The Rotaractor

January 2002

 

 

 

 

Contents

2. 4 Way Test

3. HAMILTON-MCMASTER

4. Rotary's Century

5. Interota and USCC

 

www.rotaract.ca

Hello fellow Rotaractors, Rotarians and Interactors! An idea I had almost 8 months ago has finally come to fruition. This newsletter will hopefully help Rotaractors across Canada communicate more effectively and learn from other Rotaractor's experiences. I should also take this opportunity to let you know a little bit about myself. I am a third year Political Science student at the University of British Columbia. I was going to Major in Cell Biology and Genetics but...that's a story for another time and place. My involvement with Rotary began when I was selected by The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen for the “Adventures in Citizenship” Program during my Grade 12 year. I then was the Charter President of the Rotaract Club of Delta which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Delta 2000. I am currently serving as Secretary in my club as well as the District Rotaract Representative for Districts 5040-5050. My districts club's have been very active in our immediate communities as well as worldwide. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing our common Rotaract experiences. Please take the time to read and enjoy this newsletter and pass it on too others who you feel would benefit from it.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul S. Dhillon

District Rotaract Rep. 5040-5050

Secretary - Delta Rotaract Club

Editor - The Rotaractor

 

 

Cover Credits Cover Credits

Photo by Paul Dhillon

L to R Dave Watkins, Joey Burrows, Grant Dougans, and Hannah Pang

Boundary Bay, British Columbia, Canada

 

 

 

The 4 Way Test of the things we think say or do   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?

A Multicultural Evening - Celebrating diversity of cultures among our community

Organized by Hamilton-McMaster Rotaract Club

September 11th events have changed the whole perspective of multiculturalism in our society. The importance of establishing trust among different communities has grown stronger than ever before in the history of mankind. When we started planning our very first event "Multicultural Entertainment evening" as a fundraiser for our project to buy wheelchairs and books for disabled children in Thailand; events of September 11^th were unimaginable; Hamilton Hindu Temple was still intact and there was no other such event planned around November 18th.

 

We had all the enthusiasm and determination to organize the fundraiser; the only thing lacking was funds. We were lucky to get great performers who understood our dilemma, supported our cause, and helped us out by volunteering their time. A few Rotary Clubs and McMaster University (International Students Office) gave us the donation for this program. With some funds on hand, we went ahead and booked St. Mary's Catholic High School in Hamilton for our Big Day: 18th of November. We wanted to offer refreshments to our guests but the way we were selling the tickets, it seemed just impossible that we could raise enough to cover the cost. We were able to convince a few companies to donate some food. Surati Sweets of Toronto donated sweets and snacks; J. Shah of Missisauga, donated some namkeen (Indian snack), so that we could offer them to our guests. Our local business community added to our enthusiasm by donating door prizes (16 in total), including gift certificates up to $100.00 or advertising in our event program.

 

There was a good mix of different cultures, modern and ancient dances. There was a dance from the East Indian state of Orissa by Shumona Roy. She mesmerized the whole audience with her exquisite dancing. There was also a performance by Pow Wow Dance group - the aboriginal group from Hamilton which keeps the social and cultural values of the aboriginal people alive.

 

Our main goal was to give more opportunities to our local young artists. Monday Band, started by Robin Ozolins, Dave McKay and friends entertained us with their mellow alternative rock/pop, powerful yet emotional lyrics. Modern Dance by McMaster Dancers, Break Dance by Troy Feldman and Hip-Hop by Urban Dance Company held every one captive with their spectacular performance. The Bhangara Dance by the Bhangara group of Sikh Student Association of McMaster University added a nice flavor of urban dance from the State of Punjab, India Krishnakali Sengupta, with her melodious voice, accompanied by Nanda and Santosh Jagadeeshan on guitar sang East Indian songs. The program concluded by a song with a Monday Band.

