Rotary has designated March as Literacy month. What does this really mean?
Literacy –
a word with two clear meanings.
The ability to read and write and the
ability to use language proficiently.
This is something that we all take for granted. We can read the newspapers, traffic signs, a
letter from a loved one and we comprehend the meaning of the words. We can make ourselves understood – and
sometimes in many languages. Why? We have gone to school and learned to read
and write and because we are constantly exposed to words through many mediums:
television, radio, books, newspapers, our computers and our telephones. In fact, modern society is fast becoming one
where the prime means of communication is via technology and text.
What are the next generations going to need to be
successful communicators in the 2020’s?
For someone like myself who is desperately trying to learn how to text
message in the new text language this is a total unknown. What I do know though is that this new form
of communication will broaden the gap between those children in the world that
have access to electricity, schools and technology and those that do not.
We in Rotary are obligated, yes obligated, to make
sure that we equalize the playing fields for everyone both here at home in our
underprivileged communities and internationally in those poor and struggling
countries such as Africa and
Talking about communication – HAVE YOU REGISTERED for the District
conference yet? The early bird booking discount will fall away on the 15th
April – so if you have not yet registered, please go to www.rotary5040.org
and follow the links to the registration page.
I really look forward to seeing you all there.
March has been a sad month with a number of our
Rotarians passing away. We keep their
families and friends in our prayers.
I have had wonderful travels,
Take care everyone – and may Spring be sprung !
Dean
Register now at www.rotary5040.org - save $30 by April 15
Most Rotarians have never attended a
Rotary district conference, which means they have not experienced one of the
most enjoyable and rewarding privileges of Rotary membership. A District
conference is for all Rotarians and their partners, not just for club officers
and committee members. The purpose of a District conference is for fellowship,
inspirational speakers, and discussion of matters that make one's Rotary
membership more meaningful.” - ABCs of Rotary
New RI Foundation Vision
PRIP
Jonathan Majiyagbe. Conference Keynote speaker
In anticipation of
the Foundation’s 100-year anniversary in 2017, the Trustees set out to develop
a 10-year vision with a three-year plan to move the Foundation toward its
second century of service. This vision and plan reflect input from a wide
variety of stakeholders through interviews, surveys, focus groups, and input
sessions and include a comprehensive approach for setting goals and a roadmap
for successful execution.
“The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable
Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the
improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of
poverty”.
A Rotarian since 1967, Majiyagbe
has served RI as district governor, International Assembly discussion leader,
committee member and chairman, aide to the president, and director. He is past
chairman of the African Regional PolioPlus Committee
and the African Affairs Committee. Majiyagbe is
currently a member of the Rotary Club of Kano. He and his late wife, Ade, are
Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation. He is Rotary Foundation Trustees Chair
Elect 2005-09 and RI President 2003-2004.
Register now for the
District conference and sign up for the May 16th Mystery
Dine Around dinner—choose $30 or $50.
Here is the
mystery … you will not find out where you will be having dinner, or with
whom until the last minute. Some
attendees will be assigned to try out some of our exotic restaurants and others
will be assigned to “home hosts”. After dinner, return to the
River Rock for a big dessert spread.
HOME HOSTS WANTED!!! Rotarians
in
Rotary Leadership Institute
Part I, II & III will be offered on May 15, 2008, register
at www.rotary5040.org event
Last chance to submit nominations, nominations can be submitted from the
clubs, the Assistant Governors and the Governor. Send written submission to
District Awards Chair, PDG Leo Nimsick at nimsick@telus.net. See award details at
www.rotary5040.org.
Rotarians
are putting on the blitz Join
Rotarians from coast to coast to share Rotary with others during the first 2
weeks of April, and the rest of the year, and always. Find out the 3 steps to a
successful BLITZ from www.rotary5040.org
LAUNCHING …. RYLA Lakelse July 3 - 6, 2008
Designed for young teens 14 to 15
years of age
Rotary Clubs are invited to
sponsor one or two youths
Give them this once in a lifetime
opportunity
For applications and further information, please
contact Rob Eby, RYLA Lakelse
Chair Phone: 250-624-4102 Email: rob@countrywide.biz Website:
www.rotary5040.org
Join
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rotarians and peacemakers from around the world along
with a high-powered panel of participants at the Rotary World Peace
The Rotary Club of Richmond
Sunrise with the help of the Rotary Club of
The funds are being used to
create a Peace Garden at Nova House, a program supported abused women and their
families operated by Chimo Crisis Services. We are
proud to create this lasting legacy in Sue’s honour.
