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COVID Vaccination Speaker Series - COVID Vaccine Myths
Join us on Friday, February 12th at noon for the second in Rotary District 6440's COVID Vaccination Speaker Series. Dr. Stuart Marcus, Chief Clinical Officer of Amita Health, speaks on COVID Vaccine Myths. This builds on his terrific first talk about Amita Health's experience dealing with COVID-19, and on the Science of Vaccines. The live stream and, soon after, a recording are available at our Facebook page, facebook.com/rotary6440
 
Disaster Relief for Cobán, Guatemala Residents
Disaster Relief for Cobán, Guatemala Residents
Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club responded to the needs of over 2,000 people in Cobán, Guatemala, a community hard hit by Hurricane Lota in late October 2020, and two weeks later by Hurricane Eta.   The two hurricanes resulted in flooding, mudslides and landslides leaving the inhabitants without water, food, clothing, a place to live, or jobs.  All this while dealing with Covid-19 pandemic.  The needs were fulfilled by distributing 315 packages containing food and sanitary items, each being a week’s supply per family.
 
Based on preliminary discussions with Guatemala Sur Club members, we learned that there were many organizations raising funds and providing help.  However, it remained unclear how these various organizations would provide help.  The details covering what is being provided, by whom, on what timeline were not available.  The Guatemala Sur club identified food as the most pressing need and vetted agencies most equipped to successfully meet the needs.  They suggested helping the village of Cobán, a community about four and a half hours north of Guatemala City.  In earlier grants we had established a relationship with residents of Cobán with the installation of a mechanical cow.  They are also on a waiting list for the installation of an X-Ray machine.
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RI President-Elect Announces 2021-22 Presidential Theme
This week RI President Elect Shekhar Mehta announced to the International Assembly of District Governors Elect that the 2021-22 Rotary International theme is:
 
 
You may have already witnessed RIPE Mehta discussing his guiding philosophy that "service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth."  Shekhar suggests that Rotarians are defined by opportunities of service; not necessarily the size of the service - but the attitude of service.  This attitude is evidenced in Rotary's record - and we keep serving because we want to change lives.  As we serve we do not only change the lives of others, we change our life as well.
 
You can watch Shekhar's story of personal transformation and complete conversation with the 2021-22 Governors here:  https://www.rotary.org/en/shekhar-mehta-says-serving-others-changes-lives-including-our-own

 

Public Image Grants Available
Public Image Grants Available
District 6440 is renewing the Public Image Grant Program for 2020-2021 to spur new marketing materials and spread the great Rotary name and logo.  The Grant Program provides matching grants (up to $500 per club) for new brochures, road signs, banners, inflatable signs, logo wear, Facebook/newspaper/movie theater advertising, member recruiting materials, community fair signage and much more.  We want new positive marketing materials that bolster Rotary visibility in each community.
 
These new Rotary marketing materials can help your club gain positive visibility, recruit new members (a big District priority), strengthen your image and enhance community service projects. 
 
To understand and apply for grants, click here.
Unique Response To COVID-19 Challenge For Elementary School Children
 
Unique Response To COVID-19 Challenge For Elementary School Children 
The Challenge:  Since March 2020, our country has been going through many challenges due to COVID 19.  In addition to its medical impact, we have seen its serious effects on the day to day living, financial and emotional wellbeing of people.
 
We would like to cite a unique challenge faced by the elementary school students at Sunny Hill School within Barrington School District 220.  Ms. Lori Ford, Enrichment Instructional Specialist at Sunny Hill, brought the challenge to our attention.  She wrote:
“Due to the implications of COVID-19, our students are currently distance learning from home, and will remain in this capacity for some of their instruction, even with the hybrid learning model (starting October 19th). While District 220 is a 1:1 educational institution with technology for each student (iPads), it has become apparent that our students at Sunny Hill Elementary need additional tools for their learning to be as effective as possible in this unique situation. Bluetooth keyboards, specifically for our 3-5 grade students, are typically available to students in the school setting and especially useful for word processing.” 
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World Polio Day Activities Across D6440
World Polio Day Activities Across D6440
It's World Polio Day (as proclaimed in Buffalo Grove, Park Ridge, Northbrook. Lake Bluff, Geneva, and Wheaton) on October 24th, and there are activities across the District over the next few weeks.  Join one
  • ACTIVITIES ON WORLD POLIO DAY, OCTOBER 24TH
    • The two Evanston Clubs walked along the Lakefront Path to bring attention to polio.  
    • Park Ridge did Canning for End Polio Now from 10AM-2PM both Uptown and in South Park, and the Pickwick Theatre marquee declared World Polio Day. 
    • Huntley hwld a Virtual Benefit Concert to “End Polio Now at 7PM. flyer – link
    • Schaumburg AM’s Online Trivia For A Cause – October 24th - link - flyer
    • McHenry Area held a World Polio Day 50-50 Raffle. Ticket sales end at midnight.
    • The Wheeling club’s Calcutta fundraiser featured Jack Blane’s daughter, Barbara Toney, speaking on how he helped create Rotary’s polio fundraising initiatives.
    • Buffalo Grove had combination WPD / Environmental event, collecting seeds from native plants.  Contact Martha Weiss for detail and info on time slots. 
    • Niles conducted a Virtual 5K Polio Walk for awareness and fundraising. info
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Mary Bak Selected to be 2023-24 District Governor
Mary Bak Selected to be 2023-24 District Governor
The District 6440 Nominating Committee has selected Mary Bak to be District Governor for the 2023-2024 Rotary year.  A member of the Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise, she currently serves the District as Grants Committee Chair.  Mary is a past District Secretary, Assistant Governor, and Club President, has been a member of the District Visioning Team, and is a Paul Harris Fellow.
 
