Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick (Pennsylvanie, USA) District 6330 Governor, Katherine Hahn (Rotary of Stratford, ON) Club President, Mariann Timmers (2024-25) Club Newsletter, Kitty Bucsko
District website: https://rotary6330.org/
District 6330 Governor 2024-25
Katherine Hahn
Rotary Club of Stratford
Focus on Adaptation
The Calendar below shows Rotary’s 2024-25 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
WATER, SANITATION, HYGIENE
Month of March
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
HAPPY CHATS ONLINE – JOIN US!
Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time
2025-26 THE MAGIC OF ROTARY
FOCUS ON OUR FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT
Month of April
EARTH DAY
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
FOCUS ON YOUTH
Month of May Rotary Anthem
Right click here to open the link and listen to the Rotary Anthem! Click here for We are the World.
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR MARCH
Rotary's values and themes of service, leadership, and making a positive impact:
"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees."
– Amelia Earhart
March is a time of renewal and growth. Small actions—whether in service, leadership, or environmental stewardship—create ripples that inspire and uplift entire communities.
"Spring is the time of plans and projects."
–
Leo Tolstoy
As the seasons change, so do opportunities. What new initiatives, partnerships, or projects can we nurture this month to create lasting impact?
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
– Pablo Picasso
Rotarians embody this philosophy daily, sharing their skills, time, and resources to make the world a better place. What unique gift do you have to offer?
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
– Theodore Roosevelt
In times of challenge and uncertainty, we don’t need to have all the answers—just the willingness to take action. Small, steady efforts lead to meaningful change.
Care and concern begin with awareness and a willingness to take action.
Before meaningful change can happen, we must first recognize the need and then commit to making a difference—whether through education, advocacy, or hands-on efforts.
.
It is incumbent upon all of us to do our best to safeguard water resources, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.
IMPORTANT ROTARY INFORMATION
2024-25 RI PRESIDENT
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, 2024-25
Stephanie Urchick
Pennsylvania, USA
RI President Stephanie urges all members to “grow the Magic of Rotary by adding new members to our Rotary family and providing wonderful experiences to those already involved.”
“Unlock the Magic of Rotary by unlocking the power of women and girls. Advance the Magic of Rotary by fundraising to help change the world.”
“Together, we can make every club and every district ‘simply irresistible.’”
RI PRESIDENT Stephanie Urchick
One small act
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT MARCH 2025 MESSAGE
March is here, and for Rotary International, that means celebrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month – a time to shine a spotlight on one of the most transformative areas of our work.
This month is an opportunity to reflect on The Magic of Rotary and the profound impact we create when we come together with determination and purpose.
Years ago, I experienced this magic firsthand in the Dominican Republic. When a group of members helped people install water filters, three children watched in amazement as dirty water entered one end of a filter and clean water emerged from the other. When we paused the demonstration, one child tugged at my sleeve and pleaded, “Show me the magic again.”
To them, it felt magical. It was also the result of countless hours of effort – planning, transporting, and installing the filters – alongside local partners who were dedicated to making clean water accessible. In that moment, I realized that what seemed like a small act could change residents’ lives. That is The Magic of Rotary.
This story is a testament to the incredible potential of our global family to create change. Water projects exemplify our reach, our partnerships, and our unwavering commitment to improving lives. Consider Rotary’s work with USAID. That partnership has enabled us to work with communities and governments to improve access to sustainable water and sanitation services for thousands of people in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, the Philippines, and Uganda.
Partnerships remind us that Rotary’s impact is amplified when we work together. Through our strategic alliance with the United Nations Environment Programme, we’re advancing the Community Action for Fresh Water initiative. This program equips Rotary members with the tools and resources to protect, restore, and sustain freshwater ecosystems.
When we make use of Rotary grants and advocate for clean water in our communities, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual projects.
As we embrace the spirit of the month, I encourage every Rotary member to seek out new partnerships. Collaboration multiplies our efforts and helps us reach more people in need.
Whether it’s joining forces with local organizations, forming alliances with international agencies, or mobilizing your community, every step we take together brings us closer to a world where everyone has access to clean water and safe sanitation.
The Magic of Rotary shines brightest when we work in harmony with others to create lasting good. Together, we can turn dreams into realities that transform lives and communities. The result may feel like magic at times, but we know it’s from the power of our collective commitment and compassion. Let’s harness this magic to make a difference this month and beyond.
