President's
A LESSON FROM QUANTUM MECHANICS
Society seems to take after the binary world of computers. We like Trump, or we don't. We eat Cornflakes, or we don't. We support [insert topic], or we don't. Our minds seem to work in black and white, 1's and 0's, on or off.
Quantum states of matter don't work like that. In the quantum world something can be on, be off, or be both on AND off at the same time. You can think of the quantum world more like an infinite dimmer switch, where the light bulb can be anywhere between on and off, but all at the same time! It's weird.
Great, so what! What does this have to do with Rotary?
Rotary's motto is "Service above Self". Has anybody thought about what that actually means? It seems obvious at first glance, but what does it entail? Are we supposed to lock away your views on issues? Are you supposed to ignore your opinions in the assistance of others? Are you supposed to give service at the cost of your self-imposed or societally driven beliefs? Where does service stop at the cost of self?
There is a hidden lesson in quantum computing that can help to answer this tricky question. I will elaborate in the next newsletter. For now --- just ponder the motto --- and figure out what it means to you.
SERVICE
SELF
-Christopher Thompson
President Elect's
Paul Percy Harris
April 19, 1868 - January 27, 1947
The dash between Paul Harris' 78 years has left and made a huge impact in our society today.
Paul spent over 40 years as lawyer. In 1905, after he had started his own practice, he began the first Rotary Club "in fellowship and friendship" with three other business people.
As the 3rd elected president of the Chicago Rotary Club in 1907, the club initiated its first public service project, the construction of public toilets in Chicago. This project started and turned Rotary into a Service Club, with our moto now known as Service Above Self.
Over the years Rotary has grown from what is now known as “Rotary One” into an international organization with over 1.2 million members and growing. The things that have been done through years is truly mind blowing, from small projects to projects that are on a much larger scale, including the near eradication of Polio.
In a recent email from Barbara Fisk she spoke of Harris’ legacy and of the Foundation that was named in his honour. Contributions are key in funding and continuing to make impacts throughout the world, including right here in Canada!!
Have you thought about what your ‘dash’ might look like? The dash that is between your date of birth and date of death? Wherever you may go, or whoever you may speak with, etc. what impact or ripple will you have and make.
If you don’t please consider becoming a Paul Harris Fellow or simply making a donation that will have a lasting impact through the efforts of the Rotary Foundation.
Yes that is me (2nd from left), a funeral director, standing at Paul Harris’ gravesite in Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago
-Sean Goodall
Secretary's
Today yours truly marks being a member in Rotary for 20 years.
There have been times when it seemed this milestone could be marked with either condolences or congratulations.
I had absolutely no intention of being a longtime member when I joined. My reason for joining was to meet like minded people in a town where my wife (the one and only LadyLiz) and I recently moved from a "Big " city.
Over time, the people we associated with and the values represented by Rotarians in general have added richly making this journey one I'm looking forward to continuing.
Here's to at least 20 more years of active, healthy, financially stable and enjoyable life in Rotary.
-Chris Cochrane
The Montréal Mystery Festival, which had its inaugural event in May 2024, is already preparing for its second edition.
'Second Degree.' on May 23 and 24th, 2025, more than 20 authors of crime, mystery and thrillers from Quebec, the rest of Canada and beyond will meet with their readers for book signings and panels in French and English.
Last year, the festival was proud to announce the D7040 Passport Club as one its main sponsors, and we are thrilled the club has accepted to sponsor the event for 2025. If you're not attending our major fundraiser, the festival would love to have your help as a volunteer at the Grande Bibliothèque de Montréal! You can find more information and also donate personally on the website:
