ROTARY E-CLUB CANADA ONE FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
APRIL
2025
Rotary International President for 2024-25, Stephanie Urchick, highlights her initiatives in 2024-25, including championing the Action Plan and promoting Rotary’s peacebuilding initiatives.
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.”
RI PRESIDENT
Stephanie Urchick
Rotary International President 2024-25, Stephanie Urchick, (Pennsylvania, USA) TRF Newsletter Editor – Kitty Bucsko (RC of D6330 Passport)
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
APRIL 2025 MESSAGE
A season of renewal
As the chill of winter gives way to the warmth of spring, we have an opportunity to rejuvenate our commitments to each other and to the communities we serve.
A shining example is the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland in Ontario, whose members support a program providing hot meals to people facing homelessness and food insecurity. On any given evening, the Soup Shack run by Feed Windsor-Essex serves up to 130 people, offering nourishment and a sense of community and care.
Club member and Past District Governor Aruma Koushik got the club involved after seeing a news segment about the Soup Shack.
Koushik collaborated with club members to quickly approve the purchase of a stove, pots, and pans for its new permanent space. Soon after, club members met with the Soup Shack team, toured the new location, and presented a cheque for $3000 Can (about $2000 USD) to support its efforts. They also committed to volunteering their time to prepare and serve meals once the facility is operational.
This exemplifies how Rotary members can come together to address community needs, foster engagement, and make a tangible impact. By identifying opportunities for service and mobilizing resources, we not only support those in need but also strengthen our bonds with each other and with the communities we serve.
As we embrace the renewal that spring offers, let’s take inspiration from the Windsor-Roseland club. Consider ways to reinvigorate engagement within your club:
Identify emerging needs. Stay attuned to the evolving challenges in your communities. Engage with local organizations to understand where your club’s support can make the most difference.
Mobilize resources quickly. When opportunities arise, act swiftly. Leverage the skills and networks within your club to gather resources, from financial contributions to equipment to volunteer time.
Foster collaboration. Encourage members to take initative and collaborate on projects. Empowering individuals to lead and contribute their unique talents enhances engagement and drives success.
Commit to onging involvement. Beyond initial contributions, pledge continued support. Regular service keeps members connected and reinforces the club’s commitment to sustained impact.
By embracing these approaches, we can harness the energy of spring to renew our dedication to service and engagement. Let’s seize this season as an opportunity to revitalize our efforts, strengthen our connections, and continue making a positive difference in the world.
This is The Magic of Rotary – transforming lives, inspiring hope, and creating lasting change for the communities we serve.
STEPHANIE A. URCHICK PRESIDENT, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
2024-25
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR
APRIL 2025 - MESSAGE
Sustainable stewardship
As my 26 years of Rotary leadership at the inbternational level wind down, I’ve been reflecting on favourite memories and the extraordinary opportunities Rotary has given me. One stands out this month: the decision to establish the Environment as one of Rotary’s areas of focus.
We had seen how Rotary members were already preserving waterways, planting trees, and reducing pollution. Environmental stewardship was clearly an essental part of our work. As RI president in 2019-20, I was proud to have proposed the addition of the environment as an area of focus, after years of advocacy by Rotary members.
I am even prouder of what that addition – and all of you – made possible. Since 1 July 2021, clubs and districts, supported by global grants, have expanded their work to protect our planet’s resources – restoring mangroves, saving forests, and cultivating coral reefs.
These grants hold endless possibilities, and I invite you to dream. Take inspiration from initiatives like Keep Mongolia Green, championed by Past RI President D.K. Lee, President-nominee Sangkoo Yun, and Rotary members in Korea. This major reforestation is combating Gobi Desert dust storms and creating Mongolia’s largest green zone.
I am also proud of our new stragetic partnership with the United Nations Environment Prgramme. This collaboration empowers Rotary members to implement projects such as river cleanups and plastic waste reduction, leveraging global resources and expertise.
In November, I had the pleasure of leading a delegation of Rotary volunteers at the United Nations climate conference in Azerbaijan. You can read my account of it on Rotary 360 at blog.rotary.org.
So many opportunities are waiting for us. We know how much we can achieve together, so team up with your district and apply for a Foundation grant to support an environmental project.
Stewardship of the environment is deeply personal to my wife, Gay, and me. That is why we have established a named endowment fund through the Foundation, helping to ensure that future generations working on these projects will have the resources they need.
As we celebrate Environmental Month this April, I invite you to consider how you can make an impact. Every action matters. Explore environmental project ideas in Rotary’s new Service Project Center, take part in an existing initiative, or support The Rotary Foundation through a gift. In this way, members worldwide can protect our shared home.
I thank you, as always, for all that you do for Rotary and our Foundation.
MARK DANIEL MALONEY Foundation Trustee Chair,
2024-25
ROTARY FOUNDATION TRUSTEES
DECISIONS (February 2025)
The Rotary Foundation Trustees met on 8-9 February 2025 in conjunction with the International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA and reviewed 10 committee reports and recorded 35 decisions.
The Trustees
• Selected Symbiosis International University in Pune, India, as host partner for the next Rotary Peace Center with the first application launch in February 2026 for an initial cohort of students by February 2027, and requested the general secretary to proceed with partnership negotiations
• Looked favorably upon extending the agreement with the Gates Foundation under the current terms (the Gates Foundation matches US$2 for every $1 Rotary commits toward polio eradication up to $50 million) through 2029 and authorized the general secretary to negotiate the new agreement accordingly with the Gates Foundation
• Approved US$50 million in PolioPlus grants to the World Health Organization and UNICEF for technical assistance, operational support, social mobilization support, and polio eradication research activities
• Agreed to establish a National PolioPlus Committee in Chad
• Approved funding six ongoing Hearts of Europe grants (originally funded in partnership with USAID) from the World Fund to complete grant activities due to the US government’s decision to end support for USAID
• Approved nine nominations for the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World, which acknowledges a Rotary member’s active, personal service toward the goal of polio eradication;
• Selected recipients for the 2024-25 Rotary Alumni Global Service Award and the Rotary Alumni Association of the Year Award, to be announced at the 2025 Rotary Convention in Calgary.
Host Partner for the next Rotary Peace Center (See the next page)
Symbiosis International (Deemed University) 1
Symbiosis: A saga of excellence – New Peace Centre https://rotarynewsonline.org/symbiosis-university-to-host-the-asia-peace-centre/
Symbiosis: A saga of excellence
Symbiosis Motto: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" means "World is one Family"
Symbiosis is a family of academic institutions which include University, Colleges, Centres, and Schools which have been imparting quality education for more than 50 years. It is host to 40,000 plus Indian and International students on campus.
Symbiosis Society is the Sponsoring body of the Symbiosis International (Deemed University)
These campuses epitomize the Symbiosis vision, 'Promoting International Understanding through Quality Education', and are a beehive of international students from all across the globe, being privy to Indian culture and hospitality.
Many of these campuses are fully residential and have recreational facilities which include include swimming pools, amphitheaters & Health Care centres.
50+ Years 40k+ Indian and International students on campus
Click here to read more.
1 (in India) an institution of higher education that is officially accredited as a university
A QUICK-READ ECO MOMENT
ECO MINUTE – REPAIR CAFÉS
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 links below. Click here for an ESRAG Repair Café site.
Watch a video – Click here
Click here for a Rotary article about repair cafes.
View a short video from Port Coquitlam Centennial Repair Café – Click here to view.
ROTARY’S APRIL FOCUS - THE ENVIRONMENT
Click here to view a short video on our fragile environment and glaciers.
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUnVEs4Jx6c&t=1s
Alarming data. In 2023, glaciers experienced their greatest water loss in over 50 years, marking the second consecutive year in which all glaciated regions worldwide reported ice loss.
Switzerland, for instance, saw their glaciers lose 10 per cent of their total mass between 2022 and 2023, according to the WMO.
Dr. Lydia Brito, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, explained during the launch event in Geneva that the “50 UNESCO heritage sites with glaciers represent almost 10 per cent of Earth's glacier area.” However, a recent study warned that glaciers in one-third of these sites are projected to disappear by 2050.
With 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record, the need for immediate and decisive action has never been more critical.
2025 key initiatives. A key focus, the panel explained, is raising global awareness about the essential role glaciers, snow and ice play in regulating the climate and supporting ecosystems and communities.
“Glaciers don’t care if we believe in science - they just melt in the heat,” said Dr. Carolina Adler of the Mountain Research Initiative.
The initiative also aims to enhance scientific understanding through programmes like the Global Cryosphere Watch, ensuring that data guides effective climate action.
Strengthening policy frameworks is another priority, with the integration of glacier preservation into global and national climate strategies, such as the Paris Agreement.
Mobilising financial resources is another priority – essential to support vulnerable communities and fund adaptation and mitigation efforts – alongside engaging youth and local communities.
EARTH DAY – TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025
ROTARY’S APRIL FOCUS - THE ENVIRONMENT
How Rotarians are already fighting climate change
By Diana Schoberg
Rotarians are doers. Show them a problem and they look for solutions. But a global problem such as climate change might seem daunting to even the most resourceful Rotary member.
Our climate-change series
Rotarians understand that the whole world is their backyard. They can see the effects of climate change in communities they care about, and they haven’t waited to take action. They’re tackling the problem the way they always do: coming up with projects, using their connections to change policy — and planning for the future.
Read our series to see:
• Why RI president says the environment is our ultimate mission
• Rotary member gains ground with Citizens’ Climate Lobby
• Rotary scholars and peace fellows put expertise to work
• Is there hope for indigenous Alaskans?
Break that complex problem down into smaller pieces, however, and you find there are many things Rotarians can do — and are already doing, with help from The Rotary Foundation.
A coalition of researchers and scientists led by environmentalist and writer Paul Hawken mathematically modeled the climatic and economic impact of potential solutions to learn which ones would yield the best results for people and the planet. The list, compiled in a 2017 book called "Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming," included some surprising possibilities, such as educating girls, promoting family planning, and assisting farmers. As it happens, all of those align with Rotary’s areas of focus.
Drawdown researchers ranked solutions from 1 to 80 based on their potential to avert or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We looked at those rankings alongside global grant projects to see how Rotarians are already helping to fight climate change.
Click here to read and learn more.
PLANT-BASED DIETS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
A plant-based diet can provide not only a healthy body for you, but a healthy planet for all of us. Read on to discover how this is true!
Do you know the word Eutrophication?
Eutrophication – The word refers to the excessive enrichment of water bodies (lakes, rivers, and oceans) with nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus.
This overloading of nutrients in water bodies leads to various negative results -
� Algal Blooms – Rapid growth of algae, often turning water green.
� Oxygen Depletion – When the algae die and decompose, bacteria consume oxygen, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life suffocates.
� Water Pollution – Drinking water can become contaminated, and fish populations decline due to habitat loss.
HOW A PLANT-RICH DIET HELPS TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE
Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Animal agriculture is responsible for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. https://earth.org/how-meat-and-dairy-subsidies-are-driving-climate-change/
Decreases Land Use and Deforestation
• Livestock farming utilizes about 80% of global agricultural land, yet it provides only 18% of the world's calories. https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food
Conserves Water Resources
• Producing one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,415 liters of water, whereas one kilogram of vegetables requires significantly less. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_footprint
Minimizes Water Pollution and Eutrophication
• Agriculture accounts for 78% of global ocean and freshwater eutrophication, primarily due to nutrient runoff from fertilizers used in animal feed crops. https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-offood
Enhances Food Production Efficiency
• Transitioning to plant-based diets could reduce global agricultural land use by 75%, freeing up land for reforestation and biodiversity restoration https://ourworldindata.org/land-use-diets
Improves Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration
• Plant-based agriculture, especially practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage, enhances soil organic matter, promoting carbon sequestration. https://www.sare.org/publications/cover-crops-ecosystemservices/cover-crops-and-carbon-sequestration/
The Bottom Line
Adopting a plant-based diet is a powerful personal action to reduce your carbon footprint and promote environmental sustainability.
Summary of new polioviruses this week, cases and positive environmental isolates:
As of the week ending March 21, 2025, the global effort to eradicate polio has made significant progress, though challenges remain.
Current Polio Situation
• Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1): No new WPV1 cases were reported this week. The total number of WPV1 cases in 2025 stands at six, a decrease from 74 cases in 2024 GPEI-Homepage+2GPEIHomepage+2Endpolio+2
• Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2): Several countries have reported new cVDPV2 cases:
o Angola: One case reported, with onset of paralysis on December 12, 2024, bringing the total to eight cases in 2024.
o Nigeria: One case reported, with onset on January 23, 2025, totaling seven cases in 2025.
o Somalia: Four cases reported, with onset in December 2024, totaling seven cases in 2024.
Rotary International's Efforts
Rotary International continues its longstanding commitment to polio eradication:
• Global Initiatives: As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotary has played a pivotal role in reducing polio cases by over 99.9% since 1979. Their efforts have protected nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease.
Challenges and Developments
• Funding Shortfalls: The GPEI has extended its eradication timeline, now aiming for 2027 for wild poliovirus and 2029 for vaccine-derived variants. This extension requires an additional $2.4 billion in funding to address challenges in eliminating the disease. CIDRAP+6Reuters+6GPEI-Homepage+6
• Security Concerns: In regions like Pakistan, polio workers face security threats. Recently, a police officer guarding polio workers was killed by gunmen in northwestern Pakistan, underscoring the risks associated with vaccination campaigns in certain areas. AP News+1theguardian.com+1
• Policy Influences: The World Health Organization has expressed concerns that reductions in U.S. funding could impede global polio eradication efforts, potentially delaying the goal of a polio-free world Reuters
Despite these challenges, the global health community, with Rotary International at the forefront, remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate polio, adapting strategies and rallying resources to overcome obstacles.
Additionally, in early March 2025, poliovirus samples were detected in wastewater across 16 European cities in Spain, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Finland. These detections are genetically linked to the cVDPV2 strain first identified in Nigeria in 2020.
No human polio cases have been reported in association with these environmental findings. vax-beforetravel.com+1vax-before-travel.com+1
These developments underscore the ongoing challenges in polio eradication efforts, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and vaccination initiatives globally.
THE POLIOPLUS SOCIETY
How can you take action? Donate to End Polio
INTERNATIONAL DATES TO NOTE (plus
April - Rotary’s Focus on the Environment
World Autism Awareness Day Wednesday, April 2
Saturday, April 5
International Day of Conscience
Sunday, April 6
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
Monday, April 7
World Health Day (WHO)
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda
Thursday, April 24 to April 30
World Immunization Week
Immunization for All is Humanly Possible Vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements! Over the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives. That’s 6 lives a minute, every day, for five decades.
Friday, April 25
World Malaria Day (WHO)
Saturday, April 26
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day
Mark your calendars – Tuesday, April 22, 2022
55th Anniversary of Earth Day!
FOUNDATION GRANTS – 7 AREAS OF FOCUS
Rotarians can get involved in various types of service –Club Service, Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service, New Generations (Youth) Service
A list of Rotary's 7 areas of focus and a brief description of each:
1. Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention: Rotary aims to address the root causes of conflict and promote sustainable peace through initiatives that support education and training, promote community dialogue, and build networks of peacebuilders.
(Month of February)
2. Disease Prevention and Treatment: Rotary works to improve health outcomes and reduce the spread of disease through initiatives that promote immunization, provide access to clean water and sanitation, and support medical research.
(Month of December)
3. Water and Sanitation: Rotary aims to improve access to clean water and sanitation in underserved communities, through initiatives that promote infrastructure development, support education and training, and raise awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation.
(Month of March)
4. Maternal and Child Health: Rotary works to improve maternal and child health outcomes by supporting initiatives that provide access to prenatal and postnatal care, promote vaccination, and support nutrition and education programs for mothers and children.
(Month of July)
5. Basic Education and Literacy: Rotary aims to improve access to education and literacy for children and adults, through initiatives that support teacher training, provide educational resources and materials, and promote community-based programs that increase literacy rates.
