SPRING NEWSLETTER

Rotary Club of Gagetown In this edition Fredericton 50/50 Fundraiser Glaming It Up in Newcastle HIP visits Spring ShelterBox Update Spotlight on Literacy Welcome for the incoming Public Image Chair

Martine Babineau Incoming Public Image Chair District 7810

This year has certainly tested us as Rotarians. Terms such as "unprecedented" and "new normal" have become common. Most of the information that was submitted for this newsletter represents what our district was doing before our world was transformed by Covid-19. The group photos remind us how priceless those moments together truly are.

In the coming weeks we will be looking for submissions for the summer edition. We hope to hear about how our clubs are being resilient and creative while they adapt to a different way of operating. We will also be highlighting the diversity and inclusion within individual clubs. A form with all the requirements will be available on the district website in the coming days.

I hope you will enjoy reading the following pages. As with all areas of Rotary, the Public Image Committee is always happy to welcome helping hands so if you are interested in contributing to the newsletter in any way please send an email to [email protected].

Congratulations to our cover club the Rotary Club of the Village of Gagetown! Cover clubs will be chosen from pictures that are made available to the public promoting Rotary as a vibrant diverse organisation. If you want to be featured on a future newsletter get creative and post your pictures online. A Word From Our District Governor

Noel CM Eustace and Karen Eustace Distric Governor 2019-2020 Rotary Connects The World Rotary International District 7810 , Canada & Eastern Maine, USA

Hi Everyone. This is District Governor Noel, wishing to reach out to everyone as we get close to the end of this Rotary year. What a year it has been, eh? First off, on behalf of the District, my wife Karen and I, a huge THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for all of your work that you and your clubs have done in your communities and for your hospitality when we came to visit. So much has happened. Here are some of the the highlights. There is a video message, accompanied by the text version, posted on the District website. www.ridist7810.org

District membership is up over 30 members. The largest increase in all Zone 28! We chartered a new Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of the Atlantic International Passport - Club Rotary de l’Atlantique International Passeport with Charter President Richard Lemay. District 7810 is a Charter Member of Rotaract Canada.

Effective on July 1st, 2022 Rotary International will form a new District, District 7815 that will include all of Atlantic Canada and St. Pierre Miquelon, France. The 10 Rotary clubs within the State of Maine, will become a part of District 7790. This means we have two years to transition and to get to know each other better. Part of this process is we have established two separate organizing committees, one for the transition for the 10 clubs to District 7790 and one for the formation of District 7815. We have solid representation on both committees. For District 7790, we have Floyd Rockholt and Marc Ouellette. For District 7815, we have soon to be Governor Elect Darren Hansen, Governor Nominee Harvey Bass and Past District Governor Silvana Bosca.

As of our last Board meeting just last week, the operating budget tentatively shows a significant surplus since no in person training and travel costs have been incurred as originally budgeted. Once the fiscal period is complete and the final surplus is known, the board has approved a motion and District will be reaching out with three options: Issue a credit to members in the form of a credit for membership dues, Providing a cumulative credit, based on membership, to the club to spend as you see fit or Provide an inter District matching grant program to support clubs who support Covid 19 specific projects within your own communities (this is to build on the Rotary International Global Grant Program we hope to receive in the next Rotary year). Governor Elect John has committed to personally following up with each club President early in the new Rotary year to get each of your clubs’ feedback.

Last but certainly not least, we all know the Rotary International Cenvention in Honolulu was cancelled. The good news is there is going to be a virtual convention, June 20 – 26, 2020. www.riconvention.org/en The positive in all of this… we all have an opportunity to be a part of such a first, the first virtual convention, complete with keynote speakers and break out sessions. To be a part of an RI convention... all without leaving your home or office. Still lots to see and learn. Please consider registering and participating, it is quite a program.

Overall, it has been an amazing year. Utterly amazing. Together as Rotarians, as clubs and as a District, we have accomplished so much. Karen and I are truly blessed to have met so many passionate Rotarians. We are in awe of all the good things each of you and your clubs are doing. Going forward please know we are here to support you in anyway we can. On a personal note, I wish to say thank you to the Governor line and everyone in the District leadership team for all their passion, drive, leadership and support through out the year. We look forward to supporting the District, the Governor line and the District leadership team during the next Rotary year and hope each of you will continue to do the same. Thank you all. Dare to be the difference. And remember… Rotary connects the world. Be well. Be safe. Membership Minute Many Rotarians lately have asked:

“What can we do for membership attraction, engagement, retention and learning under these unique circumstances?”

