OBITUARY — PDG John Anderson, age 81, passed away on August 22, 2026, at Surrey Memorial Hospital after a strong and courageous battle with cancer.

The 450 pupils and staff at Signal Hill Elementary School in Pemberton, BC now have a more reliable, hands-on outdoor learning space which has strengthened the school’s food-growing program thanks to a new CDN$20,000 greenhouse which adds to its garden program.

Rotary Club of Pemberton contributed CDN$11,000 to the greenhouse project and another $9,000 came from The Rotary Foundation through a District Grant.
 

Linda Low is a Rotary Peace Scholar who has dedicated her career to promoting peace through dialogue and community engagement. Having grown up in Kelowna and lived in Vancouver, while attending and graduating from the University of British Columbia and starting her career, Linda shares in this brief video how Rotary programs and membership have provided valuable opportunities to build connections, grow as a leader, and advance peace efforts globally.

100 vulnerable refugee women in Kampala, Uganda took the opportunity to gain education, English language skills, literacy, life skills, psychosocial support, and greater self-confidence to pull themselves out of poverty thanks to funding from the Rotary Club of Burnaby and a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation.

Through the Special Education for Vulnerable Refugee Women provided by the Uganda branch of the multi-nation Human Rights Defenders Solidarity Network the female refugees have been able to improve their English language communication skills.

In Uganda girls and young women face a significant barrier to their education and well-being because they are not able to afford safe menstrual hygiene products.

With CDN$5,765 from the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown plus CDN$4,500 from a Rotary District 5040 Grant from The Rotary Foundation, the Club joined the Rotary Club of Kampala Kawempe in producing and distributing 1,585 reusable sanitary pad kits at three rural schools and one urban school.

Sixty people from 16 Rotary clubs in District 5040 and two Rotaract clubs, including three children, came together for fun and fellowship, hamburgers, hotdogs and to catch up with fellow Rotarians and meet new friends at a good old fashioned summer BBQ at a park in the Vancouver, BC suburb of Delta on July 18, 2026. Rotary International Director, Zones 28 & 32 2026-28, Marty Helman was the honoured guest. Marty is on her Impact Tour to every one of the 40 Districts in both Zones over the 24 months of her term. District 5040 includes 48 clubs from the Greater Vancouver, BC area up the coast to Prince Rupert and inland to Prince George.
 

Fellow members of our dynamic and productive Rotary District 5040, as we look ahead to the 2026–2027 Rotary year, I invite all of us to unite around Rotary International President Yinka Babalola’s theme: Create a Lasting Impact.

There were so many excellent nominations for the 2026 District Awards, reflecting the outstanding talent and achievements among our clubs and our members. Congratulations to recipients of this year’s District Awards. See why these nominations were recognized for best practices in service to our Clubs and the District.   

Lytton, BC has been on alert for the threat from the Saw Creek wildfire which has been growing in size only three kilometres to the south. Nearby Siska First Nation has also been under threat. The fire trailer sponsored by Rotary Club of Steveston and Rotary's Emergency Aid Canada and donated to the Siska community, was the first of nine sponsored and donated to First Nation communities in BC. Here is the first fire trailer in action, preventing a much bigger disaster.

As we near the end of another Rotary year it's a time to reflect on our achievements throughout District 5040 and the groundwork we have prepared for what comes next. Rotary builds on the efforts of those who came before us. We strive to create opportunities for those who will follow.

Our Rotary theme “Unite for Good” is reflected in every act of service done by like minded people to create something larger than ourselves. During this past year our District adapted to our changing world to better strengthen and support our clubs.

To double the size of the Sushrusa School for Deaf Children in Bali, Indonesia, currently serving 100 students, and to serve many more and thousands in the future, the Rotary Club of Burnaby, with Rotary Club of Lions Gate and a District Grant of CDN$7,000, partnered with the Rotary Club of Bali Action, to complete and outfit a new wing of classrooms at a cost of CDN$35,000. The expansion, built between January and June 2025, included interior finishing, classroom furniture, air conditioning, lighting, and earthquake resistant features. 

Registration is now open for the District 5040 Rotary Family Picnic - part of the upcoming Impact Tour! Join fellow Rotary members and their families from across District 5040 for a fun, relaxed day of connection, community , and celebration. Don't miss the chance to be part of the energy and spirit of the tour - register today.

Rotary's Adventures in Health Care program in Prince George allows young people to explore the wide range of careers within the health care system and connect them to educational pathways and possible career. Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past month.