STEPHANIE A. URCHICK PRESIDENT, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 2024-25
A glass half full
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR
MARCH 2025 - MESSAGE
After joining Rotary, you never look at a glass of water the same way again.
Holding it, you are humbled by the privilege of access to drinkable water. Then, you recall how Rotary brings communities and water experts together to deliver safe drinking water to places in need of it, transforming lives.
According to the United Nations, 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.6 billion lack safely managed sanitation. During March, we focus on our commitment to addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges through our clubs and The Rotary Foundation.
District and global grants, made possible by the Foundation, provide a direct way for members to engage in water and sanitation projects. My wife, Gay, and I have seen the transfomative power of these grants. Our clubs, the Rotary Clubs of Decatur and Decatur Daybreak, Alabama, partnered with the Rotary Club of Ecatepec, Mexico, to sanitize cisterns and tanks for about 300 schools.
We are also launching a new global grant to provide rainwater collection systems for 50 Indigenous families in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Chihuahua, in partnership with five organizations.
Globally, Rotary employs comprehensive approaches to these initiatives. In Mexico, the global grant-funded program Ninas Sabias, or Wise Girls, empowers girls by providing education on menstruation, building selfesteem, and purchasing reusable menstrual products.
Our partnership with USAID in Uganda has shown how small-scale piped water systems can deliver costeffective, sustainable solutions. By investing in local governance and technical capacity, this initiative ensures long-term access to clean water for entire regions.
Rotary’s Programs of Scale also demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary strategies. In India’s water-scarce regions, Rotary promotes solutions such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, integrating water management with agricultural productivity to enhance sustainability and resilience.
Moving forward, we will continue improving how we deliver water and boosts sanitation, focusing on regional planning, strengthening delivery systems, and fostering partnerships.
Be proud to be part of this meaningful work – and please consider supporting it.
When you give to The Rotary Foundation, you not only help us reach our 2024-25 fundraising goal of $500 million, you also play a role in ensuring Rotary can make clean water, effective sanitation, and hygiene accessible for generations.
MARK DANIEL MALONEY
Foundation Trustee Chair, 2024-25
RI PRESIDENT for 2025-26
The RI president-elect speaks about the power of Rotary’s members
By Etelka Lehoczky
Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo asked members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection as he outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.”
“Rotary’s greatest asset is not our history, our projects, or even our unmatched global reach. It is our members,” de Camargo said at the organization’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 10 February. He noted praise from one of Rotary’s partners about “the extraordinary dedication” of Rotary members. “That recognition from an outsider deepened my understanding: Rotary’s greatest gift to the world is its people.”
De Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, emphasized the importance of seeking out new perspectives and strengthening Rotary’s service to communities around the globe. He outlined three “essential pillars” for growth: innovation, continuity, and partnership.
Click here to view the 13-minute video
Below - RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo, center, takes a picture with Rotary members at the Brazilian Dinner and Dance Party at the International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 11 February 2025.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
DISTRICT 6330 ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
CLIMATE
CHANGE
Global warming is related to fossil fuels, and polluting our planet with plastic is an example of nonsustainability. We live in 1.7 worlds, we are emptying the bank, Mars is not an alternative, and there is no plan B.
Rotarian Doug Thompson (Chair
District
Environment Committee)
Environment message –Suggestions for our Rotary Climate Champions
A personal message from the Environment Chair, Doug
ENGAGE YOUR CLUB!
HELP PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT!
Environmental short presentations can serve as powerful tools to share important messages during Rotary meetings. When kept brief and presented frequently, they can convey simple, actionable ideas while encouraging broader member involvement.
Small steps can inspire larger ones, and given the increasing information overload in today’s society, concise messaging is key to capturing attention.
Why Short Presentations to Your Club Work
• Frequent and Inclusive: These presentations can be delivered regularly by different members, avoiding over-reliance on a single person (e.g., “not him again!”).
• Simple and Practical: Focus on easy, community-relevant actions to address climate change or clarify common misinformation with legitimate science.
• Messages should be tailored to the club's needs and easy to implement.
Doug Thompson Chair, Environment Committee
Doug Thompson Chair D6330 Environment Committee
OUR DISTRICT 6330 CONFERENCE IN MAY 2025
Location -
The Arden Park Hotel - Best Western – Stratford, Ontario 552 Ontario Street - Stratford, ON - Canada
DatesMay 02, 2025 - May 04, 2025
Join Katherine Hahn, District 6330 Governor for 2024-25
Rotary embodies magic! It's inclusive, it's innovative, and it's deeply rooted in service to others.
