In President Gordon McInally's September 2023 Message, he reminds us that Sept 21 is the International Day of Peace and urges us to aggressively wage peace through our projects. He says that any work toward building peace needs to be brave and bold and gives us examples from Pakistan Rotarians. He asks us to try virtual international exchanges that build on our current programs and make them more accessible and that these online chats have the potential to inspire new connections and more respect between societies...............
PEACE IN PRACTICE
To Everyone in our Rotary Family,
The International Day of Peace takes place 21 September. The United Nations General Assembly declared this a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of nonviolence and cease-fire.
It is not enough, as people of action, to simply avoid making war. If we are to Create Hope in the World, we must aggressively wage peace.
Where can we begin? There are countless armed conflicts around the world, and the global population of displaced people is higher than ever. The opportunities are nearly limitless, but the cycles of violence and hardship seem endless.
My advice is to start small but think big. I look to Rotary members in Pakistan and India for inspiration. In March 2020, about 50 Rotary members from Pakistan met about 50 Rotary members from India at Kartarpur Sahib, a shrine in Pakistan. The sanctuary honors Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, a religion practiced in both countries. Tensions between the two countries barred many religious pilgrims from India from visiting the shrine. That is, until Pakistan opened a visa-free pathway to them in 2019.
Earlier this year, Rotary members from opposite sides of the border again met at the shrine, this time with about twice as many participants.
Any work toward building peace needs to be brave and bold. What these Rotary members have done is just that. The Pakistani government took an important step toward peace when it admitted Indian pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib shrine, but Pakistani Rotary members took the next step when they welcomed Rotary members from India as friends and family. That is Positive Peace at work.
These peacebuilders did not stop there. Club representatives at this year’s meeting signed twin club certificates to recognize their long-term commitment to continue to learn from each other and to work together on more peacebuilding efforts, and they have held joint meetings via video chat.
The importance of communicating with and learning from another culture cannot be overstated, and Rotary is making it even easier to do so. One way of engaging in cross-cultural dialogue and building relationships across borders is through virtual international exchanges that build on our current programs and make them more accessible.
A virtual exchange uses online platforms to connect people from different parts of the world so they can share their traditions, priorities, values, and more. Virtual exchanges can serve as a window to another part of the world through activities such as teaching a digital cooking class, learning a new language, or even designing service projects with a global impact.
These online chats have the potential to inspire new connections and more respect between societies. Taking that knowledge and using it to better the lives of our fellow human beings is the next step.
Let’s see where it takes us.
Gordon McInally
President, Rotary International
RI Theme for September
Basic education and literacy is one of The Rotary Foundation’s six areas of focus. We know that basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace.......
Consider these facts:
If all women completed primary education, there would be 66% fewer maternal deaths.
A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five.
If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, which would be equivalent to a 12% cut in world poverty.
The world is making good progress in this area. According to a 2014 United Nations Millennium Development Goals progress report, literacy rates among adults and youths are on the rise and the gender gap in literacy is narrowing. But pressing global needs remain:
58 million children worldwide are out of school.
Even after four years of primary schooling, as many as 250 million children cannot read and write.
781 million adults are illiterate.
Rotary supports activities and training to improve education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
Area of Focus Statement of Purpose and Goals:
The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to ensure that all people have sustainable access to basic education and literacy by:
Involving the community to support programs that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide basic education and literacy to all;
Increasing adult literacy in communities;
Working to reduce gender disparity in education;
Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to basic education and literacy.
Edmonton West Supporting the Community
Annual Highway Clean Up
What does a disposable cup, plastic bottle and hub cap have in common? They can all be found in the ditches along the highway. Twice a year, each are scooped up by Edmonton West volunteers and friends on our highway cleanup crew.
For more than four decades, many volunteers groups cover more than 9000 kilometers (5592 miles) of roads in Alberta.
The Rotary Club of Edmonton West has been part of the Adopt-A-Highway program for over 6 years now. We commit to cleaning our three kilometers of road way twice a year.
As a thank you, Alberta Transportation provides and installs a “Caring for Alberta’s Highways” sign next to the section of road. The sign includes the name of our club.
Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who came out on a Sunday morning to look after our piece of Highway 16. It was truly a team effort with Rotary volunteers from Edmonton West, Edmonton Northeast, MacEwan University Rotaract and Vimy Ridge Interact. It didn't take too long and we only filled 24 bags with garbage. Kudos to the drivers who chose not to throw their garbage in the ditch!!
Edmonton's Food Bank
Food insecurity has resulted in more people asking for help from Edmonton's Food Bank. On average, 35,000 people use their hamper program each month. They have purchased another building, in between the two existing ones. The facility, which Edmonton's Food Bank acquired in September 2022, will be home to its community pantry, where people will be able to come and pick items they need. It will also house its food hamper program.
