Sonia’s Chicken Soup

for the ROTARIAN SOULS

 

April is Magazine Month. What does that mean to you?

 

COMMUNICATIONS!

 

In the April Issue of The Rotarian Carl -Wilhelm Stenhammar mentions the progression from the telegram, telex, facsimile now the internet and even Television as a way to communicate. He says, “Yet newspapers, books, and magazines remain fundamental resources, difficult to replace.”

 

How do you use your Rotary Magazine? Here are a few ideas.

  • Leave the newest issue in the Bathroom, when you finish reading the Rotarian;
  • Put it in your vehicle;
  • If you visit the mechanic, dentist, bank, doctor, etc. leave it in their waiting room;
  • If you have an office, leave copies in the staff lunch room;
  • Share with new members;
  • Give to potential members;
  • Use articles an items in your meetings;
  • Ask questions from the Rotarian for prizes or fines with the Sgt at Arms;
  • Share the Rotarian with the Youth Exchange Students;
  • Provide copies to Rotaract and Interact clubs.

 

There are probably another 25 other ideas out there. 

 

Communications are so important! We can never communicate too much! So, besides the Monthly District Newsletter, in February I started sending the ‘Monday Morning Musings’, a weekly “One Page Communication with 3 items” to all Club Presidents, Secretaries and other Leaders in District 5040.  The response has actually been outstanding.

 

Another Communication this past month was a Postcard to ALL Rotarians in District 5040 with a personal invitation to register for the District Conference. (So far 50 cards came back undelivered, this means out RI membership lists are outdated.)

 

Does your club qualify for a Presidential Citations? Deadline is April 15th and Assistant Governors will be reminding everyone in their areas. Getting a Citation is a way to communicate about your clubs activities!

 

Communicate back to us, if you enjoy the newsletter of the website, contact the editors and tell them. Communicate.

 

Governor Sonia

 

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

 

April 23-29, 2006

 

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give”- Sir Winston Churchill

Are you proud to be a Rotarian..... a Volunteer of Rotary?

There are currently close to 2,000 Rotarians working in District 5040 who volunteer their time, services and expertise to better their communities and the lives of others. April 23-29 is National Volunteer Week, give yourself and your fellow Rotarians a round of applause. Let’s continue with our volunteer effort.

 

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities overseas to apply your specific vocational and technical skills?

Rotarians can further international understanding and goodwill by contributing their skills and time through the Rotary Volunteers programs. Visit RI website under RI Program for the following information.

§         Rotary Volunteers program

§         Register to become a Rotary Volunteer

§         Register a project to receive Rotary Volunteers

§         Search for volunteer opportunities around the world

§         Search for volunteers for a service project

 

RI is looking for good, color action photos of

Rotary Volunteers projects and volunteers to feature on the Web site and in RI publications. Send photos and stories to Rotary Volunteers, RI Programs Department at volunteer@rotaryintl.org or Rotary International, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201-3698 USA

 

 

Volunteer work inspired peace fellow's journey to Berkeley

 

Currently a student at the Rotary Center for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution at the University of California, Berkeley, Giovannini was introduced to a peace-building career through a volunteer assignment in her hometown in the 1990s. At the time, residents of Modena were struggling to absorb an influx of North African immigrants.

 

Giovannini liked the work, and in 1995, the NGO International Volunteer Service sent her to plant trees for peace in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Two years later, she was volunteering with a homeless community in Berlin.

 

In 2000, Giovannini worked in the Gaza Strip as project coordinator for the Italian foreign ministry and an Italian NGO consortium. Then, Un ponte per, an Italian humanitarian organization working in conflict zones, employed her as a desk officer for Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, and Turkey. She sometimes traveled to monitor projects in those countries.

 

"I once had a very tough time in Turkey," she says. "I was sent there unprepared."

 

Giovannini was arrested while on a fact-finding mission in Turkey's Kurdish region. Insurgents alleged that the national army had committed atrocities against civilians. Government officials, who had caught wind of the visit, held and interrogated her at length about her activities.

