President 2023-24

October 2023

The World Health Organization designates 10 October as World Mental Health Day, and with Rotary placing a special focus on mental health this year, I would like to help answer the question posed to me most often when I travel to meet members: How can my club get started?

There are some wonderful examples of Rotary members taking action already. In the Philippines, the Rotary Club of Tiaong-Hiyas held a 12-week health challenge for mothers in the community to promote some baseline health screenings and coaching on a healthier lifestyle.

By the end of the challenge, the mothers had a special bond and decided to form a Rotary Community Corps called Ilaw ng Tahanan (“one who lights up the home”) with the goal of involving more mothers in health education and wellness support — and later youth services, teen pregnancy prevention, and help with unhealthy substance use. Almost a year later, the RCC is preparing to open its own health center where mothers can come for peer-to-peer support.

Another strong example is in Colorado. In the fall of 2021, a small group of stakeholders from the Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch formed the Rotary Clubs of Colorado Endowed Fellowship for Pediatric Mental Health, which enhances the ability of Children’s Hospital Colorado to recruit and train pediatric psychiatry providers and allows the hospital network to make additional appointments. This increases access to mental health care for children and decreases provider shortages.

Since then, the project has brought on new supporters and is now fully funded with a $500,000 endowment. Investment income from this endowment will support a fellow — a psychologist or psychiatrist — at Children’s Hospital. A new fellow will be named every one to two years, beginning spring of 2024. Over time this will create a cohort to bolster the mental health workforce, treating kids from all 64 Colorado counties and neighboring states.

There are many more great mental health project stories on Rotary Showcase, and I invite you to share your experiences as you begin your own projects. Also, please reach out to mindhealth@rotary.org with any thoughts or ideas you would like to share about mental health in the Rotary world.

On 10 October, I will host a Facebook Live event when we will recognize World Mental Health Day and further explore how Rotary members can begin this journey. But I would like to leave you with one way every Rotary member can make a difference.

Right now, there is someone you know in the Rotary world — in your club, from a project you’ve worked on, in a Rotary Fellowship or Rotary Action Group — who could use a little more of your time and attention. Rotary is this great gift of global friendship, and that also means being there for each other.

Discovering the human connections that bind us is what we do through our membership every day. It’s what Rotary has always been about, and we can build on it by helping each other find peace at home.

We need to learn how to ask not just “How are you?” but also “How are you really?” By doing so, Rotary can continue to Create Hope in the World.

 

Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty.

Edmonton West Rotarians and MacEwan Rotaractors spent the day serving over 1400 Thanksgiving meals to the Downtown Community. The delicious meal was prepared by NAIT culinary students and Edmonton West provided the pumpkin pies. Thanks to Dan and Kassidy from Boyle Street Community Services for organizing this wonderful community event. 

 

Each time we volunteer in the community we are creating opportunities to impact the lives of others. Every act of kindness can have a ripple effect in the most unexpected way. 

 

Hope Mission is always a great place to volunteer. The kitchen staff are friendly and organized. Edmonton West members are very happy to help out. We have been volunteering for many years, serving a hot meal to the community. In all that time we have never served so many hungry people. On Sunday we served over 700 meals!

Social events promote and develop fellowship and provide opportunities to get together with other members and their families. We believe the stronger our social connections, the greater the impact of our service projects.

 

Our club makes a great effort to have a couple of social events to include partners and family members so that they can enjoy and appreciate what Rotary does. We value creating a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy coming together, staying active, and simply having some fun.

On Saturday, September 30, Lewis Cardinal hosted Rotarians at kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land. It was a great way to honour the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation.

 

 

Under discussion since 2006, kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land was developed to create a space for ceremony for all Indigenous peoples in Edmonton. Until it opened in September, Indigenous peoples were the only ones who had to leave Edmonton for their spiritual practices.

 

 

As Lewis introduced the site he noted it is a first in Canada. He has been invited to other Canadian cities, indeed to other countries such as Australia, to talk about the process for building relationships, dedicating the land and making it accessible to all. This has attracted international interest and celebration at the site.

 

kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land was developed by building relationships across Indigenous communities and with the City of Edmonton. It is available to and flexible for all Indigenous peoples to conduct ceremony.

 

 

For example, the enclosures for fire pits to heat stones for Sweat Lodges have multiple doors to reflect the different orientations of the lodge in different traditions. And Lewis emphasized non Indigenous participation -- to learn and to celebrate in the natural space. “When the gate is open you are welcome”.

 

 

Beyond the reception centre, amphitheatre, teepees and Sweat Lodges, Lewis led us into the woods to show us ochre deposits. He talked about how they were shaped from the waters of the large lake as it burst after the ice age -- and how long Indigenous peoples have been at the site. The location of kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land was no accident.

 

Lewis has a further vision to protect, make more accessible and explain this history. Thank you to Lewis Cardinal for sharing the story of the site he envisioned and projected to the September opening. Thank you to Jan Fox who arranged the tour. I encourage you all to visit, enjoy and reflect -- which we had a unique opportunity to do on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

 

Fame at last!! Patricia and Agnes, from the Sihle-Sizwe Organization contacted Al and asked him to speak about Rotary International in their podcast. As you know we love to talk about All Things Rotary!!! It was a great opportunity to discuss Rotary and what we do. Al gave an overview of Rotary International, where it all began and the areas of focus. I, of course, talked about volunteering and the impact that Rotary has around the world and in our own community. 

If anyone would like to donate any of the items please bring them to a meeting and we will make sure they are delivered to the Rotaractors.

 

 

The club will be holding our golf fundraiser again next year. It's never too early to be on the lookout for auction items. We are hoping that every member will contribute an item to either the live or silent auction. 

 

 

Often the youth are not connected with Alberta Children's Services, leaving them without resources or financial support. As a result, the youth are seeking guidance, stability, and a caring environment in which they can access the supports they need.

 

 

Marley McGonigal has been collecting toiletries over the past few weeks to donate to the youth at YESS. Thanks to the generosity of the club members, Marley, Al and Karen Sanderson made over 100 bags of toiletries. Great job Marley!

 

 

The Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Edmonton had to close for a week after its supplies were damaged by smoke and water during a deliberately set fire on Tuesday.

 

Their office — located on the seventh floor — sustained damage from smoke and fire coming from the top floor. Their stored items and supplies were all stored on the top floor, and sustained damaged.

 

The Zebra Centre serve children and youth who have experienced abuse, supporting them through the investigative, justice and healing process with a continuum of multi-disciplinary resources.

 

The Edmonton West Board of Directors reacted immediately and a motion was put forward to donate $5000 to help the centre. The vote was unanimous to support the motion. We hope to continue the support when they are ready to take donations.