Did you unite with fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and Youth Exchange Students from across this magnificent Rotary District 7070 to learn and grow at this year's District Assembly. May 11, 2019? If not, you missed a great experience for the new and the seasoned members alike, as we get ready to start a new Rotary year in a few weeks. A photo album appears on our District website. Here's more of the highlights ......
Rotarians and Rotaractors from all over District 7070 attended the 2019 District Assembly, preparing clubs for the 2019-20 Rotary year.
District Governor Mary Lou Harrison – 2018-19 Be The Inspiration:
Our 2018-19 District 7070 Governor Mary Lou Harrison, started the assembly with a very moving tribute to Past District Governor Bill Patchett. She talked about Bill’s difficult journey in life these past few years, his deep passion to help others, his passion for Rotary, for the Rotary Foundation, for the Benefactor program and the major Donor program and his tremendous fundraising for polio eradication, and RADAR 139 (Rotary Action for the Development of AIDS Responses ). She remembers the jam jars, the purple crocuses, the paint can, poinsettias, trees, and many more, all for the aid of others. She asked everyone to sign a card and make a donation in memory of a great Rotarian. We all watched a video of Bill that Brian Thompson created, from Bill’s hospital bed , just a few days before his passing. Right to the very end, in his role a Rotary Foundation Major Donor Chair for District 7070, Bill urged us all to look out for those in our community that would be potential major donors to The Rotary Foundation.
Mary Lou thanked every club for their donations to The Rotary Foundation and urged the 10 clubs (or their club members) who have not yet done so to do so, before the end of the Rotary year. She thank us for a net gain in membership in District 7070 of 20 members and encouraged us all to get in their entries to the “We Transform” Public Image Contest before the May 31 deadline.
She talked about Rotary’s new vision statement: "Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves."
Mary Lou thanked Rotarians for endorsing this statement across generations with our Youth Services and also our work with Seniors.
She encouraged Rotarians to join Rotarians and sign up for the Toronto Pride Parade on June 23 and for the Year End celebration on July 7.
She thanked all of the Rotary Clubs who sponsored young adults to go to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), presented those clubs with Certificates of Appreciation , and asked everyone to attend the RYLA Gala on Wednesday May 8. She is looking forward to another successful year with RYLA next year.
She encouraged all of us that there are still 7 weeks left in the Rotary year and asked us all to continue to Be The Inspiration.
Dr. Bob Scott – Past Rotary International Vice President - with an End Polio Now Update:
Dr Bob Scott said that we are 99.9% polio free in the world thanks to Rotary. He noted that 4 of the 6 World Health Organization’s region are certified polio free. Since 1988, 18 million cases of polio and 900.000 deaths have been prevented. There have been no new cases in the entire continent of Africa since 2016. To date, this year, there have been 7 cases in Afghanistan and 11 in Pakistan and none in Nigeria. There has been no new Wild Polio Virus WPV 3 cases in 6 years.
There are challenges that remain: we must reach every child on the planet; we must ensure the highest quality campaigns worldwide, and we must monitor very closely, the high population areas of the world.
Dr. Bob Scott then answered several questions from Rotarians and Rotaractors. It was noted that, in the press this week, that polio vaccinators and their guards were shot and killed. Bob noted that Pakistan has been the most dangerous place in the world for the last 10 years to administer the vaccine. Over 100 people have been killed in the last 10 years. The President of Pakistan is very much on the side of Rotary and the polio eradication program. Bob noted that the news media may not tell the correct story and Facebook spreads lies. Bob has a great fear that we re only a plane ride away if parents in Canada and the US refuse to get their children vaccinated.
He encourage every Rotary Club to meet the goal set by Rotary International to donate $1,500 per club for this Rotary year and next Rotary year to strive for the end game- the end of polio in the world.
Assistant Governor Iosif Ciosa: The 2019 Rotary Foundation Walk:
Iosif announced that the Walk will take place on September 8, 2019 at Humber College South (the Lakeshore Campus) from 8:30 am to 1 pm. A website is being set up 2019foundtionwalk7070.org
You can plan your fundraising ahead. Individual pledge forms can be downloaded by clicking on the pledge form link. Please co-ordinate all club pledges with your club delegate for the foundation walk.
See also: https://rotary7070.org/event/2019-rotary-foundation-walk .
12 Excellent Breakout Sessions:
Past District Governor and Rotary Zone Coordinator Bob Wallace presented Rotary Club Central – A Hands-On Session for Club Presidents and Secretaries
Hannah Shamji presented Engaging Potential new Members – How to Talk to People About Rotary
District Governor Nominee Mark Chipman and District Governor Nominee Designate Ron Dick presented Planning for Success -Strategic Planning Sessions
District Governor Mary Lou Harrison and friends presented Taking Action – Ideas for Hands-On Projects
Past District Governor Lynda Ryder presented I’m Okay, You’re Okay Coping with Different Personalities in Your Club |
Darryl Patterson, Rotary Club of East York presented Better Club Collaboration with Google Suite |
AG Terry Caputo, District 7070 Governance Chair presented District Governance Session … A Session for 2018-19 Club Presidents/Delegates |
PDG Brian Thompson presented New Foundation Grant Qualification Online Modules … Learn All About Them! |
Dave Andrews, District 7070 Public Image Chair presented Check Your PR Checklist … A Session for Club Presidents/PR Directors & Chairs |
Susan Hunter, District 7070 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) Chair presented RLI: Create Vibrant Clubs through Your Rotary Leadership |
DGE Beth Selby & PP Lynda Kay, Rotary Club of Cobourg presented Club Fundraising … The Current Landscape |
Virginia O’Reilly, District Membership Chair presented Grow Rotary … Strategies to Increase Your Club Membership
Steve Rutledge, President of Adopt A Village Laos and member of the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise: “Expanding Your Club’s Collaboration in District 7070”: Steve talked about how small to medium-sized The results are in the pictures . Be sure to go to the website https://adoptavillageinlaos.wordpress.com/ to see some of the pictures and how your club can participate. Steve talked about Laos being the most heavily bombed country in the Vietnam War. But Rotary and Steve’s club and associated clubs have made a difference. In the last 10 years: infant mortality has gone from 8.1% to 4%. Age lifesoan was 64 is now 68 for men and 70 for women. The answer has been hygiene, access to water and productivity. Stece’s next trip to Laos is Feb 2020.
