District Leaders | Lance Eberle
District Governor |  | Shanon Kae O'Toole
District Governor Elect |  | Mandy Jo Lohrum
District Governor Nominee, AG, PHSociety Chair |  | Randall D. Wheeler
District Secretary |  | Todd M Boilanger
Assistant Governor |  | Mike Crumbo
Assistant Governor |  | Gary Keith Hackney
Assistant Governor |  | Joy Kahn Harter
Assistant Governor |  | Kim Ingalsbe
Assistant Governor |  | Sharon Gail Oliva
Assistant Governor |  | Scott Peyton
Assistant Governor |
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Featured in the February 2023 Newsletter:
**DG Lance's February Message
**Last Chance to Register for the DISTRICT-WIDE New Member Orientation, February 8th
**We hope you will join us! Friends of the Foundation Event in EVANSVILLE: Paul Harris Society Event
**Center Grove Rotary Creates FIVE Impact teams to Address Service
**ROTARY IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION (part 2)
**Brazil and Warrick County Rotary Clubs provide Dictionaries to 3rd graders
**REGISTER NOW for the District Conference 2023 in Terre Haute: WE'RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU!!
**New Albany Club, in partnership with KIVA, Lends Money to Make a Loan, Change Lives
**Providing More Diverse, Inclusive and Equitable Opportunities for Everyone
**Megan Gearhart Selected as 2023-24 Global Scholar
**Washington Rotary Club Fundraising efforts provide Funds to Complete the Project for Building a Pocket Park.
**'INAUGURAL' INTERACT SUMMIT to be held in conjunction
with the District Conference in Terre Haute, April 22, 2023
**Theme for 23-24 REVEALED: Create Hope in the World
**Put a PLUS in Your Rotary Life: POLIO PLUS SOCIETY
**Looking for ideas for projects dedicated to Environmental Sustainability?
**What's Coming Up on the District Calendar???Do you know any stories of Rotary's work in your community to share in this newsletter? Please contact Bettye Dunham, bdunham@rauchinc.org. |
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DG Lance's February MessageGreetings fellow Rotarians and happy February.
February is recognized as Peace and Conflict Resolution Month. Unfortunately, this continues to be a very timely topic both domestically and internationally. Our continued political discourse and the ongoing war in Ukraine reminds us just how fragile peace is.
As Rotarians, we are certainly leaders in the pursuit of peace. Rotary has set up seven Rotary Peace Centers throughout the world which has graduated over 1,500 peace fellows from more than 115 countries. These Peace Fellows are giving back by supporting peace and development initiatives in communities affected by conflict. Some beneficiaries of this work include refugees, young people, women and children and impoverished communities. In addition to the work Rotary International is doing on a global scale, I am also very proud of the work that our District is doing to promote peace. I recently had the privilege of participating in the interviews of our Global Scholar applicants. A couple of our applicants are also looking to continue their studies in this area. Taking part in this process certainly gave me increased optimism that we can achieve peace in our world. I could not talk about the work of Rotary without thanking all Rotarians for their generous support of the Rotary Foundation. To date, District 6580 Rotarians have donated over $110,000 to the Rotarian Foundation. With five months left in the Rotary year, we are over one-half of the way toward our $200,000 goal. Please join us as we celebrate Rotarians vision of humanitarian service on February 24th, at the Friends of the Rotary Foundation Event to be held in Evansville.
In closing, as we approach Rotary’s 118th Birthday on February 23rd, please consider bringing someone you know to a Rotary meeting, social or service project. What better way to celebrate Rotary’s birthday is by giving the gift of Rotary to someone you know.
Lance Eberle
District 6580 Governor 2022-2023
1405 N. College Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47404
812-360-0357
lance.district6580@gmail.com |
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Last Chance to REGISTER
DISTRICT-WIDE
New Member Orientation
Open to New and Recent Rotarians
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February 8th, 6:00 pm
Register today at
https://www.dacdb.com/index.html?EventID=77633093
Please join us for this one-hour webinar to give you more information on what Rotary is and how we impact our communities and the world. If you have been in Rotary for two years or less, we highly encourage you to attend, but this is open to every Rotarian in our district. The session will explore the history of Rotary and the basics of Rotary today. Have you ever wondered what all those acronyms mean? Or what the district does for the clubs? How is Rotary structured, governed, areas of focus, or the databases we use? This hour will be packed with lots of information that will give you more understanding of why Rotarians are so committed to the organization and the level of service that has been provided.
