Peoria North Rotary Club is one of six clubs within the district chosen to receive a $2,000 grant based on their recurring support of The Rotary Foundation.
District Governor David Simmer kicked off the district's first-ever virtual District Conference June 20 with a program recognizing the Service Above Self and Rotarian of the Year awards, as well as the winners of the Rotary Direct contest conducted over the past 11 months.
New this year were several awards recognizing a club’s recurring support for The Rotary Foundation. Awards were presented to clubs in two categories: highest number of members within a club participating in Rotary Direct, and a second for the greatest improvement (percentage-wise) in the number of members participating in Rotary Direct.
The top two winning clubs in each category received a $2,000 district grant to use however they determine. Remaining clubs in the Top 50% were put into a hat and one winner chosen in each category, with that winner receiving a third $2,000 grant.
Peoria North Rotary Club tied with Tempe Downtown for top honors in the category for the greatest increase percentage-wise in the number of members signing up for Rotary Direct over the past year. Both clubs achieved 100% of all members participating in Rotary Direct.
The E-Club of the Southwest USA captured the random drawing prize.
Mesa West topped all clubs in the district with the highest number of members participating in Rotary Direct, followed by the Phoenix 100 Club. The Rotary Club of Flagstaff was chosen as the random winner of a grant.
The following letter was sent by DG David Simmer to President John Fairchild:
Dear Presidents of the Mesa West, Phoenix 100, Peoria North and Tempe Downtown Rotary Clubs,
Congratulations to each of you for your participation in the Rotary Direct club competition that we had this year. Each of your clubs was one of the top two clubs in the contest categories for Rotarian participation in the Rotary Foundation's recurring contribution program -- Rotary Direct....meaning that we will be issuing a check for $2,000 to each of your clubs for your use to support your projects.
During the term of this contest we nearly doubled the number of District Rotarians who use this easy and consistent way to support the work of our Foundation. We hope you will continue to encourage this simple but effective method of supporting the Foundation by your club members. As you know, our support of the Foundation is crucial in not only funding life-saving projects around the world, but also is the source of funding for our District Grants.
Please accept my sincere thanks for your efforts this year. It is deeply appreciated.
With warm regards,
David
