Zone 25A Rotaractor Receives Service Above Self Award
 
 
Maria Valentina Martinez Belo is one of two Rotaractors to receive the Service Above Self Award. About eight years ago, she began a service project called Rotaract Together for a Pink Life (aka Project Rosa). Her goal? Improve the lives of cancer patients by bringing them emotional and mental support via activities each October.
The project set out to achieve four goals. Goal four? Organize a fashion show but not a run-of-the-mill show. For this show, cancer patients are the models, and it compares the phases of cancer to the seasons of the year. "Autumn corresponds with the time of diagnosis, winter to treatment, spring to resurgence, and summer to healing, "...with patients modeling clothing for each season."
 
Project Rosa has become a highly anticipated event for the Rotaract Club of Ing. Boris Walter, Venezuela.
 
Rotary Provides Ukraine Medical Assistance
May be an image of 5 people and people standing
 
On May 7th, a cargo shipment of over 90 tons of medical supplies, equipment, medication, and 3 Ambulances took off from Chicago with almost all of the cargo destined for Ukraine. Some hospital beds were included and will be provided to Poland as they have run out of beds and can use them in hallways and other spaces. This was the 4th Ukraine Medical Association of North America flight that carried over 90 tons of emergency medical supplies and equipment.
 
Christopher Manson of OSF Healthcare worked on getting two ambulances donated and then put out a call across the nation for more ambulances. Two of the ambulances were from Fergus Falls and Jamestown in Minnesota and the third one was from North Dakota. Ringdahl EMS had the ambulances refurbished and fully equipped with emergency medical equipment and stocked with pediatric and adult emergency medical supplies. Pat Merryweather met all of them at O'Hare airport to thank the Ringdahl leaders and discuss options for some ambulances that exceed the height of most cargo planes and need to be air shipped differently.
 
Rotary Clubs and Districts have been donating front line emergency medical equipment and other supplies as well as helping out in the warehouses in Illinois and Wisconsin sorting and packaging containers for the flights.
 
The State of Rotary Membership

Understanding Rotary members’ needs — the key to engaged members 

What do members want from their Rotary experience? And why do some members leave? Our research shows that members value local community service, friendship, and fellowship most. They cite time and cost, the club environment, and unmet expectations as reasons for leaving. 

The key to engaging members is providing an experience that meets their needs and expectations. Learn more in the newly revised presentation The State of Rotary Membership, which contains membership data and trends for the first half of the 2020-21 Rotary year. In it, you’ll also find ways to address membership challenges so you can finish the year strong. The 12-slide PowerPoint presentation can easily be customized to meet your region’s needs. Consider showing it at your next meeting or event.
 
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Ukrainian clubs help others in need in their country

Rotary members in Ukraine are helping neighbors return to their homes, distributing supplies from other countries, and organizing long-term aid — all despite being affected by the war

European Rotaract clubs organize to help Ukrainian refugees

Across Europe, Rotaract members are using digital tools to share information and coordinate to help people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine