The world today is not the same as it was when Rotary was founded in 1905. The pace of change has accelerated, technology has created new opportunities for connections, and we have access to more resources to positively impact our world. What hasn’t changed are the Rotary values of leadership, service, integrity, and fellowship.
I recently attended a Rotary club event where there were 6 different clubs represented in attendance as well as friends of Rotarians. In the introductions, everyone had the chance to share why they loved Rotary. Responses included: Rotary can move mountains. Friendship. The ability to share time, talent, and treasure in a fluid way across a lifetime. A feeling of belonging. Fun. Being part of an organization with a proven track record. The connections with other people through service. The ethics of the 4-way Test. In each response the values of Rotary were represented and appreciated.
Rotarians individually and collectively encourage and foster opportunities to create goodwill and peace in our personal, professional, and community life.
YOU are the power of Rotary!
Peace,
Janice
DGE Corner
Marie Baker
Rotary International Assembly is the District Governor Elect Training for all the DGE’s from around the world. We met in Orlando, Florida the second week of January for an intense week of training with our partners. The conference was held in seven languages and we all had translating devices to use when the main speaker was using a language that was not our first language. What a joy it was to communicate with others that did not speak english.Google translate became a friend!
Imagine being in a breakout room with twenty people with at least eight of them being from different countries around the world. Imagine that you are fortunate to have this opportunity nine times over the course of four days! What an incredible experience to share perspectives and gain insights from fellow Rotarians around the world. It was a reminder of the power of Rotary and what is possible when we work together.
Each year the RI President Elect picks a theme that is inspiring and up-lifting. Gordon R. McInally, our upcoming RI President chose the theme: Create Hope in the World. As Rotarians we have the opportunity to create hope in the world and his message was passionate and heartfelt. Here is a link to his message: Create Hope in the World The theme of Mental Health was addressed as a vital component of work that needs to be addressed in our communities and around the world. As we work on Creating Hope in the World, Gordon McInally encouraged us to continue the conversations to improve mental health systems and be engaged in paying attention to those around us who may be in crises.
It was truly an honor to represent District 5400 at the International Assembly. I’m confident that our District will continue to do the critical work to Create Hope in the World.
We are delighted to announce that our www.HelpingLocal.org website is now live! Please check it out and review your club’s content. You may forward any updates to your local AG, or to publicimage@rotary5400.org so we can keep the content current. This is especially important for events and service opportunities, since those are the “hooks” we are using to introduce a broader audience to Rotary. After all, we are People of Action!
The next step will be an advertising campaign using local People of Action images to drive more traffic to that website. If you don’t see images from your own club on the website, please send us some! We would love to see all clubs represented.
In Rotary Service,
Your District Public Image Committee
The Rotary Action Plan
Priority 2: Reach
What does “Expand Our Reach” mean?
If more people affiliate with Rotary — not just as members but also as participants and partners — we’ll grow our capacity to make an impact. This priority focuses on how we can share our values with new audiences, create new ways to bring people together to experience the power of Rotary, and prove we are an organization that’s inclusive, engaging, compassionate, and ambitious on behalf of the world.
The Earth Stewardship and Peace Builders Teams are holding a contest for the clubs who sign the most Earth Stewardship and Peace Pledges during District Celebration, April 21-23, Earth Day Weekend. They will also raffle Earth Friendly cleaning products for individuals who sign. Best of all, everyone who visits our tables received a packet of pollinator seeds! Join the Peace & Planet Weekend!
Here’s the good news: forests managed by Indigenous people in the Amazon region served as life-saving carbon sinks from 2001-21, removing the equivalent of the UK’s annual fossil fuel emissions each year, according to a new study by the World Resources Institute. WRI’s data show similar success for forests managed by Indigenous, Afro-descent and other peasant communities around the world. Collectively-held forests in Mexico and the Philippines, for example, sequestered the equivalent of the fossil fuel emissions of Romania.
The District 5400 RYLA committee is excited to get the ball rolling on another great year of our beloved youth leadership program! And we are asking for your help!
What might happen if you combined a very talented professional musician and a generous and active advocate for their hometown in one person. At Boise Sunrise, that appears to have happened already in the form of Jay Multanen. Jay recently organized a house concert and fellow Boise Sunrise Rotarian Stewart Alford offered his beautiful house for this event.
A year of records broken, a series of firsts, exceeded expectations – this is the difference your support of The Rotary Foundation is making. Your belief in the power of our collective action is enabling Rotary to help more people, in more places, in more ways. Learn how Rotary’s reach, engagement and adaptability have put us in a strong position to expand our lifechanging impact on a global scale.
"The world has beaten back this disease significantly, but we must redouble efforts," - RI President Jennifer Jones, Global Citizens Festival 9/24/2022
Wild polioviruses are naturally occurring microorganisms circulated in the community through contaminated food or water.
The Power of Rotary is YOU.
We are delighted to announce that our 
