Our News
November Newsletter — The Power of Love in Action!
October was a wonderful month for our District! There was so much happening, and we truly showed the world what Creating Lasting Impact looks like!
Ending Polio — Together, We Make a Difference
We began with World Polio Day at Durham College, featuring a star-studded panel and an opportunity to come together for a cause that means so much to Rotary. Thank you to everyone who came out, and a very special thank you to Dave Andrews for organizing this wonderful event, as well as the End Polio Now flag raisings across Durham!……..
Ending Polio — Together, We Make a Difference
On October 28th, we gathered at Toronto City Hall for another End Polio Now flag raising. There is something so heartwarming and profound about standing on the upper outdoor level of City Hall and watching that flag being raised. It reminds us of the difference Rotarians can make when we come together for something bigger than ourselves.
A huge thank you to Jennifer Boyd for putting her whole heart into organizing this special occasion.
A big round of applause to both Dave and Jenn for your dedication and for helping keep the fight to End Polio Now alive!………
Please Read more ……

What is your Rotary or Rotaract Club doing in November 2026 to celebrate and focus on The Rotary Foundation? As the charitable arm of Rotary, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our 7 Areas of Focus, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.  To get ideas how the Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world, please Read more....... 

The deadline for applications for the 2027 HIP Y2Y program has been extended to November 15. 
More details on the application process are attached.   And here are more great reasons why students should apply...........
 
HIP and the Y2Y Alumni enjoyed a high profile at the Rotary District 7070 Conference last Saturday.  Four Alumni enthusiastically described their experience in three breakout sessions.  Sam Du Plessis and Balam Imox from the Wandering Spirit School joined Ellena Stamatiou from Crestwood and Sage Hodder from Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts and delighted Rotarians with lively and thoughtful reflections on Y2Y.  HIP was well represented by Chair Jim Louttit, Elder and Board member Larry Frost and District Coordinator Bill Empey.   A special treat was a visit from Shirley-Pat Gale from the Tl'esqox Nation in British Columbia who added her wisdom and enthusiasm to a Land Acknowledgement.  Shirley is a Rotarian and HIP Y2Y supporter in British Columbia. .  
Please Read more……

For the fall of 2026, we are staying with our Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) programming in the virtual format.  Although we all appreciate that videoconference will never replace the personal connection that we get from meeting face-to-face, RLI is a very successful program with overwhelming response and enthusiasm from Rotarians across the District. Rotarians new to Rotary and even those with many years of service benefit from learning how we can create strong clubs with vibrant members who are engaged and committed to Service Above Self. 

Click here to register for Part 3: Session 1 on  Wed Nov 4, Session 2 on Wed Nov 11, Session 3 on Wed Nov 18

Why Should YOU attend?  Please Read more.....

The Rotary wheel keeps turning.  It is already time to start planning for the 2027-28 Rotary year.  In particular, preparing for the Foundation grant management activities.  The yearly Rotary Foundation Workshop will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Shriner’s Hall , 1626 Simcoe St N , in Oshawa.

The agenda will include an up-date on the Rotary Foundation, including rules and regulations for District and Global Grant projects.  Of particular interest, there will be a presentation of the new process for District Grant applications.  For the 2027-28 Rotary year, District 7070 will continue to use the ClubRunner module.  The program will also include case presentations. The Workshop is open to all Rotary and Rotaract Club members in the District.  Those attending the full program will be counted for the Rotary Foundation qualification (min. 2 members/Club) for the 2027-28 Rotary year.  Attendance is free; however, registration is required. REGISTER HERE:  https://rotary7070.org/event/foundation-workshop/

Clubs that want to apply for District and/or Global Grants must be qualified for the full duration of their projects each and every year.  Qualifications are yearly and can be obtained by having at least 2 Club members attending the November 14, 2026 workshop and/or taking the 2027-28 on-line training modules.  The modules will be posted on the District’s website March 1, 2027.  In addition, the Club must sign an MOU with the District.

Please, feel free to contact PDG Lars Henriksson, pdglars.henriksson@gmail.com if you have questions or comments.

On October 15, 2026, the Live  In Person Audience and viewers from around the world were witness to “World Polio Day 2026 Live from The Rotary Global Classroom at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario Canada”. The highlight of the evening ,hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa and Oshawa-Parkwood featured a panel discussion featuring the three Rotary International PolioPlus Chairs: Dr Bob Scott (Chair Emeritus of the Rotary International Polio Plus Committee ; Mike McGovern (Co-Chair of the Rotary International Polio Plus Committee ), and Valarie Wafer (Past Rotary International Vice President and Co-Chair of the Rotary International Polio Plus Committee).  ALL THREE WERE THERE IN PERSON - THE FIRST TIME ALL THREE CHAIRS WERE IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME. HERE is the link:
 

Here is a link to lots of photos: https://rotary7070.org/PhotoAlbums/world-polio-day-2026-durham-college-oshawa-ontario-canada-oct-15-2026

Please Read more...

Thank you to Doddie Sharpe,form the Rotary Club of Campbellford,  Chair and her magnificent team for hosting, with other clubs in the Eastern Zone, the 2026 Rotary District 7070 Rotary Foundation Walk, held on September 27 in Campbellford. Over 250 Rotarians, their families and even their pets from all over southern Ontario, came to the walk to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation.  This year, we honoured a real dynamo in our Rotary District 7070. This year's Walk was named the Ann Scott Rotary District 7070 Rotary Foundation Walk, in honour of Ann Scott, spouse of our very own  Rotary International Past Vice President and Chair Emeritus of the Rotary International polio Plus Committee, Dr Bob Scott, of the Cobourg Rotary Club. Our Rotary District 7070 Foundation Chair Virginia O'Reilly thanked everyone for attending and contributing. She encouraged all of us to keep on donating throughout the entire Rotary year than does not end until June 30, 2027. Congratulations to all of the recipients of cheques for District Foundation Grants. Cheques were given out at the Walk, by our District 7070 Rotary Foundation Grants Chair, Past District Governor Lars Henriksson. Walks included  walking along the Ranney Gorge in Ferris Provincial Park, the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, the Rotary Trail along the Trent River and the Wilf Wilkinson Bench to commemorate Wilf's 2007-08 Presidency of Rotary International. Lots of photos on the Rotary District 7070 website albums.