More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.
Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
September is here, and North Atlantic Rotary is heading into the fall with plenty of momentum.
In her latest video update, District Governor Chris Hornberger celebrates a strong month of membership growth, welcomes a new Interact Club, looks ahead to what's happening in September, and shares a powerful reminder of how education can create lasting impact.
🎥 Watch the September video update HERE and read the article HERE
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the summer. This year, we are introducing quarterly online meetings to report on the state of the district to all members. We believe it is important to keep you informed about our progress toward district priorities and to share timely updates from Rotary International.
Each session will be approximately 45 minutes and will include time for questions and answers. Our goal is to ensure we all share a common understanding of the direction we are heading together, and to help keep our district vibrant and growing.
Dates, times, and connection details are listed in READ MORE.
Our first meeting will be in October, and I look forward to seeing you then. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer.
All organizations need good leadership, and Rotary North Atlantic is no different.
Our district of about 75 Rotary and Rotaract clubs and over 1700 members is governed by a board of directors led by a District Governor. The DG role is selected 3 years in advance, and the chosen person goes through three years of training paid by Rotary International and involvement with the district before assuming the role. During the summer and fall of 2026 Rotary North Atlantic will select the District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) who will serve as DG in Rotary Year 2029-30.
The future District Governor will work collaboratively with the other members of the DG Line and the other district leaders to help build and strengthen our district and, above all else, to help clubs in our district to thrive.
Now is the time for you or a great Rotarian that you know to start finding out more about the challenging and rewarding DG role. Why not reach out to a Past District Governor or other experienced district leader for information about the role or for help in explaining the possibilities to that great Rotarian? The formal call for nominations from clubs was issued on July 15th with the deadline to submit nominations by September 18th.
Thank you,
PDG Don Sword. Chair of the D7815 Nominating Committee
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.
For the past two years RC of Miramichi has funded a District Grant literacy project with women in the New Brunswick Women’s Correctional Centre. They partnered with Read NB Miramichi Literacy Council.
Why this is a powerful project... Females in the correctional system do not get the same levels of programming to turn their lives around as men do.
Details:
Women attend a cathartic writing program to release and heal traumatic experiences in their lives.
They improve their literacy skills, gain confidence, and have better relationships with their families
We the Women, We Strive was published! The RC of Miramichi can sell you a copy. Or you can order one here! MLC - We The Women - READNB
Grant amounts 2024-25 - $3400; 2025-26 - $3250. The RC of Miramichi matched the grant amounts, plus a little more.
Where did the money come from?
Every year, District 7815 receives District Designated Funds from donations made 3 Rotary years previously from our District. Did you make a donation to the Annual SHARE Fund in 2020 or 2021? If you did, CONGRATULATIONS! Your donation made this project, and about 20 others, happen.
The new Rotary year is off to a busy start for youth programs across District North Atlantic!
From international exchanges and the return of our 2025–26 exchange students to opportunities through Interact and Honouring Indigenous Peoples, there are plenty of ways for Rotary clubs to support, encourage and connect with the next generation of leaders. Our Youth Exchange students are beginning their journeys around the world, international students are settling into their new Canadian communities, and returning exchange students are reflecting on experiences that will continue to shape their lives. At the same time, new opportunities are opening for young people to learn, grow and become leaders in their communities.
Read on to see what’s happening, how clubs can get involved, and which opportunities are coming up this fall.
Your District Public Image Committee is working to strengthen communication and collaboration between the District and our clubs, particularly when it comes to social media, storytelling and promoting the incredible work being done across our District.
One of our goals is to establish a direct line of communication with the individuals in each club who are responsible for social media and public image. To help us build that network, we are asking each club to provide the name(s) and contact information for the person or people who manage your club’s social media and/or communications to Harvey Bass at dg7815.2022.2023@gmail.com.
There is power in numbers. By connecting our clubs, we can share ideas, resources, successful campaigns and great stories; increase Rotary’s visibility in the communities we serve; and help attract new members by showcasing the difference Rotary is making across the North Atlantic. Our goal is simple: work together, share our stories and amplify the Rotary message—together, with one voice.
We are looking forward to connecting with clubs. We have a plan, and it includes each of you!
Yours in Rotary, District Public Image Committee PDG Harvey Bass District Governor, 2022–2023
ROTARY LEARNING FORUM — YOU’RE INVITED! (enlarged picture in read more)
Join fellow Rotarians on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Port Williams, Nova Scotia, for a day of learning, connection, and conversation.
