Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo (Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy) District 6330 Governor Jeff Ferweda, (Rotary Club of Genessee Valley, MI) Club Newsletter Editor, Kitty Bucsko
District website: https://rotary6330.org/ Club website: http://www.6330passport.org
The Calendar below shows Rotary’s 2025-26 monthly themes.
ROTARY CALENDAR and THEMES
Month
Theme
July Maternal and Child Health
August
Membership and New Club Development
September Basic Education and Literacy
October Economic and Community Development
November The Rotary Foundation
December Disease Prevention and Treatment
January Vocational Service
February Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution
March Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
April Environment
May
June
Youth Service
Rotary Fellowships Click
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR AUGUST
"Each Rotarian is a connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and their community."
— Paul Harris, Rotary Founder
"The foundation upon which Rotary is built is friendship; on no less firm foundation could it have stood."— Paul Harris, Rotary Founder
"Rotary is not just a club that you join; it is an invitation to endless opportunities."
— Shekhar Mehta, 2021-22 Rotary International President
"A Rotary club is the place where ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things."
— Attributed to multiple past district governors
"If Rotary is to realize its proper destiny, it must be evolutionary at all times, revolutionary on occasions."
— Arch C. Klumph, father of The Rotary Foundation
6. "Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on earth."
— Fred Westbrook, Past Rotary International Director
"Rotary changes us and those we serve. I believe we can change the world one life at a time."
— Debbie Vance, Past District Governor (Canada)
When you ask someone to join Rotary, you’re not simply filling a seat—you’re opening a door.
And as we enter August, let’s
UNITE FOR GOOD!
When you ask someone to join Rotary, you’re not simply filling a seat—you’re opening a door.
Encourage members this month to share how Rotary has changed their life. Personal stories are powerful magnets for new members.
From John Hewko, General Secretary and CEO at Rotary International
My path to Rotary International started with a letter from my father and a question I believe many purpose-driven people ask themselves: What’s next, and how can I make it count?
At the NEXUS Global * Summit, I shared why deep community trust is essential to solving global challenges.
Rotary doesn't parachute in with solutions. We listen to communities, amplify their priorities, and commit for the long haul. With 1.2 million members in more than 46,000 clubs, Rotary builds sustainable change from the ground up.
Because when solutions come from within, the impact lasts.
John Hewko is an American lawyer and public policy scholar who is the current General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.
Career
Hewko worked for the Chicago-based law firm Baker McKenzie from 1989 to 2004, where he helped establish the firm’s Moscow office, and then served as managing partner in Kyiv and Prague. During that period, from 1991 to 1992, he also worked as the executive secretary of the International Advisory Council to the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv.[1]
He assisted the parliamentary commission that prepared the initial draft of the Ukrainian Constitution and was a member of the working groups that drafted the initial Ukrainian post-independence laws on foreign investment, anti-competition, and corporations.[2][3]
Between 2004 and 2009, Hewko worked as the vice-president for Operations and Compact Development for the Millennium Challenge Corporation[4] where he completed the negotiation of foreign assistance agreements with 18 countries totalling $6.3 billion for infrastructure, agriculture, water and sanitation, health and education projects. He has also been a non-resident senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment's Democracy and Rule of Law Program,[4] a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University.[4][5]
In 2011, he was appointed general secretary and CEO of Rotary International. He holds an undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, New York,[6] a master's degree from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar,[6] and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University.[3][7]
…from Wikipedia
* NEXUS GLOBAL - The leading global network of next-gen philanthropists, impact investors, and exceptional social entrepreneurs.
MONTH OF AUGUST!
Membership & New Club Development
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
Wednesday,August 6 at 7:00p.m. Eastern Time
HAPPY CHATS ONLINE – JOIN US!
Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time UNITE FOR GOOD
BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY
Month of September
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Month of October Rotary Anthem
Right click here to open the link and listen to the Rotary Anthem! Click here for We are the World.
IMPORTANT ROTARY INFORMATION
2025-26 RI PRESIDENT
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
PRESIDENT
2025-26
FRANCESCO ARAZZO
ITALY
THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
AUGUST MESSAGE 2025
This
month and every month
August is Membership Month, but our commitment to growth and connection is year-round. When we focus on growing Rotary, we grow our ability to sere, to lead, and to bring lasting change.
Membership growth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about opening doors. It’s about inviting more people who are ready to give their time, talents, and hearts to a cause greater than themselves. When we welcome new members, we bring in fresh ideas and new energy. We expand our impact, strengthen our clubs, and ensure that Rotary continues to evolve with the world around us.
Remember, there is now great flexibility in fashioning nontraditional club models. I’m inspired when I see these innovative clubs thrive by offering new and prospective members more ways to connect and serve.
In Korea, the growth of satellite clubs has created opportunities for nearly 1,000 new members to find their place in Rotary. IN Romania, the close collaboration between Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors has built a pipeline of future leaders. In India, some Rotarians gather around a shared interest – whether it’s professional development or a passion for service – and those connections deepen their commitment and their joy in being part of Rotary. And we’ve seen cause-based clubs thrive in regions as divers as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.
There’s a common thread: Where clubs are growing, membership is a priority and there is a willingness to try something new. Rotary is not limited to one structure or tradition. We are a global network of people of action, and that means there Is room for many kinds of clubs, many ways to serve, and many paths into our organization.
This spirit of innovation is also guiding our efforts to reach new communities In places where there has never been a Rotary club – or where a club once existed and faded – Rotarians are finding ways to grow Rotary. They are identifying areas of potential and building clubs that reflect the character and needs of their communities.
Every member plays a part in this journey. Whether you introduce a friend to your club, support a new meeting format, reconnect with program alumni, or simply share your Rotary story, you are helping our organization grow stronger and more vibrant.
No one owns a Rotary club. It is a gift we pass on to the next generations. When we nurture that gift, when we invite others to share in it, we ensure that Rotary continues to be a force for good
Let’s prioritize membership growth – not just in August but every month of the year. Together, through friendship, creativity, and shared purpose, we will grow Rotary and Unite for Good.
FRANCESCO AREZZO President, Rotary International
Get to know us
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR
MESSAGE FOR AUGUST 2025
When most people join Rotary, they know little if anything, about The Rotary Foundation.\\Membership Month is a great time to highlight the powerful connection between membership and our Foundation
People who are drawn to Rotary care deeply about their communities and want to make a substantive difference. They’re looking for meaningful, hands-on ways to serve – and the Foundation helps make those opportunities possible.
Cause-based Rotary clubs are one exciting way new members are finding purpose in Rotary, and these clubs also brig fresh energy and activity to our Foundation. I invited Marisol Chisnello, president of one such club, to share her perspective
“As a nonprofit attorney, I long believed I didn’t have the time to be part of Rotary. But when I heard about a new cause-based e-club – the Rotary Club of Mental Health and Wellness District 5280 – I felt I had to be part of it.
In just three years, our club has done a lot to support mental health needs in Southern California an awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduate students in the field, including one this year to a student in Uganda.
Just a few months ago, we were approved for our first global grant to provide a mix of ikn-person and digital mental wellness support to survivors of the 2023 earthquakes in southeastern Turkey.
Through our service, we’ve attracted new members from across the United States, including women and younger members who might not have otherwise joined Rotary. Cause-based clubs like ours offer a meaningful entry point for people committed to a specific cause – backed by the global reach and Foundational support of Rotary.”
Marisol’s story reminds us what’s possible when Rotary service meets Foundation support. I wonder how many cause-based club members knew the full extent of Foundation resources when they began. How many existing clubs could partner with these groups on grants?
As we build new Rotary and Rotaract clubs and welcome new members, let’s keep The Rotary Foundation at the forefront. The Foundation enriches the membership experience, supports club growth, and deepens our impact.
The Rotary Foundation is more than just a source of funding; it is an invitation to endless opportunities. It’s a living expression of who we are as Rotary.
The Foundation, too, can be a vital part of every member’s experience when they join us or start a new club.
HOLGER KNAACK Foundation Trustee Chair,
2025-26
What is your club’s plan for
• bringing in New Members?
• continuing to Engage All Members?
ROTARY’S AUGUST FOCUS
7 Steps to Strengthen and Grow Your Rotary Club
Engage the heart. Enrich the club. Expand the impact. †
Welcome with Warmth — Not Just a Handshake
First impressions matter. Create a welcoming culture where every guest and new member feels genuinely valued. A personal follow-up call, a handwritten note, or a mentor match can go a long way.
Inspiration: People come to Rotary for service, but they stay for the friendships.
Involve Early and Often
Give new members a purpose right away. Invite them to take part in a service project, speak at a meeting, or help plan an event. Engagement builds belonging.
Tip: Create a “60-Day Rotary Passport” — a checklist of easy, meaningful club activities to try in their first two months.
Celebrate the Why — Not Just the What
Remind members regularly why their work matters. Share stories of lives changed, water flowing, books opened, and hope restored.
Inspiration: “When we serve with love, every act becomes extraordinary.”
Be Flexible — Rotary Is Evolving
Meet people where they are. Offer hybrid meetings, flexible attendance, and varied projects. Today’s professionals want to serve — but need options that work with their lives.
Spotlight Strengths and Passions
Help each member shine. Ask: “What are you good at? What are you passionate about?” Then build opportunities around those answers.
Idea: Host a “Rotary DNA” night — where members share stories of what drew them to Rotary and what keeps them here.
Be Bold in Invitation
Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. Invite someone to an event, project, or social. Let them experience the magic of Rotary.
Inspiration: “You’re not asking them to join a club. You’re inviting them to change the world — and be changed by it.”
Nurture Joy and Fellowship
Fun matters. Laughter builds loyalty. Make space for social connection — potlucks, game nights, storytelling circles. People return where they feel joy.
† Inspired by Rotary values and shared ideas for strengthening our clubs; adapted from Rotary-inspired content using Rotary International themes and best practices
AND WHY JOIN ROTARY?
� � “Please Bring Me a Rotarian” A Story of Global Fellowship — and My Unexpected Connection to It
Some Rotary stories you read. Others, you live. This is one of those stories that I was fortunate to both write and, in part, become part of.
PDG Dick Drew, from Maple Ridge near Vancouver, BC, was enjoying a family cruise aboard Voyager of the Seas with 12 loved ones when the unexpected happened. His son Mitch—father of young children—took a hard fall while ice skating on the ship’s rink. He struck his head and briefly lost consciousness.
Though the ship’s doctor provided care, he advised a CT scan at the next port: Montego Bay, Jamaica. But with the ship due to depart within the hour, both father and son were forced to disembark, unsure what came next.
When the cruise line’s port agent offered his assistance, PDG Drew pointed to the Rotary pin on his shirt and asked if he would locate a Rotarian. He disappeared and returned quickly with Keith Azzan, a local port business owner (Pirates’ Market) and then-president of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East. When asked how he knew that Keith was a Rotarian? “He always wears the same pin you wear.”
What followed was the kind of response only Rotary can provide.
Keith coordinated hospital support, provided reassurance, and called Govind Chulani, then Assistant Governor, who joined them at the private hospital to ensure everything went smoothly.
They stayed with the family, arranged an emergency hotel room—thanks to a local Rotarian manager—and helped Mitch get the care he needed. By the next day, Mitch was cleared to fly, and the family rejoined the cruise in Texas. All because of Rotary.
Here’s where my own story intertwines:
I was the editor of the District 7020 newsletter at the time and had the privilege of sharing this incredible story. But it didn’t stop at writing — I later had the pleasure of meeting both Govind and Keith in person because they and I were part of Rotary District 7020 in the Caribbean. That connection became part of my own Rotary journey, reinforcing what I already knew: Rotary is not just an organization. It’s a global family.
Why share this story?
Because it’s real. Because it shows that no matter where you are in the world, you are never far from a Rotarian who will step in, help, and walk beside you.
And because stories like this remind us why Rotary matters — and why it’s worth inviting others to join.
I wasn’t the only one to write the story, though it did appear in the D7020 newsletter. It also appeared online in District 5050. And by the magic of the internet, I was able to find it again! Have a read because it is a fascinating story written by PDG Dick Drew from Maple Ridge, BC!
The moral of the story? Always wear your Rotary pin!
ROTARY CHANGED MY PATH—NOW WE’RE CHANGING OUR COMMUNITY
Posted on July 17, 2025by rotaryservice
By Carlos Jonathan Zelaya, member
of the Rotary Club of La Paz, District 4250, Honduras
Carlos offers a glass of clean water to Juan José, a local child in La Paz, Honduras, using one of the ceramic filters installed in his community through a Rotary global grant.
In February 2016, a group of Rotarians from the United States arrived in Honduras for a one-week humanitarian trip. At the time, I was 26 years old and working as a team leader for a nonprofit organization in Comayagua, Honduras.
I thought it would be just another ordinary workweek—but that week changed my life.
During the trip, I met Ed Odom, a Past District Governor from District 6890 and a member of the Fishhawk Riverview Rotary Club. I spent countless hours talking with him about Rotary—what it is and the incredible work it does around the world. I was truly amazed. Until then, I had only heard bits and pieces about Rotary and didn’t fully understand it. But Ed helped me see that anyone—even me could become a Rotarian.
In 2018, I moved to a new town called La Paz and started a humanitarian nonprofit called Honduras Compassion Partners. One of the first things I did when I arrived was ask if there was a Rotary club in the city. The answer was no.
Right then, I told myself: This city needs Rotary. This city needs a space where leaders can come together to serve, change their community, and do good in the world.
In February 2018, I called Ed to share my idea and begin recruiting members. Thanks to him, I had already made connections with Ana Alvarez from the Merendón Rotary Club in the San Pedro Sula region of the country. They were very helpful but since La Paz was far, they introduced Wendy Ayestas from the Villa Real Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa, closer to my location. That was the best suggestion.
After I shared my vision with the Villa Real Club de Tegucigalpa, they supported us wholeheartedly—from beginning to end. For a full year, we met weekly with about 30 people from La Paz. We planned community service projects, learned about Rotary, and prepared to become an official club. That year was full of growth, learning, and doing.
Even before becoming an official club, we started carried out impactful projects and partnerships that helped us form the foundation for a strong new club. Then, in December 2018, we received an email confirming that our dream was about to come true.
I immediately called Ed to share the incredible news—we were about to charter a Rotary club! In January 2019, we hosted a large event with more than 120 people in attendance, including our District 4250 Governor. That day, the Rotary Club of La Paz was born with 30 new Rotary members.
The most incredible part? None of us had previous Rotary experience—yet we came together to make this dream a reality, and we’re still carrying it forward today.
Six years later, our club has received six global grants and multiple district grants!!!
These have helped us install water and sanitation systems, build schools, renovate local hospitals, provide vocational training, and transform lives in our community. We’ve led many life-changing projects, and in the upcoming Rotary year, our club will have three assistant governors.
Every year, we’re honored to welcome five Rotary clubs and more than 60 visiting Rotarians from the United States. These visits strengthen our partnerships and deepen our collective impact.
Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors from across the U.S. join local Rotary members in La Paz to help a family build their new home
As for me, I’ve had the privilege of serving as club president, assistant governor, a member of the district membership committee, and a member of the Cadre of Technical Advisers for The Rotary Foundation.
Soon, I’ll begin a new role as district international service chair for District 4250.
All of this happened in just six years.
Rotary has also given me the opportunity to speak at around 20 clubs in the U.S., attend two Rotary International Conventions, and much more.
It only took one Rotarian and one week to introduce me to the heart of Rotary—and that spark has now multiplied into something so much greater.
This is the Magic of Rotary. Go and share Rotary—everywhere, every time, and with everyone.
Editor’s Note:
This story is a powerful reminder of how one moment, one connection, or one Rotarian can spark a lasting impact. If you’ve felt the magic of Rotary in your own journey, consider how you might take that next step—whether it’s mentoring a fellow member, leading a project, or stepping into a new role.
For those who were unable to attend the D6330 Conference last May, you missed some excellent speakers. There is so much good work being done in Rotary District 6330.
Here are links below that will allow you to view the presentations at your leisure.
Videos from 2025 District Conference
The Environment Presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E70sHKcUsS0
The RI President’s Representative – Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E70sHKcUsS0
Harvest Hands, Jim Collins, St. Thomas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP8HDMM4VZQ
RI President’s Closing Remarks – May 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePWKVvegRTU
Kurt Harnett – Buffalo Bicycle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyogy39s4ME
Summary of new polioviruses this week, cases and positive environmental isolates:
• Afghanistan: four WPV1-positive environmental samples
• Angola: one cVDPV2 case
• Cameroon: one cVDPV3 case
• Chad: one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Papua New Guinea: ten cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
• Somalia: one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Yemen: 22 cVDPV2 cases and 17 cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
Here’s a short video by Polio Survivor/Rotary D5370 Governor for 2025-26, Ramesh Ferris. The speech was recorded at the Calgary Convention 2025. Click here.
SUPPORT THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
THE POLIOPLUS SOCIETY
Join the PolioPlus Society in District 6330.
Donations are matched annually 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation up to US$50 million, generating a potential total of US$150 million toward polio eradication.
Raise awareness in your community by planning events or projects that support the fight against polio.
Visit endpolio.org to find the latest information and tools to help you share the story of our fight against polio and raise support.
Ending this disease forever remains our top humanitarian priority and needs our full commitment.
How can you take action?
Donate to End Polio
Click here to view another short video by current D5370 Governor Ramesh Ferris – a polio survivor. DG Ramesh has been an activist against Polio for many years.
Visit the PolioPlus Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/polioplussociety
New national immunization coverage data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. 15/07/2025
The newly released WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) for 2024 offer a snapshot of global progress in childhood vaccination but also a reminder of the work still ahead to end polio for good.
