Stories

This fact-paced Zoom event features members of our Rotary Public Image Coordinators (RPICs) and Assistant RPICs sharing success strategies for growing your club, raising more money and getting attention for Rotary. Attendees will learn important skills such as video marketing, Facebook analytics, Instagram engagement, and making the most of our Rotary database. RPICs Michelle Morrow O'Brien and Michael Angelo Caruso (Zone 28) and Nikki Mederos (Zone 32) are anticipating a fun session with lots of aha moments for you.

Register here.

Rotary Direct Challenge A Success

Posted by Bonnie Black, Foundation Chair

La version française est ci-dessous.

Our District challenged all Rotarians to enroll in Rotary Direct between January and Rotary's Birthday on February 23rd and receive 500 Paul Harris Recognition Points. We now have 25 new enrollees in Rotary Direct as a result and they should be seeing their points added to their totals by April. Thanks for increasing the foundation in District 7040 for Our Foundation! Our District has 115 participants in Rotary Direct - our hope is 125 by 30 June...we can get there!

From the Editor's Desk

Posted by Ariane Carriere, D7040 Passport

La version française est ci-dessous.

Things always work better when we use the team approach in our District. As the bulletin editor, I know there really should be someone to be my assistant/backup/replacement. Only I know what I receive in the way of articles and news events, and how it goes into the bulletin. The ClubRunner bulletin is an online version, where several people could work on stories, but at the end you pull it together into one.

Is there anyone that might be interested in something like that? I'm trying to set up the new version by July so that we can start a new Rotary year with a team bulletin. Send a message to Ariane if you have that interest, and especially if you are familiar with using ClubRunner for online bulletins.

Judging People

Posted by Martha Weaver

La version française est ci-dessous

How good are you at reading people? Can you tell when someone is lying? How about recognizing when you are in a dangerous situation? We human beings evolved to judge each other quickly because our ability to make these judgments had—and still has—real survival value. As a supervisor in an office where some of those we served were people who experienced paranoid thoughts and aggression, part of my job was to intervene at the first sign a client might be a threat to their interviewer. I depended on my ability to "read people” to keep clients and employees safe.

Kingston Centennial – March Edition

Posted by Paul Elsley, Kingston

La version française est ci-dessous

March was another busy month for Rotary in Kingston as our Centennial celebrations ramp up. We held two major events (safely and mostly on Zoom), launched a new volunteer initiative and highlighted the significant international contributions of our clubs.

The month began with our Community Outreach Grants ceremony. We invite smaller, local organizations to submit applications in support of projects planned for the coming year. There are always a few familiar faces, with whom we have developed strong partnerships, and other wonderful groups that are new to us.

A New Fundraiser?

Posted by Jack Prim, Plattsburgh

La version française est ci-dessous

Fundraising has been challenging for the past year for events that involve club membership involvement with other people. Clubs should be reviewing their traditional events to see if they can go on as in the past or if they should be modified to comply with COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.

Finding a new Fundraiser is also an option. As your district Fundraising Chairperson, I would like to provide some new opportunities for your clubs to consider. The one I would like for you to consider today is the sale of Rain Barrels and their associate accessories. Most of you are probably familiar with Rain Barrels, but if not, they provide the means to collect rainwater from your roofs and then to use it at a future time to water plants in your yard and garden. In March, our District Governors' theme was "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene." This fundraiser fits right in with that focus.

Council on Legislation Resolutions

Posted by Sue Bellor, COL representative

La version française est ci-dessous

This is an important reminder to you and/or your club; if you wish to submit a Resolution, please read attached information and submit to me by May 1st. I will then copy to our district's legislative committee which will need to review for action by our district council in early June. RI will need this submission, as approved by our council and DG before June 30th.

Governor's Message

La version française est ci-dessous.

April is Maternal & Child Health Month. I would like to remind you to join in on a project that focused on this whether it is locally or internationally. World Immunization week is April 24th - 30th.

April 19th, we celebrate the birthday of Rotary International's Founder Paul Harris. Will you do something to celebrate this occasion, perhaps a donation to the Rotary Foundation?

I hope that we all get the chance to get vaccinated soon. To show our gratitude, we can donate to Polio. Remember my 2020 challenge? Let's keep that alive and make a donation to Polio.

Free Pandemic-Related Mental Health Seminars

As one of its community services, the Rotary Club of Ottawa Stittsville is offering three free pandemic-related mental health seminars by Zoom on April 6 and April 8 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Topics include:

Management strategies for relating and responding to mental health issues (April 6),and
Strategies for job search success during Covid (April 8).

Details on these seminars are provided below. Register for each session by using the web link found within the posters or as provided below. We hope you will share the information about our free webinars with your family and friends.

Our Rotary club wishes you well as we all navigate our way to a better future. We also invite you to visit the W.J. Bell Rotary Peace Park for some quiet contemplation or meditation at our labyrinth this spring.

Seminar information. Ryan Forsyth, Mental Health Speaker & Advocate, will host the events as follows:

Update - The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup

Posted by Sucha Mann, West Ottawa

In light of the recent changes and restrictions of the province of Ontario's shutdown decision, the DG group (Hadi and fellow DG's in neighbouring provinces) decided that we will extend the clean-up to start on April 24 and end on June 1st. That way if any group of 5 people decide to go out and do some clean-up, we are still complying with the province's decision.

All clubs in Ontario are advised. Clubs in Quebec and NY state are to follow their local laws and health authorities recommendations.

The Rotary Foundation Zone 28 & 32 Gala

Posted by Peter Schultz, PDG 5060

https://vimeo.com/513498000

TIFF Film Series

Posted by Dave Rooke, Ottawa-Stittsville

We are pleased to offer 'Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time' as our film for April 2021. The following link takes you to the landing page for the film where you can view the trailer and pre-order/purchase the film.

https://watch.eventive.org/filmswelike/play/606606f129f3650030915000

The film is available Sunday April 25 to Saturday May 1st. A portion of the purchase price ($12.00 including tax) will support the service projects of the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville.

Take Care / prendre soin

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

I’d like to encourage you to call ON A REGULAR BASIS, your Rotary colleagues who are house bound for a number of reasons, or Rotarians that you have not seen in a while. Reach out to your neighbours for the same reasons. Does someone need groceries, their medication picked up, their dog walked, or to listen to their concerns?

Je voudrais encourager vous à appeler DE FAÇON RÉGULIÈRE, vos collègues rotary qui sont maison liée pour un certain nombre de raisons, ou rotariens que vous n'avez pas vus dans un moment. Atteignez à vos voisins pour les mêmes raisons. Est-ce que quelqu'un a besoin d'épiceries, leur médicament a-t-il repris, leur chien a-t-il marché, ou pour écouter leurs soucis ?

Bequest Society / société de bequest

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

La version française est ci-dessous.

Our family of Major Donors continues to grow, however in this case, a result of a realized estate gift. While we are always sad to say goodbye to members of our Rotary family, it does present an opportunity to remember them for the good that will come from their Bequest gift, now in action as an endowed gift to share with our district. I wish to recognize the late Dr. Arthur J. "Bud" McGinnis, of The Rotary Club of West Ottawa, in his honor and legacy. The decision to leave a Bequest gift remains vital to allowing our Rotary work to continue. Truly this group “opens opportunities” for us to serve in the world.

Stay well and Stay Safe.

March is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month

What Is your Rotary Club doing to focus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in March 2021? Clean water and sanitation is a human right. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives. We don’t just build wells and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact.

Clean water is a basic need for human beings. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. However, at least 3,000 children die each day from diseases caused by unsafe water, which is what motivates our members to build wells, install rainwater harvesting systems, and teach community members how to maintain new infrastructure.

The Sun Never Sets in Rotary

La version française est ci-dessous.

World Understanding & Peace Day is celebrated on February 23rd, the anniversary of the first meeting of Rotary in 1905.

On Tuesday, February 23, 2021, District 3232 South India led an initiative Titled "The Sun Never Sets in Rotary". This was a non-stop cycle of meetings in succession hosted by Clubs/Districts in different time zones across the 6 continents. Each meeting segment was 90 minutes. The event started in D3232 on 23 Feb (1400 UK time) and concluded the following day with D3232 hosting the final meeting.

International Assembly 2021

Posted by Valarie Wafer, Zone 28&32 RI Director

La version française est ci-dessous.

When the RI Board of Directors took the decision to move the 2021 International Assembly to a virtual format, we each realized that our District Governors Elect, partners and Rotaractors may not have the experience many of us refer to as the highlight of our District Governor year.

The virtual platform in many ways tried to replicate the in-person experience with General Sessions of inspiring and informative speakers. You can access the videos here.

Session breakouts led by facilitators including our very own from our: Nabil and Gayle Oudeh, Denis and Maureen Boyd, Una Martone and Marty Helman.

District Conference Date Change

Posted by Fay Campbell, DGE

La version française est ci-dessous.

District Governors past, present and future have recently had some general discussions on when, during the Rotary year, the District Conference should occur. It was agreed that the Spring is a better timeframe for our District Conference. One of the reasons discussed for the move included the fact that a Spring conference allows for a celebration of the Rotary year that has passed. For this year specifically, if we postpone the District Conference until Spring 2022, the chance of having an in-person conference increases considerably.

Kingston Centennial News

Posted by Paul Elsley, Kingston

La version française est ci-dessous.

February was another busy month for the Rotary Kingston Centennial. In addition to continuing to plan for the next four months and continuing with regular club activities, the Rotary clubs of Kingston held one Centennial event and launched an important project.

On Feb. 15^th, Kingston’s World Champion Town Crier proclaimed a “Year of Rotary in Kingston.” Chris Whyman read from the city proclamation stating:

“Whereas the Rotary clubs of Kingston have been dedicated to meeting the needs of our citizens and have developed timely, relevant programs and projects to meet the needs and challenges of our community; and Whereas the Rotary clubs of Kingston are celebrating their 100th anniversary; and Whereas the Rotary clubs of Kingston have a number of projects and events planned for this Centennial in collaboration with many community partners; Therefore, l, Mayor Bryan Paterson, on behalf of Kingston City Council hereby proclaim July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 to be "A Year of Rotary in Kingston”.

Bringing Diversity, Inclusion and Equity in Your Life through Reading

Posted by Jacinthe Paillé, DEI Committee, President D7040 Passport Club

La version française est ci-dessous.

Those who know me well are aware that I am an avid reader and that I just love books. As well, I have made it my personal mission to put books in the hands of people: my children and stepchildren, husband, extended family, students, friends, even prisoners, and more! For me, reading is not just a hobby, it is a true passion that brings me a lot of joy – and I’d like to suggest some titles of interest to share that joy through a whole range of authors and themes.

To help me select the books you will read about here, I was inspired by the Indigo Reading Challenge, which offers “21 new ways to read in 2021.” (Indigo is Canada’s largest bookstore chain). Using this list to choose your next reads may help you discover new authors – or renew with forgotten ones! You can find the downloadable list of categories here: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/inspired/books/indigo-2021-reading-challenge/ On Indigo’s website, you’ll also find suggestions for each category – or you can start with the titles below!

2021 Montreal Chinese New Year Charity Concert

Posted by Susan Xianshu Huang, President Old Montreal

Orleans Wine & Cheese Fundraiser

Iqaluit Rotary Delivers Record Christmas Hampers

Posted by Peter Varga, Iqaluit

La version française est ci-dessous

Blizzard conditions and a short city-wide power failure were no match for the Rotary Club of Iqaluit’s 2020 Christmas dinner hamper delivery.	The Christmas hamper is a community tradition that began more than 40 years ago. Donations from businesses, city groups and Iqaluit residents raised about $56,000 to fund the 2020 effort, which easily covered distribution of 250 boxes containing essentials to make Christmas dinner for a family.	“People in Iqaluit are always very generous, I think even more so this year than ever before,” said Catherine Hoyt, lead organizer of the event. Donations for the 2020 season hit a record high, which matched needs of the ever-growing territorial capital in Canada’s eastern Arctic.

News from Eganville Rotary

La version française est ci-dessous.

Scolar, our Intermediary in Mukuru Nairobi Kenya reported the need for additional PPE for students and staff at Kware Siloam School once school was to restart in January. In November, Rotary had provided hand washing stations and Thermo-guns and 250 masks. But with the new school year starting after the forced COVID closure, students would not be able to attend the new term without proper masks. This need was identified and Eganville Rotary responded with an additional 800 locally sourced masks for the children. With crowded conditions at Siloam, it is difficult to maintain socially distancing as we see it but with mandatory mask wearing, the handwashing stations and daily temperature monitoring COVID is somewhat mitigated thanks to our many project sponsors.

The Great Lakes Cleanup

Posted by Frank Adamson, District Governor, 7090 & Robert Burns, Rotary Club of Trenton, MI. District 6400 & Friends of the Detroit River

La version française est ci-dessous

How does Rotary make help happen?

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

La version française est ci-dessous

Conflict and violence displace millions of people each year. Half of those killed in conflict are children, and 90 percent are civilians.

We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.

Through our service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. Visit the Rotary International https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/promoting-peace and help us make a difference.

To watch a Peace video, go to https://player.vimeo.com/video/132750732

February DG Message février

La version française est ci-dessous

February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month. Also, February 23 is Rotary International's 116th Birthday. What is your club doing to celebrate this event?

I am so proud of our club's and district's great work helping our communities locally and internationally. Thank you to everyone for making a difference during this difficult time that our communities are facing.

I have been visiting clubs virtually and I am discovering how we are all adapting to this new way of doing Rotary. I am proud to say that I have visited 90% of our clubs, not only once, but two or three times for some. I have been visiting our Presidents' Council Meetings and I am proud to say that our Area Governors are working diligently with clubs to share ideas and work with each other to make their communities a better place.

The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

La version française est ci-dessous

This is an invitation to all Rotarians, Rotaractors, and the whole Rotary family in District 7040 and beyond. Marking 2021 Earth Day, District 7040, along with neighbouring Districts, will be organizing a first-ever Rotary Great Lakes Watershed/St Lawrence River Cleanup on April 24, 2021. Individual clubs are welcome to hold their events during the week of April 17-24, 2021.

To date, we have commitments from 15 Districts bordering the Great Lakes as well as the Niagara, St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers and the Erie Canal in New York State. We are naming the event the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup to open it up to any club on a waterway that empties into the Great Lakes system. Rotary International Director Valarie Wafer with Rotary International President Holger Knaack are both supportive of this collaborative project.

This will be a great way to engage our Rotary Family and non-Rotarians in a day of action, draw attention to our fragile environment and our desire to be part of the solution. With the plan for heavy promotion, it is an opportunity to bring awareness to the good work of Rotary.

Get your club to select a nearby waterway or even a local park to clean up and be a part of this exciting event on Saturday, April 24! Mark this in your calendars - more details will follow.

Kingston Centennial/Centenaire de Kingston

Posted by Paul Elsley, President and Co-Chair of Rotary in Kingston Centennial

La version française est ci-dessous

January was a busy month for Rotary in Kingston as we prepared to formally launch our Centennial projects and events. It is hard to believe that the process that began two years ago is finally under way.

The official kick off occurred at our first Zoom meeting of 2021 with Mayor Paterson’s “State of the City” address. It was nice to have Rotarians from other clubs present for the ceremony and we hope to replicate open invitations to Rotarians in the District at other Centennial events and projects. The Mayor congratulated Rotary on the launch of our Centennial year. He reflected on a comment by us on Facebook that we described the pandemic as a “time for serving even in the midst of everything that is going on.” Mayor Paterson told the group that he “appreciates the work that Rotary does and our [strong] presence in the community.” He finished by stating that it is “inspiring to have groups like Rotary” helping those in need.

I May Be Blind, But My Name Is Still Tina

Posted by Tina Leonard as told to Martha Pritchard Spear

La version française est ci-dessous

To hear: https://soundcloud.com/martha_spear/sets/i-may-be-blind-but-my-name-is-still-tina-read-in-english-and-french

I’ve been legally blind for over seven years, first losing sight in my right eye and then in my left eye. However, I won't let my sight challenges hold me back from leading as normal a life as possible. I work as a real estate broker and owner for my own company, Tina Leonard Real Estate, from my home office in Lake Placid, NY.

Since becoming blind, I’ve accumulated a few pet peeves. It frustrates me no end when I find individuals who don't know how to interact with people who are sight impaired. That’s why I’m always on the ready to teach them, not only for selfish reasons, but more importantly to help the entire blind community. The following are four basic guidelines to help improve overall connection and communication.

Hawkesbury Success Story

Posted by Suzanne Hocquard, Hawkesbury

La version française est ci-dessous.

Here is our “success story” from the Hawkesbury Rotary Club thanks to the grants that we received and are still spending. The first thing we did as a club in March when the government suggested that everyone stays home, was to reach out to the local food banks and the meals on wheels groups to see if they needed extra hands.

I knew that many of the volunteers for these places are older people, retired from their jobs, and these are the people that are being encouraged to stay home. Our club has a variety of ages, so we were able to help. We had the manpower, but we needed names and names I got! We were delivering fresh meals 5 days a week, for 3 months. Then when summer hit, we cut it down to 3 frozen meals a week in one delivery, this was easier to control the volunteers as well during the summertime.

I lumped all of Hawkesbury and Vankleek Hill Rotary deliveries separate from the Services Communautaires de Prescott-Russell that we also do. These deliveries were chosen because they have been suggested to us from the Schools, where the teachers or principals have been worried about the families or people who are taking cancer treatments or recuperating from some sort of an operation, so we feed them and their caregivers. We have never refused anyone.

I reached out to the club members for feedback. I asked for comments that they were getting from the people that they deliver to. The comments are as such, “Oh my god, I am so happy I am on your list for another week!” or “Oh I just knew that we were going to get more this week, you don’t know how this helps us, we are afraid to go out there, and my kids don’t want us to” or “I don’t know who the cook is, but please pass on our complements to the chef”. I have even had calls from older children that reside in the United States wondering how their parents can be added to the list. The light in the eyes and the smile that truly says they made it through another week is something else.

DisCon 2021 Registration Information d'inscription

Early Bird deposit half of your registration CAD until Feb. 28. You have a choice of paying the deposit now, and the balance later, or paying the full amount at once before June 1.

Dépôt lève-tôt 1/2 CAD de votre inscription jusqu’au 28 février. Vous avez le choix de payer le dépôt et le solde plus tard ou de payer la totalité du montant à la fois avant le 1er juin.

WIN 1/2 OFF YOUR REGISTRATION FEE WHEN YOU REGISTER from January 4-30, 2021. You will be entered into a draw to WIN 1/2 OFF your early bird registration. For every 10 registrations one registrant will win a 1/2 off. Draw will take place on Sunday, January 31, 2021. You can register now. For information go to https://rotary7040.com/sitepage/discon-2021/

GAGNEZ 1/2 DE VOS FRAIS D’INSCRIPTION LORSQUE VOUS VOUS INSCRIVEZ du 4 au 30 janvier 2021. You sera inscrit à un tirage au sort pour GAGNER 1/2 OFF votre inscription aux lève-tôt. Pour 10 inscriptions, un inscrit gagnera un 1/2 de moins. Le tirage aura lieu le dimanche 31 janvier 2021. Vous pouvez vous inscrire maintenant. Plus d'information https://rotary7040.com/sitepage/discon-2021/

Endowments

DEI - Votre Parcours / Your Journey

Posted by Martha Pritchard Spear, Lake Placid

English version is below

Ce ne sont pas tous les clubs ou même tous les rotariens qui croient qu’un énoncé proactif antiracisme soit une nécessité en ce moment. Malgré cela, le Rotary International a émit un énoncé [1] affirmant l’engagement du Rotary envers l’antiracisme. Les clubs peuvent utiliser cet énoncé comme source d’inspiration pour des discussions, ou un modèle pour développer leur propre énoncé reflétant leur communauté locale.

Plusieurs rotariens pourraient penser qu’ils ne sont pas biaisés, mais nous avons tous des partis pris à l’intérieur de nous. Le Harvard Implicit Bias project [2] (en anglais) offre des tests gratuits en ligne afin de découvrir vos partis pris cachés. Que faire lorsqu’un test scientifique révèle que vous avez un certain parti pris envers un groupe en particulier ?

Helping to Create Housing Resources

La version française est ci-dessous

Ricochet's mission is to create housing resources for young people between the ages of 18 and 35 who are experiencing residential instability in the West Island. Rotary Club of Old Montreal is helping Ricochet achieving its objective and achieve their goals:

Participate in District Conference 2021

Posted by Gayle Oudeh, Conference Chair

La version francaise est ci-dessous

Participate in whatever way is most comfortable to you! This year’s District Conference will be available both in-person and on-line.

In-Person: District Conference 2021 will take place at Auberge des Gallant in Ste. Marthe, Quebec. Participants will have opportunity to attend plenary sessions, break out sessions, enjoy the House of Friendship and Silent Auction, mingle, and catch up.

On-line: For those who prefer to participate on-line, they will have live access to plenary sessions and separate break out sessions and interactive sessions with others who are participating online.

Please note that all current Covid-19 protocols will be followed at the time of the conference. Should restrictions be such that an in-person conference is not feasible, adjustments will be made, and the conference will be held entirely online.

Watch the video here: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AvLX-PL3H7zig5UZgLmqOWQlrqXIvg?e=OKmF1B

Rotary Direct Earns Paul Harris Points

Posted by Bonnie Black - Plattsburgh

La version française est ci-dessous

Our District is offering 500 Paul Harris Recognition Points to any Rotarian who signs up with Rotary Direct between January first and February 23^rd, Rotary’s birthday. That’s halfway to a Paul Harris Fellow for you before you even begin to donate!

Ask your Club President or Foundation Chair to share the form they received over the holidays or check here https://my.rotary.org/en/rotary-direct . You can choose any program or area of focus you desire. There is also an FAQ information sheet they have which you may ask for to clarify any questions you have.

All Recognition Points will be credited during this Rotary year in March or April, allowing for processing your enrollment.

January is Vocational Service Month

La version française est ci-dessous

This would be an excellent time to assess your club's Vocations.

Conduct vocation-related activities and programs.
How can your members share information on their vocations?
Create a "yellow pages" or a club directory so members can do business with each other.
Share your creative ideas for promoting Vocational Service with clubs, district and the Governor.

