It was old home week when South Surrey White Rock Member of Parliament Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay returned to her former Rotary Club of Ladner for a visit on August 15th. Before her election in the South Surrey White Rock riding, Kerry-Lynne had served as MP for the Delta Richmond East riding in the Stephen Harper government, as Parliamentary Secretary to Justice, Associate Minister of Defence then as Minister of National Revenue. Between political gigs, she was active in Ladner Rotary, including a term as President. She is now the Conservative Party's Chief Opposition Whip, the first woman to hold that office, among various parliamentary duties.
Thirty special needs adults and their family or guardians, in the South Delta Family Peer Support Group, enjoyed a sunny and breezy picnic on August 13th -- an annual event which Rotary Club of Ladner sponsors for the group every August with 10 Rotarians as hosts. The Rotary club held the event in Rotary Park, on the grass and beside the large pond and fountain next to Delta City Hall in Ladner. Games, such as horseshoes, following the lunch.
Former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, former Prime Minister Joe Clark and former national leader of the NDP Ed Broadbent are among the thousands of high school students since 1951 who have participated in the annual "Adventure in Citizenship" Program, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ottawa. Every year, Rotary clubs across Canada sponsor 150 senior high school students to spend four days in Ottawa experiencing tours, lectures, discussions and social events designed to enhance their understanding and appreciation of Canadian citizenship. Rotary Club of Ladner sponsored Alex Price, a recent graduate of Delta Secondary School, to participate in the Program from May 14 to 17, 2023. Alex presented to Ladner Rotary members on his participation in the Program, which he described as the "best experience of my life."
Delta native and former Montreal Alouette football player, Ty Morris, a long-time Rotarian, has returned as a member of Ladner Rotary. Ty is a former high school teacher in Washington State who lives with his wife, Anne, in Pt. Roberts, WA. He had to drop his membership in Ladner Rotary during cross-border COVID restrictions, but has returned. He is welcomed back by President Brian Coe and Past District Governor Chris Offer.
In recognition of his total donations to The Rotary Foundation having reached US$10,000, Ladner Rotarian and District 5040 Assistant Governor for the Richmond and Delta Area Peter Roaf was awarded a Rotary Major Donor Level One Award.
“Trello” is an online workspace for teams. “Meetup” is a global platform that helps introduce people to new people as well as organizations. Together these two systems expand our capacity to perform beyond the scope of ClubRunner, which continues to be valuable for administration and communication.
Rotarians from over 120 clubs are collaborating to bring water and food security to 16+ marginalized rural communities in South Africa. Through the 1000 Survival Garden Kits Project, over 7700 beneficiaries have benefited from the delivery of hippo water rollers and farming tools to increase the water supply and create homestead food gardens. Rotary's dedication to community service and goodwill provides personal, family, and community impact.
Jeanelle Guideau, of Saverne, France, has been visiting the Morrisey family, of Ladner, in recent weeks as part of a Rotary, short-term youth exchange. Rotary youth exchanges are organized by Rotary clubs which send and host students ages 15 to 19 for travel abroad for cultural exchanges, short term up to two months or long term up to most of a full year. Learning and lifelong friendships develop among the exchange students.
While here, Jeanelle has toured with Patrick Morrisey and family, including daughter Claire, parts of BC and attended events. Now Jeanelle and Claire are about to depart for the second half of the exchange, with Claire visiting the Guideau family in Saverne for a few weeks. Patrick, Claire and Jeanelle spoke to Ladner Rotary members about this part of the exchange.
Photo shows a house in the centre of Saverne, France, built in 1605; from the Office De Tourisme et Du Commerce Du Pays De Saverne
Ladner Rotary members enjoyed a social bbq on the sunny patio of the Coast Tsawwassen Inn on July 11th along 56th Street in Tsawwassen, known as "South Ladner". Even Tom Smith, shown here, along with Rick Lewall, of the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, joined lunch in the sun. photos by Penny Offer
The Canada Digital Adoption Program is a $4 billion initiative launched by the Canadian government in 2021. The goal is to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Canada to become more competitive by adopting digital technologies. Many smaller businesses across the country fell behind during COVID. They need to adopt new digital technologies to meet their customers' needs and stay competitive. Supporting a digital economy will help Canadian companies grow and create more jobs and will be crucial to Canada's long-term competitiveness.
Apiculture is the management and study of honeybees and their key role in the production of most fruit and forage crops. Honeybees and other pollinators are vital to the agricultural crops grown in Delta and throughout the province. Provincial Apiculturist Paul van Westendorp, a fellow Rotarian in the Tsawwassen club, spoke about the Asian Giant Hornet, the world's largest hornet with a body length of up to 5 cm. It is an invasive hazard because it feeds on other insects, including honeybees, and can destroy a honeybee colony. Some giant hornets have been sighted in this region in recent years.
At the Delta Secondary School Scholarship and Bursary Night combined with the school's Valedictory Ceremony on June 27, 2023, 75 graduates received 117 scholarships and bursaries valued at $112,500. Rotary Club of Ladner presented two scholarships, as one of 52 local organizations and individual donors presenting a total of 92 scholarships valued at $81,250 to the grads of 2023.
Rotary International President in 2023-24, Gordon McInally, of Scotland, calls for Rotary to "Create Hope in the World" as the theme for the coming year, by working for peace and mental wellbeing. He urges members to engage in tough conversations and earn the trust that’s necessary to realize these values. Ladner Rotary President 2023-24 Brian Coe (left) receives the theme banner from incoming Assistant Governor for Richmond and Delta and fellow club member, Peter Roaf.