We look forward to seeing you on February 8th at 6pm EST. |
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We hope you will join us!
Friends of the Foundation Event in EVANSVILLEPaul Harris Society Event
Come and hear stories about the good your contribution to
'our' Foundation has done and WILL do in the world!
February 24th, 2023
4:30 – 6:30 CT, 5:30 – 7:30 ET
Myraid Brewing Company
8245 High Pointe Dr., Newburgh, IN
Will there be food?- Yes! Amazing pizza and yummy appetizers provided by Pangea Kitchen, Cash Bar |
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Center Grove Rotary Creates
FIVE Impact teams to Address Service
Center Gove Rotary Team Captain's show Impact Day jerseys.
by Mike Crumbo, AG, Center Grove Rotary Club
The Center Grove Rotary Club, located in White River Township of Johnson County, Indiana, held its draft for its second annual Impact Day. The club created five teams and each team picks its own service project. Twenty-nine team members were “drafted” last November. Impact Day Commissioner Steve Schellin, aka Club President, headed up the event where five team captains drafted their teams.
The five teams will choose a project and complete it by the end of April. The 2019 Impact Day was the club’s first. This community service activity has been on a Covid-19 hold since. The Commissioner stated “I’m excited to get Impact Days back, allowing our club yet another way to positively impact our community.”
On the first Impact Days teams did a variety of projects, including: cleaning up and repairing a neighborhood baseball field, painting and preparing a facility for a Doggie Daycare for an Autism organization, re-doing the landscape of a widow’s home and assisting with various projects for Johnson County Senior Services.
The 2023 teams will complete their service projects this spring and we’ll report on those projects in a future article.
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ROTARY IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION (part 2)
By iPDG Kirk Bouchie
Now that the holidays are over and we are clearly into the second half of this Rotary year, NOW is a great time to invite non-Rotarians to visit our clubs. It won’t be long before spring and summer activities take center stage. It is well documented that the #1 reason Rotarians give as to 'why did you join Rotary'…is that they were asked. Unfortunately, each January 1 most Rotary clubs and districts see a drop in official membership due to various reasons.
Based on my experience as your governor last year, I know our club leaders are doing everything they can to grow membership but they need all of our help. The fancy Rotary word is ATTRACTION. We need to attract more new members than we are losing for various reasons…mostly well founded. The responsibility of attracting new members is with all of us, not just the club president or club membership chair. Rotary International leadership on down to the district level has a multitude of background resources…but the buck stops with us.
We have approximately 1500 Rotarians in our D6580. Think about how powerful it would be if every member just ask one person to a Rotary meeting in February as a guest. Folks, it really is that simple. We will only grow Rotary if we want to Another idea is to talk within your club about who in your community could make a difference as a Rotarian, then develop a strategy to ask them.
We are a membership-based organization. Everything we do for our communities and the world starts with the engagement of our members, time, talents and treasure. We can do so much more with more Rotarians. Please consider helping us expand our reach with more hands. You never know until you ASK. |
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Brazil and Warrick County Rotary Clubs provide Dictionaries to 3rd graders.
Brazil Rotary Club Gifts EVERY 3rd Grader in Clay County with a Dictionaryfrom Brazil Rotary Club websiteEvery year, the Brazil Rotary Club partners with the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, and gifts every 3rd grader in Clay County with a Webster’s Dictionary. Today after our club meeting, members went to the local elementarys to deliver them and give a brief presentation explaining how this is made possible. We help them look up a few words like “Service” and “Volunteer” and have them read us the definition. We let them know, this is what the Rotary club is all about, volunteering to put service above self. The 3rd graders seemed to be very excited about getting these!!WARRICK COUNTY: (from website) |
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District Conference 2023
Terre Haute Convention Center
ONE DAY, Family-friendly Event: Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
REGISTER NOW at
https://www.dacdb.com/index.html?EventID=77634021
COST: $129 (until March 31: $149 after that date) includes meals, programs and entertainment.
Staying on Friday and/or Saturday night? A block of rooms is reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn attached to the Convention Center until March 21st. Cost: $159. Contact number: 812 234 8900. Rooms also available at the Candlewood Suites.
This year’s one-day family friendly event is expected to attract more than 200 Rotarians and guests from more than 30 Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs in our District.