Celebrating Rotary’s Centenary in Kingston

Posted by Peter Merkley, Paul Elsley & Paul Van Nest - Kingston

La version française est ci-dessous

April 1, 1921 is the official date that the Rotary Club of Kingston was registered by Rotary International, which makes 2021 the 100^th year of Rotary in Kingston. There are now four Rotary clubs in Kingston: Kingston (1921), Kingston-Frontenac (1965), Cataraqui-Kingston (1985) and Kingston Waterfront (2015) and two Rotaract clubs: Queen’s Rotaract (1985) and Kingston Rotaract (2020). All told, there are almost 200 members of the Rotary family here.

Rotarians from all clubs began planning for this celebration three years ago with a goal to celebrate our past service and offer anniversary contributions to our community. Then Covid-19 happened. Since Rotarians fully understand how to pivot and address community needs, we redirected our energy to assisting people most impacted by the lockdown. Since April, 2020, we have delivered healthy food to vulnerable children and their families and made masks for frontline workers and others who need them.

Extra! Extra! Extra! We Have a New Interact Club!

Dear Rotary Club of Westmount:

Congratulations on sponsoring the Interact Club of Marianopolis!

We now have 32 Interact Clubs in our district. Some may not be active because of COVID-19, but that will change.

Christmas

Don't Forget

A Life that Mattered

Tribute to Ada K. Stoiber:

On November 19, 2020, we lost one described by those who knew her as a generous and gracious Lady, Ada Stoiber.

In his poem “What Will Matter” Michael Josephson writes “it’s not your success, or what you built, or the things you collect. What matters is the legacy you leave behind, not that you are remembered but how you are remembered, not how many people you know, but how many will feel a sense of loss when you are gone.”

Happy Holidays/Joyeuses fêtes

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

As we approach the new year and the halfway mark through our Rotary year, I wanted to say thank you to all the clubs that I visited.

It truly has been a different kind of experience. It is not how I expected I would be visiting our clubs and members, but I felt welcome every time I visited a club. I feel privileged and welcomed every time I visited you in your homes and shared with you my story and experience as far as a district governor.

I want us all to be mindful of the people in need in our communities, lend a hand to someone, make someone's day brighter whether we connect with them by telephone or video call. Or, just the old-fashioned way, send them a card!

I want to thank everyone in our district for doing what you are doing to keep our district in excellent shape. We have added over 30 new members so far, so welcome to our new Rotarians who decided to join us and serve their communities.

From our home to yours, Teresa & I would like to wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season filled with love, health, and happiness.

Rotarians for Bees

Posted by Brian Foster, D7040 Passport

Fellow Rotarians - I greatly enjoyed a webinar from an Australian Rotary group that was promoted by ESRAG - it should, in my humble opinion, be circulated widely within our realm of influence.

Rotarians for Bees (Victoria, Australia charter) - Your Garden: Our Future webinar promoted by ESRAG. This is a 95 minute presentation (speakers and questions/answers) that is Australia centric but of relevance to new or existing gardeners worldwide who are concerned about food security, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability – ecosystem health.

This webinar goes beyond bees and would be of special interest to anyone who may be interested in helping to Save Our Pollinators. The webinar also highlights the role of native and introduced plant species and varieties, education, research, the “planting Seeds Project”, the “B&B Highway”, and introduces the one square metre challenge.

The edited webinar recording is available at:

https://rotariansforbees.org/your-garden-our-future/ or directly at https://vimeo.com/484621295

Supporting Food Plant Solutions RAG / Soutenir le groupe d'action

Posted by PDG Martha Weaver, Chateaugay

La version française est ci-dessous

One of the best things to do with weeds is eat them. Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group creates educational materials that explain what nutritional food is and how to grow it based on agricultural researcher Bruce French's database of over 30,000 edible plants—the world’s most comprehensive database of its kind.

In support of Food Plant Solutions, the Rotary club of Chateaugay cordially invites you to a virtual tour of the Northern New York State garden of PDG Martha Weaver on the 9^th of January 2021, 10:00am EST, 11:00pm AWST If you would like to offer support to Food Plant Solutions, there is a https://foodplantsolutions.org/donate/, but nothing is required.

Promoting Named Funds with our Rotary Foundation

Posted by The Rotary Foundation Senior Major Gifts Officer, Carolyn Ferguson

As a follow up to the District Mini-meeting on Endowment on November 21, an article by Senior Major Gifts Officer, Carolyn Ferguson, of The Rotary Foundation.

What is your Rotary legacy?

As you consider your vision for the future, Rotary can help you take action to nurture causes that are meaningful to you.

Christmas Silent Auction

Rotary Club of Old Montreal is Organizing a Christmas Silent Auction Fundraising Activity

Time: December 1^st-December 15^th,2020, https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/75262/auctions/92816?r=1&t=all

The fund raised will be used to help people having Mental Health issues especially young generation. During this pandemic period, more and more young people are encountering Mental Health problems due to the stress of pandemic, lost of jobs and isolation from friends and society. Your generosity will help them to get out of this pandemic and find confidence in themselves in fighting with this health issue.

Please contact Malcolm Olafson at (514) 933-9047 or Rotaryvieuxmontreal@gmail.com for more information or donation.

Supporting Rotary - One Community’s Response

For almost 50 years the village/town of Massena, New York has supported the annual Massena Rotary Pancake Day/Auction. This fundraiser, held in early Spring, is an enthusiastically anticipated event. Many consider Rotary Pancake Day to be an indication that Spring will soon arrive. Attending the event, bidding on auction items, visiting with old friends, eating good food is enjoyed by all.

Each year 1200 to 1500 local citizens along with more than 100 volunteers put on the event and raise between 14,000 to 17,000 USD. The money supports dozens of local organizations and projects that benefit both the Massena New York community and International Rotary projects.

Unfortunately, our pancake day this Spring was cancelled due to the pandemic. So, the big question was what do we do now? Rotarians are famous for thinking outside the box and a new plan for an amended pancake day was developed. With help from a local church, a tent rental company and other members/ organizations within the community, a very different plan for pancake day was developed.

Kemptville's Merry Christmas Float

Posted by Nancy Miller-McKenzie, President Kemptville Rotary



With Covid, Kemptville Rotary has been feeling disconnected from our community. So, one of our Friends of Rotary, Brenda, came up with a great idea. Even though we can’t have parade let’s make a Merry Christmas float and take it mobile around North Grenville.	The club jumped aboard immediately. While we discussed this float, we talked about the Christmas food drive we always do during our community parade. Well, it was decided why not add this to our mobile float bring joy initiative. We were off.

Succession Planning

Posted by ARC PDG Brian Coffey Rotary Coordinator's Team 2020-21 Zone 8, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands

Last month, I provided an insight of the importance of demographics – a vital consideration of succession planning when it comes to training and identifying needs and opportunities for your members.

What would you do in your Club if a key member resigned or fell ill? Would you be prepared?

Succession planning is not an issue that many Clubs address until the AGM, this is reflected in many Clubs not even having a plan evident on ‘My Rotary’. We need to think about succession planning to meet our Incorporation obligations, Rotary commitment and most importantly to provide services and meet our Clubs goals (if we have any). What would happen in you club if a key member were not available?

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday, December 1, is a day to start the holiday season on a charitable note. Here are some reasons why The Rotary Foundation should be your charity of choice.

Perth Rotary Club Gives Back in Time for World Polio Day October 24th

Posted by Ray Hook, Perth

Rotary International has been working to eradicate polio in the world for the last thirty years with stunning success, with only three countries remaining in an endemic state. Rotarians have helped to immunize over 2.5 billion children around the world. Rotarians will not stop in our efforts to eliminate this disease.

Dutch Rotarians have led a most unique program to benefit our fight. In 2013, they purchased the rights to name and develop a new variety of tulip bulbs. The idea has “blossomed” into an internationally successful fundraiser, with more than 1.5 MILLION bulbs being sold, and so far, generating more than $2 MILLION (US) to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign. To date, Switzerland, Germany, France, and the USA have joined with Holland. Canada is now in its second year.

Vesey’s Bulbs of PEI is Canada’s sole supplier of this unique bulb. Every step along the way, donors have provided such funding that over $18 from each $25 box (of 25 bulbs) goes back to Rotary International, to be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill Gates Foundation!

Pour vous distraire !

Posted by Colin Lyle, D7040 Passport

Je pensais que vous trouveriez amusante cet article paru ce matin dans notre journal local le Midi Libre;

la personne à gauche avec casquette et lunettes au tour du cou n’est personne d’autre que votre représentant

du club Passport D7040 ! Je suis devenu ‘le représentant du Rotary Canada’ - voire le 5é ligne du premier paragraphe !

I thought you'd find this article in our local newspaper Midi Libre funny this morning;

the person on the left with cap and glasses on the neck is no one but your D7040 Passport Club member! I became ‘the representative of Rotary Canada’ - or even the 5th line of the first paragraph!

Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group Activities

Posted by Caroline DeWitt, West Ottawa

Rotary Club of West Ottawa: Tree Planters and Shoreline Cleaners

Members of the Rotary Club of West Ottawa enjoyed tree planting while social distancing with Ottawa Councillor Jean Cloutier in Billings Park. Volunteers planted 200 trees in sun-soaked, crisp morning greenspace. Read more about the event at https://riverviewparkreview.ca

Club members and their guests also committed to supporting the environment by attending Ottawa Riverkeeper ‘s Shoreline Cleanup in Jacques Cartier Park. Volunteers collected 400 pounds of garbage along the shoreline overlooking the Ottawa River. Another fun-filled project supporting our watershed. You can find more information at www.ottawariverkeeper.ca

Our two projects are in line with RI’s seventh area of focus: Environmental Sustainability.

Condors Golf Raffle Draw

Posted by Dwight Brown, Kanata

Pictured on the left is John Beard, Past President of the Kanata Rotary Club and Condors Golf Raffle Co-Chair and Jim Perkins, who founded the Capital City Condors, which help special needs youth play hockey.

Making Money - A Slice and a Chicken At a Time

Posted by Gerry Lambert, IPDG

Identifying opportunities to support the homeless, free will dinners, food pantries, scholarships, the disabled, PolioPlus, the Rotary Foundation, and many other local and International needs has never been a challenge for Rotary clubs. However, having clubs raise funds to support those needs during the COVID19 crisis has been a challenge.

Several Rotary and ROTARACT clubs have now started implementing new fundraisers to fill their financial gap.

Rotaract News

We are excited to announce that Rotaract District 7040 has joined the recently formed Rotaract Canada! This is a great opportunity for Rotaractors in our district to get involved with Rotary at a new level. By joining Rotaract Canada, Rotaractors in our district will have access to new opportunities to serve, learn, and connect. As stated on their website, Rotaract Canada is a MDIO, meaning they “spread information about service projects and events and foster communication between districts”. Through joining Rotaract Canada, members in our district will have even more opportunities for personal and professional development and leadership training.

Are You Driven to Help Others? You Have Another Opportunity!

Posted by Sue Bellor, Massena

La version française est ci-dessous.

So many Rotarians want to do more to address causes locally and internationally through Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus. We try to be there in person when we can. We also have the opportunity to help others globally; to improve the quality of life for others here and abroad. Being a retired teacher does not limit me in my continued quest to help educate children, youth, and adults. I belong to a RAG (Rotary Action Group) for Literacy and support the education of a child in Guatemala.

November is Foundation Month

What are we doing to support our foundations? The Rotary Foundation is the source that supports our projects. The Rotary Foundation provides funds for Grants, Global Scholars, and Peace Fellows. Let's support our foundation generously.

Most of us are meeting virtually and not spending any money on our meals. Here is a challenge to all of us, let's each one of us make a $25 donation to the foundation during November. Imagine if 1635 members in our district make a one-time donation of $25.00! That is over $40,000. Remember, these funds come back to us and support our projects and grants we apply for. Click this link to see how your donations can help https://www.rotary.org/en/donate ou ici en français https://www.rotary.org/fr/donate

World Interact Week

Posted by Ariane Carriere, Interact Chair

When we say Interactors are making a difference around the world, we mean it! Where in the world are you celebrating #WorldInteractWeek, this week?

Connecting With Former Youth Exchange Students

Posted by Bill Egnatoff, Cataraqui-Kingston

August 25, the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston had quite a few guests at their Zoom meeting. Two COVID benefits are reaching out and connecting through online meetings. Members had suggested reaching out to past YX students. Marioly was an obvious choice; she left a real mark on our club. She arrived in 2005.

Past Youth Exchange Students present - Dulce Milay 2010-2011 YX to Gananoque (now living in Toronto), Marioly Sanchez, Venezuela YX 2005-2006 from Venezuela – Speaker, Iasmin Mendes. YX 2013-2014 from Brazil, Gabriela Calizaya Catacora YX 2011-12, Perú

Visiting Rotarians and past Rotarians present - Rob Campbell C-KR member 2001-2008, RC Renfrew 2010-13, Marioly’s host parent, Joe Fontes, Renfrew RC, Past District chair for YX, hosted 10 YX students including Marioly’s brother, Kathleen Lofthouse, Renfrew RC, host for Marioly and for brother Manuel, Elsabé Falkson. RC Kingston

End Polio Now Tulips – Huge Success!

Posted by Barbara Fisk, Gananoque

As with most clubs in the District the Rotary Club of Gananoque was keen to find something meaningful, helpful, and safe to do for the community during these trying times. They were fortunate to come across this fabulous End Polio Now Tulip campaign from colleagues in another District.

The vote was unanimous – let’s try it! It looks great! And Great it is!

Une école en Tanzanie

Posted by Philippe-Olivier Kaul-Méledje, Montreal Ville-Marie

English version below

Le Club Rotary Montréal Ville-Marie est fier d’avoir contribué à la construction d’une école en Tanzanie, réalisée par les jeunes du PRÉCI de l’École de technologie supérieure.

Cette belle réalisation va permettre la scolarisation de 150 enfants de la région de Nainokanoka.

Au-delà d’une expérience unique et très enrichissante pour ces futurs ingénieurs, les retombées de ce projet pour la communauté locale sont inestimables. De nombreux enfants vont pouvoir découvrir les joies d’apprendre et de s’instruire.

Encore merci à eux, mais également à vous qui continuez à soutenir nos actions.

October is Economic and Community Development Month!

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

We just entered the second quarter of this Rotary Year. This is for sure not what I expected how I would be visiting clubs. Thank you to all of our Area Governors who are working hard on arranging my official visits to clubs, whether they are in-person or virtual. So far, I have visited 21 clubs that are Rotary and Rotaract, some in person, and some virtually. I have also participated in community and environmental events. I am learning more about our clubs and what we do for our communities.

DisCon 2020 Videos

Posted by Chris Cochrane, Public Image Chair

For DisCon 2020, we have five promo videos and one compilation video. Here are links to share:

Compilation of 5 promo videos
https://vimeo.com/459461604

Farquhar promo
https://vimeo.com/459461746

Hurley promo
https://vimeo.com/459461690

BowTie promo
https://vimeo.com/459461684

Circles of Rhythm promo
https://vimeo.com/459461803

Caruso promo
https://vimeo.com/459461729

World Bicycle Relief

Posted by Colin Lyle, D7040 Passport

(Editor’s note: Colin lives in France. This was his report to the Passport club. The club has committed to one bike and is asking individuals to donate for more.)

I attended a meeting of a local club recently where the DG arrived on one of these bikes; last year he and his wife shared one to ride from near Luxembourg to the RI Convention in Hamburg - some 600 km. World Bicycle Relief works with partners to create long-lasting, sustainable change and break the cycle of poverty in the communities where we work. Our philanthropic programs provide specially designed, locally assembled Buffalo Bicycles for students, health workers and entrepreneurs. Funds from our global supporters enable innovative programming, delivery of our bicycles to those in need, and constant evaluation of our impact in the field.

The video clip explains all the benefits of this project operated by World Bicycle Relief in the poorest parts of the world; the bike only costs $197 CAD, is very rugged to withstand rough roads (and also very heavy!). It is also very simple and easy to maintain - the pedals are fixed and act as brakes, to simplify maintenance and reduce the cost. My previous district 1700 has set itself the goal of contributing one bicycle per club - there are currently 105 clubs in the District.

The DG of 1700 asked me to spread the message. This looks like something a club could take part in anywhere in the world and easily afford. As the Poms say, “On Yer Bike”!

Apple Picking

Posted by Lawrence Cantrill, Montreal-Lakeshore

For several years, the Rotary Club of Montreal Lakeshore has donated to local food banks. This, being the year of the Pandemic the need for support has been greater than ever.

At our regular meetings we have lunch. As we cannot meet in person, some of our members donated the cost of their meals to the food banks. This money along with a District Grant went to the West Island Mission and the On Rock Ministries food banks.

To help further, three members from the club on one of our last days of summer went apple picking at. The fruits of their labour were donated to the On Rock Ministries Food Bank which now feeds 1,000 people per week due to the pandemic. During these C.O.V.I.D. times apple picking was a safe way to volunteer our time whilst enjoying the outdoors in safety.

The first picture shows Maureen Cantrill and Lawrence Cantrill picking apples.

The second picture shows Brenda Scalzo (the third picker) delivering the fruits of our labour to the On Rock Food Bank at Pierrefonds, Montreal.

Help!

Posted by Ariane Carriere, bulletin editor

The date for the District bulletin is usually the 4th or 5th of each month. Articles for the bulletin are coming in fast and furious, but please do not send anything after the first of any month. By that time I have started to fit the pieces together and I usually cannot fit anything else in.

All articles should be in Word with the author clearly identified at the beginning. Action photos in JPG preferred. DO NOT embed photos in the article but send as a separate JPG attachment. DO NOT send a PDF. DO NOT send article in an email message but send as file attachment. Try not to have too many links in the articles as I need to test every single one to make sure they work. Fancy fonts, bullet points, and colours will not transfer to ClubRunner HTML so please don't use them.

Le Club Rotary de Valleyfield (Québec) : 75 Ans de Services à la Communauté !

Posted by Michel Laniel Valleyfield

From RotaryCanada, English version below

Le CLUB ROTARY DE VALLEYFIELD célèbre en 2020 ses 75 ans d’existence. Il a été fondé en juin 1945 – à la fin de la deuxième grande guerre – par quelques hommes d’affaires de la région qui partageaient la vision et les objectifs du ROTARY INTERNATIONAL et qui cultivaient l’idéal de SERVIR D’ABORD ! Le club de Valleyfield a toujours été très actif dans son milieu et reconnu comme un regroupement de personnes grandement impliquées dans leur communauté.

Souper homard 2017

Lobster Dinner 2017

Souper homard 2019

Lobster Dinner 2019

Rotary FAR Project launched in Kingston

Rotary FAR Project launched to support Pathways to Education high school graduates while they take on next life goals

In short:

Kingston high school alumni of the Pathways to Education program will continue to receive support while they move on to post-secondary education and meaningful employment
For those alumni who wish to postpone the immediate employment vs. further education decision, 20 Rotarians have received professional mentorship training and will be matched with individual alumni as needed
The Rotary FAR Project is the product of financial support from local, national, and international Rotary Clubs
$140 000 CDN (approximate) was raised to fund the Facilitator of Alumni Resources (FAR) position for 3 days a week for 3 years

Fundraising

Posted by Jack Prim, Fundraising Chair

The Fundraising Committee objective is to assist fundraising at the club level by gathering and sharing the fundraising information for the district. The information will facilitate existing fundraising efforts by helping to identify the “best practices” from all of the clubs in the district fo similar fundraising efforts. It will also provide “how to information” to clubs who are planning to start a new fundraiser that is similar to some existing fundraisers in the district.

A Practical Demonstration of the Power and the Joy of being Rotarian

Posted by Wendy Adams, Ottawa-Stittsville

A hands-on Chapala Rotary project provides emergency food relief to 100’s of Mexican families in need during Covid-19 time.

Zoom provided a great opportunity on Wed Sep 10^th, 2020, for Stittsville Rotarians to hear first-hand about an international humanitarian project from guest speaker Barb Wilson, President-Elect, Lake Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club and Chair of Emergency Food Relief Program. The club has 38 members of varying nationalities and there are 133 clubs in that district in Mexico.

Save Our Legion campaign incredibly successful – Committee presents $83,000 cheque to Branch 353

Posted by Terry Fleurie, Staff writer, Eganville Leader

For three quarters of a century, Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 353, Eganville, has not only been supporting military veterans and their families, it has also served as the hub of community activities and has donated thousands of dollars to worthwhile causes.

Last Friday afternoon, the extended community that has benefitted from that generosity and support for 75 years, said Thank You in great style when the Save Our Legion campaign committee presented a cheque for $83,000 to the humbled Legion officials.

Bacon on a Bun

Posted by John Wilson, Renfrew

Our Club's largest fundraiser has been selling Bacon on a Bun at our annual Town of Renfrew, Ontario, Fall Fair. Because of covid-19, the fair was cancelled so we thought we had lost all that revenue (approximately $18,000). One of our members, Janet Springer, had the great idea to do a drive through ‘Bacon on a Bun’ day. She and fellow member, Doug Ryan, started organizing to make this happen. At a regular Club Meeting, (held via Zoom because of the pandemic), several members stepped forward to help organize this activity. Many new ideas blossomed forth from their discussions. They developed a plan to make deliveries to the many businesses that support us on one day and sales to the general public the next day. It is very difficult to estimate how much we would sell however the organizers were confident that sales would be great. Many people have told us over the years that they attend the fair just to get a Bacon on a Bun from our booth. So, they decided to order 80 boxes of bacon which is half of the bacon we normally sell for the five-day fair. The meat supplier thought we had set our sights too high, but we did it anyway.

Training Talk

This issue of Training Talk is dedicated to district trainers. Share this information with other trainers in your district. There is also a lot of information that is helpful for clubs.

Note: There have been reports of periodic issues when logging into My Rotary or the Learning Center that have been fixed. If you continue having trouble accessing the Learning Center, please clear cookies and cached images in your internet browser settings, close, and reopen your browser and try again.

Getting Our Branding Right

Posted by Rotary International Zone 8 Public Image Newsletter

What Are You Going to See at DisCon 2020?

Compilation Rotary 7040 DisCon 2020 promos from Chris Cochrane on Vimeo.

September Message of the District Governor

It’s September, Basic Education and Literacy month in Rotary. A new school year for many. Consider buying a young person a book. You never know, they may love it and become bookworms!

Jennifer E Jones, member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada has been nominated to become Rotary International President for 2022-23. Congratulations Jennifer!

Great News! Africa is declared Polio Free, thank you Rotarians for helping make this happen.

