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.
Posted by Virginia O'Reilly , District 7070 Governor , 2024-254
In her March 2025 Newsletter, District 7070 Governor Virginia O'Reilly reminds us that March is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month and asks us "What are you and your Club doing in the area of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene? Do you have some Magic of Rotary stories to share? ". Virginia urges us to go to the Rotary International Convention in Calgary and to be sure an visit the House of Friendship and get ideas for your service projects. There are lots of District events in March, Be sure to register and join in. ......
Posted by Stephanie Urchick, Rotary International President 2024-25
In President Stephanie Urchick's March 2025 Newsletter, she talks about Water, Sanitation and hygiene Month as she spotlights one of the most transformative areas of our work and many Rotary projects. She tells the story of how the Magic of Rotary came about and it has to do with a water project she was on in the Dominican Republic. Stephanie encourages every Rotary member to seek out new partnerships. She says, "Collaboration multiplies our efforts and helps us reach more people in need. Whether it’s joining forces with local organizations, forming alliances with international agencies, or mobilizing your community, every step we take together brings us closer to a world where everyone has access to clean water and safe sanitation." ..............
Posted by Mark Daniel Maloney, Chair of the Trustees , Rotary Foundation 2024-25
In the Chair of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation (and Rotary International Past President) Mark Daniel Maloney's March 2025 Newsletter, Mark says that you recall how Rotary brings communities and water experts together to deliver safe drinking water to places in need of it, transforming lives. He says that "During March, we focus on our commitment to addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges through our clubs and The Rotary Foundation. District and global grants, made possible by the Foundation, provide a direct way for members to engage in water and sanitation projects . When you give to The Rotary Foundation, you not only help us reach our 2024-25 fundraising goal of $500 million, you also play a role in ensuring Rotary can make clean water, effective sanitation, and hygiene accessible for generations.".....
Posted by Christine Etienne, Rotary International Director , Zones 28 & 32
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" March 2025 video from Christine Etienne, our Rotary International Director, in our March 2025 District 7070 Newsletter , and on the Rotary Zone 28 and 32 website.
As soon as Chris' "In The Zone" March 2025 video is available, it will be inserted into the District 7070 March Newsletter that appears on our Rotary District 7070 website and also on the Rotary Zone 28 and 32 website . ....... This month, Chris talks about World Rotaract Week and the HANWASH Water Project in Haiti. Please Read more...
Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo is asking members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection. He outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.” De Camargo feels Rotary’s greatest asset is not our history, our project, or even our unmatched global reach: It is our members. Read more about the presidential message.
Posted by Past District Governor Mark Chipman, Chair of District 7070 RYLS
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!
Every year, Rotaractors and Rotarians around the world celebrate World Rotaract Week during the week of 13 March to commemorate the founding of the first club in 1968. World Rotaract Week is a time for celebrating the success and importance of the Rotaract program. For more information visit: ROTARACT. See also https://blog.rotary.org/?s=rotaract. Rotaract’s 57th birthday is 13 March! We’re celebrating 57 years of taking action, leading communities, and changing the world throughout World Rotaract Week, 10-16 March. Want to be a part of the celebration? Not sure where to start? Here are a few ways you can take action and celebrate this historic milestone during World Rotaract Week:
1) Celebrate with service Rotaract clubs are all about developing young leaders through service. Coordinate joint projects with local Rotary and Rotaract clubs to fundraise for The Rotary Foundation, raise awareness around a local cause, or organize a service project. Need inspiration for your service project? Visit Rotary Showcase for more fun ideas and to celebrate your success with the Rotary community and the world.
2) Foster friendship and fun Rotaractors are experts at creating friendships and having fun. Partner with local Rotaract clubs to host a 57th birthday party to share the fun of Rotaract with Rotarians, alumni, friends and family. This a great opportunity to share the amazing work clubs are doing with your community and invite potential members to learn more about Rotaract. Or, organize a networking night or resume-writing workshop to bring Rotaractors and Rotarians together to learn from each other.
3) Support Rotary causes Show your support by making a club contribution of at least $57 to The Rotary Foundation. Your gift supports the worldwide reach of Rotary service that Rotaractors are a part of through their sponsor Rotary club.
