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 is dedicated to building inclusive, accessible, supportive societies where all individuals flourish. The aim is to ensure optimum growth and development for young people, empowering them and their families to make informed decisions that shape their futures, while highlighting strengths, honoring diversity and individuality, and enhancing their quality of life, fostering lifelong self-determination.
The President of our Rotary International network of 1.4 million worldwide members, Stephanie Urchik (in photo), the Chair of The Rotary Foundation and General Secretary/CEO of Rotary International confirm to Rotary members and all our communities served, that Rotary keeps its focus on service and values in these turbulent times in this message.
Ladner Rotarian Avis Glaze gave this invocation the meeting of Rotary Club of Ladner members on April 8, 2025. In her book, Something Lost, Something Gained,Hilary Clinton stated that in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, released two landmark advisories that crystalized many of her concerns. The first warned of “a growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation", fueled, in part, by the negative effects of social media, which threatens American's personal health and the health of their de1nocracy. The second showed how heavy social media use among teenagers in driving the increase in depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges. In the past, surgeons general have, at crucial moments, sounded the alarm about major crises and threats, such as HIV/AIDS and obesity.
Saving Lives at Sea. That's the mission of the Canadian Lifeboat Institution (CLI). For the past 44 years, CLI 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. During that time CLI has actively participated in 5,000 incidents in cooperation with other search and rescue organizations.
To comfort Arthur Birk's daughter, who has been battling some health issues, Rotary Club of Ladner former president and honourary member, Patricia Sibley, presents a quilt of comfort to Arthur from the Boundary Bay Quilters' Guild.
At this special time of national pride and time to show our flag Rotary in South Delta is offering once again its Raise A Flag program: local residents and businesses can celebrate our nation in their neighbourhoods and on their street fronts with a flag of Canada planted on their front lawn, this year for two weeks around Canada Day 2025 and one week around Remembrance Day.
With proceeds going towards various 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 as your display of community and national pride for a donation of $60 for the season. Then they will remove the flags.
Thanks to the many local residents who showed up for the Rotary Club of Ladner Rotary Shred A Thon on a sunny, warm April 5, 2025, the Rotary-sponsored food pantry program at Delta Secondary School for families needing a hand up and the South Delta Food Bank will benefit from the proceeds of just under $4,000.
Seven members of Ladner Rotary and one member of the club's Interact Club at Delta Secondary School unloaded boxes and bags of paper for shredding on the spot by a Shred-Wise truck on the property behind Eastlink, off Ladner Trunk Road. Special thank you to Delta-based event sponsors Ideal Door Ltd. and Millennium Pacific Greenhouses Ltd.
The Rotary Club of Ladner welcomed its first non-profit "corporate member" on April 1,2025: the Delta Community Foundation (DFC). It was a proud moment for both organizations as Ladner Rotary established the DFC in 1986. For many years the DFC was separate from, but linked to, the DFC. Four years ago the Foundation became an independent community organization. The DFC serves as Delta's charity for charities. It provides funds for community initiatives, charities and non-profit organizations in mental health, education, arts, culture & heritage, children & youth, environment, food security, Indigenous initiatives, neighborhoods, seniors and more.
In the photo, Vancouver Food Runners is a recent DFC grant recipient to scale up its food recovery program in Delta, having achieved over 140 food rescues in Delta and Tsawwassen of over 42,000 pounds and an in-kind value of $150,000 as Delta farms and businesses donate surplus, fresh food for those who need it most in Delta.
In April, Rotary puts a focus on the Environment, one of seven Areas of Focus. Amidst all the turmoil around us, as the global population reaching nearly eight billion, protecting the environment is increasingly important.
As we become distracted by the administration of our neighbour to the south, and perhaps even as we may feel some negative impact, we need to keep our eye on the ball of humanitarian service in the world.
It was end of March 1973. While it had been a time of significant achievement over the course of a year, Arab terrorists had murdered 11 people at the Summer Olympic Games in Munich, armed conflict between Israel and Arab states took place, OPEC proclaimed an oil embargo leading to an oil crisis and Watergate. American writer e.b.white, contributing editor to The New Yorker magazine, known writer of novels and highly popular children's books including Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte's Web received a letter from a reader bemoaning the state of the world. White wrote.......... image by rawpixel.com
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.
Delta Mayor George Harvie spoke to Ladner Rotary members on March 11, 2025 about changes coming to revitalize the Ladner waterfront and community, and about ongoing issues for which he has been advocating over time, health care services and port security. Photo of the Elliott Street Wharf and waterfront in Ladner planned by and with the City for upgrade and development as an attractive venue for residents and tourists.
As the cost of food continues to rise, food for the Rotary-sponsored pantry program, for Delta Secondary School students of families who need a hand up over weekends, and the South Delta Food Bank will be supported by the Ladner Rotary Shred A Thon on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
The April 5th Shred A Thon will be open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on the property behind Eastlink (Delta Cable) at 5381 Ladner Trunk Road in Ladner.
Any individual, company or organization can bring their old tax returns, credit card bills, business records, bank statements, and personal information documents so a shredding company can safely and securely shred the paper on the spot.
Richard Wischnewski told Rotary Club of Ladner on March 4, 2025 about Ladner Business Association (LBA), where he is the current President, and about Delta Gymnastics, where he is Executive Director.
LBA is a community-minded business association. It enriches the South Delta community as it empowers local small, medium and large businesses, service organizations, not-for-profits and government. Members benefit from promotion of each other's businesses, advocacy on behalf of the business community, hosting networking events and business workshops, and giving back to the community.
Delta Gymnastics Society is a leading gymnastics clubs, supporting gymnasts, at every level of experience and age. It lives by its motto, “Where kids are first” as it coaches and trains young children and provides programs for seniors. The goal is to give children a lifelong passion for physical activity and to empower them to become successful people through gymnastics.
On a winter vacation in the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, Mexico, earlier this month Ladner Rotarian Denis Denischuk came upon a prominent boulevard sign with the Rotary Wheel, with place and time of the local club meetings (seen in photo). By wondering around the commercial district of Ixtapa Denis found the club's own air-conditioned meeting room. Of the 13 members in the club, six were on hand at the evening meeting to greet him warmly, some in English and some in Spanish. No dinner was served, just some savoury snacks, water or white wine.
Kyndred Community Living Society, formerly Delta Community Living Society, supports people with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential in living and belonging in their community. Kyndred community connections, family supports, employment opportunities, and supportive housing options with a commitment to life-long learning, choice and self-determination.
Delta's Chief Constable Harj Sidhu, who spoke to Ladner Rotary members on February 11, 2025, was appointed to his position in November 2024. He is the department’s first South Asian Chief Constable. He started his career with Delta Police Department in 1993. His appointment to the top position from within the department is less usual generally for police departments in appointing their Chief Constables.
He has a strong commitment to collaborating with the community and stakeholders, working together to problem solve issues, and create solutions tailor made to Delta, and presides over the department’s “No Call too Small” approach over policing.
BC Women's Health Foundation Manager, Engagement Cheryl Gipson spoke to Rotary Club of Ladner members about the importance of women's health, largely overlooked in the past, and current fundraising priorities for the Foundation and, in turn, BC Women's Hospital.
In 2025, in the Chinese Lunar calendar, the Year of the Snake is about introspection, strategic planning, and personal growth. You are encouraged to take a step back and reflect on your lives, goals, and aspiration, becoming more attuned to your inner self, leading to greater self-awareness and personal development. The Snake's influence promotes careful planning and strategic decision-making. The Snake is known for its wisdom and intuition. Its energy can bring new opportunities, especially those that require careful consideration and strategic approach. The Snake's ability to navigate through challenges with grace can inspire individuals to do the same.
Jesse Webb, who joined the Rotary Club of Ladner in December gave his "Classification Speech" for fellow members to get to know him a little better. Manager of the Delta Funeral Home, in Ladner, Jesse started life in Kenora, Ontario. After college he moved to BC where he started in the funeral service business. After transferring to positions in Toronto, Houston, Dallas and Orlando, he returned to the Lower Mainland. Jesse, his wife Ashlee and their two sons, aged 14 and 10, live in South Surrey. He says he looks forward to participating in Ladner Rotary to provide service to the community -- "service" being the key word which he provides through his occupation and personal life.
Rotary Club of Ladner Past President Brian Coe received a Paul Harris Fellow Award +3 on January 28, 2025 for contributing a total of US$1,000 or more at each of the four levels now reached to The Rotary Foundation for its Annual Programs Fund, global End Polio campaign or the Humanitarian Grants program or for exemplary work in community service.
The three-day Barnside Harvest Festival at Paterson Park in Ladner last September attracted over 30,000 people, including 2,500 children. Just over half were from Delta, but others from other Metro Vancouver communities. The Festival featured 50 bands and 20 recording artists, 100 vendors, artisans, food trucks. It was made possible by multiple sponsors, primarily the Barnside Brewing Co., and 250 volunteers, including members of the Rotary Club of Ladner who managed vehicle parking for the event, generating over $30,000 for local charities. The highly popular event is returning to Ladner in September 2025.
Rotary Club of Ladner member Brian Smith received a Paul Harris Fellow Award on January 21, 2025 for contributing a total of US$1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation for its Annual Programs Fund, global End Polio campaign or the Humanitarian Grants program or for exemplary work in community service. Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer pins the Paul Harris Fellow pin on Brian.
During apartheid in South Africa an entire community of "coloured" residents (members of multiracial ethnic communities with ancestry from African, European, and Asian people) was removed from Cape Town and all its houses and buildings bulldozed to make way for new construction for the white population -- decades later, construction which never happened. Some of those displaced people formed the community of Atlantis. Past District 5040 Governor (PDG) and Rotary Club of Ladner member Chris Offer, while travelling with his wife PDG Penny in December 2024, visited the Rotary Club of Atlantis and its projects to feed and support children and adults in an impoverished community with 40% unemployment and where severe measures are needed to protect property from theft by desperate residents. Chris Offer is shown here with some children in Atlantis before Christmas.
Christmas for some Delta families and seniors feeling the pinch will be a little brighter after receiving food hampers on December 21, 2024. Containing a whole chicken, root vegetables, canned goods, macaroni and cheese, cranberries, cookies, candy canes and bread, the hampers, each being two boxes of food gathered by volunteers in recent weeks from food drives at schools and community organizations throughout Delta, had been shared by volunteers equally to 1,500 boxes at the Paridon Horticultural Ltd. warehouse north of the East Delta Community Hall on Highway 10.
A team from Rotary Club of Ladner joined hundreds of volunteers to pick up Christmas hampers and deliver them in North Delta to some among the 650 residences throughout Delta applying for support. Rotary Club of Ladner also contributed $1,500 towards this 35-year-old Christmas hamper tradition, organized by Deltassist.
In Rotary, we believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care. Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for those millions of people worldwide. In December, as Rotary focuses on Disease Prevention and Treatment, we can be grateful for our own excellent health system that, despite its various shortcomings, keeps us and our families and friends as well as possible.
As we celebrate the festive season, let's not focus on the endless health needs in our world. Let's take the time to appreciate some ways that we together in Rotary have shared and achieved in making the world a better place through Disease Prevention and Treatment. For example, Rotary-funded technology allows virtual doctors' appointments for people in rural Nigeria.
Members, family and friends who gathered for the Rotary Club of Ladner's Christmas Dinner on December 14, 2024, brought with them to share with the South Delta Food Bank 60 pounds of nonperishable food items.
Members' Christmas Dinner includes Food Bank contributions
Manager of the Delta Funeral Home, in Ladner, Jesse Webb, joined the Rotary Club of Ladner on December 17th at an induction ceremony as part of the club's annual Christmas dinner. Welcome to Jesse and, with him, his wife Ashlee. -- photos by Penny Offer
Compared to the 350,000 polio cases reported in 120 countries during 1986 when Rotary International initiated in The Philippines what has become a global campaign with world health organizations, foundations and governments, there were 12 polio cases reported mainly in two countries in 2023, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In that year of 2023 alone more than 400 million children received the vaccination against polio, with the support of Rotary including US$50 million donated by Rotary members to the End Polio Now campaign.
Despite that effort and huge achievement 14.5 million children in the world have not been vaccinated against any disease, including polio.
Rotary Club of Ladner members, family and friends sponsored the 19th annual South Delta Family Peer Support Christmas Dinner for special needs or neurodiverse adults and their families and guardians. 52 members of the group attended the evening of fellowship, fun and good festive cheer over a well prepared full Christmas dinner with turkey, ham, stuffing, fresh cooked carrots, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes and baked squash, plus dessert. -- photos by Denis Denischuk
Rotary Club of Ladner held its Annual General Meeting on December 10th. Financial statements and a recommended budget were approved along with the board of directors for 2025-26, effective July 1, 2025. Immediate Past President Brian Coe, seen here, was elected President for 2025-26.
The most significant performance recognition the 1.4-million-member Rotary International can award to one of its 35,000 clubs is the Rotary Citation. Rotary Club of Ladner received an international Citation for 2023-24 by achieving its goals, including sustainable projects serving needs of our community and world, giving to top-rated The Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in the community, thanks to members, local residents and the Delta Optimist.
