The Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow is announcing that this year’s Rotary International District 5550 Conference will take place on May 10 – 11 at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company’s Convention Centre with the dual theme of “hope and mental wellness.”
The event is a collaborative effort between Moose Jaw and Assiniboia’s Rotary Clubs, as well as local and international voices who will share their personal accounts of the impact made by the organization.
The conference is supported by Visit Moose Jaw and will unite members from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and northern Ontario for two full days of fellowship and learning. Following the day’s presentations, guests are encouraged to explore the many sights and attractions Moose Jaw has to offer.
“The presentations throughout the conference will be a version of those themes (hope and mental wellness),” explained Glenn Hagel, the Rotary Club’s conference chair.
Hagel described the conference as being intended for people who identify as a Rotarian and believe in the club’s motto, “Service Above Self,” to learn, reflect, and become inspired by the event’s dual theme.
Now, for the first time, the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow is inviting members of the public to attend what has historically been a members-only conference.
The reason for this, Hagel said, is because of the nature of this year’s theme.
“We felt that the kind of topics we’re dealing with are very timely to a lot of people in the times we’re living in right now, (and) we’re happy to make dialogue and (the) presentation of ideas open to others,” he explained.
Moose Jaw was chosen as the venue because Sonja Susut, the club’s district governor – as well as several other Moose Javians – are distinguished members and active supporters of the organization.
A few local projects supported by the club include the Summer Literacy Program, the Hospital Foundation, and the Festival of Words. The club also supports several projects throughout the Wakamow Valley.
“The bottom line is seeing our two Rotary Clubs here in Moose Jaw as partners with each other, and also as partners with people and organizations within the community who have similar values,” Hagel said.
The conference will include updates on the Shelter Box program – which is not a Rotary Club project but is proudly supported by the club – where tents and essential supplies are provided to those in need, and a guest speaker from Guatemala will discuss life in the Central American country and the influence of the Rotary Club’s Ripple Effect Program from their perspective.
“Unfortunately, we’re living in times right now where there are several parts of the world in which (a lack of basic necessities including shelter and clean, running water) is critically true,” Hagel said.
“I think many will find that (presentation) a very, very moving thing.”
Rotary International – of which the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow is a member – is a global network of 1.4 million “neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers” across more than 46,000 international clubs.
For over 110 years, Rotary Club members have utilized “their passion, energy, and intelligence” to act on numerous sustainable projects from literacy and education to providing clean drinking water and sanitation.
As Hagel put it, the conference provides a great opportunity to learn more about the Rotary Club, explore the important topic of hope and mental wellness, and to find ways to work together to benefit everyone in the community.
To register for the conference, visit TinyUrl.com/5550-Conference before Tuesday, May 7.
Non-members are asked to select “Interested People” under the “Category” heading on the affiliated form.
The Exhibition Company’s Convention Centre is located at 250 Thatcher Drive.
To learn more about the Rotary Club, visit RotaryClubOfMooseJawWakamow.org or email Info@RotaryMooseJawWakamow.ca.
