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• FEBRUARY 2022
www.rotarydistrict6490.org
District Governor, Heather Stoa
It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One Positive peace is why the Urbana Club is the first club in our
must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to district to become a peacebuilder club. The club supports the
believe in it. One must work at it. Silverwood neighborhood by assisting with youth activities
- Eleanor Roosevelt and addressing food insecurity. It has installed peace poles
throughout the community designating those spaces as
If you have a received an email from me,
conflict free areas. To learn how your club can become a
you will recognize Eleanor Roosevelt’s
Peacebuilder club, CLICK HERE.
quote as my tagline. Because of the
importance of Rotary’s area of focus on For ways to participate in peacebuilding, CLICK HERE.
Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, I Rotarians are practitioners, educators, mediators, and
have invested $25,000 in District Designated advocates for peace here in our own communities and around
Funds for a new global program designating District 6490 as the globe. Please join us as we create a more peaceful world.
a Peacebuilder District. Our contribution will be used to fund
In Friendship, Heather Stoa
the education of Rotary Peace Fellows, address the causes
of conflict, train leaders, and help communities overcome
violence.
The Rotary Positive Peace Facilitators Guide states,
“Promoting peace is the common thread that links all of our
organizational initiatives, including Rotary’s areas of focus
and polio eradication. When communities are embroiled
in conflict, their access to clean water, health care, and
education is compromised. Without peace, businesses fail to
thrive and the community as a whole suffers. One of Rotary’s
February is Peace and
greatest assets is our commitment to building relationships
and using those relationships to work together toward a Conflict Resolution Month
common goal.”
Dates to Remember...
Positive peace is why our district has committed $10,400 Feb. 19 - 9:00-11:30 - Heart 2 Heart Virtual Project
in DDF for a Global Grant written by District 6040 (Lee’s Fair
Summit, Missouri Club) and the Addis Ababa Sheger Rotary
Club in Ethiopia.. Although the grant is an economic and Feb. 23 - Founding of Rotary in 1905
community development grant, by providing young adults Feb. 26 - Virtual Interact Conference
with mentors, education, job training and participation March 5 - Youth Exchange Officer Training, Clinton
in Youth Innovation Councils, the grant will offer the American Legion
opportunity for a job and a future where the unemployment
March 26 - RLI at Heartland Community College
rate for young people is 23%. Stability leads to a stronger
community and less violence. April 3 - District Foundation Dinner at Parke Regency
Hotel in Bloomington
Empowering Girls District Governor Heather Stoa One of the best parts about being District Governor is learning what clubs are doing and connecting them with one another. During my presentation to clubs, I talked about RI President Shekar Mehta’s “Empowering Girls” initiative. We know that life for many girls around the world is grim, but we also know that Rotarians are problem solvers. Through Heart 2 Heart grants in Mexican schools, a toilet blocks project in India, and the partnership between Champaign West and Puerto Cortés Rotary A successful day of sewing by Peggy Hardy, BN Sunrise; Cindy Guthrie, Club in Honduras, we are addressing water, Mahomet; Connie Unruh, Clinton and Clinton Interactors sanitation, and hygiene issues in schools. Installing private bathroom facilities means Interactors cutting patterns. girls are more likely to stay in school. In my speech, I commended the Clinton Interact Club for empowering girls by sewing reusable Interact member Lauren menstrual pads for girls in third world countries Unruh using the die cut through the Days for Girls program. machine. Unfortunately, I learned that the sewing wasn’t going so well – the patterns were too difficult for inexperienced sewers. I did not know until after I gave my speech that women in the BN Sunrise Club had been sewing pads for quite some time. In January, Cindy Guthrie from Mahomet, sent me an email asking for clarification about my talk. She told me she loved to sew and was interested in helping. Several emails later, Connie Unruh, Clinton Peggy Hardy, one of the BN Sunrise sewers, the Club, and Cindy Guthrie, Clinton Interactors, and Cindy spent a Saturday Mohamet Club, sewing together at Clinton Interact Advisor Connie reusable hygiene products” Unruh’s home sewing, learning from each other, and having fun! At the beginning of February, I approved a $500 grant from the Clinton Interact Club for a peer- to-peer project for Days for Girls. The Clinton teens are purchasing underwear and sewing 100 pads and bags for girls overseas! What a terrific example of Empowering Girls! And, what an amazing collaboration between Rotarians and Interactors in our district! Thank you!
