Rotary District 6960 Newsletter Dec. 2022

MESSAGE FROM

DISTRICT

GOVERNOR NEIL SNYDER

It’s hard to believe my year serving as your district governor is approaching the halfway mark. It has been a wonderful five months, and as I reflect on all of the amazing accomplishments, we have much to celebrate – District 6960 is on course to continue the membership growth we have enjoyed in past years, and our generosity and support of The Rotary Foundation is plentiful. Training and education are in full gear with Rotary Leadership Institute sessions conducted in August and September, and additional sessions scheduled for the remainder of this Rotary year. By offering RLI simultaneously in various locations in the district, we have the opportunity to bring RLI to more Rotarians than ever before Together, we’ve faced many challenges in the wake of Hurricane Ian As a district and as Rotarians, we rallied and responded in full force showing members of the communities in Southwest Florida that Rotarians are People of Action

It is my honor to introduce Gerard Sola as our District Governor Nominee Designate He will lead our district in Rotary year 2025-26 Gerard has been a rising star in this district for many years and has contributed an abundant amount of time and resources over his years of service. I look forward to working with Gerard as he joins our governor core and seeing him succeed in this role.

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment month. Eradicating polio is Rotary’s primary external focus, and we are closer than ever from ridding the world of this disease. I urge you to continue your efforts to support this campaign. One way you can do that is by joining the PolioPlus Society. I imagine the joy we will all feel one day when we have eliminated polio from the entire planet

I wish all of my Rotary family a happy holiday season and a magnificent New Year!

Neil E Snyder, Esq

District Governor 2022-23 Rotary International District 6960

INTRODUCING DISTRICT GOVERNOR NOMINEE DESIGNATE GERARD SOLA

Gerard Sola was recently selected by the District 6960 nominating committee to serve as District Governor in Rotary year 2025-26 Gerard currently serves as the District 6960 Membership Chair, and membership has grown tremendously under his leadership. Gerard has been recognized as Rotarian of the Year at the club and district levels and has served as club president, assistant governor, and in a number of other leadership roles.

"I am both humbled and extremely excited to have been selected as a future leader of one of the best Rotary districts in the world," Gerard said The nominating committee is comprised of nine Rotarians, one from each area of the district, who vote for the candidate they feel most suitable to lead. The committee chair, Past District Governor Darryl Keys, does not vote, nor do any members of the current governor core.

DISEASE PREVENTION & TREATMENT

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. This is one of Rotary's seven areas of focus and it can take on many forms, from supporting studies to helping immunize people to improving drinking water and sanitation infrastructure. The world relies on Rotary to tackle these global challenges and to set an example for others to follow.

$65 mil

in grants given by Rotary to fight disease

99.9%

reduction in polio cases since our program started in 1985

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION UPDATE

By: Jim Hinck, District 6960 Foundation Chair

It is December and we are halfway through our Rotary year. I am so pleased to see Rotary clubs and Rotarians throughout the District working on ways to meet their 2022-23 Rotary Foundation goals.

In the spirit of the holiday season, Rotarians around our district are showing generosity and dedication to Service Above Self through donations to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Thank you to the many clubs that continue to exhibit remarkable achievements, I encourage you to continue your efforts to support our Rotary Foundation.

I can't think of a better time to remind all Rotarians that you have the power to help your club achieve its Foundation goals, as well as your own, through your support of TRF. Just imagine the impact we would have if every Rotarian in District 6960 made a donation to TRF this holiday season

The District 6960 “Imagine Your Impact" Rotary Foundation Gala is quickly approaching February 25, 2023 will be a very special night Register on DACdb and don't miss this memorable evening!

Charitable Gift Annuity

By: PDG Tam Mustapha, Major Gifts Chair

One of the most popular ways of giving right now is using a Charitable Gift Annuity from the Rotary Foundation With interest rates on the rise, this creative giving technique is getting a lot of attention

Through the Charitable Gift Annuity, our Rotary Foundation would pay you a fixed payment (every quarter or annually) for the remainder of your life. Another great benefit is that you receive a tax dedu which would help at tax time The amount of interest based on your age at the time you make the gift The never changes, and though it can be done on a single it can also be accomplished over two lives.

The minimum age to participate is 50 years old and t minimum gift is $10,000 The larger the gift the more income you receive annually Wait there is moresupporting The Rotary Foundation through a Charita Gift Annuity also gives you Major Donor status

to

Past District Governor David and Shirley Fihn (Rotary Club of Detroit Lakes-Noon, MN) funded their first gift annuity with Rotary in 1993. They have been so pleased with the benefits that they made a series of gifts to support Rotary and supplement their retirement income In doing so, they have built a strong legacy and financial security for their family. Read more. Click here to learn more about Charitable Gift Annuities.

PEOPLE OF ACTION Rotarycaresaboutteens'

With addiction and suicide rates at an all-time high, the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay launched a groundbreaking teen mental health initiative that's making a significant impact.

In early December, the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay hosted an event to celebrate the winning entries of the "What Makes You Healthy" art and media contest Rotarians, friends and students gathered for the awards Fifteen-year-old Olivia Lee won first place for the video she created about her personal struggles growing up She shared that she plans to put the $5,000 in prize money toward her college education

The club, in partnership with Reach Out Recovery, gave each participant the book Teen Guide to Health, by Leslie Glass, with information on mental health. Students were instructed to create a video or artwork representing something they learned "The Art/Media contest is a great way to bring health education, creativity and art together with scholarship awards for the best positive mental health entries," Glass said "So many teens and their parents are focused on achievement and behavior instead of the life skills they need to be emotionally and physically healthy "

Now a District 6960 initiative, Rotary clubs and afterschool programs are collaborating to provide the opportunity for art and scholarships to more area high school students in 2023

DOLLARS IN PRIZES AWARDED

Grant applications are available for clubs to submit to request funds for rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Ian. It is crucial for clubs to identify opportunities to leverage those funds in order to serve their communities impacted by Ian and help rebuild.

Projects that involve multiple clubs, matching funds or District 6960 partnerships will be given special consideration. Watch the Hurricane Ian Relief Update video, and review the District Disaster Grants Policy and District Disaster Response Guidelines.

District 6960 partnered with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to provide the greatest amount of aid to the most people in need in the shortest amount of time and with the least amount of cost to donors. Through GEM, Rotary is provided with access to drywall, mattresses, bed frames, furniture, appliances and other useful items to aid in the rebuilding effort. Within this partnership, they are asking Rotary for help in identifying neighborhoods to rebuild, needs assessments in those neighborhoods, manpower to deliver items, and funding mainly to cover transportation costs. Read more.

Photos on left show a few of the award recipients posing by their artwork. Click here to view more, courtesy of Holly Elmore Images.