Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
Official Newsletter of District Governor Steve Allan, District 5360
December 2009
January 2010
December: Family of Rotary
January: Rotary Awareness
December is such a hectic month
for everyone, that we decided to
postpone the December edition of
Joining Hands and combine it with
January’s newsletter.
loss of a family member.
December is the month in which we
celebrate the Family of Rotary and
January is Rotary Awareness
Month.
Let us first consider the Family of
Rotary.
District Governor Steve Allan
As we all know, there are one and a
quarter million Rotarians belonging
to 33,000 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries and regions
around the world. However, our Rotary Family is much larger than that. It includes our spouses, and our children, and
the spouses and families of deceased Rotarians. It also includes Rotary Youth Exchange students and their families;
Interactors and Rotaractors and those who have participated
in RYLA and RYPEN and their families. In addition, it includes Group Study Exchange team members and Ambassadorial and Peace Scholars. I don’t have an accurate count on
how many people that adds up to but suffice it to say, it is a
BIG family.
Why do we think of Rotary as a family? When we think of
our own clubs and the network of individuals involved in our
clubs, as outlined above, we do function very much like a
family. We enjoy one another’s company and fellowship. We
work together when there is a job to be done. And we support one another when support is required. We recognize
one another’s birthdays and anniversaries; we celebrate our
successes and share our challenges; we assist our extended
Rotary family members when they are sick, lonely, or experiencing difficulties. We share their grief during and after the
A truly successful Rotary Club will define its extended family
and include that family in social events, club meetings, fundraising activities, community service projects, Youth Exchange and GSE team support and hosting. We will identify
opportunities to invite our children, spouses, and the
spouses of deceased Rotarians to become members of Rotary; we will ensure they are included in special events; we
will share our Club Newsletters with them. Like all strong
families, we should maintain contact with our extended Rotary Family. We should ensure that we maintain contact with
our Youth Exchange students, both inbound and outbound,
for years into the future. We should keep track of our outbound students so that they, or their families, will become
Rotarians when the opportunity is right for them. Similarly,
we should maintain contact with RYLA, RYPEN, Interact
and Rotaract students. We should ensure they are included
in our social functions, our community service projects, and
our fundraising efforts. And we should maintain contact
with them, so that they will join Rotary when the time is
right for them.
By consciously thinking of an extended Rotary Family, we
will build stronger Rotary Clubs, and we will help ensure the
future of Rotary by maintaining contact with the youth that
have been touched by Rotary.
Continued on page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2 DG Steve’s message con’t
3 DG Nominee Designate 2012/2013
4 Earthquake Devastates Haiti
5 District Rotarians Awarded
6 Around the District
7 Microcredit News
8 Remembrance Day Pow Wow
9 RYPEN
10/11 The Dictionary Project
12 Monthly Attendance Report—October 2009
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
Continued from page 1
Rotary is an amazing network. And if we think of it in
terms of a network of family members, we will then realize
the true power of Rotary. And each and every one of us
can do this – we don’t have to rely on our club executive
or committee Chairs to do this for us.
As mentioned, January is Rotary Awareness Month. It is
a time to consider learning more about our organization
and to focus on our public image. During the course of
this month, the District Public Relations Committee will
be meeting to advance their plans for this year, which include a significant advertising/billboard campaign utilizing the PR Grant the district received from RI which, together with the district’s budget will result in a $20,000
campaign designed to bring more public awareness of Rotary throughout the district.
In my visits with each club, one of the things we discussed
was the need to inform our communities of the good work
Rotary is doing. Many clubs do an outstanding job of this,
particularly in the smaller communities. However, we all
need to do better if Rotary is to grow, attract new members and build partnerships in our communities. It is the
responsibility of each one of us to ensure that our friends,
neighbours and our communities are aware of the good
work that Rotary is doing in our own back yards, as well
as in communities around the world.
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
I hope everyone in our District Rotary Family had a wonderful holiday season with friends and families.
I also want to extend to all our Rotary Family best wishes
for a happy, healthy, successful and prosperous 2010.
