Latest News | June 2020

Rotary has been around since 1905, when a small group of men came together with the intention of sharing ideas and different perspectives that would lead to lifelong friendships. Long term friendships were only a small aspect of what has emerged from Rotarian efforts. From all around the world the deep impact of Rotary can be observed. 

Rotary is a household name, and some might even suggest that Rotarians are the original volunteers. Rotary has never been a group to settle for less. The issues they are tackling are robust in scope to say the least. They work towards solving complex problems such as providing clean water, supporting education, and eliminating gender inequality. Working towards the eradication of polio is one of Rotary’s greatest success stories, as they can say that their efforts over the last 30 years have led to 99.9% eradication of the deadly disease. 

Rotary continues to adapt and change to best support our modern, ever shifting, technology driven world. Their priorities have shifted over time and they care deeply about diversity, equality, and inclusion. Rotary knows that to serve their communities best, they must have equal representation of all people among their members and this is something they will continue to strive towards. 

Another way Rotary is continuing to grow and adapt is with technology. In order to provide the best support to their communities and members, Districts 5360 and 5370 are partnering with the VolunteerConnector. To say Rotarians are passionate about volunteerism would be an understatement. These Districts consist of thousands of individuals that are keen to support their communities and they recognize that using the VolunteerConnector is the most efficient way to make these essential connections. 

We are so proud to be partnering with Rotary Districts 5360 and 5370 to connect their members to communities across Western Canada. We know that connecting a Rotarian to a community organization will lead to a lifelong bond, and deep impact for both the organization and the Rotarian. 

Welcome to the VolunteerConnector, Rotarians!  

We strive for for an anti-racist approach to volunteering. What does this mean? We examine our practice and our platform and work to reduce systemic barriers and practices that keep people from engagement getting involved. Our staff are committed to continuing our learning journey and making improvements to our platform support anti-racist practice. Our view on volunteering is broad. We are here for volunteering in all of its forms including activism, and protesting. 

Black Lives Matter

• Toronto https://blacklivesmatter.ca/
• Edmonton https://www.facebook.com/BLMyeg/
• Calgary - https://www.facebook.com/groups/641016212741554
• Vancouver - https://blacklivesmattervancouver.com/

Are you looking to organize a protest, get people engaged in a letter-writing campaign or awareness? Get started here and check out this list of resources.

Canadian Organizations to engage with support that are doing Anti-Racist work:

CommunityWise – Anti-Racism Organizational Change (AROC) - http://communitywise.net/aroc/

ActionDignity - https://actiondignity.org/programs/indie-albertanonprofits/

Centre for Race and Culture Edmonton - https://cfrac.com/training/anti-racism-workshop-series/

Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan - http://mcos.ca/anti-racism-101/

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants - https://ocasi.org/

Books to Read:

• Why I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race – Reni Eddo Lodge
• How To Be An Anti-Racist, Ibram X. Kendi
• Me And White Supremacy – Layla Saad
• White Fragility – Robin DiAngelo
• The Skin We’re In – Desmond Cole
• Highway of Tears – Jessica McDiarmid
• They Call Me George – Cecil Foster
• AfricVille – Jeffrey Colvin
• Frying Plantain – Zalika Reid-Benta
• The Nickel Boys – Colson Whitehead

More … https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/204842963/1357692923

Films to Watch:

• Seven Seconds
• 13th
• Fruitvale Station
• When They See Us
• Teach Us All
• LA 92
• Get Out
• Selma

Podcasts:

• Floodlines
• 1619
• Intersectionality Matters!
• Throughlines

Other:

• TEDX Tuning Into Your Inner Resilience
• TEDX Fat and Black with the Audacity to be a Badass
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action - http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

Templates:

Holding Your Employer Accountable - https://www.patreon.com/posts/37737054

The Anti-harassment Policy - https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/eng/content/template-developing-anti-harassment-policy

 Questions? Comments? Email us at info@propellus.org

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi sends along his appreciation to all the volunteers supporting the community right now.

Minister Leela Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, sends greetings to our first ever virtual AGM, spotlighting our collaboration between the Government of Alberta and the VolunteerConnector.