Membership News April 2, 2023 (Mar. 18, 2024)

FoMD Global Health Fundraiser

On Saturday, March 16th, Rotarians Arif Alibhia (wife, Karima) and Jeanette Bancarz (husband, Marc Hanatschek) attended the FoMD Global Health Fundraiser. It was wonderful to hear firsthand accounts of the support the RCEM is providing to visiting doctors from East Africa and also the impact we have with the Students Investing in Health Association. The sparks we help ignite for international medical service burn brightly into the future and have a lasting impact in those communities.

From Patricia Grell, FoMD:

"Dr. Oscar Ogwang will be doing a Post Graduate Medical Elective (PGME) from May 16 - June 29, 2024. He will be supervised by Dr. Abdullah Saleh while here. Dr. Ogwang's focus is adult and pediatric surgery -- especially in the management of trauma as it's one of the causes of mortality related to road traffic accidents. He also wants to learn more about laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Arnold Kibuuka will be doing a Post Graduate Medical Elective (PGME) from September 9 - October 20, 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Jason Silverman in pediatric gastroenterology.

Both of these doctors are residents at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.

Many thanks again to the Mayfield Rotary Club for helping sponsor these 2 doctors!"

Membership Updates

Get to Know Rotary

On March 27th, existing and new members are invited to join fellow Friends of Rotary for an evening filled with networking, inspiration, learning, and community impact.

At this event, we'll have the opportunity to learn about Rotary's mission and how it's making a difference both locally and globally. Meet passionate Rotarians who are dedicated to service and hear about their experiences firsthand, while learning about all the incredible projects they support.

This is a FREE event. For details and to reserve your spot now on Eventbrite, use the following link.

We need volunteers to assist at our table. If you're interested in lending a hand, please contact Jeanette.

Next Business Meeting

Our next business meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20th. Tim Parker, a fellow Rotarian and Professor Emeritus of Psychology, will be speaking in-person to our club about addiction. He has authored a book called "Trapped by the High."

Tim's presentation will cover the following important questions about addiction:

What mechanism produces tolerance?
Why do withdrawal syndromes occur, and what makes them interesting?
How does addiction change the brain?
What brain changes result in recovering addicts often displaying cognitive impairments?
Why are recovering individuals so susceptible to recidivism?

Overall, the presentation aims to provide an accessible, jargon-free, and entertaining account of addiction and its impact on the brain.

We highly encourage your presence at the session in person and warmly invite you to extend the invitation to others as well.

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

Upcoming Events

District 5370 Conference, May 3rd-4th, 2024

The District 5370 Conference is scheduled for May 3rd and 4th, 2024. During this conference, the 2026-2027 District Governor nomination will be ratified. If you want to participate, please inform Lorne Wight. Don't miss this chance for learning, networking, and making a positive impact! Learn more about the conference here.

Integrity Awards

We have nominated Jason Gregor for the integrity awards. We are looking for people to fill our table - let Lorne Wight know if you would like to represent our club.

Fork it Over

The Rotary Club of Edmonton Mayfield, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise, will host the 21st Annual Fork It Over Fundraiser on Saturday, June 1st, 2024, at the River Cree Resort and Casino. This year's theme is Jerseys & Jeans!

We have shared the sponsorship packages and other ways to donate via email. Please share that information with friends and family. If you have items you would like to donate, contact Lorne Wight.

Self-Care Corner

Facing tough times in life is inevitable, but resilience can help you not only endure but also thrive amidst adversity. According to experts like Dr. Cindy Bergeman from the University of Notre Dame, resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and succeed in the face of adversity. It's not a trait you're born with; rather, it's a process influenced by factors like family, community, and cultural practices. Dr. Alexandra Burt from Michigan State University emphasizes that resilience can be cultivated through healthy habits and self-care. Dr. Lisa Wexler, who specializes in suicide prevention at the University of Michigan, underscores the importance of connections to family, friends, community, and culture in bolstering resilience. Discover more about resilience and its transformative power here.

Impact Challenge

Our Rotary Global Impact Challenge is open for submissions! If you know of anyone working to make a difference in Edmonton, please tell them about this initiative. People can learn more about the challenge and submit their applications here. This event is also open to Rotary members.

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.