Rotary International President Gordon McInally's July 2023 Message
In President Gordon McInally's July 2023 Message, he says that Rotary takes care of its members and those we serve, works to build lasting peace, and embeds belonging and inclusion in everything we do. That is why he is asking everyone in Rotary to Create Hope in the World as we prioritizeprojects to support mental health, continue our journey in diversity, equity, and inclusionand as we build peace within, we become more capable of bringing peace to the world..........
MY CALL TO ACTION
To Everyone in our Rotary Family,
Even as we face new and serious challenges, Rotary takes care of its members and those we serve, works to build lasting peace, and embeds belonging and inclusion in everything we do. That is why I am asking everyone in Rotary to Create Hope in the World.
This year, we’re prioritizing projects to support mental health. This effort is deeply personal to me. I know what it’s like to see someone suffer in silence. I have also witnessed the power of personal connections, the value of discussing emotional and mental well-being, and the lifesaving impact of preventive care and treatment.
Research shows that performing acts of kindness is an effective step any of us can take to protect our well-being. And by building peace within, we become more capable of bringing peace to the world.
Building peace is the essence of Rotary. Many of our service projects foster the conditions for Positive Peace. We work tirelessly to overcome barriers and create new connections. This year, we’ll promote virtual international exchanges for members to strengthen those vital connections.
Peace isn’t a dream, and it’s not passive. It’s the result of working hard, earning trust, and having open conversations that may be difficult. Peace must be waged persistently — and bravely. Everything we do across our areas of focus has the potential to foster the hope that can make peace possible.
The spirit of connection and purpose should inspire every Rotary member. When club leaders focus on offering an excellent club experience, we retain more members and attract more prospective members. We must make our clubs as welcoming and as engaging as we can.
Our goal is to create a sense of belonging, from our club meetings to our service activities. We need to continue creating inclusive, welcoming environments where everyone can be their authentic selves. All people of action need to be able to imagine a place for themselves in Rotary — it’s up to us to ensure they can do so.
Over the next year, I will be putting a focus on continuing our journey in diversity, equity, and inclusion — ensuring that Rotary reflects the communities we serve and continues to take significant steps toward accessing the full range of human talents and experiences, so that we can better serve humanity. And we will continue to empower women and girls by helping them unlock the potential already within them.
As we begin this journey together, I take inspiration from Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, who in the 18th century spoke of all the world becoming kin, promoting "sense and worth, over all the earth." This has long been my call to action, and I share it now with you.
Let us build peace within and spread it freely. Let us create belonging and imagine the future of Rotary afresh. Let us work together joyously and Create Hope in the World.
Gordon McInally
President, Rotary International
RI Monthly Theme ~ Membership
The top two reasons people join Rotary are to give back to their communities and to connect with like-minded leaders and friends. Our members stay with Rotary year after year for the same reasons.
Rotary brings together people like you — leaders from all cultures and occupations who want to use their distinct expertise for good. People whose sense of responsibility inspires them to give back to their communities. Who step forward to tackle the toughest challenges — and persevere to create lasting change in communities around the world. Together, we empower youth, improve health, promote peace, and advance our communities in all corners of the globe.
With 1.2 million members worldwide, our global community’s impact has never been greater.
New Edmonton West rotarians
Our club is proud to welcome the new members to our global community of more than 1.2 million men and women dedicated to building a better world. You will make Rotary stronger. By adding your skills, experience, and enthusiasm to our club, you can advance communities at home and on a global scale.
Since April we have welcomed 5 new members into the club.
Bern Ayotte
Wendy Boje
Krista Galenzoski
Bev Yee
Cathie Calarco
There are another 2 prospective members, Sam Nsair and Brian Rawlings. Our new membership chair, Bruce Hobin has been doing a great job of guiding and orientating the new members into our family.
We will be hosting a club social on October 11 where we will be able to catch up with what's been happening in the club, meet the new members and have fun and fellowship.
New Member Induction - John, Bruce, Bev Yee and Vicky.