Keynote Speakers to enhance your
Rotary experience
Keynote speaker: Mitty Chang, past president of the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley and founder of Big West Rotaract MDIO. Title: “Changing Club Culture to Attract Multiple Generations.” (more details and speakers to come) Breakout Sessions to provide: **Exchange of new ideas for Service Projects, Youth Programs, Membership, Fundraising
**Programs on important topics for our world; Supporting Refugees, Environmental Sustainability, and more.
**Panels on Areas of Interest throughout the District and the Rotary World (more details to come) Inaugural Interact Youth Summit
Interactors from around the district will gather for the first ever Interact Summit in conjunction with the District Conference Convention. (see article in this newsletter) WHY YOU'LL LOVE THE HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP **Enjoy meeting and fellowship with Rotarians from around the District
**Opportunities to bid on fantastic baskets donated by clubs in the district AND though this contribute to The Rotary Foundation
**Get information on clubs and programs throughout the District BRING YOUR FAMILY TO TERRE HAUTE:
.jpg) Welcome to The Haute is a video series showcasing the great community of Terre Haute and Vigo County, Indiana. THE HAUTE | The Haute Video Series. Join us as we explore & experience this great place to live, work, play & do business.WE'RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU!!! |
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New Albany Club, in partnership with KIVA, Lends Money to Make a Loan, Change Lives
 by Greg Nash, International Services Co-Chair, New Albany Rotary Club Our New Albany Club wanted to pursue a project that would have the potential to engage more members instead of a traditional international endeavor that may only involve a smaller number of members and may not have the same effect or impact. We came up with the idea to lend money via Kiva loans across a wide variety of causes. Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing us to cycle our money and create a personal impact across the world.We started with $3,575 of accumulated and active club donations and fundraising, then polled each club member to get their input and have them rank the categories that they thought were most important. Some of those categories include agriculture, shelter, education, refugees, women, food, health, and technology.
We currently have 12 loans outstanding, 2 have paid in full the other 10 are in repayment. This means that the cash flow from the repayments allows us to lend additional money over time. So the total amount we've been able to lend in less than a year's time on the original $3575 is $5000.
Kiva's mission is to allow you to choose a borrower who inspires you or a cause you support, then lend manually or automatically. Kiva borrowers have a 96% repayment rate historically, which allows you to change more lives by relending your money over and over again.I think the Club has enjoyed the overall process and the regular updates on where the money is going and who it's impacting, as well as seeing the progress made on repayment.
About KIVA: More than 1.7 billion people around the world are unbanked and can’t access the financial services they need. Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005 in San Francisco, with a mission to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive. We do this by crowdfunding loans and unlocking capital for the underserved, improving the quality and cost of financial services, and addressing the underlying barriers to financial access around the world. Through Kiva's work, students can pay for tuition, women can start businesses, farmers are able to invest in equipment and families can afford needed emergency care. KIVA’s Mission: We envision a financially inclusive world where all people hold the power to improve their lives. (kiva.org)  |
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Providing More Diverse, Inclusive and Equitable
Opportunities for Everyone
 How can we get beyond thinking about membership
in terms of numbers? Expanding our Reach: A Conversation with Katey Halliday
from My Rotary website
Meet Katey Halliday. A member of the Rotary Club of Adelaide Light, Australia, and a charter member of the Rotaract Club of Adelaide City, Halliday serves on Rotary's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.
Q. Our Action Plan calls for Rotary to expand our reach. How can we get beyond thinking about membership in terms of numbers?
KATEY: In the past, there's been a lot of focus on achieving a certain head count: "How many people did you get to join?" But if we want a Rotary that's strong, effective, and able to prepare the next generation to lead, we need to make sure more people feel welcome and at home in Rotary, year after year. And that means we must become more diverse and inclusive and provide equitable opportunities for everyone.
Q. Why is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) so crucial to Rotary expanding its reach?
KATEY: Above all, because it's the right thing to do. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a political issue; it's a responsibility we have to each other and to our communities. We all have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to have equal opportunities for fellowship and service, and to be given the same platforms for our voices to be heard. As an organization that's both global and grassroots, we have to lead the way.
But it's also the smart thing to do. Potential members, especially those who have experience with DEI initiatives in their own workplaces, may be put off by a club that is not DEI-friendly. But when those people experience a club that welcomes all kinds of people — all kinds of leaders — you'll turn them into our most effective ambassadors. They'll tell their own friends and networks about Rotary.