Submitted by DG Steve
I recently sent the attached memo to the Presidents of all the clubs in the
District, however, given the theme for this Rotary year, I think the message is important for each Rotarian. Please join together with all the
members of your club, to work with your president and executive to help
your club achieve it's goals for this Rotary year.
To all District 5360 Rotarians:
►In each of my club visits, we talked about the End Polio
Now program. Without exception, every club in the district
committed to contribute to the Polio Plus fund of the RI
Foundation in the Rotary year 2009-10. As a district we
have done a very commendable job of supporting this program and each club should be proud of their efforts in this
regard. In fact your support has been nothing less than out-
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
standing!!
►A number of clubs did talk of some special fund raising/
awareness raising projects for Polio this year. For example, the
Raymond Club collects money in their annual community parade for polio, after advertising their intention to do so in the
local newspaper and the Okotoks club intends to hold a "purple
pinkie day" to raise awareness for our efforts to end polio and
to raise funds.
►I would ask you to give some thought to President Kenny's
request. Obviously, there are two objectives; the first to raise
money for polio eradication and the second, to raise community awareness for the outstanding work Rotary is doing to
eradicate polio from the face of the earth.
Since this is the beginning of a new calendar year and we are
now half way through the Rotary year, this is a great time to
assess where your club is at in terms of the various goals your
clubs set for your year for membership growth, Annual Fund
contributions to the Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus contributions, registrations for the District Conference in Banff and the
RI convention in Montreal.
►In terms of the Banff Conference and the Montreal convention, I want to thank you and congratulate you for your support.
We have 288 paid registrants for the Banff District Conference,
which is a great place to be five months before the event. We
still have some distance to go, however, if we are to reach our
goal of 450, and some clubs are somewhat behind the goals
that were originally set. For Montreal, we have 217 registrants,
which exceeds our original goal. Our district is among the top
three districts in the country, in terms of registrations. Thank
you for all that you have done to encourage your members to
support these events.
►The clubs in District 5360 are poised to have a very successful year, as measured by the key goals outlined. However, we
all need to really focus on these issues now, as these next few
months will fly by. I am confident that with your leadership, your
clubs will meet, or exceed, each one of the key goals you set at
the beginning of your Rotary year.
In my club visits, I was truly impressed with what I heard and
observed about the work that each club is doing in its own
community and around the world. Thanks for everything you
are doing for Rotary and for the tremendous commitment that I
know each of you are making to ensure the success of your
year.
►Best wishes to each of you and to all your members
and your extended Rotary families for a happy, healthy and
successful 2010.
►Let's make this the best year ever for the clubs of District
5360.
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
Steve
December 09/January 10
2
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
District Governor Nominee Designate 2012/2013
Submitted by PDG Raju Paul
It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Nominating Committee consisting of Past District Governors Bernie Carriere and
Mark Starratt, DGE Al Bergsma and DGN Mike French to announce that Frances Leggett from the Rotary Club of Lethbridge
East is the successful candidate as the nominee as the District
Governor in 2012-13 in District 5360. Fran will be a great leader
and the committee extends their congratulations and best wishes.
The committee would also like to thank all the other great candidates and their clubs who put their names forward. They are all
great Rotarians and leaders in our district. Our best wishes to
them as they continue their work to support and enhance the future of our District.
PDG Raju Paul
Chair of the Nominating Committee
As per article 13.020.8, 2007 Rotary Manual of Procedures, page 225:
Any club in the District which has been in existence
for at least one year as of the beginning of that
year may also propose a challenging candidate for
governor-nominee. A club in existence for less than
one year as of the beginning of that year may propose
a challenging candidate provided such candidate is a
member of that club. The challenging candidate must
have been duly suggested to the nominating committee.
The name of the challenging candidate shall be submitted pursuant to a resolution by the club adopted
at a regular meeting. The club must file the resolution with the governor by the date determined by the
governor. Such date shall be at least two weeks after
publication of the announcement of the selection for
governor-nominee by the nominating committee
Therefore, should any club wish to mount a challenge, it
should be received by DG Steve by February 15, 2010.
"Absence of Challenging Candidate"
"As per article 13.020.10, 2007 Rotary Manual of Procedures, page 226:
The governor shall declare the candidate of
the district nominating committee to be the
governor-nominee where no such challenging
nomination has been received by the established date. Such declaration shall be made
to all clubs in the district within 15 days
of the deadline."
