District Governor Santhana Naidu
Dear Rotary Family,
Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation. This is a challenging time for people and businesses around the globe. Almost all elements of our daily lives are being impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, and our Rotary clubs have been impacted too. Conferences, fundraising events, celebrations, and service projects scheduled for the coming months are being cancelled or postponed. While many of us are feeling uncertainty in our lives, I have every confidence that we’ll rise up to the challenges this crisis presents and come out stronger.
It is heartwarming to see Rotarians in our district continue to serve their communities even during these difficult times, and finding innovative ways to meet and support each other. Several clubs have started meeting virtually using Zoom. (See article below.) I joined the Greensburg meeting virtually earlier this week and they didn’t miss a beat! Here are some tips and ideas to stay connected virtually: https://bit.ly/2JuSeeV
I am also urging club leaders to be flexible with your dues structure especially during these tough economic times.
Our district leadership is meeting soon to discuss extending the district grant deadline and how we might able to use them to support our local citizens and businesses impacted by this pandemic. Stay tuned for more information.
Congratulations to my friend Lance Eberle on his nomination to succeed DGE Jessika Hane and DGN Kirk Bouchie to lead our district!
Let's be creative during this time at home: play games, read, do crossword puzzles, exercise, listen to enjoyable music, and enjoy the opportunity to embrace "Service Above self." Continue to let your family know how much you love them.
Yours in Rotary service,
Santhana
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APRIL 17-18 DISTRICT CONFERENCE CANCELED
Given the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the District 6560/6580 leadership team has decided to cancel the April 17-18 “Rotary Together 2020” joint district conference at Embassy Suites-Plainfield.
To keep ourselves and our communities safe from the spread of COVID-19, we are all being asked to make difficult decisions.
On March 15, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement, advising against gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks. The agency said it was warning against large events and mass gatherings that include "conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies."
The agency called on organizers, individuals and organizations, to cancel or postpone such events.
"This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus," according to the guidance announcement
One day later, the CDC issued another statement, advising against gatherings of 10 or more.
Meanwhile, Rotary International President Mark Maloney writes:
“If the World Health Organization and your national, regional, or local health authorities discourage or prohibit gathering or traveling because of the risk of spreading COVID-19, follow their recommendations.”
Our entire district conference leadership team – including General Chair Bettye Dunham, District 6560 Governor Charles “Shu” Shumate, District Chairs Joe Hagedorn (6580) and Jeff Lake (6560), Programs/Speakers Chairs Laura Carie (6580) and Rick Markoff (6560) and other district leaders appreciate your understanding. Together, the team has worked hundreds of hours to make this year’s conference the best ever.
Here’s what you need to do:
CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS -- If you registered for “Rotary Together 2020” … and you paid by credit card … the full amount will be reimbursed to your credit card account.
If you paid by check … your check won’t be cashed. It will be returned to you.
EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL ROOMS – If you reserved a hotel room at Embassy Suites through the Rotary block of rooms, Embassy Suites says your reservation has been canceled without penalty. To confirm this action, call: (317) 839-1106 or 1-800-362-2779. Group Code: RDC (Rotary District Conference).
Finally, please make sure others in your club are aware of this information.
We know that many Rotary clubs are taking a break from in-person meetings for a few weeks. Please keep checking with each other, and find ways to connect through social media or phone calls. Consider what you and your club can do to help others in your community.
We are sad that we won’t be with you and our fellow District 6560 and 6580 Rotarians on April 17-18 to celebrate our 2019-2020 Rotary year.
If the situation improves, perhaps we can find another way to get-together and celebrate our many accomplishments before the end of the Rotary year.
~Santhana
