Home Page | Rotary District 5040

District 5040 supports 51 Rotary Clubs in the Province of British Columbia. It provides opportunities for networking, information sharing, leadership and discussions of Rotary-related matters. It's aim is to recognize the service programs, projects, and public relations achievements of the Clubs within in the district. By doing so we look to inspire Rotarians to become more involved in service.

More Information

Register Now!

2019 District Conference

May 2 - 5, 2019

Sun Peaks BC.

More information on the Conference Site

District Conference 2019: Empowering women and girls in Afghanistan

Razia Jan – “Empowering women and girls in Afghanistan”
District 5040 Conference 2019; Saturday, May 4th at 10:40 a.m.

Born in Afghanistan, Razia Jan is the founder of Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in Afghanistan through community-based education.

She was nominated as a Top 10 CNN Hero of 2012 for her work on the Zabuli Education Center, a school that she founded in rural Afghanistan that provides a free education to about 350 girls.

Conference program, speaker bios posted!

Posted by Kevin Evans on Jan 16, 2019

Check out the preliminary 2019 conference program on the District Conference website. We have an exciting list of Guest Speakers more information on the Conference Speakers list!

Needy communities in the Philippines receiving medical equipment

Posted by Peter Roaf on Jan 12, 2019

Rotary clubs in General Santos, the southernmost city in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao, will be receiving medical and dental equipment, plus books and student desks for needy communities in the region, thanks to Rotary World Help, based in Metro Vancouver. -- photos by Peter Roaf and Drew Antrobus

Your Rotary Legacy – Doing Good in the World

Posted by Chris Offer on Jan 07, 2019

Join the many Rotarians in District 5040 who have made commitments to improving and enriching lives around the globe by creating your personal legacy with The Rotary Foundation.

Year-end Conference Savings

Posted by Kevin Evans on Dec 29, 2018

Go to the Conference Registration page for additional information.

Planning on track for Positive Peace Workshops

Posted by Chris Offer on Dec 27, 2018

Planning is well underway for the Rotary Positive Peace Workshops in Colombia in 2019. District 5040 is a co-sponsor of the workshops with Districts 5420 Utah and District 4281 Colombia.

Vocational Training Team needs your help

In partnership with Kenya Connect, District 5040 is sending 8 BC teachers to Kenya in March 2019!

Thanks to the generous support from or District Rotary Clubs we have half of the USD$19,000 needed to support the project, We thank them sincerely. But we now need a final push to reach the target required by The Rotary Foundation (TRF).

Rotary's longstanding commitment to fighting and preventing diseases

Posted on Dec 14, 2018

Rotary members have played a key role in bringing the world to the brink of polio eradication. Our members have not only helped end polio in 122 countries but also created a system for addressing many other health priorities, like Ebola. Rotary clubs lead efforts to fight diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. Clubs also focus on disease prevention by providing health education and bringing routine hearing, vision, and dental care to those in need. In December, Rotary’s Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, take action to fight disease in your community. Here are six ways to do that.

Rotaract November Update

With 2018 coming to its end, the Rotaractors of District 5040 had and have a whole bunch of exciting events coming up that we would like to share with and invite you to. Let’s start with an event a bit further in the future, even though we know how time flies (especially when you’re on a schedule as busy as a Rotarian). Please mark your calendars: The Rotaract District 5040 Installation Dinner will take place on May 11. We would be delighted to have you join us for this special night! Further details will be announced shortly.

District 5040 a global leader in Rotary Friendship Exchange

Posted by Peter Roaf on Dec 01, 2018

Of the 538 Districts worldwide in Rotary, our Rotary District 5040 is one of only nine which is not only among the 260 actively engaged in the Rotary Friendship Exchange program but has a full web presence to support it.

District Governor 2021-2022 Lorne Calder

Posted on Nov 21, 2018

A Past President of the Rotary Club of Prince George, former Assistant Governor, former District 5040 Trainer and Rotarian of the Year (1997 and 2011), Lorne Calder, CMA, has been appointed Rotary District 5040 Governor for 2021-2022. Calder has been the Chief Finance & Risk Officer for Integris Credit Union in Prince George since 2014. Prior to that he served Integris predecessor, Prince George Savings, as Chief Financial Officer for 22 years.

A 25-year Rotary member with Prince George Rotary, he has served on many boards and committees for numerous other Prince George organizations, including Initiatives Prince George, the Prince George Film Commission, and the Prince George Hospice Society. In 1999-2000 he served as President of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce (1999/2000) and then on the board of the BC Chamber of Commerce. The District nominating committee has selected Lorne and his name will be reported to Rotary International on December 2, following the 14-day challenge period. November 18 - December 1, 2018.

