October 2019

7080 Connects
Summer holidays are over, students are back to school, Fall is upon us…and your October newsletter has arrived!  
 
What’s been happening? We had our first Presidents’ Meeting on September 12th.  Our thanks go to the Kitchener Waterloo Presidents Brenda Halloran, Paul Rostrup, Chris Toal, Laura Power and Richard Cantin for organizing a great meeting. Tess Widdifield and Stephanie Christensen from ShelterBox were guest speakers.  Ed Davis (President Fergus-Elora), David Clement (President Brampton) and Paul Rostrup (President Kitchener) shared new ideas that their clubs are currently implementing.
Presidents’ Meeting Speakers - September 12, 2019
In September, two cluster celebrations were held in the Dufferin Erin Caledon Cluster and the Mississauga Cluster.  There’s definitely a “buzz” when you see the amazing service our members provide in their communities and around the world! This month, we will be holding 5 cluster celebrations in Oakville, Woodstock & Oxford, Cambridge, Brampton and Burlington.  If you’ve missed the event in your area, please connect with your Assistant Governor (AG) to see if you can attend an alternate event. It’s a wonderful way to connect and learn what’s happening around our district.  The “Key Dates” schedule is on the main page of our District website. 
 
The really big news is that we celebrated our Million Dollar Campaign on September 16th with a dinner at Spencers’ in Burlington. Members of District 7080 contributed a whopping US$2.861,000. A stellar achievement - the largest ever campaign total by any single district in Zone 24 East, and in all of Canada!  Please see IPDG John Gilvesey’s report below for more information.
 
After attending the Zone Conference in Niagara Falls, we return energized, with a wealth of information and new ideas, and with the knowledge that there is much we need to do! We met RI President Elect Holger Knaack and his wife Susanne, and chatted with him about what we need to do in order to strengthen and grow the Rotary brand. We are energized and excited to share these new ideas with you at the upcoming mini- membership summits.
 
So onward and upward as we continue with the flamingo challenge to look for better ways to strengthen, revitalize and grow our clubs, programs, projects and community service. It’s certainly an exciting time to be in Rotary! Have an awesome October!
 
 
 
Quote of the Month “The ultimate resource in economic development is people. It is people, not capital or raw materials that develop an economy.” – Peter Drucker
 
Lesley Barmania, Governor 2019-20
Rotary Club of Mississauga Meadowvale
October is Economic and Community Development Month
Read more...
Million Dollar Dinner (MDD) ... a wonderful evening!
 

Message from Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) John Gilvesy

This event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a great effort and commitment to the ideals of Rotary. It was a year ago on September 13, 2018 that a group of eight sat around a table to explore this idea to raise $1 million for The Rotary Foundation. Senior Major Gifts Officer and PDG John Stairs explained the MDD campaign process.
 
We did a little better than $1 million. In fact, during the campaign, we raised around $3.5M Canadian dollars or nearly $2.9 US dollars! This was the largest ever campaign total by a single District in Zone 24 east…and in all of Canada!
Read more...
Rotaract News
A Message from the District Rotaract Representatives: Pari & Jananee
 
The 2019-2020 DRRs for 7080 will be visiting individual Rotaract Clubs throughout the month of October and November to establish relationships and look out for any help your clubs need. 
 
Are you interested in joining the District Rotaract Committee? We are currently looking for Rotaractors and Rotarians who are interested! Please email rotaract7080@gmail.com for more information.
 

Did You Know?

Foundation Giving Awards - 2018-2019

D7080 received an award for the 2nd Highest Per Capita Giving by District to the Annual Program Fund of $139.25 per person, and the 3rd Highest Per Capita Giving to the Polio Fund by District. Sincere thanks go to all members, clubs, Friends of Rotary and others who help us make the world a better place.

The New Rotary Disaster Response Fund
 
Gifts to the fund cannot be directed to a specific disaster but are available to districts through Rotary Disaster Response Grants. Districts that are qualified for Rotary grants, meet the eligibility guidelines, and are in an area that has been affected by a natural disaster can apply for a grant of up to $25,000, based on the availability of funds. “Historically, Rotary has struggled in our role to address immediate needs after disasters. We are not a relief organization,” says Mary Beth Growney Selene, a past Foundation trustee. “Our clubs are better equipped for long-term recovery. However, this new fund will allow our members to respond swiftly and effectively, bringing hope to those who have been affected by disaster.” Districts can use this kind of grant to start their own projects or work with established relief organizations to help their communities recover from events like hurricanes or earthquakes. 
 
Zone Conference Niagara Falls - September 19th - 21st, 2019  
 
Attending Zone and RI conferences and conventions is such an amazing way to stay current.  At the recent Zone Conference in September, District 7080 had representation from a Club President, Club President Elect, Rotaract President, District leadership team, Council members, partners and spouses. We had the opportunity to speak with RI leaders and ask questions that we’ve always wanted to ask!  
 
