Kevin’s Kaleidoscope – Dec, 06

 

In early November we had the pleasure of heading north to Quesnel and Prince George.

Under the leadership of President Gail Netzel, the Quesnel Sunrise club is focusing on developing membership. The club has a ‘new member proposal book’ at the front where members are encouraged to add names of potential members.  Several Rotarians in the club have volunteered as Sergeant at Arms for the District conference in Kelowna next May. The club is working toward setting up a Rotary clock in downtown Quesnel.

The Prince George Rotary Clubs are teaming up to build a Gazebo overlooking a stunning view from UNBC.

President Dave Dyer and Prince George Yellowhead are very active in the community. The club introduced a piggy bank for members to contribute their change to The Rotary Foundation; we were the recipients of our very own piggy bank.  Using a “Be my Guest” card, potential members are invited to a meal. We had the pleasure of participating in the induction of three new Rotarians into the club.  This club has a theme based friendship meeting each month, i.e. Valentine, St. Patrick. They have a job search project assisting adults with disabilities through mock interviews, to re-enter the work force.

The Prince George New Caledonia club led by President Valerie Delorme, prefers to join with other clubs to do hands-on projects to stretch their limited funds.  Singing songs to their shut-ins is unique slant on their meals on wheels delivery. The successful Foundation dinner was organized by this club and in spite of a poor turn-out because of bad weather, made over $5000. Congratulations to the two Rotarians in the club who became Rotary Foundation benefactors.

The Prince George club has many hands-on projects in the pipe-line. With President Rick Harrison Leading The Way, the club is working on construction of a city trail, and considering a re-planting program of beetle-kill trees in the parks.  The club is also planning to publicize vignettes on TV or a bulletin board of past projects participated by all Prince George Rotary clubs.  70 shoeboxes of love filled by members will be shipped to south and central America.  90 year old Wally West, who has been a Rotarian for 57 years, was made an honorary member of the club, and the club established a scholarship in his name.

President Larry Parker and the Prince George Nechako club are enthusiastic participants in Operation Red Nose, and had a Red Nose roster pinned on the wall for members to sign up.  The club helps prepare young people enter the work force by providing mock job interviews to 112 grade 11 students. Also, the community services team is setting up a hockey team for underprivileged high school kids for a twice yearly tournament. The club nominated Janna Plewes as a potential peace scholar. Congratulations to the Rotarians in this club who have become Rotary Foundation benefactors.

We had the pleasure of attending the Foundation dinner in the company of Prince George Rotarians, a fun evening of photographs from earlier times, delicious food and musical entertainment.

With the countryside white with new snow, the highway to Mackenzie was clear and dry, and the scenery spectacular. President Lindsay Moyle starts the meeting with a fundraising quiz, i.e. loser donates.  The club is working with the Share and Care Society to adopt a family which involves home visits to discover what families most need for Christmas.  The live radio broadcast duck drop, which was done by plane, while creative was also costly as the club lost 500 ducks that didn’t fly away either.

 

Back in the lower mainland, we met with President Linda Pearson and Vancouver club. The club has developed a 10 year action plan identifying the clubs strengths, opportunities, priorities and threats.  The bike-a-thon, now a major fundraiser is also a great fellowship event.  Bikers can either relay or go it alone from Brentwood to Harrison Hot Springs where a dinner awaits.  The funds go toward RHF Hearing Foundation.  The club’s successful membership retention program is being taken care of by the Mentoring committee which holds meetings with new, potential members, and mentors.  The committee chooses speakers to give a brief overview of Rotary with video presentations to increase both knowledge and enthusiasm.

With the leadership of President John Haley the Vancouver Sunrise club is focusing on increasing membership.  They already have 5 new and several prospects and owe their success to the simple strategy of involving all members.  Quarterly they invite a special guest speaker, to which every member brings a guest, three weeks after which they hold a social event to ‘seduce’ them to join.  They believe that new members bring in new members, and young members bring in young members.  They are focusing their club service attention on King George High School, offering adventures in citizenship and technology, and several scholarships.  Their international project in Sabie, South Africa is to equip the high school with library and computer room.

