2016 - 2017 District Governor Neil Berg
 
 
 

District 5360 eBulletin

 
 
 
 
 
Published first Friday of each Month.           Submit entries by Wednesday prior.
 

 

 

 



 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner

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Connect with Rotarians from around the District and learn about District and Club Activites

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District Governor Message
Making Strides along the Rotary Way

Every year the President of Rotary International lays out the criteria for the Presidential Citation

 
This year President John Germ’s criteria is laid out in such a way that if your Club was to continue to strive toward the Citation’s objectives we guarantee yours will be a more vibrant Club at the end of the year than it was at the beginning.  The criteria fall into six categories: Membership Attraction & Engagement, Foundation Giving, Online Tool Adoption, Humanitarian Service, Youth engagement and Public Image.  These are all aspects of what we do as Rotarians that are measures of our impact in our communities and the world.  You can see what your Club goals are by signing in to your My Rotary account on www.Rotary.org keep up to date with your Clubs goals and the progress you’re making to them.  It would be my privilege to be able to recognise your Club as having accomplished this significant achievement this Rotary year.
 
The District is proud to be supporting the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation at the District Conference (May 5-7, 2017 in Red Deer AB, Click here for info and to register) with a huge Birthday Cake and a special invitation-only Foundation Bubbly Celebration Reception.  How do you get an invitation?  Simply do your part to ensure that your Club qualifies under one of seven criteria for Foundation or Polio Plus giving.  See your Club President or your Club Foundation Chair for details.  We’ll see you there.
 
There’s a good reason that Peace and Conflict Resolution is one of The Rotary Foundation’s six Areas of Focus.   We don’t think it is overstating the point to say that almost everything we do in our Rotary walk contributes in the same way, directly or indirectly, to Peace.  All Rotarians support peace directly through the sponsorship of Peace Scholars through Global Grants that you contributed to with your Rotary Foundation giving, perhaps specifically to this Area of Focus.  Our Foundation of course also funds and maintains six Peace Centers around the world.  And we contribute to peace indirectly through our humanitarian efforts in bringing fresh water to third world populations in Africa or South America or south-east Asia or immunising 2.5 billion children against polio.  I remember clearly the Group Study Exchange member years ago, a police officer from Calgary who took part in a GSE (old term) in Bangladesh who said after: “there is no way that I could ever think poorly of those people now, never mind take up arms against them.”
 
It is said that all of The Rotary Foundation’s Areas of Focus in-the-end, support peace and conflict avoidance and resolution.  In the Rotary calendar, February is Peace & Conflict Resolution month, a time when we try to focus a bit more attention on this important aspect of our place in society.  As well we’d remind that if this is a cause that touches your heart every Rotarian has the opportunity to attend the Presidential Peace Conference in Atlanta GA in June, just before the start of the Rotary International Convention. 
 
Make sure to check it out at www.riconvention.org.
 
That’s more than enough from me for now.
As always, thank you for all you do for Rotary as we go forward in Rotary Serving Humanity.
 
Neil Berg
Rotary Club of Red Deer East
Rotary International District 5360 Governor
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
(403) 302-1552
 
 
 
Read more...
Reporting on your Service
ShelterBox Latest News

ShelterBox Update - February 2017

Help People and Change Lives by Volunteering
ShelterBox Canada remains successful due in large part to our ever-growing base of volunteers, many of whom are Rotarians. Over 100 volunteer Ambassadors from coast to coast represent ShelterBox in their communities and we are incredibly grateful for this passionate and dedicated group raising awareness of our mission. If you are looking for a way to combine your passions for ShelterBox and Rotary, learn more about our volunteer roles below.
 
ShelterBox Canada Ambassadors
Join the team as an Ambassador and help raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox Canada! Ambassador volunteers make presentations, set up displays and share our mission and vision in their own community. This, and all of our volunteer roles, can be completely customized to your schedule and specific interests. The ShelterBox Canada staff will strive to work with you to create a volunteer plan that works best for you.
 