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
FRANCES (FRAN) LEGGETT, LETHBRIDGE EAST
Frances (Fran) Leggett
was born in Lacombe,
Alberta and lived on the
Lacombe Research Station until she was 5. The
family then moved to Regina and nine years later
to Ottawa. Fran completed her undergraduate
BSc (Honours) degree at
Trent University in 1972.
In 1976 she enrolled in a
masters program at University of Alberta. This
degree was later switched
to a PhD and she graduated in 1982.
Following post graduation
she became a Scientist with The Veterinary Reference
Branch of Alberta Agriculture. In 1986, she moved to Vancouver and began working for Agriculture Canada in the
Electron Microscopy facility. In 1992 Fran transferred to
the Lethbridge Research facility and has lived here since
then. She has been a member of the University of
Lethbridge Senate, and Executive secretary in 1992 of the
Microscopical Society of Canada.
Fran joined Rotary in 1997 as a member of the Lethbridge
East club, served as a member of the Polio Plus committee, club treasurer and Club President in 2001-02. She has
also been a member of the Waterton Glacier Peace Park
Association and is presently vice president of the same.
She is a past Assistant Governor and currently a member
of the District Strategic planning committee, a Rotary
Leadership Institute trainer and Chair of the Peace Committee.
December 09/January 10
3
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
Earthquake Devastates Haiti
According to the Rotary International website, the District 7020 which covers the Caribbean has a Haiti Task Force that has been underway for a
couple years. They are receiving donations which will be used by this
task force. You can go to their District website or email the DG.
http://www.clubrunner.ca/dprg/dxhome/_home.aspx?did=7020
DG Errol Alberga [email protected]
Biosand filters are appropriate to stable populations and experience in
Dominican Republic during an emergency indicated this.
Some of the organizations I’ve heard about that have a presence in Haiti
and again some of them may not direct your funds specifically to Haiti.
•
Red Cross •
Canadian Doctors without Borders •
Salvation Army At this point my personal approach is to deal with organizations that have
a track record in Haiti. If you know of more organizations that have been
on the ground for a while pls advise ASAP – I’ll put the info on our District
website.
Regards
Bob Wiens
Home (403) 202-0673
Cell (403) 922-9723
International disaster relief charity ShelterBox
responds to Haiti earthquake
International disaster relief charity ShelterBox is
responding to the scenes of destruction in Haiti.
A ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) is currently
being mobilised with two SRT members from the
USA and one from the UK leading the response.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean
island of Haiti at close to 2200 GMT on Tuesday,
January 12. Initial reports state that hundreds of
people are feared dead while thousands of people
have been left homeless.
ShelterBox General Manager Lasse Petersen said:
‘We’re doing everything we can to ensure immediate aid reaches the people of Haiti. The process of
getting our team on the ground is well under way.
‘We were in Haiti eighteen months ago, delivering
aid after a series of hurricanes left thousands
homeless. We’ll now be working closely with our
contacts on the ground in the country to make sure
we get aid to the people who need it most during
the current crisis. Our thoughts go out to the people
who have been affected by this disaster.’
Buildings destroyed. The earthquake, described as
the worst to hit Haiti in centuries, was centred 10
miles to the south west of the islands capital, Portau-Prince. The initial earthquake was followed by
two aftershocks measuring 5.9 and 5.5 in magnitude.
Many buildings have been devastated including the
HQ of the UN mission and the presidential palace.
The USA have been quick to respond to the disaster.
President Barack Obama said in a statement: ‘My
thoughts and prayers go out to those who have
been affected by this earthquake. We are closely
monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti.’
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
December 09/January 10
4
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
District Rotarians Awarded
Sue Williams, District Administrator
becomes Honourary Member
Sue Williams was presented with an Honourary Membership in the
Rotary Club of Calgary this past Tuesday, by President Larry Shelley. She is shown in this picture, taken at the club luncheon with my
wife Marjie, and Sheila Clapham, wife of Rtn Bill Clapham.
