Our District 7070 newsletter is meant to keep everyone in our Rotary family up to date on latest news from around the Rotary world, from the clubs in our District, from the various committees in District 7070 and beyond. We send it out to all active Rotarians and post it on to our District Facebook page. We ask that you share this letter and keep our entire Rotary family and friends informed. Make sure they all get a copy. The deadline for your story submissions is always 4 days prior to the end of the month. Check out our District 7070 Facebook Page, Twitter, Instagram accounts and our District 7070 website for even more of the latest news about Rotary here in southern Ontario and around the world. 

NEWSLETTERS:

• District Governor Virginia O'Reilly's  January 2025 Newsletter
• Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick's January 2025 Message
• The Rotary Foundation Chair of the Trustees Mark Daniel Maloney's January 2025 Newsletter
• The January 2025 Video from Christine Etienne, Rotary International Director, Zone 28 & 32

In her January 2025 Newsletter, District 7070 Governor Virginia O'Reilly talks about the first six months in District 7070 being truly magical as she visited clubs and heard about their tremendous service projects and she encourages everyone to keep it going - a wonderful way to attract new members. During the next 6 moths, Virginia asks us to concentrate on reaching our Magic of Millions target of $1 million to The Rotary Foundation. She also encourages us to register for the Rotary International Convention in Calgary in June and to bring our club goals to fruition to Make Magic happen in 2024-2024.  .  .......      .  

In President Stephanie Urchick's January 2025 Newsletter, she talks about there is nothing more powerful for engaging and retaining members than a club that's vibrant, welcoming and yes, fun. She asks us to try something new to bring out a few extra smiles. It is the simple things that create lasting bonds and make clubs simply irresistible. She adds, "When we enjoy what we do, that energy becomes contagious. It's what attracts new members and keeps our clubs strong and engaged. It helps people feel that they belong. The healthier our club culture, the more likely members are to stay. Rotary magazine is an outstanding resource for inspiration on how to enhance our club culture and deepen member engagement. I encourage you to explore the stories and strategies in these pages, drawing from other clubs' successes to find ideas that work for you."   ........

In the Chair of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation (and Rotary International Past President) Mark Daniel Maloney's January 2025 Newsletter, Mark talks about January marking a fresh start, and a time to take stock of what we have achieved and plan for future success. Mark says, "When setting your personal goals for this year, remember that by supporting The Rotary Foundation, you extend your impact worldwide. Every contribution - no matter the size - adds to the momentum driving meaningful change. So as we enter 2025, let us reaffirm our commitment to the Rotary Foundation. By combining our efforts and our giving with others in our great organization, we can truly say that no matter what our vocation or where our location is, we are contributing to a global force for good."   ......

To embrace current technology and to be a resource to all members of Zone’s 28/32, the current newsletter has been transitioned to an interactive blog style format that will be managed and moderated by the Zone leadership team. Look for the "In The Zone" January 2025 video from Christine Etienne, our Rotary International Director,  in our January 2025 District 7070 Newsletter , and on the Rotary Zone 28 and 32 website.

As soon as Chris' "In The Zone" January 2025 video is available, it will be inserted into the District 7070 January Newsletter that appears on our Rotary District 7070 website and also on the Rotary Zone 28 and 32 website . ....... Please Read more...

This month is January  - Vocational Service Month and here are the "Courses of the Month" from the Rotary Learning Center. We are asking YOU to focus on these courses that align with the theme of the month. We encourage you to take the courses so that you have a better understanding and become even more effective in the success of your club. . 

Here are the courses:  Interpersonal communication and Networking   AND Mentoring Basics   AND    Learning Plan ideas: Leadership skills

Interpersonal communication and Networking: Course description: This Toastmasters course focuses on building and maintaining professional relationships and networks. The topics introduced in this project include creating beneficial relationships, maintaining and building a network, and recognizing the point of view of others.

Mentoring Basics:  Course description: In this course you will learn the role, responsibilities and benefits of being a mentor to an adult professional. By the end of the course, you will be able to: Explain what mentoring is; Identify the traits of a good mentor; Articulate the benefits of sharing one’s experience and expertise with others; and Apply mentoring best practices. This course is intended for adult mentor relationships and is not intended to advise or certify mentors for youth.

Learning Plan ideas: Leadership skills: Course descriptions: Learn more about how to lead by reviewing the principles of effective leadership in four courses developed through an alliance between Rotary and Toastmasters International: Leadership Basics; Leading A Team; Collaboration; and Building Consensus

Log in to MyRotary , under the  Knowledge and Resources tab , scroll down and click on the Learning Center, and View The Professional Development Courses and you will see the courses listed there. Click on the courses and Enjoy !!

