Rotary is a non-religious, non-political organization comprised of over 30 thousand service clubs and 1 million member-volunteers throughout the world. We are committed to making a lasting change though humanitarian projects that help people and build stronger communities.
This website is primarily a resource for Rotarians and Rotaractors within District 7080. That said, there is also plenty of information for people looking to learn more about our organization. Review the stories below to see what we've been up to lately, or go to www.rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International.
Do you know where you and your club fit on the DEI spectrum? Join us March 24 at 7:00 PM. Our presenter is RI Vice President Elect Valarie Wafer. Valarie is the chair of the Rotary International DEI Taskforce. You will learn how you and your club can take action to create lasting change and ensure you are Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive.
The District 7080 Peace Committee will be hosting its first webinar with guest presenter Holly White, an RI Peace Fellow. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 2nd at 7PM.
Save the Week: April 17 - 24, 2021 - Rotary Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup.
In 2021 The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors added a new area of focus: Supporting the environment. There's no better way to celebrate than participating in the first ever Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup on April 24, 2021.
Learn everywhere and anytime with Rotary’s Learning Center. Take courses, find resources, connect with an online community, and track your progress. To see a basic overview of all available courses click the link below.
2021-22 RI President Shekhar Mehta announced his theme "Serve to Change Lives" during the opening session of the International Assembly. The theme serves as an inspiration for all Rotarians and a rallying call for our efforts in 2021-2022. Watch incoming President Shekhar's official address at the International Assembly by clicking the link below.
In the face of many challenges and necessary adaptations, the Rotaract Club of Guelph has gone ahead with its annual Spring Gala fundraiser, but with several COVID-safe twists. Initially unsure of how to proceed with their biggest event of the year, the club has spent the better part of the past several months brainstorming how to keep the fundraising spirit alive while staying separated. Passionate to continue the spirit of giving back to the local community, the team elected to host the gala online over Zoom on Friday, March 5, 2021 with the tongue-in-cheek theme of “Mask-querade”.
March is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month. This is one of Rotary’s 7 Area of Focus. It is also on the list of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is the aim of the UN to have universal access to safely managed water and sanitation by 2030. But we have a long way to go. Every 2 minutes, somewhere in the world, a child dies as a result of poor hygiene or unsafe drinking water.
As someone who knows firsthand the great leadership potential of Rotaractors, I always look forward to World Rotaract Week, which we are celebrating from 8 to 14 March. Rotaractors are the focus of all three of my presidential conferences this year, and I was proud when, two years ago, the Council on Legislation voted to elevate Rotaract by including Rotaract clubs as members of Rotary International. Before that, the Council had already made dual membership possible, and shortly after, the Board of Directors decided to do away with Rotaract’s age limits.
As a Rotary brand specialist, I see Rotary signs everywhere. I guess you could say it’s an occupational hazard. Even my children spot Rotary signs wherever we go. So when I attended a local Rotary event in my hometown last year, I couldn’t help but notice how Rotary’s logo was being used.
The Disaster Advisory Resource Group (DARG) was established in the summer of 2020 to communicate, connect and coordinate information from members regarding local and international disaster initiatives. For clarification, the DARG Committee will not manage projects; their role is to provide information to support our members and clubs.
It all started last year with a request from Betty Jo Parent, Rotary Mississauga West, to find out how our members might provide emergency support to those affected by the disastrous Australian bushfires. (You can read the full story on our DARG pages.) Not long after, we were facing a crisis of our own – the COVID-19 pandemic. And a few weeks later came news of the Beirut explosion. Emails were flying between Rotarians and clubs who were eager to help, and we quickly realized that we needed some way to coordinate our efforts. But where to start?
Although the District 7080 Conference unfortunately could not take place in 2020, we are ramping up for the first ever virtual conference on May 29th, 2021!
It is with great pleasure that I announce the result of the selection process for the District Governor for Rotary year 2023-24 - Brenda Halloran of Rotary Waterloo.
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.
Beyond Borders News is published monthly and contains articles of interest to Rotary leaders. Regular features include reports of significant events in the Zones, appointments of Rotarians to Zone and Rotary International committees and task forces, outstanding project reports and stories of interest to Rotarians across the two Zones.
District Governor
Mike Lawrie welcomes you to the Rotary District 7080 website
<div>District Calendar & Important Dates</div>
District Newsletter
7080 Connects is the D7080 email newsletter. The newsletter is published monthly and includes the monthly District Governor message and current news, events and photos from around the District. If you would like to contribute or have content included in the newsletter please send it to: connects@rotary7080.org
7080 Connects is sent to all active and honorary members of District 7080. If you are not a member and would like to subscribe please click here.