President Mark Ferrari welcomed us to the West Vancouver Sunrise club, which is an active participant in the Community day celebrations in June, raising the profile of Rotary as well as funds to help the Ambleside Youth Centre work experience program. The 15th annual seniors Christmas lunch, assisted by the Rotaractors, Interactors and the Ambleside Youth Centre is well attended and intake increases yearly.  The club is hoping for a matching grant for their international literacy project in Thailand, sponsored by clubs in Amsterdam and Thailand, to create dormitory facilities and water purification systems, as well as sponsoring 5 students.

In spite of a major storm the day before, our journey to Squamish was uneventful. President Glen McEachran and the club are building a rebound wall for young soccer players in the community, and making presentations to the community to raise funds and awareness of their dual international projects: the Emmanuel Boyz Rescue Centre in Nairobi and Honduran Street Kids Program and they are hoping the Pemberton club will piggyback with them.  On the community service front, they have a theme program every month to give and receive support to various aspects of the community.  Hands-on sign up sheets come with an envelope attached to receive a $5 contribution to The Rotary Foundation by way of a regret. The club is nominating Julia Smith as a potential peace scholar.

The North Vancouver club led by President John Ward is working on logos for their PR initiative, and hope to attach one on the van donated to Youth Addictions Centre.  The club has invited the media to cover the Kites for Kids in Afghanistan project which was spearheaded by a Collingwood School student.  The Wine Festival was successful, the funds are earmarked for replacing equipment at the Crisis Services Centre women’s safe house.  A hands-on project is the collection of used eye glasses when some members will personally distribute them to the third world eye care society in Zanzibar. Congratulations to past President Riet Carter, who was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of her untiring Rotary work.

President Grant Yao and the Vancouver South club are focusing on interesting fellowship projects to add flavour to their membership drive.  They have raised sufficient funds from members to qualify for a matching grant to build 4 – 5 wells in western Kenya where Sandra will be spending some time.  They also have several community projects, mostly involving school children from low income families in the area. We were honored to participate in the induction of a new Rotarian to the club. Grateful thanks to PDG Al Cheshire for his work in updating the District history, a copy of which was formally presented to us.  

The regular meeting venue for the Vancouver Cambie club is undergoing renovations, so President James Kwon invited us to join his fellow Rotarians at a Korean restaurant for a most enjoyable cultural experience including the most delicious food. The club is focusing on building membership, and has already inducted three new members this year, including a new member the evening of our meeting. President James has committed the club to introducing women members into the club. The club is a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation. The major fund raiser is the golf tournament and funds go toward supporting Korean students at UBC.  They are also in the planning states of building a war memorial on Burnaby mountain for Korean war veterans, and hope this will be a good P.R. project.

 

President Keith Tsukishima and the executive of the Richmond club were highly organized for our visit, and we so appreciated the written reports provided by his team. The club is implementing the Club Leadership Plan and plans to operate according to the newly updated by-laws in the general operation of the club by involving all members in the committee of their choice. The club is also paying attention to succession planning and leadership development. Club projects focus on youth support with scholarships for secondary and tertiary levels and also hands-on support for their Rotaract club in both international and community projects.  The club is implementing a membership recruitment strategy, and has joined with the other Rotary clubs in Richmond to showcase Rotary in the local community newspaper.

President Dalip Sandhu and the executive of the Vancouver Fraserview club welcomed us to a most enjoyable evening of Chinese food. The club is leading the way on a major project, “Building a Hope for Better Life” in India. The project involves completely rehabilitating a village, including an effective sewer system, clean, safe drinking water, and street lighting, and the club has already raised in excess of $100,000 towards the anticipated project cost of $300,000. This project when complete will make a huge difference in the lives of those who live in poverty and disease. The club is also focusing on membership growth, with the goal of growing to 70 members within the next two years.

