Spring Orientation - Youth Exchange - RI Vice President Visit

Congratulations to Wayne McCutcheon and team from D5370 Youth Exchange Committee. An action packed weekend preparing outbound (inbounds, rebounds) Youth Exchange students, their parents and counselors for the exchange in 2011-2012.

RI Vice President Tom Thorfinnson from Minnesota was in attendance and congratulated the committee for their vision and leadership in improving the Youth Exchange Program by incorporating the "B's". Be Assertive - Be Curious,... Tom had an inspiring message about Rotary's core values and how their role as ambassadors for rotary and their country is so important in building a more compassionate and caring world.

Wayne reported the following in response to the appeal for relief for Japan...

"At last night's banquet the students put out a challenge to raise more funds and we collected $3,200" Well done and thank you!

Tom also addressed approximately 60 Rotarians and guests at a dinner organized by John Vrolick from Sherwood Park and President, Pauline Perrault from Edmonton South. Mayor of Strathcona County and Rotarian Linda Osinchuk were in attendance and welcomed us to the new Sherwood Park Library/Art Gallery and Offices. Spectacular.

Thanks to everyone for a great event.

Youth Exchange Students in Japan & Earthquake and Tsunami - help needed!

Story and news www.rotary5370.org
http://www.clubrunner.ca/portal/story/StoryDetail.aspx?accountid=50012&sid=11618&stid=District

It is with a heavy heart that Wayne and I view the devastation in Japan. In the past few days, facebook has become my friend as I've been able to connect directly with our two exchange students Stephanie Krulicki and Karly Hilgers who are in Northern Japan. I am happy to report that they are safe however; the uncertainty and threats from the nuclear plants are causing parents and our rotary family a great deal of concern. This is an excerpt from email received from Stephanie this morning (Sunday, March 13)

“I had another meeting with my Rotary club, with a few more members. They have decided that it is probably for the best that I go home. It is just a matter of when. The Tohoku Bullet Train line won't open for another three days at least and all highways to Tokyo are shut down. No one knows when roads will start to open. They are also trying to figure out how to get me a plane ticket and they didn't really understand that Canada Rotary will probably be taking care of that. I am also going to call Wayne but the lines are really bad and we haven't been able to make many outgoing calls”

Here is an excerpt from chair, Wayne McCutcheon’s email to both Karly and Stephanie

"Thanks Stephanie for the update and relieved to know you remain safe.
Please have your counselor contact me once they have a plan to get you home safe.
Karly you should also do the same. I will work from this end to effect travel plans with Val Landals as necessary. Take care both of you. I will be resting easier once you are back in Canada. Your 10 year youth exchange reflection will be like none other. Take care and be safe. “ Wayne McCutcheon

Plans are progressing to bring Karly and Stephanie home as soon as possible. Thank you to our Youth Exchange Committee who have done a wonderful job staying on top of this situation.

Polio Eradication Campaign continues...welcome Ramish Ferris

Check out Ramish Ferris facebook page and photos of his visit to District 5370

More Leadership Training -D 5370 Interact and Rotaract

Our growing New Generations - Interactors and Rotaractors make us all feel very proud.

April 1st - Charter Night for Peace River.

Thanks to Tom Lakusta who made the trip to share Dragon's Den format for developing and pitching projects.

Laura Ritchie, our Shelterbox ambassador intorduced participants to new Shelterbox.

Spring Training - March 4 and 5 -

We were thrilled to welcome Ramish Ferris , Rotarian from Whitehorse who shared his story and journey as a survivor of polio and of the challenges polio has presented growing up...

Interactors painted PURPLE PINKIEs to all those in attendance and raised more money for polio.

THANK YOU Ramish! (do check out Ramish on facebook)

The Ramada Inn and Conference facility in Edmonton was the site for current and future leaders from B5370 who met over the weekend. Wow - what a turn out!

In addition to Assistant Governors, Presidents for 2011-2012, secretaries and club leaders, we were thrilled to have the New Generations - Interact, Rotaract Leaders join us.

Thanks to District Trainer, Wendy McDonald and Mike Hanna and Steven Lindop who worked with the New Generations leadership teams, along with so many District leaders, we had a great weekend of learning. A range of topics were discussed all with a view of making Rotary Bigger! Better! Bolder!

Friday afternoon was dedicated to Assistant Governor's roles.

Friday late afternoon, we welcomed the Interact and Rotaract leaders who met at Amiskwaciy Academy. Many stayed overnight at Kirk United Church.

Friday evening it was my pleasure to welcome and introduce District Governor Elect, Harry Buddle and Judy along with Mayor Jeff Mulligan from Lloydminster. Jeff was an outstanding keynote who inspired those who were in attendance to dream big and make those dreams real.

The Chinese Proverb shared during the introduction of the Buddles is as follows:

"If there is light in the soul,
There will be beauty in the person,
If there is beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house,
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation,
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world."

Parkland After Dark - Last club visit February 28th

District 5370's newest club, chartered on June 3rd, 2010 Wow - this group of committed Rotarians are well on their way to forming a SOLID club which will make a big difference to many and enrich their community. Thanks to AG Sharon Cornelius and Rotarian Lynn Moraz for your support. club President Kyle Laliberte has figured out the Canadian flag requirement...a must for a great Rotary meeting. Well done Kyle - your meeting was fun, lots of energy and great Rotary conversations.

Success stories in just 9 months... RAD has just completed a successful charter of an Interact Club in Spruce Grove. Fifteen of these students are registered at the Leadership Training Weekend on March 4/5. Their President Dsrene thanked our Lt. Gov. Hon. Donald Ethall at Rotary Day - very impressive and has organized 20 NGO's to participate in New Generations training weekend.

The club has a strong succession plan as well as an exciting fund raiser - hockey draft, dinner, auction and other surprises on April 26th They are even planning a calcutta of playoff teams...sounds like a fun evening. Their DREAM is a walking path linking Spruce Grove and Stony Plain with play areas en route...WOW! This is Bigger! Better! Bolder! The club has also supported Run for Life (suicide prevention) and other local events.

Watch for their news on facebook.