Rotary International President Elect Jennifer Jones unveiled the Rotary Theme for 2022-23, the Rotary Year that begins on July 1, 2022.

The announcement of the theme in January is not meant to supercede the current "Serve to Change Lives" theme for 2021-22 but instead to celebrate and introduce the theme that will officially go into effect on July 1.

The theme "Imagine Rotary" is inspired by Rotary's initiative to rid the world of polio (the purple) and it's newest Area of Focus - environment (the green).

“Imagine, a world that deserves our best,” Jones told incoming district governors on 20 January, “where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.”

Jones told the incoming governors about a chance she took when a member asked for assistance in getting a young peace activist out of Afghanistan during the U.S. troop withdrawal last year. At first unsure how she could help, she relied on “that certain Rotary magic” and contacted a former Rotary Peace Fellow she had met a few years earlier. Less than 24 hours later, the activist was on an evacuation list, and soon she was on her way to Europe.

To better engage members, Rotary needs to “adapt and retool,” Jones said, using her hometown as an example. Windsor was once the automotive hub of Canada. But after plant closings left thousands without work, the city needed to retool, in the same way an auto plant would, preparing for new parts or a new model. Now, Jones said, Windsor is a leader in agribusiness and medical and aerospace technology.

For Rotary, “finding the right ‘part’ to engage each member should be our core function,” Jones said. “It comes down to the comfort and care of our members.”

Our January "Pick Your Own Cause" service project is an exciting opportunity for you to do whatever you'd like to do!

Whatever you choose to do, please be sure to document your chosen project with a photo and the number of hours you volunteered by sending me a quick email note or text so we can share as a group and on social media. And, there's an added BONUS if you get a non-Rotarian buddy to tag along with you on your project, and you share that on your own social media, tagging them. Please let Tina know what you and your non-Rotarian friend did so she can enter you into a raffle that will be held at one of our February club meetings!

Need some suggestions? You could do something as simple as the below:

• Donate to the United Way's Covid 19 relief fund
• Bake cookies for a single parent
• Do some yard work for a neighbor
• Pay it forward at a Starbucks or other drive through
• Consider donating blood

Or do something that takes a little more creativity or sweat equity:

• Mail out a handmade card to Cards for a Cause
• Do a neighborhood walk and pick up litter
• Drop off a meal or get well package for a sick or injured person in need
• Deliver meals for Meals on Wheels (this would be done Monday through Thursday, so please do a delivery prior to the 29th, and it will count as your act of service).
• Help a neighbor or friend paint or repair anything that needs an outdoor fix
• Consider participating in the Clark Public Utilities Race for Warmth (100 percent of race proceeds assist CPU customers with assistance paying utility bills)

OR come up with your own idea! There are loads of non-profits in the community that need volunteer help.

Club members were impressed by the stories shared in the Three Creeks Rotary Story Slam contest.

Five members submitted videos to the Rotary Story Slam, and voters who watched the videos chose a three-way tie for first place.

The top three vote-getters are Kinsey Dhoot, Susanne Holmberg and Kristi Straight. All three videos were forwarded to District as our club's winners.

District 5100 also asked assistant governors to submit all videos produced by clubs for the Rotary Story Slam, so we've sent in all five of ours.

This year's Rotary Club of Three Creeks elections are complete, and the board of directors for the 2022-23 Rotary year is now verified.

Beginning on July 1, 2022, the following members will fill club leadership positions:

• President: Andi Costello
• President Elect (club president, 2023-24): Nelson Holmberg
• President Elect Nominee (club president 2024-25): Kinsey Dhoot
• Secretary: Susanne Holmberg
• Treasurer: David Wetmore
• Sergeant at Arms: Jesse Braman
  
• Membership Director: Carol Mackey
• Club Administration Director: Kinsey Dhoot
• The Rotary Foundation Director: Brian Heimbigner
• Service Projects Director: Tina Vlachos
• Public Image Director: Nelson Holmberg

The membership voted unanimously to approve the slate of proposed officers and directors that was presented by President Elect Andi, and read/published in November and December. The election was completed on December 29 via electronic ballot.