Pennies for Polio

District 5040 Pennies for Polio Challenge to Collect "Penny Weights" - The RC of Vancouver Quadra has challenged every club in District 5040 to collect Pennies for Polio. DG Penny has thrown her weight behind this effort. Raid the piggybank, empty the change from your pocket, collect from friends, or write a cheque. DG Penny's weight in Pennies or One Penny Weight is worth $250.00. How many Penny Weights can your club gather? Download the flyer with more information on the Pennies for Polio Campaign. Click

Vancouver Chinatown

Yesterday I managed to attend my own club meeting. Vancouver Chinatown meets for lunch at the Floata Seafood Restaurant in Vancouver's Chinatown. If you like good Chinese food and are in Vancouver please visit the Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown Wednesday at noon. President Rick orchestrated a program on Polio.

I gave some happy dollars for the club as they will not see Chris and I for 6 to 8 weeks! I start my official club visits on August 3rd in Williams Lake. In the first month of visits we will be away from home a total of 25 nights doing club visits in the Cariboo, Prince George, Terrace and Prince Rupert areas. Prince Rupert is a two day drive from where we live in Vancouver. But the weather is great, the scenery wonderful and we will meet many amazing Rotarians and learn about their projects and activities for Rotary.

The Other side of being DG.

I spent several hours last night on the administrative role of the District Governor. District Treasurer JoAnne Amos and I spent two hours reviewing district expenses and the administration of district funds. This is a critical part of the position of being governor. The stewardship of dues paid by Rotarians to our district is very important.

The district also receives funds from Rotary International to assist with some training events and to cover part of the governor’s expenses. In addition the district will receive funds from The Rotary Foundation as a future vision district. These funds are for District Grants and must be accounted for and reported separately.

Rotary faces challenges different than those faced by standard commercial companies. Our annual change of leadership means we need continuity and consistency from year to year. DGE Hans Doge participated in the meeting last night to ensure the ongoing stewardship of Rotary funds in District 5040.

The governor is accountable for how the funds entrusted to the district are used. It must be a priority. Our district finances are in very good order. The board of directors of District 5040 Inc and the district finance committee take their role seriously. It is a pleasure to work with our treasurer JoAnne who is very organized and efficient in managing Rotary funds.

Downtown Eastside Shoe Clinic

I attended a great Rotary service project in Vancouver’s downtown eastside on the weekend. The RC of Vancouver Quadra collect slightly used running shoes from a number of upscale sports stores. Runners buy new shoes frequently and are happy to leave their old shoes with the store when they are told it is for a good cause.

The club clean and sanitize the shoes and with the help of the Salvation Army give them with a pair of new socks to the homeless and street people. They run the shoe clinics three or four times a year and pass out 200 to 400 pairs of shoes at each clinic.

They also had two volunteer podiatrists on hand to diagnose and treat food problems. Services Above Self

Club Installations

 Since July 1st a number of clubs have held their annual events to celebrate the past year and look ahead as they welcome the new club president and board members. I have been honoured to attend the events held by the Rotary Clubs of Richmond, Burnaby Metrotown, Ladner and Vancouver Cambie. Each one has a distinctive flavour and each one is inspiring and holds promise for the upcoming year. Each club president and member of Penny's Posse has taken an oath of office to serve Rotary to the best of their ability in 2010-11. They have exciting goals for the coming year for membership and service. I look forward to working with all the clubs in District 5040.

The picture shows the new President Sukhi Dhaliwal and the Board of the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown

District 5040 RYLA Lakelse July 5th to 8th 2010.

Last week I had the honour and privilege to attend the four day RYLA Lakelse camp held near Terrace BC with District RYLA Chair Angiola DeStefanis. Located by a beautiful lake surrounded by snow capped mountains, 40 teenagers aged 13 to 16 with nine staff members lead by RYLA Coordinator Rob Eby and Program Coordinator Casda Thomas and supported by local Rotarians from several Rotary Clubs in the area, enjoyed the glorious summer sun and an unforgettable experience.

The group bonds and friendships flourished over the four days as the RYLERIANS learned about leadership, goal setting, problem solving, communications and Rotary especially Rotary Youth Programs. They participated in the World Village exercise, building picnic tables to leave as a Rotary legacy to the Kin Kamp , and carrying 60 pound jugs of water to understand the shortage of water in many areas of the world and the impact this has on young children and families.

They worked and played hard and learned about the Power of One to make a difference in the world, about working as a team to achieve their goals and building friendships with others who may be different from ourselves. What a great bunch of kids – future leaders in their communities and in society and maybe in Rotary. What a great group of dedicated Rotarians and young adults giving of their time and energy to provide a Rotary experience these kids will remember for the rest of their lives.

The future is in good hands as Rotarians work to Build Communities and Bridge Continents.

Canada Day in Steveston

July 1st - I spent with the Rotary Club of Steveston dressed as a pirate for their pirate ship float in the annual Canada Day parade and later at their annual BBQ. A wonderful start to the new Rotary year. Thousands watch the parade. This is great PR for Rotary.

The club displayed the new street banners that will be placed on street light poles in Steveston Village, one of the main tourist sites in Metro Vancouver - more great PR.

A New Rotary Year Starts

The waiting is over, the preparation complete, and it is July 1st - my first day as District Governor for District 5040. It is over two and a half years since I was nominated and now the year has started. I am honoured and humbled to lead our district in 2010-11. We are looking forward to an exciting year.

Last Saturday my club the Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown held the Club Installation which included my Installation as DG. PDG Chris Offer did the DG Installation - a very special occasion for both of us. We were honoured to have Rotary friends from England, and the US, long standing non Rotarian friends and Rotarians from other clubs including past and future governors, and incoming club presidents join us for the celebration.

I have also been honoured to attend and participate in a number of club Installations over the last few weeks and several more to come as clubs celebrate the success of the past year and look forward to the new year. I also installed our DGE Hans Doge from the RC of Vancouver Quadra.

Best wishes for a successful Rotary year to all clubs and Districts and all Rotarians as we Build Communities and Bridge Continents.