Posted by Past District Governor Lynda Ryder, President of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke
TO ALL ROTARIANS AND ROTARACTORS IN ROTARY DISTRICT 7070: YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN ROTARY DISTRICT 7070 IN THE PARADE:
The St. Patrick's Parade returns to downtown Toronto on Sunday, March 16. It is an amazing afternoon filled with music, dance, floats and fun! Everyone is welcome whether you were born in Ireland, have Irish ancestors or you're just looking for a great time! The Parade has been entertaining tourists and Torontonians since 1988. It is a massive celebration of Irish-Canadian culture with thousands of participants and over 100 entries. This event is free to attend and fun for all ages. It takes place during March Break which makes it perfect timing for families to enjoy the festivities.
The Parade kicks off at noon at the corner of Bloor & St. George. It heads east across Bloor before turning south down Yonge Street. The Parade ends at Yonge & Dundas outside the Eaton Centre.
Being inclusive and helping those in need are part of the Parade's core values. Toronto's diversity is on full display with dozens of groups marching in support of their connections to Ireland and Canada. The Toronto Professional Firefighters Association will be collecting cash and canned goods on the Parade route in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. Throw on something green and join us! We hope to see you there. For more information please visit the Parade website.
Join your fellow District 7070 members in an Irish stroll along Yonge Street on March 16th. This is our opportunity to promote our Rotary Clubs, we will have 5 vehicles plus a decorated float plus some give aways. SAVE the Date. The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins on the corner of St. George and Bloor St West (near St. George subway station) and heads east on Bloor Street, turns south on Yonge Street and finishes at Dundas Street. The parade starts at 12 noon and the line of march lasts one and a half hours at any given point along the route. Access from the TTC subway can be made at the following stations: St. George, Museum, Bloor, Wellesley, College, Dundas. — For Parade Participants — The start and staging area is near St.George and Bloor St, near the St. George subway station. The staging area will open from 8 am.
The Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity recognizes nonmembers, including partners and spouses of Rotary and Rotaract members, who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service through Rotary. Each district governor may nominate one candidate from their district for this award each year by completing theonline nomination formin March (March 1 - 31) . Honorees receive an engraved crystal and lapel pin. If you know anyone who qualifies, encourage your governor to nominate them.
Join us as we celebrate some "Women of Action" who continue to improve our world by taking action and making change happen. We will be inspired and moved to action.
Thursday, March 6 at 7 PM Rotary District 7070 International Women's Day Celebration Durham College Global Classroom 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa CFCE Building
REGISTER BY MARCH 4. Go to the District Calendar on the March 6 date
This Rotary International webinar at 12 noon Eastern Time on March 11, 2025, will feature speakers from around the world, who will share how they contribute to peace in their communities, how Rotary is uniquely positioned to support their efforts, and ideas for all of us to become peace builders. Register and submit your questions. Everyone who registers will receive access to the webinar recording. Register here to get the link: https://rotary-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UIIHnyixS-GEKQ6PmPkKyg#/registration . Please read more.....
Posted by Nevine Yassa, District 7070 Chair - Peace Committee
Dear Rotarians
I am absolutely thrilled to extend to you a warm and heartfelt invitation to join us at the upcoming Rotary District 7070 Peace Symposium, themed "Harmonizing Hearts and Hands for Peace," taking place on March 18, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. (Please register on the District 7070 website in the District Calendar Dated March 18 . Imagine being part of a gathering where distinguished humanitarians and industry leaders from across the globe unite under the inspiring theme of "Harmonizing Hearts and Hands for Peace." This theme encapsulates our belief that creating lasting peace is a harmonious effort that requires the unity of compassionate hearts and capable hands. . ......
Every year, World Water Day (22 March) raises awareness and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. It is a United Nations observance, coordinated by UN-Water and led by one or more UN-Water Members and Partners with a related mandate. World Water Day celebrates water and inspires action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance – held on 22 March – focusing on the importance of freshwater, coordinated by UN-Water and led by one or more UN-Water Members and Partners with a related mandate. The theme of World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’. Glaciers are critical to life – their meltwater is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. Rapidly melting glaciers are causing uncertainty to water flows, with profound impacts on people and the planet. Global reductions in carbon emissions and local strategies to adapt to shrinking glaciers are essential. This World Water Day, we must work together to put glacier preservation at the core of our plans to tackle climate change and the global water crisis. see: https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day
In a complex, fast-changing world, excellent Rotary club leadership is essential to the future of Rotary. One of the best ways to strengthen your Club is to give your members the tools and skills to be better Rotarians. Rotary Leadership Institute is the solution. This is your opportunity to learn more about Rotary and share your ideas with other Rotarians, and it is a great learning experience for newer Rotarians, for your incoming Board of Directors, and for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about Rotary. For the 2024-2025 Rotary year, we are pleased to announce the dates for the Spring program. Please REGISTER TODAY........
