to this week's meeting of
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
For the week beginning March 23, 2026
Scroll down to enjoy the content!
Complete the form for a make-up!
Please leave a donation to assist our club to do Rotary's good works!
to this week's meeting of
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
For the week beginning
March 23, 2026
Scroll down to enjoy the content!
Complete the form for a make-up!
The Rotary theme for 2025-26 -
***
Greeter this week
Rotarian Doug
***
Inspirational moment
An Unexpected Connection
by PJ Rose, Wyoming, USA
Brian told me to follow him, and we walked through a mild spring night to a nearby nursing home. It was quiet and dimly lit inside, with the residents apparently all snug in their beds.
We carried the flowers to the nursing station, where my friend asked the nurses to distribute them as they saw fit. Never ones to pass up on a ready opportunity, we were chatting up the pretty nurses when we heard a squeaking sound behind us.
Turning around, we saw — complete with lace handkerchief in her sleeve and seemingly straight out of central casting — a little old lady slowly wheeling herself our way. She was thin with stiff white hair and tortoise-shell glasses with a beaded neck chain.
Finally reaching the nurses' station, with obvious effort, she pushed down on the arms of her wheelchair until she raised herself high enough to put her face right up to one of the vases on the counter.
After a deep breath, followed by a contented sigh, she slowly lowered herself back into her chair and said, "Ah, lilies. My favorite."
We watched her wheel herself down the hall toward her room for a moment before turning back to the nurses. To our stunned surprise, both of the young ladies were slack-jawed and bug-eyed, with astonished looks on their faces.
When they had regained their composure, one of them said that the woman in the wheelchair had not spoken aloud for more than a year and was thought to have lost the ability to communicate!
Who could have guessed that such a random act of kindness would result in a breakthrough for someone who had been assumed by the medical staff at the nursing home to have been "shut in" for a long time?
What had started as a small, kind thought by my friend made a huge difference in the life of someone who was thought to be beyond reach... and in the lives of the other four people who witnessed a small miracle that April night.
Read at HeroicStories
***
Canadiana
A submission from Rotarian Neil - Thank you, Neil, for the history!
***
Input from our guests and members
Members and guests attending our weekly meetings are very important to us. Based on your comments we are able to produce many more educational, inspiring, and entertaining weekly meetings.
Would you please send us your comments?
***
Polio This Week
Summary of new polioviruses this week:
• Afghanistan: one WPV1 case and 20 WPV1-positive environmental samples
• Pakistan: seven WPV1-positive environmental samples
• Angola: one cVDPV2 case
• Chad: one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Nigeria: two cVDPV2 cases
• Somalia: one cVDPV2 case and one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
Click here to read more about
what's happening and progress being made.
***
Archived Meetings
- All meetings are archived. Click here to see a list and choose what you wish to view.
***
Upcoming District Conference
***
***
Story submissions
Contribution from Rotarian Vicki
Vicki has shared two photos at the end of this post - plaques that have been displayed in El Tenedor del Cerro Museo, Antigua, Guatemala. The following detail has been provided through AI research to complete the photos.
***
Gordon R. McInally, accompanied by his wife Heather McInally, served as President of Rotary International for the 2023–2024 Rotary year. His presidential theme was “Create Hope in the World.”
In September 2023, he and Heather made an official visit to Guatemala, meeting with Rotary leaders and participating in Rotary activities there. Visits by a sitting Rotary President to a country often include:
• a formal reception or dinner
• meetings with district leaders
• recognition ceremonies
• commemorative plaques or markers
Why the plaques appear at El Tenedor del Cerro
The restaurant El Tenedor del Cerro, located in the Santo Domingo del Cerro cultural complex above Antigua, is often used as a prestige venue for major events and receptions.
