2017-2018 District Governor Rick Istead
 
   

   District 5360
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Published first Friday of the Month.              Submissions due Wednesday prior.             Email Editor: Charlene Bearden
 

 

                             

                             

                              

 


District Governor Message
Our Journey...

Just got more EXCITING !!! 

By now you all should have received an email announcing the fantastic news that the City of Calgary and Rotary District 5360 have been selected to host the Rotary International Convention in 2025!
 
I was not a Rotarian when the last RI Convention was here in Calgary in 1996. However, I do remember when the almost 25,000 Rotarians descended on our city. What a rush! Every convention that I’ve attended since 2010 in Montreal, I’m proud to say I’ve worn my Canada District 5360 hockey jersey and each time I’m amazed at how complete strangers come up and ask, “are you from Calgary”. No sooner are the words out of my mouth and the typical response is “we were there and it’s still the best convention ever.” My sincere thanks go out to Craig Stokke (Rotary Club of Calgary South), PDG Mark Starratt (Rotary Club of Calgary) and their Host Organizing Committee for their passion and their engagement in bringing home the bid. Craig and Mark’s vision will set a new benchmark for hosting RI conventions. “We’ll leverage the next Calgary Rotary International Convention to bring Rotary to everyday Calgarians (non-Rotarians) in a way that has never been done before.” says Craig. “The Calgary RI Convention will be transformational for Rotary throughout District 5360”, adds Mark. I’m excited; I hope you are as well!
 
Well, September sure flew by, but I had the pleasure of visiting 14 Rotary clubs in our District, from Red Deer in the north, to Pincher Creek in the SW and to Kindersley in the east. I continue to be amazed by all of the difference makers we have in the District! Each club has a lot of commonality in certain areas, yet all are quite different culturally, demographically and operationally. We know that what gets done in our Rotary world today is through the hard work, dedication and passionate Rotarians in our clubs who give their “time, talent and treasure” to do good in the world. I’ve had the good fortune so far in my visits to meet quite a few of those Rotarians and I just know I will meet many, many more. Our District Leadership Team thanks all Rotarians, their partners and their family and friends for making a difference in our communities and around the world.
 
October is “Economic and Community Development” month and it’s one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. Did you know that nearly 1.4 billion employed people in our world today live on less than $1.25 US a day? Think about it - $1.25 a day! I’m proud to say that Rotary clubs all over the world are working hard to change that storyline.
 
When I joined the Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek back in April 2007 I was told that I was a member of the largest and oldest service organization in the world. I was also told that when I attended my first District Conference or International Convention I would then fully realize and experience the power of Rotary and become a Rotarian. For me personally, no truer words have been said. So in May 2018, I invite you to join me at our District Conference. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary from May 4-6th. It’s been 12 years since our last District Conference was held in Calgary, so we feel it’s time to return. We know from our very own “Members Survey” that the two primary reasons people join and stay with Rotary is the opportunity to have local impact and fun and friendship. The Discon 2018 program will focus on those two elements. To register for the conference, book a room or just keep up to date on what we have planned, go to www.discon5360.ca or visit our District website and look for “Events”.
 
 
Upcoming Rotary Events
  • Zone Institute (Hartford, Connecticut)– October 19-21
  • World Polio Day – October 24
  • Grants Seminar & Qualification Workshop (Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer) – October 28
  • AG Check-in Webinar – October 31
  • District Board Meeting (Calgary) – November 3
  • Rotary Leadership Institute Module 2 Workshop (Calgary) – November 4
  • Rotary Remembers (Calgary) – November 11
  • Membership Priority #1 Workshop (Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer) – November 18
 
Once again, thank you to our 1,845 Rotarians in our District for all you do for your Rotary club, your community and your world.
Have a great October!
 
Rick Istead
Rotary District Governor 2017-2018
 


 
 
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Service Reports
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Refer a potential member and we’ll help connect them to the right club. Only current members can refer new members. To refer someone to your own club, contact your club secretary.

