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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
CLAY SAMIS
February 8
 
Victoria Weir
February 18
 
Join Date
CLAY SAMIS
February 14, 1997
26 years
 
Steven Sleightholm
February 16, 2022
1 year
 
Rudy Wagner
February 20, 2015
8 years
 
Speakers
Feb 15, 2023 7:00 AM
New Life Women's Home
Feb 22, 2023 7:00 AM
Inspirational Speaker
Mar 01, 2023 7:00 AM
Teaching in Sachigo Lake First Nation
Mar 08, 2023 7:00 AM
Habitat Northumberland
View entire list
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News
Brighton Rotary News Feb 8 2023
Members: 8 (Chris via Zoom from the sunny and hot Dominican)
 
Guests: Frances Reed via Zoom, Rotarian Daryl Strogren, Rotarian Rob Pope and Rotarian Bruce Benedict, Tony Posthumus and Dalia Tifour (guests almost outnumbered members today)
 
Special Guest Rotarian Craig joined us today and provided a brief status of his health.
 
Correspondence:
 
1. Nature Conservancy Canada Winter Newsletter
2. Tax receipt  and thank you letter from the Brighton Christmas Hamper Team
 
3. My name is Dave Mossman and I am a teacher in Nibinamik First Nation in Northern Ontario. We are a fly-in isolated First Nations community of about 300 people. He is writing to try to make a dream come true for our indigenous youth at Nibinamik Education Centre. In 2019 we started fundraising to provide an opportunity for the Grade 7/8 class (students 12-14 years of age), to go to southern Ontario in 2020 to engage in various educational opportunities, and to see what life is like outside of the reservation. Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic, we have had to put this experience on hold, which left many of the students in the past graduating years discouraged and feeling down. The students here live in poor living conditions, mouldy housing, over-capacity and more.  Many have 7-10 people living in a 1-2 bedroom house.  I am reaching out to you to see if you could support our students. We have created a GoFundMe to help raise funds, as well as the students have been working tirelessly to try to reach their goal. With us being so isolated and the tremendous cost(outlined in the attached document), our goal is to raise $60,000.  To date we have raised approximately $40,000 and need to try to raise the rest by May 1, 2023.
Our GoFundMe page outlines what life is like up here in Nibinamik First Nation, what the students go through, and details about the opportunity we want to provide the students.
Here is the GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/2cd855bc
 
4. Rotary Club of Northumberland Sunrise has put in a Team for the Coldest Night of the Year walk. You can now sign up to join our team or send a donation to our club.  Please let Connie know if you are interested in having Chili at Karen O'Hara's house afterwards as that is being organized! February 25, 2023 is the date for your calendars.  https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=995336   This link should take you to our page to donate or join the team!
 
5. Brighton Soccer League - Hope this finds all well with you and your family.  It's that time of year when we reach out to last year's sponsors in hopes that you may be interested in sponsoring a team this 2023 season.  I have attached a sponsor letter and sponsorship form to be filled out if interested. $325 Please feel free to contact me if any questions. Thank you in advance and look forward to hearing from you. Lyn   
 
6. Help Rotary recruit peace and development leaders
You can help promote peace in the world by encouraging peace and development leaders in your community to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship.
Each year, Rotary awards fully funded fellowships for peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds to study at one of our peace centers located at premier universities around the world. This year, we’ll select 50 peace fellows to study in our master’s degree programs and 40 fellows to earn a professional development certificate.
Rotary Peace Fellows use their training to amplify their work at the local, regional, or global level. Clubs and districts can partner with them on peacebuilding initiatives before, during, and after their fellowships.
But we need your help finding candidates. Rotary and Rotaract members can get involved by:
Candidates have until 15 May to submit applications to The Rotary Foundation.
Thanks to generous support from donors and the dedicated participation of Rotary members, the peace fellowship program has more than 1,600 alumni working to make positive change in more than 140 countries.
To learn more about how you can recruit the next generation of peace fellows, contact your district Rotary Peace Fellowship subcommittee chair or write to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org
 
