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2016 - 2017 District Governor Neil Berg
 
District Governor Message
Rotary Serving Humanity

Happy New Year!  And welcome to the 2016-2017 Rotary year.

 
We are privileged to be led this year by a passionate Rotarian in Rotary International President John Germ from Tennessee and be guided by the Rotary theme this year Rotary Serving Humanity.  This theme is a reminder of our true calling as Rotarians, to serve others in our communities, local and around the world.  Check out some more about this inspiring Rotary leader in the July 2016 Rotarian magazine and on My Rotary on the Rotary.org site here.
 
On behalf of the Rotarians of District 5360, we thank Martin Harvey for his leadership, vision and passion as our Governor this past year.  Martin has been a tremendous support to me and it is my honour and privilege to follow in his footsteps.
 
July is, of course, the start of the Rotary year for all Club and District officers.  It’s an exciting time for the newly minted Club Presidents and their Boards as they set their Club goals and priorities.  To support the Clubs and our member Rotarians, we are privileged to have the support of a great District team of dedicated and enthusiastic Rotarians.  One of the newest appointments is Tony Knight, Rotary Club Calgary West, who will lead the District Membership Development team this year.
 
When RI President John shared RI’s priorities for this year, it was apparent to me that these elements were just as vitally important to every one of our Clubs and to the District as a whole:
  • Membership development: both retaining and engaging Rotarians plus attracting new helping hands, willing hearts, and bright minds to join with us;
  • Celebrating and supporting The Rotary Foundation in this 100th Anniversary year to continue to Do Good in the World, including the continued quest to eradicate polio;
  • Continue to nurture and develop strategic partnerships in carrying out our good work.
Your own community and the world needs more Rotary and Rotaract and Interact.  It needs all of us to be the best we can be in our Rotary walk.  The District leadership team is there to support every Club and every Rotarian in their efforts.
Thank you for what you do for Rotary.
 
Neil
 
Neil Berg
Rotary International
District 5360 Governor
Rotary Club of Red Deer East
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
(403) 302-1552
 
 
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Reporting on your Service
HECD - Phase III Micro Finance

Honduras Economic & Community Development – Phase III Micro Finance

 
The Honduras Insight Tour took place in April 2016. From our HECD Microfinance Task Force Wally Gardiner, Jim Louttit, and Steve Rickard went down to Honduras.  From Rotaract, Sarah Khan and Spencer Chaisson also accompanied the tour. Bonaventure Fandohan from The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in Evanston, as well as Jannalee Anderson from Opportunity International Canada (OIC) were also in attendance. Another good contributor to the trip was our very own Rotary District 5360 Administrator, Charlene Bearden.
 
Some went to visit the village of Las Camelias where a water project was completed in Phase II. This showed the great progress with new homes and businesses being developed in the area.
 
A visit was made to the Santa Barbara office of IDH . Microfinance loans have helped many businesses including one that makes clay tiles for stoves. It has grown to now be able to provide tiles to three countries including Guatemala, Mexico, and El Salvador at a rate of 1,000 tiles per week.  The stoves in the homes are safer than open fires problems from the smoke inhalation, burns, and blindness. The stoves burn less wood so there is also a positive environmental impact.
Sarah Khan told us of the Rotaract projects in a small village outside the capital city of Tegucigalpa. It takes place at a primary school with 30 students and one teacher. This is a Phased Project like the HECD model, first adding a concrete pad where the children can play without mud and dust, then clean water and bathrooms. Phase III added a computer lab with the help of donations, like those of computer consultant, Wally Gardiner, now each student has access to a computer to help with their studies.  Wally commented it was a busy time and an emotional time.
Everyone is encouraged to attend one of our annual Insight Tours to see first hand the impact our projects have on so many lives. View trip details for 2016 at Rotary Action Group Blog
Phase III is nearing completion with the Global Grant Application going to TRF before the end of June 2016.  With the help of the initial contributions from various Rotary Clubs in our own District 5360, District 7070 in Ontario, Olympia Capital Rotary Club in Washington State, Real de Minas in Honduras, and private donations we raised over $73,000 USD.  This money has been multiplied by grants from Community Investment Projects – Alberta Government (CIP), Rotary District 5360 Designated Funds (DDF),  and the Government of Canada totally approximately $125,000 USD. After our Global Grant Application has been approved by The Rotary Foundation (TRF) this will be a $300,000 USD project!! A leverage ratio of $4 to $1 – amazing!!  Thousands in Honduras will now have the necessary funding and business tools to be able to raise themselves from poverty. They can provide a better way of life for themselves, their families, their communities, and their country in so many ways.
 