Global coverage for the third dose of polio vaccine (POL3) in 2024 is reported at 84%, consistent with 2023 levels, but still below pre-pandemic coverage of 86% in both 2018 and 2019. This lingering gap poses a challenge for eradication efforts, which rely on consistently high routine immunization to build and sustain population immunity and prevent outbreaks.
The WUENIC data show encouraging signs of recovery in many countries, especially those implementing catchup campaigns. However, gaps persist ─ particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where zero-dose prevalence remains high and routine services are hardest to sustain.
Polio eradication hinges on robust routine immunization systems that can reach every child, everywhere. Supplementary campaigns play a critical role, but they are designed to reinforce, not replace, essential services.
As countries work to restore and strengthen routine coverage, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative continues to support efforts to reach every child with polio vaccines, and to close immunity gaps that leave communities vulnerable.
“Polio eradication isn’t a standalone effort; it’s intricately tied to our wider immunization goals,” stated Dr Jamal Ahmed, WHO Director of Polio Eradication. “To truly protect children and finish the job, we must keep investing in routine immunization systems, especially in the most challenging areas to reach.” said Dr Jamal Ahmed, Director of Polio Eradication at WHO. “The world must continue to invest in routine systems, especially in the hardest-to-reach areas, to protect children and finish the job.”
For more details on the WUENIC 2024 estimates and what they mean for immunization globally, read the joint WHO/UNICEF press release and explore the WHO Immunization Data Portal.
Click here to read the full article and learn more.
Click here to view a short, animated video about responding to a polio outbreak. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-0xoYYzU-k&t=216s
INTERNATIONAL DATES TO NOTE (plus
August - Rotary’s Focus Membership & New Club Development
World Breastfeeding Week Week of Friday, August 1 to Thursday, August 7
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Saturday, August 9
International Youth Day Tuesday, August 12
World Humanitarian Day
Tuesday, August 19
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism Thursday, August 21
International Day of Commemorating the Victims of the Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief Friday, August 22
International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (UNESCO) Saturday, August 23
World Lake Day
Wednesday, August 27
Do you need a make-up? missed meetings?
To learn about other Rotary clubs?
The Passport Club members are encouraged to join local (and other) clubs to learn more about Rotary, get to know other Rotarians, gain a new perspective and appreciation for Rotary and Rotarians. Here is a list of online clubs where you can earn a make-up along with learning a whole lot more about Rotary! Why not visit them all?
• Rotary E-Club of Canada One – Rotary On Demand, Where you want, When you want!
• Rotary Club of One World
• Rotary E-Club of World Peace
Click here to attend this week’s posted meeting of E-Club of Canada One.
These meetings are posted online and available 24/7!
President for 2025-26 – Mariann Timmers
Club
Rotarians three - Rick and Sue Storie in Sarnia with Kitty - late June – for a brief stop. Click here to view
short video – We are Rotary!
OUR CLUB PROJECTS
HELPING MIGRANT WORKERS
The Passport Club of District 6330 is happy to be continuing – at least for this final year - our successful service project, Backpacks for Migrant Workers for one more year.
North Lambton Community Health Care created the Migrant Worker Project to support the 700 migrant workers working in Sarnia and Lambton County. Our club has been working with the Project Coordinator, Andrea Jones-Peper, by providing backpacks for newly arriving workers.
We will continue through the 2025-26 year to fill the backpacks with items requested by workers, such as toiletries. The date of delivery is hoping to be the start of the season in the spring. We will continue to support these workers. Stay tuned! Consider what items you can individually add to these backpacks!
Empower Dreams with Kiva.org: Microloans that Make a World of Difference
Have you ever wished you could help someone start a business, support their education, or improve their community — even from across the world? Kiva.org makes that possible. Through Kiva, individuals can lend as little as $25 to support entrepreneurs and underserved communities in over 80 countries.
The impact for recipients is profound: they gain access to capital that traditional banks may deny them, along with a sense of dignity, agency, and the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. Whether it’s a woman opening a market stall in Kenya or a farmer in Peru investing in sustainable equipment, your small loan can create lasting change.
Lenders benefit too — not financially, but personally and globally. It’s a chance to connect with someone’s story, be part of their success, and promote values of equity and entrepreneurship. With a 96% repayment rate, your funds can be loaned again and again, multiplying your impact.
Kiva turns compassion into action — one microloan at a time.
Visit www.kiva.org to learn more or to start lending today.
CONTINUING SUCCESS – CUP OF KINDNESS
To some this is just a cup.
To members of the Rotary Club of District 6330 Passport this is A CUP OF KINDNESS
…as we support local food banks in our local communities
We will donate to another Food Bank this year and try for another district grant.
Our Cup of Kindness
Some useful links – to local area Food Banks
London Food Bank Strathroy
Sarnia – Inn of the Good Shepherd Stratford
Remember our Happy Chats – get to know our club members!
Join the Happy Chats – get to know our club members!
Happy Chats are online every Wednesday.
Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. -ish – Join us!
Join your Rotary friends for an informal 30-minute get together.
Plan to join our Zoom Meetings! Click here
And our Monthly Online Meeting!! Plan to
join us!
View the video of our monthly meeting of Wednesday - July 2, 2025
Click here to view last month’s meeting video.
Grant Management in D6330 -
Clubs must qualify first! The Rotary Foundation requires Clubs that want to participate in the District Grants program to qualify. To qualify, the club must:
• Be in good standing
• May not have any grant reporting that is overdue
• Have at least 2 members complete the District’s Qualification Training course and quiz
The Certification is valid for One Rotary Year only! Clubs must be re-certified for each Rotary Year.
Rotary Foundation Grants – There are two kinds of grants. -Global Grants and District Grants:
Global Grants
• Must be in (at least) one of Rotary's Areas Of Focus
• Must be International projects involving at least 2 clubs in 2 different countries. One of these clubs is the "host" club - the club where the project will take place. The other is the "international partner" - the club that provides funding and possibly some expertise to help implement the project.
• Must have a minimum budget of USD $30,000
• Club funds are supplemented by the District Designated Funds as, and if, available
• Funds donated to the project from District Designated Funds are supplemented by The Rotary Foundation (World Fund) to fund these grants.
District Grants
• May be local or international in scope.
• Are usually smaller in scale. There is no minimum budget requirement.
• Will usually involve active participation by Rotarians.
• District 6330 clubs may apply for more than one District Grant in a single Rotary year, but are limited to a maximum of USD $3,000 per year in District Grant funding.
• Projects must be started and completed within one Rotary year - July 1 to June 30 of the next year.
Ready to Apply for A Grant? Will it be a District or a Global Grant?
3 simple questions to help you decide:
• Is the project in one of the areas of focus? – No? Consider applying for a District Grant.
• Is the project between Clubs/Districts in separate countries? – No? Consider a District Grant.
• Is the total budget for the project less than USD $30,000? – No? Consider applying for a District Grant.
• If you answer YES to all the above, consider applying for a Global Grant.
Fundraising ideas – how to raise funds
For more information and ideas, click here.
CLUB OFFICERS 2025-26
President Mariann Timmers
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Chair
Project Chair
Directors
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Communications
Sue Storie
Jessica Herbert
Deb Beaupré
Sue Storie
Rick Storie
Kitty Bucsko
MEMBERSHIP LIST BELOW –
CLUB MEMBERS’ LIST WITH EMAIL ADDRESSES
A.C. Alrey
acalrey@gmail.com
Deb Beaupré debmarjean@gmail.com
Rich Bouchard rbouchard@racetoerase.com
Kitty Bucsko ladykitt@gmail.com
Lynn Coates lynn.coates.1@outlook.com
Sue Elliott susan@sutherlandelliott.ca
Heather Macdonald heathermac@BMTS.com
Jessica Morrow jessicaherbert2023@gmail.com
George Ottewell george.ottewell@gmail.com
Nancy Ottewell nottewell@gmail.com
Rick Storie rick.storie@sympatico.ca
Sue Storie sue.storie@sympatico.ca
Lynne Ternosky lynneternosky@gmail.com
Mariann Timmers gtimmers@aol.com
The Rotarian Minute is a creation of District 1700. Please send any comments or suggestons to laminute1700@gmail.com.
ROTARY QUOTES
Cliff Dochterman (Past RI President, 1992-93), known for inspiring everyday Rotarians!
“Real happiness is helping others. And if you want to feel good about yourself, do something for someone else.”
A beloved Rotarian, Cliff often reminded members that Rotary wasn’t just about big projects it was about personal commitment and service with heart.
Sylvia Whitlock (First woman Rotary Club president, Duarte, California, 1987)
“Rotary is a vehicle through which we can do good, guided not by self-interest but by shared humanity.”
Sylvia’s leadership broke barriers, but she always emphasized the why behind service— our shared responsibility to uplift others.
Sam Owori (RI President-elect, Uganda, passed away before taking office in 2017)
“Rotary has become a way of life for me—one that I will never abandon. It has brought out the best in me. I am grateful to belong to an organization that is making a difference.”
Sam was deeply respected for his humility and his remarkable Rotary work in Africa, where he helped charter over 80 clubs. His quiet leadership continues to inspire.