 

Despite several such unsavory experiences, the Rotary World Peace Fellow says she never considered a career change.

 

"People that you encounter in these contexts — of war, civil strife, and so forth — are some of the best people you can meet," she says. "People become more profound in these situations because they don't know if they will be alive tomorrow."

"When you understand the reason people fight, then you can in the same vein help them achieve peace," she says. "But I think we should [eventually] arrive at the idea that violent conflict can be avoided and prevented." -FFrancesca Giovannini

 

 

PASSION ANDDETERMINATION PAYS OFF!

Ginnir Water Project

 

Ginnir, Ethiopia, a geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and frequent droughts, will you consider it being your holiday destination?

 

PDG Art and Lesley Erasmus left on March 17 for a three week holiday, Terrace to Prince George, to Vancouver, to Frankfurt with a stop in Montreal and then fly to Addis Ababa with a stop in Khartoum.  From there it is a two day drive on some bad roads to their holiday destination . . . . Ginnir.  They travelled on their own expense to see the completion of the Ginnir Water Project.

 

What originally started out as a small water well restoration in a smaller Ethiopian community progressed into a much larger and costlier project due to the generosity of Rotarians in 16 clubs and the encouragement of district officers to apply for matching grants from the Rotary Foundation. 

 

Over two Rotary years, District 5040 and Rotary club of Kitimat, Lionsgate, Pr. George, Pr. George Nechako, Pr. George, New Caledonia, Pr. Rupert, Quensel, Quensel, Sunrise, Sechelt, Smithers, Smithers Alpine, Terrace, Terrace Skeena Valley, Arbutus and Williams Lake Daybreak contributed a total of $18,000

 

Then with matching grants from District Designated Funds (DDF) and from the Rotary Foundation’s World Find $US 54,924.00 were raised to fund the total cost of this project .

 

The Ginnir project will benefit about 12,000 people who will no longer have to carry water 5 to 7 kilometers from the source to the community.

 

Water is life. An adult can survive without food for weeks, but the human body can't go more than a few days without water. Yet in our world today, an alarming number of people struggle every day to get it.

 

"It's daunting when you think of it," says Ron Denham, a member of the Rotary Club of Toronto-Eglinton, Canada, and general coordinator of the Water, Health, and Hunger Concerns Resource Group for 2005-06, "the number of people affected — 1.2 billion without access to safe drinking water, 2.4 billion without sanitation."

 

“This has been a rewarding albeit at times administratively frustrating project.  But now that it is done Lesley and I are excited to go to see it, and meet the beneficiaries of a Rotary Service Project.  We wish you could come with us to experience the gratitude of people in developing countries for the humanitarian programs available through Rotary.  We first experienced this feeling when we immunized children against polio three years ago.

 

Thank you so much for the assistance your club has provided to bring water to people in Ginnir. They really need it.”

-Lesley and Art Erasmus

 

 

CANADA AND PHILIPPINES

Rotarians working hand in hand

 

“Every child in this world deserves loving parents even if they are adopted”

 

The scene is the bustling central market in Bacolod City, Philippines, in May 2005.  A young woman carrying a small baby is making her way through the various stalls of fruits and vegetables, seemingly looking for something.  Her eyes rest on a seamstress who is making items for sale.  A brief conversation ensues, and she leaves her infant son with the seamstress while she goes to the comfort room (washroom).  She never returns . . . .

 

Sadly, we will never know her story, however, this young baby boy, judged to be about 6 months old, was placed in the Holy Infant Nursery and registered as a foundling.  In June 2005, with the help of Sister Families, he was placed with parents who had been praying for a baby of their own, as they had been childless for years.

 

Fast forward to March 2006, and little Roberto is thriving in the care of his delighted parents, who have now received approval to proceed with permanent adoption.

