In 2024, the Rotary Club of St. Albert established a Peace Action Group and, through its association with the Rotary Action Group for Peace, became a Peacebuilder Club. Since then, our work has been guided by the theme Peace Through Service.

Leaders from across Rotary District 5370 joined delegates from across North America at the 2026 Rotary Zone Institute (Zones 28 & 32, along with zones 25 A&B, 29) for an intensive week focused on strategic growth, public image, leadership development, and global impact.

The annual Institute brings together current, past, and incoming district leaders to align on Rotary International’s strategic priorities and share actionable strategies for local club and district success.

You are invited to participate in the Miss Vicky 2027 Challenge so, together, we can increase our PolioPlus advocacy, awareness and fundraising impacts to eradicate polio from the world forever!

On July 1^st DG Jeanette Bancarz and DG-Elect Andre Charrois announced the start of a new Rotary District 5370 Foundation Fundraising Challenge with a Goal of $2.027 million by 2027.  

From May 15 to 17, 2026, over 150 Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and community leaders journeyed to the stunning Yukon Territory for Unite in Whitehorse, the Rotary District 5370 Conference. Hosted at the welcoming Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on the banks of the Yukon River, the event brought the theme "Teamwork makes the dream work" to life.

Led by District Governor Ramesh Ferris and the organizing team, the three-day conference challenged attendees to rethink accessibility, deepen global and local partnerships, advance the global fight to eradicate polio, and embrace peace in practice.

Here are the powerful takeaways, inspiring stories, and moments of radical connection that defined our time under the midnight sun.

From May 15 to 17, 2026, over 150 Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and community leaders journeyed to the stunning Yukon Territory for Unite in Whitehorse, the Rotary District 5370 Conference. Hosted at the welcoming Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on the banks of the Yukon River, the event brought the theme "Teamwork makes the dream work" to life.

Led by District Governor Ramesh Ferris and the organizing team, the three-day conference challenged attendees to rethink accessibility, deepen global and local partnerships, advance the global fight to eradicate polio, and embrace peace in practice.

Here are the powerful takeaways, inspiring stories, and moments of radical connection that defined our time under the midnight sun.

From May 15 to 17, 2026, over 150 Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and community leaders journeyed to the stunning Yukon Territory for Unite in Whitehorse, the Rotary District 5370 Conference. Hosted at the welcoming Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on the banks of the Yukon River, the event brought the theme "Teamwork makes the dream work" to life.

Led by District Governor Ramesh Ferris and the organizing team, the three-day conference challenged attendees to rethink accessibility, deepen global and local partnerships, advance the global fight to eradicate polio, and embrace peace in practice.

Here are the powerful takeaways, inspiring stories, and moments of radical connection that defined our time under the midnight sun.

This story was published in Taproot's Pulse on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Rotarians in Edmonton are working on ways to attract more “People of Action” to the movement, and their efforts are paying off.

On April 15, Rotary District 5370 hosted a successful Get to Know Rotary event, drawing about 150 people despite a snowstorm. The evening brought together members from clubs across the greater Edmonton area alongside a large number of non-Rotarians for an accessible introduction to the organization’s local and global work.

“While the public had heard about Rotary, there is a ‘knowledge gap’ about the organization’s identity and global scale,” said Maëlle Toews, Public Image Chair for Rotary District 5370. “We always say that Rotary is one of the world’s best-kept secrets: We want to change that!”

As the District's new representative to the Council on Legislation, I want to offer my thanks to Past District Governor and Past Council Representative Julius Buski for the incredible work he has done on our behalf over the last six years serving on the Council. 

Now that my term has begun, I want to give you a high level overview of the work of the Council, important dates, and a brief overview of my role.

As the Rotary world celebrates February as Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month, few individuals embody the spirit of this mission as vibrantly as Diego Carneiro. A cellist, conductor, and dedicated humanitarian, Carneiro’s work serves as a powerful reminder that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the active creation of harmony across borders.

In the Rotary world, the month of January is dedicated to Vocational Service, one of the core pillars that distinguishes our organization from other service groups. While many see Rotary through the lens of international projects or local fundraisers, Vocational Service is about something more personal: it is the call for every member to use their professional skills, talents, and ethical standards to serve their communities and the world.

This initiative will highlight the incredible people who make our district so special, sharing their stories and celebrating their impact.

Rachel Poelzer, a lawyer and Crown Prosecutor, is our latest Membership Spotlight for District 5370. Discover her Rotary journey below!

Investing in People, Building the Future: October is Economic Development Month

Empowering local leaders, entrepreneurs, and families through skill-building and investment to create lasting economic resilience and peace

The work of Rotary International extends far beyond local club meetings. At the core of its global humanitarian efforts lies The Rotary Foundation, a powerful charitable trust that transforms financial gifts into sustainable service projects across the world.

For members of District 5370, the significance of this work will be front and center as they Unite in Whitehorse to welcome Trustee Marty Peak Helman to their upcoming district conference.