Cliff Dochterman Award presented to Norm
Haines, long time Rotarian and current member of
the Rotary Club of Calgary Heritage Park
On Friday November 20th at the weekly meeting of The Heritage Park Club Norm Haines was presented with the Cliff Dochterman award by District Governor Steve Allen. This award is
an honour available to recognize an individual Rotarian who
acts as a role model and renders distinguished and dedicated
service to Scouting. Cliff Dochterman was a former RI President and dedicated scouter.
Norm has been very involved with scouting throughout Canada
for 50 years and has received every outstanding service award
including the Silver Wolf, its highest award. Norm has served
as Provincial President and been a member of The National
Council. Perhaps he is best known for his leadership in Scout
Jamborees, culminating in his being chair of the very successful 1983 World Scout Jamboree held in The Kananaskis.
Norm has been a Rotarian for 41 years and is well known by
many for the roles he has played in the many positions held
over the years. One of his major achievements was the part
played by him with the Ceremonies Committee at the Calgary
RI Convention in 1996.
Picture by Ralph Lundberg
Over the approximately three years that Sue has supported the
District as our District Administrator she has gained a great deal of
Rotary knowledge. She has all the qualities and values of a Rotarian; she is always ready to assist Rotarians and their clubs with a
variety of issues; and she has been enormously supportive to District Governors Bernie Carriere, Mark Starratt and myself. In fact, I
don't know how our predecessors could have functioned without
Sue.
So, I am delighted that Sue is now officially a part of the Rotary
family.
DG Steve Allan
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
Norm has always understood the importance of Scouting and
Rotary working together. He has helped Rotary find worthy
scouting projects to support including capital projects such as
the pool at Camp Gardner – just one example of building the
partnership.
Norm’s enthusiasm and support of Rotary’s ideals continue
undiminished and he is currently a Director of Public Image
with The Heritage Park Club.
December 09/January 10
5
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
Around the District
Announcing the
Third annual Peace Photo Contest
For Rotarians, Interactors and Rotaractors and
Family members of District 5360 starts December 15, 2009 — Closes April 30, 2010
Start shooting - Check the family albums! Make
it a family project! Each Rotarian may submit up
to three photographs
Share with us images that you believe create in the
viewer, a passion for Peace among mankind and
exhibit photographic merit.
Judging will be done by a panel of Foothill Camera
Club members and Rotarians
There will be three prizes: First $750, Second $500
and third $250
Prizes will be awarded at the District Conference in
Banff, May 28th to May 30th, 2010
Contest
details
are
available
at
www.rotarianpeacephoto.org
Fran Leggett, District Peace Committee Chair
Register Now! District 5360/5370
Rotary Curling Bonspiel 2010
www.rotarycurling.ca
The Athabasca Rotary Club invites everyone in the
Rotary family — members, spouses, children, exchange
students, etc. — to the 2010 District 5360/5370
Bonspiel. We are working very hard to ensure an enjoyable event for all, with a particular goal of encouraging first-time participants to attend and gain a positive first impression of this fun-filled annual Rotary
event.
Registration forms and information on accommodation,
event schedules, are available on this site,
www.rotarycurling.ca and will be updated as the event
draws nearer.
We look forward to seeing you in Athabasca February,
18-21, 2010!
