 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. |
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Use the comment section of this page to continue the discussions begun at the district conference. |
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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: |
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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 |
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Join us Monday, October 15, 2018 to celebrate Ottawa's newest club: Rotary Club of Ottawa Metro |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 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. |
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Clubs receiving the prestigious Rotary Citation in 2017-2018
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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! |
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 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. |
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Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac Name of award: Rotarian of the YearRotary 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:
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 |
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 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. |
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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! |
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 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. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 ! |
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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.
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.jpg) 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!
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 The students have several things planned for the year:
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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.
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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...
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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.
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Did you know that Rotary has new logos for the Youth programs also?
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 Have you always dreamed of studying abroad? Applications are now available for Rotary Youth Exchange 2017-18! Please go to our website under forms & documents. http://www.yex.rotary7040.com
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 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. |
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 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.
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 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. |
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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.
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Photo shows Rotaractors meeting President Ravi at Carribean Carnival. Click HERE to view a photo album of of their time in Washington, D.C.
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Michèle Herblin, founding president of e-Club Premier 7040 had an article about the club published in the July issue of Rotary Canada.
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 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:
This translates to enough funds to buy more than 6,052,000 polio vaccinations!! www.wgmeal.com
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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:
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.
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 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. |
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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! |
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The attached request for funding has been received for sharing with the clubs in District 7040. The funding request was received by the Honouring Indigenous Peoples Board, a new organization bringing Rotary and First Nations together in support of education for indigenous peoples. Our mandate is to review and approve such requests before sharing them with Canadian Rotary clubs.
The urgent request is from the First Nations Community of Landsdowne House, a fly-in community located 480 km northeast of Thunder Bay for financial assistance to help them purchase and install a desperately new playground for their community education centre.
 The documents included in this funding request, and added to downloads below are:
If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns please contact:
Kevin Webb, HIP Project Co-Chair at kwebb@crcid.org
Chris Snyder, HIP Founder & Chair at chris@eccgroup.ca
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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.
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. “
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As we celebrate Rotary International’s Literacy theme during March, each club in our District is challenged to ask themselves the following question,
What project(s) does our club have to support literacy?
Last fall’s article focused on some literacy statistics internationally, nationally and within our District. The plan for District literacy was also summarized.
The District literacy plan includes encouraging clubs to consider taking on the Dictionary4Life project which the Rotary Club of West Ottawa is offering to expand and administer. I am very pleased to report that the Rotary Clubs of Prescott and Kingston-Waterfront have ordered dictionaries for this coming fall in addition to the continuing 8 Ottawa area clubs (West Ottawa, Nepean- Kanata, Ottawa Bytown, Ottawa, Stittsville, Orleans, South Nepean, Ottawa South) that are already involved in the project. The District order was our largest order to date for 1,096 books. As you assess your club’s literacy projects please consider the Dictionary4Life project. If you’d like evidence of how you can make a difference in a Grade 3 student’s life please view the winning one-minute video at http://youtu.be/uCwcZQKQ6nE
“For most of us reading and writing are as natural as breathing. But nearly 800 million adults worldwide lack the literacy skills needed to complete a job application, understand a child’s report card, or read a prescription.” (Source: Rotary International and the International Reading Association Literacy Project Guide) This latter document is an excellent guide for any club looking to either start a project or augment an already vibrant literacy program within your club.
Your club might consider one or more of these successful Rotary club literacy projects:
Improve access to books and learning materials
Support schools and teachers
Enhance classroom learning
Promote community development
(Source: Rotary International and the International Reading Association Literacy Project Guide)
As always, I would be pleased to speak to any District 7040 club about literacy. Please contact me at lindaflynn@bell.net.
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In a single word, Rotary means "opportunities." Through Rotary membership, you can discover dozens of opportunities to enhance your life and enrich the lives of family and friends. There may be opportunities to establish close friendships with individuals around the world whom you would never have met, except through the magic of Rotary. There are opportunities to share with many others a common belief and philosophy of service, without any thought of personal return.