In these transformative times, our commitment to service above self is more vital than ever. As we navigate change, Rotary stands firm, adapting to meet the evolving needs of our communities and the world at large.
Stratford is a place where creativity takes center stage, where stories unfold, and where ideas come to life. It's a community that embodies the very essence of Rotary's spirit of service.
That's why I'm thrilled to extend a heartfelt invitation to you to join us in Stratford in May 2025 and experience firsthand the magic of community service – the Magic of Rotary.
ROTARY’S MARCH FOCUS CLEAN WATER, SANITATION, HYGIENE
Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation,
• waterborne diseases decrease
• children stay healthier and attend school more regularly
• mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
How Rotary makes help happen
Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.
Water and sanitation are at the core of sustainable development, and the range of services they provide underpin poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
However, in recent decades overexploitation, pollution, and climate change have led to severe water stress in locales across the world.
Today, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and more than 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation. Climate change is exacerbating the situation, with increasing disasters such as floods and droughts. 80 per cent of wastewater in the world flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused, and 70 per cent of the world’s natural wetland extent has been lost, including a significant loss of freshwater species.
Now more than ever the world needs to transform the way it manages its water resources and delivers water and sanitation services for billions of people. Urgent action is needed to overcome this global crisis, as it is affecting all countries around the world, socially, economically and environmentally.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on water and sanitation, adopted by United Nations Member States at the 2015 UN Summit as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, provides the blueprint for ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
As a direct response to the Decade of Action and Delivery for Sustainable Development called for by Heads of State and Government at the SDG Summit in 2019, the UN system launched the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework in July 2020, to step up progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and put the world on track to realize their targets by 2030.
We call upon all stakeholders to galvanize actions around the framework in order to accelerate achievement of the water-related goals and targets and overcome the global crisis.
Background
While SDG 6 is the most recent iteration of the United Nations’ aim to address water-related issues, the topic has long been a concern at the United Nations.
In 1977 the Mar del Plata conference in Argentina created an Action Plan on “Community Water Supply”, declaring that all peoples have the right to access to drinking water in quantities and quality equal to their basic needs.
The importance of water was further raised by the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade from 1981 to 1990 and in 1992 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro (Agenda 21, Chapter 18), as well as at the International Conference on Water and the Environment (ICWE) in Dublin.
In 1993 the World Water Day was designated on 22 March by the UN General Assembly, and in 2013 World Toilet Day on 19 November.
In 2000 the Millennium Development Declaration called for the world to halve by 2015 the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water as well as the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation, and in 2003 the International Year of Freshwater was declared by the General Assembly, followed by the “Water for Life" Decade from 2005 to 2015.
In order to coordinate the efforts of UN entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues, the Chief Executives Board (CEB) of the United Nations established in 2003 UN-Water — a UN interagency coordination mechanism for all freshwater and sanitation related issues.
In 2008 the International Year of Sanitation was declared and on 28 July 2010 the human right to water and sanitation was explicitly recognized by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 64/292.
In December 2016 the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution “International Decade for Action – Water for Sustainable Development” (2018–2028) in support of the achievement of SDG 6 and other water-related targets, and on 21 December 2020, the resolution on the “United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028”, the first UN Conference on water since 1977.
Water is also at the heart of milestone agreements such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2015 Paris Agreement. Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all has therefore been for a long time a topic at the United Nations and the priority is now turning the new vision of water related SDGs of the 2030 Agenda into reality, through national leadership and global partnership. For more information and related documents, please visit this link
Click here to read more.
Please use the link below to submit your photo or video for consideration in the 2024-25 People of WASH Photo and Video Contest. Thank you for supporting WASH Rotary Action Group, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene! Winners will be announced at the 2025 WASH-RAG Annual Meeting.
All entries must be submitted by April 30, 2025. Late submissions may not be considered.
To learn and read more, click here.