Rotary Club Champions
The Rotary Club Champion is a volunteer position specifically made for Rotarians. Club Champions are people who share our passion for ensuring no family is without shelter and share that message within their own Rotary Club. It is incredibly simple to become a Club Champion and once you join, you will receive access to webinars, ShelterBox updates and key information during major disasters that you can share with your Rotary Club. Champions aim to deliver increased awareness about ShelterBox within their Club and act as the main point-of-contact between the Club, the ShelterBox Canada National Office and local Ambassadors and volunteers. Our goal is to have a Club Champion in every Rotary Club across the country, does your club have a champion yet!?
If you are interested in joining the ShelterBox Canada volunteer team, or would like an Ambassador to make a presentation to your Rotary Club, please email Tess Widdifield at support@shelterboxcanada.org
 

Thank You

Shelter is more than just a roof – it’s a home. It’s the foundation for life, for families, for communities. Since ShelterBox began in 2000, our supporters have helped us provide shelter for more than 1.2 million people. Over one million people who not only have protection from the elements, but a place to call home. This would not have been possible without the incredible kindness and generosity from Rotary Clubs and Rotarians across the country. Thank you for your continued support in helping us to ensure that no family is without shelter.
 
ShelterBox is currently working in Iraq, Haiti, Cameroon, and Niger. We are monitoring Malaysia and Thailand.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ShelterBox Canada – 159 Jane St Office 2, Toronto, ON M6S 3Y8
Email: support@shelterboxcanada.org  Phone: 647-352-1930
www.shelterboxcanada.org
Little Free Library
A joint project between the Raymond Rotary Club and the Kainai Public Library is building bridges and increasing literacy on the Blood Reserve.

The two organizations are working together in order to provide the Blood Tribe community with free book kiosks similar to those in the Little Free Library movement. The Rotary club will construct the boxes and help with book donations, while the library will provide funds for the building materials, be in charge of placement and for refreshing the books on a regular basis.
Kainai Public Library co-ordinator Linda Weasel Head said she was inspired by recent stories about the Little Free Library movement as well as seeing them online. She also saw one in action at an Alberta Teachers Association meeting.

The plan is to provide the books free to the community and to refresh them weekly with donated books.

“We want to make sure there are different books, because we don’t want them just sitting there in a box collecting dust,” she said.

The project is an example of the efforts of the library to encourage literacy and build community.

“When people are done with the books, they can put them back, or they can just keep them in their home if they prefer,” said Weasel Head.

Over the past several years, the Rotary Club of Raymond has been involved in a number of projects internationally. This latest project was seen as an opportunity to serve the community in a more local capacity.

“We looked to our doorstep to the Blood Reservation, and wondered if there was anything they needed that we might be able to help with,” said Val Boehme, publicity chairman for the Rotary Club of Raymond.

He said he was inspired to help after hearing a speech given by Chief Justice Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“The statement he made had significant meaning for me,” Boehme said. “He said that reconciliation is not just for the First Nations community. It’s for all Canadians. My personal feeling is that this is one very small step that one community is taking to engage the other community.”

Over the past year, the Rotary Club of Raymond has gathered 70 cases of books which were given to the Kainai Public Library. About 30 of those cases were deemed suitable for the library’s bookshelves. The other books have been distributed throughout the community.

Three libraries are planned at this point, and while definite locations for the libraries have not been secured, Weasel Head said it is likely they could find homes in places such as the social services building in Standoff, the community of Moses Lake, or places such as treatment centres in the community.

“Our underlying goal is to increase literacy and make reading material available,” said Weasel Head, “Once you read, your life changes dramatically. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have access to books. Poverty plays a key role (in literacy), and over time, if a community has a library, then over time that poverty begins to diminish.”

Weasel Head said the Kainai Public Library has 1,600 users per month and is looking for donations of books, gently used children’s toys, and volunteers for their Saturday afternoon programming. Anyone with a skill that might be of interest to children is in high demand.

Follow @JWSchnarrHerald on Twitter
The Atrium Campaign Launches with Significant Donations
Just over a year ago, a small group lead by Tony Knight sat in the boardroom at Humpty’s, or what is more widely known as Rotary Humpty’s.  They gathered and they spoke of senior care and a desire to ensure that those who helped build the communities in which we live have the opportunity to live the rest of their lives with the respect and dignity they so deserve.  Tony spoke of a dementia village he toured in Amsterdam.  He spoke of how he felt after leaving and the passion that was ignited in him to do something.  It wasn’t long before that small group grew a little bigger.
 
They imagined and they dreamed.  They decided they would build something that would improve the lives of seniors. They sought a partner, someone who would not only be able to build what they needed but someone who also shared their vision of senior care. 
 
