(With many thanks to Rotarian Debbie Vance for the holiday graphics)

December 2024

Happy December to all Rotarians and wishing everyone the very best this season has to offer us! It’s a time for giving to others and offering thanks for all we have received. I am extremely grateful for all that our 53 clubs and their members have done in support of the communities we live and work in and how we have helped thousands of people experience the magic of Rotary. 

One of the outcomes that I am most grateful for is the outpouring of love, support and financial aid we have been able to provide to the counties of western North Carolina in our sister District 7690. We challenged our clubs and members to raise $50,000 which we pledged to match in District funds should we reach that 50K goal. I’m happy to say we did it. Our clubs and members have raised in excess of $52,000 and we have pledges of more to come. We have also matched the first $50,000 contributed and electronically transferred $50,000 to the Zone Foundation as we pledged to do.

We have also identified a grant opportunity which will provide some much-needed assistance to the people of Black Mountain and Swannanoa. There are more details included separately inside this newsletter but I’m happy to announce that this grant has been approved and the funds already received. We will be kicking off the service opportunities in January, understanding that opportunities will be limited. Many thanks to AG Cindy Fink for the work she did in identifying this opportunity!

I’m also extremely grateful for the way in which clubs have supported our District-wide initiatives such as cleaning the waterways in conjunction with the Catawba Riverkeeper in October and how clubs continue to do so with our support for putting shoes on the feet of Title 1 students through Samaritan’s Feet. We will be wrapping up that project by providing 1000 pair of shoes and socks to at least eight elementary schools spread throughout District 7680.

Of course, I am immensely grateful to the amazing Rotarians who worked so hard to make our Rotary Foundation Celebration such a huge success. We were thrilled to have 330 people in attendance at this event, held in Gastonia for the first time ever, at the Civic Center. We were even more thrilled to have Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick and Rotary International Director Patrick Eakes in attendance. Thank you to everyone who made this magical event possible!

We are looking forward to the start of the calendar new year of course, and with that, our Mid-Year Assembly and Pre-PETS which will be held on January 25, 2025, in Statesville. Registration is OPEN and we are encouraging Club Presidents, Presidents Elect, Foundation Chairs and other club leaders to attend.

We have a District Social event organized for January 31^st when we will assemble and cheer on the Charlotte Hornets as they take on the LA Clippers at the Spectrum Center! Tickets are very limited so get yours early if you want to attend and hang out and have some fun with other Rotarians!

I truly appreciate each and every one of you. You and your clubs are the reasons Rotary is what it is and you are the reason for so many smiles being on the faces of youngsters across this District. I don’t think there’s anything better than that. Thank each and every one of you for your support of Rotary, your love of your community, and your relationships with every Rotarian you know. It’s those relationships that literally make the magic of Rotary a reality.

DG Kevin Kendrick

Zone 33/34 Grant Application for Western North Carolina Recovery

(Many thanks to AG Cindy Fink for identifying this opportunity.)

District 7680 Rotarians will have an opportunity to work with Bounty and Soul, a non-profit based in Swannanoa and Black Mountain, NC.  Hurricane Helene hit these two towns particularly hard.  Swannanoa is an unincorporated town and, therefore, is not getting any recovery money made available to municipalities through the state and federal governments.  Swannanoa was particularly hard hit, destroying businesses, homes, vehicles, and more.

Bounty and Soul is a longstanding non-profit providing free nutritious food to people in need.  They provide produce, eggs, and bread. Usually, they purchase food from local farmers, but any farm touched by floodwaters has been contaminated.  Bounty and Soul buys food from other farms in the high country in Jackson and Clay counties and works with other regional produce providers.  They work to push food out to the community in multiple ways.  They offer grocery box pickup and delivery to homebound folks and run mobile and pop-up markets.  The main draw of the markets is food, but they also offer yoga, meditation, music, and other activities that nourish the soul and body.

Since Hurricane Helene, Bounty, and Soul’s weekly food budget has grown from $8,000 to $18,000. To feed people over the next four months, December, January, February and March, Bounty and Soul will need $288,000.  Their pre-Hurricane Helene budget was $128,000 for four months. Our first application is for $25,000.  Ultimately, we would like to apply for $25,000 per month for 4 months to help them get through the winter.