There are many to thanks for getting us to this point; those on the District 5360 Microcredit Task Force, our contributors both Rotarian and Non-Rotarian, the Government of Alberta for the CIP grant, our own District 5360 for DDF, The Government of Canada in conjunction with The Rotary Foundation (Canada) TRFC, and finally the Rotary Foundation (TRF). Recognition and thanks to Jannalee Anderson from OIC who worked tirelessly on virtually all these fronts and our Partners at the Institute for Development in Honduras (IDH).  None of this would have been possible without this large and far-reaching collaborative effort as envisaged by the Rotary leaders at the Rotarian Action Group for Micro Finance and Community Development (ragm.org); a model example of Service above Self.
We will keep this momentum moving forward to HECD Phase IV which is in the initial planning stages. Stay tuned for more updates.
 
 
 
HECD April 2016 Insight Tour Group Photo
 
Get FREE Media Exposure
Five Types of Media Exposure You Need to Know About
 
Every day media is inundated by requests from worthwhile not-for-profit organizations which all need - and deserve - publicity. Each comes requesting news coverage, sponsorship, and "free" advertising. Knowing the different way your club can generate profile will help your project or event stand out and maximize the exposure.
 
Robyn T. Braley
Calgary West
 
Rotary Moment

Good afternoon,

Today I experienced an amazing Rotary moment and I thought that it would be good to share it with a Rotary member. Bear with me as I am not a talented writer.

I am living in Spruce Grove, just west of Edmonton, for the summer and today the city experienced a massive thunderstorm. I was at work doing some training for a new job and as the storm was ending I went to the front of the building to see the amount of rain and if there was any damage. When I looked outside I saw what appeared to be an older gentleman up past his ankles in water with his walker. He looked to be struggling so I ran out of the building to go give him a hand if needed. It just happened to turn out that this gentleman, named Wayne, was a polio survivor. I thought it was interesting to note that when he told me this he said, "You probably don't know what polio is but that is why I have my walker." I explained to him that I was part of Rotaract and that I did indeed know what polio was. Even knowing what polio is I have never met anyone in person who had polio so it did make me stop and take a minute to think about how polio is considered to be a thing of the past, yet here I was meeting a living polio survivor. 

 

After that short introduction took place we kept talking as I walked him to the building. He talked about the amazing things that Rotary is doing for polio and he told me that if he had only been healthy for another two years then there would have been a vaccine for him. He was born in 1951, and as he said, the cure wasn't available until 1953. That was another thoughtful point for myself. In my mind, 1953 seems to be a long time ago but in reality, that was just over 60 years ago and is really not long at all. He told me that even though he had polio he was grateful for every day that he was alive and he woke up each morning to thank god that he had gotten a good sleep. "Even if I only got two hours of sleep because of the pain," he said, "that was a gift." This gentleman really touched my heart with his kindness and his strength. Going through life living with the effects of polio and at 65 still being able to say that "every day is a good day" made me take a moment and really think. All of my petty troubles just seemed to disappear and I realized that no matter what I am alive and living a good fulfilling life.

I just wanted to share my experience with Wayne because, as I said before, he really touched my heart in the short 5 minutes that it took to get into the building. And I realize, now more than ever, how important the work that Rotary does to end polio really is. 

 

Wishing you well,

Meagan Bennett 
UofL Rotaract Club

Member Development
It is with great pleasure that we introduce Rotarian Tony Knight, Past President of the Rotary Club of Calgary West, as the new Membership Development Chair for District 5360.
 
Tony had some great success in his year as President of his Rotary Club in engaging current members and attracting new members.
There is no more important issue in Rotary International than that of membership.  We need more helping hands, bright minds, and willing hearts to continue to do good in the world.
 
As Membership Development Chair, Tony will build a team of Rotarians to further develop and enhance the District’s membership strategies.
Please join me in welcoming Tony to this important role in our District.
RLI Congratulates New Graduates !

What a great looking group of Rotarians!

 
 
 
 
On June 11th seven Rotarians from District 5360 completed Module 3 of their RLI training at Calgary Rotary Challenger Park.
 
Congratulations to Jim Jenkinson (Calgary), Farid Bedwany (Calgary), Lorna Gutsche (Okotoks), Joyce Zwick (Pincher Creek), Helen Hu (Calgary), Bill Saunders (High River), Dennis Chinner (Lethbridge), for successfully completing the Rotary Leadership Institute training program.  They join an exceptional group of Rotarians who have participated in this program and we look forward to their contributions to their clubs, the district and beyond! Well done!
   
RLI Corner - New Pod Structure

New Pod Structure for the District

 
Rotary Leadership Institute has been offered in our district for several years and hundreds of Rotarians have taken one or more modules.  In efforts to ensure all Rotarians, regardless of where they live, have access to these modules we have introduced a District Pod concept that we will be rolling out in the coming year.  Geographic areas in close proximity to each other will form a pod.  For example, Cochrane – Canmore – Banff has been established which will offer RLI training in one of the three locations making it more accessible for Rotarians living in these areas.