News from Area Clubs

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

Despite all the challenges that we are facing during these difficult times, I started my official club visits. I had a few official visits in person. I also attended a couple of outdoor social gatherings where I had the pleasure to be part of clubs' official changeovers and awards presentations. Physical distancing was observed. I have visited a few others virtually. Some were official visits and others were social visits to say hello and stay up to date on their activities.

Excellence in Humanitarian Service Award

Posted by Sue Bellor, Awards Chair

Rotary District 7040 Past District Governor and District Awards Chair Sue Bellor (Massena Rotary Club) was present to award the Excellence in Humanitarian Service Award to Margaret (Peggy) Coe in Watertown along with Peggy’s husband Past District Governor Ben Coe (Watertown Club) and 2019-20 District Governor Gerry Lambert (Canton Rotary Club). (left to right in photo).

This award is given annually to only 150 non-Rotarians selected worldwide and District 7040 is very pleased to honor Peggy.

Covid-19 Food Security Project - Rotary in Kingston

Posted by Ana Sutherland, Seaway West AG

As part of our final delivery week of food boxes, we were given 280 backpacks and school supplies for the children in our families through the United Way at no cost.

Rotarians in Kingston purchased an additional 120 backpacks with supplies in order to cover the families requesting the donation.

This project was exceptionally rewarding and it has cemented the long-term collaboration of the six clubs in Kingston.

The great news is that all the kids that needed a new Back Pack received one. Great work accomplished by Rotarians to benefit the community.

Rotaract de l'île de Montréal

Posted by Olivier Frasson

A Rotaract Treasure Hunt

For our second meeting of the year, the executive concocted its members a little treasure hunt across Montreal!

Three different routes were offered to the teams, so that each of them would go through different iconic places in the city. Through these places and a few puzzles, our members had to find the place where the meeting would take place: the clock dock, on the edge of the St-Laurent.

Last week, our past-president was alongside E-Club Premier to help them with the latest grocery basket distribution, at Carrefour Populaire, for the poorest families in the St-Michel district. This initiative was launched last March by the Rotary Clubs of Montreal. A total of 5.8 tons of food were distributed which helped around 600 families! Rotary / Haiti joint action review since April 2020: 7200 kg of food distributed to families and elders in Saint Michel, community kitchens and a homeless shelter.

Aide alimentaire d’urgence aux familles vulnérables du quartier Saint-Michel de Montréal

Posted by Michèle Herblin, e-Club Premier7040 et Anne-Laure Damhet, présidente 19-20, Rotaract IDM.

The English version is below.

« Ce qui est certain, c’est que ce Covid nous aura permis d’être créatif ». C’est ainsi que la Mairesse de l’arrondissement, Mme Giuliana Fumagalli, a commencé ses remerciements lors de la dernière distribution de paniers alimentaires le 16 juillet dernier.

Le Député Fédéral de la circonscription, le Conseiller de la Ville de Montréal pour le District étaient également présents à l’événement. Tous ont salué l’efficacité du réseau créé par les partenaires de l’action en souhaitant que « la belle équipe » Rotary/organismes communautaires de Saint-Michel poursuive leur partenariat pour la communauté.

UN International Literacy Day – 8 September

Posted by Linda Flynn, Literacy / Alphabétisation

The 8th of September was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1966 to remind the international community of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies, and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies. The issue of literacy is a key component of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UN's Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by world leaders in September 2015, promotes universal access to quality education and learning opportunities throughout people’s lives. Sustainable Development Goal 4 has as one of its targets ensuring all young people achieve literacy and numeracy and that adults, who lack these skills are given the opportunity to acquire them.

To learn more go to https://www.un.org/en/observances/literacy-day and CNTRL+ click on the titles below to learn more.

Disruptions of literacy learning due to COVID-19

New literacy strategy for youth and adults

Why do we mark International Days?

Rotary Global Rewards

Posted by Manon Lennon, Laval Rive-Nord

My Exchange

Posted by Gabriella Fera, Rotex

Going on an exchange was something I never thought I would do. Since my parents were both exchange students, they would always ask if it was something I was interested in, but the answer I always gave them was no. It wasn’t until we were having lunch with one of their friends they met through exchange, and I heard all of their amazing stories that I started to wonder, am I making a giant mistake by turning down this amazing opportunity? The answer to that was a huge yes. Luckily, I was able to get into the program just in time, and after many helpful orientations I was off to start my journey in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Aylmer Rotary Community Corps

Posted by Judy McBribe, president ARCC

We are very pleased to have an opportunity to write a short article regarding our Community Corps in the District Bulletin. Thank you, Fay Campbell, for providing us with this opportunity. Let me first provide you with a brief history of our club.

In 2011 a friend and Past Governor, Armin Thiele, noticed that our social group was close and enjoyed each others company, partaking in several activities together. He suggested we form a Rotary club in our community of Aylmer, Quebec. Many of us were interested in the concept but work and family life raised concern regarding the time required to hold weekly meetings and working on major fundraising projects. Armin suggested that we consider starting a Community Corps sponsored by a regular Rotary Club. This concept seemed less demanding and in March of 2011 we received our Charter in the presence of many Rotarians from Hull Rotary as well as the District Governor.

Rotaract is Moving Ahead!

Posted by Katie Massie, Rotaract Ottawa South

Excitingly, we already have a few Rotaractors in our district stepping into positions with Rotaract Canada, including: John Le, Hannah Glover, and Riley Weymann. There are a multitude of other opportunities to help serve and support clubs across the country with positions available to match any skill set, from graphic designer to copywriter to analyst. There are as many as 20 positions available for Rotaractors to apply for, see their website for more details.

DG Message August / août - We Are Adapting!

It has been a month since the start of this new Rotary year. I have been connecting with many Rotarians through online club meetings or emails. I have visited several clubs online and will soon be starting my official visits.

We are all exploring new territory with the online meeting format and many clubs were not comfortable in the beginning to adopt this format. Eventually, a vast majority of the clubs have started the format of online meetings. This taught us to adapt to a fast-growing technology, allowing me to visit many clubs virtually, and I enjoyed them. Every club has its format and style. This opportunity showed us that we can adapt to any situation that comes at us.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Diversité, équité et inclusion

Posted by PDG Martha Weaver, Chateaugay

La version française après l'anglais

“The COVID-19 pandemic and anti-racism solidarity demonstrations are calling out global inequities and the need for social justice. It is even more important that Rotary be an organization inclusive of all cultures, experiences, and identities.” -- from the introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Rotary: How are we Doing?

Rotary is committed to putting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the core of the Rotary experience. “It is time for Rotary to create a new future for the organization, one that is more open and inclusive, fair to all, builds goodwill, and is beneficial to all of Rotary.” said 2018-19 President Barry Rassin when Rotary’s diversity, equity, and inclusion statement was adopted.

Canada Day During COVID-19

Posted by Larrie Thomson, North Renfrew

Up until this year the club has held an annual Canada Day street parade for kids followed by free birthday cake for the public. A public parade was not possible this July because of COVID-19 so instead club members put on their thinking hats and instead sponsored a kid’s poster contest and adult story contest with What It Means to Be Canadian as the theme. All entries were printed in the North Renfrew Times.

Hawkesbury Rotary performs

Posted by Suzanne Hocquard, Hawkesbury

Check out our video on what the Rotary club has been doing to help out during these difficult times. Any donations you make to the Rotary Club of Hawkesbury will help keep this worthwhile program going.

https://www.facebook.com/681921660/posts/10159143966951661/?d=n

This Year’s District Conference is a Unique Opportunity You Won’t Want to Miss!

Posted by Gayle Oudeh, 2020 Program Chair

When we first started planning this year’s District Conference, our theme was “We’re Better Together.” Now, as the Covid-19 Pandemic is keeping us physically distant, it’s more important than ever to focus on the strength and opportunity that comes with working together as Rotarians. That’s why we’re holding this year’s District Conference online and we’ve adjusted our theme a little bit! We’re virtually better together!

Here's your opportunity to connect, be inspired, and celebrate the work of Rotary. Join us October 16-18, 2020 for our District’s first online District Conference. There is no cost to attend and the Conference is open to everyone. Invite your friends and neighbours to attend – it’s a great opportunity to introduce Rotary to them!

Spring cleaning at W. J. Bell Rotary Peace Park, Stittsville

Posted by Wendy Adams, Ottawa-Stittsville

Stittsville Rotarians met in-person on Jul 21, 2020 for the first time since the pandemic was declared in March 2020. Following Covid-19 guidelines, together they cleaned up the W.J. Bell Rotary Peace Park at 1751 Stittsville Main Street, pulling weeds and making the park like new again.

Les Rotariens de Stittsville se sont rencontrés en personne le 21 juillet 2020 pour la première fois depuis la déclaration de la pandémie en mars 2020. Suivant les lignes directrices de Covide-19, ensemble, ils ont nettoyé le parc de la paix du Rotary W.J. Bell au 1751, rue Principale de Stittsville, tirant les mauvaises herbes et faisant du parc un parc nouveau.

Fundraising continues at the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac les levées de fonds continue

Posted by Daniel Geleyn, Kingston-Frontenac

Rotarians and friends at the pick-up day for the latest online auction of the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac. “This fundraiser has helped us tremendously to continue to feel confident that we can continue to support the needs of our community and beyond,” says Daniel Geleyn, president of the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac. Photo by Daniel Geleyn

Des membres du club Rotary avec des amis durant la journée de collecte après la dernière vente aux enchères du club de Kingston-Frontenac. “Cette levée de fonds nous aide grandement à continuer d’être confiant que nous pouvons continuer à supporter les besoins de la communauté,” dit Daniel Geleyn, le président du club Rotary de Kingston-Frontenac. Photo par Daniel Geleyn

Your Next Rotary Travel Destination / Votre prochaine destination voyage avec le Rotary

Posted by Jacinthe Paille D7040 Passport,

If you are one of the many Rotarians who had planned to travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, last June, for the 2020 International Convention, I am certain you are still feeling sad about having to cancel your plans. Even if you may have attended some online events during the Virtual Convention, you might already be thinking about the next trip you’ll take.

Rejoice! The 2021 International Convention, which will take place in Taipei, Taiwan, is less than a year away (June 12 to 16, 2021) – and after all the time we’ve been spending meeting on screens, it will feel even better to get together and ‘feel the energy’, as the convention slogan goes.

Si vous êtes un des nombreux rotariens qui avait planifié de voyager à Honolulu, Hawaï pour la convention internationale de 2020 en juin dernier, je suis certaine que vous êtes encore triste d’avoir eu à annuler vos plans. Même si vous avez peut-être participé à certains événements en ligne pendant la convention virtuelle, il se peut que vous soyez déjà en train de penser à votre prochain voyage.

Réjouissez-vous! La convention internationale de 2021, qui aura lieu à Taipei, Taiwan, est dans moins d’un an (12 au 16 juin, 2021) – et après tout ce temps passé à faire des réunions en ligne, ce sera encore mieux de se retrouver et de ‘sentir l’énergie’ de Taipei, comme le mentionne le slogan de la convention.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Rotary will cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which people from underrepresented groups have greater opportunities to participate as members and leaders.

Statement from Rotary International

Joindre le Rotaract/Join Rotaract

Posted by Olivier Frasson, co-DRR 19-20, permission Rotary Canada

Il y a six ans, une de mes amies m'a invité à un barbecue qu'elle organisait avec son association. Les fonds récoltés serviront à envoyer des ordinateurs et des livres qu'ils ont récupérés pour une école primaire d’Haïti qui a tout perdu lors du tremblement de terre de 2010. C'était ma première interaction avec le Rotaract.

Six years ago, a friend of mine invited me to a BBQ she was organizing with her association.

The funds raised would be used to send computers and books they got for a primary school in Haiti that lost everything during the 2010 earthquake. It was my first interaction with Rotaract.

Happy New Rotary Year!

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

Another year comes upon us and we are heading into the unknown. Luckily, our Rotary Family in our District has handled it quite well. We are still visible, and we are lending a hand to our communities locally and internationally.

I am proud to be part of this family. Our District has shown unity and determination to get through these difficult times. Past District Governor Gerry Lambert has paved the way for us, and I vow to continue the great work that we started. I am happy that PDG Gerry & I worked together in past months, so we continue serving Rotary and our community to the best of our abilities.

Service Above Self

PDG Katie Burke Recipient of Service Above Self Award

Extra! Extra! Our very own Katie Burke has been recognized with Rotary's "Service Above Self" award during our District's 7040 Changeover event.

"Service Above Self" is Rotary’s highest honor and recognizes Rotarians who demonstrate Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self”, by volunteering their time and talents to help others. The award is internationally competitive and is granted to no more than 150 Rotarians worldwide each year,

Congratulations Katie... this is a well-deserved recognition of the many contributions you continue to make on behalf of Rotary and our community.

Bringing the “Fourth Object of Rotary” to Life

PDG Nabil Oudeh Recipient Of 2020 Zone 28 Donald MacRae Peace Award

Every year, our Zones honor Rotarians, Rotary alumni or Rotary-based organizations whose lives and work exemplify Rotary’s passion to strive toward international service and peace.

This tradition started in then-Zone 22 in 2004 to honor Donald MacRae, a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Back in 1921, MacRae pushed for Rotary to expand its community base and think in terms of global service. As a result, at the International Convention held that year in Edinburgh, Rotarians unanimously agreed to incorporate international peacemaking into Rotary’s incorporating documents with these words, “The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world of fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.” Today, we know those words as the Fourth Object of Rotary, and they are the basis for all the international work – from club service trips to Polio Plus – we do today.

RYLA Report - 2020

Posted by Paul Elsley, 7040 RYLA District Chair

When the pandemic arrived in North America in early March, plans for RYLA were put in jeopardy. The planning team investigated and quickly decided to pursue an online version modified to suit the Zoom platform. A total of 25 clubs from two Districts (7010 and 7040) including NY state, Quebec and central and eastern Ontario sent 52 delegates to the leadership academy. This represented a significant increase from the past two years and established new benchmarks for future years.

Thank you all

Posted by Karla Ojeda, 15-16 Youth Exchange Student

Karla Ojeda was a Youth Exchange student from Venezuela to Cornwall Sunrise. After she returned home, the troubles in her country began. The Cornwall Sunrise club raised funds and arranged for her to return to Cornwall where she has been studying for the last two years at St. Lawrence College. She wrote to some of us about her experiences.

It is interesting how hard it is sometimes to put your thoughts and emotions into words.

A few weeks ago, I finished my program. There are mixed feelings, lots of questions but mainly so much to thank. I look back now, and ask, where did the last two years go? They went by in the blink of an eye and now I am a Social Service Worker.

Seventh Avenue of Service Announced

The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment.

More than $18 million in Foundation global grant funding has been allocated to environment-related projects over the past five years. Creating a distinct area of focus to support the environment will give Rotary members even more ways to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact.

Supporting the environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development.

Grant applications for projects will be accepted beginning on 1 July 2021. Gifts and commitments from Rotarians and others will be sought to provide global grant support for the new area of focus.

More information about this new cause will be announced soon.

Westmount's First Virtual Fundraiser

The Rotary club of Westmount was pleased to host its first ever virtual fundraiser by way of a mentalist show streamed through YouTube on June 11^th.

Le Rotary club de Westmount a eu le plaisir d'organiser sa toute première collecte de fonds virtuelle par le biais d'une émission mentaliste diffusée sur YouTube le 11 juin dernier.

Carleton Place & Mississippi Mills donation

Rotary Club of Carleton Place & Mississippi Mills donates $4,000 to hospital

Rotary Club of Ottawa Bytown COVID-19 Initiatives

Posted by LA Palamar, Ottawa-Bytown

In order to support our local community during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Rotary Club of Ottawa Bytown decided to offer our support to the families of Immaculata High School students.

Located on Main Street in Old Ottawa South, this school of the Ottawa Catholic School Board serves a wide catchment area, spanning neighbourhoods of widely diverse socio-economic conditions. A pillar of the Old Ottawa South/East community since 1928, the school has evolved to serve the needs of its community moving from a girls-only school to a co-ed.

What a year!

Posted by DG Gerry Lambert

It has been quite a year and we're not finished yet.

As we approach the District changeover, which will occur on Saturday the 27th of June at 11:00 am, I am thinking about how significantly our world has changed. To say we are living in unprecedented times is a bit of an understatement. Who would have believed a year ago that this changeover ceremony would find us living in the midst of a pandemic that has swept the world? This pandemic that has resulted in the closure of the U.S./Canada border; forced us to meet online because of the significant restrictions with meeting in person; and resulted in the cancellation of the Rotary International Convention, District Assembly, and Foundation Dinner.

Finley's Walk for Water

Posted by Daniel Geleyn, Kingston-Frontenac

Finley Johnston, 10, of Westport, ON, set out to walk 350 kms to raise $3000 towards building a well for people living without fresh water.

Breaking news/dernières nouvelles

We are living in an interesting time. Each day there is more news about this virus that is spreading around the world. Now we have the added news of protests. The District is physically divided in half because the border is closed. Yet, Rotarians are meeting and getting together online.

We have made the decision to move our changeover and our annual conference online to protect the health and safety of our members and attendees. These events will be free of charge and we urge all of you to try to attend.

Nous vivons une période intéressante. Chaque jour, il y a plus de nouvelles sur ce virus qui se propage dans le monde entier. Maintenant, nous avons les nouvelles supplémentaires de protestations. Le district est divisé physiquement en deux parce que la frontière est fermée. Pourtant, les Rotariens se réunissent et se réunissent en ligne.

Nous avons pris la décision de déplacer notre passation des pouvoirs et notre conférence annuelle en ligne pour protéger la santé et la sécurité de nos membres et de nos participants. Ces événements seront gratuits et nous vous exhortons tous à essayer d’y assister.

RI Board Asks Everyone to Use the New Rotary Brand

At the April 2019 meeting of the Rotary International Board of Directors, the Board reviewed the Rotary brand and

requested all users of the Rotary Marks to come into visual brand compliance as soon as possible;
agreed not to publish in official Rotary media, after July 31, 2019, any advertisements or other information that are not in brand compliance;
agreed not to permit any exhibitions at all official Rotary events that are not in brand compliance;

We encourage all Rotary Clubs in District 7040 to become compliant too, as soon as possible. We will no longer publish pictures that have the old logo in them. You can find out more at the Rotary Brand Center.

COVID-19 Relief for District Clubs

Posted by DG Hadi Mortada

We know that most of you are working on budgets for the next Rotary year. Due to cancellation of PETS & DTA this year, the District Finance Committee has decided to waive the $10 levy per member for 2020-2021 as a COVID-19 relief. This waiver is only for this coming year. We expect that the levy will return for the following year so that we can meet again in person.

Rotary to the rescue/à la rescousse

Posted by Kevin Barron, Hawkesbury

On March 13 one of our members – Suzanne Hocquard reached out to the Meals On Wheels director in our area to inquire if they would need assistance delivering meals. Normally this task is completed by retired individuals but with the quarantine in force these individuals were not available.

Le 13 mars, une de nos membres - Suzanne Hocquard a contacté la directrice services communautaires de Prescott & Russell pour lui demander si elle aurait besoin d'aide pour livrer les repas. Normalement, cette tâche est accomplie par des individus retraités mais avec la quarantaine en vigueur, ces individus n'étaient pas disponibles.

Program of the Rotary International Virtual Convention

Potsdam donates to Food Bank

Potsdam Rotary Club President Duane Pelkey (right) presents a $1,000 donation to Potsdam Neighborhood Center Director Kristal Hayes at a safe social distance. The gift will be used by the Neighborhood Center food bank for COVID-19 relief. #RotaryResponds

We Do Better Together

Rotary is a service organization with more than 35,000 clubs and 1.2 million members world-wide. At times, Rotary clubs join together to carry out worthwhile international projects to meet specific needs in communities.

Rotarian Nosberto L. Lou was the connecting link for two such Rotary clubs in Ottawa-Stittsville and in Guatemala North. Originally from Guatemala where he was a member of the Rotary club, Nosberto now lives with his family in Stittsville. Currently however, he is in Guatemala where he was able to see the great need for medical supplies to deal with the current COVID-19 crisis.

Nouvelles des Échanges amicaux/News from D7040 Rotary Friendship Exchange

Posted by Greta Du Bois Cleynhens, D7040 RFE Chair, Cataraqui-Kingston

As a result of the present COVID-19 pandemic all Rotary Friendship Exchanges have temporarily been put on halt and will be reviewed at a later stage when general conditions allow it.

En raison de la pandémie actuelle de COVID-19, tous les échanges amicaux ont été temporairement suspendus et seront réexaminés ultérieurement lorsque les conditions générales le permettront.

Première réunion virtuelle depuis 106 ans pour le Club Rotary de Montréal !

Posted by Michèle Herblin-Mauger- Co Chair District Club Support Committee

First online meeting in 106 years!

President Fatima sent this so inspiring message to the Montreal Rotary Club:

“Just a quick note to thank everyone who attended the May 8th online meeting.

This virtual meeting marked a new page in the history of the Montreal Rotary Club and you can be proud to be part of it, since it is the first time in 106 years of its existence that our Club has held such a meeting.

Let us make sure that all members of our Club will meet in large numbers online in order to share our points of view and get to know each other better so that this unique current crisis has a positive side thanks to this virtual tool. Thank you all for your presence and I hope to see more members online next Friday.”

Voilà comment le 2ème plus ancien Club du Rotary au Canada ouvre les portes à de nouvelles opportunités pour son futur, en s’adaptant avec fierté, et en appuyant son développement sur l’amitié de ses membres.

Tous les Clubs de la grande région de Montréal/Laurentides se réunissent désormais online. Qu’ils partagent la plateforme Gotomeeting que le e-Club Premier a mis à leur disposition ou qu’ils utilisent Zoom, un planning commun permet de maintenir un contact plus fréquent entre les Clubs. Les projets communs se multiplient et les Conseils de Présidents sous la direction des deux AG Michel Wong Kee Song et Charles Ezin sont maintenant effectifs.

Bravo à tous, l’avenir du Rotary est plus que jamais entre nos mains. Les portes sont ouvertes à tous les possibles!

