During the Rotary International District 53360 district conference in Cochrane, May 14, we will highlight ways that we can support the environment.
Martin Parnell, District Governor says they are getting strong responses to their first in-person conference after three years. He is happy that Cochrane is the host.
He loves the environment as the theme.
He says, “In Rotary it’s our seventh area of focus.” “We thought, let’s take it as a theme and let’s see what can we do with it,” he said.
They have attracted national and international speakers to discuss a range environmental issues, including waterto airto grasslands sustainability, and reducing our carbon footprint.
Using a format similar TEDx Talks, 10 guests will give a 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A.
“Tents of Friendship” outside the Alliance Church will be established with information about a variety of initiatives.
ShelterBox Canada will shelter five of them in tents. ShelterBox Canada provides emergency shelter to families who have been displaced by conflict or natural disasters. The organization is currently providing emergency shelter to Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
ShelterBox is the charity to choose for the conference.
“We believe it’s an excellent opportunity to highlight one charity we can support during this conference. ShelterBox was a natural choice due to their work in the aftermath of environmental disasters, as well as helping people like Ukraine. It is very dear to us. They are a Rotary partner, and they are also worldwide, so we are very happy to have their charity of choice.
Stephanie Christensen is ShelterBox Canada’s executive director. She’ll talk about how disasters change and how the new challenges that we face (global Pandemics, overcrowding and food scarcity) are affecting the way the humanitarian system provides immediate relief.
Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy has established Zero Heroes, a sustainability club that aims at reducing, mitigating and minimizing their environmental impact. They will be presenting on CO2 EASY which is a sustainable event planning tool that educates attendees about the greenhouse gases they produce by attending events and how to offset them.
Cochranite Jadejanzen, 16, who founded Lives with Less Plastics back in 2018, is one of the young speakers. She will discuss simple steps that can be taken to reduce our environmental footprint and consumption.
Daryl Kootenay, an artist, singer, speaker and youth leader from Stoney Nakoda Nation is also from Cochrane. Stephen Simms from ASMS Performance Consulting Ltd.
MacKay’s Ice Cream closes the Historic Downtown with an ice cream social.
Parnell says, “A large part of Rotary is about building relationships, getting to understand people, and having fun.” “The end is not about having ice cream. It’s about meeting people, having a conversation, and sharing your favorite flavour. That’s going to be a great end to the day.
The one-day conference at the Cochrane Alliance Church can accommodate up to 400 people. The conference is open to all interested persons, not just Rotarians. The registration deadline is Friday May 6.
No matter if you’re a Rotarian or not, registration costs $100. It’s $20 for youth.
The Rotarian movement is growing in Cochrane. It was 30 years ago that the first club was chartered. The club’s work in the community, the district, and around the world is highly respected. Its satellite, Young Professionals, will soon be chartered as Rotary Club of Cochrane Rocky Mountain. It also has youth club based at Glenbow Elementary School and Cochrane High.
District 5360 encompasses 75 clubs in central Alberta and southern Alberta, as well Kindersley, SK. This includes Rotary, Rotaract Interact, EarlyAct, and Rotaract clubs.
All details can be found on the convention Here.