Deadline to enter is February 5, 2010
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
Submitted by Karen Gunn, Lethbridge
Rotary Club of
Lethbridge
The Rotary Club of Lethbridge hosted their annual Seniors’ Christmas Dinner this past Sunday evening, December 6th, 2009, at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Conven‐
tion Centre. This event continues to be made possi‐
ble by an effective collaboration be‐
tween the City of Lethbridge Transit Department, the Lethbridge Lodge and the Rotary Club of Lethbridge. This year, despite the challenging weather conditions, over 400 senior citizens from 20 senior residences in Lethbridge and Coaldale braved the snow and converged on the Lethbridge Lodge for an evening of food, fun and entertainment. The Lethbridge Lodge provided, free of charge, the facilities and in partner‐
ship with the Rotary Club of Lethbridge, a fabulous turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The seniors were picked up at their respective residences and safely delivered home again by City Transit buses and the City of Lethbridge Transit Union #987. With the nasty weather this past weekend, their services and hard work were greatly appreciated. The Rotary Club of Lethbridge volunteers served the delicious meal and ensured the seniors were treated like royalty. Some of the volunteers even got the sen‐
iors up and dancing to the music of George DeSouza, who once again delivered great Christmas entertain‐
ment for the event. Other volunteers include the Rotarac Club from the University of Lethbridge, the Urban Spirits Rotary Club and the Honours Society from Winston Churchill. Santa also dropped by with Christmas gifts for every senior. Bridget Pastoor, MLA and Greg Weadick, MLA also attended and brought special gifts, which were awarded to the oldest attendees. The winner of the first gift was an amazing 101 years old! If you need information about the event or have any further enquiries, please contact Joanna Kappel at joanna@moriyama‐co.com or Loralee Burton at loralee@moriyama‐co.com or call 403‐382‐3633. December 09/January 10
6
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
Microcredit News
Submitted by Steve Rickard,
Pictures submitted by Marie Rickard,
FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN LIBERIA
MICROCREDIT PROGRAM
Remember Liberian Blood Diamonds, Charles Taylor and
Pray the Devil back to Hell? As
a story goes, these events are
both fascinating and grotesque,
being about unabashed greed,
corruption and the devastation
of the country made up of
freed American Slaves.
But there is an even more compelling story of human perseverance, rebuilding of trust and
formulation of a new governDeborah Lindholm and
ment, led by Africa's first
Emily Peale
Woman President.
Whether you see the movie Pray the Devil Back to Hell,
read the book Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Deadly Path of
the World's Most Precious Stones by Greg Campbell or
search the internet http://www.pacweb.org/pub-otherfacets-e.php you will find the unleashed horror of war. But
notwithstanding, throughout there are small insights of
hope and determination. When Deborah Lindholm, CEO of
the Foundation for Women recognized this resilience in
human spirit she moved quickly to help fan this "spark of
human spirit for a better life" into a flame of human success - she used her Foundation for Women to initiated microcredit banks in Liberia.
In November 2005 history was made in Africa. The first
woman president was elected in Liberia, Ellen JohnsonSirleaf. Three months after the election, Emily Peale and
Deborah Lindholm connected and the idea of this program
was birthed. In November 2006, Emily returned to her
country after living for almost 20 years as a refugee in San
Diego. One month later Deborah arrived to see the results
of a devastating civil war, a totally wrecked country. Together they had a mission – offer a microcredit loan to
every woman in the country of 3.5 million people who
wanted one to help rebuild their lives and their country.
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
Two and a half years later, the program is operating in 7
of the 15 counties via 24 centers. There are 625 active
participants. First loans are US$100 with increases of $50
for subsequent loans. The repayment rate is 97.8%. A
school has been established in one village which is educating 110 students. Scholarships have funded 22 students in Monrovia with a great demand for more. Adult
education is offered to the borrowers – 15 have graduated and 38 are currently enrolled. Current loan portfolio
is approximately $50,000. There are 1000 women on a
waiting list for a first loan.
To date, funding has come from Rotary and Foundation
for Women members and supporters. Then Deborah and
Emily visited ten Rotary clubs in Southern Alberta with
their message and hope for funding. Our Microcredit Task
Force MTF has agreed to help the FFW-L raise $100,000,
half of which we hope to obtain from the Community Initiatives Program from the Alberta Government. Our goal
then is to raise ten $5,000 amounts with some contributing a little more or less as their budgets allow. Wally Gardiner our MTF chair says we are well on our way to having the first $25,000 ($50,000 with matching CIP funds).
Recognition of all donors will occur in news releases with
photographs, articles on the web and through the final
reporting to CIP. Please contact Wally for more donation
information at: [email protected].
The Liberian ladies shown here are recipients of
borrowers of Microcredit funds.
December 09/January 10
7
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
Remembrance Day Pow Wow
Submitted by Karen Gunn, Lethbridge
JP and Rotarian Pat Killoran (Indian name Holy Hill) who is a member of the Kainai Chieftainship and an Honorary Chief of the Blood
Tribe. The name Holy Hill was given in honour
of the famous Battle of Casino in WW2 where
Pat's naming sponsor, Stephen Mistaken
Chief, fought and the allied forces won back the
Monastery atop the hill.....Holy Hill.
