ImageI was told by many PDG’s that the club visits were the “icing on the cake,” the best part of your year as DG. I never imagined what an understatement this could be. As I start writing this month’s newsletter I am looking out my hotel room window at the beautiful mountains surrounding Smithers. I have now visited 10 of the 51 Rotary Clubs that make up District 5040 and have come to realize how each club and community is different yet so much alike.

The common thread is the consistent passion I see the Rotary clubs have for addressing the needs of their world and communities and how they create and implement service projects to carry this out.

Individuality is evident in that each community is different and that each clubs has its own personality, making each unique in its membership, fellowship and service.  To learn more about the clubs and my visits with them click here.
 

I started August in Prince George.  There I visited both the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako and the Rotary Club of Prince George Yellowhead. 

At the Nechako club I heard about their sharing and caring program that helps ensure that members feel like they are part of a Rotary Club that values their membership.  I heard about Operation Red Nose and the great service it is to the community and how they and other organizations in the community work together on this project. As a vocational service project club members attend a local high school and do mock job interviews with the students – preparing them for success in their job search.  Nechako is actively involved in New Generations Service in both Short Term Exchange and Youth Exchange

The Yellowhead club has some great events to raise money to support their projects.  One of my favorites is their Taste of India which is a night full of food, fashion and dancing honoring the Indian Culture. After attending this wonderful event my club has held their own version of this in Quesnel.  While there I noticed that many members had a maple leaf on their badges.  I thought that this was something you earned but no it is something you want to get rid of.  Every member is required to bring a guest to Rotary (stickers on badges will be removed when a guest is brought to lunch) Guests can include friends, family, business associates – focus is to promote and create awareness of Rotary.  One other great idea I saw there was a PowerPoint presentation that President Scott had done that features each club member with a pictures and information about the member.  This presentation runs during lunch.  This way, new and old members learn more about each other.

Ted and I then travelled to the Pacific Northwest part of our district.  Our first club visit there was with the Rotary Club of Terrace. While there we heard about the many projects their club has done in the community.  We had the opportunity to view the local fish hatchery and the hands on project where they worked on restoring and improving the Howe Creek Trail.

PDG Art and AG Lesley Erasmus were our chauffeur and tourist guide to Kitimat.  The Rotary Club of Kitimat is a small club with a big heart.  Early this year when our current theme Peace Through Service was announced I was told that this club did peace well.  That was no exaggeration.  The Kitimat club has been instrumental in the having the city become a Rotary Peace Community.  They will be a celebrating this on September 21st and holding events that will involve the whole community

Our next club visit was the Rotary Club of Terrace Skeena Valley.  I am not sure why but morning clubs seem to be fun clubs and this one is no exception.  Not being a morning person I find it hard to understand how people can be that happy and glad to see each other so early in the day.  While I was there they were busy planning for Rick King to come to Terrace.  Unfortunately, due to illness he has postponed his visit to Terrace and this event has had to be cancelled.  The club is hoping to be able to arrange for him to come in the spring.  This club should also be proud of their support and commitment to RYLA Lakelse.  They are a great part of the success of this RYLA and I saw many of their members there when I was there in July.

Our last visit on this trip to the North West was with the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert.  This club is very involved with youth; hosting exchange students, sending local students to RYLA and Adventure programs.  We heard about their support of the annual Polar Swim.  You will find members there serving hot chocolate and hotdogs.  You will even find a few joining the swim.  The club is also actively involved with the annual Prince Rupert SeaFest where they run a food booth and participate in the many events. 

We have been to Prince Rupert many times but this is the first time we drove there.  Usually we take the train but this time we were able to tour the city and where we saw amazing views everywhere we drove. Ted and I went on a tour by ourselves but after the meeting we had the privilege to have a guided tour by Rotarian Odd Eidsvik.  Odd has lived in the area his whole life and has wonderful stories about how the town was and how it has changed over the years.  I highly recommend Odd as a tour guide if you are in Prince Rupert.  Also contrary to popular believe the sun does shine in Prince Rupert.  We had the most wonderful sunny and hot weather while we were there.

After a few days at home I was on the road again, this time without Ted, and heading to Burns Lake.  I have never really stopped in Burns Lake before and boy have I missed out.  Everywhere I went I meet with friendly and optimistic people.  Club president Angelika took me around town to see the many project that the club has been involved with.  I saw a Rotary wheel on the tennis courts, the local children’s playground and the museum (which I toured and it is awesome) and numerous other projects.  Youth Exchange students from around the world will remember their first experience in the BC wilderness that took place on the Tweedsmuir Trek sponsored by the Rotary Club of Burns Lake.

My final club visit in August was with the Rotary Club of Smithers.  One of the projects that the Smithers club is known for is the Rotary Community Trail that links the ski hill to the town.  Another local project was to complete the Perimeter Trail walking/biking bridge.  These massive projects were accomplished with a lot of hard work and dedication by Rotarians.  And like Burns Lake youth exchange students will have wonderful memories of Smithers.  For many years Smithers has be the home of the YEX Christmas party held each year in Smithers and hosted by the Rotary Club of Smithers.  I remember how excited the students Ted and I hosted were about going skiing and the fun they had while there.  While I was at the club meeting I had the privilege of presenting Rotarian Casda Thomas with a certificate of appreciation for her commitment and dedication to Rotary New Generation programs.  Like all clubs in the North West the members of the Rotary Club of Smithers are strong supporters of RYLA Lakelse and Casda even more than most.  It is easy to tell her passion for Rotary is in our youth.

Well that wraps up my visits for August.  As I said when I first started writing this, each club is unique but each has a real passion for doing good in the world. I encourage anyone who is travelling to take the time to stop and meet the Rotarians in the North West.  You will be glad you did. I know I am glad I have had the opportunity to meet many of them.