRaUc1QT09
5. HELP WANTED: There a openings for YOU to participate in Youth Services!
RYLA CAMP NURSE! Be onsite during RYLA Camp July 12-14, 2024 to dispense meds to campers per their medical statements, and to apply first aid as needed. The nurse does not need to be a Rotarian. Requirement: Must have a valid nursing license. Contact Don Deibler at 269-599-1341. donalddeibler@yahoo.com.
Rotary Youth Exchange: Assistant Chair, Co-Outbound Coordinator, Inbound Coordinator (3 positions)
Be part of our District Rotary Youth Exchange Team! Assist clubs with finding host families, processing the necessary paperwork, assist clubs to find outbound students, plan student orientations, assist host families and student placement. Requirement: Computer database skills. Contact Margie Haas at 269-838-3392; haasmargie@gmail.com.
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Rotary Honorary Membership | |
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"Honorary" is one of the two types of membership a person may have in a Rotary club. This type of membership is the highest distinction a Rotary club can confer and is exercised only in exceptional cases to recognize an individual for unusual service and contributions to Rotary and society. Honorary members cannot propose new members to the club, do not hold office and are exempt from attendance requirements and club dues.
Many distinguished heads of state, explorers, authors, musicians, astronauts and other public personalities have been honorary members of Rotary clubs, including King Gustaf of Sweden, King George VI of England, King Badouin of Belgium, King Hassan III of Morocco, Sir Winston Churchill, humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, Charles Lindbergh, composer Jean Sibelius, explorer Sir Edmund Hillary, Thor Heyerdahl, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Dr. Albert Sabin, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and many of the presidents of the United States. Truly, those selected for honorary membership are those who have done much to further the ideals of Rotary.
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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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