Posted by Dave Kowlessar on Jul 12, 2024
It gives me great pleasure to serve you in this magical Rotary year as President. Since my election in December 2023, I have been thinking, learning, and planning the best way to work with you wonderful members to make this Rotary year truly magical.

 

When our District Governor and fellow member, Jillian Gibson, launched the ONE MAGICAL PROJECT, I was thrilled because it provided a fantastic opportunity to harness the excitement that had been building. I am excited to share more about our One Magical Project (OMRoP) that aims to transform the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbour into a One Million Club, giving us the power to BELIEVE and use our MAGIC to “do it.”

What is a One Million Club?

To be a One Million Club is not about raising or spending one million dollars (although that would be great, too). It is about the value we give back to the community. For example, the hours and hours of volunteer time members give to their community have value that can add towards one million dollars. Our goal is to add one million dollars (or more) worth of value into our community through not only our donations but through our actions and time.

Our Plan to Achieve One Million Value

To meet our goal of becoming a One Million Club, we will focus on the following actions:

  • Revisiting Our Fundamentals:
  • Emphasizing the Four-Way Test:
    • Is it the TRUTH?
    • Is it FAIR to all concerned?
    • Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
    • Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
 

Catering to Diverse Members:

  • Ensuring that our growing club of 78 members enjoys fun and friendship together, like the Rotary family we are.

 

Engaging with Community Partners:

  • Strengthening our connections and commitments to community partnerships.

 

Committing to Being “Irie”:

  • Embracing the Jamaican slang for being alright, creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere.

 

Implementing Our Strategic Plan:

  • Putting our 3-year strategic plan into action, reaching a wide range of people, engaging as many members as possible, and adapting the club to facilitate this.

 

New Projects to Reach Our Goal

  1. Launch of One Magical Project (OMRoP) on July 12, 2024:

    • Expanding the club’s impact as a One Million Club.
  2. Global Grant to Address Open Defecation in Pungu-Bawiu:

    • Implementing a micro flush facility solution (circa $100k).
  3. Camp Tidnish Project:

    • Presenting this project to the District for support.
  4. Signature Event at Westin:

    • Club members to provide options such as wine pairing and poor man’s dinner.
  5. Launch of Ribfest 2025 in September 2024:

    • Emphasizing it as a fundraiser for the community.
  6. Legacy Fundraising Drive:

    • Building principal holdings with the RCHH Trust to enhance our financial foundation.
 

The Power of Attraction

Our members have already reached many people through individual and collective actions. We will leverage the multiplier effect of these actions to build on the power of attraction. “Being irresistible means the experience is so compelling, so fun, so dynamic that people are drawn to it and don’t want to leave” (Rotary magazine, July 2024).

Our RI President’s closing remarks resonate deeply: “I love my Rotary family, and I know you do too. That’s why I know that together, we can make every club and District simply irresistible. This year, let us change the world by embracing ‘The Magic of Rotary’.”

We are not simply one in a million — we are a million in one. One Rotary Club of Halifax Harbour.