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.
Celebrating Rotary's impact across four countries (Canada, Alaska, NE USA, Bahamas and the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon), Zone Director Marty Helman is traveling to attend service projects, Foundation dinners, club meetings, and special events to highlight the life-changing work our volunteers do every day.
Marty says the purpose of the impact tour is, “To better experience the work of Rotary that fellow Rotarians are doing in their own backyards, to gain improved perspective on our Rotary movement and all we achieve. I want to share the fabulous story of how Rotary makes it possible for you and me and all of us to work together to make our communities prosper and to help those neighbors who may be less able to look after themselves than are we. Nothing could be more critical to our continued success, especially during these troubled times.”
The Impact Tour visit to District 5040 began with a visit to nearby projects which the Rotary Clubs of Ladner and Tsawwassen have sponsored over time, with splash parks for kids and families and Story Walk trails in both communities, Rotary Peace Square with a large First Nation display of art, Rotary Park next to City Hall, Ladner Village plaza with sponsored e-bike and e-scooter chargers and benches, some venues hosting Rotary community events during the year. Overall the projects were examples of how the local Rotary clubs have partnered with the City of Delta and community organizations to create family-friendly recreation, promote literacy, support peacebuilding, enhance public spaces, and strengthen community life.
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On the morning before the picnic Rotary International Zone 28 & 32 Director Marty Helman toured Rotary projects at Diefenbaker Park in Tsawwassen and Ladner with District Governor Dean Hsieh and District Governor Nominee Peter Roaf | ||
Here is a 10-minute presentation by Zone Director Marty Helman, including an introduction by District Governor Elect Ron Shaw, and Gabor Gasztonyi's presentation of his recently published book, The Last Polio Children, including his excellent photography of polio victims in some African communities (being sold as a fundraiser for End Polio).
Key points Marty made in her comments to District 5040 members were:
• The world needs Rotary’s service more than ever. Marty described the current global situation as unstable and stressed the need for people to look after one another and strengthen social support locally and globally.
• Membership growth and retention are major challenges, but retention is the bigger issue
• Rotary has changed, but needs to keep changing. Many old requirements—such as strict attendance rules, required meals, and frequent formal meetings—are no longer mandatory.
• Clubs have flexibility and can choose how they operate as long as they follow Rotary’s values, including the Four-Way Test, and “have fun.”
• Companion clubs are a solution for growth: Marty encouraged clubs to create companion clubs for people who want to be Rotarians but need a different format, schedule, cost structure, or focus.
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Marty received a handout on District 5040 as a network of clubs delivering practical, community-driven projects that address local needs through fundraising, volunteering, District Grants, and partnerships. It provided examples of community Rotary service projects across British Columbia, excluding many international projects. It highlights a wide range of local initiatives focused on literacy, youth, health, accessibility, emergency response, recreation, food security, environmental stewardship, and community infrastructure.
• Education and literacy: Write2Read learning centres for First Nation communities, StoryWalk trails, “Read to Me,” and iPads for neurodiverse students.
• Health and care: Support for guide dogs, Richmond Hospice upgrades, Honour Ranch for service members and first responders, and medical supplies for Ukraine.
• Youth and families: Youth centre furnishings in Squamish, orchestra scholarships, playgrounds, bike parks, musical playground equipment, and Coats for Kids.
• Community infrastructure and recreation: Trails, parks, dog parks, e-bike charging, seating areas, and accessible nature walkways.
• Food security and sustainability: Backpack Buddies storage bins, Bowen Island greenhouse, and a Prince George community garden.
• Emergency preparedness and response: Mountain rescue funding and fire trailers for First Nation communities.