Rotary Employment Partnership - Changing Lives

The Alberta Association for Community Living (AACL) hosted a conference at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton for over 600 visitors from across the province including Ireland and the UK. The President's Reception on Friday evening was a celebration and acknowledgment of businesses, agencies and community partners who strive to provide inclusive lives for those individuals with developmental disabilities. Rotarians from D5370 were recognized for their contributions. A major award winner was CTV News for their persisitence in sharing the many stories of those without a voice.

The Rotary Employment Partnership has provided more than 160 jobs for individuals with developmental disabilities proving cost savings and improved quality of life. This program is making a difference and is being viewed by Rotary Clubs across Canada and beyond our borders as a flagship project which BUILDS COMMUNITY. Congratulations to Wendy McDonald for making dreams real for so many families.

The Rotary Youth exchange program is only one of many Rotary programs aimed at building – world peace and understanding

Every year, almost 8,000 students in our Rotary Youth Exchange program travel the world. As of today…more than 100,000 Rotary Youth Exchange students have lived with host parents in countries and continents far from their homelands. Rotarians believe that if every 17 year old in the world had an opportunity to be an exchange student, there would be fewer global conflicts - no wars…


This weekend our D5370 outbound students, visiting "in-bounders" and "re-bound" students connected with counselors, parents and District Youth exchange committee members in the spring orientation. Congratulations Wayne McCutcheon and team for a great weekend

PETS - SETS March 6, 2010

What a great day of Rotary learning! Our clubs are in the hands of our great in-coming club leaders...

"If all of us in this room are willing to be the leaders we have the ability to be, is there any doubt the best days of Rotary are still ahead? We can do it, if we are willing to pay the price with our time and sweat!

Our membership of 1.2 million members is relatively small in numbers, when we consider the global population of six billion. But bear in mind the priceless advice of noted anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Yes, we have changed the world, and will continue to change it, in a positive way"

Thanks to my sister Wendy - District trainer and all of the district leaders for energizing our clubs and providing the information and inspirations to GROW Rotary in D5370.

Thanks to everyone who attended!

Second Century of Service Dinner - March 5, 2010

I was pleased to welcome 170 members of District 5370 as well as visiting Rotarians from District 5360, including 4 Presidents-elect, PDG Mark Starratt and DGE Al Bergsma and Shirley. The event held at the Edmonton Marriott River Cree Hotel was Emceed by DGND Kevin Hilgers, District Trainer Wendy McDonald and PDG Ross Tyson who led a lively panel.

"Bridge over Troubled Waters" video with Andrea Boccelli and Mary J Blige was played as the new theme for 2010-2011 Building Communities;

Bridging Continents was introduced

With the Olympic spirit - still fresh in everyone's mind the question was posed...do you believe that a small flame which started it’s journey across this country could ignite an entire nation?

So what about Rotary!!! Can we learn something from our amazing Olympic experience and build the same kind of positive excitement, energy and spirit in Rotary?

President Elect Ray Klinginsmith challenged us all at that international assembly to dream big and commit to building BIGGER BETTER BOLDER rotary clubs by engaging our new generations of youth who have an enormous untapped capacity to serve and to reengage our members in Rotary’s important purpose – world peace and understanding. He encouraged us to tell our story…and to be creative. Let’s abandon some of those traditions that no longer make sense and let’s try some new ideas. Let’s grow our humanitarian service.

We know that this is a great time to be a Rotarian and as we celebrate 100 years of Rotary Service..

DGE Jackie