JP is sitting around the traditional drum with drummer/
dancer Scott Beebe and his wife learning the history of
the drum and its role in native culture.
The event is the Remembrance Day Pow Wow
on November 11 at Senator Gladstone Hall on
the Blood Reserve. It is sponsored by the Head
Dress Society and celebrates Remembrance
Day. The costumes are ceremonial and can bee
seen as part of the various dance competitions
JP is participating in a traditional dance and
l i st eni ng
to
Bl ood
T ri b e
member
and
dancer
Jasper
Buckskin explain
the finer points.
The Global Freshwater Challenge
June 26-July 2, 2010
Carroll University Waukesha, WI
For more information
visit the website at
www.worldaffairsseminar.org
Newsletter Editor, Cindy Oliver, RC of Red Deer Centennial [email protected]
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
December 09/January 10
8
District 5360
Rotary
International
Joining Hands
RYPEN
ÉCOLE SECONDAIRE
LACOMBE COMPOSITE HIGH SCHOOL
5628 - 56 Avenue, Lacombe, AB T4L 1G6
Phone: (403) 782-6615
Fax: (403) 782-4266
E-mail: [email protected]
Rotary Club of Canada,
District 5360
Attention: Herky Cutler
November 19, 2009
Dear Mr. Cutler:
It is my great pleasure to write a letter in support of the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment. I work at Lacombe Composite High School as a Career Centre Coordinator. It has been my pleasure to work with the coordinator of Youth Programs in
the Lacombe branch, helping to find suitable candidates among our student body for these programs. Over the years, I
have been very impressed by the quality of the programs offered to our youth by the Rotary.
The RYPEN camp, in particular, has the power to change lives – to plant that little seed of self belief that often continues to
grow and yield stronger, abler citizens. It has been a number of years since I started facilitating student participation in this
program, and I am continually impressed by the responses of LCHS students to the experience. Without exception, every
single student I have dealt with comes back raving about RYPEN. Virtually every one of them would go back again if they
could, and many consider returning as leaders. I have seen some very shy, withdrawn students blossom in RYPEN, and
come back to us with increased confidence and a greater willingness to try new things and “put themselves out there”, so to
speak – to step forward and have their voices heard in ways they might not have before this enriching experience. One
young lady in particular came back to us and immediately started seeking out leadership opportunities. She also applied for
every single Rotary Adventure I subsequently promoted through our announcements!
Before sitting down to write this letter, I spoke briefly with the two young ladies who attended RYPEN from LCHS this fall.
Their words about RYPEN will be more meaningful than mine. One young lady said that it was a good group bonding experience, and made everyone feel good. She felt that it made her a better leader and better able to relate to others. She
would strongly recommend the program to students; especially those who are “shy and don’t get out and talk to a lot of people”. “Everyone was different,” she said, “but we all worked together.” The other young lady spoke to me about how nerve
wracking it was at first, to go without knowing anyone. That frame of mind apparently did not last long at all! She told me
that everyone was really welcoming; she got to know a lot of people, still keeping in touch with some of them. “Everyone
felt connected”, she said, “because of the activities we did. I definitely think it has taught me leadership skills. [Since the
camp,] I have noticed myself pursuing leadership in sports and life and to be more understanding of other people.” Both
young women told me that RYPEN was overall a great experience.
Kudos to the Rotary and all of its members for its policy of enriching youth and working to help develop leadership among
our young people. The RYPEN program has proven to be a very positive experience for our students. Thank you.
Yours truly,
Linda Pack
Career Centre Coordinator
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
December 09/January 10
9
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
The Dictionary Project
Submitted by Joyce Zwick, RC of Pincher Creek
It’s been 3 years since I first learned about The Dictionary
Project. Since I was introduced to the program by my father’s Rotary Club (Marana Arizona), I have travelled to the
program’s headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, rewritten a section of the Canadian Gazetteer, made a presentation to Rotary Presidents in Calgary, and this past fall,
along with other members of the Pincher Creek Rotary
Club, handed out approximately 330 dictionaries to Grade
3 students in the Livingston Range School Division area. I
must admit, the best part of all of this has been the reaction
received from each child when giving them their very first
dictionary.