Rotary Kingston’s COVID-19 Project

Posted by Paul Elsley, Kingston

Summary of Rotary Kingston’s COVID-19 Project

Collaboration between: Isthmus, Food Sharing Project & Rotary

Last year, over 16,000 children at 87 schools in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington were fed at school either a snack, breakfast or lunch or in some cases all three through the food provided by The Food Sharing Project, and over 200 young students from five high-needs schools received small food hampers each weekend. Food insecurity is a serious concern in our community and, according to the Partners in Mission Food Bank here, of the participants in the Food Bank hamper program, a staggering 34% are children. With the onset of the pandemic, schools have been closed with no prospect of them reopening this academic year, so these children are not able to access food through established Student Nutrition Programs. Food Banks are trying to cope with an increased surge in demand and extended wait times.

District Alumni Chair/présidente des anciens du district.

Posted by DGE Hadi Mortada

I am excited to announce the appointment of Jordan Stroud as the District Alumni Chair.

Je suis heureux d’annoncer la nomination de Jordan Stroud à la présidence des anciens du district.

Fundraising In A Changed World: Online Events

Here are six important considerations that go into a successful online fundraising event.

MISSION

The “why” about fundraising is more important than ever. Your event message needs to be short, simple, relevant, and centered on your mission. Who are we helping? What impact will a donation have? Make the stories resonant and personal. Have someone record short videos of why they donate or how they’ve been helped. Throughout your online event, keep relating mission and impact.

Fundraising Goes Virtual

Posted by Marty Peak Helman, Zone Innovative Club Advocate

District 7780 Rotarians met recently (by Zoom, naturally!) to talk about fundraising options in the age of COVID. Generally speaking, the group agreed that:

Any fundraising project can be done virtually or with social distancing – it just takes creativity and maybe some downsizing.
Good givers will continue to give, even in the tough times.
A club should think about its traditional sponsors. If they are a restaurant or other establishment hard-hit by COVID, this is not the time to approach them. If they are an insurance agency or utility or other organization that has not been hard-hit, by all means reach out to them.
It’s critical to advertise, advertise, advertise events and activities on social media and wherever possible. People are feeling cooped up and are looking for fun things to do.

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).

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.

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

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?

Rotary Community Corps

To view the complete article online go to https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/rotary-community-corps.

A Rotary Community Corps is a group of non-Rotarians who share our commitment to changing the world through service projects.

RCC members plan and carry out projects in their communities and support local Rotary club projects.

There are more than 10,000 corps in 100 countries. RCCs are active everywhere Rotary is present: in urban and rural areas, and in both developed and developing countries.

Rotary Club Of Ottawa-Stittsville Delivers Friendship Boxes

Posted by Dave Rooke, Ottawa-Stittsville

Over a two-day span in mid-April, and in partnership with “I Love First Peoples”, members of the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville distributed Friendship Boxes (Shoeboxes) to centers working with Aboriginal children.

The Rotary Club of Nepean-Kanata (RCNK) has come back to service

Posted by Dinakar Vaidya, Nepean-Kanata

After a brief pause for two weeks in March, the Rotary Club of Nepean-Kanata (RCNK) has come back to service via ZOOM online video meeting in early April. It is an absolute pleasure to see most members join in and find out that all are healthy and well including their family and friends. For most of us, it was a new experience to attend club meeting online from the comfort of our own house, nevertheless all were very excited and enthusiastic on what we as a club can do to help communities in need.

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:

SAW (Stop After Work)

Posted by Jenn Grisi, Area Governor NY Lakes

A spin-off from my initiative in my year as Saranac Lake Rotary president of the “Where’s the Fun?” challenge (sometimes referred to as WTF), is what my club calls the SAW (Stop After Work) usually held at a local restaurant. We’ve made it easy to manage - it’s always the last Thursday of the month at 5 pm, no reservations required (we do give the restaurant a heads-up a day or so before). Some stop just for a beverage and most stay for dinner. At some point during the evening we discuss where to go the next month and then call for a vote, post it on our website and make an announcement at the next meeting. The ‘Pause’ as NY’s governor has called this challenging time, has not put a pause to our fun as we have now moved our SAWs online.

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.

Saranac Lake Rotary Literacy Program

Posted by Diane Tkach, Saranac Lake

Literacy is an initiative we as a club are proud to put our name on. We believe that reading is the only way out of poverty. Having books in the home; encouraging reading and literacy at a young age; adults reading and being role models – these are all statistically proven to set the stage for an exciting learning curve as children from birth are introduced to books and reading.

In the mid 1990’s club member Esther Arlan started the beginnings of a literacy program in the Saranac Lake school system. Esther is on one of the photos in the collage with current member Mitch Smith – looking at a book and laughing. By the time she and her husband, PDG Lionel, retired and moved away she had laid the foundation with the schools to allow us to come in and do something with a literacy focus.

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.

Rotary Going into Action

Posted by Gerry Lambert, District Governor

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.

The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Winston Churchill

I am happy to report that the District’s 75 clubs are starting to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. What better organization would you want to have at your back? Rotary has survived and grown through two World Wars, the last pandemic of the Spanish Flu, and is now in the process of ridding the world of Polio.

I am happy to report that most of our Rotary clubs, the District, Zone and Rotary International have recovered from the initial shock of this crisis and are now moving forward to reach out and assist its members and their local communities worldwide. The response has been fantastic.

Rotary Shop closed

Posted by Michele Berg, Deputy General Secretary Rotary International

Several months ago, we announced that Rotary Shop would close in April 2020. As members increasingly turn to Rotary’s electronic channels for information, we’ve seen a substantial decrease in use of Rotary Shop and more interest in downloadable files.

Digital versions of our most popular publications will be available on Rotary websites, including My Rotary and Rotary’s Learning Center. Some publications will also be offered as print-ready files that you can send to a local printer, if you’d like to.

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.

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).

Thank You

Can you still have some fun during this time?

Rotary loves Bingo

The first is a Zoom Bingo, courtesy of Zone 33.

The second, courtesy of Chatham Sunrise has some localized squares but can easily be adapted.

25 Day April Mental Health Challenge

Prepare For Your First Zoom Meeting (Participant And Host)

Posted by ARC PDG Peter Frueh, Zone 8

This Article is from the Rotary Zone 8 newsletter Rotary On The Move. I encourage you to read the whole article.

Zoom looks a bit different, depending on your device. It works on PCs, laptops, tablets and smart phones. First step is to download the application appropriate for your device from Zoom.US.

Watch this video first.

Joining a Zoom Call for the First Time; Fun and Easy Online Connection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9isp3qPeQ0E

This is an 8 min video and shows how it looks on a Windows PC. Similar for Mac, except Zoom is in the Apple store. For IOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android (tablets and phones) Zoom is in their stores.

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, updated regularly

Pour toutes les informations les plus récentes de notre district, régulièrement mis à jour

Click here - Cliquez ici

District 7040 COVID-19 Update

Due to the Corona virus, we find ourselves, as Rotarians, in the midst of a worldwide health crisis.

Very few aspects of our lives have not been affected including our lives as Rotarians.

Our District faces additional challenges as we have clubs in Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut and New York, each of which is responding to the crisis in different ways based on their Governmental Health directives.

We, at the District level, have already decided that this year we are reconfiguring our Presidents-Elect Training and District Training Assembly which you may have read about in DGE Hadi's email yesterday.

At the same time, we are monitoring this ever-evolving situation to ascertain what impacts it will have on:

Youth Exchange
RI International Convention
Foundation Walk
Foundation Dinner
Grants Management Training
District Committee meetings
RYLA
Our Adventure programs
Global Grant Scholarships and Peace Fellowships.
Etc.

At this time, much is unknown, in particular, how long this COVID-19 Outbreak will last or how severe it will become.

Additionally, we cannot predict what additional restrictions may be decreed or placed on organizations within each jurisdiction such as travel bans, restrictions on meeting sizes, etc.

PETS and DTA Changes

Posted by Hadi Mortada, DGE

The current situation of a global COVID-19 pandemic requires us to seriously consider the potential risks to Rotarians at upcoming District gatherings. After careful and deliberate consideration, we believe that caution is in the best interest of our membership. Therefore, it has been determined that we will not gather in person for President Elect Training and/or District Training Assembly on March 21 and 22, 2020.

We recognize that nothing really makes up for the opportunity to gather together, talk informally, and share ideas. However, as an alternative to these events, we will be providing on-line training opportunities as follows:

President Elect Training – An online session will be conducted on Saturday, March 21, 2020 from 10 am to noon. Additional online sessions may be scheduled at a later date. Alternately, Area Governors may meet in person with local Presidents Elect to provide additional training and support. Further information about registering for the online session on March 21 will be provided soon.

District Training Assembly – Where available and appropriate, break out session facilitators will provide interested Rotarians with their presentation material. Online sessions on some of the breakout topics will be scheduled throughout the year for Rotarians to attend. Additionally, some of the breakout sessions originally scheduled for DTA may be offered at District Conference in October.

Further information about Foundation Dinner and Grants Management Seminar, also scheduled for the March 21-22 weekend, will be forthcoming soon in a separate email.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and wish you all good health!

Strategic and Local Alliances

Today, and throughout history, all groups whether it was families, countries, organizations, corporations, small or large businesses have formed strategic alliances. Why? Because all organizations have the innate goals of wanting to grow, prosper and most importantly survive. This month, I would like to address how these alliances are currently being used to accomplish goals for both Rotary International and at the local club level.

Toastmasters International

Posted by Anna Van Adrichem Rochon (Kemptville)

I was very happy to hear that at the 2019 Rotary Convention in Hamburg that Rotary International and Toastmasters International came together to form an alliance. I have been a Toastmasters and Rotarian for about the same length of time. They definitely complement each other.

In 2010 I had the opportunity to lead a Group Study Exchange to India. The interview procedure is intense. I am certain that if it was not for the skill of impromptu speaking that I had practiced at each Toastmasters meeting I would not have been selected for this leadership role. While in India for a month, the team and myself were required to do presentations to various Rotary clubs - at least 20 times and a presentation at the District conference there that had at least 1500 attendees. Toastmaster members at my Club in Kemptville helped me learn to be comfortable in front of any audience.

ShelterBox and Rotary

Posted by Tom Deuson (Watertown)

Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth, and dignity following more than 300 disasters in over 100 countries. We respond urgently to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, or conflict by delivering boxes of essential shelter, aid and other life-saving supplies. Each iconic green ShelterBox contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a water filtration system, emergency lighting, and other tools for survival.

What began as a local connection with one Cornish Rotary Club in the United Kingdom has led to an international movement that’s raised over $68 million for ShelterBox to date – enough for 140,000 ShelterBox family tents or 390,000 ShelterKits.

All About PETS, Foundation Dinner, DTA

Posted by Gayle Oudeh, Trainer

Training for all incoming Presidents (Rotary and Rotaract Clubs) will be held March 21-22, 2020. Detailed program schedule will be announced soon. Training will take place Saturday, March 21 from 9am - 4:30 pm and Sunday, March 22 from 9 am - noon. Click here to register for PETS.

District Training Assembly (DTA) will also take place on Sunday, March 22 from 9am - 4:30 pm. Incoming Presidents must register for DTA and register for morning sessions identified as mandatory for Presidents Elect. Anyone from outside the district who wants to attend the weekend needs to contact Ariane Carriere.

Registration for DTA is separate from registration for PETS. Click here to register. for DTA

Saturday evening (March 21) there will be a Foundation Dinner. Registration for this dinner is also separate. Click here to register for the Foundation Dinner. There is no cost if you are a President Elect. All others must pay.

If you want to reserve a room at the Ramada Inn, phone 613-933-8000 and mention that you are with Rotary.

Pre-PETS Training will take place online prior to March 20, 2020. Check Events calendar.

District Scholarships in 7040 bourses de district

Posted by Katie Burke, Scholarship Chair

The scholarship deadline is coming up quickly and it is time to take a look at whom we are looking for!

La date limite des bourses arrive rapidement et il est temps de chercher les boursiers de cette année!

Rotary Brockville Donates $25,000 to Jumpstart

Posted by Doreen Barnes (1000 Islands)

On Thursday, February 13, the two Rotary Clubs in Brockville presented Canadian Tire (Brockville and Prescott) owners Alex and Beatriz Joannides, a cheque for $25,000 towards their program Jumpstart. Canadian Tire Jumpstart believes that children, ages 4 to 18, should have equal access to sports and physical activity. Over 70 activities related to hockey, dance, climbing, swimming and other sports are included in their funding program for children. In 2018, 971 children in this area were assisted with a disbursement of $50,168. Canadian Tire Jumpstart is Giving Kids a Sporting Chance!

From left to right are, President Shelley McCaffrey of the Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands, Rotarian Ray Marshall, Canadian Tire owners Alex Joannides, Beatriz Arias-Joannides, President David Keenleyside of the Rotary Club of Brockville, Canadian Tire Human Resources/Office Manager Gabriele Wickens and General Manager Jerry Wickens.

Kingston Rotarians Welcome Newcomers!

Posted by Lucille Davies (Kingston)

We have four Rotary Clubs in Kingston, Ontario – Cataraqui-Kingston, Frontenac, Kingston, and Kingston-Waterfront – covering all three meal times of the day, plus the cocktail hour. Our oldest club, RC Kingston, was chartered in April, 1921, and this year we begin a 4-Club joint celebration of ‘100 Years of Rotary in Kingston’!

While we are very proud of our beautiful city, sitting on Lake Ontario, with our historical sites and trendy boutiques, we are most appreciative of our people. Kingstonians come from all corners of the world, tastily reflected in the multicultural cuisine of our many restaurants. So, one of our dozen or so Centennial Projects has to be a celebration of our local population, in particular, our newest Kingstonians.

Public Relations publiques

Posted by Chris Cochrane, Public Relations Chair

The purpose of having a District Public Relations Committee is to help you promote your Club and its events and to raise awareness of all things Rotary. To this end, as District Chair of PR, I offer assistance to any club to have info on their events and their club in general published/ aired in local media including print, radio & TV and uploaded to appropriate Social Media platforms.

Le but d’avoir un Comité de relations publiques de district est de vous aider à favoriser votre club et ses événements et à soulever la conscience de toutes les choses rotatoires. À cet effet, comme chaise de district des RP, j'offre l'aide à n'importe quel club pour avoir l'information sur leurs événements et leur club a en général édité aérer dans des médias locaux comprenant la copie, la radio et la TV et téléchargé pour s'approprier les plates-formes sociales de médias.

Physician Travel Packs

Posted by Knud Peterson (Montreal-Lakeshore)

Over the years the Montreal-Lakeshore Club has obtained - from 'Health Partners International of Canada' and delivered more than fifty 'Physician Travel Packs' to a number of projects in Central and South America and Africa

But then customs’ authorities in a number of countries, such as Paraguay, Peru and Guatemala made it difficult or even impossible to donate medicine to needy persons or entities in their respective countries so for the last several years this excellent type of international aid had come to an almost standstill.

What is The Rotary Foundation? It’s More than Polio?!

Posted by Bonnie Black (Plattsburgh)

Our District Foundation Committee is coming to you! Although we meet quarterly along with the District International Service Committee, we usually are missing representation from about 40 of our 66 clubs.

So…our Foundation Team will come to you on the following Saturday morning at 10 am for a 30-minute ASK YOUR QUESTIONS gathering via Zoom:

May 30 – Polio (Rotary’s Major Initiative)

Drop in on one or all sessions! If you’re interested, just email me at bonblack@yahoo.com and I will send you the link. Feel free to ask other club members who might have an interest in hearing more about Our Foundation doing good in the world - see you soon!

Silent Auction 2020 encan silencieux

Posted by Jill Yarnell (West Ottawa)

The Silent Auction Committee for the Rotary International District 7040 Conference 2020 invites you to participate by donating a gift item to be auctioned. The proceeds from this auction will go to The Rotary Foundation on behalf of the entire district. The auction will be held during DisCon 2020, October 16-17, 2020.

Le Comité d'encan silencieux pour la Conférence 2020 du Rotary International District 7040 vous invite à participer en faisant don d'un article-cadeau à vendre aux enchères. Le produit de cette vente aux enchères ira à la Fondation Rotary au nom de tout le district. La vente aux enchères aura lieu pendant DisCon 2020, du 16 au 17 octobre 2020.

Rotary District 7040 Foundation Walk 2020

Posted by Ron Patnode (Canton)

The annual D/7040 Rotary Foundation Walk is Saturday, May 9th in, Canton, New York, hosted by the Rotary Club of Canton. The annual Foundation Walk was created to bring all the clubs in the district together in a family-oriented social setting with an emphasis on fellowship while providing an opportunity for clubs and their members to contribute their Annual Fund giving to the Rotary Foundation. You can collect pledges from the members of your club, or from anyone that you know. The Canton Rotary Club is inviting you and your club to join us in a leisurely walk in Canton, our county seat. See some notable sites and hear some of our history.

Registration will begin at 9:00 am at the Eben Holden Conference Center located on the St. Lawrence University campus. Plenty of free parking is available in lot C. Morning refreshments will be provided. Early registration is encouraged. The walk is a 5K (3.2 mile) beginning promptly at 10:00 am. Families and non-members wishing to attend should register through their sponsor Rotarian.

The walk route will leave Eben Holden Center visiting historic campus buildings: Herring-Cole Hall, Richardson Hall and the Garrison Chapel. Proceeding then to the Canton village historic district: Silas Wright House & Museum, the U.S Post Office, the birthplace of Frederic Remington, Jail Liberties Stone, the St. Lawrence County Courthouse, Heritage Park, as well as a federal style home. At various stops a brief summary of its historical significance and/or a guided tour as time permits will be provided. We will then return to Eben Holden Center for lunch at 12:00 pm.

Running on Empties

Posted by Dave Rooke (Ottawa-Stittsville)

One of the local charity efforts we support on an annual basis is called Running on Empties. This event is organized by the Caring and Sharing Exchange in Ottawa each year in time for the Christmas season. During this event, the Exchange partners with Local Beer Stores (these stores accept empty beer and liquor bottles for cash) for a one-day event to encourage patrons of the Beer Stores to donate some or all of their bottle returns to the Christmas Hamper Fund in Ottawa. Most Beer Store outlets participate, and are assisted by service clubs, school groups and individuals who set up outside the store to encourage donations throughout the store opening hours.

Our Club participates annually at the Stittsville Beer Store outlet, and this year was part of the Ottawa effort that raised almost $20,000 to provide Christmas Food Hampers and/or vouchers to families in need. The following is the email from the Caring and Sharing Exchange identifying the success of the program.

As you might expect, we are very proud of our work in support of such undertakings throughout the year, and we do our utmost to let the community know how valuable service clubs are to the well being of the communities they serve.

What I Have Learned So Far From My Official Club Visits

So far, I have visited over 60 Rotary/ROTARACT clubs, along with their boards. I have about 15 more visits to go, including Iqaluit. Hopefully, I will be finished with all but a few visits by the end of March.

My Official Club Visits have been the best part of my term as District Governor. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to meet such a diverse group of clubs and Rotarians/Rotaractors within the District. The impact these clubs are having, especially in small communities is remarkable. Learning about the club's various fundraisers along with their service projects, both locally and overseas, are true examples of Rotary’s motto “Service above Self.”

Stittsville Rotary Trivia Challenge

Honouring Indigenous Peoples

The District, in hopes of advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples worldwide, seeks to create a forum for collaboration that can provide a way for allies to contribute to supporting Indigenous partners. The committee will promote, in partnership with Indigenous partners, consistent and meaningful collaboration and coordination between the First Nations, Rotary Clubs and partners on Indigenous programs and services towards improving First Nations communities’ health and well-being.

The D7040 Passport Club on Tuesday January 14 recorded our Club Member, PDG Rene Melchers, explaining a new committee he is Chairing at District Level. Rene is asking for assistance so let's help him. Watch the video! https://vimeopro.com/cochrane/rotary

We also encourage you to go to the website http://www.rotaryhip.com/.

District 7040 RYLA 2020

Posted by Paul Elsley

Kingston, Ontario May 29 - 31, 2020

Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) is a unique opportunity for high school students to gain insight and knowledge in life and leadership skills. The academy features professionally developed curriculum, exciting guest leaders, small group problem solving and self reflection which lead to enhanced leadership skills. Based on their academy experience, many graduates change their career objectives or educational plans. District 7040 Rotary Clubs may sponsor one to three students (ages 15-17) to attend this Youth Leadership Academy, The program is offered in English only. All students stay in residence at St. Lawrence College for 2 nights/3 days. Registration and transportation costs are covered by the local Rotary club.

Aid for Chernobyl / Aide pour Chernobyl

Shown is a picture of the Rotarians from both Brockville Clubs that were able to help on the packing night, this past Wednesday evening, Jan. 8, 2020.

Montrée est une image des rotariens des deux clubs de Brockville qui pouvaient aider la nuit d’emballage, ce passé mercredi soir, le 8 janvier 2020.

Less than 10 steps to achieve a Rotary club citation

Posted by PDG Martha Weaver (Chateaugay)

At our District 7040 Conference, I had the pleasure of presenting 2018-2019 Rotary Citations to 34 of the 66 Rotary clubs in District 7040. Two of those were with Platinum Distinction, three with Gold, and 16 with Silver. Many clubs went from previously not being eligible for a Citation to being eligible with distinction. That was because clubs have been completing the goals, but not inputting their accomplishments into the system. There is a strategy that any club or district can use to increase Citation achievement.

#WeServe

Four international presidents / quatre présidents internationaux

From Left: Optimist International President Adrian M. Elcock, Rotary International President Mark Daniel Maloney, Lions International President Jung-Yul Choi, and Kiwanis International President Daniel Vigneron.

De la gauche : Le président international d'optimiste, Adrian M. Elcock, le président de Rotary International, Mark Daniel Maloney, le président international de lions, Jung-Yul Choi, et le président international du Kiwanis, Daniel Vigneron.

The Scope and Scale of Rotary Volunteering

Posted by A special report prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies

“The lesson from this report is clear: volunteer service is not only a feel-good calling—it may provide one of the more powerful, and one of the more fulfilling, avenues through which to reach the ambitious United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
~ Lester M. Salamon

Read the complete report at https://www.rotary.org/en/value-rotary-volunteering

Australia 2019-20 Bushfires Appeal

Can I please express my great appreciation to all those friends from right around the world who have offered kindness and support to Australia as we suffer these terrible fires. It helps enormously to know that you are thinking of us. Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) has a fund supporting bushfire recovery through which you can donate from outside Australia. Put https://rawcs.org.au/ into your browser and follow the blue "Donate Now" button.