“Where is the best place to start? There is so much information available sometimes I feel overwhelmed.”

A great place to start is with “My Rotary” under the "Learning & Nigel Bayliss Reference” heading. Membership Chair District 7810

It has many options of interest to membership. Under the Access Your Club option you will find two of particular value: Rotary Club Health Check - Identify your club's problem areas and make changes to help it stay relevant for members and the community.

Is Your Club Healthy? — Take this Learning Center course to help your club improve its member experience, service and social events, public image, and club operations.

We service our cars regularly, dentist and doctor appointments, routine service on our motorized lawn equipment so why not a regular routine check on our own club. This is something that can be done fail easily during this time of restricted isolation and will be a great way to bench mark your club and identify areas of concern for action. The Rotary Club of Fredericton Sunrise launches a unique online fundraising initiative to raise money for Polio, Malaria and Water Projects The Rotary Club of Fredericton Sunrise President Sarah Kilfoil and Treasurer and 50/50 Committee Chairperson Julie Frenette are thrilled to announce the launch of a weekly Progressive 50/50 draw.

What makes this initiative so unique is the simplicity and convenience of playing online on a safe and secure platform from virtually anywhere in the world 24/7--(regrettably, US President Sarah Kilfoil Treasurer & 50/50 Chairperson residents cannot play while in the US). Julie Frenette

The signup process is quick and simple, and you can buy tickets for draws up to a year in advance on a single transaction. Jackpot winners receive 50% of the posted jackpot and the net proceeds are directed to local, regional and international projects. “Our Club has entered into an agreement with TLF Global Limited to run the licensed, online 50/50, on the club’s behalf. This unique online 50/50 lottery will run 52 weeks/year and raise significant funds for our local community and will also support 3 critical international initiatives through The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and Rotarian Malaria Partners.” says President Kilfoil. Making an impact both locally and gobally, The Rotary Club of Fredericton Sunrise will retain a portion of the net proceeds for local initiatives but one third of the net proceeds from all draws will be contributed to each of the following 3 programs: 1) Polio Eradication (matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) 2) Malaria Eradication (matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation via Rotarian Malaria Partners) 3) WASRAG (Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group). You can help support local and international initiatives all at once while, at the same time, having some fun and getting a chance to win some extra money.If you have enough money, you can always donate it back to TRF or directly to The Rotary Club of Fredericton Sunrise …and rest assured it will be wisely distributed in our community. Our 3 main local beneficiaries are: 1) Local Area Food Banks 2) Partners for Youth 3) Camp Rotary

Give it a Whirl! To play, simply go to Rotary.goplay5050.com. We encourage you to forward to family, friends and colleagues and fellow Rotarians and ask them to play as well. Any questions may be directed to [email protected].

Thank you for your support on behalf of The Rotary Club of Fredericton Sunrise! Glaming It Up in Newcastle For 7 years running members of the Rotary Club of Newcastle New Brunswick have put on their "Bags and Bubbles Purse Auction" fundraiser. This popular evening of indulgence sells out every year and features both live and silent auctions of purses and other items such as gift baskets and gift certificates. Fashion shows with all the latest styles from local Miramichi shops, games, draws, photobooths and delectable desserts that are always a hit with our guests. The Rotary canvasses for donations from local businesses, community and Rotary members to collect over 100 donations each year!

The proceeds from the auction go towards a chosen charity that is decided on by the members prior to the event. In the past 7 years the Newcastle Rotary have raised funds to purchase a Gamma Lymphatic Probe for the Miramichi Regional Hospital to help aid in breast cancer treatment, purchased Halsa patient companion beds for Hospice Miramichi and donated to several other community projects. Thanks to the continued amazing community support, work and dedication that is put into this yearly event we are excited to be able to look forward to continuing this popular fundraiser again this Fall!!

Stacey Sutherland Rotary Club of Newcastle PR Chair HIP Visits Grand Manan

The Rotary Club of Grand Manan Island recently held a special evening program to introduce Rotarians and members of the public to indigenous culture and history by means of an indigenous inspired meal and film. The evening began with a buffet, prepared by Robbie Griffin, that featured beef stew, salmon, turkey, rice, squash, carrots, beans, potatoes, mussels and bannock, pie and blueberry desserts. Yum! The dinner was Left to right :John Currie, Rotary Club of Pickering, Ann followed by a 40 minute film, the first of a Chudleigh, Rotary Club of Grand Manan Island, and on three-part series entitled First Contact. It takes the right, John Andras of the Rotary Club of Toronto. The 6 Canadians on a journey around Winnipeg famous Swallowtail lighthouse and Keeper's house are in and Kimmirut, in Nunavut, intended to the background challenge negative attitudes and shed light on the true indigenous experience.

The travelers, all with ignorant views about indigenous peoples, have been invited to leave their everyday lives and embark on a unique journey, a journey that will change their perceptions and confront their prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see. This exploration of the true indigenous experience in Canada had a major impact on the 6 participants as well as on some in the audience that evening. The film was introduced by John Currie of the Pickering Rotary club and John Andras of the Rotary Club of Toronto, both executive members of HIP – Honouring Indigenous Peoples. HIP was founded in 2010 when it was realized that non-indigenous Rotarians did not know much about residential schools, their legacy and current problems. HIP’s board is divided equally between males and females and indigenous community leaders and non-indigenous members. HIP is now a cross-Canada organization connected to over 200 Rotary clubs across Canada. Interest is growing in the US and Australia which have faced similar issues of dispossession, residential schools and attempted assimilation.

HIP was created by Rotarians in Southern in partnership and consultation with a number of indigenous people. It honours them by supporting their educational efforts and encouraging all Canadians to be aware of indigenous issues, history and culture. It is hoped that every Rotary Club and Rotarian in Canada will join HIP in order to promote understanding, trust, respect and friendship.

For more information on the series go to www.firstcontactcanada.ca. More information on HIP can be found by going to www.rotaryhip.com. Shelter Box Update May 2020

THE DISASTER OF CONFLICT: Meet Falmata

32-year-old Falmata is from Banki in Nigeria. She is a single mother and lives with her four children in an emergency shelter at Minawao Camp, having fled her home to escape violence from Boko Haram. When they arrived in the camp, they stayed in a transit centre with other displaced families. Her first days were very difficult, especially as she had received no news of her husband’s whereabouts. Eventually Falmata received an emergency tent like others at the camp: “I was very satisfied when I got a tent”, she explained.

Despite regaining a sense of privacy thanks to the tent, provided by ShelterBox and IEDA Relief (ShelterBox’s partner on the ground), the issue of collecting water continued to be a problem. One of her main challenges was to find a way to store water for longer periods:

“I received many items, but the ones that are really important are the water carriers. Having water here (in Minawao) is not easy… But now I have the possibility of storing drinking water for two days”, she explained. “I live much better with them (the water carriers).”

Falmata told the team the water carriers are especially useful when storing drinking water. By using containers to store larger quantities of water, her children don’t have to travel to fetch water every day.

ShelterBox remains the only tent provider in Minawao Camp where over 65,000 displaced people are currently living. Peace building is incredibly important to the quality improvement of life for people all over the world, however when that process fails, thousands of refugees are left behind. At ShelterBox we are committed to aiding those displaced families, like Falmata’s in their journey of self-recovery. If you would like to learn more about how we are adapting our response in Minawao Camp in light of COVID-19 visit us at ShelterBoxCanada.org.

ShelterBox Book Club International

Are you a Book Worm or an aspirational one? ShelterBox has launched their Book Club International and wants you to join them! Each month, ShelterBox teams carefully select a compelling story from around the world for book club members to read.

You can join the ShelterBox Book Club community on Facebook for interactive discussion, Q&A with authors, highlights from response team members and more! Read along at your own pace and join the discussion online. You’ll participate in discussion about the book and what you’ve just read, but you’ll also get to learn more about the people and places inspired by these books. You’ll hear from different authors about different perspectives and experiences. And you’ll receive firsthand stories from ShelterBox members who’ve travelled around the world, visiting these countries to deliver aid.

Rotary Literacy Newsletter, Spring Edition 2020 Questions? Contact [email protected]

WELCOME TO THE SPRING EDITION DISTRICT 7810

LITERACY NEWSLETTER!

We are very pleased to share with you the literacy work accomplished in District 7810.

What is your club doing? What would your club like to do? What need do you see in your community?