For me, it confirmed that D7080 is on the right track as we move forward this year.  Looking for better paths, and changing to ways that might enhance the Rotary experience is essential.   As you know by now, our # 1 internal priority is to strengthen and grow the Rotary brand.  This was emphasized by Incoming RI President Holger Knaack, RI Director Jeffry Cadorette and other RI and Zone leaders. 
 
We usually try to provide “good news” stories in our monthly newsletter, but the following was a key message that we all took away from the conference, and that you need to know.
 
The not-so-good news is that in North America, we are at a critical juncture.  For the first time ever, our membership in North America has dropped to 28% of the total global membership, and continues to drop.  
 
Resources
 
Engaging Younger Rotarians Toolkit
 
Welcoming younger professionals into Rotary is essential for us. RI’s digital kit will help you rethink membership and bring emerging leaders into your club. For more details:
 
 
Guide to Corporate Membership
 
Learn how to engage your local businesses and offer a new membership type to a few of the business employees.
 
 
How to Avoid Copyright Infringement
 
As we become more active on social media and developing our club websites, it may be tempting to use pictures off the internet. However, in the September issue of Rotary Leader, an important article relating to copyright infringement was brought to attention that I encourage all Rotarians to read here before being tempted to use graphics from the internet. 
Countdown To History - World Polio Day - October 24th
 
World Polio Day will be celebrated on Thursday, 24th October 2019 globally, to generate awareness towards eradication of polio as well as to commemorate the efforts of thousands of employees of WHO and other volunteers committed to the eradication of Polio. On World Polio Day, thousands of Rotary clubs around the world will hold events and fundraisers to recognize our progress in the global fight to end polio.
 
Rotary International’s 2019 online global update will air in multiple time zones and languages, reaching more people and raising more awareness than ever before.  You can visit the Rotary International Facebook page to RSVP your online global update.  For more information, go to: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day
 
 
 
 
What is your club doing on October 24th?
 
Flamingo Challenge
 

Success Stories

Sent by Betty Jo Parent from Rotary Club of Mississauga West:

"Mississauga West had a Fellowship night. Purpose was to look internally - “get to know each other. Each person was assigned a table number to sit at (to mix up the group). At dinner each table played two truths and a lie (I was surprised at how many didn't know of that game). After dinner we did a flash back to our newsletter 35 years earlier, read by one of the current members who was mentioned in the newsletter, had some history on our summer event -“ Movies in the Park-“ then we ended by each person standing up and talking about one thing they learned about the person to the left.  It was the most animated meeting I have ever been too. Next one I think we will open the bar!"

To share your ideas/success stories, visit our newly built Flamingo Challenge page on our website. You will need to be logged in as a member to view the page.

https://rotary7080.org/page/flamingo-challenge/

Bits 'n Bites
 
New International Convention Committee Chair
 
Please join me in welcoming and thanking Anum Nazir, President of Rotaract Oakville who has volunteered to take on the role of D7080 International Convention Committee Chair - Honolulu 2020.  Please offer her your congratulations, gratitude and support. Her email is Anum Nazir, anumfnazir@gmail.com.
 
D7080 Conference - May 30th, 2020
 
Keep an eye out this month for our promotional video and early bird special for our exciting, unique and fun-filled District Conference on May 30th, 2020.  You told us what you wanted...and we listened. So pen the date into your calendars and consider bringing family and friends. It’ll be a blast!
 
Friendship Exchange
Message from Eva Quijano, Friendship Exchange Chair
 
Hi Rotary Family, our friendship exchange promotes friendship and cooperation on International projects.  It is open to members and non-members who take turns hosting one another in their homes. Here is our October update:
 
Yeah!  Our Mexican family will soon be here - October  31 - November 7. Please don’t miss the opportunity to connect and tour with them.  Next week I will send a link to sign up. You will love them!
 
Our Taiwan Family will be here May 3-9, 2020.  I still need one more enthusiastic city to host them for 2-3 days.  Please email me at equijano08@gmail.com.
 
We’ve just received confirmation from our Jordan family who will visit us in 2021.  Which three enthusiastic cities want to have the honour to host them? Let’s work together to connect the world!
 
Interact Chair 
 
We are looking for an Interact Chair who can find innovative ways to to connect with Interact clubs and strengthen the relationship between Interact and Rotary in our district. For more info visit: https://rotary7080.org/page/district-role-opportunities
 
Rotary Leadership Institute - October 19th, 2019
 
The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a series of fast-paced, interactive, one-day courses offered to refine a Rotarian’s individual leadership skills and increase their base of knowledge in Rotary. Courses are fun, topical, interactive, and geared toward busy business, professionals and community leaders who want to be more
effective leaders in their vocation and Rotary club and more knowledgeable Rotarians. For more information, please visit our events calendar or contact RLI Chair, Louise Gardiner
 
Speaker Resource List 
 
The Speaker Resource List available on our District website is an essential tool clubs draw upon to find speakers. Please continue to send suggestions to be included on this list to our District Assistant, Jananee Savuntharanathan.
RI Convention in Honolulu – June 6th – 10th, 2020
 
Not signed up yet? Plan now to attend  the RI Convention in Honolulu. You can register at:
 
Russell Hampton
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