eNewsletter
January 2016

January was Vocational Service Month, but…
What is Vocational Service?

Vocational Service is one of Rotary’s Five Avenues of Service.

Vocational Service calls on all Rotarians to aspire to high ethical standards in their occupation and to contribute their vocational talents to the problems and needs of society. We emphasize the importance of vocation and classification in new member recruitment and during the induction ceremony itself we again stress the importance Rotary places on personal and professional ethics with words like: ‘your fellow members believe you to be a worthy representative of your calling and also to possess qualities that will permit you to exemplify the true sprit of Rotary in your public, business and private life.’

We are urged to highlight vocation in club activities through mentorship and business networking and to emphasize the connections between the Four Way Test and the Rotary Code of Conduct. Promoting integrity through ethical behavior is an essential part of what it means to be a Rotarian.

Vocational Service is alive and well in our district. The Rotary Clubs of Ladner, Tsawwassen and North Delta hold a Business Ethics Award Dinner each January to honor those businesses in their communities who place emphasis on fairness, honesty and goodwill. The Burnaby Club has a renewed emphasis on networking encouraging members to give back to their community while benefitting professionally as well. Prince Rupert, Prince George-Yellowhead and Powell River Clubs run Adventure programs for New Generations and the New Westminster Clubs stress mentoring between Rotarians and youth Most clubs provide scholarships and bursaries to local high school and college students and many take part in career fairs and graduation transition programs. Plans are underway for a mentorship dinner in the spring, which will pair graduating Interact students with Rotarians in their chosen profession. Watch for further details from Jim Ling on this new and exciting District 5040 venture.

Criminal Records Checks. All Rotarians and Rotary volunteers working with Youth or vulnerable persons are required to hold a current criminal records check. The Board has recently approved the use of the B.C. Ministry of Justice Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP).

CRRP provides for members of a registered volunteer organization such as Rotary to apply online for a Criminal Records Check (CRC) by using the unique Access Code assigned to the organization. The results of the CRC are then sent by e-mail to the authorized contact person for the organization, which in our case is Ron Davis, District 5040 Compliance Archivist. Ron in turn will then notify individual Clubs of those members who hold a current CRC. The main advantages of this new system lay in the ease and speed of meeting the CRC requirements and the ability to share the information with other organizations requiring certification. Those members who require fingerprinting will be advised to report to their local police or RCMP office. In this case it is essential that you present a letter of introduction from your club president in order to waive the fee. To access the e-CRC process simply log into the online link to the Criminal Record Check Home Page: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC/ The access code for Rotary International District 5040 is: AVW2L4AG7L

With our visit to the Burnaby Metrotown Club early in January, we completed our tour of the clubs. Claire got to listen to my speech over forty times but we met some amazing people and saw some exciting projects. Thank you all for your hospitality and your welcoming spirit. We are now starting to visit Interact and Rotaract Clubs and I was pleased to attend the installation of the new members of the Steveston-London Interact Club last week. These young people bring joy to service and can teach us a great deal about the importance of mentoring. Congratulations to the Richmond Sunset Club for sponsoring two Interact Clubs.
 

 

Membership certainly has its ups and downs. We thought we were winning with all the new members being installed but with two clubs closing and December adjustments, RI reports a zero growth for our district. Time to practice your ‘ask’ and to make sure your club members are involved. On the bright side I installed four new members into the Richmond club, which brings their numbers to 21. Not bad for a club that was down to 8 last year. Well-done Richmond! Sadly the Sunshine Coast-Sechelt Club lost three great Rotarians and a family member in the fall when Michael Webb, Past Director, Don Ewing, Membership Director, Midge Nanson and PE, Al Mulholland passed away. We send our condolences to all in the club.

However, the work must go on and I want to thank the many Rotarians who load containers to be shipped by the World help Network. I am always humbled by the generosity of Rotarians who share their time, talent and resources with those less fortunate. I have had the honor of presenting many Paul Harris pins as I move around the District and this week I was privileged to express thanks to PDG Michael Cruise and his wife Beryl who became Level two Major Donors to the Foundation. Everybody loves a party, and this week’s Bollywood Blast attracted over 230 people to the Foundation Dinner. Watch for photos in the next newsletter!

Finally, I want to thank you all for your support and enthusiasm for Rotary. We are making a difference.

Cheers,

John

John l. Anderson
District Governor 2015-16
Rotary District 5040

Membership Matters

Tom presented to: West Vancouver Sunrise, Burnaby and  Richmond in December.  And Vancouver Yaletown, Pemberton and Vancouver in January.  Both Whistler clubs are scheduled for late January and early February.  If you would like to have Tom present his Membership Matters presentation to your club please contact him at tom@tascosales.ca .
 
We are losing too many Rotarians. Let’s find out why. Click here to download an Exit Interview form that is short and to the point. 
 
Please don’t forget to ask your new Rotarians the Three Magic Questions:  1.  Why did you join Rotary?  2.  What excites you about Rotary?  3.  How did Rotary find you?
 
Have a look at a Youtube version of our Membership Matters presentation:
 
 

News

2016 District Conference Update - April 28 - May 1

Discounts on Whistler Activities
Everyone attending conference 2016 receive the following discounts:

  • Scandinave Spa, the Rotary discount will be $10 off baths and $10 off massage.
  • Ziptrec, the Rotary discount will be 20% off.
  • Squamish Lil’wat-the Aboriginal Centre, the Rotary discount will be $2.00 off admission and 10% discount on gift shop items.
Conference 2016 in Whistler www.CelebrateRotary.ca

Rotary International Convention – Seoul, Korea

To any who are planning to join us and attend the Rotary International Convention, we look forward to spending this exciting time with you. The Convention dates are May 28 through June 1, 2016. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Read more...

Squamish Rotary Club featured in the Squamish Reporter

Posted by Brian Finley - On Jan 8th, the Squamish Reporter published an article about the Rotary Club of Squamish. The article gives a brief history about the club, and highlights the club's plans for 2016, in both our local and international communities. Read more...

Gift of $500,000 to fight Polio

The Rotary Foundation received a $500,000.00 gift from the late Fred and Bette Cotton of Vancouver. The funds received on December 30, 2015, will support the Rotary International polio eradication campaign. Read more...

 

Featured Video

Give the Gift of Rotary from Rotary International on Vimeo.

 

 

 

District Conference, Whistler BC

Events

Feb 19 - 5th Annual Business Ethics Awards, Delta
Delta Town and Country Inn

Feb 20 - 27 - International Skiing Fellowship of Rotarians
Whistler

Apr 1 - Cariboo Craft Beer Festival, Quesnel & District Seniors Community Centre

Apr 16 - International Food Festival
Burnaby Central Secondary School

Apr 28  - RLI Session #1
Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Apr 28 - RLI Session #2
Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Apr 28 - RLI Session #3
Vancouver

Apr 28 - May 30 - District Conference
Whistler Fairmont, Whistler
 

 

Photos

 

Photos of DG Visits

Photos of District & Club Events

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