Ladner Rotary also received international recognition for its donations in 2023-24 to the global campaign to End Polio Now, which Rotary initiated in 1986 and since joined by foundations, world health organizations and governments to rid the world of 99% of life time crippling and sometimes deadly disease. Thanks to Rotarians who have donated and in part to generous sponsors and local Delta residents.
Rotary District 5040 Governor Drew Antrobus made his annual visit to Rotary Club of Ladner on December 3, 2024. Drew’s wife, fellow Richmond Sunset Rotarian and this year’s District Learning Facilitator, Judy Smith, joined Drew. He spoke about this year's theme, The Magic of Rotary, and that it's the individual members who are the magicians who provide service where needed and make things happen, at home and in the world.
Colourful lights provide a little seasonal cheer to the patients, visitors, care professionals and staff at Delta Hospital, lit up for the Christmas season. Five Ladner Rotary members and two members of the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School put up the lights and decor at the main entrance plus the Healing Garden in the hospital's courtyard -- opened in 2008 by the Delta Hospital Foundation, in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Ladner and Tsawwassen -- and at the entrance to Mountain View Manor, home to over 90 residents. -- photos by Peter Roaf & Brian Coe
Adults, children, youth, couples, and families who may feel something doesn’t feel right and not able to navigate many of the challenges they face in every day lives are among those who take advantages of the services of Ladner-based Alongside You. Common issues they bring to counselling sessions include depression, anxiety, addictions, chronic pain, grief and loss, sexual dysfunction, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.
Founded by the Rotary Club of Ladner in 1986 and now an independent community organization, the Delta Community Foundation serves as Delta's charity for charities. It provides funds for community initiatives, charities and non-profit organizations in mental health, education, arts, culture & heritage, children & youth, environment, food security, Indigenous initiatives, neighborhoods, seniors and more.
Last year there were over 86,000 visits by patients from all over the province to BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre on Oak Street in Vancouver: almost 6,000 for births; 4,000 for gynaecological surgical cases; 2,700 for obstetric surgical cases. BC Women's Health Foundation (BCWHF) supports the Hospital and the Women’s Health Research Institute towards making meaningful changes in women’s health in BC and beyond. Rotary Club of Ladner has donated $1,000 to this important cause for all of us in our community.
Those who have fallen in wars of the past century and so far in this one were honoured and remembered at the cenotaph in Ladner's Memorial Park on November 11, 2024 for Remembrance Day service following a parade of military and civilian groups, as were those who were wounded in battle, with physical and mental afflictions and those who have fallen at their own hand on returning home from war fronts overseas. Lest we forget.
Many thanks to local residents and business managers for participating in a Rotary Club of Ladner Shred A Thon on October 5th to support those in need with food and the high school club it sponsors at Delta Secondary with the $2,900 in net proceeds.
Charity Navigator rates 225,000 charities and ranks The Rotary Foundation among those at the highest level as it transforms Rotary members' gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
Exuberant rhymes and wild illustrations celebrate self-acceptance and self-love, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves—inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! Here's a little girl who knows what really matters. "𝑰 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇!"by Karen Beaumont (Author), David Catrow (Illustrator) is the latest book featured on the Rotary Club of Ladner Story Walk, a 1 km stretch of the Millenium Trail in Ladner.
StoryWalk is a great place to take children and grandchildren for a walk this Fall and year round. It starts next to Neilson Grove Elementary School, 5500 Admiral Boulevard, off River Road, in the Ladner community of Delta, BC. Thank you to Delta Community Literacy Committee, who curate the books and are partners with the City of Delta and Rotary Club of Ladner to make this project a success. -- photos by Chris Offer
Global Container Terminals (GCT) is the largest majority Canadian-owned terminal operator. It serves the world’s leading ocean carriers and shipping lines. It is a major tenant of the Vancouver Port Authority, the largest port in Canada, at Deltaport in Delta, BC -- the first semi-automated rail facility in the world.
The small City of Delta park on Westham Island in Ladner, former land of the local farming community school, has been busy in recent time, with local families and families visiting the farm outlets and Reifel Bird Sanctuary. The park now has new trees and shrubs sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner, to mark its 65th Anniversary, and by Global Container Terminals.
A two-kilometre stretch of Arthur Drive, from its start at the main intersection with Ladner Trunk Road in the centre of Ladner, is cleaned up ahead of winter thanks to a team of Rotary Club of Ladner members in maintaining the club's commitment under the City of Delta's Adopt A Street program. -- photos by Chris Offer
Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society is a not-for-profit organization providing complimentary transportation for Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley residents battling cancer. To date, the Society has made 166,649 patient trips over 4,636,178 kilometres, engaging 476 volunteer drivers over 255,977 hours. More drivers are needed for this important cause.
Scams, extortion, fraud, identity theft, malware, ransomware and phishing are all around us in our online digital world. Cybercrime is a crime where a cyber element -- such as computers, tablets or smart phones -- has a substantial role in the commission of a crime. For instance, criminals will use malicious software ("malware") to illegally access computer systems, will use hacking to steal sensitive data such as personal information such as passwords and banking information, denial of service attacks to disrupt online services. These crimes happen in Delta and in communities across the country and around the world. Delta Police Constable Dustin Classen, of the Cyber Crime Division, gave an update on "Cyber Crime" to Ladner Rotary members on October 8, 2024.
Thanks to local Delta residents, Rotary Club of Ladner held a successful Shred A Thon fundraiser on October 5, 2024, sponsored by Ladner-based companies, Ideal Door Ltd. and Millenium Pacific. The estimated net proceeds of over $2,500 will support the Rotary-sponsored food pantry for students of families in need at Delta Secondary School, over weekends, and for the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at the school.
Ladner Rotarians and friends attended a Ted Townsend Night at the Races event, with standard bred horse harness racing, returning an annual event of many years long ago in the club. at Fraser Downs track in Cloverdale. The evening included an extensive buffet dinner and view of the racetrack on a beautiful fall evening. A spot of fun betting for some was included on horses such as Oscar the Grouch, Ara You Crazy, Urnotworthymytime, Whiplash Smile and OutlawGrandeTorino.
With heartfelt thanks and congratulations from today's members and those over the past six decades, and from a grateful community, Rotary Club of Ladner salutes Dr. Arthur Birk, after 60 years as our longest serving member.
The club presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Arthur as somebody who has met high professional and personal standards -- set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International in 1905 -- for his extraordinary service above self. Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer pins Arthur with his Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Two e-bike charging stations sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner and installed by the City of Delta, as part of its recently completed Stokes and Cullis Plaza meeting place for residents and visitors at the centre of Ladner, on the corner of Elliot and 47A Avene, has seen increasing use. Darren Hansen prepares his E-bike for charging. -- Chris Offer photo
Also part of Ladner Rotary's $25,000 contribution to the City's new plaza were large wooden benches to make up the seating area.
Joe Roth, a former jeweler and long-time resident of South Florida, is Membership Chair and a Past District Governor for Rotary District 6990 in Florida, one of the fastest-growing Districts in terms of community projects and initiatives. A Rotary member for 25 years, Joe has served as president of the Upper Keys Rotary Club. Joe spoke to Rotary Club of Ladner members about membership on September 24, 2024.
For 22 years Rotary International has sponsored post-graduate education of more than 1,700 people in peace building and conflict resolution in 140 countries.
These Rotary Peace Fellows have founded their own organizations or serve as leaders in governments, nongovernmental agencies, education and research
institutions, peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies, media and the arts, and international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
Across the country demand on food banks has continued to increase significantly.
Food for the Rotary-sponsored pantry program, for students of families who need a hand up over weekends, and sponsorship of activities by the Rotary sponsored club at Delta Secondary School are causes to be supported by the Ladner Rotary Shred A Thon on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
The ongoing crisis in Gaza has led to a reduced level of routine immunization in the region. The crisis also poses a significant challenge to fully implementing disease surveillance and vaccination campaigns. It is estimated that 650,000 children need to be vaccinated. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers there to be a high risk for the spread of this polio strain within Gaza and internationally, particularly given the current situation's impact on public health services. Rotary will continue to work with its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and other agencies as vaccination efforts unfold. Read More
Rotary commits funds to polio outbreak response in Gaza
Lack of hygiene is perhaps the most serious issue facing rural villagers in Laos, from lack of education and access to clean water. Contaminated water throughout rural areas is the common cause of diarrhea plus short term and long-term sickness along with other crippling diseases which demand a major portion of villagers' meagre average income of $2,150 per year to be spent on healthcare.
Adopt A Village in Laos (AAVIL) is a Not-For-Profit Canadian Registered Organization, incorporated in 2010. Its primary purpose is to raise financial support for clean water and education. Water projects bring permanent water into villages, hygiene training with water filter distribution and hygienic toilets. Education includes the construction of schools/classrooms where none exist or where current schools are simply not adequate for learning plus sponsorship of poor children who would not be able to go to school without help.
David Harris, along with his sons Joseph and John, broke land on Crescent Island in the late 1800s. More than a century later, four local farm families have come together to form Barnside Brewing Co., on 60th Avenue in Ladner, a "farm-based" brewery, producing unfiltered craft beer using local farm-grown ingredients. Rotary Club of Ladner members toured the Barnside brewery on September 3rd. Rotary members will be managing the vehicle parking at the Barnside Harvest Festival, September 13 to 15, 2024 at Paterson Park in Ladner
All of us in the Rotary Club of Ladner need to take an active role in attracting and keeping new members. It is not just the role of a few members who advise us. It is the responsibility of all of us.
For some health problems, a phone call or video call with a doctor or nurse can save you time and money. This is called virtual care, telemedicine or telehealth. Many hospitals and clinics offer virtual care as another way for you to see a doctor. Using a computer, phone, or other device doctor or nurse can ask you questions. They may even be able to check your blood pressure, pulse, and other body functions through special tools connected to your computer. You might also get a virtual physical examination, if you have the right connection.
The international Rotary Citation is the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve in recognition of its year of achievement for demonstrating a commitment to achieve its goals, in serving needs of its community and our world. The Rotary Club of Ladner receives the Rotary Citation for 2023-24, as presented to club President 2023-24 Brian Coe (right) by Rotary Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer.
Since 1970 almost three billion birds have gone from North America alone. More and more species of birds are at risk of extinction. The number of bird species listed as Critically Endangered has reached an all-time high with 1 in 8 species threatened with extinction.
With a focus on birds, Vancouver Avian Research Centre aims to nurture nature’s recovery through scientific data, action-driven education and conservation tools to encourage change in individuals, educational institutions and policymakers. Founder of the Centre Carol Matthews looks forward to an enduring and thriving future for birds through action taken by individuals to protect the natural world in the places where they live, work and study.
Fortis BC's Community Relations Manager for the LNG project in Tilbury Industrial Estate in Delta Joanne Hunton-Sehdev presented an update on development of the facility.
Rotary Club of Ladner President David Rushton received a Paul Harris Fellow Award +7 for multiple contributions of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Recipients are members and other leaders who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International for extraordinary service above self.
From the earth’s bottom to its highest point -- ocean seabed cabling, nuclear submarine simulators, land based military equipment, aerospace flight simulators to developing space-craft – the career of Peter Edwards, who just joined the Rotary Club of Ladner, has spanned a wide range of telecommunications and technology in the United Kingdom and many years in Canada.
The essence of our community and why it deserves our love and appreciation was the theme when Past Rotary District 5040 Governor Chris Offer gave the invocation at a meeting of his fellow Rotary Club of Ladner members on July 23, 2024. Communities, he said, are the places where we live, work, and build our lives.
Our community is not just a geographic location, he said: "It is a living, breathing entity made up of the people, traditions, and values that shape our everyday experiences. Loving Delta means recognizing its unique qualities and cherishing the connections we share with our neighbors."
Long time Ladner Rotary member and contributor to our community, retired dentist Dr. John Yee, 83, passed away on July 12, 2024 at Windermere Care Centre in Vancouver, BC. The Rotary Club of Ladner expresses its condolences to John's wife Margaret of 57 years, who has been a long time friend of the club, and to daughters Deborah (Will) and Laurie (Simon), grandchildren Braedan and Victoria, and half-sister Mei Lun (Jing Chung).
Dr. Avis Glaze presented an invocation at the July 16, 2024 Rotary Club of Ladner member meeting.
Professor Michael Sandal, an American Rhodes Scholar, who teaches political philosophy at Harvard, gave a lecture at The Oxford Union - a prestigious student debating society at The University of Oxford, known as an independent forum for unrestricted debate. He is masterful in his use of what is described as the Socratic Method which involves rigorous dialogue between teacher and student, designed to foster critical thinking, by posing thought-provoking questions. The discussion question of the day was: Are There Things Money Shouldn't Be Able To Buy?
65 seniors enjoyed a BBQ dinner and dance on a warm summer evening at McKee Seniors Recreation Centre in Ladner on July 13, 2024. Rotary Club of Ladner supplied most of the food and 17 volunteers to cook and serve. Dancing to decades ago classics kept the line dancers hopping.
Seasoned attenders of Rotary International Conventions, Past District 5040 Governors and Ladner Rotarians, Chris and Penny Offer, presented on their experience at this year's convention May 25 to 29 in Singapore followed by their personal side trip to Indonesia. -- photos by Chris and Penny Offer
Ladner Rotarian and Financial Advisor Denis Denischuk, Tsawwassen Branch Manager of Raymond James Ltd., spoke to Ladner Rotary members about his 48-year career, and original membership in Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon followed by 28 years of Rotary membership where he was based, in Kamloops, Brentwood Bay/Sidney on Vancouver Island, and Ladner/Delta since 1996.
