Membership News April 2, 2023 (Nov. 03, 2024)

November is Rotary Foundation Month

Each November, Rotary International celebrates Rotary Foundation Month, highlighting the impact of Rotarian support for The Rotary Foundation.

Through contributions from Rotarians worldwide, the Foundation funds essential humanitarian and educational projects. Donations support two key funds: the Annual Programs Fund, which provides grants and awards for various Foundation programs, and the Permanent Fund, an endowment that ensures long-term support by using only its earnings.

Every dollar contributed by Rotarians directly funds programs that change lives—teaching children to read, building wells, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and sheltering those in need. To keep making a difference, we invite every Rotarian to contribute to the Annual Fund each year. Together, we can continue creating positive change around the world.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6th, and we are thrilled to welcome Riley Carson, the winner of the Impact Challenge Award! Riley will present her nonprofit initiative focused on increasing accessibility for Edmonton's disability community. By leveraging AI technology, Riley is developing a user-friendly, open-source platform that adapts to the evolving needs of the community. This resource will help individuals and organizations navigate services and opportunities, promoting greater inclusivity and accessibility.

We look forward to hearing their presentation and brainstorming ways our club can support this inspiring project!

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 enjoyed a fantastic presentation from Victoria, Jaden, and Sophia from the Global Brigades University of Alberta Chapter, Buski-Lakhani recipients. The team shared their inspiring experiences in eastern Panama, where they assisted over 443 patients who previously had no access to medical care. This was a meaningful opportunity to learn about the powerful impact of their work on health and well-being in underserved communities.

We’d also like to extend our appreciation to all the club members who joined the session in person and online. For those unable to attend in person, we invite you to join us online to stay connected and engaged in these enriching presentations. Your participation makes a difference!

During the meeting, our club also donated $2000 to Lead with Seeds in support of their Fundraising efforts.

Changeover Event Timing

The Changeover Meeting will be held in June 2025! More details will be shared as we get closer to the date, so stay tuned.

Past Events

Thank You for Supporting World Polio Day!

We appreciate everyone who joined us on Thursday, October 24th, to support World Polio Day. Thanks to your generosity, we’re pleased to announce that we raised approximately $300! Your contributions make a real difference in the fight to end polio.

Celebrating Our “Service Above Self” Award Winner, Riashna Naicker

On September 26th, we were honoured to attend an event at Jasper Place High School to present our “Mayfield Rotary Service Above Self” award to this year’s winner, Riashna Naicker. Although Riashna was unable to attend in person, our Youth Services Director, Jeremiah Ondicho, proudly presented the award and trophy on her behalf to one of her teachers. Riashna received a $1,000 award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to service.

Upcoming Events

Fork it Over Committee Meeting – November 7

The Fork it Over committee will meet on November 7th for a fundraising brainstorming session. If you’d like to contribute ideas, please reach out to Maureen to get involved! Fork it Over is a highlight every year, and we’re excited to start preparations for next year’s event.

Join Us for the Lead with Seeds Wine Tasting and Fundraiser!

Susan and Roman invite you to the Lead with Seeds Wine Tasting and Fundraiser on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 7:00 to 10:30 PM at the Biera Event Space, Ritchie Market (9570 76 Avenue NW). This event is an opportunity to thank supporters and provide updates on the initiatives in Honduras.

In what seems like a blink of an eye, 14 years have passed since eight Edmontonians initiated the Lead with Seeds project in Honduras. They have established two junior high schools, two vocational sewing programs, a successful tree nursery, multiple fresh water projects, and most recently, partnered with a US NGO to begin a long-distance, computer-based high school.

Event Details:

Admission: $50 per person (covers wine)
RSVP: Please contact Roman by November 16, 2024, and e-transfer your admission fee by the same date.

In addition to the admission, attendees are encouraged to make a charitable donation at the event or online through Canada Helps.

Your participation is vital for the success of the programs supporting families in Santa Rita and surrounding barrios. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Rotary International Conference in Calgary

With the Rotary International Conference taking place in Calgary this June, District 5370 Rotarians are encouraged to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend.

To minimize travel costs, the District has decided to host two mini-conferences: one in Edmonton and one in Lloydminster. The Edmonton conference will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2025, at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) PIC Building. The conference will cover important topics including:

Human Rights
Indigenous Culture & Resilience
Community Service Agencies
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Registration is now open and our club will reimburse up to $350 per member to assist with expenses.

Brightview Christmas Luncheon and Collaboration with SANTA YEG

We are currently organizing the Brightview Christmas Luncheon and our annual collaboration with SANTA YEG. Specific details regarding support will be shared soon. If you would like to volunteer for these festive events, please contact Rachel.

Other Updates

A message from our friend Abdul

Hello everyone! It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I left Edmonton! I hope everyone at Rotary Mayfield is doing well. Things are going great on my end—my father and family are doing well. Being back home in Tanzania has been a time for reflection, and being close to family has been wonderful and long overdue.

I worked remotely with Graham Construction until December 2023, but I’ve since embarked on an exciting new journey as the owner of a safari and tour company, Shelukass Adventures! You can check us out at www.shelukassadventures.com or find us on Instagram. It’s been an amazing experience that has truly pushed me to explore the beauty of Tanzania. I’ve also attended a few Rotary fellowship events here in Tanzania, which has been great.

My love for construction remains strong, and I’m still actively involved in construction projects here as well.

Looking forward to catching up and welcoming some Rotary clients from Edmonton soon! Warm regards to everyone.

Abdul

Help Us Make Our 50th Anniversary Unforgettable!

We're gearing up for a monumental celebration of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Mayfield's 50th anniversary, which will coincide with the 2027 District Conference alongside District Governor Jeanette. We need passionate volunteers to help plan this extraordinary event.

If you're interested in being part of the planning committee and making this milestone one to remember, please reach out to Maureen to get involved!

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.