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by Erin Hansen
There is a real need for community volunteers during the pandemic. Rotarians can always be counted on to step up and lend a hand. 
Led by Sharon Niles and Kent Ostridge, our Rotary club is busy seeking areas where volunteers are needed. Some potential areas being explored include Moncton Headstart's Toyland, the Riverview Boys and Girls club tree lot, blood donation events, and preparing meals for families in need. Once specific events have been identified, Sharon and Kent will be letting our club know where and when to help out.
This initiative to communicate where the community need is will continue throughout the pandemic, so if any members have some free time, stay tuned! We have a chance to make a difference and enjoy some much needed fellowship while remaining in COVID safe environments.
By Ryan Hyland
Jennifer E. Jones, of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2022-23.
Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.
Jones will officially become president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge her.
Jones says she sees Rotary’s Action Plan as a catalyst for increasing Rotary’s impact.
“As we reflect upon our new strategic priorities, we could have never envisioned that our ability to adapt would become our North Star during what is inarguably the most profound time in recent history,” Jones said in her vision statement. “Silver linings rise out of the most challenging circumstances. Using metric-driven goals, I will harness this historic landscape to innovate, educate, and communicate opportunities that reflect today’s reality.”
By Erin Hansen
Rotarians love to take action, and in these unprecedented times, that hasn’t changed. We know many of the charities we support are struggling financially. Most fundraisers typically involve mass gatherings, which have been necessarily cancelled. Rotary is having challenges raising money for the charities we support too. So that means we have to think outside the box.
Although it might be difficult to give financial donations to our charities, we can at least help them save money. We decided to give them tangible goods they would otherwise have to purchase. Now that New Brunswick is starting to lift restrictions, washable community masks have become a necessity.
Meet Sharon Niles, chair of our Covid-19 Mask Making Committee, and a gifted seamstress. She had the know how to put into action a mask-making initiative suggested by a fellow Rotarian. The club purchased the materials and with her leadership, several club members helped her wash, cut, sew, and deliver 290 free cloth masks and they’re not done yet!
So far, Moncton Headstart, NB Association for Community Living, Youth Impact, the Moncton and Riverview Boys and Girls Clubs, Food Depot Alimentaire, and Crossroads for Women have all had their initial mask supply needs met. Go team!!!
By Erin Hansen
Partnerships with other charities and service clubs is a big part of what Rotary does. Here’s a heartwarming story of such a team effort.
Our Rotary club made a financial donation to the Riverview Boys and Girls Club last fall. The funds were used to construct a second recycling depot at the Olde Tyme Meat Market on Coverdale Road (the first one was at Riverview Tire). Anyone is welcome to drop off their recyclables and all proceeds go towards their many programs such as Drop-In for youth, Raise the Grade for academic support for teens, in school breakfast, daycare and much more. program. Plus, recycling benefits the environment.
In this anxious time of self-isolation, you would expect that recycling donations would be down. It’s just the opposite though! The depots, run by a strong dedicated group of volunteers, have received double their usual amount. Community members, complying with social distancing guidelines, are using the drop-off locations as a way to give back. These small, volunteer run recycling depots have become beacons of hope in these uncertain times. They are benefiting not only the charity they serve, but also the people who are providing. While this increase will not make up for all the financial losses this charity has suffered, it certainly lessens the blow, and the Riverview Boys and Girls Club is extremely grateful.
Partnership initiatives such as this one provide citizens with opportunities to work together to make a positive difference. That’s definitely something we all need in these uncertain times. It’s an amazing way for people to still give at a time when they are struggling to feel connected. I think I speak for all Rotarians when I say we are grateful to have been able to play a small part in this heartwarming story.
By Erin Hansen
Last year if anyone had told me that it would become socially acceptable to gift others rolls of toilet paper, I would have laughed in disbelief. However, that is the reality we currently live in. It seems like something out of a science fiction story. Global pandemic, schools closed, social distancing mandated, disinfecting everything we must bring into our homes. We all know the story - I don’t need to rehash it. Our new reality is uncertain, both in terms of how long these COVID-19 adaptive measures will last, and what our ultimate future will look like. Lives are sure to be changed forever, and much adaptation will be necessary.
The entire world has become united battling our common enemy - that invisible virus. We have been reminded that at the end of the day, we all have the same basic needs, no matter where we live. We truly are one international community. Everyone is working together, and we all have a crucial part to play, even if it is just staying home. We all matter.
Even though Rotary’s primary focus is humanity, I can’t help but wonder how much our planet will recover environmentally during this unprecedented time. People in large urban centres are experiencing better air quality. There is less litter on our streets. We have more time for our friends and family, even if it is online. These things are a tiny glimmer of silver lining on the vast storm cloud we are living under but grasping onto these tendrils of gratitude is essential to weather the tempest. We must maintain hope for the future.
In this time of cocooning, we have an opportunity to envision a better tomorrow. What parts of our old reality do we want to preserve? What parts now seem insignificant? Most importantly, what do we want to improve?
In the following posts, I will be highlighting Rotarians who are making a difference during these uncertain times. Stay tuned!
By Erin Hansen
The Rotary 4-Way Test is a central part of Rotary and was created to aid Rotarians to maintain their high ethical standards in both their business and personal lives. There are four questions we ask ourselves:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The thing is, you need to be able to say YES to all four questions. It’s a great way to make sure you are demonstrating integrity in what you do. This isn’t always easy, but it is good for the soul. Here’s an entertaining example…
My dog Scooby loves to dumpster dive. He’s smart enough that he has figured out how to open the cupboard door, and get into the garbage can. Most of the time, he is able to demonstrate some self-control, but once in a while - especially if bacon grease is involved - he just can’t help himself.
