Governor Jessika's May message

The 2021 Virtual 6560 and 6580 District Conference was a celebration of a wonderful, as well as courageous, Rotary year! Joe Collings, DG of 6560, and Jessika Hane, DG of 6580, greeted participants TOGETHER from the same podium! The highlights of the conference included a welcome by RI Director for Zones 30 and 31, Floyd Lancia and three incredible speakers; Jennifer Stotts who encouraged us to grow Rotary through passionate member engagement; Dr. Todd (Bowtie) Jenkins, on how important it is in these times to move from diversity to inclusion and how in our current situation employees, customers and communities must remain connected; and David Brooke, ‘that Gratitude Guy’, who is a leading authority in social media and on how living a life of gratitude can enhance and improve our life. These speakers inspired and motivated all of us to continue to work to ‘better’ Rotary and ourselves.

RECORDING: If you would like to watch the recording of the joint part of the conference with speaker presentations the link is: https://youtu.be/9b9XsJ6BSj4

District Business meeting: In the afternoon District Business meeting we began by approving the following:
-Approval of the 21-22 District 6580 Budget
-Approval of Shanon O’Toole as the District 6580 Governor for 23-24
-Approval of Santhana Naidu as the Nominating Committee Representative for the 23-
24 RI Director

Foundation update:
District Foundation Chair, PDG Laura Carie, reported that this has been an “incredible year” for the Foundation in District 6580. She said we’ve added eight new Paul Harris Society members (each committing to give $1,000 a year to the Rotary Foundation); we grew from 44 Paul Harris Society members to 52. We’ve added four Major Donors-Level 1 so far this year; each has committed $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation, accumulating over time. Laura said we have another Major Donor-Level 3. We also have two new Bequest Society members, with gifts of $10,000 or more in their will or estate planning.

Laura also announced that RI has approved our proposed Global Scholar, Cameron Davidson, a student at University of Southern Indiana. This will be accomplished through a $40,000 Global Grant Scholarship. She thanked Jim Bright, Bob Morrison and their committee for their leadership in providing for another year with a “fantastic global scholar” from District 6580. Cameron, who grew-up in Salem, will pursue a master’s degree in Global and International Studies with a focus on Nationalism and Conflict Management at the University of Salamanca, Spain. He will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Salamanca/District 2201.

Laura said our district celebrated two great Foundation events during the past year. At one, the committee announced a $25,000 Matching Points commitment through a gift from our beloved Past District Governor Judy Bush in her legacy, by making the Rotary Foundation recipient of her life insurance policy. She thanked Judy’s husband John Bush for donating the 25,000 points to our district for the district foundation fund-raising campaign. Laura said Judy’s Legacy will live-on through her kindness and through that of John.
Laura also reported that since Feb. 26th, when the Foundation campaign was announced, the Foundation has received $26,000. And she announced that she just received in the mail another $4,000 from various people. And she said she has another $1,000 from her (Vincennes) club’s foundation that will go to the RI Foundation.

Remembering Rotarians who passed this last year:
PDG Peggy Peter led us through our annual Memorial Service, in recognition and rememberance of Rotarians who have passed-away during the past year. She noted that they improved our district and our world through their service.

Honoring Rotarians:
Orphie Bridges Award: Laura Carie
Each year, District 6580 honors a Rotarian for their passion and dedication to Rotary. This award is named after Past District Governor Orphie Bridges and past honorees are remembered for their commitment to Rotary and enthusiasm for a life of service.
Jessika announced this year’s winner of the Orphie Bridges Award is PDG Laura Carie.
Jessika also presented an Avenue of Service Award to all of the current club presidents, thanking them for getting up every day, for making Rotary happen in their clubs, for pivoting and moving their clubs to virtual meetings, for thinking differently and continuing to serve their communities. Thank you!

Governor’s Citations: To receive a Governor’s Citation clubs needed to meet the following goals: 1) Net gain of 2 members, 2) 30% female members OR host a family friendly event, and 3) Average $100/member to The Rotary Foundation.
‘Early Bird’ Governor’s Citations were recognized to Bloomington Sunrise, Brown County, Columbus and Evansville Morning. She said she would give more Governor’s Citations to clubs that hit the published goals before the end of the Rotary year.

Recognition of Clubs attaining average $100 per member to The Rotary Foundation (by April 17th): The following clubs were recognized for this attainment: Bloomington, Bloomington North, Bloomington Sunrise, Brown County, Clarksville, Columbus, Columbus Sunrise, Evansville Morning, Greensburg, New Albany, and Vincennes.
Final message: Jessika announced that during the past week, District 6580 chartered its first new club in quite some time: the Rotary Club of Evansville@Night. Jessika also mentioned two upcoming events: the Virtual RI Convention June 12-16th, and the Chattanooga Zone Conference, September 30th – October lst.

