At the District Conference, the AGs gave DG Sonia “THE
SONIA POEM during the business meeting. The AGs (6 at the meeting) all took
turns reading the poem verses out loud to the full room - and then DG Sonia got
a standing ovation.
Then the AGs presented their gift to DG Sonia with a
SPA package near her home. . .
To
our Governor, thanks for all you’ve done for Rotary
The SONIA Poem
Twas the night before
Whistler and all through the District
Lots was a stirring for Governor Wolowidnyk
The speakers were ready,
the sessions were booked
The conference centre had "the Rotary Look"
But Sonia sat back to
wonder - "what have I missed?"
"Did I do all I planned - all those Goals on my list?"
And so she sat back -
as she gave it much thought
She was not really sure what “her year” had brought.
So – Sonia - we've
come to help you look back
Is your Rotary Service in the Red or the Black?
We know Service Above Self is the Theme for the Year
And you have done lots to spread friendship and cheer
DG Sonia told stories
as she visited our clubs
Presenting to those who excelled “Rotary gloves”
The Clubs were all
challenged to achieve Net One
and many have risen to higher Goals - and have won!
Words you may recall -
"do you have glasses on ya?"
Cause reading glasses did not always arrive with our Sonia
A District Directory -
not for one or 3 but all !
Became the hallmark of Sonia as she came to call.
A Strategic Plan for
the District - oh what a goal!
But the Plan is already started – and is soon to take hold.
Never too late to give
"that boost over the fence"
Monday Morning Musings were sent to the Presidents
Not just our
conference – she said - "let's invite friends"
And so here we are together with 5050 again
So when everything's
said with this year nearly gone
We thank you - Dear SONIA - for a job so well done!
And for your hard work
and service - we say "hurrah"
and gift you a well-deserved Trip to the Spa
Sonia’s chicken soup for ROTARIAN SOULS
June is Fellowship Month, look into all the
fellowships Rotary has to offer.
As your Governor for the past year, I have wonderful
memories of club visits, meeting the members, hearing about and seeing your
projects, and feeling that all the presidents were dedicated and committee
members were special. I had a great year of fun and enjoyed telling you Service
Above Self Stories. There are so many highlights but I
have to say that the District Conference was a special way to end the year.
It is now time to report the results of my promises. But the results are
due to a dynamite team and a district wide effort. There are too many people to
thank, I am afraid I would miss someone, so THANK YOU ALL!
|
|
My
Promise |
Results |
|
1 |
Present RI President goals to
Clubs |
Personally visited 53
Clubs |
|
2 |
Promote literacy and
education |
Done |
|
3 |
Address the global water
crisis |
Thanks to many people |
|
4 |
Promote membership |
We are up 1.7 % |
|
5 |
Support Youth Services |
Two new Interact Clubs |
|
6 |
Renewed focus to Ethics |
Developed Ethics Committee |
|
7 |
Enhance Public Image |
This is on going |
|
8 |
Encourage giving to
Foundation (TRF) |
We have increased our giving |
|
9 |
Develop a Strategic Plan for
District 5040 |
Done, it is a Living
Document |
|
10 |
Develop Succession plan |
Started in theory. |
|
11 |
Present a special award to
clubs members |
Service Above Self Gloves |
|
12 |
Provide each member with a
District Directory |
Provided to Clubs, Not
sure if members received |
|
13 |
Host a District Conference |
Tremendous Success! |
|
14 |
Post stories of Past
Governors |
Only a few PDG’s responded |
|
15 |
Change our Website to ClubRunner |
Done |
|
16 |
Provide the District with a
year end report |
Here we are |
Thank
you for all who served in the 2005-2006 “Service Above
Self” year! And Best wishes to Governor
Elect Kevin Conway and Jennifer and to each club as they go forth to “Lead the
Way”.
Your District Governor
For
Service Above Self
Sonia Wolowidnyk
TO PROMOTE: High Ethical Standards
TO CHALLENGE: Today’s Youth on Ethical Issues
42
students submitted essays to the
The
contest is designed to challenge secondary school students to analyze ethical
issues and concerns confronting them in today's complex world. The essay
contains the student's own definition of ethics, as well as her/his view on the
importance of ethics by citing a particular personal situation, issue or event.
A
Grade 11 student from
"It
is easy to get caught up in a world where our desires start to become our
needs. Our values, morals, principles and our opinions of what is right or
wrong become skewed, as we become dependant on a lifestyle that includes
certain luxuries. The evolution of our ethics is inevitable in great part due
to media" . . .
"when
you go shopping in downtown Vancouver it is easy to find a pair of jeans
selling for three-hundred dollars or a t-shirt for a hundred bucksAt the same time there is a homeless person around the corner begging
for some money for his survival" . . .
"Poverty
often seems like a fairly distant thing" . . .
To
read the complete essay (posted with the permission of the author), visit D5040
website
Not pictured, two
additional Honorable Mention Awards were presented to
Matt Wren,
Why I am a Rotarian from by John Örtengren
Sollentuna-Tureberg Rotary Club - District 2350,
In 1975 I was invited to become a Rotarian. At that
time Rotary was not as well known as it is today. I recognized, nevertheless,
that here is an organisation that combines multi vocational membership
with humanitarian goals and a high ethical standard.
This
unique combination of features not only appealed to me but challenged me as
well.
As
the years went by, these initial impressions were reinforced, generating
enthusiasm in what I had been doing in Rotary. It was felt like an inner reward
when I was asked to become the district governor in my district (2350
Today
Rotary is still a multi vocational organisation, the
only one in the world, that combines vocational service with service to
Mankind, regardless of age, sex, race or religion, holding the ethical flag
high, always paying attention to high ethical standards in business and
professional life.
Is
not that a wonderful organization to be a member of?
- Article from: Why
I am a Rotarian
Whistler
shines for the D5040/5050 CONFERENCE
Amidst
shimmering, snowy mountains, and a clear blue sky, Whistler welcomed over 650
Rotarians and guests to the 2006 District Conference. Here are some of the
highlights that we experienced over the weekend.
After
a rousing traditional Youth Exchange Flag Ceremony, we were welcomed by the
Acting Mayor of Whistler, Councillor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden,
herself no stranger to Rotary and our Youth Exchange Program. PRID John Eberhard then welcomed us on behalf of RI President
Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar. John has been a frequent visitor to the Whistler area
for many years and was very much at home in the stunning surroundings of the
TELUS Whistler Conference Centre.
Our
Feature Speaker for the opening ceremonies was John Furlong, CEO of VANOC – the
Vancouver Organising Committee for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. John is an inspiring speaker, and the
passion he has for sport, teamwork, leadership and our youth brought us to our
feet. In his capable hands we are assured of a Games event that will put
Saturday
night was “topped off” by Dinner on Top of the Mountain. 530 guests were taken
up 6,200 feet by Gondola to a champagne welcome by our District Governors,
Sonia Wolowidnyk and Harv Jubie.
On a beautiful, early summer evening, we gazed out at pristine snow and down at
the twinkling lights of Whistler and Blackcomb villages. It was truly a night
to remember as we met friends – old and new – from our two Districts.
Saturday
morning, we awoke to a socked in mountain! Hardly believing the weather change,
we gathered at the Conference centre to hear speakers from RI,
For
D5040, the business meeting passed a motion to propose and enactment to the
2007 Council on Legislation in
It
was also passed that our District will seek Incorporation. This is an essential
step in the Certification process that we are required to complete for our
Youth Programs – and you will be hearing a lot more about that as we move into
our next Rotary Year.
After
a series of highly informative Breakout Presentations – on projects concerning
Drugs, Water, Literacy, Interact and Rotaract, Immunisation Days, Rotoplast, and three great GSE presentations from
One last memory – a fitting one to end our Conference. A newly started “Book of Remembrance” was inaugurated to recognise the
contribution of Rotarians who had passed away during this last Rotary Year. DGE
Kevin gracefully received the Book and it will be carried forward to our next
conference.
Another
Conference over, where we celebrated out past achievements and look forward
with renewed conviction to Lead The Way in Service to our communities at
home and abroad.
Gordon
Dalglish
Assistant Governor, D5040
Unforgettable Memories- ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE
Youth Exchange Students, YEO’s
and Committee:
The last 10 days have been another wonderful chance for you as Rotary Youth
Exchange Students to get together and share the common idea that brings you all
to
Remember that photos can say a million words, but they can also remember a
million happenings!