Tune in to the Diversity Equity Inclusion Zone 28 and 32 Committee's Quarterly Conversations on Thursday, January 9 at 7 PM. 

The zoom meeting is ideal for DEI and memberships chairs and Directors in your Rotary and Rotaract Club. 

Here is the link  to register for the meeting and to receive the zoom link..

Despite advances in the past 20 years, malaria, lower respiratory infections, and diarrhea remain among the leading causes of death for children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. The Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge aims to treat these diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia. Learn more about the three-year, $30 million initiative.

District Governor Elect NIECY DILLON TYROVOLAS INVITES YOU TO 2025 DISTRICT 7070 CONFERENCE on OCTOBER 24-26, 2025.

We are thrilled to announce DGE Niecy Dillon's 2025 Conference at the beautiful Fern Resort in Orillia. Take this opportunity to book your ticket for fun and fellowship by copying this link.

https://www.crsadmin.com/eventportal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=7146fb67-a3fd-40bf-9287-60d44ae87a0c

Registrations are now open. Rooms are limited - only 102 of them - many of them on the waterfront and are suitable for singles, doubles and groups. We do hope that you will join us.

The District 7070 Conference Committee

Stephanie A. Urchick, 2024-25 Rotary International president, is asking district and club leaders to focus on peace this year and build on Rotary’s long history of peacebuilding. Connect with others who are committed to this cause at the 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference, Healing in a Divided World. Urchick will lead this special one-time event in Istanbul, Türkiye, 20-22 February. Topics will include peace in a polarized world; making peace last; technology, media, and peacebuilding; and environmental issues in peacebuilding. The conference will also recognize the launch of our newest Rotary Peace Center, in partnership with Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul. Learn more.

Registration is now open for the 2025 convention. Next year’s Rotary International Convention is in Calgary, Canada! Register TODAY. .   https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/2025-rotary-convention-calgary

A note from District Governor Virginia O'Reilly: The 2018 Rotary International Convention was a blast in Toronto!  And we have another one in Canada!!  Expect an exhilarating journey of connections and inspiration at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary! Engage in riveting discussions, learn from distinguished speakers, exchange best practices, discover innovative projects, and form lifelong connections with fellow Rotarians from around the world. Take part in this transformative event and experience the Magic All Around at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada 21-25 June 2025. Register by 15 December to take advantage of the early registration discount!

For more information, CLICK HERE!  And watch this video from Convention Chair Bryn Styles to see why everyone should join us in Calgary!

Frequently asked questions: https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/about/faqs

Programs and Events: https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/program-and-events

It is always with great sadness when we loose members of our District 7070 Rotary family. Everyone in District 7070 wants to expresses their deepest sympathies to our extended Rotary family. Please send your notices to Newsletter Editor Dave Andrews at dave.f.andrews99@gmail.com .....

In his January 2025 letter to Rotarians,  Past District Governor Bob Wallace, Chair of the District 7070 Rotary Foundation Committee, encourages every Rotarian to set and meet their club and personal goals and make a conscious effort to make a donation to The Rotary Foundation, whatever you can afford, to the Annual Programs Fund, the PolioPlus Fund, the Disaster Response Fund, and to the Endowment Fund. Are you a member of the Paul Harris Society OR the PolioPlus Society? Did you attend the November 16 Rotary Foundation Grant Qualification Seminar? Please Read more.........

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, some 75 members from 30 Rotary Clubs in District 7070 spent time in Oshawa, learning about the Rotary Foundation and its grants program.  Those who attended the program to the end will count towards their Clubs’ qualification for the 2025-26 Rotary year to take part in District and Global Grant project next year. 

Clubs that want to apply for Rotary Foundation District or Global Grants must be qualified.  District 7070 is requiring interested Clubs to have at least two of its members take the training, which can be either attending the Oshawa workshop or complete the online training, which will be launched March 1, 2025.  In addition, the President and President Elect of a Club must submit a signed copy of the MOU – Memorandum of Understanding – to the District......

Everyone working on a Global Grant application is looking to add DDF – District Designated Funds – to the funding of the project.  Without DDF, the Rotary Foundation will not provide any funds to the project. 

D7070 has guidelines for matching Club cash contribution with our DDF. At the same time, the amount of DDF the District has is limited.  It is based on the funds we raised three years back for the Annual Fund.  There are also many areas where we can and want use our DDF.

Effective immediately, we are therefore requiring everyone looking for DDF to a Global Grant project to complete and submit a DDF Request Form.  The form is available on the District’s website, under the Rotary Foundation tab..  Projects that have not submitted a DDF Request Form run the risk of not receiving any DDF.

For more information, please contact PDG Lars Henriksson at pdglars.henriksson@gmail.com

Dear fellow Rotarians in District 7070,

Raise for Rotary is a platform that allows individuals, clubs, and districts to create online fundraisers that benefit The Rotary Foundation. It is a great way to celebrate personal events and special occasions. Organizers can share their fundraisers through social media, email, and text, so family, friends, colleagues, and supporters can donate online...... Please Read more....

Tune in to the Rotary Zone 28 and 32 Polio Webinar on January 16, 2025 at 6 pm EST where you will hear about where we are now.... where we are headed and how we will get there from Mike McGovern, Chair of Rotary's International Polio Plus Committee; Rotary International Director Chris Etienne ; Rotary Foundation Trustee Marty Helman; and Senior Rotary Polio Staff Officer Clare Monroe.

Be sure to register. Here is the link to register for the webinar.

Follow the latest news on Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio, every week. Here is a link to the latest cases - updated every week. See the country-specific section and more details, right here at http://polioeradication.org/polio-today/polio-now/this-week/.   For the headlines. please Read more.....

Eradicating polio is no longer a question of “if” but “when.” Rotary members hosted a compelling World Polio Day panel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, birthplace of the polio vaccine. The panelists were RI President Stephanie A. Urchick, a Pittsburgh native; Dr. Peter L. Salk, son of vaccine developer Dr. Jonas Salk; Michael K. McGovern, chair of the International PolioPlus Committee; and 2016-17 RI President John F. Germ. The panel offered unique perspectives from leaders who are committed to eradicating this disease, and they explained how continuing support and innovation are bringing us closer to that goal. Play The Recording.

Here are links to News and Stories from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative:

• Virtual update on polio eradication
• Global leaders undaunted in face of rising polio cases
• GPEI announces strategy extension and revised budget to protect all children from polio
• Second round of polio campaign in Gaza completed amid ongoing conflict and attacks: UNICEF and WHO
• 85 percent of children affected by polio in 2023 lived in fragile and conflict-affected countries
• Global Model World Health Organization eyes success on securing lasting polio-free world
• Hamid Jafari: the polio endgame and its challenges

In  this polio update from the Rotary Voices podcast, three polio experts from around the world talk about work in regions where wild polio has long been eradicated and in the two countries where wild polio remains endemic. Listen to the Podcast.

Here are Some Resources to raise awareness and funds:

Congratulations to the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa-Parkwood and Oshawa and the World Polio Day Committee for hosting the 6th annual World Polio Day Live from the Rotary Global Classroom at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario Canada on October 18, 2024, on behalf of all 10 of the Durham Region Rotary Clubs where we will celebrated World Polio Day with leaders from around the world, hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa and Oshawa-Parkwood, and Durham College. We watched Stephanie Urchick (Rotary International President 2024-25) and Mark Maloney (Chair of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation 2024-25), Michael McGovern,  Rotary’s International Polio Plus Chair who provided an update and our job ahead. he also was part of the distinguished panel that included  Jennifer Jones (Rotary International President 2022-23), Valarie Wafer (Rotary International Director 2020-22, Rotary International Vice-President in 2021-22 and our very own Past District 7070 Governor  2013-14) and Dr Tunji Funsho (Member of the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee and member of the WHO Africa Region). The panel will answered questions and  updated all of us about Rotary's efforts with our Global Polio Eradication initiative Partners to End Polio Now. be sure to see the photos in the photo ablub on the District 7070 website. 

Dear Fellow Rotarians in District 7070,

Rotarians in District 7070 have been committed over the past nearly 40 years to raising funds to immunize children worldwide and our efforts are paying off.  You should be proud of the difference that Rotary has made in the lives of millions of children by eliminating this dreadful disease.

Rotary is launching an improved system for managing membership leads early in the new calendar year! We’re excited about this process that will make it easier and faster for clubs to connect with prospective members. Under the new system, people who want to join a Rotary or Rotaract club review their options and submit their interest to a club they choose. Club presidents, membership chairs, secretaries, and executive secretaries then get an email that includes a link to the person’s profile in Salesforce. Club leaders can track follow-up actions in the system and keep notes about the membership lead.....

Rotary offers benefits for people of all ages and backgrounds. From learning more about the world to learning more about yourself, you can grow by engaging with Rotary’s global network and the array of activities, programs, and interest groups that Rotary offers. When you get involved in Rotary, whether as a Rotarian, Rotaractor, or program participant, you expand your perspective by honing your skills, learning from professionals, making new connections, and making a difference in your community and around the world. We know that each member has a unique combination of interests, skills, and talents, and so each member will be attracted to different activities. This guide describes the options you can choose from to personalize your Rotary experience and get involved in ways that matter to you. Click here to get the Guide. 

