Presidents Message
Jennifer Kay, President
As the 2019-2020 Rotary year comes to an end, I want to thank the Members of the Club for their dedication to the work of the Club and our Avenues of Service. It is heartwarming to know that through adversity that we have risen to the occasion. We have truly exhibited Service Above Se
lf to continue our support of the Local Community needs and International Projects.
lf to continue our support of the Local Community needs and International Projects.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Past President Karen Milner and everyone who supported me throughout my year as President. It means more to me than you will ever know.
We continue to make a difference in our community and around the world. I look forward to working with the new President and Club Directors as we continue to work as a Team to achieve the goals and objectives of Rotary.
Community Services Committee
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Jennifer Estall, Community Services Committee
In addition to providing grants to local charities and groups from the Committee’s assigned Budget. Jennifer was a member of the Community Service Cluster Group that evaluated the requests for funding from the Oakville Rotary COVID Relief Fund. To date this group has allocated $29,000 to agencies and groups in need of financial support. More allocations will be made from the fund in the new Rotary Year.
New Generations Committee
Desmond Jordan, New Generations Committee
This Committee, under the leadership of Desmond Jordan, is responsible for overseeing the Rotaract and Interact Clubs. Funding is also provided in the budget to send a student to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Grade 10 Student to Camp Enterprise and provides funding for Education Awards to Oakville Students who have graduated from High School. Funding is also provided for the Bill Barnes Award to a deserving student who exemplifies Rotary’s Service Above Self. Although RYLA and Camp Enterprise were cancelled this year, funding was provided to 33 students at the Annual Education Awards Night.
International Services Committee
Claire Conway, International Services Committee
As chairperson of the International Committee, Claire Conway and the committee allocated funding to numerous needs in Guatemala, Honduras, Roatan, Mexico and Africa. Over the course of the year they, in partnership with other Clubs, private donations and Global Grants, supported 2 schools in Guatemala, provided for dry composting toilets in Mexico, and supplied laptops to enable adult women’s high school education in Guatemala. They have continued with funds for Sleeping Children Around the World, KIVA microcredit, and Shelterbox. Soccer equipment has also made it way to children in developing countries. Their efforts also provided funds for training for women in Guatemala to learn new skills and find jobs. Funds ($36,000) were also sent to Honduras and Guatemala as COVID Relief Funds to provide much needed food for communities that needed help to feed unemployed workers.
Indigenous Committee
During the Summer of 2019, the Rotary Club of Oakville decided to join our Indigenous Scholarship program at the University of Sudbury. Their involvement allowed us to go from supporting just one student at a time until he/she graduated. Our Indigenous Committee also agreed to support the Rotary Club of Oakville's Mentorship program with Six Nations in Brantford by supplying some Mentors for the program once the threat of the virus passes and the schools reopen.
Unfortunately, in May, the virus did force us to cancel our annual event at Crawford Lake where we take all of the inbound and outbound Rotary Exchange students there to help them gain an insight into the Indigenous History of this Region.
Fundraising Committee
Raj Phalpher, Fundraising Committee
The year 2019-2020 proved to be a challenging year. We had a successful Ribfest prior to the change over to the new Rotary Year. The Online Auction was very successful and the Club began fundraising by volunteering with Delta Bingo. Covid -19 created a problem for hosting another Ribfest and continuing with Bingo. Despite this setback, the Club initiated two new fundraisers. The 50/50 Draw usually part of Ribfest was done online and a Bottle Drive was begun. Thank you to all who have participated and shared ideas.
... and our Directors who supported the ongoing operations of the club...
Communications and Public Relations Committee
Liz Behrens, Communications and Public Relations
Club Service Committee
Dr. Liliana Chocarro, Club Service Committee
Legacy and Foundation
Ken Coulter, Legacy and Foundation