Ladner Rotarians John Thomas and Ulf Ottho, with Brian Smith, were among the club members raising a Canadian flag on the property of each subscribing Ladner resident around the week of Canada Day on July 1st as a fundraiser for community service projects. The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen has been planting flags in that community as well. photo by Brian Smith
From small renovations to new custom homes the residential and commercial design projects of Ladner-based Sarah Gallop Design Inc. span a wide range of styles and locations throughout Canada, USA and Asia. With its understanding of the construction and design industry SGDI ensures clients have all the knowledge to start a project without regret and finish with pride. While the firm has been featured in multiple industry publications and recognized with many awards since Sarah Gallop founded it in 2009, Sarah's passion lies in educating people on what interior designers actually do.
The City of Delta is moving forward on plans to revitalize Ladner Village and the community is invited to get involved. There are seven big projects which will advance over the next few years. Local residents are asked for their ideas on the projects now at letstalk.delta.ca/Ladner-Village as the City prepares to move these planning recommendations forward.
Over 45 vendors and exhibitors, including Rotary Club of Ladner, participated in the Ladner Business Association's Business Expo on June 8th at Harris Barn in Ladner, served by food trucks and Barnside beer. Most exhibitors were local businesses, but included the offices of MLA Ian Paton and MP Hon, Carla Qualtrough.
Rotary Club of Ladner Exchange Student to Japan in 1981-82, Lianna Walden, daughter of club Past President, Chester Walden, who just passed away in March of this year, and sibling of a brother and sister who were both Rotary Exchange Students, lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With her husband, musician, producer and social entrepreneur Fernando Shacka, she founded TROPA (Tropa da Solidariedade), a non-profit organization that brings quality of life to children, families and people in vulnerable situations in Rio de Janeiro. TROPA provides access to food, education, art, and connections.
Speaking to the many thousands of Rotary members from around the world, attending the Rotary International Convention in Singapore, May 25 to 29, 2024, John Hewko, Rotary International General Secretary and CEO, said the 2023-24 Rotary year brought a number of firsts.
"India celebrated its first decade of being polio-free. We opened our first Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East. And the first ever Rotaract-sponsored global grants were awarded. These accomplishments are just examples of our collective efforts to increase our impact, expand our reach, provide a memorable membership experience, and adapt to a changing world."
As Rotary’s general secretary, he said that he was proud of all that we’ve accomplished this year. We’ll continue to build and grow the world’s premier membership organization, dedicated to connections, communities, and positive change in reference to the four priorities of Rotary International's Action Plan.
Former paramedic and volunteer firefighter, pharmacist Paul Gibbons, owner of The Medicine Shoppe in Tsawwassen, who is a local marine lifeboat volunteer, works In a changing world where the roles of both pharmacists and pharmacies are evolving rapidly.
"Jungle Jamboree" was the theme of the parade at the 128th annual Ladner May Days 2024 on May 26th. Rotary Club of Ladner got into the community spirit and participated on a rainy Sunday morning, coming away with 3rd Place ribbon in the School and Club Category. Despite the rain many hundreds of people crowded the sidewalks along the parade route and enjoyed the annual event through the centre of Ladner.
Rotary Club of Ladner sponsors the Interact Club at Delta Secondary School. Interact members provide hands-on service projects, make international connections, develop leadership skills and have fun. Ten years ago there were 15 members in our Interact club. Now there are over 100. We thank the current teacher leader, Carla Day, and Delta Secondary School for making Interact such a success. Our Interact Club is one of 23 Interact clubs in Rotary District 5040. It is one among almost 15,000 in 145 countries, with membership of 343,000.
David Rushton became the 67th President of the Rotary Club of Ladner at the club's Installation Dinner on May 21, 2024. Rotary 5040 District Governor Elect Drew Antrobus swore him in as well as the board of directors for 2024-25, effective July 1, 2024.
The Rotary Foundation created the Brazil Flood Response Fund in response to devastating flooding in the country's southern region, affecting more than 1.45 million people. The fund will support disaster response grants for member-led projects that provide relief supplies to people in the state of Rio Grande do Sul who have been displaced from their homes, or lack power and access to clean water.
Blue Zones are thriving communities with a high concentration of people between the ages of 90 and 100. The concept of Blue Zones has been popularized recently in Dan Buettner’s series of books and a Netflix special based on his research into the secrets of living longer. Haresh L. Ramchandani, past district governor, member of the Rotary Club of L.I.F.E., Jamaica, and a member of the RI Membership Growth Committee says that he became aware of Buettner’s research and began studying it, He says he was struck by how several of the commonalities of these Blue Zones overlapped with Rotary’s core values and that perhaps Rotary membership is a gateway to living a long and fulfilling life.
Rotary International President 2022-23 Jennifer Jones, now Rotary Foundation Trustee 2023-27, believes in the power of storytelling to move the world forward. Here is her story, as part of her presentation at Pacific North West PETS (Presidents Elect Training Seminar) in Seattle in February 2024, about her first hand experience with a polio vaccination team of women visiting a home in an impoverished community of Pakistan during her year as President. She also finishes with Rotary's determination to achieve a milestone in building The Rotary Foundation's endowment fund to $2.25 billion -- which supports many of Rotary's projects worldwide -- likely to be reached in time for the international convention next year in Calgary.
Ladner-based BC & Alberta Guide Dogs (BCAGD), in Delta, BC, founded with support from Rotary Club of Ladner to serve those who are blind and visually impaired, and which now also supports the growing need for companion dogs for children with Autism and for Veterans and First Responders with an Operational Stress Injury, such as PTSD, receives phone calls daily from people seeing a Guide or Service Dog. The current wait lists for professionally trained dogs is three years and demand continues to grow. In response BCAGD has announced plans to develop a new state-of-the-art Breeding & Training Centre. As the first of its kind in Western Canada, the new Centre will immediately increase the availability of Guide and Service Dogs across British Columbia & Alberta, doubling the number of people served.
Mariel Anderson, having earlier started her own event production company which brought many fundraising events to Vancouver, BC, recognized the staggering number of people, who not only struggle with mental health but also those who lose their battles with it across Canada, could not be ignored any longer. Small acts change the world. Mariel realized that a community of people who are able to unite and take small actions towards creating positive impact in their own communities is powerful. Seeing the complete parallel between the passion for community and spirit of giving back -- with a focus on support of mental health and vulnerable youth -- Mariel and her team created a nonprofit foundation focused on 'communities supporting communities', showcasing local talent from a variety of artists.
Ladner Rotary member Shirvan Bakhtiyari founded Millennium Pacific Greenhouses Ltd in 1999. The Ladner-based company has became one of the leading tomato growers in British Columbia. It is a family-run modern hydroponic greenhouse. The wide range of tomatoes are grown from certified non-genetically modified seed (NON-GMO), in a carefully controlled environment with optimal temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide. The company has expanded with construction of a new 15-acre greenhouse in Tehachapi, California. There are plans to expand the facility in Ladner. Ladner Rotary members toured the local greenhouses on April 23, 2024.
The literacy skills of almost half of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may make it difficult for them to understand newspapers, follow instruction manuals, read health information, fill out a tax return, read a rental agreement or use a library catalogue, according to Decoda Literacy Solutions, B.C.’s provincial literacy organization.
Delta Community Literacy Committee works with libraries, schools and other organizations to help children and adults alike improve their literacy skills. The Storywalk for children in Ladner, managed by Rotary Club of Ladner, is part of the Committee’s program, similar to similar Storywalks in North Delta and Tsawwassen
Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of Rotary’s peace centers. The Rotary Foundation partners with premier universities to offer master's degrees and professional development certificates in disciplines related to peace and development.
This opportunity is available to people living and working in our communities of BC, through our clubs in Rotary District 5040, from Greater Vancouver up the coast to Prince Rupert, and through other clubs and Districts in the province.
Clubs and districts have the power to shape the next generation of peace leaders both by recruiting and recommending peace fellows, and by keeping them engaged during and after their fellowships.
Andie Bakehouse, Community & Residency Coordinator, spoke to Ladner Rotary members about The Wexford and The Waterford residences in Tsawwassen and planning advice related to seniors' residential living.
Ty Morris, who spent his early years in Ladner, Tsawwassen and Richmond, and now many years a resident in Washington State, has returned as a member of the Rotary Club of Ladner. He spoke about his life and career to club members on March 26th.
Since 2011 Honour House has been a refuge, a “home away from home” for members of our Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, Emergency Services Personnel and their families to stay, completely free of charge, when they travel to receive medical care and treatment in the Metro Vancouver area. These brave individuals, along with their families, sacrifice so much on a daily basis to protect our freedom and our everyday way of life. Honour House provides the opportunity to show them that their community cares and how much all that they do for us is appreciated. It costs $10,000 per year to provide each room at Honour House. To date, donations to Honour House have funded over 14,000 nights of accommodation for those needing this support with thanks to the more than 500 volunteers who make this service possible.
Over one million Canadians could be accessing food charity programs for the first time in 2024, according to Second Harvest’s annual “Hungry for Change” national study. As of late February more than one-third of those programs were already reporting they have had to turn people away.
Food for the Rotary-sponsored pantry program at Delta Secondary School, for students of families who need a hand up over weekends, and food for the South Delta Food Bank are the two causes which the Rotary Club of Ladner Shred A Thon on Saturday, April 13, 2024 will support. The Shred A Thon on April 13th will be open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on the property behind Eastlink (Delta Cable) at 5381 Ladner Trunk Road in Ladner.
Ladner Rotarian Brian Smith, second left, at the 1991 opening of the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo by former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney, right. Brian paid tribute to Mr. Mulroney on his passing this past week.
North American Youth Exchange Network (NAYEN) is an association representing 167 Rotary Districts in Canada, Mexico, and the United States involved in Rotary Youth Exchange throughout the world. The Exchange creates transformative exchange experiences that promote cultural understanding, foster global citizenship, and build a more peaceful world. The 2024 Nayen Annual Conference is being held March 7 to 9 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in Vancouver.
Having arrived in Vancouver after a 13-hour flight from Thailand on the morning of March 5th, three members of Rotary District 3330 -- representing the 353 clubs in Thailand -- who are attending the NAYEN conference, dropped in for lunch at the Rotary Club of Ladner's mid-day meeting with District Governor Designate Dean Hsieh and heard about Rotary Club of Tsawwassen's support of, and visit to, Project Amigo in Mexico. The visitors presented a District 3330 banner to Ladner Rotary as a thank you for their visit.
On International Women's Day, March 8th, Rotary Club of Ladner and Rotary International celebrate all our dynamic, people of action who are women leading us in service above self here at home and around the world.
Donny van Dyk started as the new City Manager at the City of Delta on September 18th, replacing Sean McGill who retired at the end of August. He came to his position over five years as City Manager for the City of Penticton, where he led the City through a sustained period of planned growth, instituted new climate initiatives, and grew a provincially renowned Community Safety Officer team and did so through wildfires, floods, and a pandemic.
International education consultant and Ladner Rotarian Dr. Avis Glaze gave the following invocation at the February 20, 2024 meeting of the Rotary Club of Ladner.
Recently, with all that is happening around us, I have been preoccupied the issue of media literacy in general and news literacy in particular. This highlights the importance of teaching critical and analytical skills in our schools.
Rector of St. Davids Anglican Church in Tsawwassen, Rev. Simbarashe (Simba) Basvi, spoke, as a new member, to fellow Rotary Club of Ladner members about his life and occupation. Simba has been serving the St. David's parish for two years. He and his wife, Mebbo, have three children.
Roy Sakata, a former teacher, vice principal, school principal in Prince Rupert and Richmond, and Principal and Member of the Economic Development Committee of the Gitxsan Community of Gitsegukla, has returned as a member of Ladner Rotary. President Brian Coe presents Roy with his Rotary pin.
Strong Towns is a nonprofit media advocacy organization that analyzes the failures of the post-war North American development pattern and gives the citizens of towns and cities the knowledge and tools to start making their communities better places to live and work. As every city, town, and neighborhood pursues growth, development, and prosperity Strong Towns recommends its approach.
Paul Harris Fellows honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self. Dr. Arthur Birk received a Paul Harris Award +2
In 1910 William Kirkland commissioned Ladner architect J.B. Elliot to build him a large Edwardian-style home on the family farm. Construction on what would be named ‘Hawthorne Grove’ began in that year and was completed in the fall of 1911. The pioneer Kirkland family was prominent in the political and social life of Delta and resided in the house until the late 1940s. In 1949, Claire Haynes purchased the home and farmed the 280 acres until the mid-1950s. Then followed a series of house renters and the farm buildings were abandoned. -- stock photos courtesy of Delta Optimist and Kirkland House Foundation
Ladner Rotary members took a field trip to McKee Seniors Recreation Centre in Ladner on January 16, 2023 for lunch and a tour. The Centre for those 50+ years of age is operated in partnership with the City of Delta and the volunteers of the McKee House Seniors' Society. President of the Society, Mae Quon-Forsythe, spoke to club members and led a tour of the facility, with its large hall, multipurpose/activity space, meeting rooms, snooker room, lounge with fireplace and cafeteria.
