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Martin and Liz Harvey

 

Events Calendar

District Governor Message
Moving right along ...
As we move into April we are in the middle of “Event” season. Many clubs have fund raisers underway and are thinking about the ways in which they will be celebrating the last 3 months of their Rotary year with a variety of activities planned.
 
At the District level we have a couple of big events planned, starting with “The Impact Women Make” on Thursday April 21st. Gentlemen do not be misled by the title – it is a Cocktail evening and Fundraiser and everyone is invited. Also a great opportunity to bring a potential Rotarian out. We are very fortunate to have Julia Phelps in attendance and our Guest Speaker for the evening. Julia is a Rotary International Director with specific responsibilities relating to our District. 
 
As you know The District Conference (Discon) is coming up shortly. It is filling up quickly and we have 300 Rotarians and Guests already signed up. Still plenty of time to be part of this memorable weekend. You can find out the latest by going to www.discon5360.ca .
It is also Awards season when individual Rotarians as well as Clubs will be recognized for their achievements – all District Awards will be presented at Discon including the new Monty Audenart Inspirational Award.
 
At this time I would like to thank everyone for the phenomenal work that they have put in this year – I consistently hear of wonderful stories and just wish I had the space here to document each one of them. By the way you will hear about many of them at the Conference.
All for now and we will see you in Canmore, if not before, as we continue this great journey.
 
DG Martin
Read more...
Reporting on your Service
Will work for travel expenses !
The Rotaract Club of Calgary in conjunction with the Rotaract Club of Tegucigalpa is providing access to clean water, sanitation, and education for a primary school in Honduras through a multiphase project. Phase 1 consisted of building a concrete pad with a painted soccer pitch and Phase 2 included building washroom and clean drinking water facilities. Finally, Phase 3 will see a computer lab built for the children. This effort is aimed to allow the children to focus on learning and their futures. Below are pictures of the construction of the bathroom facilities.
 
To strengthen Calgary Rotaract’s ties with their sister club in Tegucigalpa and find areas for further impact, two delegates are to attend the Honduras Economic and Community Development Insight Trip from April 15th – 22nd. This opportunity also serves to strengthen ties between Rotaract and Rotary as Rotaract prepares to partner with the Rotarian Action Group for Microfinance & Community Development to grow the Honduras Natural Stone Cooperative project.
Rotaractors are looking for "work for travel expenses" from Rotary Clubs in the amount of $5500 to enable them to go on this trip. Five Rotary Clubs have generously provided the Rotaractors with $4000 as on March 30th. Therefore the delegates are still looking for partnership in the amount of $1500. “Work for travel expenses”, depending on your club’s preference, could entail presenting the Insight Trip experience and information on Rotary and Rotaract involvement in Honduras to your club or providing Rotaract manpower to efforts your club requires assistance with. If your club is interested in supporting this effort please contact by email Spencer Chaisson or 647-773-6876 or Sarah Khan or phone 587-436-2694.
Rotary soccer balls destined for Honduras
When High River Rotarian Wally Gardiner heard that Syrian refugees in Calgary would like to have soccer balls, he did an on-line search for a supplier. He discovered that the Rotary Club of Livonia, Michigan has soccer balls available with the Rotary logo and the Four-Way Test in 14 different languages, including Arabic and Spanish. The Rotary Club of High River has helped the Michigan club with its fundraising by purchasing some.
 
“We have sent some to the Rotary Syrian refugee group to distribute so they can start a soccer team,” Gardiner said. “The remainder will be going to schools in Honduras…I thought, soccer is an important cultural part of Latin America.”
 
Gardiner will take the soccer balls to Honduras when he goes on a microcredit project Insight trip, April 17-22, 2016. This trip is open to Rotarians and Opportunity International Canada (OIC) donors. They will visit OIC’s office in Tegucigalpa and the branch in Santa Barbara that is funded by Rotary, OIC and Global Affairs Canada.
 
Gardiner’s travels in Honduras will also include a visit to the Good Samaritan Women’s Health Clinic, where he will deliver donated laptop computers and medical supplies.
 
