CONNECTIONS--OCTOBER 18, 2020 (Oct 16, 2020)

World Polio Day - 6 Days Away!

A message from District 5370 PolioPlus chair Jess Chapman

2020 has been a challenging year but there are still many ways you can make an impact. World Polio Day is next Saturday, October 24.

Planning events in COVID times can seem daunting. Not being able to get together in large groups to break bread and share fellowship is hard, especially for Rotarians. However, I am writing to encourage you to plan and register an event for World Polio Day. Even if you haven't started planning anything, it is not too late!

You may have already seen an email from Donna Greenway, our intrepid Pints for Polio leader. She has sent out ideas to all the club presidents and foundation chairs. If you need any assistance or ideas about how to do a Pints for Polio event, she can certainly assist you.

There are many other ways to contribute. I attended a presentation where Jennifer Jones suggested having an online social media fundraiser. This is a simple task where every club member can ask their friends and family (via social media platforms like Facebook) to make a donation to PolioPlus. All it takes is the time to write a social media post. Clubs can ask their members to do this and then register as a World Polio Day Event.

Another way to have an event without requesting money from people is to share information and resources in your club. There are numerous videos and articles that could be shared. Sharing and discussing these resources could also be registered as an event. There is reliable information available at https://www.endpolio.org/

Attend the World Polio Day Online Global Update from Rotary International on Saturday, October 24 at 11:00 a.m. MDT.

There are so many reasons why it is important to encourage sharing of information and donating to PolioPlus, even in a difficult year. The pandemic has made vaccinating more difficult and expensive. However, the same framework that has been developed to vaccinate against polio will also be helpful once we have a vaccination for COVID-19. Please donate if you can, and share information with your fellow Rotarians, friends and family.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions, ideas or concerns. I can be reached by email at jess.syreeta.chapman@gmail.com or by phone at 780-860-2447.

Find other events here: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day#findEvent

Recent posts to

This year in Westlock, it’s dinner theatre without the dinner

When Bryce Lambert (Rotary E-Club of Canada One) heard that the Rotary Club of Westlock was planning to cancel its annual dinner theatre due to the pandemic, he approached the club with a proposal to preserve the 25-year tradition with a concept for the times.

“The dinner theatre has been a major fundraiser for the Westlock Rotary club for so many years and lots of money has gone to some really incredible projects, both locally and internationally,” he says.

Bryce, who grew up in the community, has been involved with the Westlock club’s annual fall production for the last 18 years through his company Kiwi Productions, which has provided sound and lighting for the plays. The company also was a sponsor and provided technical support for the Vision 2020 Virtual District 5370 Conference in September.

“We thought we could try something no one had tried before,” Bryce says. “Would the club be interested? Would the members be willing to give it a shot?”

The Rotarians said, “Sure, what’s your idea?”

Continue reading to learn about Bryce's idea >>>

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Most Rotarians have never come face-to-face with Rotarians in international service partner clubs or with people who benefit from these projects.

For members of two Edmonton clubs, COVID-19 has changed that. Edmonton West and Edmonton Riverview have taken advantage of the move to online meetings to open opportunities for Canadian Rotarians to meet people from other countries, albeit virtually.

“This is the silver lining of COVID-19,” says Lora Lee Peaslee, the president of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Riverview. “COVID has shown us that we can connect with people in other countries and it’s not that hard.”

“If there is a positive aspect of COVID-19, it’s have we can invite people from all over the world to join our meetings via Zoom,” says David Weir, president of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West. “It brings us all together.”

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Check out these booths from the Vision 2020 Virtual Project Fair by clicking on the image:

Rotary Club of Edmonton Northeast

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

These and the other 13 booths will continue to be available to visit until mid-December.

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Rotary International Webinar: Connecting with Prospective Members in your Community

In these difficult times, people are yearning to connect with others and to find ways to help others and give back to their communities. They see how Rotary clubs around the world are actively working to take care of each other, their neighbours and those in need during the pandemic. Almost 19,000 visitors to Rotary.org have expressed interest in joining a Rotary club since July 2016. Now, more than ever, let's connect with those who are looking to join us to do good in the world.