The Boundary Bay Quilters’ Guild encourages its 90 members in their love of quilting through workshops, demonstrations, guest speakers and small groups. It inspires creativity, learning and friendships among members and provides outreach where help is needed in the community.
January is a time when Rotary recognizes the purpose and value of "vocational service". As one of Rotary's five Avenues of Service, Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society. By including men and women from diverse professions and backgrounds, Rotary recognizes the importance of all skills and occupations.
To help 29 Delta families in need enjoy the festive season students at Delta Secondary School held their annual 20 Days of Giving Campaign from November 20 until December 15 to purchase $11,000 of food items, pet food, toiletries, gift cards and cash donations for Christmas food hampers purchased. Members of the Ladner Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at the school also collected donations at Save On Foods in Ladner on December 5th. -- main photo and story courtesy of the Delta Optimist.
Rev. Simbarashe (Simba) Basvi, rector for St. Davids Anglican Church in Tsawwassen, has joined the Rotary Club of Ladner. Simba was inducted as a new member at the Ladner Rotary Christmas dinner on December 19th. Simba has been serving the St. David's parish for two years with his wife, Mebbo. They have three children. He is in the process of applying for permanent residency status. President Brian Coe presents the Rotary pin. -- photos by Chris Offer
50 members of the South Delta Weekend Family and Peer Support Group for special needs adults and Rotarians celebrated Christmas with the 19th annual dinner hosted by Ladner Rotary. The eagerly anticipated dinner always gives a lift to those who can find the festive season somewhat lonely. Santa Claus was on hand to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and hand out gifts. Mitch Drew entertained throughout dinner singing some favourite Christmas songs. -- photos by Chris Offer
Ladner resident John Donnelly counts among the latest concerts and community events he has produced the Barnside Harvest Festival in Ladner’s Paterson Park in September. The Rotary Club of Ladner provided parking services over the three-day event. John recalled the many types of events he has organized over the years and the challenges and rewards which accompanied them.
About 30 Rotarians and friends from Metro Vancouver loaded a shipping container with $250,000 of used medical equipment bound for Ukraine through the local multi-club system, Rotary World Help at warehouse on Riverview Lands, the site of the former Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, BC.
The Delta Hospital is now lit up for the Christmas season. Colourful lights provide a little seasonal cheer to the patients, visitors, care professionals and staff, who may need it most in our community. Six Ladner Rotary members and three friends of Rotary put up the lights and decor at the main entrance plus the Healing Garden in the hospital's courtyard -- opened in 2008 by the Delta Hospital Foundation, in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Ladner and Tsawwassen -- and at the entrance to Mountain View Manor home to over 90 residents. -- photos by Patricia Sibley & Peter Roaf
Delta Community Foundation is a charitable organization which the Rotary Club of Ladner incorporated in 1986 under the Societies Act of British Columbia. It has been the only charity that has given to all other charities in Delta for more than 35 years, through administering community donations, endowments, and community involvement by addressing local needs. It is now an independent foundation for the community.
Ladner Rotary Splash Park, part of the new plaza at the corner of Ladner Trunk Road and Elliott (shown here), winter coats and boots for kids, a valley trail viewing platform, an off leash dog park, seniors’ outdoor fitness stations, lower income family kids sponsored for summer camp, young musicians to participate in a youth orchestra are the kinds of projects made possible with proceeds from a recent Rotary fundraising event.
Members of Rotary District 5040 -- Ladner Rotary and 47 other clubs from Vancouver up the coast to Prince Rupert -- many throughout the Lower Mainland raised net proceeds of $23,000 at a dinner on November 18, 2023. The funds will all go to the The Rotary Foundation, among the highest ranked international foundations over the past 15 years.
Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser for The Rotary Foundation in Canada, Carol Tichelman, spoke to Ladner Rotary members on November 7th about endowments and major gifts and their value here at home and in communities around the world.
Rotary District 5040 Governor Shirley-Pat Chamberlain talked about the meaning of membership in Rotary and recognized the club and some of its members on her annual visit to the Ladner Rotary on October 31, 2023.
Join hundreds of your neighbours to show our Community Spirit! Rotary Clubs of Ladner and Tsawwassen will Raise a Flag on your front lawn for a week to commemorate Remembrance Day.
For just $40 you will be supporting local community literacy programs, food security, special events at Easter and Christmas and you will be helping to build new community amenities such as a Fitness Park in Tsawwassen and new public space in Ladner Village.
At Delta School District building intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect is considered vital to education. The School District starts its school assemblies, presentations, district and Board meetings, and public events with a Land Acknowledgment: "We recognize that the Delta School District is situated on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam First Nations and all Hun’qumi’num speaking people who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial." More recently a Monday Morning Welcome and Acknowledgement of the Territory comes to 30 classes of more than 700 students and teachers in the schools over Zoom to start the week in a good way. Nathan Wilson is the Indigenous Cultural Enhancement Facilitator for the Delta School District
World Polio Day, October 24th, is a time to celebrate the huge achievement of the global campaign to rid the world of polio, which Rotary started in the Philippines 38 years ago. Back then more than 350,000 children in 120 countries were paralyzed by polio every year. Today, Rotary and its partners have reduced the incidence of polio by 99.9%. Today 20 million people, who might have been paralyzed by polio, are walking. Another 1.5 million people, who would have died from polio, are alive.
Over many decades, through achievement and turmoil near and far, and in our ever more rapidly changing world, Rotary members have continued to provide service above self to our community here and communities from afar. Yet we have all come a long way in our demographics and how we look and work together. Here is a June 1970 photo of business and community leaders on the board of Rotary Club of Ladner, the only club in Delta at the time and which eventually founded the Rotary Clubs of Tsawwassen and North Delta. They are part of the proud heritage of Ladner Rotary which has been celebrating its 65th Anniversary. Photo courtesy of Arthur Birk and Ulf Ottho.
12 Ladner Rotary members and six members of the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School raised almost $1,900 net for a planned tree planting in Ladner and features at the new Westham Plaza -- officially opening soon in the centre of Ladner -- thanks to local residents and business owners who dropped by on October 14, 2023 to the Ladner Rotary Shred A Thon, behind Eastlink on Ladner Trunk Road.
The gazebo in Ernie Burnett Park is now cleaned up and brought back bright and shiny thanks to the City of Delta and a team of nine Ladner Rotary members and "Friends of Rotary" volunteers from the community who turned out on October 13, 2023 to help the City horticulturalist and team replant and refurbish the surrounding garden. The gazebo was built to commemorate the life of Betty Burnett -- wife of former Delta Mayor and Ladner Rotary member Ernie Burnett -- who passed away in December 1989. Betty was also mother of Ladner Rotarian Jim Burnett. -- photos courtesy of Richard Pasco, Digital Content Coordinator, City of Delta
Simran Walia, Senior Product Manager, in Data and Analytics at lululemon presented to Ladner Rotary on Artificial Intelligence on October 10, 2023. -- Image courtesy of Mike MacKenzie
Local community service and global humanitarian relief which the Rotary clubs of Richmond and South Delta have been providing for decades is now enhanced with new “hybrid” meeting technology thanks to $33,500 in funding from the Government of Canada. The funding will help the six clubs purchase OWL 3 hybrid meeting units to enable members to meet in person and involve speakers or other members online with a projector and screen at a meeting venue. An OWL unit connects to a laptop and a large projection screen so groups can meet with other groups in meetings or engage with a single guest speaker from afar.
GLO Laser & Body Studio, in Tsawwassen, which provides medical aesthetics, Venus laser and bodysculpting, traditional Chinese medicine and Accupuncture, is celebrating its fourth year in business. Chantelle Savage presented the benefits of Red Light Therapy and other services of the Studio, founded by a born and raised Tsawwassen resident, Lauren Barber.
The Barnside Harvest Festival of live music September 15 to 17, 2023, at Paterson Park in Ladner, featuring a variety of bands, parade and activities with dogs, a harvest of locally grown food, Delta Firefighters Charity BBQ, a wide variety of appetizing food trucks and kids' activities in the Family Farm Zone, was possible in part because of Ladner Rotary volunteers who managed the vehicle access and parking.
Congratulations to Rotary Club of Ladner member Dr. Avis Glaze as one of the 7 Over 70 Awards recipients at a gala dinner sponsored by Kin Village in Delta BC on September 16, 2023. Avis has made a significant contribution to the education of children across Canada and in other countries. All the recipients of the award have made our community a better place. The event raised significant funds for Kin Village’s building plans and expansion of their day program for seniors.
To support the Ladner Rotary sponsored Interact Club and the Food Pantry both at Delta Secondary School, Ladner Rotary's donation to support the new Westham Square in the centre of Ladner and donation to support the planting of 65 trees at Westham Island Park, the Rotary Club of Ladner is holding its Fall Shred-A-Thon on Saturday, October 14, 2023, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at 5300 Ladner Trunk Road, behind Eastlink (Delta Cable).
Any individual, company or organization can bring their old tax returns, credit card bills, business records, bank statements, and personal information documents so a shredding company can safely and securely shred the paper on the spot. A donation of $15 per banker’s box of paper will go entirely to support the three programs in community service.
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.
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.
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.
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."
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 ".
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Every year, over 350,000 young leaders participate in Rotary’s youth programs across Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Rotary Youth Exchange. Rotary’s Youth Service Month is an opportunity to promote our young leaders’ local and global impacts and the Rotary and Rotaract clubs that make these programs possible.
Rotary promotes the value of, and commitment to, Youth Service
The experiences of travel through Egypt, Jordan and Israel in March were shared by Ladner Rotarians and Rotary District 5040 Past District Governors Chris and Penny Offer on May 2, 2023.
A group of citizens concerned with the protection of Burns Bog, in Delta, formed the Burns Bog Conservation Society in 1988. Over time this group has helped to save Burns Bog from various development proposals. In 2004, over 5,000 acres of Burns Bog was purchased by the City of Delta, Metro Vancouver, the Province of BC, and the Federal Government. This land was set aside as an ecological conservancy, limiting public access to these lands. The Burns Bog Conservation Society now holds education and stewardship events solely in the Delta Nature Reserve, where the public is able to join our hardworking staff. ---photo by Ruth Hartnup
Over 3,500 acres of farmland and wildlife habitat on the lower Fraser River delta has been preserved through co-operative land stewardship of Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust and local farmers. A group of local farmers and conservationists, with an interest in conserving agricultural and wildlife resources in Delta, founded the Trust in 1993. The Trust believes that the preservation and sustainability of farmland as a source of food as well as a valued wildlife habitat starts with a commitment to environmentally sound and economically viable agricultural practices.
An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented.
Rotary makes high-quality health care available to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow stronger. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future.
Rotary provides education, immunizations, birth kits, and mobile health clinics. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease.
Saving the almost 6 million children under five from death
North Delta Rotarian and now retired school teacher, Bonnie Sutherland, on starting the first of many visits to Africa with her late husband, Don, 30 years ago, saw the great need for teachers and students in remote areas of Kenya. They recognized that remote, rural schools often had limited access to books, paper and writing materials, and suffered from intermittent power and no internet access. After earlier efforts to provide not only education materials, but failed attempts to supply equipment for digital learning, a Rotary team developed the African Ruggedized Education System (ARES), a "classroom in a box".
Rotary District 5040 Executive Administrator Nancy Eidsvik receives the District banner for Rotarian of the Year held from 2021-22 recipient Peter Roaf (right), saddened along with Past President Denis Denischuk, as they hand it back in preparation for presentation to this year's recipient.
Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) Road Safety Coordinator, Karon Trendaman, talked about pedestrian safety, road safety and insurance coverage in a presentation to the Rotary Club of Ladner on March 22, 2023.
Member of the BC Legislative Assembly for Delta South Ian Paton, first elected in 2017 and again in 2020, serves as Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food. He has also served as a Member of the Select Standing Committees on Health and Agriculture, Fish and Food. He spoke to Ladner Rotary on March 14, 2023. -- photo courtesy Alaska Highway News
It is a special year in Rotary worldwide, on International Women's Day, March 8th with the first female President of Rotary International in its 117 year history: Jennifer Jones. She is also a Canadian -- an extra source of pride for all of us. Not only worldwide, but here in our District 5040 of 49 clubs, we have a number of women as our leaders.
Ladner-based Alongside You provides a team of counsellors which works with individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families and are able to help navigate many of the challenges that people face in every day life. Sometimes people come to counselling simply because “something doesn’t feel right,” in their life. Some of the many common issues people bring to counselling sessions include depression, anxiety, addictions, chronic pain, grief and loss, sexual dysfunction, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.
It is a special year in Rotary worldwide, on International Women's Day, March 8th with the first female President of Rotary International in its 117 year history: Jennifer Jones. She is also a Canadian -- an extra source of pride for all of us. Not only worldwide, but here in our District 5040 of 49 clubs, we have a number of women as our leaders.
From Ladner Trunk Road, a section of Arthur Drive in Ladner is now tidied up for Spring, thanks to a team of 10 club members who picked up bags of winter trash.
To support the growth and value of the Delta Gymnastics Seniors’ Program for the entire community and the service above self of the 113 members in the Ladner Rotary sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School the Rotary Club of Ladner is holding its Spring Shred-A-Thon on Saturday, April 1, 2023, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at 5300 Ladner Trunk Road, behind Eastlink (Delta Cable).
