LITERACY
"Without literacy, all the
written words we encounter every day - not just in books and newspapers, but in
maps, labels, street signs, and billboards - are mysteries and roadblocks to
full integration into society. For me, teaching someone to read is one of the
most rewarding acts of service imaginable. All it costs is patience and time,
and the rewards are incalculable." - RI President Bill Boyd (Excerpt
from March Rotarian)
Why is literacy important?
·
A foundation
for virtually all forms of education and a crucial component of effective
social and economic participation, human development, and poverty reduction.
·
According to
UNESC, nearly 800 million people over the age of 15 lack even basic reading and
writing skills worldwide.
·
In addition,
roughly 137 million school age children who are illiterate around the world.
·
Over 64% of
all illiterate people in the world today are women.
·
Direct
connection between literacy rates and community health.
March is Rotary Literacy Month - Take action for literacy
·
Launch a new
literacy project during Rotary Literacy Month.
·
Work with
existing literacy providers to plan a literacy project.
·
Arrange for
club members to volunteer at a tutoring center.
·
Begin a
student mentoring program.
·
Encourage
local businesses to offer education opportunities for employees
·
Start an
adult education program at a local school or community center.
·
Conduct a
teacher training event for your district.
·
Conduct a
literacy awareness campaign in your community.
·
Donate books
for a community library, school supplies for under privileged students, or
teaching materials for underprivileged schools.
- Source from
2006-2007 RI Literacy
Resource Group -
Does
your club qualify for a
DISTRICT
and ZONE LITERACY AWARD?
To qualify for a district Literacy Award, your club must
accomplish FIVE literacy activities during the year. To qualify for the zone
Literacy Award, your club must accomplish TEN literacy activities.
For details,
visit RI Literacy Resources Group page at www.rotary.org
to download 2006-2007 Literacy Award Brochure and submit to your Zone
Coordinator through PDG Leo Nimsick, District Literacy Chair at nimsick@telus.net before April 15, 2007.
Set your Internet home page to www.theliteracysite.com
and click daily on the button to donate books completely free of charge every
day. 880,713 were donated in this way in 2005
Kevin’s Kaleidoscope
A message from RI President Bill Boyd . . .
Dear
Rotary Friends and Guests attending the District 5040 Conference
Lorna and I send our warmest
greetings to each and every one of you attending this 2006-2007 District
Conference. We wish to express our appreciation for the dedication and hard
work of Governor Kevin J. Conway who, along with the District Conference
Committee, have put together a program of comprehensive Rotary information, fun
and fellowship. We hope that you will take this opportunity for fellowship,
broadening your Rotary horizons and reaffirming your commitment to Rotary and
to the principle of Service Above Self as you Lead the Way in your
communities and in the global village.
There are over 500 district
conferences taking place around the world. Lorna and I would like to attend
them all, but you will appreciate that this is not possible. We have,
therefore, invited John T. Capps III and his spouse, Jane, to represent us at
your District Conference. We hope that you will enjoy their company and their
messages during the conference.
I have asked John T. to
encourage you to reflect carefully upon the ways in which we can demonstrate
our commitment to service and our love for humanity. With the strength of our
membership, we must continue our efforts to fight hunger, ensure clean water,
reach a literate world and provide education for everyone. In our ambition to
work for a better world, let's seek cooperation with other entities working
with the same issues. Let us together continue to show the world the great
leadership of Rotary International through Service Above Self as we go forward
to Lead the Way.
Kind Regards, Bill Boyd
President, Rotary International
I invite you to join me, jen and the
conference team as we lead the way for a spectacular weekend of fun,
fellowship, outstanding speakers and great entertainment at the district
conference “Vintage Rotary” in
2007 President Elect Training - March 15-18
The main
purpose of PETS is to develop club presidents who have the necessary
skills, knowledge, and motivation to create or maintain an effective club as
defined by the RI Board. Besides learning opportunity in the workshops, it is
also a great opportunity to meet new friends from the 10 Rotary District and to
have fun.
Program summary is available at PETS website at www.pnwrotarypets.org The
detailed programs will be provided for each day.
Please note that D5040 has a Pre-PETS
training day prior to the official PETS. This is held at the PETS venue and is automatically
included when you go to register. As soon as you note that you are from D5040
it will include this pre-PETS day as well as the associated costs.
