Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
District 7680 and The Catawba Riverkeeper
Supporting our Environment
Submitted by PDG Kevin Kendrick
District 7680 is committed to improving our environment, and in support of that commitment, our Finance Committee approved sponsorship of an autonomous water monitoring meter on the South Fork of the Catwaba last year. The monitor was recently installed at the McAdenville Boathouse, and members of District 7680 were on hand to witness the official dedication.
District Governor Donna Moffett represented our District, accompanied by DGE Jerry Coughter and DGN Sharon Heinrich. PDGs Luther Moore, Joe Morris, Chris Jones, and Kevin Kendrick were also in attendance. In addition, we were honored to have past-President Kim Brattain of the Charlotte Club present because of her commitment to protecting our environment.
Representing the Catawba Riverkeeper was their new Executive Director, Dr. Mo Drinkard; Susannah Bryant, Marketing and Communications Manager; Brandon Jones, Riverkeeper; and Jenn Dunn, South Fork Watershed Manager.
If you want to check out what the autonomous water monitor is measuring, check out the link below!
https://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/monitoring
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It’s District Grant time — training, planning,
and celebrating our District Grant projects!
Submitted by Sharon Heinrich, DGN
Important Reminders:
Register for District Grants Training
Saturday, March 28, 9-11AM (Zoom)
Register NOW for District Grants Training 2026 (All registrations)
Does your club plan to apply for a district grant project next year (2026-27)?
District Grant training is required each year for clubs to receive a District Grant. Register with the link above or in DACdb calendar. Access the Zoom event link in DACdb calendar. Learn more about District Grant training and a new refresher option after Final Report reminders.
Start planning NOW how your club’s proposed projects will “Create Lasting Impact”. Grant applications are due by June 15, 2026.
Did your club receive a district grant this year? Finish well. Final reports are due by June 15
Is your project complete? Please submit your Final Report now.
Is your project in progress? Submit your Final Report as soon as it’s done, due by 6/15/26.
Have you encountered unexpected delays or challenges? Consult the District Grants Chair as soon as possible, by 3/31/26 to discuss options.
For questions or more information, email Rotary7680DistrictGrants@gmail.com.
District Grant Training
– A “live” Zoom training will be offered Saturday, March 28, 9 to 11 AM
This is the grant preferred training, best for members new to the grant process or who did not do grants training last year. Ideally, an experienced club member and one or more newer members, club leaders, and those involved in the grant project will participate.
– NEW “Refresher” Option
This year, we’ll offer a “refresher” option for members who are very familiar with the D7680 District Grant process AND who participated in District Grant training last year (March 2025). Register for grants training and answer the questions. Complete the refresher by reviewing training slides and recording (after the live training), then participate in a shorter on-line session. We suggest that another member attends the live session.
District Grant Highlights for Clubs 2026-27 (1-page summary of timelines & guidelines)
Reminders for 2025-26 Grants
– Celebrate and share your projects. Take photos. Document impact. Keep receipts.
– Share your project for our district newsletter (NewsletterD7680@gmail.com) and with District PI/PR Chair (Mark Daniels).
– Submit a Final Report (within 2 months of completing a project, no later than June 15.
To enter a Final Report, access your grant application in DACDB, and open the Final Report tab. Under Budget tab, update funding sources & expenses. Upload invoices and key documents under Documents and upload at least 4-6 good quality photos in Images.
For more information or questions: Email Rotary7680DistrictGrants@gmail.com. Check out the Grants Overview page in DACdb Grants module to learn more how to submit district grant applications and complete final reports.
Here’s to continuing to “Unite for Good” & “Create Lasting Impact” as D7680 Rotarians!
Together in Rotary service,
Sharon Heinrich (Cell 704-860-7736)
Member, Rotary Club of Gastonia
D7680 District Governor Nominee
Immediate Past D7680 District Grant Subcommittee Chair (2023-25)
The Art of Peace
Youth Art Competition
Hosted by the District 7680’s Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution Committee (PCPR)
Deadline for Submissions: April 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Click here for details.
MIKE’S MEMBERSHIP MINUTE
Submitted by Mike Walker, District Membership Chair
Do You Know Someone Who Could Benefit From Rotary? Invite Them Soon.