A Practical Way to Help Girls Stay in School
Peggy Hardy, BN Sunrise
Can you think of a Rotary project that touches on How You Can Help (whether you can sew or not)
each of these areas of focus: maternal and child • Sew pads or bags. If you have beginning level sewing skills, we
health; education; supporting the environment; water, can provide a specific pattern for you to make drawstring bags
sanitation, and hygiene in schools; disease prevention; for the pads. If you have intermediate sewing skills and sew
and peacebuilding through equitable distribution of well enough to make clothing, you can make the pads. We have
resources? Read on. a packet of written sewing instructions as well as a video that
can help you get started.
The Problem • Cut pieces. PGD Julie Dobski and Pat Messinger have
Schools that serve the poorest of the poor around the
generously donated a die cut machine, which allows us to cut
world face many obstacles. One obstacle is that once
the pieces perfectly and quickly. It’s actually quite fun to use!
their female students begin to menstruate, they frequently
• Add snaps. Use our snap-application tool to add snaps to the
stay home during their periods because they have no
pads.
access to effective or disposable menstrual products.
• Donate materials. If you have some of these materials around
When they start to miss one week of school each month,
your house, we would love to turn them into pads:
many fall so far behind that they eventually drop out.
• Flannel
The Solution • Flannel-backed plastic tablecloths (these make a great
Several clubs in District 6490 have recently partnered moisture barrier)
with existing work that is helping girls attend school • Mattress pads (even if parts are worn out, we can use the
more consistently. We are sewing washable, reusable good parts)
menstrual pads for the girls to use. A local church • 100% cotton quilt batting (we can’t use batting with
has been sending the pads to Kenya for several years. polyester)
After experimenting with several types of pads, they • Organize a sewing party. It’s fun to sew together! PDG Julie
incorporated feedback from the recipients and finalized Dobski – Thank you, Julie! – has opened her Rotary office at
a pattern that works well and meets the girls’ needs. 1607 Commerce Drive in Bloomington to the seamstresses. It
Rotary is now using that pattern. The Kenyan school is a great place to have a sewing party. Or you can organize a
director says, “These pads are very useful for our girls.” sewing party in your area.
When she distributes the pads, she makes sure the girls • Come sew and learn with us! We have sewing parties planned at
understand how to properly clean them. BN Sunrise the Rotary office in Bloomington, for the following dates:
Rotary recently sent pads to Global Hands of Hope in • Thursday, February 17, 6-8pm
Uganda. Director Ritah Lumala Nalera who works with • Wednesday, March 2, 6-8pm
the Ugandan woman exclaimed, “These pads are exactly • Saturday, March 19, 9am-noon
what our girls need!” • Sunday, April 3, 2-4pm
The long-term goal of Rotarians is to help organizations Please contact Peggy Hardy at hardy.peggy@gmail.com or 309-
procure and set up equipment and provide training 830-1772 to arrange donations, ask questions, or start helping.
necessary to make the pads on their own! Together, we are making a tangible difference in these girls’ lives!
Global Hands of Hope
(Uganda) director Ritah
Lumala Nalera, Peggy Hardy
BN Rotarians -Front: Julie Dobski, Peggy Hardy
Back: Bev Stevens, Jonell Kehias, Sue Seibring, Julie
Payne, Julie Rhodes
Decatur Rotary Launches Each One Bring One
Membership Campaign - A “How to Guide” District Membership Director Mary Hodson
Phil Romano, Club Membership Chair Making friends with interesting people who are
committed to helping others is one of the greatest gifts of
Last November, Membership Chair Phil Romano and committee Rotary membership. The more Rotary connections you
members Bruce Nims and Fred Lohrstofer brainstormed ideas make, both locally and internationally, the more rewarding
for gaining new members. Rather than three guys sitting in a your Rotary experience will be. Rotary International
room trying to figure out who should be invited to join Rotary, President Shekhar Mehta has asked each of us to share
they brought index cards and pens to a meeting. All members that experience in his “Each One, Bring One” campaign.
present were asked to take a few minutes, work independently or
in a group, and come up with names of people who fit the Rotary Ohio Rotary District 6690 has developed a successful
ideal of service and would make great members. They received toolkit for growing membership. The District developed
40 names and eliminated the duplicates. They then talked to the a simple campaign that asked clubs to focus on one easy
Program Chair and asked for a date for a New Potential Member assignment each month of the Rotary year. Your club can
Luncheon. The names of prospective members and their contact adopt and adapt one or more of District 6690’s user-
information were written on index cards and placed on a table friendly ideas to fit its own unique style.