Rotarians (new and experienced) working together on an International project grant proposal as part of
RLI Module 3
session.

 
What does this mean?
 
We are working hard to train local teams of Rotarians to be able to facilitate the module content locally.  This also means you can attend a module closer to where you live.  All modules and locations are listed on the district website (http://rotary5360.ca/events/calendar/) so you can easily find a module in a convenient location.
 
Currently, Calgary is the only location in the district to offer regular modules twice a year.  In the coming months you will notice RLI sessions  being offered in the following pod locations:
Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere
 
Lethbridge, Pincher Creek, Raymond, Fort MacLeod, Cardston
 
Cochrane, Canmore, Banff
 
High River, Okotoks
 
 
     
I live in an area that is not listed in one of the pods!
 
Don’t worry! We will be adding other locations over time.  To accommodate clubs during this transition we have made arrangements for facilitation teams to travel to you!  With a minimum of 8 registered Rotarians, our facilitation teams will schedule modules convenient for you. 
 
In the coming year we hope to expand our RLI learning pods to include:
Medicine Hat, Swift Current, Kindersley, Brooks
 
Red Deer , Steller, Lacombe, Drumheller, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Ponoka
 
More learning pods including Olds - Innisfail are coming soon!
We are looking for leaders  in each of these areas!  If you are interested please contact Tamara.
 
Please contact Tamara for more information.
 
 
ShelterBox Update – June 2016
ShelterBox Update – June 2016
 
Deployment Update: Sri Lanka
 
In May, Sri Lanka experienced a cyclone that caused major torrential rain fall and landslides that buried whole villages in meters of mud.
 
“The landslides came so fast. All we could hear for about an hour was rocks crashing. Sometimes it was as loud as an atomic bomb.”
 
Our ShelterBox team is in Sri Lanka and is working with the military and the local Rotary network to establish camps for people who have been displaced from the landslides and flooding. ShelterBox aims to support over 300 households with ShelterBoxes and other needed aid items.
 
http://shelterboxcanada.org/uploads/images/rotary_partner_button.gif
From ShelterBox Canada to Rotary: Thank you
 
Everyone at ShelterBox would like to extend a big thank you to all of the Rotary Clubs, Rotary Districts and individual Rotarians across Canada who have supported our efforts in the 2015-2016 year.
 
So far this year, Rotary Clubs have donated over $425,000 to support families who have lost everything after a disaster. On behalf of the ShelterBox team and those we serve, thank you.
 
 
 
 
   
ShelterBox Canada – 159 Jane St Office 2, Toronto, ON M6S 3Y8
 
Rotary sponsors High River’s park stage
Following the flood that devastated High River on June 20, 2013, the Rotary Club of High River received donations from other clubs in District 5360, The Calgary Foundation and the Town of High River, as well as a Rotary matching grant, to enhance the town’s George Lane Memorial Park. The downtown park was badly damaged by flood water flowing through it from the nearby Highwood River. In fact, it was closed for a year while being repaired. The latest enhancement to the park is revitalization of the old Centennial stage, the design of which now includes High River’s symbolic Medicine Tree.
 
The design by former High River resident John Greg Ball was chosen by the public from artists’ submissions to the Town of High River.  Ball had said he would love to see musical events occur at the stage. As if granting his wish, a special event was held at the stage, almost three years after the flood, when the Town of High River invited the community to the park on June 18. People gathered in front of the stage for upbeat band music and a free BBQ. Local artists held art shows and sales.
At the nearby Rotary playground, young children could enjoy another park attraction that Rotarians and Interactors built in 2014.
Thanks to 'Friends of Rotary' Drumheller
 
‘Helping Rotary Help the Community’ often requires additional volunteers to assure projects are successful.  The end result provides youth, families and seniors with facilities and events that benefit everyone.
Friends of Rotary was developed by President Doug Stanford as a way to show appreciation to those who step forward when the club requires additional assistance. Many of these community-minded  volunteers were present at a special evening to receive certificates of appreciation and a pin.
Stanford says: “Without Friends of Rotary we would not be able to carry out some of our major projects. We really appreciate their efforts.”
 
Left to right, front row: Ken Smith – Bob Davidson – James Gooley – Tom Zariski – Dave Daly.
Middle row: Shauna Jensen – Louise Gundlach – Eleanor Jensen.
Back row: Darcy Jensen – Carl Gundlach – Doreen Oliver – Aggie & Tom Diemert – President Doug Stanford.
   
 
Online Event Ticketing Programs
 
Ever increasing, we purchase items online: airline tickets, goods and services, concert tickets, coupons, etc.
 
So why not Rotary Event tickets.
 
Clubs are often in need of a one-time use event ticketing software portal. Instead of reverting back to spreadsheets and pencil tracking, try online services that introduce ease of use, client tracking, and reporting with indices reports letting you know how well sales are doing at any moment.
 