When a Rotary International President visits a country, the host Rotarians often choose a memorable location for:
• the presidential dinner
• district recognition ceremonies
• fellowship gatherings with leaders
It is quite common in Rotary culture to mark such visits with plaques on the walls, especially if:
• the venue hosts multiple Rotary events over the years
• several Rotary International Presidents have visited
A little Rotary culture behind this
Rotarians tend to leave a physical memory of important visits, especially when:
• a Rotary International President attends
• a Rotary Institute or district conference is held
• a venue becomes a recurring gathering place
That is why certain locations around the world end up with a surprising number of Rotary plaques — they quietly become Rotary pilgrimage spots for major events.
• the venue hosts multiple Rotary events over the years
• several Rotary International Presidents have visited
A little Rotary culture behind this
Rotarians tend to leave a physical memory of important visits, especially when:
• a Rotary International President attends
• a Rotary Institute or district conference is held
• a venue becomes a recurring gathering place
That is why certain locations around the world end up with a surprising number of Rotary plaques — they quietly become Rotary pilgrimage spots for major events.
Thanks, Vicki!
***
BRAEMAR SCHOOL EDMONTON
...from Rotarian Jim Ferguson
Braemar School in Edmonton, Alberta, originally built and operated in 1954 by Edmonton Public Schools, was re-opened as the Terra Centre in 1996. It now offers support for pregnant teens, teen moms, teenage parents and their babies.
As part of the Braemar School Lunch Program, volunteer groups bring, prepare, and serve lunch for about 35 high school students who are parenting while working towards graduation.
These volunteers include teams from Salvation Army, Old Navy, Summit Church, Realtor’s Community Foundation, The Rotary Club of Edmonton South and the Rotary E-Club of Canada One (RECCO), RBC, University of Alberta Student Services, and many more!
When the Rotary Club of Edmonton South and RECCO prepare lunch, everything is brought in the original sealed containers from local grocery stores, then salads are prepared, vegetables cut, fruit juice boxes and desert put out, lasagna and garlic bread warmed up in the ovens. When everything is ready to go, the four Rotarians serve it to the students at their lunch break and also manage the clean-up afterward.
While the school lunches are prepared on a daily basis, both RECCO and the RC of Edmonton South have committed to provide lunch once every month over the whole school year and the students and staff are always very appreciative!
It’s an important Rotary Service that provides such beneficial nutrition to both the baby and their mother.
***
Material Suggestions and Greeter Messages Always Needed!
Please feel free to forward an approx. 150 - 200 word message or any material suggestions in an e-mail, or in a Word document, along with a JPeg picture or two, to E-Club Administration Chair, Kitty Bucsko.
We'd love to hear from you!
***
***
Just so you're aware -
Our Club's Ongoing Projects -
We provide ongoing support for the following projects:
Click the links below to find out more about each project!
And we're doing great!
Ask for more information if you'd like to be involved!
***
Real-time meetings
Fellowship Assembly. Once a month! Each 3rd Thursday of the month is our Fellowship Assembly, and we often invite interesting speakers or Rotary Leaders for this entertaining, educational fun event. Plan to join us.
The time is 9:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) in lieu of the weekly Coffee Chat except for July and August when there are no FA’s. Here is the zoom link:
Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage your participation.
Please click our Event Calendar for details and access Link.
For further inquiries or suggestions please contact: info@rotaryeclubcanada.ca
All our videos can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
***
How do you support our club?
- The Paypal button on our ClubRunner Home Page
- The donation button on the attendance form, or
- Make an Interac transfer to rotaryeclubcanada1@gmail.com
- Send a cheque to:
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
14008 101 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5N 0K3
(780) 267 4547
Environment
Humour
***
Rotary members' corner
10 Reasons to Join Rotary
2. Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.
3. Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relations and personal development.
4. Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership: - learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.
5. Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.
6. Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary there is a program designed to keep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation, and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers and a variety of timely topics.
7. Fun: Rotary is fun, a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. Serving others is fun.
8. Public Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid to speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.
9. Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "Rotary International." There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the 33,000 clubs in over 200 nations and geographical regions. This means instant friends in both one's own community and in the world community.
10. Assistance when Traveling: Because there are Rotary clubs everywhere, many a Rotarian in need of a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice, etc., while traveling has found assistance through Rotary.
