APRIL 2018

April Foundation Greeting from Michelle Bell

I must say I hope the snow is done for the season. Spring brings new beginnings and continued traditions. We have just finished the Grant Management Seminars and are preparing for a great District Conference and Foundation Duck Race! 
Find the Duck Race flyer here.

We are also looking for Silent and Live Auction items for the conference. It’s important you let us know what you’re bringing so we can prepare bid sheets in advance of the auction.
Find more auction info here.

All of this fundraising goes to fund programs of The Rotary Foundation. The rest of this newsletter highlights the great work our District is doing in the world. I couldn’t be more proud to serve you as you do this great work

Yours in Service,
Michelle Bell

 

Kenyan Global Scholar appreciates support of District 5970

In February, District Membership Chair John Schultz met up with District 5970 Global Scholar Regina Mutiru in Nairobi, Kenya. District 5970 helps expand access to The Rotary Foundation’s Peace Fellowship program by allowing at-large candidates like Regina to apply through our district for support.

Regina enrolled in the Rotary Peace Scholar program at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom, one of seven Rotary Peace Centers around the world. She completed her studies in December 2016, exploring the concepts of peace, accessibility and gender equality. She also researched women leaders in peace building, including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman president of Liberia (2006-2018), and the contributions of women leaders to environmental change.

Travels during her time as a Peace Scholar included a trip to Northern Ireland, where she saw the long-term effects of peace building. She also enjoyed the company and support of local and regional Rotarians during her time in the United Kingdom.

Mutiru is now employed in a Kenyan government agency charged with limiting and investigating incidents of slander and libel by government officials and others. She is also focused on women’s peace building in Kenya, including initiatives like the Women’s Peace Temple and the impact of women in Kenyan politics. Her research is driven by the skills in development and collection of quantified data gained through her work at the University of Bradford.

During her conversation with John Schultz, Regina expressed her deepest thanks to District 5970 for supporting her studies and said she plans to pay it forward through her research and work in Kenya. She has become connected with the Westlands Rotary Club in Nairobi and hopes to become a Rotarian soon.

 

Peace Fellowship applications due May 31 for 2019-20 year

The spike in regional and local conflicts around the globe has boosted the need for professionals skilled in waging peace.

The fully funded Rotary Peace Fellowship, which covers tuition and living expenses, increases the capacity of current and emerging peace leaders to prevent and resolve conflict through academic training, field experience, and professional networking.

Up to 100 fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic, and professional achievements. Fellows earn either a master’s degree or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies at one of the Rotary Peace Centers. Learn more here.

 

Forest City Rotarians use district grant for park shelter

The Forest City Rotary Club provided $5,000, matched by a $5,000 grant from District 5970, to build a new park shelter at the Forest City Aquatic Center. Club members poured a concrete pad and footings, assembled the shelter and landscaped around it.

The City of Forest City was the cooperating organization for the project and Is now responsible for shelter maintenance.

“All Aquatic Center and park users will benefit from the shelter,” said Rotarian Scott Meinders, project chair. “By improving amenities in the park, the public is more likely to use it, and better park usage is a strong sign of a community’s high quality of life.”

Michelle Bell

District 5970 Foundation Chair

mlbelldg2019@gmail.com