Please reach out and let us know what your club is doing and how we can help support your club’s efforts.

In this newsletter, you will learn: AREA OF FOCUS: SUPPORTING EDUCATION In 2015 the District 7810 Literacy Committee was reinstated. Two 1) The role of the District Literacy Committee. major projects undertaken in those early years were a survey of club 2) How to pick the right literacy program for your projects and the development of a literacy resource document. The committee has grown, and the structure has expanded to include 3 club and community. other initiatives. 3) Two Literacy Programs spearheaded by the 1) Attract Literacy Regional Representatives Woodstock Club and close to the hearts of 2) Collect, Prepare and update the 7810 Literacy Resource many Rotarians and community members. Document 3) Prepare District 7810 Literacy Newsletters Is your club active in literacy work or wanting The committee has been attracting Rotarians who are passionate about to get involved? literacy to act as Regional Representatives with the district.

WHO ARE THE 7810 LITERACY REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES? “More than 775 million people over the age Valerie Carmichael - North-Western NB - Woodstock of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support and North to and including Edmundston on NB side of basic education and literacy, reduce the border. gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.” - Rotary International Email: [email protected]

Sharon Campbell - North Eastern Maine - Houlton - WHAT IS THE MANDATE OF THE REGIONAL Fort Kent Email: [email protected] REPRESENTATIVE?

To advocate for Literacy activities, to collect and share Audrey Ronalds - North Eastern NB - Campbellton to club literacy activities and information with the District Miramichi Literacy Committee, to collect and share District Literacy Email: [email protected] activities and information with the clubs and to support clubs through resources offered internally by the District Lisa Gallagher - South Eastern NB - to Literacy Committee and externally from other organizations promoting Literacy. Email: [email protected]

Ian Franklin - Greater Moncton Area - Dieppe – WHAT ARE THE TASKS OF THE REGIONAL Moncton REPRESENTATIVES? Email: [email protected] 1. Identify club literacy activities. Clair Ripley - Greater Fredericton Area - Gagetown - 2. Identify club literacy needs. Oromocto and Fredericton area. 3. Learn about and become familiar with literacy Email: [email protected] information and resources available from the District Angie Cummings - Sussex, Hampton, Rothesay Literacy Committee, Rotary International and other Email: [email protected] external organizations to be able to share this knowledge and information with their area clubs. Susan Ballantyne - South-Western NB - Grand Manan - 4. Advocate for more literacy activities to be sponsored St. Stephen and Saint John and facilitated by their area clubs. Email: [email protected]

Genie Coates - Port Elgin and Sackville Email: [email protected]

3. Is there an opportunity to serve a group that is often forgotten? Some groups that are often not “When you teach somebody how to read, considered for service include, for example, the they have that for a lifetime. It ripples through the community, one by one.” – Elizabeth Fry Society, Correction Services, the Mark Wilson, Rotary Member Visually and Hearing Impaired. 4. Is this project currently valid or has technology CHOOSING A LITERACY PROJECT reduced its usefulness? Literacy support resources There are many things to consider when choosing a have changed with the rapid increase of literacy project for your Rotary Club. Club projects are technology in the learning environment making just like other things; they need to be evaluated with traditional resources less engaging and useful. regularity to ensure they still are the best value for 5. Does the project consider the cultural background of dollars spent. the targeted group? There needs to be an The points below address only a few of the things we, awareness of the cultural practices, values and as club members, must consider when allocating sometimes income levels of the targeted group. money to literacy projects. This short list of things to consider is meant to 1. What group is our proposed project targeting and is promote thoughtful analysis of the projects there a need for the project within that group? supported by Rotary Clubs. Literacy needs exist within the preschool, school-aged and adult populations. Assess As George Bernard Shaw said: where there is greatest need and consider less “The only man who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew every served groups and see if there is something time he sees me, while all the rest go on with Rotary can do for those populations. their old measurements and expect me to fit them.” 2. Is there an opportunity to partner with another Evaluation is essential. service provider in the area to increase the effectiveness of the project? Sometimes the expense and administration of a project make it imperative to involve other members of the community. In addition, this often allows expanded awareness, which will assist in alerting target groups and spread knowledge of the program.

