Rotary projects around the world, including in District 6080, are making a lasting impact by improving access to clean water and sanitation. From small club-funded projects to large-scale initiatives supported by The Rotary Foundation, we’re changing lives!
February’s Rotary theme, Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, aligns seamlessly with Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick’s vision for positive peace—a concept championed by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Positive peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is built on eight essential pillars, including good governance, economic stability, and the free flow of information.
Happy New Year! The new year offers us a chance to think and consider the coming year—our goals, what we want to accomplish, where we want to go.
The start of the calendar year also means that the Rotary Year 2024-25 is half over. We should take time to reflect on the accomplishments achieved and the progress made during the first half of the year. Then, consider what your club needs or wants to do during the remainder of the Rotary Year.
Rotary’s monthly theme for December is Disease Prevention and Treatment. Rotary’s campaign against polio has long been our largest focus in this area, and we continue to work to eradicate this disease.
For Rotarians, November is Foundation Month. The Rotary Foundation provides the funds that enable Rotary clubs to create The Magic of Rotary. We celebrate the projects that Rotary clubs have been able to complete in The Rotary Foundation s Seven Areas of Focus large projects of scale, global grant projects, global scholarships, funding polio eradication, responding to disasters, district grants and more. District 6080 and its clubs use funds from The Rotary Foundation for district grants, global grants, disaster response grants, scholarships and more.
World Polio Day, Oct. 24, is fast approaching. I hope that every club in District 6080 is planning some event to raise awareness of the drive to eradicate polio or to raise money for the Polio Plus Fund of The Rotary Foundation. Polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with 40 cases reported by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as of Sept. 28. That’s an increase from last year, so we have to continue our efforts to vaccinate children across the world to prevent this crippling disease.
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month for Rotary International. I’m glad that our clubs support many projects in this area of focus, from local projects requiring minimal or small amounts of funding to the recently approved global grant titled, “Arraiján District of Oeste Panama Schools Literacy.” The Rotary Club of Jefferson City Breakfast is the international club for this project. The Rotary Club of Panamá is the host club. I hope the Rotary Clubs of District 6080 will continue to plan and complete basic education and literacy projects.
August is Rotary’s Membership and New Club Development Month. Membership is also one of Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick’s three goals for the 2024-25 year. She challenged each of her District Governors to increase his or her district’s membership by 100 members. Therefore, my challenge to each of the clubs in District 6080 is to increase your club’s membership by at least two members. Stephanie’s rationale is simple: more Rotarians means more service and more good in the world.
It’s the start of a new Rotary year! I am honored to serve as the District 6080 Governor for Rotary Year 2024-25. I hope to visit with all of you as I speak to each of your clubs. My role and that of the district leadership is to help the clubs, so call on us. The Rotary Clubs are where The Magic of Rotary happens, not at the District. The leadership can, however, answer questions, provide help and point you to Rotary resources that help your club perform its service projects and reach its goals.
This Rotary year is nearly over, and I am humbled to have had the privilege and honor of serving as Rotary District 6080 s District Governor 2023-24.