The dress code at
breakfast, lunch and workshop sessions is business casual. The dress code at
dinner is business attire with suits or coat and tie requested for men and
appropriate dress for women. A reminder that there is no smoking in the
plenary sessions or meeting rooms.
If you are traveling by air,
please make sure you have valid passport.
Youth and “Youth at Risk” have driven
the Lionsgate Club for the past several years. This Club was a leader in getting a Youth
Safe House established on the
Each
year, the club has been giving six Vocational Scholarships to students
who have overcome significant physical or emotional challenges and are
going on to pursue careers in a vocational field. In 2006 the club also
included a scholarship for a student attending the Artists for
The
Club is particularly proud of their Annual Ethics Essay Contest initiative,
it combines Rotary’s emphasis on ethics with the Clubs priority on youth and
draws in many community partners. Contest opens to all Grade 11 & 12
students in
Besides
youth projects, one of the club’s “Flagship” events is the
This
Club also participates in joint Rotary activities on the
The West
Vancouver Rotary Club has many
worthwhile projects both in the community and internationally. They also
participate in joint North shore Rotary projects and events such as Operation
Red Nose and the famous annual
On May
27, the club will be having a 2007 Rotary 10k Seawalk Run to raise funds
for various Rotary projects on the
Thousands and thousands of little rubber duckies cascade down the
But there was always more to the Great Capilano
River Duck Race than just prizes. It was a festival. It was a chance for
families to get out, get their faces painted, and get excited about something,
all while contributing to North Shore charities.
It all began in 1987, when two enthusiastic North Vancouver Rotary members, Doug Hall and Andy
Turner, presented the idea of a duck race to the club. The idea quickly
caught on and the inaugural Great Capilano River Duck Race was held in the
spring of 1988. With over $62,000 raised for local charities and the
grand prize winner taking home a brand new car, a yearly community event was
born.
But the Duck Race was cancelled in 2000 after
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans expressed concern about the effect on
migrating salmon and manipulating the Capilano's water level and flow to
accommodate the yellow duckies. But, in a come-back story of persistence,
ingenuity and community spirit in 2006 the Duck Race was resurrected as the
Duck Splash.
For the members of the North Vancouver Rotary Club, it
was a satisfying conclusion to a five year effort to resurrect a signature
community event.
Sponsors and donors responded in a way that the
project never missed a beat despite its five year absence.
From
Duck Race to Duck Splash, the event has become yet another showcase of
The
Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise has been serving the
Some of their recent community activities include
participating in:
The club also participates in many of joint
fundraising events with the other three North Shore Rotary Clubs. The recent
projects include:
ROTARY INTERACTIVE – Vol 1, Issue 5, Feb 2007
Answer
from RI President Bill Boyd ...Yes, I think peace is possible – if we’re
willing to work for it. And as Rotarians and community leaders, we can’t
afford not to do something. It’s not easy, but our fellows are a positive
step forward.
So
far, more than 200 fellows – many with incredible stories – have graduated from
Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution
throughout the world. Some, like Susan
Stigant, have gone on to work in war-torn areas such as
We
need our fellows in this world. It’s an honor to be able to contribute to their
education and future because they contribute so much to ours. Please read about
funding the Rotary
Centers and Rotary’s newest peace program, Rotary
Peace and Conflict Studies.
President Boyd would like to
hear your questions. Please e-mail him, and he
will try to respond in an upcoming edition of Interactive.
Read the “Peace on Earth” issue
at www.rotary.org/interactive
2008-2010 Rotary World Peace scholar nomination
deadline march 31, 2007 Contact PDG David Ker at dker@telus.net or
phone 604-261-8561
World Water Day
March 22
is World Water Day, this year's theme “Coping with Water Scarcity” highlights
the increasing significance of water scarcity worldwide and the need for
increased integration and cooperation to ensure sustainable, efficient and
equitable management of water resources, both internationally and locally.
Visit World Water Day website at www.wordwaterday.org
for resources.
