District LeadersLinda Kay Bauer District Governor | Kim Jane Edmondson Ombudsman | Doreen Fox Kelsey DG-Elect | Lorne Westnedge DG-Nominee | Lynn Theresa O'Connor Immediate Past District Governor | Luke J. Russell District Secretary | Brenda Bookholtz District Treasurer | Maria Kliavkoff District Peace Committee Co-Chair | James David Bauer Chief of Staff | Randy Bowen Assistant Governor | Debi G Dockins Assistant Governor | John Nicholas Guarisco Assistant Governor | Kathleen M. Lawrence Assistant Governor | Tom Osborn Assistant Governor | Dewayne Mark Penner Assistant Governor | Steven Roberge Assistant Governor | Mayumi van der Pol Assistant Governor | Robert B. Quay Jr. District Finance Chair | Norman A. McCarvell District Administration Chair | Sheila C. Hart District Service Chair | Kees van der Pol District Communication Officer | Emily Osborne District Trainer |
| | And a new year begins:By Linda Kay Bauer on Friday, June 9, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213093/linda-bauer_og.jpeg) What an amazing 2022-23 year it has been. The highlight for me and the first dude was definitely the club visits and I thank you all for your gracious welcoming spirit and your hospitality. I hope your club officers enjoyed and shared the summary of our visits so you too can be awestruck by the magic happening across our district. As I take a retrospective look, before peeking to the future, I see a District that has moved forward in so many ways. Foundation giving is on the rise, as is membership. We have a 3-year budget now, and are moving to recover from a long-standing deficit. Our District Action Plan is in its 2nd year, and out of it we will see many improvements, including a Rotary Camp in the not distant future! Our District Ombudsperson is at the ready should there be a need...stuff happens. We now have a Disaster Response trailer and are equipping it with tools so we can help our friends and neighbors when nature strikes. (Watch for volunteer training this summer.) None of this could have been done without the dedication and cooperation of our Governor line and our other District leaders. Be proud and grateful for the amazing committee chairs and Assistant Governors who help guide our District and strengthen our clubs. There's always room for you in this group, so don't hesitate to say yes. Read More | |
Expand your network through Rotary FellowshipsFriday, June 9, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213042/June(Vance)_og.jpeg) June is Rotary Fellowships Month. This is a perfect time to explore your hobbies, interests, or profession through Rotary by joining a fellowship: an international, independently organized group of people who have a common interest. With more than 100 fellowships to choose from, you have many ways to connect with new friends outside your club, expand your international network, and find out how your hobby or profession is practiced around the world . | |
Looking forward to the new yearBy Doreen Fox Kelsey on Friday, June 9, 2023A new Rotary year is upon us, and with it the opportunity to embrace new challenges and seek new solutions. There’s a story about a woman who always cuts off both ends of a ham before she places it in the oven to bake. Her husband asks her why she cuts off the ends, to which she replies, “Because this is how my mother always did it.” So, the husband next asks the mother why she cuts off both ends of the ham, and the answer was that her oven was too small to accommodate the ham. Often the reason for doing things a certain way in the past no longer fits the present. A new year is a good time to examine the reasons why things are done a certain way and consider whether a new approach might be warranted. Read More | |
Construction Team to BelizeBy Linda Kay Bauer on Friday, June 9, 2023Later this summer or early fall I'll be taking a team to Pemona, Belize to construct a much-needed playground at St Matthews Anglican Grammar School. This is the latest in a number of D5080 projects completed at St Matthews under the leadership of Columbia Center Rotary. The grant for this project is working its way through the RI approval process, and we need to await this approval before coming up with a firm schedule. We will meet at the Belize airport on a Sunday, and I'll transport you to the school where we will work until the following Saturday. The trip cost will likely be between $400-500 per person plus airfare. You make your own flight arrangements. The fee covers your local transportation, lodging, food, and funds for miscellaneous supplies. For those wanting to do pre- or post-project travel, we're happy to offer advice on things to see and do in Belize. If you would like to be on the list for additional information as plans firm up, please e-mail me at lindakaybauer@gmail.com. This will be our 3rd trip to St Matthews and we look forward to seeing old friends and helping to impact the lives of these sweet sweet kids. DG Linda. | |
We are very saddened by the loss of one of our longtime members, Don Hart.Monday, June 12, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213294/DonHart_og.jpg) Don joined Columbia Center Rotary in November 2001. He was a very dedicated Rotarian who always participated in club activities. He and wife Lisa were Paul Harris Major Donors. He served as Club president, chair of the Columbia Center Rotary Charity Board, District Foundation chair, chair of the Columbia Center Rotary Board, and he was a force on the International Service Committee. Read More | |
District Grants UpdateBy William Dunwoody on Tuesday, June 6, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/212796/DistrictFoundation_og.jpg) The Rotary Foundation has recently informed us that the final report for the 2022-2023 District Grant season has been accepted. This step in the District Grant process allows our application for the 2023--2024 District Block Grant to be reviewed. Read More | |