Larry Whatmore, District 7070 Treasurer – 2019-20 Budget Larry reviewed our income and expenses year to date and presented the 2019-20 budget which was passed by the voting delegates.
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clubs can be part of much larger projects with just $500 to $1,000 to donate. Benefits to the smaller clubs are : a small amount of funds goes a long way, their members can also volunteer to go on some of the projects; greater visibility for their club in the social media such as Facebook. Steve encourage Rotarians in the room to come and volunteer. Steve has taken 5 groups this past year to Laos to be part of the team. He also collaborates with other Districts in Canada and in the USA .
Deb Murray and Jason Pole, District 7070 Youth Exchange Co-Chairs:
Deb and Jason presented encouraged Rotary Clubs in District 7070 to help reach the goal of 20 inbound and 20 outbound students in 2020. Rotarians and Rotaractors were held spellbound by the passionate speech by Rotary Youth Exchange Alumni Heather Murray (daughter of Deb Murray) as she presented her experiences and what she learned in 2001-11 in Rome, Italy.
Deb and Janson reminded us that all clubs need two Rotary volunteers - one to be a youth exchange officer and one to be a youth exchange counselor. The cost to the club for one inbound and outbound student for one year is approximately $6,000 .
The “why” is the most important – it fuels world peace and understanding.
Ii clubs are currently participating. Be sure to see the website: www.yepd7070.org for details.
Helen Lackey 2019 District Conference Chair: District Conference Rotary Muskoka Style
Helen, with the help of District Governor Elect Beth Selby, presented the District Conference 2019 at the J.W. Marriott The Rosseau Resort October 25-27, 2019. Reconnect, reflect and relax.
They outlined the speakers Amanda Lindhout, Erin Davis and three Generals (from Canada , USA and Denmark). Excellent breakout sessions are planned and they are planning an Oktoberfest fro the Friday night along with hospitality suites (and if your club wants to host, there is room for one more). Saturday night includes chats with our Rotary exchange students (who are outbound) and a games room. Cost is $349 per person and the rooms are $135 per night. A huge discount in a world class resort. It is over two-thirds sold out. Don’t delay. Be sure to go to http://rotary7070conference.org/ for all of the details.
District Govenror Elect Beth Selby: 2020 – Rotary Connect The World
District Governor Beth Selby set our District 7070 Rotary stage for 2019-20 with the goals of Rotary International President Mark Maloney as he asked us to grow Rotary, involve families, provide a viable path to Rotary leadership and to focus on the United Nations (celebrating its 75th year) and the relationship with Rotary (celebrating its 115 year). Beth also emphasized Rotary’s new vision statement, the 20-21 Rotary Citation, including the Citation with Distinction .
Jennifer Boyd: World Polio Day – October 24
Jennifer encourage all clubs to plan their events now and take part in World Polio Day events all over the District like flag raising, proclamations, CN Tower lights, Niagara Falls lights, Toronto sign lights, radio broadcasts and even a live Rotary telecast to the world.
District Governor Nominee Designate Ron Dick – World Polio Day Live in Durham Region
DGND Ron invited everyone in District 7070 to come to Durham College and the Global Classroom on October 24 and be part of history we livestream World Polio Day live from the Global Classroom of Durham College from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. The ten Rotary Clubs in Durham Region will be there as they receive proclamations to the mayors of the towns and cities in Durham Region and also from Regional Chair ( and fellow Rotarian) John Henry. That will be followed by seeing the live Rotary International broadcast , followed by Dr Bob Scott speaking live with Rotary polio leaders from around the world. All of this will be livestreamed (from 6 pm to 9:30 pm) from the Global Classroom to Rotarians and to colleges world wide, on October 24 World Polio Day.
Here is a link to see what the 2018 World Polio Day in Durham Region livestreaming to the world looked like in the Global Classroom.
Ron also noted Rotary has the opportunity to name the Global Classroom, the Rotary Global Classroom, for eternity. The Rotary Clubs in Durham Region and also Port Hope have already donated $90,000. To get the name “Rotary” forever etched into the history of this Global Classroom, we need $60,000 more from Rotary clubs, just like yours, to make this possible. If you can help us , please contact Ron at ron@rrdfsi.ca or at 416-988-8077.
DGE Beth Selby:
Beth is encouraging Club Cluster meetings (several clubs having a joint meeting) as she makes her annual speech to Rotary Clubs . She thanked the District Leadership Team for their support.
Thank you to our District 7070 Trainer Doug Byers for making this District Assembly, a very meaningful day for all Rotary Clubs in District 7070.