Membership News Mar 29, 2026 (Mar 29, 2026)

Next Meeting

At our next meeting, we’ll welcome Sarah Buczynski and Shantavia Roberts, who will speak about their work supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Edmonton.

Edmonton has built a strong reputation as a welcoming city for LGBTQ+ newcomers and refugees, thanks in part to the advocacy and impact of the Rainbow Refuge Program and the LGBTQ+ Newcomer Group.

Sarah and Shantavia will share:

The history and work of the Rainbow Refuge Program and LGBTQ+ Newcomer Group
Why LGBTQ+ awareness and inclusiveness matter in the settlement sector and the broader community
Opportunities to get involved in welcoming and supporting LGBTQ+ newcomers.

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 were pleased to welcome Ranti, who spoke about the work of the Afro-Caribbean Food Bank and the importance of culturally appropriate food in addressing food insecurity. She also highlighted how community partnerships, such as Rotary, play a key role in strengthening support systems for vulnerable families. More details on how to support this organization are below:

An update from Dr. Oscar

Our club had the opportunity to support Dr. Oscar Ogwang in his surgical training at the University of Alberta and has since remained in contact, witnessing his professional growth and community impact. Here’s a brief update on what he is doing these days:

"Grateful to be part of Day 1 of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Annual Meeting here in Tampa. As a commitee member of CR and DLPD the conference opened with impactful sessions across multiple tracks, particularly in Colorectal Surgery and Diversity, Leadership & Professional Development (DLPD). The Colorectal session provided valuable insights into current trends, evolving surgical techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches aimed at improving outcomes for patients with colorectal diseases. The discussions emphasized evidence-based practice, innovation, and global collaboration in advancing minimally invasive colorectal surgery.

Equally inspiring was the Diversity, Leadership & Professional Development session, which highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership, mentorship, and continuous professional growth within the surgical community. These conversations are essential in shaping a future surgical workforce that is not only highly skilled but also diverse, empathetic, and globally connected.

SAGES continues to demonstrate its mission of innovating, educating, and collaborating to improve patient care, and Day 1 has already delivered meaningful learning and networking opportunities.

Looking forward to the upcoming sessions and continued engagement with colleagues from around the world.

Thanks to all my mentors and Makerere University for giving me this opportunity."

- Dr. Oscar

A foundation Moment

HOW DO GLOBAL GRANTS MAKE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE IN THE WORLD?

One remarkable aspect of The Rotary Foundation is that opportunities for significant projects exist wherever there’s a need — in large countries and small ones, in metropolitan areas and rural ones.
Global grant projects are built on international partnerships, and those collaborations can take
many forms. A district in Canada may be the international sponsor, with a U.S. district as the host sponsor. A club in France could sponsor a global grant project in Germany. The need, not the location, determines the project. Here’s another example: Rotary clubs in Honduras and the U.S. worked together on a global grant project to provide eye care to people in Honduras. Members from both clubs provided vision services through local clinics. They evaluated more than 1,200 people and gave prescription eyeglasses to 600. A local nongovernmental organization will continue to provide glasses and medications to people who need them.
What does this mean for the community? Better eyesight can lead to better educational or occupational opportunities, which can mean a better quality of life for people. Clubs around the world use these grants from the Foundation to make long-term, sustainable change. Every club has the opportunity to do this, one project at a time.

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities

Get to know Rotary

Date: April 15, 2026, 5 pm to 8 pm

Location: Alberta Teachers Association
11010 142 Street Northwest

District 5370’s Membership Committee, with the support of Rotary International, is hosting a collective Get to Know Rotary open house.

This welcoming, low-pressure event is designed for prospective members, friends, and community partners who are curious about Rotary and how it fits into their lives.

If you know someone interested in learning more about Rotary, or have met any new potential members, this is the perfect event to invite them to.

Tickets are free. Reserve your spot here.

District Integrity Awards

Date: May 7, 2026

Location: Four Points Edmonton South
7230 Argyll Rd NW

The annual District Integrity Awards celebrates individuals who exemplify integrity and a deep commitment to Building our Communities.

The evening begins with a welcome reception—an excellent opportunity to connect with community leaders—followed by a formal dinner and the awards ceremony honoring this year’s outstanding recipients.

This year, our club has two nominations, and we’re hoping to fill two tables. We would love to have strong member representation at this special event. To support attendance, our club will cover 50% of the ticket cost.

If you’d like to attend, please contact Maureen by April 25 to reserve your spot.

District Conference 2026

Date: May 15 - 17, 2026

Location: Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre
1171 Front St, Whitehorse, YT.

With outstanding keynote speakers, the District Conference 2026 is a great opportunity to learn, be inspired, and connect with fellow Rotarians. This year is especially meaningful for our club, as our very own Jeanette Bancarz will be inducted as District Governor.

If you’d like to join us, you can register and learn more about the event here.

Get Involved: Join a Committee This Year

Looking for a meaningful way to get more involved this year? Serving on a club committee is a great way to volunteer your time, learn new skills, and contribute directly to the work that moves our club forward. Committees offer a chance to collaborate, share ideas, and shape the projects and initiatives that matter most to our community.

Whether you’re new to Rotary or a long-time member, your perspective and energy are valuable. If you’re interested in joining a committee or want to learn more about the options available, please reach out. We’d love to have you involved.

Members Anniversaries

We’re launching a new section on our social media channels to celebrate (and brag a little 😉) about the incredible members of our club and the unique stories behind their Rotary journeys.

We invite all members to share a Personal Expression Statement highlighting the impact Rotary has had on your life, and the difference you’ve made through Rotary. This is your chance to tell your story, your way, and inspire others along the way.

Please Use this link to submit your story. Or email Victoria directly with your story.

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.