It is always most enjoyable to visit the Tsawwassen club, and since this is my own club, President Graeme Peck and my fellow Rotarians made us feel most welcome. The club is a hive of activity with numerous community and international service projects, has just concluded its annual TV auction fundraiser, is actively involved in Operation Red Nose, and is revitalizing the local Rotaract club.

The last of our planned Rotary club visits was to have been to my previous club, the Rotary Club of West Vancouver. We had been so looking forward to visiting the club and catching up with old friends. However, it was not to be, at least for a while. The day of our planned visit the snow came down, adding to a previous accumulation, and President Oscar pinto wisely decided that it would be safer to postpone our visit to a day when the weather was better. So, we still have this pleasure to look forward to.

On an evening of heavy rain and high winds, 250 Rotarians and their partners turned out to support The Rotary Foundation at a dinner held at the Continental Seafood restaurant in Richmond. The organizing committee did an amazing job in planning a most enjoyable and financially successful event. The food was excellent, the karaoke competitors enthralled us with their talent, and 39 new Paul Harris Fellowships were subscribed. Grateful and sincere thanks to everyone who made the evening so successful and so much fun.

A Governor’s job is made so much more enjoyable by the untiring efforts of our Assistant Governors, and Jen and I extend our sincere thanks to Bill Sauer in Terrace, Harold Spensley in Prince George, Alex Coffey in Quesnel, Phil Claxton on the Sunshine Coast, Bernie Lalor-Morton in Whistler, Esio Marzotto in North Vancouver, Penny Offer in Vancouver, Nancy Nikolai in New Westminster, and Gordon Dalglish in Richmond.

Many of you will be aware of two new developments in District 5040:

 

  • The first is the establishment of a Paul Harris Society, and I am delighted that there are already 25 charter members. It is not too late to become a charter member; the application form is available on the District website, www.rotary5040.org
  • The other new development is the establishment of “The Outstanding Rotary Club of the Year” award. The award will take the form of a large banner to be presented at the District conference, and hung at the winning club for a year. Our Assistant Governors are asked to nominate clubs for this award.

 

What a way to Celebrate Rotary Family Month

with Rotary Clubs in Burnaby and New Westminster

 

December is Family Month - and in these pages you will find many ways in which the Burnaby, Burnaby Deer Lake, Burnaby Metrotown, the New Westminster, the Royal City and the Vancouver Centennial Clubs celebrate Family Month. These clubs are energetic and compassionate - and we are so glad to have them all in OUR FAMILY of Rotary. - AG Nancy Nikolai

Backpacks brought joy to new Kindergarten

The Royal City Rotary Club, Burnaby Rotary Club and the New Westminster Interact club all participated in a great project to help families in Mexico. Help was sent in numerous ways: The New Westminster Interact club first raised the funds and then purchased 100 Backpacks for the Kokoyotsin Kindergarten in Zihuatanejo. This new kindergarten has many needs. - 13 Royal City and Burnaby Rotarians took the backpacks down in November 2006, and presented each Kinder student with a backpack containing school supplies, a new T-shirt and a toy. They were delighted!

Our essentials are someone else’s luxury

As well - the Burnaby and Royal City clubs raised funds for the Netza school dormitory students. These students live in very basic conditions with few supplies or even essentials. So the Rotary clubs sent soap, underwear, toothpaste, girl's hair clips and toys for all 22 students who live in the dorm.

Cheers to Canadian pancakes with real maple syrup

The 13 Rotarians and spouses who participated in the Hands-on project in Zihuatanejo, Mexico shopped for dishes and cutlery for the School cafeteria in the shops of Zihua - then cooked and served Breakfast to the almost 100 Kindergarten kids. All enjoyed real maple syrup on the Canadian pancakes - and plates of fresh fruit.

