District News
Staying Connected
Posted by Marta Knight, DG
 
 
 
As we begin Week Three of being at home, I want to share some thoughts with you as District Governor, club member and, most of all, as your friend.
 
I am so proud of everything you are all doing with your Rotary family and with each other.  You are  truly living out our theme this year .... "Rotary Connects the World", and you are also "Making Good Things Happen Together with Love, Compassion and Joy".
 
We are in this together day-by-day - figuring it out as we go and in our own very individual way.  Club members need each other more than ever right now.  We can be there for them the best way we can.  Now is the time to share your own special "gift" with each other.  Be creative, kind, generous and reach out to each other.  Stay in touch by setting up a phone tree. Each member taking three names and checking in on each other just to say "hi, am thinking of you".
 
Start sharing what you are doing with each other.  You are all doing incredible acts of kindness.  Every club activity that I see shared on Facebook, I forward to our Rotary Members and District 5340 member groups.  That keeps us connected.
 
I am also excited that we have set up our District COVID-19 Relief Grants.  We are going to redirect $15,000 of District funds from events that were canceled to club matching grants of $250.  You can then be "ordinary people who get to do the extraordinary and change lives" within your community.
 
I am here for you.  I am trying to find a balance with staying informed with the news and not becoming too anxious.  What makes me happy is being connected with all of you and being there to support you for whatever comes ahead.  I know that when it does, we will be ready for it because we are Rotarians and People of Action.
 
Stay healthy and when FEAR comes into your mind, turn it around to F-family, flexibility, E-exercise, education, A attitude, activity, R- reassurance, reading and Rotary!
 
Saludos,
 
Marta Knight
District 5340 Governor
 
District Grant Final Reports Due April 1
District Grant final reports are due April 1, 2020 (No fooling!).  Club presidents and/or project contacts need to log into matchinggrants.org and upload receipts to their project page.  Then, the final report needs to be filled in and submitted. Final reports must be submitted for clubs to receive a district grant next year.  If you have questions or need assistance, contact District Grants Chair Elana Levens-Craig at levenscraig@hotmail.com  or call at (619) 993-7805.
Special COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grants
COVID-19 Relief Grants
District 5340
 
District Governor, Marta Knight has released $15,000 from her annual district budget that was to be used for canceled district events.
 
These funds will be available as matching funds for clubs to do projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.  Each club will be entitled to up to $250 in matching funds for an approved project related to relief efforts for the current COVID-19 crisis.  These projects may address such items as food insecurity, access to personal protection equipment, shelter insecurity, education/outreach, etc.
 
Deadline for submission of these grants is April 30, 2020.  Grants will be reviewed, approved and paid out upon receipt to allow rapid deployment in our communities.  
 
Process to apply is as follows:
  1. Go to www.matchinggrants.org, click "District Grants", click "Submit Project" and enter your project idea.  Be sure to select the 2019-2020 Rotary year.
  2. Project title should be COVID-19 followed by your own wording specific for your project.  Starting the project title with COVID-19 will alert the Grants Committee that this is a special project being submitted under these special grant rules.
  3. For the budget section, enter the amount of club funds that your club intends to contribute to the project.
  4. Enter the total budget, which should be $250 more than the club funds your club intends to contribute if your club has pledged $250 or more to the project.  
    1. Example: Club contribution is $250, total budget would be $500.
    2. Example: Club contribution is $400, total budget would be $650
  5. If your club intends to contribute less than $250, you may double the club contribution and enter that into the total budget.
  6. The grant application needs to be electronically signed by the club president and the project's primary contact.  If they are the same person, the treasurer should be the second signatory.
  7. Checks will be issued in your club name.  You must securely upload under "documents" at matchinggrants.org, the mailing address where you want the check mailed.  
  8. Upon completion of your project, you must submit a final report online.  If this report is not completed by August 1, 2020, your club will not be eligible to receive DDF funds for District Grants for the 2020-2021 Rotary year.
If you have any questions please email Janice Kurth at janice@janicekurth.com.
 