Fortunately, the Hurricane did not affect the 10,000-square-foot warehouse they purchased last spring. It has the capacity for dry and cold storage to support the food crisis in their area.

Bounty and Soul uses volunteers to unload trucks, make boxes, pack grocery boxes, and greet clients. They will allow our Rotarians to sign up for volunteer days. Rotarians have an opportunity to provide hands-on assistance by helping to make boxes, unloading trucks, and setting up mobile markets. We will offer Rotarians specific days, dates and times when they can volunteer.  We will ask each Assistant Governor to be responsible for a minimum of one day. It is approximately a two-hour drive from 60 % of our area.

Our Rotary grant and our Rotary hands can help feed folks in Swannanoa and Black Mountain. Please let your Area Governor know if you can help serve in January.

Learn more at https://bountyandsoul.org/

Mental Health Corner

Romy Cawood, PhD

Finding Balance during the Holidays

A few years ago, I noticed how many people asked me if I had “gotten my holiday shopping out of the way.”  Although I do not do much holiday shopping, the question made me pause to do a pulse check on how I, and we as a culture approach the holidays.  Whatever your faith, and whatever your family and culture’s traditions are at this time of the year, you move through a season that is full of expectations of you.  Those expectations may include that you:  keep up a busier social schedule, be financially generous with people and institutions, create happy memories for your children, carry on traditions from the past, participate in work gatherings with their own rituals and be joyful doing it all.  It is of note that all of this comes at the winter solstice, when our body’s natural rhythms want more rest.  What to do? 

Here are some tips for finding balance during the holidays:

1. I often recommend focusing on balance within a 24-hour period.  But for the holidays, i.e., Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, keep your weekly and monthly calendar in mind as you manage commitments and activities to make sure you don’t get caught up in a festive but exhausting crunch period.

2. Don’t feel obligated to continue every tradition in your family, friend, or work group.  Reflect on which are most meaningful or important to you and those you care about and prioritize those.  Don’t be afraid to edit.

3. Identify which holiday activities require more energy from you, and which are restorative as you make your plans.  Some require more effort than we imagine (every time!), but others can be restful, like watching a favorite holiday film or attending a solemn religious service.

4. Don’t let financial pressures boss you around.  Strain on the wallet is a major source of stress for many people during and after the holidays.  Treat commercial pressure like peer pressure and stand up to it.  Reflect on your values and let them guide your spending or saving during this time.

5. Go outside.  Being in nature is both soothing and invigorating.  I recommend being outside for at least 15-20 minutes at midday to keep your circadian rhythms oriented.  Being outside in the dark or dark with holiday lights can be relaxing in its own way.

6. If this is your first holiday without a loved one, take extra care of yourself.  Find your right balance of reaching out to and being with others and turning inward.  Recognize that while the first holiday without a loved one is a stark departure from the past, it also does not represent what future holidays hold but is truly a unique moment of transition. 

7.  Do not be afraid to innovate and edit your approach to the holidays!  Maybe you incorporate an evening restorative yoga class as part of your December.  Maybe you block a weekend of the season entirely for relaxation. 

I wish you a peaceful holiday, and will see you in the new year!

 For more resources on balance during the holidays:

Holidays Are Not Always ‘The Most Wonderful Time’

Top four holiday stressors and how to reduce them

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/soul-console/202312/holidays-are-not-always-the-most-wonderful-time

Holidays don’t have to mean excess stress. It’s time to reframe your thoughts.

https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/holiday-season

Even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most Americans

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress

District-wide Service Project

District 7680 will be conducting district-wide service project in order to create impact within the District and garner maximum media interest. These are projects that impact our entire District and as such, lend themselves to participation from many clubs. We hope to create awareness about Rotary and our causes and attract potential members while making an impact in the areas of focus associated with these causes.

Please see the following project and consider helping us grow our impact as we share the gift of Rotary with others!