Appreciation to the good deeds of Canadian Rotarians

The Netza school turned out in full numbers (over 400 students) at an assembly with Flags waving to welcome the Canadian Rotarians from our district. They thanked us in words, song, drama and dance for the gifts and supplies and the Matching Grant of $55,000 US which is going to furnish the classrooms.

BURNABY - Talk about Hands-on

Last fall the Burnaby Club spent 16 weekends to build a new garden shed for TLC (The Land Conservancy) to house their garden tools. This year the club again committed to build the new fence for TLC. Club members are already working on the project. (Photo 1)

BURNABY - Neurological Equipment to Ukraine

The club has been raising fund to provide neurological equipment to the Neuro-Trauma Hospital in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.

Phase 1: They provided a new operating table, a Mayfield Headrest System and a surgeon’s headlight. (Photo 2)

Phase 2: M695 microscope should have just arrived Chernivtsi (Photo 3). They spent so far USD $50,532.

Phase 3: In the final phase, they hope to provide other neurosurgical instruments for an additional CND $43,000.

While overseeing the safe arrival of the equipment and determining the hospital on-going needs, several Burnaby Rotarians saw in use a respirator from the 50’s donated by a St. Petersburg hospital. Their visit for sure is a life-changing experience. Rotarians were thanked by families of the patients for helping their hospital and the region in general.

You can assist in this project by attending a couple of their club fundraising events. The Ukrainian Christmas Dinner celebration (Poster on p.12) - a night of traditional food and song is on Sunday January 7, 2007 and the Heart of the Matter Gala event on Feb 9, 2007. For tickets or info - contact Myrna Arychuk at 604-430-6789.

 

DEER LAKE - “The small but choice Rotary Club”

In September, Burnaby Deer Lake Club held a Fellowship Day at Glen & Karen Harrison’s summer home on Bowyer Island, Howe Sound. Some of District 5040’s Ambassadorial & Cultural Scholars and their sponsors/hosts were invited guests.

In October, the club held their major fundraiser “Halloween Haunted House” at the Metrotown Mall. The haunted house was open to the public by a small donation, for 12 days leading up to Halloween. The mall owners generously built the house and covered all of the expenses, approx $9000 was raised. The mall is giving an additional $5000+ for the club’s charities. The project could not have been successful without the help from approx. 30 volunteers, which included Deer Lake and Metrotown Rotarians, Burnaby Interactors and non-Rotarians.  

In December the Deer Lake club in partnership with Metrotown Rotary, Burnaby Family life and Brentwood Mall held the 3rd annual “Festival of Lights” fundraiser. They secured 20 sponsors for 20 Xmas trees. All had fun assembling and decorating the trees in early December. On Dec 22nd, members of the Deer Lake club will be cooking and serving a Santa breakfast and giving books to the children of Edmonds Community School.

Over the past year, Karen Harrison, a Burnaby Deer Lake member, has been very busy chairing the conference to be held in Kelowna in May 2007. 

METROTOWN - Keeping the kids warm this winter

The Burnaby Metrotown club leads the way addressing poverty in their local community by co-sponsoring and coordinating the “Burnaby Coats for Kids” project. This year, the program was officially launched with the “Share the Warmth” event on Nov 3rd at three different Burnaby locations to collect new and gently used coats. 

During Nov and Dec, the club provides a five ton truck  assembled as dressing room to store and display the coats. Families in need are required to pre-register through the Neighbourhood House. The trailer will be at various school locations for coat distribution.

Club members have been actively involved in collecting, sorting the donations and helping the children to choose a suitable coat.  In 2005,  over 400 coats were collected and distributed. That number is expected to double in 2006 as the program is expanding to North Burnaby. (Photo 1) - Rotarian Ben Markland distributing coats during the campaign.

NEW WESTMINSTER - Fellowship & PR opportunity from garage sale

The New Westminster club held their 1st Annual Garage Sale on August 26th at Rotarian Jennifer Peyton's Place. They had a lot of fun and made $1,000. Many club members and their families volunteered during that day, providing a great fellowship opportunity. They also met many people in the community and were able to showcase their New Westminster club and their contribution to the community. (Photo 2) Rotarian John Berry’s wife Pat with a customer.campaign.

