Grants/Stewardship Moment #1: Introduction

The DMG Zoom Forum is an opportunity for District 7980 Rotarians to learn about the District Managed Grants program.

My name is John Merkel. I am your District 7980 Foundation Grants Sub-Committee Chair. I will be sending out a series of “Grants/Stewardship Moments” between now and July 1, with the objective of getting your Club to put our Foundation funds to good use in your communities.

We have two District Foundation Stewards today: Ernie Luise of the Derby Shelton Club and Dave Moore of the Madison Club. They are both in training, but have already made great contributions to the District Grants Program.

The concept I’d like to impart in this initial Moment is the definition of “Stewardship.” In the context of our Rotary organization:

We have no formal agenda for these Zoom meetings. We will simply open the floor to any attendees to ask questions. Nancy Gentes, DMG Review Committee Chair, and I will be there to provide the answers.

The Forum is also an opportunity to meet other Rotarians interested in grants who may become partners and collaborators.

I am pleased to announce the schedule for the 2026 Forum. We will alternate between the second Wednesday at 2:00 PM and the second Thursday at 7:00 PM. 

I will send out the Zoom link via email a few days before each Forum. Please encourage any interested D7980 Rotarian to attend. Rotarians can sign up for all emails related to the DMG Zoom Forum by sending an email to GrantsChair7980@gmail.com.

Yours in Rotary Service,
John Merkel

Past President, Rotary Club of Mystic (6737)
District Grants Subcommittee Chair (7980)
www.mysticrotary.org
themerkels@cox.net
401-464-1024