"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
Bill Manarey
Bruce Fenwick
John Fisher
John Seigner
Bill Clapham
Chris Ward
Peter McKeen
Diane Aspe Ayer
October 4
October 4
October 5
October 5
October 9
October 9
October 10
October 12
Garry Moyes
October 13
Bob Junker
October 14
Anniversaries
(None at this time)
Inspirational Quote
"Be present in all things and thankful for all.”
- Maya Angelou
Rotary's Fight Against Polio: From Inception to Near Eradication
Ebenezer Mensa
For over 40 years, Rotary International has led the global effort to eradicate polio. Through its PolioPlus initiative, launched in 1985, and as a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has helped reduce polio cases by 99.9% worldwide. Today, with only a few cases remaining in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Rotary's commitment continues, driving us closer to a polio-free world.
Walley Temple, People of Action: Champion of Impact
Manon Mitchell
Our own Rotarian Walley Temple, was honoured recently by Rotary International as a "People of Action: Champion of Impact". Walley was one of the six people recognized world wide for this award. Rotary International produced this wonderful video of Walley describing the work he is currently undertaking to rid the world of cervical cancer.
Thanks and credit goes to Rotary International for producing this video.
Ronald McDonald House Calgary Playground Legacy Project Update
Dennis Tran
Our Legacy Project, in collaboration with the Calgary Flames Foundation and the Rotary Club at Stampede Park, is progressing well. Below is a photo of the newly installed playground. The surrounding areas of the outdoor play oasis are still under construction but are on track to be completed alongside the expansion scheduled for spring 2025.
Putting the Wind in Sails of Community Initiatives…a brand new playground at Dalhousie Elementary School
Franco Savoia
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."(Margaret Mead)
On Friday August 30th, Meaghan Ralston and Franco Savoia from our Rotary Club and Cliff Tyminski from the Rotary Club of Calgary North participated in the official opening of a new $455,000 school playground.
This was the culmination of a 2-year journey for the Dalhousie Parent Advisory Council, a small, passionate and committed group of moms and dads who decided to replace the school’s tired and worn out playground. They led countless fund-raising events in the school and then reached out to community funders and partners such as Kal Tire, the Calgary Foundation and Rotary to invest in their vision. Our Club's Major Donations Committee and the Calgary North Club’s Youth Committee invested in making the new playground a reality. Our Major Donations committee donated the final $20,000 of the campaign.
The playground was built over this past summer. As the school community and investors enjoyed the launching barbecue, the new playground was a beehive with children of all ages playing and exploring the various structures. And off school hours, the playground will be enjoyed by families and children in the neighbouring communities. The joy and excitement of the Parent’s Advisory Group was palpable. Rotary’s investment with all the other supporters “put the wind in the sails” of this dynamic group in the Dalhousie community. Rotary and Rotarians are making a difference!
Our final BBQ for the Year
Diane Macdonald
On a day that started out with rain and wind, we were able to cook and serve a total of 1200 hamburgers, chicken burgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs on a lovely afternoon under blue skies and sunshine. The "Meet the Teacher Night" at Valley View and Ian Bazalgette schools in Forest Lawn was the occasion – and judging from the numbers of family members we fed, the attendance was great!
Some changes in Major Donations Committee processes…
Franco Savoia, Chair Major Donations Committee
The Major Donations Committee is aligning its processes with the Club’s approved funding strategy. It is amending its processes:
the committee will have two points for applications review: October 31 and March 31 each year.
it reviews all applications of $10,000+
RCCD is an active member of Rotary Helps YYC. Eight Calgary Clubs are now members: Centennial, Chinook, Downtown, East, Fish Creek, Heritage, North, West. It encourages all applications to come through Rotary Helps YYC. However, the committee will also entertain direct applications.
the committee is changing the name of the committee’s contact person with the application from “champion” to “steward”. It is felt that the role is not to champion the applicant but rather to gather relevant data and information and to nurture the relationship.
the committee is in the process of updating all of its communication regarding its work on the Club’s website.
