25 Inducted into YPR CLUB

Tuesday night, at least 50 people joined us online to induct 25 new members to the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Cochrane, Young Professionals!

As Stephen so aptly said, “Turns out that one of the silver linings to this Pandemic is that it is the perfect time to create a passionate response, to help serve our community by having 25 new YPC members to lean in and throw their weight into helping”.

For those of you who weren’t able to join us, Stephen started the evening by recognizing the tremendous response so far from our Rotary members as we have been called on to “look outward, rather than inward, at this world changing event, by determining  how we, as an organization with such tremendous breadth and scope, could make a difference and help.” Never has our theme for this year been more relevant than now: Rotary Opens Opportunities.  To the new Satellite Club, he promised that our club would be there to support and encourage them to achieve great things as they build on the core values of Rotary.  

Next in the evening, twelve year old Rotary Youth Talent Festival Medal and Award of Distinction winner, Summer Hull, also joined us virtually to sing “O Canada”.

Mayor, Jeff Genung welcomed the new members and recognized “what a statement it is, your (Rotary Club of Cochrane) choosing to push on with the meeting tonight, and I think that it sends a tremendous message to the community that you shall not be deterred in your efforts, and as a community we will adapt and overcome”.   He challenged us, to keep up the work that Rotary, and our club, has been known for, and challenged us by saying “Cochrane needs you more than ever!”.  “We are Albertans, we are Cochranites, and we will get through this together”. He closed with a challenge to the Young Professionals to “...make a difference in our community, to help lead us, and help me and council, get through these troubled times, but also build the future”.

On behalf of our Past District Governor (Dan), District Governor Elect (Mary), District Governor (Christine), and Assistant District Governor for the Bow Valley (Karen),  Martin Parnell welcomed and thanked the Rotary Club of Cochrane and the Young Professionals Satellite Club for the leadership shown and the willingness to step up to these new challenges. “This is a game-changer for our club” Parnell said, “but also a game changer for the District, and potentially for Rotary around the world... and I looking forward to seeing what this group will do locally and beyond the borders”.

Ryan Baum, present Chair of the Satellite Young Professionals Club, thanked Stephen for all his work putting this together and for his tremendous support to this new group. He thanked Martin for his words, and thanked all the governors for being there and for what they do to support Rotary. He continued by thanking Mayor Genung for the challenge of positivity, and to everyone who participated in tonight’s ceremony, a big thank you. He also offered a heart-felt thanks to the present Rotary members for paving the way in Cochrane, and our community, and for making this a better place. He then introduced three new members who spoke on behalf of all the new members: Sheldon, Kaila and Carli. From their words, they admire the present Rotary and what they have and are doing. They are excited and ready to roll up their sleeves for the challenge and responsibilities ahead!

We all then unmuted our mics and repeated our commitments to each other: the new members to state their commitment to Rotary and its values, and then to recite the 4 way test.  Then the present club member were asked to state their pledge of support for these new members, embrace their unique approach to service, and welcome this Satellite Club.

Alex closed the evening with the question of Why Rotary? He spoke of the long history of Professional Networking and the impact of these leaders. He reminded us of the Service Opportunities throughout the history of Rotary, personal growth and change opportunities, and the gift of fellowship.

He encouraged the group to be patient, and take a year to explore how their “passions and skills can have an impact on our community and this world”.

He then shared our thanks to Stephen for steer-heading this Satellite club and this evening. He thanked community members and all of the District governors for their support and attendance.

“The world needs what Rotary is more than ever.” Concluded Simms. “Because we have just added 25 new members, Rotary has recognized its need to continually be different. So it is with that difference we embrace what the Young Professionals will bring”.

“Open your ears because when you do, it will open your perspective and now is the time to master empathetic listening... reach out to others... it will be life changing!”

What a great, encouraging evening! Thank you to everyone!

~ Cyndie B.