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