What drives you? What is your passion? What do you bring to the world? video (2:34) -- courtesy of Rotary Club of Silverdale, WA. Any Rotary club can use this video for its website and any communications using the link of embed code.
Sea to Sky Community Services Society (SSCS) helps thousands of children, youth and adults through more than 40 community services and programs in BC’s Sea to Sky corridor, from Squamish up to Pemberton.
In 2019, the Society consulted with community members, including youth, to consider a new centre for youth, as an integrated, inclusive, non-judgmental space for young people, providing them access to a variety of supports.
In 2020, the Society received partial funding to replace a dilapidated (condemned) Youth Resource Centre with a new youth centre – the $2.2 million, 5,000 sq ft Foundry Sea to Sky -- where young people aged 12-24 can access mental health, primary care, substance use intervention, peer support, and social services, all under one roof.
Jackson Wenesayo, of Yambio, South Sudan and now a Rotary Peace Fellow, in Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation studies at Makerere University, in Kampala, Uganda, has expressed his gratitude to District 5040 for reviewing and endorsing his 2024 Rotary Peace Fellowship application. His appreciation was sent to the Rotary committee representing the three Prince George Rotary Clubs, Prince George Rotaract Club and Quesnel Rotary Club for their recommendation and then to the required District review panel who endorsed his application to compete at the final world level review where he was approved as a successful recipient. -- photo: Jackson Wenesayo, with Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe
What drives you? What is your passion? What do you bring to the world? video (2:34) -- courtesy of Rotary Club of Silverdale, WA
On International Women's Day, March 8th, Rotary International celebrates all our dynamic, people of action who are women leading us in service above self here at home and around the world.
Canada’s ambassador to Japan, who started life in Kamloops and Penticton, began his career journey as a Rotary exchange student. Ian McKay’s career path has run like a superhighway through some of the world’s most important cities: New York, London, Tokyo. It has led him to the highest reaches of finance, politics, and global diplomacy, culminating in his current role as Canada’s ambassador to Japan.
When asked the secret of his success, McKay credits his foresight in learning Japanese, his keen interest in finance, and his understanding that high-level negotiations often work best away from boardrooms and summits. But the underlying answer is simpler. “It all started with Rotary,” he says — and later adds: “I can’t overstate that the critical part of that whole journey was Rotary." -- photo: Ambassador McKay with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September 2023 at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Indonesia.
Under valued and under utilized Boitanio Park in Williams Lake is now home to the rock climbing Boulder Park. This boulder park allows people of all ages and backgrounds to experience a new type of activity which had not been available in the region. This climbing structure is the first of many intended projects to help promote outdoor healthy living in the community free of charge.
Rotary Club of Williams Lake Daybreak, and its President Andrew Sandberg, led the process to fund and develop the $120,000 rock climbing park for the 12,000 local residents and those who may be visiting from nearby, smaller communities such as Horsefly, Likely, 150 Mile House and Wildwood.
Many people in Prince George depend on food banks. The ever increasing cost of fresh fruits and vegetables adds to this already serious need in the community. Local Rotarians and Rotaractors aim to achieve more self sufficiency in growing fruit and vegetables and provide healthy food to those in need.
Prince George residents who do not have their own garden space can now grow their own fruit and vegetables if they rent a plot at the new Rotary Community Garden completed in the Fall. The Garden may contribute in part to the supply of fruit and vegetables at local food banks.
The Rotary Clubs of Prince George Yellowhead, which led the project, Prince George Nechako and Prince George Downtown plus Prince George Rotaract contributed the majority of funds, with support of a $10,000 District Grant, to the $76,450 project, along with other sponsors.
Nearly one billion people in rural regions of the world live in communities far from the nearest paved road, walking for miles each day just to survive. On foot, individuals race against the sun to complete everyday tasks. Distance is a barrier to attending school, receiving healthcare, delivering goods to market and other critical services needed to thrive.
Girls with bikes get to school faster and have more energy for their schoolwork. “Girls with bikes are more than twice as likely to complete elementary school”. As a result, they are more likely to go on and graduate from high school. This means a better life for them and their family.
Only $205 can provide a “Buffalo Bike” to a schoolgirl in rural Africa through World Bicycle Relief. Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise, in conjunction with Norwest Cycling Club, has contributed $10,250 to this organization, with the support of a District Grant of over $3,400, for the purchase of 50 Buffalo Bikes.
Achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in January 2024
A Squiggles Stander gives children from the age of 2 to 5, who cannot stand on their own, the support and independence they need to be able to join in and have fun with activities with others such as creating arts and crafts, playing catch or singing in a choir. It is a wheeled frame that holds the user in upright or other positions, providing weight-bearing support to enable patient-mobility in an upright or other position.
Because the Squiggles Stander was not available to a family through any service provider in Quesnel, the Rotary Club of Quesnel, with support from a District Grant, purchased one for Quesnel & District Child Development Centre.
Hundreds of dog owners in Terrace finally have a safe site for exercising and socialising their dogs in a dedicated park. Not only had the City of Terrace received multiple requests for an off leash dog park, RC Terrace had also heard from the community about this need. Dog owners who do not have a fenced yard now have a place where they can let their dogs exercise and interact with other dogs. Dogs benefit from socialising with other dogs and the owners also benefit from interacting with other owners. This first dog park in Terrace opened in 2022, thanks to $31,000 in funding from the Rotary Club of Terrace, and a $10,000.00 Rotary District Grant, plus services provided by the City of Terrace.
Happy New Year! 2024 has started with a bang - winter has now arrived! Winter is the time to recharge, to share stories and plan for the next seasonal rounds! It is also a time to not only dive into preparing to complete steps towards club goals for 2023-2024, but to help the team which will transition and keep the action going.
Achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in December 2023
Another 40 foot shipping container loaded with educational books , computers and hospital equipment is now on its way to Ukraine thanks to the team at Rotary World Help which gathered all the contents from various sources and the Rotarians who showed up on January 6, 2024 at the RWH warehouse in Coquitlam to do the loading.
On November 25th Rotarians packed a similar container for Laoang Northern Samar in the Philippines, thanks to the receiving Rotary Club of Catarman Northern Samar. The Consul General for the Philippines, Arlene Magno, officiated at the sealing of that container once loaded. The Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise, along with clubs of Langley and Langley Central sponsored the shipment. -- photos by Elena Egala
The Vancouver Young Professionals Rotaract Club has captured its achievements and activities over the past six months with a three-page newsletter. The newsletter features the club's various causes in an appealing, visual way, with future events also displayed boldly. It's a good role model for all of us to learn from our younger members.
Happy Holidays to you ALL - the season of snow, roaring fires, and festive fun is upon us!
In the past month of whirlwind club visits I witnessed first hand even more amazing work of our Rotary District 5040 family as we make our communities and world a more joyous place for all. It was so lovely to have District Executive Administrator Nancy Eidsvik with me for many of these adventures.
On Bowen Island we saw the most beautiful outdoor learning space and gardens the club has helped the community build. Dragon Club produced a brilliant video as an inspirational way to remind our communities and potential members of "why Rotary!" You can view the video on the District's home page.
After the wildfire which destroyed the Town of Lytton in July 2021, including its commercial district and 70 homes, Rotary Club of Steveston organized a relief fund for that community through its foundation. Donations came from that club, a number of other clubs and individuals in this Rotary District and across Canada. Three members of the Siska Indian Band, in the Lytton area, visited the Steveston club on November 14th to thank the club and all those who contributed to the relief fund.
Donations can still be made to the Ukraine and Pakistan Disaster Response Funds until December 31st. These funds must be spent by June 30th, 2024. As District Foundation Chair PDG Lorne Calder says, "Warm clothing, medical equipment coming through a Rotary World Help container from our District and area soon, school supplies and basic needs are needed more than ever."
Achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in November
Select "Read More" to view video about Rotary by the Rotary Club of Dragon, District 5040's Mandarin-speaking club.
The Rotary Peace Garden project, which Rotary International President 2022-23 Jennifer Jones launched at Garden City Park in Richmond last year is one of the causes supported by the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset's 22nd Annual Winter Wonderland at Richmond City Hall on display throughout December. Proceeds from the project, launched on December 2nd, are expected to reach $50,000 or more and will support Rotary sponsored Interact clubs at Hugh Boyd and Steveston-London Secondary schools, scholarships at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond Christmas Fund and The Rotary Foundation, plus an endowment fund which focuses on one of Rotary's seven Areas of Focus, maternal and child health.
Ambassador of the Philippines Her Excellency Maria Andrelita Austria receives a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award in Ottawa from Rotary District 5040 Governor Shirley-Pat Chamberlain and Assistant Governor Mary Anne Velayo. Paul Harris Fellow Award honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International for extraordinary service above self.
Winter coats and boots for kids, a valley trail viewing platform, an off leash dog park, seniors’ outdoor fitness stations, lower income family kids sponsored for summer camp, young musicians to participate in a youth orchestra are the kinds of projects made possible with proceeds from a Rotary fundraising event.
Members of Rotary District 5040 -- the 48 Rotary clubs from Vancouver up the coast to Prince Rupert -- many throughout the Lower Mainland raised net proceeds of $29,000 at a dinner on November 18, 2023. The funds will all go to the The Rotary Foundation, among the highest ranked international foundations over the past 15 years.
The Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra is a professional orchestral preparation program for young musicians. Rotary Club of Vancouver Centennial, with a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation, has funded a music scholarship and bursary program to support some youth to attend Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra.
In the tourism paradise of Bali, Indonesia and surrounding islands there is a lot of poverty and hardship. Children with cleft lip and palate live deprived of normal lives and struggle with impaired speech. Many of these children are hidden by their families, not allowed to go to school or participate in community activities. Because they are not able to eat and drink properly unless helped undernourishment as children leads to health issues. Rotary Club of Vancouver has participated in two Global Grants from The Rotary Foundation to provide surgery for the many affected children.
Fellow District 5040 members, I hope you are all well and enjoying the changing season as the leaves change.
It has been an absolute pleasure to visit clubs and see the amazing work of our Rotary Family. The many hundreds of kilometres on the road and multiple ferry rides have all been worth it on feeling the joy and true inspiration I experienced in reaching my various destinations, to hear the "brags" about our District and about the Interactors raising funds to support girls' education in Bangladesh, and installing eight new members in a single club and five in another.