October 2018 District Bulletin

From the Governor's Desk
loving our community

When I first joined Rotary, I couldn’t understand why I would contribute funds outside of my community (Nampa). The schools have a significant reduced and free lunch population – an indication of poverty. For a few years, that was my perspective, but then my perspective changed.

I attended for the first time, a Rotary International Convention. I hadn’t traveled much internationally and thus my world view was very limited. At the convention I met Rotarians from around the world.  We shared stories and talked about what they were doing in Rotary, and why they were a Rotarian. I realized that week, that we are more alike than we are different and my definition of community changed.  I realized that I wanted to support my community and I was no longer bound by a zip code.

People want the same basic things for their loved ones. Food and water, the opportunity for healthcare, the opportunity to have healthy babies, a chance to educate them, and a chance to provide for their family. Does that sound familiar?  Take a look at Rotary’s six areas of focus. A group of smart people understood the fundamental components that must exist if we are going to create peace.  Peace starts with hope, and we are hope heroes.

These experiences also changed how I decided to support The Rotary Foundation. First, I started with Rotary Direct. This prompted me to give a little bit more than I had been, using Rotary’s online giving platform. Then one day I decided to make a bigger commitment and become a Paul Harris Society Member because I love my community, and want to make possible, more hope.

There’s always a reason to wait, but there are millions of reasons to not wait.  Those reasons are the faces of the friends in our community – across the globe and in our hometownWe are One Rotary.

Jennifer Deroin, '18-'19 D5400 Governor
 
One of our community members, Kenton Lee, makes possible an expanding shoe so kids don't contract soil transmitted disease running around barefoot, and can go to school, because they have shoes.  The Shoe That Grows
 

SEARCHING FOR FRESH SERVICE IDEAS?

Try justserve.org

You joined Rotary to serve others, right? But maybe some of your projects are getting a bit old or outdated. So where can you go find new project ideas for your club, Rotaract or Interact group? Try Justserve.org. Justserve is a free volunteer matching service open to all clubs, faiths, non-profits, civic groups, governments, schools and other organizations as a place where they can post their volunteer needs. It is also a way for Rotary clubs to post club projects to leverage other partners and get more people involved.

Anyone can register on the site for free. Any group or organization can post projects for free. There are no fees for this service. Fundraisers and political advocacy projects are discouraged but projects that invite collaborative side-by-side service efforts that build community and assist the poor and needy are warmly encouraged. Check out the site today.

If you want to gain administrative access for your club so you can post your projects, contact Rich Kirkham, District Governor Elect at 208-251-6570 or rich@richkirkham.com

Rotoract in Idaho continues to grow

Twin Falls rotary clubs are working together to help start a Rotaract Club for 18-30 year olds.

With Steve Irwin leading the pack, all three clubs are supporting a Rotaract Club. AG Bobbi Pyle is at meetings to supports these great Rotarians and their clubs.   Thank you to Blue Lakes Rotary Club Twin Falls, Twin Falls Rotary Club and Twin Falls After Hours Club!

If you know someone in the Magic Valley who might be interested please let one of the Clubs in Twin Falls know!  

Together we can change the world. 

Bobbi Pyle, D5400 Assistant Governor

November is Rotary foundation month

Here's how D5400 measures up. It's up to all of us to get the district closer to reaching its goals.
 

tax deadlines approaching

All Rotary Clubs, as §501(c)(4) organizations, are required to file a return with the IRS by November 15th each year or they risk losing their tax exempt status. The type of return required depends on the gross receipts of the club. Gross receipts means all receipts from dues, raffles, fundraisers, etc. before any deductions.

If your gross receipts for the year are normally less than or equal to $50,000, you can file a Form 990-N E-Postcard by going here.

If your gross receipts are more than $50,000 but less than $200,000, and your total assets are less than $500,000 you can file Form 990-EZ. 

If your gross receipts are greater than or equal to $200,000 or your total assets are greater than or equal to $500,000, then you need to file a full Form 990.

- If you are unable to complete your return before the November 15th deadline, you can request a 6 month extension by filing Form 8868 on or before November 15th.

- For those clubs who have their own §501(c)(3) organization, you need to confirm your elected year-end to determine when your return is due.

Returns are due on the 15th day of the fifth month following the year end. Which return you need to file follows the same guidelines as above.  Don’t risk losing your tax exempt status – file those returns!

Nancy Koonce, Twin Falls Rotary

BSW candidate Forum

Recognizing the importance of informed voters, Rotary Club of Boise Southwest offered presentations by the two candidates for governor of Idaho—Paulette Jordan and Brad Little. As a result, the audience included members and guests of Sunrise, Boise East, Eagle/Garden City, and Boise Metro Rotary clubs.

September 18th's speaker was Jordan. Born into a ranching family in northern Idaho as an enrolled citizen of the federally-recognized Coeur d'Alene tribe, Jordan attended the University of Washington where she held leadership roles in community activism and local city politics. After returning home, she was elected to the Tribal Council and served in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2014-18. Jordan describes herself as "very progressive," supporting Medicaid expansion and clean energy. She is pro-life, but supports patients’ rights to personal health care decisions and holds a conservative view on gun control. She discussed education, homelessness, Veterans’ care and explained her positions on clean energy policy and fracking.
 