Join us for a webinar on Connecting with Prospective Members in your Community on Thursday, October 22 at 5:00 p.m. MDT. Attendees will view a demo of how to effectively use Rotary's Membership Leads platform to connect with prospective members, and participate in a Q&A with Rotary staff from the Membership Development team. During this webinar, you'll learn about:

Navigating your club's Manage Membership Leads platform in My Rotary
The impact that connecting with membership candidates could have on your club
Best practices and strategies for connecting virtually with prospective members in your community

Register now to reserve your spot!

After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email with directions on how to join the webinar. All registrants will receive a copy of the slides and a recording of the presentation afterward.

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District 5370 Fall Club Learning Series

During the months of November and December, District 5370 will be hosting a series of Virtual Club Learning events. Each one-hour event will address timely topics of interest to all club members. Please mark your calendars and join us.

November 5, 7:00 PM (MT)

Membership Engagement: Together is Better

Hosted by Tracey Vavrek, Past District Governor

November 12, 7:00 PM (MT)

Virtual Fundraising: What Clubs Need to Know

Hosted by John Nicoll, District Governor Nominee

December 3, 7:00 pm (MT)

The Rotary Foundation: The Heart of Rotary

Hosted by Tim Schilds, Past District Governor and Chair of the District 5370 Foundation Committee

December 10, 7:00 pm (MT)

Rotary Service: Sharing Successes during COVID-19

Hosted by Jim Ferguson, District Governor and Donna Barrett, District Governor-Elect

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Clubs may submit nominations for District Governor for 2023-2024 to PDG Tracey Vavrek, Chair of the District 5370 Nominating Committee 2020, at (vavrek6@gmail.com) until November 15.

Members in good standing who are willing and able to serve as District Governor and have served as club president are eligible to be nominated. Qualifications for District Governor are prescribed by the Rotary International Manual of Procedure.

The Governor-nominee is required to provide an updated resume, recent photo, and a statement that outlines their vision and goals connecting directly to Rotary’s strategic plan and the District’s Strategic Plan. The written submission is limited to 500 words.

Nominations must also include a resolution naming the nominated candidate, adopted by the Rotary club at a regular meeting and signed by the club secretary.

Additional information, including the District 5360 Governor Position Overview, Governor-nominee Designate Form and the District Governor 2023-2024 Club Nomination Resolution form may be requested by emailing rot5370@telus.net.

Contact PDG Tracey with any questions or to request more information by email (vavrek6@gmail.com) or phone (780) 814-1526.

Youth Services co-chair appointed

District Governor Jim Ferguson announced that Elizabeth Bonkink (Rotary Club of Edmonton Gateway) has been appointed as the Youth Services co-chair, effective immediately. Elizabeth will be working with Rotaractor Myles Dykes (MacEwan University Rotaract), who was recently named as the other co-chair of this committee.

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In Honour of World Polio Day

The Rotary E-club of Canada One invites all Rotarians to its next monthly Fellowship Assembly.

When: 6:00 p.m. MDT, Tuesday, October 20

Theme: Harvest for Polio

Guest Speaker: Polio Survivor and Rotarian Ramesh Ferris (RC of Whitehorse Rendezvous)

ZOOM link can be found on our website at www.rotaryeclubcanada.ca

Attendees are encouraged to prepare their favourite harvest meal or have it catered to enjoy during fellowship and stories.

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Join the Rotary E-Club of Canada One via Zoom at 8:30 a.m. MDT on Thursday, October 22, when PDG Mike Oldham (District 5450—Colorado) will share his extensive knowledge of Rotary International's polio eradication efforts, plus his family’s history with polio.

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The Rotary E-club of Canada One Polio Quiz

Complete the quiz for a chance to win one of two Paul Harris Fellowships that will be awarded.

All correct quiz submissions, accompanied by proof of a minimum $20 donation to Polio Plus will be eligible to win a Paul Harris Fellowship. The draw will be made November 13 and winners will be recognized during our November 17 Fellowship Assembly.