Edmonton Street Car Social
It was a perfect evening to get out and about in Edmonton. Rotarians having fun with family and friends on the Edmonton Streetcar. Thanks to Ward and Heather from Edmonton Radial Railway Society for hosting us and for telling us about the history of the streetcars. A big thanks to Al and Colleen for the entertainment on the top of the High Level Bridge. To end the evening we enjoyed a delicious meal at Central Social Hall.
Edmonton West Serving the Community
Root for Trees Planting Event
Root for Trees increases tree and shrub planting throughout the city with the help of corporations, local businesses, community groups, teams, families and individual residents. The Root for Trees program helps to expand Edmonton’s urban forest by planting trees for Edmontonians by Edmontonians.
Root for Trees plays a critical role in the landscape management process of naturalization. Over time, these grassy areas are planted with trees, shrubs and wildflowers and brought back to a more natural state, resulting in economic, environmental and quality of life benefits.
Edmonton West has been partnering with Root for Trees for many years and we organize a couple of events a year. We headed out on a beautiful and sunny Saturday to plant with Root For Trees in the Granville Community. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Edmonton West and MacEwan Rotaract Club planted 116 native trees and shrubs.
Purolator Tackle Hunger
20 years of Purolator Tackle Hunger
Over 20 million pounds of food has been donated over the past 20 years. But the need is greater than ever before.
For over 5 years members of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West has been volunteering at the Purolator Tackle Hunger Event. Every year we have worked alongside members from the MacEwan Rotaract Club. In fact we ran into Cole and Laura, two former MacEwan Rotaractors who had brought an exchange student to the football game.
It was a lovely sunny afternoon and people gave generously. The monies and food donated amounted to 38,726 pounds of food.
And to add to the excitement, the Edmonton Elks Football Club won their first home game since 2019.
It takes many people and a lot of planning to run a successful golf Fundraiser. The planning starts with the committee, then there are the sponsors, the golfers and the volunteers. There is much work that is done behind the scenes, reaching out to sponsors and golfers, organizing the volunteers, collecting and organizing auction items, making arrangements with the golf course, creating a budget and collecting monies, ordering shirts and giveaways.
The Golf Committee
Our indomitable committee worked many hours to plan and execute a successful event. Spencer, who contacted and secured the sponsors and organized all of the golfers. Vicky, did her usual magic with the budget and collecting monies. Lorne, filled his living room with auction items and organized the seamless live and silent auctions. Al, jack of all trades, helped with collecting payments, picked up and delivered everything out to the course, and helped Lorne with the auction items. Doug, arranged for the signage and Jigo helped to bring stuff out to the course. My job was to organize the amazing volunteers.
After our original event date in July was postponed due to torrential rain and flooding, we were fortunate to have a very successful event on August 24th. The weather cooperated, the air wasn't too smoky, and the weather turned out better than was forecasted.
The Sponsors
Our fundraising golf event relies on the support of the sponsors. We couldn't run the golf event without their generous contributions and we are so grateful for their continued support.
The Golfers
We had a full complement of golfers register for the event. Their spirit and enthusiasm made for a fun day despite the cool and damp start. They enjoyed all of the activities and giveaways we had around the course.
The Volunteers
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make sure the day ran smoothly. To Fred, Lorne, Ingrid, Doug and Al who drove out the day before to set up the banners and to take out all the equipment and 'stuff'. On the day of the event our volunteers arrived at 6:30 am to help set up, and get organized. To Karen, Nicole, Spencer, Jigo, David G., Bern, Vic, Bert, Jim, Jackie, Carole, Art, Ken, Marley, Fred, Bruce, John, Lorne, Ingrid, and Brian R....I appreciate all your help. Your positive attitude and hard work made all the difference. Well done team!!
Rotarians know how to work together, take action and we do it with a smile. All participants left feeling good about helping to support the work we do in the community. And we can congratulate ourselves on a job well done!
The Daytimers
The industrious members of The Daytimers were busy this week building Marimba stands for the SihleSizwe group. This group focuses on bridging the gap and empowering immigrant youth through engagement in programs and education. The Edmonton West Daytimers are happy to use their skills to help the band.
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