NEW WESTMINSTER - Improving sanitation & clean water in Uganda

The Aura district located in NW Uganda, East Africa is struggling considerably economically. A primary need of this area is sanitation and accessible clean water. The New Westminster Club is providing public washrooms (Photo 3) and clean accessible water (Photo 4)  to improve sanitation and water needs of the population in Arua. Proper public sanitation, given the swelling population of the area, will have a significant impact on the well being of the population. Given the demand on the health system, supplying adequate clean water to Maracha hospital will enhance the quality of care the communities to the north of Arua closer to Sudan.

N.W. ROYAL CITY - To the Heart of the Matter

“To the Heart of the Matter” - a class Valentine's event - is a great way to help families in many areas of the globe. This annual fundraiser is a partnership between Royal City Rotary Club, Burnaby Rotary Club and Monarch Place raising funds and awareness for a variety of worthy projects.

This Rotary year - the event will be held on Friday Feb 9th at the Inn at Westminster Quay. The projects being supported are Monarch Place (a safe house from abuse for women and children), Club foot Program in Africa, a Clean Water Project in the Dominican Republic, the Chernivtsi Medical Project in the Ukraine, the Learning in Mexico Project to assist new or struggling schools, and the Eyesight Project in India / Africa.

This fun event includes great food, good music, and many ways to help Celebrate Family - with live Auction, Reverse Draw, Silent Auction and lots and lots of Door Prizes. For H.O.M. Tickets - contact Rotarian Harvey Knotts 604-888-4200.

 

VAN CENTENNIAL - One big happy family

Family Month - what does that mean to you? To the Vancouver Centennial club that means regarding one's own members as family - and celebrating the good times and Birthdays together! Happy Birthday was celebrated recently with cake and song for Larry Lin, Daniel Cheng, and Jeffrey Hwang.

Anniversary Night is here - Dec 5th, 2006. The club is celebrating their first charter anniversary together as a family!! 

We should give the Vancouver Centennial Club a big around of applause. "Deliver knowledge to the Unreachable Land" project was a great success. Many of their members helped loading books into the container in November. Thousands of books were sent abroad.  

N.W. INTERACTORS - Selling popcorn to purchase backpacks

New Westminster Interactors Chris Parsons, Chris Lee and Lidiya Dorofyeyeva helped to sell over 200 bags of popcorn at the New Westminster Show'n Shine 2006. All funds raised went toward backpacks for kindergartners at Kokoyotsin Kindergarten."  

Interactors Jovanna Lord, Neelam Prasad and Tany Dhaliwal sold fresh and delicious popcorn on a rainy day during lunch period at New Westminster Secondary School to fundraise for Interact club projects. (Photo 4)

N.W. ROTARACTORS -  Selling cotton candy for Christmas hampers

New Westminster Rotaractors Kush Kaushal, Claudia Li, and Courtney Eng helped to sell over 300 cones of cotton candy at the Show'n Shine 2006. All funds raised will go towards Christmas Hampers for the Monarch Woman's Shelter.

ROTARACTORS in our District attended the District Conference

Pres. Tim Vanderheide of the Rotaract Club Vancouver UBC, Pres. Courtney Eng of the Rotaract Club New Westminster, Serena Siow  past District Rotaract Representative, Anastasia Radetski  District Rotaract Representative, and Vikram Lekhi  Past Vice President of the Rotaract Club of New Westminster  attended the Joint Rotary District 5040-5050 Conference this past May 2006 in Whistler. They had a great time meeting Rotarians from across both districts and really enjoyed the opportunity to hear from a variety of engaging speakers.

 

 

Community Service Projects to strengthen Families

 

December is Family month, consider participating in a community service  project that will help to strengthen families in your community by . . .  .

