It was not an easy decision for me, leaving my terra club after more than 15 years. It’s were I “grew” up and became a better person, where I learned all about Rotary, advanced into several District, Zone and International positions, and made many friends who became my family.  Looking back however, I feel I did the right thing, joining this e-club; Our frequent travels and snowbird lifestyle made me feel disconnected from my club and an e-club seemed to be the answer.
The wonderful thing about our e-club, is that I can attend a meeting any time of the day, any day of the week, no matter where in the world I am; Even at the pool of our condo in Manzanillo, Mexico. 
During our travels, both my husband Ramiro and I try to attend as many terra meetings as possible and always make a point of meeting up with our fellow e-members. I have had the fortune, of meeting 18 of our 32 members in person, and several on-line, and consider each of them part of my Rotary family.  
I hope you too will enjoy e-rotary as much as I do, and encourage others, who are in a similar situation and not able to attend Terra meetings, to consider being part of an e-club. 
Let’s make it our New Year’s resolution, to invite more kind hearted people to Rotary and encourage  current Rotarians to visit our club website.
I Love Rotary.

Inspirational Moment 
Submitted by Lynne
 
Comments from our Guests and Members
You as an attending member or guest to our weekly meetings are very important to us. Based on your comments we are able to produce many more educational, inspiring and entertaining weekly meetings. 
Following are some of the comments we have received. Would you send us your comments please? - 

“As a long-time Rotarian, I find it refreshing to re-visit programs that are offered by Rotary International. The Rotary Peace Fellowship Program provides a great opportunity to build better understanding and bonds the world closer together.”
Don Smith, RC Lethbridge - D5360
 
This talk (about giving differently) evolutionised my concept of international aid.  I have been highly skeptical of international aid programs because of the high cost of overhead, as well as corruption.  The direct transfer of funds to the poorest members of our society is brilliant.  Who knows better than the poor how to spend money on themselves.”
Bernard Keating, RC Barrie - D7010
 
“This talk revolutionized my concept of international aid.  I have been highly skeptical of international aid programs because of the high cost of overhead, as well as corruption.  The direct transfer of funds to the poorest members of our society is brilliant.  Who knows better than the poor how to spend money on themselves.’
Kim Cooper, RC Kamloops West - D5060
 
“I enjoyed attending your meeting and watching the two videos, I think I will order the CD.  The youth exchange presentation was excellent”
Bashir El-Khalafawi, RC Parksville AM - D5020
 
Announcements
Presidential Visit
There is still time to register for the “Light Up Rotary E-clubs” Webinar on January 5th. With RI President Gary Huang as guest speaker life from Evanston.
Read more, or register HERE

What If?

We have recently updated our Conference website with a video about Keynote speaker Human rights activist, journalist and author Sally Armstrong.  You can see the video on the Conference Home Page 
Remember early bird rates end on December 31, 2014, so register now to save.
 
 
 
The power of Rotary
The remarkable piece of video, (which the program committee has chosen for this week's speaker program) is to me a remarkable metaphor for the power of Rotary, especially E-Club Rotary, to take the efforts of many willing individuals around the world, using technology for communication, to produce something extraordinarily beautiful.
 
I didn’t know if this was an appropriate "guest speaker" piece for our meetings but with an introductory line or two explaining that one man with an idea collected 3,000 choristers around the world and had them all sing and record their individual piece and assembled it very dramatically into something so huge that could not be done by one individual acting alone. I believe it could be.
 