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Speakers Database

The Speakers Database is making a return appearance and needs your input!!

Anyone needing to book speakers for their club knows it's sometimes a challenge to come up with ideas and then to source the speaker contact information. By sharing the speaker's details, the information will be timely and relevant to assist each other in finding great speakers for your next meeting.

To make it a great resource for Clubs to share, download the excel spreadsheet, contribute to the list and upload the new version. Use your regular ClubRunner username and password to login to the District website and find the Speakers Database resource by clicking here.
 
OPENING OF ROTARY/MATTAMY GREENWAY
You have already heard about the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway and now I would like to tell you a little bit about Rotary.  This is really important, as you might want to join this organization!
 
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Our guiding principles have been the foundation of our values: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.  There are many Rotary Clubs in Calgary and the surrounding areas and they all serve their communities in diverse and significant ways.
 
Our motto: Service Above Self
 
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 100 years, Rotary members have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.  We are this close to eradicating polio on the planet (show thumb and forefinger about two cm apart).
 
Rotary throughout our City and surrounding area have completed numerous projects for our local community and the world for over 100 years.  Projects have included working with the homeless, persons with disabilities, seniors, schools, international youth exchange, and counselling for all ages.  Buildings have been erected, facilities renovated, and essential equipment supplied all over our City.  You will see many products of Rotary generosity such as the Rotary/Flames Hospice and the park outside Ronald MacDonald House at the Children’s Hospital, MRI machines for our hospitals, Southern Alberta Urology Centre, the Chinook Nature Park, playgrounds for the disabled, Project neuro-arm, scholarship programs to help kids finish high school and then succeed in postsecondary and so very many more.
 
We are you; we come from all walks of life.  But most importantly, we are all volunteers.  Rotarians donate their time and resources to help create a better, healthier and stronger community for you.
 
Five years ago, volunteers from 15 Clubs including 13 Rotary Clubs in Calgary plus Cochrane and Rotaract decided to band together and do something epic for our community. It was the first time in the hundred-year history of Rotary in our City that all these clubs chose to support a single legacy community project to support all citizens.
 
Then we had to find a project that would be acceptable to over 900 volunteers that would be called up to bring the project to life.  Our goal was to find a legacy community project that promoted health and wellness, supported the environment, and developed communities and supported families and all citizens from every walk of life.
 
The Calgary Greenway as it was called at the time was introduced to the presidents of the day (Fall, 2012) and was selected from a long list of most worthy options.  It was decided that the creation of a continuous pathway and parkway system would serve the most people for the most benefit in perpetuity.
 
It was a huge undertaking to create the millions of dollars over a 5 year period.  Rotary literally took a leap of faith to become involved as the Project was in its infancy.  We were told by some that the project could never be done; it was too big and too ambitious.  That was not the thing to tell Rotarians for we have taken on challenges all over the world such as the eradication of polio and we could certainly take on a legacy project for our own community and see it through to the end.  We were undaunted.
 
Now it’s time to introduce you to the 15 Participating Clubs and the volunteers within:
 
Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown
Rotary Club of Calgary South
Rotary Club of Calgary West
Rotary Club of Calgary North
Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial
Rotary Club of Calgary Chinook
Rotary Club of Calgary Heritage Park
Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic
Rotary Club of Calgary Crowchild
Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek
Rotary Club of Calgary Millennium
Rotary Club of Calgary Sarcee
Rotary Club of Calgary East
Rotary Club of Cochrane
Calgary Rotaract, our young professional's club
 
We are proud to have partnered with Mattamy to share the naming rights for the Greenway and raise precious funds to build this legacy for you.
 
We are delighted to work with the Parks Foundation Calgary on this most amazing project and to join with all the wonderful donors.
 
On behalf of the over 900 Rotarians who have participated in this project, it is with much joy that we lend our support to the official opening of this wondrous park – the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway.
 
