Membership News April 2, 2023 (Feb. 15, 2025)

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19th.

We're thrilled to welcome Dr. David Evans, a distinguished virologist with over 40 years of experience studying infectious diseases.

Rotary has long been a leader in the fight against polio, and we are closer than ever to eradicating this devastating disease. Dr. Evans will share how lessons from the eradication of smallpox and rinderpest have shaped global health efforts today. He’ll also discuss the history, challenges, and unexpected consequences of these massive public health campaigns.

This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen our understanding of disease eradication and the critical role Rotary plays in global health initiatives. Don’t miss it!

For those who cannot attend in person, the Zoom login for the meeting is Meeting ID 780 222 3440 Passcode Mayfield

Last Meeting Recap

At our last meeting, we had the privilege of having representatives from the Worldwide Education Fund (WEF). WEF is dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by providing:
✅ Quality English language education
✅ Early childhood development programs
✅ Educational and vocational scholarships

These programs support children and young adults in underserved communities across Central and South Asia. Our club has proudly contributed to a project in Booni, Chitral, Pakistan, helping to make a real difference in the lives of students there.

A big thank you to all our members who joined the meeting online or in person. It’s inspiring to see our club engaged in global initiatives!

FoMD Global Health Fundraiser

The U of A FoMD Global Health Fundraiser was attended by Mark and Rachel. Among the speakers was the keynote address by Dr. Stan Houston, who shared his vast experience in the field, and underscored the importance of work still to be done.

50th Anniversary Project

This past week, the first meeting of the 50th Anniversary Project Committee was held. There are three components of the project; a Club History, a Commemorative Project and a Celebration. Refer to this planning document for more information.

We are setting up an online portal for the Club’s history, where members can add photos, stories, and testimonials. You will receive an email notification once it is active.

For the Commemorative Project, we recognized that our major initiatives have focused on education and healthcare. We are considering two projects: establishing a scholarship fund for immigrant women in healthcare through NorQuest College or supporting a healthcare-related initiative in East Africa, possibly the 'Kenya' project. Other project ideas from club members are also welcome.

We are always looking for more help with planning. If you're interested or have suggestions, please message Maureen.

Celebration of Life for Al Colborne

The family of Al Colborne, who was our Charter President, has invited our club to join in a special Celebration of Life in his honour.

Date: June 24th (which would have been his 93rd birthday)
Location: Aboard 4 Ever Wild, Victoria
Boarding: 9:30 AM | Returning to dock: 2:00 PM

Al’s wishes were to have his ashes spread at sea, and we will honour that request together. House of Boateng will provide delicious food, and of course, there will be drinks to toast a life well-lived.

Please bring your favourite Al stories and photos as we remember and celebrate his incredible life. And who knows—if we spot some whales, we know Al would be thrilled.

RSVP is required as space is limited to 50 people. If you’d like to attend, please contact Kerry Colborne.

Upcoming Events

District Conference

The Rotary 5370 District Conference will be held on May 25 & 26.

Our club will support your fees to attend this conference. We anticipate qualifying for the Group Rate - which is administered on the "honor system".

Follow these steps to register:

Go to the registration site
Click on register
Click on Group Rate ($261)
Fill in the online form
Send Maureen a copy of the completed registration and she will e-transfer you the money.

Calgary - Rotary International Conference

The Rotary International Conference is coming to Calgary this June, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this incredible event so close to home! Connect with fellow Rotarians from around the world, gain inspiration from dynamic speakers, and be part of something truly impactful. Get your tickets here.

Self-Care Corner

30 Days of Self-Care

Finding balance in life can be challenging, but small actions can make a big impact on your mental health and resilience. Alberta Health Services has put together 30 simple self-care tips to help you prioritize your well-being.

Self-care means making intentional choices for your health—both physical and mental. Try one tip each day for the next 30 days. At the end, take a moment to reflect on what worked best for you and consider making those habits part of your daily routine.

Your well-being matters—take time for yourself!

How can we tell our story?

If you are working on a project or event or if you want to share your Rotary journey with others, we want to hear about it. And if you attend an event, take pictures or videos and send them to Victoria. We will use these for social media and bulletin posts.

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship.