Rotary World Help Network wins Award

Congratulations to the Rotary World Help Network for being selected as the winner of the 2011 Donald MacRae Peace Award for Zone 24.

The award will be presented in Boston in August 2011 at the Zone 24-32 Institute.

This award recognizes the hundreds of hours of volunteer time put in by the many Rotarians, their spouses, partners, family and friends who collect medical, humanitarian and educational supplies and ship the supplies around the world to support impoverished communities and in many cases support work being done by Rotary clubs with Rotary Foundation grants and World Community Service projects. The Rotary World Help Network is a multi club and multi district project. RWHN in the past 15 years has shipped hundreds of sea containers of humanitarian aid worth millions of dollars nearly all is donated surplus material.

The Rotary Zone Donald MacRae Peace Award is an annual award presented by Rotary Zones 24 and 32 to recognize and honour an individual or organization for outstanding achievement consistent with the ideals of Rotary as expressed in the Fourth Object of Rotary.  "The advancement of International understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional people united in the ideal of service"

The award commemorates the contribution of Halifax Rotarian Donald MacRae, who in a speech to the International Convention in Kansas City in June 1918 proposed that Rotary become an agent for the promotion of goodwill and peace among nations - the first time that this vision of Rotary was expressed publicly.

Reflecting the vision created by MacRae, the award focuses on advancing international goodwill, understanding and peace through peace-making efforts or humanitarian activity of international significance.

The recipient of the Donald MacRae Peace Award receives an inscribed glass plaque and a commemorative certificate. The individual or organization nominated must be one whose life, mission, or work demonstrates outstanding achievement consistent with the ideals of the Fourth Object of Rotary International, having made an outstanding contribution to this cause through international efforts such as World Community Service. Awards will not be made posthumously.

The selection committee is composed of five members from Zone 24, named by the R.I. Director responsible for Zone 24.

Thank you Rotary World Help Network and every committee member and volunteer for your dedication, passion and commitment to service. You have changed the lives for the better for thousands of children, families and communities.  We are all indebted to you. 

Penny Offer
Governor 2011-12

New Rotary Library Opens

In late 2007, British Columbia Lieutenant Governor Steven Point, was chatting with his aide de camp, Bob Blacker, past governor of District 5040. He asked Bob what Rotary was doing to promote literacy.  Out of this discussion developed the Government House – Rotary partnership to build libraries in BC’s isolated first nations communities.

On May 31st Lt. Governor Point, DG Penny Offer, PDG Bob Blacker, Ron Malmas, President of the RC of Williams Lake Daybreak and First Nations representatives opened the Tl’esqox Literacy Centre at Toosey west of Williams Lake in the Chilcotin. The project received funding from The Rotary Foundation - District Grant, RC of Williams Lake, RC of Langley Central (D5050) and Bridco Trailers 

The following story is from the Williams Lake Tribune by Robyn Chambers

B.C. Lt. Gov. Steven Point stood in the middle of a hockey rink on the Tl’esqox First Nation Tuesday and addressed the crowd that had gathered for the formal occasion; he told his audience of adults, youth and children of his struggle with poverty and literacy and implored them to work towards literacy because of its ability to open doors.

Point, Queen Elizabeth II ’s representative in B.C., was at the First Nation community to officially open the community’s new library that was borne out of a partnership between his office and the Rotary International Joint Literacy Project to bring literacy resources to remote and isolated communities throughout the province.

The Williams Lake Daybreak Rotary Club partnered with Tl’esqox, the Rotary Club of Langley Central, the Rotary Club of Langley and Langley-based Britco for the project that included the donation of a modular building formerly used during the 2010 Olympic Games , and books and other resources to stock the newly minted Tl’esqox Library.

Point, a former chief and tribal chair of the Sto:lo Nation Government and former provincial court judge, told the crowd that it wasn’t until high school when he read his first book from cover to cover.The story of a civil rights lawyer who fought for minority rights in the United States later convinced him to return to school. But he struggled lacking basic literacy skills.

“I had to go back to a class every lunch hour at college. A Sesame Street program taught me how to understand English grammar,” he recalled.

