February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month
Welcome February, Rotary Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month!
"It has been the way of Rotary to focus thought upon matters in which members are in agreement, rather than upon matters in which they are in disagreement.” Paul Harris
"Millions of people all over the world are currently displaced by armed conflict or persecution. In fact, 90% of casualties in armed conflicts are civilians, half of which are children. Through service projects and Rotary programs, we are committed to pursuing projects that address the structural causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Rotarians train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and aid refugees who have fled dangerous areas. Throughout the month of February, we encourage fellow Rotary members to check resources and inspirational success stories to help your club consider peace and conflict resolution projects.
Add your voice to the conversation by using the blog’s commenting feature and share how your club peace and conflict resolution initiatives on Rotary Showcase.
Our February 10th noon zoom will feature a presentation with Stephan Vachon Associate Professor, plus students from Ivey Business School and Centre for Environment and Sustainability on how you can be part of our district 6330 Environment day, April 24th.
Kirk Langford will provide details on how you can help us celebrate 50 years of youth exchange virtually June 5th.
Plus, we will also recognize major donors from Rotary Club of Hanover, Grand Bend and Northern Bruce Peninsula, who have accomplished this recognition by consistently supporting your Rotary Foundation, thank you!
To have your event listed, put it on your ClubRunner Calendar or send an email with details for your upcoming event to the Editor. Your feedback, suggestions, and submissions are welcomed.
If you have a story to tell, pictures to show off, or an event to publicize, please send it to the editor and we will publish it and/or make sure it gets on the District 6330 website.
Due to the pandemic, we’re no longer hosting an in-person event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program in D6330; however, we're very excited to announce our virtual 50th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 5, 2021—and registration is now open! Click here to register!
This virtual celebration is also an opportunity for D6330 RYE alumni, Rotarians, and host families to reconnect and catch up. We'll start with a group session to celebrate all that we have accomplished through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program in the past 50 years. Afterward, attendees will have a chance to break into small groups to visit with Rotarians from their host or sponsor club, other inbounds or outbounds from their year, and host families! The celebration starts at 9 am EST (Ontario, Canada time) and there is no cost to attend.
How we used the Prize money from the Story telling challenge - Rotary Club of Sarnia
Wow we won the contest! That was the joyful shock that we received when we heard our video won the District storytelling challenge back in the early summer. Our story about Nayara, an exchange student from Brazil, was compelling and changed her life but what a surprise to see that this story would once again help us change lives by providing us a cash prize for a project.
This has been the year of COVID and while I believe our club has adapted well with good online meeting attendance and quality fundraisers, COVID is always in the back of our mind with everything we currently do. Our club mission locally includes the support of kids in need. We do a lot of work with many agencies locally and especially Pathways that was originally the Rotary Children’s Centre in Sarnia.
Marian Bieman was a life-long friend of Rotary. Her father was one of the few RI Directors produced from our District. Gordon Beaton was from Markdale so Marion grew up in a Rotary family. She travelled widely with her dad and continued her Rotary journey with her husband PDG Bill Bieman (London East). She passed away on Tuesday January 19, 2021, here in London.
For Rotarians, here are the details on how they can join the funeral service by Zoom.
"A family funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, January 23 at Harris Funeral Home, London by The Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden. To join the service by Zoom, or for a link to a recording of the service, please contact the funeral home (519-433-7253 or info@harrisfuneralhome.ca). Interment Woodland Cemetery."
Donations in memory of Marian can be made to the Rotary Club of London East Polio Plus trust account.
There are District Grant Funds in the 20-21 grants allocation that are unused. Therefore, we are opening up an opportunity for Clubs to apply for another grant following the criteria listed below:
1. Grant allowance per Club is your Club's unused allocation. i.e. $2,000 - grant used this year
2. Grant administrators must be qualified
3. Grant proposals will be accepted starting February 1, 2021. Rotary Foundation approval will be needed
Holger Knaack President, 2020-21 T +1.847.866.3467
F +1.847.866.3390
holger.knaack@rotary.org
Dear Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends,
By now we have sadly grown accustomed to hearing of the need to shift major public events to being held virtually rather than face to face. Unfortunately, the Rotary Board of Directors was compelled to again make the difficult decision to celebrate this year’s International Convention as a virtual event. While this may not be an unexpected decision, it is still a deeply disappointing one — for us and for our friends in Taiwan who have been planning an exceptional event. I want to thank the Host Committee for the admirable job they did building support for what surely would have been one of Rotary’s finest events.
We had hoped that a combination of vaccine uptake and public health measures would have brought the COVID-19 pandemic under control. We all know that in many parts of the world the pandemic is still raging and we must maintain our vigilance and patience before resuming major public gatherings. Taiwan has done an admirable job managing the pandemic — and local Rotarians were still eager to host and celebrate with us. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization and the local public health organization in Taiwan, it became clear that an event of this scale would be impossible to host safely.
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.
The first virtual RLI for 2020 was recently held in November with 15 successful participants completing level one. Congratulations to:
Kitty Bucsko (D6330 Passport)
Elizabeth Jordan (Flint)
Opah Murozoki (Global Passport)
Wilkin Accilien (Global Passport)
Rosse Birt (Global Passport)
Dawn Kershaw (Global Passport)
Susan Moore (Grand Bend)
Angela Lots (Greater Flint Sunrise)
Jill Lyons (Lapeer)
David Elliott (London)
Joanne Clement (Meaford)
Ross Jackson (Petrolia)
Allison Kingston (Rotaract Toronto)
Sara Dolbeck (Southampton)
George Noll (Watford)
Thanks to our excellent facilitators who orchestrated a great program. Deb Stacey-Rivers (Festival City), Bill Chantler (St Thomas Railway City), PDG Pat Voegelin (Sarnia Bluewaterland), PDG Dennis Dinsmore (Genesee Valley), and Allan Loiselle (District 6330 Passport). A special thank-you to Helen Campbell our RLI Admin and to Mike Chaffee, who was our technical support person for Zoom & moved our surveys to an online format.
The Rotary Learning & Information (RLI) is a series of fast-paced, interactive courses offered to refine a Rotarian’s leadership skills and increase their base of knowledge in Rotary. Courses are fun, topical, interactive, and geared toward busy business, professional and community minded Rotarians. Future sessions are being planned so watch The Bridge for information.
For patients who lack options, a virtual visit can mean the difference between going with or without care.
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February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month
There are District Grant Funds in the 20-21 grants allocation that are unused. Therefore, we are opening up an opportunity for Clubs to apply for another grant following the criteria listed below:
