Rotary members and program participants throughout Rotary District 5040 are improving lives in many communities of British Columbia and around the world every day through thousands of service projects. Here are some examples of how People of Action in Rotary have made life better for others in service above self. Learn what other clubs are doing to inspire yours and share in the value of the Rotary experience.
I hope everyone had a great holiday season and are enjoying the opportunities we have in Rotary to serve our communities and the world in so many rewarding ways.
Plans for our District Conference April 28 to 30 are moving rapidly: check out the theme and draft program and register. There’s something for everyone, an interesting and varied program, great speakers, fun and fellowship all in a great location. The $400 registration cost is being extended for another month, to January 31, before it rises to $450. And there’s a special rate for Rotaractors and first-year Rotarians -- $99, not including a Gala ticket. There are still hotel rooms in the block at our special negotiated rate.
The Year of the Rabbit, in the Lunar Calendar is coming. Right now it is time to get together to do something extraordinary and make a difference in our world, starting with donations of items to the online auction as part of the Lower Mainland District Foundation Dinner and Richmond Rotary Lunar New Year Gala on February 4, 2023. We need all Rotarians to participate and donate items for On-Line Auction. Each club is asked to please donate one item to the Rotary Club of Richmond which is hosting the event by January 14th.
With the theme of "Serving with Imagination and Hope'', the Rotary entry, in the 135th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on January 2, 2023. won the 2023 Princess Award for most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length.
Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have renewed their longstanding partnership to end polio. The renewal agreement includes a joint commitment of up to $450 million to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
"We’ve made tremendous progress, but the world is facing multiple pandemics, and vaccine hesitancy is on the rise," says Ian Riseley, trustee chair of The Rotary Foundation. "Partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation helps us ensure that children in polio-affected countries get the lifesaving vaccines they need."
Best wishes to everyone for a Happy Christmas season! And as we celebrate what is both a secular and a Christian observance in our society, let’s remember and respect the many other religions that also celebrate special occasions at this time of year. It is wonderful to see so many of our clubs engage with their communities as they celebrate holiday events. We’ve had an active month in Rotary! Here are some highlights.
Inclusion of First Peoples’ content in schools builds student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect. In Delta, British Columbia, the School District commissioned “Wave Warrior”, an ocean-going 39-foot fibreglass Journey Canoe, to help students learn more about the canoe culture and connect them with Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Delta students and staff can use the canoe on day trips throughout the paddling season. The School District's Indigenous Education Department has also been developing a mentorship program, Paddling Together, for students in grades 5 to 12. The program will inspire positive identity of urban Indigenous students, help develop leaders, and bridge relationships throughout the community.
Rotary members and supporters took action on World Polio Day, October 24, 2022, to raise awareness and funds toward eradicating polio.
More than 4,200 Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs in 118 countries registered their participation in World Polio Day.
Donors contributed more than US$740,000 online, which meant a total — with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2-to-1 match — of more than $2.2 million raised.
Social media efforts tied to World Polio Day reached 31 million people, compared to 17 million in 2021.
Once again, Rotary’s members and supporters united to show tremendous support in the fight against polio.
Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset member Magdalen R Leung, as a member of the Health Major Gifts Initiative Advisers committee, says, "Through my participation in global grants from The Rotary Foundation, I have seen how the lives of 600 children in China have been changed for the better in the past ten years. I have been involved in four global grants to support Gift of Life in Shanghai, China. These grants, ranging from $150,000 to $200,000, have provided life-changing heart surgery to children as young as three months old, with most of the children ages five or six."
Several members have stepped forward to help serve all our clubs in District 5040, but there are still some opportunities to serve, learn, and build relationships with other Rotary members across the district and beyond. Please join the team.
Since 1951 Xwemélch’stn Etsimxwawtxw Capilano Littlest Ones School has brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, parents, community residents, and school staff for the education of now 131 children in a community school in the Norgate area of North Vancouver. In 1996 it was designated as a "community school" under the auspices of the North Vancouver School District.
The "Littlest Ones School", as it is known, is in the Squamish First Nation which is the first urban First Nation to receive support from Rotary's Write to Read (W2R) program. W2R focuses on literacy, learning and life in Indigenous communities, through libraries and learning centres, bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens in order to break down social barriers, to build bridges across cultures, and to re-establish positive relationships. The Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise was the leader in facilitating this funding support.
For her hard work and success in making a contribution to Wheelchairs for Fiji, Kitimat resident, 11-year-old Avaya Borgens, is among the youngest people to ever receive a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award from a Rotary club.
Every day three people in Fiji on average lose a limb, many of those their legs. After those suffering from such a life-changing loss, a wheelchair means freedom from immobilization and burden on family and friends and access to productive, fulfilling lives. Rotary clubs in the District's Northwest have been raising funds in recent years for Wheelchairs for Fiji to supply wheelchairs to the South Pacific nation of almost 900,000 population.
A convoy of nearly 40 ambulances wound its way from Slovakia, around mountains and through roadblocks, military checkpoints, and torrential rain to arrive in Kyiv, bringing the critically needed vehicles to Ukrainian government officials. This is just one way Rotary is responding to the crisis in Ukraine.
The US$600,000 initiative was the first joint project between Rotary and Ukraine Friends, which agreed in July to collaborate to provide resources, organize logistics, and distribute funds for high-impact projects that help Ukrainians affected by the war with Russia. Each organization donated US$300,000 to get the ambulances, and Rotary districts in Ukraine and Slovakia coordinated the delivery. Rotary's funding came from a Rotary Foundation disaster response grant. -- article by Ryan Hyland; photo by Chantal Mistral
Past District Governor David Kirk passed away October 22, 2022. Greatly respected as a kind and gentle man and Rotarian, David served our District as Governor in 2000 – 2001. David was part of the Rotary Club of New Westminster for 40 years, where he served as President in 1990 – 1991. He was a professional engineer, where his accomplishments were recognized with a life membership in the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and with the honour of a Fellowship with Engineers Canada. David is survived by his wife Sheila, herself a Rotarian, and their family.
CDN$1,710 is going to The Rotary Foundation for the End Polio Now campaign thanks to 12 members of the Interact Club at Rockridge Secondary School in West Vancouver who ran the annual “Pumpkins for Polio” fundraiser on October 22, 2022. Typically on a weekend close to Hallowe'en, the event, run by the high school Interact club, which Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise sponsors, sold the pumpkins for $5 per pumpkin or donations greater than that for Interact sales of $855. The Rotary Club matched the sales to reach the campaign total of $1,710. Each pumpkin had an “End Polio Now” sticker and was complete with a flyer about the campaign.
Past District 5040 Governor and former District Foundation Chair Del Paterson, of RC New Westminster, and wife Roxanne were among 35 members welcomed to the Arch Klumph Society at Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois on October 22, 2022. In thanking each and every honoree for empowering Rotary to help others, Rotary General Secretary and CEO, John Hewko, says, "We reflected on each other's personal stories and how impact is amplified when one puts Service Above Self. I'm honored to know these 36 philanthropic leaders and to celebrate their contributions."
Vancouver Rotary clubs held Vancouver’s first World Polio Day Walk on October 24, 2022, starting with the Proclamation at City Hall followed by the walk from Vancouver City Hall to Science World. -- photos by Michael Cowhig
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot," Dr. Suess says, "nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” We have so many talented members who could help District 5040 fulfill its mission to support and strengthen the clubs we serve.
If you are looking for the opportunity to serve, to learn, and to build relationships with other Rotary members across the district and beyond – check out the options.
The District 5040 Nomination Committee has recommended District Learning and Development Team Chair and former Assistant Governor Jan Gisborne, of the Rotary Club of Powell River, as District Governor Nominee Designate to serve as District 5040 Governor in the 2025-26 Rotary year. A 14-day appeal period begins October 17th and runs until October 30th.
Many of the 116 seniors who participated at no cost on September 7, 2022 in Quesnel Rotary's annual Expedition to Barkerville, the gold mining heritage town dating back to 1862 -- the largest living-history museum in western North America -- have been long-time supporters of local Rotary fundraisers. This expedition has become an annual tradition since 1962. In fact, other than the past two years on interruption because of the pandemic, it is the longest continuous service project in Rotary District 5040.