Our Apologies: If you tried to get on the District breakout zoom meeting and were unsuccessful we deeply apologize. There were unforeseen technical difficulties.

Attendance contest results: As promised the following top ten clubs had the highest percent attendance and were entered into the drawing for the $1000 to go towards a service project: Batesville, Bloomington Sunrise, Brown County, Clarksville, Columbus Sunrise, Greensburg, Greenwood White River, New Albany, Vincennes and Warrick County. We did a random drawing in front of the Governor-line Rotarians and Greenwood White River was drawn. Thank all of the clubs for your participation and congratulations to Greenwood White River!

by Laura Carie, District Foundation Chair, Vincennes Rotary Club
During our February 26th District Rotary Foundation Event we announced an aggressive matching points campaign for donations to The Rotary Foundation of $100.00 or more. This was due to the loss of our Past District Governor Judy Bush and her love for The Rotary Foundation. Through the Bequest Society Judy left a $25,000 gift to The Rotary Foundation and through her legacy District 6580 had the additional 25,000 points to match donations. The length of this campaign is from February 26th to June 1, 2021. To Date we have exceeded $30,000 in donations however rest assured the District Foundation Team will make sure we match your donations until June 1st.
The Rotary Foundation and our District Foundation Team appreciates any and all gifts you give.

When you make your donation please send me an email to confirm your donation or if you would like to discuss any planned giving please contact me at:
lcarie@sbcglobal.net

Thanks to the generous and loving donation of PDG Judy Bush we are able to offer this exciting matching points program.

Why are new Rotary clubs started? In the case of the Rotary Club of Evansville @Night, it was to offer a different time to meet in order to meet the needs some long-time Rotarians whose lives had changed. Traditional Rotary meetings just didn’t work for them anymore.

In October of 2019, four (female) Rotarians met for lunch to celebrate a retirement and a move. The more they talked, the more they realized there wasn't a club in the area that met their changing needs. They decided to create a Satellite Club of Evansville Morning to stay involved with an organization they loved and continue to make positive change in the community and the world...using a time and format that served them NOW.

When some other Rotarians realized there was another option and a few new-to-Rotary members who had servant's hearts discovered this way to give back at a time that fit their life schedule, they quickly grew to 12 members and were able to officially establish as a Satellite Club. With a family friendly environment, their two meetings a month were lively, fun and focused on doing a service project every month. They fully embraced the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self"! In the short 18 months from idea to chartering, this small group:
• Prepared and delivered snack bags and personal care bags for the families of the patients at the Deaconess Linda E. White Hospice House.
• Provided a gas grill, a tank of propane gas, utensils and a card for groceries for the residents of the Fresh Start Recovery Center, which focuses on helping mothers recover from opioid and other drug addictions and have healthy children. Provided clothing and personal care items for the moms and children 6 months later, which has become an ongoing project.
• Donated to the Patchwork Central Emergency Food Pantry in support of underserved members of the community, and donated personal care items 6 months later.
• Organized the warehouse for Borrowed Hearts, in support of foster families.
• Provided Gal Pal personal care bags for Valentine’s to the women in the residency program at the Albion Fellows Bacon Center who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
• Raised funds and participated in the Walk to end Alzheimer’s and shared (socially distanced) brunch together afterwards.
• Provided coordination and manpower to help the theater department at an inner city high school prepare the physical facility to receive a grant for a new director to re-start and re-energize using current playwrights.
• Provided blankets, gloves, socks, and underwear to the Evansville Rescue Mission-serving the homeless.
• Held a zoom evening to share a glass of wine and write Christmas Cards for the least cared for seniors in our community.
• Provided breakfast food bags for the seniors who participate at SWIRCA & More (Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging).
Their focus, much like those first four Rotarians in 1905 and other Rotary clubs, is (1) Service, (2) Fellowship, and (3) Networking. The group kept growing due to the caliber and variety of individuals, particularly new-to-Rotary members, who loved being a part of this group. They kept inviting others and the leadership quickly realized it was time to charter as an official Rotary Club. Thanks to the support of District 6580, and particularly DG Jessika Hane, the Rotary Club of Evansville @Night became Club #222444 of Rotary international on April 7, 2021.

The charter group of 29 Rotarians is heavily female and ranges in age from 20’s to 70’s and from new-to-Rotary (19 of the 29) to those with 30 years’ experience. And they have 7 more potential members currently waiting in the wings. They invite you to join them in a meeting or project to celebrate their success.