October 3rd's speaker was Little, who serves as the 42nd and current Idaho Lieutenant Governor since 2009, and previously in the state senate from 2001 to 2009. Lt. Governor Little attended the University of Idaho, was a member of the Idaho Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and earned a bachelor's degree in agri-business. He spoke briefly on his background, then discussed school safety and Prop 2, which he supports, starting teacher pay in Idaho, corporate influence on the statehouse, local option taxing, his transportation policy and hunters’ rights.
 
Bob Rose, Rotary Club of Boise Southwest

Give the gift of life to your loved ones this holiday season! Order this tax-deductible present today and request a gift card to commemorate its recipient.

Elmore County at the Airforce Appreciation Day in Mountain Home, where they raised funds for scholarships selling fried corn dogs, pickles, Oreos, and Twinkies!

Be a Rotarian for Eternity

Last month I noticed in a Rotary Foundation report that someone in the Ketchum-Sun Valley Club had made a substantial contribution to the Endowment Fund. A donation to this Rotary Foundation fund usually means one thing: someone has passed away. And indeed that was the case. Martha Lee Orwig (Marty) left this earth a year ago on Oct 14th. I didn’t know Marty personally, but from her obituary and from reading the sentiments of her friends and family, I’ve come to believe that she lived the life she wanted to live.

There was something else about Marty. She wanted to leave something to help others less fortunate. By joining The Bequest Society in 2010, she made a commitment to do just that and she bequeathed $10,000 to the Endowment Fund of The Rotary Foundation in her estate plan. Only the earnings on Endowment Fund investments are spent, and by assigning those earnings to Annual Fund-SHARE, Marty made sure that the Rotary Clubs of District 5400 will have some choice about how those earnings will be spent going forward. Marty was a member of the Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary Club for 22 years. Although she died too young, her spirit will live on in the legacy she left to further the humanitarian work of Rotary. Thank you, Marty! Think about joining the Bequest Society yourself, committing a piece of your estate to The Rotary Foundation that your Rotary legacy of Service Above Self also may live on. 

Contact PDG Bret Vaterlaus for more information about the Endowment Fund of The Rotary Foundation and how to join.

Marianne Barker, District Foundation Chair

how to log into myrotary.org

Many Rotarians are familiar with the website rotary.org, but few are aware of the option to click My Rotary at the top of the home page. While rotary.org provides a wonderful overview of Rotary’s work in the world, clicking My Rotary will take you to a more personalized, member-centered view. 

An extensive Learning and Reference section with invaluable information for club officers, new Rotarians, and committee members is one of the treasures waiting for you on my.rotary.org. There is also a selection of webinars and videos that address topics like engaging members, building a diverse club, and practical aspects like how to run a club meeting or structure a committee. We will revisit more in-depth the benefits of the Learning and Reference section in a future article.

Logging in is not required to access much of my.rotary.org, but it does give you access to your own account information. In your own account, you will see statistics for your club including the number of members as well as the meeting day and time and even when your club was chartered. Some information, like your donor history, is accessible only to you and only through logging in at my.rotary.org so it is important that you check your account for accuracy.  

Logging in simply requires the email address and password that Rotary has on file for you. Retrieving a forgotten password is also straightforward and involves answering the secret question you selected when you created your account. If you do not, click Account Registration and follow the steps to create an account. You will be glad that you did!    

Amy Campbell, District 5400 Trainer

pre-order v2.0

"RYLA is emotional. I would bet that the loudest cheers, biggest smiles, warmest hugs, and most-needed cries those students have had in a long long time all happened with us."

 

'18 RYLArian

a thank you from shelterbox

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with the following update on the work ShelterBox and Rotary are doing together in Indonesia.

Sulawesi, Indonesia has been devastated following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami with 10 foot-high waves. This earthquake took place Friday, September 28th, and is the fifth large earthquake to hit Indonesia since August. This one event has caused nearly 1,000 deaths with an expectation that the death toll will continue to rise. Over 50,000 people have been made homeless by this tragedy. We also know that water is in short supply and that the infrastructure has been badly damaged.

ShelterBox already has a Response Team in Lombok, Indonesia following the August 6.9 magnitude earthquake which left 20,000 people homeless. Our team has been in-country for the last month helping families recover from that event.

We are now sending a 2nd Response Team to Indonesia to understand how we might be able to help Sulawesi families who have lost everything. We are in contact with the Indonesian government, the disaster management organizations, and our Rotary colleagues in Indonesia to understand how we might be able to help Sulawesi families. We have aid stored nearby in Malaysia and we are working with our contacts to understand any importation restrictions, and how we might be able to get it in to Indonesia and to the families who may need it.

