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Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Rotary Club of Edmonton West, #986, District 5370
Edmonton: A City with Heart and History Nestled along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is more than Alberta’s capital—it’s a city with a story. Originally a fur trading post established by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the late 18th century, Edmonton grew from humble beginnings into a thriving prairie community. Its role as a gateway to the North earned it a reputation as a hub for explorers, traders, and later, resource industries that shaped Western Canada. Today, Edmonton is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, home to over one million people and the heart of a metropolitan region of more than 1.4 million. It’s a place where opportunity meets diversity, attracting newcomers from around the globe who bring their traditions, talents, and dreams. This multicultural spirit is woven into the fabric of daily life—European, Asian, Indigenous, and African communities all contribute to Edmonton’s vibrant identity. What makes Edmonton truly special is its balance of urban sophistication and down-to-earth warmth. The city pulses with creativity, hosting world-class festivals like the Edmonton International Fringe Festival—one of the largest in North America, Taste of Edmonton—a celebration of culinary delights, and Edmonton Heritage Festival—the world’s largest three-day celebration of multiculturalism. Its Arts District, anchored by the Art Gallery of Alberta and the Royal Alberta Museum, reflects a deep commitment to culture and learning. Economically, Edmonton stands strong. Known as the “Gateway to the North,” it remains a centre for energy and resource industries while embracing innovation in technology, health care, and construction. With a future focused on sustainability, infrastructure, and public transit, Edmonton is building a city that’s not only livable but visionary. Above all, Edmontonians are known for their resilience and community spirit. Whether it’s braving long winters or rallying around local causes, this is a city that thrives on connection. It’s a place where innovation meets tradition, where festivals light up the summer nights, and where every newcomer can find a sense of belonging.
Role of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West The Rotary Club of Edmonton West plays an active and dedicated role in advancing this vision. While having fun and building friendships, our members apply their unique skills, talents, and professional expertise to address the challenges facing our community, our city, and the world. We are deeply passionate about supporting Edmonton and contributing to a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Through partnerships with local organizations, we participate in a minimum of two hands-on service projects each month. These volunteer initiatives reflect our commitment to creating the kind of community we want to belong to—one rooted in compassion, cooperation, and mutual respect. Our Rotary Club has proudly sponsored two Peace Poles, which have been installed at Fort Edmonton Park and MacEwan University. These Peace Poles serve as lasting symbols of Rotary’s commitment to peace, understanding, and goodwill among people of all cultures and backgrounds. Bearing the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages, they invite reflection, dialogue, and unity within these important community spaces. At Fort Edmonton Park, the Peace Pole complements the site’s role as a place of learning and shared history, reminding visitors of the importance of harmony as we reflect on the past and look toward the future. At MacEwan University, the Peace Pole stands within an academic environment that values diversity, critical thinking, and global citizenship, reinforcing the message that peace begins with education, respect, and mutual understanding. Together, these installations represent our club’s dedication to promoting peace locally while contributing to a global movement that aligns with Rotary’s core values and its mission to foster lasting positive change in our communities and beyond.
Vision: Our city envisions a future where every person feels safe, valued, and connected; where equity, dialogue, safety, and mutual respect shape our relationships, our institutions, and our environment. Mission: Our mission is to foster a culture of peace by supporting community engagement, fair access to resources, transparent governance, and conflict resolution initiatives. We work collaboratively with residents, institutions, and partners to create lasting conditions for peace through education, dialogue, equitable opportunities, and responsible stewardship of our shared environment. BELIEF STATEMENTS Positive peace embodies the attitudes, structures and institutes that support and sustain a peaceful society. Peace is more than an absence of violence. Rotary International promotes peace through service projects, peace fellowships and scholarships to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, lack of access to education and inequality. Working together on service projects connects people and creates the potential of opportunities to build community, a sense of belonging and peace. Values: 1. Belonging & Opportunity: We value a community where every person feels welcomed, respected, and supported, with equitable access to opportunities regardless of background, identity, or circumstance. 2. Community Connection & Belonging: We strengthen relationships across neighbourhoods by encouraging shared experiences, dialogue, and collaborative action. 3. Dialogue & Collaborative Decision-Making: We value inclusive, respectful conversations that invite diverse voices and perspectives to shape peaceful solutions. 4. Lifelong Learning & Peace Education: We champion access to education and awareness initiatives that cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and shared responsibility for peace. 5. Shared Responsibility for the Common Good: We believe peace is strengthened when residents, communities, and institutions work together to create just, vibrant, and resilient civic spaces.
Strategic Priorities 1. Increase Our Impact: Strengthen Edmonton’s capacity for community resilience, promote equity, and foster long-term peace. Key Actions: Implement peace education Support mental health and crisis intervention initiatives Advance environmental sustainability and neighbourhood safety 2. Expand Our Reach: Grow participation and strengthen partnerships across Edmonton and worldwide. Key Actions: Engage Indigenous, cultural, youth, and newcomer communities Build partnerships with community leagues, schools, nonprofits, and institutions Promote peace initiatives through public awareness and global city of peace networks including creating community spaces for peace dialogue. Host recurring positive peace conversations or circles. Develop online platforms to share stories, resources, and opportunities. Create visible peace installations (Peace Poles, murals, walking tours) that spark engagement. 3. Enhance Participant Engagement: Advocate for citizens to contribute to Edmonton's culture of peace. Key Actions: Create Youth Peace Council Expand learning opportunities Celebrate peace champions 4. Increase Our Ability to Adapt: Contribute to a resilient, flexible, and innovative peace ecosystem.
Key Actions: Establish City of Peace Advisory Council Create cross-organizational working groups Offer community training in conflict resolution, dialogue facilitation, and Positive Peace conversations. Offer small pilot projects with measurable outcomes (e.g., Peace Circles, school-based dialogue programs, newcomer–youth mentorship) Summary: A resilient, flexible, and innovative peace ecosystem is accomplished by building diverse partnerships, strengthening community capacity, fostering inclusive and experimental programs, creating spaces for dialogue, and establishing long-term systems for learning and sustainability.
We are missing a couple of photos which we will send in later.
Ingrid Neitsch, M.Ed. Ingrid is a dynamic educator with over 25 years’ experience in the Edmonton Public School system, with 15 years in high- profile leadership roles including principal of the largest performing arts school in Western Canada. Ingrid holds a Masters of Education degree from the University of Alberta and is committed to her own lifetime learning. A proud member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West since 2006, Ingrid was honored to serve her District as Governor in 2018-2019. During her Governor year, several new clubs were chartered, the Yukon territory was transitioned into D5370 and Ingrid’s peace initiative to reach Global Peacebuilder status was realized. As Chair of the District Peacebuilder Committee, a Peace video was produced to launch a new Positive Peace Club initiative using a peacebuilder lens. Ingrid is passionate about promoting peace education and peace poles in local communities. She is currently serving as a member of the Rotary International Peace Centers Committee, Director on a number of Boards including the Waterton - Glacier International Peace Park Association, Vice President of the Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation Board and as a Positive Peace Activator - North America / Caribbean Cohort. As the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 28, 2022-2025, Ingrid is confident that collaboration with Zone, District and Club leadership teams, enhanced and increased the impact of the The Rotary Foundation’s mission. Ingrid supports the Rotary Foundation as a Major Donor, a multiple Paul Harris fellow, Paul Harris and Bequest Society member, and Benefactor. In addition to Rotary events and projects, Ingrid enjoys time with her family, traveling, hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains of Canmore, attending the symphony and theatre, Argentine tango, reading and mindfulness meditation.
Jeanette Bancarz is a highly respected and trusted partner, known for cultivating relationships, building communities, and proactively ensuring exceptional results. From a young age, she was strongly influenced by Jane Austen’s ‘it isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do”. Jeanette began her Rotary journey in 2008 with the Rotary Club of Edmonton Mayfield. She continued her Rotary journey in Fort McMurray and witnessed the power of Rotary following the Horse River Fire in 2016. She has attended five RI conventions, finding inspiration and forging great friendships along the way. After finishing her Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge, Jeanette began a 26 year banking career with ATB Financial where she attributes much of her leadership growth. With the support of her employer and her amazing husband of 30 years, Marc, she is grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the communities where she lived and worked in many different ways. She currently owns Centennial Flight Centre, a fixed wing flight school located at the Villeneuve Airport near Edmonton and has the classification of Aviation Training. Fun fact: she is a crazy cat lady and enjoys country living.
District 5370 Clubs
We plan to make a donation in the next few months to support this great initiative
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