ROTEX-some will say means nothing in the family of Rotary, but you as an
exchange student know what ROTEX means and how valued this crucial, yet
undeveloped element to the exchange program really is. When you go back
to your home country get involved and ‘give back to Rotary’, the club that sent
you on your year of experience and understanding! Being a liaison, or
someone who can connect with the program, the exchange students, the experience
and year abroad is where you come in handy to promote and continue this
fabulous and highest valued exchange.
Thank you all for allowing me to accompany you over the last week as we
attended the outbound orientation, traveled to
Lyn, thank you for believing in ROTEX! Bob, I know you will continue this
expedition and development of this essential piece of the youth exchange
program!
Yours truly,
Kai Nestman
Rotary Exchange Student
Developing Youth Involvement
Preparing the next group of
leaders - TO LEAD THE WAY
On Saturday May 13, 70 Lower Mainland Rotarians
attended the Assembly for Club Leaders chaired by Governor Elect Kevin, here are some of the highlights:
- AGs Penny Offer & Nancy Nikolai planned the fast paced event
and ably performed the duties of host and narrator.
- Governor-Elect Kevin opened the program with an overview of the
year ahead presenting the District's objectives and strategic plan.
- An exercise on implementing the leadership plan followed with table
recorders reporting on the many excellent ideas developed at each
table.
- AG Gordon Dalglish gave a tutorial on duties and responsibilities
of Club Secretaries and treasurers.
- Following a short break, Gordon returned to emphasize the
importance of Club officers becoming familiar with both the RI and
District websites. It takes a little searching through the many
pages but, it is well worth the effort to find information on every
topic of Club interest.
- PDG Chris Offer with the assistance of his excellent visual program
presented a new Membership Development, Retention & Club Extension
presentation.
- DGN Bob Blacker flew in just in time to report on the new Rotary
Abuse and Harassment Policy and flew out again to meet his GSE Team from
- PDG Chris Offer followed with his thoroughly detailed
presentation on the Rotary Foundation.
- Governor-Elect Kevin closed the program by introducing the members
of the District Team and their roles and the activities they will happily
provide to support Club officers.
Note: There a number of District
Assemblies scheduled around the District. Club officers are encouraged to
attend and prepare themselves for the challenges 2007-08 will bring.
- AG Esio Marzotto
The
Rotary club of Gibsons was represented by a large
contingent with 7 incoming board of directors led by PE Don Stuart. We had to
be up by 5 am to catch the 6:20 am ferry.
First
time attendee Rotaract District Representative Serena Siow
joined in to learn more about Rotary.
Serena shared her experience from the Rotaract perspective. More
bridging between Rotary and Rotaract is required to enhance the Rotary family.
Speaking as Rotaract District Chair I encouraged all to participate in Rotaract
activities. Burnaby Club PE Jim and President Gus have promised to form a new
Rotaract Club at BCIT in the coming year. Terrace is also actively seeking to
form a Rotaract Club.
This
year Delta Club has established a new Rotaract Club - cheers to all involved.
Interact
District Chair Chris Loat highlighted the importance for a long term strategic
plan to include Interactors and Rotaractors.
These will be our future Rotarians. I
was an Interactor in 1967-69.
Both
District Rotaract and Interact would like dedicated Rotarians to join the
District committees for continuation of the program.
- District Rotaract Chair Jim Ling
Rotarians
for Hearing Regeneration – A Rotarian Action Group
This is a Rotarian Action Group formerly know
as The International Fellowship of Rotarians Affected by Hearing Loss
(IFRAHL).
The purpose of this Action Group is to unite Rotarians
around the world to create more awareness of the problems associated with the
loss of hearing. Goals are:
§
Provide information of the
physical, mental and social problems of those affected with hearing loss
§
Assist in the prevention of
hearing loss
§
Encourage research into
regenerating hearing in affected individuals.
Initial dues payment is US$10.00 and dues are payable
annually on July 1st of each year. Lifetime member dues are US$100.00.
“Being blind separates you from things. Being deaf
separates you from people.” . . . . . . Helen Keller.
For additional information, and to view an informative
12 minute video, visit: www.ifrahl.org
Email to: hearingregeneration@msn.com
For information about other Rotary Fellowships and
Rotary Action Groups, visit web site www.rotaryfellowships.org
Let’s
hear about your experiences and adventures with Rotary Fellowships and Rotary
Action Groups. Please submit fellowship articles for publication to:
PDG Dave
Kirk (email: dbkirk@telus.net)
District
5040 Fellowships Chair
Member,
International Travel and Hosting Fellowship
GSE
On
May 10, the GSE team from
After the meeting, PP James
Chan took the team for a tour of
GSE L.A. D5280 INBOUND TEAM
The
team arrived on May 13th, on the second day May 14th they were treated to a BBQ
at the home of Christina and Darcy Pughe of the
Richmond Sunrise Club. The third day May 15 was jam packed with activities.
First,
they visited the ECOMM (Emergency Communication Centre). After the visit, GSE
Chair Bob took them to Lonsdale Quay for a great view of
THE WORLD IS FACING A Water Crisis
UNESCO discusses 'Action for Water' at Rotary Day
"The
world is facing a water crisis," said
James Michael Kulikowski, a representative of
UNESCO's director-general at the first UNESCO Rotary Day.
"Action
for Water" was the theme for the event, held 12
May at UNESCO headquarters in
Providing
an overview of today's water challenges, Andras Szollosi-Nagy, deputy assistant director-general for the
natural sciences of UNESCO, explained that 97 percent of the earth's water
supply is salt water. Of what remains, 90 percent is held in ice, glaciers, or
underground. Only .007 percent is available for human consumption —based
mostly in nine countries that hold 60 percent of the earth's water supply.
Access to water will increasingly bring power struggles similar to those for
oil or nuclear energy.
Rotarians
should be concerned about water "because Rotary is leading the struggle
to alleviate suffering and bring hope," said RI Vice-President Serge Gouteyron.
One
of the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals is by 2015 to reduce by 50 percent the number of people
without access to safe water and sanitation. The challenge is formidable
because in rural areas of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and
. .
. .nearly one-third of Rotary clubs
participate in water distribution and sanitation system projects worldwide,
which include drilling and rehabilitating wells, rainwater harvesting,
purifying water through bio-sand filters, solar disinfecting, installing
mini-water pipelines, and integrating water management . . .
For more information about
the water crisis, visit UNESCO-IHE
Institute for Water Education.
- Excerpt from Rotary
International News, May
23, 2006
25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ROTARY CLUB
OF VANC.
Keynote Speaker, Wilf Wilkinson RI President 2007-2008
On Sat. July 8th, a gala dinner will be held at
the Renaissance Harbourside Hotel,
Tickets are $55.00 per person or a table of 10 for $550.00.
To purchase tickets contact James Chan at (604-873-4521) or jameschan@telus.net or any member
For further information, please visit the events page
at www.rotary5040.org. At
this site, you will find the event flyer, ticket order form, link to the
hotel and bio of RI President (07-08) Wilf
Wilkinson.
There will be no tickets sold at the door as
this event will sell out early. Four hundred and twenty of the maximum 500
tickets have already been sold.
Gibsons Club enjoying a day tour
Rotary
Club of Gibsons held a TV Auction. Their club visited
one of their sponsors, a local boat builder Coastal Craft. Company President
Jeff Rhodes gave them a tour and showed them their specialty - custom built
welded aluminium boats.
Prince George Clubs
welcoming GSE Team from
All
four Prince George Clubs held a joint dinner at the Caribou Restaurant to
welcome the GSE Team from
Team Member Chinawat Prasomtong entertained the
Rotarians during dinner, and the GSE team presented mementos from their country
to the clubs .
Welcome new Rotarians to
the PG New Caledonia Club
PDG
Ron Neukomm inducted Rotarians Bev Ramage (one of the
founding members of the Rotary Club of Prince George New Caledonia) and Doug
Jefferies.
RYLA North new website
http://www.rylanorth.org/information.html
and don’t forget Aug 13-19 is RYLA North in
Editor’s
Corner
D5040 Club Projects - Thanks for all the club
project submissions. The presentation ran as a backdrop to a sold out 650
people Gala Dinner at the District Conference in Whistler. Each slide had a 30 second slot and the
presentation ran twice. It is now posted under the District
website for viewing. Share the many project ideas and accomplishments with
your club members.
Public Relations Tips - Please check District website Public
Relations page for newly added tips, you can also find a sample club
brochure template for reference.
Speaker Bureau - Please check District website Speakers
Bureau for speaker listing. If you know of someone that will be a good
speaker, please send contact info to
Rotary Song - Listen to the Rotary song sang by
Rotarians from D3450 in
DISTRICT 5040 Awards & Recognition 2006