Alexander County: Title I Schools – Alexander County Schools District

Alleghany County: Title I / Title I Schools (alleghany.k12.nc.us)

Anson County: Title l Schools – ANSON COUNTY SCHOOLS (ansonschools.org)

Ashe County: Federal Programs / Title I (schoolwires.net)

Cabarrus County: Cabarrus County Schools – Title l Overview

Cleveland County: CCS Title I – Title I Schools (google.com)

Gaston County: Title l Schools 2023-2024 on GCS Letterhead.pdf (gaston.k12.nc.us)

Iredell County: Title 1 Contacts – Iredell-Statesville School District (issnc.org)

Mecklenburg County: Federal Programs / Title I Schools (cmsk12.org)

Richmond County: Federal Programs • Departments – RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOLS

Rowan County: Federal Programs / Title 1 (rssed.org)

Stanly County: Title I Program Information 2023-2024.pdf – Google Drive

Union County: Federal Programs / Federal Programs (ucps.k12.nc.us)

Wilkes County: WCS Title 1 Schools – Title I – Wilkes County Schools

MAKING A DIFFERENCE One Club at a Time

There is something happening in District 7680 that seeks to bring the Rotary Action Plan to life where Rotary really happens – in the clubs! Growing clubs have an ATTRACTION Rate 10X Greater than ATTRITION. Interested in being a GROWING Club?

Here’s what they have in common:

• Intentional Member Engagement
• Meaningful Service
• Effective Governance
• Strong Public Image
• Representative of Community (Diversity)

How does it happen? District 7680 has a team of folks ready to come out and work with your club to guide you through the Visioning Process and begin the journey to becoming a growing club. Last spring several clubs in the district indicated an interest in participating in this process. A team member is in contact with these clubs to ascertain their continued interest and subsequently set up a time for the process to begin.

Additional clubs are invited and encouraged to participate. Please contact Marcia Scheideman, District 7680 Club Visioning Chair for additional information about this exciting initiative. ([email protected])

As we approach the end of the year, I invite you to consider making a gift to The Rotary Foundation in December. Your donation will help us to continue our work of making a difference in the world.

The Foundation is Rotary’s global humanitarian arm, and it supports a wide range of programs that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as disease, poverty, and illiteracy.

When you give to the Foundation, you are investing in a better future for all. Your donation will help us to:

• Eradicate polio
• Promote peace and conflict resolution
• Provide clean water and sanitation
• Support education and literacy
• Empower women and girls
• Protect the environment

Your gift to the Foundation will make a real difference in the lives of people around the world. Please consider making a donation today.

Thank you for your support!

District Rotary Foundation Chair, Kam Chandan

Foundation Matters – Monthly Bite-sized Webinar

Third Thursday each month at 6 pm – 6:45 pm Eastern Time. Join virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85767045645?pwd=Gc3KmgTKdV63aIarbDYnuEBZY8vizZ.1

Let a few of your Rotary friends know you care over the holidays

One of the major benefits of Rotary is relationships with high quality people. We may join for service, but we often stay for the friendships, connections, support and enjoyment. And of course, these relationships are with people who recite the Four Way Test each week. 

District Governor Kevin Kendrick has asked us to put a lot of emphasis on ‘member care’ this Rotary year, especially within our own clubs. We are a caring organization almost by definition, but we are also busy people. So, we sometimes have to be intentional about our caring. Caring is a series of deliberate acts. Not complex or time consuming; just deliberate.

So DG Kevin and I ask you to take 30 minutes this holiday season to reach out to 2 or 3 Rotary friends, letting them know you were thinking about them. Do this especially if it’s been a while since you saw them. It is surprising how powerful a small caring act can be. And there is no better time than during this busy holiday season. 

Mike Walker

District Membership Chair

Having a Public Image Plan for Your Rotary Club: Why It’s Important and How to Create One

Submitted by Mark Daniels, District 7680 PI/PR Chair

In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever for Rotary clubs to have a strong public image. A well-crafted public image plan can help your club attract new members, raise awareness of your community service projects, and build positive relationships with other organizations.

Here are some of the key benefits of having a public image plan:

• Increased visibility:  A public image plan can help your club to reach a wider audience and get your name out there in the community.
• Membership growth:  A strong public image can make your club     more attractive to potential new members, and help keep your current members engaged.
• Enhanced community engagement:  A public image plan can help you to build stronger relationships with other organizations and individuals in your community.
• Stronger brand recognition:  A consistent public image will allow people to recognize and remember your club, and help you to control the perception of your club in the community.

Find more helpful information regarding creating your club PR/PI Plan, Rotary Club branding & logos, and Content Calendar(s) in the ElevateRotary toolbox. 

Remember, a strong public image is essential for the success of any organization. By taking the time to develop and implement a public image plan, you can help your Rotary club to make a lasting impact on your community.

Global meeting of Peacebuilders

December 17, 2024

Dear Peacebuilders,

We hope this message finds you well!

We’d like to warmly invite you to our Global Meeting of Peacebuilders on December 17, 2024. We’ll be meeting at three different times to accommodate everyone across the globe:

·    12:00 MIDDAY (London Time)

·    5:00 p.m., (London Time)

·    10:00 p.m. (London Time)

No need to worry about passwords or registration – simply click the link below to join us for some holiday cheer!

Meeting ID: 533 632 6427. Zoom link – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5336326427?omn=84380787996#success

It’s going to be a relaxed and fun session, so please feel free to bring your favorite beverage and snacks, and don’t forget to wear your best (or worst!) Christmas attire. It’s all about the spirit of the season! 

Looking forward to seeing you there, and celebrating together!

Pee Dee Area News

Lots of great things are happening in the four Rotary Clubs which comprise the Pee Dee area:

• The West Stanly Club recently held their annual golf tournament at Red Bridge Golf Club in Locust raising all the funds needed to match a District Grant to fund scholarships for students from the western areas of Stanly County.  Last year 12 scholarships were awarded for both undergraduates and community college students. President Donna Carter and the club looks forward to making this year’s awards later in the spring. 
• The Rockingham Club held their largest annual fundraiser on election day. The Rockingham Rotary Barbecue and raffle grossed over $50,000 and will be used for their annual community grant program supporting the work of many not-for-profit organizations that work for the betterment of the Richmond County area and for student scholarships.  President Kristi King is really proud of the work done by the club to make this a huge success. 
• President Jay Almond of the Albemarle Club recently presented the The CART Fund with a check for $12,150 which were the profits from the 3rd annual Race to Remember held in June.  Tiffany Ervin, Director of The CART Fund, visited the Albemarle Club and gave an update on the grants and progress being made in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease and other related dementia diseases. 
• The Albemarle Club has two significant events coming up – a Harlem Wizards vs. Stanly Dragons basketball game at Pfeiffer University on January 30th and The 2nd annual Red Dress Gala.  Past-President Mandi Rogers was recently able to present a check for $10,500 to PDG George Soloman which will be given to Gift of Life International.  Gift of Life International is an amazing group which works to treat children with heart disease and train doctors in over 80 countries.
• The Wadesboro Club is certainly a club of service as they have assisted with many community events including Trunk or Treat at Morven Elementary School and helping serve food at the recent Senior Christmas Lunch.  President Ashley Scarborough and the Club members are currently preparing for their large fundraising clay shoot event later this spring.  Last year’s event raised around $100,000 for community grants in the Anson County area.

Gastonia Rotarians at the Veterans Day Parade

The Rotary Club of Gastonia is proud of its Armed Services Veterans. This year, 7 of them participated in the annual Veterans Day Parade held in historic Dallas, NC. Les Davis, Charlie Peninger, Donald Parrott, and Walter Hobbs are shown marching with the club banner, while Fred Caldwell, Tete Pearson, Don Warren, Fred Caldwell, and guest Bill Woody rode in a classic convertible. The club also recently continued a traditional service project of writing notes of thanks and encouragement to patients at the VA Hospital in Salisbury.

Gastonia East and Rotary Club of Gastonia partner for Christmas Social

The air was cold, but spirits were warm on Monday at our joint Christmas Social! Special thank you to everyone who came along and for those who helped fill the table with gifts for children of the NC mountains!

Rotary Club of Davidson

Rotary Club of Davidson Giving Tree Village Illuminates the Spirit of Giving: Community Unites to Support Local Nonprofits. Davidson, NC. (The following press release was prepared by Cristy Carroll of the Davidson Rotary Club)

 The Rotary Club of Davidson proudly announces the remarkable success of the Giving Tree Village during this year’s Christmas in Davidson. With thousands of visitors, 63 participating nonprofits, and 63 tree sponsors, the event showcased the extraordinary generosity of our community. 