The Nominating Committee also selected PDG Julie Clark of the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates to be Vice-Governor for the 2021-2022 Rotary year.  
 
Congratulations to Mary and Julie and thank you for your commitment to Rotary and our District! 
 
 
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AFRICAN REGION CERTIFIED WILD POLIO-FREE!
A Message from Rotary International President Holger Knaack. 
(click image to view video message)
 
It our pleasure to announce to you that the African region has just been certified wild poliovirus-free.

Rotary members have played an invaluable role in the effort to rid the African region of wild polio. We should be proud of all the hard work that we’ve done to eliminate the wild poliovirus throughout Africa and in nearly every country in the world. 
 
This progress is the result of a decades-long effort across the 47 countries of the African region. It has involved millions of health workers traveling by foot, boat, bike and bus, innovative strategies to vaccinate children amid conflict and insecurity, and a huge disease surveillance network to test cases of paralysis and check sewage for the virus. 

 
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Jennifer Jones Nominated for 2022-23 Rotary International President
Jennifer Jones Nominated for 2022-23 Rotary International President

Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.

Jones will officially become president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge her.

Jones says she sees Rotary’s Action Plan as a catalyst for increasing Rotary’s impact. 

“As we reflect upon our new strategic priorities, we could have never envisioned that our ability to adapt would become our North Star during what is inarguably the most profound time in recent history,” Jones said in her vision statement. “Silver linings rise out of the most challenging circumstances. Using metric-driven goals, I will harness this historic landscape to innovate, educate, and communicate opportunities that reflect today’s reality.”

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Rotary Peace Fellow Alumni Available to Speak at Your Club Meetings 
Rotary Peace Fellow Alumni Available to Speak at Your Club Meetings

Looking for interesting speakers for your club meetings? Why not feature one of The Rotary Foundation's premier programs by having a Peace Fellow Alum make a presentation? 

These are tremendous people doing great work to build peace in the world. Many are currently working on COVID-19 Relief programs and many others work in creating more social justice in our world. 

The Rotary Peace Fellow Alumni Association has created a database of alumni willing to provide interactive talks, webinars and lead virtual town hall discussions for your members.

  • You can learn about the data base on how to request speakers here.
  • View profiles of all alumni in the database here.
  • View a listing of alumni working on social justice here.
  • View a listing of alumni working on COVID-19 here.  
To request a Peace Fellow Alumni to speak at your club, complete and submit the form found here. 
Rotary Statement Against Racism
District 6440 Rotarians--please know that Rotary has reiterated its no tolerance for racism policy.
 
We are committed to our guiding principles as stated in the Four Way Test-
 
Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH ? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it Build Good Will and better friendships? Is it Beneficial to all concerned?
 
At this challenging, time let us remember our Core Values: Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership. Now, more than ever, the world needs Rotary to lead the way.
 
-A Message from Rotary International-
Rotary and Toastmasters now working together
Rotary and Toastmasters now working together
Rotary and Toastmasters working together creating opportunities for professional growth of both Rotary and Toastmaster members
 
RI President Mark Maloney recently released this announcement about the partnership between Rotary International and Toastmasters. This is a wonderful opportunity for our members and members of Toastmasters clubs. While we are very early into our relationship, our members are encouraged to learn about Toastmasters, visit their clubs, invite Toastmaster members to our meetings as visitors and speakers, and seek synergies where our clubs working together can make an impact for members and the community.
 
From RI President Mark Maloney:
 
I am excited to share some good news: Rotary International and Toastmasters International are working together to provide our members with even more opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Toastmasters International is a global nonprofit organization with more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries. Its members attend club meetings where they give speeches, evaluate the speeches of others, and perform other club duties, with the goal of ultimately becoming more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. Our organizations are complementary in many ways, but we are each unique in what we offer our members.
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New Virtual Meeting Training Resource Page 
New Virtual Meeting Training Resource Page
The District Virtual Meeting Committee has published a new Virtual Meeting Training Resources page.  New resources include Rotary branded virtual backgrounds, a keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet for PC and Mac,, and a link to a Harvard Business Review article on keys to running great virtual meetings. You can also find our Guide Using Zoom presentation. Other resources will be added as they are identified. 
 
While we are staying at home, why not visit other Rotary club virtual meetings. Here's a listing of when clubs are meeting and who to contact to get the Zoom link for their meetings.   
New District 6440 Charitable Fund Now Available
Posted by Gov. Rick Rivkin on Aug 08, 2016
New District 6440 Charitable Fund Now Available
The Rotary District 6440 Charitable Fund Inc. has been established to accept donations to fund charitable and educational activities developed and sponsored by Rotary District 6440, the individual Rotary Clubs in Rotary District 6440, and The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. These include community service projects and international service projects generally in the following areas of focus.
 
•             Prevention and resolution of conflicts and the promotion of peace
•             Prevention and treatment of disease
•             Clean water and sanitation
•             Maternal and child health
•             Basic education and literacy
•             Economic and community development