March is Water and Sanitation month in Rotary.
This video begins on a high note. As you all know, our dear friend and fellow Rotarian, Carole Berry, who went missing for 3 days, has been found and reunited with her family.
Carole, we are so happy and blessed to have you back with us. We wish you all the very best with your recovery! We look forward to seeing your smiling face around the District!
Welcome fellow Rotarians to our March update. The month of March marks the first day of Spring on March 20th the Spring Equinox.
In Rotary, March is Water and Sanitation Month, and March 22nd is World Water Day!
Clean water is a basic human right that many are often denied. There are 2.5 billion people in the world that lack access to improved sanitation and 748 million people that don’t have clean drinking water. Nearly 1,400 children die each day from diseased caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water.
When people have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives.
Rotary members are committed to reaching the water and sanitation SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, introduced by the United Nations in 2015. We build wells, install rainwater harvesting systems, and teach community members how to maintain new infrastructure through our sustainable projects.
February was a busy month in our District! February 2nd to the 5th, the Youth Exchange Committee and the Governor Team along with the current inbound and new outbound students enjoyed a weekend of winter camping at Camp Wanakita. On February 25th Youth Exchange Country announcement day took place. This is a very exciting day where the outbound students for 2018-19 learn which country they will visit. Photos will follow in the April video.
Our District has a great Youth Exchange program and I encourage your club to become involved. Ed Fowler, our Youth Exchange Chair will be happy to answer any questions you may have on hosting and sending out an exchange student.
On February 10th our 2018-19 Presidents class began their journey as leader of their clubs at PETS 1. On March 2nd and 3rd they will attend their second session of training at Multi District PETS in Toronto.
A PAST DISTRICT GOVERNORS meeting was held on February 15th in Cambridge. John Gilvesy District Governor Elect gave us a report on his time in San Diego and the Rotary goals for 2018-19
Rotary Erin, had a Family Day Event on Family Day where they helped over 600 people celebrate. They had free skating, a free movie, carnival games, face painting and lunch. Rotary received accolades that day in the Town of Erin!
Here are a few events that Timothy and I attended in February.
The District Chair of the Paul Harris Society organized a dinner for Paul Harris Society members at the Old Marina Restaurant on February 1st.
The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra held a Valentine’s Day Concert at the Living Arts Centre on February 10th, sponsored by a few of the Rotary Clubs in Mississauga.
Rotary Brampton held a special luncheon meeting to celebrate Black History month on February 5th.
Rotary Brampton also hosted the Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan at a luncheon on February 15th. There was a great turnout of District Rotarians, to greet PERRY JOHN CALDERWOOD.
He praised Rotary’s effort to eliminate Polio! He reminded us of the ongoing help we receive from the Government of Canada in our fight to eradicate the disease.
Perry John Calderwood was invited to attend the Brampton club by Norm Bindon and Badar Shamim who, along with Hajra Wilson and Mia Manson, met him in Pakistan on the recent Polio Immunization trip.
This team of Rotarians from our district led by Polio Chair Hajra Wilson travelled to Pakistan, in January, to take part in National Immunization Days in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. In addition to administering polio vaccine in clinics, railway stations and door-to-door they participated in literacy projects in many schools and visited several Rotary supported hospitals. They reported receiving exceptional hospitality from their Pakistani Rotarian hosts and complimented the very efficient polio eradication campaign in that country.
Rotary Erin celebrated their 20th anniversary on February 17th at Davids Restaurant in Erin. Congratulations, Erin!
The Rotary Club of Acton will be celebrating their 70th Anniversary on March 27th.
The Rotary Club of Brampton Heartlake will hold The Davis Cup Annual Mock Trials on March 2nd and 23rd at the Grenville William Davis Court House in Brampton and Rotary Club of Brampton Heartlake member, Justice Nancy Kastner of the Ontario Court of Justice is one of the regional judicial contacts and is a major contributor to the success of the Mock Trials. Former Premier Bill Davis will also be in attendance. The main purpose of the Mock Trials is to give high school students the opportunity of building advocacy skills while increasing their knowledge of the judicial system and gaining first-hand experience in the complexity of resolving legal issues.
The W Booth School at McMaster University is excited to participate in a manufacturing-related project meant to assist communities in developing countries.
The Wheelchair Development Project is a humanitarian initiative of Rotary Burlington. The club is collaborating with a variety of partners, including a fellow Rotary club in San Salvador, to help persons with disabilities access affordable wheelchairs. The goal is to design a basic, functional wheelchair that can be produced locally in low tech fabrications shops using locally sourced materials, components and labour. This project is being led by Burlington Rotarian Peter French. Great work, Rotary Burlington!!
Thank you to all who have contributed to the news video this month!
Have a terrific March. See you in April!
Yours in Rotary,
Kathi