Cyclone Winston - Fiji 2016

The South Pacific Island nation of Fiji was hit by a devastating Category 5 storm, Cyclone Winston, on Feb. 20 & 21. The strongest storm to ever make landfall in the southern hemisphere, with winds of 320 kms/hr and storm surges up  to 12 meters high,  it cut a path of destruction through the central islands of the Fijian archipelago.  Close to 350,000 people (1/3 of the population) were negatively affected and 42 killed.

It has been logistically challenging to reach the remote islands of Fiji, which consist of some 330 islands spread across 120,000 sq. kms of the South Pacific.   Based in the capital city of Suva, our ShelterBox response has so far concentrated on the Eastern and Northern Division Islands.  We have delivered our aid to the widely dispersed islands working with the New Zealand military and Sea Mercy ( a Pacific Ocean aid organization) who have provided air and sea transport. 

 

Because of the dispersed nature and large numbers of islands affected, we have split our ShelterBox Response Teams into small groups in order to reach more islands. My ShelterBox Response Team, consisting of Mark van Alphen (The Netherlands) and myself, traveled approximately 350 kms with our shelterboxes aboard the New Zealand naval vessel, the Canterbury, to the remote island of Vanua Balavu. It is one of the furthest islands from the governing and transportation hub of the city of Suva. 

 

Cyclone Winston made a direct hit on Vanua Balavu, with the eye of the storm passing across the center of the island wreaking havoc and destroying about 70% of the homes in14 small villages on the island.  The destruction was massive: uprooted trees, destroyed building and homes, trees and vegetation striped of branches, fruit and leaves and gardens uprooted.  Most homes were wood frame construction and  were completely leveled, while the concrete block buildings lost their roofs and suffered cracked walls. 

 

We lived on board the Canterbury for a week while it was anchored off Lomaloma Bay on Vanua Balavu, traveled each day with the boxes by landing craft to the island and distributed our aid in vehicles provided by the Fiji government with assistance from the Fiji military. We were able to provide our durable tents and life sustaining box supplies to 110 households of people in desperate need.

 

The intensity of the storm was terrifying for those in it’s path. I spoke with one of the surviving families who said they had warning that Cyclone Winston was approaching, but because they had been through a number cyclones in the past and did not understand the ferocious strength of a category 5 storm, they diid not abandon their wood frame home.  When the walls of their home began to collapse, they ran with their children for a concrete community building.  They said that when the metal roof of the community center blew off, their children cried out in terror.  The effects of this trauma, especially for the children, will be with these people for a very long time. 

It is very important to children’s recovery that life is normalized as soon as possible.  Returning to school is a big part of this normalization process.  Many  school buildings & teacher’s homes were destroyed or badly damaged and a number of teachers had to leave the island.  Large tents were supplied by UNICEF to serve as classrooms and we provided the teachers in need of accommodation with tents and supplies to allow them to return to the island and their classes. 

 

The Fijian people are very resilient and extremely grateful for our assistance.  It was heart warming to see that our aid not only brought them physical comfort and security but that it also lifted their spirits and gave them hope and the will to carry on and rebuild their homes and their lives.  We could not provide this life sustaining aid and the hope that goes with it without the generous support of our many donors.

 

Ron Noseworthy

ShelterBox Response Team

Attracting New Members

How the Calgary West Rotary Club Attracted 25 New Members in 18 Months

 
There is a simple definition of the word brand. Your brand is what others think it is.
 
But, the heart of a brand goes much deeper to what you think of yourself and your company or organization.
 
The foundation of a strong Rotary Club brand is the feeling of pride members have for their club and the work of Rotary. If they feel good about their club, they will be fully engaged in service while influencing others to collaborate and even become members.
 
 
Rotaractors across the district ...

want to strengthen relationships with you. 

 
Hello Rotarians, 
 
The University of Lethbridge Rotaract club is leading a breakout session at the District Conference about Rotaract. The goal of this session is to inform Rotarians about Rotaract, what the Rotaract Clubs in our district are up to, some success stories about working with Rotaract, and how Rotarians and Rotaractors can support each other further and build stronger relationships. In part of the session, we will discuss what Rotarians from across the district think of Rotaract.
 