Sherry Austin
Rotary Club of Calgary South
Grand Opening Rotary Mattamy Greenway

Rotary of Calgary North Club, enjoyed the Celebration and assisted in
Hosting and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Shouldice Park in NW part of our City.

 
This event took place in four locations throughout the City in a symbolic way to unite all quadrants of the City with the opening of a Bike and Running path system that encircles the entire City. The five-year project has been spearheaded by Parks Foundation of Calgary and with 137 Kilometers we can make the claim that Calgary is the only City in the world that has such a massive recreational facility uniting all the communities in the City. The cost came in at under budget at approx. 150 Million Dollars. The Rotary Clubs of Calgary united 5 years ago and committed an amount of 5 million dollars along with the same amount from Mattamy Homes. Our small club has contributed $125,000 to this worthwhile project.

The weather was perfect, the entertainment was outstanding and the City and Government officials did an outstanding job in commemorating this one of a kind City project. Rotary of Calgary North enjoyed the fellowship and the opportunity to show the Rotary colours as we used this event not as a Fund Raiser but as a form of a membership drive to explain to those in attendance who Rotary is and what we do throughout the world to assist those less fortunate than ourselves.

There were 12 Rotarians plus 6 spouses and family members to assist in the cooking and serving of delicious Spicy Hamburgers and Sausage with buns to over 600 hunger guests, all free of charge. Thanks to our generous corporate sponsor, Spolumbos and one of the owners Tony Spoletini a tremendous supporter of many community projects. Thanks to him and his staff a job well-done and they helped make Rotary look good in the public eye.
Students exchange smiles
 
 
The Rotary Club of High River prepared a corn roast meal for its meeting at the town’s Sheppard Family Park on Aug. 31, 2017. 
 
Among the guests were three Rotary International exchange students.
 
Christina Pavia Sosa, left, had recently arrived from Las Palmas de Gran, Canary Islands, Spain. Maya Povhe, middle, returned from a year in Switzerland on July 13, and Samaya Miller, right, left for Spain four days after this meeting.
 
Maya gave a presentation on her European experiences at the Rotary Club of High River on Sept. 14.
Waterton Peace Park Modified Gathering

On Sunday, September 24, 2017, at the Chief Mountain Two Flag Overlook, 29 Rotarians from Alberta, Montana and BC met.

 
They clasped hands across a makeshift border and promised not to take up arms against each other in the  "Hands across the Border" ceremony.  Rotarians from the Kalispel Daybreak club asked that this ceremony take place even though the Waterton Wildfires forced that cancellation of the 85th Peace Park Assembly. The assembly has only been cancelled once before during World War II.
 
District Governors Rick Istead (5360, Alberta) and Joe McBride (5390, Montana) welcomed the group.  Norman McCarvell, past District Governor of District 5080 (British Columbia, Idaho, Washington) also addressed the gathering.
 
Waterton Lakes National Park Superintendent Ifan Thomas welcomed the Rotarians and briefed the crowd on the wildfire  Superintendent Thomas expressed his gratitude for the assistance of a crew sent by Glacier National Park that is helping remove "hazard trees," burnt trees that pose a risk to visitors because of compromised roots. 
 
The Rotarians sang both national anthems and recited the pledge to maintain peace between their nations as they shook hands.  They vowed to meet again next year in Glacier National Park.
 
 
Walking a Mile in Her Shoes to Raise Funds for YWCA
Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic Members Hendrik Kraay and Peter Josty joined about two hundred other men from all walks of life who strutted down Calgary’s Stephen Avenue Mall in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser for the YWCA. The Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic Team raised $2,175 for the YWCA's programs in support of women and children fleeing domestic violence.
This is the second time that Hendrik participated in this fundraiser. He was first challenged to do so by one of his students at the University of Calgary who was then working as an intern at the YWCA. “Walking in spiffy pink spiked heels isn’t so bad,” says Hendrik, “once you get the hang of it. Oh, yes, and the shoes have to fit well,” he adds.
Hendrik and Peter challenge Calgary Rotarians to participate in this fundraiser next year. “We would like to see more Rotary clubs and Rotarians stepping up for this worthy cause,” says Peter.
For more information on Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, click here.
 