It’s safe to say most of us have a variety of good quality friends, co-workers, acquaintances and neighbors we’ve never asked to a Rotary meeting or activity. I think the simplest way to think about who to invite is – could they benefit from Rotary, and could Rotary benefit from them?
Inviting is highly personal. One person inviting one person at a time. It’s easy to do if you keep the Four Powerful Benefits of Rotary top of mind – relationships (with high quality members), service (both locally and worldwide), growth (both personal and professional), and learning (about the community and members).
Many people may NEED the connections in Rotary far more than you realize. For some, yours may be the only invitation they will receive in their life!
Follow up is key. While someone from your club should follow up on your guest, you must do the same. Show you care by how persistent your follow up is.
Finally, if your guest joins, stick with them. Shepherd them through their Rotary journey, even if it requires you to learn more about Rotary yourself. 😊 Asking how you can help them get the most out of Rotary may yield some surprising and rewarding answers.
Inviting, follow up and shepherding are all acts of caring. People are drawn to places where people care, so be that caring person who starts with an invitation.
CLUB VISIONING
Submitted by Marcia Scheideman, District Learning Facilitator
Shape the Future of Your Club with Visioning
What do you want your club to look like three years from now? More members? Stronger projects? Greater community impact? Club Visioning helps turn those ideas into a clear, achievable plan.
Club Visioning is a powerful, facilitated process that brings members together to imagine the future of their club—and map out the steps to get there. Through a collaborative and engaging session, members work together to identify priorities, set meaningful goals, and develop an actionable roadmap for success.
One of the greatest strengths of Visioning is that it gives every member a voice in shaping the club’s direction. Instead of planning year-to-year, Visioning creates a long-range plan built on consensus, providing continuity and consistency for leadership, programs, and projects.
Clubs that participate in Visioning often discover renewed energy and alignment. Members feel heard, leadership becomes more focused, and the club gains a clear path forward. The result is stronger engagement, more effective initiatives, and a shared commitment to achieving meaningful impact in the community.
Most importantly, Visioning is not just about planning—it’s about bringing ideas to life. Together, members create practical steps to implement their vision and ensure that the club’s goals continue to grow and succeed over time.
Ready to help shape your club’s future?
Join us on this exciting journey. Bring your ideas, your enthusiasm, and your passion for Rotary—and let’s build the future together.
For more information about scheduling a Visioning session for your club, contact Marcia Scheideman, Visioning Coordinator, at mscheideman.ms@gmail.com.
New Opportunity for Leadership Training, Inside and Outside of Your Club!
Submitted by Marcia Scheideman, District Learning Facilitator
Leadership in Action: Where Leadership Turns to Impact — New Leadership Training Opportunity Available to Rotarians
Strong organizations are built by strong leaders—and leadership is a skill that can be learned, strengthened, and refined. This summer, Rotary club members are invited to participate in Leadership in Action, a new pilot leadership training program designed to turn good intentions into meaningful impact.
This interactive, hands-on experience will help participants better understand their personal leadership style, strengthen communication skills, navigate conflict management with confidence, and build high-performing teams. Whether you are a current leader in your club, employment, or other volunteer organization, or someone preparing to step into a leadership role, this program is designed to be practical, relevant, and immediately useful.
The pilot session will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a facilitated follow-up session on September 19, 2026, featuring additional topics and supporting real-world application.
Leadership in Action is more than training — it’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded Rotarians, sharpen essential skills, strengthen your leadership competencies, and expand the capacity of our organization for the future.
Space is limited. Watch for registration details and join us as we turn leadership into action—and action into impact. Contact Marcia Scheideman (mscheideman.ms@gmail.com) for additional information.
Rotary Foundation Webinar for AI
Submitted by Kam Chandan, Rotary Foundation Chair
Join us for the next Foundation Matters Webinar: Using AI to Do Good in the World – Rotary Style
Thursday, March 19
6:00 PM Eastern
During this practical session, Rotary leaders will receive:
A simple introduction to AI – understand the basics and how it can support your club
An easy method for writing effective AI prompts to get better results
Practical tips and real examples of how clubs can use AI to support projects, communications, and engagement
Ideas to better share the impact of The Rotary Foundation
The Foundation Matters Webinar Series is designed for Club Presidents, Foundation Chairs, and Rotarians who want practical tools to strengthen their club’s impact.