Point says he realized the gravity of the situation facing literacy amongst the First Nations population when he attended his first meeting of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.He saw that while many chiefs understood their rights and what they were fighting for they could not comprehend the written word.

That was when I understood we were poor and standing at the margins of a country called Canada,” he said.  “I understood if we were going to change that and bring our people out of poverty; if we were going to accomplish what elders wanted in terms of rights, we had to begin to understand the written word. We had to send our young people to school.”

Point said literacy is the key to helping First Nations people understand the world, be empowered and participate fully in it.“For too long we’ve been standing on the outside looking into government. It’s high time we begin to run for positions and find out what’s going on in the world to bring it home to the people. “But it begins with literacy and understanding — hanging on to our culture and language but with another tool too:  literacy.”

Point thanked the organizations that had collaborated to help to make the library a reality. He told them they’d, “brought us to a different place in history to a new plateau. All I can say is thank you.”

Later, Tl’esqox First Nation education co-ordinator Shirley Johnny-Grambush, said a library in the community’s backyard would mean residents no longer have to travel to Williams Lake to access books.  School-aged children in the community had previously used school libraries and families had to travel every few weeks to the Williams Lake library in the community’s van if they wanted access to books.

“This is much easier. It’s closer to home instead of taking an hour in a vehicle so it’s much better and we’ll have more time,” Johnny-Grambush said.“We want to help promote the habit of reading; there’s a lot of children who really love books.”

Some of the books were chosen by community members and others were donated. Johnny-Grambush says the library will purchase new ones on a regular basis. Although there’s much work to be done cataloguing the library’s stock, the facility is now open to the community. 

  

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/.

 

Easter Lunch in Richmond

On April 23 The RC of Richmond Sunset hosted more than 200 seniors from across the city at their annual Easter Lunch at the Marriott Hotel. The event has become very popular with a waiting list for tickets. I had the opportunity to speak to the seniors along with MLA and Rotarian John Yap. Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie played the piano while the seniors sang many old favourites.

Easter bonnets were the prizes for a number of quiz questions. Everyone had a great lunch and went away with a goodie bag full of treats.

Congratulations to President James Westmacott, Magdalen Leung and Michael Chiu and all the members of the club for this great community event.

Rotary WaterWorks project

 On Thursday, April 14^th I had the pleasure to join members of the RC of Tsawwassen at the ground breaking of the Rotary WaterWorks project. I joined Delta Council representatives and Rotary club members at the ceremony.

The RC of Tsawwassen, in partnership with the Corporation of Delta, plans to build a children's water play area, wading pond, meandering stream with bridge and pathways to enhance the existing facilities at Diefenbaker Park in Tsawwassen at 56 St. and 1^st Ave. This natural area will be one to be enjoyed by all ages, whilst reflecting on the history of the site and the effects of Rotary's worldwide commitment to clean water for all. The club hopes to complete this project in the summer of 2011.

The club has raised $200,000 in cash and donations in kind. Included is a $10,000 Rotary Foundation District Grant.

Their vision is to not only provide a wonderful new addition to Diefenbaker Park in the form of a stream and children's water play area, but also to incorporate aspects of Rotary and it's participation in World Water programs, particularly in third world countries, as an educational component of the project.

They intend to include a working model of a hand pump commonly found in underdeveloped nations and a working model of a BioSand water filter, invented in Calgary and used extensively throughout the third world by Rotary and other humanitarian organizations in order to provide clean filtered water to the people. Photos of women & children carrying water in plastic jerry cans will correspond to an actual jerry can attached to the display, enabling all to fill it and experience the heavy weight that people have to carry and walk long distances each day. Storyboards relating to these endeavours will be featured in the Rotary WaterWorks project. They plan to include some historical information about the park site as well, using photos from the Delta Museum & Archives which relate to the park components.

A week in the Cariboo

A week in the Cariboo and Prince George while PDG Chris was in South Sudan representing RI on a Polio Surveillance Team. 

Last week I had the opportunity to return to this area for a third visit and a second visit to several Rotary Clubs. At the Rotary Club of Williams Lake  I had the pleasure to induct a new member. The club has many activities on the go and is building club leadership. At the Rotary Club of Quesnel I presented a PHF to Linda Turner for her work on the newly released cookbook – Potluck Cookbook. It looks fabulous. I also presented a Major Donor crystal and pins to DGN Rebecca MacPherson and Ted Cryderman. 

During the weekend I was in Prince George to participate in the regional District Assembly on Saturday and the Future Vision Grant management Seminar on Sunday. But we also found some time to have fun. On the Friday evening Bob and Linda Hlina of the Rotary Club of Prince George hosted a delicious dinner and great evening of  friendship in their home for Rotary club leaders. And on Saturday evening their club held their annual Charter Night Lobster Dinner. Wonderful lobster flown in specially from eastern Canada! 

Before flying home on Tuesday I visited the Rotary Club of Quesnel Sunrise and a presentation on Operation Red Nose by Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako. 

A wonderful Rotary week in the interior of Rotary District 5040. Thanks to everyone for their great Rotary hospitality.

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.

Where are we going and how do we get there?

On Sunday a core group of district leaders met to complete our semi-annual review of our district strategic plan. Don Evans of the Rotary Club of Vancouver is our facilitator for the review.

The top challenge facing District 5040 is membership. A variety of strategies are being considered to reverse a decline in our membership. This will only occur if every club also takes steps to recruit new members and retain current members.

 Simply put, our District 5040 strategic planning determines where District 5040 is going over the next year or more, how we are going to get there and how we will know if we get there or not.

What is the current situation? Where are we going and how do we get there? These questions are at the heart of Strategic Planning. A complete Strategic Plan is the single best resource for a Rotary district or a Rotary club. Strategic Planning includes creating a plan from conception to completion, looking at the alternatives and implementing a plan of action, and conducting a strategy for your club.



Don Evans



While it needs to be comprehensive, a strategic plan should be sufficiently brief that it will be easily understood by every club member and will be used by the members. A plan that is too complex and long will only sit on a shelf and gather dust.

If your club does not have a strategic plan or it has not been reviewed for more than six months contact Don Evans or a member of his team for assistance.

The district strategic plan is on the district website – to view the plan click HERE.

Visit the RI website page on strategic planning.

Delta Clubs Celebrate Rotary Day

The three Rotary clubs in Delta celebrated Rotary's anniversary with a presentation at Delta City Hall to Mayor Lois Jackson. There are three Rotary clubs in Delta; Ladner, Tsawwassen and North Delta (D5050). Major Jackson was presented with the plaque and thanked for all the support she and members of council give to Rotary over many years. Mayor Jackson thanked the Rotarians in Delta for all they do for the community. The plaque was made by students from a local high school.

On 23 February 1905, Paul P. Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram E. Shorey gathered in Loehr's office for what would become known as the first Rotary club meeting.

Delta Rotarians



DG Penny & Mayor Jackson

PETS 2011

The 2011 Pacific North West PETS was held in Seattle this past weekend. The Presidents Elect from 9 districts in the Pacific North West came together to hear from Rotary greats such as Past RI Presidents Rick King and Cliff Dochterman.

 PDG and Regional Foundation Coordinator Chris and I travelled to Seattle for one day to do a session on Future Vision for the Presidents Elect in District 5040. We also took photos of all the incoming presidents in District 5040 for the annual district directory.

PETS is a motivational and exhilarating experience. It was great fun to be part of it for a few hours as our future club leaders prepare for next year.


D5040 Pres Elects, AG Chu Wu & PRIP Cliff Dochterman





Pres Elects & PRIP Rick King



Social media tips for clubs

You may find this new download from RI helpful. Is your club using FaceBook or other social media to promote your club, service project or fundraising event?

Download a PDF copy at: http://rosnf.net/wp-content/uploads/social_media_tips.pdf

1. View websites and social media as part of your public relations and marketing budget. Your online presence should not be an isolated expense or something for the "techie" person of the club to work on alone. It should have the club's support, with several Rotarians involved.

2. Go online before you start your own social media page, and see what other clubs and organizations are doing. Note what you like and what you think would work well for communicating to the community and reaching your goals.