The Dictionary Project is a program to
provide dictionaries to Grade 3 students
to improve the reading ability and comprehension skills of all children everywhere. Grade 3 is the year children are
introduced to dictionaries, and some
children and/or schools cannot afford
their own. The Project began in 1992 in
Georgia, USA when Annie Plummer was
concerned about the children growing
up in her community. She believed that
of all the books children came in contact
Claresholm Elewith, the dictionary
mentary School
was the most important. She began to hand out dictionaries. As
more people became interested in
her project, she formed a not for
profit organization to handle the volume. Their office has moved to
Charleston, and over 10.8 million dictionaries have been given out. While
this is not a Rotary program, over
50% of the sponsors are Rotary
Clubs since Rotary has a commit- Ashlea -Horace Allen
ment to literacy. An important aspect School Coleman
of the program is that the dictionaries
are personalized with each child’s name, in addition to the
sponsor’s information. Schools are visited, and each child,
plus their teacher, is given a dictionary. It is a great opportunity to get to know your community better, and to spread
the Rotary message. In the Schools I visited, most children
did not know what a service club was, or what Rotary was.
It was a great education for both of us.
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
Canadian dictionaries and Canadian
Gazetteer cost U.S. $2.00 each,
which includes shipping. Rotary and
personalized labels will cost about
$.50 Canadian each. Most Clubs
who participate in the program do it
on an annual basis, but it is not mandatory.
So what has the response been? In
Claresholm, where I live, we handed
out 50 dictionaries. I received over
80 thank you’s and drawings.
Here are a few of them, spellings Jessie-Horace Allen
School
and spacing and art are theirs.
I Love my new Dictionary the night after you gave it to me I asked my dad to tell me a word to look up he made me look up words that meen sleep because it was time for bed From Malegh Thank you for the dictionary I like my new dictionary because it helps me learn new words and it helps me know how to spell things right I learn what it means from megan Thanks for the journal it is helping me learn new thing. It’s also helping me spell new words. I yous it In elfebetikill order. It helps me know what words mean. From: Daxton thank you for the dictionary I love it i yos i a lot and it is very nice it halps me spell words corecly. From Josie I really like the dictionary you gave us. I can use it when I’m writing stories or I want to play school with my sister. I think it is really cool that it has a map on the last page. I like to look for Claresholm on the map. Sincerely Abbie Thank you for the dictionary. I use it when I don’t no a word. I like it because it big and no one will steill Canyon School
it. Love Danielle Pincher Creek
December 09/January 10
10
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
The Dictionary Project
Con’t from page 7
In Coleman we had similar responses
Thank you so much for the dictionaries. We really appreciate what you do for people. You are a very good person. Thank you for what you do for the kids around the world From Madi P.S. yes we are using the dictionaries Thank you so much for the Dictionaries. Were really happy that We have our own, you are a really great Horace Allen School Coleman
lady. We really appreciate what you did for us sometimes I use my dictionary to read when I have No chapter books from Emily Thank you for coming and giving us dictionaries. I was surprised when you Came in with our ditioaries. I like the dictionaries you gave us. I found alot of words in it. It was cool to get our dictionaries. I think my dictionary is cool because it will help me read. From Kennedy Thank you fro the Dictionaries. We will use our Dictionary to help us write the right words. I felt happy when I got my Diction‐
ary. I am glad you go to different places to help other kids. From Jasmine Thank you for our dictionaries I really look forward to reading the dictionaries. I found a couple of cool things in the dictionary that I might not know of. I hope you help other countries who have to pay to go to school. I was really excited to get my dictionary. I found some high numbers in the dictionary. I love to read dictionaries. Finally I’ve got a diction‐
ary. I’ve been waiting for a dictionary. Thank you , Kiera Brocket Elementary School
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
Are you interested in obtaining more information?