Pictured: Edsel Beale and DG Jessika


Pictured: Sarah Capehart, Leigh Perry, and PDG Laura Carie

by Kirk Bouchie, District Governor Elect, Vincennes Rotary Club
District 6580 President Elects, President Nominees, Assistant Governors, our District Governors Elect and Nominee have been very busy this spring training and preparing for the 2021/2022 Rotary year that begins July 1, 2021. For the first time , all of this training was held virtually via Zoom. Our presidents training is call PETS, an acronym for President Elects Training Seminar. Our district is part of a four district consortium called Land of Lincoln PETS (LOLPETS). These districts include our district, central Indiana and two districts in central and southern Illinois. Annually the LOLPETS is held in mid-March in Effingham, IL over a two to three day weekend. Due to Rotary International Covid-19 travel restrictions the PETS steering committee made the decision in September to go all virtual. 6580 PDGs Shari Sherman and Laura Carie serve key leadership roles on that committee. DGE Kirk Bouchie and DGN Lance Eberle also served this year on the committee. DG Jessika Hane and AG Mandy Lohrum provided the DGN training session. Nearly all of our president elects and several of our president nominees attended all or most of the five two-hour PETS Zoom sessions spread over a 10 day period in mid-March . A special session was held for assistant governors as well. Each general session covered a specific topic such as leadership, foundation, service and inspiring addresses from RI President Elect Shekhar Mehta and incoming RI director for our zone, Elizabeth Usovicz. All general sessions are available for viewing at www.lolpets.org . Much information about our PETS and future dates are available at that website.
As your incoming District Governor, I want to thank all the President Elects, Nominees, and Assistant Governors for spending so much valuable time this spring attending not only the PETS sessions but also our successful pre Pets Zoom meetings leading up to PETS. There will also be a post PETS zoom meeting on May 19th.

RI is very committed to providing the necessary training for our volunteer leadership forces at the club level. PETS is a key piece of that commitment. Also many additional training opportunities are available online at Rotary.org on the My Rotary Learning Center. We look forward to what our new Rotary year will bring as we all SERVE TO CHANGE LIVES. L. Kirk Bouchie
Rotary International
District 6580 Governor 2021-2022
PO Box 749
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-887-7681
kbouchie@vinutilities.com

by Ray Briggs, President

Under the direction of Rotarian Julia Johnson the Bedford, Indiana Rotary Club began recognizing Students of the Month. Club members thought it would be good to see and understand how our School System encouraged students to choose their life vocations and special interests throughout their education process. Generally 4 students monthly have been chosen.

Each student shares their achievements throughout the years of education from grade school through High School. In the report, Rotarians ask the young people to talk about those special Teachers and subjects that have sparked their interest. The people and teachers that have opened doors of opportunity in and out of the classroom. The extra curricular activities such as Sports, Service Clubs, Church, Hobbies and Special interests that have sparked special views toward the future. What type of future additional Educational pursuits will be taken.

The Bedford Rotary Club is most supportive of our Education System here in this community. How the System has influenced the young people in their care is important to Rotarians. In taking this time for their effort and sharing their Hope, Dreams and Achievements a certificate is given as a reminder of this special experience with The Rotary Club of Bedford, Indiana.

by Bettye Dunham, District Administrative Assistant and help from Chad Dimmitt, District Web master
If you are not aware of the ‘wealth’ of information available on the District Website you might want to check it out! There is so much information available on this site. It is a good place to go to find out about club, district and international Rotary information for current and NEW members, AND to get new ideas.

We thank Chad Dimmitt who is our Web Master for all his work on our website. If you need to update any of your information on the site OR if you have suggestions for information to be on this site, contact Chad. Contact him at cwdimmitt@gmail.com.
TABS:
Home page:
Recent articles on ‘goings on’ in our District

District Clubs:
This tab will take you to the facebook page of all of the clubs in the district. You might want to check this to get ideas on what other clubs are doing, interesting club programs, ideas for setting up interesting Rotary facebook pages, etc. Does your club page NOT have updated information? You might want to update it so it is attractive to prospective members.
District Links:
Under this tab you will find links to:
** Club newsletters. Is your club’s link not here?? Contact our Web master Chad Dimmitt (contact info above).
** Club Presidents
** District Leadership
** Rotarians in Action: Club Events: Need new ideas for events for fundraisers? You might find some here! Don’t see your club events? Let Chad know.
** District Strategic Plan 20-21
** Where clubs meet: We will be working to update this tab to include if clubs are zooming/hybrid/in person. Please let Chad know the correct info for your club.
** Rotary Leadership Institute
** PHOTOS: We can really use some additions here!

Rotary Links:
This is a good place to send prospective and new members. It includes information such as:
** Four Way Test
** Object of Rotary
** About Rotary
** Current RI President
** Seven Areas of Focus
** Rotary Foundation
** 20-21 Rotary International Convention
AND MORE….

Rotary Youth Services:
Information on the three main youth services; RYLA, Youth Exchange, and the Speech Contest can be found here.

Foundation and Grants:
Under this tab you can find:
** Forms and information on the 21-22 District Grant process
** Global Grant info
** Global Grant Scholarship info
** Member engagement grants


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