Hello District 7070 Rotarians and the whole Rotary family:
Good riddance 2020 and welcome 2021! Here’s to a better, bolder and happier year for everyone!
Even with all the many personal challenges, disappointments and sacrifices in 2020, Rotary District 7070 continued to do good in our communities and the world.
A few of the key accomplishments in District 7070 during the first half of the Rotary year that we should recognize and celebrate include:
Leveraging online technology (i.e. Zoom) and hosting exciting speakers from around the world.
Conducting several online Grow Rotary Workshops and New Members Gatherings discussing creative ways to engage and increase our membership..........
Increasing our overall District membership numbers by 20 since July with 27 clubs seeing a positive increase and 10 clubs seeing an increase of 3 or more new members.
Raising $25K at our first ever online HIV/AIDs & community health walk benefiting Feed Ontario.
Distributing $72,960 US in District Grant money, a good portion related to local COVID initiatives
Coordinating monthly ‘Tuesday Talks’ sessions on topics such as Global Climate Change, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Leadership Development in Rotary, and Fundraising During COVID. We are averaging over 100+ attendees at each session; next session is on January 12
Working alongside the District Environmental Action Committee to raise the necessary funds to preserve a 250-year-old heritage Red Oak tree in Toronto
Recognizing 128 Rotary Superheroes from across the District
Finding new innovative ways to raise funds including online events such as trivia nights, beer/wine appreciation, or events such as drive-through Ribfests or curbside dinner pickups.
Raising over $259K US for the Rotary Foundation with many clubs raising funds through local community Foundation Walks
Assisting with local food banks and holding numerous bottle and food drives
Raising $327K US against the goal of $395US on our global grant application to resupply critical medical equipment for the Pediatrics/Neonatal Ward of Karantina Hospital in Beirut
Graduating 40 people from the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), Level 1 online sessions.
Kicking off a Rotex group for District 7070 Rotary Youth Exchange alumni
Forming an active, engaged Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee whose members are now available to speak at club meetings.
Holding ongoing regional Club President meetings where ideas around fundraising, hands-on activities, and collaboration between clubs are shared
Helping with successful online events such as Feed the Need Durham and World Polio Day
A big thanks to all Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors within District 7070 for contributing to our achievements to date and a special thank you to all the Club Presidents, Assistant Governors, the District Leadership Team, as well as all District and Club committee members for the countless hours and energy you put in to make a positive difference! We should be proud of our achievements in the first half of the Rotary year and excited about the coming months in 2021, particularly the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup on April 24!
All the best in 2021.
Mark Chipman
District 7070 Governor, 2020-21
DGChip7070@gmail.com
Yours In Rotary,
Mark Chipman
District 7070 Governor, 2020-21
DGChip7070@gmail.com