Learn more about this exciting new alliance
Every Tuesday and Friday for the past 4 months during the pandemic, members of the Rotary Club of Squamish have been delivering Food Bank hampers to families in our community.
Hamper deliveries have now ended as the Food Bank transitions to the new Under One Roof facility at 3rd Avenue and Main in downtown Squamish. The Food Bank will operate in "THE MARKET" on the ground floor starting on September 1st.
A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers who signed up and helped out. The Food Bank and Helping Hands are truly grateful.
Catch up on the latest from the District Governors perspective. Throughout the Rotary year DG Dave will publish information about his thoughts, plans and activities on the Month That Was.
Check back each month for the latest and find out what our District Governor has been up to! Dave has already published the first edition. Click below to get your copy:
July 2020
The 2021 Conference Committee is building a list of informative and exciting speakers. Check below for individuals who will widen your horizon and provide more insight into your Rotary family.
Among them so far are Family and ER physician Dr. Paul Dhillon; Métis Canadian Cultural Mediator, Rotary Positive Peace Activator Lorelei Higgins; multi-talented and award-winning actor Neal McDonough; and mediator, architect and entrepreneur Scott R. Martin.
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 the Rotary Foundation and 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.
On June 17th the Rotary Club of New Westminster - Royal City presented a Paul Harris fellowship award to Dr, Bonny Henry BC's provincial health Officer.
As mentioned during the presentation ceremony: When Dr. Henry first spoke the words, Be kind, Be calm, Be safe she showed compassion for what the people of BC would be dealing with in Covid 19. She inspired us with her gentleness and her calm voice of reason reassured us that we were going to get through this together.
Dr. Henry's experience includes an effort as part of the WHO/UNICEF polio eradication program in Pakistan. Definitely inline with Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio from the world. Her work to establish the Canada Pandemic Influenza Plan, which contains recommendations for health-related activities during the spread of a virus has directly and positively impacted the course of this pandemic
Dr Henry was selected to receive this recognition because her work exemplifies the humanitarian objectives of The Rotary Foundation. A very worthy recipient of the Paul Harris fellowship award and Rotary District 5040 thanks the Rotary Club of new Westminster - Royal City club for recognizing Dr. Henry on behalf of all Rotarians.
More information is available on this New Westminster Record article. Click the Read More for a Zoom meeting video of the presentation.
The In Memoriam presentation on the page below -- Read More -- would have been presented at the 2020 Vision Conference for District 5040 at the end of April. It is presented here for information of our District members. Thank you to Past District Governor Gordon Dalgleish and sponsor, Kearney Funeral Services, for this tribute to members and some partners who passed away in the past year of 2019-20.
Three years ago the Rotary Club of Squamish introduced a new community Valentines event to Squamish – Rotary Hearts; a Celebration of Love.
Now these Hearts have a new lease on life. Rotarians have been busy refurbishing them with new messages of hope, encouragement and thanks.
Over 50 hearts have all found new homes along some popular local trails:- Estuary/Swan Trail, Smoke Bluffs, Jack's Trail, Golf Course/Spawning Channels, Ray Peters Trail, and Loggers Creek Nature Trail.
We hope those in Squamish will enjoy your walk or ride and take joy from the messages of inspiration.
Now these Hearts have a new lease on life. Rotarians have been busy refurbishing them with new messages of hope, encouragement and thanks.
Over 50 hearts have all found new homes along some popular local trails:- Estuary/Swan Trail, Smoke Bluffs, Jack's Trail, Golf Course/Spawning Channels, Ray Peters Trail, and Loggers Creek Nature Trail.
We hope those in Squamish will enjoy your walk or ride and take joy from the messages of inspiration.
We are very sad to have to inform you that PDG Mary Watson passed away last week. Mary started her Rotary career as soon as women were allowed to join in 1989, by being welcomed into the Burnaby Metrotown club. Later she joined the Vancouver Arbutus club and latterly the Tsawwassen club.
Mary, together with her husband Sandy, spent many of these years serving at District level – including as District Treasurer and as Youth Exchange chair. Many of us will remember Mary as a strong and vibrant leader and passionate about the youth who were going or coming to their unforgettable year of exchange. As an early woman Rotarian, she was a mentor to many of the women of Rotary that joined and followed her. In 2003 – 2004 she took that position to the next level and as first woman District 5040 Governor, paving the way for the many who have followed her over the years.