Each January, a larger number of prospective members contact Rotary, seeking to be connected with a club. If your club wants to connect with new members, start by confirming that your club information is updated in My Rotary and on your club’s website and social media accounts. Make sure prospective members know how to engage with your club, whether that’s by attending an upcoming meeting or participating in your next service project. 
In the near future, Rotary will launch a new system for managing membership leads, using technology from Salesforce. This system will make it easier and faster for clubs to connect with the more than 30,000 prospective members who indicate their interest through the Join a Club page each year. And those prospective members will be able to review club information, such as location and meeting time, and then specify the club they’re most interested in. When prospective members indicate interest in clubs, the clubs will receive email notifications and reminders from Rotary to help them track these leads. 

Please read more form Brian King, Director of Membership Development, Rotary International.........

The experience your club offers people affects how they feel about the club. By asking members for feedback regularly and then responding to it, you’re showing your openness to change and empowering them to help create their ideal club experience. The Member Satisfaction Survey can help you gather feedback so you can use it to ensure that members are enjoying their experience.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN : Conduct this assessment and act on its results to: • Identify what your members like and dislike about their club experience • Develop an action plan that builds on what people enjoy and that ends or changes what they don’t.

Here is the link to the survey for your club memebrs.: https://msgfocus.rotary.org/c/1d0733miBcg0z1LVYBpLKPMS6noeQ

Past District Governor Mike Cooksey once told me that if you want more Rotary members, you have to ask. He told every Rotarian he saw to "Get your Ask in Gear". His words certainly reflect one of the District 7070 Action Plans. Our goal is to receive 100 inquires from  the "Join Us" or "Interested In Joining Us?" button on the District 7070 Website. Here is our challenge to your club:  By the end of this Rotary year we want over 45 Rotary Clubs have a "Join Us" or "Interested In Joining Us?" button on their own club website AND for your club to have a "member conversion process" from these inquiries.  It's up to you.

To see how we have done , Please Read more........

Many clubs face challenges related to three things: attracting new members, keeping members engaged, and finding meaningful ways to contribute to their communities. Use the Club Planning Assistant to get tailored advice for addressing your club’s challenges. Club leaders, you’ll receive an instant response with links to the resources we recommend to help you address your club’s most pressing challenges. You can then build these suggested strategies into your club’s membership plan.

The Conducting Community Assessments handbook and the Rotary Impact Handbook tell how to work with communities, understand their priorities, plan better projects, and show that your projects meet their goals

The Service Project Center, Rotary’s new digital platform for service activities, has launched. It gives members more opportunities to manage service projects and share stories, best practices, and interests.

With the introduction of this platform, Rotary Showcase has been retired. All Rotary and Rotaract service projects have been transferred to the Service Project Center.

The Service Project Center is faster than the old system and offers a consistent experience across devices and screen sizes. It collects more accurate project location data and provides project management access to all club officers. Users can manage projects from mobile devices and easily share project links in email and on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn.

In the future, the platform will include a world map of projects, the ability to search for projects by language, and additional resources to help implement projects.

The Service Project Center is a significant asset in Rotary’s effort to engage participants more effectively and increase impact. Users can tell project stories more fully, demonstrating their effectiveness to potential members, partners, and donors. There are more opportunities to provide photos and details, making the project process more transparent and giving members more ways to feel pride in their results.

Rotary members and program participants are improving lives in communities around the world every day through thousands of service projects. Explore the good work that we’re doing locally and globally, and share these projects through social media

Visit the Service Project Center regularly to record and update project details.

Rotary Action Groups help clubs and districts plan humanitarian service projects on various focused topics. The groups are organized by Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary Peace Fellows with skills and interest in a particular field. Membership is open to people who want to share their expertise to make a positive impact or support action groups’ projects and activities. Action group members have the opportunity to engage in meaningful service activities outside their clubs, districts, or countries. Clubs can draw on these groups to enhance projects, engage members, and attract new ones. ...

At Rotary, we’re dedicated to making a positive difference in communities around the world. One of our areas of focus is Disease Prevention and Treatment. Our members help to improve health care systems, limit the spread of infectious diseases, and reduce the number of cases and effects of non-communicable diseases.How can you increase the effectiveness of your next project? Discover these eight essential tips for a successful disease prevention and treatment project.....

Here is the latest update from Ally Buck, the Rotary and Community Fundraising Coordinator with ShelterBox Canada. She is getting to know the Rotary Clubs and Rotarians that support ShelterBox. Ally is originally from Pictou County, Nova Scotia where she attended the Nova Scotia Community College’s Social Services/Community Development program. She relocated to Kingston, Ontario to attend Queen’s University where she graduated with her BA in Global Development Studies and is a member of the Rotaract Club of Kingston......