It is not quite as easy as it should be to donate, but the trick is to ensure that on the second page in the address section, where it shows "State", all those from outside Australia need to choose the last option, which is "outside Australia". Then it should accept any district number. Thanks again!

Eganville Rotary is looking for partners for the Siloam Education Centre

Posted by Alan Fox (Eganville)

Eganville Rotary is looking for partners to help fund a series of workshops addressing critical issues faced by students at Siloam Kware Primary School in Nairobi’s Mukuru slum.

For girls, information will be provided on menstruation and its role in human reproduction, as well as how to manage the monthly period. For boys, information will be provided on the attributes of positive manhood. For both girls and boys, instruction will be provided on Life Skills, such as career choices, dating with dignity, alcohol and drugs and the management of money.

RCAT Orléans Rotary Climate Action Team

Posted by Phil McNeely (Orleans)

The Rotarian Magazine, which reaches over 1.2 million Rotarians in 200 countries, issued a statement in April from Rotary International’s past-president, Barry Rassin. In light of the current movement around the climate emergency, Mr. Rassin has wisely recommended all Rotary members to get involved in slowing down climate change. Referring to the book Drawdown, by Paul Hawken, Mr. Rassin urges us to consider adopting simple actions to our daily lives, identified as Climate Solutions Within Our Reach.

Le magazine Rotarian, qui rejoins plus de 1,2 million de Rotariens dans 200 pays, a publié en avril une déclaration de l'ancien président du Rotary International, Barry Rassin. Compte tenu du mouvement actuel autour de l'urgence climatique, M. Rassin a sagement recommandé à tous les membres du Club Rotarien de s'impliquer dans le ralentissement du changement climatique. Se référant au livre Drawdown, de Paul Hawken, M. Rassin nous exhorte à envisager d'adopter des actions simples dans notre vie quotidienne, identifiées comme des solutions climatiques à notre portée.

Les bourses de District 7040 Scholarships

Posted by Katie Burke (Cornwall Sunrise)

District 7040 has had a Global Grant Scholar for the past 7 years and each time the interview team is amazed at the talents, skills, experiences and academic achievements of each of the candidates. Our scholars are not only smart and capable, they are eager, interested and involved in what the world has to offer.

Le District 7040 compte un boursier de subvention mondiale depuis 7 ans et chaque équipe d’entrevue s'émerveille des talents, des compétences, des expériences et des réalisations académiques de chacun des candidats. Nos chercheurs ne sont pas seulement intelligents et capables, ils sont enthousiastes, intéressés et impliqués dans ce que le monde a à offrir.

Participez à la 2020 vaccination contre la polio en Inde

The Indian Rotary leadership has stated that this is expected to be one of the last times that the Government will hold a National Polio Immunization program. If you have always wanted to participate in an NID, this may be your last opportunity for this experience.

Les dirigeants du Rotary Indien ont déclaré que ceci est un des derniers programmes nationaux de vaccination contre la polio qui sera organisé par le gouvernement. Si vous avez toujours voulu participer à un NID, cela pourrait être votre dernière occasion de vivre cette expérience.

Final Stretch!

November first and second are fast approaching, so register today for our District Conference.

We have Past RI Vice-President, Dean Rohrs, and her husband Rhino joining us for the entire weekend beginning with a Boat Tour and box lunch on Friday. If you'd like to join her, as well as our Past District Governors, register now as space is limited to the first 45 people. The cost is $15 per person and please note any food allergies. The Boat Tour should be glorious this time of year!

The boat leaves the Town dock at the shore of the hotel at Noon, so we are asking everyone to come on board no later than 11:30am.

Registration for the Full Conference is still open until October 30th via the link to the left, or click here.

If you would like a hotel room, please call the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel directly (315-686-1100) and let them know you are part of Rotary...see you there!

Awards, Awards and More Awards/des Prix, des Prix et plus de Prix

Posted by Sue Bellor (Massena)

Rotarians can thank and recognize other Rotarians for their continued commitment to others. Simply go online to www.rotary.org click on “My Rotary” at the top, then under the “Learning and Reference” tab, click on “awards”. Club leaders and members may nominate for: Recognize a Club, Significant Service Award, Avenues of Service Award in district, Service Award for a Polio-free World, and Polio Plus Pioneer Award. Any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact District 7040 Awards Chair PDG Sue Bellor at sbellor1@twcny.rr.com .

Les Rotariens ont la possibilité de remercier et reconnaître les autres Rotariens pour leur engagement continu envers les autres. Allez simplement en ligne à www.rotary.org, cliquez sur « Mon Rotary » en haut de la page et sous l'onglet « Je me forme », cliquez sur « Prix ». Les Leader et membres de club peuvent se porter candidats pour : Reconnaître un club, un prix de service important, un prix d'avenues de service dans un district, un prix de service pour un monde sans polio et un prix Polio Plus Pioneer. Si vous avez des questions ou des préoccupations, n'hésitez pas à contacter le président du GDP du district 7040, PDG Sue Bellor, à l'adresse sbellor1@twcny.rr.com .

My Polio Moment and why I give...

Jack Nicklaus, the legendary golfer, spoke as a Rotary Polio Ambassador at the Atlanta Rotary Convention a few years ago. It was there that my wife Susan and I were surprised to learn of his childhood affliction with Polio.

His heartfelt comments made a great impression on us especially when he spoke on how he and his family was affected. As an engineer, I never feel a problem is unsurmountable. It just needs to go through a process resulting in something being invented, built, or fixed. In doing so it is easy to lose sight of the impact our Polio efforts are having in preventing memories (like Jack’s) throughout the world for other individuals and families.

WORLD POLIO DAY OCTOBER 24^th JOURNÉE POLIO MONDIALE

What are your club’s plans? Quels sont les plans de votre club ?

Every year, on 24 October, we celebrate our progress toward eradicating polio. Clubs around the world raise awareness and spread the word that the fight to end polio is not over by hosting a local World Polio Day event.

Chaque année, le 24 octobre, nous célébrons nos progrès vers l'éradication de la poliomyélite. Les clubs du monde entier sensibilisent et font savoir que la lutte pour mettre fin à la poliomyélite n'est pas terminée en organisant un événement local de la Journée mondiale de la poliomyélite.

13 Ways to Kill Your Rotary Club

Posted by By PDG Michael Angelo Caruso, D6380

1. Neglect the food.

For centuries, people have gathered together around food and drink. Hospitality creates conversation and conversation creates everything from relationships to project lists. Food and the accompanying ceremony is an asset for your Rotary club, not a liability.

2. Don’t attract businesses.

Local businesses can help you identify the movers and shakers in your community. These people often make the best Rotarians. Work hard to be appealing when it comes to the length of your meeting, the location and the time/day slot. “Folksy” can work against you.

3. Don’t engage youth.

September Was Literacy Month

Posted by Linda Flynn (West Ottawa)

The September Rotarian is a good read! Why wouldn't I say that as literacy chair? So, make it a goal, during September which is Literacy month, to make the time to read it.

Inspired to update my literacy rate statistics for Canada & the USA I learned that both countries have remained steady since 2008 to 2014 at anywhere from 85 – 99% depending on the study. This sounds good until you realize the number of illiterate Canadians is 2 in 5 adults or 9 million and with seniors (65 +) included there are 12 million people. For the USA, the government uses 19% for the number of illiterate Americans or 62 million.

District Members at Zone Conference

D7040 in Niagara Falls

Sad News

The Rotary Club of Nepean-Kanata is mourning the passing of two past Club members recently:

Ron Workman was a Member of Rotary for over 25 years, both in the Rotary Club of Nepean-Kanata and the Rotary Club of Shawville;

Peter McKennirey was a Member of the Club for nine years and served as Club President in 2011-2012.

Both men were dedicated to the ideals of Rotary and were great and gentle souls. They will be deeply missed.

Celebrating Teachers on World Teachers Day/Célébrons les enseignants lors de la Journée mondiale des enseignants

Posted by Jacinthe Paille (D7040 Passport)

In 1994 I was studying to become a teacher at Laval University in Quebec City; that same year, World Teachers Day was established to “acknowledge, evaluate and enhance the instructors of the world.” (awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-teachers-day-2019/) It is held every year on October 5 and is celebrated by more than 100 nations globally as a way to commemorate the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

En 1994 j’étudiais pour devenir enseignante à l’université Laval à Québec; cette même année-là, la Journée mondiale des enseignants a été établie pour « reconnaître, évaluer et mettre en valeur les instructeurs du monde entier ». (awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-teachers-day-2019/) La journée a lieu tous les ans le 5 octobre et est célébrée par plus de 100 nations autour du monde. C’est une façon de commémorer la signature de la Recommandation UNESCO/ILO de 1966 concernant le Statut des enseignants.

Hurricane Dorian Update and Relief Fund

The Islands of The Bahamas Need Your Help

As Hurricane Dorian was raging through Abaco yesterday, leaders of District 7020, the Disaster Network of Assistance Action Group and neighbouring Rotary Districts in Zone 33-34 gathered to formulate plans for the recovery efforts they knew would be needed the very next day.

The team is on alert and will be meeting on a very regular basis, confirming the status of Rotarians and clubs and monitoring the immediate and longer-term needs. Our experience of the storms of 2017 will serve us well as we head into another year of returning these islands to their former beauty.

Although the brunt of the storm was borne by the northern islands of the archipelago, much of the area, including Nassau, New Providence, continues to experience heavy rainfall and flooding.

Message of the District Governor

Posted by DG Gerry Lambert (Canton)

It's August and I hope all of you have enjoyed your summer so far. As somebody who grew up in California, I look very forward did this time of year. Let me update you on how things are going so far.

I have started visiting Clubs, in particular fundraisers like Perth's Rib Fest and Nepean-Kanata's 50th anniversary. Additionally, I started my official Club visits earlier this month in the Tri-Lakes area of New York followed by the clubs in the Kingston area. My goal is still to get as many DG visits completed prior to the District Conference on Friday the 1st and Saturday the 2nd of November. I plan to complete any remaining Club visits by the end of December.

Speaking of the Conference, I'd like to give you an update of what is planned for our annual two-day District Conference starting on Friday, 1 November, with the Council of Governors' meeting for a boat ride among the scenic 1000 Islands at the Harbor Hotel in Clayton, New York. It is a breathtaking facility with a phenomenal view of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Philanthropy Matchmakers

Posted by The Rotarian, Nikki Kalleo

In July, the Rotarian magazine featured an article on Philanthropy Matchmakers, none other than Fatima Lahmami Langlois and Jean Gagnon from the Rotary Club of Montreal. Read about the interview here.

Support my fundraising effort

Posted by Anna Van Adrichem-Rochon (Kemptville)

Anna Van Adrichem-Rochon, from the Rotary Club of Kemptville has a long way to go in the 2 weeks that leads up the race weekend that requires her sister, coming from Vancouver, and herself to raise a minimum of $1000 for the ROTARY Home Foundation. They would appreciate all the help they can get from Rotary friends. They will be posting on Facebook too. Members that are on that platform are welcome to repost on their site so that these connections could also support this worthy cause.

2nd Annual Charity Kickball Tournament

Posted by Jill Van Hoesen (Theresa)

Westelcom, a provider of advanced telecommunications solutions, has announced that it will host the 2^nd Annual Kickin’ IT for a Cause kickball tournament to support the ARC Jefferson-St. Lawrence Capital Campaign, with plans to fund a speech therapy room at the Gaffney Drive campus.

Awards, Awards and More Awards

Posted by PDG Sue Bellor (Massena)

Rotarians have the opportunity to thank and recognize other Rotarians for their continued commitment to others. Simply go online to www.rotary.org and under the Learning and Reference tab, click on “awards”. Club leaders and members may nominate for: Recognize a Club, Significant Service Award, Avenues of Service Award in district, Service Award for a Polio-free World, and Polio Plus Pioneer Award. Any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact District 7040 Awards Chair PDG Sue Bellor .

Inter-club project Dodge Pond Projet inter-club

Posted by Walt Mulyca (Massena)

Dodge Pond Camp in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains near Fine, NY provides a safe and fun camping experience for individuals between 8 and 21 with developmental and physical disabilities.

Le camp Dodge Pond au pied des montagnes d’Adirondack, à coté de Fine, NY, propose une expérience de camping fun et sécuritaire pour des personnes âgées de 8 à 21 ans, présentant un handicap physique ou mental.

Camp Merrywood

Posted by Krista Marie LeClair (Kingston)

Rotary Day at the UN November 9

For the latest information on UN Day, go to https://www.rotaryundaynyc.org/

On behalf of Rotary’s Representatives to the United Nations/ New York, we are pleased to share that our New York team has begun planning for Rotary Day at the United Nations - scheduled for 9 November at the United Nations Secretariat. As you may be familiar with past UN Days, I want to alert you to some changes and ask your assistance in sharing information with Rotary members who may express concerns.

First, due to increasingly tight security measures, the UN has limited the number of rooms it permits for civil society/ general public events – particularly during the period of the UN General Assembly which runs from September through December.  Regrettably, there is no longer sufficient “UN-authorized” space for two programs. We will instead include Rotaractors and other young professionals in our one UN Day program.

Grants Management Seminar Qualification Schedule

Posted by Bonnie Black (Plattsburgh)

Register on the District website under EVENTS on the right-hand side of the Home Page, or the left-hand side of this bulletin.

Interested in applying for a global grant? Courses in the Learning Center at rotary.org can serve as part of the required training on grants in order to qualify your club to apply for global grants.

These courses look at a grant from start to finish. It's best to take these courses before you start thinking about the type of global grant activity you want to do. You will have many of your questions answered before attending any of the live sessions offered through the District. For the dates of the remaininh sessions, click on See More.

Certificates of Insurance for Canadian Clubs

Posted by Ariane Carriere (D7040 Passport)

Our new district insurance company for Canadian clubs no longer provides automatic certificates of insurance for every club. If you require one, you need to apply for it.

HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE FOR AN EVENT THAT IS COVERED UNDER THE DISTRICT POLICY:

Review the “EVENT COVERAGE” TAB on the district website to ensure your event does not require a separate special events liability.

If your event is not listed on the list of excluded events, please contact our broker 15-30 days prior to the event whenever possible.

District Conference Rates

Posted by PDG Bonnie Black (Plattsburgh)

The Thousand Islands is THE Place to Be!

Our District Conference is shaping up as one of the best in years...we'll be hearing from a Canadian Rotary Rep to the United Nations and learn how engaged we are with international projects and decisions for Peace and World Understanding as well as Rotary's engagement with its formation. Get motivated with an energetic Leadership Coach who stimulates everyone while providing us with ideas for our clubs as well as ourselves.

Of special note is the RI President Mark Maloney's Representative to our Conference: Past RI Vice-President and Director, Dean Rohrs. Her vitality and uplifting messages and guidance will be of special note!

Join us Friday, November first beginning at 3:30pm and Saturday, November second at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel in Canton, NY. We'll even have a Friday Foundation Turkey Dinner with Entertainment as an option for just $10US. Make your choice of registration package below.

Friendship exchange-l'échange d'amitié

Posted by Fay Campbell

Friendship exchange is a great way to meet new Rotarians and see the good that they are doing in the world. It is a great way to discover and enjoy new cultures while staying in the homes of local Rotarians. We may also find opportunities for partnership on projects.

I would encourage all the members in the District to consider a Friendship Exchange. It is a rich, eye-opening experience, that can lead to wonderful friendships.

L'échange d'amitié est un excellent moyen de rencontrer de nouveaux Rotariens et de voir le bien qu'ils font dans le monde. C'est une excellente façon de découvrir et de profiter de nouvelles cultures tout en séjournant dans les maisons des Rotariens locaux. Nous pouvons également trouver des occasions de partenariat sur des projets.

J'encourage tous les membres du district à envisager un échange d'amitié. C'est une expérience riche et révélatrice, qui peut mener à de merveilleuses amitiés.

People of Action - les gens d'action

YPP/PdlJ

Posted by Ariane Carriere

Our current district Youth Protection Policy was drafted in 2014 at the insistence of RI, going back as far as 2004. We need to look at this document to see if revisions are needed. Please send suggestions to Ariane Carriere.

Notre politique actuelle de protection de la jeunesse du district a été rédigée en 2014 sur l'insistance du R.I. et remonte à 2004. Nous devons examiner ce document pour voir si des révisions sont nécessaires. S'il vous plaît envoyer vos suggestions à Ariane Carriere.

Aloha Rotary!

Posted by Jacinthe Paille

Get ready for some real sunshine at the next Rotary International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Soyez prêts pour du soleil mur à mur à la prochaine convention internationale du Rotary à Honolulu, Hawaii.

COL 2019 CDL

Posted by Bette Miller

2019 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION

Essential changes for Clubs and Districts

CONSEIL DE LÉGISLATION 2019

Changements essentiels pour les clubs et les districts

District Governor Gerry Lambert

Gerry Lambert
District Governor 2019-2020

I was born in the Los Angeles area in the '50s and spent my early years growing up on the West Coast of the US (Washington, Oregon and California).
During the '60s & early '70s, I lived in the San Diego, California area and graduated from High School in El Cajon, California in 1972 where I enjoyed math, science and technology classes, Speech & Debate Club, track & cross-country teams and Scouting/ Order of the Arrow.
After high school, I attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. I graduated in June of 1976, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. It was during college that I met my lovely wife, Susan, and we were married two days after graduation. From there, we began our 21-year military career during which I served as an officer in the Signal Corps and Susan served as a hardworking and devoted military spouse.

Susan and I were fortunate to live and work on what would span three continents. We had many assignments in various locations within the United States, were stationed in Stuttgart, Germany for 4 years and Tageu, Republic of Korea for 2 ½ years. I also served as an ROTC Instructor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, receiving my Masters of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. At the end of my military career, I was assigned the duty of Professor of Military Science I Commander of the Clarkson University ROTC Department in Potsdam, New York. This assignment is what brought me to the North Country and to District 7040 as I joined Rotary during my time at Clarkson.

When we arrived in Potsdam, Susan & I had moved 14 times in 17 years. Although this type of nomadic lifestyle can be hectic & challenging, it provided us with many wonderful opportunities. We learned about various cultures firsthand, formed many lifelong friendships, witnessed history in the making & realized that people worldwide are much more alike than different.
When I retired from the military in 1997, I continued working for three years at Clarkson University as the Director of International and Transfer Admissions. I had the opportunity, through a military program, to become a teacher and as I had always had an interest in this field, decided to change careers. For 14 years I worked as a Science & Technology teacher at Canton High School. I implemented a program called Project Lead the Way which was designed to encourage more young students to become engineers or work in other technology fields. I also received a second Masters of Educational Administration from St. Lawrence University. Concurrently, my wife and I bought a bagel shop in Potsdam which we ran for over ten years, eventually selling the business.

When I worked in Canton, I transferred from the Rotary Club of Potsdam to the Rotary Club of Canton where I have remained a member ever since. It was while l was in the Canton Club that I became Club President and eventually became an Area Governor. I also helped expand a multi-club Rotary camp at Dodge Pond in Clifton-Fine for children with special needs.
Upon retirement from teaching in 2014, I became involved with Volunteer Transportation, Incorporated (a Rotarian-created business) focused on transporting Medicare and Medicaid-eligible clients to medical appointments in the Northern New York area. Within Rotary, 1 also became more involved at the District level and eventually applied and was selected to become the District Governor while also serving as the chair of the District Learning and Development Team.
Additionally, I have become an adjunct faculty member for North Country Community College and teach business courses in a special college program offered at prisons in Northern New York.
I have been blessed with my wife Susan who, like me, has had a long career in the field of education and is currently Director of Special Education for the Massena School District and adjunct professor for North Country Community College. Susan is a member of the Massena Rotary Club and has served as secretary and president. Susan and J have four amazing children. In typical military fashion, our oldest was born in Germany, our second and third were born in Korea and our youngest was born in Virginia. My current interests include anything dealing with technology, gardening, and working together with others to accomplish great things.

The Rotary Citation

Posted on Jun 06, 2019

Earning the Rotary Citation is an honor that RI President Barry Rassin hopes clubs strive to achieve. To earn the citation, please complete all activities and report your accomplishments to Rotary by 30 June. Click to learn more about how to earn a Club or Rotaract Citation and how to nominate an Interact or Earlyact club for a citation.

Cyclone Idai Relief

Rotarians seeking to respond to the Cyclone Idai disaster—which hit Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Madagascar—may do so by donating to Rotary district 9400 NPC, which includes South Africa and Mozambique, and which has received the first ever Rotary Disaster Response Grant (DR1). They are on the ground working on water systems and are collecting funds for a possible global grant. ShelterBox also has boots on the ground. More information:

District 9400 NPC

Shelterbox Canada

Shelterbox USA

Courageous Leadership

What does it take to change the culture of a club, of a Rotary district, of a Rotary Zone, of Rotary International, of the world? Courage! If you care about the future of Rotary, a webinar worth watching.

Our Partner Shelterbox

Video source: Rotary club of West Ottawa

My Big Fab Rotary Dinner

Invite non Rotarians to your home for dinner

on Saturday, April 6th, 2019

or

on Saturday, May 4th, 2019

Minimum suggested donation of $30 per guest towards PolioPlus,
but any amount is appreciated
Donate here

Earn a Club Citation

The Rotary Citation recognizes Rotary clubs that support Rotary's strategic priorities by completing activities that make a club vibrant.

Is your club achieving these goals? Report the achievement and receive recognition you deserve. Here is how:

Fay Campbell Selected as DG 21-22

We are pleased to announce that the district nominating committee has chosen Fay Morris Campbell of the Orleans club to be district governor in 2021-2022. Fay has held a number of positions in Rotary, including area governor for Ottawa Central 2011-2017 and is the current district friendship exchange chair.

Surveillance is Key to Ending Polio

Servant Leadership

Posted by DG Martha Weaver

We are over half way through the Rotary year. A lot to celebrate! And, a lot to do by 30 June 2018. Thank you for letting me serve you. Being District Governor is a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to meet Rotarians across the district and experience what makes Rotary so very special.

Thanks to the fantastic organizing team chaired by Trevor Dagilis the District Conference produced a rich set of ideas for use by clubs. In the spirit of innovation that the conference was based on, the conference document is meant to be an inspiration and resource for clubs. It was never meant to become a set of goals and a directive from the district. Rotary is a grassroots organization, and clubs need water and sunshine to grow in their own direction.