Posted by Dan Coombes, Chair , Rotary District 7070 Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup
Our 5th Annual Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Event (GLWC) is quickly approaching! Please mark your calendar for Saturday April 26. 2025. More information will come from your District Environmental Action Committee very soon. Thank you - Dan Coombes - Chair GLWC (dancoombes4@gmail.com)
What is your club doing ?What are you planning? Here's one example.....
At The Second Marsh in Oshawa, Ontario, the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa, Oshawa-Parkwood and Courtice and civic leaders will be helping the Friends of The Second Marsh to clean up the Second Marsh on Lake Ontario. The SECOND MARSH is a 137 ha coastal wetland located in the southeast portion of Oshawa, (Regional Municipality of Durham), Ontario, Canada. The combination of Second Marsh with the adjacent areas of McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Darlington Provincial Park represents nearly 400 hectares, one of the largest publicly accessible waterfront spaces available in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario in a major urban center, and is unique in being the largest remaining wetland in the GTA.
For even more ideas....... Please Read more .......
Posted by Rotary Club of Scarborough Passport President Dr. Raffy Chouljian
Brush-a-mania is a not-for-profit program designed to promote oral health and awareness among young children from Junior Kindergarten to grade 6. It was started in 2001 by the Scarborough Rotary Passport Club and has already reached over 650,000 students. Our purpose is to educate and motivate children and to bring together dentists, Rotarians, teachers and parents to create a celebration around proper dental care. Read more about this great project and see how you and your Rotary Club can help .....
On February 20,2025, Assistant Governor Rachel Boyd from the Bowmanville Rotary club made a presentation at the monthly meeting of the Club Treasurers Working Group to discuss the District's group insurance program. This program provides a broad range of insurance coverage to all Rotary and Rotaract clubs in the District.
The presentation included an excellent Q & A session, where club officers asked more detailed questions, which gave us an opportunity to discuss risk management more broadly.
Rachel's powerpoint presentation is now posted in the "Your Club Insurance" section of the District website. Go to the About 7070 tab and scroll down to the Club Insurance page https://rotary7070.org/sitepage/club-insurance
A recording of the presentation is also posted in the "Your Club Insurance" section of the website. Go to the About 7070 tab and scroll down to the Club Insurance page https://rotary7070.org/sitepage/club-insurance
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.
ANOTHER DRAW: Register by Feb 28, 2025: It's hard to believe with all this snow on the ground that we are talking about a resort, but yet here we are. We are planning another draw for the end of February - a lovely Valentine's gift basket donated by committee member, Tina Martin. To be eligible for the draw, you must be registered for the conference and accommodation at Fern Resort. https://www.crsadmin.com/eventportal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=7146fb67-a3fd-40bf-9287-60d44ae87a0c We notice that there are a number of Rotarians who have reserved rooms, but are not registered for the Conference. If you need confirmation of your status, just shoot me an email. We would ask that if you have reserved a room, but have not registered for the Conference, please be kind and get your names on the list by the end of February. Note: There are only 20 rooms available at Fern so act now and get into the draw! Thank you and please enjoy winter wonderland! I can only imagine what is like at Fern.
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!
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 .....
Posted by Bob Wallace, Past District Governor, Past Rotary Zone Coordinator, and Current Chair of District 7070 Rotary Foundation Committee
In his March 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. Help us reach of Magic of Millions Goal by June 30, 2025. 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.........