To help make this session as effective as possible for the audience, we're collecting your views about Rotaract ahead of time so we can speak to them thoughtfully. Please take a moment to fill out our survey at http://goo.gl/forms/OObK0CcT6n. The more responses and the more thoughtful responses we get, the better the session! 
 
We want to hear from all Rotarians in our district, regardless of whether or not you are attending the District Conference, or if you have an existing relationship with Rotaract. This information will be used to support Rotarians and Rotaractors across the district, long after the Conference. 
 
Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you,
 
Katie Wilson
Director of Rotary Relations
University of Lethbridge Rotaract Club
 
Marc LeBlanc
District Rotaract Chair
Bethany Rotary Partnership Project

As part of the ongoing development

of the Bethany Rotary Partnership Project (BRPP), representatives of the BRPP Committee met at Humpty’s on March 14 where Tony Knight presented a $25,000 cheque representing Rotary Club of Calgary West’s initial contribution to the project.
 
Bethany Care Society Board Chair, Jerry Rasmussen, and Bethany Care Foundation Board Chair, Susan Healy, expressed their gratitude for this generous donation and spoke about the many benefits to Bethany, goodwill and friendships already being realized during these early days of the partnership. The proposed Rotary Atrium Garden will be at the heart of Bethany Riverview, a purpose built dementia care residence to be constructed in SE Calgary over 2016-2018. Calgary West’s gift will be utilized to kick start the project, and in particular, the design process for the Atrium.
 
The Committee is continuing to respond to numerous requests for presentations on the project to Clubs in the District and invites all Clubs to learn more about the BRPP and opportunities that will be jointly developed throughout the life of the partnership to promote both partner brands and to advance Rotary International’s challenge to Rotarians to participate in service, not only ‘for’ seniors but ‘with’ them. 
All Alberta Rotaract Forum

Twenty-seven Rotaractors from five clubs met in Red Deer March 5 & 6 for the All Alberta Rotaract Forum (soon to be rebranded as the Rotaract Summit).  The Rotaract Forum is organized by Rotaractors specifically for Rotaractors.  These Rotaractors came from University of Lethbridge, Calgary, University of Alberta, Edmonton, and Red Deer. 

We had a busy day and a half of speakers, breakout sessions and time to learn from each other.  The breakout sessions focused on membership, fundraising and service projects.  The speakers talked about ‘Rotary on your Resume’, the ‘Happiness Challenge’ and ‘Marketing ourselves’.  The keynote speaker, Justin Flunder, spoke about ‘Being the Best Version of Yourself’.  Each speaker added to the Forum and all of us took away nuggets of information to bring back to our clubs.

We are all looking forward to the 2017 Rotaract Summit, hosted by the University of Alberta and Edmonton Rotaract clubs.

Speaker's Corner
 
To assist in your search for quality speakers at your meetings, please see below and submit suggestions.

 

You can help save a life — or make life better for many people.

 
Calgary West is part of a program to increase awareness of the need for organ & tissue donors. Our member, speaking from personal experience, is available on short notice to speak to your Club on this very important health issue.
 
Email Clare Bildfell or call 403-228-1060

The Alberta Science and Technology Leadership (ASTech) Foundation

is a not-for-profit organization founded through an industry initiative in 1989 to showcase the substantial achievements in Science & Technology in Alberta and to promote the importance of these activities to social and economic benefit.   ASTech has grown with the support of Patron organizations spanning major industries – including agriculture, health, education, energy and technology – all of whom recognize and celebrate innovation and excellence in Alberta.
 
To find a suitable speaker for meeting or events, you can go to http://astech.ca/speakermap
 
If you would like to be connected to a speaker, or want more information, you can email Krystle Frisky or call 403-921-0719 
 
 

 
Speaker suggestions can be submitted anytime to Charlene Bearden, District Administrator.
Seeking Applications for Rotary Peace Fellowship

District 5360 Seeking Applications for Rotary Peace Fellowship

(for study starting in 2017)
 
District 5360 is seeking applications for Rotary’s Peace Fellowships. Peace fellowships are for master’s degree programs in peace and conflict resolution/prevention at one of the following institutions: Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US; International Christian University, Japan; University of Bradford, UK; University of Queensland, Australia; Uppsala University, Sweden. For those with more extensive experience in peace-related fields, there is a three-month program in peace and conflict resolution at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
 
District Application Deadline: May 31, 2016.
 
