May, 2019

 

Don Meyer, District 5970 Foundation Chair

Dear Rotarians,
 
Despite the inclement weather last Saturday spirits were high at the District Conference in Clear Lake!  I am thankful for all the opportunities the conference provides to highlight the work of the Rotary Foundation, and to provide much-needed training to help your clubs strengthen your support for the Foundation.  Lots of excitement is being generated in our District for Global and District Grants.  That’s great!  Our District Foundation Team is here to help you turn that excitement into reality.  
 
Our District recognized several individuals at the Foundation Reception last Friday night, for achieving new levels of individual support this Rotary year:

         
 
Michelle Bell, DGE, and member of the Marion East Cedar Rapids Club reached Major Donor Level
 
 
Dr. Peter Vidal, member of the Hampton Club reached Major Donor Level
 

John Last, former member of the Mason City River City Sunrise Club and longtime District Executive Secretary, reached Major Donor Level, awarded posthumously.  His son, Bob Last, accepted the award on behalf of his father. 
 

Kathryn Fahy, PDG and member of the Iowa Great Lakes Club, became a member of the Bequest Society
 

Dennis Renner, member of the Mason City River City Sunrise Club, became a Paul Harris Society member 
 
We congratulate these generous Rotarians for their dedicated support of the Foundation.  
                         
Another Successful Duck Race!
 
Thank you to each of the 831 Rotarians from 31 clubs in our District who purchased a duck for this year’s Duck Race!   We raised a total of $4,172 for the PolioPlus fund.  The three winning clubs were Waterloo, Garner and Cedar Rapids clubs.   

In addition, the Silent and Live Auctions raised another $3,800 for PolioPlus which brings the grand total to $7,972.  Thanks to all the bidders!
 
        
 
                                  
 
Mary Beth Growney Selene, Trustee of The Rotary Foundation
 
We were very fortunate to have Mary Beth Growney Selene, current Trustee of The Rotary Foundation with us at the District Conference.  In addition to inspiring us with a keynote address about the water and sanitation projects she’s worked with to improve the lives of children and adults around the world, she encouraged our conference attendees in a breakout session to apply for Global Grants.  There is often reluctance to apply among many Rotarians because it can be a complicated process.  She emphasized, however, to:
  1. Reach out to those in our District who have already applied.  They are great resources. 
  2. Work with our District Global Grants Committee, especially Rebecca Schultz, our Global Grants Chair.  Contact her at schultz.district5970@gmail.com  
  3. Reach out to our Regional Grants Officers at The Rotary Foundation.  They are willing to help in any way they can.   One of the RGOs who our District has worked with often is Cecelia Walter.  You may contact her at cecelia.walter@rotary.org  
 
                Mary Beth Growney Selene
 
 
Grant Training Seminars
 
Thanks to all who attended the Grant Training Seminars.  We greatly appreciate the interest that 32 clubs have shown in applying for District Grants.  We have $100,078 available from our District Designated Funds to award in grants this year.
 
Remember the deadline for applications to be submitted is June 15, 2019. 
 
Global Scholar Program
 
We are pleased to have a very strong candidate applying for a Global Scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year.  The Rotary Foundation has given her preliminary approval and our District Global Grants Team will be interviewing her in May.  Thanks to John Stewart, our Global Scholar Chair, for his leadership in moving the process forward. 
 
Reminders—Looking Ahead!
 
Remember June 30 is the deadline to:
  1. Meet your club’s Annual Fund goal for 2018-19.  These are the funds that return to our District to be used for District Grants.  Your club’s giving to the Annual Fund of the Rotary Foundation also qualifies you to apply for a District Grant. 
     
  2. Meet your club’s PolioPlus goal for 2018-19.  Please take advantage of the extra 2 to 1 match from the Major Donor in our District.  That matching opportunity expires on June 30.
     
  3. Make an individual, personal gift to the Rotary Foundation.  Then you have invested in the good work of the Rotary Foundation.  It keeps you engaged in Rotary.  Why?  Because you will want to watch what your investment accomplishes!  
Thanks for your part in making a strong push to the finish line! 
 
Yours in Rotary,
 
Don Meyer
District Foundation Chair
 
                                   
 
 
 
 
 

Donald Meyer

District 5970 Foundation Chair

donald.meyer@wartburg.edu