This is the last post of these monthly posts from clubs throughout the District. This series began three years ago as some form of “member communication” in keeping with strategy of the Public Image Committee, to create some sense of “community” in the District. Our team of 10 Assistant Governors has determined that a more informative method of reporting and discussing, focused on trends, needs and issues among our clubs – as the District aims to serve our clubs – will be more effective.

In rural communities across South Africa, limited access to water affects health, education, household income, and daily dignity. Women and children often spend hours each day carrying heavy containers over long distances, reducing time available for school, work, food production, and community life. The ECOroller Scaling Project addresses that burden with a practical 70-litre rolling water container that allows families to move significantly more water with far less physical strain.

The Rotary Club of Prince Rupert donated $2,100 which, with the help of the Rotary Club of Gibsons, received an additional District Grant of $1,050 from The Rotary Foundation to add to this project. Working with the Rotary Club of Hillcrest in South Africa that total donation of $3,150 was doubled by the Rolling Water Foundation to fund 60 ECOrollers delivered to families in South Africa.

BC & Alberta Guide Dogs (BCAGD), in the Ladner community of Delta is a charity which changes the lives of individuals who are blind or have low vision, children with autism, and Veterans and First Responders with Operational Stress Injuries and PTSD. It takes two years and upwards of $35,000 to produce one certified dog, provided free of charge to the recipient.

The Rotary Club of Ladner has supported the purchase of $15,000 in laboratory equipment for BCAGD’s new $7.1 million Breeding and Training Centre devoted to breeding of dogs, to produce puppies most suited to eventual training as guide and service dogs. Veterinarians working in this highly controlled, safe and sterile environment in the new building can use the equipment to monitor the health of each valuable puppy in its early weeks before leaving for raising with volunteers followed by training.

A dedicated leader, community pillar, friend, proud member of the Rotary Club of Squamish, and leader of various Rotary District 5040 programs,  Lynda Rocha, passed away on May 5, 2026 at the age of 61. Lynda will be missed by so many in her community and throughout our District, especially in the cause of youth, as she lived her life that truly exemplified the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."

With two new automated external defibrillators, purchased with Rotary funding, Quesnel Search & Rescue has increased its emergency response capacity in Quesnel and the surrounding Cariboo region by improving access to life-saving cardiac intervention in remote and difficult-to-reach environments. When a sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the availability of an AED in the first critical minutes can significantly improve the chance of survival. The Rotary Club of Quesnel donated $4,746 with an additional $1,582 from The Rotary Foundation through a District Grant for the purchase of this equipment. 

Pender Harbour Rotary has built and installed 38 Western Purple Martin nesting boxes throughout the inner harbour for the large type of swallow which nests in groups on early April arrival following migration to the area from Brazil. Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past month.

A student graduating this year from high school, in communities served by clubs in Rotary District 5040, with plans to pursue post-secondary education, including trades, can apply for the $1,000 Dave Hamilton “Service Above Self” Bursary by May 15, 2026.

Students who are eligible are part of the "Rotary family", having participated in their school's Interact Club, Rotary Youth Leadership Award  (RYLA), Youth Exchange or Adventures programs. More details…….
 

An April 18th Meet and Greet of 75 members, family and friends from all eight Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Richmond and Delta was an opportunity to learn about other clubs in the Area, be inspired by presentations on each club's achievements in service to our community and the world, and open the door to more collaboration on future service

The event, which leaders of all the clubs agreed to hold, was an opportunity to encourage members to network with each other – beyond our own clubs -- and not only achieve results through fellowship and friendship, but to network and learn from each other.

Rotary Clubs of Ladner, Richmond, Richmond Sunrise, Richmond Sunset, Steveston and Tsawwassen participated.
 
 

In and around the City of Lipa, Batangas province of the Philippines, about 80 kilometers south of Manila, many of the 387,392 residents are too poor to afford dental care. Of course, poor dental health aggravates or leads to other health problems.

Led by Richmond Sunrise Rotary Club member Dentist Dr. Danilo Salcedo and a team of several club members who also work in the health services professions, joined professional dental workers from Caring Hearts Dentistry from Canada and dental care providers in the Philippines on a dental care mission in February 2026. Members of the Rotary Club of Lipa assisted in administering the clinic.

With funding from Richmond Sunrise Rotary of $5,000 and a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation of $2,500 the dental mission this year treated over 2,000 patients, many children who had never had any dental services performed previously as well as seniors and adults, unable to afford dental services. Rotary World Help shipped equipment and supplies from this area to Lipa. Repairs were also made to needed dental equipment repairs or replacement.
 

