Give Peace A Chance
Fellow Rotarians:
 Imagine a healthy world free of polio, where all children go to school and poverty is the topic of history books. Imagine a world where everyone has access to clean drinking water and irrigation for their crops. People might say we are dreamers yet Rotarians live service above self and believe that peace is attainable through education and understanding. November is Foundation month in the Rotary World and I was trying to think how I could tie the work of the Foundation with  Remembrance Day and the sacrifice of those men and women who fought for our values, rights and freedoms. The link is clearly through Peace and Conflict Resolution - a topic on all our minds as we contemplate the horrors we saw in Paris and Beirut this month and the backlash and fear that has arisen from a lack of understanding and empathy. If everyone had the same opportunity to experience different cultures and religions that our exchange students have, the world might be a very different place. Through its six areas of focus, our Rotary Foundation addresses the many causes of unrest, misery and m istrust in the world. As Rotarians we have the opportunity to relieve suffering, heal wounds and build bridges. 100% of our clubs have entered their Foundation goals into Rotary Club Central. This in itself is an amazing achievement, but the real benefit occurs when the money donated matches the goals entered. The Rotary Foundation is our charity and the more we give, the more good we can do. Remember that with the matching grants from the Government of Canada and the Gates Foundation, every dollar donated to polio plus becomes five dollars. We are challenged to ‘Be a Gift to the World’, our partners are making it easier for us!
In light of the incidents in Paris and Brussels, many of you have expressed concern for our outbound Rotary Exchange students in France and Belgium and for those French and Belgian students who are with us this year. Our District Youth Exchange Chair, Sue Godey, has been in contact with all the students and their families and reports that they are safe and being well cared for. We are relieved to learn that no YEX students have been harmed in the recent violence. Our thanks go out to Sue and her team and to all the clubs and home-stay families who are providing support and comfort in these difficult times.
 Claire and I have finished much of our travelling and are now visiting Clubs in the Lower Mainland. It is such an honor to meet with Rotarians around the District and learn how they are making a difference in their communities. Last weekend I attended the 60th Anniversary celebrations for Rotary in Quesnel. The club made presentations to six long term members including charter member,  Peter Gook (60 yrs), John Haven (50 yrs), Phil Warden (45 yrs) John Higgins (44 yrs) Peter Walsh (35yrs) and Keith Corbett (25 yrs). Bev Haluschak gave an inspiring talk on the Foundation and all those present voted the evening a roaring success.
Congratulations to members of the Sunshine Coast-Sechelt Club and Terry and Jan Umbrach in particular, who were rewarded for all their hard work in Kenya with the first Government of Canada matching grant. The Global Grant is a multi club effort and is essentially a solar power, lighting, computing and education project in the Kyaithani area. Check out the Zone 24/32 website and go to the GOC Tab for all the information on the Government of Canada Grant and how you too can apply for it.
 The numbers keep pouring in for the District Conference in Whistler at the end of April. We now have 190 people registered and the Chateau Whistler tells us that nearly all the $149 rooms have been taken (so move quickly). There is still time to take advantage of the early bird rate and first time discount before the January 15th deadline. The Poster Session is a good opportunity to showcase your club and let us know how you are using your Global or District Grant. Tanya Hall and her RYLA team are heading up the youth conference at the HI Whistler Hostel and a full program of activities is in the works for our Interact students.
 I invite you all to Come to the Mountains to Celebrate Rotary and enjoy the conference with your Rotary friends. To date the Ladner club is leading the pack with 18 registrants followed by Tsawwassen with 17 people attending and Richmond Sunrise with 11. Check out all the latest information on speakers and social events in the conference website, celebraterotary.ca. We are even adding new videos.
AG Tim Cawdell, from the Rotary Club of Quesnel, is the new District Chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI). Tim and his team of feisty facilitators are planning to hold a series of RLI opportunities and would like to hear about your needs and your ideas on how to expand this most effective training tool. Tim can be reached at tcawdell@gmail.com. The three levels of RLI will be offered at the Chateau Whistler on Thursday April 28 just before the District Conference and registration will soon be available on both the District and Conference websites.
 The December newsletter will have full coverage of the Rotary Day of Dialogue and the deliberations of the 120 Rotarians who shared their thoughts on whether Rotary should be a service organization that has members or a membership organization that does service. The success of the  day was largely due to PDG Chris Offer’s impeccable planning and to Kevin Evans from the Rotary Club of North Vancouver who so capably shared his talents in moderating the event and allowing all participants to be heard. It was a wonderful beginning but the proof of success lies in the positives that will result from the exchange of ideas that were recorded in both print and video format by our intrepid team of Rotary Reporters – Stay tuned!
Mark your calendars and save the date for Bollywood Night. Our Foundation Dinner will be held on January 30th at South Hall 8273 Ross St. Vancouver. All the glam and glitter of Indian fashion, music and dance will entertain you. Learn to tie a turban or model a sari as you dine on exquisite Indian and Western cuisine. In the spirit of Rotary and District 5040, we promise you a wonderful evening of fun, friendship and the opportunity to support your Foundation and wipe polio from the face of the earth. Register now on the District website.