Rotary has the Power to Change Lives

A message from Barry Rasin, President 2018-2019

In my travels over the past year, I've visited many strong, vibrant clubs and districts that are transforming their communities. When I attend their meetings, I can feel the energy. When I meet their members, I can see they are people of action. And when I look at their communities, I can recognize the impact of their work.

I've also visited communities with Rotary clubs that were hardly more than social clubs. It shouldn't ever be that way. Fortunately, there's a simple approach that I believe can help revitalize any club.

I'd like to challenge every Rotary club to come up with at least one high-impact service project. Each club already has the potential, the resources, to make it happen. It has the power to change people's lives — completely.

Happy Holidays

Wishing you a happy Winter Solstice, blessed Hanukkah, merry Christmas, peaceful Shabe-Yalda, compassionate Bohdi Day, Festivus grievances or whatever holiday you celebrate as we near the time of year when days grow longer.

Rotary is non-sectarian, but our founder Paul Harris sought meaningful spiritual relationships. He said that his religious affiliations were, like himself, difficult to label. “I really have no church affiliation...I am not easily classified...”

Many traditions give gifts during this season. Please join me in contributing to Rotary's campaign to end polio forever because we Rotarians are generous year-round. You can easily donate online at https://www.endpolio.org/donate. If you sign-in to your Rotary account, your club will receive credit for the donation.

Please donate now to protect children like Adil Khan and honor health workers like Shafiullah.

Happy holidays to you and your family.

#WhatMightWeBe

Inspiring Conversations & Exciting Connections!

What are the hallmarks of a healthy Rotary Club, and how do we foster the ideal conditions for a vital and engaged membership? Conference participants joined in a professionally facilitated dialogue across all generations of Rotary (from Interact to Honorary Rotarians) on the opportunities and potential that lie ahead for our organization, discussing the ongoing value, relevance, and accessibility of Rotary.

Read the highlights here.

Changes to Nominating Committee Adopted

Voting on the composition of the nominating committee is over. The new policy was adopted with 53 votes in favor and 1 against. The new procedures for membership of the Nominating Committee are as follows:

2018 changes to district procedure.

IRS Requirements

Whether your club is a subordinate under Rotary International’s 501(c)(4) group exemption or is independently tax-exempt, the IRS requires that all Rotary clubs in the U.S. and its territories file an annual information return. For those clubs whose tax year follows the Rotary year, the deadline to file is 15 November. For clubs whose tax year is a calendar year, the deadline is 15 April. The form a club must file is dependent upon its gross receipts for the year.

Celebrate World Polio Day

The World Day against polio, October 24, is fast approaching.

Gather with your club members and the people of your city to view events of the World Day against polio, broadcast live from the Philadelphia College of Physicians at 18:30 local time. Join celebrities and health experts to discover our progress to end polio and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Global Initiative to eradicate polio.

How to watch Rotary’s World Polio Day event:
https://www.rotary.org/en/how-watch-world-polio-day-2018-livestream

Gatineau/Ottawa Tornado Recovery

The district has set up a bank account to take donations for projects to help recovery from the effects of the tornado. Ottawa/Gatineau area clubs will coordinate distribution of funds. Checks may be made out to the "Ottawa Gatineau Rotary Tornado Fund" and mailed to:

Rotary District 7040

PO Box 8233

Ottawa, T CSC, ON K1G 3H7

District Literacy

For a general overview of our District Literacy program please read more in English or French.

Did you know we have a District Literacy Plan for 2018-21? Check it out District & RCWO Literacy Plan in English & French.

Have you heard of Dictionary4Life? If not read more here.

In 2012 a database was created of our club literacy activities. And last but not least read RI Literacy Guide for project ideas.

Hurricane Florence

A Rotary Foundation Donor Advised Fund (DAF) has been established to provide disaster relief from Hurricane Florence. The Fund will be directed by local Rotarians in the Carolinas and surrounding states that are effected by the storm. More information about Donor Advised Funds can be found here

Rotarians and friends wishing to help the affected area, can enter your gift as follows:

Name of the Donor Advised Fund Account: Rotary District 7680 DAF #574

DAF Account #574

Donate here.

Contributions to this fund will be directed by Rotarians in District 7680 who will ensure your contributions have the biggest impact and go to the areas with the most need.

Award Winning Clubs

Clubs receiving the prestigious Rotary Citation in 2017-2018

Cornwall Sunrise
D7040 Passport
E-Club of District 7040-Premier
Massena
Montreal-Lakeshore
Orleans
Ottawa Kanata Sunrise
Plattsburgh
Renfrew
Saranac Lake
Watertown
Watertown Sunrise
West Ottawa

World's Greatest Meal

it is very easy for you or your club to support ending polio forever. Any meal can be a World's Greatest Meal.

August is Membership Month

Happy Birthday Rotarians!

Join DG Martha in recognizing these club charter anniversaries:

Ottawa-Stittsville - 14 years

Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills - 16

Mount-Tremblant - 23 years

Rotary Club of Old Montreal / Club Rotary du Vieux Montréal - 26

Iqaluit - 40 years!

Giving clubs more say in who will be District Governor

Posted by Martha Weaver

As DG I am required to certify to Rotary International that the selection of the Governor-nominee (designate) conforms to Rotary International Bylaws and Policies. The current district selection procedure violates Rotary policy that members of the nominating committee cannot serve more than three times on the committee. To be fair to all, two resolutions were approved by District Council to change district procedures to read:

1. - 6.1 (G) Nominating Committee – shall be composed of the three most immediate Past District 7040 Governors, who are available and active in the district; and three club Immediate Past Presidents, who are available and active in the district, one from each geographic region, selected by random draw. Members shall serve for no more than three one-year terms. The District Governor will be Chair and only vote in the case of a tie. The District Governor-Elect and District Governor Nominee shall be observers without vote. The positions considered by this committee will be District Governor-Nominee and the Vice Governor for the upcoming Rotary year.

2. - 6.1 (G) Nominating Committee – shall be compose of the three most immediate Past District 7040 Governors, who are available and active in the district, and three Area Governors, one from each geographic region, who are available and active in the district, selected by random draw. Members shall serve for no more than three one-year terms. The District Governor will be Chair and only vote in the case of a tie. The District Governor-Elect and District Governor Nominee shall be observers without vote. The positions considered by this committee will be District Governor-Nominee and the Vice Governor for the upcoming Rotary year.

What happens next:

Community Involvement Boosts Renfrew Rotary Projects

As Rotarians, we are all aware of the good work that we do. It is very rewarding, however, to be recognized in the communities we are in by the people and businesses in those communities. One such example of this is a local business owner in Renfrew, Ontario, Jon Pole of MyFM who recently heard an ad promoting Rotary while he was doing a program for a Toronto Station. He was aware of Rotary and the work we do, so he decided to use the People of Action ad as a filler ad on his 21 stations across Ontario at no cost to Rotary.

If you are in one of the communities where MyFM broadcasts, take a minute to thank them!

Director's Message

Jeffry Cadorette is Director for Zones 24 and 32

There are no words to describe how honored and humbled I am to serve in this assignment as an RI Director for the next two years. By all reports it will pass quickly. My pledge to you is that I will work diligently on behalf of our organization to move the needle on the change we need to accomplish to stay relevant over the next decades. I’m enthusiastic to be a part of your team.

Leadership and change at Rotary

A message from Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko

As any great institution with a long and glorious trajectory, I believe that our organization is at an inflection point, at a crossroads.

We are living in a time when technology and the means of communication are radically, and at an unprecedented rate, changing the ways humans interact.

We are living in a time when there are myriad competing options for people to network professionally and to give back to their communities.

We are living in a time when, in many countries, young professionals barely have time for their work and families, let alone time to engage in outside activities such as Rotary.

President's Message

A message from Barry Rasin, President 2018-2019

One year ago, your Rotary International Board of Directors adopted a new vision statement, reflecting our aspirations for our organization and its future. It reads, “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

That simple sentence distills so much of what is essential about Rotary. We unite, because we know that we are far stronger together than we could ever be alone. We take action, because we are not dreamers, but doers. We work to create lasting change that will endure long after our involvement has ended – across the globe and in our communities. And perhaps most important of all, we work to create change in ourselves – not just building a better world around us, but becoming better people ourselves.

DG Sue's Message for June '18

Posted by Sue Bellor, District Governor

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Since this is my last monthly message for 2017-2018, I want to express my deepest appreciation for all that you have done to make my journey memorable in “Making a Difference” through Rotary. When you reached out to shake my hand, or gave me a hug or just smiled and welcomed me at my visit to your club, I remember it fondly. When you called, emailed or chatted with me over the course of the year, I remember it fondly. When you shared with me your special projects, invited me to your special events, or shared your weekly bulletin with me, I remember it fondly. When you translated my message or presentation or materials into French, rode along together to club meetings or events, managed special district meetings and events, assisted me with research and tasks for Rotary International, or offered solicited advice, I remember it fondly. We are all volunteers and I appreciate your dedication of time, and commitment. I have to also thank you for the fun, the laughter we shared and most important your kindness you showed me in District 7040. Let the 4-Way Test continue to be our backbone and our best guide in working together for our clubs and for our district; truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship prove and enhance what is beneficial to all of us concerned about Service through Rotary.

D 7040 Global Grant Scholar nomination for 2018-19

Posted by Katie Burke on May 03, 2018

The District Scholarships committee is pleased to announce that Garrett Milne, endorsed by the Rotary Club of Kemptville, has been selected as the D 7040 Global Grant Scholar for 2018-19. Garrett's area of focus is Disease Prevention and Treatment and he will be pursuing his studies at the University of Sydney in Australia, in the Master of Health Security program.

Martha's Bio

In the 1800s Martha's family settled in California, and that is where she raised her son, met her husband Jim Britell and where one of her step-sons and his family still live.

Rotarian of the Year: Anne Desgagnés

Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac

Name of award: Rotarian of the Year
Rotary year for which award was presented: 2016-17
Describe why recipient was selected:

as Director Ways and Means, a new position, dedicated an incredible number of hours searching for a new fundraising event

as publisher of the club's weekly newsletter, improved content significantly with photos and lots of helpful information

found the inaugural major sponsor for Theatre Night, one of the club's biggest annual fundraising events

as co-chair of the Silent Auction Committee for Theatre Night, spearheaded a 21% increase in revenue over the previous year

on behalf of the club, maintained active contact with a former local YEX student

Year recipient joined club: 2012

Position(s) held in club:

Director Ways and Means (2016-17)
Director New Generations (previous year)

Any other club(s) recipient joined: Rotary Club of Cataraqui Kingston

Recipient's occupation now or before (retirement etc.) Investment Advisor

Family information: Married
Leisure activities recipient would care to share: Host mother for Rotary Youth Exchange students for 6 consecutive years

Message From DG Sue... (7/1/17)

Posted by Susan Bellor, District Governor on Jul 01, 2017

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

A new Rotary year has begun and a new journey ahead is always filled with hope, plans, and excitement. Congratulations and best wishes are extended to all 7040 Club Presidents, Area Governors and District Chairs.

As we all start out in 2017-2018, I want to thank now Past District Governor Nabil Oudeh for a job well done. I wish Nabil the best as he is now setting the plans to be Vice General Chair of the Rotary Zone Institute in Montreal in fall 2018. When he asks you to help, please say, “yes”.

Profile: Gerry Lambert

Years as AG/other titles: 3 years as Area Governor and District Training/Learning and Development Team (LDT) Chair, Current District Governor Nominee

Other district committees participation: Learning & Development Team, 2017 District Conference, District Legislation Committee, Million Dollar Dinner (MDD) Committee

Years as Rotarian: 23 Years

Current/ Past Rotary Club Member: Canton/Potsdam NY

Rotary designations (titles in clubs, Foundation awards, etc.): Club President, Foundation Chair, Club Vocational Chair (included Ambassadorial Scholarships, Club Scholarships/awards, District Adventures in Technology & Environment and RYLA) ….and St Lawrence County 4-Club Rotary Dodge Pond Committee member/past chair.

Your occupation now or before (retirement etc.): Retired Military, Retired grades 7-12 Technology /Project Lead the Way(PLTW) teacher/Certified School Administrator, 15 years’ small business owner, landlord and now Part-time Volunteer Transportation Driver.

Family information: Wife Susan Rotarian Massena Club President, 4 children

Leisure activities, what you would care to share: Technology, tree farming, gardening, travel.

Message from DG Nabil (June 30, 2017)

Posted by Nabil Oudeh on Jun 30, 2017

Dear Rotary family:

We may have started our year as acquaintances, but we bonded as family by the year's end.

I am so grateful to each one of you who welcomed and hosted me, and to all the leaders who supported me.

There are so many people who made this year the success it is. I won't named them here in person. I did thank a few at the changeover dinner, and many others I will continue to reach out to thank in person.

New club in the District / Nouveau club dans le District

Posted by Ariane Carriere on Jun 20, 2017

D7040 Passport Club

La version française de cette lettre est ci-jointe.

District 7040 has just chartered a new club concept to make it easy for Rotarians who want to make a difference in their community to do so in a way that fits within their time, talent and finances, as well as with their family, work and life commitments — and do so through Rotary. The founding principle of the Rotary Passport Club is to make Rotary fit the lifestyle of its members through an affordable dues structure and flexible, and infrequent, in-person meetings. Instead of attending weekly meetings, members are encouraged to engage in humanitarian service — however that works best for them. Some meetings are online.

New Club Chartered

Posted by Nabil Oudeh on May 20, 2017

Dear Rotarians:

It is my great pleasure to announce the creation of our newest club in the district. "D7040 Passport Club" was chartered on May 8 by RI with 26 members. I will be presenting them with the charter documents in a couple of weeks.

The Passport Club is a unique club that allows club members to support a variety of service projects and fundraisers with clubs throughout our district. For more information about the club go to www.d7040passport.org.

Thank you PDG Ariane for taking the lead on this project.

YIR
Governor Nabil

An Interact Experience in Guatemala

What did you do during your spring break? If you were an Interactor in District 7040, you might have gone to Guatemala to work with Common Hope, an organization that makes education possible for impoverished children and families in Guatemala. A group of 15 - 11 students and 4 adults, left Montreal, Canada early in the morning of March 12, with 30 suitcases of donations and travelled all day to land in Guatemala in the evening.

Monday, our work started. Everyone was given a choice of activities each day. You could choose to see one of the artisans of the region at work. There was tortilla making, a silversmith, and a ceramic artist. You could help at the daycare or the library. Two of us unpacked the suitcases with donations. There was site maintenance, but most important of all, we built a house!

It’s a simple house, cement floor, cement board panels and a corrugated tin roof. There is no electricity or water, yet the family that we built it for thought it was a palace. The floor was poured on Tuesday, and at the shop area we made panels for the walls. Everything had to be taken to the build site. The best part of that, according to the Vision Team members, was riding in the back of a pick-up truck. Friday afternoon we had the house blessing and because we were an all-Canadian team, we presented the family with a Canadian flag, signed by all the team members.

Each group of volunteers that goes for a week, a Vision Team, gets an opportunity to come face-to-face with poverty, often to an extent not experienced before. I asked a couple of the students who lived nearby to come and talk at a session at the District 7040 Training Assembly. What blew me away was when they started talking about the culture shock, more so when they got home then when they arrived there. The whole experience really made an impression on them, and on the whole team.

Gerry Lambert selected as incoming governor 2019-20

District 7040 is pleased to announce that the District Governor selection committee has selected Mr. Gerry Lambert (Canton, NY) as incoming governor for 2019-20.

The District 7040 Selection Committee was delighted with the high caliber of applicants and grateful for the leadership and commitments of all applicants.

District Governor Nabil Oudeh will be making a formal introduction of DGND Gerry at District Training Assembly in Cornwall on April 8, 2017.

Exchange Student

I am an exchange student.

How do you know what is a dream if you never accomplished one?
How do you know what is an adventure if you never took part in one?
How do you know what is anguish if you never said goodbye to your family and friends with your eyes full of tears?

How do you know what is being desperate, if you never arrived in a place alone and could not understand a word of what everyone else was saying?
How do you know what is diversity if you never lived under the same roof with people from all over the world?

How do you know what is tolerance, if you never had to get used to something different even if you didn't like it?
How do you know what is autonomy, if you never had the chance to decide something by yourself?
How do you know what it means to grow up, if you never stopped begin a child to start a new course?

How do you know what is to be helpless, if you never wanted to hug someone and had a computer screen to prevent you from doing it?
How do you know what is distance, if you never, looking at a map, said "I am so far away."

How do you know what is a language, if you never had to learn one to make friends?
How do you know what is patriotism, if you never shouted "I love my country" holding a flag in your hands?
How do you know what is the true reality, if you never had the chance to see a lot of them to make one?

How do you know what is an opportunity, if you never caught one?
How do you know what is pride, if you never experienced it for yourself at realizing how much you have accomplished?
How do you know what is to seize the day, if you never saw the time running so fast?

How do you know what is a friend, if the circumstances never showed you the true ones.
How do you know what is a family, if you never had one that supported you unconditionally?
How do you know what are borders, if you never crossed yours, to see what there was on the other side?

How do you know what is imagination, if you never thought about the moment when you would go back home?
How do you know the world, if you have never been an exchange student?

I am an exchange student!

New Interact club!

January 25, the Rotary Club of Orleans celebrated the creation of our newest Interact Club consisting of Grade 7 and 8 students, Club Interact de Lécole Secondaire Publique Giséle-Lalonde. These students are our future leaders. A special thank you to our members Danielle Michaud and Area Governor Fay Campbell for guiding them through the process. We are very excited!

Rotary Fellowships offer Rotarians new experience

Posted by Fay Campbell on Feb 18, 2017

In 2016, the District 7040 DG appointed me chair of the Fellowships Committee. Rotary Fellowships give their members the opportunity to have fun, make new friends around the world, and enhance their experience in Rotary.

Uniendo America Project Fair

Posted by DG Nabil Oudeh on Feb 07, 2017

I have just returned from El Salvador where I attended Uniendo America project fair with Central and North American partners. Our district was well represented with 10 participants. It was an honor to be among so many people dedicated to service above self. I am so grateful for reconnecting with old friends and building new and lasting friendships in Central America. - DG Nabil

The Loft

On November 23rd, the International Service Committee of the Rotaract Club of Ottawa hosted the Loft Board Game Night at the Loft Board Game Lounge in Ottawa. At the event there were 65 friends and community members who were looking for a fun night out to play board games with friends while also donating to a great cause. There was also a raffle draw for four tickets to an Ottawa 67's hockey game. All of the proceeds, which ended up totaling to $833, were donated the ECHO Haiti for their Light for the Victims of Hurricane Matthew project in Haiti. The organization used the money to buy solar lamps for families and hospitals in the affected areas of Haiti. They will be used for light as well as an alternative energy source to charge phones and other electronic devices until the electricity is restored in these areas. The event was overall extremely successful. Thank you again to everyone who was able to come out to the event!

Scotch Raffle
Our Speaker's scotch raffle was also a huge success! Congrats to Norm Laur and Keara Lundrigan for each winning a bottle of this exclusive scotch and thanks to everyone who participated!

A Message from Guatemala

Posted by Ariane Carriere

The 2016 Interact Vision Team got a message from Guatemala.

"Greetings from Guatemala! I hope you are all well, enjoying yourselves and your families, as 2016 comes to a close.

I wanted to let you all know that Felix recently visited that family that you built a house for in Santa Catarina. We made a short video and put it up on YouTube so that you can see how the family has been doing since the construction of their new home! Please feel free to forward the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV3hy-szCuU&feature=youtu.be on to your family and friends as a way to share your experience and stories of your time in Guatemala."

It's very touching to see how the family is doing. We are now raising funds for another house in Guatemala with the 2017 Interact Vision Team. If you want to donate to our house build, go to https://give.commonhope.org/fundraise/team?ftid=81758.

Rotaract Ottawa South

Saturday November 5 our Rotaractors took a break from studying to spend the afternoon volunteering at Fletcher Wildlife Garden, where we were helping them remove Dog Strangling Vine, an invasive species that was taking over! Thank you to Sandy for being such a great host!

If you're interested in joining our team, "Like" us on Facebook or email us at rotaractottawasouth@gmail.com !

Rotary Adventures in History 2016

Posted by Bill Egnatoff, Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston

Doing Time in Kingston: Youth Justice Then and Now

Doing Time in Kingston: Youth Justice Then and Now is a collaborative venture of the Rotary Clubs of Cataraqui-Kingston and Kingston, but the success of the program is due in large measure to the support of sponsoring clubs, the high caliber of students they send, and the excellent team of resource people. This year, the program inspired 17 high school students, ranging in age from 14 to 19, to do more of what some of them are already doing—to support their peers in ways that keep them happily engaged and out of trouble. The program gave them specific ideas for youth advocacy, for helping youth, and for possible career paths related to youth justice.

The program demystified the whole youth justice system, enabling participants to see what steps can be taken to redirect youth. They read about actual cases of children and youth who had been imprisoned and how they were treated. They saw how relevant legislation had evolved over the past two centuries and how laws are made. They learned of current innovative youth justice programs run by the Kingston Police, Youth Diversion, Queen’s Family Law Clinic, and the Canadian Families and Corrections Network. Through their visit to the Kingston Penitentiary and the Penitentiary Museum they have a sense of prison life and how it has evolved.

The experience that never stops giving!

Posted by Angela Kelly, Rotary Club of Ottawa

The Rotary Club of Ottawa, celebrating its 100th anniversary, has now been engaged in the International Youth Exchange programme for decades. Many host families and counsellors are still in contact with students they invited into their homes, celebrating their milestones and achievements with them.

Brockville Remembers

Posted by Michelle Peters, Rotary Club of Brockville

Three generations of the Rotary Brockville family joined together to place a wreath at the Brockville cenotaph in honour of Remembrance Day. Pictured are Josh Bennett, president the Rotary Club of Brockville; Tyler Read, co-president H.E.L.P Interact club; Corbin Evans, president Earlyact club; Maija Robillard, co-president Interact; and Ray Marshall, president of the Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands.

Ottawa Rotaract Cleans Up!

Despite the rain the weekend before the Canadian Thanksgiving, the Ottawa Rotaract team helped to make the world a more beautiful place during our Jules Morin park clean up. Thank you to all who came out!

Adventures in the Environment

For the past eleven years, the Rotary Club of Cornwall Sunrise and the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences have made it possible for participants in Adventures in the Environment to experience hands-on environmental science with professional researchers. With the wonderful support of the Rotary Club Cornwall-Sunrise, 7 participants were able to tag alongside Biologists, technicians and Naturalist to discover life on the St. Lawrence River.

