Posted by Johanna Johnson, DRR on Feb 28, 2018
For a short month it sure was a busy one for Rotaract! On the District level we attended and assisted with tech support and the paper crane folding booth at the Presidential Peacebuilding Conference, participated in Strategic Planning for Youth Programs, held a District Skating Social in Richmond, and attended PETS in Seattle where we met and hung out with RI President-Elect Barry Rassin.
One of the things we learned at PETS was the power of sharing our personal Rotary stories to achieve a greater impact. Here are some reflections from some of our Rotaractors:
 
"I got the chance to be inspired this weekend by one of the greatest service organizations the world has ever seen! Rotaract gives me the opportunity to work with like-minded individuals from across the globe to create a better world. Together, we will eradicate Polio, bring water sanitation systems to all of Haiti, and strengthen all of our communities" - Josh Juni, New West Rotaract President

"From a young age I have wanted to be able to make a global impact. I wanted to change the world. I wanted everyone to have the same human rights I had growing up. Rotary gave me the opportunity to serve my local community and my global community. Through Rotary I have been able to help send school desks to kids in the Philippines, fund projects for building wells in Africa, and be a part of a global movement to eradicate Polio from the face of the earth. Through Rotary, I can help change the world. Rotary is 2 million members strong, made up of men, women, and youth all coming together to serve and make a positive impact around the globe. If you’re interested in being a part of this amazing organization message me, I would love to tell you more about what we do, how we do it and most importantly why." - Marianna Hammerstrom, North Shore Rotaract President Elect
 
"Rotary changed my life when I was 15 years old by sending on a year long youth exchange to France. Since then it has provided me with countless opportunities to make a difference in my local and global community while continuing to grow both personally and professionally. This weekend I met wonderful and inspiring people who are each doing their part to change the world. Together we can, we will, we must eradicate polio and empower others to make lasting change in their own lives and communities!" - Johanna Johnson, District Rotaract Representative
 
Carrying forward with the momentum of our busy February many of our clubs have upcoming volunteering events, fundraisers and socials. Here are a selection:
 
  • The UBC Rotaract Club is doing The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup on March 3, 2018: 12:00-2:00pm at UBC Wreck Beach (Trail 6).
     
  • For the Burnaby Rotaract's February/March social, they will be doing a pubcrawl in Port Moody! Join them for a fun afternoon touring the local breweries. They will meet at Moody Centre Skytrain station at 2:00PM and then walk over to the breweries: https://www.facebook.com/events/1713577008694604/
     
  • The Vancouver Young Professionals Rotaract Club will be volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House on Sunday March 4th from 4-8pm. THey will be cooking and serving chilli, cornbread, salad, and fruit kabobs. Want to help out?: https://www.facebook.com/events/151960832110121/
     
  • The Yaletown Rotaract Club is doing a Whitecaps fundraiser at the season opener game March 4th. For more info please visit: Facebook event page: FDU ‘Caps College Night – Whitecaps Season Opener goo.gl/uLZGZA, ticket link: whitecapsfc.com/fdu, Promo code: FDU
     
  • The Prince George Rotaract Club has started an online fundraiser towards purchasing a ShelterBox. The total cost for the ShelterBox is $1200 and they have currently fundraised $440. Want to make a contribution please visit: https://shelterboxcanada.akaraisin.com/pledge/Team/Home.aspx?seid=15047&mid=10&tid=154275#.WnF1hRq29wY.facebook
 
In March we will also be celebrating World Rotaract Week from the 12th to 18th. So please stay tuned for more exciting Rotaract events by visiting http://rotary5040.org/events/calendar or follow us at www.facebook.com/Rotaract5040/
 
On the note of celebrating.. did you know that this year marks 50 years of young people doing good in the world. Our District 5040 Rotaract clubs want to invite you to join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and fun at our 50th Anniversary Celebration on May 12th at the Burnaby Firefighters Hall. For more details please visit: http://rotary5040.org/event/rotaract-50th-anniversary-celebration/
 
Last but not least we having started the planning for our Pacific Canadian Experience (PACE), which is a round trip that fosters global Rotaract ties and provides an authentic experience of Canada's multiculturalism while facilitating international friendships. You will be hearing more about PACE in the coming months but if you are curious to learn more now please visit http://www.rotaract5040.org/pace-trip/
 
District 5040 Rotaractors at the Presidential Peacebuilding Conference with fellow Rotaractors from Alberta and Russia!
 

District Skating Social in Richmond
 

​Youth Programs Strategic Planning
 

​Joint Meeting with the UBC and Young Professionals Rotaract Clubs and their sponsoring club the Rotary Club of Vancouver .
 

​Rotaractors chilling with RI President Elect Barry Rassin at PETS
 

​Rotaractor Thomas Miller discussing rising water levels with RI President Elect Barry Rassin
 

​District Rotaract Representative Johanna Johnson with RI President Elect Barry Rassin and DGE Darcy Long enjoying the hospitality suite at PETS

​Rotaractors having a blast at PETS!