> Register for the 2026 District Conference

On November 8, 2025, Rotary District 5370 gathered for its Fall Assembly to align clubs and leaders with the District's three-year Action Plan (2025-2028) and focus on key priorities for growth and impact. 

This article summarizes the essential takeaways from the presentations on the District's core strategic pillars:

• Expanding Our Reach through Public Image
• Increasing Our Impact through Foundation giving
• Enhancing Participant Engagement through focused Membership engagement efforts
• Increasing Our Ability to Adapt as we create our plan looking forward

The content emphasizes the critical need for effective storytelling to attract members and partners, and outlines the strategic plans designed to reverse recent membership decline and build vibrant, sustainable clubs across the District.

Meet Jeanette Bancarz, District Governor Elect 👋

"It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.”

Jeanette Bancarz is a highly respected partner known for cultivating relationships and ensuring exceptional results. She began her 17-year Rotary journey in 2008 with the Rotary Club of Edmonton Mayfield, later witnessing Rotary's power following the 2016 Fort McMurray fire. After earning her Bachelor of Management, Jeanette built a 26-year banking career with ATB Financial, which fostered much of her leadership growth. Now, with the support of her husband, Marc, she owns Centennial Flight Centre, a fixed-wing flight school near Edmonton. She is a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady who enjoys country living

District 5370 Action Plan 2025-2028 🎯

Through video, Chris Etienne, Rotary International Director for Zone 28 & 32, encouraged Rotarians to support the Rotary Action Plan and strategic priorities like growing membership and expanding reach.

Ramesh Ferris, the current District Governor, presented how District 5370's plan focuses on four main areas, with specific goals for the coming years:

• Increase Our Impact:
  • Focus on The Rotary Foundation giving, with participation goals of 65% in 2025-26, 68% in 2026-27, and 70% in 2027-28.
  • Polio Plus Society Membership is targeted to increase to 175 in 2025-26, 200 in 2026-27, and 225 in 2027-28.
• Enhance Participant Engagement: Aims for membership growth to 1550 in 2025-26, 1600 in 2026-27, and 1650 in 2027-28.
• Increase Our Ability to Adapt: Focuses on increasing the number of Clubs using the Accessibility Tool, with goals of 10 in 2025-26, 15 in 2026-27, and 20 in 2027-28.
• Expand Our Reach: Focus on members creating their "Rotary Personal Expression Statement" by prompting "Why I joined Rotary" during District Governor visits.

The spirit of "The Magic of Rotary" shone brightly at the Rotary District 5370 District Awards Banquet, a special evening dedicated to recognizing the extraordinary achievements of its Rotary and Rotaract clubs for the 2024-2025 Rotary Year. The awards celebrate clubs that have made a profound and sustainable impact in their communities and internationally, aligning their work with Rotary's Areas of Focus.

Dagmar and Ramesh Ferris recently made a decision... A big decision, but an easy decision. After doing estate planning to determine where to direct their assets once they both pass away. 

They have decided to gift the Rotary Foundation US$500,000.

“From Polio to Peace: Rotary's Dedication to Global Health”

District Governor Ramesh Ferris highlights Rotary's dedication to global health, celebrating members' essential work in Disease Prevention and Treatment—ranging From Polio to Peace—through local and international service, while extending sincere holiday wishes.

Today, October 24, 2025, on World Polio Day, we pause to reflect on the immense progress made in the fight to eradicate this disease—a fight championed by Rotarians around the globe. This day is a powerful reminder of what dedicated global partnership can achieve.

It is in this spirit of inspiring action that we want to highlight one of our keynote speakers for the 2026 Rotary District Conference in Whitehorse: Michael Sheldrick!

> Register for the 2026 District Conference

This initiative will highlight the incredible people who make our district so special, sharing their stories and celebrating their impact.

We couldn't think of a better person to kick off this series than our very own Maëlle Toews from the Rotary Club of Edmonton Urban Spirits. As our District Public Image Chair, Maëlle's innovative spirit and dedication are instrumental in shaping how we share Rotary's story. Her passion for storytelling is a perfect example of how our members create a lasting impact both within our district and beyond.

We invite you to be inspired by her journey and the amazing work she is doing.

Former Victoria School principal now leading huge Rotary district

by Nick Lees, Edmonton Journal (CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE STORY)

District 5370 Governor 2018 2019 Ingrid Neitsch, M.Ed.

Rotary Friendship Exchanges are when Rotarians travel to another District in the world.   You are hosted by Rotarians who show you their region. They then come to our District, you host and show them our region.  It is purely for fun and friendship. A fantastic way to travel the world and make friends with people you have something in common with: Rotary! Plans are under way for exchanges in the coming year and it should include you!  Click this page for complete details.  http://serviceaboveself.ca/rfe/

Permission to freely use the graphics in this library for noncommercial purposes is granted to all Rotary Clubs and Rotary International.

When using any of the superb images please include a credit line recognizing Tord Elfwendahl and his website "Library of Graphics for Rotarians" as the contributor of the artwork.