May’s Rotary theme, Youth Service, invites us to look beyond the immediate and invest intentionally in the future. Across District North Atlantic, we are reminded that some of the most important work we do is not only found in the projects we complete today, but in the young leaders we help shape for tomorrow.
Rotary has long understood that meaningful service must include the development of people as well as communities. Through Rotary-sponsored programs such as Interact, RYLA, and Youth Exchange, we are doing far more than offering opportunities for participation—we are empowering youth, building confidence, strengthening leadership skills, and instilling the values of service, integrity, respect, and global understanding that define Rotary itself.
Our 28 vibrant Interact clubs stand as clear evidence that young people are eager to lead when given the chance. These clubs are not simply school-based activities; they are leadership incubators where students learn the importance of teamwork, community engagement, and compassionate action. They discover that their voices matter and that service can be a lifelong calling. It is our vision that every Rotary club in our district will one day sponsor an Interact club in its community, creating a broader and stronger foundation for future growth.
RYLA continues that leadership journey by equipping young participants with practical skills, self-awareness, and the confidence to lead in their schools, workplaces, and communities. It creates an environment where youth not only discover their potential, but begin to understand the responsibility that comes with leadership.
Youth Exchange, often described as an experience of a lifetime, expands that formation even further. For those clubs that participate, it offers young people the opportunity to develop independence, cultural awareness, adaptability, and lasting international friendships. Yet with only about a dozen clubs currently involved, there remains tremendous opportunity for greater engagement in this transformational program.
This is where Unite for Good becomes more than a message—it becomes a strategy for future sustainability. When we unite across generations, Rotary becomes stronger. When we invest in youth leadership today, we are building the volunteers, professionals, community advocates, and Rotarians of tomorrow. These programs are not side initiatives; they are part of Rotary’s leadership pipeline and one of the clearest paths to ensuring that our organization remains vibrant, relevant, and impactful for years to come.
I encourage every club to reflect on how it can deepen its commitment to Youth Service. Sponsor an Interact club. Send a participant to RYLA. Explore the life-changing possibilities of Youth Exchange. Mentor the young leaders already in your midst.
If we are serious about future growth, then we must be equally serious about those who will inherit that future.
Together, let us continue to Unite for Good.
Yours in Rotary service, Marcel A. Gervais
District Governor, District North Atlantic
May is Youth Service Month!
Rotary believes in developing the next generation of leaders. Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service.
Rotary Youth Services focus on developing young leaders through international exchanges, mentorship, and community service projects. Key programs include Interact (ages 14-18), Rotaract (ages 18-30), and the Rotary Youth Exchange, designed to build leadership skills and global citizenship. These initiatives emphasize education, peace-building, and professional development.
We need YOU to help shape the future of Rotary District 7815! With multiple positions available, now is your chance to bring your ideas, passion, and leadership to the table. Be a part of something bigger—step up, make a difference, and help lead our District to new heights!
We’re stronger with you on board! Click 'read more' for available positions.
The District 7815 Special General Meeting will take place by Zoom on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00pm ADT, 7:30pm in Newfoundland.
All Reports for the meeting will be in the Spring 2026 Special General Meeting Folder on District Documents, under the Club Resources Tab on the D7815 website. Watch for the DG's Annual Report and financials coming to the folder later this week.
2025-26 District Awards Information and May 20th Submission Deadline
After the merger of Districts 7810 and 7820, PDG Jillian Gibson tasked the PDG Council with creating a new set of Awards from our new District 7815 to replace the variety of district awards and recognitions that had been used by our previous districts.
The PDG Council recommended that there be only two annual District Awards, to be presented at each District Conference in the Spring.
Club of the Year
Rotarian of the Year
The selection criteria for these annual awards are in the attachments to this email. Clubs may apply for Club of the Year recognition and/or may nominate one club member for consideration as Rotarian of the Year. The DG, on advice of committee of representatives from the PDG Council, will make the final decision of the successful Club and Rotarian.
Applications and nominations will be accepted until12 midnight Wednesday May 20th ADT by email to PDG Donald Sword at rotary7815dgsword@gmail.com with cc to Brian Smith smithrsx@gmail.com
Please note that other awards and recognitions may be presented by RI, Rotary Clubs or the District Governor at other times in the year.
This is the final opportunity before May 15 to participate in the District Grants program and take advantage of Rotary International Foundation funds to increase the impact of your Rotary projects.
The Club Qualification and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process is simple, and Ron Wilson is available to answer any questions: rotaryronw@gmail.com
Put your Foundation donations to work right here in our district — this year.
Thank you to those Rotarians that have already registered for North Atlantic Rotary's MEMBERSHIP ROUNDTABLE!
To date we have more than 90 Rotarians registered!
While the number is very impressive, there are still more District Clubs without anybody registered to attend. We encourage Club leaders (and others who are interested) to register for this session.
In order to increase our ability to plan strategically for our membership the District leadership Team decided to develop a survey. The purpose of the survey was to provide information concerning the requirements or needs of our members and how our organization could adapt. The survey was available for completion for approximately two weeks in early April. We are extremely pleased with the response rate and the comments submitted in the survey. This will provide excellent information for consideration during our planning sessions.
Be sure to attend our District conference in Shediac! One of the presentations will be the results of the survey!
THANK YOU ALL for taking the time to complete the survey, the District is committed to using the data in our future planning!
The winner of the conference registration is Susan Lockhart from the Florenceville Club. Congratulations Susan.
Mark your calendars for May 16, 2026 as clubs across the district participate in the growing Epic Day of Service (https://www.epicdayofservice.org/) — a powerful movement uniting Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact in visible, hands-on community impact.
This year, North Atlantic is amplifying the momentum by building toward a month-long showcase of service throughout May 2026, culminating in one unified day of action over the Victoria Day long weekend.
From environmental cleanups to food security initiatives and community gardens, every registered project contributes to a larger demonstration of Rotary in Action.
👉 Read more to learn how your club can participate and register your project.
North Atlantic Rotary's Programs for Young Leaders continue to create life-changing opportunities for youth across Atlantic Canada. From Youth Exchange orientations at Mount Allison University to sold-out RYLA leadership events in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, students are gaining leadership skills, cultural understanding, and lifelong connections through Rotary-supported programs.
This month’s highlights also include growing participation in Interact, preparations for the 2026 District Conference in Shediac, and expanded opportunities through the HIP Youth-to-Youth Truth and Reconciliation Experience taking place in Alberta in 2027. Rotary leaders across the district are calling for more volunteers and community involvement to help ensure these programs continue to reach youth from all backgrounds and communities.
By investing in leadership, service, reconciliation, and international understanding, Rotary is empowering the next generation to become confident leaders and active changemakers in their schools and communities.
INTERACT STUDENTS IN NOVA SCOTIA ARE REBUILDING HOPE
After the Long Lake Wildfire in West Dalhousie destroyed homes and changed lives forever, families were left with nothing but uncertainty. Instead of looking away, students from Lawrencetown Education Centre Interact Club chose to step up. Through the “Rebuilding Hope” project, these students are building tiny homes for wildfire victims, helping families move out of temporary shelters and back into safe, permanent spaces they can call home. Every donation directly funds materials like lumber, insulation, and windows — the essentials needed to rebuild lives.
This is more than a school project; it’s real students creating real change for their community when it matters most.
Swarna Naojee is a coastal scientist and environmental facilitator dedicated to fostering coastal stewardship and climate resilience within communities.
She completed her Master’s in Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick, where she used remote sensing to study vegetation change in the salt marshes of the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick.
Passionate about bridging research and community action, Swarna designs hands-on stewardship initiatives that make complex environmental science accessible to all. She specializes in coastal wetland ecology, environmental education, and bilingual English/French science communication, helping communities, including youth, connect more deeply with the landscapes that protect them.
Exciting News! A Peace Forum will be offered for the first time at our annual District Conference : United For Good Times.
Come join us on Friday, May 29 from 3:00-4:30 PM at the Shediac Multi-Purpose Centre.
Facilitators Anne-Marie Collette, Peace Ambassador, and Susan Hartley, Peace Fellow, will lead us through an engaging and thought provoking session. The Peace Forum will provide an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and deepen our shared commitment to peacebuilding. Join the Forum at this most important time for understanding and promoting peacebuilding within ourselves, our clubs, our communities and globally.
Did you know ... Rotary has over a 100 years of being peace builders? ... Rotary had a role in the creation of the United Nations? ... Rotary has 8 Peace Centres around the world?
Register on the District Conference registration site: shediac2026.ca
Let us know if you prefer to participate in French or English.
Following the Forum is the Peace Pole Installation Ceremony near the giant lobster on Main Street.
Article #11: Building Effective Committees (Without Burning People Out)
Committees are where Rotary work happens—but poorly structured ones can drain energy and enthusiasm.
At RLI, we explore how to build committees that are clear, purposeful, and energizing.
Tips for better committees: ✅ Give each committee a clear mandate and timeline. ✅ Appoint chairs who are good facilitators, not just doers. ✅ Keep meetings short, focused, and action-oriented. ✅ Invite fresh voices and rotate roles.
When people feel like their time is respected and their contributions matter, they stay involved. And when committees run well, your whole club runs better.
Want more ideas like this? RLI offers 3 levels of interactive leadership development across Atlantic Canada.
Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai to speak at the Rotary Convention 2026 in Taipei
Malala Yousafzai began her activism at age 11 when she anonymously blogged about life under the Taliban in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, particularly the ban on girls’ education. Over the next few years, she advocated publicly, giving speeches and interviews and attracting media attention and awards.
At age 15, she was shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out. After months of surgery and rehabilitation in the United Kingdom, she founded Malala Fund to continue her campaign to see all girls in school. A year later, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work for education and equality. Yousafzai graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in 2020.
She is the best-selling author of three books and an investor in women's sports.
Don’t miss Malala Yousafzai at the Rotary International Convention, which will take place 13-17 June in Taipei, Taiwan. Learn more about how to register.
(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.
The Club Qualification and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process is simple, and Ron Wilson is available to answer any questions: 
Thank you to those Rotarians that have already registered for North Atlantic Rotary's MEMBERSHIP ROUNDTABLE!
INTERACT STUDENTS IN NOVA SCOTIA ARE REBUILDING HOPE 
JUST UNDER 3 WEEKS LEFT UNTIL WE UNITE FOR GOOD TIMES!
May 29–31, 2026
Shediac, NB
Register today: 
Swarna Naojee is a coastal scientist and environmental facilitator dedicated to fostering coastal stewardship and climate resilience within communities.
Exciting News! A Peace Forum will be offered for the first time at our annual District Conference : United For Good Times. 
Malala Yousafzai began her activism at age 11 when she anonymously blogged about life under the Taliban in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, particularly the ban on girls’ education. Over the next few years, she advocated publicly, giving speeches and interviews and attracting media attention and awards.
