We are now 3 months into the Rotary year and our clubs and clusters are churning along as we address the needs in our communities and respond to issues around the world.
During a recent Zoom meeting with Rotarians and Rotaractors, I looked at the smiling faces on my screen and realized how much our organization has changed in a short period. It is clear that there is no going back to the "old normal" in Rotary — and I see that as an exciting opportunity!
Every year, Rotarians and Rotaractors across the globe mobilize for World Polio Day to raise awareness about eradicating polio for good. If we stay committed, polio will be the second human disease ever to be eradicated.
Using the vast infrastructure developed to identify the poliovirus and deliver vaccination campaigns, the polio eradication program is pitching in to protect the vulnerable from COVID-19, especially in polio-endemic countries. From Pakistan to Nigeria, the program is drawing on years of experience fighting outbreaks to support governments as they respond to the new virus.
A sincere thank you to Valarie Wafer (RI Director-elect) and Marty Peak Helman (Zone trainer) for organizing an excellent Online Summit. Recordings of the sessions are now available online.
The District Membership Committee is planning 4 webinars this year, with the first taking place on Oct 2nd at 7 PM. It will focus on “Attracting and Engaging Young Professionals”. Rebecca Fry, founder of Rotary’s first virtual club will be the key note speaker. Rebecca presented at the Honolulu Convention and the 2019 International Assembly.
Other presenters include Jananee Savuntharanathan of the D7080 Passport South Club and Kirk Langford of the Rotary Satellite Club of London, Ontario.
With 50 clubs and +1400 members, our district is a powerhouse of service and goodwill within Southern Ontario. Amazingly, we’re still a well-kept secret within many of the communities we serve. The PR Rock Star program is looking to help change that and we need you to be part of the plan!
Check out the District 7080 Speaker Resource List for potential speakers to invite to your club. Have a speaker you'd like to add on to the list? Send an email to District Assistant, Jananee at jananeesnathan@gmail.com
Twelve years ago, a literacy dream was created by Rotary called Telling Tales. Local clubs banded together to bring to their community a literary festival that would be free and accessible to all. It was an instant hit and has grown steadily; last year’s 2-day event attracted over 7,000 people.
The past several months has seen an incredible change in our world on a macro level. There is no one in the world that has not been affected by the pandemic that has reached every corner of the globe.
2020 marks the 11th year for the Rotary Online Auction. Started in 2009 by the Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar, the event now includes a total of 7 Clubs in District 7080. Over the past 3 years the event has successfully generated over $200K in net proceeds for participating clubs.
Thank you to all club members who submitted stories and images for this month’s issue of 7080 Connects. If you have a story that you’d like to share please sent it to connects@rotary7080.org
The deadline for submissions is October 23rd. All stories that don’t make it into the monthly bulletin will be posted on the district website, the district's Facebook Page or the District's Facebook Group.