Summary of new polioviruses this week, cases and positive environmental isolates:
• Afghanistan: One WPV1 case and nine WPV1positive environmental samples
• Pakistan: Two WPV1 cases and nine WPV1-positive environmental samples
• Algeria: one cVDPV2 case and one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Guinea: one cVDPV3 case
• Occupied Palestinian territory: three cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
Gaza polio outbreak response continuing – emergency outbreak response in the Gaza Strip is continuing, with a mass vaccination campaign scheduled from 22-26 February, to reach more than 571,000 children. The campaign will aim to address residual immunity gaps, with a subsequent round being planned in April, after Ramadan. Recent detection from environmental samples, including from January, confirms that the strain is still circulating and continues to pose a threat to children with low or no immunity, both in Gaza and throughout the region. More.
Click here to read further news about the mass vaccination continuing in Gaza.
Click here to read and learn more
The polio eradication campaign has been ongoing for many years and has achieved so much through the years since the idea germinated in the 1980s.
Setbacks are nothing new and it has been to the credit of all associated with the polio eradication partners that their dedication has brought the eradication achievements to such a high level.
We are so close – and we have been so close for a very long time.
We CAN finish the job – and we WILL finish the job!
WHO Executive Board says emergency measures needed to stop polio
Global polio and health experts urge right geopolitical decisions to stop ‘perfect storm’ for poliovirus transmission and protect eradication
WHO Executive Board, Geneva, Switzerland, 7 February 2025 –
Health ministries from around the world meeting at this week’s WHO Executive Board in Geneva expressed serious concern about increasing wild poliovirus transmission in the last two remaining endemic countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, noting that extraordinary measures were going on in response.
The year 2024 saw an increase in virus transmission in both countries, which share the last remaining endemic wild poliovirus reservoir in the world.
WHO Member States commended the new emergency operational approaches being now implemented in both countries to turn the tide on this trend. These approaches include identifying the different operational reasons why children are not being reached, area by area; increasing co-administration of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) alongside oral polio vaccine (OPV); boosting overall immunity levels in children; and, improving access to more adequate sanitation infrastructures.
These measures reflect the unique environmental, geopolitical, programmatic and security challenges affecting both countries, which together essentially create an epidemiological ‘perfect storm’ for poliovirus transmission. These approaches must be underpinned by strengthened surveillance activities not just in highestrisk areas, but comprehensively across all areas of both countries, and doing more to protect polio-free areas, particularly in critical border areas, and among highly mobile population groups, in particular in three clearly identified ‘virus transmission corridors’ affecting both countries.
Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy said: “I assure you, on behalf of our Region and the leaders of both endemic countries, our commitment to eradicating this virus is stronger than ever. We must reach and vaccinate every child and keep up a robust search for poliovirus, to stop further spread. Achieving this is far from simple. Pakistan and Afghanistan face immense geopolitical,
infrastructural, environmental, and security challenges, creating what many describe as a ‘perfect storm’ for poliovirus transmission. Still, none of these challenges are insurmountable.”
“In Gaza,” Balkhy continued, “during a humanitarian pause last year, over 600,000 children were vaccinated against polio amid conflict – largely thanks to multi-actor, multi-level coordination and health and community workers’ grit. If it can be done there, it can be done everywhere. Recently, leaders and experts from both endemic countries convened to develop emergency measures. Together, they outlined concrete steps to reach every child, no matter the obstacles, to tackle this virus resurgence and protect them. We deeply appreciate the international community’s steadfast support, and we ask for your continued assistance to get us across the finish line.”
Member States expressed concern about the ongoing variant poliovirus outbreaks (circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses) and urged intensified response to stop these outbreaks, including by maximizing the impact of novel oral polio vaccine type 2. While the engines of transmission for such strains are now in clearly identified areas, namely northern Nigeria, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, south-central Somalia and northern Yemen, Member States underscored all countries remain at risk as evidenced by recent detection of such strains in environmental samples in five European countries.
“We all need to be very clear about one thing: the global effort to eradicate polio is no longer a technical issue,” commented Dr Razia Pendse, WHO Chef de Cabinet to the Director-General. “Medically and technically, we have everything we need to achieve success. What we need, the only thing we need, is to be able to reach and vaccinate those last remaining children who are not yet fully vaccinated. And the answer to achieving this is entirely geopolitical.”
The meeting also emphasized the importance of strengthening routine immunization services and disease surveillance everywhere, done in close coordination with all partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Health authorities emphasized the importance of implementing all activities to not only achieve a polio-free world, but also to sustain it through integrating and successfully transitioning the polio assets, tools and infrastructure into existing national health systems and to help build strong, resilient and equitable health systems, and preparing for the post-certification era through intensified and accelerated containment activities and eventual cessation of oral polio vaccines use from routine immunization programmes. Successful development of an appropriate post-certification strategy will be critical to achieve this.
Closing the discussions, Rotary International, the civil society partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, called for steadfast dedication to the effort. “We have overcome every setback through collaboration and unity of purpose that is rare in our fragmented world,” said Dr Pierre Hoffmeyer, Rotary International representative to the United Nations in Geneva. “Let us all remain united and unwavering in our commitment to end polio.”
To read more, 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
INTERNATIONAL DATES TO NOTE
Saturday, March 1
Zero Discrimination Day
Monday, March 3
World Wildlife Day
Wednesday, March 5
International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness
Saturday, March 8
International Women’s Day
Saturday, March 15
International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Thursday, March 20
International Day of Happiness
Friday, March 21
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination World Down Syndrome Day
Saturday, March 22
World Water Day
Monday, March 24
World Tuberculosis Day
Sunday, March 30
International Day of Zero Waste
Mark your calendars – Tuesday, April 22, 2025
55th Anniversary of Earth Day!
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 2024-25 – Mariann Timmers
Club
OUR CLUB PROJECTS
HELPING MIGRANT WORKERS
The Passport Club of District 6330 is happy to be continuing our successful service project, Backpacks for Migrant Workers. More information to follow.
North Lambton Community Health Care created the Migrant Worker Project to support the 700 migrant workers working in Sarnia and Lambton County. Our club is working with the Project Coordinator, Andrea Jones-Peper, by providing backpacks for newly arriving workers.
We will continue through the 2024-25 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!
A GREAT SUCCESS – CUP OF KINDNESS
We also are continuing our successful club project – a Cup of Kindness. In 2024, our total amount collected/donated was $3644! Thank you to everyone!
The club chose to make a substantial impact on reducing food insecurity with a project aimed at raising funds for Food Banks in our individual communities.
Each member “filled a Cup of Kindness" by filling a cup or two cups (or more) with coins, hopefully loonies and toonies, then donating the funds to their local food bank. Or you chose to make donations directly to those in need. Donations could be rewarded with a tax receipt. The results were tallied regularly. With the success of this project, we are planning to keep it going.
Message from Bev Anderson – Project Services Chair
Thank you for all of your donations to the Cup of Kindness, donating to your local food banks. We are making a difference and helping our neighbours. The amount for 2024 was $3644! Let’s continue for this upcoming Rotary year! Thank you!
Some useful links
London Food Bank
Strathroy
Sarnia – Inn of the Good Shepherd
Stratford
KIVA.ORG – Micro-finance
Here is an update on what is possible through KIVA.org to participate in International Projects. There are four members of our RC of D6330 Passport who are participating through Kiva to help entrepreneurs in poor countries. They include Bev, Sue, Rick, Kitty - and each has a story to tell! You, too, can get involved!
To get involved, sign up with kiva.org and make an initial small loan (minimum of $25) to individuals who have applied for loans. Here are three stories of individuals being helped through our club members.
For example, read below the story of Luz in Colombia. All of this information about any request is available on the kiva.org website. So don’t hesitate – have a look!
Luz is paying back her loan – as are the other loan recipients. Luz’s original loan was $450 USD.
There are 15 lenders from around the world participating in this particular loan. So far, Luz has paid back 15% and she has $380.25 to go.
NOTE: Updates from all our club participants will be forthcoming as we move forward!
Click here to view the PowerPoint video introducing Kiva.org – for an introduction to Kiva.
Here is Luz's story -
Luz is a well-known merchant in Silvia, Cauca, Colombia with 15 years of experience. She owns a 2-hectare plot where she has planted over 5,000 fique plants, which she harvests every three weeks.
She then processes the fique using a manual defibrator, spending more than five hours a week, and sells the material to various factories and artisans in her town.
Luz lives with her husband in a house they built together, and she has three grown, independent children who work alongside her in processing the fique.
A loan of $1,879,362 COP ($450 USD) allows Luz to buy an automatic defibrator, which will improve her efficiency and increase fiber production to meet her customers' demand.
This loan will help peasants to improve their agro crops
Hand in hand with agro-suppliers, Finamiga designed a microfinance product focused on allowing small farmers to acquire inputs, fertilizers, and agricultural machinery to encourage their production.
