October is Community Economic Development Month
24 October — World Polio Day
Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. Our members promote economic and community development and reduce poverty in underserved communities through training, well-paying jobs, and access to financial management institutions. Projects range from providing people with equipment to vocational training. Our members work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
In this month’s video (FOUND HERE), I joined Thomas Paul from our District Public Image team to discuss two important October priorities: Economic and Community Development Month and World Polio Day on 24 October.
Read More to discover practical ways your club can connect with the business community, and how you can support Rotary’s polio eradication efforts on World Polio Day, 24 October, and throughout the year. https://www.endpolio.org/
The Zone 28 Nominating Committee met last week and their selection to serve as our Director from July 2028 to June 2030 is Louisa Horne, from Halifax, NS, District 7815. If there are no challenges, her position will be confirmed this coming December 1. Louisa Horne served as Governor of District 7820 in 2019-20, and she currently serves as Membership Coordinator for Zone 28 (2024-2028). Please join in welcoming Louisa to her new role!
In 1979, volunteers administered drops of oral polio vaccine to children at a health center in the Philippines. This marked the beginning of a movement that would spread across the world and give Rotary members everywhere an undeniable call to action: Together, we end polio.
World Polio Day (24 October) is a vital opportunity for Rotary and Rotaract clubs to raise awareness and funds in their communities.
We want to know how your club is taking action. Are you hosting your own activity? Participating in a district or zone event? Let us know!
Across District 7815, Rotary clubs are coming together to raise awareness and support the global effort to eradicate polio. This year’s activities include Pints for Polio in Dartmouth, a chowder cook-off in Amherst, an End Polio Now flag raising in Charlottetown, and a special “Ripple Effect” Golden Pale Ale supporting polio eradication in St. John’s East. These events are a great example of how clubs are using fellowship, community events, and creativity to help Rotary finish the job. What is your club doing? Share with me at roystellaj@gmail.com
Rotary’s polio eradication efforts have helped immunize billions of children and have brought the world closer than ever to being polio-free. Find out what clubs across District 7815 are doing for World Polio Day and how you can take part in the fight to End Polio Now.
This month’s grant profiles our only international District Grant in the 2025-26 Rotary year. RC of Sydney Sunrise partnered with African Initiatives for Change (AIC).
Why this is a powerful project – Tuition is $7.00 per three-month term. This is a huge sum for families of children living in the Nakivale Refugee Camp in Uganda. A typical household is given $1US per month. This is what $3000 in District Grant funds and $9000 from Sydney Sunrise bought:
Tuition fees paid for 65 children. AIC prioritized children of young mothers and victims of war rape
School uniforms for the orphaned children (required for attendance)
50 new desks, manufactured locally
Salary for an additional teacher’s salary
A new chalkboard, and school supplies
Remedial tutoring for children who lost school time during displacement and allowed them to catch up
Outreach to attract fee-paying local families’ children, whose tuition will contribute to sustainability for the school
MEMBERSHIP SURVEY RESULTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD!
Earlier this year, we invited members to share their thoughts, needs, and perspectives through our Membership Survey. We were very pleased with the response and grateful to everyone who took the time to participate.
The feedback provides valuable insight as we look ahead and consider how we can continue to strengthen our clubs and better serve our members.
The Survey Results & Key Points are now available to view and download below.
There are exciting opportunities for young people across District 7815 and beyond! Discover how Interact Clubs are getting underway across Atlantic Canada, read about the first gathering of our 11 Rotary Youth Exchange students from eight countries, and mark your calendars for the 2027 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). You’ll also find details about the fully funded Honouring Indigenous Peoples Youth-to-Youth Experience in Alberta, learn how Rotary can support Indigenous-led reconciliation initiatives, and explore the inspiring Walk With the Earth movement bringing youth together through environmental stewardship and community partnerships.
READ MORE find ways to support youth leadership, strengthen Rotary’s connections with schools and communities, and help young people build meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime!