Fishing village's medical centre receives equipment from Rotary World Help

Posted by Peter Roaf on Nov 20, 2018

The newly renovated medical centre in the fishing village of Panglao, on the island of Panglao, Bohol, the Philippines, will receive used medical equipment such as hospital beds, side tables, medicine carts, wheelchairs, emergency beds and cribs for children in a shipping container organized and loaded on November 17, 2018 by Rotary members in Districts 5040 and 5050 in the Greater Vancouver area.

Also in the container, sponsored by Rotary World Help, which is supported by many Rotary clubs in this region, and, in this case, by the Rotary Club of Coquitlam Sunrise, are dental chairs, dental equipment and supplies, plus computers and books. The Rotary Club of Panglao is administering distribution of the equipment and supplies when the container arrives at its destination in the coming weeks. -- photos by Drew Antrobus

DGE Bala Naidoo inducted into Arch Klumph Society

Posted by Chris Offer on Nov 17, 2018

Congratulations to District 5040 Governor-Elect Bala and Vasi Naidoo for their induction into The Rotary Foundation's Arch Klumph Society at Rotary Headquarters in Evanston, IL. RI President Barry Rassin and Trustee Chair & Past RI President Ron Burton presented the prestigious recognition.

Interactors join World Polio Day Celebrations

Posted by Brian Finley on Oct 28, 2018

The Interact Club of King George Secondary had a World Polio Day celebration on October 25th . Pictured are the Interactors and the Teacher Sponsors with the Mayor's City of Vancouver Proclamation for World Polio Day.. These students had a bake sale and raised funds for PolioPlus.

1,600 trees planted in BC to meet global Rotary challenge

Posted on Oct 27, 2018

Having hosted the Rotary Presidential Peacebuilding Conference 2018 on Environmental Sustainability and Peace last February, and since, having taken up 2017-18 President Ian Riseley’s “Tree Planting Challenge 2017-18” to Rotarians around the world to plant 1.2 million trees – one for each member -- Rotary District 5040 is now recognized for taking the tree planting challenge to heart. Our District, one of 171, is commended for placing service above self by serving the environment and its significant share in planting 1,600 trees, out of a total 4,739,607, as of July 31, 2018.

Pumpkins for Polio saves children for a lifetime

Posted by Peter Roaf on Oct 25, 2018

To mark October 24th World Polio Day, Rotary Club of Ladner has helped spare 9,800 children half way around the world from the crippling disease of polio by generating $7,761 raised from the sale of 100 pumpkins yesterday and an auction among members last week then matched 2:1.

World Polio Day was recognised across District 5040.

Posted by Brian Finley on Oct 24, 2018

Communities across District 5040 proclaimed World Polio Day on October 24th to create awareness of Rotary and our campaign for a polio-free world.

The list includes:

The City of Richmond
The City of Vancouver
The City of North Vancouver
The District of North Vancouver
The District of Squamish
The Resort Municipality of Whistler
The City of Prince George
The City of New Westminster
The City of Powell River
The City of Prince Rupert
The District of Kitimat
The Municipality of West Vancouver (recognition*)
The City of Delta (recognition*)

* These councils do not issue proclamations but Rotary and World Polio Day were recognised during Council Meetings.

Read the Proclamations below:-

PolioPlus funds generated from BC Lions vs Edmonton Eskimos Rotary Night

Posted on Oct 19, 2018

Rotarians attending the BC Lions vs Edmonton Eskimos Rotary End Polio Night on October 19 generated $380 for PolioPlus and the interest of the BC Lions in repeating such an event next year.

And the winners were the Lions and PolioPlus!

Delta City Council discusses fight to end polio

Posted by Peter Roaf on Oct 17, 2018

After launching the global campaign to rid the world of polio 30 years ago, Rotary International has involved governments, foundations and global health organizations, to reduce the number of cases worldwide from 350,000 to 22, sparing billions of children over that time from this crippling lifetime disease. Leading up to World Polio Day on October 24, 2018, the City Council of Delta, BC, discusses the importance of this End Polio Now campaign.

Learning and Development for Rotary District 5040

Posted by Penny Offer on Oct 18, 2018

Developing the skills and knowledge of Rotarians improves the effectiveness of clubs and our District 5040 in supporting Rotary’s goals and commitment to build communities and improve lives across the world.

To enhance leadership and improve performance which rewards us all at the end of the day, our Rotary District 5040 is taking learning and development to a new level in District 5040 with a District training committee, called “District Learning and Development Committee” to oversee training in the district and plan and conduct education and training events for all Rotarians.

Charter Event Rotary Club of Lillooet - Oct 20th

You're invited to the Rotary Club of Lillooet Charter Event!

The event will feature a fine dinner, social and silent auction

Help welcome one of District 5040s newest clubs.

Time: 5:00PM Oct 20

Where:Royal Canadian Legion Branch
737 Main St. Lillooet BC map

Rotaract September Update

With summer coming to an end, the Rotaractors of District 5040 were very busy and had a lot of fun during the annual PACE roundtrip. For those who don’t know PACE stands for the Pacific Canadian Experience.

The Rotaract Club of Burnaby hosts the event, along with the Rotaract Clubs of Victoria, Richmond and the Vancouver Young Professionals, at the end of August every year. We select six international Rotaractors to come and experience the beauty that is the Lower Mainland of British Columbia!

Columbia Rotary Positive Peace Project

Posted by Chris Offer on Sep 30, 2018

Rotary District 5040 is one of two international partners for a Rotary Foundation Global Grant project to support peace in Columbia. This is a legacy from the Presidential Peacebuilding conference held in Vancouver in February 2018.

The project will allow Rotarians to use their strength as conveners and community leaders to bring diverse groups of young people together. The goal is to forge relationships and provide a platform for dialog for with various peacebuilding groups. Signing the Colombian peace agreement put an end to one of the world’s longest armed conflicts, and marked the beginning of a process to build lasting, sustainable peace. Rotary can help shape this process by leveraging its networks and engaging key stakeholders to identify ways build peace at the local level.

Rotarians welcomed on exchange visit as Rotary celebrates 100 years in the Philippines

Posted on Sep 27, 2018

Rotarians have been investigating the late January early February 2019 Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) to the Philippines and are preparing to sign up. There is the option of a two week visit, or three week visit. 2019 will be a special centennial year for Rotary in the Philippines so RFE travellers could experience some special celebrations.

District recognized for 29 net new members in 2017-18

Posted on Sep 25, 2018

With 1,442 members on July 1, 2017 Rotary District 5040 grew by a net 29 new members to 1,471 by July 1, 2018. On behalf of the District, 2017-18 Governor Don Evans received recognition at the Rotary Zone conference in Montreal over the past weekend for the highest net gain in membership in Zone 24 West (Western Canada). Congratulations to all our 51 clubs, District board, Assistant Governors and membership committee.

International recognition for 18 Rotary clubs, 3 Rotaract clubs and one Interact club

Posted on Sep 24, 2018

For supporting each of Rotary's strategic priorities by meeting set goals in 2017-18, and, in some cases, going above and beyond by supporting and strengthening clubs, focusing and increasing humanitarian service and enhancing public image and awareness, an amazing 18 clubs, out of 51 in Rotary District 5040, three Rotaract clubs (ages 19 to 30) and one Interact club (high school age) are receiving the international Rotary Citation from 2017-18 President Ian Riseley.

District 5040 Recognized for PolioPlus Giving.

Posted by Brian Finley on Sep 24, 2018

At the Zone 24-32 Conference in Montreal, September 21st, PDG Don Evans, on behalf of D5040, received recognition for our contribution to PolioPlus during 2017-18. Highest total giving and highest per member giving in Zone 24W.
Certificates below....

More Innovative Rotary Clubs

Posted on Sep 09, 2018

A very successful RLI (Rotary Leadership Institute) Part 1 course was held in Burnaby on Saturday, September 8, 2018. Twenty-two Rotarians completed the course. The day focused on dialogue, exchanging ideas and discussion on topics that included leadership, Rotary beyond the club, The Rotary Foundation, ethics and vocational service, engaging club members and service projects.

Rotary Club of Squamish raises $30,000 for Community Hospice

Posted by Brian Finley on Aug 14, 2018

On Sunday, August 12th during the Squamish Street Market, 2000 rubber ducks came out of the chute of a Cardinal Concrete truck into a pool. Five lucky ducks were then plucked from the pool by blindfolded "duck-grabbers". The 1st prize was $10,000 cash.

This was the finale of a fundraiser by the Rotary Club of Squamish in support of the new Sea to Sky Community Hospice.. The event raised $30,000 for the new facility which is planned to open in spring 2019. The four-room Hospice will be located between Hilltop House and Squamish General Hospital and will welcome Sea to Sky Corridor residents from all backgrounds, faiths, and income levels.

For more information and photos please click HERE..

Polio end near, but still a massive global effort

Posted by Peter Roaf on Aug 09, 2018

Children in India show their pinky fingers painted purple for a few days to indicate that they have received oral polio vaccination. Billions of children's lives around the world have been saved or spared the crippling, lifetime burden of polio since Rotary took the lead over 30 years ago in ridding the world of polio. We are almost there, but it will still take a massive effort of professional expertise and volunteer time and an estimated US$1.5 billion more to reach that goal. Rotary District 5040 Past District Governors, Chris Offer and Penny Offer, who are members of the Ladner club, explain the scope of the global campaign and their involvement in it.