September 27, 2020
 
 
With so much attention paid to COVID since March this year, this exciting announcement made on June 25, 2020 has received little recognition, but it's a big deal. Huge, in fact.
 
"The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus:  supporting the environment."  
 
Supporting the environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins:
  • Peacebuilding and conflict prevention;
  • Disease prevention and treatment;
  • Water, sanitation, and hygiene;
  • Maternal and child health;
  • Basic education and literacy; and
  • Community economic development.
Global grant applications for projects will be accepted beginning on 1 July 2021. 
 
This decision follows many years of lobbying and projects by Rotarians who understand that the whole world is their backyard. They can see the effects of climate change in communities they care about.
 
Past RI President Ian Risely (2017-2018) said, "We have to look at the world as a whole and how we can make it a better place. Caring about the environment goes toward our ultimate mission, and we should give it the importance it deserves."
 
The Rotary Club of Guelph has long had an active Environment Committee to develop and deliver projects to enhance the quality of the local environment and quality of life in Guelph. Its current major project is a 13-year commitment to replant 100 acres near Guelph Lake, known as The Rotary Forest, with completion planned for 2021.