 

Overall the program was a big success - thanks to all of our sponsors, performers, attendees and all those who supported us. There were more than 150 participants, which included Member of Provincial Parliament David Christopherson, District Governor of Rotary District 7090 David Haddow with his wife, Connie, previous District Governor Ellard McBane and his wife Opal, Presidents of various Rotary Clubs of Hamilton area together with their spouses. We were able to raise approximately $2900.00 We are pleased to announce that we have been able to ship two Communication Devices (donated by Centralized Equipment Pool) as well as books for disabled children to Thailand. This fulfilled our commitment to our international service projects and kept Canada in the limelight for service to disabled communities around the world.

 

Velma I Grover & Vaneeta Kaur Grover

 

Rotary International Conference

http://www.ri.convention.bcn2002.org/convention/call.html

 

This year's Rotary International Conference will be held in Barcalona Spain. It will be held from the 23rd to the 26th with special tours being held before and after the event.

 

It is a bit pricey to get the airfare, lodging etc. but these conferences offer just about the best opportunities for finding project idea's and networking with other Rotaractors. I still keep in constant touch with one of the DRR's from Texas, Leroy Alloway and we have bounced project idea's and thoughts about Rotary and Rotaract off of each other.

 

It would be great to have at least one Rotaractor attend the conference from our Zone. This would allow us to have a representative there for Canada. (I was the only Canadian Rotaractor at the San Antonio Conference).  This person would hopefully then submit a report which would help other Canadian Rotaractors learn from his/her experience at an  International Convention.

 

 

 

Rotary's Century

The Centennial Planning Committee has developed three logos, one of which will be used in the commemoration of Rotary's 100th anniversary in 2005. Votes will be accepted through 31 December 2001. The winning logo will be announced at the International Assembly, 28 January to 4 February 2002, and spotlighted on the Web site and in an upcoming issue of The Rotarian. You can vote for your favorite on the Rotary International Website...www.rotary.org

 

 

Be yourself also part of this historical moment for the whole Rotaract Organization.

In 1999, during the INTEROTA in Mexico, we showed some surprises and news inside our project to the INTEROTA RIO 2002. Now all the rotaractors from all over the world have the chance to participate to the new and magic International Conference, that belongs from us - we are creating for you, making the Conference complete, you only have the compromise to come, bring your experience and enjoy – a lot!! Work, fellowship, parties, projects and what you could imagine.

 

During the preparation for the event lots of affection and professionalism are being incorporated day by day, so that we can make this conference become unforgettable.- Don’t forget to take a look at the list: More the 10 reasons why you have to come to INTEROTA 2002.

 

Useful Information:

· Where: Hotel Glória - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

· When: From July, 14th until July, 20th 2002

· Price: - US$ 450.00 until December, 31th 2001.

- US$ 550.00 until June, 30th 2002

- US$ 600.00, final price

· Ways of payment: International Credit Card or bank account.

 

If the International Convention isn't your style you could always check out this conference. Interota is a tri-ennial Rotaract only conference. It promises to be a lot of parties and some interesting sessions. I met with the co-organizers in San Antonio and they seemed quite excited. There will be a small international presence most likely with most attendees from South America. It would also be great if we could have a Canadian Rotaractor at this Conference.

 

YOUR FINAL OPTION>>>

 

The last conference option for 2002 is the United States, Canada, and Carribean Conference. This will be in the State of Texas next year (Where the RI Conference was in 2001). This conference would be a great chance to meet with Rotaractors from our region and work on building a MDIO or MIDO not sure exactly what

the acronym is. It's basically an organization that will facilitate communication between clubs in our region. This would also be a cheaper conference to attend.

 

But remember that the legal age in San Antonio is 21. This group should have their website up very soon.

 

Rotaract \ zone22 \ Volume1 \ January2002

I hope that you have found this newsletter to be helpfull and informative. Please email submissions for the next edition which will come out in the summer of 2002...or if I get enough submissions it may come out earlier. I look forward to having your club up on the Rotaract.ca web site soon. I also look forward to hearing back from you all.

 

The next edition of the newsletter will have more project idea's and hopefully lots of contact

information about the other clubs in our zone.

 

Sincerely Very Tired,

 

Paul Dhillon

Paul.Dhillon@rotaract.org