Clubs also report that when participants have many different perspectives, they come up with ideas and projects that make a bigger impact. That doesn't surprise me. Workplace studies of diversity, equity, and inclusion demonstrate that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints is a strength.
It's an ongoing effort, of course — and an opportunity for continual growth. I think the vast majority of members are feeling empowered and energized by the positive changes we're making.
Q. How can clubs expand their reach and fulfill their commitment to DEI?
KATEY: There are three key things. First, make your club more accessible through flexible membership models and meeting formats. Second, give all members something meaningful to do. It's not enough to invite people from diverse backgrounds to our meetings and events; we need to include them in planning and decision making, and we need to value their contributions. Finally, bring in outside help. Collaborate with a local expert on diversity, equity, and inclusion training. It's a great way to forge new kinds of partnerships.
And Rotary has so many resources! Check out the DEI-themed posts on the Rotary Voices blog for inspiring stories and ideas. Make a plan using the Diversifying Your Club assessment, which you can find at my.rotary.org/membership. Or take one of the DEI courses in our Learning Center.
Q. What should every Rotary member know about DEI?
KATEY: We all can and should be working on this. It isn't something that leaders alone can do. When we have a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, we will expand our potential to create lasting change and realize our vision of a world where people unite and take action.
NOTE: If you would like a discussion or presentation with your club about DEI please contact PDG Sue Wright at cornelia.wright@att.net. |
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District selects Megan Gearhart as
2023-24 Global Scholar
by Jim Bright, Global Scholar Chair
The District 6580 Global Grant Scholarship Committee has selected IU graduating senior Megan Gearhart of Roanoke, Indiana for the 2023-24 scholarship. Megan was chosen over three other outstanding finalists following Jan. 21 interviews. Megan will use the $40,000 award to pursue a master’s degree in “International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development” through Erasmus Mundus, a European Union program.
Her area of focus: Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. Eventually, she wants to work in an organization where she can help communities, governments and organizations create sustainable growth plans and policies that balance economic considerations with the environment. After completing her program, Megan will receive a Masters of Law (LLM) in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development jointly from The University of Glasgow and Leuphana University of Lüneburg (Germany) and a Master’s in International Security from Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (Spain). This program is recognized by the European Commission as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree. Erasmus Mundus is a European Union international study program offered by an international consortium of institutions of higher education.
Megan’s passion for Rotary -- and her seven years of experience with our organization -- “tipped the scales” in her favor. In high school, Megan was a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Taiwan and, at IU, she was a co-founder and President of the Indiana University-Bloomington Rotaract Club. She also has embraced RYLA (as a participant and as a volunteer leader), positive peace and DEI.
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Washington Rotary Club Fundraising Efforts provide funds to
Complete the Project for Building a Pocket Park
 by Joe Wellman, President
The WASHINGTON ROTARY CLUB was successful last month in receiving a $16,000 match grant from Patronicity, a crowd-funding program sponsored by the Indiana Housing & Community Development Agency. Thirty-two donors contributed $16,250 which was matched with $16,000 from Patronicity. The club's fundraising efforts will provide funds to complete a project that began last year. In cooperation with the City of Washington, the club is building and beautifying a corner pocket park that previously was the site of weeds and a dilapidated building. The club has already installed informational signs and pictures of other club projects and a sign that promotes the Four Way Test to the public.
Landscaping has begun on the site with plants and flowers. Future enhancements that will be made with the donations and grant will include pedestrian walkways, bench, lighting, and public wifi. |
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'INAUGURAL' INTERACT SUMMIT
to be held in conjunction with the
District Conference in Terre Haute, April 22, 2023
by Alain Barker, Bloomington Rotary PresidentThe 6580 District is excited to announce the first annual Interact Summit for student leaders in the area, planned for April 22, 2023 as part of the 6580 Rotary District Conference.
Taking place at the Terre Haute Convention Center, collaborative activities are being planned in the morning, which will be followed by a full conference lunch and Flag Ceremony. The afternoon includes three breakout sessions that cover topics of interest to youth in the region.
The hope is that clubs in the District can sponsor two or more students leaders in their community to attend the event at $40 per student. For more information about the Interact Summit, write to Janie Whaley - janie.whaley@twc.com. |
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Theme for 23-24 REVEALED:
Create Hope in the World
DGE Shanon OToole with RIPE Gordon McInally and partner Heather McInallyby Shanon O'Toole, DGERotary International President Elect R. Gordon R. McInally revealed his 2023-24 presidential theme, Create Hope in the World at the recent Rotary International Assembly.
