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(Read more in the newsletter here.)
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Dear Rotarians,
Congratulations! District 5970 was recognized at this year’s Zone Institute in Kansas City last week. Our District finished second in our Zone (which includes 23 districts) in total giving ($207,549) to polio eradication in 2018-19. I wish you all could have walked on stage to receive the certificate award. It only happened because of you! Thank you for your continued giving to the PolioPlus fund. Even though a few new cases are still being reported, we’re almost across the finish line, so now is the time to keep the energy going!
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One Rotary Summit The time is drawing near for the 2019-20 One Rotary Summit (ORS). Our Rotary story is connected through membership, public image, and humanitarian service. Every Rotarian has stories to tell, and these stories inspire current members, attract new members, and can increase Rotary Foundation giving. This year’s ORS them will be "Connected by Our Rotary Stories." Attendees will have the opportunity to:
Below are the One Rotary Summits scheduled in District 5970: October 8, 2019 - Rockwell City - Community Center - 424 Main Street - Register The Summits will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will include dinner. The cost is $20 and you may send a check to Suellen Kolbet, District Executive Secretary, PO Box 445, New Hampton, IA 50659, or you can pay by credit card when you register, and then the cost is $21.64. |
#flatpaulharris watches Chief Strategy officer, Tom Thorfinson of Rotary International talk about Rotary's Vision Statement.
District 5970 revealed Flat Paul Harris at North Central President Elect Training this past weekend in Ames, Iowa. Flat Paul Harris is a public image project based on the popular children's books about Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley has been entertaining young readers for generations ever since being flattened by a bulletin board in his bedroom in 1964. He maintains his popularity by traveling around the world, having friends log his travels with photos from places near and far.
District 5970 has given each club a Flat Paul and we want to see where you take him! Please honor Paul Harris' legacy and celebrate the accomplishments of Rotary by including him in photos with your club! Post the photos on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and use the hashtag: #flatpaulharris. Please also tag District 5970! Click here to download your own #flatpaulharris to take with you on your travels and post on social media!
Rotary's long-term, sustained battle against polio has defined our organization for decades. We have a right to be proud of all that we have accomplished through the years.
Our progress is real and noteworthy. In 1988, polio was endemic in 125 countries, with more than 350,000 new cases a year worldwide. Since then, Rotary and our Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners have reduced the incidence of polio by more than 99.9 percent, vaccinated more than 2.5 billion children against the virus, and prevented 18 million cases of paralysis. Over the years, Rotary has helped country after country move into the polio-free column. This includes India, which some considered impossible not long ago. Of the three types of poliovirus, type 2 has been eradicated and type 3 could soon be certified as eradicated. Nigeria has not reported a case of wild poliovirus in nearly three years. If this trend holds, we will be down to just one type of wild poliovirus in only one section of the world, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
There are major challenges in that region. But it is crucial that we remain optimistic. Look at all that we have accomplished so far. This is no time to get discouraged or to think that the task is impossible. We will end polio forever, but only if we remain steadfast and vigilant. World Polio Day is a time for Rotarians from all over the globe to come together, recognize the progress we have made in our fight against polio, and plan the action we must take to end polio forever. The key word is action, because we still have important work to do.
This year, we want to see as many Rotary clubs as possible holding World Polio Day events around the world. Need some ideas? How about organizing a viewing party for friends and club members to watch Rotary's Online Global Update? You could also dedicate a club meeting to World Polio Day or create a fundraising event. Remember, every dollar raised is matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Once you have created an event, register it at endpolio.org/register-your-event. Then promote it using the World Polio Day toolkit, available at endpolio.org/world-polio-day.
Mark your calendar to tune in to Rotary's World Polio Day Online Global Update on 24 October. This year we will stream our program on Facebook in multiple time zones around the world. Visit the Rotary International Facebook page to RSVP to your region's program. And do not forget to follow the event on social media and share it with your network.
When we reach our goal, polio will become only the second human disease eradicated on the planet, and Rotary will receive international acclaim. But what matters most is the children who will never again have to face this terrible, disabling virus. Rotary must continue to connect the world in the effort toward polio eradication. It is up to us. Let us finish the job.
nternational is launching a campaign called, “Countdown to History.” Goals were set and pledges were made, the and we can’t do it without you, as Rotarians. We are asking for Rotarians across District 5970 to give a minimum of $40 to End Polio Now. This will get our District to the goal set by Rotary International.