The Rotary Learning Forum will feature a full day of practical sessions and meaningful discussion, including a District update, membership conversations, mental health and addictions, artificial intelligence tools for clubs, RYLA, and human trafficking awareness.
☕ Coffee and muffins on arrival • Lunch provided • Free daytime event
An optional evening Polio Fundraiser Barbecue will follow, with $25 from each $50 registration donated to Polio Plus.
Come for a day of ideas, inspiration, and Rotary connection. Every Rotarian is welcome!
Rotary 2.0: The Next Generation Mini Conference – PEI & Northumberland
📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026 📍 Charlottetown Library Learning Centre ⏰ 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 💰 Registration: $25
What to expect: A full day of inspiration, conversation and connection, with opportunities to meet club and District leaders. Lunch and refreshments are provided.
Friendship Continues: Return Exchange from the Netherlands September 30 to October 9
This fall, Rotary friendship will come full circle as we welcome our exchange partners from the Netherlands for their return visit from September 30 to October 9. Their visit follows our district team’s wonderful exchange to the Netherlands in May, where we experienced the warmth, generosity, and international fellowship that make Rotary exchanges so memorable.
The visiting team will travel through the Valley, Charlottetown, Moncton, and Halifax Regional Municipality, experiencing local communities, culture, and Rotary fellowship along the way. The story will highlight the personal connections and lasting friendships created through Rotary Friendship Exchanges, while showcasing the spirit of hospitality and international fellowship that makes these exchanges so meaningful...
Read more for the full details or for further information on Rotary Friendship Exchanges, contact PDG Tom McCaughey at dgtom7820@gmail.com or 709-682-7259.
You're invited to celebrate 100 years of the Rotary Club of Truro
Join us on Wednesday, September 23 for a special evening celebrating a century of service, friendship, and community impact.
Best Western Glengarry
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
The evening will feature:
Music by Morrissey Dunn
Performances by the Cobequid Dance Academy
Rotary Awards
Special guest speaker Ellie Black, Canada's most decorated female gymnast, four-time Olympian, Order of Canada recipient, and a champion for fair play and women in sport.
Come celebrate the Rotary Club of Truro's incredible legacy, recognize the people who have made a difference over the past 100 years, and look ahead to the future.
Tickets are available by clicking the link or scanning the QR code on the event poster.
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Truro on this incredible milestone—we hope to see you there!
International Day of Peace is Monday, September 21, 2026 with the theme Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day. Please refer to the Peace Committee’s article in the August News Bulletin for ideas on how your club can acknowledge this significant day.
Peace in the world begins with peace within each of us; the peace we find within can help bring peace to the world around us. This month your peace committee would like to share a reflection called Being Boat People by Jon Huckins...
"Our house is chaos. We have four young children, and on any given day they each have a friend (or three!) over at the house, eating all our food and leaving crumb trails through the living room. It’s sacred chaos, but it’s still chaos. One day a few years ago, the “sacred” part of the chaos left the building, and it was just the kind of chaos that led to yelling, arguing, and elevated heartrates. Rosie, our second born, stood in the midst of the chaos and sternly instructed, “Let’s all just pause, take a few deep breaths, and have a family reset.
Instantly, we all felt relieved that someone had the clarity and conviction to call us back to ourselves. To name the chaos but not be swept away in it..."
SAVE THE DATE for the 2027 RI Convention in Barcelona June 26-30!
We're not ready to pull back the curtain just yet. But we can tell you this:
Early bird registration opens 17 September, at 12:01 am Evanston time. You can find the registration links on convention.rotary.org
Be sure to register by 11:59 pm Evanston time on 21 September! After that prices increase by nearly 40% and then go up again on 1 April, so DON'T WAIT. You have 5 days to get the best possible rates.
You can also book your hotels beginning 17 September.
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.
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month
All organizations need good leadership, and Rotary North Atlantic is no different. 
MEMBERSHIP SURVEY RESULTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD!
The new Rotary year is off to a busy start for youth programs across District North Atlantic!
We hope you are enjoying the summer!
ROTARY LEARNING FORUM — YOU’RE INVITED!
Friendship Continues: Return Exchange from the Netherlands 
You're invited to celebrate 100 years of the Rotary Club of Truro
Best Western Glengarry
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Music by Morrissey Dunn
Performances by the Cobequid Dance Academy
Rotary Awards
Special guest speaker Ellie Black, Canada's most decorated female gymnast, four-time Olympian, Order of Canada recipient, and a champion for fair play and women in sport.
Tickets are available by clicking the link or scanning the QR code on the event poster.