Posted by Lars Henriksson, Past District 7070 Governor and District Grants Chair
The Rotary Foundation requires Rotary and Rotaract Clubs that want to apply for Global and District Grants to be qualified EVERY YEAR. Clubs are qualified when two of its members have successfully completed the two on-line quizzes connected to the training modules. In addition, the President and President Elect of Clubs must sign and submit the MOU – Memorandum Of Understanding to the District. The qualification is valid for one Rotary year. All documents for the 2025-26 Rotary year are posted under the Rotary Foundation tab on the District’s website, www.rotary7070.org For any questions, please contact PDG Lars Henriksson, District Grants Sub-Committee Chair at pdglars.henriksson@gmail.com
REMEMBER: To qualify, a Club must have at least two of its members complete the qualification process. In addition, the Club must submit an MOU to the District, signed by the President and President Elect. Please Read more for details.............
At the Rotary District 7070 Conference , on October 26, Bob Wallace and Jim Louttit announced a new Rotary District 7070 Goal for The Rotary Foundation called "The Magic of Millions". Our goal is to raise, by June 30, 2025, is $1 million . Please appoint an ambassador for your club to help you promote the Magic of Millions . Throughout the year, please encourage your members to donate to : the Annual Programs Fund, the Polio Fund, The Disaster Response Fund and to the Endowment Fund. At the Rotary Foundation Grants Seminar in Oshawa on November 16 , you found out even more how you can help us reach that Magic of Millions.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs can work with their district Rotary Foundation chair or Rotary Peace Fellowship subcommittee chair to recruit and recommend candidates for Rotary Peace Fellowships. Each year, the Foundation awards up to 130 fellowships to experienced peacebuilders from around the world so they can study at one of our Rotary Peace Centers. The fellows can earn a master’s degree or an advanced professional development certificate in disciplines related to peace and development. Applications will be accepted from February 1 through May 15, 2025. Peace fellows will begin their studies in 2026 at partner universities in Australia, Japan, Sweden, Türkiye, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ....
It’s not too early for clubs and districts to start working on their concept notes for the 2026 Programs of Scale grant competition, which begins in February 2025. This Rotary Foundation program awards grants of US$2 million and distributes them over three to five years to a successful program that is ready to expand. To learn more about the competition, visit the Programs of Scale Application Process page, and download the Programs of Scale Handbook and the template for a concept note. ........
Posted by Past District Governor Bob Wallace, Chair , District Rotary Foundation Committee
Dear fellow Rotarians in District 7070,
Rotarians in District 7070 have been committed to The Annual Programs Fund of the Rotary Foundation. You should be proud of the difference that Rotary have made in the lives of millions of people throughout the world by the project funded by The Rotary Foundation.
I want to thank you for your past efforts and ask that you recommit to helping us raise funds for The Annual Programs Fund of the Rotary Foundation.
We are inviting you to join our efforts to continue for The Annual Programs Fund of the Rotary Foundation. To become a member of the Paul Harris Society you are asked to commit to making an annual donation of $1000 USD or more to The Annual Programs Fund of the Rotary Foundation.
We hope that with your commitment in joining the Paul Harris Society, we will make a significant difference in our world.
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....
Join us on March 27 at 11 am Eastern Time : for "Rotary's PolioPlus Legacy: Leading the Way in Global Health Progress" - Rotary’s PolioPlus initiative is one of our longest-standing and most significant humanitarian efforts. Working with our partners, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9% worldwide since 1988. The systems, networks, and tools we've built along the way embody the "plus" in PolioPlus, often serving as the default epidemic response program in dozens of countries during health emergencies. Our panelists will discuss the role that PolioPlus infrastructure plays in public health and how the success of the initiative guides efforts in tackling pressing health issues. Register here at: https://rotary-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zAONR37UQI-DKOuDAM5XMw#/registration . Please submit any questions you have for our panelists or topics you’d like to hear about during the webinar. This will help us tailor the session to your interests and ensure we cover the most relevant content.
Start planning your 2024 World Polio Day event. Use the event guide in the Brand Center to help your club plan a successful event.
Forward this email to other members in your club. Encourage people to subscribe to the End Polio Now newsletter and thank those who have already done so! To opt in to the newsletter, people can sign in to My Rotary and select MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS on the Newsletters page.
Posted by Past District Governor Bob Wallace, Chair, District 7070 Rotary Foundation Committee
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.
I want to thank you for your past efforts and ask that you recommit to helping us raise funds to finish Rotary’s number one initiative of eradicating polio. Rotary is still committed to raising $50 million a year for this effort.