by the entry door. As members arrived for the next meeting, they Starting off, District 6690 focused on strengthening bonds
were asked if they knew any of the individuals and asked to take within their own clubs, by making a purposeful effort
their card and invite them to lunch on January 24th. to reach out to fellow members. Next, they looked at
Out of the 25 names, 21 attended the January meeting. The how they could improve on their scripts and methods for
program consisted of using 15 words of why to join Rotary and welcoming and engaging guests. Every new guest who
scrambling the letters. The committee put those sheets on the visits a Rotary club should go away saying to themselves
tables and while members and guests were eating lunch and and to their co-workers, “Wow, what a friendly group
visiting, they asked them to unscramble the words as they were of interesting people!”. Clubs developed handouts that
the presentation. they could give to guests, speakers and local chambers of
commerce.
Using two microphones, committee members zigzagged across the
room and had each person introduce themselves. Another month, clubs devoted a meeting to completing
worksheets with questions designed to make members
Phil Romano served as master of ceremonies and Bruce Nims was think about people they know who could benefit from
in the crowd. Bruce put together a great PowerPoint that showed Rotary membership, e.g., people starting out in their
the scrambled word and had it transform to the correct word careers, newcomers to town, new retirees, and widows
with pictures in the background of rotary events/members that and widowers who need a new routine. The worksheet
correlated to that word (i.e.: friendship). Phil asked the attendees can be tailored to the club activities each month by
what they came up with for the answer to the scrambled word. asking members to think about who would enjoy hearing
Once announced, he would call on a Rotary member who had scheduled speakers or who would have a specific interest
previously been asked to be involved to say something about how in the service or social activities planned for the month.
that word related to them and Rotary (no more than two minutes). They also use social media to introduce and welcome
In the spirit of our unofficial #5 new members and to recognize member milestones and
of the Rotary 4-Way Test – “Is It contributions.
Fun?”, Bruce put on a the big nose The District also developed an easy membership
and mustache. There was lots of contest. The name of each member who brings a guest
interaction throughout, so it wasn’t to a meeting, club social or service activity is entered
the standard, “Here’s why you should into a monthly drawing. The winner of the drawing can
join Rotary.” At the conclusion, Phil designate a local charitable organization to receive a $75
told the attendees that they were donation. Members of beneficiary organizations are then
proposed as someone who would invited to Rotary and both are recognized in club and
make a great Rotarian, and we’d love District 6690 social media.
to have them join us. Packets with
information about how to join were To learn more about District 6690’s easy ideas for
distributed, and guests were asked to pose for a group photo. The growing membership, visit their website HERE.
Decatur Rotary Club believes we will see a strong return of white
cards – updates to follow.
Global Grant in Honduras Approved! Virtual Interact Zoom
Congratulations to the Champaign West Club, grant writer Conference - Feb. 26
Michael Hirschi, and the Puerto Cortés Rotary Club in Honduras
for approval of a $55,614 Global Grant to bring new restrooms, Rotarians in District 6490:
handwashing stations, and clean drinking water to two schools If your club sponsors an Interact
near Puerto Cortés. The bathroom facilities were heavily damaged Club, please encourage your
during hurricanes, and both schools need septic systems. The Interact members to sign up
grant will help reduce waterborne disease and school absenteeism for the 2022 Virtual Interact
by improving the sanitation systems and providing hygiene and Conference.
sanitation training in the schools. At the Zoom conference, Isa
Champaign West, Arcola, BN Sunrise, Mahomet, and Mattoon Hernandez, a freshman at
Rotary clubs contributed $13,073 in cash to the grant, and $18,399 University High School in
was contributed by District 6490 in District Designated Funds Urbana, will share how she is
(DDF). The money from DDF is possible because of donations working with the local park district and Rotary clubs to
made by individual Rotarians in our 43 clubs to The Rotary plant a pollinator garden to improve the environment.
Foundation in 2018-2019. Thank you to those who give to make Interact Club members will share service ideas with
projects like this possible. other clubs. The conference also will feature interactive
games and a chance to win one of fifty $20 gift cards.
Death of Past District Governor The conference will be held via Zoom from 9:30-11 a.m.
Sat., Feb. 26. There is no cost to participate.
Bill Jones Register before 6 p.m. Feb. 25 - HERE.
It is with sadness that District 6490 notes
All registered participants will receive the Zoom login
the passing of Past District Governor
information via e-mail before the event.
William J. Jones, 82, of Villa Grove on
Monday, January 31, 2022 at his residence.
