January 2017 Newsletter
Happy New Year, Everyone! 
 
On January 1 we turn our calendars over to begin a new year, an annual ritual that often brings thoughts of re-commitment, fresh starts and new possibilities. In recent days, many Rotarians have contacted me about ways to expand their Rotary experience. They are exploring options for involvement in District activities and beyond. What about you? If you have been thinking along those same lines, now is the time for you to act. Working on a team to collaborate on a large project, produce an event, support our youth, or serve our members is a satisfying and often life-changing experience. What’s more, the friendships and relationships you develop can last a lifetime. 
On December 9th the Springerville RC President Bryon Harrington and his wife & Club Treasurer, Jackie went to Nogales, Mexico to donate an automatic, bilingual defibrillator to the Nogales Fire Department. This defibrillator is the first of a kind for them and the only one in the entire department with soon to be 6 fire stations.
The Gifted Hands Homeshool Interact Club, which is one of the 93 Interact clubs we now have in our Rotary district, was recently featured in The Fountain Hills Times for their work in collecting crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs and other mobility devices for Interact District 5495’s Crutches 4 Africa Project. The devices will be wrapped and packed for shipping to Kenya by an expected 500 Interact and Rotaract members who will be participating in the Interact District Conference, being hosted on February 24, by the Interact Club of Perry High School in Gilbert.
During January, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Vocational Service Month is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service activities, ranging from Rotarian discussions, awards to community projects and helping fund a vocational education to post-secondary students.
Experience Different Cultures and Build International Friendships
 
Friendship Exchange is an international exchange program for Rotary members and friends that allows participants to take turns hosting one another in their homes and clubs.
For 25 years Chandler Horizon Rotary Club has been hosting an annual Hole-in-One fundraiser held at the beautiful San Marcos Golf Resort.  With the help of our sponsors and golfers (shooters) we have raised more than $630,000 to help various charities in the Chandler area!  Shortly after the final event, our club holds a benefit breakfast to invite recipients to celebrate and share in the giving!  100% of all money we collect are given out at this celebration breakfast.
The Area 4 Rotary Clubs have been working together for the last 30 months to do good locally and internationally.  The president line (Presidents, Presidents-Elect, Presidents-Nominee and Past Presidents) have been meeting on a monthly basis ever since AG Bob Murray took over Area 4 as AG in January 2015.  It requires a real commitment to meet on a monthly basis and builds a real sense of camaraderie. The President-Line is committed to make their club a better experience for its members hence they make the monthly meetings a priority.  They meet on the third Wednesday at 4:30pm and rotate the meeting place.  Each of the Presidents or Presidents-Elect host the monthly meeting.  The meeting place is up to the host.  They meet at restaurants, community centers and Rotarian homes. 
We have two opportunities for an amazing RYLA experience!  The first one is RYLA Pinerock, held this month, in Prescott over Martin Luther King weekend.  Delegates have been chosen, and staff are ready to rock n roll! 
 
 
Join Us For a
Service Project & Cultural Weekend
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora
March 9-11, 2018
 
Want to participate in an International Service Project close to home? Rotarians from D5495 and the Rotary Club of Puerto Peñasco have teamed to build a weekend of service and friendship. 
By AG Bob Murray - RC of Sun City West
 
Rotary District 5495 Area 4 Presidents had our regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, 12-20-17, at one of the Assistant Governor’s home.  We generally meet to discuss strategies and other Rotary stuff however we have reserved December as a social month with the idea of collecting toys for a worthy charitable organization.  This year, for the second year in a row, we have chosen Eve’s Place!
The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek, just recently chartered as a new Club, is actively engaged in a variety of community service projects that will better the lives of some of the underserved members of our local area. The holiday season is an especially hard time for families who are trying to put food on the table and have something to put under the Christmas tree for their children. The club, now 25 members, is volunteering for important charitable efforts.
Is your club considering a Peace-related project this year? Peace & Conflict Resolution is one of Rotary’s 6 Areas of Focus.   
 
Learn how you can receive D5495 support if you decide to ‘plant’ a Peace Pole in your community!
An Update on Tree Planting in District 5495 
As we have travelled the state, DG Nancy and I have been thrilled to see so many Rotarians and Clubs excited about, planning and taking action on the Tree Planting Challenge. From north to south and east to west, D5495 Rotary Clubs have embraced this call to action. As I write, there are 120 days until Earth Day April 22, 2018, and depending on where you reside, a relatively narrow window for optimal tree planting! 
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