Many Rotarians around the world
are working hand in hand to address the water issue across the globe. Seventeen
clubs in our district joined efforts on the “
World Community Service has been described as the “Quiet Revolution of
Hope”. Reach out to someone who needs help. Get involved in a WCS project. For
details, contact District WCS Chair Dave Dickson by email
District
Strategic Plan
The 2007-2008
District Strategic Plan was presented to the 57 Rotarians at the Feb 17
District Leadership seminar, input and suggestions were taken at the breakout
sessions. The updated Strategic Plan is ready for download at the District
website accessible from the homepage at www.rotary5040.org
Announcement
The
District invites all members to attend the upcoming Assembly in your
area. We are looking for your valuable input to better our district and clubs
communication and effectiveness.
District Youth Exchange chair Bob Blacker has stepped down from his leadership role in youth
exchange in order to focus on preparing for taking on leadership of the
District as Governor in 2008 – 2009.
We extend sincere thanks to Bob for his tireless work in
helping to make this program in our District one of the best in the Rotary
world. In particular, special thanks to Bob for working through all the
requirements to comply with the Rotary International requirements for
certification of the program.
I am please to announce that Neil McDonald has
kindly agreed to take over as Youth Exchange chair until Dave Bradley takes
over as District chair on July 1st, 2007.
Neil
brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the role, and we are fortunate and
grateful for his commitment to youth programs in our District.
- District Governor Kevin
OUTBOUND
SCHOLAR
A
unique opportunity has presented itself regarding the possibility of a Student
from District 5040 being awarded a scholarship to attend a University in the
State of
I
would invite any interested parties to visit their website at www.grsp.org to
get all pertinent information on this program.
This
scholarship pays all scholastic costs including tuition, book allowance, campus
housing and food. The student must provide transportation to and from the
Applicants
cannot be married, and those persons who have previously studied in the
We invite
all Clubs to look at suitable “AMBASSADORS” of our District and Country.
Kindly contact Jacci McTavish,
D5040 Scholarship Councilor Coordinator (2007-2008) at jacciM@telus.net if you wish to put
forth a candidate.
District Awards
Each
year District Awards are presented to clubs and individual Rotarians to
recognize their service efforts: Membership
Award, Best Bulletin Award, Individual Recognition, Club Recognition and
Governor’s Award.
Nominations can be submitted from the clubs, the Assistant Governors and
the Governor. Please email written submission to District Awards Chair, PDG Leo
Nimsick nimsick@telus.net , Ph: 604-542-0989. Please send
all nominations by April 15, 2007.
RI Recognition
of Membership Development Initiatives
Rotary
International recognizes clubs that develop and implement creative strategies
that have a positive impact on membership in their area. Each year, up
to three clubs from each district will receive a certificate of recognition,
based on their fulfillment of one of the three areas of membership growth and
development:
Clubs
will also be recognized at the RI Convention and announced in the Rotary World
Magazine Press.
The RI
Board offers an additional incentive: the RI Membership Development and
Extension Award. This program recognizes membership growth in existing
clubs, retention of current club members, and the establishment of new clubs.
Districts that meet or exceed their membership goals also receive recognition.
To find out more, visit RI website
award and recognition.
What is RSS
Get
Rotary International news delivered to your personalized Web news reader or
club home page through the new RSS news feed at www.rotary.org.
RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is a
basic form of Web page that sends news headlines and other Web content to
subscribers. RSS users register to news feed sites like the ones listed below
and have regularly updated news sent straight to them.
Sign up now for Rotary
International news RSS to get the latest links to official announcements,
project stories, featured articles from The Rotarian and
Rotary International
Interactive, as well as other RI media.
Connect with kids in your Community: Volunteer with
Junior Achievement
JABC educates and inspires kids to understand business and economics,
develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills, and become successful in their
career and life choices.
JABC is looking for volunteers to present their programs at schools. Using the Junior Achievement curriculum, the
volunteers engage students in hands-on activities and class discussions.
For further information, visit JA website at www.jabc.org, To volunteer
or to invite a JA speaker at your club meeting, contact Anne Sashikata,
Community Relations Manager at anne.sashikata@jabc.org or phone 604-688-3887
ext 4. Want a Rotarian's perspective of being a JA volunteer? Contact
The International Fellowship of Rotarian Physicians
This Rotary Action Group consists of Doctors, Nurses and Health Care
Workers who share:
The opportunities are endless, whatever your specialties may be. You
would be joining a global club, equally as enjoyable as your own club, and
extending the horizon of your vocation in Rotary. You would create lasting
friendships with your fellow professionals in many parts of the world.