 There are opportunities to work side-by-side with other community leaders whom we highly respect. There are opportunities to stretch your horizons by listening to interesting programs and enjoying the good times at the weekly meetings. There are opportunities to represent your profession and demonstrate how high ethical standards are a vital part of your day-to-day occupation.There are opportunities to travel into virtually every land and find an open door and a cordial welcome to a totally new world of Rotary fellowship. There are opportunities to make your small part in the world really count through the achievements of the great and noble activities of Rotary's programs of service. There are opportunities to touch the lives of thousands of people whom you will never know, except through the rewarding glow of satisfaction which comes from knowing that somewhere, someone needed your help, and you took the time to do something. There are opportunities to join in the search for world peace and goodwill through the dynamic work of The Rotary Foundation.
And finally, all of these opportunities add up to one conclusion: Rotary helps you become a better person and makes the quality of your own life just a little richer and more meaningful.
What a wonderful feeling it is to have all of these opportunities knocking at your door—just because you are a Rotarian!
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Two donations. A total of $20,000. Now, that’s a good start on a fundraising campaign that will see the creation of a peace park with a labyrinth in Stittsville this year. This will be the first such peace park with a labyrinth within the city of Ottawa.
These two major donations, one for $15,000 and one for $5,000, were announced by the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville, the driving force behind this peace park project, at a celebration to launch the fundraising component of the project on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at the Bank of Montreal branch on Hazeldean Road in Stittsville. Rotarian Brad Spriggs is in the photo at right.
For the full article go to http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/5261769-peace-park-campaign-receives-20-000-in-donations/
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The Rotary Club of Montreal Westward will be holding our 75th Anniversary Gala evening Friday January 23rd at 6:30 PM at the Montreal West Town Hall, 50 Westminster south, Montreal West.
MP Marc Garneau is our special guest speaker and Mayor Beny Masella will be the Master of Ceremonies.
We have a special caterer, DJ and wine included. Cost $85.
We need to know your very precise numbers by Thursday January 15th at the latest - with your cheque to Montreal Westward Rotary by the 15th also as we are paying the caterer per person. Please e-mail me so that I can keep track of numbers.
Please list the names of your guests. The main meal choice is chicken. If you or your guest cannot eat chicken, we can order salmon for those individuals if you specify ahead.
It will be a wonderful, fun evening. Please invite family and friends for our celebration.
Kathie Montgomery
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Clubs may consider implementing the following measures when setting up this membership category:
1. Approval. A corporate entity or organization can become an eligible corporate member of the Rotary club through an approval process established by the club.
2. Designees. Once an entity becomes an eligible corporate member through the established approval process, it may appoint up to four persons to be its designees, one of whom must be a member of that entity’s senior executive group; the others can be managerial individuals employed full time by the eligible corporation.
3. Changing designees. The club will determine the ability of the eligible corporation to change any of its designees so long as at all times one of them is a member of the eligible corporation’s senior executive group.
4. Inductions. A corporate member designee will be formally inducted into the club as established by the club.
5. Attendance. The attendance requirement for an eligible corporation will be established by the club.
6. Classification. The classification of the eligible corporation and its designees will be established by the club. Because a corporate member is an official member of the Rotary club, this classification will be counted toward the classification limits set forth in the RI Constitution, Article 5, Section 2(b).
7. RI registration. Each designee will be listed as an official member of the Rotary club and will be noted in the roster that they are designees of the named eligible corporation.
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Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and AuSable Valley have been actively fundraising and donating back to their communities.
 Saranac Lake recently held a Job Fair with the Local Businesses.
Tupper Lake held a Blood Drive on November 20 at the Goff Nelson Library.
AuSable Valley will be presenting $10,000 to the Montreal Club to support a Water Project in Africa. Except for AuSable Valley, which has five members and wants to bring in younger members, all these clubs have had a new member within the past couple months.
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The Rotary Clubs of Northwestern New York are made up of three clubs from the City of Watertown and three clubs from the Northern part of Jefferson County. The Watertown Clubs are the Noon Club, the Evening Club and the Sunrise Club. The Northern clubs are the Clayton Club, the Alexandria Bay Club and the Theresa Club. All clubs are strong, vibrant and actively engaged in services projects both on the local and international level.