In Bethany, they found that partner.  Bethany is an organisation that was started in 1945 and they are dedicated to making the lives of seniors, better.  They celebrate ageing and they value choice, quality of life, independence and community.  They provide a range of housing and care options, from independent living to supportive living, long-term care, specialised dementia care and community services throughout central and southern Alberta.
 
The group exploded into action and the team grew from a few to a few more and soon that entire boardroom of Humpty’s was full.  They now had a movement.
 
In 2018, Bethany will open Riverview, a 210 bed integrated campus of care situated on 2.8 acres in the SE quadrant of Calgary. Bethany Riverview will be a comprehensive dementia care residence serving the city and surrounding region.  At the heart of Bethany Riverview is The Atrium.
 
The Atrium, a year-round indoor green space, will provide an area for Bethany residents, family, staff, volunteers, community visitors and Rotarians to gather and engage with each other. The Atrium will be one of the main features at Bethany Riverview, located in the centre of Calgary’s newest dementia care facility.  
 
Bethany Riverview broke ground last year.

As construction crews worked on Bethany Riverview,...
 
Read more...
BTRB - Reduce your Time & Effort

How to Reduce the Time it Takes to Properly Manage Social Media

 
You know your club should do it. But, you've been putting it off. You have a personal Facebook page and know social media can be addictive. Yes Virginia, even a time waster. 
 
But here you are. You may be a Club President or sit on your board as the PR Director. You may be the youngest member and have been designated to be the social media person. This post is for you.
 
Automation saves time. But it also helps social media managers who struggle with consistency. Further, it eliminates the need for performing repetitive tasks.
 

Bonus Links

Last year we published a BTRB series about how to attract media coverage. In early January, we used those protocols to generate media stories about Rotary in general and Calgary West’s Jubilee year in particular.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robyn Braley
Calgary West
 
Letter from An Admirer
Letter from Ms. Jiliane Golczyk, District 5360 Global Grant Scholar
 
Supported by a Global Grant Scholarship from District 5360, Ms. Jiliane Golczyk is currently completing her master’s degree at the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po, where she studies Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, with concentrations in Diplomacy and Latin America. She spent the fall 0f 2016 as an intern in UNESCO’s regional office for Central America. She is now back in Paris to complete the final semester of her degree. Jiliane is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Red Deer East and Paris Alliance.
 
 
Dear All:
 
I have just completed my internship at the UNESCO Regional Office for Central America, and I had an incredible experience! As I mentioned in my last update, I was working with the Social and Human Sciences Sector, working on projects related to the following four themes:
- Gender Equality
- Inclusive Public Policies
- Prevention of Youth Violence
- Intercultural Dialogue.
 
In my first month, I worked almost exclusively on programs related to intercultural dialogue, organising consultations with Afro-descendant peoples, who have historically experienced discrimination in Costa Rica and the region, in order to provide advice for the government. 
 
Following this project, I became very involved in two projects. 
 
The first was the organisation of the first National Encounter for Young Women in Costa Rica. I co-organized this event, collaborating with the Costa Rican government, and at the event, I facilitated a workshop on "Women and Violence".  However, three days before the event, Costa Rica was hit by Hurricane Otto. We thus spent three crazy days calling all of the participants and reorganising the logistics of the event in order for it to take place the following week. It was a very busy few days, but with some dedication, we were able to make all of the necessary arrangements and the event was a huge success! The end result of the Encounter was to prepare a Declaration with clear demands for the government in order to improve the status of women in Costa Rica. 

The second important project...
 
Read more...
Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp Aug 13-19,

Club Sponsorship and Adult Volunteer Opportunities Available

 
Mountains and Prairies, Oceans and Parades

Mountains and Prairies, Oceans and Parades: Rotary Friendship Exchange D5360-D6840

 
February 3, 2016, the 12 District 5360, Alberta-Saskatchewan, travellers gathered in New Orleans, eager to meet the host Rotarians from District 6840, Louisiana-Mississippi.
 
It was Friday morning and excitement was building toward Mardi Gras on the upcoming Tuesday. D6840 PDG Karen Babin, RC Metarie, greeted the Canadians warmly, outlined a full and active itinerary for the upcoming 2-week adventure and offered gift bags of spices and beads in traditional Mardi Gras colours: purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. As host Rtn. Harry Glidden said, “By the end of 2 weeks you will think these colours look nice together.” And we did!
 