If are you a doctor or allied professional, and are interested in
joining this Rotary Action Group visit their website at: http://webdesign.sohummm.com/projects/rotary/board.php
Visit the IFRP booth at the RI Convention in
If your club has members who might be interested in this Rotary
Fellowship – please bring this opportunity to their attention.
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
The International Ski Fellowship of Rotarians
The International Ski Fellowship of Rotarians (ISFR) had its annual
meeting at
Esio Marzotto of the RC of
Lions Gate was appointed VP for Canada. Next year the ISFR will meet
in Whistler Jan. 26 to Feb.2, 2008. A terrific program has been
planned by the RC of Whistler and co-chaired by Lyn Stroshin and David Malaher.
For more information visit www.isfrski.org
, or esiom@shaw.ca.
“by joining the skiing fellowship, you will not only meet Rotarians from
around the world who share your interest in skiing , but will create las
ting friendships”
Kitimat
Congratulations
to all. Way to go!
8 of
the club’s 16 members have been nominated for the Kitimat Business
Excellence Awards! The club itself is a nominee for Not For Profit
Organization. These annual awards sponsored by the Kitimat Chamber of
Commerce recognize excellence in Small Business, Home Based Business and
Industry.
The club is inviting fellow Rotarians to join them in
their upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration weekend April 27 to 29, 2007. For
more info, contact Lynda Rocha at citycentremotel@monarch.net
Gibsons
Raising funds
at every possible opportunity
On Feb 22, Elphinstone
Interactors served over 120 people at the club’s Chinese New Year celebration
dinner, more than $1,000 was raised for Children’s nutrition and education
programs in
In another occasion, $1,500 was
donated to the Gibsons Paddle Club towards the purchase of a new 30 ft canoe
which can carry 8 people.
Last Tuesday of every month,
club members volunteer to serve dinner to over 100 people at the Alban’s
Anglican church. The church provides complimentary wholesome dinners to
people less fortunate in the
On Feb 19th, fourteen club
members along with other professionals taught
”Economics of Staying in School”, a Junior Achievement class to
Grade 9 students at Hugh Boyd school. Besides donating $2,500, the club is
strongly committed to participate as instructors. It is a method not only
helping the young adults to learn the importance of school but also to expose
them to the virtues of Rotary.
On
March 1st, the club was honoured to have Superintendent Ward
Clapham, Detachment Leader (Officer in Charge) RCMP Richmond, talked about
“The Cost of Doing Nothing” to the packed house of 60. His theme was
based on the ideas of being proactive in policing via positive policing,
restorative justice and asset building. Ward would love to spread his important
special message
New
Westminster-Royal City,
The 9th
annual “To the Heart of the Matter” gala was a great success, 185 people
attended this year’s gala at the
Over
$40,000 was raised to support 6 worthy projects:
The Committee wish to thank all
their supporters this year, and to extend a warm welcome to all Rotarians and
friends of Rotary to be a part of their extra special gala on Feb 8, 2008, to
celebrate 10 years of joining hearts and hands to raise funds helping those
less fortunate around the world.
56
members from the four Rotary Clubs in
Rotary Club of
Time for
wine:
Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset presents:
ABBA-CADABRA:
( A tribute to the music and magic of Abba
Rotary Club of Richmond presents:
Feb 16 –
April 30, 2997 Online Auction – Help us help others . . . and get a great deal
along the way! Browse! Bid! Buy! www.gobid.ca
Proceeds support the charitable work of Rotary Club of Richmond
Rotary Adventures in Forestry
Rotary Club of PG Yellowhead
May 2 to 5, 2007
Rotary clubs across Canada can sponsor one student to
attend this 18th annual program. Candidates must be attending Grade
11 or 12 with acceptable grade standards and who are considering a career in
forest industry or environmental studies.
Overview of program: silviculture, timber extraction,
sawmill operation, value added pulp operation, paper process, forest planning
and G.I.S. as well as the College of New Caledonia and the UNBC.
Yellowhead Rotary offers this program to the
participants at no cost other than travel and spending money. Contact Linda
Wilson, Chair at 250-964-6212 or lindawilson@telus.net . Registration by Mar.
15, 07.
The Bill Richwa Rotaract Award of Excellence
A new District Award has been created in order to recognize a Rotaractor
who exemplifies the mission of service above self. The same four avenues of
service which is the foundation of Rotary are carried on by the Rotaract clubs
who are independent and responsible for their own programming. This not only
develops leadership but also a sense of community service whether it is local
or international in scope. It’s all about mixing fun and striving to make this
a better world.
