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It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world

Posted by Erin Shankie

March 2022

Happy (almost) spring! It’s currently snowing as I look out the window, but I am hopeful that clearer skies are on the way!

I am also hopeful for peace in our world. As you are most likely aware, our world is experiencing turmoil right now and being a worldwide organization, Rotary has released the following statement:

It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.

At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.

As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.

In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence. Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.

Many of you have asked how you can assist Ukraine. Here are a few options:

ShelterBox is responding to the Ukraine crisis and sending a team to eastern Europe. We are working to understand the type of emergency shelter people fleeing Ukraine need, if our aid will be suitable, and which locations we might be able to work in. We are coordinating with local authorities, Rotary, and other aid organizations to make sure as many people as possible will receive the help they need. For information and updates visit:

USA https://www.shelterboxusa.org/the-ukraine-crisis-explained/

CANADA: https://www.shelterboxcanada.org/the-ukraine-crisis-explained/

In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The Rotary Foundation has created an official channel for Rotary members around the world to contribute funds to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary districts and has designated its Disaster Response Fund as the main avenue for contributions. More information can be found here: https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-foundation-creates-channel-direct-humanitarian-support-ukraine-region
The London Ukrainian Centre is collecting donations for relief efforts for those living in Ukraine https://london.ctvnews.ca/london-ukrainian-centre-updates-donation-requests-to-send-overseas-1.5803713

To donate in Canada visit:

https://www.shelterboxcanada.org/the-ukraine-crisis-explained/

Please feel free to forward any additional opportunities for support to me and I will be happy to share them with the District 6330.

I wish each of you health, safety, and peace this month.

Yours in Service,

DG Erin

District Opportunities

District 6330 is currently looking for interested parties who are interested in the following roles:

Youth Protection Officer
Literacy Chair
Communications Committee Chair
Training Committee Chair

To learn more, please contact DG Erin at elamb.rotary@gmail.com.

Rotary Leadership Institute II

Posted by Diane Chantler on Jan 24, 2022

There is an upcoming RLI II and it will be run March 14th and 21st. The time for March 14th is 6:30-9:30 pm and March 21st 6:45 to 9:30 pm. We will be sending out a note to all our District Rotarians in early February with registration details.

Thanks,

Diane Chantler

D 6330 RLI Chair

District 6330 District Governor for 2024-2025 is....

Presidental Citation

Look who won the Presidental Citation in 2020 - 2021!

	District Passport Global Passport Festival City (Stratford) Flushing Grand Bend Greater Flint Sunrise London Hyde Park Meaford Sarnia St. Marys St. Thomas Stratford

Congratulations to all your Clubs!

The Rotary Club of District 6330 Passport has launched its new environmental project, 6330 PEP!

In upcoming months members will be available to speak with your club about this project.

The Passport club members will collect these items and we will use our community contacts to repurpose them. One of our community contacts is London, Ontario - Reduce, Reuse,Recycle. As we gain more contacts we will expand our project. Would your club like to partner with us?

Contact Lynn Coates lynn.coates.1@outlook.com or Sue Storie sastorie.rotary@gmail.com for more information.

Thanks,

Sue Storie

Why vaccinations matter

Scientific breakthroughs with vaccines have led to fewer measles outbreaks, the eradication of smallpox, and a reduction in worldwide polio cases by 99%. Building on our decades of experience supporting polio vaccinations, Rotary clubs are helping increase public trust in COVID-19 vaccinations and working toward the equitable distribution of these vaccines.

Learn more from this infographic

Talking to someone who is vaccine hesitant

As COVID-19 vaccines become available, vaccine hesitancy may remain one obstacle to achieving greater protection for all members of a community. Discussing the facts about vaccines can ease people’s anxiety and enable them to make informed decisions about getting vaccinated. As an organization with experience fighting polio, Rotary offers conversation tips that you can use to help people overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Get tips for discussing the benefits of vaccinations

Polio Update

Polio Headlines 11 May, 2022

The border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains fragile and one additional new case in Pakistan has been reported in May.