(Month of September)
6. Economic and Community Development: Rotary works to support economic and community development initiatives that promote job creation, increase access to financial services, and support small business development and entrepreneurship.
(Month of October)
7. Supporting the Environment: Rotary aims to support environmental sustainability initiatives, through programs that promote conservation, improve access to clean energy, and support the development of sustainable agriculture and other eco-friendly practices.
(Month of April)
Calculate your carbon footprint! Click here.
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.
Links of interest –
ESRAG Plant-Rich Diet website
Facebook page – Plant Rich diets
Eating Our Way to Extinction - Documentary film (1 hour, 20 minutes)
Forks over Knives full movie – (1 hour, 36 minutes)
Take 24 minutes to enjoy this outstanding short Environment Documentary from
Water Bear
Click here to view. 2
Join Mairead Cahill, a nature impact leader and filmmaker, as she embarks on an adventure across sea, land and city to explore nature-based solutions in action across South West England.
She gets up close to meet the projects and people involved - from reintroduction of beavers, to restoration of rainforest and coastline, to floating pontoons in the city.
Through the journey she explores what it looks like to reconnect with nature in a way that supports our mental health and the health of our economy and climate.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
2 https://waterbear.com/c/63922f40-8a56-11ef-b2c803e5442899a6?utm_source=picks&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=picks_150325&lid=2ahzjj0j895x
Supporting the Rotary Foundation: A Call to Action for Rotarians
The Rotary Foundation is the heartbeat of Rotary’s mission to create lasting change globally and locally.
Supporting the Foundation ensures the success of projects that address critical issues like clean water, education, disease prevention, and peacebuilding.
Learn
Understanding the impact of the Rotary Foundation is the first step. Explore the Areas of Focus – Stories of Impact – Rotary’s Financial Efficiency.
Ask
Encourage open dialogue about the Rotary Foundation by asking key questions: What inspires you to serve through Rotary? – Have you seen a Foundation-funded project in action? – What causes do you care about?
Commit
Making a personal commitment to support the Foundation solidifies its importance: Individual donations – Club goals – Sustained giving.
Membership
Support for the Foundation strengthens Rotary membership by enhancing engagement and pride: Retain members – Attract New Members – Build Fellowship
ROTARY’S FOUR-WAY TEST
A Thoughtful Start to any day
Let us all continue to reflect on the Rotary Four-Way Test, a guiding principle for how we interact with one another – within our clubs, with our members – not just outside of our Rotary club meetings. It reminds us to ask ourselves:
• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
These simple but profound questions are at the heart of what it means to be a Rotarian. They encourage us to approach every interaction with integrity, fairness, kindness, and respect. Do we engage our fellow members? Do we embrace our members as truly important? We are all volunteers!
Our words have power—power to inspire, uplift, and connect. May we use them wisely in all situations to support one another and foster the goodwill that makes our Rotary family so special.
Here’s to a year of meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and unwavering kindness!
Click the 4-way test above and open the link to hear the Four-Way Test by RC of Saskatoon Nutana
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION EREY – Every Rotarian Every Year
Click here for a short video.
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 here to listen to We are the World
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR APRIL
April is Environmental Month for Rotary.
Inspiration for April – Environmental & Service Themes
1. “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan
Each small effort we make adds up to real change.
2. “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” – Desmond Tutu Rotary’s collective actions create a ripple effect far greater than any one person alone.
3. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker\ As Rotarians, we don’t wait for change—we lead it.
4. “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” –Greek Proverb
Sustainability is about building a better world for generations to come.
5. “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb
Let’s leave a legacy of care, not consumption.
6. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller The power of Rotary lies in our shared commitment to service and action.
7. “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” –Jane Goodall
Every action—big or small—helps shape our world.
8. “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” – Lady Bird Johnson
Caring for our planet is an act of kindness to all people.
Wishing you all an April full of inspiration, service, sustainability, and making a differencejust like what Rotary helps provide!
But no -
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind. Let it be something good. 3 3 Author unknown