Charter Night Powell River Sunrise

On Saturday, March 26 more than 75 Rotarians and friends of Rotary gathered in Powell River for the charter dinner and celebration of the Rotary Club of Powell River Sunrise.
Governor Penny Offer presented the charter on half of RI President Ray Klinginsmith and the board of directors of Rotary International. Also present were DGE Hans Doge, PDGs William Mitchell-Banks, Gordon Dalglish and Chris Offer.  Representatives from clubs on the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.

In her keynote address to the charter members of the club DG Penny said, “I challenge you to be a vibrant club. What will your club be like? Will it be fun and energetic? Will it stand out in your community and make you proud to be a member? Will you be known for a signature activity? What traditions will you establish for your club?”

She stressed to the club members, “You are starting out with a very strong foundation for a vibrant club with strong support from your sponsoring club. You must continue to bring in new members to your club to be vibrant and strong. Strong clubs are innovative and flexible.”

DG Penny also told stated, “In Rotary we have five avenues of service – service to our club, and our local community, international service, vocational service and new generations or youth service. I encourage you to get involved in all five avenues of service.  Each type of service offers its own rewards as we use our own skills and talents to help others in our own communities and around the world.”

President Scott Randolph of the Rotary Club of Powell River presented a bell to the new club.  A variety of other gifts and gifts of cash were sent by clubs from across District 5040.  DG Penny presented the new club with an engraved gavel on behalf of all Rotarians in District 5040.

The charter members were inducted by DG Penny and presented with charter pins by PDG William Mitchell-Banks and DGE Hans Doge.

Charter President Doug Nauer thanked all the guests and expressed his appreciation to the members of the Rotary Club of Powell River for their guidance and support.

A Starry Stary Night at Conference 2011

Foundation Supporters Honoured

President Scot McNair Linda Hamilton
DG Penny Clark Hamilton

Rotarians in District 5040 continue to be generous in giving to our Foundation. This past week I had the distinct pleasure to present Paul Harris recognition pins to three members of the Rotary Club of Powell River – Carol Brown, David Morris and Frieda Hamoline. The last PHF was presented by the Rotary Club to Frieda in memory of her husband Perry.

On Thursday I was honoured to present a Major Donor crystal and pins to Linda and Clark Hamilton from the Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast Sechelt. These generous Rotarians are strong active members of their club and their community.

Shirley Robertson DG Penny Jim Thompson

On Friday at the Rotary Club of Lions Gate North Vancouver I presented PHF pins to Shirley Robertson and Jim Thompson for their continuing support of the work of the Foundation to make our world a better place.

Thank you to all these generous Rotarians and others in District 5040 for their donations to The Rotary Foundation

Allow Me To Introduce

I saw this in the blog by Allan Stevens. It is good advice for Rotarians when we introduce our weekly speaker.

 Introducing a speaker sounds the easiest thing in the world. However, there are some simple guidelines which make things much more professional and efficient for everyone concerned. Here are some do's and don'ts if you are called on to make an introduction.
Don't:

• Mention their name until the very end
• Give away their best story
• Use slides
• Mis-pronounce their name or title
• Read out a long. rambling introduction
• Act as though you've never heard of them

Do:

• Ask the speaker in advance how they would like to be introduced
• Let the speaker know who you are
• Prepare a brief note, on a card, of the key points
• Organise a technical rehearsal
• Walk through the movements on stage
• Smile
• Make sure that the last thing you say is the speaker's name. e.g. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to our main speaker - Alan Stevens"

A good introduction is brief, gains the attention of the audience, and prepares them to listen. Your job as introducer is to be a catalyst, not a performer.

Rotary Club of Powell River Sunrise

On March 1^st Chris and I had the opportunity to speak to the newest Rotary club in District 5040, the Rotary Club of Powell River Sunrise. The club was chartered on December 1, 2010 and will hold their charter night on March 26^th. A number of clubs from across District 5040 and from District 5020 (Vancouver Island) are sending representatives to the club's charter night.

RRFC Chris Offer spoke to the club about The Rotary Foundation programs the types of grants available to the club, the importance of international service and how the club members can financially support The Rotary Foundation.

The new club is building their own traditions and Rotary identity. They have received outstanding support from the Rotary Club of Powell River and plan to work closely on future projects and fundraising and hold joint social and friendship events.