Dear Rotarians and Rotaractors in District 7070,

Chi Miigwetch (Big Thank You) to each of you for making this an extraordinary year for HIP. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary and reflect on the success of our second National event—there is so much to be grateful for and proud of.

Here is the latest Honouring Indigenous People Rotary News and Events, projects, blogs, photos, films, and resources. There are many major initiatives and resources available to you and your Rotary club. Your Club can help.  Our District 7070 Action Committee's Areas of Focus Coordinator is Bill Empey from the Rotary Club of Toronto   If you have a good news story, or want to help starting a project, please contact Bill. Here are some news highlights .........

Rotary members provide Basic Education and Literacy to their home communities and communities around the world.  Be sure to see the latest issues of the BELRAG newsletter, learn how Rotarians are committed to improving basic education and literacy.  See our website for more information: https://belrag.org/. Thank you to Joan Barrett for linking us up with the Newsletters.

Enjoy past Newsletters as you support BEL programs..

Carolyn Johnson
Chair Emeritus, BELRAG

Empowering young leaders to develop new skills and take action. The D7070 Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium gathers youth ranging from ages 16 to 20 for an immersive program focused on diversity, leadership, and action.  The 2025 dates are  April 10-13, 2025 at Ganaraska Forest Centre. we are accepting applications now until March 1, 2025. The cost is $399/participant, only $14 increase over last year - a great price point!

Rotary and Rotaract clubs can now designate a Programs for Young Leaders contact. And Interact club presidents can (with a parent’s consent) complete an optional self-registration form to receive resources and support directly from Rotary International. Both of these changes will help clubs and youth programs expand and grow stronger in part by enabling RI to distribute tools and information to club contacts. The Programs for Young Leaders contacts will stay connected with all of the youth programs their club sponsors, amplifying participants’ ideas and input and advocating for safe, inclusive programs. They will also serve as the main contact for any Interact clubs their club sponsors, attend Interact meetings, and find opportunities for Interactors to attend the sponsor club’s meetings and activities. Learn more about the Programs for Young Leaders contact. .... 

Our goals:

- To give Rotaractors a home after they graduate from a university-based Rotaract club

- To address service area gaps in Rotaract programs

- To foster and grow Rotaract in the District

- To be a central club that allows for tracking numbers and coordinating large-scale events like the Rotaract District Conference

-  To be an access point between Rotaract and Rotary Clubs

- To be an inclusive space that builds goodwill and better friendships

- To foster Rotarians of the future

- To be a fun club where young professionals and university students get to network, and develop under rotary.   

We look for your support in making this a reality. 

Additionally below is our Linktree containing our social media and Sign-up Sheet, please circulate it to your club and networks. 

https://linktr.ee/rotaract7070eclub

Please Read more to see the poster....

The last two District Conferences featured our exchange students, I am sure you are all wanting to get in on the fun and excitement and get YOUR OWN EXCHANGE STUDENT.

At the Stirling Rotary Clubhouse ,  the Rotary Clubs of Stirling, Trenton, Brighton & Campbellford  held a joint information session for prospective outbound students.  We had 16 interested students and most students brought both of their parents.  If you need a copy of the live presentation please contact trevor@thlogistics.ca .   Do you need more information ?    Please contact co-chairs Beth Selby selbyandvail@gmail.com or Trevor Hagerman  trevor@thlogistics.ca

If  August 2025 might work for your club, please contact us TODAY .. we can do a presentation via Zoom or possibly in person visit to your club.

Chairs

Beth & Trevor

Attention - Rotarians and Rotoractors! ...... Interested in helping our district youth?  Want to make lifelong friendships? 
The District Rotary Youth Exchange Committee welcomes you to join us!  We meet monthly to select and support our District’s Rotary Youth Exchange Inbound and Outbound Students.  Contact PDG Beth Selby (selbyandvail@gmail.com) or Trevor Hagerman (trevorshelley2020@gmail.com).

Nearly a decade ago, while Jennifer Jones was the chair of the Strengthen Rotary’s Brand Committee, Rotary International conducted in-depth research to better understand how the public viewed Rotary, our members, and our work. What we learned was that we needed to reposition the Rotary brand by focusing on clear, consistent messages and a unified visual identity. Based on the committee’s recommendation, the Rotary International Board of Directors approved new brand guidelines, which included how clubs should use the Rotary logo.......

