COVID-19 STATUS UPDATE

COVID-19 STATUS UPDATE
March 24, 2020
 
Click Here to find important decisions taken by the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, concerning grants and other items.
 
Some of the highlights:
  1. Clubs can incur expenses related to COVID-19 back to March 15, 2020 and use 2020-2021 Grants to fund them.
  2. DDF can be transferred to the Disaster Relief fund. It can be designated for COVID-19 relief.
  3. Funds from our 2019-2020 open District Grant Fund can be used for COVID-19 projects; buying masks or thermometers, etc.
  4. There is money in the Disaster Response Fund as TRF funded it with $1,000,000.00 from the World Fund.
 
 
March 22, 2020
 
Dear District 6040 Rotarians –
 
I don’t have to tell you that the COVID19 virus has changed our lives forever.  I don’t have to remind you of the need for social distancing or for sheltering in place.  Plenty of news on that end.  What I do need to inform you is that we have decided to postpone our Rotary District Conference scheduled for April 24-26 at Margaritaville at the Lake of the Ozarks.  We have already notified the folks who had reservations of the need to delay and now we are informing everyone. The hotel has instructed us that they will cancel all of the room reservations that were made through the link we sent out to so you do not need to call them.
 
We have been working for the last week to develop an alternative. We have arranged with the resort to move the event until August 21-23, 2020.  This is the weekend before the labor day weekend so it will be a late summer event at the lake.  Guess what?  The hotel is extending the same out of season rate, of $114.00 a night, to the August date at the height of their busy season. All the pools and restaurants will be open and the lake will be hoppin!  Lots for the family to do and we will give you time to do it.
 
The event will definitely be different than our original plan.  More information on the rescheduled Four Way Test Speeches and Shoes for Orphan Souls rollcall will be coming out soon.  In their place we will be adding training events that normally happen in mid-August at our REAL event. And we will still plan on providing you with super speakers, entertainment, a great service event brought to you by Rise Against Hunger, and hopefully some 2019-2020 awards as well.
 
Do us a favor. If you have not registered and this looks interesting.  Hit reply and type WOW. No commitment on your part but it will help us in the planning for the event.
 
We hope to see you there.  In the meantime we wish you the best of health.  During this time of cancelled Rotary Club meetings please reach out to your fellow Rotarians and keep that Rotary core value of fellowship going.
 
Yours in Rotary Service.
 
Marc Horner and Don Gladhart
District Governor's 2019-2020, 2020-2021
District 6040
 
March 14, 2020
 
Dear District 6040 Rotarians –
 
You are, no doubt, quite aware of the pandemic virus COVID-19, and the impact that the virus is having on our nation and around the world. You have also seen the dramatic efforts that are being employed to slow or halt the spread of the virus. The situation is constantly changing and is realistically predicted to get worse before it gets better.
 
As Rotarians, I want to assure you that the leadership of District 6040 is monitoring the situation closely and will be taking any action necessary and prudent as it applies to District functions and activities, to protect the health and safety of Rotarians and our communities at large. In this process, we are carefully following the lead of Rotary International, and the guidelines and recommendations of organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
 
General Guidelines from Rotary International:
Rotary International recommends that members and participants follow the guidelines set by the World Health Organization and national, regional, and local health authorities to protect your health and safety. If authorities recommend it, postpone or cancel in-person meetings, or conduct them online or by phone.
 
Closely examine your personal circumstances, including any health issues, when you consider travel and participation in events.
 
Closings, Postponements and  Cancellations -District 6040
 
In District 6040, the following events are scheduled over the next two months that involve the travel and the mixing of Rotarians. 
 
EVENTS postponed, cancelled or suspended:
 
This being said, if a postponement or cancellation is merited by ongoing circumstances, we will take the appropriate action and communicate it to all those who are impacted. We are prepared to make adjustments and take all precautions necessary to protect event attendees.
 
Closings, Postponements and  Cancellations – Individual Clubs
With regard to other club events within the District, we are confident that the leadership of each club will be monitoring the situation nationally and within our communities to make appropriate decisions for each of our clubs.
 
We understand the concerns that individual Rotarians may have during this trying time  and they should consider their own unique situations with regard to these events. We also realize the importance of Rotarian's joining together to share and grow.  Expect additional messages with regard to this situation over the next few weeks.
 
Yours in Rotary Service.
Marc Horner
District Governor
District 6040
Past President; Rotary Club of Kansas City 2011-2012
816-985-8766
Marc.Horner@aol.com