RYLA and Interact, a good fit

Posted by Jerry Manor, Rotary Club of Massena

The Massena Rotary Club RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) delegate Celine Stowell described her experiences at the RYLA conference at Paul Smith’s College near Saranac Lake, NY for Massena Rotarians during a recent luncheon at the Massena Elks Lodge. Celine participated in leadership activities, learned about African dance and had the opportunity to visit the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY with approximately 40 fellow RYLA attendees from around District 7040. Celine is a junior at Massena High School, a member of the Interact Club and an active member of the Massena Boys and Girls Club where she helps to supervise and lead activities for younger club members.

Celine Stowell is pictured with Massena Rotarian Walter Mulyca.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is a leadership program coordinated by Rotary Clubs around the globe. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. Young people ages 13–30 are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the club's district committee. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential. Rotary Clubs and the Rotary District cover all expenses for the participants. The format of the event varies from district to district, but commonly take the form of a seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum.

Interact Club at Woodroffe High, Ottawa 2016-17

Posted by Jean Bégin, President RCWO

The students have several things planned for the year:

The students will be organizing and participating in a "Walk in Their Shoes" to support Doctors Without Borders. The date on this is still forthcoming but hopefully this will happen in just a few weeks and when organized I will be circulating a pledge form at our Rotary Club.
The big fund raiser-the 24 hour Awake-will be happening on November 25th. As you recall, the club helps to organize over 100 students to get pledges and to stay overnight and awake at the school all night long. Last year, we had Rotarians volunteer to chaperone and everyone had a hoot playing ping pong! Again, there will be a pledge of $1000 made to our Rotary Club to help support an ongoing project, with the students deciding how to direct that money. The remainder of the money goes to the school in Africa that the students are committed to and a few other international charities as well. Jaden is going to forward me some pictures of the school-last year the money sent paid for a full science lab!
We have selected 4 dates throughout the year that we will have Rotarians from our Club come and speak to Interact and we will provide pizza as well-this format for our speaker series is quite well received lol. I will be working with our Youth committee to help choose who those speakers will be.
Jaden, Courtney and some of the Interact students will be going on a trip to Peru during March Break-which maybe our club might be able to help support
There is an idea of starting a "Conversation Club" where Interact students meet with students within the school that are just recently moved or staying in Canada-to help break down some of the social barriers.

Short Term Youth Exchange

Posted by Joe Fontes, District Youth Exchange Chair

Hello everyone, this month I would like to mention the short term program. We always talk about the Long Term Exchange, but leave out our Short term program which is also very important.

Many students may not be able to partake in the long term but the short term also offers many benefits and opens the doors to many other opportunities. The Short term Exchange presents opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to live abroad for a short period of time over the summer months. Participants also live with one host family for approximately one month under the sponsorship of their local Rotary club.This is a great program where the host brother or sister from abroad will also spend a month with the participating student in his or her home during the same summer.

This program still has the same objective as in the Long Term Exchange, in which it is intended to foster world peace and International understanding, the participants can still experience a new culture and meet new people from all walks of life.

This year in our District we had 6 short Term Exchanges, I would like very much to grow this program in our district and give this opportunity to more students and who knows it might open up the travel bug in the participant to do the Long Term as well.

The Picture below is of one of our own D7040 participants Jordan VanWyngaarden pictured on the right, and Martha Lamberti from the Rotary Club of Lecco, Italy, District 2042 who both visited the Rotary Club of Kingston.

For more information on how you can send a participant for the short Term Exchange send us an email fontesjoe@gmail.com, or visit our website, http://portal.clubrunner.ca/50214/Page/youth-exchange.

We are changing the world one exchange at a time...

Old and New

Did you know that Rotary has new logos for the Youth programs also?

District 7040 Youth Exchange

Posted by Joe D. Fontes — Chair, Youth Exchange Committee on Jun 28, 2016

These are very exciting times for students, both outbounds as well as inbounds and, of course, our returning rebound students.

We have 11 rebound students returning from abroad and some have already returned home. They will be filled with stories about their adventures , the challenges they had and, of course, the excitement of immersing themselves in a new culture.

What you don’t know about the campaign to end polio

Posted by By Erin Biba, The Rotarian, July 2016 on Jun 28, 2016

When was the last time there was polio in Europe? If you guessed 2002, the year the region was certified polio-free, you were wrong. The last time polio affected a child in Europe was last summer. In 2015, two Ukrainian children were diagnosed with paralytic polio, and, given the way the disease manifests itself, that means many more were likely infected and didn’t show symptoms. At least one Western news outlet deemed the outbreak “crazy” – but the reality is that no place on earth is safe from polio until the disease is eradicated everywhere.

Cataraqui-Kingston nominee wins Global Grant Scholarship

Posted on Jun 27, 2016

The Scholarships Committee is pleased to announce that Natalie Kauf, nominated by the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston and selected as District 7040 Global Grant Scholarship candidate has been approved by The Rotary Foundation for the Global Grant Scholarship of $30,000 USD.

Natalie will be pursuing her studies at Cambridge University in the UK.

Rotary Fellowships Month - Make New Friends around the World

Rotary Fellowships Month - June is designated as “Rotary Fellowships Month” by the RI Board to recognize the importance of international fellowship and good will among Rotarians with similar recreational interests, vocations, and health and medical issue-oriented interests, to promote increased participation in fellowships and increase understanding of this program.

The RI Board encourages fellowships groups to highlight activities through projects, activities, and events in celebration of “Rotary Fellowships Month” in June.

Rotary District 7040 Foundation Walk at Brockville, Ontario benefits from camaraderie, beautiful weather

Posted by Bette Miller on May 09, 2016

All aspects of the 2016 annual Rotary Foundation were very successful… great organization and hospitality provided by the Rotary Clubs of Brockville, Prescott and 1000 Islands (Brockville).

Representatives from 12 clubs enjoyed the beautiful weather and great fellowship while the Annual fund benefitted by just over $10,000 USD. The “Walking Stick” is presented annually to the club making the largest donation.

Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund Established

Posted by Julius Buski on May 09, 2016

Editor's note: The following story was copied from website of District 5370 which includes Fort McMurray.
The Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation has established the “Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund” to assist in the rebuilding of that city following this tragic fire. The Charitable Foundation is now ready to accept donations, for which tax receipts will be issued. The Foundation will rely on an independent committee of Fort McMurray stakeholders (including the Rotary clubs and the municipality) for advice on disbursal of the funds.

Donations may be from individuals or corporations. Rotary clubs may wish to facilitate this process by collecting donations, and then forwarding either the individual cheques or a cheque drawn on the club’s account for the total amount, along with a list of the donors and their addresses and postal codes.

New District 7040 Rotaract Co-Representatives chosen for 2016-17

Posted by Dârini Vedarattiname on May 01, 2016

It is with great pleasure that Dârini Vedarattiname, District Rotaract Representative 2015-2016, and Jean-Philippe Argant, District Rotaract Chair, introduce District 7040 Rotaract Co-Representatives for 2016-17!

Barbara Engels, Club Rotaract of Downtown Montréal and Ryan Fedurco, Ottawa Rotaract Club will represent the nine Rotaract clubs within District 7040 beginning July 1, 2016.

We are convinced the two of them will make a great duo and will achieve impressive Rotary and Rotaract projects during their term. They are both bursting with ideas: Stay tuned to discover what they have in store for our District!

Congratulations Barbara and Ryan!

Martha Weaver selected District Governor 2018-19

Posted by Claude LaLiberté on Feb 15, 2016

Congratulations to PR Chair Martha Weaver for being nominated as 2018-2019 District 7040 Governor. For those who ask, about the validity of the eClubs, Martha is the second governor for District 7040 to come from eClub Premier Francophone.

Kenneth V. Lefrançois (1945 – 2016)

Posted on Jan 06, 2016

Kenneth V. Lefrançois
(1945 – 2016)

2016 began with a sad note with the passing of DG1992-1993 Ken Lefrançois at age 70. His continuous, active service to Rotary since his term in 92-93 was exemplary.

His most recent achievement, the formation of the most recent Rotary Action Group by RI, should be a focus in addition to the encouragement and chartering of so many clubs in our District.

DG Claude

Below is a communication from Patrick Lefrançois, Ken's son, regarding funeral and memorial arrangements:

I want to thank everyone for their kind words. The outpouring of love and support has made it possible for us to enjoy, remember and celebrate my father's life.

Below, you will find the details of my father's funeral.

January: Vocational Service Month

Vocational Service is one of Rotary’s Avenues of Service. Vocational Service calls every Rotarian to:

Aspire to high ethical standards in their occupation;
Recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations, and;
Contribute their vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.

Bethany Kids

The Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID) will cease operations December 31. A new Grant Agreement between The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Canada and the Government of Canada has created a new international development assistance program, entitled “Partnership for Community Development”. During the last 29 years Kingston Rotarians were among the many Rotary club's throughout Canada who's projects benefited from CRCID support.

The Bethany Crippled Children's Centre project started when Paul Van Nest invited Kim Phuc to Kingston. Kim gave three very moving talks, which raised $13,000. (More information about Kim is available on her foundation website. http://www.kimfoundation.com) The monies we—re split between Kim's foundation and the five area Rotary clubs.

What is Interact? What is Earlyact?

Interact is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care most about. Through Interact, you can:

Carry out hands-on service projects
Make international connections
Develop leadership skills
Have fun!

EarlyAct is not an official program on Rotary International yet. This does not stop an elementary school from starting an EarlyAct Club for anyone under the age of 12. The District will produce the appropriate documents. All requirements for an EarlyAct charter are the same as for an Interact Club.

How does an Interact/EarlyAct club create positive change?

Every Interact or EarlyAct club carries out two service projects a year: one that helps your school or community and one that promotes international understanding.

Service projects are an effective way for you to take action at home and abroad, connect with other young leaders, and get members excited about your club. You can find ideas and tips for successful projects in the Guide for Rotary Club Sponsors and Advisers. Check Downloads at the top left.

Government of Canada Partners with Rotary Foundation Canada to Eradicate Polio Worldwide and Reduce Poverty in Developing Countries

August 1, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, announced the renewal of the partnership between Government of Canada and Rotary Foundation Canada by providing a total of up to $18 million to help save the lives of vulnerable children and reduce poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

During the next four years, the Government of Canada will contribute two dollars for every dollar raised by Rotary Foundation Canada in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s Endgame Strategy, to a maximum contribution of $12 million. The funds will be provided to UNICEF to support the goal of eradicating polio worldwide by 2018.

August: Membership & Extension Month

August: Membership & Extension Month

Clubs around the world approach membership in very different ways. Recognizing and acting on the unique needs, customs, and changes in your community will enhance your ability to bring in new members and inspire existing ones.
Worldwide, 68% of Rotary club members are between the ages of 50 and 70. Are there opportunities for younger members in your club?
Strong membership enables your club to do good in your local community and around the world. A strong membership also raises the public’s awareness of Rotary and increases support for The Rotary Foundation and its programs. Building membership is a top priority throughout Rotary, from the RI Board and Rotary coordinators to district leaders. Focusing on membership is most important, however, for club leaders, because they have the greatest power to improve it.
53% of terminating members report that their club leaders never asked for member input.

Rotary Showcase

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.

Rotaractors attend RYLA North American Conference

From July 21 to July 26, about 200 Rotaractors from 49 countries gathered in Washington, D.C. to attend the RYLA North America Conference. Five members from our District got the opportunity to meet inspiring people, exchange ideas, and build new friendships throughout the week.

Photo shows Rotaractors meeting President Ravi at Carribean Carnival.

Click HERE to view a photo album of of their time in Washington, D.C.

e-Club Featured in Rotary Canada

Michèle Herblin, founding president of e-Club Premier 7040 had an article about the club published in the July issue of Rotary Canada.

Service Projects on Rotary Club Central

This is one of the least utilized areas in Rotary Club Central, with clubs not completing achievements, yet it is the area in Rotary Club Central that has the greatest impact.

One club has stated that they do not feel it is necessary to enter anything in Rotary Club Central. There are others that are just not doing anything. There is reporting that Rotary International expects of clubs. A comparison was made at one time that Rotary is like the franchiser and clubs are the franchisees. Clubs are able to avail themselves of all the benefits of Rotary International and should be prepared to do their part in return.

The latest figures show that the use of Rotary Club Central is increasing though.

61% Clubs with Goals, 264 PROJECTS SET AS GOAL, 232 PROJECTS ACHIEVED

	Last Year Actual	Current Year Actual
Volunteer Hours	15,935	30,734
Volunteers	2,015	3,012
Cash Contribution (USD)	$308,673	$717,541
In-kind Donations (USD)	$161,797	$174,813

Good-bye, au revoir

This is my last bulletin as District Governor. It has been an amazing year and I feel very privileged that you chose me to be your leader in 2014-2015. I want to thank all those who were a part of the District Council in 2014-2015,and those who have stepped up for next year. A special thanks goes to outgoing AG's Dwight Boyce, Stephanie Battisti, and Fred Carriere, as well as Pat Brown, Rotaract; Jack Prim, membership; Trevor Dagilis, International Service; Sherri Agnew, Youth Exchange; and our co-District Rotaract Representatives Natasha Farrugia and Kaitlynn Almeida

This bulletin is in English only because there has not been enough time to get items translated. The articles address the three main areas that RI asks us to report on, and a few areas that became important during the year. As I was going through the club ratings, I completed any goals or results in Rotary Club Central that I was aware of. Some clubs sent achievements to me but did not record them online.

Use of GoToMeeting

The use of virtual meetings increased sharing of ideas this year within the district. Last year I introduced webinars for Presidents Elect, and this year I tried to keep in touch with them through AG groupings. All in all it has served to have Rotarians look at meetings differently. It is not always necessary to get in a car and drive. Sometimes things can be done from one’s home. GoToMeeting proved especially useful during January and February where I could still be in touch with district members while not having to drive in inclement weather.

Youth Protection Policy

Although this was not originally part of my goal for the year, it became more and more important as the year went on. Many clubs were under the impression that this is a new requirement but a policy has been in effect since 2006. As I mentioned at the DTA, I feel like I am part of the movie “Groundhog Day” since I started with this in the 90’s as a teacher association president, and am still hearing the same arguments against the requirements now from Rotarians. RI has changed what it needed since 2006 and we need to change also. Many thanks to Kevin Laplante who has take on an important role in this process.

With the input of several clubs, we have made changes to the original policy and have now started with a club certification process for any club involved in activities with youth and vulnerable persons. This is in addition to the Youth Exchange certification process and does not replace it. A list of certified clubs is published on the Youth Services page and will be added to as more clubs become certified. Club presidents and organizers of Adventure programs and RYLA have been reminded that their clubs needs to be certified before they can run their program.

The concern about sending Canadian documents to the US has also been addressed with clubs. At this time I am listed as co-Youth Protection Officer along with Kevin Laplante and I will continue in that capacity next year. We need continuity in this process and cannot have the position change every year.

The possibility of having a third party background check has been possible in the US and there is now at least one company that I have been made aware of that can do this in Canada. This may help to alleviate some of the difficulties that members in rural areas have had in obtaining police checks.

The Weekly Bulletin

Clubs do weekly bulletins and it was because of that I decided to do that as well. A weekly bulletin that has a bit of colour, that can be archived, and that can be shared in Facebook seemed to be well accepted. We keep email messages to a minimum so that new club presidents do not get bombarded. Our Communication Policy, approved by the District Council in September is on the district website for anyone to check. We cannot stop RI, but we can keep the ClubRunner communication system for the use of the district.

Clubs and AG’s contributed many articles for the bulletin. I had set up a rough schedule according to the monthly themes and there were times that I was overwhelmed and had to carry articles forward several weeks in order to fit it all in. Thanks to all who contributed.

Conclusion

For many years I have been actively involved in the district. While my role will change now, I am still a part of the district and will continue to be active for all of our members. Thank you for the opportunity that you gave me.

RYLA 2015

Paul Smiths College, the location for RYLA 2015. A job well done with thanks to Bob Hanna, Bill Rusak, Al Dunham, Ernie Stretton, Ray Agnew and all the volunteer chaperones.	Students are getting started early on Friday morning.
DG Ariane addresses students, parents and Rotarians at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake.	No longer strangers, but now friends at the graduation lunch.

World’s Greatest Meal

The District Changeover collected funds for World’s Greatest Meal on June 20, 2015. Thanks to two very generous donors, we collected $2,150.00 to end polio now.

Below is a brief summary of World’s Greatest Meal to end polio as of June 19, 2015:

There have been 1,208 events registered in 59 countries.
More than 67,300 participants worldwide
USD $1,210,537.96 has been raised (a total of USD $3,631,613.88 with matching funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)

This translates to enough funds to buy more than 6,052,000 polio vaccinations!! www.wgmeal.com

RI Membership dues

RI Membership dues

The dues that your club pays to Rotary allow the Secretariat to provide quality and efficient support to Rotarians worldwide.

Maintaining data

Maintaining club data online can help you keep your membership information current and accurate. Your club president, secretary, and other officers can use My Rotary or your local system (ClubRunner www.rotary7040.com ) to:

Update membership information within 30 days of any changes, or by 1 January or 1 July, whichever is sooner.
Make sure the names of all current officers are correct and that all future officers are named no later than 1 February. TIP: Set up a club email that can be transferred to future officers to ensure uninterrupted communications with Rotary.
Confirm that email addresses for all members are current.

Club invoice mailing

All club invoices are due and payable upon receipt, and the amount due is not adjustable. Rotary International emails a copy of the invoice to every club officer in January and July. To ensure that emails from Rotary are not rejected or filtered as spam, add ri.clubfinance@rotary.org to your approved email contacts.

If your club has not opted out of the paper invoice or updated your officers email addresses, you will receive a paper copy by post in late January and late July. If your club has not received an invoice by the beginning of February or August, email data@rotary.org to request a replacement. Include your club name and number and delivery address or fax number. Club dues still must be paid even if you have not received the invoice.

Want to go paperless? Opt your club out of the paper invoice in My Rotary under Edit invoice preferences.

More about club invoice

Per capita dues

Rotary per capita dues per half year are as follows:

2015-16: $27.50 USD

2016-17: $28.00 USD

All clubs are billed $1.50 USD per member on their July invoice to help defray the costs of the Council on Legislation. Invoices include variable charges for The Rotarian magazines (other Rotary regional magazine subscriptions are billed separately) and variable fees for insurance (U.S. clubs only). See the Manual of Procedure for more information.

Exchange rates

Rotary credits payments at the official Rotary exchange rate at the time payment is received. Rotary re-evaluates exchange rates monthly. See current exchange rates.

Payment methods

Club presidents, treasurers, and secretaries can pay dues by:

Credit card online
Check or draft accompanied by the detached bottom portion of the invoice
Wire transfer

Next week: District dues

3 Easy Ways To Share 2014-2015

1. Share all the good work your club does with other Rotarians and with the world by adding pictures and information about your club projects to Rotary Showcase.

More About Nepal

Tim Ross and Dave LeSueur, Brockville Rotarians who just returned from Nepal, after enduring the earthquake that hit while they were there did a presentation for the Rotary Club of the Thousand Islands. They showed moving photos of their trip there, including before and after photos of the devastation the earthquake created upon Nepal. They were able to attend a Rotary meeting amongst Rotarians from Russia, India, and other places, set-up in their relief camp. Photos of the hotel courtyard where they stayed, the cremation ceremonies, rubble throughout Nepal, and tents all around the country, were also a part of their presentation. They also spoke of the need for low-cost housing, and there is a drive to raise enough funds for 30 houses at a cost of $1000 each. Shelter Boxes were immediately deployed to Nepal, but the need is still there. If you donate to the relief fund “SOS Children’s Villages” the Canadian Government will match your donation. Dave and Tim were given a standing ovation for their courage and strength, and in appreciation for sharing this with us.

After the meeting a donation page was set up for Shelter Box. www.DonateBrockville.com will take you there. We got some pledges this week which will put us at least enough for one Shelter Box, the goal was for 4 of them. If you would like to send the information around that is much appreciated. It would be great to reach this goal. Here is a link to an article about our presentation to Rotary http://www.recorder.ca/2015/05/06/weve-seen-a-lot-of-death Thank you Tim Ross.

The Rotary Foundation Walk in Watertown

About 50 Rotarians attended the Rotary Foundation Walk in Watertown, raising just over $10,000 US. The 100^th anniversary lunch was well attended. DG Ariane Carriere presented a 100^th anniversary plaque signed by Rotary International president Gary C.K. Huang.

Kingston Waterfront Charter Night


More than 100 Rotarians and guests, representing over 20 clubs, took part in the charter night for the Rotary Club of Kingston Waterfront. Guests came from as far away as Australia. Many clubs presented gifts to welcome the new club into the district.

CÉLÉBREZ L'INTERACT !

Posted on May 14, 2015

Créé en 1962, le programme Interact compte aujourd'hui plus de 15 000 clubs dans 142 pays et permet à des jeunes de 12 à 18 ans de passer à l'action au niveau local, de nouer des liens avec d'autres jeunes à l'étranger et de développer leurs talents. Découvrez comment l'Interact permet aux jeunes de s'impliquer.

Camp Amy Molson

Posted by Bryan MacKillop, Hawkesbury

Camp Amy Molson is a residential camp located in close proximity to the Town of Hawkesbury. It is for disadvantaged Montreal inner-city children, aged 5 to 13 years old. The Camp offers an exciting program of activities, especially created to capture the imagination of young children. The campers learn to play on the peaceful 180-acre lakeside site…a far cry from noisy, steamy pavement. Camp Amy Molson endeavors to provide personalized care to all campers. Through individualized programs, the camp tries to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of each child. This is best achieved through a philosophy of participation and cooperative camping and learning. The acquisition of camping skills is secondary to the appreciation for and respect of others and self.

The Hawkesbury Rotary Club has been working with the Camp for over two decades to help them continue to provide this essential service to children who may only get these 15 days of reprieve once a year…or once during their childhood. The kids that attend this Camp are from our District. They live in our greater community. They need our help. Every year Rotarians from Hawkesbury attend the camp and provide a BBQ for every child in each of the three intakes. We have also supported the Camp with renovations and funding.

D7040 Rotarian in Nepal

Dave Hallett did not attend the charter of his club, Kingston Waterfront, on Monday, May 11. Why? He is currently in Nepal as a ShelterBox Response Team member. Dave has a challenge for us Dave Hallett ShelterBox fundraiser .

