Rotary DG 5870 25-26 Todd Smith

09/09/2024

Whereas 99.9% of the world is polio free, the threat is still real and that is why Rotary International continues with its signature effort to eradicate the disease once and for all. Along with our partners in this effort, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, we responded to the recent outbreak in Gaza with a mass immunization effort this past week that had exceptional results and reminded the global community of what our efforts, alongside our partners, can accomplish.

As you’ll see in this brief video, https://media.un.org/unifeed/en/asset/d324/d3249810 the process as defined by Rotary to administer just TWO drops of the vaccine to children under the age of five was wildly popular. More children were vaccinated than anticipated! Each dose of the vaccine costs about $3. Less than a cup of coffee. You’ll also see the “purple pinkie” identifier, whereby children are marked on their pinkie fingers with purple marker to signify they have received the vaccine.

We will soon celebrate World Polio Day on October 24th, as we do each year http://EndPolioNow.org . If you’re not already aware of a local Rotary-sponsored event in your area and would like to help, reach out to your local Rotary Club http://RotaryClubFinder.org and support their efforts to recognize this important day. I’m aware of several such family-friendly events – Pints for Polio, Bowlio for Polio, Pinot for Polio, Paws for Polio, and one of the most fun of all: Pies for Polio.

Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self” and we have fun creating positive change in our communities and around the world. Why not check us out? https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/join

03/17/2024

Hats off to a presentation at this past Fridays meeting of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Texas when past District Governor Gene Davenport shared his thoughts on Doing Good Here at Home and Around the World. Gene's presentation was loaded with the rich history of our club and provided ample reason why we, as Rotarians, DO GOOD!

Thank you PDG Gene for sharing your encouraging and thought provoking message.

01/28/2024

Heading home from Tulsa after a jam-packed conference learning all about Rotary's phenomenal Youth Exchange program where we select and send high school students to study abroad in a nearly unlimited number of countries for up to a school year of studying abroad.

We also receive students from those countries to study here in the USA in a reciprocal exchange!

Curious? Learn more at http://Rotary.org/YouthExchange

In the not-too-distant future we'll be accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year.

01/20/2024

08/07/2023

This past weekend I embarked on the "heavy lifting" phase of my two-year training regimen to become District Governor for Rotary in July 2025 at our Multi-District Training Institute along with my peers from all over Texas and Oklahoma.

During the weekend at a "networking" event (hah!) I was honored to spend time with our upcoming Rotary International President-elect Stephanie Urchick and several awesome team members from my home District.

07/15/2023

I went and saw one of the most powerful, impactful, and memorable films I've seen in the past ten years: Sound of Freedom Movie . It is based on a true story of one man who, against the odds, took a stand against human trafficking and did the right thing. While it isn't a documentary, at times it felt like it, and the acting and production value is superb. Hugely entertaining despite a dark subject, this movie NEEDS to be seen, especially by parents with kids at home, or grandkids.

It is a small, independently released film and deserves a wide audience so that your friends and neighbors increase their awareness of this trafficking epidemic.

My Rotary club is soon launching a awareness initiative in Central Texas (and beyond) and the team really needs to see this film while it is still in the theaters. Be sure to stay for the end credits, too!

NOW STREAMING ON THE ANGEL APP!
Fight for the light. Silence the darkness.