Any individual, company or organization can bring their old tax returns, credit card bills, business records, bank statements, and personal information documents so a shredding company can safely and securely shred the paper on the spot. A donation of $15 per banker’s box of paper will go entirely to support the programs for seniors’ wellness and youth achievement in community service.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is becoming a way of life for clubs throughout Rotary. It's our sustainable future and, for some, our present as we plan and act to create a safe place for so many different people to thrive and belong as they engage in service above self, for our community and our world. Rotary District 5040 DEI Committee Chair Ardath Paxton Mann presented background and a Code of Conduct for DEI in Rotary. She was joined by fellow Committee member, Ladner Rotarian Peter Roaf, for part of the presentation.
Delta Gymnastics Society considers itself one of Canada’s top gymnastics clubs because of the way it treats each of its gymnasts, at every level. With the slogan, "Where Kids Are First," Delta Gymnastics doesn't just build athletes, it builds people.
Over the years the Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society has generated many millions of dollars to support purchase of expensive equipment for the Delta Hospital. The Auxiliary has provided that valuable support through four businesses: Thriftshop in Ladner; Courtyard Café; Dogwood Gift Shop; Lifeline.
A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake ravaged southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6, 2023. Over 2300 people have lost their lives, and this number is expected to increase exponentially. A second major earthquake and over 100 aftershocks have also been reported. Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday's disaster was the worst the country had seen since 1939, when the Erzincan earthquake in eastern Turkey killed nearly 33,000 people.
Chief Kim Baird is Chancellor for Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She was the elected Chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation for six terms, from 1999-2012 and was the first woman in BC history, who was not an MLA, to address the BC Legislature on October 15, 2007 when the BC Treaty Legislation process was initiated. She is seen here with Melinda and Laura Cassidy at the Simon Fraser University convocation when Kim received her honourary PhD.
When a person was poised to jump off the Alex Fraser Bridge on January 23rd, one of the first Delta Police Department members on the scene, trying to talk him out of his suicide intent, had a body cam which streamed to a fellow officer, who specializes in negotiating in volatile situations and was en route in a vehicle and who advised his colleague what to say and do until he arrived on the scene. That was one example of the value of a body cam. Delta Police Department is the first police force in BC to use body cams. Delta Police Chief Constable Neil Dubord and seven police officers, including a sniffer dog, were on hand the next day to present some of the ways the Delta Police Department serves the community.
Delta resident John Horton was the first artist appointed to the Canadian Forces Artist's Programme (CFAP) in 2002 and was sent to join our Navy in the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) aboard HMCS Algonquin. In earlier years John had served in the Royal Navy in the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific Oceans. This experience contributed to his knowledge in recording scenes of our Navy in action today.
With the theme of "Serving with Imagination and Hope'', the Rotary entry, in the 135th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on January 2, 2023. won the 2023 Princess Award for most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length.
Despite the heavy snowfall on December 20, 2022, President "Papá Noel" Guillermo Bustos welcomed 30 of the planned 40 Ladner Rotarians and partners or friends, managed to gather for a cheerful Christmas lunch at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn, which treated all to a delicious meal, with some fun seasonal music and friendship. -- photos by Penny Offer
Over 600 families in apartments of multiple storey buildings or those in the basements of single family homes throughout Delta received a Christmas hand up to celebrate the festive season with two boxes of food each delivered on December 17, 2022 through the Deltassist annual Christmas Hampers program.
Returning after a two-year pandemic haitus -- when food gift cards were distributed instead of food -- the 30+-year-old Christmas Hampers program once again benefitted from the generosity of Delta residents through food drives at schools and community organizations then the pick up, organization and distribution of over 1,500 boxes of food by various community agencies, including the Rotary Club of Ladner. Mike Storey delivers one of two boxes of food to the door of a Delta resident as Jim Burnett looks on.
Live Well Exercise Clinic South Delta in Tsawwassen area uses exercise, lifestyle and nutrition counselling and healthy habit formation to give clients the information and support they need to become more active and make lasting changes in health and lifestyle. The trained exercise physiologists work with clients no matter the age, stage or shape -- not just the young, fit and glamorous -- in a culture of comfort, acceptance, care and kindness.
The Weekend Family & Peer Support Group in South Delta, for special needs adults, their families and caregivers, were hosted for the 18th annual Christmas Dinner on December 10, 2022 at the Ladner Community Centre by the Rotary Club of Ladner. 21 Ladner Rotarians and friends prepared days in advance and on the day of the event to serve the traditional Christmas dinner to a group of 50 guests, with entertainment and gift giving sponsored by the Group.
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self. This is the sixth time Walt Hayward has received this award, at the Ladner Rotary Annual General Meeting on December 6, 2022.
For its support of the global campaign to rid the world of polio, started by Rotary in 1986, the Rotary Club of Ladner received a certificate from Rotary International for over US$1,200 donated by the club and individual members in 2021-22. Immediate Past District 5040 Governor Lorne Calder presented the certificate at the club's annual general meeting on December 6, 2022.
Food for school students and families needing a hand up, planting of trees in Ladner, supporting medical and dental equipment to regions of countries in need are some of the causes supported in 2021-22 by the generosity of Delta residents in supporting fundraising events as well as that of club members in raising a total of CDN$133,000 in 2021-22. Our Rotary District 5040 of 48 clubs recognized this achievement and that of almost CDN$25,000 for The Rotary Foundation's Annual Program Fund and End Polio causes.
Patients in acute care beds, outpatients, residents in long term care residents, staff, auxiliary volunteers and visitors in the "community" of the Delta Hospital and Mountain View Manor and those at Irene Thomas Hospice next door are getting a lift from the Christmas lights and decorations now brightening up the main entrance, in the Healing Garden at the hospital's central courtyard and inside and outside the extended care residence. Thanks to a team of 16 Rotary Club of Ladner members, including a team from Pure Sunfarms, took the morning of November 23 for this community service project. -- photos by Chris Offer and Peter Roaf
Recruiting & retaining appropriately skilled workers is the top concern of businesses in Delta, according to Jill McKnight, Executive Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at Ladner Rotary on November 22, 2022, Jill also advised: for every $10 you spend locally $6.10 recirculates in our community. For instance, Delta's 730+ retail businesses employ more than 18,300 people, and businesses pay 46% of the property taxes that fund services in our city.
BC and Alberta Guide Dogs is a non-profit charitable society, based in Ladner, which breeds, raises and professionally trains Guide Dogs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, Autism Support Dogs, for children 3 to 10 years and their families, and Service Dogs for veterans, first responders and RCMP members suffering from Operational Stress Injury or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, all at no cost to the client. Each fully trained guide dog or service dog enables each client to live a fulfilling and productive life.
Among the 600,000 who served in the Canadian military during World War I, several thousand were Ukranian immigrants or of Ukrainian heritage. Among those were the grandfather of Wayne Gretzky and grandfather of Delta military historian Peter Broznitsky, seen here at the war memorial cenotaph in Ladner. At the outset of war in August 1914, however, the Canadian government quickly enacted the federal War Measures Act (WMA). The Act’s sweeping powers permitted the government to suspend or limit civil liberties in the interest of Canada’s protection, including the right to incarcerate “enemy aliens” including many Ukrainian immigrants and those of Ukrainian heritage.
A convoy of nearly 40 ambulances wound its way from Slovakia, around mountains and through roadblocks, military checkpoints, and torrential rain to arrive in Kyiv, bringing the critically needed vehicles to Ukrainian government officials.
Rotary is responding to the crisis in Ukraine.
The US$600,000 initiative was the first joint project between Rotary and Ukraine Friends, which agreed in July to collaborate to provide resources, organize logistics, and distribute funds for high-impact projects that help Ukrainians affected by the war with Russia. Each organization donated US$300,000 to get the ambulances, and Rotary districts in Ukraine and Slovakia coordinated the delivery. Rotary's funding came from a Rotary Foundation disaster response grant. Read More
Canada flags to honour Remembrance Day for a week have gone up around the Ladner community thanks to 10 Rotarians who erected them. The project jointly administered with Tsawwassen Rotary in that community, provides homeowners and business owners the opportunity to recognize around Remembrance Day on November 11th the past sacrifices of those killed and wounded in world wars. Revenue from the flags rented now and around Canada Day will go towards community service projects such as a hand up with food for those families in need and planting of trees in the Ladner area.
What injustice keeps you awake at night? What really bothers you and makes you say, "I want to do something about that"? What wrong do you see in society that you want to make right? Is it in your local community? Is it elsewhere in the world? What is the cause that you care deeply about? Connect your cash to a cause, your money to a movement, your profits to a purpose. That is what changes everything. That is the Generosity Purpose.
What’s your Generosity Purpose? Is it helping abolish sex trafficking? Helping your city’s homeless population? Or is it more personal, like funding your children’s college tuition or paying for the piano lessons your granddaughter has always wanted to take? It’s not about you, but about someone or something that you believe can do more good and leave an impact on the world. After all, the Me Show will one day get canceled. The We Show always gets high ratings and airs longer.
-- excerpt from "Good Money Revolution: How to Make More Money to Do More Good," by Derrick Kinney, Rotary Club of Arlington, Texas
Rotarians in business can develop a Generosity Purpose
A group of Ladner Rotarians had the chance to tour the facilities of Global Container Terminals (GCT), at the Vancouver Port Authority's Deltaport in the Tsawwassen area on November 1, 2022. Marko Dekovic, GCT Vice President Public Affairs, led the tour by bus by the massive cranes for unloading ships and through the multiple stacks of containers ready for train or truck shipment, all part of a massive, complex, global network of shipping and transportation.
From the proceeds of the Ladner Rotary Shred A Thon on October 15th, club President Guillermo Bustos (left) and Walt Hayward (right) presented $500 to Delta Secondary School in the form of 10 gift cards, each of $50 value, for the student in need food program, known as the youth work program, operated by three teachers, (l to r) Venetia Sylvester, Gillian Wallace and Dana Rowland.
Funds from Shred A Thon support school food program
Ladner Rotarian Alfredo Goco, business owner and retired financial management advisor, says faith and a positive attitude towards life has kept him going through some extraordinary challenges including a double lung transplant in the past two years. Another hurdle earlier in his life was being kidnapped for ransom in this native, The Philippines. He negotiated the ransom demand of 5 million pesos (today CDN$11,6387) down to 50,000 (CDN$1,163) and was freed. A second person kidnapped at the same time was executed by the kidnappers.
City TV News producer Matt Graves, who recently joined Ladner Rotary, hails from Nova Scotia. He and his family have been living in the Ladner area since 2019, as we learned from his "getting to know you" classification speech to the club.
More families faced with the increased cost of living and relying on food banks will receive support through $2613 net proceeds from a Ladner Rotary Shred A Thon on October 15, 2022, along with trees to be funded for planting in Ladner's North 40 Park near Boundary Bay Airport. Despite competing with municipal election day local residents and business owners showed up on the property behind Eastlink (Delta Cable) on Ladner Trunk Road.
Notaries’ Tradition of Trust goes back over 2000 years. Notaries laid down the Codex Hammurabi, the oldest evidence of documented law. Notaries were also employed by the Catholic Church to be the guiding light of civilization through the Dark Ages. Throughout centuries of upheaval, the Notary’s reputation for trustworthiness ensured that documents remained reliable. Today, Notaries do not get involved in litigation or argue cases before a judge. Their activities are restricted to non-contentious matters—those where the parties involved are in agreement.
As communities in BC become stronger through facilities and services, often with a focus on those in need, through the work of Rotary clubs, funds for those projects often come from The Rotary Foundation. Communities around the world, where there is so often a desperate need for people just to survive, The Rotary Foundation provides funds to fight disease, help mothers and children survive, provide disaster relief, and improve lives often through our Rotary clubs worldwide.
To support any and all of those causes, The Rotary Foundation is receiving US $1,292,288 from generous Rotary members, and some others, in British Columbia’s Rotary District 5040 with some from Rotary District 5050. Announcement of this gift came at District 5040’s Million Dollar Dinner on October 8, 2022 at Quilchena Golf Club in Richmond.
At one of three Rotary StoryWalk trails in Delta, sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen, Rotary International President 2020-21 Holger Knaack, visiting from his home in Northern Germany, volunteered to help with changing the monthly children's storybook featured at 21 stations along a one-kilometre StoryWalk trail in Ladner on October 8, 2022. Holger was in town as special speaker at Rotary District 5040's Million Dollar Dinner that evening. After joining the work party, he toured some of the sights of Vancouver. The chair of the committee which organized the Million Dollar Dinner and Holger's visit was Ladner Rotarian and Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer.
