PDG Chris Offer (Penny)
District Governor 1999-2000

 
Rotary 2000: Act with Consistency, Credibility, Continuity

Chris Offer is a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown. He was introduced to Rotary as a member of a Group Study Exchange team to India in 1981.

Chris has served Rotary on many District, Zone and Rotary International committees and task forces. He has been a presenter and speaker at national and international Rotary conferences. He led a GSE Team to England in 1993. He served as Governor in 1999-2000.

Chris retired from the Vancouver Police after 31 years of police service in a wide variety of assignments. He has a degree in Criminology and a Master's degree in Public Administration. He is the President of the Vancouver Crime Prevention Society.

Chris was selected by RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe to chair the Presidential Celebration on Vocational Service held in Richmond in July 2003.  In 2007 he was asked by RI President Wilf Wilkinson to chair the Presidential Membership Conference also held in Richmond. 

Chris was a training leader at the International Assembly for two years. He has been a presenter at four International Conventions, many district conferences and zone events. He has been a speaker at many Rotary events in Canada, USA, England and Turkey.

In 2006-07 he was chair of the RI Membership Development and Retention committee. He is a Zone Coordinator for the PolioPlus Partners Task Force and a Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund Strategic Adviser. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Rotary Foundation - Canada. In July 2008 he starts a three year term as a Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 22.

Chris has represented RI presidents a number of times at district conferences. He is a recipient of The Rotary Foundation's Citation of Meritorious Service and Rotary International's Service Above Self Award. In 2007 he was honored by The Rotary Foundation with the Service Award for a Polio Free World.

Chris and Penny were Rotary Foundation volunteers in Bacolod, Philippines in 2005. They coordinated the shipment of three 40-foot containers of hospital and educational supplies and two containers of wheelchairs.

Chris and Penny are major donors to the Rotary Foundation and charter members of the Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society members. Penny is a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown. She is served for three years as an Assistant Governor for clubs in Vancouver. Penny's professional background is in social work health care administration specializing in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation. In 2010-11 Penny will be Governor.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS DISTRICT 5040 GOVERNOR IN 1999-2000

As Governor Chris brought the Blue Denim Seminar to Vancouver. The seminar is a training session for DGNs, DGEs and DGs from the ten districts that participate in Pacific Northwest PETS. He also  submitted a successful bid to host the 2000 Zone 22 Institute and it was held in September 2000 in Richmond.  Electronic communications was expanded during the year.  The type of information on the web site was increased to include the district directory. He wrote and distributed a bi-weekly one page fax sheet called "Just the Fax" to all club presidents and district leaders to assist with communications between the Governor, clubs and district leaders.

•  Chartered four new clubs, Whistler Millennium, Quesnel Sunrise 2000, Sunshine Coast-Sechelt and Delta 2000. 
• The new clubs and general recruitment resulted in a significant increase in district membership in 1999-2000 Rotary year.
• In May 2000 the district hosted a lunch for RI President Elect Richard King where 25 new Rotarians were welcomed to Rotary by RIPE King. More than 350 Rotarians and friends attended the event.
• A major increase in general giving to The Rotary Foundation for a total of US$136,000.00.
• RID Bill Gant presented Chris with the RI Director's citation for most new clubs chartered in Zone 22 in 1999-2000.
• RID Bill Gant presented Chris with the RI Director's citation for the highest percent increase in general giving in Zone 22 to The Rotary Foundation for 1999-2000.
• Chris is remembered in his district for his $36,000 hair cut. He agreed to have his head shaved if $10,000 was donated to The Rotary Foundation. The goal was exceeded and the hair was cut during the Governor's Gala at the District Conference.
• The annual Vancouver area Rotary Foundation dinner was a success with more than 300 attending and over $30,000 raised.  In addition three other regional Rotary Foundation dinners were held.
• The Uganda Club Foot Project - Uganda project was started by Dr. Shafique Pirani of the Rotary Club of Burnaby with a Foundation Matching Grant
• There was a significant increase in attendance at the District Conference in Whistler of 432 Rotarians and friends. RI President Carlo Ravizza was represented by PDG Gary Stevens from District 5010, Alaska. Keynote speakers included RIPVP Bob Scott and PDG Ken Balsley, District 5020.
• A successful GSE exchange with District 4730 Brazil.
• A first was an all medical GSE team was sent to China, led by PDG Irwin Stewart and funded by the Charles and Carol Loh Rotary Foundation Endowment.
• Penny and Chris visited every club in the district (all but one) twice and many three and four times.
• The Youth Exchange program continued to be successful with 22 students inbound. Chris and Penny attended the overnight orientation sessions at Trinity Western University and in 108 Mile House.

The Rotary year 1999-2000, in District 5040 was a success due to team work and commitment by Rotary leaders across the district. .

( Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown. Contact PDG Chris by Email )