 

SISTER FAMILIES SOCIETY was launched in November 2004 as a cooperative initiative of the Rotary Clubs of Vancouver Quadra (Canada) and Bacolod West (Philippines).  The primary purpose of the project is to find loving parents for abandoned, relinquished, or orphaned infants in the Philippines, who would otherwise be raised in an orphanage.  These babies are placed with families in their own or neighbouring communities, and so are able to be raised within their own country and culture.

 

As of March 2006, 15 months after the start of the project, we have placed 29 babies in loving homes, most of whom are in the process of proceeding with permanent adoption.

 

Comments from mothers:

 

“We have been childless for years. This has been a huge gift for us!”

 

“It was a wonderful surprise to find our family becoming stronger and stronger.”

“I now feel complete!”

 

For more information contact:

Margaret MacKenzie, Rotary Club of Quadra

President, Sister Families (BC) Society

margaretm@shaw.ca

website:  www.sisterfamilies.ca

 

Through the Eye of the Storm:

A Book Dedicated to Rebuilding What Katrina Washed Away by Cholene Espinoza

 

The book details Cholene’s experience working with families in Mississippi to rebuild their homes and communities after Katrina. Cholene is a former U2 pilot and an embedded journalist in Iraq.  She went to Mississippi to help one church and then made a commitment to build a community.  Cholene is donating all the revenues from her book to build a community education center to serve the Katrina survivors in Harrison County on the Gulf Coast. The center will provide a place for  1,000 children of the community to congregate for after school education, sports recreation and job training skills. 

 

If you are interested in having Cholene as a guest speaker at one of your club meetings please contact: Jihane Ayed, (212) 583-2707, ayedj@ruderfinn.com

 

 

APRIL IS MAGAZINE MONTHthen 1911 . . . and now 2006

 

The first issue of The National Rotarian was published in January 1911. It was a 12 page tabloid to distribute an essay written by Rotary founder Paul Harris. The essay was titled, "Rational Rotarianism." It included club news and advertisements.

2,000 copies were produced by printer Harry Ruggles, soon the issue went back to press for another 2,000 copies The second issue appeared in July 1911. It contained a "President's Corner," news from the clubs, and more than 20 advertisements. Soon after, the magazine started its monthly publication schedule. 

 

95 years later, The Rotarian is being subscribed around the world. There are about 410,000 subscribers in the United States. Canada comes in second, with more than 30,000 subscribers. India is third, with about 10,000 subscribers. There are more than 4,800 subscribers in the Philippines, and 3,800 in Japan. In Nigeria, more than 3,000 club members subscribe to The Rotarian. In Australia, there are 1,900 subscribers, and almost 1,300 in New Zealand. In Finland, there are 1,000 subscribers, as well as 1,500 in Hong Kong and 700 in Indonesia. Of the total number of subscriptions, about 20,000 are to non-Rotarians. Most of these are gift subscriptions to schools, libraries, and individuals.

 

"One of the most powerful influences in the civilization of this day is the press, and yet many American journals whose tremendous circulations constitute indubitable proof of their influence and power, wield such influence and power with about the same degree of tender regard to principle and truth as would a bar room full of drunken sailors. It is to be hoped that The National Rotarian may possess an influence and the power to spread the principles of Rotary throughout the land and that its publishers may never become unmindful of the fact that the acquisition of influence and power means the assumption of great responsibility." Paul Harris (located by Wolfgang Ziegler)

 

 

Smile for me and my hard work is worth it . . . .

 

Sarah Brizan, grand daughter of Rotarian Mary Brizan from Prince George, New Caledonia volunteered for 6 weeks at an orphanage in Kenya.  The director of the orphanage is a Rotarian, and Sarah managed a Rotary meeting and brought back a flag. 

 

Although the work was hard, but she was having the time of her life. She hated leaving the children. 

 

 

rotary fellowships & rotary action groups FELLOWSHIP CYCLING TO SERVE

 

 

Motto of the FCS is “Service in Motion”

Active members of Rotary and Rotaract may apply for membership.

