eNewsletter
February 2016

Let there be peace earth!

Peace and Conflict Resolution permeates much of what Rotary does and stands for. It is our theme for the month of February and was the focus of President Ravi’s conference in California last month. Peace dominates one of the Rotary Foundation’s areas of focus and in its broadest terms plays a prominent role in all six areas. Our own Peace Scholar, Will Plowright is featured in this month’s Rotarian Magazine for his work in Afghanistan with Drs. Without Borders and we are hoping that he may join Peace Scholar Julia Smith at the District Conference in Whistler. For more information on the Rotary Peace Scholarships and the Peace Centres around the world, contact Gloria Staudt our district scholarship chair at gloria@peaksuccesscoaching.com .
 
Wasn’t That a Party - Many thanks to all who came out to the Bollywood Nights Lower Mainland Foundation Dinner last month!  It was a great event and fulfilled two of my goals for the year: 1.We raised close to $20,000 for the Foundation and 2. We had a lot of fun doing it! Who knew that incoming Rotary Director, Dean Rohrs and PDG Chris Offer were such good Bollywood Dancers? Congratulations to the co-chairs Leslie Abramson and Tom Smith of the Tsawwassen Club and their multi club committee made up of Davinder Grewall and Jeff Conatser (Arbutus), Bala Naidoo (Bby Metrotown) and Mike Storey (Ladner). Click here to view photos from the Bollywood Foundation Dinner.
 
Keeping with the Indian theme, Claire and I were honored to attend
A Taste of India put on by the Prince George, Yellowhead Rotary Club. This event held at the Civic Centre is a highlight of the Rotary Year in Prince George and was sold out with over 650 people in attendance. Hats off to the organizing committee who raised tens of thousands of dollars for Rotary causes. – A stunning achievement.
 
The presidents – elect headed down to Seattle last weekend to attend the Presidents-Elect Training Seminar (PETS). It is hard to believe that we are two-thirds the way through this Rotary Year and its time to review our goals in Rotary Club Central to see how we are doing. Despite all the inductions, we were only showing a net increase of 11 members district-wide in January. It seems that we are still losing members who feel disenfranchised or otherwise not engaged in their clubs. We held a review of the district strategic plan a couple of weeks back and while we have much to be proud of, there are still a few areas that need a push. Among the highlights were our supports for polio, Paul Harris Society membership growth, two new Interact Clubs, our improved website (still a work in process), the Rotary Display Booth, conference registration, Foundation Goals recorded in Rotary Club Central, club assemblies and youth exchange. Our challenges include membership growth, succession planning, and continued support for the Rotary Foundation. DGE Lyn provided us with some exciting goals for next year and the PEs will return from PETS with both the enthusiasm and the tools to get them done. Let’s provide a firm base by completing our goals for this year.
 
Come to the Mountains to Celebrate Rotary.  Planning for the District Conference in Whistler at the end of April is well under way. We now have 273 Rotarians and 8 Rotaractors registered and the youth registration is just starting. All three levels of the Rotary Leadership Institute will be offered at the Chateau Whistler on Thursday April 28th and registration is available on the District website. There are still a few rooms left at the $149 rate on Wednesday night for those wishing to go up early to attend RLI. Check out the speakers, the entertainment and all the fun events on the conference website at  www.celebraterotary.ca. Book now before the next price increase on April1st. We’d hate to see you miss out.
 
Now that the initial visits to the clubs have been completed, I am trying to visit as many Rotaract and Interact clubs as possible. This week I attended the joint meeting of the UBC Rotaract Club and its sponsor club, Vancouver. The event was held at International House on the UBC Campus, a building that was funded by the Vancouver Rotary Club and opened by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt in 1954. I look forward to attending Rebel Nation put on by the Burnaby South Interact Club, a community dinner organized by the Burnaby Rotaract Club and a retreat at Quest University put on by the Squamish Rotaractors. We talk a lot about getting younger people into Rotary but let’s not forget that we have a great group of Interact and Rotaract Clubs in our District. It was a thrill to sign the charter of our newest Interact Club at Whistler early in the week bringing our number to 24 active clubs. Thanks to Jim Ling (Gibsons) and Marni Fraser (West Vancouver Sunrise) who work with Interact and Rotaract at the District level and to all the Rotary clubs and sponsor teachers without whose help and guidance we would not have this strong youth wing.
 
A lot has happened but there is much more to come. Get out and enjoy Rotary. Tell your friends about the good Rotary does. After all if they are good enough to be your friends, they are good enough to be Rotarians. It was great to meet up with the Prince Rupert Rotarians early in the month and I hope that Claire and I will get to see many of you in the weeks to come.
 

Cheers,

John

John l. Anderson
District Governor 2015-16
Rotary District 5040

Membership Matters

Membership Matters presentations were given to Vancouver Yaletown, Pemberton, Vancouver and both Whistler clubs.  Something interesting is happening in the District.  Richmond had DG John induct 4 new members all at once.  Vancouver had 4 new members this month.  PDG Garry inducted 5 new members all at once.  What is going on?  Our good story is spreading.  Our District display booth is ready for club use, it was showcased at the District meetings on February 13 and 14.
 
If you have questions for Tom please contact him at tom@tascosales.ca .
 
Please don’t forget to ask your new Rotarians the Three Magic Questions:  1.  Why did you join Rotary?  2.  What excites you about Rotary?  3.  How did Rotary find you?
 
Have a look at a Youtube version of our Membership Matters presentation:
 
 

Rotaract Impact

Rotaract is in high gear this spring. Here are some events and projects to look out for: 
  • Craving a burger and bevvie? How about a side of trivia? Then join Vancouver Young Professionals Rotaract at their Beer and Burger Trivia Night on March 4th, 7:00PM at The Pint. Proceeds go to ShelterBox disaster relief.
     
  • Do you know about "World Rotaract Week" happening next month? Every year in March, World Rotaract Week honours the chartering of the first Rotaract club in North Carolina (1968). During this time, Rotarians and Rotaractors plan activities in celebration of the founding, success, and importance of the Rotaract program. If you haven't already, connect with your local Rotaractors on the week of March 6th to 13th and plan something! Please check out our District Facebook that week, as we will be posting daily news features.
     
  • Rotaract in District 5040 has started planning the sixth edition of their Pacific Canadian Experience (PACE) Roundtrip. PACE a roundtrip project where we invite six international Rotaractors from around the world to visit British Columbia. The lucky participants will partake in activities highlighting our unique mix of nature, city, and eco-friendly living. We are immensely proud of this project. It fosters global ties, provides an authentic travel experience, and builds international friendships. Over the next few months, we will be reaching out to each of your Clubs for sponsorship. Follow our PACE Facebook to learn more.

News

2016 District Conference February Newsletter

The February District 5040 Conference 2016 newsletter is online. Check out the savings on early registration, new keynote speaker, special tours of the Chateau Whistler, cooking classes and much, much more. - Read more...
 
Conference 2016 in Whistler www.CelebrateRotary.ca

Water park in Ladner and Rotary service featured at Rotary Day

Visitors learned about Rotary and  a new water park for Ladner on Saturday Feb 27th at Port Metro Vancouver office in Trenant Park.  The water park is one example of Rotary's many contributions to our community of Delta and region and to communities in need all around the world. It is the first time that the new Rotary event booth was on public display. Read more...
 

Rotary District 5040 Youth Conference 2016

Date: Friday, April 29, 4:30 pm to Sunday, May 1, 2016, 12 pm
Location: Whistler, BC

Registration: $175 ($200 after April 1, 2016) - includes all meals and accommodation

Read more or download the flyer 
 

Rotary Leadership Institute sessions available at the District Conference

We are happy to announce that all three Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) sessions will be made available to Rotarians on Thursday, April 28th at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.  This will be an opportunity for those who have never taken RLI training to start and for those who have partially completed the RLI courses to continue.  The fee for each course is still only $85 and includes all of the pertinent course material, refreshments and Lunch. Read more...

 

Featured Video

Give the Gift of Rotary from Rotary International on Vimeo.

 

 

 

District Conference, Whistler BC

Events

March 12 - Rotary Foundation Grant Management Seminar
Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club

March 19 - Assembly & Grant Management Seminar 2016
Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club

Apr 1 - Cariboo Craft Beer Festival, Quesnel & District Seniors Community Centre

Apr 16 - International Food Festival
Burnaby Central Secondary School

Apr 28  - RLI Session #1
Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Apr 28 - RLI Session #2
Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Apr 28 - RLI Session #3
Vancouver

Apr 28 - May 1 - District Conference
Whistler Fairmont, Whistler

Apr 29 - May 1 - District Youth Conference
Whistler

 

Photos

Foundation Dinner Photos

Photos of DG Visits

Photos of District & Club Events

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