Local & International News
Moving the Needle--A Year in Review
Posted by Louisa Horne
Beacon, my trusty Ro-terrier, and I have enjoyed our four-year journey of district leadership and we can highly recommend the experience to anyone looking to help “move the needle” on service!  It is fun – and it can be done while working full-time and balancing family and other activities.  It takes a collaborative approach and a great team!   
 
It was clear from the beginning  of the journey that change was happening in Rotary and so the timing was good – I am a shift-oriented person – a disruptor perhaps – and so the opportunity to help lead a team in a changing organization with lots of moving needles, was exciting. The very best thing about the experience has been witnessing the creativity that is happening across the district – clubs trying new things. That was a core goal – to support an environment in which clubs and Rotarians would do new things – or do old things in new ways – and know there is help available from the leadership team and that Rotary welcomes innovation.  Just try stuff! 
 
Here are a few areas where we tried to help L.E.A.D. in alignment with Rotary’s priorities – that is, Lead with impact, enhance Engagement, encourage Agility and support Diversity, inclusion and reach:
 
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The Loss of a True Rotary Leader -- PDG Jim Goit
Posted by Louisa Horne
 
It is with profound sadness that we announce our District lost a true leader on Sunday, June 21, 2020. PDG Jim Goit, of the Rotary Club of Truro, died suddenly while doing what he loved... cycling with a friend. Throughout his 69 years, Jim had many passions – cycling, skiing, baking bread, being a proud Rotarian but most of all, his family.
 
He joined Rotary in 2005, was club president in 2011-12 and went on to be our District Governor in 2015-16. Throughout his Rotary career, Jim received many citations and awards, the most recent being the “Heart of the District in 2016-2017.
 
He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 47 years, their sons, Michael and Steven and their respective families.
 
The family asks that donations, in Jim’s name be made to the Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund. For Canadians, donations can be made to the Rotary Foundation of Canada. Please see a form that will be attached to an email to all district members, or go to the following link for more information: https://my.rotary.org/…/docum…/memorial-or-tribute-gift-form
June's Monthly Theme was Fellowships! Which One Applies to you? 
Posted by Louisa Horne
From bowling to beer, from metal-heads to magicians, from water polo to whiskey! This is Rotary Fellowships Month - that's right - Fellowships with an "S" - do you know about the many fellowships that you could be part of?
 
We have Rotarians in this district who are part of the Musicians one... and the Motorcycle one... and the LGBT one … and lots more!  These groups are a great way to connect with Rotarians around the world with similar interests – and when you travel, you have immediate friends! 
 
There are great stories of wonderful connections people have made – do you have a story?  Post it on our District Facebook page.
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Shelter Box Update
Posted by Stephen Beaufoy

Hello there! 

I’m a Rotarian in the RCHH and a volunteer with ShelterBox Canada. This year is ShelterBox's 20th anniversary, and I would love to present at one of your club’s virtual meetings to share the work ShelterBox (SB) has been doing with the support of Rotary. We are so grateful for the support of ShelterBox Canada from clubs like yours; SB could not do it without you!

Since 2012 SB has been a Rotary International project partner in disaster relief. And with SB itself being founded in 2000 as a Rotary Millennium project by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizzard, Rotary is always close to the heart of what SB does. SB works with people all over the world who’ve lost their homes to all kinds of disasters – floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, conflicts. It goes where people are vulnerable, so you’ll often find it in challenging places that are overlooked by others. It talks to families to find out what’s needed, and then it does everything it can to make it happen. Led by what it’s been told, SB provides tents, tarpaulins, tools, lights, blankets, water containers, mosquito nets and more – whatever’s needed to give people a place to call home. And because it’s 100% focused on emergency shelter, it knows what’s worked in previous disasters and it’s always looking for new ways to have even more impact on people’s lives.

COVID-19 is impacting the lives of families around the world and how SB delivers it’s services. Right now, SB is working even harder with it’s partners around the world to provide families with the emergency shelter they need now, more than ever.

I, or a SB staff member, would be more than happy to provide a live virtual presentation to your club to let you know how ShelterBox is supporting families during COVID-19. If this is something you would be interested in, please let me know when would be a good time to speak with your club online. I can be reached at: sjbeaufoy@yahoo.com, or at 902-444-0930 in Halifax. If you have any questions at all or would like to connect by phone, please do not hesitate to do so!

Mission Accomplished!
Posted by Michele McKinnon
Over the past 12 years, Ian and Anne Doyle have logged a lot of miles. They have done so by helping others in some very remote areas of the world. Over this time, they have been involved in 10 international missions providing dental treatments, supplies, equipment, and mentorship in areas where help was requested and is desperately needed.  
 
Ian is a member of the Sydney-Sunrise Rotary Club. In July 2020, he will become District Governor of 45 Rotary Clubs in P.E.I., N.S., Newfoundland and St. Pierre and Miquelon. Ian and Anne’s dedication to Rotary is evident as they both take on this new responsibility.   They have truly lived Rotary’s motto of “service above self.”
 
Over the past decade, Ian and Anne have travelled to Guyana, Peru, Nicaragua, Haiti and Honduras. Each mission has been supported financially by the Sunrise Club. Their support has also helped to leverage funds from other Rotary Clubs. Through Ian’s dental connections, the International College of Dentists, the Cape Breton Island Dental Society and the Dental Assistants of Cape Breton have all contributed.   
 
It all started about 12 years ago, when a fellow Rotarian urged Ian to “just do it now” when they began planning their first mission...

 
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Zooming into Technology Together
Posted by Shannon Furey
For the Rotary Club of Gander staying connected during a time of social distance requires the bravery of trying new things! Some of us have conquered the hurdles of connecting via Zoom this Spring. 
 
Many thanks to Derek Hillier who has been crucial in supporting our membership through embracing this new way of meeting as a group. Derek has been able to set us up and keep us running with bi-weekly meetings. 
 
When it comes to staying connected, you don’t have to use Zoom technology to stay in touch with fellow members. In our meetings we encourage members to reach out if they know of someone who hasn’t been able to connect. Members of any club can do this by giving someone a call, sending them a text or an email.  Don’t forget about our Rotary family across the district during these challenging and often isolating times.
 
Rotary Responds to COVID-19 in our District
Posted by Miriam MacLeod

You may recall from earlier communications, the Rotary Foundation encouraged each District to release funds early to support projects that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $20,050 was granted after the District Grants committee met on April 30th. The committee focused on supporting projects within our District that will support citizens in the communities where we live and serve.

Nine grants to nine different clubs in the district were approved. The theme that repeated most often was addressing food insecurity for vulnerable populations – seniors, children, the homeless, and rescue animals. There was a grant to purchase tablets for seniors, to enable social connection while staying home. The need to support purchasing non-medical masks was a clear need that arose from the pandemic. Rotarians fundraised, sewed masks and delivered the final product to grateful front-line workers.

We are “People of Action”; we have it in our DNA to have a sense of pride seeing money converted into doing good in our communities. Doesn’t it seem like magic? Club members who attended the District Grants training to be certified know how that magic wizard works behind the Foundation curtain. When Rotarians in District 7820 donate to the Rotary Foundation, half of that money comes back to the District three years later. We spend that money in ways that are meaningful and even transformative for the lives touched by these projects.

Do you and your club members donate to the Rotary Foundation through Annual Giving, Every Rotarian Every Year, bequests, or Paul Harris Fellowship donations? If you did, thank you for helping with the magic this Rotary year! If you didn’t, I encourage you to give to the Rotary Foundation. You have a clear picture of how your money will be used – and how “Rotary Connects the World”.

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT 7820 WEBSITE

 
District 7820
District Governor 

Ian Doyle

 

District Info
District Mailing Address
Godfred Chongatera
District Secretary
 
Suite 608
1888 Brunswick Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 3J8
Cell: 902-225-9626 
Office: 902-431-4405
rotarydistrict7820@gmail.com
District Social Media
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August 2020
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