Nova House is a safe refuge for women and children traumatized by
violence. Since opening in 1981, Nova House has housed more than 5,000 women
and children, in several different houses.
In 2003, with
support from all three levels of government, community groups, businesses and
many individual donors, CHIMO built and fully equipped a beautiful new
purpose-built permanent facility for Nova House
From
Gordon Dalglish . . .
Susan Smith arrived in BC 12 years ago and lived in Steveston - but was born in
Sue Smith was all about
smiles, friendship and bringing joy to others. She was always there to lend a
hand and always offer a wealth of encouragement. Those who knew her will always remember Sue's eternally smiling face, her zest
for life and especially for Rotary from the day she joined. Her continuing
involvement in Rotary from day one has left an indelible mark in the hearts of
all, and particularly within our Youth for whom she cared so much and who
will be the beneficiaries of her legacy to them. Sue was larger than life in
the way she touched everyone around her. Her enthusiasm was contagious
and refreshing to us all. All youth are better equipped for their future for
having known her. She was a wonderful lady with a warm, caring heart full
of life! She lived Rotary and all the wonderful things it means and gives
to others. The room was always brighter when Sue was there.
She was looking forward to
returning to her birthplace this month, because on April 25 – 27, 2008,
participants from across the globe will gather in
By establishing a Peace
Garden in Nova House, we will be able to honour this very special
lady. Throughout her life with all its ups and downs - and she had plenty of
these - she always had a kind and caring word; always had a smile; was always
there to listen, support and encourage anyone who was in trouble. Susan's
spirit will now live on in Nova House and hopefully that spirit will
continue to support and heal all those who spend time there.
Susan Smith, July 1942
- September 2007
Executive Assistant
Governor,
Rotary International
District 5040
Rotary Club of
Register yet
for LA 2008 www.rotary2008.com
Due to the fantastic efforts by our Rotary Senior
Polio Leaders - governments are now contributing towards the Polio Eradication
Initiative (POI). The advocacy by Rotary leaders has led to governments
increasingly taking ownership of the campaigns within their countries.
INDIAN GOVERNMENT TO GIVE RS 23.44 BN FOR POLIO
ERADICATION
The government will give Rs (Rupees) 23.44
billion (Rs 2,344.56 rore)
for the polio eradication programme in the country….
In
"The elimination of polio will improve the quality of lives of
those otherwise affected by polio involving life-long disability, thus
improving national productivity and eliminating wasteful expense on treatment
and rehabilitation," an official statement said.
- Indo-Asian News Serv.
-TRF NewsletterApril 15, 2008 issue
Ramesh will travel from
Your contribution to
our US $120 million goal in 2007 to 2008 will help ensure that Rotary Shares
·
Go to www.rotary.org, click on Member Access on the upper right-hand
corner.
·
Under Rotary Business Online, enter your user name and
password.
·
Once logged in, enter your membership number (number
on the mailing label of The Rotarian magazine, club number, and district
number.
D5040 President-Elect were being Rotarized at
PETS in March. Liz Neave
from Quesnel Rotary described PETS as an “incredible
experience”. Liz said now she has a real understanding of what it is to be a
Rotarian, the vastness of the reach of RI and how we truly can make a
difference.
On March 29th, sixty Rotarians from around Metro Vancouver in
District 5040 helped District Governor Nominee Gordon Dalglish celebrate his
birthday at the annual Club Leadership Assembly. Spending your birthday at
a Rotary training seminar shows real commitment.
The Assembly is held each year to train incoming club executives
for their year in leadership of their clubs. This year 18 out of 24 clubs in
this area were represented at the assembly.