Environmental clean up authorities in the Ukraine are working on cleaning up rivers and lakes throughout the war-torn country so residents can access clean water with the help of a Rigid Inflatable boat and 11 underwater diving suits provided by our Rotary District 5040 and Districts 5030 in Seattle and Area and 5060 in the Okanagan area of BC and part of Washington State through a multi-District disaster response fund. https://tinyurl.com/2y983zrc
Rotary Zone 28, comprising the 20 Districts, 1,049 clubs and 33,640 members across Canada, has awarded our District 5040 with three Foundation awards thanks to the generosity of our members, and some non-members, at Zone’s 28 and 32 Learning to Lead Conference in Toronto September 21 to 24, 2022. https://tinyurl.com/bdhavy95
National recognition for District 5040's top Foundation giving
Of those children in Canada in the care of others than their parents, there are six times more than others in our society who are Indigenous. Action to educate the parents of Indigenous children and provide the resources needed to achieve effective change is among the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Senator Murray Sinclair in 2015. Some of the funding recommended would cover the education of adults who were deprived of education long ago in their childhood. That education denied is one reason that among those in prison in Saskatchewan and Manitoba 70% are Indigenous people compared to 30% for all others. There are more than 600 First Nations in Canada and over 200 of those in BC. Canada marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, and along with it, Orange Shirt Day.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and empowering girls at home and around the world are among the priorities of our current Rotary International President, Canadian Jennifer Jones, according to District 5040 Governor John Berry who visited the Rotary Club of Ladner with his wife, Pat, on September 20th. Assistant Governor for South Delta and Richmond, Dean Hsieh, also attended. One main theme of John's presentation was the importance and necessity for clubs and Rotarians to make choices in Rotary and in life because, “You can’t do everything.”
39 years ago 17-year-old Mary Wooldridge spent a Grade 11 high school year as an exchange student from Australia with the Rotary Club of Ladner, staying with various families throughout her year. Today she returned to Ladner with her husband, Andrew, and son, Jamison, from their home in Melbourne, to start a tour of four centres in Canada and the United States.
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment is nearing completion of the Cascades Casino and Delta Hotel in Delta, expected to open later this year. The new 160,000 sq. foot entertainment facility, on the property which was formerly the Delta Town and Country Inn, home of Rotary Club of Ladner for 40 years near the south end of the Massey Tunnel, will feature a gaming floor, entertainment centre and restaurants. Gateway projects that the facility will bring up to 600 new jobs and a $99.3 million investment to Delta economy.
A 15-year member of Delta Police Department, now heading the Ladner Community Policing Office, Constable Geoff Young, inducted as a new member just a week ago, told the club about his service in the Canadian Armed Forces, his passion for flying and eventual career in policing. He enjoys his community policing role, working with people of all ages, with a team of volunteers building to 100 by the year's end.
Delta Police new member introduces himself to club
District Governor Nominee Drew Antrobus, who will be District 5040 Governor in 2024-25, visited Ladner Rotary with his partner and fellow Rotarian Judy Smith, seen here with Ladner Rotary President Guillermo Bustos.
Rotary Club of Ladner member, Dr. Avis Glaze, has visited various countries as international education consultant to school systems and governments, including Scotland on many occasions over the past six years as a member of the Scottish government’s International Council of Education Advisers. In an article for Tes Global, which works with 25,000 schools in more than 100 countries, Avis is quoted as saying that the strength of an education system is that it shapes hearts as well as minds. She says, "Attainment is important but 'so are the kind of citizens you are creating'."
Fortis BC is moving closer to expanding its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Delta's Tilbury Industrial Park. Will Zylmans, Community Relations Officer for Fortis BC, presented an update to Ladner Rotary on August 23rd.
The Delta Police constable now leading the Ladner Community Policing office, Geoff Young, became a member of Ladner Rotary on August 23rd. He replaces Ladner Rotarian of several years, Acting Sergeant Ken Kirk, who is now leading the Community Policing office in North Delta. Farewell to Ken and welcome to Geoff. Ladner Rotary President Guillermo Bustos applies the Rotary pin as part of the member induction ceremony.
More than two years into COVID-19, many people are feeling “pandemic fatigue”. Around the globe, more than 555 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported, according to the World Health Organization. Health care workers have continuously dedicated their time, energy, and skills to ensure our safety, often putting their own health at risk to do so, paying the price of their own physical and mental health amidst unrelenting demand and staff shortages. Rotary saluted the courage and commitment of our health care workers who have given up so much to treat those who have become ill and contain this disease.
Lowest score foursome at the annual Rotary Tri-Club Golf Day August 18th among 17 golfers from the three clubs in Delta, Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen: (l to r) Jako Krushinisky, Tsawwassen, Denis Denischuk, Ladner, Teresa Marshall, North Delta, and Jerome Vermeulen, Tsawwassen
Ladner Rotarians hosted its annual special needs adults' picnic, with family and guardians in the South Delta Family Peer Support Group, at Rotary Park next to Delta City Hall on Sunday, August 14, 2022. The event included a bbq picnic lunch, games and socializing. Many members of the Group expressed their sincere appreciation to the club for the event which makes a difference in their lives. -- photos by Chris Offer
Distribution and Warehouse Manager for the five Quest Food Exchange not-for-profit grocery market locations in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby and North Vancouver, Brian Coe, a Ladner resident, who transferred to Ladner Rotary from Tsawwassen Rotary, earlier this year, gave his "classification" speech to our club on August 9, 2022.
District Grants allow Rotary and Rotaract clubs to identify, plan, and fund worthy projects in their own communities or internationally. Grants can fund improvements such as kitchen equipment for a food pantry, assistance for after-school programs, a defibrillator for a community centre, or renovations to an accessible playground.
Former school district superintendent in Ontario, now international education advisor to several nations, Dr. Avis Glaze described the start of her career in her native Jamaica and since in the field. As superintendent she desribed how she and others worked with the principals and staff of the 25 schools with the lowest academic results among their students and how the performance of those schools improved over time. She always says, "No child left behind." Avis just returned from further consultation with education leaders in Scotland and earlier this year spoke at a global, virtual conference of educators.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year there were 2,789 buildings in the village of Moshchun. After Russian artillery shelling there were 789 still standing. Left behind were 1,597 craters from shells. With the participation of Rotary clubs of the world, in partnership with Ukrainian state, the rebuilding of Moshchun has the aim of developing a symbol of happy, independent, modern Ukraine.
Armand La Barge is a former Rotarian who began his career with York Regional Police in 1973 and served as Chief of Police until his retirement. During his 37-year police career, he held multiple positions throughout the organization. He is known as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, an ardent defender of social justice and human rights, a hfe-long volunteer and community activist and someone committed to service on volunteer boards, community and faith-based organizations. He has been engaged in research around more effective ways for police authorities to develop less confrontational relationships with Indigenous People in Canada, including First Nations.
Three of the 61 students graduating from Delta Secondary School received scholarships from the Rotary Club of Ladner. They were among those receiving 110 scholarships and bursaries valued at $97,665 at the School's Scholarship and Bursary Night and Valedictory Ceremony on June 28, 2022. Ladner Rotary was one of 55 local organizations and individual donors presenting 87 scholarships valued at $68,915 to the grads of 2022.
Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s first female president, is the perfect leader to spread the word about the good Rotary does in the world, and inspire its members to keep going.
Brian Coe, a Rotarian since 2004, is Distribution and Warehouse Manager for the five Quest Food Exchange not-for-profit grocery market locations in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby and North Vancouver, has joined us from Tsawwassen Rotary. By bridging the gap between food banks and traditional grocery stores, Quest Food Exchange redirects at reduced cost good food, donated by local food partners from across British Columbia, that would otherwise end up in the landfill and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
"Imagine Rotary" is the 2022-23 theme throughout Rotary International, the world's original service club since 1905, which finally inducts its first female president for the 1.4 member global network, Canadian Jennifer Jones. As Rotary opens itself to new opportunities, the Rotary Club of Ladner welcomes its new president and board of directors and a new member, and presents awards to two of its female members.
Rotary International CEO & General Secretary John Hewko inspires many thousands through his speech at Rotary's June 2022 international convention in Houston, Texas -- the first after two years.
Ladner Rotarians and guests visited the Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre, next to Delta City Hall, on June 14, 2022. Opened in May 2020, the Centre is an exhibit of our community’s past, present, and future. It features Delta’s storied history.
Delta Optimist Publisher Pierre Pelletier advised how some web services make money with "clickbait", luring web users to their sites with sensational stories or claims and make money in the process, in competition with mainstream news media which support our community with responsible journalism, essential to our democracy.
In gratitude to our first responders and frontline workers who protect and serve our community, Rotary Club of Ladner and members of the Delta Secondary School Interact Club salute them. They enable us, in service above self, to also serve our community and communities in need around the world: neighbours helping neighbours in the parade at Ladner May Days, founded 1896.
Education can offer life-changing opportunities. But every year, too many bright, driven students from disadvantaged backgrounds make the decision not to pursue post-secondary education because they can't afford it. Beedie Luminaries, created by the Beedie Construction Group family, is a scholarship program for students with potential who are facing financial adversity. Students who are smart, but constrained by circumstance. Students who are resilient and gritty. Students who are ready to make a positive change in their lives. The program supports Grade 12 students and single parents in pursuing further education.
On behalf of the Ladner Rotary Splash Park Committee, Chair Irene Forcier, was pleased to recognize the valuable contribution to the project and, over the long term, to the club, Walt Hayward with his fifth international Paul Harris Fellow Award.
The StoryWalk for children and families in Ladner, along part of the Millenium Trail, receives a change of story for May thanks to Ladner Rotarians John Thomas, Ulf Ottho and Guillermo Bustos, on behalf of the regular installers, Tammy Hansen and husband. -- photo by Lynn Cameron
The Lifelong Leadership Institute (LLI) is an educational organization that exists to inspire leadership and develop leaders, and dedicates its resources to advancing leadership competence and personal success among Canadian youth of Jamaican, Caribbean and Black heritage.
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) is building the trades careers in BC through a training and apprenticeship system that meets the needs of British Columbia’s economy. ITA works with employers, apprentices, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, supports apprenticeships, fund programs, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.
As of July 1st, 2022 the new international Chair of the Rotary Peace Centers Committee, which every year selects the Rotary Peace Fellows for the 50 Master's Degree or 80 Professional Certificate programs in peace and conflict resolution at seven universities throughout the world, is Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer. Member of the Rotary Club of Ladner, Chris also serves on the board of The Rotary Foundation Canada.
Since 1959 Reach Child and Youth Development Society has been providing programs and child development and therapy services to special needs children and their families in Delta, Surrey and Langley, B.C. Reach provides a variety of programs and services designed to meet the needs of children to ensure their optimum development. Ladner Rotary has had a long relationship with Ladner-based Reach, formerly at its location near Boundary Bay Airport, as one of the first sponsors of the $5.7 million Lois E. Jackson Kinsmen Centre for Children adjacent to Memorial Park, and as sponsors of the Ladner Rotary Splash Park next door, both partially or equally sponsored by the City of Delta.
The Rotary Club of Ladner, where he served the community over 30 years including as club president, and the newspaper industry are mourning the loss of a respected newspaper man and community leader, Tom Siba, former Delta Optimist publisher. who died peacefully on April 22. He was 73-years-old. Siba's last few years has been impacted by Lewy Body Dementia. -- courtesy of the Delta Optimist
As of April 18, 2022 Rotary's global Disaster Response Fund for the Ukraine has reached $9.5 million. The funds will support locally-led relief efforts underway by Rotary clubs in Ukraine and neighboring countries. More information about this crisis and Rotary's response.
Rotary global Ukraine relief fund nearing US$10 million
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 holidays in 2022. 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 around Canada Day and Remembrance Day as a display of community and national pride for a donation of $60 for the season. Then they will remove the flags.
Here2Help supports patients and their care partners navigate the healthcare system through education and advocacy. It provides compassionate and personalized service to a wide variety of clients to achieve better health outcomes and direct healthcare when they cannot, much like one might do through others with power of attorney in legal and financial matters.
Rotary International CEO John Hewko reports that, as of April 5, 2022, Rotary has raised over US$7 million to support clubs responding to the war in Ukraine, thanks to the many Rotary members and others for their generosity during this humanitarian crisis. Thank you to Delta residents and sponsors who supported our Ladner Rotary Shred A Thon on April 2, 2022 contributing to this cause.
At home, people in our community less able to afford the rapidly rising cost of food for themselves and their families, and in Ukraine and nearby countries, millions of desperate residents and refugees struggling to survive, will benefit from the Rotary Club of Ladner's Spring Shred-A-Thon on Saturday, April 2, 2022. -- photos by Chris Offer
Long time Ladner Rotarian, Irene Forcier, who has been on extended leave for health reasons, recognizes the generous support of fellow club member, Avis Glaze, for her ongoing service above self, with a Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Irene says, "Avis has for a very long time, gone the full length of the course, cheering me on and checking on me, in between cooking, shopping, driving and adding support that is critical to my healing in my very eventful life. I want her to proudly wear a Paul Harris fellow. Her service above self has made a world of difference to me and I am truly grateful."
On March 22, award-winning, revolutionary educator and Ladner Rotarian Avis Glaze was one of the speakers to estimated 50.000 educators from 87 countries, at a four-day virtual conference: her topic was how equity, social justice and empathy need to be embedded into the education system. The story appeared in the Delta Optimist.
Ladner Rotarian speaking at the World Education Summit
Plastic and other marine pollution is killing our ocean. It is estimated that 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris are floating in our oceans. One million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed by ocean plastic. Each year 500 billion plastic bags are used around the world.
For most of us this damage is far away and invisible. Without a personal connection to our oceans, it’s difficult for us to feel inspired to save them. As famed French explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, scientist, Jacques Yves Cousteau, who studied the sea and all forms of life in water, once said, “People protect what they love.” Ocean Ambassadors Canada is turning our attention to the massive challenge of cleaning up our oceans and the possible solutions.