About FINAMIGA UNI2:
Finamiga is a microfinance institution created in response to the needs of the Colombian market. The MFI has concentrated its efforts on promoting financial inclusion through 4 lines of credit that seek to cover basic labor needs of their target population: Mobility, Cargo Vehicles, Agriculture and Working Capital.
Along with strategic alliances focused on the base of the pyramid, Finamiga has designed these specialized and innovative products to support the self-employed and micro-entrepreneurs in their business growth and sustainability.
What is fique?
Fique is a natural fiber obtained from the leaves of the Furcraea andina plant, which is native to the Andean regions of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. It belongs to the same family as agave and sisal, and its fibers have been used for centuries due to their strength and durability.
Uses of Fique:
1. Textiles and Handicrafts – Fique is commonly woven into rugs, mats, and decorative fabrics.
2. Ropes and Cords – Due to its strength, fique is used to make ropes, sacks, and bags.
3. Eco-friendly Bags – In Colombia, fique is used to create biodegradable shopping bags as a sustainable alternative to plastic.
4. Paper and Packaging – The fiber is sometimes processed into specialty papers and packaging materials.
5. Agricultural Uses – Fique sacks are widely used for transporting coffee, potatoes, and other agricultural products.
6. Shoes and Accessories – It is sometimes incorporated into artisanal sandals, belts, and fashion accessories.
7. Home Décor – Used in making curtains, table runners, and wall hangings.
8. Industrial Uses – Due to its biodegradable nature, fique is explored as an eco-friendly material for industrial applications.
Interesting Facts to know:
• Colombian Heritage: Fique is considered a traditional and culturally significant fiber in Colombia, where it has been cultivated for generations.
• Biodegradable & Sustainable: Unlike synthetic fibers, fique decomposes naturally, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
• Dye Absorption: It takes dye well, allowing artisans to create colorful and artistic designs.
What is a defibrator as it relates to fique?
A defibrator in the context of fique is a mechanical device used to extract the fibers from the Furcraea andina plant leaves.
The process of defibration involves separating the fique fibers from the fleshy parts of the leaves, leaving behind clean, strong strands that can be used for various applications.
How a Defibrator Works for Fique Fiber Extraction:
1. Leaf Feeding: Fresh fique leaves are fed into the defibrator machine.
2. Mechanical Scraping: The machine scrapes away the soft, pulpy material using rotating drums, blades, or brushes.
3. Fiber Separation: The tough fibers remain intact while the unwanted plant material is removed.
4. Washing & Drying: After defibration, the fibers are washed to remove any residual organic matter, then dried naturally under the sun.
5. Brushing & Processing: Once dry, the fibers may be brushed to make them softer and are then spun, woven, or processed for different uses.
Why Defibrators are Important for Fique Production:
• Increases Efficiency: Manual fiber extraction is labor-intensive, whereas a defibrator speeds up the process.
• Improves Fiber Quality: Mechanical separation ensures more uniform fibers.
• Supports Industrial Use: It allows fique to be processed in larger quantities for commercial purposes, such as making eco-friendly bags, ropes, and textiles a
Click here to view the PowerPoint video introducing Kiva.org – for an introduction to Kiva.
Here is Sue’s Kiva story
Thanks, Sue!
On August 14, 2024, Sue Storie made a loan of $25 to Marlyn in the Philippines.
Marlyn’s Kiva profile says she is -
"36 years old and has two dependants. She lives in the province of Iloilo, where she runs a food stall, selling snack foods to get an income. She has been in this business for five years. "
Four other lenders also lent funds totaling $125 to be used for Marlyn to buy food ingredients.
On January 19, 2025, the final repayment was made to Sue’s Kiva account for her $25 loan.
Sue is happy to reinvest the money with another Kiva loan and plans to increase the amount annually.
Note: If you’re interested in joining a Team (with Rotary E-Club of Canada One), click here. We’re all in this together!
Join the Happy Chats – get to know our
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.
Chat about “stuff” – and what’s important to you. Let’s get to know our members!
Plan to join our Zoom Meetings! Click here
Grant Management in D6330 - Your Donations
Are Important!
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.
CLUB OFFICERS 2024-25
President Mariann Timmers
Secretary and IPP
Treasurer
Membership Chair
Project Chair
Directors
Sue Storie
Lynn Coates
Deb Beaupré
Bev Andersen
Rick Storie
Kitty Bucsko
MEMBERSHIP LIST BELOW –
CLUB MEMBERS LIST WITH EMAIL ADDRESSES
A.C. Alrey acalrey@gmail.com
Bev Andersen bandersen181@gmail.com
Deb Beaupré debmarjean@gmail.com
Terry Bennett terbenn@gmail.com
Sarah Bongers csbongers@icloud.com
Rich Bouchard rbouchard@racetoerase.com
Kitty Bucsko ladykitt@gmail.com
Marilyn Buttery marilyn@buttery.com
Lynn Coates lynn.coates.1@outlook.com
Brittany Elliott brittany.lyn.elliott@hotmail.com
Sue Elliott susan@sutherlandelliott.ca
Wendy Jennings wendy.jennings@bell.net
Heather Macdonald heathermac@BMTS.com
Jessica Morrow jessicaherbert2023@gmail.com
George Ottewell george.ottewell@gmail.com
Nancy Ottewell nottewell@gmail.com
Nancy Powers nancypowers607@hotmail.com
Rick Storie rick.storie@sympatico.ca
Sue Storie sue.storie@sympatico.ca
Lynne Ternosky lynneternosky@gmail.com
Mariann Timmers gtimmers@aol.com
John Wade john@askthedogguy.com
OUR FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT
ROTARY’S 7TH AREA OF FOCUS
Rotary and the Environment: Addressing Climate Challenges *
Rotary International officially recognized Protecting the Environment as its 7th Area of Focus in 2020, acknowledging that environmental challenges are deeply connected to human well-being, economic stability, and global peace.
Climate change is one of the most urgent environmental threats, and Rotary clubs worldwide are stepping up to address this crisis through advocacy, education, and action.
Key Environmental Challenges Linked to Climate Change
1. Rising Global Temperatures
o Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities (fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture) are increasing Earth's temperature.
o This leads to more extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels.
2. Water Scarcity & Pollution
o Climate change intensifies water shortages, affecting drinking water, sanitation, and agriculture.
o Pollution from industrial waste, plastics, and chemicals further degrades water quality.
3. Deforestation & Biodiversity Loss
o Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂, but rapid deforestation contributes to climate change.
o Loss of habitat threatens species, disrupts ecosystems, and reduces biodiversity resilience.
4. Food Insecurity & Agriculture Struggles
o Changing weather patterns lead to crop failures, soil degradation, and loss of traditional farming practices.
o This disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, increasing poverty and displacement.
5. Extreme Weather & Disaster Response
o More frequent hurricanes, floods, and wildfires devastate communities, requiring extensive humanitarian aid.
o Rotary plays a role in disaster preparedness and response through emergency relief efforts.
6. Air Pollution & Public Health Risks
o Poor air quality, driven by fossil fuel use and industrial pollution, causes respiratory diseases and premature deaths.
o Rotary initiatives include clean energy projects and air quality monitoring programs.
7. Plastic & Waste Management Crisis
o Single-use plastics and improper waste disposal pollute land and oceans.
o Rotary clubs engage in clean-up efforts, recycling projects, and sustainable waste management education.
* Source: Compiled with assistance from ChatGPT, OpenAI, February 2025.
Rotary’s Role in Environmental Solutions
Rotary clubs worldwide are leading eco-friendly initiatives such as:
�
� Tree Planting & Reforestation – Rebuilding green spaces to absorb CO₂ and protect biodiversity.
� � Renewable Energy & Clean Cooking – Promoting solar, wind, and alternative fuels for sustainable communities.
� � Water Conservation & Sanitation – Ensuring clean water access through filtration, conservation, and sustainable practices.
� � Plastic Waste Reduction – Organizing recycling drives, advocating for sustainable packaging, and promoting education.
� � Climate Education & Advocacy – Raising awareness about sustainable choices and empowering local action.
Final Thought: Small Actions, Big Impact
While climate challenges seem overwhelming, small, consistent actions whether reducing waste, using clean energy, or planting trees—contribute to a larger movement. Rotary’s service-based approach ensures that environmental solutions not only fight climate change but also uplift communities, fostering sustainability for future generations.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. We invite everyone to support Earth Day’s 2025 theme: OUR POWER, OUR PLANET™.
There are many ways you can get involved and make a difference for our planet on Earth Day and every day.
Join millions worldwide in Earth Day 2025 activities.