 
 
Live Stream Jazz Concert
 
The Ghost Jazz Trio live concert and FOOD DRIVE is happening on Wednesday, April 1 from noon until 2:00 pm!  The event is co-sponsored by Old Mission Rotary and the Air Conditioned Lounge and is designed to entertain and connect us while we raise money for the San Diego Food Bank.  
 
As you are aware, all bars are closed but the musicians will be performing alone at the Air Conditioned Lounge in North Park with the aid of one audio-visual technician.  Safe social distancing will be observed by the band and no one else will be allowed onsite.    
 
Our goal is to raise $5000 in monetary donations through a special virtual shopping experience website established by the San Diego Food Bank.  You can login and donate anytime during the concert.
 
Please spread the word regarding the live stream event on the Old Mission Rotary and Air Conditioned Lounge Facebook Pages.
 
Thank you in advance to all those donating their time to make this happen:  James "fusion fingers" Morgan on guitar, Casper Paludan on drums, Aaron Seener on bass, Gary Collins, owner of Air Conditioned Lounge for the use of his venue, and David Blood who will do all the video live-streaming with three cameras.   
Connecting during the COVID-19 Response
 
For more than a century, Rotary has connected the world through fellowship and service.  The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our daily routines and forced the cancellation of many in-person Rotary and Rotaract club meetings and events.  But even when we can't hold our usual events, members have lots of ways to stay engaged, connected with one another, and serve their community.
 
Clubs can meet online using services such as Zoom, Skype, or GoToMeeting.  All three platforms offer robust support from their directions for setting up an account to helping with technical issues.  Rotary and Rotaract members get a discount on Zoom through Rotary Global Awards.  Members can also connect with each other on social media and with services such as FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or WhatsApp groups,
 
Learn how Rotarians and Rotaractors are staying in contact and keeping members engaged during these difficult times.
  • Find ideas and resources for holding virtual meetings, engaging through social media, and serving from afar in District 6690's Guide to Maintaining Member Engagement During the CPVOD-19 Pandemic.
  • Read how the Zone 34 Rotary coordinators are maintaining membership engagement (hint: ingenuity and adaptability) and download their COVID Responses Guide.
  • See how Big West Rotaract, a multi-district organization in the western region of North America, is connecting Rotarians and Rotaractors who are experiencing difficulties with others who can help.  Look at its Rotary and Rotaract COVID-19 Mutal Aid Form.
  • Read advice from Charlotte Ahiberg, past chair of the Rotary International E-Club Committee on taking your club online.  
  • Visit Rotary's website to get more tips and guidance for holding online club meetings.
How is your club keeping your members engaged during the COVID-19 response?  Share your ideas and resources in District 5340's Newsbits.  Send information and photos if you have them to Newsbits editor, Sandy Pugliese at sandyp304@gmail.com. 
Consider Donating Blood to the SD Blood Bank
As we look for ways to be of service during this COVID-19 pandemic, there is one essential community service that can always use your help - The San Diego Blood Bank.  
 
The Blood bank needs people to sustain the blood supply over the coming weeks.  Please consider making an appointment for a date in the near future.  If you make an appointment, please note that you should allow extra time as the Blood Bank has implemented new screening and cleaning processes.  This is to ensure your safety.
 
For more information, please go to sandiegobloodbank.org.  There you can find important links to further assist you.  To make an appointment, you can go to www.sandiegobloodbank.org/GiveLife.
 
 
 
Volunteer Opportunities
 
As we navigate the needs of our community during this COVID-19 pandemic and we learn of volunteer opportunities, we will share them with you.  Here are a few:
 
South Bay Helps
 
South Bay Helps is beginning a non-contact delivery system beginning today and they are looking for a few individuals to receive calls and a few more individuals to pick up and deliver meals.  This activity is considered essential activity and volunteers and are not restricted under the California stay-at-home order.  Volunteer drivers will not enter the Food Bank nor the homes of the individuals.  Deliveries will involve drive through pick up and doorstep delivery only.  For more information email Gina Woodward at southbayhelps@gmail.com.
 