 

·         Sponsoring a seminar for new parents on child development.

·         Organizing a father/daughter or mother/son dinner.

·         Promoting a family literacy project which emphasizes parents reading to their children.

·         Raising awareness of child abuse prevention programs in your community.

·         Chaperoning a safe and fun weekend activity for the community’s teenagers.

·         Volunteering at a shelter for homeless families.

·         Assisting the elderly in nursing homes with simple crafts that they can give as gifts to their families.

·         Creating a park or recreational area where parents can spend time with their children.

·         Providing materials and support to a daycare facility or orphanage.

·         Creating an after-school activities program for older children which will give them a safe place to go while their parents are at work.

 

Reach out – be a friend to your Rotary family

 

We all know that enhancing membership is one of the four operational cornerstones of an effective Rotary Club. . . The secret to Rotary growth, of course, is in retaining members. Rotary speaks of opportunities. Through Rotary membership you can discover dozens of opportunities:

  • Opportunities to enhance your life and the lives of your family and friends.
  • Opportunities to establish close friendships with individuals around the world whom you would    never have met, except through the magic of Rotary.
  • The opportunities to share with many others a common belief and philosophy of service without  any thought of personal return.
  •  

Through the friendship in a Rotary Club, each of us have an impact on others by insuring that they stay in Rotary.

“REACH OUT” – “BE A FRIEND”! Help your Rotary Club grow by ensuring all of your friends want to stay in Rotary!

 

FRAN joins me in wishing everyone a . . .

JOYOUS AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS SEASON!

PRIP John Eberhard

(Excerpt from Dec Membership Matters)

 

 

Reach out – be a friend to your Rotary family

 

1. Hand out CLUB BROCHURE or CLUB FACT SHEET

Elements of a Good Club Brochure:

  • Utilize color.
  • Display both RI and your club logos.
  • Briefly explain International goals and milestones.
  • Explain your club, its name, meeting time and place, and brief history. (Stress that while your organization is international in scope, your club meets the needs of people in your community as its first priority.)
  • List your club projects with pictures.
  • Describe how your club benefits your community including any partnerships.
  • Describe how membership benefits members.
  • List expectations of membership.
  • Publicize the results of the club's hard work; not the hard work itself.
  • Provide a contact with phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address.
  • Advertise your club website address for further information.

(Nov ClubRunner Newsletter adapted from Marketing & PR manual of Kiwanis International)

 

2. Highlight your Club info and service projects at a Glance in a POWERPOINT PRESENTATION or PDF file that can be uploaded in your club website. It can also be copied into a disc for potential members and shown to the public at your booth during events or fundraisers. (Editor Becky)

 

3. Include RI Web-link, your District Web site or your Club Website with your email signature. (Tip submitted by Rotarian Arsalaan Haleem, Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan, Pakistan, D3270 to RI PR Newsletter)

 

Saving 30,000 children from Polio

 

Bill Jaffe of the Richmond Sunrise Rotary Club initiated the "HAIR FOR POLIO"; three more are joining in to SHAVE IT ALL OFF!

  • Bill Jaffe, PR Director of Richmond Sunrise
  • Gordon Dalglish, AG Rich/Delta & DGND
  • Fraser McDonald, Rotary Exchange Student from Australia
  • Sam Jaffe - Bill's son

The four haircuts raised more than $13,000, with the 50% match from the Rotary Foundation, the total will be more than $20,000 for PolioPlus children. A child can be protected against polio for as little as 60 cents (US) worth of vaccine.

 

There is still time to support this worthy event, please write a cheque out to The Rotary Foundation (tax deductible), and send to Bill so he can keep track. Address: THE JAFFE WEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM, RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 401 - 5811 Cooney Road, Richmond, BC V6X 3M1

 

You can also donated online to "Rotary Foundation - Canada" at http://trfcanada.org/ Let Bill know about the on-line donation.

