The International Rotary Convention is just around the corner and you can be a part of it.  You all got an email from Rotary International with a video on how you can join and be a part of the Virtual Convention. There are various activities that you can take part in if you choose.  If you haven’t taken part in a convention before, this is a great time to open up new doors and explore other opportunities.

Also around the corner is the Virtual Aids Walk.  You will recall that we had Nicholas Ryall speak to us last week about joining the aids walk.  Think about getting a group together or just do it yourself or with your spouse.  Make a video and send your video to Nicolas to play as part of the virtual walk.  

Below are a few links that you can view to learn more about the walk and the bennifits.

Our Virtual Walk Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ML8J9WW2jM&feature=emb_logo

2020 Walk Website - https://toronto.rotaryaidswalk.ca

Sign Up Today - https://www.gifttool.com/athon/SignUpMode?ID=1945&AID=4080

Our Residual Beneficiary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5YETROOvNk and https://feedontario.ca/

 

I sent out an email the other day saying that we had a solution to the secretary’s position. It now leaves a gap to be filled as President elect for next year.  We need to fill this position as soon as possible for a couple of reasons.

The president elect sits on the board as a board member and it is also a time for the president elect to get some needed knowledge and training on the role of the president for the next year.

I know that we have a number of members that have great leadership abilities that you could share with the club.  This is a position that just needs common sense. 

We don’t want to have to call on our past presidents to step up again and again.  We need you and the club needs you.

Please give it some thought.  Feel comfortable to call me or any of the past presidents on what is involved.  We are all here to help make things as easy as we can. 

 

The Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) is the gold standard for Rotary Internationals Global Grant projects.  Caroline Phelps provided a briefing of the mission and vision, and the activities and achievements of the GLP to date.  40% of the population in guatamala are indigenous Mayans, and 80% of then live in poverty.  Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.  But education is limited due to cost.  95% of the people will never graduate from high school.  GLP is one of the largest groups in the world attempting to help.  

 

To date about 225 thousand students have benefitted from the program over the last 20 years. Currently 59 thousand students are impacted.  The GLP provides a comprehensive approach to learning, with SPARK Reading - 2 years of teacher training, textbook program, computer program, and RISE youth development - high school program.  60% of Guatamalan jobs require technology and 95% of the GLP students find employment.  The makeup of the RISE program is 2/3 female, 1/3 male.  

 

Rotary Clubs can join the Global Grant and their donations will get a 5X multiple from government grants and RI global grant.  The GLP's administrative costs are about 5% of total budget. The total budget for GLP last year was about 500 thousand dollars.  

 

Many Rotarians have travelled to Guatemala to participate and tour in the GLP.  GLP tours are available in February 2021 and July 2021.

 

Rotarians can get further involved either through having your club contribution to the Global Grant matched up to 5 times or by individually sponsoring a student or  visiting Guatemala on one of GLP service trips. 

 

On a second topic, Nicolas Ryall from the Toronto Rotary Club provided further information about the Rotary poker walk.  More information is available at https://rotaryaidswalk.ca