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This is a snapshot of some of the actions being undertaken by the district and clubs in light of the current Coronavirus situation we are all dealing with. It certainly demonstrates that Rotarians are – People of Action.
Rotary Club of Barrie
With a club of 140+ members, the club has been holding weekly virtual meetings...
Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia
The club started off sending out a weekly bulletin in place of a meeting, but after hosting a ZOOM Board of Directors call, decided to ZOOM all their meetings from here on in until they are able to meet in person. For the non-techie types in the club, they hold ‘how to’ sessions the day before their weekly meeting.
#1 priority of the meetings – FUN. They want to keep their members engaged – and want to make sure their members think about anything but COVD19 for a few short hours; and do not plan on mentioning it at all during the meetings.
In the meantime, the club is deciding what to do with a 43-year fundraising event - Lobsterfest. The organizing committee is working on a plan B - while having fun on social media to ensure people know they are still hosting the event - they just don’t know when.
Rotary Club of Barrie-Kempenfelt
The club is holding Virtual meetings using the Google Meet platform. As non-profits, Rotary can access Google Apps for Non-Profits at no cost and Google Meet allows for video meetings of up to 250 members. The meetings can be recorded and shared on YouTube also. For more information contact Robb Meir.
Rotaract Club of Barrie
The club has donated $1000 to the Barrie food bank and are looking at how to help youth haven, the local youth shelter with yard work and repairs around the shelter.
Rotary Club of Bracebridge
The board held its first online meeting with decisions made at the ‘virtual table’.The club decided to make a donation of $5,000 to our local food bank to help others through this rough time and the Rotary Cares committee will support families in need with a $500 cash voucher (no paperwork required) plus an extra $250 for each child in a family of more than two children. The committee’s funding limit is $25,000.
This is an additional program above their families in need program that is already run through the Rotary Cares committee. The committee will be providing gift cards worth $500 to families who are now unemployed because of the coronavirus. Plus, an additional $100 per child for families greater than 4 people (2 adults; 2 children). Rotarian are to identify these families and fill out a basic form. As of March 27th, packages have gone out to 15 families. The committee is still accepting applications. This program will run until they reach $25,000 or June 30, 2020 whichever comes first.
Other actions taken include:
- $10k pledge payment to hospital has been advanced.
- Given up the Youth Centre indefinitely for Covid-19 testing. The Health Unit has taken over the Centre. They have been in the building since last Thursday getting everything ready.
- Suspended the Chase the Ace weekly draws until further notice.
- Revisiting the proposed cost structure for the Major draw. The club is expecting this crisis to have a significant impact on their ability to sell tickets for the draw this year.
- Looking at a June 1st drop dead date to make a decision on whether to cancel the Canada Day fireworks.
- Created a plan to help fellow members and the public at-large who are in isolation. Susan is heading this through the Seniors Focus committee. The focus is on ensuring groceries are delivered to those in need.
- Arranging a sign upgrade to be able to remotely advertise Club & Community updates.
- Gone to virtual club and board meetings.
The club will also be making donation(s) to the Rotary Foundation and/or the Hospital in memory of long-time member Bill Towns; and working on the numbers to see what additional financial support can be provided to the hospital in this time of need. This may involved implementing some kind of matching donation program.
Rotary Club of Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield (B-E-L)
The club is working together to do their part to slow the spread of Covid -19 and make their community safe once again. "To our front line workers, our medical teams and our local businesses a huge thank you!" Although not meeting face to face, members are doing what they can to support the community and help in this unprecedented time.
In partnership with the Lovesick Lake Women’s Association, President Elect Nicole Mascherin is coordinating the making of masks to be distributed to front line workers and key community members. The club has also contributed to the production of hand sanitizer to be distributed to health care professionals and at risk community members, and will help with the distribution of this product.
“We know we need to pull together during this difficult time but we also need to ensure that our members, our families and our friends and neighbours are safe”, said President Tony. “Members of the club are here to help where possible and where safe. If you need help with the delivery of medication or groceries to your home, please contact a club member and we will assist you.”
As they continue in this “new norm”, BEL Rotarians will continue to assess the situation to determine what they can do to help. The club is proud to be part of such a generous, civic minded community and will continue to do its part through these unprecedented times.
BEL Rotary Supports the Youth Emergency Shelter
BEL Rotary may not be meeting face to face but the club's impact continues to be felt as the members work to support front line workers and the most vulnerable members of the community. Last week the club purchased and delivered 25 dinners for the staff and residents of the Youth Emergency Shelter. “It is one small way to tell the staff how much they are appreciated as they work to provide a home for our youth who don’t have anywhere else to go, and also a way to tell our youth they are valued”, said President Tony. “The club has been working to respond to Covid 19 with the support of grants from the Rotary Foundation and funds raised by the club.
