June is here, summer is in full swing and that means that we are entering our final month of the Rotary year. This will be my last monthly message and I want you to know what a joy it has been to serve as your District Governor.  
Together we have accomplished the following in the 2022-23 “Imagine Rotary” year:
  • Imagined what we want our club Rotary experience to be and focused on retaining our members by building relationships; 
  • Served others and connected with each other through impactful service projects;  
  • Worked together to support our Rotary Foundation Annual Fund through:
    • Regular giving
    • Support of District Matching Grants with the highest spring Annual Fund match participation in our District 5870 history
    • Raised +$96,000 for Polio Plus , the 3rd highest Polio Plus contribution in 23 years tracking
    • Support of Raffle Mania Annual Fund Fundraiser - to view winners announced in my May Message, click here 
If you have not already done so for the 2022-23 Rotary year, I encourage you to contribute to our Rotary Foundation - Annual Fund now. Your contributions have a direct impact on your future club DAP Grant projects, Club Giving Recognition Banners, Vocational Scholarships, Global Grants/Scholarships and special projects such as the district-wide food packing project that over half of District 5870 members participated in during my official visits. 
 
As our last project of the year, District 5870 Cozumel Green School Water Project, you may not know that the public schools of Cozumel do not have drinkable water accessible via school water fountains and faucets. As our final project of the year (running into the fall), we will fund a water project using water collection that will not only give students access to drinkable water but will also create growing beds in which students will learn to cultivate their own food (a novel idea on this tropical island). We will create an opportunity for those interested in hands-on service in Cozumel, Mexico being planned for the fall of this year.  Click here to access information on the Cozumel Green School Water Project and learn how you or your  club can participate. 
 
I have enjoyed connecting with so many of you at my club visits, service projects, club & district events and appreciate the input & feedback received to ultimately make our district stronger. Thank you for your willingness to  “Imagine Rotary.” with me. I have had the time of my life and it is all because of YOU. District 5870 has an amazing group of Rotarians and I have enjoyed getting to know you over the past year and developing new friendships. I look forward to seeing you in the upcoming years as I am out and about. On July 1, we will turn our focus to the new theme and  “Create Hope in the World,” under our upcoming District Governor, Bob Crouch. I challenge you to take what you imagined this year and turn that dream into a reality. Have a fantastic summer! It has been an honor to serve with you.
 
In Service, 
DG Shannon
 
*If you would like to contribute to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund online and would like detailed easy to follow step-by-step instructions, click here to message me.