 

Two Unit Events, two outstanding Opportunities

 

Fri. Jan. 19, 2007 - PolioPlus Celebration Dinner

Sat. Jan 20, 2007 - Regional Rotary Foundation Seminar

 

All Rotarians and friends of Rotary are invited to these exceptional events. Rotarians from Canada, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest of the USA will attend these two events.

Pre-registration is required for both events. The preferred hotel room rate of $99 is only available until Dec. 20, 2006.

 

Both events will be held at the Delta Vancouver Airport in Richmond. For information on seminar agenda, registration form, keynote speaker and hotel information, please visit www.RotaryEvents.ca.

 

Leo’s Literacy Page

 

Three ways to do a literacy project – by Joseph Derr, RI News, 9 November 2006

 

Inspired by his daughters, Don Plunkette returned from a trip to India with a literacy project for his Rotary club in Peekskill, New York, USA.

“My daughter Mariah was traumatized by the level of poverty she witnessed in India and wanted to do something, “ Plunkette says.

 

The Plunkettes decided to help through Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College near Jhunjhunu, India, which provides a college education to rural women who would otherwise not have access to one. Back in New York, Mariah and her sister, Kayla (then ages 12 and 9 respectively), began saving their allowance to sponsor scholarships.

 

The Rotary Club of Peekskill then picked up the Plunkette daughters’ idea and now sets aside US$1,200 from an annual fundraiser to cover all costs for a student to attend the college for a year. The project, in its third year, is going strong.

More girls in the village now attend elementary school in hope of attending their new and only women’s college,” Plunkette says. “Just a few years back, they were mostly all in the fields and not the classrooms.” The Plunkettes plan to return to India next year.

The Peekskill club is one of many clubs participating in literacy-related projects. Clubs typically get involved in literacy projects in three main ways.

1. Adoption projects

Adoption projects, such as the Peekskill club’s, usually involve long-term commitments between a club and a community. Together, they can assist a school by supplementing existing programs with a combination of volunteer time and donations. Clubs can work either with local communities or internationally. The Rotary club of Columbus, Ohio, adopts inner-city schools as part of its long-running Adopt-a-School project.

2. Donations

Schools and libraries worldwide need books, teaching resources, and other classroom materials. This type of literacy project often involves simply organizing a book drive or donating money to organizations that provide books.

Before conducting a book drive, work with your local school, library, or community center to determine what types of books are most needed. Donated reading materials should work in conjunction with existing programs. The International Reading Association resolution on book donations to developing countries provides excellent guidelines (PDF).

Examples of successful Rotary projects or partnerships include the Dictionary Project, Books for Africa, Books for International Goodwill, and the Guatemala Literacy Project.

3. Volunteering

Service-minded Rotarians love hands-on projects like volunteering as reading tutors or mentors.

“Volunteering in existing tutoring or mentoring programs is one of  the most effective and rewarding projects that clubs can do,” says David Plater, a program coordinator at Rotary International who specializes in literacy. “Both volunteers and students benefit from the interaction, and all it really requires is time.”

Your club’s community service or literacy coordinator can serve as a liaison to the community and  seek out opportunities for tutoring. Clubs can also work with local affiliates of the International Reading Association to get project ideas and contacts.

Additional Rotary resources on literacy:

·         RI President Bill Boyd’s Literacy Resource Group

·         Service Opportunities

·         The September issue of Interactive, Rotary International’s new electronic publication

 

PDG Leo Nimsick

nimsick@telus.net

District Literacy Resource

 

 

The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians

 

. “BE PREPARED” TO “LEAD THE WAY”

The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR) is one of more than ninety Rotary Fellowship and Action Groups established to bring together Rotarians with similar interests from around the world.  It is made up of Rotarians who are or were, also Scouters. The Objectives of IFSR include:

·         Encourage and foster the ideal of service by Rotarians to promote the growth and development of the Scout movement.

·         Give active encouragement to Scouting at local, national and international levels.

·         Provide opportunities for social and fellowship interaction among IFSR members

·         Recognize individuals who have provided exceptionally unique service to Scouting and to Rotary.

Membership of IFSR is open to any Rotarian in good standing, Rotary spouse or partner or family member or associate who is presently (or has formerly been) a member and/or supporter of the World Organization of Scout Movements or the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Visit their website at: www.ifsr-net.org

 

For information about Rotary Fellowships and Rotary Action Groups: www.rotaryfellowship.org

Are you already a member? Let’s hear about your experiences and adventures with

Rotary Fellowships and Rotary Action Groups.

Please submit articles for publication to: PDG Dave Kirk  - email: dbkirk@telus.net

District 5040 Fellowships Chair, Member, International Travel and Hosting Fellowship

 

 

Kitimat Club is celebrating their Big Five-0

 

Rotary Club of Kitimat was chartered on Oct 15, 1956. Rotarians are invited to join their big 50th celebration weekend from April 27 to 29, 2007. This special weekend will include activities such as their famous Scotch & Wine Tasting; Salt water fishing, 18 hole golfing and sightseeing. You will also have an opportunity to plant our very own Rotary Forest. Highlight of the weekend will be a Black Tie Gala Dinner and Dance featuring keynote speaker PDG Leigh Higinbotham and Foundation Auction. Final gathering on Sunday with a Champagne Fellowship Brunch. Please check their website  www.kitimatrotary.org for event update.

 

During DG Kevin’s official visit, Kitimat Rotarians organized a BBQ and prepared a wonderful decorated cake to mark the occasion. DG Kevin presented Pres Gareen Ball and PP Robin Lapointe the club anniversary certificate from RI.

 

Richmond Sunrise supports community and athletics

 

Last Tuesday of every month, the Richmond Sunrise Club sends four Rotarians to the St. Alban's Church to help feed those in need.  The club has been participating in this for years and thoroughly enjoys the time spent there.

 

The club also supports the UBC Athletics, members were on hand to present $5,000 towards the new location on the Fraser River in Richmond.

 

RYLA South 2007 is 3 months away

 

Hard to believe!
RYLA South 2007 is only 3 months and 16 days away!!! Please interview prospective participants from your local High Schools.

RYLA South 2007 Theme is: COMMUNITY INTERACTion! We will be encouraging attending INTERACTORs to present their Clubs and Projects.

 

RYLA South 2007 will be held again at Camp Jubilee, Indian Arm, North Vancouver: early Thursday morning March 22 to Sunday noon March 25, 2007. The rate will remain the same as last year (half price for an incoming or outgoing Rotary Youth Exchange Student).

Please also remember that if your Club has access to BC Gaming Funds, RYLA has been approved for these funds.


Wishing everyone a fun holiday season!

Download application form from RYLA homepage under Youth Program on the District website www.rotary5040.org

Yours in Rotary, Sue Smith
District 5040 RYLA Chair

 

UBC Rotaract Professional Development Conference

 

On Nov 24, the UBC Rotaract Club organized and conducted a Professional Development Conference. The theme was to inform and inspire initiative and innovation among our future leaders. The speakers were Don Evans, Mary Laing, D'Arcy Warner from the Vancouver Club and Lawrence Chew Richmond Sunrise. It was a great success with 40 attendees from all over the lower mainland. The picture is of Rotaract President Tim Vanderheide conducting the session.

 

Peace Scholar nominated by PG Nechako

 

JANA PLEWES, a recent graduate from UNBC who works tirelessly to make the world a better place, both in her own community of Prince George and recently in Ethiopia where she was instrumental in Leading The Way in establishing the Kola Mashile School. Last year she was presented with a YMCA Peace Medallion for her work raising money for the Kola Mashile School Project. 

Over the last year she also worked with people infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS in Prince George, and now a spokesperson for a water committee raising fun for Ethiopia clean water project. She also works with people who has mental and physical disabilities. Jana is currently applying to The Rotary Foundation for a Peace Scholarship.