From Darcy Long District Governor 2018-2019
March 30,2021
Dear Rotary Family, It is with profound sadness I share with you the news of the passing of our beloved District Governor Dave Hamilton. Dave lost his battle with Prostate cancer last night (March 29), with Tanya by his side. There has been such an outpouring of love from all of you, and I have no doubt Dave has felt it and it has helped to comfort him in his final days. As that same love will help Tanya, and Dave’s family, in the days moving forward as we all grieve with them. The Rotary Family has lost a true champion, humanitarian, and friend. Due to the Covid Pandemic restrictions we are unable to meet in person to celebrate Dave at this time. Rest assured as soon as there is an opportunity to gather, notice will go out for a celebration of life to be held at the Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen as per Dave’s request. We will pass on more information as it becomes known to us. Rest in Peace Dave. Thank you for sharing your dance moves with us. You were an amazing friend and inspirational leader who will truly be missed. With very heavy hearts, Darcy and Doug |
On March 27, the 2020-2021 Class of Governors arranged an opportunity for our Zone 28 and 32 to thank DG Dave Hamilton for his leadership and love. Dave agreed to the idea, and the group got busy fast. More than 100 Rotarians took the opportunity to virtually dance with our District Governor of Awesomeness Dave Hamilton. Special Guests included Rotary International President Holger Knaack, Rotary International Vice-President Johrita Solari, Director Valarie Wafer, Past Director Jeffry Cadorette and Director Elect Drew Kessler.
Please follow this link to hear these amazing Rotarians pay tribute to a true champion, humanitarian, and friend. We shared stories, roasting and toasting our good friend and sending him on his next journey in a good way.
As DG Tony reminds us, “Dave was one in a million. He lived a full life, lead with distinction, and loved serving and helping others which is why he was such a tremendous Rotarian. Despite the fact we just meet as DG trainees, we shared a lot in a short period of time. What I will always remember is he infectious personality and the way he could mobilize people to do good in his community and throughout the world. Rotary was the perfect avenue for him. A life well-lived, a role model for many.”
Donations
At this event Tanya also announced Dave’s wishes for his legacy:
- The Dave Hamilton Service Above Self Bursary will make it possible for students to reach for the stars and pursue their dreams after high school. Donations to this transformative legacy are gratefully accepted in Dave’s honour. Please see Announcing Dave Hamilton Service Above Self for details.
- Donations can also be made in Dave’s name to The Rotary Foundation.
Original invite to March 27th tribute
 | A Legacy That will TransformThe Dave Hamilton Service Above Self Bursary will make it possible for students to reach for the stars and pursue their dreams after high school. This bursary will be available to any high school graduate of District 5040 and will be awarded to students who demonstrate:
There will be a formal application process. Details to follow. Please donate by using the donate button or QR code below:
Please contact Tanya Hall at tanya@tanyahall.org for additional information. |
Dr. "Bowtie" Todd Jenkins currently serves as the Senior Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovation Leader in Corporate America at a Fortune 400 company and as a Global Inclusion Trainer, Strategist, and Speaker with Bowtie Leadership, Inc. As a consultant, he has worked with several companies such as Walmart, Google, Facebook, American Airlines, Deloitte, etc., oil and gas companies, small and large non-profits, and entrepreneurs.
He'll deliver the keynote speech at the 2021 District Conference on Friday, June 4 as we celebrate the Rotary Family, June 4 and 5 in a live, virtual event. Register now for the 2021 District Conference for $79!
Dr. Jenkins is a proud Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Fayetteville, Arkansas; he has served as the former Rotaract Advisor, Interact Sponsor, RYLA presenter, Youth Services Chair, two terms on Club Board of Directors, and graduated from his District and Zone Leadership Academy. Dr. Jenkins is currently one of the youngest Youth Exchange District Chairs in Rotary International.
Judith Diment has held many senior positions in marketing and communications including Head of PR for the National History Museum, London.
A dedicated Rotarian, Diment has worked as an advocate for polio eradication for more than 20 years. She is currently the Coordinator of Rotary International Polio Eradication Task Force and a member of Rotary International Polio Plus Committee (IPCC).
She will join us online at the 2021 District Conference on Saturday, June 5.
Register now for the Conference for $79/person in this exciting, live virtual event.
Two Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Terrace Skeena Valley (Leah-Ann Rogers and Giselle Birch) set out on Jan. 27 to do a kind deed to the Northern Health Employees at Mills Memorial Hospital, McConnell Estates assisted living and Terrace View Lodge on behalf of the club.
Participating in Rotary’s People of Action campaign with help from Northern Health providing
some staffing numbers Terrace Skeena Valley Rotary ordered up 44 dozen donuts and 44 boxes of coffee from the South Side Tim Hortons in Terrace to give to workers in the various departments such as IT, maintenance, record keeping, stores, kitchen support, janitorial and housekeeping, office workers, care aides and more.
There are so many people who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes of health care and Terrace Skeena Valley Rotarians wanted to honour each one offering a Thank You for all they do.
While the Tim Hortons staff packaged up the 528 individually wrapped donuts and made up 528 cups of coffee for the morning delivery, store manager Devin Archibald told the Rotary members that Tim Hortons would donate the donuts and coffee to the Rotary club citing a community COVID-19 program Tim Hortons has. Without missing a beat and after some quick texts the money for the purchase of the treats was turned over to be used for Tim Hortons Kids Camp making it a true double/double blessing in the community.
Ladner Rotarian and Past District Governor Chris Offer appears in the January 2021 edition of the international Rotary Magazine. He has also been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Rotary Foundation Canada.
We are saddened to report that PDG Michael Cruise, passed away suddenly at age 95.
- Have you ever wanted to improve your skills as a facilitator or mediator?
- Could you deal better with conflict in your club business or personal life?
- Are you adjusting well to the strains of online communication and Zoom fatigue?
- Would you like to learn new ways to shift your views of conflict; learn advanced listening and facilitation skills; and take part in a facilitated ‘Peace Conversation’ on cross-cultural communication?
If you answered positively to any of the above questions, Rotary 5040 is offering a free, comprehensive training program in collaboration with Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI) that may just be right for you!
The Rotary District 5040 Nominating Committee has completed the interview process and the challenge period has now ended. Consequently the Committee is proud to announce that for the Shirley-Pat Chamberlain from the Rotary Club of Steveston is the District Governor for the 2023-2024 Rotary year.
Congratulations Shirley Pat and we look forward to working with you.
On a cold Saturday morning in early November, the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, BC Canada in District 5040 were ready to do their Polio Plus
Drive Thru Flu Shots.
Drive Thru Flu Shots.
- 50 cars 102 flu shots
- Over $7000 raised for polio plus
- Finally seeing people face to face - partially!
- Great winter fun event
With a COVID plan in place and socially distanced jobs to do, everyone masked up and got going. Rotary member Edwin Lee, a local pharmacist supported by his wife Vicki, a pharmacist, gave 102 flu shots. The Rotarians, family and friends received their flu shots without ever getting out of the car.
COVID-19 has forced everyone to think beyond the norm, including planning for 2021 Rotary District 5040 Conference.
Rotary District 5040 Innovation…
We will maintain the Rotary energy found when we all gather at our in-person conferences with the added benefit of making the 2021 Conference easy to attend and accessible for every Rotarian in the District!
The new dates are now Friday June 4 and Saturday, June 5, 2021 and will be a combination of virtual and in-person gatherings at pod sites (following all provincial safety COVID-19 guidelines.)
The conference will be hosted and broadcast from the Terrace Hub with the maximum number of people allowed to gather in person according to Provincial Health Officer guidelines and is subject to change.
On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), Canada is celebrating our nation's role as a founding member and a contributor to world peace with its 2020 $1 circulation coin.
Canada was one of 51 countries which founded the United Nations in October 1945. As one of the most “international” organizations in the world of the day, Rotary played an active role in the drafting of the United Nations Charter in 1945 in San Francisco.
The RC of Ladner had an excellent presentation on PolioPlus and our campaign to eradicate polio by Mike McGovern, Chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee. We can see the end of our journey.
You can view the presentation at at https://vimeo.com/470385506
Prince George, B.C., September 21, 2020 — Prince George Rotarians, along with the City of Prince George raised the United Nations peace flag today at City Hall to proclaim Sept. 21 as the International Day of Peace and the week dedicated to peace in Prince George.
Members from the four Prince George Rotary Clubs (Prince George, Nechako and Yellowhead and Rotaract Club were joined by Rotary International District 5040 Governor Dave Hamilton, a member of the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, along with Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall, a member of the Rotary Club of Prince George – Nechako.
Every Tuesday and Friday for the past 4 months during the pandemic, members of the Rotary Club of Squamish have been delivering Food Bank hampers to families in our community.
Hamper deliveries have now ended as the Food Bank transitions to the new Under One Roof facility at 3rd Avenue and Main in downtown Squamish. The Food Bank will operate in "THE MARKET" on the ground floor starting on September 1st.
A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers who signed up and helped out. The Food Bank and Helping Hands are truly grateful.
The 2021 Conference Committee is building a list of informative and exciting speakers. Check below for individuals who will widen your horizon and provide more insight into your Rotary family.