Dear District Governors, District Public Image Chairs in Zone 32, and everyone interested in Rotary Public Image,

 Starting in November, all Rotary member pins sold by licensed vendors will feature current Rotary branding. Members can still wear the old “Legacy Emblem” logo pins, but won’t be able to buy them. The Legacy Emblem’s retirement is an ideal opportunity for clubs and districts to review their logos and promotional materials to ensure the correct logo and logo lockups are being used. Visit the Brand Center to ensure your club is using the Rotary logo and logo lockups correctly. Access Your Logos and graphics.

For a better understanding of Rotary’s trademarks and wordmarks, take the new “Using Rotary’s Trademarks” course in the Learning Center (but first log into My Rotary, then type "Using Rotary's Trademarks" in the search bar). The course uses specific examples to explain how your club, district, or other Rotary entity can correctly use Rotary names and trademarks. After taking this course, you’ll have more confidence using Rotary’s trademarks when you plan events, promote your club, and create branded merchandise.

Take the trademarks course

The Rotary International Board of Directors has made it very clear. A brand is more than just a logo, but a logo is a big part of our visual identity. When the public sees it throughout their community, they begin to think of Rotary members as people of action. Using the same visual elements unites Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact and allows us, as a diverse global organization, to tell our story with one voice.

The RI Board of Directors is asking every club to update its logo to align with Rotary’s brand guidelines

Unfortunately, I have  noticed that some Rotary Clubs in our District are altering the Rotary logo for use in the marketing and promotion of their various events and projects.

This sends the wrong signal to the public. Many do not know who we are now and different “looks” to our logo just makes it worse. Please use the Rotary Brand Center ( see : https://brandcenter.rotary.org/en-us ) and USE ONLY THE ONE ROTARY LOGO in your marketing and public relations initiatives. That would include your website , all social media sites and any signs you may have created.  

A consistent voice and unified visual identity are essential components of a strong brand. Learn how to use Rotary’s communication and design elements to build awareness and recognition of Rotary and to tell the story of people of action. We continue to strive for One clear consistent look and message in all that we do, to ensure that everyone knows our “Rotary” message.....

Check out the link and truthfully answer the questions on your club's web presence. Your 2024-25 Club President already has a copy.

Then put together a plan to increase your club's web presence. https://msgfocus.rotary.org/c/19h6LOvKjkO2GcFw6fOJhn9DTktBO

Rotary’s public image is shaped by the actions of every member, from how we conduct ourselves in meetings to how we represent Rotary at events and respond to needs in our communities. The club public image committee’s role is to create and implement a plan to tell Rotary’s local story, promote the club’s activities in the area, and raise awareness of Rotary’s work around the world. This list will help you assess how well your committee is shaping Rotary’s image.

Check the Club Public Image Checklist. See how many checks you have accomplished , and start working on the rest of the checks.  Your 2024-25 Club President already has a copy.  Here is the checklist. 

To Rotarians in District 7070:

It's TIME TO GET YOUR CLUB NOTICED. Prospective members are checking YOU out - What will they see? Don't be left behind.  REGISTER TODAY.

To assist the Rotary Clubs of District 7070 GET NOTICED, at the request of District Governor Virginia O'Reilly, the District Public Relations Committee is continuing the Rotary Club ClubRunner Website Refresh Program and Promotional Half Back Discount.

THIS PROGRAM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CLUB in 2024-25. Thirty-two of our District 7070 Rotary clubs have already completed the refresh program.  These club websites are getting noticed by the public and by their potential members who are checking them out. When a prospective member looks to join a club, they look at YOUR club website. GET YOUR CLUB WEBSITE REFRESHED - REGISTER TODAY. 

Please Read more.......

In the Summer of 2020, we asked Rob MacArthur, our District 7070 Public Image Public Investigator to carry out an investigation on all 55 Rotary clubs with respect to their club's Public Image.  Rob looked at your club's basic web site setup as well as social media channels and the way they were being used. A spreadsheet of the results was made available for our District Leadership Team and Assistant Governors to look at in the Fall of 2020. The Pie Chart included shows a graphical representation of the results.  Where do you "think" your club fits in this chart? What is the Image that the public have, about your club? Here is what Rob found out... Please Read more....

Our District 7070 Public Image Committee is calling for YOU  (Rotaractors and Rotarians in the District)  to join our District Public Image Committee.  Our scope is to boost Rotary's Public Image and to assist Rotary Clubs in D7070 to do the same.

We are looking for YOU, Rotaractors and Rotarians who have experience in the field of Public Relations, Social Media platforms, and news writing. We want you to use those very special talents to assist clubs and our Committee . Are you that Rotarian?  Are you that Rotaractor? Are you interested ? Please contact Dave Andrews at dave.f.andrews99@gmail.com and we can set up a time to chat about your interests.

Be sure to see the Public Image menu tab on our District Website and check out our District Facebook Page , Twitter account and Instagram account and the District Newsletters too, for some idea of what we do. 

