Dr, Monty Audenart, 1949 – 2015, will be sadly missed. With a positive and genuine approach to issues and people he rose through the Rotary ranks as a key leader. His home club was Red Deer East, but as a RI Vice President and Rotary Foundation Trustee, he was known and admired throughout the Rotary world. More will be said about his contribution in the weeks and months to come. May he Rest in Peace.
The District Governor and the District Nominating Committee are pleased to announce that Rick Istead, Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek, has been selected as the District Nominating Committees recommendation as District 5360, Governor, for the year 2017- 2018.
One of the reasons we enjoy Rotary is the connections we make. People we would not otherwise know fall into our orbit and the contact enriches our lives. We get out of our comfort zones and find ways of serving a broader world. These connections characterize our daily Club experience.
Rotary Attendance VS Rotary Participation – The Current Dilemma
In the past few years attendance at Rotary meetings has dropped, even though a few Clubs continue to have a very good record of attendance. But why has it been downplayed with the resulting drop in attendance on the part of many Rotarians?
Congratulations to our latest Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) graduates! Since inception of this program in 2009, seventy-four Rotarians in our District have taken the RLI 3-step program and graduated. To see who our latest graduates are and to learn more about the RLI program in District 5360 read on.
The Picture is for December 2014 graduates: Front Row (l to r) Harold Aitkenhead, Jane Audet (back for a refresher), Carol Kundrik, Maryann Kyllo, Beverly Tonkinson, Dahlia Mostafa and Ahmed Mostafa...Back Row (l to r) David Holden (facilitator) Stephen Pick, Anil Jain, Henri Simoneau, Dale Bossert, Philippe Francois, Ernie Benesch and Hank Popoff (facilitator)
By the time you read this report Christmas will have come and gone and the New Year will have began. I certainly hope you all had a wonderful celebration this festive season, and I wish the same for those of you who celebrate other special occasions.
When we celebrate New Year we often take time to reflect on the past and to look forward to the future. The past is history and we can’t change what has happened, but we can use it as a benchmark for what we can do in the future. Most of us are fortunate and can look forward to a good life ahead, hopefully a better life ahead.
Martha McManus, Our Rotary World Peace Scholar (2002-2004) was awarded a Civil Liberties Award, celebrating Human Rights day 2014 at the University of Calgary –Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. Martha is recognized for her work with human rights and conflict transformation across Canada and globally. Martha is working with Siksika Nation, individuals, communities, organizations and educational institutions across Canada, after her return from Iraq where she worked with a UNICEF funded children’s rights program. Martha joined Rotary Centennial club in Calgary and is the Youth Protection Officer for our district.
In the picture: Doreen Barrie, ACLRC Board Chair, presented Martha McManus with the Civil Liberties Award .
The Red Deer Rotary Club sponsored Water School (H2O) project recently received the prestigious STARS Foundation Impact Award. The Award for improving water, sanitation and hygiene, carried with it a cheque for $100,000.
Thanks to a Rotary grant and a donation from Enmax, a special celebration took place at the gate of George Lane Park in High River in time for the town's Santa Claus parade on that evening of Dec. 5, 2014. Patrick Webb, president of the Rotary Club of High River, turned on the switch to add the final touch to the lights display before an excited crowd. Also present with words of praise were John Barlow, MP; Danielle Smith in her role as MLA; and Craig Snodgrass, Mayor of High River.
The Rotary brand is all about doing. And, it’s the doing that gives us meaning. Defining your clubs’ brand is a good place to start growing your club. So, how do you define a brand in a way that's easy to understand? This is how I explain it.
Rotarians are amazing! I was reminded of this, again, when we embarked on the Rotary Coat Drive. We received a Facebook message on Nov 24 asking if we could help bring winter gear to people in Morley, who are still homeless as a result of the flood. We spoke to Rotarians, set up donation sites, spoke to Child and Family Services, Project Warmth and created a website, www.RotaryCoatDrive.com; within 3 days we had established that we could meet their need.
Recognizes a club whose project has addressed a significant problem or need in your community (international projects are not eligible). Only one club per district per year can be nominated. Submissions are due March 1, 2015 to District 5360 Awards Chairperson Marie Rickard. (marie@rickard.ca)
Of the 6,000 Rotary exchange students that choose to park their life for a year and live in a different country and culture, approximately 25% consider returning home early! To find out why read on …..
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