MAY 2024-The Bridge

THE BRIDGE

Official Newsletter for Rotarians of District 6330 bridge@rotary6330 org

By the Glass

This week, we had the pleasure of hosting a dinner for a Rotarian who was on a mission to complete the Bruce Trail end-to-end, to raise funds for his local hospice The Bruce Trail is an impressive trail with breathtaking views and diverse landscapes.It is Ontario’s largest and most active land trusts. An end-to-end hike is 900 Kilometers long. Completing the trail in a single trip is a significant endeavour requiring a great deal of physical, mental and logistical planning

Jody Padfield, a Rotarian in District 7010 reached out for assistance with getting to and from his camp site while in District 6330 and so naturally we wanted to help It struck me how easy it was to talk with this stranger, a fellow community-minded individual. Rotary was the natural starting point for our conversation. We shared a common language and easily talked about our clubs priorities, the

role of the district and our responsibilities within these structures and a commitment to service and the well-being of others.

It was inspiring to meet someone who has taken on a challenge such as this, in order to give to others It is a feeling that I have often had as I’ve visited clubs throughout District 6330 and heard your stories about what you and your club have done for your communities Thank you for being a part of Rotary.

Upcoming District Events

Paisley RC

Rotary Breakfast

May 19th

RC of St Marys

27th Annual Scramble Golf Day

June 6th

Brown City RC

Chicken BBQ

June 6th

RC of Stratford Aqua Box Build

June 8th

District 6330

Annual Business Meeting

June 19

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DISTRICT 6330

RC of London South

Area 4 Paul Harris BBQ

June 13th

St. Clair Rotary Club

Centennial Celebration

June 20

We're on the lookout for dedicated volunteers to lend a hand in various roles within our District. Whether you have a flair for public relations, or a passion for leadership, we have opportunities waiting for you! If you're interested in getting more involved and contributing to our district's success, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to Katherine Hahn katherine.hahn@rotarystratford.com for more information or to express your interest

Let's join forces to keep our district thriving and continue making a positive impact in our communities!

NewsletterEditor-What’sInvolved?

The Newsletter editor compiles and prepares the stories and articles for the monthly district newsletter.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Solicit newsworthy items and information from the District Governor, RI, the District Leadership Team, and the District clubs.

Create layout and design in a professional format, consistent with Rotary International branding.

Submit draft in advance of publication to the District Governor for approval.

Distribute Newsletter electronically once a month on a date determined by the District Governor.

Provide the Newsletter to the District Webmaster to upload to the website.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Working knowledge of graphics software, ie Canva, or other Experience in writing or preparing documents and editing written documents.

Experience in formatting and editing photos and graphics. TERMOFOFFICE:

One year minimum, preferably three years.

Public/ Image/ Relations Committee Chair

ThePublicImage/Relationscommittee

It’s purpose is to be a resource to the district and its clubs to promote the image and ideals of Rotary RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and implement a district public image program that will promote Rotary to the media, community leaders and beneficiaries of Rotary’s programs

·Help to ensure the district website portrays a good public image and attractive source of Rotary information

Assist clubs to learn ways that they can be most effective in their publicity, public relations and communications

Encourage and role model the use of the RI Brand Center and the RI guidelines for voice and visual identity

·Communicate with the governor and chairs of key committees to stay informed about district projects and activities

Unabashedly celebrate Rotary achievements in our district QUALIFICATIONS:

Active club members in the district who have experience and/or interest in advertising, marketing, public relations, media relations, public speaking, social media, website development or event planning Membership Committee Members

District Learning Assembly

Sat. May 4th, via Zoom

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our District Learning Assembly. Your active participation contributed immensely to the success of the event! We were thrilled to have over 125 members from District 6330 register and engage in the sessions

Special appreciation goes out to our 20 facilitators whose invaluable input enriched the learning experience for Rotarians across the district. From insightful discussions on membership, youth services, The Rotary Foundation, and district grants to exploring meeting excellence and collaborative service, each session was filled with valuable insights and knowledge sharing. Additionally, we were honored to have Louisa Horne, the Zone 28 Innovative Club Advocates team leader, as our special presenter to talk about making our clubs “Simply Irresistible “

Once again, thank you to all who contributed to making this event a resounding success. Your dedication and commitment to Rotary's mission are truly inspiring.Don’t worry if you missed the event. Here is the link to access the recordings from the sessions, as well as documents and Powerpoint presentations

We shared exciting news: District 6330 now has a WhatsApp Community! This platform will serve as a space where you can connect with fellow district members to discuss both successes and challenges Moderated by our district leadership team, the community aims to foster collaboration and support among members. We've established various chat groups within the community, covering topics such as AGs, 2024-25 Presidents, Public Image, Club Membership, Treasurers, and Secretaries The chat groups are open to anyone with the link to join the D6330 community.

