Latest news with #RotaryClubs
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Sharing ideas, sharing wins': Final preparations for the 2025 Rotary International Convention underway
Co-chairs of the 2025 Rotary International Convention, Craig Stokke and Mark Starratt talk with Sydney Boll about final preparations for the five-day event beginning June 21. The 2025 Rotary International Convention kicks off June 21 and will see more than 15,000 Rotarians from 120 countries converge on Calgary for five days. Local Rotary clubs won the right to host the annual event ten years ago. 'It's been a long journey for sure,' said Craig Stokke, convention co-chair. 'You know going from sort of the planting the seed and thinking about what may be and how the city got behind it and the communities got behind Rotarians, everybody's really excited.' Stokke says it's a chance to show off Calgary to international visitors but also raise awareness locally with people in the city and surrounding area who are not familiar with Rotary. 'There's a lot of charities out there that may not know what we do,' he said. 'And there's a lot of people I think that want to give back to the community but they don't know how to do it and they don't really have an avenue so just getting that exposure about Rotary and what we do in the community, I think is really important.' Mark Starratt, convention co-chair, says the annual event is designed for participants to share ideas and talk about projects they have in the works. But at it's core it's a gathering of people with like mind who want to make a difference. 'It's about sharing projects, sharing ideas, sharing wins and how we've impacted the communities around the world,' he said. 'But at the end of the day it's about just helping our communities be better.' Starratt says Rotary has been in part of Calgary and area's community for over 100 years and it's an organization that's working along side many other great organizations to build community and to add to everyday life here. 'From seniors to youth to new immigrant populations, just the sky's the limit in terms of the rich service that we've done,' he said. 'And the convention coming to Calgary allows us to show this on an international stage.' Stokke says close to 1,500 people have signed up to volunteer for the five days of the convention. He talked to other organizers around the world who recommended that Calgary have at least 400 volunteers to help it run smoothly. 'That's not Calgary, that's not what we do,' he said. 'We want to make sure that from the time somebody gets off the plane until the time that they leave, they know they're in Calgary, they know that they're taken care of.' In the final weeks before the convention begins, Stokke says all the 'heavy lifting' has been done. 'It's the little things now that matter and making sure that we cross the T's and dot the I's and we know that we're going to put on an amazing event,' he said. Learn more about the event here.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Rotary Club sponsors 19 gas-based crematoriums in state; Vizianagaram unit inaugurated
Rotary Club District Governor (3020) M. Venkateswara Rao announced at the Club Assembly held in Vizianagaram on Tuesday that the Club has sponsored 19 gas-based crematoriums in various districts, including the newly inaugurated one at Vizianagaram. Attending the event as the chief guest, he asked all the 82 Rotary Clubs in his jurisdiction to take up environment-friendly initiatives such as setting up gas-based crematoriums in their respective places to reduce deforestation caused by the traditional use of firewood for the last rites. Mr. Rao praised Vizianagaram club President G. Vindo Kumar and B. Naga Prakash for taking up activities, such as setting up water plants, organising plantation drives, and distributing tricycles to physically challenged individuals. The Assistant Governor D. Uma Balaji and Club-Services wing Director B. Radhika Rani presented an overview of the service activities undertaken during the Assembly. Several past presidents and members took part in the meeting.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Last call for entries into Tioga County's ‘I Voted' Sticker Contest
TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Time is running out for young Tioga County residents to submit their entries for the 'I Voted' Sticker Contest. The Tioga County Board of Elections is reminding young artists that the deadline to submit their applications to the contest is May 30. Any young person between the ages of 5 and 18 who resides in Tioga County can participate. Participants are asked to create a unique image or logo for a two-inch sticker that will be distributed at the general election in November, as well as at subsequent elections. Entries must contain the phrase 'I Voted' somewhere in the design. The Tioga County Election Commissioners will select the top three designs from each of the three age groups: 5-9, 10-13, and 14-18. The finalists will be presented to the Tioga County Legislature, which will determine the winners. One winner from each age group will be selected. Winners will be awarded at the Regular Legislative Meeting on July 15. The custom stickers will be handed out to Tioga County voters beginning with the November 4 general election. 'This is a great chance for our kids and teens to share some of their amazing creativity with their community, and also to engage with our electoral process,' said James Wahls, Tioga County Election Commissioner. Entries are due no later than May 30 along with the participant's Entry Form. For participation rules and to obtain an Entry Form, visit the Board of Elections department page at Local 2025-2026 school budget & election results Last call for entries into Tioga County's 'I Voted' Sticker Contest NY lawmakers push AI safety bills Elementary students join Mayor Kraham for first carousel ride of the season Local Rotary Clubs prepare for Band Organ Rally and Carousel Festival Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elementary students join Mayor Kraham for first carousel ride of the season
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – In a classic sign that summer is coming, the Rec Park merry-go-round took its official first spin Tuesday morning. In keeping with tradition, students from nearby Horace Mann Elementary joined the Binghamton Mayor to inaugurate the season. Students waited their turn to ride on the carousel that, several years ago, was refurbished to include some images that pay homage to Binghamton native and Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling. Mayor Jared Kraham hopped on a horse to ride alongside the kids. Fourth grader Everett Rabideau says he prefers the gentle spin of a carousel over the intensity of a roller coaster. 'I think it's cool because we're right there, and every time at recess we get to come to the park. Sometimes, they'll let us go on the carousel if it's open. I think it's cool that we get the first opportunity to go on the carousel,' said Rabideau. Five of our area's six carousels should be back in action this weekend as they traditionally open on Memorial Day Weekend. The Ross Park carousel in Binghamton is still being refurbished. Each municipality sets its own schedule, which can often be found online. NY lawmakers push AI safety bills Elementary students join Mayor Kraham for first carousel ride of the season Local Rotary Clubs prepare for Band Organ Rally and Carousel Festival Binghamton High School recognized for musical excellence BLAST raises awareness for mental health with latest show 'Next to Normal' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local Rotary Clubs prepare for Band Organ Rally and Carousel Festival
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Local Rotary Clubs are joining together to expand an annual celebration of our area's carousels and the music that once accompanied them. This summer, the Rotary Carousel and Band Organ Week will highlight both the historic, free carousels that Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company founder George F Johnson gifted to our community, as well as the Wurlitzer band organs that filled them with music. In recent years, the Endicott and Endwell Rotaries have been acquiring and restoring three organs to replace the ones that originally entertained carousel riders. Last year, a band organ rally accompanied the annual Johnson City Carousel Festival at CFJ Park. This year, the rally will take place at Spiedie Fest, welcoming in ten large band organs from outside our area, 20 smaller crank organs, and a tent with displays about the history of our carousels and George F. 'It's a great example of mechanical genius, these organs. We'll have ours on display. There's many different types and sizes. They were made to accompany carousels. They're loud so that they can be heard over the sound of the carousel,' said Smith. Carousel and Band Organ Week will run for eight days, beginning at the JC Carousel Festival on Saturday July 26. Then the band organ rally takes place during Spiedie Fest from August 1 through the 3. In between, Smith says representatives from various Rotary Clubs will hold events at their local carousels, and some of the portable band organs will travel to different locations as well. NY lawmakers push AI safety bills Elementary students join Mayor Kraham for first carousel ride of the season Local Rotary Clubs prepare for Band Organ Rally and Carousel Festival Binghamton High School recognized for musical excellence BLAST raises awareness for mental health with latest show 'Next to Normal' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
