Welcome to the November issue of our 2020 monthly bulletin! Find out what we covered during the last month of meetings, and learn more about our Club news.
Announcements
Largely as a result of hard work by our own Ron Suzuki, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart proclaimed October 24th, 2020 as Rotary World Polio Day in the city of Vancouver. In addition, the lights of City Hall went red to mark Rotary World Polio Day. A video of Mayor Stewart’s proclamation can be found in the following link.
There was no Club meeting on Remembrance Day, a day observed in Canada on 11 November to recall the end of First World War hostilities which formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month".
Unfortunately, the typical ceremonies, parades and other events to commemorate armed forces members who have died in the line of duty were mostly cancelled this year to limit the spread of the coronavirus. It is noteworthy that 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
It's NOT Right - Learning about Elder Abuse
Joanna Li, a community mentor and representative of the BC Association of Community Resource Networks (CRNs) shared her knowledge and some thought-provoking information and role-play video clips with us to raise our awareness about the often-hidden situations of elder abuse and neglect in our communities.
The CRN outreach and training programs reinforce an important lesson that the best solutions and interventions to community issues come from the community itself. As more and more people become aware of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, an even stronger platform for prevention will develop.
Thank you Joanna for demonstrating that, when we come from a place of respect, kindness, and generosity, we can help others and make a difference...even during a pandemic.
Gabor Gasztonyi is the current Chair of the District 5040 End Polio Now Committee. As someone who contracted polio as a youngster in 1960, Gabor brings a special understanding of polio and the impact it can have on people, especially children. And as an award-winning photographer, he was able to share with us that understanding of those impacts in Ethiopia and Somalia. In fact, the catalyst for his engagement with RI’s PolioPlus Program was a trip to Ethiopia in 2015.
Gabor remains keenly interested in rehabilitation for polio victims, particularly in Ethiopia as are result of the relationships he has established since 2015. Check out Gabor's remarkable B&W photography and his personal encounters with Ethiopian children living with the effects of polio at the link below.
November is Foundation Month for Rotary, and the giving spirit was not deterred by the forces of a pandemic! Our small but mighty team at the Vancouver Sunrise Club responded with donations to The Rotary Foundation as well as our own Rotary Club of Vancouver Foundation. The latter provides educational and vocational scholarships and bursaries throughout the year, including support for our Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program, with plans underway to extend the impact in our upcoming local and international service projects.
Thank you to our club members and supporters for your generous gifts!
