Rotary District 6800

07/23/2026

Make your plans now!! You don't have to have a Rotary title to attend! See you there!

07/21/2026

The Rotary Foundation was established in 1917 at the Rotary Convention by outgoing President Arch C. Klumph with a humble initial contribution of $26.50.

Designed as an endowment fund to "do good in the world," it has since grown into a massive global charitable organization.

07/16/2026

The fun continues....week two of visits with Midtown Memphis sunset club officer installation and Memphis East noon lunch club. Learning about these awesome clubs and the wonderful service that is happening in our District!
I love hearing the stories about Rotary....and sharing how to become a new member of our Polio PLUS SOCIETY! Get your BLING!

07/08/2026

See you in New Orleans!

Who is joining us down south next month!!

If you are looking to expand your leadership skills Rotary Zones 30 & 31 Institute Rotary Zones 30 & 31 - The Heart of America is for you!!

You don’t have to be an emerging leader to attend!!

And hello…it’s in New Orleans!!

There’s even a kids camp!

Sign up today!

https://www.rizones30-31.org/

07/08/2026

Happy New Year Rotary!!
And so it begins.....new District Governor Stephanie Crisp makes her first Rotary club visit and induction ceremony to the awesome club of Grenada MS! Congratulations!

07/04/2026

TRF Explained:what in the world is TRF......
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International. Think of it as the engine that funds and powers the good works done by Rotary clubs worldwide. Its mission is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, supporting education, and alleviating poverty.

🏛️ Structure: How It's Organized

· What it is: A public charity that turns donations into service projects that change lives.
· Who runs it: Governed by a Board of Trustees (different from the Rotary International Board of Directors, which runs the member organization).
· Where it is: Headquarters are in Evanston, Illinois, USA.

💰 Funding: The Three Main Funds

The Foundation's work is supported by three principal funds:

· Annual Fund: The primary source of money for yearly Rotary projects and grants. Donations are invested for three years before being spent.
· Endowment Fund: A permanent fund where the capital is never spent. Only the investment earnings are used, securing Rotary's long-term future.
· PolioPlus Fund: Specifically dedicated to the global eradication of polio.

🌍 Programs: How the Money is Used

The Foundation focuses its work in seven Areas of Focus: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, and supporting the environment.

It achieves this through two main types of support:

· Grants: Funding for Rotary clubs to carry out projects.
· District Grants: For small-scale, short-term, local or international projects.
· Global Grants: For large-scale, international projects with sustainable, measurable outcomes.
· Targeted Programs: The Foundation also runs specific initiatives, including the PolioPlus program, Rotary Peace Fellowships, and Vocational Training Teams.

In short, Rotarians and friends donate to the Foundation's funds, which are then invested and distributed as grants to clubs and districts. These clubs then use the money to carry out hands-on projects that make a real difference in communities around the world.

07/02/2026

💙 July is Rotary Maternal and Child Health Month 💙

As we begin a new Rotary year under Rotary International’s inspiring theme, Creating Lasting Impact, we also recognise July as Maternal and Child Health Month—one of Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus.

Every mother deserves access to safe pregnancy and childbirth. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, protected, and given the best possible start in life.

Around the world, Rotary clubs are helping make this a reality by supporting maternal healthcare, childhood immunisation programmes, nutrition initiatives, clean water and sanitation projects, healthcare training, and access to quality medical services.

These are not just healthcare projects—they are investments in stronger families, healthier communities, and brighter futures.

Together, we can help ensure that every mother has hope, every child has opportunity, and every community has the chance to thrive.

💙 Together, we are Creating Lasting Impact.

07/01/2026

𝗥𝗜 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 - 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Rotary has a way of surprising you.

It surprises you when a stranger across the table becomes a lifelong friend. It surprises you when a small project in one neighborhood ripples outward in ways you never imagined. And it may surprise you when you realize that the person Rotary has changed most … is you.

That is why this year, we are called to harness the change within ourselves, to look to the future, and to Create Lasting Impact.

Now, I want to be clear about what those words mean. Change is only the beginning. Impact is what endures. We must think of the long-term impact of every project. How can a new water system contribute to the long-term health of a community? Can residents help other communities build their own? How can a new classroom be part of a wider strategy to improve education in the area? That is the sort of thinking we need.

As we prioritize impact, we must also consider how our actions can contribute to peacebuilding. Peace does not happen by accident. It must be built deliberately and strategically. As you plan your next project, ask yourself: “How does this create the conditions for peace?” Consult the Pillars of Positive Peace to learn how we can bring the world one step closer to peace in everything we do.

The more you change your community and the world, the more you will change. Don’t just tell people about the projects you have run or the funds you have raised. Tell them how Rotary has shaped who you are. Those personal stories open doors, inspire new members, and remind all of us why we are here.

Storytelling is also an excellent way to recruit new members and raise funds. We need more people standing with us and more resources if we are to end polio, spread peace, and have a lasting impact on the world. We have set a goal of increasing membership to 1.25 million Rotarians and more than 125,000 Rotaractors by 2030, just in time for Rotary’s 125th anniversary.

Sit down with your club and look back over your accomplishments in the last few years. Find your best year. Maybe it was a record year for new members. Maybe you reached a fundraising milestone. Maybe you completed a project that the whole community is still talking about. Once you find that year, I challenge you to do better than your best.

In these ways and more, we will Create Lasting Impact across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Thank you, my dear friends. Now let’s get to work.

Olayinka H. Babalola
President 2026-27

06/30/2026

COUNTDOWN TO CREATE LASTING IMPACT ROTARY YEAR -- JULY 1, 2026

IT IS 1 DAY TO GO

On the 1st Day to a New Rotary Year, our focus is to: GET READY TO SERVE AND LEAD

The countdown is almost over. Tomorrow, A New Chapter of Service Begins

▪️Prepare your heart to serve with compassion and purpose.
▪️Lead with integrity, humility, and vision.
▪️Encourage your team to begin the year with enthusiasm and commitment.
▪️Step confidently into the new Rotary Year, ready to Create Lasting Impact.

The journey begins tomorrow. Together, let us serve, lead, and Create Lasting Impact

06/29/2026

RI Convention, Barcelona 2027 🇪🇸
Rotary’s global stage to Connect, Discover & Inspire to "Create Lasting Impact" 💙💛
From 26–30 June 2027, Rotarians from around the world will gather in the vibrant city of Barcelona to celebrate fellowship, service, culture, and the power of unity. 🤝🌎
Let’s share ideas, build friendships beyond borders, and create lasting impact together through Rotary. 🌟
http://convention.rotary.org/