As such, we are launching the Polio Plus Society and are inviting you to join our efforts to continue to raise funds to eradicate polio. To become a member of the Polio Plus Society you are asked to commit to making an annual donation of $100 USD or more to The Rotary Foundation’s Polio Plus Fund until the last two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, are certified free of the wild polio virus.
Posted by Brian King Director of Membership Development - Rotary International
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.....
Satellite clubs allow members and prospective members to create a new club experience while benefiting from the support of an established local club. This club type requires fewer members to get started and is a great way to offer people what they want, whether it’s a different service focus, a different atmosphere, or just a different meeting time or place. Learn more in this video about satellite clubs.
Healthy clubs provide a positive club experience to their members. This is essential for member satisfaction and retention. Rotary’s Action Plan is our sustainable approach to keeping clubs healthy, which is why we encourage clubs to use it to address challenges, act on opportunities, or build on ideas. Let the Action Plan’s four priorities guide you in developing your goals, and then use Rotary’s Strategic Planning Guide (PDF) to do your long-term planning.
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.
Just as routine doctor visits help people identify health risks before they become serious, Rotary’s club health check can diagnose problem areas and prescribe remedies. Club leaders will find a checklist to assess their club’s well-being in the areas of club experience, service and social events, members, image, and business and operations, along with an array of resources to treat any problem areas. Regularly consulting those resources can help maintain your club’s health and preserve its value for club members and the community. A few examples follow, but review the entire document through the website listed below to ensure you’re taking full advantage of these valuable tools.
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.
New and different club models will attract diverse leaders to Rotary.Rotary clubs continue to demonstrate their value by staying connected to members and responding to changing needs in the community. Read about clubs around the world who are finding ways to adapt to new challenges and meeting online. Clubs and districts can take many approaches to membership growth. Rotary research tells us the most important factor is a club experience that attracts prospective members and engages current ones. A strong identity can help your club offer that kind of experience. The recently updated Club Types, Formats, and Models resource describes the many combinations of experiences that Rotary and Rotaract clubs worldwide are adopting as their club identities. One type of club is a satellite club, which can be started by fewer members and supported by another club. You can learn more about satellite clubs in the updated Guide to Satellite Clubs. Further strategies for membership growth are outlined in the new Strengthening Your Membership guide. The newly updated presentation on The State of Membership covers the latest membership trends and offers sustainable growth ideas. Membership growth also requires us to tell others about Rotary. During Membership and New Club Development Month in August, several experts shared advice on crafting compelling Rotary stories. Read more on the Rotary Voices blog. Please Read more for even more resources......
What Is your Rotary Club doing to focus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in March 2025? Clean water and sanitation is a human right. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives. We don’t just build wells and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact.
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
Posted by Ally Buck, Rotary and Community Fundraising Coordinator with ShelterBox Canada on Mar 01, 2025
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......
Literacy Awards 2024: Acknowledging and Supporting Club BEL Initiatives : Since 2017, BELRAG has highlighted Rotary’s commitment to basic education and literacy by showcasing projects from clubs and districts. Projects are evaluated on community need, impact, public awareness, Rotarian involvement, and effectiveness.
This year’s award recipients are the Rotary Clubs of Calgary, Port Moody, Tygerberg, and Little Rock After Hours, while the Rotaract BEL Award was given to Rotaract New Kingston. The review committee, led by Brenda Parsons and Carol Marcotte, included members from various countries. Detailed project descriptions can be found on the BELRAG website . Congratulations to all award recipients!......
Posted by Bill Empey - Honouring Indigenous People, Rotary District 7070 Coordinator
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 .........
We hope this message finds you well and thriving in your service to our communities! As we continue to inspire and empower the next generation, we are excited to share an incredible opportunity that aligns perfectly with your Rotary values - the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
The Program is more than just an adventure. It’s a transformative experience that fosters international understanding, cultural appreciation, and personal growth. By promoting the Program with our District’s Rotary Clubs, we can provide young people the opportunity to explore a new culture, develop lifelong friendships, and enhance their leadership skills. .....
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. ....
Rotaractors now have access to Rotary Club Central — Rotary’s free and easy-to-use goal planning and tracking platform. Club leaders can use the tool to add and track goals, while club members can track their club’s progress. Rotaract clubs can also earn this year’s Rotaract Club Excellence Award (formerly the Rotary Citation*) by entering their goals directly into Rotary Club Central.
