Wow what a fabulous month this has been! Claire and I have now visited 15 clubs from Mackenzie to Pemberton and from the Sunshine Coast to the Cariboo. We trekked to Tweedsmuir Park with the Burns Lake Rotarians and met up with the Inbound Exchange students; toured a pulp and paper and a sawmill with Prince George members and visited Rotary projects in many BC communities. We thank you all for your hospitality and for your dedication to Rotary service.
During my club visits, I have had the privilege of inducting several new members and bestowing Paul Harris Fellowship recognition on deserving Rotarians. I congratulate those who have been chosen by their clubs as true representatives of our theme Be a Gift to the World. 17 clubs have already increased their membership since July 1 (Can anyone top Quesnel with four new members?) We are just shy of 100% sign on to Rotary Club Central. (If you have yet to sign on you and we know who you are!) Our clubs have set Foundation goals that will boost the good we can do in the world and with the support of the Federal Government and the Gates Foundation our donations towards eradicating polio are five times more effective. For the eighth straight time, The Rotary Foundation has earned a 4 star rating by Charity Navigator; thereby placing us in the top 2% of U.S. based charities. All this positive activity makes one proud to be a Rotarian and especially fortunate to be part of Rotary District 5040. We are making a difference!!
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month in the Rotary Calendar. Three tangible things clubs can do re literacy are: 1. Connect with your local literacy organization. 2. Collect gently used children and youth books and distribute them to community groups such as women’s shelters, group homes, boys and girls clubs; or set up ‘free libraries’ in the mall or the community centre. 3. Remember literacy is more than just books. Rotarians can volunteer as tutors or readers to children and adults. For more ideas on how your club can become involved in literacy, contact our District Literacy Chair Rebecca Beuschel of the Rotary Club of Quesnel: email Rebecca@goldcity.net
We have now opened registration for the Rotary Day of Dialogue at the Wosk Centre on November 21st. Check out the program and the details on the District website or contact Co-Chair, Chris Offer at ChrisOffer@live.ca The Rotary Day of Dialogue is a unique opportunity for Rotarians in District 5040 to come together and share ideas on how to grow membership, increase service and expand their knowledge of Rotary. The Rotary Day of Dialogue is a first for Rotary and a highlight of this year in our district. It has received a great deal of interest from Rotary International, Zone 24,The Rotary Foundation and leaders in neighboring districts. Make sure your club is well represented and your voice is heard as we plan to move our district forward in the years ahead.
While the number of Youth Exchange Students is down this year, there is no drop in quality. The eleven students have settled in with their first host families and started school and community activities with great enthusiasm. Rotary International requires that all Club Presidents, Youth Exchange Officers and Counselors as well as all adults in the host family home have completed a current criminal records check (crc). The District is piloting a new on line system that should simplify and streamline the process for all members. Meanwhile, all original crcs must be sent to the District Youth Certification Officer, Ron Davis of the Rotary Club of Prince George, Yellowhead: email ron.davis2@shaw.ca . Clubs should now be looking for suitable Outbound Student candidates for next year.
Have you visited the Conference website recently? Information on the Friday and Saturday night social activities and the keynote speakers is almost complete and there are some great videos. Clubs are encouraged to send in their ideas for a poster session especially if you have a local or international project to share. You can find details of what is required and how to apply at celebraterotary.ca .125 people have registered to date in order to take advantage of the Early Bird Rates. Great deals on hotel rooms are still available but close to 80 % of the room block has been booked. So I encourage you to plan ahead.
As we move into fall activities, our Clubs resume their regular programs. Octoberfest and Foundation Dinners occupy club members and many of you participate in the Terry Fox Run in your community. Claire and I look forward to meeting Rotarians in The North West, Lower Mainland and Powell River next month. We are heading out to Providence Rhode Island for the Zone Conference and will be there to support Lyn and Alex Stroshin as they continue their District Governor training in preparation for even bigger and better things next year.
Remember to take care of one another and Be a Gift to the World
Cheers,
John
John l. Anderson
District Governor 2015-16
Rotary District 5040
Membership Matters
Why do people join Rotary and what can we learn from those that do join that might help us get more members? Well….lets try using the “Three Magic Questions”.
