Club Information
Club #0953
Camrose

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 12:00 PM
Hybrid Zoom and In Person meetings. Norsemen Inn - Odin Dining Room
6505-48 Ave.
Camrose, AB
Canada
Home Page Stories
Dan C introduced Cst. John Fernhout who has been with the Camrose Police Service for 15 years.
 
As the D.A.R.E. initiative has aged, Cst. Fernhout took it upon himself to create a new program, aimed at kids in Grades 3, 6 and 9.
 
This program focuses on modern day issues that challenge kids such as cyberbullying, sexting, self-respect and social media awareness.
 
The program is called C.O.R.E. and has been embraced by Battle River and Elk Island school districts.
  • C – Caring for their body, mind, and spirit to better serve others
  • O – Online safety, integrity and responsibility
  • R – Relationship with self and others based on respect and trust
  • E – Establishing healthy boundaries or healthy decision making
 
Children are taught that they need to take care of their body (health), their mind, and their spirit (ethics, conscience, and beliefs).  The CORE is where the three intersect, and you have to have a healthy CORE in order to be able to help others, including family, friends, the community and the world.  They are taught that it is NOT about themselves, but about what they can do.
 
The children participate in community projects, and after a successful project are usually awarded with a pizza party and/or tee shirts or other prizes.  Some of the projects have been:
  • a bottle drive for charity.
  • a letter writing campaign to thank people and businesses for all their work during COVID.
  • Cards and letters to seniors and first responders.
The program has been extremely well received by students, staff and the school boards.
 
Cst. Fernhout answered many questions from the group.
 
Odell then presented Cst. Fernhout with a certificate confirming that ten children have been vaccinated against Polio in thanks for his presentation today.
President Dan along with Kim, have been researching a program called the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, with the intent of asking the club to consider taking it on as a local project.
 
Kim introduced the program to club members, explaining that it is a program that sends free books to young children, age 0-5, once a month.  The books are sent directly to each child so the children can look forward to receiving them in the mail, and that they also understand that the books are theirs. Children who are enrolled in the program at birth receive at total of 60 books.
 
Kim asked that we watch a short video about the project which can be viewed here.
 
Kim then walked us through a slideshow describing the program.  Highlights are as follows.
  • The Dolly Parton Imagination Library was created in 1995, and while it started in a local county in Tennessee, it has now grown throughout the US, Canada and the UK.
  • The program currently sends out over 1.5 Million, high-quality books every month, and since the start of the program has delivered over 167 Million books.
  • In Canada, there are 300 community partnerships in 10 provinces and three territories.
  • The books are paid for by the local partner at $3.55 per child per month, while the Dolly Parton Foundation pays for all the overhead, employee salaries etc.
  • All of the local funding goes towards the books and delivery
  • By providing books to children, the child's interest in reading is increased, parents read more to their children, and the children are better prepared for school.
  • The books being delivered directly to the child at their home creates an "event" that the children look forward to.  It also promotes sharing and interaction and helps to promote a connection between the child and the caregiver(s) other family members and siblings, strengthening the home environment.
  • Books are high quality, age-specific and selected by a committee of specialists.  In 2020 42/60 were Canadian titles.
  • Local partners, like Rotary are responsible for raising funds to support the program.  While the program should be open to everyone regardless of income class, the sponsoring club can place limits on the number of participants.  It is possible to start a pilot program.
  • Information collected about the child (Name, Address and Birth date) is stored in a secure database provided by the Dolly Parton Foundation.
  • There is typically a 60% enrollment rate, so if there are 1000 children in the community, approximately 600 will participate.
  • 600 participants represents a commitment of  about $25,560 per year.
Kim and Dan will be discussing this project at the next Board Meeting.  If they receive the support from the board, they will bring it back to the club asking for approval to initiate a local project.
 
ROTARY JOINS LEADERS | ROTARIANS SHARE IDEAS | ROTARIANS TAKE ACTION
September 30th has been declared National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
 
Here are some resources to learn more about this call for reflection and its call for action:
 
Truth and Reconciliation Event Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JOOIHbFmRU

Videos

Home Fire: Ending the Cycle of Family Violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmstyXc6FnI
 
Journey Home (the follow up to Home Fire – Healing for Indigenous Children in Foster Care) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-q4VepX4vU&t=9s
 
Website: Delivering on The Calls to Action https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524494530110/1557511412801
 
Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Executive_Summary_English_Web.pdf
 

Fiction

 
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese https://www.cbc.ca/books/indian-horse-1.3973010
 
ROTARY JOINS LEADERS | ROTARIANS SHARE IDEAS | ROTARIANS TAKE ACTION
#RotaryResponds
 
The Rotary Club of Camrose is currently holding an On;ine Food Drive in Wetaskiwin for the Montana Cree Food Bank. Visit CamroseRotary.ca.to make a cash donation or book a pick-up of goods at your business or home this Friday the 26th or Saturaday the 27th.
 
Rotary Joins Leaders | Rotarians Share Ideas | Rotarians Take Action
 
 
#RotaryResponds
 
The Rotary Club of Camrose, the Rotary Club of Camrose Daybreak and Rotary District 5370 co-operated to purchase over $2,000 of groceries and supplies for the Montana Cree Food Bank in Maskwacis. Delivery is happening today (May 1st).
 
Watch for an updated story.
 
Rotary Joins Leaders | Rotarians Share Ideas | Rotarians Take Action
Club Executives & Directors
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director Public Image
Rotary Foundation
Director Membership Services
Director Community Service
Director of International Affairs