See our club Facebook page for more up-to-the-minute club news!
https://www.facebook.com/rotary6330passport
The Environment – Rotary’s 7th Area of Focus
King Charles III
What Carbon Is — and What It Isn’t
Carbon often gets framed as the villain in climate change — but in truth, it’s the element that makes life possible. It’s in your DNA, the food on your plate, and the air you exhale. Carbon atoms are the building blocks of organic molecules, capable of forming chains and structures that drive nearly every biological process.
Scientifically, carbon is element number 6 on the periodic table. It is small but incredibly versatile, able to form strong bonds with other elements like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. That versatility is why it appears in everything from proteins and fossil fuels to wood and plastic.
But when people talk about “cutting carbon,” what they usually mean is cutting carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is a heat-trapping gas that’s released when carbon bonds with oxygen during combustion, respiration, and decay. Conflating carbon with carbon dioxide oversimplifies the problem. The issue isn’t carbon itself, but rather where it’s accumulating.
Click here to read the rest of this article – from earthday.org.
Positive environmental emotions – such as awe, gratitude, and connectedness with nature – are not only protective for our mental health, but they also foster care, responsibility, and pro-environmental behaviors. In times of ecological crisis, they remind us of what is worth protecting.
Dr. Matteo Innocenti, Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, European Climate Pact Ambassador, President Italian Climate Change Anxiety Association, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Click here to read another interesting article from earthday.org – 3 Words you Need to Know about Mental Health and Climate Change.
Stronger Together: Join ESRAG in Expanding Our Impact
Friday, July 4, 2025
By Ludwig Kalthoff, Chair, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group
Have you ever felt the spark of being part of a truly great team—united by purpose, energized by shared goals, and committed to a collective mission? That’s the spirit fueling ESRAG this year. As your new Chair, I warmly invite you to bring your voice, energy, and leadership into this shared journey. Our theme for 2025-26 is clear and bold:
Stronger Together: Building Foundations, Expanding Impact.
Imagine ESRAG as a global team. Our field is the Earth. Our mission: to protect and restore it.
Rotary provides the values and structure. The Board sets strategy and ensures sustainability. But you—our members, volunteers, and leaders—are the changemakers on the ground. From grassroots projects to global advocacy, every action you take is a vital part of our impact.
What We’re Doing Together
This year, we’re raising the bar. ESRAG’s Divisions—including Communications, IT, Membership, Projects, and Task Forces—have set ambitious operational goals to expand our reach and deepen our effectiveness.
• Expanding Our Reach
We aim to elevate ESRAG’s visibility to 75,000 impressions per month. With 96 published articles, 48 weekly seminars, engaging podcasts, videos, and global campaigns, we’re inviting new members, donors, and partners to join us.
• Documenting Our Impact
By tracking 95 activities and uploading at least 18 projects to iRotree and the Rotary Project Center, we’re making your work visible—and inspiring others to act.
• Growing Our Capacity
We’re improving how we onboard and empower volunteers through clear processes, helpful Division Handbooks, and easy access to tools that help you lead confidently and collaborate effectively.
• Fostering Connection
Through ESRAG Connect, we’re nurturing five key practices—welcoming new members, aligning work with purpose, fostering belonging, celebrating contributions, and listening deeply. These are the roots of a vibrant, engaged community.
Our Divisions are tackling issues from climate to circular economy, sustainable living to biodiversity. This isn’t just organizational growth—it’s a movement for environmental action, powered by people like you.
Your Call to Action
Goals alone don’t change the world—you do.
Whether you’re launching a green project, engaging your community, or leading a task force, ESRAG is here to amplify your impact and increase your environmental handprint. You provide the networks, tools, and support to turn our ideas into action—and our action into lasting change.
If you’re already involved, step deeper into leadership. If you’re new, welcome! There’s a place for you here.
Visit www.esrag.org to explore, connect, and get started. Together, we are responding to today’s challenges while building a hopeful, sustainable future.
Let’s play our part. Let’s be Stronger Together.
Please share: Stronger Together
See our club Facebook page for more up-to-the-minute club news!
https://www.facebook.com/rotary6330passport
ROTARY AND THE GATES FOUNDATION
Global Polio Eradication Effort
Rotary and the Gates Foundation are renewing their longstanding partnership to end polio, announcing a joint commitment of up to US$450 million over three years to support the global polio eradication effort at the annual Rotary International Convention.
