Rotary recognizes the theme of Water and Sanitation in March. We can consider all of our valued, Rotary-sponsored, community projects which depend directly or indirectly on those essentials of any of our vibrant communities. We can also remind ourselves and our communities that, thanks to Rotary projects, 23 million people now have safe water and 21 million people have access to sanitation and hygiene. Our aim is to extend that right to people worldwide by 2030. Click to read the featured article on Water & Sanitation.
Leadership Training will happen in Whistler on May 4th. Click here for a complete list of workshops. For new member who would like to know more about this great organization that they have joined please attend the session entitled aptly Rotary Uncovered - What Have I Joined? For those membership chairs or presidents who want some tips, ideas and tools to engage and attract members sign up for Membership Mysteries. Join PR Guru Peter in Reputation and Club Communications to find out how you can make the Rotary brand in your club and community stronger. Calling all club secretaries and anyone else who wants to learn how to navigate on Clubrunner. Corralling ClubRunner is for you. You will be amazed at the scope of what Clubrunner can do! These workshops are a deal at $ 35.00 for a full day of two workshops, coffee and lunch.
Around the District
Strategic Planning – Feb. 11th. As a district we consult our strategic plan twice a year to make sure that we are on track. It appears that we are! Most goals have been achieved or are currently in the works. I hope that your club also consults it’s strategic plan.
Alex and I, along with Director Dean and Rhino attended the Richmond club’s Chinese New Year extravaganza. There was copious amounts of delicious food, fascinating entertainment including a dragon dance as well as a silent auction. The evening was a huge success.
On February 23rd I was privileged to attend Rebel Nation. This is a talent show put on by the Interact Club of Burnaby South. The young talent was awesome and the whole event was extremely well organized by our young Rotarians. Proceeds were donated to The Sound of Hope Vocational School in Bali for the hearing impaired.
Another youth event that I attended was the Whistler Interact fundraiser that raised money to fund scholarships for students in Kenya at the Kyaithani and Lower Yatta Secondary Schools. This is where the first Canada Grant monies were sent. The outcome of this venture is to have the Interact students presenting at the district conference communicate live via technology with the students in Kenya. Stay tuned!
DGE Don Evans and his President Elects had a very successful PETS in Seattle.
Rotary International President John Germ is asking all Rotary Clubs to partner with other service organizations in your community or with organizations all over the world during International Week of Service, March 25 to 31, 2017. Rotarians are invited to join other volunteers, working to improve their communities in this collaborative week. How will your club “Serve Humanity” in that week?
Foundation Celebration
Foundation Dinner and Dance – Saturday, April 8th, Richmond BC. We continue to celebrate the Centennial of our Foundation. Come join us for a fun filled night of entertainment and fellowship. Click to learn more and to register.
An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented. Women in the 20th century have achieved significant progress in the economically progressive areas of the world, but women and girls in non-developed countries have a much more difficult life and must accept their inferior social status and tend to fall into traditional roles. In April, Rotary worldwide has recognized this all so important bond of maternal and child health as one of our six areas of focus.
Sylvia Barton is our District’s first participant in the New Generations Exchange Program and this is the story of the journey she has embarked on with Rotary. Sylvie as she is known by those close to her, is a 3rd year student at SFU majoring in criminology with a minor in First Nations Studies. It has been edited in length but is her story.
Spring Learning and Development sessions are coming to your area. Read more to find dates and locations in your area for the Rotary - Year Ahead and Grant Managements seminars.
iEmpowerment aims to train a million community health care workers through education, skills development, reference guides and applications on USB memory sticks. The goal is to deliver the program through members in every Rotary and Rotaract Club in Africa. The Rotary Club of Pemberton’s Pat Montani invites Rotarians and Rotoractors in District 5040 to join a network of i-Champions in 30 Rotary and Rotaract Clubs already distributing the iEmpowerment resources to achievement significant impact on the health and well-being of many of Rotary’s communities.
In the spirit of this year’s theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, Rotary is partnering with other service organizations all over the world during International Week of Service, March 25 to 31, 2017. Rotarians are invited to join other volunteers, working to improve their communities in this collaborative week, from Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, Junior Chamber International, Kiwanis International, Moose International, Soroptimist, Y’s Men International, Pilot International, and Sertoma Inc.
With the Rotary theme of Water & Sanitation in March here are five Rotary Foundation Global Grant Projects in keeping with that theme, approved and funded or ongoing in 2016-2017 by The Rotary Foundation and supported by District 5040.
If you have an outstanding Rotarian in your club make sure you nominate her or him for "ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR" fill out the Nomination Form on the District website and email it to me, Peter Clarke, at peter.rotary@gmail.com. If you think your club is a candidate for "ROTARY CLUB OF THE YEAR" let your Assistant Governor know about all the great work your club has achieved in your community, around the world and within your own membership. The Criteria and Nomination Form are on the 5040 District website. More awards opportunities...........
Whistler becomes "The Big Easy” for our May 4-7 District 5040 Conference at the Saturday evening Mardi Gras gala. Unmasking for Mardi Gras, the conference committee takes a moment from its work together to give you an idea of what to expect throughout the conference. Read more to watch the video.
Learning, decision making and attention. How does the brain work when it comes to these processes? This the focus of research by Dr. Matt Balcarras who will share his layman’s view of this interesting perspective on how we think. Dr. Balcarras is chief scientist at a Vancouver health tech start-up where he is trying to build a system that helps people make difficult medical decisions. He holds a PhD in neuroscience from York University (Toronto) and a MSc in philosophy from the University of Edinburgh. He lives in Delta with his partner Deanna, and their three kids.
District Governor Lyn invites Rotarians to register for workshops planned for Thursday May 4th in Whistler in the Ski Cabin at 2028 Rob Boyd Way. The workshops are designed to expand your Rotary knowledge and build your commitment to Rotary and your club. They will be interactive and full of ideas and strategies to enhance your Rotary experience. What a great way to start this years District Conference in Whistler!
Rotary recognizes the theme of Water and Sanitation in March. We can consider all of our valued, Rotary-sponsored, community projects which depend directly or indirectly on those essentials of any of our vibrant communities. We can also remind ourselves and our communities that, thanks to Rotary projects, 23 million people now have safe water and 21 million people have access to sanitation and hygiene. Our aim is to extend that right to people worldwide by 2030. 
Leadership Training will happen in Whistler on May 4th. 
Strategic Planning – Feb. 11th. As a district we consult our strategic plan twice a year to make sure that we are on track. It appears that we are! Most goals have been achieved or are currently in the works. I hope that your club also consults it’s strategic plan.
Alex and I, along with Director Dean and Rhino attended the Richmond club’s Chinese New Year extravaganza. There was copious amounts of delicious food, fascinating entertainment including a dragon dance as well as a silent auction. The evening was a huge success.
On February 23rd I was privileged to attend Rebel Nation. This is a talent show put on by the Interact Club of Burnaby South. The young talent was awesome and the whole event was extremely well organized by our young Rotarians. Proceeds were donated to The Sound of Hope Vocational School in Bali for the hearing impaired.
Rotary International President John Germ is asking all Rotary Clubs to partner with other service organizations in your community or with organizations all over the world during International Week of Service, March 25 to 31, 2017. Rotarians are invited to join other volunteers, working to improve their communities in this collaborative week. How will your club “Serve Humanity” in that week?
Foundation Dinner and Dance – Saturday, April 8th, Richmond BC. We continue to celebrate the Centennial of our Foundation. Come join us for a fun filled night of entertainment and fellowship. 
