Each season in Idaho and Eastern Oregon offers a lot to do and much to celebrate. And there is something about the blooms of spring, and the plans for summer, that create metaphors of bounty, of hope, and more. The positive feelings and excitement of ‘spring fever’ is ever present in Rotarians who have been working all winter to deliver a meaningful experience at the annual conference this spring!
Each year at the the annual District Conference, or Celebration (we use the terms interchangeably) are traditions we keep that are valued by members; and we introduce new things to keep the event vibrant and engaging. It’s also a time where District 5400 conducts the official business required by Rotary International and the District’s Plan of Procedures & Policies.
This year the business meeting of District 5400 will take place on Friday April 21 st at 8:30am. All President Elects (or their delegate) and District Leadership members are encouraged to attend to learn more about the 2023-2024 Rotary year budget and strategies. This is a terrific opportunity to engage in fellowship and help Imagine and define the future strategies for D5400!
The 2023 District Celebration is family friendly, full of fun, fellowship, and learning. We’ll have speakers from Canada, the UK, and from our District - all celebrating the impact you have locally and globally. How we spend our days is how we spend our lives, and I thank you for spending some of your time in Rotary doing good in the world!
Our marketing campaign is gaining traction! We are receiving thousands of unique visitors to HelpingLocal.org each month. Engagement is at almost 4 times the national average.
We have digital visitors looking for ways to help make an impact in your community, and it’s up to all of us to keep HelpingLocal.org relevant. That means you need to add your club’s upcoming service projects. If you have content to add, ask your Assistant Governor--they are all trained on how to make edits to HelpingLocal.org.
The district celebration is coming up in a few weeks. Preparations are in full swing and we are excited about the lineup of earth-friendly and peace-building events, including Peace Café. Peace Café will be a unique experiential event you do not want to miss. This mash-up of speed dating and Living Room Conversations has the potential to transform you and your club. You will remember this event for years to come.
Speaking of remembering… don’t forget your silent auction items! As in past years, we are asking each club to donate one item valued at approximately $100 to the silent auction. If you don’t have a plan to hand it off to your Assistant Governor, you may bring it to the registration desk on 4/20.
And regarding our annual district raffle, that drawing will take place Saturday 4/21 at the conclusion of the dinner program. The prizes this year are bigger than ever: First prize is $10,000 of AAA travel, second prize is a condo in Mexico for a week plus $1,000 in airfare, and third prize is $1,000 to spend at Best Buy. The seller of the first-prize-winning ticket also wins that prize, and clubs are winners, too—every ticket sold is $4 towards your club!
While attending the District Conference, be sure to join the Rotary Club of Nampa for a beverage, a snack, and a rollicking good time as they host Friendship House in Room 124, and as we all celebrate the beginning of Marie Baker’s term as District Governor. Nampa Rotarians know how to have fun and they are excited to share a smile with us!
There are so many opportunities for fun, service and fellowship at this year’s district celebration! Register online through April 12 (or in-person at the event). See you there.
THANK YOU to our Sponsors for the Rotary District 2023 Celebration!
Simplot: Platinum Sponsor
DL Evans Bank: Gold Sponsor
WBM: Table Sponsor
It's not too late for sponsors who are interested in getting in on the action!
The Rotary Action Plan
PRIORITY 4
Increase Our Ability to Adapt
As People of Action we seek new perspectives and new ideas that can strengthen Rotary and create lasting change.
Let’s work to create a culture of research, innovation, and willingness to take risks in your club to better serve your community.
Peter Max is an artist who was born in Berlin, Germany in 1937 and work spans more than five decades. As a child he traveled the world with his family and arrived in New York City in 1953. He describes his life's journey as “An odyssey through time and space, filled with vivid moments, abundant with color, dazzling with sights, and vibrant with euphonic sounds.”
How is your club going to raise money for your next project? Easy! Go to District Celebration and visit the Peace and Planet Displays. Choose an easy pledge or something more challenging.
We frequently say that ‘we are stronger together’ in Rotary. As people of action, we see this in our collaborations across clubs, with districts, and in working with many different organizations, too. Rotarians collaborate with other service organizations, with businesses, and with many nonprofit organizations to deliver on our shared mission to do good in the world.
A spring planting gathering at the Wetland Peace Preserve (WPP) was assembled by Laurie Zuckerman on Saturday March 25. The weather was sunny but cool as we were led by the volunteer coordinator and plant botanist Kristin Gnojewski from Boise Parks and Rec. The preserve looked like it was in good shape with all of the recent snow and rain serving to effectively water the 600+ plants that Rotarians have already planted there. Kristin had brought us ~25 bitterbrush starts and about 300 Sandberg Bluegrass seedlings to place in the WPP. The crew numbered about 25-30 as we dove into our planting duties.
Come enjoy a Cajun style feast along with New Orleans style procession and music from Boise High and a prelude by junior high bands while helping our Boise Southwest Rotary Foundation raise funds to support local causes! All proceeds from the event will go directly to the foundation to fund community efforts.
The deadline for reporting on open TRF district grants is May 15 th. All clubs with open grants need to report at www.matchinggrants.org by the deadline in order to be eligible to apply for a grant in the 2023-24 cycle. If your grant project is completed, your final report is due.
"My government considers polio eradication a top priority and we are committed to wiping every trace of it from our soil. We will not rest until we have done so.”
Pakistan's Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Dec 2, 2022
Our marketing campaign is gaining traction! We are receiving thousands of unique visitors to 
