Rotary International’s monthly theme for April is Maternal and Child Health.
Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes. At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary”s projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.
Maternal and Child Health Care is also recognized as one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus.
In late February 18 District Rotarians attended a Polio Immunization Trip to Caborca Mexico. The trip was organized by Hubert Singh of Rotary Kitchener. The members of Rotary Caborca invites us each year for this special event. It was a rewarding experience and a privilege to be a small part of Rotary’s flagship program to end Polio in the world.
It was a moving experience administering those two precious drops of the polio vaccine to the small children in Mexico.
On the trip were: Myself, Timothy Whitehead, Hubert Singh, Janet Clark, Ross Newkirk, Joanne McAuley, Afroza Akhter, Sajjad Jiwaji, PDG John Stairs, Frank Oudesluys, Lesley and Aziz Barmania, PDG Doug Vincent and Grace Carbilledo, Warren and Cheryl May, Vanora Spreen, and Cheryl Ewing.
We also saw how some clubs in our District are making a difference in Caborca by viewing the new Hospital. All of the equipment in the Hospital was purchased by the following clubs: KITCHENER CONESTOGA, KITCHENER, PALGRAVE, BOLTON, BRAMPTON, MISSISSAUGA MEADOWVALE, and OAKVILLE TRAFALGAR.
There will be an opportunity for all those in the District to go on this trip next year, so watch for the details closer to next February
Rotary Cambridge Sunrise held their annual Trivia event on March 23rd. Along with the Sunrise Rotarians and guests, we had a District 7080 Governor team made up of myself, Timothy Whitehead, and Past District Governors, Bill Porctor and Judy, Doug Vincent and Grace, and Norm Bindon participate.
April is a busy month for clubs in the District. On April 6th Rotary Mississauga Dixie will be holding their Annual Line Dance, 7 – 11 pm at The Royal Canadian Legion, 35 Front Street North, Mississauga.
On April 7th Rotary Brampton Flower City has their Spring Fling, at 6 p.m. at the Elite Banquet Hall 1850 Albion Road Etobicoke.
April 12th, Rotary Shelburne is celebrating their 80th Anniversary at 6 p.m., at the Grace Tipling Hall, 203 Main Street East, Shelburne. Congratulations Shelburne!
Rotary Woodstock Oxford is holding their annual Fish Fry on April 14th at 6 p.m., Oxford Auditorium, 875 Nellis Street, Woodstock. Tickets sold in advance only.
The Denim and Diamonds event by Rotary Milton will be held on April 21, at 6.30 p.m. at Gambrel Barn, Country Heritage Park, 8650 Tremaine Road, Milton.
May 22nd is Rotary Milton’s Annual Awards Evening, at MinMaxx Hall in Milton.
Another event that may be of interest is one taking place at Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo on April 20th Conrad Grebel’s Peace and Conflict Studies Program is celebrating their 40th year. Special guest speaker will be Bob Rae. Information regarding this event is on the District web site. You can also contact me personally.
Events coming soon in the District are:
Club Leadership Training and District Assembly on Saturday, April 14th at the Sunbridge Hotel and Convention Centre. This is a great training and networking day for all with an array of breakout sessions. The event begins at 8.30 a.m. The District Assembly is where the President’s Elect will vote on the budget for 2018/19 as well as the completely updated Manual of Policies and Procedures.
Rotary Leadership Institute, Parts I,2 and 3 will take place on Saturday May 12th at the Sunbridge Hotel and Convention Centre in Cambridge. The event begins at 8.30 a.m.
Our big event for the 2017/18 year will be the District wide tree planting days on April 21st and 22nd, Earth Day weekend. Rotary International President Ian Riseley has challenged every Rotarian throughout the world to plant one tree! There are many events already posted on Rotary Project Showcase on My Rotary.
We have tee shirts made for all of the participants! Final arrangements are being made with the clusters for the trees and the planting locations! We are hoping to get good media coverage for this event, so be sure to participate!
The Presidential Citation is a great tool for you to use. To complete the Citation, be sure to enter your goals on Rotary Club Central. If you need help with this, please contact me.
Don’t forget to register for the Rotary International Convention June 24th to the 27th.
And, don’t forget to register for our District Pre-Convention Governors’ Night on Toronto Island at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. All the details are on the District web site!
Yours in Rotary,
Kathi