In keeping with the ABCs of Rotary, November’s Foundation Month looks at the letters: I and J
“I” represents: Imagination, Importance, and incredible Ideals
“J” represents: Joy
“Imagine a world where we all could live as one”- quote from John Lennon.
The importance of building a solid foundation, we can develop and leave a legacy for a better world, one where each child has food to eat and an education. A solid foundation makes all the following possible:
· Promoting peace
· Fighting disease
· Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
· Helping mothers and children
· Supporting education
· Growing local economies
· Protecting the environment
As we see ills occurring worldwide, it can be easy to lose sight of what we are trying to achieve. Our imagination is sometimes tested when we cannot imagine a better world for the next generation.
For November, I would encourage all of us to take some time to think about our incredible ideals for the short and long term; as we “Serve to Change Lives.”
I attended several good sessions at last year's virtual District Conference. It was enjoyable and educational, but everyone missed the camaraderie that's generated when a group gets together. I'm really looking forward to meeting in-person with fellow Rotarians next May. See you at DisCon 2022!
Scott Vetter, RC Ottawa South
Are you counting the days until you can meet again? You have friends in the USA or Canada that you have not met in person for over a year and a half – they’re waiting for you too! The Ottawa Conference & Event Centre on Coventry Road in Ottawa is the location where we will be “Reaching Out” and meeting for the Rotary District Conference on May 6 & 7, 2022.
DisCon2022 will be different than past events. It will be family friendly with activities and meals for all ages. It will be a celebration of the past Rotary year and an opportunity to learn from speakers that will help everyone to step back and reevaluate their life and make strides into seeing through a different lens.
According to Amy Gallo of the Harvard Business Review, “acquiring a new customer is anywhere from five to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one.” That’s because it costs more to find and convince a new member to join than to keep your current members engaged.
Of course, keeping members engaged, and paying special mind to the motivation and retention of your members, can be difficult at times! Rotary has some great ideas and resources to help us improve our club’s membership retention.
On Sept 25, 2021, a dozen Club members, family and friends of Rotary gathered to clean up sites that could pollute local waterways. Also participating in the cleanup as part of an educational outing were ten children and guardians of the Unplugged Program of St. John Lutheran Church.
Some of the cleanup crew on the Algonquin Trail in Braeside. Rod Smith, Gerhard Peters, Jane Peters, Bill Sellers, Vila Smith, Terry Dawson, Bruce Buie, Dave Palmer and Pushpa (bottom row)
Through Rotary, Rotaract and Interact, there are several different generations who work to support their communities around the world. Whether it is through culture, style and communication, there can be a lot said about the differences between each generation. These age gaps provide unique complications but can also be used to work together in a very collaborative way.
As we have learned through COVID-19, communication styles and the way we depend on technology have changed exponentially. Now, Millennials and Gen Z are well accustomed to technology as it has been accessible through growing up. So, adapting to the necessary online format of classes and Zoom calls was more straightforward. However, I think that one thing we can all agree on, no matter the age, is that it was still a huge adjustment for everyone. Staring at a computer screen all day definitely takes a toll on motivation, energy and how you relate to the world. However, Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors all rose to the challenge, to learn new skills in order to remain serving their community.
The Rotary Raffle is now active and ready to buy tickets. All Ontario Rotary clubs are encouraged to consider the advantages of joining this lottery to help support their local charities and to help alleviate club fundraising expectations.
After 18 months of preparation, the Rotary Club of Mississauga has launched the “Catch-the-Ace” Raffle for residents of Ontario only. There are currently 16 Rotary Clubs in Ontario that have signed up to participate and another 10 clubs that have expressed an interest. The goal is to have ALL Ontario Rotary clubs onboard to generate mega-jackpots and help alleviate club fundraiser pressures.
The first draw will be on October 28th and then weekly thereafter.
The Rotary Club of Potsdam has opened three "Lil'" Free Libraries with books specifically geared toward children. The new libraries are located outside of Trinity Episcopal Church at 8 Maple St., Yum Yum's Chilly Delight at 12 Main St., and Harris Medical Supplies inside the Market Square Mall.
Little Free Libraries are little house-like kiosks in which books are donated. They are located all over the world and are free to both adults and children to take a book or leave a book, if they can.
The Rotary Club of Chesterville thanks everyone who came out last night for our 2nd Annual Great Pumpkin Patch.
It was great to see so many people out touring the village, inviting others to come see their decorations, sitting in driveways visiting - just a fun-filled evening.
Rotary Club members were on hand at the Gazebo to hand out Hallowe'en treats. Thanks to those who gave donations and to those who just stopped by for a good visit.
Everyone's support is greatly appreciated, and we hope you enjoyed your evening.
The decorations around the village are unbelievable - thank you for taking the time to decorate your yards.
Plans are underway for next year. The street with the most participants will be announced Hallowe'en night on our Facebook page.
A new custom Rotary license plate will soon be available for New York State Rotarians! The new custom plate will feature the Rotary logo and our motto, "Service Above Self."
District 7120 Governor Janet Tenreiro along with District 7040 Area Governor Michael Griffin are taking point on this project, which has the support of all nine district governors in New York State. The new plate will take the place of Rotary's current custom plate in New York, which uses the old logo and has no motto.
In order for New York State to move ahead on printing the new plates, we need to get at least 200 New York State Rotarians to express interest in ordering the new custom license plate.
If you are interested in ordering a plate, please fill out the short form online at https://forms.gle/sQAhXsejZBanX25K8 or print out and mail in the attached form.
The Rotary Club of Canton did a highway clean-up on Saturday, October 23.
Sunrise preparations for clean-up. Amy Plumadore, Jeanne Tyo-Martin, Mary Anne Healey and Edith Frazer.
A successful clean-up. Back row: Tom Lee, Mary Ann Healey, Tim Welpe, Edith Frazer. Front Row: Jeanne Tyo-Martin and Amy Plumadore, (Mike Crowe behind the camera).
Mary Anne Healey, Edith Frazer, Jeanne Tyo-Martin, Mike Crowe, Amy Plumadore and Tom Lee (Tim Welp behind the camera).
In the Spring of 2021, The Rotary Club of Ottawa Bytown organized a new Fundraiser where our members collected used goods and partnered with Value Village. The advertising and marketing zeroed into “Cleaning out the Closet” and “Donate those Small Household Items” that you don’t need anymore.
