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Making a Difference - COVID-19
Posted by DG Gerry Lambert
“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”
German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche.
 
 
The sun is shining and though there is a stiff breeze it is a beautiful day. Most likely, this is the best day so far this year here in Northern New York and I suspect for those across the border as well. Who would think that we would be in the midst of the worst health and financial crisis the world has seen since the “Spanish Flu” pandemic of one hundred years ago?
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What Is Our District Doing During This Time of COVID-19?
 
There are many things happening during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Il se passe beaucoup de choses durant l'épidémie COVID-19.
 
For all the latest information from our district, including a message from the District Governor
Pour toutes les informations les plus récentes de notre district, y compris un message du gouverneur du district.

Click here - Cliquez ici

First Ever Virtual Foundation Walk
Posted by Ron Patnode, Canton
The first ever virtual District 7040 Rotary Foundation Walk was held May 9, 2020. It was a cold, windy and snowy day for sure; however, we Rotarians provided service above self to support the Rotary Foundation. Fifty-six walkers representing seven clubs participated: Three from the US - Rotary Clubs of Canton, Potsdam and Massena. Three from Ontario, Canada - Cornwall Sunrise, Kingston-Frontenac,  1000 Islands-Brockville and one from Quebec – Old Montreal. The total amount raised was $10,728.31(US).
 
 
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PolioPlus Responding to the COVID-19 Challenge
Posted by Mike McGovern, Chair of the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee and John Germ, Past Rotary International President and Chair of the Polio Countdown to History Committee
 
A program begun by Rotary is employing thousands of health workers to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) which includes Rotary’s PolioPlus program.   From the earliest days of polio eradication in the Philippines, the generosity and advocacy of Rotarians and our partners has nearly stopped polio, stopped Ebola from becoming an epidemic in Nigeria and now responds to COVID-19.
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Global Scholar Chosen
Posted by Katie Burke, Scholarship Chair
Over the weekend, our District Global Grant Scholarship Selection Committee selected Audrey Constance Wagner as our Global Grant Scholar for this coming academic year (2020-21).  Audrey is a 2019 graduate of McGill University in Montreal QC, (BSc. First Class Honours in Environment, with Distinction; her field of study is Environment and Food Production, with a minor in International Agricultural Development)) Audrey has been accepted into the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford and will be studying full-time in the Master of Science in Environmental Change and Management program full-time (starting Oct 1 2020).
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An update from our Global Scholar studying in NYC this year
Posted by Rym Laoufi, 19-20 Global Scholar
A few weeks ago I came back to Montreal for Spring break and due to Coronavirus developments, I decided to stay home for a longer period. While things have not always been easy, I am now in the way of completing my degree through Zoom in order to, hopefully, graduate in May.
 
This virus has turned many of our lives upside down. For me, it meant putting a sudden end to an incredible experience in New York as well as dealing with unforeseen financial and academic challenges. In the midst of this, however, I became increasingly aware of how privileged I am to benefit from strong family support in Montreal. Once good weather finally settles in the city, I can also enjoy walks by the river and working under the sun in the garden.
 
My thoughts are therefore with all those students who are separated from their loved ones and, for various reasons, remain in NYC on their own. I want to thank everybody at Rotary who made my stay in NYC an amazing time from members of District 7040 to the New York Chinatown Rotary Club as well as all other wonderful Rotarians and Rotaractors I met in my American journey. As we say in French, ce n'est qu'un au revoir! I will be back in the Big Apple sooner rather than later (having left most of my things there ;) ). I wish us all brighter days to come.

Education To Change The Lives Of Children In A Nairobi Slum School
Posted by Alan Fox, Eganville
Rotary Club Of Eganville Charitable Trust Project Report
 
 
We have been fundraising for the last year and have received support from the Rotary Clubs of Chesterville, Gananoque, Kingston, Montreal Lakeshore, Cataraqui-Kingston, West Ottawa, Pembroke and North Renfrew as well as The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Fellowship of the Least Coin (the World Council of Churches).  Donations have also been received from many individuals who support this project.  Thank You! Alan and Mona Fox
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Youth Exchange suspended for the year
Posted by Patrick Mahaffy, Youth Exchange Chair
The pandemic of the COVID-19 has spread all over the world and no one knows when the situation will be back to normal. As each country tries to minimize the spread of the virus, strict restrictions continue to be imposed. Hopefully, these will help ease the strain on our health care systems and minimize the damage caused by Covid-19.
 
With students’ well-being and security as our top priorities, Rotary District 7040 has decided to suspend new long-term youth exchanges for one year. This means that our district will not be sending or receiving students in the summer of 2020. 
 
Most countries have blocked foreigners from entering; visa processes are suspended; and it is not fair to the students to be held in uncertainty as many may have alternative plans for their education. This is a necessary step to let the situation return to a state where youth exchange again is possible.
 
We do hate to disappoint you and your students, and we understand that you may have alternate views on the matter. However, from our perspective, this is the timely and right thing to do now. We count on your understanding and hope that we can make exchanges again in 2021-22.

Update on RYLA 2020
Posted by Paul Elsley, Kingston
After careful consideration, we have decided to go forward with RYLA 2020! With so many Rotary events being postponed or cancelled, we wanted to be able to deliver some good news.
 
RYLA 2020 will happen from May 28 (Thursday) to May 31 (Sunday). Each day will be slightly shortened from those of past years but spread out and so the need to add a fourth day. Rest assured that no students will be travelling to Kingston – instead, we will be meeting online using Zoom, virtual icebreakers, Google Classroom and more. The RYLA team has been working diligently to adapt our programme to the new environment and we are confident that the student delegates will have fun, be engaged, learn lots about leadership and make new friends. Our goals for the experience remain the same.
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Celebrate Youth Service Month during the pandemic
May is Rotary’s Youth Service Month! Throughout the month, Rotary members, and younger members of the Rotary family, including Rotaractors, Interactors, and RYLA and Rotary Youth Exchange participants, celebrate the service, leadership development, connections, and FUN of Rotary’s programs for young leaders.

Here are four ways to celebrate Youth Service Month during the COVID-19 pandemic:
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A Note from the Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Support Center does not have phone or contribution processing capabilities at this time.  They are only available to answer inquiries via email.  Their email address is rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.  Members should not email contributions to this email address. 
 
The Governor of Illinois has issued a shelter-in-place order.  This means that no staff will be allowed into One Rotary Center.  Any contributions sent to One Rotary Center will not be processed for some time.  Additionally, our capability for accepting faxed contributions has also been placed on hold indefinitely.  We highly encourage members who would like to contribute to do so online at myrotary.org/donate.  Club officers do have the option to donate on behalf of their club members once they sign in. Look in Files on the district COVID-19 page.
 
Again, the best place to make a contribution is online at myrotary.org/donate.
 
The full article can be found on the District COVID-19 page (link above).
 

 

DisCon 2020
Ottawa ON
 
We’re better together
On est meilleurs ensemble
 
October 16-17  
octobre 2020
 

Click Here 

 
for more information
Rotarians Wanted
Looking for Rotarians to fill positions in the  District Organization for 2020-2021.
 
If interested please contact Hadi Mortada at hmortada@aol.com
Rotary Links
 
RI President
Mark Maloney
 
RI News
District Info
 

District Calendar

Bulletins
Rotary Showcase is a great place to be inspired and find project ideas, as well as share success stories. District 7040 clubs are doing good in their communities and around the world.
Click here to see our projects.
Important Documents