Our immediate response to this disaster was made possible by the past support of Rotarians including those in your district. To continue to play a role in our ongoing aid to families in need for this and other disasters, we would ask that you:
 
1. Share this information with your District – an easy version to forward is included below.
2. Stay up to date on our response at https://www.shelterboxusa.org/indonesia
3. Encourage clubs to make a donation to ShelterBox
4. Host Shine For ShelterBox events to engage the community and raise essential funds:www.shelterboxusa.org/shine
 
You can also feel free to reach out to me or your District’s ShelterBox Ambassador if you have questions or need any other assistance. Thank you for your interest and support!
 
Most sincerely,
Sarah Robinson
Director of Fundraising and Partnerships, ShelterBox USA
President, Rotary Club of Albuquerque Rio Grande

d5400 in ecuador

A group of Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Boise and Boise Sunrise visited projects in the Quito area of Ecuador, around Bahìa de Caràquez and attended the two-day project fair in Manta. D5400 clubs have provided financial support for many Ecuadorian projects for more than a decade.

The project sites are often visited by Idaho Rotarians before the project starts and then again after the projects are complete. We have high confidence the funds are spent properly and over the years have developed deep friendships with Ecuadorian Rotarians. This trip was heartbreaking to see the earthquake destruction in Bahìa and how local Rotarians are suffering from the resulting economic impact, but also heartwarming to see the community of Santa Maria, which never had running water, enjoy what we take for granted.  The community held a celebration and expressed their gratitude to all Idaho Rotarians for making it possible.

There are many opportunities in Rotary to travel abroad and meet with fellow Rotarians to make the world a little better place for all. These trips are unforgettable.

Todd Fischer, Rotary Club of Boise

We’ve Been Looking for You

When I think back about being Club President of my club in 2013-2014, I do so fondly. I realize now, how that experience helped me in so many ways. It helped me develop organizational management skills, it helped me develop public speaking skills, it helped me learn how to motivate and organize a group of leaders.

There are a lot of ways to “serve” in Rotary. One way is to support your club through leadership. I would encourage you to think about what your club needs, and how you can help define that vision and be an integral part of shaping the future. We need great leaders - people like you.

With club elections right around the corner, consider saying “yes”.  I promise that if you approach it with a servant leader and optimistic attitude, you will absolutely love it.

Jennifer Deroin, '18-'19 D5400 Governor

polio Eradication update

Two additional cases of polio in Afghanistan, bringing the yearly total to 22. Only one new cVDPV case this week.

As we celebrated World Polio Day, we were aware of 20 cases of polio for the year. These two additional cases have brought us even with the worldwide total last year, and realistically it seems likely that in the remaining two months of the year we will see additional cases, meaning that this year we will actually see an increase in cases from the previous year.

While this is not good news, this is a scenario we have seen before. In 2012, we saw 223 cases of polio. In 2013, this number almost doubled to 416. A massive vaccination campaign was implemented, and by 2015, the number of cases had dropped to 74.

It seems extremely unlikely that we will see a doubling of last year’s polio cases. Indeed, we may end the year with only a few additional cases from 2017. We certainly hope so. But, we know the solution to polio eradication is the continued diligence in vaccinations, and monitoring our vaccination supply chain from manufacture to administration to assure we are providing viable, effective vaccinations, particularly in the most stressed regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

Those efforts will require diligence and funding – funding provided by events like the many World Polio events you have all just undertaken. Let’s celebrate our success in building awareness during World Polio Day, and for our additional fundraising. 

Rather than make this a once-a-year commitment, however, let’s continue to remind our districts and our clubs of the ongoing need for Rotarian funding (matched 2 to 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Our need to vaccinate is year round; not just on October 24. With your help, by this time next year we’ll be celebrating better statistics than we’re seeing this year! 

The Final Three Endemic Countries:

Pakistan: Two new Polio cases reported this week. Six Polio cases reported in 2018 - the most recent cases were from Karachi, Sindh on 9/22 and from Khyber District, FATA with an onset of paralysis on 9/25/18. Eight cases reported in 2017. Four new Polio-Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Pakistan.

Afghanistan: No new Polio cases reported this week. Sixteen Polio cases reported in 2018 - the most recent case was from the Hilmand Province with the onset of paralysis on 09/01/18. Fourteen cases reported in 2017. One new Polio-Positive Environmental Sample was reported this week in Afghanistan.

Nigeria: No Wild Polio cases have been reported in 2017 or 2018. The most recent Polio case was reported on 8/20/16. On 8/20/18, Nigeria celebrated 2 years without a Wild Polio case!

Ken Howell, PDG District 5400 ’15-16, Zone 27 End Polio Now Coordinator

Upcoming Events
Fireside Chat - Option #2
Zoom Meeting - See Details in Notes
Jan 19, 2019
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
 
Pets & Rotary Leadership Summit Planning Meeting
Jan 22, 2019
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
 
District Leadership Council Meeting - January 2019
ZOOM
Feb 01, 2019
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
President Elect Sack Lunch Zoom Meeting
Feb 08, 2019
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
 
District Membership Zoom Call-February
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/664968210
Feb 12, 2019
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Rotary News
 
 
 
 
 
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