EVERY CHILD MATTERS

Last week the world learned that 215 bodies of Indigenous children were found in an unmarked mass grave on the property of the former Kamloops Residential School. This is a horrific reminder of a time in Canada's history that saw children torn from their families and placed in the residential school system. There are thousands of children still unaccounted for from this time. While we may be tempted to say this is in the past, over 7 generations of Indigenous people continue to feel indescribable effects of personal and intergenerational trauma to this day. This is not just a historical issue; it is a current issue.

Speaking as a descendant of settlers, we need to sit with the discomfort of our country's actions, that though we might not be directly responsible, we still greatly benefit from colonization in Canada. The discovery of the bodies of lost souls underscores the need for us to begin the work of understanding and reconciliation.

Our May Noon Zoom featuring John Currie ED of HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples), and Clay Melnike District 6330 HIP Co-ordinator was a first step in what will be a journey through some dark places on the way to enlightenment and unity.

Here is the link in case you missed it; https://youtu.be/T5EqxoiqxNQ

To honour the lives and spirits of those 215 children, I encourage you to wear orange this week.

If you are able to, please take a moment to pause @ 2:15pm and remember the children that never returned to their families and communities.

Yours in Rotary,

David Elliott

District Governor 2020-21

YOU can give people in Developing Countries a Hand Up

Hand Up is a group of approximately 15 Rotarians from across District 6330 who share a passion for International work. As you may be aware, Hand Up has not completed an International Project in the past year. Well, we are back and moving full speed ahead.

COVID caused us to pause and the ongoing Civil War in Cameroon, Africa is making it difficult for us to continue projects in that area. So, we are now looking at completing a water project in the village of Todos Santos in the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala.

Todos Santos is home to a community of native Mayan people who live high up in the mountains. Using gravity to transport water from the top of the mountain, the community already has a water system in place. However, during the dry season, they run out of water. The current small cistern stores some water, but it is unable to see the community through the dry months.

Did you miss our District 6330 Youth Exchange Reunion?

Our district youth exchange reunion was a lot of fun and inspirational too!

503 attendees requested a link via zoom,

40 + countries joined,

981 photo's shared

and conversations that continued into the afternoon!

Here is a link for the opening session https://youtu.be/_buI9OFUMNk

The video is on our district youtube channel where you’ll find related videos and other events

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbO3Ls-Mtve4SkDMJRZx7nA/videos

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

...More

Paul Harris Society wants you!

The Rotary Club of Stratford is pleased to announce the launch of our 5th annual Short Story Contest.

Rotary's Involvement with COVID-19 vaccination

Dear district governors,

In these difficult days, we are so heartened to receive such uplifting reports on the unrelenting efforts of our Rotary members who have responded in their communities against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, the single question we hear time and again as we traverse the virtual world is, “Are we getting involved with COVID vaccination?” Considering the success and expertise we have gained in our polio eradication effort, this question is both natural and timely.

The answer is yes. We will have an important role in the months ahead.

Learning Centre

Finding yourself with extra time on your hands? Why not brush up on your Rotary knowledge and skills from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Check it out at https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference

Welcome New Members to Rotary Basics

Are you unsure where to start with your new member orientation? Have members learn more about Rotary and even test their knowledge with the new Rotary Basics course in the Learning Center. They’ll read about Rotarians from around the world, learn about our values and causes, and deepen their understanding of Rotary through this interactive course.

The Rotary Basics course was designed for new Rotarians, but it’s also a great refresher for other members — and even nonmembers — who want to know more about Rotary.

To take the class, use the link above. Anyone who isn’t signed in to My Rotary will be prompted to do so before going to the Learning Center.

European Rotaract clubs organize to help Ukrainian refugees

Across Europe, Rotaract members are using digital tools to share information and coordinate to help people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine

Rotary members honored as Champions of Girls’ Empowerment

Six Rotary members were honored in March as People of Action: Champions of Girls’ Empowerment during Rotary Day with UNICEF in New York City. This distinction recognizes the honorees’ commitment to improving girls’ access to education, health, and sanitation and hygiene resources, as well as their work to create environments where girls can flourish.

Staff Corner: John Hewko