End Polio campaign recognized as Vancouver buildings light up
The Rotary walk to End Polio along the harbourfront in downtown Vancouver on April 26, 2020 was cancelled in keeping with the advice of health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the organizations of BC Place Stadium, Telus Science World and Vancouver City Hall, agreed to continue showing their support of the cause, for which we thank them.
Each year Vancouver Rotary Clubs and Rotaractors have joined with you to raise funds at our Strathcona Rotary Youth Leadership Hoop-A-Thon. Thanks to you we have raised more than $365,000 for the kids since 2006.
We can’t hold an event this year, but we are still planning to help the kids.
Because of the generosity of Rotarians, our Clubs, a Rotary District Grant, along with a major contribution by the Hoop-Law Tournament - and corporate donors, we have already raised more than $38,000. If you can add to this with a small donation, thank you. If not, we understand. All money raised will be awarded for scholarships, youth leadership training and the Strathcona Basketball Program.
To make a donation go to our Charitable Impact page.
You will receive an instant tax receipt.
To read more about our Strathcona Rotary Youth Leadership Project, watch our Hoops-At-Home Video featuring Global BC’s Chris Gailus and Yvonne Schalle.
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 more in the Vancouver Sun story at the link below.
Our Year Ahead 2020-21 sessions are now being presented as six webinars aimed at all members of District 5040, incoming club officers, committee members, new Rotarians, even potential members.
The series replaces the in-person sessions planned earlier for different centres of the District because of the COVID-19 threat.
The first three sessions have been quite successful with good attendance and feedback.
The remaining sessions in May focus on membership, the Rotary Citation, Rotaract, the Youth Protection Policy, the Rotary e-Learning Centre and upcoming district events.
The sessions are free to all Rotarians. You can register here.
I trust that you and your families are coping as best as you can and it is evident that we will be rewarded with a relaxation of our isolation protocols sooner due to British Columbians observing the strict guidelines to minimize the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
I sent you a call by Volunteer Surge recently and we are now learning that it is more a U.S. need than a local need and thanks to Rotarian Chris Wolfe who shared the attached referral letter from Volunteer Surge.
While, our local situation remains very contained, it is not certain if this will be true in the longer term. With this in mind, I am attaching the letter that you could send to your local agencies if and when it may be necessary in the future. Thank you for your feedback and it is a blessing that we do not require this locally, but please hold onto it in case we ever are in need for any future occurrences.
I am hoping to visit as many online club meetings as I can over the last two months of my term and I encourage you to invite our District Leadership Team; Committee Chairs; former members; youth Alumni; civic officials; from any country in the world to visit with you and connect. This forced change has resulted in some unexpected benefits in our ability to connect more easily and attract a broader audience and I am confident that we will see lasting benefits in the future!
I came across a great initiative called “Rotary Rocks” from the Tsawwassen Rotary Club and felt that this could be a very simple way to raise Rotary awareness in our local communities and is a simple and fun way to reach out during our isolation.
Members who were challenged getting attending the club's Zoom meetings were given smooth river rocks, the size of a cantaloupe. The club supplied blue and white paint, with two brushes. The goal was to paint the entire rock with blue paint, then add the words "Rotary Rocks" as well as additional optional decorations. They then took the rocks and placed them in public spaces along their walking routes. Rotarians who participated were ecstatic and they are now considering moving this to the rest of the club.
Thanks to two Tsawwassen Rotarians for sharing the concept with us.
I am also mindful of the severe negative financial impact on some of you personally and I would like you to talk to your President; Assistant Governor; or myself on how we may support you during this period of uncertainty. I want you to know that we are very appreciative of all the support you have contributed in good times and we will be here to support you during this unprecedented crisis!
You are important, we value you and we want you to know that your continued participation needs to be assured with any needed financial relief on a temporary basis.
I'm looking forward to seeing you at the “Roskars Gala” on May 24 and the bi-weekly Conference Speaker Series (May 13 - June 7) as we bring our year to a close! Stay safe and healthy as we all look forward to returning to a state of normalcy.
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