Delta Youth Awards

On May 14 the Rotary clubs of Tsawwassen-Pt Roberts, Ladner and North Delta (D5050) presented their 3^rd annual Delta Youth Awards. Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self is demonstrated in the lives and activities of the youth of Delta who received these awards and make their community and the world a better place.

The Rotary clubs of Delta are congratulated on bringing to life Rotary’s third avenue of Service – “New Generations Service”.  The club members were joined by the local MLA, Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Police and acting Mayor in presented the awards. Nominations are received from schools, individuals, youth workers and Rotarians in the community.

This is a community recognition of youth other Rotary clubs are encouraged to organize in their community. Contact Ladner President Guillermo Bustos or Tsawwassen President Rick Lewall.

Significant media coverage is received by the clubs for this event.

Award Categories:

Compassion and Empathy

This individual demonstrates compassion and empathy for others in the form of a single event, project, or series of actions over a period of time. It is their individual act of caring and kindness that relieves the suffering brings happiness or promotes peace within their community.

Inner Strength

This individual has achieved victory over adversity. This person has shown hope, courage and optimism by overcoming difficulty. He or she has demonstrated leadership or the ability to turn things around by making something good out of a bad situation. This act may be related to a personal health, addiction, individual loss, or injury. It may also be related towards others in an unfortunate circumstance.

Helping Hand

This individual helps without seeking personal reward or accolades. It is given to someone who grasps an opportunity to help a friend, relative or neighbour, engages in random acts of kindness or is always willing to make the world a better place by reaching out to others.

Global

This award will recognize an act or project that is international in nature. Recognition may address relief efforts, health and prevention, peace and understanding, alleviate poverty, build bridges or celebrate diversity.

Service Above Self

Presented to a group of students and their teacher - this award was presented by DG Penny Offer

Alumni Recognition Award

Past winner of a Delta Youth Award who continues to reach out to others even under difficult circumstances.  

District Conference in the News

From the Richmond News – May 13 2011
By Michelle Hopkins, Richmond News

Rotarians from across the province converged on the River Rock Casino Resort for the annual Rotary District 5040 Conference 2011.

"It's an opportunity to celebrate the year with fellow Rotarians and to recognize the successes of the individual clubs," said Penny Offer, District 5040 governor. "More than 230 members came to network, listen to some great guest speakers and to acknowledge some Rotary milestones."

The weekend-long conference is a long-standing tradition for Rotarians and besides being a great opportunity to gather together with friends from across B.C., it also serves to motivate club members to continue their good work, said Offer.

The conference's theme this year was "I care, I inspire, I act, I Rotary," and key to this was to highlight the many good deeds carried out on behalf of Rotary International, including its "extremely successful polio eradication project."

"Our local Rotary clubs have raised more than $140,000 for the polio campaign," she added. "It's an ongoing annual campaign."

Danny Catt, Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar at the College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania (1991-92), shared his stories and photographs from his travels around the globe.

"He is a world traveller and renowned photographer, whose pictures have been published in TIME, Maclean's and Chinese Geographic magazines," said Offer. "We presented him with a university scholarship 20 years ago."

Retired Vancouver Police Department Const. Al Arsenault, Sgt. Toby Hinton and Const. David Steverding of the Odd Squad, a nonprofit organization created in 1997 by seven Vancouver police officers who work on the Downtown Eastside, spoke about their work and award-winning videos and documentaries that tell real stories of the pitfalls of drugs.

It wasn't all work though, added Offer. One of the many highlights of the symposium was the world-famous Langley Ukulele Ensemble. On Saturday, the 30-year-old troupe, whose members range in age from 12 to 21, entertained the crowd.

"They have traveled to Hawaii for 16 years as well as Stratford, Ont., where they opened the 10th Annual Stratford Music Festival," said Offer. "They truly were fantastic."

Meanwhile, 17 Rotary-sponsored exchange students from 11 different countries welcomed the delegates during a moving flag ceremony.

"The students each marched in with their country's flag and they were accompanied by an RCMP officer," said Offer. "They performed a fun skit as well.

For more information about Rotary International or to locate a club near you, visit http://www.rotary.org/.