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GHUl7y8FTbqpRG0gAR6oxQ#/registration
We hope you’ll join us for this informative and practical conversation!
Gifts that Pay You Back
The Rotary Foundation recently hosted a webinar on how you can access financial resources you may not have known about.
Did you know that Rotary members over the age of 50 can make gifts that unlock income for themselves and loved ones? You can watch Vice Chair of The Rotary Foundation Greg Podd, Endowment/Major Gift Adviser Jayne Hulbert, and Senior Planned Giving Officer Erin Groble to learn how you can make gifts that secure your financial future and your Rotary legacy.
Topics discussed include:
- Unlock a stream of lifetime income with a gift of cash or appreciated securities,
- Reduce or delay Capital gains tax that would be due if you sold the assets outright,
- Turn illiquid assets like real estate into a meaningful gift that provides income and other tax benefits,
- Give from your IRA while deferring taxable income and satisfying your required minimum distribution requirements,
- Receive Major Donor or Arch Klumph Society recognition for the full amount of your gift, and
- Support the Foundation programs closest to your heart and create your Rotary legacy.
There are many ways to give and support the causes you care about most. In this webinar, we will explore how your values can align with your financial goals and how to plan for the greatest impact.
Here’s a link to the webinar: Watch the recording and Review the presentation slides
Polio Update
Submitted by Tom Smith, Polio Plus Chair
Polio Update – February 2026
A Strengthened Vaccine Supply, Renewed Global Commitment, and Extraordinary Frontline Efforts
February brought encouraging momentum to the global fight against polio, marked by major advances in vaccine production, renewed international solidarity, and heroic work on the ground in the last remaining strongholds of the virus.
A Major Boost to Global Vaccine Supply
India’s Biological E achieved WHO prequalification as a full manufacturer of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), a milestone that significantly strengthens the world’s outbreak‑response capacity. With the ability to produce 600 million doses annually, this expansion in supply is expected to accelerate efforts to stop type 2 variant poliovirus outbreaks and protect children in high‑risk regions.
Global Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Eradication
At the WHO Executive Board meeting, Member States underscored their unified determination to deliver a polio‑free world. WHO Director‑General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the dramatic drop in wild polio cases—from 99 in 2024 to 41 in 2025—as evidence that vaccines remain one of the most powerful tools in global health. Delegates also emphasized the renewed spirit of cooperation following the December 2025 pledging moment in Abu Dhabi, signaling that international partnership remains strong even amid geopolitical challenges.
Polio in Numbers
As of 24 February 2026, no wild poliovirus cases had been reported globally for the year, compared to three at this time in 2025. Circulating variant poliovirus cases totaled eight, up from one in the same period last year—an important reminder that vigilance, surveillance, and rapid response remain essential.
Japan Renews Support for Afghanistan’s Immunization Efforts
The Government of Japan committed US$6.3 million to strengthen polio eradication and routine immunization across Afghanistan. This investment will support vaccine procurement, delivery systems, and community outreach—critical components in a country where millions of children under five remain vulnerable.
400,000 Polio Workers Mobilized in Pakistan
Pakistan launched its first national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 with an extraordinary 400,000‑strong workforce. These WHO‑trained vaccinators—many of them women traverse mountains, remote valleys, and densely populated urban areas to reach 45 million children with lifesaving drops. Their dedication continues to be one of the most powerful forces driving the world toward eradication.
A World on the Threshold of Eradication
Discussions at the WHO Executive Board reinforced that polio eradication is not only a scientific challenge but also a geopolitical one. Outbreak response in conflict‑affected regions, including Gaza, has demonstrated the need for sustained political will, cross‑border collaboration, and unwavering support for frontline health workers. Yet the message from global leaders was clear: the world has the tools, the knowledge, and the collective resolve to finish the job.
Looking Ahead
With strengthened vaccine supply, renewed international investment, and extraordinary frontline commitment, February’s developments reflect a world steadily closing in on the end of polio. Continued advocacy, funding, and community engagement—especially from partners like Rotary—remain essential to ensure that polio becomes only the second human disease ever eradicated.
District Support
To fund the work to finish the job of Eradication Polio from the World, continued club support is imperative. We are well on our way to meeting our $100,000 goal for this Rotary year, but we need not only meet it but exceed it. With your support we can. Please ask all your members to donate at least $40.00 to honor the 40 years of effort Rotary has made through the Polio Plus Fund. Every club and club member should support this cause. Please make this a priority and encourage your membership to donate to Polio Plus Fund at the Rotary Foundation. There are currently 8 clubs with no support through the end of February, and I look forward to the March report with all clubs giving support. I have attached the Giving Report for your review.
