District Governor Rick Sterne's February Message

Posted by Penelope Hutton 
 

DG Rick’s February Newletter

WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

February is Rotary World Understanding month and I can’t think of a better way to recognize Rotary’s role in World Understanding than by attending our multi-district “Rotarians for Peace Symposium” on Saturday March 2nd in Toronto at the Royal York Hotel. The symposium is shaping up to be the highlight event of our Rotary year.

Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka will be participating, along with PRIP Wilf Wilkinson, Chair of the RI Foundation Board of Trustees. Dr. Bob Scott will be speaking on “Pax Polio - A Paradox”. Canadian International Co-operation Minister Julian Fantino will be making a special announcement. The Gaza Doctor, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish and author of “I Shall Not Hate”, along with Raseema Alam a Rotary Peace Fellow and former Canadian Diplomat, will also be speaking.

The luncheon keynote speaker will be Free the Children co-founder Marc Kielburger, who will speak on “Me to WE: Inspiring the Generation of Changemakers”. Marc will also be presented with the 2012 Wilf Wilkinson Peace Award on behalf of himself and his brother Craig. Master of Ceremonies will be Suhana Meharchand, host of CBC Newsworld.

In the afternoon, there will be numerous breakout sessions, such as:

  • Peace in Our Schools
  • A Proactive Approach to Youth Crime Prevention
  • Doctors: Messengers of Hope and Peace
  • Financing the Rotary Peace Centers Program
  • Songs of Peace
  • Building Relationships, Not Bullies – An Interactive Workshop
  • Finding Rotary Peace Centres Candidates
  • Rotary Global Peace Forum
  • The Life Cycle of a Rotary World Peace Fellow
The final keynote speaker will be Aga Khan Foundation Canada, CEO Khalil Shariff on “Building Peace from the Bottom Up”.

Registration for the Symposium opens at 8:00 AM. The program will begin at 9:00 AM and is scheduled to conclude at 4:15 PM. A lunch is included in the registration fee.

You should register now on the District 7090 website, rotary7090.org.

The Royal York Hotel is located right across the street from the GO Transit train station. In order to avoid Toronto traffic and ridiculous parking fees, I have suggested that we take the GO train to Toronto. There is a train leaving Burlington just after 7:00 AM which will get you into downtown Toronto just after 8:00 AM. The Go station in Burlington is located just off the QEW at 2101 Fairview Street. If you are coming from Niagara, exit at Fairview Street and go East to the GO station. The cost for a day pass is $18.50. (Seniors are $9.30.) The return train leaves Toronto around 4:43 PM.

This is a symposium not to be missed!      PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND.

ROTARY’S ANNIVERSARY

We should all take a moment this month to remember that February 23rd is Rotary’s Anniversary as the first Rotary meeting was on this date in 1905. All great journeys begin with a first step. Many very successful projects today had smaller beginnings. Think about the tremendous effect Rotary has had on the world. Think about how proud you are to be a Rotarian!

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS

I have had the pleasure and honour to attend a number of Paul Harris dinners this month and to assist in the presentation of Paul Harris Fellows to community leaders. Recognizing outstanding community citizens not only says thank you, but helps increase awareness of Rotary in your community. The Hamilton, St. Catharines, and Niagara Rotary Clubs all came together for joint Area Paul Harris dinners.

I had the honour of presenting Paul Harris Fellows to husband and wife team, Ingrid and Ronald Kielstra, on behalf of the Lincoln Rotary Club.

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 PHFs Ingrid and Ronald Kielstra from the Rotary Club of Lincoln with DG Rick

PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS

Congratulations to the Le Roy Rotary Club and Lewiston-Niagara on the Lake Rotary Club in completing and submitting their Presidential Citations already. Don`t forget to submit your Presidential Citation and Lighthouse Award applications before the end of March.

PEACE THROUGH SERVICE AWARDS

Our Peace through Service Committee will be presenting Peace through Service Awards to the top ten Peace projects this year at our Awards Luncheon on June 9, 2013. Nomination forms will be available soon for submission by the end of May.

We are also planning on presenting the ``GOVERNOR`S TROPHY`` to the most outstanding (non-fundraising) Club Project of the Year! More to come.

Keep up the good work that your Club is doing!

HIGH FIVE!

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Rick Sterne                                                                 

District Governor

Best of Friends District 7090