Do you have events or fundraisers that you want other clubs to know about?  Perhaps a project with which you need their assistance?  Here are just three ways you can get your event, your message , a story about your club, or your "ask for help" out to your neighbouring Rotary Clubs, RIGHT HERE IN THIS NEWSLETTER:........

A Big "Well Done" goes out to the Rotary Club of Cobourg. Here is their You tube video that was put together by our Santa Parade Committee (led by Rotarian Tracy Berry) and Tracy's husband, Scott. It shows the Magic of Rotary and the early prep work and was a great event.

The Seventh Annual Concert to Feed the Need in Durham  on SUNDAY, December 8, 2024, that featured musicians from across the Durham Region at The BILTMORE THEATRE  in Oshawa, was another huge success, thanks to Joe Solway from the Rotary Club of Bowmanville and the other 6 Rotary Clubs in Durham Region. Proceeds went to help feed their neighbours in the seventh annual Concert to Feed the Need in Durham. As in past years, the event showcased an award-winning line-up of performers from a cross-section of genres – pop, country, R&B, gospel, folk, classical and more.

The event’s scope has grown over the years, becoming a Durham-wide Rotary event, with the Rotary clubs in Durham Region joining as co-presenters. Proceeds  from the concert went to Feed the Need in Durham – and the need has never been greater. The agency collects and distributes food and other essential items to more than 65 emergency food providers across Durham, including food banks, shelters, meal and snack programs and other social service agencies.  Please Read more....

The Rotary Clubs of Durham Region were pleased to donate funds to Grandview Kids and as the sign outside the pool says " pool generously supported and by the Rotary Clubs of Durham Region". Members of many of the Rotary Clubs of Durham Region attended the Grand Opening of the new Grandview Kids amazing complex in Ajax, on December 17, 2024. Thank you to Ajax Rotary club past President Ken Hurst for his many hours of working with the Rotary Clubs to make the donation possible. Please Read more ...

It has been a busy fall and winter for our Rotary Cubs in District 7070. Here are just some of the hands on projects of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke : Their members participated in the Watershed Park Clean Up (Thanks to Tom) ,  Letters from Santa - thanks to our Rotaract Club of York Uni, Interact Clubs of ECI and RCI and Upper Canada College, Lunches every month to Hope With Wheels and Gillian  delivered bags of support items on behalf of Rotary Etobicoke to Franklin Horner Community Centre to become part of the gift bags for over 200 seniors identified as being alone at Christmas.  Franklin Horner and volunteers provide  delivered Christmas meals and gift bags every year and we always participate. Well done everyone. Please Read more to see what they have done...

Everyone in District 7070 is invited to: 

Night of A Thousand Dinners – MARCH 6, 2025 - Proceeds to  the Canadian Landmine Foundation  , Officers' Mess, Colonel R. S. McLaighlin Armoury , 53 Simcoe Street North. SAVE THE DATE : Tickets price to be announced. Bar opens at 6 pm. Dinner at 7 pm.  Fundraiser for Canadian Landmine Foundation by the Oshawa Rotary Club. Call Gordon Dowsley for tickets, when we have more info available  at 905-576-3636 and at gdowsley@yahoo.com . Many Rotary Clubs in Canada support Canadian Landmine Foundation. Join us. See: https://canadianlandmine.org/ .....

In keeping with the Action Plan, we’re shifting our approach to knowledge and skill building by moving from a training model to a learning model. You will notice this shift in titles for various key roles within Rotary, such as club learning facilitator, district learning facilitator, and district learning committee. It’s more than just semantics. Training involves someone with information delivering that knowledge to a group of participants. Participant-centered learning is an active instructional approach in which a facilitator guides participants who build on their knowledge and experience to share ideas, reach a goal, or solve a problem. We’re putting participants at the center of the learning experience an empowering them to take ownership of their learning and development. Club, district, and regional leaders are encouraged to consider how this shift from training to learning affects their activities and to make changes where needed. Learn more about the differences between training and facilitation in the Becoming an Effective Facilitator course in the Learning Center.

There are lots of tips and tools of the trade when it comes to Public Image, Membership, The Rotary Foundation and Governance, when it comes to you and your Rotary or Rotaract club. This is exactly what we have in store for you.

On Tuesdays, on a monthly basis , we will be presenting learning opportunities, in one-hour zoom sessions, for you and your club members, to help you with many ways that you can learn more about Rotary and really help your club.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2024 - REGISTER TODAY FOR ANOTHER GREAT LEARNING TUESDAYS ON MEMBERSHIP. Go to the District website calendar and register today. 