Applications forms and additional information are available by clicking here
 
Email application to Hendrik Kraay, Rotary District 5360 Scholarship Team Lead
 
For More Information, click here or email Hendrik Kraay, or call 403-852-9531.
 
Desperate need for shelter in Fiji after Cyclone Winston
ShelterBox Update – April 2016
Cyclone Winston hit the islands of Fiji on February 20th and was the most powerful storm ever recorded in the South Pacific, with winds over 285 km/hr, torrential rain and 12m waves. The cyclone left 42 dead, buildings flattened and crops destroyed. Hundreds of thousands were affected, and 97 schools were damaged or destroyed. A state of natural disaster was declared by the Fiji Government, and they put a call out for international aid.
 
The United Nations estimates that as many as 350,000 people may have been affected, over a third of the Fijian population. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also says that access to fresh water remains a particular concern. 67,000 Fijians had been suffering drought conditions in January due to El Nino, and most of them live in the corridor affected by the cyclone.
 
ShelterBox has been responding since the Cyclone hit, utilizing prepositioned stock in Fiji as well as New Zealand and Australia. Our ShelterBox Response teams have already been able to deliver tents and ShelterBoxes to families on six remote islands.  Canadian SRT, Ron Noseworthy (Member and Past President of The Rotary Club of Kenora) was recently deployed to deliver aid to families after the storm.
 
More aid is on the way, including 2,000 solar lights that will provide light and safety to communities without power, and 2000 complete ShelterBoxes, but it’s not enough. There are still many tiny islands too remote to have received help. We need your support to send more aid to assist families who have lost everything after the storm.
 
Youth Exchange Students Are Stepping Up To Help!
The Youth Exchange Students in District 5360 are embracing the Rotary value of Service Above Self. These students have come from around the world, including many from countries that have experienced disasters where families have been saved by the support of Rotary and ShelterBox. 
 
On April 9 the students are hosting a dinner to raise funds in support of ShelterBox.  Much of what they raise will likely be used to help the families of Fiji.  It only works with your support.  For tickets please contact a YEX student or Ron Prokosh Rprokosch@prokoschgroup.com 403-651-1722.
 
 http://shelterboxcanada.org/uploads/images/rotary_partner_button.gif
 
Thank you!
 
ShelterBox Canada – 159 Jane St Office 2, Toronto, ON M6S 3Y8
DISTRICT & GLOBAL GRANTS - APPLICATIONS NOW LIVE
If your club is interested in a District grant related to small projects, scholarships, vocational training teams and youth, the applications are now on-line at www.rotary5360.org .  Remember to submit your applications early and allow sufficient time for your club president to sign off - before the May 11th deadline
 
PLEASE, DO NOT LEAVE IT TILL THE LAST DAY!
 
For clubs organizing a Global Grant, the application for District Designated Funds (DDF) is also live on www.rotary5360.org.  You will need a Global Grant number to submit a complete DDF application.  Competition was fierce last year, so try to submit your Type A and Type C applications as early as possible. DDF is allocated on a first come first awarded basis.   We are so fortunate to have this level of DDF to help us do larger international projects.
 
REMEMBER - YOUR CLUB MUST BE "QUALIFIED" TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
 
Questions can be submitted to D5360GrantsHelpDesk@gmail.com
Make a Difference...become a mentor
The Mentoring Program is a crucial part of the Rotary Syrian Refugee project. We are looking for Rotarians, or Rotarian Couple of step up and become mentors.
 
So….  What is involved?
 
Each mentor is assigned one family.  The mentor reviews the profile of the family and makes a decision as to whether they feel this family is a good fit.  The family also has an opportunity to know about the mentor who could be assigned to ensure they agree.  These matches are overseen by Rotarian Ghada Alatrash who makes the connections, and backs up the mentors to ensure that it will be a fit and will work as time goes by.
 
