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November is Foundation Month

 
As Doug and I have been visiting the Clubs this year, part of my Bio reads how Doug and I support our Foundation and we continue to be so grateful to have access to such a vehicle to make change in our World. As you have heard me say, your support of our Foundation, however big or small, enables the work we do, all of it.
 
As people of action, together we transform, connect, inspire and end polio often with significant support of The Rotary Foundation. As we focus on our Foundation in November we can appreciate the more than $350,000 (all amounts in $US) in recent years that has helped District 5040 clubs fund service above self to our communities.
 
In 2018, our clubs are engaged in nine active projects valued at $564,685 including $197,262 from TRF World Fund, not only at home, but in El Salvador, Laos, Morocco, Ethiopia, Guatemala, China and Congo.
 
For instance, with a focus on Disease Prevention and Treatment, clubs in New Westminster and Prince Rupert are collaborating with a club in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to fund a $73,500 project to provide two physiotherapists, equipment and training to a hospital in Ethiopia, with District funding of $10,000 and World Fund funding of $27,864.
 
In the area of Economic and Community Development, the Vancouver club is working on a $52,302 project with five clubs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- Beni, Boma, Ekanga-Mbandaka, Kinshasa-Kingabwa and Libreville Sud -- to provide sewing machines and train young women in four cities in tailoring clothes supported by $16,550 from the World Fund.
 
Maternal and Child Health is the focus of a $98,825 project, funded by $18,000 from District 5040 and five other Districts, and $38,750 from the World Fund, and led by our Richmond Sunset club and the clubs of Chongqing, Dalian, Petaluma, Shanghai, Shanghai Fresh Start and Shanghai West, for $41,500 to provide car seats and vehicle safety training for nurses and parents in Shanghai, Chongqing, Dalian, People’s Republic of China.
 
In Uganda, Water and Sanitation is the focus in providing two boreholes in Kabira Village and one in Kifamba Village, 17 dams for small scale irrigation of fruits and vegetables during the dry season, a four stance public pit latrines with two hand wash basins, and 30 energy saving stoves at a cost of $58,709, with $25,354 from the World Fund, $17,700 from our District and District 9211 and 10 clubs in our District with one in Uganda.
 
There are many more examples of community and international service projects enabled through The Rotary Foundation, as well as programs like Youth Exchange, our Peace Centers and the End Polio Now campaign. Many people in need, near and far, are benefitting from our hard-working volunteers and generosity of our members.
 
It is all made possible by supporting The Rotary Foundation. And there are many areas of the Foundation that you can direct your giving, including the Endowment Fund (where I like to think we become “Rotarians Forever”), the Annual Fund (where a percentage of what we give as a District comes back to our District), our Polio Fund.
 
Thank you, all of you, for contributing to our success around the world. Be proud to be a Rotarian and of what you make possible with your generosity.
 
Many Clubs have Foundation Fundraising events this month and throughout the year. Please make sure your Club event is on the District Calendar. You never know when Doug and I might be in the neighbourhood and would love to lend our support to your club efforts to raise awareness and funds. We also traditionally have an annual Lower Mainland District Foundation event which will be held in February this year. Keep your eye on the Calendar.
 
I encourage you to have the Foundation your focus, especially this month, with your club activities, share Foundation Rotary Moments or better yet have the Foundation as one of your meeting subjects. There are many videos and materials available throughout the Rotary International Website, specifically the Learning Center and The Rotary Foundation area. The Rotarian Magazine as another source of information. And please don’t forget that we have in our midst many, many people who would love to share their Foundation knowledge with you. We are blessed to have many Past District Governors in our District and I know they would love to share their passion with you; as well as the District Foundation Committee led by Chair Garry Shearer and your other District Team members.
 
We just celebrated World Polio day and I want to Thank and Congratulate each and every club for what you did to help raise awareness and funds in your community. Polio Chair Brian Finlay will report out on all of the activities so please let him know how your club participated. I did forward the proclamation efforts to both our Rotary International Director Jeffry Cadorette and President Barry Rassin, both of whom responded with their gratitude for your efforts. You Are The Inspiration!!
 
Doug and I have continued the Club visits a little closer to home this past month. Although sometimes the ferries do make it seem we live a world away. Make sure you follow my Facebook Page and the District Facebook Page. I try to post after each meeting or event.
 
We started the month off with a visit to a club who is the same age as me! And I know that because many years ago on my first visit I signed the guest book and looked at the first entries and there it was. So having attended quite a few meetings over the years, as well as this year’s Installation Event, it is like coming home when we are at the Ladner Club. We enjoyed lunch at their new venue, The Tsawwassen Coast Hotel, and catching up with friends. This is another of our very active clubs having recently completed the Splash Park in Ladner and gearing up for their pumpkin sale closer to Halloween. Only a couple of the items on their agenda of projects and fundraisers.
 