Each year Vancouver Rotary Clubs and Rotaractors have joined with you to raise funds at our Strathcona Rotary Youth Leadership Hoop-A-Thon. Thanks to you we have raised more than $365,000 for the kids since 2006. We can’t hold an event this year, but we are still planning to help the kids. Because of the generosity of Rotarians, our Clubs, a Rotary District Grant, along with a major contribution by the Hoop-Law Tournament - and corporate donors, we have already raised more than $38,000. If you can add to this with a small donation, thank you. If not, we understand. All money raised will be awarded for scholarships, youth leadership training and the Strathcona Basketball Program. To make a donation go to our Charitable Impact page. You will receive an instant tax receipt. To read more about our Strathcona Rotary Youth Leadership Project, watch our Hoops-At-Home Video featuring Global BC’s Chris Gailus and Yvonne Schalle. |
photo by Christen & Kyle Downie
The Rotary Club of Vancouver is providing emergency funding to Vancouver elementary schools and organizations in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
The club donated $20,000 to the Adopt-a-School program, adopting two Vancouver schools, Norquay Elementary and Britannia Community Elementary. Funds will be used to provide food to families and assist those who don’t have computers or access to the internet so students can participate in online learning.
Vancouver Rotary also gave $10,000 to The Door is Open, an organization that provides daily meals to people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Read the complete story in the Vancouver Sun.
Vancouver City Hall, BC Place Stadium and Telus Science World will light up in blue or gold this Sunday, April 26, 2020 to salute Rotary and its fight to rid the world of polio.
Members of Rotary District 5040 were to have participated in a march along the Vancouver harbourfront that morning to raise awareness and funds for the global campaign Rotary launched 35 years ago when there were 350,000 cases of polio in 122 countries per year. The march was cancelled in keeping with health advisories related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 District Conference is shaping up to be a great and unique program for our members. Check out the conference site for the latest information. 
It's not too early to register for next year's 2021 District conference. Until August 31, 2020 there is a special early bird rate of $325 + GST. Register now and to lock in your reduced rate.
"Rotary Opens Opportunities" is the theme for 2020-21 and our incoming Rotary International President Holger Knaack speaks about it and then District leaders present and discuss with participants Rotary’s Change Model in the first of the Our Year Ahead 2020-21 webinars.
Our District’s 2020 Vision Conference in Vancouver April 24 – 26 was expected to attract upwards of 350 registrations. With great regret District leaders have cancelled the District Conference in response to BC Health Minister Adrian Dix’s announcement on March 12 that the provincial government has banned all events with more than 250 people to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including sporting events, upcoming concerts and all religious gatherings.
Not only can you learn about Rotary’s Change Plan, the thinking behind new Rotary International theme, and much more, you have the valuable opportunity to network with members from other clubs and build teamwork among your fellow club members and leaders at “Our Year Ahead 2020-21” sessions throughout the District this Spring.
Congratulations to eleven Rotarians from District 5040 who completed Rotary Leadership Institute Part 3 on February 15, 2020 in Richmond.
Toastmasters helps people find their voice through training in communication and leadership. 1st Vice President of Toastmasters International Margaret Page will speak at the 2020 Vision Conference of Rotary District 5040 about the new strategic alliance between Toastmasters and Rotary International which promises to unlock the great potential of members in both organizations and the world of service.
Toastmasters and Rotary partner to help members with personal development and make a difference in their communities.
Rotary International and Toastmasters International have formed an alliance and are working together to provide members of both organisations with more opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Members of both Toastmasters and Rotary will enhance their skills, broaden their networks and increase their positive impact in communities through the new collaboration.
For more information click HERE.
Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing Foundation has committed to raise $6 million, and St. Paul’s Foundation another $6 million, to support a hearing and balance centre at Vancouver's new St. Paul’s Hosptial, expected to open in 2026. This funding will have a transformative impact on care for British Columbians with hearing loss and balance disorders. By fostering innovation and collaboration, and accelerating the development of permanent solutions for hearing loss, the new centre will offer the very best in care and hearing advancements in Canada.
