April was a busy month in Rotary District 6080! The All-Missouri Rotary FUN-vention and District Conference with Rotary Districts 6040, 6060, 6080 and 6110 was held in Osage Beach. The event certainly lived up to its name: FUN-vention. Rotarians gathered to network, clubs reported at the Shoes for Orphan Souls Roll Call, Rotary project successes were shared, while many clubs received Rotary International awards.
April is Rotary International’s Environment Month and Rotarians are working around the globe to provide the resources to reduce the amount of damage to our environment.
March is Rotary International’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month, and you can help with the world’s biggest health concern: clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The Rotary Action Group, WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) has adapted to the challenges of providing clean water to help those communities in need to improve the health and hygiene for their people.
February is Rotary’s Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month, and District 6080 is well represented with about one quarter of our clubs that have chosen to be Peacebuilder Clubs!
January is Human Trafficking Awareness month and at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25, the Peacebuilder Committee of Columbia Metro will present the documentary HOPE ROAD, which focuses on the stories of survivors of human trafficking. Discussion will follow the film and a Rotarian who works with human trafficking victims will be available to answer questions. Since the film will be screened online, Rotarians can watch from their own computer or a club can make this a group event and meet for dinner, watch the film together, and then discuss it.
December is Rotary International’s Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. Rotarians here in District 6080 and throughout the world unite in many ways for disease prevention and treatment with diabetes, polio and other debilitating diseases.
The leaves have begun changing color and much is happening with clubs in District 6080 during November—Foundation month. It has been said that Rotary was started with the efforts of one man, Paul Harris, in Chicago. Every Rotarian’s donation, just one person at a time, can help the Rotary Foundation to impact parts of the world where help is needed
most. Individual donations compiled together with other individual donor gifts provide the financial wherewithal for grants that address community needs in all parts of the world. Giving to the Foundation helps fulfill the commitment of doing good in the world.
Things are happening quickly in the district as we are already into October! Rotary International celebrates October as Community Economic and Development Month, showcasing Rotary Foundation funds and how they are put to use to create sustainable, measurable, and long-term economic changes for localities, communities, businesses, entrepreneurs, and other organizations that need assistance. These efforts are centered around the creation of projects in under-served communities to reduce poverty, improve economic and community development, and also of reducing the stigma of mental health.
September is Rotary International’s Basic Education and Literacy Month, a component of Rotary’s fifth Area of Focus which is Supporting Education. Every club can offer support by participating in District 6080’s “Shoes for Orphan Souls” an international project for new shoes collection.
As demonstrated at PETS in March of this year by Rotary International Trustee, Larry Lunsford, from the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club, Rotary District 6080 is doing a NEW shoe collection effort, partnering with Districts 6040 & 6060. District 6080’s “Shoes Cheerleader” is Brad Martens from Columbia South. Each club should have their own “Cheerleader”,