Among them so far are Family and ER physician Dr. Paul Dhillon; Métis Canadian Cultural Mediator, Rotary Positive Peace Activator Lorelei Higgins; multi-talented and award-winning actor Neal McDonough; and mediator, architect and entrepreneur Scott R. Martin.
On June 17th the Rotary Club of New Westminster - Royal City presented a Paul Harris fellowship award to Dr, Bonny Henry BC's provincial health Officer.
As mentioned during the presentation ceremony: When Dr. Henry first spoke the words, Be kind, Be calm, Be safe she showed compassion for what the people of BC would be dealing with in Covid 19. She inspired us with her gentleness and her calm voice of reason reassured us that we were going to get through this together.
Dr. Henry's experience includes an effort as part of the WHO/UNICEF polio eradication program in Pakistan. Definitely inline with Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio from the world. Her work to establish the Canada Pandemic Influenza Plan, which contains recommendations for health-related activities during the spread of a virus has directly and positively impacted the course of this pandemic
Dr Henry was selected to receive this recognition because her work exemplifies the humanitarian objectives of The Rotary Foundation. A very worthy recipient of the Paul Harris fellowship award and Rotary District 5040 thanks the Rotary Club of new Westminster - Royal City club for recognizing Dr. Henry on behalf of all Rotarians.
More information is available on this New Westminster Record article. Click the Read More for a Zoom meeting video of the presentation.
The In Memoriam presentation on the page below -- Read More -- would have been presented at the 2020 Vision Conference for District 5040 at the end of April. It is presented here for information of our District members. Thank you to Past District Governor Gordon Dalgleish and sponsor, Kearney Funeral Services, for this tribute to members and some partners who passed away in the past year of 2019-20.
Three years ago the Rotary Club of Squamish introduced a new community Valentines event to Squamish – Rotary Hearts; a Celebration of Love.
Now these Hearts have a new lease on life. Rotarians have been busy refurbishing them with new messages of hope, encouragement and thanks.
Over 50 hearts have all found new homes along some popular local trails:- Estuary/Swan Trail, Smoke Bluffs, Jack's Trail, Golf Course/Spawning Channels, Ray Peters Trail, and Loggers Creek Nature Trail.
We hope those in Squamish will enjoy your walk or ride and take joy from the messages of inspiration.
Now these Hearts have a new lease on life. Rotarians have been busy refurbishing them with new messages of hope, encouragement and thanks.
Over 50 hearts have all found new homes along some popular local trails:- Estuary/Swan Trail, Smoke Bluffs, Jack's Trail, Golf Course/Spawning Channels, Ray Peters Trail, and Loggers Creek Nature Trail.
We hope those in Squamish will enjoy your walk or ride and take joy from the messages of inspiration.
We are very sad to have to inform you that PDG Mary Watson passed away last week. Mary started her Rotary career as soon as women were allowed to join in 1989, by being welcomed into the Burnaby Metrotown club. Later she joined the Vancouver Arbutus club and latterly the Tsawwassen club.
Mary, together with her husband Sandy, spent many of these years serving at District level – including as District Treasurer and as Youth Exchange chair. Many of us will remember Mary as a strong and vibrant leader and passionate about the youth who were going or coming to their unforgettable year of exchange. As an early woman Rotarian, she was a mentor to many of the women of Rotary that joined and followed her. In 2003 – 2004 she took that position to the next level and as first woman District 5040 Governor, paving the way for the many who have followed her over the years.
photo by Christen & Kyle Downie
The Rotary Club of Vancouver is providing emergency funding to Vancouver elementary schools and organizations in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
The club donated $20,000 to the Adopt-a-School program, adopting two Vancouver schools, Norquay Elementary and Britannia Community Elementary. Funds will be used to provide food to families and assist those who don’t have computers or access to the internet so students can participate in online learning.
Vancouver Rotary also gave $10,000 to The Door is Open, an organization that provides daily meals to people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Read the complete story in the Vancouver Sun.
"Rotary Opens Opportunities" is the theme for 2020-21 and our incoming Rotary International President Holger Knaack speaks about it and then District leaders present and discuss with participants Rotary’s Change Model in the first of the Our Year Ahead 2020-21 webinars.
Our District’s 2020 Vision Conference in Vancouver April 24 – 26 was expected to attract upwards of 350 registrations. With great regret District leaders have cancelled the District Conference in response to BC Health Minister Adrian Dix’s announcement on March 12 that the provincial government has banned all events with more than 250 people to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including sporting events, upcoming concerts and all religious gatherings.
Not only can you learn about Rotary’s Change Plan, the thinking behind new Rotary International theme, and much more, you have the valuable opportunity to network with members from other clubs and build teamwork among your fellow club members and leaders at “Our Year Ahead 2020-21” sessions throughout the District this Spring.