3. Develop a communications plan. This includes identifying an intended audience (e.g., prospective Rotarians, community leaders), goals (e.g., to let the community know what your club does, to find new members), and a message (e.g., "We're a club that has a signature project," "We're a club that offers fun fellowship and service opportunities").

4. Update your page regularly (but not too often) with photos, videos, and text. Plan to update your Facebook page at least once a week, but not five times a day. If you update too much, people will become overwhelmed and tune you out. If you don't update enough, people will think your club isn't active. Ask several club members (perhaps your committee chairs) to share the responsibility of updating your page.

5. Designate moderators. Check all social media sites for spam or other inappropriate comments nearly every day. Distribute the moderation duties among several people.

6. Look professional. Social media pages are a reflection of your club. Check your spelling, and use the Rotary emblem correctly. See http://www.rotary.org/graphics

7. Be genuine, conversational, and fun. Share items that will interest your audience.

8. Reach out to other community organizations, especially potential project partners. Also connect with the news media and with local business and government leaders on Twitter and Facebook. Social media is about building relationships.

9. Promote your social media pages. Include links to them on your club's website, in e-mails, and in print publications.

10. Be safe, but don't be afraid. You won't break the Internet! But remember that social media sites are public, so don't include personal information. Also, sites can frequently change their policies, so review privacy settings regularly.

District Conference on FaceBook

Follow the District Confernce on FaceBook regular updates on speakers, program, registration deadlines, comment on agenda, video clips of speakers and much more.

This past weekend was a busy Rotary weekend.

learning to communicate & team building

On Saturday February 5th we held the District 5040 District Team Assembly for 2011-12 District Committee Chair and Assistant Governors. Organized by DG Penny and DGN Rebecca the assembly focussed on the new Rotary International logo and theme, the RI and District 5040 Strategic Plans, roles and responsibilities of members of the District team, building the team and planning as a team for the Rotary year ahead. 
 Saturday evening six members of the District leadership  team joined the Rotary Club of Ladner for a delicious 10 course dinner to celebrate Chinese New Year and the year of the rabbit. Gung Hei Fat Choi.

 Sunday we held the second of two days of training for Assistant Governors in District 5040 in 2010-11. The training focussed on the last six months of this year and what needs to be accomplished and on introducing the incoming Assistant Governors to their role and responsibilities. 

 A busy and successful Rotary weekend.

District Leadership Assembly

Cariboo North membership workshop a success

The second district membership workshop was held on Sunday, January 30 in Quesnel with representation from six Rotary clubs in the Cariboo and Prince George.

This interactive workshop was organized and led by district membership chair Linda Coyle assisted by DG Penny Offer, PDG Chris Offer and DGN Rebecca McPherson. The workshop focused on building vibrant Rotary clubs. Sessions and participants discussed what makes Rotary clubs vibrant, membership development for clubs and demographics of district 5040. The proposals for new types of membership categories, satellite clubs, corporate membership, associate membership and innovative and flexible clubs were discussed. These are pilot projects that start July 1, 2011.

Participants were asked to write down at least one thing they will do in the next month to improve membership in their club. There were also asked to report back to their clubs on the discussion and new ideas they learned at the workshop.

Thanks to everyone who attended and made the day a great success.

Quesnel Rotary Fundation Dinner

Saturday, January 29 we attended The Rotary Foundation dinner put on by the Rotary clubs of Quesnel and Quesnel Sunrise. A beautifully decorated room with red roses and hearts greeted  just under 100 Rotarians and guests.

PDG Chris offer, Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator was the keynote speaker for the evening.

Keith Corbett was the auctioneer for the evening, auctioning homemade desserts to finish off a delicious buffet, red rose table centerpieces and many auction items. The final auction of the night, the loony auction allowed participants to purchase numerous auction items with casino chips purchased for one dollar each. With each casino chip you purchased a numbered paddle to bid on the item. Numbers were drawn for each of the loony auction items. A unique and fun way to raise funds for international service and The Rotary Foundation.

Congratulations to all the club members who organized a  very successful event. The event raised approximately $11,000 to be divided between the two clubs. A great evening in Quesnel BC celebrating The Heart of Rotary.