My, oh my, how the world has changed since one month ago!  Who could have imagined we would be facing a coronavirus pandemic of these proportions after just one month? 

 

I hope you are all safe and well, and for those of you who may be touched by the Covid-19 virus, either personally or in your family, we pray for good health and recovery. 

 

All of us are touched by the pandemic in some way.  Our lives have been changed, whether it’s working from home, sheltering in place, or keeping our distance from one another.  Our Rotary life has changed, too.  We’re getting creative in how we engage with each other.  I’m thankful for the technology we have today that allows us to connect as Rotarians.  I hope it’s not too long before we can shake hands again and meet face-to-face.  It’s hard to keep Rotarians down! 

 

One thing that has NOT changed, is Rotary’s drive to help our neighbors in need, both locally and worldwide.  You can be proud of Rotary’s initiative to provide funding for organizations and projects that protect us from the impact of this terrible outbreak. 

 

In that spirit, here are two new opportunities that have just arrived: 

                       

 

District 5970 is excited to announce that we have just received a $25,000 grant from Rotary International to respond to the Covid-19 crisis in our area and in our communities.  All Club Presidents, Assistant Governors and attendees at the Grant Training Seminar were notified two days ago of this opportunity, but we wanted to make all of you aware.  Please check with your club President about applying.  You may find the application and quick reference guide at these links:

 

     Covid-19 Grant Quick Reference Guide

     Covid-19 Grant Application

 

Our District is making $1,000 grants available to every club in the District to be used for activities that support Covid-19 responses in your area and community. There is no requirement for clubs to provide matching funds.

 

Important Notice!
One very easy way for your club to make an impact with these grants is to simply make a donation to your local or area food bank.  You may have one in your community, or there are several regional food banks in our District such as the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area, the St. Stephen’s Food Bank in the Dubuque area, and HACAP in the Cedar Rapids area.  You can find more information at iowafba.org.  In fact, you can direct your club’s donation to the Iowa Food Bank Association, and designate it for any local food bank in their network, and they will distribute a $1,000 check to that food bank.  Note:  If you choose to direct your grant to one of these regional food banks, or to the Iowa Food Bank Association, the District will group those donations together and send your $1,000 grant directly to them and you will not be required to complete a final report.  If your club prefers to give directly to a local food bank in your community, then you will need to complete a final report.

 

You are not required to donate to a food bank with your grant.  If you have other ideas for a project in your community please submit those ideas in your application. 

 

Please note that the applications are due by May 1, 2020. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity right away! 

 

Thanks for doing your part as Rotarians to respond to this crisis.  We are people of action!

 

Any new global grants that address the Covid-19 pandemic will have the 30% foreign financing requirement waived.  That should help the processing of the grant go faster.  Let me know if your club is interested. 

 

 

Due to the slow-down in conducting business as normal, the District is extending the deadline for the Rotary Rush opportunity to June 10, 2020, the end of the Rotary year.  As you remember, any gift made to the Annual Fund that gets you - half of the way -  to your first or next multiple Paul Harris Fellow level, will be matched with recognition points from a generous donor in our District - up to the next level.  For example, if you are $400 away from your first or next Paul Harris Fellow level, you may give $200 to the Annual Fund, and it will be matched with 200 points to get you there. 
 

Because their offices are currently shut down, The Rotary Foundation staff is strongly encouraging us to make our gifts online at www.rotary.org/donate .  Please be sure to designate your gift to the Annual Fund.  When you receive your gift confirmation email, please forward that to John Wasta at john.wasta@gmail.com and he will file the proper paperwork to get your matching points added.  If you’re wondering how far you are from your first or next Paul Harris Fellow level, you may email John and he can tell you.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all who attended the first Grant Management Seminar last Saturday.  For those who missed it, the next opportunity is Friday, April 24, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm.  It’s online only, and you may register here. 

 

 

Those ducks are so determined that they will be racing anyway, despite the cancelling of the District Conference!   A virtual duck race will be held on April 25 at 10:00 am.  To view it online, you can register through the email you should have received from Suellen Kolbet, District Executive Secretary, on March 23. 

If you, or your club, chooses to buy a duck and plan to pay by check, make the check payable to The Rotary Foundation and mail to:

 

John Wasta
221 Kent Court NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

 

Yours in Rotary,

Don Meyer

District Foundation Chair