Asks:
Club members are asked to reach out to a potential community applicants within their circles of influence and share the committee’s processes.
Club members are welcome to attend Major Donations Committee meetings. The next virtual meeting: Wednesday October 23, 2024 at 4pm. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85895655618
Fantastic Club Lunch - Diane Francis Speaker
Laurene Wilson, Club Secretary
Thank you for showing your support for our Tuesday luncheon meeting in the Crystal Ballroom, at the Palliser, with Diane Francis as our guest speaker. I have received all kinds of positive feedback concerning our event and three former members are returning to our Club! An additional former member spoke to me and requested he be considered for the role of Stay in School Mentor, as he is unable to commit to returning to full-time Rotary Membership at this time. I referred him to Alana, our Stay in School Co-ordinator.
Hello from your newClub Champion for the Convention!
Madeleine King
There are 3 keys ways to engage: attend the Convention, volunteer to help those attending, and participate in “Host Hospitality” on Monday June 23.
Attend the Convention – so totally worthwhile; be inspired session after session; hear outstanding speakers; make friends from everywhere with common values; enjoy great performers; gain insight into Rotary’s global future - https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/registration; Registration is US$525 until Dec 15
Volunteer – each shift is just 4 hours; you’ll know that you’re being a great Rotary champion; you’ll meet Canadians, Americans and lots of Rotarians from all over the world for many of whom this is their 1st chance to experience our wonderful city; https://calgary2025rotaryconvention.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/; persuade your family/friends to join you; let’s make our Downtown Club the strongest volunteer club in the District!
Host Hospitality evening Monday June 23 – clubs throughout the District are choosing whether to host groups of Convention attendees in individual homes or to welcome a group of attendees to a special Club event. All these events will happen on that Monday evening. Stay tuned to learn more about our Club’s plans. Mark that date in your calendar now!
A special report prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies estimated the value of Rotary member volunteer hours at $850 million a year. Read the report here.
Join me for Breakfast on November 5
Manon Mitchell
You are invited for breakfast! Join me in learning more about Inclusion Alberta on Tuesday November 5 at the Sheraton Eau Claire. This amazing organization has had a major impact on the lives of individuals with developmental delays and their families.
My sister Lynn was hired through this partnership with Rotary and for 3 years her mood changed. Her outlook was positive and she always looked forward to doing "her job" as she called it. She supported the Rotary Club of Calgary Sarcee at their Thursday breakfast meetings by setting up the room, receiving attendees, counting the cash. She didn't mind the super early morning wake up and arrival at 6:30 am. She lived for every Rotary meeting and to this day she still wears her Rotary pin. That is but a simple example of how we can make a difference.
The key is finding the right opportunity for the right person and Inclusion Alberta has been doing exactly that. Want to learn more? No commitment is required at this time, this is purely an informational meeting. So come and join me ... just send me an email and we'll make it a date!
Lynn Perreault, official receptionist at the Rotary Club of Calgary Sarcee
Another Local Rotarian Featured in the Rotary Canada
Manon Mitchell
Check out this month’s article featuring Calgary Rotarian Hyder Hassan (District Governor Christina Hassan’s husband) and read how Rotary provided many opportunities for personal and professional development. Read more here.
When is the COG published?
Manon Mitchell
The COG, the electronic newsletter informing our members of our club's activities and interesting articles, is published approximately every 2 weeks, usually (but not always) the week when we do not have an inperson club meeting. We'd love to send it weekly but it takes about 6 hours to put together so every other week will have to do.
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 Manon or Diane by the FRIDAY before the Tuesday publication date.
You are also welcome to contact either Manon or Diane to discuss as stry idea you may have.
Here are this year's publication dates:
July 9, 23
Aug 6, 20
Sep 3, 17
Oct 1, 15, 29
Nov 19
Dec 3, 17, 24 (Xmas edition)
Jan 7, 21
Feb4, 18
Mar 4, 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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Thank you for showing your support for our Tuesday luncheon meeting in the Crystal Ballroom, at the Palliser, with Diane Francis as our guest speaker. 
