RoTell - June 29, 2022

As we are almost on the eve of inaugurating our first ever woman RI president, Jennifer Jones, I'd like to take a moment to reflect and celebrate women leaders in Rotary.

Currently, women make up 23 percent of our overall membership, and represent, on an average, 20 percent of leadership positions.

While we have made significant strides since the late 80s, we as a collective still need to work hard to ensure that women are encouraged to join, encouraged to lead, and trained as equals in leadership positions within our extraordinary organization.

I cannot tell you how momentous the next few days are for me to finally see a female leader as RI president and see myself reflected in her. Members thrive when they see themselves reflected in leaders.

On June 22nd the Government of Canada announced regulations prohibiting several single-use plastic items: single-use plastic checkout bags, plastic cutlery, straws, takeout foodservice wares, aluminum can ring carriers, and stir sticks.

Anyone who has walked in our parks or along the shores of our rivers and oceans, or participated in one of our clean up events has seen plenty of this plastic trash littering our environment and endangering the health of wildlife and ecosystems.

These are also some of the items that people might bring to a picnic in a park, at the beach, or when on a hike or bike ride.

BUT, NOT US at RCOS and our ZERO WASTE PICNIC on August 13th in Prescott on the St. Lawrence River. These single use plastics and other wasteful items will be BANNED!

 

What is a Zero-Waste Picnic?

Reduce our negative impact on the environment while getting close to nature. Being more conscious of our choices and having little or no waste by using reusable items, composting or recycling. Often picnics involve a lot of plastic wrap, baggies, portions in plastic trays, plastic drink bottles or throw away cups and plastic cutlery.

 

What do you bring to a Zero-Waste Picnic?

Bring your own reusable Everything – utensils, cups, bowls and plates – not disposable or single-use

To make your picnic zero waste, use cloth napkins, reusable food containers, and totes or a basket. For drinks, bring your cup or a reusable water bottle Pack food or snacks in reusable dishes or jars or compostable bags

Don’t have cloth napkins? A few hand towels or face cloths. An extra container for bringing home any food scraps to compost is helpful too.

Cutting Boards for sharing items, cutting fruits, veggies, bread, etc.

When you think about what you are bringing or preparing, extend it to the grocery store and try to buy items that are not wrapped in a bunch of plastic packaging!

If you do have some items left over – take back home and compost and recycle!

After participating in this Zero Waste picnic – your way of looking at your future picnics or even shopping for items at the grocery store for use in your home is bound to change!