***
Rotary minute
11. Entertainment: Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide diversion in one's business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies, and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education, and service.
12. The Development of Social Skills: Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one's personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people.
13. Family Programs: Rotary provides one of the world's largest youth exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; opportunities for spouse involvement; and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and the development of family values.
14. Vocational Skills: Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve on committees and to teach youth about one's job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.
15. The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice the 4-Way Test that governs one's ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and person relationships.
16. Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color, and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross section of the world's most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.
17. Prestige: Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the professions, art, government, sports, military, religion, and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, professionals - people who make decisions and influence policy.
18. Nice People: Rotarians above all are nice people - the nicest people on the face of the earth. They are important people who follow the policy of "it is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice."
19. The Absence of an” Official Creed": Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meetings or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others.
20. The Opportunity to Serve: Rotary is a service club. Its product is serving. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else and to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process and return of that satisfaction to one's own life. It is richly rewarding.
***
Food for thought
***
Rotary Jukebox
For a small donation, your favorite musician will be featured on one of our next e-meetings for everyone to enjoy.
Click Here to send your request.
THIS WEEK - Who wants to live forever
A note from Rotarian Angel -
I submit for consideration a project that was brought about by the faith and determination of a very special man, Justo Gallego.
I have visited the "cathedral" twice, and once I had the opportunity to meet the man. The building is impressive, not by the richness and nobility of the materials used (any Spanish cathedral will surpass it by a mile) and you won't see any of it here.
Rather than going on describing his story, which you can read in Wikipedia, I rather wanted to point out how he did this work with recycled, used, rejected building material by himself and the help of a few cousins resulting in an impressive temple which, in my opinion, represents what our relation to the Almighty ought to be, even if legally it is not considered a temple.
The YouTube videos attached gives you a glimpse of the building.
Justo passed away at 92, and the "cathedral" started to be operated by "Padre Angel," a very admired figure for his work with the poor, but controversial in a few other aspects.
The "cathedral" has made the news these late days, as the method of construction, the material used, the lack of technical direction, and the absence of a building license has moved the City council of Mejorada del Campo to move for its demolition.
A great loss of an example of how to live a life.
Please enjoy the video below.
***
The Four-way Test
To close the meeting, Rotarian Neil recites the Four-Way Test of the things that Rotarians think, say, or do.
Thank you for joining us. We appreciate your feedback and hope you will return and invite a guest.
Please Click Here to leave us a comment or send a message..
Scroll down for Program Donations and Attendance links.
***
Our Facebook page. Please remember to check out our posts on the Rotary E-Club’s Facebook page. We work hard to post something every second day, sometimes more often.
Invite friends to Like our page and enjoy our posts. Also, please take the time to Share our posts on your Facebook Page.
***
Attendance Links
Complete the attendance/donation form to have your attendance recognized.
- CLICK HERE to return to our ClubRunner Home Page.
- Visiting Rotarians and guests - Click HERE.
- Members of Rotary E-Club of Canada One - Click HERE.
- e-Satellite Attendance - Click HERE.
Confirmation of your attendance will be sent to your e-mail address promptly.
Please support our club!
Donate For the Meeting You Have Attended.
Please consider making a small donation in lieu of a meal
to help us help those in need.
As you have not had to buy lunch or travel to attend this program, please consider a donation of a minimum of $10.00 in appreciation for the experience you have enjoyed.
We thank you very much!
Program Donations
Our E-Club is a dynamic club comprised of ordinary working and retired people who acknowledge that Rotarians are people who are generous with their time and their resources.
Our club and the program you have just enjoyed, either as a member or a visitor, is funded only by donations.
We are developing ideas for fundraising with our members who are scattered across Canada, USA, Central America, and Europe, but we do need your help.
As you have not had to buy lunch or travel to attend this program, please make a donation of a minimum of $10.00, considering you're saving in time and cost in appreciation for the experience you have enjoyed.
Interested in providing Rotary Service? Unable to attend terra club meetings?
Contact our membership chair for information or
or HERE to learn about Associate Membership
No comments:
Post a Comment