President's
REFLECTIONS FROM THE BEACH
I am writing this while sitting on a beach in Mexico. I don't mean in a hotel lobby, or at a table in a restaurant, I am literally sitting on the beach in the sand with my tablet and a small bluetooth keyboard attached. I have access to my email, my work systems, and the internet. Obviously it's amazing, and its happened in, say, 15 years?
Looking at the waves roll in makes me wonder if technology has benefited anybody other than the elite owners of devices? My instinct was 'No', but I put more thought into it and believe I am wrong.
If I think back to Africa for example (where I spent most my life), banking is super accessible and cheap. The banks in Africa would put Canadian and U.S. banks to shame in terms of efficiency and costs. That is 100% technology driven.
There are many many examples, communication, healthcare and online education being obvious ones. Thus, after my initial negativity around technology being only for the rich, I turned positive. That all happened in 20 minutes, watching the waves splash, over a beer.
Technology benefits everybody, somehow. Embrace it, even if you're older.
-Christopher Thompson
President Elect's
Super Bowl Sunday is here and it may be over before you read this.
Did you plan or attend a party? Did you get caught up in the hoopla or just ignore the game? Where a lucky one that could get a seat in the stadium and spend thousands of dollars to attend in New Orleans? Did you like the Eagles or Chiefs; or were you cheering when you saw Taylor!!
No matter what you may have done Sunday night, think about the amount of preparation, the cost and production goes into this once a year event, it is mind blowing. Huge prices are paid for 30 seconds of airtime to get your brand on TV. Don’t get me wrong, one of the best parts of Super Bowl Sunday is watching the US commercials, though Canada is getting better!
What is your 30 second brand about Rotary? Are you advertising a great organization that has done so much thus far, with still more big things to come? Do people know you are a Rotarian? Don’t be afraid to say your motto is Service Above Self or you live by the 4-Way Test!!
It is through your advocacy we as a Club, a District, a Zone and an International Organization will grow. It might be in numbers, as someone joins. It may be a worthy cause or initiative we can rally behind and support, whether financially, physically or socially. Or maybe it is someone that finds out the efforts to eradicate polio and finds away to contribute.
We can truly make a difference when we speak of Rotary. What are you advertising?
Hope you have a Super week.
-Sean Goodall
Secretary's
Remember, on Friday, February 14, it's our monthly Club Board meeting. All members are welcome.
Happy Valentine's Day
-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:
