Tags
Edmonton Glenora, Rotary clubs, Rotary District 5370, Rotary District Governor, Vocational Service, Women in Rotary, World Class
Did you know that the Rotary Club of Edmonton Glenora was the first club in North America to be chartered by professional women in May 1990. This was one year after the U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting women to be admitted as members of Rotary Clubs around the world. Can you imagine a Rotary club without women? Many clubs would have huge gaps to fill on their boards and committees! We were so happy to visit the home club of Past District Governor Betty Screpnek and many of our Rotary friends and mentors.
Glenora Rotary has expanded its membership to include all genders. Rotary is all about diversity and this club embraces all members. Last year, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, they set a goal to induct 25 members in 25. They exceeded that goal and last year their membership grew by 28! Shoot for the moon and land in the stars…
The start of the meeting was a real inspiration. Before they found their seats, all members stood in a group and listened to one member relate a Rotary moment. No ‘O Canada’, no invocation, but a fantastic way to focus the meeting. When President Linda took her place at the podium she further reinforced that focus by reciting the club mission statement:
Vision: All women and children achieve their potential in local and international communities.
Mission: to assist women and children facing challenges to achieve their potential through integrated support that is relevant to their situation.
Values:
- We do everything with integrity and compassion
- We respect diversity within our club and with the individuals we serve.
- We are engaged with each other and our community
- We are relevant and have a positive impact
- We have fun and we love what we do.
We learned that this club creates many opportunities to engage with each other and to have fun. They have organized several ‘Nosh and Gab’ pub nights for members to meet and get to know each other. They host two Christmas events, a formal breakfast at the Winspear with professional musical performers, and an informal gathering at someone’s home. Each month they try to organize a family friendly event that brings them together. It shows…this club is friendly and comfortable. Each member is valued and it shows when they walk through the door.
When we met with the Board I was really impressed with the many Vocational scholarships and bursaries this club awards. Some awards are directed at women who are pursuing post secondary studies in often ‘challenging conditions’. This financial and mentorship boost will allow women to attend classes at NAIT, Norquest, and Grant McEwan.
Glenora Rotary supports WISEST: Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science & Technology. This is a unit of the University of Alberta that has dedicated over 30 years to empowering women in the fields of science, engineering and technology. Glenora sponsors a student to serve as a summer research assistant. They also give bursaries to a U of A student in the areas of Art and Design or Music.
Each recipient is invited to the Club to update members on what they are doing and how the bursary has supported them. This club also supports the Amiskwaciy Academy and Interact club.
Glenora Rotary is proud of its accomplishment with its 4 year committment to the Intercultural Family and Daycare center. They have financed $250 000 into meeting the needs of new refugee and immigrant families in the Inner city. The club as a whole were engaged in supporting these families and staff and creating opportunities in the community. They have now decided to focus their resources elsewhere and are creating dialogue with other groups looking for support. This year they have given ad hoc support to YONA and Victims of Violence services.
Internationally, the Glenora Rotary has committed to providing a playgroundas well as building bathrooms and updating school kitchen in Dangriga, Belize. They have also supported a school in Busana Uganda. In partnerships with Rotary they have seen a school built and desks provided. Now they are focused on a nurtrition project that feeds 300 children a year.
What’s next? We can hardly wait to see.