"Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves!"
The Rotary Club of Calgary comprises professional and community leaders brought together in fellowship to make a better future.
Birthdays
David Bromwich March 4
Trevor Axworthy March 6
Howie Shikaze March 12
Anniversaries
Forry Angus 35 years
Bruce Graham 20 years
John Riddell 15 years
President Joe's Inspirational Quote
“The best way to enjoy your job is to imagine yourself without one.”
Oscar Wilde
New Editor (in training!)
The COG has a change of Editor – and we all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Manon Mitchell for her great contribution to our club by her editorship of our biweekly newsletter over the past years. She has transformed how we produce the COG and streamlined our roles, making it easier for you to read and for us to produce. This is just a part of Manon’s transition to taking on the big responsibility of being our incoming District Governor. We wish her well on that important journey.
Diane Macdonald and Doug McMillan have graciously agreed to continue their roles: Diane produces the framework; I will be compiling the articles as editor; Doug checks it over and sends COG to your mailboxes. Ebenezer Mensa has taken on the role of keeping us updated on the monthly themes of Rotary International.
Such energy in our room at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel! We had a full house for a fascinating guest speaker and a packed agenda under President Joe’s leadership.
It was also a sad day as we reflected on the passing of two members, Bill Andrew and Lou MacEachern, who were club members for about 50 years. Both men were very successful in business and exceptional in their service and philanthropic contributions to community. They will be sorely missed.
For Lou MacEachern’s eulogy READ MORE; for Bill Andrew’s obituary, see the Calgary Herald.
On a happy note, Michelle de Cecco was warmly welcomed as a returning member. As a member previously, before family life intervened, she was a strong contributor to the club and we look forward to her future involvements. Membership Director Craig Henderson took the opportunity to urge members to encourage friends, colleagues and family members to consider joining our club.
President Joe announced a vote at the next meeting to endorse the board’s nomination of new directors for the board of CRCF (Calgary Rotary Clubs’ Foundation): Cristina Castro, Bob Taylor, Dave Holden and Bryan Pinney.
Michael Broadhurst’s birthday was celebrated, and he spoke warmly
about his involvement in our Adopt-a-Village projects in Uganda,
and encouraged members if so inclined, to donate to that project
The guest speaker, Rob Roach, Chief Economist at ATB gave a fascinating presentation and answered numerous questions on the outlook for Alberta’s economy in these challenging times. He was introduced and thanked by Andrew Buskell (see the picture below).
Each month we will highlight the RI Theme. In the 2nd edition each month, watch for stories about what our club is doing relating to the Theme.
Changing the World: One Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Project at a Time
March is Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Month for Rotary International, highlighting the importance of access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices worldwide.
Globally, Rotary International has invested over $148 million in WASH projects, supporting communities in numerous countries including Ghana, Guatemala, Lebanon, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown is proud to support global WASH initiatives, particularly through our partnership with the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST). CAWST is a Canadian-based non-profit organization that provides training, consulting, and research services to support the development of sustainable water and sanitation systems in low-income countries.
Through our partnership with CAWST and Rotary International's global efforts, we contribute to improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for thousands of people worldwide.
Ebenezer Mensa, RI Theme Contributor
Small Donations Committee Meets The Big Book Sale
Last fall, the Small Donations Committee received an application for funding from a charity called Ruth’s House. This is a house, on a suburban street, for women and children escaping domestic violence, providing a temporary home for up to six families. Our Major Donations Committee had funded a new kitchen for the house and the Small Donations request was to renovate and furnish a play/therapy room for the children. Dee Adekugbe, Executive Director, explained to me that they know that children experiencing and witnessing violence are more likely to repeat that behavior as they age and she is determined to try to break that cycle by providing counselling and therapy for the children in the home. The Small Donations Committee funded the renovation, which is now completed.
On a day that the Book Bank (a recipient of funds from The Big Book Sale) had a book donation drop-off, I took some books that our grandchildren had long since outgrown and I spoke to Dawn Cruikshank, who heads up the Bank. We talked about the books they provide to children who wouldn’t otherwise have books of their own and I mentioned Ruth’s House. The end result – Dawn and her colleagues put together baskets of books and some donated food items and delivered them to Ruth’s House one day a week or two ago. In Dawn’s words, “This really was a feel good day for all of here at the Book Bank”. This is a good example of the way that Rotary can leverage our connections to the benefit our community.