We have been blessed with great fall weather, so we enjoyed the sunset views when we were treated to a great dinner with the West Vancouver Club. There was a potential new member in the crowd, so we were on our best behaviour. He has since joined and is one of two new members. Congratulations and welcome to the Rotary Family.
 
The following day we were up early to have breakfast with the Tsawwassen Club. Lots going on including a presentation from a visiting member of their sister club in India, several Interactors and Rotaractor Johanna Johnson, with her last District 5040 visit before her big Belgium adventure began. It was great to wish her bon voyage. It is no doubt that as one of our largest clubs in the District, Tsawwassen has jammed packed meetings. Great way to start the day! Following the meeting President Keith took Doug and I on a tour to some of their projects. It was awesome to walk through parks and sit at the Rotary Corner all in the warm fall sunshine.
 
Week two of October and we continued our Richmond area visits. First, to Steveston where I was gladly put to work installing a new member and presenting a multi Paul Harris. It is always a special treat to welcome someone into our Rotary family (although this particular member was just relocating) and to celebrate those who so generously give to our Foundation. Thank you for Inspiring us! Great to see Past District Governor Bob too!
 
Richmond Sunset Club is as busy as ever with their grants and supporting so much in their community. It was a lovely evening and here we welcomed two new Rotarians into the family! How exciting is that? As well I was able to catch up with Jim Ling, another Rotarian who had relocated from the Sunshine Coast.
 
“Up and at ‘em!”, as my Dad would say and that is what you do when you join fellow Rotarians at a breakfast meeting. This time it was Richmond Sunrise. And the sun did rise very brilliantly over the golf greens. Now this is a very lively club. I would recommend you attend a meeting if you are feeling down because you will not leave feeling that way! President Larry kept everything moving and we shared lots of Thanksgiving stories. All that before we got down to the business of the official visit and started telling “Passion for Rotary” stories. What a great start to the day, Thank you!
 
Vancouver Cambie Club is now meeting on Wednesdays and Assistant Governor Nancy and I attended the first meeting and found very excited members. Especially Past President Branden who can now see his kids pay soccer on Saturdays. Flexibility and assuring your members are all getting the best club experience possible. Congratulations President Michael and the entire club for recognizing the need for change and doing it.
 
Remember all that wonderful sunshine? Well, it was a little lacking when we drove up to see the Squamish Rotary Club but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of all these members. First, we had a tour of President Kathleen’s cidery. Didn’t matter if it was only 10:30 AM we still had a great tour! Then off to the club and again so much happening! Pumpkin sales being the most recent. Partnering with the local businesses and with proceeds going right back into the community.
 
Ending the month on a high note is so easy when you include visiting a Rotary Club. This month it was the North Vancouver Club. There were a few hot topics of pending activities such as Operation Red Nose, helping people get home safely this holiday season and a gingerbread cookie decorating table that will be set up at the Christams market at the Shipyard in North Vancouver. Hmmmmm………maybe time to get the decorating tip box out of the cupboard and join in the fun!
 
There were also plenty of other activities to keep us busy this past month. One of the highlights was on October 20th , the Charter Night for the Lillooet Rotary Club. We had a great night….out of town guests from both District 5040 including Past District Governor Don and Deb, Tom Smith, 100 Mile House Club President Linda, Assistant Governor Lori, Club mentor from the Squamish Club Liz and quite a few supporters from the sponsoring Whistler and Whistler Millennium Clubs. Other out of town guests from District 5060, Chase and Kamloops included District Governor Sherry and Jim. It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and celebration!
 
Again, from all of us to both the Lillooet and Dragon Rotary Clubs,
 
Welcome to the ROTARY FAMILY and DISTRICT 5040.
 
Interact Installation of Hugh Boyd Interact Club was well attended on October 24th with over 120 Interactors joined by many teachers, mentors and Rotarians. I was especially impressed by the two young ladies who are co-presidents this year. Their speeches were awesome! As were the MCs. It is when I see such amazing youth embracing our Rotary values that I truly feel our future is in good hands.
 
On another note, I wanted to remind everyone of the District Business Networking site. If you are a Rotarian in our District who would like to network and ensure your fellow Rotarians are aware of your vocation/ business, then please get signed up. This site will only be useful to both people offering and receiving services if you are on listed. Both Rotarians Stan van Woerkens and Nick Bellamy are working to further develop this initiative. Contact either of them for more information. This could very well be an added value to the membership experience for those young professionals that we inviting to become Rotarians.
 
In closing, have you registered for the District Conference at Sunpeaks yet? There will be updates to the Conference website soon so keep watching but most importantly is the next price increase on Dec 31st. Come join Doug and I and help us celebrate YOU and YOUR CLUBS, Serving Together and Being the Inspiration. May 3,4,5, 2019.
 