An anonymous donor challenges others to make a donation to End Polio Now by matching up to a total of $500 for all donations towards polio eradication.

Link to the quiz is HERE

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Rotary YEG Passport Club invites you to join its Walk to End Polio

Sunday, October 25

William Hawrelak Park

This 2.5 km walk will be led by Rotarian John Vrolijk (RC of YEG Passport), who at an early age was diagnosed with polio. As part of his treatment, John spent seven months in an iron lung.

Participants should meet at Picnic Site #2 in Hawrelak Park at 9:30 a.m. Walk start time: 10:00 a.m.

Cost: We are asking all participants to purchase an End Polio T-shirt for $20.T-shirts will be available on-site. All proceeds will go toward the Rotary International End Polio Now campaign.

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Pour 4 For Polio

CJ's Liquor (3823 Caxton St, Whitecourt) is teaming up with the Rotary Club of Whitecourt to raise funds to End Polio Now. Purchase a mystery pack of four tall cans of craft beer for $14.95 (including GST & deposit) by Saturday, October 24 and CJ’s will donate $7.50 to End Polio Now.

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Regarding Raffles Sponsored by Alberta-Based Rotary Clubs

Due to provincial regulations, only Alberta residents, aged 18+ may purchase raffle tickets.

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Edmonton Strathcona 50/50

Win up to $5,000 while delivering some Christmas happiness to your homebound, isolated and senior neighbours who are counting on you!

The money raised will be donated to Meals on Wheels to ensure the continuation of the subsidized meal program that so many depend on. By purchasing a ticket, you will give so much more than a meal.

Purchase tickets until October 31. Draw date: November 6.

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The winner is guaranteed to win $2,000 or up 50 per cent of the proceeds. The other 50 per cent will go to support local Rotary projects. Click here to purchase tickets.

Sales end: November 3. Draw: November 10.

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The Fort Saskatchewan Rotary Club has just launched its second online 50/50 draw to support local youth organizations.

For the last 12 years, the Rotary Club of Fort Saskatchewan has provided safe rides home to residents who have been out enjoying themselves during the Christmas season, through Operation Red Nose. This service has raised $67,000 to support community youth organizations. Due to COVID-19 we will be unable to provide this service this year, but we still want to provide funding to local youth organizations.

Click here to purchase tickets. Sales end November 16

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Rotary Club of Wainwright’s Beer for a Year raffle

Prizes: Two beer-for-a-year packages ($1,000 value), barbecue ($850), patio set ($850) and a meat gift package ($100). Proceeds will help to fund the CT Scanner Project at the Wainwright Health Care Centre. Purchase tickets ($5 each) by texting Cal Clarke at 780-209-0213 and e-transferring your fee to cclarke@sundownoil.ca. You will receive a picture of your tickets.

Draw date: November 22.

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Normally, at this time of year, the Rotary Club of Nisku-Leduc would be selling tickets for our annual cruise raffle. COVID-19 has changed that so we are excited to announce our new online 50/50 raffle. The money raised will go to support local, national and international projects.

Ticket sales end November 30 and the winning ticket will be drawn December 10 during the club’s weekly meeting at the Redtail Landing Golf Course.

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Win cars, trucks, ATVs, renew-your-room packages, gift certificates, cash and more in the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie—Swan City 21^st annual Cars for Christmas Lottery. Proceeds will support 13 non-profit groups as well as eight food banks in the Grande Prairie region. Buy your tickets in October and $1 from every ticket sold will go to the food banks to provide food security for those in need. Get your tickets before Nov 1 and you’ll also be entered to win $10,000 cash in our bonus draw. Visit www.carsforchristmas.com for more info or to get your tickets.

Sales end December 30, 2020

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Club Announcements Welcome – Has your club any upcoming events Rotarians from other clubs should know about? Email a brief description, including a link to a website for more information, to register or to buy tickets, to communications@Rotary5370.org. We’ll include your information in a future issue of CONNECTIONS and will tweet (or retweet your tweets) about your event. All submissions are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Announcements will be repeated as space permits. Deadline for submission for the next issue of CONNECTIONS (October 25) is 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 23.

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