WOODSTOCK ROTARY SUPPORTS CLASSROOM powerful incentive for the student to do more LIBRARIES reading. 5. Low-level readers. About 25% of the students are This project provides books to students in grades 6,7 reading below their grade level. The project will and 8 of the Meduxnekeag Consolidated and engage and assist low-level readers by teachers Townsview schools, a total of some 400 students. and Rotarians reading passages from the books The project’s goal is to support creating life-long and by the Peer Reader program where a readers. We know that the more a student reads and student helps a classmate with reading. also the more they talk about the books they are 6. All grades 6, 7 and 8 students. The project is reading, the greater the chance they will become expected to increase their enthusiasm for hooked on reading. Choice is a highly motivating factor, reading. so all students will be able to choose the book they The annual cost of this program is in the $4 to $5 would like to read. When they have finished reading thousand range. For the past several years, the project their book, they can tell other students in their class has benefited from a Rotary Foundation District Grant. about the book. Books will be placed in a classroom library. Students can borrow and read other students’ selections so that students can potentially read several books.

The project’s objectives are:

1. To make books more accessible to middle school students; 2. To help low-level readers increase their interest in reading and reading skills; and, 3. To get grade 6, 7 and 8, students excited about ROTARIANS REACHING OUT TO reading READ (RROTR) PROGRAM The project benefits: PROGRAM RATIONALE 4. Students whose home contains few, if any, books. o Early exposure to books a key determinant of adult Our club knows from its literacy work in the literacy community that books are in very short supply o The key success factors for encouraging reading at in a significant number of households. Being an early age: given a quality book that is appropriate and interesting to his/her age group can be a o Advice on the importance of reading/tips on o PH Book Delivery: Prenatally, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21, 24 reading Months – Low Literacy / High Literacy Books, o Gift of a high-quality book (coordinated with Dept of Health’s “Born to Read o The target is the 25-30% of families where children program” which provides books at birth and are at risk of not being read to 18months) o Visiting PHNs Evaluate families’ progress in reading PROGRAM TARGET to the child o Promote and Support expansion of Rotarian o At-risk families as identified by the Public Health Reaching Out to Read Program to other areas Healthy Families/Healthy Babies Program Assessment EXPECTED OUTCOMES GOALS ✓ PH Staff have increased knowledge of Literacy ✓ Public Health (PH) Staff Include Literacy Promotion and Community Resources Best Practices in Family / Client Relationships ✓ Healthy Families Healthy Babies Program Client ✓ Families Read More Frequently to Very Young Families have increased opportunity to read Children together ✓ Increase Reading opportunities ✓ Increase in Healthy Families Healthy Babies Program Client Families utilization of

Community Literacy Resources PARTNERS ✓ Expansion of Rotarian Reaching Out to Read Woodstock Rotary Club – Purchases high-quality Program to other areas of New Brunswick board books for distribution Talk with Me Program – Helps select age- PROGRAM STRENGTHS appropriate, developmental books for each age; o Improved access to books for families who don’t provides a tip sheet and talking points for each have the discretionary funds to purchase books or book on how best to read the book to the child take advantage of community literacy resources Public Health - Healthy Families/ Healthy Babies o Service comes right to their door, key because Programs – PH nurses deliver books, explain the many of this target group do not have importance of reading to young children and transportation to the local library or family provide support, advice and encouragement to resource centre. parents o Based on mutual regard and trust – nurses are in ACTIVITIES the home every two weeks as part of the HFHB program and can build a rapport and gain the o PH Staff encourage families to read parents’ confidence o PH Staff support families’ access to adult literacy

support as necessary

o Allows reinforcement of messages and guidance o Child compiles their very own library of books to read and enjoy long past the program’s completion. This step is key because hardly any of the existing early childhood literacy programs, provide free books- fills a crucial gap in existing programming

EXPANSION OF PROGRAM TO OTHER AREAS OF THE PROVINCE

The value of this program can be seen in the way those interested in improving literacy have adopted the program. From its beginnings in the Woodstock area in 2014, it has expanded to Fredericton and area (2015), where the major supporter has been the City of Fredericton Foundation, to St Stephen (2016), with the support of the Rotary Club of St Stephen-Milltown, to the Perth-Andover Plaster Rock region (2016) with the support of the Rotary Club of Perth-Andover and most Got a story for us? Send us your Club’s Literacy recently in 2018 to the Sussex area with the support of Project information for an upcoming issue of a two year grant from the local Family Resource Center. the Literacy Newsletter!

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