This is the final newsletter for the Rotary year 2016-17, Rotary Serving Humanity.
The District Conference was for me a fabulous event. The conference committee was a beautiful example of how a group of Rotarians can work together cohesively towards a common goal. They worked as a team to support each other with respect and cooperation and combined individual strengths to enhance the team performance. It was a dream team to work with!
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Ladner who won the Club of the Year and to Tom Smith, the District Membership Chair, who was awarded the coveted Rotarian of the year.
For those of you who were able to attend the conference I hope that you enjoyed yourself, that you met new and old friends, were educated, inspired and left with a heightened awareness of how our Rotary Generations do serve Humanity. For conference photos and conference highlights please check out the Conference wrap-up newsletter and photo albums.
Alex and I attended the Richmond Sunrise annual Gala fundraiser. What a huge and successful event that was! This club raised $120,000.00 in one evening!
The Young Professional Summit was also a huge success. Organizers DGD Bala Naidoo and Sam Thiara created a wonderful format with top notch speakers and group activity that hopefully will be used for years to come.
At the Rotaract Installation Maryam Bawa won the Bill Richwa award and the Rotaract club of Burnaby won the club of the year. Congratulations to all!
On May 28th 2017, Rotarians, Rotaractors, & Interactors gathered on the New Westminster Quay to walk 5K to raise funds and awareness for Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio from the world forever. The event was organised by the clubs of Burnaby and New Westminster with Gabi Gasztonyi, at the helm of it. Over $6,000.00 was raised.
I am absolutely delighted to announce that we have a new club in District 5040. The Rotary Club of Vancouver Mountainview meets on Thursdays at 6:15 PM at the Multicultural Helping House Society - 4802 Fraser St. Karen Bation is the new president. Current membership is 24 and expanding. We welcome the Rotary club of Vancouver Mountainview and its members into our Rotary family!
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Past District Governors (1985-86.) Mel Spowart and (1992-94) Dr. Irwin Stewart. See the obituaries below under the News section for more about their contributions to Rotary and humanity.
Alex and I have recently returned from Atlanta where we attended the pre-conferences for Rotary Youth Exchange. We were addressed by RI President Elect Sam Owari from Africa as well as the Presidential Peace conference where we heard the thunderous address by Dr. Bernice King. Next came the International Rotary convention that was jam packed with international speakers ( Bill Gates on polio, Ashton Kushner on human trafficking etc. ) entertainment, and inspiring break out sessions. There was a multitude of diverse cultures represented, unforgettable experiences and fellowship, amazing exhibits and Foundation Centennial celebrations. The push to end polio was a main theme of the convention. Rotary has committed to raising $1.5 billion dollars for polio eradication. At the convention it was thrilling to see $1.2 billion raised through the contributions of various countries ( including Canada with 100 million dollars ) and organizations. Check out the convention at http://www.riconvention.org/en/atlanta/videos
This is the time of year where presidents and their boards are being installed. Lucky Alex and I have already attended some and are looking forward to more of them. What an honour and what fun!
Alex and I cannot express the depth of our appreciation for the hospitality, warmth , encouragement and generosity of spirit that we have experienced in this past year as the District Governor couple. We have met so many amazing people and heard the most amazing stories of how Rotarians in this district are changing the world both locally and globally. We have had such fun! We have laughed and cried together with you, our Rotary friends. Personally this has probably been the most challenging yet the most inspiring and fulfilling year of my life.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity and honour of leading this great Rotary district while we as Rotarians, serve Humanity.
With profound gratitude and respect,
DG Lyn
Conference 2018 - Update
Save the date - May 31 - June 3, 2018
Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 District Conference early bird draw winners. Entries were Rotarian's who registered for next years conference at the 2017 conference.
Winners were drawn on June 18th by DG elect Don Evans and Deb Sankey.
Neil Diamond Tickets:
Satwant Ginder, Rotary Club of Burnaby
Whistler Condo / week stay:
Dave Hamilton, Rotary Club of Tsawwassen
When Arch Klumpf founded The Rotary Foundation 100 years ago and the first contribution of was $26.50 was made, the purpose of the Foundation then, and over many years to follow, was development of our local communities. Although we think on the grand, global scale about our Foundation, with pride that it is among the top rated in the world, development of our own communities still remains a primary focus.
At the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, global leaders and key donors affirmed their commitment to ending polio by pledging $1.2 billion over 3 years in new money for the fight.
The Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development, onstage with Bill Gates and other leaders, announced Canada is pledging C$100 million (US$75 million) towards polio eradication..
Are you interested in participating at the District level.? Then we need you!!! We have a couple of open positions at the District level and we could really use your help!
The positions are for a 3 three year term. Why? In one word continuity. It helps us with our succession planning. A District 5040 strength.
On June 6th, at the monthly Sunshine Meeting of the Vancouver Centennial Rotary Club, District Membership Chair, Tom Smith, presented them with their THREE District Membership Awards:
Largest Membership Increase Percentage - 78%
Largest Net Increase in Membership - 7 tied with two other clubs
Throughout Rotary District 5040 clubs have hosted for an entire year Exchange Students from many parts of the world: Taiwan, Japan, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Canada.
Thirty-four young people who have helped without seeking personal reward or accolades throughout the Delta, BC community, who have demonstrated compassion and empathy for others, acted on a global level, and shown inner strength in overcoming adversity and setting an example for others were recognized at the at the ninth annual Delta Rotary Youth Awards on June 2, 2017. Past District Governor Penny Offer presented some of the awards on behalf of the Rotary Club of Ladner.
On May 28th 2017, Rotarians, Rotaractors, & Interactors gathered on the New Westminster Quay to walk 5K to raise funds and awareness for Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio from the world forever.
This is the final newsletter for the Rotary year 2016-17, Rotary Serving Humanity. 
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Ladner who won the Club of the Year and to Tom Smith, the District Membership Chair, who was awarded the coveted Rotarian of the year.
For those of you who were able to attend the conference I hope that you enjoyed yourself, that you met new and old friends, were educated, inspired and left with a heightened awareness of how our Rotary Generations do serve Humanity. For conference photos and conference highlights please check out the 
The Young Professional Summit was also a huge success. Organizers DGD Bala Naidoo and Sam Thiara created a wonderful format with top notch speakers and group activity that hopefully will be used for years to come.
On May 28th 2017, Rotarians, Rotaractors, & Interactors gathered on the New Westminster Quay to walk 5K to raise funds and awareness for Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio from the world forever. The event was organised by the clubs of Burnaby and New Westminster with Gabi Gasztonyi, at the helm of it. Over $6,000.00 was raised.
Alex and I cannot express the depth of our appreciation for the hospitality, warmth , encouragement and generosity of spirit that we have experienced in this past year as the District Governor couple. We have met so many amazing people and heard the most amazing stories of how Rotarians in this district are changing the world both locally and globally. We have had such fun! We have laughed and cried together with you, our Rotary friends. Personally this has probably been the most challenging yet the most inspiring and fulfilling year of my life.