We are looking forward to seeing many of you during this month as we celebrate The Rotary Foundation.
 
Thanks again for your contributions, not only to the Foundation, but to Changing the World we live in.
 
Thank you all for Being the Inspiration!
 
Darcy and Doug

2019 District Conference

May 2 - 5, 2019
 
Sun Peaks, BC
 
 
 
 
We hope to see all Rotarians at our District Conference May 2nd to May 5th in Sub Peaks at the Sun Peaks Grand
 
News
Learning and Development for Rotary District 5040
Developing the skills and knowledge of Rotarians improves the effectiveness of clubs and our District 5040 in supporting Rotary’s goals and commitment to build communities and improve lives across the world.
 
To enhance leadership and improve performance which rewards us all at the end of the day, our Rotary District 5040 is taking learning and development to a new level in District 5040 with a District training committee, called “District Learning and Development Committee” to oversee training in the district and plan and conduct education and training events for all Rotarians.
Read more...
World Polio Day was recognised across District 5040.
Communities across District 5040 proclaimed World Polio Day on October 24th to create awareness of Rotary and our campaign for a polio-free world.
The list includes:
  • The City of Richmond
  • The City of Vancouver
  • The City of North Vancouver
  • The District of North Vancouver
  • The District of Squamish
  • The Resort Municipality of Whistler
  • The City of Prince George
  • The City of New Westminster
  • The City of Powell River
  • The City of Prince Rupert
  • The District of Kitimat
  • The Municipality of West Vancouver (recognition*)
  • The City of Delta (recognition*)
* These councils do not issue proclamations but Rotary and World Polio Day were recognised during Council Meetings.
 
Read the Proclamations below:-
Read more...
Interactors join World Polio Day Celebrations
 
The Interact Club of King George Secondary had a World Polio Day celebration on October 25th . Pictured are the Interactors and the Teacher Sponsors with the Mayor's City of Vancouver Proclamation for World Polio Day.. These students had a bake sale and raised funds for PolioPlus.
 
Read more...
1,600 trees planted in BC to meet global Rotary challenge
Having hosted the Rotary Presidential Peacebuilding Conference 2018 on Environmental Sustainability and Peace last February, and since, having taken up 2017-18 President Ian Riseley’s “Tree Planting Challenge 2017-18” to Rotarians around the world to plant 1.2 million trees – one for each member -- Rotary District 5040 is now recognized for taking the tree planting challenge to heart. Our District, one of 171, is commended for placing service above self by serving the environment and its significant share in planting 1,600 trees, out of a total 4,739,607, as of July 31, 2018.
Read more...
Pumpkins for Polio saves children for a lifetime
To mark October 24th World Polio Day, Rotary Club of Ladner has helped spare 9,800 children half way around the world from the crippling disease of polio by generating $7,761 raised from the sale of 100 pumpkins yesterday and an auction among members last week then matched 2:1.
Read more...
PolioPlus funds generated from BC Lions vs Edmonton Eskimos Rotary Night
 
Rotarians attending the BC Lions vs Edmonton Eskimos Rotary End Polio Night on October 19 generated $380 for PolioPlus and the interest of the BC Lions in repeating such an event next year. 
And the winners were the Lions and PolioPlus!
Read more...
 
2019 Rotary District Conference
May 2nd - 5th, 2019
Sun Peaks Grand, Sun Peaks BC
 
DG Calendar
Nov 12 - Vancouver Centennial
Nov 13 - Vancouver Sunrise
Nov 14 - Burnaby - Deer Lake
Nov 14 - Vancouver Yaletown
Nov 20 - Burnaby Metrotown
Nov 21 - Richmond
Nov 27 - Vancouver
Nov 28 - Vancouver Franserview
Nov 29 - New Westminster
Nov 30 - Burnaby
Upcoming Events
District Strategic Planning
Richmond
Feb 09, 2019
 
District Team Training
Richmond
Feb 10, 2019
 
Ladner with President Kerry Lynn Findley
Ladner
West Vancouver
West Vancouver
West Vancouver
Tsawwassen - Rotary Square
Tsawwassen - Music Play Space
Tsawwassen - Diefenbacker Park
Tsawwassen - Water Works Park
Tsawwassen
Richmond Sunset
Richmond Sunset
Richmond Sunrise
Vancouver Mountainview
Vancouver Mountainview
Squamish
Squamish
Squamish
North Vancouver
Lillooet
Vancouver Cambie
Whistler - PDG Lyn with President Ken
Rotary's World's Greatest Meal
Whistler Millennium
Polio Plus BC Lions Game
Vancouver Stidio 54 Event - Rotaractors
Polio Plus BC Lions Game
Vancouver Stidio 54 Event
Vancouver Stidio 54 Event
Vancouver Stidio 54 Event
End Polio
World Polio Day
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