I like at the end that he lists the tonal discipline of each singer and where they are from. The visual of the wall of faces are  stunning enough but the list of names  is extremely powerful.
-Chris Langley
 
Love to Travel?
(Submitted by Kevin Hilgers)
There are many benefits to Rotary. Here is a great one: Rotary Friendship Exchange is when a group of Rotarians from one Rotary district in the word travel to another for fun and fellowship; usually reciprocal.
"RFE" is a great way to travel, learn how the locals live in their land.. make lifelong friends.. Discover cultures and communities in a unique way and, of course enjoy Rotary fellowship.  Often you share Rotary projects and ideas. 
The RFE’s are usually for 2 weeks. Currently there are two RFE’s planned. 
Turkey – District 2430 (includes Antalya and Adana) – Turkey visits Canada June 12 – 26, 2015.  Canada visits Turkey October 10 -23, 2015. (Proving to be popular, a few spaces left). 
Australia – District 9650 (northern New South Wales).  Canada visits Australia November 9 - 22 2015. Australia visits Canada May or June 2016.  Australia is almost "sold out".
All members of the Rotary Family are invited, whether seasoned Rotarian or new to the family.  There are opportunities for youth as well. Only 12 space are available, so book early.  I
Interested?  For details CLICK HERE   
Then drop a note Kevin Hilgers.  
 
Support our E-Club
Your contribution for this meeting may be made on line via the Paypal Button on the side bar, from the attendance form, or by sending a cheque to:
The Rotary E-club of Canada One
Box 9 Site 10, RR#2, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada T4C 1A2
We thank you for your donation.
 
New Members Corner
Submitted by Bruce 
January is Rotary Awareness Month - Be aware that Membership is the Life and Blood of YOUR E-Club.
 
This article presented by our website hosting service "Club Runner" is edited for our e-club
 
Since 2003, Rotary club membership has almost been frozen in place. Rotary International will enter 2015 with a membership of 1.2 million, essentially the same it has been since 2003.
 
Growth in some countries has increased but this growth is offset by dramatic declines elsewhere. According to statistics presented at the 2014 International Assembly, Rotary membership in the United States declined by 15 percent between 2003 and 2013, a net loss of 58,481 members. Canada experienced a 14 percent decline, while England reported 16 percent loss; reversing the trend.
At the 2014 Rotary International Assembly in Sydney, Australia, President Gary C.K. Huang outlined some of the recruitment and retention methods used by Rotary Clubs in those nations experiencing the most growth. Consider how these apply to your e-club and your commitment to keep it strong.
- Be Family Friendly: Children and significant others are invited to get involved.
- Use the Media (and social media):  By maintaining a good relationships, ensure positive media coverage of    
Rotary efforts.
- Support Youth outside Rewards academic performance, intercultural understanding and communication ability.

 
Rotary Minute
Canadian Artist Liona Boyd to join Rotary
Now Liona Boyd has settled back in Canada, she is interested in joining Rotary. She recently visited a club meeting in Toronto as her introduction to the club closest to her residence. Liona likes to helps Rotary stamp out polio and has agreed to help with the Polio Plus campaign!
For every CD sold, Polio Plus will get $5.00 (or $15.00 with the 2 for 1 Gates Foundation matching).
There is still time to order your CD CLICK HERE

 
Food for Thought
WHAT IF…you could fight the common cold by making someone else smile?  
The best part of my day is when I make someone else smile. And no matter how I’m feeling, I can’t help but smile too. Smiles are contagious that way. That’s because bringing a smile to someone else’s face is good for you too. It is shown to produce immunity-boosting, stress-reducing chemicals in the brain that instantly boost your mood. So go ahead. Share a smile.   
 
Go out of your way to make someone smile today, whether it’s a coworker, customer, friend, or family member. Really think about what would give them an instant charge of joy--would it be giving a sincere compliment, forwarding a funny video link, or walking up and telling them a joke? Tell us how seeing them smile made you feel.
-Will Marré
 
Speaker Program 
Submitted by Chris Langley
This officially ends this week’s meeting
Please consider making a small donation in lieu of a meal to help us help the world. Donate  via the PAYPAL link via the sidebar on our home page or on the Attendance submittal form.
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If you have an interesting topic, or project to share please contact our Program Committee 
Thank you for joining us, we appreciate your feedback, hope you will return and invite a guest.

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