Every year in January, Rotary International calls a special assembly in Orlando. The event is called International Assembly. All District Governor-Elects in the World are required to attend. The purpose of the Assembly is to train DGEs for their duties and to meet with RI leaders. One of the exciting opportunities that the International assembly provides is the chance to meet and partner with other districts from around the world to accomplish good internationally.
At the International Assembly in Orlando, Rotary International President-elect R. Gordon R. McInally announced his theme for the 2023-24 Rotary year, “Create Hope in the World”. He explained that the goal is to restore hope, to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help achieve lasting change. He emphasized the need for peace and continuity, including work to empower women and work toward diversity, equity, and inclusion, while not neglecting our mission to end polio. One of his focuses will be on mental health and the work to take the stigma out of asking for help.
Gordon 's full inspiring message can be found here:
https://www.rotary.org/en/r-gordon-r-mcinally-wants-rotary-members-create-hope-world
You can download a full set of the new theme graphics from MyRotary at: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/ri-theme-2023-24. |
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Put a PLUS in Your Rotary Life:
POLIO PLUS SOCIETY
 by Jim Gislason, District Polio Plus ChairThe Polio Plus Society is an organization of like-minded individuals who have committed to contribute $100 or more each and every year to Polio Plus until the world has been declared free of the Wild Polio Virus.
This is our commitment to fulfil the promise Rotary made in 1985 to immunize all the children of the world.
It’s easy and rewarding to become a member. Complete and submit the Polio Plus Society Pledge Form by clicking the link below. If you have any questions or need a hard copy of the form, please contact District Polio Chair, Jim Gislason, Email : jgisl42@gmail.com
Complete your contribution commitment by :
1. Contribute with your credit card online at: https://www.endpolio.org/donate.
-Or: 2. Make out a check for $100 or more to The Rotary Foundation, with “Polio Plus” in the Memo section and submit, along with your application, to Jim Gislason at 111 Hendron Hills Dr., Vincennes, IN 47591.
FIND THE APPLICATION HERE: https://www.dacdb.com/Rotary/Accounts/6580/assets/6580polio-plus-society-membership-form_page0_image.png
YES, all donations will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Anyone can join the society, not only Rotarians. Everyone will be honored with a special pin and a great feeling in their heart.
With your help, we will reach every last child and achieve a polio-free world. |
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Looking for ideas for projects dedicated to Environmental Sustainability?
from Rotary communication
Have you checked out the Rotary Action Group dedicated to Environmental Sustainability? If your club or district is looking for ideas for projects for our newest Area of Focus, this is a great place to start. You can browse through each of the six different environmental themes there (Biodiversity; Climate; Sustainable Living; Food Systems; Pollution; and Circular Economy) or move straight to a long list of ongoing environmental projects.
Once you’ve identified a suitable project, you’re not left to your own devices. There are additional planning resources, including recorded webinars and seminars, and Global Grant materials. Find your regional chapter and join up by following this link: https://esrag.org/regional-chapters. |
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What’s Coming up on the 2023 District Calendar????
.jpg/Calendar(1)__480x270.jpg) March lst: District Speech Contest: Video Entry Recordings due to Susan Adams
8th: VIRTUAL District Conversations that Matter: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: to register go to: https://www.dacdb.com/index.html?EventID=77637317
18-19th: President-Elect Training Seminar, Effingham, Ill.
31st: 22-23 District Grant reports due: Find form at rotary6580lorg and send to bdunham@rauchinc.org.
April
5th: For PE's, PN's, and AG's: Virtual Post PETS Q&A:
22nd: Rotary District Conference 2023, Terre Haute Convention Center: To register go to: 13th: Major Donor Dinner (tentative) Saturday 27-31, 2023: Rotary International Convention 2023, Melbourne, Australia
June 17th: District Changeover in Vincennes, Rotary Polio Room, Good Samaritan Hospital
July
August
September 21-24: Zone 30 and 31 Institute: Memphis, Tenn.
October
22nd: Polio Awareness Event, Lark Ranch, Loogootee, IN
24th: World Polio Day
November
December
2024
January
February
March
April
20th: District Conference 2024, Evansville, In.
May
25-29: Rotary International Convention 2024 in Singapore
June |
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