7. Help Raise Money to Clear Landmines in Ukraine
 
Rotary Club of Parkdale-High Park-Humber
Time: February 17, 6:30 – 8 pm
Place: Roncesvalles UC, 240 Roncesvalles Ave. at Wright Ave.
Free Tickets: Eventbrite http://bit.ly/40dXlpT or at door
 
Please join us, the Rotary Club of Parkdale-High Park-Humber, on Feb. 17, to Help Raise Money to Clear Landmines in Ukraine.
DG Iosif’s weekly report:
 
The Wellington Rotary Club is getting ready for our third annual Maple Syrup fundraiser. Over the past 2 years this event has raised nearly $20,000 with monies going to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. This year we will again be selling 750 mL bottles of local maple syrup for $20 a bottle. For those interested in pre-ordering please contact Yvonne Buys at y.buys@utoronto.ca – given past experience this will sell out fast. Alternatively, as we have done in previous years, Clubs could partner with us by bulk purchasing bottles without labels at a discount price to be sold locally. For more details please contact Yvonne.
 
WORLD UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE DAY SYMPOSIUM
You are cordially invited to an incredible Peace Symposium with music, art and incredible speakers on Thursday Febraury 23, 2023 at 7:00p.m. where you will hear Nobel Prize Winner Ouided Bouchamaoui who will join us all the way from Tunis, different entities that Rotary International is collaborating with to promote peace such as Mediators without Borders, The Peace and Economic Peace Centre, Rotary Inter-Country Committees (RotaryICC) and learn about how Rotary is collaborating with these different entities to extend peace and understanding around the world. Register today: https://rotary7070.org/event/world-understanding-and-peace-day-conference/
 
International Women's Day Celebration 2023
Come embrace women and equity in the district as we celebrate the women of Rotary District 7070! We gather March 8th @ 6pm in the Rotary Global Classroom at Durham College in a hybrid setting (In person and online) to celebrate fellowship and hear from female leaders of Rotary District 7070. Reception from 6 to 7 pm. Broadcast starts at 7 pm. Register here: https://rotary7070.org/event/international-women-s-day-celebration-2023/
 
Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup
Our 3rd Annual Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Event (GLWC) is quickly approaching!  Please mark your calendar for Saturday April 22 (Earth Day).  More information to come from your District Environmental Action Committee. Thank you - Dan Coombes - Chair GLWC (dancoombes4@gmail.com)
 
Rotary Clubs in District 7070 -TAKE NOTE!!
The 2023 Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS) is taking place, May 11-14, 2023 at the Ganaraska Forest Centre!  The 3-night experience is geared toward youth between the ages of 17-23 and will offer 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!!!  All this for only $375 per participant which covers all programs, accommodation, and meals.  Rotary Clubs are encouraged to find and sponsor eligible participants within their community, as well as members of the Rotaract and Interact Clubs that they host.  There are only 30 spots available!  Applications and further information for RYLS 2023 can now be found at this link:   https://rotary7070.org/stories/rotary-youth-leadership-symposium-(ryls)-is-may-11-14-2023-apply-today Due date for submission is March 10, 2023. #rotary7070
 
Smile: blush
 
While R Craig was off, he had time to think. He thought about his step ladder and realized he never met his real ladder.
 
R Craig also tried to come up with an answer for Jeopardy. It wasn't accepted by the show. His answer was 'snowballs'. The question was, ' what is the difference between snowmen and snow women.
 
R Craig is back!
 