In 2024-25, we will have 9 sessions ( No sessions in the months: July, December & June) with sessions allocated as follows:  2 sessions on Governance; 2 sessions on Membership; 1 session on The Rotary Foundation; and 1 session on Public Image. Watch the District 7070 Calendar for the time and date. Stay tuned for more details, these sessions are being developed as we speak. 

To District 7070 Committees:       From: Committee Chair: Iosif Ciosa

Learning 2024-25 Description Form : Please use the 2023-24 form until a new one is developed. 

Here is the 2023-24 Learning Description Form that we would like you to fill out and sent to Iosif Ciosa when you create the learning event that we will put on the District Website.

You may attach pictures, flyers, artwork or graphics (please make sure that pictures or graphics are not copywritten and are royalty free).

Please Read more to see the form.....

The Action Plan is a sustainable approach to creating and maintaining healthy clubs. President Stephanie A. Urchick and the Action Plan champions are asking all members to use the Action Plan framework to help address challenges and meet your club’s and district’s goals. Visit rotary.org/actionplan to use the Action Plan Toolkit today.

One thing successful clubs have in common is effective goal setting. When club leaders plan for the future, they give the club a sense of direction. Whether you aim to welcome more members, complete more service projects, or improve the experience your club offers members, setting goals motivates members to work toward a common purpose. 
Rotary Club Central makes it easy for Rotary and Rotaract clubs to plan and track their goals. Club leaders can now set yearly goals for up to three years and record the club’s accomplishments, and all members can view the club’s progress. Plus, future leaders can use past goals to make informed decisions about the club’s direction. It’s never too late to start planning for your club’s future. Visit Rotary Club Central and get started.

Whether you want to improve your members’ club experience in the short term, grow your overall membership, or do both, Rotary Club Central can help you reach your membership goals. With the latest updates to Rotary Club Central, you can now add goals for three consecutive years, allowing you to track your progress as you work toward your club’s long-term vision. Learn more by visiting the Learning Center. If you haven't visited the Learning Center before, go to rotary.org/learn, register for or sign in to My Rotary, and accept the privacy policy. Then, search for Rotary Club Central Resources.

The Rotary Club Excellence Award (formerly Rotary Citation) is the most important award for Rotary clubs. It recognizes clubs that pursue activities that support organizational priorities. The number of clubs that can earn this award is unlimited. A newly chartered club is not precluded from earning this award. 

Nomination process: A club officer selects at least 50% of the club goals in Rotary Club Central, achieves them with the club during the year, and reports the achievement in Rotary Club Central.

 Nomination period: Club officers set and achieve goals during their Rotary year. The achievement of the goals must be reported in Rotary Club Central by 30 June, 2025.

Eligibility criteria: Clubs must be in good financial standing, meaning they must pay both dues invoices and any balances in full within 60 days of receiving the invoice. Club must also show they have achieved at least 50% of the goals in Rotary Club Central. Even if clubs achieve these goals, they aren’t eligible if their achievement isn’t reported by 30 June.

Award type: Electronic certificate 

This is to introduce the District 7070 Technology team. Let's meet our team members. We are a team that can provide answers to any of your queries about MY ROTARY, CLUBRUNNER, ZOOM, and social media.

If you have any questions or problems that we can help with please contact me.

If your club would like any training in these areas, also please let us know. We recognize that these software programs are a great help and want you to get the most out of them.......

As we are returning step by step to a more normal life, after COVID, it is now time to also look at the plans for the future for YOUR CLUB.  Club Visioning offers a process to develop an Action Plan for the Club.  Each member of the Club is invited to participate, and the session can be either on-line or in person.  Interested?  Please, contact Lars Henriksson at pdglars.henriksson@gmail.com to find out more about the Club Visioning program.

Rotary Clubs, like most other organizations, will benefit from having a plan for the next couple of years.  What are YOUR goals?  What do you want YOUR Club to be like - two or three years down the road? 

Strategic planning consists more or less of these three steps. 

• A description of where you are now, the Club’s status. 

• As a group, you and your club members decide what and where you want to be in two, three years. 

• By developing an Action Plan, you and your club members map out how to reach your goals. 

Please Read more ........

We now have a new and refreshed District 7070 Website. Be sure to take a look at the change over the next short period of time. Be sure to register for your club's website refresh too.  In the meantime, check out the resources and articles available to you today.  Use them on your club website, and as posts in your social media accounts.

Have you checked out our District 7070 Website lately?  https://rotary7070.org/

Have you checked out the up-to-the-minute scrolling stories that you can share with your members and post on to your club website and social media pages? Have you checked out the new concise menu tabs? Have you seen all of the links at the bottom of the page?  There's more good news here... Please Read more.....