First have someone in your club review the various ticketing approaches and to make a selection.
Second make a list of Needs and decide on options and requirements.
Third compare component costs of the different software and compare to budgetary requirements and examine how payments are collected ensuring that your club has the appropriate online banking or PayPal accounts.
Fourth compare Social Media linkages - does the software make it easy to promote your event on all Social Media Platforms which is critical for a successful event.
Fifth do online comparisons of the ticketing systems by reviewing a demo.  All provide online learning and help desks to ensure your event ticket sales run smooth.
 
Three that have been used by Clubs in the District are: 
 
There are more ticketing platforms out there, each with its unique brand and features but within an afternoon of research you too can be on the leading edge of event planning, promotion, and prosperity.
Donation Appreciated
 
STARS Air ambulance are thrilled with the new airborne ultrasound system they have received, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Cochrane and the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Foundation. 
 
The Rotary Club of Cochrane in partnership with the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Foundation donated $68,000 to STARS to purchase an airborne ultrasound system that will enhance the delivery of care to injured and acutely ill patients. The new ultrasound system will allow medical crews to identify life-threatening medical conditions, including hemorrhagic shock, ruptured aortic aneurysms, assessment of various severe cardiac problems and immediate indication of fetal compromise in acutely ill and injured pregnant mothers. 
Speaker's Corner
 
To assist in your search for quality speakers at your meetings, please see below and submit suggestions.

 
 

 
Speaker suggestions can be submitted anytime to Charlene Bearden, District Administrator.
 

                        

RI President John Germ

2016 - 2017

     
 

Today, we look ahead toward a Rotary year that may one day be known as the greatest in our history: the year that sees the world's last case of polio. Wild poliovirus caused only 74 cases of polio in 2015, all of them in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As we continue to work tirelessly toward our goal of eradication, we must also look beyond it: preparing to leverage our success into even greater successes to come.

It is tremendously important to Rotary's future that our role in the eradication of polio be recognized. The more we are known for what we've achieved, the more we'll be able to attract the partners, the funding, and, most important, the members to achieve even more. We're working hard at RI headquarters to be sure that Rotary gets that recognition. But it can't all happen in Evanston. We need you to get the word out through your clubs and in your communities about what Rotary is and what we do. We need to be sure that our clubs are ready for the moment when polio is finally eradicated – so that when people who want to do good see that Rotary is a place where they can change the world, every Rotary club is ready to give them that opportunity.

We know that if we want to see Rotary Serving Humanity even better in the years ahead, we'll need more willing hands, more caring hearts, and more bright minds to move our work forward. We'll need clubs that are flexible so that Rotary service will be attractive to younger members, recent retirees, and working people. We'll need to seek out new partnerships, opening ourselves more to collaborative relationships with other organizations.

Looking ahead, we also see a clear need to prioritize continuity in our leadership. We in Rotary are all playing on the same team, working toward the same goals. If we want to reach those goals together, we all have to move in the same direction – together.

Every day that you serve in Rotary, you have the opportunity to change lives. Everything you do matters; every good work makes the world better for us all. In this new Rotary year, we all have a new chance to change the world for the better, through Rotary Serving Humanity.

 


JOHN F. GERM

PRESIDENT 2016-17

ROTARY CLUB OF CHATTANOOGA

TENNESSEE, USA

John F. Germ is board chair and chief executive officer of Campbell and Associates Inc., consulting engineers. He joined the firm as an engineer in 1965 after four years in the U.S. Air Force. He serves on the boards of several organizations, including the board and executive committee of the Public Education Foundation, Orange Grove Center Inc., and as board chair of Blood Assurance Inc. He also is founder and treasurer of the Chattanooga State Technical Community College Foundation and president of the Tennessee Jaycee Foundation.

He was Tennessee Young Man of the Year in 1970; Engineer of the Year, 1986; Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, 1992; and Tennessee Community Organizations Volunteer of the Year, 2009. He is a recipient of the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award and the Arthritis Foundation Circle of Hope Award. In 2013, the White House recognized him as a Champion of Change.

Germ joined Rotary in 1976 and has served Rotary as vice president, director, Foundation trustee and vice chair, aide to the Foundation trustee chair, chair of Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge, RI Board Executive Committee member, RI president’s aide, Council on Legislation representative and chair, membership zone coordinator, chair of numerous committees, area coordinator, RI training leader, and district governor.

Germ has received RI’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Judy, are Benefactors and members of the Arch Klumph Society of The Rotary Foundation. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Bulletin Editor
Charlene Bearden
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
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You are receiving this email because you are a Rotarian in District 5360.
 
Rotary International District 5360 Inc.
201 - 4 Parkdale Crescent NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 3T8
Tel: (403) 670-2624
 
     RI President:  John F. Germ     -     District Governor: Neil Berg