Consult with local experts early in the planning process to build a strong project plan and global grant application. The district resource network* (see below) can help.
To be approved, your application must clearly describe how your project, scholarship, or vocational training team:
✓ Is sustainable — include plans for long-term success after the global grant funds have been spent
✓ Includes measurable goals
✓ Aligns with one of Rotary's areas of focus
✓ Responds to real community needs
✓ Actively involves Rotarians and community members
✓ Meets the eligibility requirements in the terms and conditions of the grant
The Rotary Foundation’s grant model empowers Rotarians to continue advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
*What is a district resource network? District international service chairs are tasked with identifying local Rotarian and Rotary alumni experts to build a district resource network that clubs can consult to improve a project or global grant proposal. Working with fellow district and club leaders, international service chairs recruit interested local Rotarians and alumni with expertise in the areas of focus and project planning to serve as advisers and consultants on club projects. The district’s clubs take advantage of their network of experts by contacting them directly for assistance with projects, or by requesting an introduction from the district international service chair.
Starting this month, the Membership committee has invited all of us to reach out to someone else in the club (find the document on the club website: Organization: Documents: Membership) to have a chat for Coffee with a Rotarian. Past President Chris had initiated the idea during his year, and it is a great way to get to know one another. This week I talked with Maddie, and I learned a lot! When she becomes president in July, she will be the youngest one of our club to do the job at 23!
The past week was busy with all kinds of Rotary events. A small group attended the Online Social on Wednesday the 13th: I personally enjoyed not only asking the questions but hearing from the participants and their experiences in Rotary and beyond. For instance, did you know that both Ariane and Simmy visited Iqaluit? They had some interesting stories to share. Some of you may have attended the Director Dialogue on the 14th, and others the latest recording of the Passport Education Centre on the 15th. It was an excellent talk by Sam Watts, author of Good Work Done Better. What’s for sure is that there is something for everyone, and if you miss an event, there is likely to be a recording later – if you watch it, it counts as a makeup!
At the end of the Online Social I mentioned some upcoming events, including a very special meeting to celebrate Rotary’s 116th birthday! Indeed, February 23rd is the day we celebrate our organization’s foundation, and it happens to be our meeting day. Please join me at 6:30pm EDT for a presentation by our special guest Dean Rohrs, Past RI Vice-President. Our regular meeting will follow, and it will all be recorded if you cannot attend on the day of. In the meantime, there are many other activities to participate in – hoping to see you online soon!
Secretary's Thoughts
Amazing that we are already halfway through the first month of 2021!
President Chris is continuing with his Education Centre series and last Friday several Passport Club members, plus others had an opportunity to hear from another amazing speaker: Sam Watts the CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission in Montreal a Community-based Not-For-Profit organization. Sam had a number of thought provoking questions and comments about the nature of Not-For-Profits, such as his, that often focus on providing direct help to their clients rather than on finding permanent solutions to complex social challenges, such as homelessness.
Sam’s presentation and the discussion afterwards is well worth watching and should be available on the Education Centre link below by Tuesday morning this week. Here’s the link:
We’re only about ten days away from our first club meeting of 2021 – Tuesday January 26th at 5PM – note link to our Zoom meeting will be open at 4:30 PM for casual chatting.
I hope that many of you have already taken advantage of our Passport Club’s special new feature “Coffee with a Rotarian”. President Jacinthe makes special mention of this in her column above. You will need to find the document which lists who each of us has been paired with on ClubRunner: under Organization: Documents: Membership
Have a great week everyone!
Yours in Rotary Service,
Terry
President-Elect Maddie Roy
Maddie will be back again next Sunday.
Membership Matters
By Ariane Carriere, Membership Chair
Recently I sent out a request for you to check your profile and update any information that needed updating. We've been having trouble with some email addresses, so make sure that yours is correct.
Membership Committee Report
There were several things that we discussed and decided:
The Membership Committee meetings are open to anyone in the club. The Zoom link is in the Event details.
We will likely need to revise the membership goal before the end of the year.
Hopefully our three honourary members will come back as active members, but we should be lenient considering COVID and health problems.
Anyone who indicates interest in Rotary can be added as a prospective member, but if nothing is happening in six months, they will most likely be removed from the Other Users list.
Meet the Member (Nico) and Coffee with a Rotarian (Brian) appears to have started well. We do not want to overwhelm everyone and so are suggesting that we do this at the beginning of every month so that we have the rest of the month to write an article or get in touch with one another.
Ariane will follow up on several leads that indicated interest after an email went out for the new year. There were about three who seemed interested but have not followed through.
New Features on Our Home Page
If you click on Members Only (you need to log in though), you'll see recordings of our meetings, how to pay your dues, and a complete Membership list, with pictures.
Some photos have been moved around in order to be able to find them better. We had over 500 images, all in one file. This may mean that some links are not working. If you find problems, let me know because it can be fixed.
Meet the Member
We will return with an article by Len Goddard next week. Did you know that Len is the longest serving Rotarian in our club? Check the anniversaries at the side.
Coffee with a Rotarian
We are ready to go with this initiative for the month of January. You will find the instructions and match-ups in our Document section, just click on this link for Coffee with a Rotarian.
Have you checked your list to find out who you should be contacting this month?
Invitation from Margaret to see and hear a special presentation by RI President Nominee
Jennifer Jones
to the RC of Madras India
Last Tuesday, 12 January, Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President Nominee, met with the Madras Rotary Club in India to speak on the FUTURE OF ROTARY. Invited to attend was sister club Cataraqui Kingston Rotary Club.
Enjoy too the way another Rotary Club conducts its business. RC Madras even has its own theme song! This also counts as attending meeting of Rotary Club, so don’t forget to mark your attendance.