Welcoming the 14,000 Rotary members and guests to the Rotary International “Imagine What’s Next” Convention in Melbourne, Australia on May 28th, the first female president of Rotary since its founding in 1905, Jennifer Jones, a Canadian, said:
“When I began this journey as the first woman to lead Rotary, I discovered that something much bigger was happening: people suddenly felt seen for the first time — people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, Rotary members from all walks of life who felt our organization had just done something not just different and historic, but essential and exciting. The world is hungry for a new style of leadership, one that is empathetic, open, and eager to learn from everyone who participates in the act of change.”
In his address to the 14,000 Rotary members and guests at the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia on May 29th, Rotary International’s General Secretary and CEO John Hewko said:
“Building peace is more than just ending war. It’s also about taking on the challenges of food insecurity, the climate crisis, civil unrest, and toxic polarization. These are huge challenges. But this is a not a moment for despair. Rather, this is Rotary’s moment to step up and take action. Because this is what we do. We are practitioners of peace, and this gives us an opportunity to fulfill our historic role — one that has been built through our decades-long investments in peace. Because today, peace is an imperative. And that imperative begins with us because we have the means to wage peace as aggressively as nations can wage war.”
Cops for Cancer began in 1997 with one police officer who wanted to make a difference. Ever since, it’s grown into a collective effort across Canada and become one of the largest fundraising events of childhood cancer research in the country. As a partnership between first responders and the Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer has raised nearly $52 million to increase survival rates and support children living with cancer and their families so no child has to face cancer alone.
Brian Coe became the 66th President of the Rotary Club of Ladner at the club's Installation Dinner and the club's 65th Anniversary celebration on June 13, 2023. The club's 2023-24 Board of Directors was sworn in at the same event, effective July 1st.
"Create Hope in the World" is the 2023-24 theme throughout Rotary International, the world's original service club since 1905. The Rotary Club of Ladner welcomes its new president and board of directors, effective July 1, 2023, and presents its Rotarian of the Year Award. -- photos by Chris Offer
Over 30 young people throughout Delta who have contributed to our community and world without seeking personal reward or accolades received recognition at the annual Delta Youth Awards on June 12, 2023 at Genesis Theatre, Delta Secondary School, in Ladner. The award recipients were recognized for having demonstrated compassion and empathy, shown inner strength and reached out with a helping hand demonstrated that they are exemplary global citizens. The Rotary Clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen sponsor the annual event.
Susan LaRosa was the Director of Education (or Superintendent of Schools) for 15 ½ years in the York Region Catholic District School Board - a medium sized board north of Toronto in York Region, Ontario. She certainly had to manage rapid growth: in her District, 36 new schools were built during her tenure. She shared a few strategies she employed with her leadership team to move the District from "death threats to hugs ".

The longest-running festival in Delta, since 1896, Ladner Pioneer May Days featured a community parade on May 28th, in which Rotary Club of Ladner was one of 61 entries.
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Past District Governors and Ladner Rotarians Chris and Penny Offer are two among tens of thousands of Rotary members from all over the world at the Rotary world conference just underway in Melbourne, Australia where Canada has featured prominently with international President, Jennifer Jones, a Canadian and first female in the role in 119 years, and husband, taking the stage to welcome the assembly. -- photos by Penny Offer
Stokes and Cullis Plaza is under construction at the entrance to Ladner Village. The project involves infrastructure and electrical upgrades to support new landscaping, seating, and lighting, including the construction of a new beacon sign for the village. Construction began on March 16 and final completion is expected for some time in August. The plaza will become a meeting place at the centre of the community.
Rotary Club of Ladner is contributing $25,000 towards the project for the installation of two e-bike charging stations and a large timber drifter bench. These two contributions will encourage visitors to explore Ladner Village in an easy, sustainable manner, while also providing a social space within the Plaza. Funding for this contribution comes mainly from the Ladner Rotary, but also from The Rotary Foundation through District 5040 of 49 clubs in the region. Photo of an e-bike charging station.
Pursuing its mission to fund and promote outstanding healthcare at the Delta Hospital Campus of Care and in the community of Delta, since 1988, the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation has raised close to $63 million for state-of-the-art equipment, capital projects, building improvements, and ongoing education for staff. Through the Foundation the community can support new development planned for the Hospital.
Local residents and businesses in South Delta can celebrate national pride in their neighbourhoods and on their street fronts with a flag of Canada planted on their front lawn for a week around each of two key dates in 2023: Canada Day on July 1st and Remembrance Day on November 11th. The fee will contribute to services to make our community of Ladner and Delta a better place to live, work and play.
With a donation towards community service projects, the Rotary Clubs of Ladner and Tsawwassen will plant a Canadian flag, on a 10-foot pole, on your lawn or in your garden a few days prior to each of Canada Day and Remembrance Day as a display of community and national pride for a donation of $60 for the season. Then a week later they will remove the flags.
The Rotary Clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen are seeking candidates for this year's Delta Youth Awards. BY MAY 29th please nominate young people from your family, friends and neighbours. We want to recognize the service and achievements of over 30 young people throughout Delta who have contributed to our community and world without seeking personal reward or accolades.
"𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒. 𝐽𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑑𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜 𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛."
That's an excerpt from the children's storybook, Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us, by Kobi Yamada and Gabriella Barouch (Illustrator), featured this month on Ladner Rotary's StoryWalk trail.
Older adults live life fully in a community of health, housing and wellness programs at KinVillage in Tsawwassen. Now KinVillage is beginning a new phase of development, to not only expand and improve housing and care options for seniors living onsite, but expand the Day Program for Older Adults from 11 to 35 older adults a day and, in turn, provide respite for caregivers of those seniors.
Since the early 1990s much work has been done on high-power, rechargeable lithium storage batteries for electric vehicles and for power storage. Smaller rechargeable lithium batteries are extensively used for cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices. -- photo by H.Kashioka
Service Above Self
Delta, BC V4L 2B2
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