Posted by Iosif Ciosa, District 7070 Governor , 2022-23

In his May 2023 Newsletter, District Governor Iosif Ciosa talks about May being Youth Service Month and how proud we are in District 7070 as members of Rotary clubs, Rotaract, Interact, Earlyact and those involved in Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS) and Rotary Youth Exchange celebrate the opportunities Rotary provides to connect, grow through service, develop leadership skills, mentor or be mentored, and have fun. He also talks about the extraordinary Youth To Youth National Truth and Reconciliation Experience that was held in Winnipeg in April and Iosif thanks everyone who participated in the third annual 2023 Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup in April. He reminds us to register by May1 for the District 7070 Assembly on May 6 and he encourages everyone to register for the Charter Night of our newest club, The Rotary Club of Toronto Tibetan (on May 12)......

Dear fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and Earlyactors, May is here !!. 

May is Rotary's Youth Service Month - a special time in Rotary.

Throughout the month of May, members of Rotary clubs, Rotaract, Interact, Earlyact and those involved in Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS) and Rotary Youth Exchange celebrate the opportunities Rotary provides to connect, grow through service, develop leadership skills, mentor or be mentored, and have fun.

 

EXTRAORDINARY:  March 25-31 Y2Y NATIONAL YOUTH TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION EXPERIENCE

The first-of-its-kind initiative reconciliation project brought together 50 First Nation, Métis, Inuit and non-Indigenous 15-18-year-old high school students to Manitoba from across Canada to share Indigenous land-based knowledge. The initiative was launched by Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP), an independent non-profit committed to relationship-building and supported by Rotary Districts and Indigenous communities from coast to coast to raise awareness and promote understanding between youth on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action and Treaty relations while inspiring them to take action towards environmental sustainability.  “Working together provides the opportunity to learn more about each other, whether paddling together in canoes or participating in a sharing circle,” said Chris Snyder, HIP chairperson. “These engagements broaden youth’s horizons and provide a foundation for lifelong friendships.” John Currie, HIP Executive Director says: “Through education, interaction, and practice, the program provided a deeper understanding of reconciliation for youth and nurtures strong leaders to drive change in their communities and beyond.”

RYLS (Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium) is a leadership experience organized by the RYLS Committee headed by PDG Mark Chipman and his team have put together an outstanding program at the Ganaraska Forest Centre, May 11thto the 14th.  Youth ranging in age from 17 to 23 are sponsored by a Rotary Clubs offers an inspiring program including: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Reconciliation and Land Based Education, Hands-on Activities, Group Dynamics, Public Speaking, Outdoor Survival and GPS Geocache adventures along with Campfires, Friendship and Tons of Fun and Learning. The aim of the Program is to empower young leaders to develop new skills and take action.

On July 1st 2022, Rotaract have joint Rotary as a new type of Rotary Membership. They have the same access to the resources, training and funding as Rotary Clubs. Earlier in April, Shauna Moore, the Youth Committee Chair and I have signed the application that was sent to RI for the creation of the newest Rotaract Club in our District, the Richmond Hill Rotaract Club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill.I encourage you to reach out to Rotaract Clubs in our District and invite them to speak at your meetings, work together on a joint project or sponsor a New Rotaract Club. They bring fresh ideas, youthful energy and a whole lot of fun. To echo PDG DR. Beth Selby: Their enthusiasm is catching!

The Youth Exchange Program returned this year: The Outbound Students along with their sponsor Rotary Clubs and destination countries are:

  • Ileana De Luca, RC Trenton, France

  • Paiden Sprigings, RC Stirling, Denmark

  • Kate Vander Schaaf, RC Cobourg, Sweden

Our Inbound Students along with Sponsoring Rotary Clubs and home countries are:

  • Felix Stubbe, RC Trenton, France

  • Gertrud Soebye, RC Stirling, Denmark

The committee led by PDG Dr. Beth Selby is working on the program for next year:

2023-2024 Outbound Students

  • Nika Kretov, Poland, Sponsor Club RC of Brighton

  • Shaylen Meier, Brazil, Sponsor Club RC of Campbellford

  • Carley Robertson, Belgium, Sponsor Club RC of Port Perry

2023-2024 Inbound Students -

  • Malwina Lukawczyk, Poland, Host Club RC of Campbellford

  • Marcos Cordeiro Da Silva, Brazil, Host Club RC of Brighton

  • Eline Landra De Corte, Belgium, Host Club RC of Port Perry.

Rotary Youth Exchange provides young people with the opportunity to travel to other countries and experience different cultures.  Click here for more information on Youth Exchange or visit the District 7070 Youth Exchange website by clicking here.

2023 Rotary Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup: Thank you to Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and Earlyactors and their families and friends for helping to clean up the Great Lakes Watersheds throughout District 7070, during the week of Earth Day 2023. Special thanks to Whitby Rotarian Dan Coombes, our Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Chair for organizing our third year for this big event as Rotary focuses on protecting the environment.

 

A couple of things Coming Up this Month:

Saturday, 6th of May the District Assembly, finally after a COVID it is back in person at the Centennial College for more details and registration please follow the link below:

 District Assembly 2023 deadline for registration is Monday, 1st of May.

 

Friday, 12th of May Charter Evening, our Newest Club in our District – Toronto Tibetan Rotary Club, come out to celebrate this very exciting evening, for more information and to register please follow the link below: 

 Charter Evening Toronto Tibetan Rotary Club

 

May is an exciting month. I wish you a wonderful May.

Yours in Rotary,

Iosif

Iosif Ciosa   District 7070 Governor, 2022-23

iosifciosa@outlook.com