Bill served as District Governor in 1996-
1997 and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Bill was born on March 12, 1939 in
Tuscola to William and Isabelle (Davis).
He married Lois Robinson on December
10, 1967 in Tolono.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois Jones; two children,
Phillip (Sara) Jones and Jane (Doug) Pickett; four grandchildren,
Susie Pickett, Sam Pickett, Will Jones, and Jack Jones; and one
brother, Thomas (Becky) Jones.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two twin sons, Joseph
and Jackson Jones; one daughter, Susan Jones; and one brother,
John Jones.
Bill was a member of the Villa Grove Rotary Club, the Camargo
Township Library Board, School Board, Chamber of Commerce,
Masonic Lodge, Crime Stoppers, Ham Radio Club, Nifty Fifties,
and Experimental Aircraft Association. He spent 58 years in dental
practice (1964-2022). He was an avid railroad enthusiast and
small plane pilot.
Condolences are sent to Bill’s family and Villa Grove Rotarians.
Rotary Club Presidents 2022-2023
Thank you for your commitment to Rotary
and your willingness to serve your Club as
President in 2022-2023. Serving as Club
President is one of the most important roles in
Rotary International. I am looking forward to
serving along with you as District Governor.
History is being made with Rotary International President Elect Save the Upcoming Training Dates:
Jennifer Jones serving as RI President in 2022-2023. Exciting • March 19-20,2022 - Land of Lincoln President Elect
times ahead, so let’s enjoy the journey! Training (LOLPETS) (Districts 6490,6510,6560,6580);
LOL PETS registration is open. REGISTER HERE Holiday Inn, Effingham
• April 30,2022 - District Assembly; Champaign
Your Club has been assessed for your entry fee, so you do not • June 26, 2022 - Club & District Installation; Champaign
need a credit card to register.
Registration info for President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) Training will be provided with exceptional speakers,
Thelma Keller Conference Center Effingham, IL informative workshops, detailed district training sessions,
March 19-20, 2022 fellowship and networking. Keynote speakers include:
Rotary International President Elect - Jennifer Jones
Hotel Block—Call the Hotel’s direct line to lock in your room Rotary International Director 2021-2023 - Elizabeth Usovicz
and rate. Be sure to ask for the “LLP” “Land of Lincoln PETS” Rotary Board of Trustees - Larry Lunsford
discount rate.
Holiday Inn Effingham - 1301 Avenue of Mid America,
Effingham, IL 62401 - 217-540-7777
Rate: $119 plus taxes (connected to the Conference Center)
Country Inn & Suites - 1200 North Raney, Effingham, IL 62401
- 217-540-7555
Rate: $95 plus taxes (next door to the Holiday Inn)
Includes complimentary breakfast
Normal HS Interact Brings Good Cheer
During the sometimes bleak month of February, members of
the Normal Community High School Interact Club set out to
spread some happiness and good cheer at their school. At their
Feb. 8 meeting, they took up their brightly colored markers
and Post It notes to create uplifting, encouraging messages that
were posted on
windows and in
the hallways.
Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation Position Statement on
COVID-19 Vaccination and the Charleston Rotary Club Resolution
On December 16, 2021, Rotary issued the following: The Coles County Health Department reported more than
1,300 people in the county (187 a day) tested positive for
As the first organization to envision a polio-free world
COVID for the past week. More than 12,000 county residents
through mass immunization of children, Rotary believes the
have tested positive since March of 2020 with at least 146
decision to vaccinate is a humanitarian imperative. The Rotary
deaths. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center officials on Tuesday
International Board of Directors and Rotary Foundation
reported 39 COVID patients are in the hospital, 31 of them
Trustees believe that:
have not been vaccinated. Of that number, eight are in critical
1. Global vaccination is the path to ending the pandemic, care. Seven of the eight have not been vaccinated.
and we strongly encourage vaccination for all individuals,
The Coles County Health Department says just 42.5 percent
including our members.
of Coles residents are fully vaccinated. The Charleston Rotary
2. Misinformation hinders the fight against COVID-19, and
Club encourages unvaccinated residents to contact the health
we are committed to providing our members with science-
department or Sarah Bush to get vaccinated and get the
based information.
booster.