Why did you join Rotar
What excites you about Rotary?
How did Rotary find you?
Send your answers to Tom Smith, tom@tascosales.ca, from your new members, and he will publish all the answers every month. Together we will learn.
The Rotary Day of Dialogue is a unique opportunity for Rotarians in District 5040 to come together and share ideas on how to grow membership, increase service and expand knowledge of Rotary.
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2015 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location: Wosk Center for Dialogue, 580 West Hastings, Vancouver Cost: $95.00 per person, coffee, lunch all materials - Click here to register.
We are now seeking nominations for the role of District Governor for the Rotary year 2018-2019. Information about this process as well as a nomination form can be found in the Documents Download section of the Member Area. Nominations close November 1st, 2015. More info
Foundation Dinner Postponed
(Posted by John Anderson on Sep 20, 2015)
Unfortunately we must postpone the Foundation Dinner which was going to happen in November 2015. We do not have a new date yet but will let you know as soon as we do.
This year we are beginning our distribution of new coats to Burnaby Schools on October 19th. If you would like to help pick up coats, sort coats or deliver coats to children in need please click here for more information and let us know! Kids in Burnaby will thank you and so do we! More info
Wow what a fabulous month this has been! Claire and I have now visited 15 clubs from Mackenzie to Pemberton and from the Sunshine Coast to the Cariboo. We trekked to Tweedsmuir Park with the Burns Lake Rotarians and met up with the Inbound Exchange students; toured a pulp and paper and a sawmill with Prince George members and visited Rotary projects in many BC communities. We thank you all for your hospitality and for your dedication to Rotary service.
During my club visits, I have had the privilege of inducting several new members and bestowing Paul Harris Fellowship recognition on deserving Rotarians. I congratulate those who have been chosen by their clubs as true representatives of our theme Be a Gift to the World. 17 clubs have already increased their membership since July 1 (Can anyone top Quesnel with four new members?) We are just shy of 100% sign on to Rotary Club Central. (If you have yet to sign on you and we know who you are!) Our clubs have set Foundation goals that will boost the good 
we can do in the world and with the support of the Federal Government and the Gates Foundation our donations towards eradicating polio are five times more effective. For the eighth straight time, The Rotary Foundation has earned a 4 star rating by Charity Navigator; thereby placing us in the top 2% of U.S. based charities. All this positive activity makes one proud to be a Rotarian and especially fortunate to be part of Rotary District 5040. We are making a difference!!
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month in the Rotary Calendar. Three tangible things clubs can do re literacy are: 1. Connect with your local literacy organization. 2. Collect gently used children and youth books and distribute them to community groups such as women’s shelters, group homes, boys and girls clubs; or set up ‘free libraries’ in the mall or the community centre. 3. Remember literacy is more than just books. Rotarians can volunteer as tutors or readers to children and adults. For more ideas on how your club can become involved in literacy, contact our District Literacy Chair Rebecca Beuschel of the Rotary Club of Quesnel: email 
We have now opened registration for the 
While the number of Youth Exchange Students is down this year, there is no drop in quality. The eleven students have settled in with their first host families and started school and community activities with great enthusiasm. Rotary International requires that all Club Presidents, Youth Exchange Officers and Counselors as well as all adults in the host family home have completed a current criminal records check (crc). The District is piloting a new on line system that should simplify and streamline the process for all members. Meanwhile, all original crcs must be sent to the District Youth Certification Officer, Ron Davis of the Rotary Club of Prince George, Yellowhead: email 
As we move into fall activities, our Clubs resume their regular programs. Octoberfest and Foundation Dinners occupy club members and many of you participate in the Terry Fox Run in your community. Claire and I look forward to meeting Rotarians in The North West, Lower Mainland and Powell River next month. We are heading out to Providence Rhode Island for the Zone Conference and will be there to support Lyn and Alex Stroshin as they continue their District Governor training in preparation for even bigger and better things next year.
Why do people join Rotary and what can we learn from those that do join that might help us get more members? Well….lets try using the “Three Magic Questions”.
