Rotary Club of Jackson California

Virtual tour of One Rotary Center shines Vision Statement display and seating area in the west atrium on the 18th floor of Rotary International World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA. By Bruce Baumberger, 2010-11 governor of District 6440 (northern Illinois, USA)... As one of the two Rotary clubs normally conducting club meetings at One Rotary Center in Evanston, Illinois, USA, members of the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse were touched by General Secretary John Hewko’s inspirational tour of Rotary World Headquarters. Seeing Room 711, the location of the first Rotary meeting, was a reminder that club members later this year will once again walk by it on our way to club meetings, just as we did prior to the pandemic. Stories of Impact display in the west atrium on the 18th floor. The tour of the 17th and 18th floors of Rotary’s World Headquarters showed us that the nerve center of Rotary International is ready to welcome Rotarians from around the world. The opportunity to see One Rotary Center virtually is a wonderful way to learn the value of an in-person tour (once conditions again allow it) for every Rotarian when they are in the Chicago area. I recommend that every club show the video at their club meetings. It’s a great way to remind members about the fantastic work that we do around the world. Members of both the Evanston Lighthouse club and the Rotary Club of Evanston are excited about returning to in person meetings at the right time and welcoming our Rotary friends from around the world.

Talking the talk, walking the walk on disease prevention Ann Marie Kimball By Ann Marie Kimball, MD, MPH, Member of the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island; World Community Service chair; and member of the Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers...Continue reading

Carolina governors support COVID vaccination efforts A Rotary club president in North Carolina receives his COVID-19 vaccination. By Dawn Rochelle, governor of Rotary District 7730...Continue reading

How we use our social media accounts matter Jeffry Cadorette By Jeffry Cadorette, past RI director and chair of Rotary International’s Communications Committee... Most of us have social media accounts that we use to promote Rotary. In our network are Rotary friends, but also family, friends, and colleagues outside of Rotary. This is all very good. Many of our profile banners include a stamp that says Proud Member or End Polio Now along with our mark of excellence, the Rotary logo. We have photos of club events we attended (from the time when we could attend events in person). Our posts go to both members and those outside the Rotary family. What could be wrong with that? Unfortunately, on more occasions than I’d like to admit, I have seen posts come across my smartphone or laptop from a member who has resigned from their club and is airing a list of dirty laundry about their club in the form of gripes and complaints. They are right and their erstwhile club is in the wrong. They chose this forum to wage battle with their club president, district governor, or Rotary International leadership. Social media posts that air club dirty laundry damage Rotary’s public image. In all of these examples, our brand, and the public’s understanding of who we are, is tarnished. Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of people who decide to take their ball and go home, tearing down an organization behind them on their way out. That is just ego. A similar problem occurs when we use our social media accounts, the same ones with all of our Rotary branding on it, to share our deep-seated political views on divisive subjects. These posts are followed by endless comments which all too often spiral into something downright ugly. Rotary is supposed to be apolitical. But to both our Rotary friends and those on the outside, that line is blurred as they see these posts and the ensuing comment threads, and our brand can suffer. I am not suggesting trampling on anyone’s right to free speech. But I am simply asking that you use some discretion and judgement when you choose to post your political opinions from the same account that you use to promote Rotary. We have 1.2 million brand ambassadors in our organization. You are one of them. We need each of you and all of you to promote and protect our brand and increase the public’s awareness and understanding of us. So please use good judgment when you post on social media. We have an incredible communications team on staff in Evanston and Rotary Public Image Coordinators (RPIC’s) to help you. Visit the Brand Center for tools and resources that will help you promote Rotary on social media. Know that your efforts are greatly appreciated.

How we held our speech contest on The Four-Way Test online Temrah Okonski By Temrah Okonski, assistant governor in District 7620 (D.C. & Maryland, USA)...Continue reading

Italian Rotarians spread joy of giving Trustee Chair K.R. Ravindran (bottom left) takes part in a virtual major donor event organized by Rotary District 2060 in Venice, Italy. By Omar Bortoletti, Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser for Zone 14...Continue reading

3 ways to create a harassment-free zone at Rotary Katey Halliday By Katey Halliday...Continue reading

Today's I got to participate in the announcement of Stacy L. Graham as the District Governor in Rotary District 5190 for the 2023-24 year.

Okay proof positive that we have to do more to promote Rotary. Last night while watching Jeopardy. The initial Daily Double answer was (paraphrasing) Category... -- Non Profits. Answer: The motto is "Service Above Self" and named because of the way they moved their meetings around during the early years. The contestant HAD NO IDEA! So Promote Rotary if not by helping the Float just talk about your Rotary Service!!!! THANKS See more

Love, loss, a novel, and a new Rotary club Soumya and Rupa Mohanty Those we love never truly leave us, Harry. There are things that death cannot touch....Continue reading

Pursuing our mentoring moments Elizabeth Usovicz By Elizabeth Usovicz, Rotary International director-elect...Continue reading

Why I Raise for Rotary: Doing Good with the World Fund Trustee Brenda Cressey By Brenda Cressey, Trustee and Rotary Member of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA... Several years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to take part in a multi-project mission with more than 100 Rotarians, spouses, Rotaractors and even a few new Rotarians from Rotary District 5280. We flew to Panama to visit project sites, perform cataract surgeries, and deliver wheelchairs. There were several Rotary moments on that trip, but the truly unforgettable moment for me was when a grandfather, having no legs, was presented with the gift of mobility in the form of a bright red wheelchair. The gift of a wheelchair gives a man without legs newfound freedom of movement. Seeing his grandson in tears reminded me that we not only changed that grandfather’s life, but the life of that young boy who had been lovingly carrying his grandfather everywhere since he became big enough to do so. Moments like that one are why I never miss an opportunity to promote the World Fund and encourage others to support it with their generous giving. As an alum of The Rotary Foundation, I have also visited project sites in Mexico several times, working with local Rotarians to develop a long-term partnership that continues to this day. Another time while on vacation, I was asked by a local Rotary club to visit a local family in dire need. Driving down a dusty road with a member of the club, we arrived at a home not much larger than 10 feet by 10 feet made of concrete blocks, cardboard, and tin. A dirt floor and a few boards made up a single bed with rags for blankets in the sparse home. A mother and father were raising 10 children there. The father, whose legs had been crushed at a construction site, sat in a makeshift wheelchair. A member of the club had found the woman sobbing on the sidewalk the previous evening and learned that she only had a single tortilla left. The club responded, enabled by the World Fund and the gifts of generous donors. I have had the privilege of supporting the World Fund as a regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, Endowment Major Gift Advisor, Trustee, Vice-Chair, and Chair of the Rotary Foundation. It is with this experience that I can tell you that now, more than ever, we need your help. The Rotary Foundation funded a record amount of grants last year including 3,450 district grants and 8,439 global grants. I am so proud of all the good we were able to do to help communities all around the world, but the demand continues to grow. That demand has put an incredible financial strain on the World Fund. I decided to launch a Raise for Rotary fundraiser to highlight how important it is for us to support the World Fund. We need a strong World Fund to enable the ongoing work of Rotary members around the world. Your gift, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. Visit my Raise for Rotary fundraising page and consider launching one of your own.