December in the Rotary world marks Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, a truly relevant focus since we have all been impacted by COVID-19 in some way. Today also marks Giving Tuesday, a global movement for good that began in 2012 on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving. As I’m writing this message in the warmth and comfort of my home, I’m reminded how fortunate my family and I are compared with so many people in this world, and how blessed we are to be able to help others through Rotary. Today’s newsletter includes some ways you can Do Good on this Giving Tuesday and beyond.
Rotary and Giving Tuesday:
The Rotary Foundation supports communities all over the world through local projects and global efforts such as Polio Plus. Here is a short video from Rotary in honor of Giving Tuesday: https://vimeo.com/474720383/b16d6743b7.
The Rotary Foundation supports communities all over the world through local projects and global efforts such as Polio Plus. Here is a short video from Rotary in honor of Giving Tuesday: https://vimeo.com/474720383/b16d6743b7.
Honduras Relief Fund:
Over the past few weeks, Honduras has been hit by two major hurricanes - Eta (Category 4) and Iota (Category 5) - causing widespread devastation. Buildings have been destroyed, bridges washed-away, and infrastructures obliterated. Many people have been left homeless or are simply missing. The 33 Rotary Clubs in Honduras have come together to start the Rotary Honduras Hurricane Relief Fund, in partnership with Florida-based Make It Count Foundation, to help provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need. Many clubs in our District have done projects in Honduras and our District participates in an Inter-Country Committee (ICC) with Honduras. Here is a link to the Relief Fund should your club or members wish to make a donation: https://rotary.themakeitcountfoundation.org
Over the past few weeks, Honduras has been hit by two major hurricanes - Eta (Category 4) and Iota (Category 5) - causing widespread devastation. Buildings have been destroyed, bridges washed-away, and infrastructures obliterated. Many people have been left homeless or are simply missing. The 33 Rotary Clubs in Honduras have come together to start the Rotary Honduras Hurricane Relief Fund, in partnership with Florida-based Make It Count Foundation, to help provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need. Many clubs in our District have done projects in Honduras and our District participates in an Inter-Country Committee (ICC) with Honduras. Here is a link to the Relief Fund should your club or members wish to make a donation: https://rotary.themakeitcountfoundation.org
PolioPlus Fundraising – Thank You!
As you know, our District participated in the Step Up for Polio project from August through October to raise funds for Rotary’s polio eradication efforts. We also raised funds for Polio during our Party for Polio kick off to the Virtual District Conference. I am thrilled to announce that our members and clubs raised $17,861 through the Step Up Campaign, and the Party for Polio donations and club pledges raised another $14,382, for a total of $32,243 raised/pledged for Polio! The even better news is that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is matching our donations $2-to-$1, which means our money will be tripled! Thank you all so much for your strong continued support of our PolioPlus fund. Our goal this year is 100% club participation in PolioPlus giving, so if your club/members have not participated, it is not too late. Here is the link to donate: https://www.endpolio.org/donate
As you know, our District participated in the Step Up for Polio project from August through October to raise funds for Rotary’s polio eradication efforts. We also raised funds for Polio during our Party for Polio kick off to the Virtual District Conference. I am thrilled to announce that our members and clubs raised $17,861 through the Step Up Campaign, and the Party for Polio donations and club pledges raised another $14,382, for a total of $32,243 raised/pledged for Polio! The even better news is that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is matching our donations $2-to-$1, which means our money will be tripled! Thank you all so much for your strong continued support of our PolioPlus fund. Our goal this year is 100% club participation in PolioPlus giving, so if your club/members have not participated, it is not too late. Here is the link to donate: https://www.endpolio.org/donate
$52.40 Annual Fund Challenge:
Only one month left for clubs and members to meet the $52.40 Annual Fund Challenge! Help your club meet this challenge with a donation of at least $52.40 to the TRF Annual Fund. The Annual Fund makes our local and international grant projects possible! Click HERE for more information about the $52.40 Challenge.
Only one month left for clubs and members to meet the $52.40 Annual Fund Challenge! Help your club meet this challenge with a donation of at least $52.40 to the TRF Annual Fund. The Annual Fund makes our local and international grant projects possible! Click HERE for more information about the $52.40 Challenge.
Rotary Partnership with Toastmasters:
Rotary International has formed an alliance with Toastmasters International to offer additional benefits to our members. As part of this alliance, Rotary is offering a series of leadership and communication courses to Rotary and Rotaract members. The first two courses, now available in the Learning Center, discuss fundamental leadership skills like motivation, integrity, and team inclusiveness. You will also discover how ethics, decision making, goal setting, and delegating help you develop the skills necessary to lead a team effectively. Watch this video to learn how to find the courses in the Learning Center and how to get the most out of them.
Rotary International has formed an alliance with Toastmasters International to offer additional benefits to our members. As part of this alliance, Rotary is offering a series of leadership and communication courses to Rotary and Rotaract members. The first two courses, now available in the Learning Center, discuss fundamental leadership skills like motivation, integrity, and team inclusiveness. You will also discover how ethics, decision making, goal setting, and delegating help you develop the skills necessary to lead a team effectively. Watch this video to learn how to find the courses in the Learning Center and how to get the most out of them.
Meet our 2023-2024 District Governor!
Marta Golding Brown from the Rotary Club of Oxnard has been selected as our District 5240 Governor for 2023-2024. Marta has been a member of Rotary for 15 years and served twice as President of the Rotary Club of Lancaster Sunrise. She has served in various positions in two Districts (5240 and 5300), including Education and Training Director, PRLS Director, Assistant Governor, Executive Assistant Governor, Group Study Exchange Area Coordinator and Director, and PETS Trainer. Marta participated in a 30-day Group Study Exchange to Brazil in 2005.
Marta Golding Brown from the Rotary Club of Oxnard has been selected as our District 5240 Governor for 2023-2024. Marta has been a member of Rotary for 15 years and served twice as President of the Rotary Club of Lancaster Sunrise. She has served in various positions in two Districts (5240 and 5300), including Education and Training Director, PRLS Director, Assistant Governor, Executive Assistant Governor, Group Study Exchange Area Coordinator and Director, and PETS Trainer. Marta participated in a 30-day Group Study Exchange to Brazil in 2005.
Professionally, Marta is the Government Affairs Director for the Ventura County Coastal Association of REALTORS. She is married to her husband Forrest Brown and they have one grown daughter MacKenzie and a Queensland Heeler named Cairo. In her spare time (and pre-COVID), Marta loves to travel. Marta is a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation and is a Major Donor Level 1, Benefactor, member of the Bequest Society, and member of the Paul Harris Society. Congratulations Marta!