The day long seminar with plenary and breakout sessions covered topics
such as the new theme and logo for the 2008-09 Rotary year, Strategic Planning,
Roles and Responsibilities, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Membership, The
Rotary Foundation, Youth Programs Certification and many others. Over all it
was a successful day with lots of fellowship and learning thanks to a
number of Rotary leaders who lead the sessions.
Five more Assemblies are being held around the District over
the next six weeks in the 100 Mile House,
Penny
Offer
District 5040 Trainer 2008-09
District Governor 2010-11
“The two Simba fundraisers were tremendous
successes - well supported by Rotary friends, by family and colleagues.
The Downtown Simba event was an energetic evening. By
closing time - it was impossible to close as people were dancing between the
tables to the music of Juno award winning Alpha Yaya Diallo.
We laughed and we sang and - and of course - everyone met the team. At
the
Thanks to all who supported these 2 events in one way or another.We
especially thank 'Simba' and Yasmin
Khan for their generosity”. - Nancy Nikolai, D5040 GSE Team Leader to
Centre picture: District GSE Chair
Neil McDonald and the D5040 team including their Swahili teacher Jenipher (2nd right)over recent
months, and Jenipher now a Rotarian of Vancouver
Quadra Club.
District 5040 is
putting together an exciting, educational and entertaining programme for our
African friends from District 9200 East Africa. The inbound team should
be arriving on Wednesday April 16th and depart immediately following our
District Conference on Monday May 19th. Watch have a detailed itinerary soon
JOHN MPAGI
Team Leader from
Vocation - Business Management.
Retired teacher now working with a fuel
dispensing equipment company. Interested
in visiting industries, farms and high schools. Plays
tennis. Does not eat beef or dessert
AUGUSTINE, ANYEGAH
Team
Member from
Vocation
- Law
Practices commercial
law and criminal litigation.
Interested in the Canadian legal system.
SARAH KEINO
Team
Member from
Vocation
– Banking
Commercial banking. Interested in banking, interaction with Rotaractors and their programs and Canadian culture.
CHARLES
JIRORI
Team Member from
Vocation
- Teaching.
Secondary school vice-principal. Interested
in secondary school syllabuses. Prefers to share
accommodation with another team member if possible.
JULIET NABAWANUKA
Team Member
from Kampala,Uganda
Vocation - Radiographer.
Takes x-rays, ultra sound scans, CT scans and mammograms. Interested in all related health care initiatives
Having your international service
project featured in your local newspaper can be difficult. However, remember to
pitch your club's involvement - the local angle - even when your service is
done in another part of the world. Before pitching the story, consider the
newspaper's readers and frame your story for them. Ask yourself, "If I
wasn't a Rotarian, would I want to read this?" Stick with the facts, share
your enthusiasm, and the story may well sell itself.– RI
PR Tips March 30, 2008. Read more tips here
A Rotarian
Chris Offer, Magdalen Leung, Geoff Plant announce a joint initiative of
the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset and Vancouver Chinatown to
send a medical team to China in October to operate 100 kids with cleft lips or
palates... “In some cases, the kids do
not reach the age of 10 because they can’t really eat and there’s
malnutrition.” - read complete article Richmond
Review and Vancouver
Sun
One shelter at a time Young
Rotarians help disaster victims
“Saturday morning,
“We could sleep in,”
Grade 12 student Chad Findlay said, he lifts his eyes towards the massive tent.
“But why, when you could change the world.”
