Rotary International has undertaken a new initiative – Alumni Relations. Laura Higgs has been appointed RI’s Alumni Relations Coordinator. The expectation is that every district will appoint a District Alumni Chair and that every Club will appoint their own Alumni Chair.  
 
DISTRICT 5550 ALUMNI COMMITTEE
 
District 5550’s Alumni committee currently consists of Elaine Thompson (Chair, from RC Winnipeg-Charleswood) and members PDG (Past District Governor) Peter Sen (RC Saskatoon North) and Avril Jones (RC Regina Oskaya).
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RECENT RI ACTIVITIES
 
In October, 2015 the RI Alumni Relations Coordinator has organized
 
-Rotary Connect week for October 1-8th
-A Facebook Rotary Connect online Question and Answer chat for October 2nd (220 people from around the world participated in this Q&A chat. There were 80 comments – some or all of which can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/rotaryreconnect/photos/a.356710691050365.88550.105912799463490/903036386417790/?type=3&theater )
-A Webinar for Rotary Global Grant holders, past and present, to be held October 22nd – Registration form is here: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FGGSWebinar&h=GAQE8MiNq
 
SO WHO ARE THE ROTARY ALUMNI?
 
Most alumni have applied and gone through some type of Rotary program.  Examples include:
  • Rotary Youth Exchange
  • Rotaract members
  • Interact members
  • RYLA participants
  • MUNA participants
  • Recipients of Rotary Awards:
  • Rotary High School scholarships
  • Peace Scholarships
  • Rotary Scholarships funded by Global Grants
  • Ambassadorial scholarships
  • Grants for University Teachers
  • Participants of Group Study Exchanges (GSE) and Vocational Training Teams (VTT)
  • Participants of the D5550 “Adventures In …..” programs
            - Adventures in Technology (Saskatoon)
            - Adventures in Human Rights (Winnipeg)
            - Adventures in Aviation (new program in Moose Jaw)
            - Adventures in Citizenship (Ottawa)
            - Adventures in Agriculture (Regina)
            - Adventures in Global Citizenship – now “Emerging Issues in Human Rights” (Winnipeg)
  • Rotary Volunteers
  • DG Ken has even included people in the community that were assisted by Rotary in a time of need
 
WHY BECOME PART OF THE ROTARY COMMUNITY?
 
The following information comes from the RI website: https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/exchange-ideas/club-connections/alumni
 

Connect with leaders from all continents, cultures, and occupations

·         Join an alumni association. Can't find one near you? Form your own.
·         Contact your local Rotary club to visit or join a service project.
·         Are you ready to join a club? Learn more about joining.
·         Join Rotaract if you are between the ages of 18 and 30.
·         Apply for a Rotary Peace Fellowship.
·         Be a Rotary advocate and wear your Rotary alumni pin.

Expand your network and worldview

·         Engage in one of our discussion groups.
·         Subscribe to Reconnect, our alumni newsletter.
·         Join us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
·         Attend the Rotary International Convention. Take advantage of the special alumni registration rate.
·         Share your story with the Rotary community.

Create lasting change in communities around the world

·         Take advantage of scholarships to develop your skills.
·         Lead or participate in a vocational training team and share your professional skills.
·         Give to support Rotary’s work around the world.
 
There's lots of information here when you include the info in all the links, but I hope that you will take the time to explore those links of interest to you and become involved in your club's initiatives to contact Alumni that you have kept in touch with over the years to make them aware of this new initiative from Rotary International.
 
I am looking forward to the excitement that including Rotary Alumni in our club and District activities will generate - whether or not they choose to become Rotarians in the future!