Now, if Scooby were a Rotarian he might be able to use the four-way test to help him stay away from that tempting debris. For the first question, “Is it the truth?” Scooby could ask himself, “Hmmmm... do mom and dad like it when I dumpster dive? Truthfully, is this a good choice?” If the answer is not yes, he should refrain. However for Scooby, this is just too much. He is not after all, a Rotarian.
The truth question can be applied in another way as well, which is worth mentioning since like dogs, Rotarians can also make mistakes. This means being accountable for your error and trying to make up for it. For instance, when we find dog-drool sodden garbage shredded into little bits all over the carpet, Scooby could tell us the truth. He could own up and help us clean up the mess. He could learn from his mistake, make reparations, and try not to repeat it. This is what a Rotarian would do.
For the second question, “Is it fair to all concerned”, Scooby could ask himself…"Hmmmmm….When I dumpster dive, I drag the garbage over to my favourite treat eating spot on the carpet. The carpet will need to be cleaned. Is this fair to mom and dad, who will have to clean up my mess? Also, the garbage I eat will likely include things that, though tasty, will make me sick. I might need to go to the vet. Is this fair to me?" The answer to both these questions is a resounding “NO”. Granted, itmight be fair to the vet, who will save the day and get thanked, but it’s not really fair to anyone else.
Next we have the third question, “Will it build goodwill and better friendships?“ Clearly, Scooby dragging garbage all over the floor will not build goodwill from our perspective as dog parents. Even if Scooby had a little dog friend who happily partook in the feast, this really isn’t fair to that dog either. They will both end up getting in trouble. Scooby needs to think long term, as well as short term and consider multiple perspectives.
Finally the last question, “Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” Although it may be beneficial for Scooby (and potentially his little doggie brother) to enjoy a wonderful forbidden treat, it is not beneficial for anyone else. On the contrary, once we doggy parents find out about it, we will be annoyed and disappointed. Even if we don’t find out about it, I’m sure Scooby will probably feel guilty and ashamed. This will not be good for Scooby’s mental health.
Obviously, most ‘people scenarios, are much more complex than whether or not to dig out that decadent greasy paper towel from the garbage can. This makes it even more important to pause and consider the Rotary 4-Way-Test. Sometimes it’s hard to remain mindful of it in everything we do, but it’s a great habit to get into and is why you can trust a Rotarian.
By Erin Hansen
This January, our Rotary Club of Moncton West & Riverview celebrated its 47th birthday. It’s an event we call Charter Night, and the atmosphere always reminds me of a much-anticipated family reunion, despite the fact we see each other at our weekly meetings. Charter Night provides an opportunity to look back on our efforts during the past year and celebrate the exemplary commitment of some of our members, as well as members of our local community.
Non-Rotarian community members who are honoured with a Paul Harris Award often aren’t very familiar with our organization. In fact, they tend to be surprised by how much Rotary does for the planet. This is largely because we Rotarians don’t like to toot our own horns. We do the things we do globally, nationally and in our communities, because we want to make the world a better place (regardless of religion, ethnicity, political affinity, age, gender identity, or any of the other issues that commonly divide the human race) - it’s that simple. However, I think it’s also important we educate others about our organization, and what we stand for. How else can we truly advance world understanding, goodwill and integrity?
As stated on the Rotary International Website, we are a global organization of people who believe we have a shared responsibility to take action on our planet’s most persistent and widespread issues. These include:
- Promoting peace
- Fighting disease
- Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Saving mothers and children
- Supporting education
- Growing local economies
We are united in our mission to create lasting change in the world, whether it be globally, locally or personally. Rotary International has almost eradicated Polio from the face of the Earth. Our members design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients and governments to work together. Rotarians address the underlying causes for conflict like poverty, inequality, lack of access to education, and ethnic tension. We create opportunities to help individuals financially and/or socially via microloans, training, and agricultural opportunities to break the cycle of poverty. We collaborate with other charities to provide relief during periods of global crisis.
Our local clubs have the flexibility to determine the ways we can best take action, in our own communities, to find solutions aligning with Rotary’s 6 Areas of Focus. The Rotary Club of Moncton West & Riverview promotes local literacy, feeds our most vulnerable school children, and advocates for women at risk. We also organize international youth exchanges to foster increased cultural understanding for world peace. Have you noticed our logo at several of our local parks? Rotarians also build and enhance green spaces for our community to enjoy. That’s not all - we also partner with many other charitable organizations through our fundraising efforts. These local efforts are only the tip of the iceberg. I haven’t even talked about what our club does in the world at large, because that matters to us too.
Rotarians don’t do it for the glory. We believe true leaders are those who empower others, versus those who have the most power. No one is more important than anyone else – we are all part of the same team who share our combined skills and expertise to make our world a better place. We value diversity and a multidisciplinary perspective because that helps us see challenges in new ways to find unique solutions. We believe in Service Above Self and are in it for the long haul. We understand that solving complex problems takes real commitment and vision. We persevere and are passionate about what we believe in. We have been around for the past 110 years or so and are among the most fiscally responsible charities on the planet. Would you like to join our ranks? We likely have a place for you.
Our Club welcomes special visitors, Lyle and PJ Ryan, from the Rotary Club of Everett, WA.