The crisis in Ukraine is having devastating consequences on civilians as families flee their homes. According to the United Nations, more than 2 million people, most of them women and children, have sought refuge in neighboring countries and across Europe, while about 1 million more people have been displaced within Ukraine.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Europe and around the world have taken swift action and are working with members nearby to provide food, water, medical equipment, and shelter for refugees.
Three Grade 4 students from the same class in Suchitlan, a town of 4,836 in the State of Colima, Mexico, have received support with their homework and have access to computers at the Project Amigo funded Study Center with support from the Rotary Club of Ladner.
To provide relief for the people of Ukraine and refugees from there to neighbouring countries, Rotary Club of Ladner has donated CAN $2,000 through The Rotary Foundation's disaster response fund. So far Rotary has raised $1.1 million and counting to support clubs responding to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. This money will be used by Rotary districts and clubs in Poland and other countries adjacent to Ukraine for immediate assistance of refugees. Rotarians can make a personal donation, and receive a Canadian tax receipt and Paul Harris Fellow credit.
As Rotary International CEO John Hewko reports, "Two of the most difficult aspects during a humanitarian crisis are communication and coordination around supplies. I’m proud to share that Rotaract Europe (young professionals and university students in Rotary) has accomplished both. Within 48 hours, its Supplies Team, consisting of 60 members from across ten countries, developed a matching tool that quickly links demand for goods on site with the supplies inventory."
Ukrainian refugees are shown boarding a minivan, sponsored by Rotary District 2231 in Poland, for transport to a safe location in Poland.
Personal gender pronouns or personal gender pronouns refer to the set of pronouns that an individual wants others to use in order to reflect that person's gender identity. In English, when declaring one's chosen pronouns, a person will often state the subject and object pronouns—for example, "he/him", "she/her", or "they/them"—although sometimes, the possessive pronouns are also stated. The pronouns chosen may include neopronouns such as "ze" and "zir". Ladner Rotarian Pania Lincoln gave on overview of using various pronouns people now use to identify their gender.
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self. This is the fifth time Guillermo Bustos has received this award.
Past District Governor Penny Offer (left) returns a quilt from the Vancouver General Hospital Lost and Found to Diana Cabott Nimsick on behalf of her husband, Past District Governor Leo Nimsick, whose name tag was on the quilt.
Around 50,000 people from over 87 countries are expected to attend the World Education Summit March 21st to 24th. One of the featured speakers is internationally recognized education consultant and leader Dr. Avis Glaze who is a Ladner Rotarian. The World Education Summit is described as the largest annual virtual gathering of the greatest minds in education, passionate teachers and brave leaders from every corner of the world.
People can share information anonymously about criminal activity through Crime Stoppers, which is committed to engaging the public to reduce, prevent, and solve crime in our communities. Crime Stoppers delivers that anonymous information to the appropriate law enforcement agency, so that a crime – or potential crime – can be solved. Crime Stoppers chapters throughout BC to engage the public to share information anonymously about criminal activity. It is affiliated with the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and Crime Stoppers International forming a global network to disrupt crime.
It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.
Highlights of a presentation Delta Mayor George Harvie gave to Ladner Rotary on February 22, 2022, on the state and future look of the City, included: • Delta is the second highest community in BC for immunization. • Throughout Canada Delta is in the top 50 best communities to live and the best in Metro Vancouver, according to the annual Maclean's magazine assessment. • A number of parks have been improved. • There is now or will be no fee for use of recreation centres for youth and for those 75 and older. • A final solution to the Fraser River crossing and replacement of the George Massie Tunnel is now expected for 2030.
Highlights of a presentation Delta Mayor George Harvie gave to Ladner Rotary on February 22, 2022, on the state and future look of the City, included: • Delta is the second highest community in BC for immunization. • Throughout Canada Delta is in the top 50 best communities to live and the best in Metro Vancouver, according to the annual Maclean's magazine assessment. • A number of parks have been improved. • There is now or will be no fee for use of recreation centres for youth and for those 75 and older. • A final solution to the Fraser River crossing and replacement of the George Massie Tunnel is now expected for 2030.
Mary Kitagawa is an educator and crusader for human rights who has helped dismantle society’s systems of racial apartheid and legalized discrimination, create a more inclusive and just world, and demonstrate it is never too late to make right a wrong. Kitagawa and her family were among the more than 22,000 Canadians of Japanese descent incarcerated during the Second World War. As a result of the injustices her family endured, she became an advocate for human rights, maintaining a sustained focus to raise the problem of injustice due to racism and intolerance.
Mary Kitagawa is an educator and crusader for human rights who has helped dismantle society’s systems of racial apartheid and legalized discrimination, create a more inclusive and just world, and demonstrate it is never too late to make right a wrong.
Kitagawa and her family were among the more than 22,000 Canadians of Japanese descent incarcerated during the Second World War. As a result of the injustices her family endured, she became an advocate for human rights, maintaining a sustained focus to raise the problem of injustice due to racism and intolerance.
The Rotary Foundation Canada reports that, in the past year, Canadian Rotarians have envisioned greater peace in the world through the creation of eight 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 valued at US$400,000. Half of the grant funding provided scholarship funding to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace as part of Rotary’s mission.
Equality means everybody gets a pair of shoes. Equity means they get shoes that fit. As Canadians celebrate Black History Month in February, the Member of Parliament, whose motion to establish the national celebration received unanimous approval in the House of Commons in 1995, The Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black woman to be elected as an MP also describes Diversity as everybody being invited to a dance. Inclusion, she says, means everybody gets an opportunity to dance. Dr. Augustine spoke to Ladner Rotary on February 8, 2022.
On a recent sunny winter's day a local day care centre brought a group of children to the StoryWalk sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner. Along 1 km of the Millenium Trail in Ladner, starting at Neilson Grove Elementary School, 5500 Admiral Boulevard, the children took the trail with parents helping them read a two-page spread of a story book at each of 21 stations. The children were running, hopping, skipping, and singing between each story board as directed at each station.
The stories along the trail are changed every month throughout the year, promoting reading literacy and physical literacy. StoryWalk is a collaborative project throughout Delta among the Rotary Club of Ladner and the two other Rotary clubs of North Delta and Tsawwassen, which have each sponsored their own StoryWalk, the Delta Child and Youth Committee, Delta Literacy Outreach and the City of Delta. -- photo Chris Offer
Our late friend, fellow club member and Past District 5040 Governor Michael Cruise, who passed away a year ago, bequeathed through his estate a significant donation to The Rotary Foundation Canada, in support of two of Rotary's seven areas of focus: Maternal and Child Health; Basic Education and Literacy. Thank you, Michael, with Beryl, for your forwarding thinking when you were with us, now and well into the future as your gift has a positive impact on so many young lives and their communities around the world.
Women continue to face economic hurdles, declining levels of political participation, and challenges in the workplace, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021. And the COVID-19 pandemic is among the factors that have extended the amount of time that experts estimate it will take to close the gender gap.
"There is no shortage of need, and the impact of even simple projects can be significant when the power of Rotary is focused on empowering girls," says Elizabeth Usovicz, Rotary International Director.
Delta Hospital patients, long term care residents, hospital and medical staff, and visitors are being treated to some Christmas spirit with decorations in the hospital's central courtyard Healing Garden, a project originally sponsored in part by Ladner Rotary. A team of Rotary Club of Ladner members, including a crew from Pure Sunfarms, installed the lights and seasonal figures. -- photos by Patricia Sibley and Pania Lincoln
Ladner Rotarians and guests celebrated Christmas in fun company, with a delicious dinner and homegrown seasonal music and singalong at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn on December 14, 2021. Thanks to organizers, Ann Waldo and Avis Glaze, President Denis Denischuk and, after a late cancellation of the musician because of illness, musician Ulf Ottho, the 30 or so attending sang Christmas carols led by the choir of Arthur Birk, Patricia Sibley and Guillermo Bustos. -- video & photos by Chris Offer
Thanks to Rotarian Wilbur Walrond, Rose Chiron/Howitt, Managing Director at Delta-based Grand Bliss Developments LTD, has received an international Paul Harris Award through Ladner Rotary. Her company creates real estate investment opportunities, but she also supports people in reaching forgiveness when they have suffered from not being able to let go of something bad that happened to them for a bright, hopeful and less painful future. She receives her Paul Harris Award from Wilbur Walrond, presented by Rotary Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer.
Ladner Rotarian Richard Shantz received a Paul Harris Fellow Award +9, as his tenth for his generosity in donating to The Rotary Foundation over the years. Both awards were presented at the Ladner Rotary members and guests Christmas Dinner on December 14, 2021.
Peter Podovinikoff, Ladner Rotarian of 45 years, passed away on December 13, 2021 after a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer. He was 85. Peter joined the Rotary Club of Grand Forks, BC 56 years ago. He joined Ladner Rotary in 1976. In 2008-09 he served as club president. Over many years he was an active participant in community service projects for the club and was a generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation.
For his 25 years of volunteering in support of the South Delta Family and Peer Support Group for special needs adults, Ladner Rotary honoured Allan Kiess with a Paul Harris Fellow Award. His mother, Viola Keiss, having founded the Group 25 years ago, now at age 91 gave a thank you/farewell speech as she prepares to retire, at the annual Christmas Dinner which Ladner Rotary hosted on December 11, 2021. Allan receives his Paul Harris pin and lanyard from Ladner Rotary President Denis Denischuk.
Restoring mangroves, a crucial ecosystem that can mitigate the effects of climate change in coastal areas, was a key focus of a Rotary delegation exploring ways to overcome environmental challenges, at the 26th United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 10, 2021. -- story by Ryan Hyland
Road Safety programs, especially for pedestrian safety, Enhanced Road Assessment for seniors), and the new Enhanced Care Coverage insurance coverage were three highlights of a presentation to the Rotary Club of Ladner by the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) on November 23, 2021.
Delta’s highest community honour was presented posthumously to Tsawwassen Rotarian and Rotary District 5040 Governor 2020-21 Dave Hamilton, one of its beloved community champions and business leaders at the 70th Annual Hats Off to Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Delta Chamber of Commerce. -- courtesy of Ian Jacques, the Delta Optimist
In a salute to Remembrance Day 2021, Ladner Rotarians Ulf Ottho and Jim Burnett raise a flag for a week on the lawn of a Ladner resident who has registered for this service to generate funds for local community services in Delta. Lest we forget. -- photo by Chris Offer
Remembrance Day salute with flags displayed in community
Christmas will be a little brighter with food for festive season dinners among 40 Delta families who need a hand up thanks to the generosity of Delta residents. People from Ladner and area showed up in 75 vehicles for the Ladner Rotary Shred-A-Thon on October 30th. Proceeds of $4,000 from the event will go to Deltassist which organizes the annual "Christmas Hampers" program for 600 or more needy families which register each year.
Steven Potter, law student articling with Delta Law Office, joined Ladner Rotary on October 19th. President of The Rotary Foundation Canada and former Vice President of Rotary International, Dean Rohrs, officiated at the induction ceremony.
At least 600 low income families throughout Delta, registered with Deltassist, will enjoy a happier Christmas thanks to proceeds from a confidential, secure paper Shred-A-Thon which Ladner Rotary is holding on Saturday, October 30, 2021, 10 am to 2 pm, behind Delta Cable/Eastlink offices at 5381 Ladner Trunk Road in Ladner.
For decades Deltassist has distributed hundreds of Christmas food hampers to low income families and seniors in Delta with food collected through local schools and other organizations. Ladner Rotary is one of the community partners of Deltassist in not only funding the hampers, but delivering them through volunteer service of club members.
Langley based Andrea Taylor spoke to Ladner Rotary members about her international level equestrian experience and that of National Team Coach for Para-Equestrian Canada. Andrea is credited for guiding Canada's Para-Equestrian team to results at the 2007 World Championships and the 2008 Paralympic Games. Rider Lauren Barwick won individual gold and silver medals. She was awarded the Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Award in recognition of her coaching achievements at the 2008 Paralympic Games.
400 million people in the world can’t afford or do not have access to basic health care. Disease results in pain and poverty for millions worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to Rotary as one of its seven areas of focus.
Since the City of Delta (then the Municipality of Delta) drafted the Ladner Area Plan in 1998, the centre of Ladner Village has been under planning discussion. Now a specific plan is emerging. The City of Delta's Deputy Director of Community Planning and Development James Klukas presented an update of this planning to Ladner Rotary on October 5, 2021. Delta Councillor Dylan Kruger also spoke to the club.
The international Rotary Citation is the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve. Rotary Club of Ladner has received its Rotary Citation for our performance in 2020-21 from Rotary International's President for that year, Holger Knaack.
All students and Delta staff will benefit from a deeper understanding of Canada’s history of colonization and its influence on current relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people when they embark on a journey towards reconciliation. Diane Jubinville, Delta School District Vice-Principal, Indigenous Education Department, and Heide Wood, an Educator in the School District's Indigenous Education Department, spoke to Ladner Rotary members on September 28, 2021.
Psychiatric Nurse Jason Procyshyn explains the value of psychosocial rehabilitation (psychiatric rehabilitation) and programs provided in promoting personal recovery, successful community integration and satisfactory quality of life for persons who have a mental illness or a mental health and/or substance use concern.