We're always eager to hear your suggestions for future learning topics Your input helps us tailor our offerings to better serve you Our role in the district is to support YOU.

Congratulations Jean Aitcheson Order of Canada

Jean Aitcheson is devoted to helping those in need. In the mid-1990s, this retired nurse and well-respected member of the Festival City Rotary Club, established the Stratford Mission Depot to recycle unused and surplus medicine, medical supplies, and equipment from hospitals and hospices.

Since then, she and her team of volunteers have tirelessly collected, sorted and shipped donations to communities and countries around the world Driven to serve humanity above self, she has also organized and led countless medical outreach missions to remote areas, improving the lives of millions of individuals globally.

On behalf of District 6330, our sincerest congratulations to Jean, who truly exemplifies “Service Above Self”

Jean with her two sons, Evan and Brian

Watch MP Perth- Wellington, John Nater recognize Jean's accomplishments

MAY IS...

Youth Service Month

“Rotary believes in developing the next generation of leaders. Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service.”

Next Month: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR OF THEMES AND EVENTS

District 6330 is proud to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, which builds peace, one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-18 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries!

Exchange students unlock their true potential to:

Develop lifelong leadership skills

Learn a new language and culture

Build lasting friendships with young people from around the world

Become a global citizen

JUNE IS...

Rotary Fellowships Month

June is designated as “Rotary Fellowships Month” to recognize the importance of international fellowship and good will among Rotarians with similar recreational interests, vocations, and health and medical issue-oriented interests, to promote increased participation in fellowships and increase understanding of this program.

MEMBERSHIP MINUTE

Lorna Gunning-Fratschko

It is hard to believe that we are quickly closing in on our June 30, 2024 year end and that the 2024 - 2025 year will be upon us It is terrific to be able to report that the District Membership has increased 26 members as of the end of April, an increase of 1.69%. This is solid growth and thank you to everyone for your attention to and efforts towards growing our membership.

So -- how can we prepare for 2024 - 2025 in order to maintain this good momentum? A few thoughts to help us take advantage of our existing momentum, and of the Membership Growth resources provided by RI and the District:

1 Clubs are encouraged to enter membership goals in Club Central -- we know that when goals are entered, achievement rates are increased!

2. Clubs are encouraged to schedule a Visioning Exercise. What is Visioning? Visioning is essential for club success. It unites members in pursuing leadership, consistent programs, and a shared purpose, providing a blueprint for growth and efficiency Visioning is not a one-time project It is an ongoing process that needs to be part of the club’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) This strategic approach empowers clubs to reach their potential by establishing a structured framework Setting club goals on Rotary Central becomes more manageable and realistic when priorities and related goals are identified and supported by robust action plans created through the Visioning process. It strengthens the club by fostering alignment, improving relationships, retention, and attracting new members It ensures consistent and continuing plans/strategies regardless of the presidency terms, reflecting the club’s ongoing collective decisions As a result, the Rotary Visioning initiative offers invaluable support, transforming clubs; their mindsets and helping them achieve their goals

Visioning Sessions are available to be booked in July, August, October & November of this year Please consider this valuable exercise for your club.We are so fortunate to be working with Nurdan Tokoz who is an expert in this field. Nurdan’s contact information: nurdan@SolutionsForHumanPerformance com; 519-619-8788

3 Clubs are encouraged to establish a Membership Chair and Committee if possible This sort of structure helps to keep Membership "front of mind" as your club's Membership Strategy is developed and implemented The importance of a sustained focus on membership is supported by RI President Elect Stephanie Urchick's belief that all club members are on the membership committee.

4. Book a presentation or discussion with your District Membership Chair.

5 Take advantage of the "Simply Irresistible" Webinar Series with Louisa Horne and Doug Logan great presentations all tailored to helping your club know what you need to do to grow membership how to be Irresistible!

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions or comments I wish you a great rest of the month of May and hope to see you at District Conference!

... AND THAT’S A WRAP

Preparing for a new Rotary year

As another Rotary year comes to an end, we want to give a huge shout-out to every one of you for all the amazing service, friendship, and fun we ' ve shared. From community projects and fundraisers to social events, you ' ve all made this year truly special. We’re so grateful for the bonds we ' ve formed and the impact you ’ ve made, both locally and globally It's been amazing working alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals like you!

As we look ahead to the next year, we ’ re excited to see how we'll continue to grow and adapt together. With our spirit and determination, there's no limit to what we can achieve. Thanks for being awesome, and we ’ re looking forward to another fantastic year ahead!

Your District Governor Team, Sonja, Katherine, Jeff and Lorna