It’s not too late to start planning your club’s future. Determine what your club wants to achieve and then go to Rotary Club Central (rcc.rotary.org) to set annual goals that can help your club reach its vision.
*Immediate past officers: still have the details from your paper form? You can also log in, switch back to 2023-24 and enter your goals and achievements to help add to your club's historical data!
We are a new Rotaract club in the district. We are an e-club that spans over the entire district 7070. We’ve approached you today to let you know we are actively recruiting future Rotaractors. So if you know any individuals who might be interested feel free to get them to sign up using our sign-up sheet in our bio or by emailing us directly. We are looking forward to learning more and creating a partnership with your club. Feel free to reach us at rotaract7070eclub@gmail.com If interested.
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.
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.comor 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).
Share your experience in using the Brand Center to help you tell the Rotary story. Contact Rotary International at PR@Rotary.org with thoughts or questions.
Complementing People of Action, Rotary produced three testimonial videos of members explaining how Rotary helps them further their passions and professions. Download these videos from the Brand Center, and feature them on your club website and social media channels to introduce potential members to the personal value they can find in Rotary.
World Immunization Week is 24-30 April! Start planning now for how to promote it, and visit the Brand Center for digital assets to help raise awareness about the importance of immunizations.
The Learning Center contains many Professional Development courses, including Communication Skills, Inspirational Speech, and Interpersonal Communication and Networking -- all skills that can strengthen your Public Image efforts.
Important dates - sponsored by Zones 28 & 32:
March 3, 2025, 7:30 Eastern time: The Continuity Challenge: Maintaining your club's momentum for growth. (Click on the link for the Zoom session)
March 27, 2025, 11:00 Eastern time, Rotary's PolioPlus Legacy: Leading the Way in Global Health Progress. (Register HERE.)
Our newest promotional campaign features videos of a diverse sample of members explaining how Rotary helps them further their passions and professions. The campaign’s initial rollout features testimonials by three U.S. members. Watch for future videos showcasing Rotary’s diversity of membership, breadth of experiences, and global reach. The testimonials are designed to complement Rotary’s People of Action messaging. Together, the videos and messaging work to deepen the public’s understanding of the many ways Rotary enriches members’ lives.
Visit the Brand Center to download these dynamic videos, and then post them on your social media channels and websites to introduce potential participants and members to everything they can find in Rotary.
Join the Rotary District 7070 Public Image Committee as we welcome Michael Angelo Caruso present 10 Unique Ideas to Make Your Club More Attractive. Michael will present 5 online strategies and 5 in-person (meeting) strategies. There will be lots of time for YOU to ask Michael questions .
Be sure to register on the District 7070 website event for Learning Tuesdays on May 20 .
Who should attend: All Cub Presidents, President Elects, Club Membership and Public Image Chairs and Directors and all members interested making their club more attractive
Learning Objective: Get ideas on how you and your Club can make your club more attractive to potential members and to your community.
Agenda: Michael will present 5 online strategies and 5 in-person (meeting) strategies to make your club more attractive.
Lots of time to ask Michael questions about his ideas and perhaps ways to make your club more attractive.
Please Read More for all of the details and Please REGISTER TODAY.....
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.......
When it comes to ending polio, we're "Unstoppable". In a new Brand Center video, “Unstoppable,” we tell the story of Rotary’s historic role in helping rid the world of polio. We started this job over 40 years ago and we haven’t stopped since. Members have contributed more than US$2.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to this cause, and our goal is closer than ever. Show your community what Rotary does – and can do – by sharing this exciting video on your website and social media channels. Download HERE.
“Connect & Inspire Through Storytelling,” a motivational webinar hosted by Rotary International and Toastmasters International, offers ideas on how to effectively tell your club’s stories. Panelists from Rotary and Toastmasters discuss connecting across demographic and cultural boundaries, bringing authenticity to your stories, and keeping things simple. Find an overview of the webinar and a link to view it in this Rotary Voices blog post by webinar moderator Mary Shackleton, District 7240 Endowment/Major Gifts subcommittee chair and a Toastmaster.