The oldest Club in Jefferson County, the Watertown Noon Club, is proud to be celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year. The Club was established on December 3, 1914, and thus has the honor of being among the earliest Rotary clubs in existence. A delegation from the Watertown Noon Club attended this year's District Conference in Ottawa and gave a presentation highlighting their Club's long history, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edYr9M0fpUA&feature=youtu.be . The Club is also working on a centennial project which is water park/wading pool that will be placed in a Watertown City park.
The main service project for the Watertown Sunrise Club is Dodge Pond, which is a summer camp for handicap children. This year, Sunrise was a co-sponsor of an annual event in Watertown called Taste of the Town. The well attended event is a showcase of local restaurants, and as a co-sponsor the Sunrise Club was able to raise more money than even to support Dodge Pond.
The Watertown Evening Club is the newest Rotary Club in Jefferson County and has become very active in the Rotary community. The Evening Club has children as a focus, and they have partnered with a local school to provide food-filled backpacks for needy children. Evening Club has also started working with other Jefferson County Rotary clubs on the joint international service project committee.
Although it is the smallest Club in the County, the Theresa Club is a powerhouse in Jefferson County Rotary. The Club particularly focuses on local project and is known for their annual Chili Cook-Off, which raises thousands of dollars for Club projects. The Club's work is found all over their community, and the Theresa Rotarians embody the ideal of service above self.
The Clayton Club continues to be very active with numerous ongoing projects each year. A major fundraiser for the Clayton Club is their annual gun show, which is a well attended event in the community each year. Clayton Rotary also sponsors their own Taste of the Town event with all proceeds going toward the eradication of Polio. A unique event organized by the Club is the annual "Pumpkin Chunking" contest, where teams build catapults to see who can hurl a pumpkin the farthest into the St. Lawrence River. Instead of money this event collects food which is then donated to the community. This year the Rotary Club of Clayton will be hosting the Third Annual Fellowship Event in Clayton.
 The Alexandria Bay Club sits geographically between the Clayton Club and the Theresa Club in the Northern part of Jefferson County. Alex Bay Rotarians are active in their support of community based projects, and in addition have recently joined other Jefferson County Rotary Clubs on the joint international service committee. This year the Alex Bay Club stepped up and offered to host a dinner for the District Governor when she visited Jefferson County. The weather did not co-operate, but Rotarians from all over the County were able to enjoy a wonderful evening of fellowship at the Bonnie Castle Resort in Alexandria Bay. The Alex Bay Rotarians put on an outstanding dinner, and the event was a nice opportunity to showcase what the Club is all about. |
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Twenty-two Rotarians from across Ontario and Quebec will be touring Scotland during November 2014 in pursuit of fellowship and curling supremacy as they curl Scottish Rotarians in 12 different locations over the month. The 2014 Team members from our district include Sherri Agnew (Captain) and Bill Beattie from the Rotary Club of Kingston as well as Dave Pelletier (Sgt. at Arms) from the Rotary Club of Kemptville.
Canadian and Scottish Rotarians meet and compete for the Transatlantic Rotary Curling Quaich every 2 years – alternating play between Canada and Scotland. The first tour took place when a group of Canadian and American Rotarians traveled to Scotland way back in 1956 – and the tour has been going strong ever since. The scores of all the games played at a dozen different curling rinks over the month are added together to determine the winner that year. The 2014 team from Canada will be out for revenge after the touring Scot’s won the Quaich while touring Quebec and Ontario in 2012.
While curling is the event – fun and fellowship are the name of the game. On the ice the competition will be fierce. Off the ice it will be an opportunity to tour Scotland, renew friendships, and meet new friends in the birthplace of the game.
You are invited to follow the team through the Team Blog – www.canada-scotland2014.com and follow on Twitter @CanadaScot2014 . During the tour the team will be posting both the curling results and some of the off-ice highlights. Visit the Blog right now – have a look and bookmark the page.
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Happy Birthday Rotarians!
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