Attend a local event or plan and register your own. On the website, you’ll find resources such as Quizzes, Fact Sheets, Articles and More to help you celebrate Earth Day this year in your community, at home, at work and at school.
Did you know?
Packed into standard shipping containers and placed end-to-end, municipal solid waste generated in one year would wrap around the globe 25 times.
Increasing resource use is the main driver of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Without urgent action, municipal solid waste generation will balloon to 3.8 billion tons annually by 2050.
Every year the textile sector produces 2–8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and it uses 215 trillion litres of water, the equivalent of 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Doubling the number of times a garment is worn would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 per cent.
Source: UNEP and UN-Habitat
Life moves fast. Fashion moves Faster. Click here to view a short video on the truth about Fast Fashion
New season, new styles, buy more, buy cheap, move on, throw away: the pollution, waste, and emissions of fast fashion are fueling an ecological crisis.
There is no better time to rethink what is bought, what is thrown away, and what it costs the planet. Sustainable fashion and circularity in the textiles value chain is possible, yet this century the world’s consumers are buying more clothes and wearing them for less time than ever before, discarding garments as fast as trends shift.
UNEP is spearheading an initiative towards a zero-waste world and, as part of this ambitious outlook, has partnered with Kenyan spoken word poet Beatrice Kariuki to shed light on high impact sectors where every individual can make a difference.
To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, UNEP launched #BeatPollution, a strategy for rapid, largescale and coordinated action against air, land and water pollution. The strategy highlights the impact of pollution on climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and human health.
Through science-based messaging, the campaign showcases how transitioning to a pollution-free planet is vital for future generations. Get involved: www.unep.org/beatpollution/
HOW ROTARY HELPS –
Our monthly meeting of Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Click here to view the meeting video
Learning about EVs vs fossil-fueled vehicles – and lots of questions. Answers next meeting.
Click here to view the follow-up video detailing the answers to the previous questions approximately 12 minutes
A QUICK-READ ECO MINUTE – REPAIR CAFES
Repair Cafés
Several Rotary clubs have embraced the concept of Repair Cafés to promote sustainability and reduce waste.
For instance, the Rotary Club of Wellesley in Massachusetts hosts quarterly Repair Cafés, where community members can bring items like clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, and more for repair. These events not only help in fixing broken items but also foster community engagement and skill-sharing. wellesleyrotary.org
Similarly, the Rotary Club of Framingham has organized Spring Repair Cafés, offering free repairs for various items, including jewelry, bikes, lamps, and small appliances. https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3688
The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) encourages clubs worldwide to initiate Repair Cafés as a means to reduce waste and promote environmental stewardship. They highlight that starting a Repair Café can be a fun and impactful way to engage the community in sustainable practices. esrag.org
The global Rotary community's involvement in such initiatives suggests that local clubs might be open to exploring this concept.
For more information on Repair Cafés and how to start one, you can visit the Repair Café International website. repaircafe.org
Click here to view a short video on Repair Cafés.
Did you know?
Packed into standard shipping containers and placed end-to-end, municipal solid waste generated in one year would wrap around the globe 25 times.
Increasing resource use is the main driver of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Without urgent action, municipal solid waste generation will balloon to 3.8 billion tons annually by 2050.
Every year the textile sector produces 2–8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and it uses 215 trillion litres of water, the equivalent of 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Doubling the number of times a garment is worn would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 per cent.
Source: UNEP and UN-Habitat
Right click the 4-way test above to open and listen to the Four-Way Test by RC of Saskatoon Nutana –And Sing along!
See our Passport Club Facebook page for more up-to-the-minute Passport news!
https://www.facebook.com/rotary6330passport/
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
EREY – Every Rotarian Every Year
Click here for a short video
Our Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY)
It’s an initiative that encourages all Rotary club members to contribute at least what they can afford every year
to help us reach our goal to support the Rotary Foundation financially every year.
A LITTLE HUMOUR
REFERENCES
Adams, Randal. Speaking of Rotary. USA: E.J. Press
Dochterman, Cliff. The ABCs of Rotary. Evanston, Illinois: Rotary International. (363-EN)
Forward, David C. A Century of Service. The Story of Rotary International. (912-EN)
Rotary Club of Hobart. The Rotary Book of Readings. Inspiration to Change the World.
Rotary International. Honoring Our Past: The Words and Wisdom of Paul Harris. Evanston, Illinois: 1996. (925-EN)