“While historic progress has been made toward defeating polio—90 percent of the world’s population is free from the wild poliovirus—we’re facing significant challenges from competing financial priorities to fragile health systems. Furthermore, the detection of polio in places like Papua New Guinea that were previously polio free demonstrates that polio anywhere is a threat everywhere,” said Rotary International PolioPlus Committee Chair Mike McGovern.
“The extension of our fundraising partnership with the Gates Foundation allows us to reach children around the world with lifesaving vaccines, keeping every child and community safe from this preventable disease.”
Rotary will continue to raise $50 million per year, with every dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Gates Foundation. This renewed agreement will translate into up to a total of $450 million to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
ROTARY’S FOUR-WAY TEST
A Thoughtful Start to any day
� � � � What is the Rotary Four-Way Test?
It's a short ethical guide used by Rotarians worldwide to help evaluate decisions, both personal and professional.
It was created in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, who later became Rotary International President. Facing financial and moral crisis in his company, he developed this test as a litmus test for integrity and fair conduct.
The test asks four questions of the things we think, say or do:
• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
It may seem simple, but in a complex world, those questions are anything but easy — and that’s part of their power.
� � � � Why Should We Consider It?
�
Because ethics matter — now more than ever.
The Four-Way Test:
• Brings clarity to grey areas.
• Encourages honesty and accountability, not just in public life but in our quiet decisions.
• Fosters trust — a commodity that seems scarce in many parts of today’s society.
• Helps cultivate respectful dialogue instead of divisiveness.
• Serves as a universal framework: it’s non-religious, non-political, and applicable across cultures and professions.
In a world of misinformation, polarization, and moral shortcuts, it gently but firmly asks:
“Are we making the right choices for ourselves and for others?”
Click the 4-way test above and open the link to hear the Four-Way Test by RC of Saskatoon Nutana
� � What Does the Four-Way Test Mean in Today’s Context?
In a global landscape marked by challenges — climate change, inequality, misinformation, and conflict — the Four-Way Test is a compass. It reminds us:
• Truth is not just about facts, but integrity.
• Fairness challenges us to consider others, not just ourselves.
• Goodwill and friendship are the foundations of peace, community, and collaboration.
• Benefit to all concerned asks us to be stewards, not just beneficiaries.
In Rotary, it’s more than words. It shapes how Rotarians lead projects, build partnerships, and serve their communities — from clean water initiatives to polio eradication. But beyond Rotary, it’s an invitation to live more ethically and courageously.
� � Closing Thought
The Four-Way Test isn't about being perfect. It's about trying to do the right thing, every day, in big ways and small.
It invites us to pause, reflect, and then act — with conscience, compassion, and courage.
Whether you’re a Rotarian or not, those four questions can light a path through some of life’s murkiest terrain.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
EREY – Every Rotarian Every Year
Our Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative encourages all Rotary club members to contribute something each year to The Rotary Foundation. We hope that you can consider at least $100 USD every year to help us reach our goal to support the Rotary Foundation financially each year.
Sustaining member. One who contributes $100 USD every year is a Sustaining Member. With EREY, we encourage you to contribute an amount you can afford every year. Click
A LITTLE HUMOUR
An Irishman walks into a bar in Dublin…
He orders three pints of Guinness, then sits in the back of the room drinking a sip out of each one in turn.
After he finished all three, he returns to the bar and orders three more.
The bartender says to him, “You know, a pint goes flat after I draw it; it would taste better if you bought one at a time.”
The Irishman replies, “Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is in America, the other in Australia, and I’m here in Dublin… “
“When we all left home, we promised that we’d drink this way to remember the days we all drank together.”
The bartender admits that this is a nice custom and leaves it there.
The Irishman becomes a regular in the bar and always drinks the same way…
He orders three pints and drinks the three pints by taking drinks from each of them in turn.
One day, he comes in and orders two pints…
All the other regulars in the bar notice and fall silent.
When he comes back to the bar for the second round, the bartender says…
“I don’t want to intrude on your grief, but I wanted to offer my condolences on your great loss.”
The Irishman looks confused for a moment, then a light dawns in his eye and he laughs…
“Oh, no,” he says, “everyone is fine… “
“I’ve just quit drinking!”
Below is a short presentation from “Letters Live.” Click the link and enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnWxHmMqAQk&t=1s
Together, we turn inspiration into action.
Rotary: Where good ideas meet great people.
Service above self every day, in every way.
Rotary connects the world. Let's keep it turning.
Small acts. Big impact. That's Rotary.
Be the difference. Be Rotary.
Your actions today shape a better tomorrow.
Stay inspired. Stay involved. Stay Rotary.
One club. One world. Infinite impact.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind. Let it be something good. ‡