 
Brooks Trees and Benches 150

Brooks Rotary Club Tree Project in Honor of Canada’s 150th

A lot of anxiety preceded this event, which included, would the preparation that was promised be complete, would any members actually show up to help, would the trees fit the site, and would the end product be as we had imagined?
 
First things, first. In planning for our event, our Brooks President, Leona Ferguson mentioned that our Rotary International Australian President, Ian Riseley has challenged all Rotarians throughout the world to each plant a tree. Given that many of our members thought it was a good idea (at least we didn’t hear any grumbling or mumbling) we put it on our to do list.
 
It was suggested that our Brooks Communities in Bloom might assist us with ideas for celebrating Canada’s 150th. They came up with three ideas, a Peace Park, trees and signage. We discussed and debated, kept the idea of the trees, and we reworked the ideas which then became benches in our parks and along pathways. The benches were more popular and well received by our members.
 
The next hurdle was to put together a plan and a budget for a Foundation Grant, by April 1 deadline which we did with some definitely required computer support. The budget for 30 trees (one tree per Rotary member) ended up at $3,300, and benches at $6,700 for a total of $10,000. Our club would, of course, be required to support $2,500, while Rotary Foundation support was $7,500. Letter of support from the City of Brooks was also obtained. Our project was approved, and so we move forward!
 
Next steps were crucial to the success of the project. Organizing with our Brooks Parks Manager, and a local worker to auger holes in the cement-like dirt, (yes, the pin in the auger broke at least once), ordering of appropriate trees (spaces between campers were tight, so columnar species were ordered), cooperation of the weather (warm and dry, please), water for the new trees, (arrived with the water truck) and attendance by our Brooks Club Rotarians (many reminders and emails were required). It is somewhat of a relief to report that all went like clockwork! Even the weather cooperated, and most importantly, the picnic lunch from the Heritage where we normally eat arrived just as the last tree was tamped in.
 
 
Read more...
Launch your Social Media Program
 
Social media success requires hard work. Period! But a methodical, organized approach will bring efficiency and inject fun into the experience. It will also eliminate the frustration that often accompanies early startups. 
 
I am connected with Rotarians, Rotary Clubs and collaborative partners from around the world. I just checked the blogger analytics and more than 30,908 people have read one or more of these posts. As soon as I publish this article, the number will immediately increase. 
 
This post has links to articles written during the past few months and beyond. They provide background information that apply to all social media platforms and will help you improve.
 
  • Planning
  • Content development
  • Automation
  • Formatting
  • Photos
  • Videos
 
Robyn T Braley
Rotary Club of Calgary West
Club Bylaw Repository

With the recent success of the Club Charter Documents Archive, copies of Club Bylaws are being solicited for the next edition of the Documents Archive.

 
Not only will this be a repository of information for the respective club but also to share information between clubs as some have already completed updating their Bylaws but information sharing between the clubs for improving Bylaws will be beneficial for all clubs.
 
Please email a PDF copy with the following naming convention: Club Name Bylaws YearRegistered (E.G. Airdrie Bylaws 2015)
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Vice President's Monthly Newsletter
 
 
 
 


Contact Dean Rohr's @ dean@cbrplus.com



Dear Rotarians:

It may be the dog days of summer, but there's lots going on across our two Zones.  

  • Discover how Districts are taking advantage of flexibility to charter new clubs
  • Find out the latest news in the effort to eradicate polio
  • Cheer on as Rotary night at the ballpark raises cash for Rotary causes
  • Honor our  donors who reached new giving levels this past Rotary year
Also:
  • Read about our newly nominated RI Presidents-to-be and view photos taken at Sam Owori's State Funeral in Uganda.
  • Prepare for a unique Class Dinner at the Hartford Institute that may have us all sitting bathtub gin.
  • Propose a topic for a Breakout in Toronto -- here's how
  • Learn about RI President Riseley's upcoming Presidential Summits on Peace
 
And as we go to press, the rain is still falling in Houston. Already, Rotarians are rising to the challenge.  Learn how you can help (page 9).