More great Rotary Foundation news this month! At our recent Zone meetings in Toronto, our Past District Governor (and current Foundation Chair) Lorne Calder, was presented with three awards for 2021 – 22. We were first in our zone for EREY giving (Every Rotarian Every Year, where Rotarians give at least $25 US to the annual fund – share), with 65.6% of Rotarians doing that. We were also first in new donors, at 253. Finally, we were second, and received an honourable mention award, for per-capita giving to the Annual Fund, at $388.93.
As communities in BC become stronger through facilities and services, often with a focus on those in need, through the work of Rotary clubs, funds for those projects often come from The Rotary Foundation. Communities around the world, where there is so often a desperate need for people just to survive, The Rotary Foundation provides funds to fight disease, help mothers and children survive, provide disaster relief, and improve lives often through our Rotary clubs worldwide.
To support any and all of those causes, The Rotary Foundation is receiving US $1,292,288 from generous Rotary members, and some others, in British Columbia’s Rotary District 5040 with some from Rotary District 5050. Announcement of this gift came at District 5040’s Million Dollar Dinner on October 8, 2022 at Quilchena Golf Club in Richmond.
At one of three Rotary StoryWalk trails in Delta, sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen, Rotary International President 2020-21 Holger Knaack, visiting from his home in Northern Germany, volunteered to help with changing the monthly children's storybook featured at 21 stations along a one-kilometre StoryWalk trail in Ladner on October 8, 2022. Holger was in town as special speaker at Rotary District 5040's Million Dollar Dinner that evening. After joining the work party, he toured some of the sights of Vancouver.
Environmental clean up authorities in the Ukraine are working on cleaning up rivers and lakes throughout the war-torn country so residents can access clean water with the help of a Rigid Inflatable boat and 11 underwater diving suits provided by our Rotary District 5040 and Districts 5030 in Seattle and Area and 5060 in the Okanagan area of BC and part of Washington State through a multi-District disaster response fund. Our generous District 5040 has supported relief in the Ukraine with more than CDN $300,000 donated to the Disaster Response Fund, Shelter Box, Red Cross and Disaster Aid Canada. Our Rotarians donated US $136,000 US to the Disaster Response Fund and over CDN $70,000 to Shelter Box among the contributions to date.
Our Rotary District 5040 is working on collaboration with District 7815, of clubs in Atlantic Canada, and Disaster Aid Canada to explore ways our members can help the Maritimes with relief where it is needed from the devastating impact of Hurricane Fiona. Past District Governor Lorne Calder and the District Foundation Committee will advise members as soon as they know how we can best assist.
Rotary Zone 28, comprising the 20 Districts, 1,049 clubs and 33,640 members across Canada, has awarded our District 5040 with three Foundation awards thanks to the generosity of our members, and some non-members, at Zone’s 28 and 32 Learning to Lead Conference in Toronto September 21 to 24, 2022.
As the annual District Governor club visits begin, Pat and I have been delighted to meet with clubs and Rotarians throughout our large District and have the in-person exchange that is Rotary at its finest. We especially look forward to hearing more about what clubs are accomplishing.
When the pandemic came to Squamish in March 2020, the local food bank could no longer have residents visit the facility in person due to COVID protocols, and had to transition to home delivery of food hampers. Rotary Club of Squamish contacted the food bank and volunteered to help. In April 2020, Rotarians began delivering hampers in the community every Tuesday and Friday. They continue long after the pandemic food bank "emergency".
In the 1600s, when the Europeans first explored Africa, they were met by men brandishing spears and women carrying buckets of water on their heads. It's now 2022 and the men carry cell phones and laptops, but the women are still carrying buckets of water on their heads. To liberate women to some extent in these communities where this practice continues, the hippo water roller was developed. The innovative hippo water roller provides a simple solution to this global problem. Basically, the hippo roller is a re-invented wheelbarrow designed to transport 90-liters of water by placing the water inside its “wheel.” This simple design allows an arduous chore to be done easier, faster, and more efficiently. Luke Vorstermans, of the Rotary Club of Gibsons, helped his club launch the “Help Us Roll 1000 Hippos” campaign that quickly rolled out across Canada and the USA.
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