Rotary has always been about people. Not projects. Not numbers. People.
Our goal of reaching 1.25 million Rotarians and 125,000 Rotaractors by our 125th anniversary in 2030 is also about people.
I bring up this goal again not because I expect the number itself to move you. Numbers rarely do. I bring it up because I worry that a goal this large can begin to feel abstract, distant from the everyday work of our clubs. I do not want that to happen. So let us talk, once more, about what is truly behind it.
I want to offer your club a simple exercise. Look back over the last five to seven years and find your best year. Maybe it was a year new members arrived and, more meaningfully, stayed. Maybe it was a year your meetings became something members looked forward to, rather than another obligation on a crowded calendar. Find that year. Then I ask you to do better than your best.
This is not a call to outpace the club across town or the district next door. It is never meant to be a competition between Rotary members. It is, instead, an invitation to hold ourselves to our own highest standard — and to rise to meet it again.
Why does this 2030 membership goal matter enough to me that I keep returning to it? Because behind every one of those numbers is a person whose life could be changed by this organization, just as mine and yours have been changed by it. Rotary has given me friendships that have lasted decades, a sense of purpose I did not know I was searching for, and something that, in time, came to feel like an extension of my family. I suspect many of you understand this in your own lives, in your own way.
That life-changing experience is what we offer when we invite someone to join us. There are people in your communities right now who would find real meaning here if only someone thought to ask them. So tell them your story. Tell them honestly how Rotary changed you, not just about the projects you led or the funds you raised but about the person you became along the way. Those stories have a way of reaching people when little else does.
If we hope to Create Lasting Impact, the kind that resounds for generations, we will need more people standing beside us to help carry our work forward. Let us come together, not only this month but every month of every year, to make Rotary stronger, more joyful, and more like the family it has always been to me.
Find your best year. Then let us be better than our best, together.
YINKA President, Rotary International
Rotary Theme for September
Rotary: Creating Opportunities Through Literacy and Education
Literacy and education are powerful tools for creating stronger, healthier and more connected communities. Through Rotary, clubs around the world support children, youth and adults by helping provide access to books, schools, learning opportunities and the resources needed to succeed.
Education opens doors. It helps children build confidence, develop skills and imagine a future filled with possibilities. Rotary members support initiatives that improve access to quality education, strengthen schools and encourage young people to stay engaged in learning.
Literacy is equally important. The ability to read, write and understand information gives people greater independence and helps them participate fully in their families, workplaces and communities. Rotary projects may include book drives, reading programs, school partnerships, scholarships and support for teachers and students.
Project Amigo
Through Project Amigo, the Rotary Club of Edmonton West is proud to support our student, Cristian Alexander Martínez Antonio, as he works toward achieving his educational goals and building a brighter future. Project Amigo provides students with educational opportunities, mentorship, and ongoing encouragement, helping them overcome barriers and reach their full potential.
We are honoured to play a small part in Cristian’s journey and look forward to following his progress. Supporting young people through education is an important part of our commitment to creating lasting, positive change both locally and internationally.
The George Grover Leadership Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Edmonton West believes that investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen our community and create a brighter future.
One of our proudest education initiatives is the George Grover Leadership Scholarship, which awards three $10,000 scholarships each year to University of Alberta undergraduate students in their second, third or fourth year. The scholarship recognizes superior academic achievement and demonstrated leadership through community service, university organizations, sports or cultural activities, with preference given to students with financial need.
Administered by the University of Alberta, the endowed fund has grown to $750,000, making it one of the university's highest-valued undergraduate awards. The Rotary Club of Edmonton West is proud to have helped build this important legacy.
Whether supporting a student here at home or helping provide educational opportunities internationally, Rotary is investing in young people and helping them build brighter futures.
Community Service
Helping People Get the ID They Need
On August 26, NCSA held the first of two clinics designed to help community members obtain essential identification. The clinic assisted 39 people with applications for health care cards and birth certificates—important documents that are often the first step toward accessing housing, employment, health care and other services.
Rotary Club of Edmonton West President John attended the clinic and helped out in the afternoon, while Rose from the Rotary Club of Mayfield welcomed and greeted clients in the morning. Their friendly presence helped make the process a little easier for those navigating what can be a complicated system.
The second clinic will take place in September and will tackle the next challenge: helping participants obtain government-issued photo ID. For many people, having proper identification can open the door to opportunities and services that are essential to moving forward.
Rotary is proud to partner with NCSA and other community organizations to help remove barriers and make a practical difference in the lives of local residents.
Working at the Food Bank
Sorting donated food at the Edmonton Food Bank is definitely one of our favourite volunteer activities! There’s something about sorting boxes of donated food and everyone working together that makes for a pretty great evening.
We were joined by members of the Northern Lights Rotaract Club and our newest Rotary member, Daniel! It was fantastic to have some new faces, lots of energy, and plenty of helping hands.
We sorted, packed, lifted, laughed—and maybe got just a little competitive about who could empty the boxes the fastest! Most importantly, we know that every item we sorted will end up in a hamper and help someone in our community.
A big **THANK YOU** to everyone who came out and gave their time. This is what **Service Above Self** looks like!
Variety Children's Charity
**Go Baby Go!**
Al, Bill, Brian, Darryll, Lorne, John, Penny and Rob spent the day building two jeeps and a dune buggy as part of Alberta Variety’s Go Baby Go program. This year, volunteers are building more than 80 cars for children with disabilities!
After 90 minutes (a little longer for those tricky jeeps!), the excitement grew as the cars came together and we waited for the families to arrive.
Our dune buggy was built especially for Noah, who had outgrown his jeep. Seeing the delight on his face—and his family enjoying a drive around the park—was absolutely wonderful!
We were also pleased to present a cheque toward our club’s commitment to Alberta Variety. And we’re looking forward to helping out at the Volt Hockey Tournament soon!
**Rotary at work in our community! **
Ronald McDonald House ~ Home for Dinner
Our Rotary team had the pleasure of taking part in the Ronald McDonald House Home for Dinner program 🏠, preparing and serving a meal for families staying at the House.
A big thank-you to Fred for providing the recipe 📖 and to Darryll for stepping up as our chef 👨🍳 for the evening! The rest of us were happy to be his helpers—chopping, stirring, prepping and, of course, enjoying plenty of laughs along the way! 😄🍴
It was a fun afternoon of teamwork, friendship and giving back 🤝❤️. Most importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity to support families going through a challenging time and give them one less meal to worry about.
The MacEwan University Rotaract Club kicked off the new school year by taking part in the University Club Expo, where they hosted a table to introduce students to Rotaract and highlight the many opportunities available through the club.
It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with students, share what Rotaract is all about, and showcase how members can get involved in community service, leadership, friendship and international projects.
It was great to connect with the new Rotaract executive and hear about their plans and enthusiasm for the year ahead. We are excited to continue our partnership with the MacEwan University Rotaract Club and look forward to another year of service, fun and making a positive impact in our community. 💙🌎🤝
We wish the new executive and all the members a very successful year—and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish! 🎉
🌍 Building Peace Through Youth Leadership at MacEwan University
Peacebuilding begins with young people who are willing to listen, learn, lead and create positive change. Rotary Club of Edmonton West is excited to be exploring the creation of a Youth Peace Council at MacEwan University, bringing together students, community partners and Rotary to promote peace education, dialogue and peacebuilding both on campus and beyond.
Jeanette, Ingrid and Annie recently had an inspirational meeting with Cindie Leblanc, associate vice-president, Government and Community Relations. and members of MacEwan’s Community Relations team to discuss how we can work together to make this vision a reality.
One of the key opportunities is to invite the MacEwan University Rotaract executive to be part of the Youth Peace Council. Their enthusiasm, leadership and connection to students make them a natural partner in developing initiatives that engage the broader MacEwan community.
The proposed Youth Peace Council could provide opportunities for students to explore topics such as conflict resolution, inclusion, intercultural understanding, community service and peacebuilding. Through workshops, speakers, discussions and community projects, students could develop practical skills while contributing to a more peaceful and connected community.
This initiative aligns beautifully with MacEwan’s Teaching Greatness Strategic Vision 2030, which emphasizes adaptable, engaging, memorable and personal learning that connects education to students’ life paths and innovation. It also complements the work of MacEwan’s research institutes, including Social Innovation, Urban Wellness and Immersive Learning, creating exciting possibilities for collaboration and learning beyond the classroom.
For Rotary, this is an opportunity to put our commitment to Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution into action by supporting the next generation of peace leaders. By connecting Rotary, Rotaract, MacEwan students, faculty and community partners, we hope to create a Youth Peace Council that encourages meaningful conversations, inspires action and demonstrates that young people can be powerful builders of peace.
We are excited about where this conversation could lead and look forward to working with the MacEwan Rotaract executive and our partners to turn this vision into action.
Peace starts with a conversation—and this is an exciting one to begin. 🕊️💙
Celebrating Membership & Service
Our recent meeting at the Aviation Museum was a special as we welcomed Daniel Ayena to the Edmonton West family! We are delighted to have Daniel join our club and look forward to getting to know him, sharing in fellowship, and volunteering alongside him in the community.
The meeting also gave us an opportunity to celebrate two outstanding examples of Rotary service. Al Sanderson was presented with his Paul Harris Fellow +6, and Fred Kraft received his Paul Harris Fellow +7. Congratulations to both Al and Fred on these well-deserved recognitions!
Your continued commitment to the ideals of Rotary is truly inspirational. Through the countless hours you dedicate to helping others and making a difference in our community, you demonstrate the spirit of Service Above Self every day. We are fortunate to have you both as part of the Edmonton West family. Congratulations, Daniel, Al and Fred!
Celebrating the UN International Day of Peace – September 20
On September 20, we came together to recognize the United Nations International Day of Peace, celebrating the shared commitment to peace, understanding and building stronger communities. It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how each of us can contribute to creating a more peaceful world—through kindness, dialogue, inclusion and action.
The event brought together members of our Rotary community and friends who believe that peace begins with each of us. Thank you to President John who participated and helped make the day a meaningful celebration of peace and the positive difference we can make together. 🕊️💙
Peace is not simply the absence of conflict—it is something we build, one conversation, one connection and one act of kindness at a time.
Guatemala Evening
Sharing Our Guatemala Mission
Our recent evening meeting was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our Guatemala Medical Mission and share the impact of this meaningful Edmonton West Rotary project with members and guests.
Led by Dr. Ben Doz, our team brings together medical and eye-care professionals, a chiropractor, and dedicated Rotary volunteers. Together, we provide much-needed services in communities where access to health and vision care can be limited.
During the mission, clinics in Antigua, Huehuetenango and San Rafael provided eye examinations, glasses, family and pediatric care, chiropractic services and eye surgeries. We also visited Cipecadi, a school serving children with disabilities, where our team was able to provide specialized care to students and families.
The evening included photos, stories and reflections from the mission, giving members a glimpse into the experiences of both the patients and our volunteers. It was a wonderful reminder of how our Rotary club, through partnership and service, can make a lasting difference beyond our own community.
Thank you to everyone who supports this project and to all those who give their time and expertise to make the mission possible. ❤️🌎
It was fantastic to have some new faces, lots of energy, and plenty of helping hands.
Most importantly, we know that every item we sorted will end up in a hamper and help someone in our community.
**Go Baby Go!** 