  • International fellowship.
  • Opportunities for service.
  • FCS Cycle Ride to the Rotary International Convention 2006 in Malmö – Copenhagen.
  • Previous annual events in France, England, Germany, The Netherlands,   Turkey &   Majorca.
  • Cycling is relaxed, partners may participate and friendly ties have been formed over the years between the participants.

 

Hello out there RC of Vancouver and all your cycling friends! How about organizing a District 5040 FCS group? Check their November 2005 newsletter at www.rotary-cycling.org and visit the website of the RC of Ampang, Malaysia. Opportunities and ideas!

For information about other Rotary Fellowships and Rotary Action Groups, visit web site: www.rotaryfellowships.org

 

Please submit fellowship articles for publication to: District 5040 Fellowships Chair, PDG Dave Kirk at dbkirk@telus.net

 

 

International Skiing Fellowship of Rotarians MEET AT ALYESKA, ALASKA

 

“More than a dozen District 5040 Rotarians joined the ISFR annual ski week, Feb. 24 to Mar. 4, 2006 in Alyeska, Alaska.

 

ISFR partners with a local Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Girdwood this year, in hosting an annual ski week in North America.  A feature of the partnership is a fund raising event to support the ISFR Davis Boyd Adaptive Ski Foundation and local club adaptive ski projects.  This year’s event was timed to coincide with the start of the grueling Iditarod dog sled Anchorage to Nome race.  Next year the fellowship members will meet in Steamboat, Colorado, Feb. 11, 16, 2007.”

- AG Esio Marzotto

 

The First Annual International Skiing Fellowship Meeting was held in Vail, Colorado, in February of 1974. Since that first meeting, Rotarian ski events have been held in the USA in California, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Utah and Wyoming. Canada has hosted events in Alberta and British Columbia. The Rotary Ski World has held events in Italy and Austria.

If you are seriously interested in the ideal of Rotary International Fellowship and have an interest in skiing (both downhill and cross-country) visit their website at:

http://www.isfrski.org/

 

Can we entice you with the Rotary Whistler District 5040/5050

"Soaring Above the Clouds" conference

 

Dear Rotarians, This is your personal invitation to join us for the Rotary District Conference May 19-21, 2006.

Whistler is truly a four-season destination resort attracting people from around the world and the home of Olympics 2010.

The program offers exciting speakers, golf, fun and fellowship. Highlights will be the gondola ride to the top of the mountain for dinner on Friday and an opportunity to dress in the costumes of our origin for the Saturday Gala.

Please join us in celebrating the Rotary year 2005-2006. To register, download the registration form from the District 5040 event page .  

 - Governor Sonia

 

SOS!!! D5040 Rotary missionaries

need your help and support

 

DGN Dean Rohr and Chair Magdalen will soon be traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa to perform Rotary missions, visiting Hospices, Nursery Schools and Orphanages.

 

They need our generous donation of new toys, pencils, crayons and supplies so these children can have something to call their own. The donated items will be shipped by sea.

Please drop off your donations no later than April 20 to Magdalen’s office at Western International Construction Ltd. #250 8833 Odlin Cr. Richmond. Ph 604-214-8833.

 

Please pass on this message to others who might be interested to help.

 

District Assembly for Club Leaders CHANGED DATE !

 

The day has been changed to Saturday May 13, 2006 at Cheers Restaurant in North Vancouver. 

 

More details will come later and the registration fee will be set at a later date. Check events page for seminars across District 5040.

 

 

“The Øresund Region: easy to get to, easy to get around, and hard to forget”.
- Carsten Dencker Nielsen, 2006 Host Organization Committee, Chair

 

WHY Attend an RI Convention?

To be inspired? informed? entertained?

Make new friends? Renew ties with old ones?

Find out what projects other clubs and districts are doing?

Meet Rotarians in the host region and learn about their culture?

Shop for Rotary products, attend the host Business Expo, exhibit your products or project or global networking group?

Learn about and share ideas about literacy, clean water, and Rotary’s public image during workshops and interactive discussion groups?

