Eleven years ago, Haiti was hit by an earthquake that killed many, destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, businesses and much more.  It has happened again.  In 2010 money and supplies were sent from around the world to help.  There is a vast amount of misuse, mismanagement, and corruption.  We have learned from that experience.

 

The fundraiser initiated by the Rotary Club of Hawkesbury will have many safeguards to prevent this from happening again with these funds. 

 

I am in contact with the district 7020 disaster team, which is on the ground in Haiti. They assess where the funds can be best used for a sustainable project. Rotary works to ensure sustainability. Other agencies provide immediate relief, but we want to make a difference over the long run.

Although Ottawa’s case counts remain low in comparison to the Greater Toronto area, there is concern that we will soon be in a fourth wave. Daily cases in Ottawa average less than 20 over the past month. Case numbers are once again rising in the last week, but the figures are not consistent.

 

One thing in these numbers is consistent. Those testing positive for Covid-19 are largely the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (about 85% of the total).  And if you are vaccinated and test positive for Covid, the likelihood is that you will not need to be hospitalized. Vaccination protects against the serious pulmonary consequences of the virus.

Although Rotary International does not have a specific mandate that volunteers, especially those working with youth, receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the Board of Directors and Trustees have made several endorsements for both receiving a vaccine and for helping to overcome vaccine hesitancy within our communities. After all, Rotary's flagship humanitarian project is the eradication of polio, which would not be possible if not for vaccination efforts worldwide. The Board of Directors has strongly encouraged volunteers that work with Rotary Youth Exchange, and by extension Rotary's other programs for young leaders, and the young people themselves if eligible to receive a vaccine, but there is no such mandate. We defer to the guidelines of your local community, health authority, or school-based restrictions for what may be required over we have strongly encouraged.

 

You can learn more about what Rotary's position and actions are around COVID-19 vaccination here: https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-and-coronavirus-impact-frequently-asked-questions#vaccinations.

 

The District 7040 executive also encourages vaccinations, in line with our support of polio eradication.

 

I do not remember the exact moment I stepped into a library for the first time, but I do feel as if I’ve spent countless hours in public libraries since I was very young. From Quebec City to Toronto, I have always had a library card and borrowed (and read) many, many books throughout my life. Even when I travel, I love to visit these beautiful places, and admire not only the books but also the architecture, and soak in the quietness of the place.

 

In Rotary, as we celebrate Literacy month in September, I wanted to share my love of books, reading and the amazing potential of public libraries with you, and remind you of the many ways they promote accessibility, diversity and inclusion.

 

The following 23 clubs qualified for grants during our pandemic-driven 2020-2021 year for grants in the 2021-2022 Rotary year:

 

 

Please register under EVENTS on our District website for any of the remaining Grant Management Seminar sessions scheduled after the quarterly District International Service/Foundation meetings.  Registration assures you receive the correct Zoom link, if we remain virtual!

As District Fundraising Chair, one of my goals is to share information amongst our clubs about what our clubs are doing to raise money.  For some of us, COVID impacted our fundraising efforts.  Now may be a good time to review your fundraising programs to see if you should consider adding new ones, and/or to consider dropping some.  Getting the most out of your club members’ participation effort versus the amount of money raised, I feel, is an important consideration.  Another factor in considering a fundraiser’s value is the fellowship that the various fundraisers provide.

 

I want to share with you a new type of fundraiser with the hope that many of you will be able to adopt it as part of your fundraising program.   It is a Zoom Wine and Cheese Party.  It was the creation of the Rotary Club of Orleans.