The Syrian Women’s Club backs up the program with translators, as some of the Refugees are struggling
In this area.
 
The general commitment is for one year of support.  Initially during first few weeks there may be several visits, but as the Refugees start making their own connections and get adjusted, the mentor may only be in contact on a monthly basis.  The amount of time involved varies a great deal depending on the needs of the family.
 
What do the Mentors do?
 
  • First and foremost mentors offer a hand of friendship and support!
  • Establish what their situation is in the lodging that they have.  Do they have basic needs met?  What more do they need?
  • Explore the needs with the parents. What do they say they need?   Whether it be immediate needs for basics, or an understanding of how to use the C-Train, or get to a school (maybe take the child to the school and act as an intermediary with the school officials), where grocery stores are, how to get there; how to access language training, the job situation, etc. mentors either have the information, know where to find the information or have much easier access to people who can help with finding the information.
  • Planning a special event with the family is always appreciated.  This could be an outing to Chunky Cheese, (see photo with Rotarian couple, the Mostafas, with their family at CC} or a meal at your home, or a ride around town on the C-Train, or visit to the Zoo etc.
  • The mentor will receive advice and back up, and can seek assistance at any time.  “I don’t know, but will find out.” Is a very appropriate response to some questions or concerns.
  • Each family receives a brief explanation of what the mentors can and cannot do.  This page of information written in Arabic is given to the family.
There will be a training/consultation night for mentors, prospective mentors and others interested.  If you would like to attend contact Garth Toombs at garthtoombs@shaw.ca.  The meeting will be held at the Calgary Scouts House 2140 Brownsea Drive NW (adjacent to Memorial Drive) at 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Tuesday, April 19.
 
If you have an interest in being a Mentor, or even just finding out more, contact one of the people below.
Ghada Alatrash   ghadaalatrash@live.com
Barb Young   barbary1@telus.net
Paul Bates    pt.bates@me.com
Manon Mitchell   manon@mycadenza.com
Garth Toombs   garthtoombs@shaw.ca 
NOW ACCEPTING BRAGS !

Do you have a story to tell ?

Do you want to engage in a partnership ?

Do you want to share information on how you progressed an idea and results achieved ?

Send articles, write ups, or casual jottings that include the Five Ws and photos if available to newsletter editor Charlene Bearden, District Administrator to be included in the next monthly newsletter.
 
Newsletters are scheduled to be published on the First Friday of the month and articles are due the Wednesday prior.
 
Rotary Days

Rotary Days – Are you Ready?

Get ready Rotarians for Rotary Day Saturday April 23rd 2016. What is Rotary Day? It’s a way to celebrate Rotary and spend time together as a club to engage with your community. You choose how you want to do it! What could that look like?
  •   Hold a bridge tournament
  •   Rent a local arena and offer a free community skate
  •   Offer a free swim at a local pool
  •   Read to kids in the local library
  •   Visit an elderly home and talk to seniors
  •   Volunteer at a food bank
  •   Collect gently used toys at a local grocery store
  •   Organize a youth dance or talent competition at a local school
 
Be creative! Be innovative! All you have to do is come up with an idea to engage in your community and it can be anything that will work for your club and your community. Please email Charlene to share your fantastic ideas as well as your pictures on Rotary Day so we can share all these wonderful activities throughout our District.
 
DG Martin Harvey
Short Term Exchange Program seeks Students


DISTRICT 5360 is looking for students interested in the SHORT TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM this summer.


About the Program
The purpose of the program is to promote international peace, goodwill and understanding through an exchange.
Rotary acts as the facilitator by matching students/families of similar age, sex and interests. Students have the chance to meet their exchange by social media and skype. 

One of the students will first visit the family he or she is matched with for a period of 3 to 4 weeks. Then, the two students will fly (usually together) to the other family and the process is reversed.

To be eligible students must be between the ages of 15 and 18.

Cost of the program is $200 administration fee, airfare, insurance and spending money.

How To Apply
The student who is to apply: Go to the web page www.YEX5360.org.    Under the section marked “Downloads and Resources” look for the “Preliminary Application”.  When completed, take this to your local Rotary club for an interview. If you are accepted for an exchange you will then fill out the full application form and start the process.

Deadline for applications is February 15, 2016. This will be extended for accepting applications please send in as soon as possible

 
RYLA - Next Event May 12- 15, 2016

RYLA 2016 is set for May 12th-15th in Canmore, Alberta, which coincides with the District Conference. This, as I'm sure you can imagine, presents some fantastic opportunities for both Rotary and RYLA. This year's theme for RYLA is Ignite Your Spark. Through this weekend, our goal is to have participants realize and nurture their leadership potential, so  at the end of the weekend they are empowered to create change through leadership in their communities. 
 
The weekend will include presentations by incredible speakers. Some of our presenters this year are Alison Springer, who brings an energetic perspective on the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people, Cory Johnson who speaks about his own personal experience about how he did not let his cerebral palsy hold him back from creating change and living his life, and Dino Mariani, who speaks about overcoming tragedy and being the best version of oneself while following one's passion. In addition to these amazing speakers, the weekend will also include an Eco Journey, a set of dynamic and engaging team-building exercises. The weekend will also be an opportunity to create memories, and form friendships and connections that will positively change the lives of the attendees. 
 
The price has remained the same at $500, and registration is easily filled out online. We will follow up with waiver forms, etc. upon receiving the registration for the participants. 
 
Registration Deadline: April 15th
Cost: $500/student
 
Cheques can be made out to Rotary District 5360, Memo: RYLA and be sent to: 
 
Rotary District 5360
201 - 4 Parkdale Crescent NW
Calgary, AB
T2N 3T8
Presidential Message
Presidential Message
April 2016
 

Many years ago, in Kolkata, India, I had the chance to meet Mother Teresa. She was an incredible woman with an incredible force of personality. When she walked down the street, the crowd parted in front of her like the Red Sea. Yet when you talked to her, if you mentioned the tremendous things she had done, she almost did not engage in this topic at all. By many reports, if you asked her what her greatest achievement was, she would answer, "I am an expert in cleaning toilets."

The answer was both humorous and absolutely serious. Her business was caring for others. Toilets had to be cleaned, so she cleaned them. There was no question of a job being beneath her. Helping people who needed help was her work, and there was nothing higher, nothing in the world more important than that.

So one day, when an elegantly dressed man came to Kolkata looking for Mother Teresa, the nuns who answered the door informed him that she was at the back of the house, cleaning the toilets. They pointed the way, and indeed he found Mother Teresa scrubbing the toilets. She said hello, assumed he was there to volunteer, and began explaining to him how to hold the toilet brush correctly and how not to waste water. Then she put the brush in his hand and left him standing there, in his expensive suit, alone in the lavatory.

Later, the man came out, found Mother Teresa again, and said, "I have finished; may I speak with you now?" "Yes, certainly," she said. He took an envelope out of his pocket and said, "Mother Teresa, I am the director of the airline, and here are your tickets. I just wanted to bring them to you personally."

That airline director told that story again and again for the rest of his life. He said those 20 minutes spent cleaning toilets had filled him with the greatest joy he had ever known – because by putting his hands to Mother Teresa's work, he became part of that work. For those 20 minutes, he cared for the sick just as she did: with his own hands, his own sweat.

That is exactly the opportunity that Rotary gives us. We might not do what Mother Teresa did – give up our lives, our homes, our families. But for 20 minutes, 20 hours, 20 days of the year, we can be like her.

We can do the work that others will not with our hands, and our hearts, and our sweat, and our devotion – knowing that what we do is the most important work in the world.

 

 
Bulletin Editor
Charlene Bearden
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage
You are receiving this email because you are a Rotarian in District 5360.
 
Rotary International District 5360 Inc.
201 - 4 Parkdale Crescent NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 3T8
Tel: (403) 670-2624
 
RI President:  K.R. Ravindran - District Governor: Martin Harvey