Consider giving if your club does not have enough funds to pay for a ShelterBox yourself.

For a video of Dave’s arrival Dave Hallett YouTube video in Kathmandu .

Rotary Club of Renfrew 2014-2015

Renfrew Rotary Club shares pictures and stories of the projects they do that support their community through press releases, on the club website and Facebook page.

A check for $8,000 is a generous contribution by any standards. Recently, our local Rotary Club made such a donation to the Renfrew Hospice to help it with its good work. Everyone is affected by death and having a facility that enables our loved ones to die with dignity, comfort and empathy is of benefit to everyone in our community. Rotary is clearly grateful for the Hospice, offering respite not only for the dying but also the living.

Nepal Earthquake

Posted by Gary C.K. Huang, President, Rotary International 2014-15

We express our profound sadness and extend our sympathies to all those affected by the devastation resulting from the 25 April deadly earthquake in Nepal. Rescue missions and emergency aid continue to arrive in Nepal for the 8 million people impacted by the massive 7.8 magnitude quake.

As we mourn the thousands of lost lives, Rotary joins many international agencies in providing immediate relief to survivors and mobilizing our expertise to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

How to help:

District 3292, Nepal, has established a disaster relief fund to provide needed equipment and supplies to affected communities. Contact District Governor Kumar Piya for information about contributing to the fund.
Rotary’s service partner ShelterBox is working closely with Nepali Rotarians to coordinate immediate relief efforts. On Monday, 27 April, and Wednesday, 29 April, Rotarians greeted ShelterBox response teams in Nepal who will mobilize temporary housing and relief efforts. An initial 1,000 housing tents and 1,000 shelter kits will be distributed throughout affected communities. Two more ShelterBox relief teams and additional kits are ready to be deployed once further assessments are complete. Learn more about supporting ShelterBox’s relief efforts.
As with all disasters, the Rotary family may apply for global grants to support long-term recovery efforts in Nepal. Once immediate health, safety, and relief efforts have been addressed, work with local Nepali Rotary members and their international partners to develop projects within Rotary’s six areas of focus.

Monitor the announcements section of My Rotary for more information as it becomes available and do not hesitate to contact relief@rotary.org with any questions.

Our thoughts are with our Nepali neighbors during this difficult time. Thank you for continuing to Light Up Rotary through your compassion and generosity.

Global Grant Scholar selected

Global Grant Scholar selected

The Scholarship Selection Committee is pleased to announce that the recipient of the Global Grant Scholarship for 2015-16 is Pascale Laliberté-Martineau of Ottawa, sponsored by RC Ottawa. Ms Laliberté Martineau has chosen Economic and Community Development as her area of focus. She will be Studying for an MSC in International Planning at University College London in the U.K. with an emphasis on 'Communities and Planning'. Her particular interest is in alternative participatory mechanisms which will result in alternative economic processes which build the capacity of people to support the economic development of their own community.vironment will take place again this year from September 13-17 2015. Students are to arrive in Cornwall on Sunday afternoon, Sept 13, to allow for an early start to the adventure on Monday morning. They will continue their adventure until Thursday at lunchtime when they are picked up to return home. Information and forms are on the Rotary Club of Cornwall Sunrise website. We can take a maximum of 8 students - first come, first served. If you have any questions please contact Katie Burke at brkcornwall@gmail.com

Dodge Pond Camp

Posted by Gerry Lambert, Canton

St. Lawrence NYSARC’s Dodge Pond Camp, located in Oswegatchie, New York, is for individuals with developmental disabilities and one of the few in New York State certified for children. As a result, the Dodge Pond Camp programs serve approximately 250 consumers each year.

The partnership between Rotary and the Dodge Pond Camp of St. Lawrence NYSARC is long-standing. The Watertown Rotary Clubs began supporting Dodge Pond some 20 years ago with the establishment of a one week camp for children with disabilities from Jefferson County. St. Lawrence County Rotary clubs joined the effort in 1998 when Rotarian Dave Mance, from Watertown traveled and met with clubs in St. Lawrence County with the idea of establishing a second week of camp for children with disabilities from St Lawrence County. Currently the Rotary Clubs of Watertown, Theresa, Canton, Massena, Ogdensburg, and Potsdam provide annual support to Dodge Pond Camp – both financial and non-financial.

These clubs commit thousands of dollars each year to sponsor up to 100 campers who then attend one of the two weeklong overnight camps at Dodge Pond each August. The members of the clubs also help with building and repair of the camp facilities each Spring, such as lean-tos, docks, privies, basketball court and a playground. The District has also provided generous support in the past through District Simplified Grants. The District’s support, combined with the local clubs’ support has benefited hundreds of NYSARC consumers both children and adults who attend Dodge Pond for various programs in the summer.

Thanks to Rotary hundreds of children and adults have and will continue to have opportunities they would never have had without its sponsorship.

What is most needed in Nepal?

Posted by Bruce Higgs

More than your plane ticket or your collection of old T-shirts, what is most needed in Nepal right now is money. The Rotary Club of Gananoque will undertake to receive and transfer cash donations to their contacts in Budol and Phulbari, a town about an hour’s travel from Kathmandu. RC Gananoque will also issue charitable tax receipts to donors.

There are two well organized Rotaract clubs and a Community Corps in this community; the closest Rotary club is RC Dhulikhel. Both of the Rotaract clubs are led by young men who are university graduates (engineering and architecture, respectively) who benefitted from Rotary scholarships made possible by the RC Gananoque and friends.

Because the Rotary Club of Gananoque has a long-time relationship with Rotary in Nepal (District 3292. Bruce Higgs, Doug Bickerton, Ron Casselman (Rotary Club of Gananoque) and Diane Kennedy (RC Kingston) have all visited Phulbari and Budol and personally know a number of Rotarians and Rotaract members with whom they have maintained regular communication.

Based upon current communications, it is hoped that ShelterBox may be able to provide some help with shelter, however, the greater concern is the shortage of food and clothing as the rains begin. Water for drinking and cooking is not expected to be a problem as this community has lined water storage ponds and water filters, thanks to the help of RC Gananoque and friends. The other concern is the procurement of supplies to begin repairing and rebuilding.

We encourage you to donate what you can, to a reputable relief organization, and do research to find out where your money will go. If you can, compare a few organizations with aid appeals and ensure that you agree with their approach. If you wish to send donations to the Rotary Club of Gananoque, here is the information.

Rotary Club of Gananoque

c/o Bruce Higgs

301 North Shore Rd. Howe Island

R.R.#4, Gananoque ON Canada K7G2V6

Mark on the bottom of the cheque - Nepal Earth Quake

613-548-8378

thehiggs100@hotmail.com

Easy Ways to Stretch Your Foundation Giving

Is your Club Foundation Chair still asking you to write a check to The Rotary Foundation and give it to him to snail-mail to Evanston? Your Chair may not be comfortable with electronic giving, but The Rotary Foundation is! Giving online is less costly than pro-cessing checks, which means much quicker acknowledgement and, ultimately, more funds available to make a difference on the ground. Here are other ways to maximize your Foundation giving:

Rotary Direct (recurring giving)

You choose how much and how often you want to give— it's a simple and secure way to make a big impact — and the funds are transferred automatically. Online contributions can be made monthly, quarterly, or annually. Either complete and return the Rotary Direct enrollment form or enroll by phone at +1-866-976-8279. To update your existing recurring giving, contact www.rotarydirect@rotary.org or call +1-866-976-8279. For security reasons, changes to your credit card information should be made by phone—not online.

Employee matching gift

Double the impact of your gift by asking your employer to match your contribution to The Rotary Foundation. More than 15,000 companies match gifts to the Foundation, including many international corporations — and beginning this month, the program has expanded to include Canadian firms as well (see article at left). Find out if your employer offers this program at www.rotary.org/matchinggifts. Learn more about Rotary's employee matching gift program, including recognition opportunities.

Rotary MasterCard

Support Rotary's efforts with the Rotary International credit card. Just by using your card, you'll be helping The Rotary Foundation do good in the world. A portion of each purchase you make with the card will benefit The Rotary Foundation, at no additional cost to you. The Rotary Foundation has received more than $8.6 million from the program since it launched in 2000, including $3.6 million to support polio eradication. Rotary’s credit card program is currently available in both Canada and the United States. Learn more and apply at this link.

Airline miles

Through the United Airlines Mileage Plus Charity Miles program, you can donate miles to provide free airfare toward a club or district project. Learn more. Rotary Miles donation form.

Amazon Smile

Amazon.com allows you to select a charity to receive 0.5 percent of the purchase price of eligible purchases. It is an easy way to give and it’s not hard to sign up. Click on the link for more — and be sure to select The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to receive your charitable contributions!

A New Rotary Community Corps

The Renfrew Rotary Community Corps began forming during the summer of 2014, and received their official charter from Rotary international in November 2014. The charter was presented at an evening of fellowship in March 2015, by the sponsor Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Renfrew. John Wilson and Janet Springer of the Renfrew Rotary Club got the Corps up and running. Since its inception, the Renfrew Rotary Community Corps has assisted various local groups by providing volunteers to assist at their functions or fundraisers. The club has also worked on its own fundraisers with the proceeds benefitting local organizations. The latest was a very successful event, RenfrewLicious, that involved every restaurant in Renfrew and raised $2500 that was donated to the local Food Bank. The club plans on continuing assisting local organizations including the sponsor Rotary club, while they identify other opportunities to assist the community. The Corps is co-chaired by Greg Belmore and Briana Campbell.

Welcome the New Club of Kingston Waterfront

The District Governor and the sponsor Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston invite you to the Charter Celebration of the new Rotary Club of Kingston Waterfront on Monday, May 11, 2015. It will also be the 30^th anniversary celebration of the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston.

6:00 pm Happy Hour. 7:00 pm Presentations. 7:30 pm Celebration

Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, Grandview Room

Registration $25 CAD. You may pay at the door, as long as you are registered to allow us to order food based on registration numbers. Register here.

Cash Bar, Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Clubs are invited to send cheques/checks, or gifts to the new club through the District Governor. It is traditional for every club to send a gift to the new club and to have representation to welcome the new club at its charter night. Club groupings, especially with an Area Governor as the lead, could get together to purchase items for the new club.

Let’s celebrate!

This is how we “Light Up Rotary”!

We have a new club in our district. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Kingston Waterfront. News about the charter night is in the Events section. Register now.

We have a new satellite club in our district. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Ottawa Metro, satellite of the Rotary Club of Ottawa.

Does your club have interesting speakers?

Posted by Walt Mulyca

This picture is from a recent meeting of the Massena Rotary Club. It was my turn to get the guest speaker. I saw an article in the paper about Nolan Tarrence being the first student to ever win a New York State Championship in wrestling. There was a parade of Massena police, Akwesasne police, border guards and fire trucks to escort Nolan into town when he returned from Albany. I got on the internet and asked Coach Perrine if he could speak to Rotary and bring Nolan. I am old and weak these days and need a young strong friend to do some heavy lifting on occasion.. An 18 year old who is the NYS Champ in the 285 pound weight class should fill the bill. I am only in the 221 pound weight class. Nolan lives on the Mohawk Reservation. He will attend Buffalo University on a Division I Wrestling scholarship this fall and major in a sports health education field. Nolan often wrestles in Canada because he has trouble finding anyone around here who is able to take him on. He can wrestle in Canada on a team there because he is a dual citizen. His coach stopped wrestling with him a few years ago because it was too dangerous-for the coach. Nolan has a 104 win/15 loss record. He lost his first 8 matches but did not give up. As a senior he lost one match.

Presidential Citation

Qualifying clubs for the 2014-2015 Citation from RI President Gary Huang

Rotary Clubs

Cornwall Sunrise	Montreal-Lakeshore	Napanee
Old Montreal	Ottawa	Petawawa
Renfrew	Saranac Lake	West Ottawa

Rotaract Clubs

L’'île de Montréal

Queen’s University

SUNY Plattsburgh

Interact Clubs

Gananoque Secondary School

Woodroffe High School

Will your employer match Foundation giving?

Posted by Chris Boyce, Annual Giving Officer Zone 24, 32

Did you know your employer might match your gifts to The Rotary Foundation (Canada)?

Corporate matching gifts are a great way for to you earn Foundation recognition points and help your club meet its giving goals. To recognize your vital role in procuring these contributions, you will be awarded Foundation recognition points and your club will receive credit for the amount of the matching gift.

Click here to see if your company is one of the many that has a matching gifts program and to learn about the details of your employer’s policy.

Your human resources department is the best resource if you have any questions regarding your company’s specific program. However, we’ve created a guide to answer many of the most frequently asked questions regarding Rotary's corporate giving program in Canada. American members can go to the RI site to check information.

With your help, we will be able to provide even more life changing opportunities in your community and around the world. As always, thank you for all that you do on behalf of The Rotary Foundation (Canada).

PS – If your company has a matching gifts program, submit your request today to help our Foundation achieve a record breaking year!

An Effective Membership Day

The Rotary Club of West Ottawa held its Membership Day on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. In his introduction

President Bob noted our Club is an activity-generated Club and we make things happen. In keeping with this he turned the meeting over to the very dynamic Merv Letts and his membership committee. Immediately we noticed our normal venue was transformed by the efforts of the Membership Committee and others to reflect what Rotary and the West Ottawa Rotary Club does in an effort to showcase the many sides of Rotary to the Alumni and twenty (20) Visitors. Exhibits included Shelter Box; the Rotary Youth Programs; Dictionary4Life; Mums for Thanksgiving; Golf Tournament Fundraiser; Music for Humanity Fundraiser; New Members Coffee Fundraiser; and the Cash Calendar Fundraiser; an exhibit featuring the ABC’s of Fraud. There were stations where we showcased where our hard earned fundraising is deployed including the Rotary Home, Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, Project Chance Africa and Scholarships and Fellowships available through Rotary. Finally, other stations that feature how other Rotary Clubs impact the local community through the Rotarians’ for Wabano station and an International Service Committee station. Twenty invited guests had the opportunity of visiting and talking with the representatives of each exhibit.

The Membership Chair, Merv Letts, eloquently spoke of Rotary at the Local, National and International levels. With fundraising through the Annual Golf Tournament, Mums For Thanksgiving, Music For Humanity, the Cash Calendar and the Coffee Program, West Ottawa Rotary is able to support a number of programs. Locally they have helped with the Rotary Home and Respite Centre, the Dave Smith Treatment Centre and also the number of smaller requests. Nationally we have been able to help in the recent Alberta flooding and the Lac Magantic train disaster. We provide continued support in coaching Seniors and others at risk through the ABC’s of Fraud Program. Internationally through our own members Carol Waters, Bea Osome and Suan Cross, West Ottawa are busy in Africa teaching natives how to sew, drilling our eighth well and constructing a new school on the outskirts of Nairobi. The efforts to end Polio is very close to being a reality as polio is present in only three countries, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. To wind up this very whirlwind overview of why be a Rotarian, Merv reminded us that our annual dues are about $200 and there are three categories of membership, Regular Membership where you must attend 50% of Club meetings, Corporate Memberships, where up to 4 members from the same company can become members, and Associate Membership for those interested in one segment of Rotary. Merv concluded by asking newer member Joseph Redhead why he chose Rotary. Joseph Redhead provided a brilliant account as to why he did.

(Note: From this successful Visitors’ Day, our Club has inducted 4 new members and welcomed 1 Associate Member.)

For a full description of RCWO Visitors’ Day, go to our website www.rcwo.org and open Spinoff, February 10, 2015)

A new visual identity for our youth programs

Posted by John Hewko, RI secretary general

Dear Rotarian, Rotaractor, or friend of Rotary:

Are you ready to make it clear how Rotary invests in youth and young adults? We are rolling out a new visual identity for our youth programs that does just that. This new look will better align Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange with Rotary, making it more clear how these youth programs are connected to Rotary and an important part of our story. Check out the new visual identity — a new, aligned visual design.

In our survey last year, we learned that our new design should include Rotary, be consistent with our voice and visual identity, and convey our history even as we reach out to future participants. We wanted our design to communicate what these activities are and how Rotarians support them; for each, we did that through the Rotary Masterbrand and the Rotary wheel:

RYLA is a program that develops young leaders. Since it’s organized by Rotarians, we lead with your club or district logo featuring the Rotary masterbrand signature next to “RYLA” or the words “Rotary Youth Leadership Awards” in lowercase.
Rotary Youth Exchange is a program that builds cultural understanding. Since it’s organized by Rotarians, we lead with your district or multidistrict logo featuring the Rotary masterbrand signature next to “Rotary Youth Exchange” in lowercase.
Interact is a club for emerging leaders. These clubs are sponsored by Rotary clubs, and they’re connected to a school or a community. To show that, we put the Interact wordmark next to the Rotary wheel along with the phrase “A Rotary Sponsored Club.”
Rotaract is a club for young leaders, such as university students or young professionals. These clubs are Rotary partners, and they are based in universities or communities. We put the Rotaract wordmark next to the Rotary wheel with a phrase that affirms the role of Rotaractors as partners in service.

Our Interact and Rotaract graphics live on our Brand Center, under our Logos section. This is also where you can create your club, district or multidistrict signature.

Within our guidelines, there’s lots of freedom. You can put this visual design into action in different ways on T-shirts, banners, and websites. You’re also welcome to develop your own designs that share what RYLA, Rotary Youth Exchange, Interact, and Rotaract mean to you. If you do, be inspired by the fonts, colors, and ideas in our voice and visual identity guidelines to connect your creativity with Rotary’s overall design principles.

We know that you have years of memories connected to our heritage logos — the red and metallic gold of Rotaract, the interlocking circles of the Interact logo, the confident, outstretched arms of RYLA, and the globe-crossing arrows of Rotary Youth Exchange. While we hope you’ll embrace our new direction, keep your pins, T-shirts, banners, bells, and other treasured items. Our Heritage Communications team will be looking after these logos for us, as these historic logos are equally a part of Rotary’s story.

As you put our new design into action, show us what you create. Send your questions, comments, and ideas to graphics@rotary.org. We can’t wait to see what this next chapter of our story looks like.

Rotary Club of North Renfrew (Deep River)

The Rotary Club of North Renfrew was Chartered in May 2006 and has had a maximum membership of 22 but currently has 18 very active members. Their Participation score is well over 100% and often topped the district’s list of clubs. This Rotary Club is certainly an example of what all Rotary Clubs a striving to be.

There is only so much space, so maybe a list of ongoing successes maybe be the most word efficient why of highlighting this club.

44% of their current membership are female.
Youth Exchange program since 2006
Interact program, very active with approximately 50 students.
Earlyact Club was started in the fall of 2013 with about 12 members.
Since 2006 the Club has been successful in receiving 7 District Simplified Grants and 1 Matching Grant for a total of about $36,947.
Since 2006 the members have contributed $29,988 USD to the Rotary Foundation
The Club supports many Community Projects and Events
- North Renfrew Family Services
- Canada Day celebrations
- Rhubarb Lunch
- Book Tree Project
- Deep River Community Woods Project

So what is new for the Club?

In any effort to revitalize and focus the Club around an issue most members could support a new committee was formed, Environmental Working Group, which will look at a wide range of issues. An initial activity is a Community Waste Reduction Challenge and Reuse/Exchange Day (April or May 2015 ), both part of a broad Community Education Plan.

Another new committee is exploring the possibility of initiating a housing project for senior residents of the area. They are currently looking for possible building sites.

So what are the Challenges, for a club that is so successful?

Well it is the same problem of many clubs in our district. The Rotary Club of North Renfrew needs to attract new members and work on ways to prevent member burnout. In the short term they partner with local groups to provide people power and use their success Interact Program to their advantage. But to some extent their success hinders the effort to solve their membership problem.

A quote from the Club’s Publicity, Communication and Membership Committee:

“ Because of our high visibility in the community, there is a common perception that our members must either work too hard or that the club already must have 50 or more members or so to achieve everything we do, so no more members are needed. “

Dates for Cleanup Extended

Public Image, the Musical

Rotary Direct Challenge A Success

From the Editor's Desk

Judging People

Kingston Centennial – March Edition

A New Fundraiser?

Council on Legislation Resolutions

Governor's Message

Free Pandemic-Related Mental Health Seminars

Update - The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup

The Rotary Foundation Zone 28 & 32 Gala

TIFF Film Series

Take Care / prendre soin

March is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month

The Sun Never Sets in Rotary

International Assembly 2021

District Conference Date Change

Kingston Centennial News

Bringing Diversity, Inclusion and Equity in Your Life through Reading

2021 Montreal Chinese New Year Charity Concert

Iqaluit Rotary Delivers Record Christmas Hampers

News from Eganville Rotary

The Great Lakes Cleanup

How does Rotary make help happen?

February DG Message février

The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup

Kingston Centennial/Centenaire de Kingston

I May Be Blind, But My Name Is Still Tina

Hawkesbury Success Story

DisCon 2021 Registration Information d'inscription

Endowments

DEI - Votre Parcours / Your Journey

Helping to Create Housing Resources

Participate in District Conference 2021

Rotary Direct Earns Paul Harris Points

January is Vocational Service Month

Extra! Extra! Extra! We Have a New Interact Club!

Don't Forget

A Life that Mattered

Tribute to Ada K. Stoiber:

Happy Holidays/Joyeuses fêtes

Rotarians for Bees

Supporting Food Plant Solutions RAG / Soutenir le groupe d'action

Promoting Named Funds with our Rotary Foundation

Christmas Silent Auction

Supporting Rotary - One Community’s Response

Kemptville's Merry Christmas Float

Succession Planning

Giving Tuesday

Perth Rotary Club Gives Back in Time for World Polio Day October 24th

Pour vous distraire !

Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group Activities

Rotary Club of West Ottawa: Tree Planters and Shoreline Cleaners

Condors Golf Raffle Draw

Making Money - A Slice and a Chicken At a Time

Rotaract News

Are You Driven to Help Others? You Have Another Opportunity!

November is Foundation Month

World Interact Week

Connecting With Former Youth Exchange Students

End Polio Now Tulips – Huge Success!

Une école en Tanzanie

World Bicycle Relief

Apple Picking

Help!

Le Club Rotary de Valleyfield (Québec) : 75 Ans de Services à la Communauté !

Rotary FAR Project launched in Kingston

Fundraising

A Practical Demonstration of the Power and the Joy of being Rotarian

Bacon on a Bun

Training Talk