Data – indicators that provide insight into your projects – play an important role conveying the positive change your club or district makes in the community and can even propel people into action. Share your project data in compelling ways, such as through photos, video clips, or infographics, to inspire new partnership and funding opportunities, attract new members, and create stronger community bonds. The new Rotary Impact Handbook can help guide your club or district in gathering the right data to show your impact and demonstrate that you’re people of action.
Posted by David Andrews, Chair, District 7070 Public Image Committee
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.....
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 2024-25-26 Club Presidents already have a copy. Here is the checklist.
Posted by Virginia O'Reilly, District 7070 Governor
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.
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....
Posted by David Andrews, Chair, District 7070 Public Image Committee
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:........
Night of A Thousand Dinners – NEW DATE - MARCH 12, 2025 - Proceeds to the Canadian Landmine Foundation , Officers' Mess, Colonel R. S. McLaighlin Armoury , 53 Simcoe Street North. SAVE THE DATE : TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE: If you and/or anyone you know might like to participate in this soiree a spot can be saved by E-TRANSFERRING $135 per person to oshawarotaryclub@rogers.com and put one's name followed by NKD so the treasurer (Ron Dick) will know what the money is for. 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/ .....
Posted by Yvonne Buys, Incoming President, Rotary Club of Wellington
Here is an opportunity for your club to partner with the Rotary Club of Wellington right NOW. maple Syrup. A great fundraiser. Be sure to contact Yvonne Buys as soon as you can. Here is some information on this fantastic fundraiser from Yvonne.....
The Rotary Club of Port Perry is thrilled to announce that Adrienne Batra will be the Master of Ceremonies at the Annual Spring Gala, being held at Mill Run Golf Club on April 26, 2025.ALL ROTARIANS IN DISTRICT 7070 ARE INVITED:The Gala will be an exciting evening with live music, a delicious dinner, and fun at the live and silent auction. A wonderful evening to spend with friends and associates while supporting the work of Rotary. Gala Tickets are $150 per person. Please contact Aubrey Oppers at 1-905-261-8900. Donations of $250 to $5,000 will be recognized at the Gala and on social media. Please contact Barb Brady, Gala Co-Chair, at 905-441-7899 or email barbbrady2003@yahoo.ca for more information. Please Read more for more info.......
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.
As Rotary’s approach to building knowledge and skills shifts from a training model to a learning model, we’re putting participants at the center of the learning experience so they can direct their own learning and skill development.
Watch our webinar that was shown on February 13, 2024 to explore how to create dynamic learning experiences through facilitated dialogue and idea sharing.
Posted by Iosif Ciosa, Past District Governor and District 7070 Learning Chair
Welcome to your Rotary District 7070 Learning in the 2024-25 Rotary year. The District 7070 Learning committee is bringing all learning sessions under one umbrella.
The learining sessions (events) on the district website are one colour – red
A form to be used by our District Committees when putting together a training/learning session to tell you all about the learning session. This form (see the attached form in the next story in this newsletter) will be sent to Iosif and to Bob Wallace posting on to the District website
We have also created a NEW section in the Monthly District Newsletter that will show the learning session in the upcoming month
District Governor Virginia O'Reilly will also add any learning sessions to his weekly message.
Please Read more to see just some of the future learning sessions already planned for YOU....
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.
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.
Posted by Iosif Ciosa, Chair District 7070 Learning Committee
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).
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.
Rotary honors a teacher and mentor with the 2025 Sylvia Whitlock Leadership AwardThis Turkish Rotarian has promoted women’s financial literacy, funded scholarships for girls, and
Young trailblazers find inspiration at Rotaract UN Days. Three participants tell us about the experience, their takeaways, and what it was like to enter the halls of the historic Palais des Nations.
Since 2018, members of the Interact Club of Lotus Valley International School in Noida, India, have been manufacturing menstrual pads for girls and women, using a process they perfected at their school outside of Delhi
Rotary honors six People of Action: Champions of PeaceThe honorees’ projects empower farmers and refugees, heal postwar trauma, and establish dialogue among diverse
Join us as we celebrate some "Women of Action" who continue to improve our world by taking action and making change happen. We will be inspired and moved to action.
In his March 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. Help us reach of Magic of Millions Goal by June 30, 2025. 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.......
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..jpg?_=638764599410166590)
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 .........
