The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive training program that brings together youth and young adults to further develop character and leadership skills, and learn about Rotary. The program helps to fulfill Rotary’s commitment to Youth Service by empowering young people through leadership development. This year we are proud to sponsor SHAMSUDDIN NASIR and look forward to hearing about his experience at the event, held May 2-5 at the Ecology Retreat Centre in Orangeville. He will be joining us at our April 18th weekly meeting and again to report on his RYLA experience at our June 6th weekly meeting.
Supporting the environment is Rotary's seventh area of focus. It joined peace-building and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development. Rotary is committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. We empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
In November 2023 "Community Action for Fresh Water" was established as the new name of the Rotary International-United Nations Environment Program initiative, and it was formally launched on January 10th 2024 at the Rotary International Assembly. The new initiative was launched, in part as a response to Rotary International introducing "Supporting the Environment" as its newest area of focus in 2022. Healthy freshwater systems are vital for flourishing and vibrant societies, but these systems are threatened by climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. Rotary members around the world have already been active in protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems.
Our incoming 2024-2025 President, John Persson, completed his District 7080 President-Elect training on March 9th. The PETS "family photo" showing our John dead-centre in the photo. Well done John and best wishes for your year ahead as our President!
On February 22nd 2024 our 2022-2023 Past President Martin Litchfield was honoured by his Rotary club by being designated a Paul Harris Fellow. The District 7080 Governor Brenda Halloran was in attendance at the meeting and presented Martin with the certificate and pin. This honour was bestowed on Martin in recognition of his contributions to the club and to the community with his legacy of community, youth and environmental service.
March 8th is International Women’s Day. 2024 marks 35 years since Rotary International changed their governing documents, in 1989, to permit the addition of women into Rotary clubs as active members. The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. It’s a call to action and a reminder that gender equality is one of the most effective ways to build healthier, more prosperous, and more inclusive communities. Because women’s success is everyone’s success!
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