Youth Exchange Ambassador Program - donors neededBy Lynn Theresa O'Connor on Tuesday, June 13, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213461/IloveYouthExchange_og.jpg) District 5080 has a special program for disadvantaged young people. Rotary's Youth Exchange program is the best in the world for quality and safety. That comes with a price, though... it's also a bit on the expensive side ($7k-$10k). We've developed the D5080 Youth Exchange Ambassador program to help young people who otherwise could not afford this life-altering opportunity. This fund needs donors. If you love Youth Exchange, but are not hosting a student or sending your young person out on exchange, please consider donating to this fund. If your club is not actively participating in Youth Exchange, but you love the idea of Youth Exchange, consider making a club contribution to this fund. Any amount is needed and welcome. Please contact Bill Erickson at wteric@charter.net, or 509-520-4655 to make your donation, and thank you! | |
Grand Forks Secondary School Peace Pole DedicationBy Maxine RuzickaAfter a Peace Pole presentation by the Rotary Club of Grand Forks in the Fall of 2022, students of the Global Citizenship Club at Grand Forks Secondary School formed a sub-committee with teacher cosponsor Mrs. Elizabeth Archer to investigate ‘planting’ a Peace Pole on their school grounds. Read More | |
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association President's MessageBy Maria Kliavkoff on Tuesday, June 6, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/212840/WGIPPAJunePresident'sMessage_og.jpg) Learn more about Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and Association (WGIPPA) through President Maria's messages. She's speaking to all of us in a continuation of volunteer fatigue. Watch it here. You can also learn more about WGIPPA and how really cool it is here: at https://www.watertonglacierpeacepark.org/ | |
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park AssociationJoin Us to Celebrate Peace and Environmental Sustainability at the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association General Meeting and Assembly ![](https://www.dacdb.com/Rotary/Accounts/5080/assets/WGIPPA%20Assembly%20Registration.jpg) | |
Rotary International Convention 2023 - MelbourneBy Lynn Theresa O'Connor on Tuesday, June 13, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213460/1Welcome_og.jpg) A story with pictures! This was my third Rotary International Convention. I will, no doubt, go to the one in 2025 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. That should be as fun as Melbourne was! Why travel all the way around the world for an RI Convention? In case you haven't heard, Rotary has a very fun peacebuilding program called Group Friendship Exchange. Two Districts will send a team of folks to visit each other - you pay your airfare, but once there you're hosted, entertained, watered and fed by hosting Rotarians. It's great fun! 10 or so years ago we hosted a woman from Australia, our friend Glenda (here with Ed at Tahbilk Winery, Vic, Aus), and we've ![](https://www.dacdb.com/Rotary/Accounts/5080/assets/__thumbs/Ed%20and%20Glenda.jpg/Ed%20and%20Glenda__427x320.jpg) been friends ever since. She's visited the US several times, so it was time to go visit her again! The Convention was full of all the fun things you'd expect ~ an energetic opening ceremony, lots of informative speakers, a fun House of Friendship, meeting friends, touring the city, entertainment, and a rousing closing ceremony. I've got some pictures here if you're interested... Read More | |
Programs of Scale award recipientFriday, June 9, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213044/Programs-of-Scale-web-image-left_og.jpeg) The Rotary Foundation’s third Programs of Scale grant award supports an effort led by Rotary members to ultimately reduce the number of cervical cancer cases in Cairo, Egypt, by increasing awareness about cervical cancer and how to prevent it. The program will encourage the use of the HPV vaccine and promote cervical cancer screenings among women and girls in Cairo. Learn more about the recent finalists.The application process for the 2023-24 Programs of Scale grant is open! Until 1 August, qualified Rotary and Rotaract clubs and districts can submit concept notes summarizing programs that have demonstrated success and are ready to expand over three to five years in partnership with other organizations. Learn more about Programs of Scale and how clubs and districts can prepare to apply for the US$2 million award. | |
Institute for Economics and Peace and Our Peace Pole Project - How they are interconnectedBy Bill D. Furey on Thursday, June 1, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/212266/peacepoles_og.jpg) Peace has come to the forefront in our District. Our Peace Pole Project is interconnected with the Institute for Economics and Peace(IEP). Rotary has partnered with the Institute for Economics and Peace. We work together. Positive Peace is the attitudes, institutions and structures that, when strengthened, lead to peaceful societies. Positive peace is filled with positive content, such as restoration of relationships, the creation of social systems that serve the needs of the whole population and the constructive resolution of conflict. Negative Peace is the absence of war or violence. Read More | |
District 5080 DEI Book Club Schedule Books for Summer ReadingThe DEI Book Club has scheduled the following books for summer reading. Washington Black by Esi Edugyan to be discussed on July 26th The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone to be discussed on August 23rdThe New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander to be discussed on September 27th.