Diane Macdonald, Small donations Committee Member
Club’s 3-year Granting Strategy
The four banners at our club meetings reminds us that our Board, at its July 2024 meeting, approved a 3-year granting strategy. This was the conclusion of a two-year journey, led by Randy Topolnitsky, of club engagement to create a platform for club renewal and growth. The strategy outlines four areas of focus: education, food security, mental wellness and early childhood literacy for the club’s investment of its discretionary dollars locally. This is done through its committees: the new formed legacy, major donations, small donations, early childhood literacy and youth.
The funding strategy’s implementation plan outlined the formation of 7 groups to ensure its implementation: legacy, granting, communication, membership, programs and fellowship, finance, human resources. In a meeting with President Joe, Incoming President Bill and President Elect Doug, it was concluded that this outline was too cumbersome.
Our club has partnered with Youth Centres Calgary to provide a safe place for our Stay in School mentors and mentees to connect at Marmie’s House which is located close to our partner schools.
We now have 30 members of our Rotaract and Interact clubs that are participating as volunteers at the Rotary International convention in June. We are also assisting our Rotaract Club in hosting a fundraising event for Trellis Society who provide family and youth services in Calgary <growwithtrellis.ca>. On Friday, April 3rd at Cardel Theatre “Rotary’s got Talent” will showcase the talents of both Rotarians and Rotaract members. Dave Leslie is our Interact as well as Rotaract lead.
We are in the final stages of the revisioning of the Tom Jackson Indigenous Mentoring program and are exploring supporting an existing program being run by the Calgary Board of Education entitled “Spirit Pathways” where Indigenous students are provided social, cultural and academic support to graduate from High School.
Sean Baylis, Youth Director
Convention Update
CONVENTION REGISTRATIONS - The Price goes up April 1 Worldwide paid: 15,135 registered and paid attendees Worldwide Unpaid 16,526 and growing Calgary Downtown registrations 47 / 125 members
Let’s increase the number for our club!
ACCOMMODATION - NEW SAIT Residences: We have been provided a discount code for SAIT Residences - these rooms are open to the public, so they are on a first come first serve basis • Register with a PROMO Code "CRIC2025" for the suites for bookings June 20-26. • Amenities: - Four private bedrooms with double-sized extra-long mattresses • Two private bathrooms, - Kitchen with an oven and stove top, full fridge/freezer combo, and microwave; - Wi-Fi internet, - Free parking for one vehicle per suite, - complimentary continental breakfast at the dining center • Cost with PROMO CODE is $120 for a two bedroom, or $240 for a four bedroom Mount Royal Residences: 350 Bedroom Units available, 4 bedroom units, each with a single bed, 2 full bathrooms, a full kitchen and living room. Or 2-bedroom units. $59.95 per bedroom per night; TELL US THAT YOU ARE BOOKING FOR THE ROTARY CONVENTION WHEN YOU CALL MRU Please note that you may have to share the townhouse/apartment with other guests. If you do not wish to do that you will need to pay for all rooms in the apartment/townhouse – please try to fill with family/friends. All 30 minutes trip by Public Transit to the Convention Campus (free for Convention registrants) Act FAST…. Hotels in: Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, High River, Canmore, Banff have been added to Convention website with Calgary hotels almost full. Guest Billets - Unofficial – to offer space, contact Felipe Guerra, Lethbridge Club
VOLUNTEER UPDATE Calgary Downtown 36 / 125 members
Need more PLEASE!
HOST HOSPITALITY Registered Attendees (Feb. 21, 2025) • 1716 attendees registered and paid- growing Host "seats" available (Feb. 21, 2025) • 2033 available spots by Hosts- growing Cut-off April 20th, 2025
If you'd like to have us publish an article or have an idea about what we should be publishing, please forward your ideas to Madeleine by the FRIDAY before the Tuesday publication date.
You are also welcome to contact either Madeleine, Doug or Diane to discuss any idea you may have.
Here are the remaining publication dates for the first half on 2025:
Mar 18
Apr 1, 15, 29
May 6, 20
June 3, 17
If you enjoy reading the COG, let us know because your comments are the only way we know we are hitting the mark and it is our reward!
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