Congratulations to the Rotary clubs and communities across the district that celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 21 by erecting Peace Poles!
Erecting a Peace Pole is a wonderful accomplishment – but it doesn’t have to be the end of the project, in fact, it can be the beginning. A Peace Pole can become a visible gathering place, a teaching tool, a backdrop for positive community action and an ongoing reminder of Rotary’s commitment to peace. Once your Peace Pole is in place, look for opportunities to bring people to it and connect the pole to the work your Rotary Club is doing.
Remember to register your Peace Pole so that our North Atlantic District shows up on the virtual map. Presently only the Halifax Harbour Peace Pole is registered. Register online through the Virtual Peace Pole Map which is provided by May Peace Prevail on Earth International.
Rotary Friendship Exchange welcomed a group of Rotarians from District 1610 in the Netherlands to Atlantic Canada for an unforgettable journey filled with friendship, hospitality, and local experiences. PDG Tom McCaughey reflects on the many clubs and volunteers who helped create lasting memories and looks ahead to upcoming Friendship Exchanges with Croatia and Ontario...
"As I write this on Thanksgiving weekend, I am reflecting on the many wonderful friends I have made through Rotary.
Rotary has introduced me to great friends across this district and around the world—people I otherwise would never have met. Many district members share my passion for building connections and friendships, including through Friendship Exchanges.
Last night, we said goodbye to several friends visiting from District 1610 in the Netherlands. I met some during our visit there in May, while others became friends during this exchange. This wonderful group of Rotarians had shown us tremendous hospitality during our visit. We hope that we matched their warm generosity..."
Great stories turn “another service club” into “the club I want to join.”
Our new Ignite: Public Image Learning Sessions series kicks off Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 pm ET with an interactive session on storytelling that connects and expands our reach.
Learn how polio spreads, why eradication matters, and how Rotary and its partners are working to end this debilitating disease worldwide.
You’ve likely heard a lot about polio in recent weeks. Rotary members talk about it all year, but never more than in the month leading up to World Polio Day on 24 October. It’s one of the most important days of the year for Rotary — a time to reaffirm our nearly four-decade commitment to eliminating this disease from the world.
Polio eradication may seem complicated, but it’s actually fairly straightforward. If you’ve ever wondered about the science of the disease, the history of Rotary’s fight against it, or the progress of the global eradication effort, find the answers to those questions and more HERE.
Thank you for your patience, and please accept our apologies for the delay in publishing our recent newsletters. Your District Public Image Committee is working behind the scenes on an exciting new look and format that we're looking forward to sharing with you soon—stay tuned!
As we prepare our September edition, we'd love to hear from you! If your club has news, upcoming events, service projects, member achievements, youth program updates, or photos to share, please send your submissions to rotarykellyhunt@gmail.com
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
This bulletin was sent to our French-speaking clubs in French. If you received the English version, but would prefer the French version, please send an email to our Bulletin Editor.
Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. Our members promote economic and community development and reduce poverty in underserved communities through training, well-paying jobs, and access to financial management institutions. Projects range from providing people with equipment to vocational training. Our members work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Louisa Horne Nominated as Director 2028-30!
MEMBERSHIP SURVEY RESULTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD!
There are exciting opportunities for young people across District 7815 and beyond! Discover how Interact Clubs are getting underway across Atlantic Canada, read about the first gathering of our 11 Rotary Youth Exchange students from eight countries, and mark your calendars for the 2027 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). You’ll also find details about the fully funded Honouring Indigenous Peoples Youth-to-Youth Experience in Alberta, learn how Rotary can support Indigenous-led reconciliation initiatives, and explore the inspiring Walk With the Earth movement bringing youth together through environmental stewardship and community partnerships. 
create lasting memories and looks ahead to upcoming Friendship Exchanges with Croatia and Ontario...
Great stories turn “another service club” into “the club I want to join.”
Learn how polio spreads, why eradication matters, and how Rotary and its partners are working to end this debilitating disease worldwide.
