Due to Hurricane Ian, I am sharing this week’s Minutarian with every Rotarian across the district. Next week we will go back to the normal distribution list unless you send me an email requesting that you be included every week moving forward.
As we watched Hurricane Fiona miss us, we thought things were good, and then it seemed from nowhere Hurricane Ian came and devastated our state. Although many of you experienced loss, we saw extreme devastation to our fellow Rotarians in District 6960. Below you will notice the devastation in Ft. Myers. At present, the District 6970 Disaster team is assessing damage in our district and the other 7 Districts in Florida. We plan to provide assistance when invited in by first responders. If you or your community need help, please let me or your club president know ASAP. Most importantly, however, many of you feel blessed that we missed the major impact of the hurricane and want to know how you can help. To assist our Family of Rotary Clubs that have been impacted by Hurricane Ian, your District 6970 leadership has set up a Donation Method so that critical funds can be safely distributed by a SINGLE CHECK to the Hurricane Ian Relief Programs supervised by your fellow Rotarians and administered under the direction of District Governors in Florida.
BY CHECK Payable to: The York Foundation, Inc.
Send to: ROTARY DISTRICT 6970 YORK FOUNDATION, INC.
P.O. BOX 47195, JACKSONVILLE FL 32247
Note on the payee instructions state: HURRICANE IAN RELIEF and Name of Donor / Rotary or Rotaract Club or feel free to use the Credit Card/PayPal link on the District 6970 website.
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When we reflect on yesterday’s Jaguars game with the Philadelphia Eagles, I hope this makes you realize that you had better buy your tickets now! They did not win, but they played in horrible conditions. Even though, I want to remind you that our partnership with the Jaguars is about more than football, it is great to celebrate our fight against Polio. First and foremost, it is about contributing to Polio and second, it is an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with your fellow Rotarians. For now, it is really great to continue to be tied in 1st place in the AFC South.
I spent this past week in Baltimore at Rotary Zone 33/34 Training. A highlight for me was a session with a Rotary hero, The Rotary Foundation Trustee Aziz Memon who travels and meets tribal leaders in his native Pakistan to dispel myths surrounding Polio and vaccination. Trustee Memon is on the front line of Polio eradication. Pakistan has made tremendous progress towards poliovirus transmission interruption and eradication.
Two years ago, transmission of the wild polio virus was widespread across Pakistan. In less than 24 months, a reinvigorated program has been able to first stem the tide of uncontrolled transmission and then tackle the more chronic underlying challenges that have proven obstacles to virus interruption and eradication. Aziz Memon, the national chair for Pakistan’s PolioPlus Committee, has been on the forefront of the battle against polio.
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World Polio Day is October 24. What is your club doing to recognize this important event? Let Marie Turnbull know and sign up with Zone 33/34, so that we have a comprehensive list. Feel free to invite me to your events.
Looking to assist with an international project? D6970 clubs have the opportunity to participate in a Global Grant to purchase equipment for the early detection of Oral Cancer in India. No amount is too small. If you are interested, we need you to tell us now. For more information, contact District Global Grants Chair John Caulfield.
Pictures of the Week
This week I traveled to Baltimore to attend Zone 33/34 training. A highlight was watching Innovative Club Advocate Chair Mary Stutts’ team trounce Rotary International’s leadership team including President Jennifer Jones and pictured here, President Nominee Stephanie Urchick in a game of Family Feud.
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Not to be outdone, District Governor-Nominee Mickey Ulmer’s team of District Governor Nominees trounced the District Governor-Elects in a separate game of Family Feud (full disclosure, District Governor-Elect John Tabor missed the event as he prepped for his presentation on Ukraine).
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District Governor-Elect John Tabor and Past President James Joeriman from the Rotary Club of Lviv provided an update on Ukraine Aid: Past, Present and Future.
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Although there were many bittersweet moments at the meeting as a result of Hurricane Ian, District Governor Neil Snyder (D6960, SW Florida) and I got to spend a special moment with Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. Jen shared this infectious smile after just completing a seventeen-hour flight from Seoul. She represents us all well as she travels around the globe.
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