Go to The Dictionary Project’s
website
www.dictionaryproject.org or
contact me. I have prepared a 20 minute PowerPoint presentation I would
be happy to bring to a
club meeting. It goes into
a little more depth on the
Granum School
program, working with
your local school division, as well as Pincher Creek’s experience with it. I have copies of the Canadian Dictionary and
Canadian Gazetteer, as well as copies of some of the other
15 books The Dictionary Project publishes.
We wish to thank the Rotary Club of Pincher Creek and District Governor Steven Allen, and to the Livingston Range
School Division for supporting this great program.
A little test for you to finish off.
Do you know the answers to the following questions?
How many zeros in one nonillion?
What does pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
mean?
In Roman numerals what is M with a line above it mean?
I know that our Grade 3 students do.
Joyce Zwick
Rotary Club of Pincher Creek
403-625-2882/9193
[email protected]
Other Facts There are just under 9,600 grade 3 students covered by the Calgary School Board and Catholic School Board. Of the 9,600 just over 6,000 attend Public schools, and 3,600 at‐
tend Catholic. Cost for all schools would be approximately $19,668 Cdn. Labels 4,800 Rotary Stickers 451 Total $24,919 Divided among 13 Clubs Cost $1,917 per Club December 09/January 10
11
Rotary
International
District 5360
Joining Hands
**Monthly Attendance Report ** October 2009
Club Name
Airdrie
Banff
Brooks
Calgary
Calgary Centennial
Calgary Chinook
Calgary Crowchild
Calgary East
Calgary Fish Creek
Calgary Heritage Park
Calgary Millennium
Calgary North
Calgary Olympic
Calgary Sarcee
Calgary South
Calgary West
Canmore
Cardston
Coaldale
Cochrane
District 5360
Drumheller
Fort Macleod
High River
Innisfail
Kananaskis
Kindersley
Lacombe
Lethbridge
Lethbridge East
Lethbridge Sunrise
Lethbridge Urban Spirits
Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat (Saamis)
Medicine Hat Sunrise
Okotoks
Olds
Pincher Creek
Ponoka
Raymond
Red Deer
Red Deer Centennial
Red Deer East
Red Deer Sunrise
Rocky Mountain House
Stettler
Swift Current
Sylvan Lake
Totals
This Month
Number of
Meetings
This Month
This Month
29
0
0
285
47
107
0
32
26
49
24
51
26
0
174
73
79
17
0
0
0
0
18
0
59
0
23
46
114
27
33
26
94
24
43
36
35
34
0
12
0
22
36
38
21
0
0
0
1760
3
0
0
4
4
4
0
5
3
5
3
3
5
0
5
5
4
4
0
0
0
0
4
0
5
0
4
5
3
4
5
3
3
4
4
3
5
5
0
4
0
4
4
4
4
0
0
0
134
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
0
2
0
3
0
-1
-1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
-2
0
0
0
0
0
0
-3
-5
2
0
0
0
0
0
-1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Members as of
New Members
Terminations
Total Members
June, 2009
This Month
This Month
34
0
0
285
46
108
15
0
25
44
22
49
28
31
175
76
82
19
0
26
0
0
24
0
58
0
21
49
122
0
30
0
99
26
47
0
36
37
0
15
107
20
0
46
21
0
20
23
1866
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
0
3
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
3
5
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
18
Average attendance percentage
The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands, District 5360
Gain/Loss
YTD Gain/
Loss
Attendance
Percentage
-5
0
0
0
1
-1
-15
32
1
5
2
2
-2
-31
-1
-3
-3
-2
0
-26
0
0
-6
0
1
0
2
-3
-8
27
3
26
-5
-2
-4
36
-1
-3
0
-3
-107
2
36
-8
0
0
-20
-23
-106
79.31
0.00
0.00
46.00
75.60
50.77
0.00
75.00
62.30
82.25
71.01
73.64
71.32
0.00
73.14
64.55
64.91
67.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
47.00
0.00
65.44
0.00
71.80
80.30
65.78
64.00
77.50
71.00
64.54
83.00
65.22
53.27
85.71
66.06
0.00
86.00
0.00
85.23
94.00
76.97
78.57
0.00
0.00
0.00
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
65.93 %
December 09/January 10
12