- read complete
article Quesnel Observer
Rotary in
“Take a look at our region and you’ll find the work of the three Rotary Clubs in Prince George. From the
Rotary Soccer Fields to the Caledonia Nordic Ski Lodge, local Rotarian have
come together to make a substantial contribution to the local community. Members of Rotary have discovered that by
joining together with other caring members they can make more impact than
working alone….” - read complete article: Prince
George Citizen News
A brand new take on Spring Break
Teenagers
in the Squamish Rotary Club’s youth group, Interact, had a rare
opportunity to see how the club’s efforts have helped the
“I
thought it would be a great possibility to see what our fundraising has done,”
said Oliver Blow, 15. “I wanted to bring what I saw back to the Interact
club and show everyone where the money goes and how it helps”. - read
complete article: The
Squamish Chief
Rotarians dig deep again at
big fundraiser
“In a display of unity among local Rotarians , both
the Prince Rupert and Hecate Strait Rotary Clubs came together for their
annual Rotary foundation dinner… raising $15,811 that will be used by the
Rotary Foundation to initiate and continue many international projects in the
third world…
Many community members were recognized for the work
they do in and around
Around 20
Rotary Clubs in
There are also
fantastic new PR materials from RI you can use to obtain free or low-cost ad placements
with your local media. Download from RI website PR
Make use of the many RI produced videos now
available in YouTube, you can embed in your website. http://youtube.com/user/RotaryInternational
Rotarians from
The
Rotary Club of Kyoto-Fushimi,
It is a proud moment to see your club’s
signature projects flashing through the screen as your fellow Rotarians look on.
Deadline to send in submission is April 15,
that will give me enough time to work on the slide presentation before my next
newsletter. As of to date I only received a handful of submissions.
Each club can submit up to three of your
2007-2008 signature projects to editor5040@hotmail.com
Submission Requirements:
·
Club or clubs name
·
Project Name
·
Project Date
·
One or two good resolution pictures
·
One line description
·
One line accomplishment
Since the slide show will be set as auto-run, the message has to be
short and precise. See previous year presentations
for reference.
Visual presentation is an effective way to give visitors a quick overview
of your club. Consider making it in PowerPoint, PDF, photoshow
or video for you club website. It can also be used on membership drive. Some
examples are Kitimat, Richmond
and Richmond
Sunrise.
For current ClubRunner subscribers, you can upload animated Powerpoint slide show under internal file. You can also
load video in wmv file and embed into the story page.
Helpful articles: How to improve your powerpoint at RI
and PowerPoint 10 do’s and don’ts at Microsoft
Jay James,
President and Founder of the Suicide Prevention Info Bureau is looking to give
talks to Rotary Clubs about depression and suicide prevention and the program
developed to expand the group counselling concept.
Do you
know depression and suicide: 1 in 4 persons will become clinically depressed in
their lifetime, requiring some form of treatment. Call
604-430-3554 or email info@suicidestats.org
to make speaking arrangement. There will be no requests for funds.
Goals: Providing information,
support and encouragement to Rotarians, Rotary clubs and districts to take
active roles in projects/programs to develop safe water and sanitation as a
means of promoting health and alleviating hunger.
Some of the benefits of membership: obtain expert
assistance in applying for matching grants; learn where you can find funding
for your project; access to experts who can advise on the best technology; find
out which clubs need your help; benefit from “Lessons learned” on other
water/sanitation projects; find out which NGOs can help your project in the
target country; learn which other clubs are working in the host country; access
to evaluations of selected technologies.
Strategies for
achieving goals include: create local and global awareness of the need for, and benefits of, safe
water and sanitation; exchange of information; develop a compendium of best
practices to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness; identify alternative
sources of financing to complement The Rotary Foundation; identify and
formulate programs and projects that will promote sustainability; how to
determine the effectiveness of projects; access to a network of experts’;
support to Rotary clubs seeking financial and/or technical assistance;
procedures to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Visit WASRAG. Already a member?
Rotary Club of
Dianna Krawchuk was missed by all, she passed away on Easter Sunday.
Dianna was liked by all showing a sincere interest in everyone she met
and full of love.
Last year she began
her year as the Burnaby Club President with passion and determination. As a model Rotarian, Dianna passionately devoted her work and time to supporting
medical workers in
Rotary Club of
N. Van Lionsgate
Dr. Jim Thompson get pinned by President Terry with
presentation by Ted. This was a 3rd level Paul Harris Fellow
Rotary Club of
Van Arbutus
Foundation
Director Malcolm Ross was proud to present Donna Webb with a Paul
Harris Award in recognizing her contributions to Rotary - both financially
and the many hours of hard work Donna does.
Rotary Club of
Van Arbutus
President
Mary was happy to recognize Kathryn Hurwitz for doing outstanding job
for the club including a successful Lobsterfest
Fundraiser. Smiling Kathryn showing off her Certification of
Appreciation.
Rotary Club of Van. Fraserview
The club
had a wonderful and thought provoking presentation by Dr. Poobal Naidoo, members shared thoughts on the BC education system and
discussion on ways to improve it. Dr. Naidoo was
honoured with the 2007 award for Innovation in Teaching by Caltex and Rotary
Club of Sydney. Pic: Dr. Naidoo 3rd right with visitors and club members.
Rotary Club of
Gibsons
The Club celebrated their historic milestone of awarding Scholarships
in the total of more than $100,000 over the past 18 years. This year they
are adding two new scholarships for Elphinstone and
Alternate school grads The Rotary Golf Scholarship for
$1200 and Rotary Vocational-Trades Scholarship for $1,200.
Rotary Club of
Sixteen
members and spouses had a great evening of Rotary Fellowship on March 28, the
club's latest Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Hosts Ann-Shirley and Rob Goodell didn’t know who their guests were and guests didn’t
know who else would be there. . So, when the doorbell rang . . . .
SURPRISE!
Rotary Club of
Rotary
Club Vancouver Dinner and auction at the Watermark Restaurant at the
Rotary Club of
NW
The Pot of Gold
Committee presenting $8.000+ to the Tom Horton’s Ranch for kids.
Rotary Club of
Van Quadra
Change of meeting time notice: On Tuesday, April 22nd, instead of having
breakfast meeting, the club will be having a dinner meeting at 6pm. They will
be hosting the GSE Team.
Rotary Club of
The Rotarian work crews under the direction and
guidance of their “Boss Andy” did a spring cleanup of the Traffic
Circle. The bulbs are starting to come up.
Rotary Club of Quesnel
It took a few
extra years but, with the assistance of the curator of
Born in 1883 in Guandong Province, Chow Dong Hoy came from a
desperately poor background in China, but was able to make a good life for
himself and his family in the North Cariboo,
specifically Barkerville and Quesnel.
Using his early earnings to learn English, he seized opportunities as they
came, and was to become one of the town's most successful citizens. He was also
one of a handful of early photographers who recorded ordinary people of all
ethnic backgrounds in the rough and tumble BC Interior - leaving us with a
valuable record of a world now lost forever. The exhibit is open to the public - be
sure to make a point to stop in and take a step back in time.
Rotary Club of
The
Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise is very proud to announce that it has been
nominated for the Community Safety Partner Agency Award in the sixth
year of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce 911 Awards. We have worked hard to support the Richmond
Detachment of the RCMP in any initiatives that involve youth in our community
and look forward to continuing to do so in the future. Projects supported so far include Drug Free Wristbands,
DARE, Positive Ticketing and Restorative Justice.
Rotarian Rick Molstad is
"He gives over
and over to all the organizations he's involved with," said Jennifer
Peyton, who nominated Molstad. "He will stop
what he is doing to help out."
With a full-time job
and a family, one can't but wonder how Molstad finds
the time for all of his volunteer efforts. Nowadays, Molstad
focuses his volunteer efforts on four main groups: the Royal City Rotary Club;
the Hyack Festival Association; St. John Ambulance
and Queen's Park Healthcare Foundation.
Through Royal
City Rotary, Molstad organizes the annual Pot of
Gold golf tournament which has raised nearly $240,000 for charities. He's also
hosted students from foreign countries coming here on exchanges through Rotary.
"It's lots of fun," he said. "They
basically become a real part of our family. To my children, they are like
little sisters." - excerpt from The
Record, Mar. 29, 2008
Rotaplast
Dinner
Rotary Club of
Proceeds to Rotaplast
mission to
Sunday,
June 8, 2008
Reception
6pm Dinner 7pm
Continental
Seafood Restaurant at
Tickets $100 ea. or
$1000.00 for tables of 10
Download ticket order form
from www.rotary5040.org or contact
Magdalen
Leung-mleung@westernmba.com
Chris
Offer-Chrisoffer@dccnet.com
Women
with Wings Conference May 10, 2008, SFU
Net proceeds to support the Rotary
sponsored micro-lending
program to financially empower the women of
Conference includes
sessions on Health, Relationships, Wealth, Freedom and Power. Refreshments and
lunch included. See Conference Fees here. For more information contact Rotarian Maureen Fritz-Roberts or Tanya Harmon
Rotaract Multicultural Cookbook
rotaract club of
We aim to have the Cookbook ready for sale by December 2008 - just in
time for the holidays! Rotarians, family and friends please help us by submitting
your recipe online at www.nwrotaract.org/press/projects/our_cookbook
.