I want to thank the clubs who are supporting the effort and especially the Top 5 Giving Clubs:
| 1. Mecklenburg County South | $12,650 |
| 2. Charlotte International | $7,641 |
| 3. North Wilkesboro | $7,030 |
| 4. Charlotte | $6,385 |
| 5. Charlotte South | $5,717 |
| District Total Giving February 28, 2026 |
$82,280 |
| District Goal | $100,000 |
Rotary Introduces AI Guidelines for Members
Rotary International has released new AI Guidelines for Members to help Rotarians and Rotaractors use artificial intelligence responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with Rotary’s mission and values.
The guidelines encourage members to embrace AI as a tool to enhance club operations—such as drafting communications, generating ideas, and supporting outreach—while maintaining strong human oversight and judgment. At the same time, they emphasize the importance of protecting privacy, avoiding the use of confidential or sensitive information, and safeguarding Rotary’s brand and intellectual property.
Key principles include:
- Use AI ethically and transparently to further Rotary’s impact
- Protect personal and confidential data—when in doubt, don’t upload it
- Verify accuracy and avoid bias in AI-generated content
- Respect Rotary branding and intellectual property guidelines
- Disclose when AI plays a significant role in creating content
These guidelines serve as a practical framework to ensure AI strengthens Rotary’s work while upholding the organization’s commitment to trust, integrity, and service above self. Click here for the detailed document.
Cabarrus County Holds a Combined Membership Event for Area Clubs
Submitted by AG Dana Ritchie
Cabarrus County area leaders gathered for a “Lunch and Learn” recently to entertain strategies to increase Rotary Membership. The meeting was hosted ADG Dana Ritchie at Pinnacle Bank in Concord.
Marty McInerney, a member of the District Membership Committee, led the lively discussion, supported by DG Donna Moffett, who was also in attendance.
Marty presented ideas on “Ways to Connect with Prospective Members” as well as “Retaining Existing Members” and shared other effective tools available in Rotary.org, as well as the New Club Creation Application.
Attendees, who represented five Cabarrus County area clubs, discussed efforts that had been both successful and unsuccessful in increasing membership. By learning from each other’s experiences, they will plan to engage new members, as well as create a welcoming environment that will encourage existing members to stay involved.
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Charlotte Dilworth Addresses Food Insecurity
Submitted by PDG Kevin Kendrick, Charlotte Dilworth South End
The Charlotte Dilworth Club has recently partnered with Sedgefield Middle School in Charlotte to help address food insecurity issues. We’re grateful to get our second batch of backpacks containing shelf-stable food items to McKinney-Vinto families and others in need at Sedgefield Middle School! We were able to pick up items at Costco on Wednesday, get them packed on Thursday morning, and delivered on Thursday afternoon for distribution today. So far, we’ve delivered about 60 backpacks over a two-week period.
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Charlotte Dilworth Fundraiser!
Submitted by Amarja Webb, Past President
The Charlotte Dilworth Club will be hosting its second annual “Pickleball for a Purpose” event on March 28,2026, at the Cornwell Center in Charlotte. We need your help in helping us to raise funds for our service projects! We can’t do this without your help! Come on out and support us so that we can continue to do good in our communities!!
LINK TO REGISTER: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pickleball-for-a-purpose
Mooresville – Lake Norman Supports Local Health Clinic
Submitted by Cathy Johansen
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Mooresville-Lake Norman Rotary Club was proud to present HealthReach Community Clinic with a $4,000 check in support of their wonderful organization. Mooresville-LKN has deep roots with the non-profit and was honored to make this donation, which was matched by a 1:1 grant from Rotary District 33. According to their information, HealthReach is a free clinic that provides primary medical and mental health care to uninsured, low-income residents of Iredell County. There is no cost to eligible patients. It is located at 400 East Statesville Ave, in Mooresville. Keri Montagnino accepted the donation on behalf of the clinic.
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Pictured from left to right, President-Elect John McLaughlin, President Ann Nivens, Keri Montagnino, and Past President Sonny Morton |