Attend the Foundation Update and Incoming Club Presidents Workshop so that you can lead and motivate your club in the coming year?

Travel with family or friends before or after the convention?


All good reasons, but the most important is to experience that moment of clarity when you not only understand, but also feel the scope and strength of Rotary. During the flag ceremony or even before, you suddenly realize that you are one of 1.2 million persons in 168 regions of the world with the collective goal of fostering international peace and understanding.

 

 

 

Why does this goal seem possible?

Because it happens on a small scale at every convention where men and women of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, educational and economic levels, and political beliefs manage to meet in harmony for four days in the spirit of service to others.

 

Attend a Rotary Convention and become a more committed Rotarian as you see all the good that your fellow Rotarians and The Rotary Foundation are doing. Keep the dream of international peace and understanding alive! Its never been so important.

 

Have you registered yet?

Register for the convention online https://riweb.rotaryintl.org/ or download forms to fax or mail:http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/events/index.html. Please note that only the Youth Exchange Banquet and Presidents Recognition Luncheon are available.

 

Do you have a place to stay?

Registration for the RI hotel block is now closed. For alternative housing go to: http://www.rotary.org/events/conventions/malmo-copenhagen/alternative_list.html

 

Have you purchased tickets for HOC events and/or tours?

Reserve online or download a form at:

http://www.riconvention2006.org

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

North Vancouver Great Capilano Duck Splash

 Sun. Apr 9 2006

At 12:00 Noon, 10,000 Ducks will be dropped into the Ambleside Lagoon and retriever dogs will go into the lagoon to collect the winners. Staring at 10:30 AM there will be a lot of activities in the park.

 

For details, visit:http://www.rotarynorthvan.org/great_capilano_duck_splash.htm

 

Richmond Sunset Easter Senior’s Lunch

 Sat. Apr 15, 2006

This event will be held at the Marriott hotel in Richmond, please contact club president for detail.

 

Tsawwassen Bowling Social

 Mon. Apr 17, 2006

Come and have lots of fun besides bowling, snacks and prizes. Tsawwassen Lane, $15/person

Website: http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/Home/homeE.asp?cid=1876

 

Prince Rupert Hecate Strait Treasure Hunt

 Sat. Apr 22, 2006

You can enter anytime between Sat. April 22nd and 3 p.m. Sun. April 23rd, Entry fee is : $ 20.00 per team (max 4 persons) Seven steps to find the Treasure Chest which is valued at over $ 2,000.00

3 - 5 p.m. Sunday April 23, the world renown Chefs of the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert will be serving Hot Dogs and juice. For further information: Contact Ann Jackson or Scott Farwell of the Hecate Strait Club.

 

North Vancouver Lionsgate Ukrainian Evening

 Fr. Apr 28, 2006

This is a fundraiser for their Ukrainian Orphanages projects. Ticket is $40/person, advance sale only. Ukrainian Food, entertainment, raffle and Rotary Bonhomie. Contact AG Esio at esiom@shaw.ca.

 

Interact Conference

 Sat. April 29, 2006

Cheers Restaurant, 125 East 2nd, North Vancouver, Event Fee is $10, contact Chair chris-loat@shaw.ca

 

Richmond Rotaract Environmental Connections

 Sat. May 6, 2006  8:15 am—5:30 pm

 This is a Richmond high school district wide conference and competition for students to promote community awareness on environmental issues. Representatives from Rotary are invited to join them as judges in the afternoon. Contact: jlau@richmondrotaract.com

Website:http://www.richmondrotaract.com/workshop/index.html#about

 

 

Richmond Sunrise Spring Gala & Auction

 Sat. May 6, 2006 6pm

The Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise invites you to attend this premier event at the Executive Plaza Hotel, Richmond. Join them for fabulous food, exciting silent & live auctions and dancing! Call 604272.5531 for tickets or email; Pres Belinda at g.boyd5531@shaw.ca

 

