Over 150 senior high school students from across Canada spent May 25 to 28 in Ottawa experiencing tours, lectures, discussions and social events designed to enhance their understanding and appreciation of Canadian citizenship in Rotary's Adventure in Citizenship program. Ava Johnston, of Ladner, joined other students aged 16-18 years who are leaders in their community and reflect the broad spectrum of religious and cultural communities that comprise Canadian society. On July 15th Ava visited members of the Rotary Club of Ladner, which sponsored her trip, to share his experience and thank the club.
TOGETHER WE SEE A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE UNITE AND TAKE ACTION TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE
People of Action in Service Above Self
For 65+ years we have provided relief and built facilities for our community
Around the world our members help save and improve lives
Rotary members have endless opportunities to learn about management, leadership and life
Leadership opportunities come in all forms at club, regional, national and international levels
Members work together in service, where they belong in a diverse, inclusive community of high integrity and respect
Gail McEwan, a past president of the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, has transferred to the Rotary Club of Ladner and was inducted as member on July 15th. A long time member of Rotary, Gail has been a leader in her club in social activities and international projects such as Project Amigo, supporting underprivileged children with reading and education to improve their opportunities in life.
Over 50 people gathered for a tribute to the late Leo Nimsick, former lawyer, Provincial Court Judge and Rotary leader, who passed away in June 2024. Attending the tribute were Leo's wife, with him many years a Ladner Rotarian, Leo's family, members of Ladner Rotary and other Rotary clubs. Rotarian Gary Hollick, who had encounters as a youth with Judge Nimsick in his early years in Kimberley, BC and later as a fellow Rotarian, gave a tribute to Leo.
Below are links to transcripts and videos of Rotary International leaders who gave inspirational speeches to 16,000 Rotary members from 140 countries attending the June 21 to 25, 2025 Rotary Convention in Calgary.
For those with busy personal and work lives and not able to read the full transcripts or view the videos, through the links below, excerpts from the presentations are also offered below.
Ladner Rotarian Rev. Simbarashe Basvi, Rector at St. David's Anglican Church in Tsawwassen, saw climate devastation firsthand when he was serving as a priest in Chiwundura, Zimbabwe. He witnessed crop failure, migration, hunger, poverty, and desperation. His desire to restore dignity to smallholder farmers drove him to put theology in action, researching to develop a local version of the organization Farming God's Way: Conservation Farming as Climate Justice and Hope. Simbarashe spoke to his fellow Rotarian club members on June 17, 2025.
A look at our economy in BC and Canada: Rosanne Horner, MBA is Vice President, Financing and Consulting for Business Development Bank and Chair of the Board of the Delta Chamber of Commerce. Since 2006, she has worked with hundreds of owners and management teams to help them scale their businesses. She has directly worked with companies across B.C. to secure senior debt financing, mezzanine capital, and management consulting solutions to help them grow, become more efficient and enhance their management capabilities. Prior to BDC, she held various positions in Operations Management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, a Management certificate in Human Resources from BCIT, and an MBA from the University of Hertfordshire (UH). View Rosanne's presentation
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs is meeting the growing demand for professionally trained Guide Dogs, Autism Service Dogs, and OSI (Operational Stress Injury)-PTSD Service Dogs for citizens of British Columbia and Alberta. Each dog is provided at no cost to its human partner. To date the organization has graduated 361 graduates of dogs with partners, 191 currently in service. It has served people in 74 communities through the two provinces, with a staff and over 250 volunteers. BCAGD CEO Bill Thornton presented an update to Ladner Rotary members on May 27, 2025 and on the new state-of-the-art Breeding & Training Centre—a first in Western Canada—will immediately increase the availability of Guide and Service Dogs across British Columbia and Alberta. Within the next five years, our Centre of Excellence will allow us to double the number of individuals we serve.
Since 1959, REACH Child and Youth Development Society has served neurodiverse children and youth with support needs and their families in Delta, Surrey, White Rock, and Langley, B.C. REACH aims to ensure optimum growth and development for young people, empowering them and their families to make informed decisions that shape their futures, and enhancing their quality of life. Presented by REACH Executive Director Renie D'Aquila and co-Executive Director Camille Netherton.
Saving Lives at Sea. John Horton, commander of the Delta Lifeboat Station, presented on the Canadian Lifeboat Institution (CLI), which, for the past 44 years, has provided marine search and rescue and non-revenue marine services in the coastal waters around Richmond, Delta, Surrey, New Westminster, the Fraser River, Strait of Georgia, Vancouver, Victoria, and elsewhere including Washington State. CLI is a valued part of Team Search and Rescue and serves in the City of Delta’s Emergency Services Program.
Dale Saip, Senior VP of Hockey, at the Vancouver Giants Hockey Club and a long-time Trustee on the Delta School Board, spoke about the Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, many years part of the Western Hockey League. Next season for the Vancouver Giants will be the Club's 25th. Players join the club on a scholarship then go on to other university or career options. Hockey and other sports and organizations, such Kid's Sport, change lives of kids in a positive way. Girls are important in hockey as are boys and everybody is welcome to play. A number of Vancouver Giant players gone to NHL and leagues in Europe. Others have become local fire fighters, police officers, teachers and coaches.
Service Above Self
Delta, BC V4L 2B2
Canada