Rotary Club of Huntsville
At the club's April 8th virtual meeting, President Drew gave a shout out to club members for supporting the Comfort Stations at the Hospital. A cheque for $2,100 was presented to the Foundation. This will assist with 'snack stations' being set up on both floors and provide much needed energy boosts for the hard-working healthcare staff. There will be inspirational signs and a recognition of Rotary's support. There will also be mentions on various social media sites.
A second shout out to Rotarian Christine Kropp and her associate Jo-Anne Jobson who have taken on the task of organizing complimentary lunches for staff, for each weekday for the month of April & May. Currently they have Farmers Daughter (owned by Rotarian Michelle Shabatura), Pita Pit, and Tim Horton’s donating 200 meals once a week for the month of April. They have Erika’s Bakery & Dwight Lion’s Club doing Mondays in May, and Subway on King William doing Wednesdays in May. Great work for a worthy cause!
Rotary Club of Innisfil
The club started meeting by Zoom on March 25th. The meeting was fairly informal and the members mostly shared good news and thoughts about how to help each other and their community. The consensus was that we should continue meeting using the same format each week. The board meetings have also moved online.
The club made a donation to the Innisfil Food Bank to help them out as they anticipate that more people will contact them for assistance. Also, in Innisfil there is a retirement community called Sandycove. Many residents try to spend time in Florida over the winter months and are just back, in isolation. Many others are elderly and worried about going to the grocery store. We have let that community know Innisfil Rotarians are available to pick up groceries and other supplies and will deliver them to the doorstep. Requests for this help are starting to come in. The club has also connected with the Innisfil Lionesses and will work together to make sure others in the community also can receive this help. Innisfil Rotary has also contacted the local grocery stores directly and asked if they would let them know if anyone ordering groceries needs someone to deliver to them.
The club made a donation to the Innisfil Food Bank to help them out as they anticipate that more people will contact them for assistance. Also, in Innisfil there is a retirement community called Sandycove. Many residents try to spend time in Florida over the winter months and are just back, in isolation. Many others are elderly and worried about going to the grocery store. We have let that community know Innisfil Rotarians are available to pick up groceries and other supplies and will deliver them to the doorstep. Requests for this help are starting to come in. The club has also connected with the Innisfil Lionesses and will work together to make sure others in the community also can receive this help. Innisfil Rotary has also contacted the local grocery stores directly and asked if they would let them know if anyone ordering groceries needs someone to deliver to them.
Rotary Club of North Bay
The board is now holding Zoom meetings to carry on with conducting club business; and looking at going with ‘virtual’ club meetings.
The club has established an “Emergency Response Team” to assist members in isolation that need help with getting essentials like groceries, medication or run errands.
A COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has been established in partnership with the North Bay and Area Community Foundation. “This fund will directly support charitable organizations and local projects in the areas of healthcare and food security. Donations to this fund mean we will be able to deploy resources to the groups working on the frontlines of this crisis in real time.”
| Grants Provided: | |
| North Bay Food Bank | $5,000 |
| Gathering Place | $2,500 |
| Mattawa Food Bank | $2,000 |
| West Nipissing Food Bank | $2,000 |
| Callander and District Food Bank | $2,000 |
| Near North Palliative Care Network | $2,000 |
| Salvation Army | $2,000 |
| Mattawa Food Bank (from NBACF fundholders) | $2,500 |
| Mattawa Women’s Resource Centre (from NBACF fundholders) | $2,500 |
| Total Impact To-Date | $22,500 |
Rotary Club of North Bay-Nipissing
It's fun to be part of a Rotary Club that hasn't missed a beat since the "lock down".
Since that time, we have been actively involved in:
- Children and Senior Baskets
- Covid-19 grant application
- Costa Rica Project
- Community Clean Up
- Hand Sanitizer
- Face Shields
- Regular meetings, well attended
- Really engaging speakers/programs
- Food Bank Basket Delivery
- Drive-in Movie
- Virtual Yard Sale
The members have been encouraged to pick up the phone, send a text or private message, or consider offering a 'drive by wave', as a way of supporting their fellow Rotarians and their families - all as a way to help lift their spirits.
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The latest information about Rotary's actions regarding COVID-19 are being made available on the District website, FB page and District newsletters and email messages.
Check out what other districts and clubs are up to HERE. Courtesy of an online search by PDG Lise Dutrisac.
