Celebrating our Past Year in Style!
Rotary Club of Cambridge Sunset reflects on a successful foundational year - and looks forward to the year ahead!
Stories
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The Forgotten People's ConnectionAt its June 11th meeting, Dennis Devey spoke with Rotary Club of Cambridge Sunset about The Forgotten People Connection's work in Uganda, Kenya, and Mexico.
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Quick Recap of our May 14th Meeting!Dean Fitzgerald speaks with Cambridge Rotary Sunset about tree ecology!
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UWWRC's 2nd Annual Golf for a Cause!Join United Way Waterloo Region Communities on June 25th for a Fun-draising day of golf and socializing! Register today!
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Congratulations, The Literacy Group!The Literacy Group is celebrating 25 years as an organization - congratulations and thank you for all that you have accomplished here in Waterloo Region!
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Human Trafficking in Waterloo RegionWaterloo Regional Police Sergeant Jason Bonikowsky talks with Cambridge Rotary Sunset about human trafficking in our region. |
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Happy 1st Anniversary -- Rotary Cambridge Sunset |
Literacy affects one in four Waterloo Region adultsChris Prosser, Executive Director of The Literacy Group shared the mission of the The Literacy Group -- to guide and empower people in Waterloo Region by building skills and unlocking potential and change their lives one word, one number, and one click at a time.  (L to R) - Co-President Anne Tinker, Dr. Milton Wybenga, Chris Prosser (The Literacy Group Executive Director) and Co-President Prakash Venkataraman present a certificate of appreciation and gift.
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Rotary Cambridge Sunset supports Polio PlusPrakash Venkataraman (Co-President, Rotary Cambridge Sunset) represented our club at a fundraising breakfast in Mississauga on January 27 , where he joined District 7080 leaders to raise funds for Polio Plus.  He was joined by Badar Shamim (Polio Chair, Rotary District 7080), PDG Kathi Dick, District Governor Brenda Halloran and several Rotary leaders. |
Rotarians help cook nutritious meals at The BridgesTwo groups of Rotarians helped roll up their sleeves and prepare dinners for individuals attending The Cambridge Shelter Corporation (which operates The Bridges) in Galt. The agency's mission is to provide safe shelter, and to offer programs and services in support of the hopes and needs of people dealing with life issues. Economic and Community Development is one of Rotary's seven areas of focus -- recognizing that around the globe, nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. Reducing poverty and food insecurity is part of this goal.  |
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Rotarians volunteer at Langs Holiday DinnerRotary Cambridge Sunset members volunteered at Langs Community Health Centre, which hosted their annual Community Holiday Dinner on December 13 for 250 active volunteers, program participants and patients. The dinner included a full turkey dinner, crafts and activities for the kids, connections with community members and a visit from Santa!    |
Celebrating Christmas Chez Alice & MiltonWe had a great Christmas celebration at the Wybenga home with Alice & Milton hosting our Rotary family. We enjoyed delicious homemade chili, baked beans and fresh rolls and a variety of our favourite foods. To end the night we enjoyed platters of our favourite Christmas desserts. Thank you to our great hostess & host (and wine sommelier).   ! |
Rotary celebrates World Polio DayOne Day. One Focus -- Ending Polio World Polio Day is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, and talk about the actions we need to take in order to end polio for good. Rotary Club of Cambridge Sunset and clubs from across Rotary District 7080 held End Polio Now sessions across the district. World Polio Day was celebrated locally in the City of Cambridge at the Cambridge Centre.   |
Supporting Cambridge Food BankIt could happen to any one of us . . . food insecurity . . . "the condition of not having access to sufficient food or food of adequate quality to meet one's basic needs. It sounds like it shouldn't happen in a G7 country like Canada, but with higher interest rates impacting mortgages and car loans, and the cost of food rising, it's hard for many people to make ends meet. As a local service club, Rotary Cambridge Sunset wanted to hear firsthand from Cambridge Food Bank Executive Director Dianne McLeod and invited her to join us at our meeting. She shared that a recent 2022 Hunger Report showed that even people who are employed full time, as the primary income in a household, make up 8.5 per cent of food bank users. A further 10.8 per cent are employed part time.