To learn about these new books and other books discussed in past meetings, click on the link for the latest updated version of the District 5080 DEI Book Club Readers Guide Flipbook. | |
14 Things You can Do to increase Membership TodayBy Todd Shepard on Friday, June 9, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213096/14Things_og.jpg) One of the top objectives of Rotary is membership growth. Adding members to your club helps reduce the load on your current membership by adding more volunteers. Many hands make light work! Additional members present opportunities to grow the Rotary Foundation and make a greater impact in so many areas. Who is in charge of increasing membership in your club? Start by looking in the mirror. Real growth begins when you come to realize that it is the responsibility of all members, not just the president and board, to encourage new members. Ask yourself, when was the last time you invited someone to experience one of your club meetings? All it takes is one or two members with a passion, the ideas, and the tools to make a difference. If you are one of those members, this is for you. Together we can make this the best Rotary year ever! Read More | |
8 tips for building a strong social media presenceTuesday, June 13, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/213446/8Tips_og.jpg) As a brand marketing consultant and past assistant to her club’s public image chair, Taiwo ‘Orbs’ Okunlola (assistant public image chair for the Rotaract Club of Surulere South, Lagos, Nigeria) is consumed with a zeal for putting the Rotaract Club of Surulere South on the map. They want to be known for the selfless services our members are rendering. She want to motivate others to join them in the work they do. You see, it’s one thing to carry out projects. It’s another thing to publicize them on Rotary Showcase and social media. Many of us know the importance of social media, but managing social media platforms effectively can be a challenge.
Here are eight tips to build a strong social media presence for your club. Read More | |
Social Media ToolkitThursday, May 4, 2023![](https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5080/ezStory/207021/social-media-toolkit_og.jpeg) There is now a very useful tool for clubs wishing to fine tune their online presence called the Social Media Toolkit. Here's how it works: At your request, Todd Shepard will do your club's Social Media Assessment, and then will meet with your President, President-Elect, Public Image Chair, and Membership Chair (or any combination) to talk you through his recommendations. The Toolkit has the guidelines to accomplish your club's resulting social media goals. I recently did this with him, and it's worked wonders for my club's online presence! Concepts introduced and understood, and guidelines to follow to enact the changes I wanted to make. Read More | |
Helping club and district leaders achieve successThursday, May 11, 2023 From the May 2023 Rotary Leader (you can subscribe to a Rotary newsletter(s) of your interest here.)We know from Rotary’s research that members’ overall satisfaction is closely related to their club experience.
Being open to change can be challenging, especially if your club has enjoyed success without making many big adjustments. It can be difficult to reconsider what you do and how you do it, but you’ll build a more robust club if you accept input from your members and respond to their feedback. One way to do this is by getting to know your prospective and new members early on using the Member Interest Survey. You can also share the Member Satisfaction Survey with everyone in your club to identify ways to improve and then take steps to enhance the club experience. (the surveys can be found when you click on this link.
Members are more likely to remain active when they feel welcomed and included, when they find opportunities for personal growth and leadership development, when they make meaningful connections, and when they contribute to service. Get more ideas from the Membership courses in the Learning Center. | Read More | |
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