Nominations for the 2026 District Awards are now open. The Rotary District 5040 Awards recognize outstanding contributions made by Rotarians and their clubs.   Your nominations highlight achievements in various categories and inspire greater engagement. We learn from recipients’ entries, making recognition valuable.

As described on the District Awards page, categories include: > Outstanding Club of the Year >  Rotarian of the Year > Don Evans People of Action Award > Rotary Public Image Award > Membership Awards (to be awarded later in the year based on year end results).

Ian Evans, of RC Lions Gate, (phhoto) celebrated his 75th anniversary as an active Rotary member on March 2, 2026 – the longest serving member among our 1.4 million members worldwide. Ian will celebrate his 100th birthday this summer. Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past two months.

Clubs are preparing to send a high school student to Ottawa this Spring for Adventure in Citizenship, joining many from across Canada (photo). Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past month.

Five of seven members inducted into Rotary Club of Richmond's new Satellite Club, plus one Richmond Rotaract new member (photo). Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past month.

Featured on the national  CTV News channel, December 17, 2025, is a story about a discarded food recycling system for people in need, in London, Ontario run by volunteers, many from a local Rotary club. This kind of work is going on here in communities throughout BC. 

As I spent the last several months doing my club visits I was continually impressed by the amazing work of our Rotarians.  

We make our communities both local and global a more joyous place for all.

Never underestimate the impact our projects have on the lives of others.

May you all have a safe and wonderful holiday season and spend time with those you love.

Take care.

Jan

Jan Gisborne
District 5040 Governor

Rotary Club of Dragon participated in Music of Hope Christmas Concert, supporting a charity for those with a disability (photo). Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past month.

For the 17th consecutive year The Rotary Foundation has received a four-star rating — the highest level possible —  from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator in the United States. Our international Foundation continues to act as a powerful force for meaningful change and lasting impact through service.

In Uganda’s Ibanda District Parish of Irimya people in some remote villages earn less than $2 per day, have low literacy rates and education often no more than Grade 2 level and for some up to Grade 5 level. Many have had to walk over 3 km to fetch water from contaminated sources demanding time and energy away from any school or daily routines. Once they have brought home the water, the people in the Parish have suffered an extremely high rate of waterborne disease.

Thanks to some Rotary clubs in District 5040 and a local club in Uganda, the villagers now have a Gravity Flow System (GFS) of clean water flowing down in pipes from nearby hills to the seven villages in the valley below, a system which the local villagers constructed in good part themselves. The water pipeline system passes through a jungle forest to a reservoir tank of 45,000 liters of clean water. From the tank the water travels by a network of pipes to 37 taps for the 7,000 people living in the seven communities.
 

The District Nomination Committee is pleased to announce Assistant Governor Peter Roaf of the Rotary Club of Ladner as District Governor Nominee Designate to serve as District Governor in 2028-2029. 

Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown continued distributing Coats for Kids to families needing a hand up with winter coats (photo). Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past two months.

On the United Nations "World Polio Day", October 24th, a group of Rotarians and friends of various ages participated in the annual Walk for Polio. The walk started at Vancouver City Hall, where Councillor Rebecca Bligh presented the City's Proclamation in support of the worldwide day, to mark the success, but journey ahead, in ridding the world of polio

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system. Rotary started the global campaign to end polio about 40 years ago, when there were 350,000 cases a year in 120 countries. Since joined by world health organizations, foundations and governments the number of cases has dropped to tens of cases in two remaining countries. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. -- photos by Ken Choy, Rotaract Club of Richmond

Thanks to Rotary Club of Whistler, with support from the Rotary Club of Whistler Millenium, and The Rotary Foundation through a District Grant, a new bike park has just opened at Bayly Park to provide a community gathering space for Cheakamus Crossing residents. The renovated park builds on the former facility operated by Whistler BMX, which closed in 2024. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has since taken over operations and revitalized the bike park. – Story courtesy  of Liz McDonald, Pique Newsmagazine, Whistler; photo by Ken Martin

As World Polio Day approaches on October 24th here is a video of Bill Gates, at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, renewing the longstanding partnership with Rotary International in our joint commitment to rid the world of polio through the Gates Foundation's commitment to match US dollars raised by Rotary 2 to 1 raising up to US$450 million over the next three years. This renewed commitment is more than funding. It’s a promise to future generations, and proof that when we work together, we achieve the extraordinary.