This moment was many months in the making.  The D5360 travellers represented 6 different clubs from across the district and did not know each other prior to travelling together, so it was another level of networking and fellowship to meet new people from our own region. We got to know each other by phone and e-mail as we researched our destination, bought host gifts and decided on “team shirts”: bright red hockey jerseys that were quite attention-getting, even among the pageantry of Mardi Gras!
 
The Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) is a program of Rotary International that connects Rotary Clubs, encourages them to visit each other, explore new cultures and discover diverse perspectives.RFE is a wonderful way to meet Rotarians from around the world, build relationships and share ideas about projects and accomplishments. “We have ‘cross-pollinated’ many good ideas between countries, just through friendship visits”, says Margie Hansma, team leader for this trip.
 
The D6840 hosts had planned a minute-by-minute itinerary, ensuring that we saw Mardi Gras parades; to our surprise, there are dozens of them, not just one! New Orleans is the home of the national World War II museum and many other world class attractions. We got the insider’s view of amazing museums, galleries and sculpture parks. We ate great food, even had a few cooking lessons, and of course, experienced the music, culture and historic streets, and locations both in New Orleans and all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Visits to Rotary project sites were very impactful, and we learned, first hand, amazing stories of Katrina disaster recovery and resilience. We were very impressed with the large scale Rotary rebuilding projects. A highlight involved helping with a feeding mission: unloading food supplies, helping with the cooking and serving and meeting residents who were beneficiaries of Rotary work.We also were guests at social gatherings and Rotary meetings, where we were warmly welcomed and given the opportunity to make presentations about D5360, our clubs and projects.
 
 
Read more...
Rotary at the Rose Parade
 

Rotary Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena California

 
Joan and Doug Fleming of Medicine Hat arrived in Hemet California New Years eve and drove to Pasadena on January 2 for the Post Parade Party when they put all the Rose Parade Floats on display.  

The Foundation sign is made from Blue Berries and the Rotary Wheel is made from a variety of seeds.
 
 
 
Doug talked to several Pasadena Rotarians and had his picture taken with the Rotary Float.
 
All 40 to 50 floats are covered with flowers, seeds, bark or organic material.
 

 

                        

JOHN F. GERM

PRESIDENT 2016-17

ROTARY CLUB OF CHATTANOOGA

TENNESSEE, USA
     
 

On 23 February, we will mark 112 years since the founding of Rotary. It is incredible to think about how much has changed, in our world and in our organization, since the first Rotary club met in Chicago with Paul Harris as a founding member.

Some things are easy to compare between now and 1905. There have been changes in technology, medicine, and society. When we look at a map of the world in 1905 and a map of the world today, we can see what’s different. What we can’t do is compare what is with what might have been. There is no way to compare our world as it exists now with the world as it would have been without Rotary.

Rotary has risen to so many challenges in its 112 years. We’ve answered conflict with peace, and poverty with education. We’ve responded to a lack of basic health care with projects large and small, from equipping clinics in tiny villages to eradicating polio across the globe.

We will never know how different the world would have been if Rotary had never been founded; if any one Rotary club had never been chartered; or if any single Rotarian had declined the invitation to join a Rotary club.

But I will say, with absolute faith and complete confidence, that the world is a far, far better place now than it would have been without Rotary and that Rotary itself is stronger because of every one of you.

The world needs Rotary more than ever. It needs our courage, our optimism, and our idealism. It needs the voice of tolerance, cooperation, and hope that we can offer. It needs the example of an organization that has proven that the citizens of all countries can work together successfully, gladly, and in friendship.

None of us ever knows the full impact of our actions. None of us knows the effects that will ripple out from the things we do and say, the decisions we make, the opportunities we seize, and those we let pass. But I think we all know that when we choose to do good, good will follow; and that when we choose Service Above Self as our life’s path, the direction it will take us will be a good one.

No one can see the future. No one knows what changes lie ahead. But I have faith in Rotary, and in Rotarians, that with every passing year, you will make our world a better place through Rotary Serving Humanity.

 



 

eBulletin Editor: Charlene Bearden

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Rotary International District 5360

Monthly eBulletin

Published the first Friday of the month.

Submissions due the Wednesday prior.