As we celebrate World Polio Day, this edition of Connections includes a special Polio Section after District and Club News. Scroll to read!
District Governor Message
Today on World Polio Day I’m here in New York City.
On behalf of all polio survivors, Rotary members, and global citizens, I thanked Bill Gates for his continued leadership and financial support in our global efforts to End Polio.
The evening will begin with a welcoming reception and dinner, followed by the awards ceremony celebrating the "MAGIC OF ROTARY". We will be honoring the clubs who have made an outstanding impact the past year.
Fall Assembly | Nov 8
What You'll Experience:
> Interactive Sessions > Practical Tools > Collaboration & Connection > A Head Start on Your Action Plan
October is Economic & Community Development Month
October concentrates on community growth. Club members work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in our impoverished communities.
Join District Public Image Chair, Maelle Toews, for a highly practical, one-hour webinar designed to help your club master its online presence and effectively showcase its community impact.
This direct session, followed by a Q&A, will cover:
> Master the Rotary Story > Quick Content Hacks > Platform Strategy > Tools & Resources
Nurturing a sense of togetherness in a Rotary club
Cultivating a genuine sense of belonging within clubs is essential to foster connection and community among members. Get Gurjeet S. Sekhon’s insights as a former governor of District 3070 (India) and a member of Rotary International’s Membership Growth Committee to learn how your club can create a culture of belonging.
Eradicating polio is Rotary's top humanitarian priority. Since Rotary and our partners formed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, the incidence of wild polio cases has decreased by 99.9%. But polio anywhere in the world puts children everywhere at risk. Learn about why it’s so important that we maintain our efforts to end polio and how you can take action.
Unite in Whitehorse—From Polio Advocacy to Global Impact with Keynote Michael Sheldrick
Today, October 24, 2025, on World Polio Day, we pause to reflect on the immense progress made in the fight to eradicate this disease—a fight championed by Rotarians around the globe. This day is a powerful reminder of what dedicated global partnership can achieve.
It is in this spirit of inspiring action that we want to highlight one of our keynote speakers for the 2026 Rotary District Conference in Whitehorse: Michael Sheldrick!
We are this close to eradicating polio! District 5370 Rotarian artisans are going to take that fight to the Whitehorse Conference in May 2026, by selling our handcrafted products and directing at least 50% of the net sales to TRF – Polio Fund.
It takes time to create our beautiful works, so we are telling you now so that you get crafting over the winter.
Here’s the process:
Register your interest or send any questions to Donna at donna.nicoll@telus.net. Please provide your RI member number and percentage of your contribution to Polio Plus. (See #4). Please also indicate whether you are planning to attend as we will need volunteers to man the booth during the conference.
Bring or send your quilts and fibre arts items to the Whitehorse Conference. Be prepared to pick up any unsold items at the end of the conference.
At our booth in the Friendship Centre, a tag will be attached to each of your items with your assigned vendor number. The tag will include the item description, size and sale price.
During the sale, payments will be accepted by cash, credit card or e-transfer to a club account (TBD).
After the conference, the sales will be totalled for each vendor, and the disbursements will be made to the vendor and TRF (using each vendor’s ID for the agreed upon %).
