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February 2025
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About Rotary and Being Involved in Your Community
 
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

There are 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary's main objective is service - in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.
 

Are you interested in being involved and volunteering in Markham? The Markham-Unionville Rotary Club welcomes you to visit one our friendly dinner meetings and consider becoming a part of the Rotary Club. We are a group of 20+ professional men and women who meet on a regular basis to see what we can do to make a difference in our community, and beyond.

 

Our Club assists many local charities, events, and organizations like The Markham-Stouffville Hospital, Unionville Home Society, Markham Museum. Markham Fall Fair, Evergreen Hospice, Markham-Stouffville Family Life Center, Milne Park Forest Restoration, Student Awards for the local High Schools, Walk For Life, Markham Santa Claus Parade, Markhaven Seniors Home, Markham Farmers' Market, The Unionville Jazz Festival and Student Exchange Programs. We are also involved in helping to eradicate Polio and numerous other charitable causes around the world.  We even have our very own Choir!

Markham Rotary Community Rotaract Club .   The Rotary Club of Markham  Sunrise and the Markham-Unionville Rotary Club are proud to announce that  the Rotaract Club of Markham received a Certificate of Organization on May 21, 2018. 

 Contact Info:       https://www.facebook.com/markhamrotaract/              RotaractMarkham@gmail.com

What’s Rotaract Club?  There are roughly 10904 Rotaract clubs 250792 Rotractors from 184 countries.  Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun while providing service. In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities like yours.

   Markham Rotary Community Interact Club

What is an Interact Club ?   Interact club brings together young people from the ages 12 – 18 to develop leadership skills, discover  the power of service to others above  self and at the same time have fun while implementing initiatives and projects.  There are more than 20372 Interact Clubs and 468556 Interactors from 159 countries as of April 2018.

How do I join?   If you live in Markham you can contact Markham Rotary Interact Community by email : markhaminteract@gmail.com or facebook page at www.facebook.com/markhaminteract or following them on twitter and instargram @markhaminteract. For other locations, please visit http://www.rotary7070.org/sitepage/interact-1 to find out other interact clubs within Greater Toronto Area. 

 
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Fellow Rotarians,
 
A brief recap of yesterday‘s meeting:
 
1. Speaker - There was no speaker this week, but Jack Heath regaled us all with his thoughts on current events and a few anecdotes. Jack was particularly pleased with the announcement from the federal government that the lands of the Pickering airport will now form part of the Rouge Urban National Park. He mentioned a short story, The Hero, which provides an early mention of Rotary in fiction, as well as a service organization known as the “Heptasophs” which seemingly is no more. For more of Jack’s thoughts on the world, search his name on Quora.
 
2. Walk in the Woods - There will be no walk this Saturday; we are on a hiatus until fairer weather returns in March or April.
 
3. Backpack Drive/Book Distribution - Our Club previously welcomed Joanne Tang to speak on „The Story of AND“. It was well received. Thomas Chu will now follow up with Joanne as concerns a notional $500 budget in support of her book, and what next steps might look like.
 
4. Club Fundraiser - We are returning to the notion of a wine tasting. Kenneth will look into availability in April. Members are asked to contribute to brainstorming ideas for other events at upcoming meetings.
 
5. Nominating Committee - We are coming into a new nomination period for leadership positions in our Club. Kenneth Chin is our President-Elect. We welcome proposed names for our President-Elect-Designate, on consent of the prospective nominee(s), to serve as Club President in the 2026-27 Rotary year. Those interested in other roles, including Committee Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, etc., are also encouraged to make their interest known. We expect to soon announce the 2026-27 slate.
 
6. Club Valentine’s Dinner - Is there any interest among our members in a Valentine’s dinner at a local restaurant, perhaps during the evening of Monday, February 17?
 
7. Birthdays - A happy belated to Andrew, who celebrated on Sunday, January 26th and early congratulations to Amar on his 91st birthday occurring on Wednesday, January 29th.
 
8. Dues - Please note that 6 of our members are currently in arrears for the period from January 1st to June 30th, 2025. If this sounds like you, or you are unsure, please reach out to our Treasurer, Thomas Chu, to confirm and settle accounts.
 
9. Chinese New Year - The Rotary Club of York is hosting a dinner on February 7th to ring in the Chinese New Year. Details are available here: 
https://rotaryclubofyork.org/event/rcoy-2025-chinese-new-year-dinner-celebration/. For those of our members wishing to attend, you may transfer your payment to our Club’s email address and our Treasurer, Thomas Chu, will process the payment.
 
10. Rotary Magazine - A note from our Treasurer, Thomas Chu: 
 
I have switched myself to digital versions just now through this link : https://my.rotary.org/en/node/18361
 
Anyone would like to do so feel free.
11. Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium - District 7070 is hosting RYLS April 10-13, 2025 at Ganaraska Forest Centre. Nominations are due March 1, 2025, and subject to a competitive selection process. If any deserving youth come to mind, please advise me, and the Club’s Executive will take the candidate under consideration. More information on the program is available here:         
12. Next Meeting - NOTE: Our next meeting will be held in person at Station Pizza on February 10th. Fellowship starts at 6:00pm and the meeting starts at 6:30pm, as usual. I look forward to seeing many of you then.
 
Yours in Rotary,
 
Michael von Keitz
PEACEBUILDING AND CONFLICT PREVENTION   Rotary supports training, education, and practices related to peacebuilding and conflict prevention through initiatives that help transform1 conflict in our communities and around the world.
 
Since 1945 Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world. Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status offered to a nongovernmental organization by the UN’s Economic and Social Council, which oversees many specialized UN agencies. The Rotary Representative Network maintains and furthers its relationship with several UN bodies, programs, commissions, and agencies. This network consists of Rotary International representatives to the United Nations and other organizations.
 
 
February 23, 2025,  Rotary's 120th Birthday is also World Understand and Peace Day
 
 
Following presentation of club's memorial wreath at the Markham Cenotaph in MDVA Remembrance Day ceremonies, members gathered with Margaret Cubitt at banner honouring late Rotarian Michael Cubitt.  

Together with Councillor Keyes of Ward 5, there on behalf of Markham City Council and Mayor Scarpitti, members of the Rotary Clubs of Markham-Unionville and Markham Sunrise participated in a flag-raising ceremony to mark observance of World Polio Day. Councillor Keyes took the added measure of marking his left pinky finger with purple dye, a symbol which many familiar with polio vaccination efforts will recognize. Our thanks to Councillor Keyes for representing the City well.

 

In our history making era We promised the world a healthy, polio-free future...and we’re almost there, 99.9% to be exact. This World Polio Day, let’s make history and shrink that number to zero. 

 
Club members attended the Rotary Club of York's annual lunar new year celebration on February 23rd, 2024

The 2024 Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS).   

The 2024 Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS) will be taking place, April 18-21, 2024 at the Ganaraska Forest Centre! The 3-night, 4-day experience is geared toward youth between the ages of 16-20 and will offer an inspiring program: Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Reconciliation and Land Based Education, Leadership, Hands-on Activities, Group Dynamics, Public Speaking, Outdoor Survival along with campfires, friendship and tons of fun and learning!!!

Rotary Clubs are encouraged to find and sponsor eligible participants within their community, as well as members of the Rotaract and Interact Clubs that they host. There are only 30 spots available - so act fast! 