There are many benefits of volunteering at the Food Bank. One of the most obvious benefits is the opportunity we have to enrich the lives of others. The work that we do directly helps those in our community struggling with food insecurity.
The Members of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West have supported the Food Bank for many years by volunteering their time and in food and monetary donations. We had a great crew out last week building hampers and sorting food. Thanks to all of you!!
The daytimers have been busy building marimba stands. Al, Fred and John delivered them to the band. Patricia, another lady and a bunch of the kids were there so John and Al had fun with them!
They also need a stand for another base marimba so this will keep them busy.
They do a podcast weekly about what is happening with their group and invited us to come and do one on Rotary. Al will work on a date for that and we can determine who should be there to present our story.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Spencer Mueller
September 10
Sherry Holmes
September 11
Bev Yee
September 19
Duart Berg
September 21
Arthur Lachance
October 18
Douglas Sollows
October 22
Vicky Grabb
October 29
Spouse Birthdays
Kate Hobin
September 4
Join Date
Vic Rudkowski
September 15, 2014
9 years
Bryan Gouthro
September 16, 2019
4 years
Duart Berg
September 16, 2013
10 years
Robert Dunseith
October 1, 1997
26 years
Karen Gibbens
October 15, 2022
1 year
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
History of the Park
On July 4th and 5th 1931, Rotarian's from Canada and the United States met in Waterton at the Prince of Wales hotel for a goodwill meeting. Nearly 100 members from seven Rotary Cubs in Alberta, Saskatchewan & Montana participated.
Rotary International through the clubs in Districts 5080, 5360, 5370 and 5390 continues its support of the Peace Park through the International Peace Park Assoc.
Annual assemblies and ceremonies, such as “Hands across the Border,” serve to remind the parks of perhaps their greatest resource–the peace and friendship shared by two great nations.
Since the first meeting in 1931, these gatherings have provided an opportunity for Rotarian's to discuss ways of promoting peace.
They have erected symbolic artifacts, conducted ceremonies, and promoted the idea of peace parks elsewhere.
Annual General Meeting and Assembly 2023
Ingrid attended the AGM and Assembly which took place on September 21-24 at Waterton Lakes National Park. Rotarians were invited to attend to celebrate Peace and Environmental Sustainability. The weekend also included the Hands Across the Border ceremony honouring the continuing commitment to peace between our nations.
Rotary Peace Garden
Ingrid was on hand for the Peace Pole dedication in the new Rotary Peace Garden in Waterton on International Peace Day. The peace pole is in 9 languages, English, French, Blackfoot, Ktunaxa, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Norwegian and Braille. "May Peace Prevail on Earth!".
Ingrid then travelled across the border to Glacier Goat Haunt, USA to dedicate the second peace pole. It is in a perfect location by the peace pavilion visible to all visitors coming in by boat and at the top of the hiking trail. A visual symbol of hope for peace in our communities!
Congratulations to the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association and Peace Action team!!
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Peace Poles
There are estimated over 250,000 Peace Poles around the world dedicated as monuments to peace. Planting a Peace Pole is a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over. It is a wonderful project for any community, organization or your home. Peace Poles are now recognized as the most prominent international symbol and monument to peace. They remind us to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony, and they stand as a silent visual for peace to prevail on earth. Each pole is engraved with 4 or 8 languages which all state, “May Peace Prevail On Earth”. It is an all-inclusive message and prayer to bring people of all faiths, backgrounds and cultures together to understand and embrace our common bonds.
It was with great sadness and heavy hearts that we said goodbye to Jennifer Lawley. She joined Rotary in the year 2000 and became a very active Rotarian in our club. Amongst many things, she was President in 2006/07 and was involved in the District Literacy Program in Belize. Jennifer was a huge support to Lorne, helping with the live and silent auction at our annual Golf Fundraiser. She will be missed by all, her energy and enthusiasm for Rotary was inspiring.
In Remembrance...
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jennifer on Saturday September 9, 2023. Beloved wife of George (Tony), best friend for 59 years. Loving mother of Joanna and the late Jonathan. Cherished grandmother of Brechen, Emma and Anthony. Big sister to Julian. Mother in law to Marc. Aunt to Sarah, Tanya and Wes.
Jennifer was an incredible leader in the education field and had a passion for learning and teaching. She loved a challenge whether it was moving her family from England to Africa then on to Canada. She started working in Canada as an esthetician then as a real estate agent then back into teaching. Which lead her into becoming a beloved high school principal. After retiring she kept busy with travelling, especially loving the desert in Arizona. She loved to paint and created some beautiful artwork. An active member of Rotary Edmonton West. She was an amazing grandmother, attending soccer and hockey games. She will truly be missed.
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