Announcements:
  • Outbound youth exchange student has first orientation weekend March 3 to 5 in Mattawa's Ecology Centre. There will be 18 inbound and outbound students from two districts.
  • Next board meeting will be held at R Steve B's home on Tuesday February 21 at 6:30pm
  • We are looking for speakers for March
  • R Clay advised that Elizabeth has been approved by AURA. She leaves for Zambia tomorrow.
  • Next bottle drive possible April 15
  • No Frills raffle possible before May long weekend. R Daniel will prepare letter from club to Chris and Angela at No Frills.
  • Adult Spelling Bee at the Trenton Club Monday February 13th at These 4 Walls, 22 Front Street. Brighton will participate (Dan and Terri Lynn, Steve and Allison, Clay and Joyce at this time as well as Murray and son-in-law Conrad as spectators) If more want to come let Secretary know.
Song: When You're Smiling
 
Sharing Pot: $13 won by R Steve S  who donated it to the Rotary Foundation
 
Happy Bucks: Speaker and presentation, to have Craig with us, and many more.
 
Rotary Minute:

Each year, Rotary awards fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers.

Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.

Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,600 fellows who now work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.

Our fellowships

The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 40 for certificate studies at premier universities.

 
 
 
Stories
Youth Unlimited and Brighton Beacon Youth Centre
R Clay introduced Tony:
 
 
Tony Posthumus is the Executive Director of Northumberland Youth Unlimited and the Team Chaplain and Director of Player Wellness of the Cobourg Cougars Jr. A Hockey Club. Tony is passionate about supporting young people and building strong relationships in the community. Prior to working with Youth Unlimited, Tony worked in a youth correctional facility where he worked with high -risk male youth and helped lead a team of twenty -one youth workers. Outside of his work, you can find Tony enjoying the outdoors with his wife and four boys or playing guitar in a country -rock band. Ensuring that people are heard, valued, equipped and empowered is among Tony's top priorities.
 
 
 
Tony explained that the Brighton Beacon is part of Youth Unlimited which he has been Executive Director of since 2015. His focus in on young people.
 
Tony has four boys at home and it is not a quiet place.
 
Youth Unlimited is the local chapter of Youth For Christ International. They are in 130 countries. Locally they have 5 staff and a lot of volunteers.
 
They have a creative arts program after school, during March break and summer programs. A successful program is 'stop motion animation' with lego and plasticine. A two minute video can take several thousand still shots. The students are very quiet and focused when doing this activity.
 
He provided an overview of his role and the support he brings to the young men of the Cobourg Cougars hockey team. He has learned the 'hockey culture'. He meets with the captains group every two weeks. He tries to walk with them and not tell them what to do. He works to build relationships and gets them talking to recognize their own successes and challenges. He asks them what his Chapel topics should be regularly. He provides one on one meetings, usually during a walk as he finds they have too much energy to sit often.
 
They formed a 'Cheer Crew' of youth who wouldn't normally get to play hockey or even go to a game. The rules are to be encouraging and no booing. Just cheer for the Cougars, even when they loose.
 
The Beacon in Brighton is starting to get back to pre-pandemic activities. They got creative during pandemic and Mike would meet students in the park with donuts. They were able to work with the local health unit and get 'essential' service status.
 
People fear the virus and that has held many back. It has reduced volunteers and donations.
 
Tony introduced Dalia who came to Canada last year as a refugee from Syria via Lebanon. She has experience and started working on staff with the Beacon last October.
 
The Beacon is open three evenings a week and two lunch hours. Numbers are down, but partly due to Brighton Public will not allow senior students to leave the grounds during lunch hour.
 
As a charity, they rely almost soley on donations. 83% of their budget comes from donations. The Beacon's 2023 budget is $92,000. They are seeing big increases in food, rent, insurance and transportation. They want to look after their staff and volunteers with training and supports.
 
Community partnerships are very important to them.
 
For marginalized kids, maybe all kids, they have three important questions:
1. Where do I belong?
2. Who am I?
3. What difference do I make?
 
At Beacon they typically work with kids from grade 6 to 12. In evenings generally high school kids. They are getting 5 to 10 up to 26 now. Pre-pandemic they would see up to 50.
 
 
 
 
Service Above Self