Applications are due by March 1, 2024.  To apply click HERE.
 
https://www.rotary7070.org/stories/rotary-youth-leadership-symposium-(ryls)-is-april-18-21-2024-apply-by-march-1-2024
 

 

Markham-Unionville Rotary Club President Ken Chin and Past President Neil Thomas placed club's wreath at the MDVA Remembrance Day ceremonies held at Markham's Veterans Square and Cenotaph on Saturday November 11th, 2023.
May be an image of text
 

 
District  Governor John Burns and his District Conference Committee hosted  the 2023-2024 District  Conference at the Oshawa Marriott Courtyard over the prior weekend.  With about 200 respectfully distanced Rotarians, Exchange Students, Partners and Guests  in attendance, and excellent conference speakers,  a vibrant program focused on the theme  Building a Better Tomorrow.  Be sure to go to the District 7070 Website Photo Albums and see just some of the photos from a great District Conference.
 
Hats off to DG John (Agent 7070) for an excellent conference.    All were invited by DGE Virginia O'Reilly to register for next year's conference, Be Irresistible, to be held at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston on October 25, 26 & 27, with 'early bird' pricing available. 
 
 
 

Tuesday October 24, 2023. Markham Rotarians raise the End Polio Now flag at Markham Town Centre and receive the Mayor's Proclamation on World Polio Day citing Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio.  

 

 

 
Donation of backpacks and school supplies to Aldergrove PS.
 
 
 
Thomas Chu - Treasurer/Youth Director, and Kenneth Chin - President, accompanied by Ron Lynn - YRDSB School Board Chair, Ed Law - YRDSB Trustee, Superintendent, and school administration staff.
 
 
 
Treasurer Thomas Chu and President Kenneth Chin presented this year's Mitch Mitchell Award to Unionville High School graduate Aidan Wong at the 2023 Markham Jazz Festival.  Aidan's primary instrument is the alto saxophone and he is enrolled in the concurrent music education program at Queen's University.  At UHS Aidan participated in the UHS Jazz Band, the Showtime pit-orchestra/ class and also formed his own Jazz quartet
 
No photo description available.
 
See p. 17 of the Festival  program for full description of award and this year's recipient: 
 
https://www.markhamjazzfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MJF23-Program-Web.rv_.pdf
 
 
 
In President Gordon McInally's  July 2023 Message, he says that Rotary takes care of its members and those we serve, works to build lasting peace, and embeds belonging and inclusion in everything we do. That is why he is asking everyone in Rotary to Create Hope in the World as we prioritize projects to support mental health, continue our journey in diversity, equity, and inclusion and as we build peace within, we become more capable of bringing peace to the world..........

Full text follows:

Rotarians, partners and guests invited to Club's 2023-4 Changeover, 
6:00 p.m. Tuesday June 27th at Old Country Inn, Unionville, Ontario
rsvp to Amar Banerjee
 
 
On April 29th Markham-Unionville Rotary completed our 2nd annual Food Drive in support of the Markham Food Bank. Thank you to our partners - Amica Unionville, the York Regional Police and to our many student volunteers. We had terrific participation from Markham-Unionville residents and we had a great time collecting food for an excellent cause!    https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/10623793-markham-unionville-rotary-club-holds-first-food-drive-for-local-food-bank/ 
 
The Markham-Unionville Rotary Club is proud to partner with Amica-Unionville and the Markham Food Bank on a food drive in this community.
 
The Markham Food Bank is a registered non-profit charity working to alleviate food insecurity for Markham community members.  With the help of volunteers and donations, the Markham Food Bank offers food supplies and other basic necessities to community members. The Markham Food Bank is committed to creating a welcoming environment of fairness and equality for everyone that walks through our doors. 
 
During the pandemic the needs of the Markham Food Bank has increased. Food bank usage has increased by about 46% since the start of the pandemic. The current inflation caused by pandemic supply-chain issues and the war in Ukraine will make this even worse.
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Club Information
We meet In Person & Online
Mondays at 6:00 p.m.
Station Pizza / as posted
227 Main Street
Markham, ON L3P 1Y6
Canada
Markham Unionville Rotary Club Meetings alternate in person and on line - see Speakers schedule
Club President
  
Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Club Service
Rotary Foundation
Membership
Fundraising
Director
Director
Sergeant-at-Arms
Youth Services
 
Photo Albums