 We are headed into the busy season with many Christmas and holiday activities. Claire and I look forward to sharing in Winter Wonderland with the Richmond Clubs, Lighting up Rotary in Diefenbaker Park with our home club, Tsawwassen, dining with the seniors in West Vancouver delivering hampers in Squamish and celebrating in song with Vancouver Cambie. Many clubs are supporting Operation Red Nose in their communities and providing good cheer and sustenance to shut-ins and those in need. All of this is the work of Rotary and we are fortunate to play our part.
DGE Lyn Stroshin has just returned from a National Immunization excursion in Ethiopia and shared a sign she saw at the entrance of a school. It struck a chord with me and I think it says something about our Rotary journey.
It read “Enter to learn Depart to Serve”
All the best,
John
John l. Anderson
District Governor 2015-16
Rotary District 5040
Membership Matters
Tom and Bala hosted a Membership Seminar for the Burnaby and New Westminster Clubs. There were three parts. One, they were shown the Vancouver Clubs Membership Strategic Plan as they are interested in working together as a Rotary group of clubs. Then Tom presented his Membership Matters plan which is a simple membership plan that any club can adopt and customize. Lastly, the Michael McQueen DVD’s were shown. The title is “Engaging the Next Generation in Rotary”.
Tom did presentations at Lions Gate on November 13th and Ladner on November 24th. Tom has the following membership presentations scheduled; West Vancouver on December 3rd and Burnaby on December 4th. Tom suggests that it would be a good idea for someone from a club that has not heard his presentation to attend one of these and see if it is applicable at their club.
Rotaract Impact
Rotaract Clubs from across the District have been productive this fall. We are excited to be part of the District Newsletter and will be regularly featuring exciting projects in what we call the "Rotaract Impact". This month's feature: Rotaract tackles hunger in the community on Halloween night. Dressed in our "spookiest" outfits, Rotaractors in the Lower Mainland and Squamish canvassed houses for non-perishable foods. Over 500 pounds and $400 were collected and donated to local food banks. Thank you to the communities who were receptive to our cause; and thank you to the 25+ Rotaractors for volunteering your time.
Rotaract continues to support the needs in our community this holiday season. Some projects underway include: holiday hampers (Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Vancouver Young Professionals), candy grams for Women's Centre (Squamish) and "Tea for TLC" fundraiser (Prince George). In partnership with sponsoring Rotary Clubs, we will also be helping out with a variety of meals at schools and community centres.
December is also a month of fun and festivities. Many of our Clubs will be having socials and fundraisers: Christmas Trivia (Dec 2nd) and Winter Beer & Burger (Dec 13th). Connect with your local Rotaract Clubs to find out more about what's happening. More information at www.rotaract5040.org
News
2016 Conference Update
The November Conference 2016 update. Top 10 reasons to attend Conference 2016, discount on registration until January 15, 2016, what to do in Whistler and much more.. Visit the Conference website for a full list of speakers. www.CelebrateRotary.ca Read more...
Prince George Interact Youth Share the Gift of Giving
The College Height Secondary School Interact Club, a junior division of the Yellowhead Rotary, has entered a full size tree into the Festival of Trees. This is Prince George's 100th anniversary and the Festival hopes to have 100 trees and we are a part of something really special. Read more...
Rotary Club of Richmond Push Up Challenge Raised over $5,500
Push-Ups, Push-Ups, Push-ups and more Push-Ups was the theme for our social night and dinner Nov 20, 2015. Our pre-dinner entertainment was a push-up challenge between 4 Rotarians. Although arms were weary, spirits were high, as each competitor was cheered on by onlookers. Read more...
STEP (Short Term Exchange Program)
STEP is a family to family exchange for Rotarian families and families recommended by Rotary clubs. Students from here typically stay with their host family for 3-5 weeks and then the two students will travel back together and spend 3-5 weeks together here. Read more...
Rotary International Conference - Seoul, Korea May 28 to June 1, 2016
Have you ever attended a Rotary International Conference? These are events of a lifetime and a great opportunity to visit a special place in the company of good Rotarian friends, and to experience the awesome breadth of Rotary at the same time. Read more...
Featured Video
|
DG Visits
Vancouver Fraserview Nov 25 12pm
West Vancouver Nov 25 6:15pm
New Westminster Nov 26 12pm
Vancouver South Nov 30 12:15pm
Vancouver Dec 1 12pm
Tsawwassen Dec 3 7:15am
Bowen Island Dec 3 7pm
North Vancouver Dec 7 6pm
E Club Lu Lu Island Dec 8
West Van Sunrise Dec 10 7am
Squamish Dec 10 12pm
Events
Christmas Trivia
Dec 2, Red Card Sports Bar
560 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Rotaract Club of Burnaby
Membership Matters
Dec 3, West Vancouver
Visit of Polio Survivor, Ramesh Ferris
RC Sunshine Coast-Sechelt
Dec 04, 2015 12:00PM – 10:00 PM
Sunshine Coast-Sechelt
Membership Matters
Dec 4, Burnaby
Winter Beer & Burger
Dec 13, The Heritage Grill
447 Columbia Street, New Westminster
Rotaract Club of New Westminster
District Foundation Dinner
Theme: Bollywood
January 30, 2015, South Hall
8727 Ross St, Vancouver
Register Now
Photos
Photos of DG Visits
Photos of District & Club Events
|