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Langs changes livesThanks to Darcy Edwards and David Cooke of Langs (Community. Health and Wellness.) for visiting with members of the Rotary Club of Cambridge Sunset. Your presentation to our members covered a lot of details about what you do across the Region of Waterloo and your achievements over the last four decades are absolutely phenomenal. Thank you for taking genuine care of our community with compassion.  (L to R) - Elaine Habicher, Prakash Venkataraman, David Cooke and Darcy Edwards.
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Rotarians raise funds for the Food Bank on Canada DayRotarians from the newest Cambridge Rotary club helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of our city at the Canada Day Parade through the streets of Preston Town Centre. We collected donations for the Cambridge Food Bank. On the first day of a new Rotary year, it was great to participate in a community service project.  |
Joan Fisk shares passion of United Way and community impactJoan Fisk, CEO of United Way Waterloo Region Communities (UWWRC) was the first official guest speaker after our club chartered. We selected her as a community builder, and connector. She is someone with a passion for making our communities better. As CEO of United Way She joined us at the Galt Country Club on June 27th, 2023. Joan is a leader with experience in both the private sector and community. She and her family have very deep roots in the region. Joan chaired the board of the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and was head of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce. For 17 years she served as President and CEO of Tiger Brand Knitting in Cambridge. Joan is a long-time resident of Cambridge, and a charismatic leader who is dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for people in the region. United Way has over 75 years of history in our region, and is known for tackling the most difficult community issues that face citizens. We appreciated you joining us and sharing your wisdom and passion for United Way -- a great local charity and change making agency.
(L to R) Scott Hebert (Rotarian and former UWWRC board member, Joan Fisk (CEO, United Way Waterloo Region Communities) and Prakash Venkataraman (Co-President, Rotary Cambridge Sunset). |
KidsAbility Superhero Day -- celebrating local courageEvery hero has a superpower. And everyone can be a hero for KidsAbility on Superhero Day. Members of the Rotary Club of Cambridge Sunset participated in KidsAbility Superhero Day celebrations. It was great to see many Rotarians, and families from the Region of Waterloo help with a celebration of local courage and raise funds to help program participants. Rotary was the founded of the original Rotary Children's Centre which was renamed KidsAbility. It is a longstanding charity that Rotary supports for the good work they do to help children who need assistance. Every donation supports the most immediate therapy needs of kids, youth, and their families throughout Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington. 94% of the fundraising target of $125,000.00, achieved!  (L to R) Pradosh Prakash, Prakash Venkataraman and Naeem Awan helped as part of the fun and fund-raising group. Thank you! |
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Rotary Cambridge Sunset receives Charter On March 6, 2023, the 20 charter members of the Rotary Club of Cambridge Sunset received a congratulatory letter from Rotary International President Jennifer Jones (a Canadian and first woman president of Rotary as it celebrates its 118th anniversary, with 34,000 clubs and 1.4 million members around the globe). |
Rotary Cambridge Sunset President attends PETS TrainingPresidents elect from across District 7080 attended the President Elect Training Seminar 1 (PETS) on February 4, 2023. PETS is a mandatory, two-day, interactive training seminar for incoming Club Presidents. Part 1 topics include a detailed review of Your Role, Responsibilities and Challenges as Club President and information about Building Your Team, Supports Available, and Goal Setting. It was a great opportunity to meet Presidents Elect from across our district and to build connections and inspire leadership teams in each club cluster.  |
Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic
This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year. The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic. |
Rotary at the Start of the United Nations
During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.”
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First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia
The club would be the only one in the country for more than 12 years. Eventually, Manila club members organized Rotary clubs in the Philippine cities of Cebu (1932) and Iloilo (1933). Iloilo club members then started a club in Bacolod (1937), and Rotary continued to expand across the country. |
History of Women in RotaryWomen are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary. “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01. The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings.
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Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle
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An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick.
Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.
In early 1919, Rotarian Roger Pinneo of Seattle, Washington, USA, traveled to the Philippines to try to organize a Rotary club in Manila. Leon J. Lambert, a Manila business leader helped Pinneo establish the club. Several months later, on 1 June 1919, the Rotary Club of Manila was chartered and became the first Rotary club in Asia.
Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.”