Meeting the Pandemic Challenge!!! – It’s time to Pass the Hat!
 
Our clubs, you – have been nothing short of amazing this year!  Each and every day you do more and more to serve our Arizona communities.  Thank you!  
 
And thanks to your generosity and giving we are close to our goals, but more is still needed.  Despite the current challenges, we are $375,000 short of our normal giving!  I know that seems like a lot, but it’s actually only $172 per person.  What would happen if we met this goal?
  • We will be able to have the same funds in three years for you to do your community service projects with District Grants and Global Grants!
  • We will meet our annual giving goal in our fight to eradicate polio!
  • We can continue to meet the demand of Vocational Scholarships to Arizonans that need a fresh start in their education and career goals!
  • We can send our mobility devices to Kenya and our team of Interactors to Kenya and Mexico!
The Rotary Foundation – Last year, Rotarians in D5495 gave $359,034 to the Annual Fund.  This year, we are projected to give $221,280 – which means our giving is down $137,754 or 38.3%. I know our clubs have given so much to our communities in need… and I truly thank you!  However, if you have been financially blessed this past year, would you consider giving more?  In three years, we won’t be able to fund our District and Global grants in the same way.  https://my.rotary.org/en/donate
 
 
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona -  This year, the demand for grants is much higher than TRVFA has ever experienced. TRVFA has already funded as many grants as they did in the entire prior fiscal year.  Donations received year-to-date are also higher – but primarily because of the generosity of two donors who wish to remain anonymous.  The anonymous donors gave a total of $43,000. To date, only 7.18% of Rotarians in Arizona have taken advantage of the ability to help someone lift themselves out of poverty by making a tax credit donation to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) this fiscal year.  CLICK HERE to go to the on-line donation form which – like Rotary Direct – provides an opportunity to commit to a monthly recurring donation.    If you prefer to mail your donation, CLICK HERE to download a printable form.  Tax credit donations made by April 15 can be used for the 2020 or 2021 tax year (but not both). Vocational education grants are funded by TRVFA to individuals who meet specific low-income guidelines after they have been interviewed and approved by sponsoring Rotary clubs.  TRVFA grants  enable individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. TRVFA set an aggressive fundraising goal of $300,000 this year, hoping to keep up with increased grant demand and to increase the maximum grant back to $3,000.  TRVFA reduced the maximum grant in 2018 from $3,000 to $2,000 to be able to serve more students.  They are only at 56% of their $300,000 goal with only four months left in the year. Please consider helping.  Thank you!
 
PolioPlus Giving – Last year, Rotarians in Arizona gave $94,391.  This year we have given $50,762.  We have had a major setback in our goal to eradicate to Polio due to the COVID-19 pandemic!  We want to honor our promise to the world!  https://my.rotary.org/en/donate
 
Interact Ambassadors – Due to Covid-19, we are sending two teams this year since the opportunity was cancelled last year.  We are raising $35,000 to send the devices to Kenya and Mexico.  In addition, we are sending the students as well.  This is a life changing experience for the recipients of the devices, and for our Interactors.  Can you help? Please email me and I will send you the donation information: elizabeth.mahoney@ymail.com
 
What have we been doing?  February brought so many awesome opportunities!
  • USA/Mexico Friendship Conference - We held our first ever virtual conference.  We have over 265 Rotarians from all over the world register to be part of this awesome event.  Our Arizona district partners with Rotarians in District 4185, Central Mexico.  Over $600,000 worth of projects were presented, and over $300,000 was fully funded by your generosity.  Amazing work!  Where else in the world, can you get that done in one weekend?
  •  
  • Interact District Conference – Over 100 interactors came together to share their amazing success this year.  Projects ranged from writing letters to assisted living communities, creating dog toys, makings masks and so much more!  We heard from Mediators Beyond Borders, and four successful Interact clubs.  Truly fantastic!
  •  
  • Virtual RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).  Also an amazing accomplishment!  This was our second virtual RYLA of the year, and this team has nailed it.  I sat in on the Black White and Grey portion – really interesting to see ethics in action. 
  •  
  • Rotary Leadership Institute – Thank you to Polly Cady for your wonderful work with RLI this year.  We have had more participants and graduates that any other year!  I facilitated Session III with Art, and we had a great time with our group!  Strategic planning was the name of the game!
Rotarians – this whole year – you have been nothing short of a miracle.  I know donor fatigue is real and you have been generous. But we need to do more to finish the year strong. We can and will do this!  
 
It’s an honor to be serving with each and every one of you.
 
Elizabeth
Your virtual District Governor (2020-2021)
 
See you at Rotary Week of Service – April 17th – April 24th!!!  www.azrotary.org