Bala Naidoo, past District 5040 Governor, introduced our speaker John Weston. John is working to make Canada the fittest nation on earth by 2030. We Rotarians should adopt this project.
Thanks for the invitation to speak. So uncertain how, when, and even if we get together as a large group. No more relevant organization during these times than Rotary. Our motto Service Above Self rallies all together. John really admires what we do and how we do it.
Especially now, during COVID, as we have had to slow down we have the opportunity to think about some big questions. One being what makes us healthy and fit? This certainly relates to those closest to you. Health, if it wasn’t before, has become our primary focus.
Our lifestyles have over the years become increasingly sedentary. John recommends watching a film on Netflix, Social Dilemma. It explains well how our lives are changing because of the big tech companies. Screen time, car culture, poor diets, program costs are increasing with a result of decreased time in nature, reduction of P.E. programs in schools, less general physical activity, increased mental health challenges, reduction in productivity, and diminishing academic performance. Some other consequences are increases in obesity, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease. Related decreases in self esteem, confidence, community and economic resilience.
Our, the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute (CHFI), vision is to make Canada the fittest nation on earth by 2030. Over a 10 year period we will need to measure and compare to other nations. If we get to the stage when Canada is doing this right we’ll have much to share. They are looking to increase active citizenship, physical, mental and spiritual health. Mostly in the outdoors, there is something liberating and nurturing about being out in nature.
Jai Bawa, a relatively new immigrant designed the logo, a maple leaf exploding with joy.
The focus of this initiative is to encourage a metamorphosis in behaviour rather than just offering trails and huts. Trails are tools, huts are tools, all for the infrastructure. Need to think about being physically active.
Trying to steal ideas from already successful programs and countries. In Norway, for example, you cannot prohibit people from crossing your land. They want people to have free movement across lands walking or hiking. Volunteers look after local area huts. Hope to achieve here a similar outlook where it’s a way of life for all of us.
We have a lot to learn from 1st nations peoples in terms of communing with nature. They do have collaborative relationships to learn and to work with them for land use.
CHFI GOALS
To inspire active citizens to reconnect with nature and active living. Be in the outdoors and enjoy the wonderful surroundings. Hope to create and support a network of inclusive and accessible places where leaders share and generate active-design ideas.
Support innovative initiative that promotes physical, mental and spiritual health. Promote measurable improvement in health for individuals and communities.
Engaging with community revitalization programs to develop measurable.
FIVE PHASE STRATEGIC PLAN
They are at the stage of completing a feasibility study now. Anticipating the innovation centre will be located in the Fraser Valley. This will be a centre of excellence that will expand out across the nation.
Land John’s family owns in the Fraser Valley, a portion of which will be gifted to the organization. Will be working with regional trails adding hut to hut feature of the program. Though the 1st facility will be in the Fraser Valley, we anticipate it will soon be in a community near you.
You can view a design deck 6-minute video that is available on the CHFI website, designed by Jai Gawa;
CLICK HERE to view.
UPCOMING EVENT
They will be hosting a virtual Celebrity Gala – October 15th, 2020, being hosted by pubcast. Save the date!
Why should Rotarians care? Are the objectives of CHFI aligned with those of Rotary? The notion of health and fitness are certainly demonstrated to be in the wheelhouse.
Urgent, or important? Easy to be captured by the urgent. Need to invest in both urgent and important.
See above poster for information about the CHFI fundraiser. It is free to join in. Please share the information and link with as many people as possible. The more the merrier.
They do have a corporate sponsorship package. Not just for donations but an invitation to be engaged with the organization.