 

Happy reading! and see you in Hartford.

To open the September newsletter, click or copy and paste this URL into your browser's address bar:
https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000050077/en-ca/files/homepage/beyond-borders-sep-2017/03-Zone-Sept-final-2017.pdf


Marty Peak Helman, Newsletter editor
Rotary District Governor 2012-13                                
"Peace through Service"
martyrotary@gmail.com

 
 

 

       

Ian H.S. Riseley

PRESIDENT 2017-18

ROTARY CLUB OF Sandringham
Victoria, Australia

TENNESSEE, USA
     
 

Some years ago in the Melbourne, Australia, museum where my daughter used to work, an iron lung was on display. For most people my age who remembered the terrifying polio epidemics of the 1950s, that iron lung was a testament to how far vaccination had brought us: to the point where that once-critical piece of medical equipment had literally become a museum piece.

For much of the world, the story of polio is a simple one: After years of fear, a vaccine was developed and a disease was conquered. But for some of the world, the story was different. In so many countries, the vaccine wasn’t available, mass vaccination was too expensive, or children simply couldn’t be reached. While the rest of the world relegated polio to its museums, in these countries, the disease continued to rage – until Rotary stepped forward and said that all children, no matter where they lived or what their circumstances, deserved to live free of polio.

In the years since PolioPlus was launched, the combined efforts of Rotary, the governments of the world, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have brought the number of cases of polio down from an estimated 350,000 per year to just a few so far in 2017. But we must reach zero cases, and stay there, to achieve eradication. To do that, we need everyone’s help.

On 24 October, we will mark World Polio Day. It is a day to celebrate how far we have come and an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness and funds to complete the work of eradication.  I ask every Rotary club to participate in some way in World Polio Day activities, and I encourage you to visit endpolio.org for ideas and to register your event. Whether you host a silent auction, a virtual reality viewing, a fundraising walk, or a Purple Pinkie Day, your club can make a real difference.

This year, our World Polio Day livestream event will take place at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters in Seattle; you can watch it on endpolio.org beginning at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time. As many of you know, Rotary has committed to raising $50 million a year for the next three years. This amount will be matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation – effectively tripling the value of all money Rotary raises on World Polio Day and throughout the year. Let’s all make a difference on World Polio Day – and help End Polio Now.

 



Ian H.S. Riseley is a chartered accountant and principal of Ian Riseley and Co., a firm he established in 1976. Prior to starting his own firm, he worked in the audit and management consulting divisions of large accounting firms and corporations. His firm specializes in income tax and management advice for individuals and small businesses. He has a master’s degree in taxation law and graduate diplomas in accounting and income tax.

Riseley has been a member of the boards of both a private and a public school, a member of the Community Advisory Group for the City of Sandringham, and involved in Sea Scouts and sporting groups, as well as honorary auditor or adviser for a number of charitable organizations.

Riseley’s honors include the AusAID Peacebuilder Award from the Australian government in recognition of his work in East Timor, the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the Australian community, the Distinguished Service Award and the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World from The Rotary Foundation.

A Rotarian since 1978, Riseley has served as treasurer, director, Foundation trustee, and member and chair of numerous RI and Foundation committees.

He and his wife, Juliet, a past district governor, are Major Donors and Bequest Society members of The Rotary Foundation. They live on seven hectares at Moorooduc, where they practice their personal philosophy of sustainable and organic living. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Find 2017-18 theme and logo materials

Watch the president's theme speech

Visit the office of the president to:

Learn more about Rotary’s structure

eBulletin Editor: Charlene Bearden

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Rotary International District 5360

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