For more information about our Club visit our website or email me at cl.claudiali@gmail.com
All proceeds will be put towards building a PlayPump
in
Sincerely, Claudia Li, Vice-President
Rotaract Club of
Please forward this to anybody you
know in the Rotary Family.
We look forward
to seeing your delicious recipe!
October 22 to 24, 2008
Adventures in Industry is a unique
opportunity for students in Grades 11 and 12 to explore Rio Tinto Alcan, Eurocan Pulp & Paper Co, Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
and SMIT Marine.
Ten
students from Kitimat will be selected on a first
come first served basis. In addition,
ten visiting students, who will be sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs, will
take part in three action packed days on the sites of each of the industries.
You are invited to
sponsor a student. Visit www.rotary5040.org
for details or contact Program Chair Eleanor Kendell at
250-632-2550 and ekendell@telus.net
D5040 will be sending 18 Youth
Exchange students
District
5040 is making a world of difference, every year our Rotary Clubs sponsor
students to many countries around the world and provide them a life changing
experience.
18
outbound Youth Exchange students have been chosen for 2008-2009. The students are being assigned to
A big thank you to the sponsor clubs: Burnaby Metrotown, Burns Lake, Gibsons, Kitimat, McKenzie, North Vancouver-Lionsgate,
New Westminster, Pender Harbour, Power River, Prince Geroge,
Prince George Yellowhead, Prince Rupert, Quesnel, Richmond Sunrise, Smithers
Alpine, Squamish, Terrace, Terrace Skeena Valley, Vancouver and Williams Lake.
Share the fun and excitement of our previous outbound exchange students HERE Consider sponsoring a student in the coming
year, for program details, visit D5040 Youth Exchange website.
RYLA South 2008 Experience
Having attended Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards South 2007 (RYLA), I was excited to return as a facilitator
and cabin counselor this year. A leadership camp for 16-18 years olds from all
over
Taking only
four days, it is truly surreal how much
spirit, goodwill and leadership RYLA can inspire in the participants.
Participating in seminars on leadership styles, an ethics forum on the Four Way
Test and experiencing the
Having been given the chance to be a facilitator
this year, I've learned so many facets of leadership in ways I've never thought
of before, in contrast to being a RYLA participant the year prior. The
transformations in the RYLArians this year are
immense. On day 1, all the participants jumped onto a water taxi full of
strangers. After going through a challenging ropes course, unique leadership
activities, the Talking Stick ceremony and a quite memorable talent show, the RYLArians bonded and became the best of friends.
I sincerely thank Angi De
Stefanis (District RYLA Chair), Danica Meursing (RYLA Program Director), Bob Blacker (DGE and RYLA
MC), Dean Rohrs (DG) and all the Rotarians involved, for making this event what
it is: an experience I’ll keep my entire life. RYLA beyond doubt brought out the best in all of us.
-Chris Lee, RYLA 2008 Facilitator
2008 RYLArians are
thanking us for the awesome opportunity and sharing their experience, see some
of the excerpt below, complete article can be read in the District website RYLA
page .
”RYLA has taught me an important lesson: The
Power of One” - Irene Lin,
“This experience allows you to embrace your confidence
and potential to leadership.” - Qian
Wang,
“Now I am confident to say: I have the ability to be
who I want to be… and to live the life I choose.”- Horatio Szeto,
“Where I learned about the different perspectives we all have
towards a foreign culture.” - Doreen Zhao,
“The presentations we
watched inspired and showed us that we could do something great with our
lives... .” Dyana Louie,