Celebrating Generosity

This year, the event raised over $45,000 for local nonprofits, with each organization receiving a base donation of $200 and additional funds generated through in-person votes and online donations. A special thanks goes to Lowe’s Home Improvement for their generous donation of trees and to Novant, our signature sponsor, whose support significantly enhanced individual contributions.

2024 Prize Category Winners

Biggest Overall Donations:

First Place: Wakami Foundation ($750)

Second Place: Bridge of Hearts ($500)

Third Place: Promising Pages ($300)

Cabarrus Rotary Honors Alan Goodman for 30 Years of Perfect Attendance

(The following was part of a press release issued by Lisa Perry, PI Chair for the Cabarrus County Rotary Club)

L-R: DG Kevin, Alan Goodman, AG Dana Ritchie)

Concord, NC – December 6, 2024 – The Rotary Club of Cabarrus County proudly recognized Alan Goodman for an extraordinary milestone—30 years of perfect attendance at Rotary meetings at their regular club meeting this week. A dedicated member since 1994, Goodman’s unwavering commitment to Rotary’s mission exemplifies the club’s values of service, fellowship, and integrity.

Goodman, a longtime resident of Cabarrus County, has actively participated in countless community initiatives, fundraisers, and service projects. His perfect attendance record reflects not only his dedication to Rotary but also his passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

Cabarrus Rotary is part of the larger Rotary District 7680 and District Governor Kevin Kendrick was on hand to recognize Goodman’s achievement in person. “In a time of increased mobility and fleeting loyalties, achieving something as significant as thirty years of perfect attendance at weekly Rotary club meetings is an incredible example of what engagement as a Rotarian can be,” said Kendrick. “Alan is not only applauded for this remarkable achievement, but he is also lauded for the quality of volunteerism he has contributed during those years.”

Alan joined the club on December 1, 1994, alongside his sponsor, local veterinarian Stephen Foster. He led multiple efforts as a club member eventually becoming the club president in 2004–2005, which was also Rotary International’s 100^th Anniversary year.

Goodman shared with the club that he decided to make perfect attendance his mission early on. “After being in Rotary only a few months, I recognized the amazing amount of good Rotary did both locally and internationally and learned quickly I could be a part of serving others,” he said. “I also saw an opportunity to meet people and develop new friendships. After this assessment, I decided I wanted to be ‘all in’ and the only way to be all in was to be there every week so as not to miss anything.”

Alan added that “it goes without saying that God blessing me with good health for 30-years was essential” and he was truly humbled by the outpouring of love.

The Union West Club makes every holiday a special one for our men and women serving in the military. This is from a Facebook post and demonstrates the power of collaboration: 

“This past week our very own Robin Barron, dressed as Mrs. Claus, brought Christmas cheer from our community to the Marines and Sailors at Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune. Various organizations partnered and a community of friends made the gifts possible. This project began in 2018, to boost the morale and share the holiday spirit and show that there is a community who cares! 1850 stockings were delivered. Special thanks to the other major sponsors: VFW Post 2423 James Crump, VFW Post 2423 Auxiliary, Union West Rotary , Unionville Lions Club, Winston & Skipper, Team Chevrolet of Swansboro and Sodexo.”

Council on Resolutions

The Council on Resolutions meets online every year to vote on proposed resolutions and urgent enactments. This Council differs from the Council on Legislation.  The main difference between the Rotary Council on Resolutions and the Rotary Council on Legislation is the type of action they consider:

• Rotary Council on Resolutions

Votes on resolutions, which are requests to the Rotary International (RI) Board or the Rotary Foundation Trustees to take action outside of the constitutional documents. The Council on Resolutions meets annually online.

• Rotary Council on Legislation

Votes on enactments, which are proposed changes to the legislation that governs Rotary. The Council on Legislation meets every three years. 

The 2024 Council recently concluded, and Sarah Christensen, manager for Council Services issued a Report of Action which contains all of the resolutions adopted by the Council for consideration by the Rotary International Board of Directors or the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees.