We are now 4 months into our Rotary year, and I continue to be impressed with the energy, dedication and innovation shown by our clubs. By visiting almost exclusively on Zoom, the creativity and imagination that I have witnessed is amazing.
We all know Rotary's tremendous power to transform our communities and ourselves. However, in every community, people have been left out, and we have not made a strong enough effort to reach them.
Every November, Rotary Day at the United Nations highlights the humanitarian activities that Rotary and the UN lead around the world. In past years, members have spent the day at UN headquarters in New York City or one of the organization’s other offices where they hear keynote speakers and share information.
What is your Rotary Club doing in November to celebrate and focus on The Rotary Foundation?
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio, promoting peace and protecting our environment.
Protecting our environment has officially become an area of focus for Rotary International. Given RI's commitment to this important goal, District 7080 has taken action. We have established a District Environment Committee (DEC). The inaugural meeting took place on October 28th and established our role and goals.
As Rotarians, we belong to Rotary for the satisfaction of knowing that we are contributing in our own way to make our community and our world a better place. Service above Self. However as District, it is important to recognize and celebrate the many significant contributions that are quietly and selflessly being made by dedicated Rotarians and Rotary Partners, and to recognize clubs which strive to build their membership and strengthen the communities they are part of. The District 7080 Awards are one way of recognizing those contributions and accomplishments.
On Sunday, September 13th, the Milton Rotary Club, in partnership with local organizers and members of the Milton Optimist Club, hosted an event called the Milton Cruisin’ Parade that involved 67 vehicles.
Fergus Elora Rotary Club member Neil Dunsmore took the first steps to stopping the silence around mental health and suicide by walking 531 km from the Township of Centre Wellington to the nation’s capital, Ottawa. When asked why he would take on such a challenge, Dunsmore answered with a typical Rotarian response “It’s about my community!”.
The Rotary Club of Georgetown organized and led an ambitious project to plant 2020 trees, distributed between two ravine areas of Georgetown. This event, named “Planting For Our Future,” was part of the club’s goal to positively impact the natural environment of our town, and to recognize our 65th anniversary. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the project was limited to 80 community volunteers and one day of planting.