It was a warm end-of-summer evening on the water in the Vancouver harbour. 35 Rotarians were invited to the September 4th dinner cruise for their contributions to The Rotary Foundation. The “cruise” included a delightful group of people, sharing laughs and a tasty dinner while enjoying the passing view of beautiful Vancouver.

What sticks in my memory most, however, is the sharp contrast between the comfort of our excursion and what we learned about the dire need of desperate people half way around the world.

On board was Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones, Chair-elect of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees, with her husband Nick Krayacich. They made the event extra special. She and two other Foundation leaders shared stories about the “impact” of the Foundation where people have been in great need.

Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise held its annual Ride for Rescue fundraiiser to support North Shore Search and Rescuse (photo). Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past three months.

As I get ready to start my District Governor club visits in September I am looking forward to learning about the clubs’ service projects and plans. I want to listen to concerns & challenges facing our clubs.  I will provide some highlights of the District in 2025-26,

My role as DG is to support and strengthen our clubs so all members can fully enjoy the experience of Rotary. 

Please check the District calendar for DG visits which will be updated as they are booked  Thanks.

Jan

Jan Gisborne
District 5040 Governor
 

Our members are people of action. We see this in our clubs and our communities.
We can build strong clubs by focussing on the two things that matter most: friendship and trust.

Building better relationships within our clubs and our communities.

Be creative, be flexible and be open to new ideas as we adapt to our changing world.

Below are links to transcripts and videos of Rotary International leaders who gave inspirational speeches to 16,000 Rotary members from 140 countries attending the June 21 to 25, 2025 Rotary Convention in Calgary. 

For those with busy personal and work lives and not able to read the full transcripts or view the videos, through the links below, excerpts from the presentations are also offered below.

The first of nine fire trailers to be given to First Nation communities in BC – this one, “Phoenix”, going to the Siska community near Lytton, wiped out be fire in 2021 – was on display, along with the Write To Read project, in the House of Friendship at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary June 21 to 15, 2025. The exhibit was one of the first, among almost 250 exhibits, met at a main entrance to the House of Friendship for the 16,000 Rotarians and Rotaract members attending from 140 countries.

"Phoenix”, the first of nine fire trailers to be donated to the Siska First Nation community near Lytton and eight other BC First Nation communities, is now complete and ready for service. The fire trailer, which can be towed or airlifted to operate in hard to reach areas and provide rapid response to smaller fires before they become big ones, can also serve to fight fires right in the community. Rotary Club of Steveston and Rotary District 5040 leaders and a representative of Disaster Aid Canada, a Rotary organization based in Ladysmith, which contributed $350,000 to the project, dedicated the prototype, at a ceremony in March, but the final version has greater capacity and is decked out in full livery.
 

Powell River Members on Texada Island officially open a gazebo shelter which club members built and sponsored (photo). Here are many of the other achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past 30 days or so.

During apartheid in South Africa an entire community of "coloured" residents (members of multiracial ethnic communities with ancestry from African, European, and Asian people) was forced out of Cape Town in the 1970s under the Group Areas Act. All of the community's houses and buildings were bulldozed to make way for new construction for the white population --  construction which, decades later, has not yet happened. Some of those displaced people formed the community of Atlantis.

Atlantis is 40 km north of Cape Town. As of 2024, it has approximately 90,000 residents. Unemployment (40%), lack of housing, and a very high crime are major challenges in the area. Many students arrive at school without having any food in the morning or during the day.

The Rotary Club of Atlantis (near Cape Town), South Africa, has established gardens at 12 elementary schools in the City of Atlantis. The gardens feed the children and educate them on how to grow vegetables and about environmental issues. The club also operates two community soup kitchens to feed children and teens.

Funds are needed to purchase gardening equipment the children can use, and rice and corn meal to supplement the vegetables grown at the schools to feed the children. Atlantis was built on sand.  To grow gardens soil must be brought in. The soup kitchens and bathroom facilities also needed repairs and renovation to handle the volume of demand.

The Rotary Club of Atlantis reached out to the Rotary Club of Ladner in June 2024 looking to find a partner for their project.

We are pleased to announce Rotarian Dr. Danilo (Danny) Salcedo, of Deva Dental Clinic in New Westminster, BC, in conjunction with Caring Hearts Dentistry Society has joined us as a Silver Sponsor of the 2025 District Conference.

Danny is a shining example of how Rotarians find ways to empower communities near and far through their vocations.

https://RCVancouver_speaker-KenSim.eventbrite.ca

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! 

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.

• 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? 

Induction of a new member

Suggested Induction Speech

Pin Presentation using social distancing techniques