Feeding San Diego
 
While Feeding San Diego isn't accepting volunteers at this time, they will match you with local needs.  Please fill out this form to help them guide you to a place where you may volunteer.  
 
Meals on Wheels
 
To volunteer with Meals on Wheels, you need to complete this form and then there is a process to follow, including a background check.  
Mission Gorge Rotary Club Charter Dinner Postponed
 
 
 
Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 virus, we are postponing the Mission Gorge Rotary Club's Charter Dinner to a future date when the "stay-at-home" order is lifted and we are safely through this current crisis.  We will announce the new date/time when it is available.  Stay safe and healthy!
Bill Gates TED talk on Pandemic from 2015
 
In 2015, Bill Gates did a TED talk concerning the potential of a pandemic.  He cites his study of Polio and the economic impact of such a pandemic.  This is well worth your eight-minutes of viewing.  Link provided by DGE Stve Weitzen.  
 
 
 
 
 
Fundraiser Benefiting Escondido Police Cadets and Fire Explorers
 
 
 
The Escondido East Rotary Club's Flower Fundraiser to support Escondido's Police Cadets, Fire Explorers and ROTC is now underway.  You simply order online.
 
Order a beautiful flower basket for Mother's day, for yourself or as a gift.  The Club started this fundraiser a year ago and the fundraiser was a rousing success.  They anticipate the same this year.  You can order online or download the form and  send the check to Sculpt Nouveau, 1155 Industrial Avenue, Escondido, 92029.  Please order by April 26!
 
For any questions, please call or text Don at 760-807-5131.  Thank you for your support.
How ClubRunner Can Help
 
 
COVID - 19: How ClubRunner Can Help You Serve Your Community
 
For those clubs using ClubRunner, we have received information on how they can help you stay connected.
 
Free trials and renewals extended by two months.
 
ClubRunner understands that you may need more time to evaluate your ClubRunner trial or make your annual renewal payments.  This is why they are extending their trial period by two months, and annual renewal deadlines will be automatically be extended.
 
Free upgrade: Enhanced Volunteer Module
 
To help your club mobilize its efforts within your community, they are offering free access and expanded usage of the Enhanced Volunteer Module for the next two months.  This has already been added to your account and no action needs to be taken.  You can learn more on how to use the module here.  
 
If your club is using the Admin Only version of ClubRunner, please contact ClubRunner for a free 60-day upgrade to the Standard version, which will allow you to use this module.
Read more...
2020 RI Convention in Honolulu Canceled
 
Dear Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Friends,
 
Let me get right to the unfortunate news - the RI Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 2020 Rotary International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.  We are all part of the Rotary family, and your safety remains our highest priority.  Like the more than 20,000 registrants who planned to attend this year's convention, I am very disappointed.  However, this is the right and  necessary decision to protect the health and safety of convention attendees, as well as those who call Honolulu home.
 
At this point, we are unsure that Rotary could adequately protect convention-goers from the risk of CPVID-19 infection en route to, during and after the convention.  We are also unsure if restrictions on travel to the United States will be lifted by June.  We have heard from a number of you who voiced concerns about gathering at the convention this year.  I also heard from many who were hopeful that we could continue with the convention as planned.  The Board was very diligent and considered all the facts before taking the decision.
 
Read more...
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Governor

District Governor Scott Carr
 
Marta Knight
District Governor 2019-20
Rotary District 5340
 
Rotary District 5340
P.O. Box 420786
San Diego, CA 92124
619-2-ROTARY  (619-276-8279) Phone
619-299-3826 Fax
 
District@Rotary5340.org
 
 
 
 

 

 

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With over 1.2 million members across the globe, Rotary is the place where business and civic leaders come to share ideas, connect, and get inspired. 
Rotary members are people of action, dedicated to sustainable, impactful change in the communities in which they live and work. 
 
 
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