Bill Richwa was a Rotary member of the Vancouver Club from 1974 to 2005.
He was visiting Kiev with Ralph Towsley and the late Ted Segodnia decided to
help a hospital with much needed supplies. This successful gesture of
assistance led them to help others and the World Help Network was created with
other local Rotary Clubs with Bill Richwa at the helm. Today 25-30 container
shipment s are sent annually throughout the world and each Rotary club
champions its own international program.
On Feb 13th, at a ceremony hosted by the Vancouver Club attended by 12
members of the Richwa family, Governor Kevin Conway, District Rotaract Chair
Jim Ling and Director Michael Jacobson the award was unveiled. This award will
be presented annually to a Rotaractor and those applying will be required to
submit a 300 word testimonial of their accomplishments.
ISHWARYA
CHAITANYA RECEIVED PAUL HARRIS
On March 5th Langara Rotaract
meeting, President Ishwarya was presented with Paul Harris Fellows by the
Vancouver Arbutus Club. She was a former Interactor, also received District
Outstanding Service Award for Interact, recipient of the high school graduation
scholarship, attendee at RYLA North, and was responsible for establishing the
Langara Rotaract Club. Ishwarya was overwhelmed, she thanked Arbutus Club for
giving her this great honor.
(Pic: Ishwarya and her family,
PDG Mary Watson, Pres Bill Bourlet and Maureen Smith from Arbutus Club)
Become
a Paul Harris Fellow, help support the educational and humanitarian programs of
the Foundation by making a gift to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Programs
Fund. Anyone who contributes –or in whose name is contributed – a gift of
US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund may become a Paul Harris Fellow.
You may also choose to recognize another person as well.
World rotarAct week - March 12-18
ROTARACT TURNS 39!
Is your club celebrating World Rotaract
Week? Rotaract turns 39th since the founding of the first club on March 13,
1968. If your club is not a sponsor of a Rotaract club yet, consider sponsor
one soon. If you are already sponsoring a club, how about sponsoring a second
one?
BURNABY ROTARACT CLUB
The Burnaby Rotaract Club is
moving forward. They have approx 12 members and anticipate having 15
members by the end of March. The new Club hopes to Charter by mid May.
richmond
ROTARACT CLUB
The
Rotaract Club of Richmond successfully launched its first sustainability
conference, the “2010 Greenlympic Legacy Conference” at Kwantlen University
College, on February 17th 2007.
The
project was partnered with the Richmond Youth Foundation, and over 40
enthusiastic Richmond high school students learned about environmental
sustainability issues, urban geography, and the community changes brought by
the 2010 Olympic.
The student delegates applied
the knowledge they learned from the speakers, and came up with ideas for
Richmond community-action project. Through the funds that the Rotaract Club of
Richmond and RYF secured from various groups and organizations, they granted
$2500 to the Richmond School District as seed money for these youth-lead
projects. The success of the conference has brought interest from the Rotary
Clubs and the Richmond School District to make this an annual event.
Burnaby South
Secondary Interact Club is one of the busiest clubs!
The
club averages a project a month in each school year. Some of the club's
established global or community causes are UNICEF Coin Drive , Christmas Child
Operation Shoebox, MS Society and CNIB Gift Wrapping Services at Metrotown
Metropolis, and Food Drive . In the past two years, members also participated
in the community clean up to restore the outlook of the Royal Oak community.
New planned events are Coat Drive , Book Drive , and Monthly Special Lunch
Meals for the student body.
The club also hosts two major
events, Origami/Handcrafted Rose Sales in February that requires 2 months of
preparation and annual Multicultural show “Rebel Nations” to celebrate Burnaby
South's diverse culture, and educate the student body and community about each
others' traditions. Fund raised go towards sponsoring two rural Chinese
Students’ education.
VANCOUVER
QUADRA - the club invites Rotarians to visit them at their new
venue Park Plaza Hotel, 898 West
Broadway (at Laurel), Vancouver at 7am on Tuesdays.
VANCOUVER
SOUTH - President Grant invites Rotarians to visit their new
website at www.rotaryvancouversouth.org . It is still being uploaded and they
welcome suggestions.