3. Rotary is engaged in assuring equity in vaccine access to
all people. Through joint efforts with Gavi, the Vaccine Rotary International’s employee vaccination rate stands at
Alliance we are leveraging our frontline experience with over 99 percent. The Rotary International Board of Directors
polio to facilitate vaccine delivery. and Rotary Foundation Trustees believe that as one of the
4. Rotary salutes health care workers everywhere as they greatest advances of modern medicine, vaccines are safe,
continue to provide lifesaving services. We encourage effective and save millions of lives each year. The Charleston
clubs to offer recognition and encouragement to these Rotary Board of Directors concurs.
heroes.
Globally, Rotary is working to ensure equity in vaccine access
5. Rotary and Rotaract clubs are encouraged to redouble
to all people. Those efforts have included work with GAVI/
their efforts to support COVID-19 prevention and
COVAX to facilitate vaccine delivery in several low- and
vaccination efforts.
middle-income countries where Rotarians are active. GAVI/
6. As one of the greatest advances of modern medicine,
COVAX is a partnership including WHO and UNICEF
vaccines are safe, effective and save millions of lives
focused on global access and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
each year. They have eliminated or controlled numerous
diseases such as polio, smallpox, measles, and Ebola, Rotary is a global non-political service network of 1.4 million
and now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a
pandemic through vaccination. world where people unite and take action to create lasting
7. The eradication of polio remains the goal of the highest change. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action
order for Rotary. We can continue to apply the lessons have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action
we have learned in fighting polio to COVID-19 response on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and
efforts. health, Rotarians are always working to better our world, and
they stay committed to the end.
At the Charleston Rotary Board meeting in January, the 14
members of the board endorsed COVID vaccinations with the District Governor Heather Stoa strongly supports the
following statement: statement released by Rotary International and The Rotary
Foundation, “All of us know someone who has been impacted
As the COVID pandemic continues to infect large numbers
by COVID. The illness, loss of life, and the inability to
of Coles County-area residents, the Charleston Rotary Club
interact with family and friends over the past two years has
board of directors is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.
been heartbreaking. As Rotarians, we must take the lead in
The 14-member board supports Rotary International’s stance
promoting COVID immunizations just as we have in the
that approved vaccines are the path to ending the pandemic.
fight against polio.” She is encouraging clubs throughout the
Rotary “strongly encourages vaccination for all individuals,
district to pass their own resolution as the Charleston Rotary
including our members.” Rotary has spent more than 30
Club has done and promote vaccinations in their communities.
years encouraging vaccination as the way to rid the world
of polio, and Rotary believes the decision to vaccinate is a
humanitarian imperative.
Welcome to New Members
Thank you to their Sponsors!
Each One, Bring One!
Andrea Arduini, Bloomington-Normal Sunrise
Katie Blakeman, Champaign
Ellen Burbage, Lincoln
Cindy Crawford, Rantoul
Casey Diana, Urbana
Christopher Grogan, Bloomington-Normal
Sunrise
James Hampton, Champaign West
Nothing But Nets’ annual Summit - 2022 Leadership Summit: United Alvaro Hernandez, Champaign
to Beat Malaria - is a fully virtual event that will bring together Erin Jennings, Bloomington-Normal Sunrise
hundreds of passionate global health advocates and feature some Ryan Mefford, Mattoon
of the world’s most influential figures in the fight against malaria. Bobby Pierce, Hoopeston
Click HERE for more information about this unique opportunity Glenn Rauh, Metamora-Germantown Hills
of traveling to the frontlines to witness the direct impact of your Joe Sanders, Champaign
dedication and connect with other passionate champions. Roland White, Savoy
REGISTER HERE by February 11th!
If you’re based in the US and would like to meet with your Members
Happy Anniversary
of Congress, your last day to register is Friday, February 11th. Once Rotarians 25+ Years
you’ve confirmed meeting participation, our team will include you in
Thank you for your
email and text message communication with the latest details, tools
Commitment to Rotary!
and updates regarding your Summit
participation. Janice Bahr, 34
Marilyn Benedino, 33
For more information on RAM-
Dean Bingham, 27
Global visit www.ram-global.org.
Dean Cavey, 36
Woody Chenault Jr.,36
Jeff Clodfelter, 43
Tod Dawson, 55 Rodney Morris, 33
Stephen Hamburg, 55 Robert Parkhill, 69
Butch Haussermann, 48 Eileen Prillaman, 26
Debra Hirschi, 28 Jennifer Shelby, 26
Thomas Hodson, 36 David Smith, 43
Donald Jordan, 47 Cynthia Somers, 26
David Keeling, 43 Joe Talkington, 28
John Kingery, 45 Lott Thomas, 59
Beth Manuel, 26 Phillip Van Ness, 26
Nancy Martin, 34
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