Prince Rupert  Fish Dinner

 Sat. May 13, 2006 6:30pm

Where else can you get a fine meal of FRESH fish, crab, shrimp and the world famous Herman S clam chowder?
And get waited on by the trained and talented members of the Rotary Club? Join them at the Curling Club and party with Rotary. $25/person.
Funds raised will be put back into the Community

http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/home/eventitem.asp?cid=761&iid=9164

 

Vancouver Arbutus Lobster Dinner

 Sat. May 13, 2006 6:30pm

The "Lobster Rock" Dinner and Auction will be once again celebrated this year. The venue will be the Ukranian Orthodox Auditorium at 154 East 10th Ave. Check their website for upcoming information.

http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/home/eventitem.asp?cid=778&iid=9095

 

New West Royal City Spring Fling

 Sat. May 13, 2006  8pm-midnt.

Dance to RED LINE - Fun & casual. Queensborough Community Centre 929 Ewen Street, New Westminster 8:00 to Midnight, Snack at 10:00. $35.00 per person.

Call Nancy for Tickets 604-524-2144 or email nico@telus.net. Great Rock and Roll, fun group!

 

Metrotown Wine Food Music Festival

 Sat. May 27, 2006 

Rotary Club-Burnaby Metrotown & Metropolis at Metrotown Mall present -5th Annual Wine, Food & Music Festival. A Unique Patio Wine tasting event w/culinary delights & the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra. Advance tickets @$40/person from member or phone 604-431-0400

gloria@peaksuccesscoaching.com

 

West Vancouver Rotary Seawalk

 Sun. May 28, 2006

Presented by Prudential Sussex Realty, this is 10k fun run open to all ages. The run route is along the spectacular sea wall through Ambleside park and Dundarave. Proceeds are for Lionsgate Hospital Foundation & Club Youth Scholarship Program. Contact: Chris Loat at chris-loat@shaw.ca or visit website: http://seawalkrun.com

 

BOB BLACKER district governor nominee 2008-2009

 

Bob joined the Rotary Club of New Westminster Royal City in 1996.

  • 1996-2001 Director of Community Services.
  • 2001-2002 Club President .
  • Currently Vice Chair of District 5040 Youth Exchange and District Chair of the Specialized Group Study Exchange that will take place with District  5280 and District 5040 this Spring.
  • Was Team Leader of the Group Study Exchange that traveled to District 9570 Queensland Australia in 2005.
  • A life long Peace Officer, retired from the New Westminster Police Department in 2000 with the rank of Inspector. 
  • Paul Harris Fellow and Sustaining Member of the Rotary Foundation.

 

Bob and his wife Judy are looking forward to serving our Rotary District during the 2008-2009 Rotary year.

 

New inductees from Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast Sechelt. . . .

Pres. Wilmar, what is your secret?

 

left to right: Gary Turk, Sharlene Turk, Linda Hamilton, Darcy Long, Gerald Walsh, Deborah Lundell, President Wilma Webb, and Doug Long.  Missing Rick Crowson.

 

 

DR. RAM REDDY recognized as major donor

 

On behalf of the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation, DG Sonia presented Dr. Ram Reddy with a Level Four Major Donor Crystal and four Diamond Circle Paul Harris pin. It is in recognition of the significant gift he and his wife Susella made to The Rotary Foundation. The presentation was made at the Rotary Club of Vancouver Arbutus on April 7, 2006.

 

Ram Reddy is a Rotarian who "walks the talk". He is a retired anaesthesiologist and Susella also a doctor is a pathologist. Ram has coordinated World Community Service projects around the world. He was involved in a Rotary Foundation low cost shelter project in Brazil, hospitals in Kenya, Tanzania and Indian. He also coordinated a new ambulance in Bangalore.

 

Ram is a former member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver and a current member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Arbutus. He chaired the scholarship committee of the Rotary Club of Vancouver and he is the past chair of the District 5040 Rotary Foundation scholarship committee. Ram has also been an active volunteer with the Rotary World

 

Visit RI website for information on Major Donors and Rotary Foundation or contact Chair PDG Del Paterson.