URGENT: Rotary Disaster Response

from RI Director, Pat Merryweather-Arges

Disaster Response Funds and Grants

The Rotary Foundation Trustees have opened up funding for large disasters that are resulting in wide-spread humanitarian crises.   The Trustees are allowing Rotary members and non-Rotary members to donate directly to Ukraine, Pakistan, Turkey & Syria, in addition to donations to the General Disaster Response Fund.

Rotary Members In-Country Identify Needs

Rotary members living in Disaster areas have been identifying needs within their community on an ongoing basis.

Zones 25A, 25B, and 29 have been holding webinars with Rotary leaders that are working in their communities to bring about change. The following webinars and PowerPoints provide further details to help you spread the invitation within your district and club.

Pakistan Needs

While the floods that devastated one third of Pakistan, many areas are still under water and other areas are starting to re-build.  Rotary International Director Faiz Kidwai has provided a plan to engage Rotarians in developing Smart Villages.   The Power Point is attached and toward the end, highlights the costs involved in building Smart Villages: Pakistan - Sustainable Smart Village

Ukraine Needs

The needs of Ukraine are wide-spread and affect their social ecosystem in all areas including physical and mental health; emergency response infrastructure; education; food insecurities; access to clean water; shelter; and social interactions.

On Monday, March 6, our Zones held a webinar focused on addressing some of these needs. The video can be viewed here: Disaster Webinar

Speakers and their power points included:

  • Ohla Paliychuk, MD, Rotarian in Ukraine on physical and mental health needs for children and adults in Ukraine; Ukraine - Dr Olha Paiychuk
  • Olga Maihutiak, MD, recently returned from Ukraine, on healthcare needs and support for hospitals and clinics in Ukraine; Ukraine - Dr. Olga Maihutiak
  • Chris Manson, recently returned from Ukraine, Founder of US Ambulances for Ukraine --- how your community canbe involved in organizing donations; Ukraine - Chris Manson
  • Elaine Hernandez, PhD, Rotarian in District 5930, currently in Lviv on social support needs for displaced persons; Ukraine - Elaine Hernandez

Turkey & Syria Needs

District Governor Emre Öztürk of District 2430 in Turkey provided great insight on the urgent and continuing needs following the Turkey & Syria earthquake in February where over 53,000 lives were lost and more than 850,000 people remain displaced.  A webinar was prepared so that you may understand the depth of the earthquake destruction and how Rotary is having an impact in assisting those who lost loved ones and for many that are now homeless. Hear about hope inspired by Rotary members! Learn of the extent of the disaster; the role Rotarians and Rotaractors in the disaster relief short and long-term; and the support needed to assist the earthquake victims.

Please do not delay in your response as the needs are urgent.  The Rotary Foundation Trustees decided that all donations made, from now until 31 March, to the Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund will be used to aid earthquake relief projects through disaster response grants. Turkey/Syria grant details.  Here's how to have the greatest impact: Give to Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund. Donations help clubs and districts provide aid and support rebuilding efforts where the need is greatest. The funds are distributed to affected communities through disaster response grants. 

Please Help Your District Participate!

 
ZI 2023 - Chicago
NOTICE: DATE CHANGE
Thursday, October 19 to Sunday, October 22, 2023
 
There will be a dinner for DGs, DGEs, and DGNs on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
 
Why the change?  Hotel and restaurant availability.  The 2023 Zone Institute will take place at the RI headquarters in Evanston Illinois. Northwestern University Football Stadium is located in Evanston and had planned to have their games away and off-site as they were going to be building a new stadium. However, the new stadium is just going through the public approval process now and the original dates for alternative game sites in 2023 have been moved to a year or so later.  Therefore, our original dates will now have a football game at home - which means little availability of hotel rooms and restaurants.
 
Put the date on your calendar for the 2023 Zone Institute.
Come learn, connect, be inspired!
 
Regional Rotary Challenge
As we enter a New Year, it is time to encourage our districts to stay on track for results as we Imagine Rotary in exceptional ways.  Please review the Challenge areas here.
 
Your Zone Coordinators and their assistants will be working with you and your teams throughout the year on how you can best take advantage of the Challenge Award strategies to achieve your goals.
 
"We are much more effective working collaboratively!"
 
Use a new video about service resources to inspire members & District leaders.  Video explains how clubs can make a bigger difference by working with Rotary Community Corps, District Resource Networks, Rotary Action Groups, and Rotary's partners.  Show the video at your Club and District meetings, training seminars, or other events to inspire members and participants to use these resources and increase our impact.
 
Imagine Rotary - RI President Jones

Initiatives Overview

Rotary International President Jennifer Jones imagines a Rotary where members act to make their dreams become reality and make the most of their club experiences. During her year, Jones will focus on four presidential initiatives that Imagine Rotary: advancing our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); creating a welcoming club experience; empowering girls; and expanding our reach.  

 

    Read more...
    Rotary Learning Center

    Celebrating 10 years!

    Rotary’s Learning Center has an abundance of resources in one place to help you make the most of your Rotary experience. The Learning Center features:
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    • Learning plans, which are a collection of courses, based on the topic or your role
    • Resources shared by others and ways for you to share material
    • The ability to create lists of your favorite items
    • Information about your individual progress
    • Virtual badges and points

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