We at the District International Service Committee (DISC, please remember yet another acronym) are pleased to update you about our journey thus far. We had an initial first meeting in September 2020 (yes a mega slow start, all blame on Geeta Kadambi). Our team consists of Sangita Seshadri, Shannon Chan and Patrick Coyle.
Our November meeting was participating in WASH project training sessions. Very useful updates are available on their website. So if any one of you are writing a water related project, we highly recommend you check their presentation slides out.
Our first meeting of all International Chairs from the 5170 clubs was in December. Good interaction happened between the participants. The intent was getting to know each other.
The January District 5170 International Meeting- Projects of Significance was a super hit. Worldwide International Chairs were invited and 59 participants from six different countries attended the meeting. More participation from our District is requested for making friends world over. We thank PDG Carlos Sandoval for his valuable time and doing such impactful projects. The Bakery Project for young males to learn new trade skills and rehabilitate after their drug addiction was heartwarming. They also have a microloan project. Check out the video of the meeting on our District website. They are open to collaborations. We thank Rotarian Dolly Parikh from Rotary Club of Silicon Valley Global Impact for presenting a mega project for elimination of water poverty project in India.
Our future meetings are going to be exciting. Month of February is Project pitch for next year from every club. Let's listen from every club. Rules are five minutes each for presentation and ask, 15 clubs in first round. The clubs with money, please consider supporting small and big projects. Help other Rotarians realize their dreams too. Some of you have done projects for years and know how fulfilling it is. Help new members or other members also get the thrill of giving. Are the meaningful projects not one motivation to join Rotary. If we have to grow we need to collaborate and nurture small and big projects.
Fabulous news for March and April. You asked and we strived to get it. Of course, Cecelia Babkirk had to use her super power to help us. The Rotary International Grant Team is going to give us (yes special for our district) training on grant writing about do and dont’s in every Avenue of Service in March and April. Stay tuned for dates and times.
May is for meeting and greeting new incoming Presidents and International Chairs so we would invite another round of project fair for folks who did not get a shot in February. It will be a busy schedule for the rest of the year so please stay tuned and do not ignore emails from Geeta Kadambi. 😊
If you want a review of your grant before submission, introductions to folks worldwide for collaboration, or have any new idea that you want covered, please reach out to us.
Dr. Geeta Kadambi, International Service Chair