Ladner resident, Michael Edgson, who is partially blind, is Canada’s most decorated Paralympian. He competed internationally as a swimmer in able bodied as well as para events. Having won 18 Gold and 3 Silver medals, and set 9 World Records during his career as a Paralympic Swimmer, he carried the Canadian flag during the closing ceremonies at the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea.
Labour Day is the second of three occasions in the year when Ladner and area residents and businesses Raise A Flag in support of community service projects. The Rotary Club of Ladner has been signing up people in our community who pay $60 per season for a flag of Canada on a 10-foot pole to be installed for a week on their front lawn or nearby. The other two occasions in the season are Canada Day and Remembrance Day. The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen has been providing this service to residents of that community. Thank you to all our subscribers and to our work party volunteers who install and remove the flags. photos by Chris Offer
About 40 special needs adults and their family or guardians, in the Family and Peer Support Group, came to Rotary Park, next to Delta City Hall, on August 15, 2021, to participate in the annual summer picnic which the Rotary Club of Ladner sponsors every year for the group. Members of the group as always were grateful for the chance to enjoy the outdoor event, with tasty food and games, which, they say, makes a difference in their lives. Ladner Rotary also sponsors a Christmas dinner for the group. Thank you to Mike and Kathy Storey and to Arthur and Geraldine Birk for organizing this event, along with 12 other Ladner Rotary volunteers. -- photos Chris Offer
Speaking to the Rotary Club of Ladner on August 10th, Conservative party candidate for Delta in the next federal election, Garry Shearer, talked about what he had learned about the community over the past three years.
The StoryWalk reading and activity trail for children and families in Ladner gets a new story for August in the monthly exchange of stories. -- photos by Chris Offer
Guest of Ladner Rotary in February, Gordon McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland, is nominated to become President of Rotary International for 2023-24. Gordon spoke to our club about Scotland. He lauded Rotary’s ability to adapt technologically during the COVID-19 pandemic -- an example being his speaking to our club from afar via Zoom -- saying the approach should continue and be combined with the best of our past practices as Rotary seeks to grow and increase engagement.
He says, “We have learned there is a willingness within communities to care for one another, and we must ensure that we encourage people who have recently embraced the concept of volunteering to join us to allow them to continue giving service.”
The death of an off duty corrections officer, who was recently shot in a North Delta shopping mall, has led to protocols developed by Delta Police with local retailers about what to do in the event of a similar incident to protect themselves and their customers. Ladner Rotarian, Acting Sergeant Ken Kirk, provided this update at our club meeting on August 3rd. The theft of catalytic converters, especially from larger vehicles, has been increasing, now even in daylight from the middle of shopping malls, he reported. A driver can have their catalytic converter etched with their identification, through Delta Police Department, and a bike rider, their bike registered, in case of theft. Stolen property has been returned through that kind of system. Delta Police continues to serve, and work with, Tsawwassen First Nation, as well as all of Delta. Volunteers' contributing to community policing had dropped off during the past year or so of pandemic restrictions, but will be picking up again this Fall. Once again, Delta residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for any threats to security and safety and report them to police: "No call too small."
Dozens of families, among the more than 1,000 people suddenly forced to flee their homes in Lytton, BC when fire swept through most of the town on June 30th, so far have received from many Rotary members in this region $10,000 in gift cards plus $4,000 in fuel cards and supplies, as requested by leaders of the destroyed community. These funds are half of the total $28,000 in funds Rotary has raised to date for the BC Wild Fire Relief fund through the club in Steveston community of Richmond.
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self. After many months, Shirvan Bakhtiyari, of Millenium Pacific Greenhouses in Delta, received his Paul Harris Award on July 27, 2021.
After many months of active participation in Ladner Rotary projects, Pania Lincoln was finally sworn in as a new member, in person, on July 27, 2021. Welcome Pania.
With the global theme for 2021-22, “Serve to Change Lives,” Rotary Club of Ladner installed its new president, Denis Denischuk, and board of directors at a virtual ceremony on June 29, 2021, officiated by the 2021-22 Rotary District 5040 Governor for 50 of the Rotary clubs in BC, Lorne Calder, of the Rotary Club of Prince George. Ladner Rotary, now in its 64th year, will continue to build on projects for the community, such as the StoryWalk trail of reading stations for young children, the pantry for high school students who need nutritious food over weekends, events for special needs adults and the Ladner Rotary Splash Park.
Video review of the challenging, yet productive, 2020-21 year of Ladner Rotary during the pandemic, from community and international service projects to guest speakers from near and far.
Rotary's Raise A Flag program in South Delta has coincided with a period of national mourning with the discovery of remains of children from the Tk’emlùps te Secwèpemc First Nation in unmarked graves at the residential school in Kamloops, and more recently in Saskatchewan.
Planning and development of the Raise A Flag program, by the Rotary Clubs of Ladner and Tsawwassen, began months ago to provide a means for local residents and businesses to demonstrate national pride on special occasions, and raise funds for projects which contribute to our communities where there is need.
Denis Denischuk became the 64th President of the Rotary Club of Ladner at the Installation ceremony on June 29, 2021 as Rotary 5040 District Governor Elect Lorne Calder swore him in as well as the board of directors for 2021-22, effective July 1, 2021.
The Rotary Club of Ladner's Rotarian of the Year 2020-21 is Richard Shantz. Congratulations and thanks to Richard, who received a Paul Harris Fellow +7 Award pin, for: • member Satisfaction for Fundraising was rated in a recent survey at 77% (up from 59% in 2020); • Pumpkins for Polio fundraiser in October achieved, with matching grant, a total of US$2,580 which will save 857 children from the lifetime crippling disease of polio, even death; • Shred-A-Thon fundraisers in Fall and Spring raised $8,000 for 50 needy Delta families at Christmas, StoryWalk for thousands of children and families, and a food pantry for needy high school students; • flagpole rentals can lead to $12,000 to fund future community projects.
Team Ladner Rotary foursome played in the June 24th Delta Chamber of Commerce annual golf tournament at Tsawwassen Golf Club: Ulf Ottho; Richard Shantz; Brian Smith; John Thomas. Ulf won the award for coming closest to the "tooth", an award undoubtedly sponsored by a dentist or dental supply company.
Almost 300,000 members of Rotary, out of the total 1.2 million worldwide, in almost 9,000 clubs throughout 114 countries, are served by the Europe Africa Rotary office in Zürich, Switzerland. The office was been operating there since 1925, the earliest office after the headquarters in the Chicago area's Evanston, Illinois, which opened in 1911.
The President of the 40-member Interact Club at Delta Secondary School in Ladner, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner, and her fellow club member, presented a summary of their highly productive year despite pandemic restrictions.
Flag stands needed metal cutting and power grinding as the final phase of prep before distribution of the first round of Canadian flags on poles, out of three rounds this year, to those renting them in the Ladner area as a demonstration of national pride. Flagpoles at residences and businesses can be rented for one week around Canada Day, Labour Day and Remembrance Day for $60 each flag, on all three occasions, to support local community projects in the coming months. For more information.-- photos by Mike Storey
Delta's recently appointed Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Davey spoke to Ladner Rotary about the challenges and opportunities for policing in Delta. Deputy Chief Davey came from Vancouver Police Department where she served for 24 years. Latterly she was responsible for support services in the department’s investigations division. She is a recognized expert in mental health issues and has built innovative partnerships to help ensure those experiencing mental health challenges are not criminalized.
A Ladner Rotary work party attached 200 flags of Canada to 10-foot aluminum poles and prepared them for delivery to homes and businesses of people throughout Ladner subscribing to the Raise a Flag program for $60 to have them erected and removed for a week around Canada Day, Labour Day and Remembrance Day in displays of national pride. Proceeds from the program will support community service projects, along with the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen. -- photos by Chris and Penny Offer
To celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Ladner Pioneer May Days on May 29, 2021, Ladner Rotary entered the virtual parade then gathered for a virtual barbeque social to view the virtual parade and have some fun with a quiz about the Ladner and Delta community.
FortisBC is the owner and operator of the only two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in British Columbia. One is at Tilbury industrial park in Delta, where the company has run part of its operations since 1971. These facilities have a variety of special features designed for the safe handling of LNG—including sophisticated monitoring, control and alarm systems. Regular maintenance and upgrading of equipment, operator training, safety equipment and continuous process monitoring ensure safe operation.
Services to make our community of Ladner and Delta and better place to live will benefit when local residents and businesses celebrate with 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 three holidays in 2021.
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 around Canada Day, Remembrance Day, and Labour Day as a display of community and national pride for a donation of $60 for the season. Then they will remove the flags.
Freddie Marsh became a living kidney donor to his friend, Anna Maria, in 2015. Freddie is now an advocate for organ donation. He volunteers his time at BC Transplant to share his story. He spoke to the club with Tina from BC Transplant.
Rotary is committed in many ways to not only developing, but learning from, our next generation of leaders. We help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service. In serving our youth, Rotarians of all ages learn so much from them.
Rotary Club of Ladner sponsors the Interact Club – stands for “International + Action” -- at Delta Secondary School, in Ladner, for young people ages 12-18. From a small group of members at the start of the school year, the club grew quickly to upwards of 30 or more, despite the pandemic restrictions.
A small gathering of family, Rotarians and colleagues gathered in person to celebrate the life of District 5040 Governor Dave Hamilton, who passed away recently. The service was livestreamed and it was recorded. The service was a fitting tribute to a 30-year member of Rotary, who gave so much of himself in Service Above Self, to Rotary, the community and the lives of so many. Here are just a few comments at the service about Dave:
Traffic congestion has been an ongoing challenge for businesses and residents in Delta over many years. Businesses are struggling with the realities of unreliable travel times and are reluctant to develop to meet full potential. The best case scenario for replacement of the George Massey Tunnel is 7 to 8 years, but only once the provincial government finally has made a decision. The Delta Chamber of Commerce sees the need to engage with industry, government, and other stakeholders, particularly Translink and BC Transit, to help develop a comprehensive public transit service plan for Industrial Lands and Business Parks. The Chamber has developed a new Transportation Policy, which Chair of the Delta Chamber of Commerce, Rotarian Yvonne Anderson, presented to Ladner Rotary on April 27, 2021.
Rotarians from Ladner and Tsawwassen clubs lined 34b Avenue off Arthur Drive in Ladner by their cars, with flags of nations to wave for a video at the June 4-5 2021 virtual District 5040 Conference, in place of the normal part of the opening ceremony which would include international exchange students as flag bearers from around the world.
Captain Cook Rediscovered is the latest book by David Nicandri. It is the first modern study to frame Captain James Cook’s career from a North American perspective, recognizing that Cook sailed more miles in the high latitudes of all of the world’s oceans than in the tropical zone. The book focuses on Cook's voyages in seas and on lands usually neglected. The most famous protege of this world renowned explorer was Captain George Vancouver.
Rotary needs to grow more and do more with bigger, better and bolder projects, according to Rotary International President for 2021-22, Shekhar Mehta, of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, West Bengal, India. President Elect Shekhar spoke to 61 members of the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen on April 15 and Rotarians visiting from nearby clubs and from as far away as India and the Philippines.
Mehta says Rotary needs to become more contemporary and adaptable by focusing on partnerships with governments and corporations, expanding partnerships with organizations that specialize in Rotary’s areas of focus, and investing in technology.
By the end of his term as President, on June 30th, 2022, he hopes Rotary will have grown from its steady position of 1.2 million members to 1.3 million. Each member can aim to bring a new member to Rotary in the next 15 months and that can make the difference.
A plant-based lifestyle is far more than just a diet. The goal of West Vancouver-based PlantX is to educate the masses on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle and eliminate the barriers to entry for all. As PlantX co-founder, Sean Dollinger, describes the lifestyle on his company website, "It’s a way to be closer to nature, to each other, and work toward a kinder and cruelty-free future for everyone."
A collection of soccer cleats and books for children in the Philippines, which members of the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School collected in recent months, are now on their way by shipping container along with used medical and dental equipment for services in some communities. One Ladner Rotary member and six Interact members joined other Rotarians to load the container at a warehouse in Coquitlam on April 10. 2021. Ladner Rotary has provided $1,500 as one of the clubs sponsoring shipment of the container.
Children can read a story over the course of a trail of reading stations scheduled to open by this summer in Ladner. Some students at Delta Secondary School and their families, who need a hand up, will continue to receive food over weekends from a food pantry program. These two services to the community are being provided by Rotary Club of Ladner thanks to proceeds from a paper shredding fundraiser it organized on April 10th.
The South Delta residents and business people who showed up in 130 vehicles over four hours with boxes and bags of confidential and other documents to the shredding site behind the Delta TV/Eastlink building on Ladner Trunk Road, made the event a success with about $3,000 raised for the two community service projects.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are values which Rotary International Board Director and DEI Taskforce Chair Valarie Wafer has not only spoken about passionately over many years, but has practiced in our own business. In 2021-22 Valarie, who will become Vice President of Rotary's 1.2 million member global network, says DEI aren't just the right values to practice, they are good for business. She will be serving on the RI board with fellow Ontario Rotarian Jennifer James, who in 2022 becomes the first female president in 117 years of Rotary International, considered the world's original service club. Valerie spoke to the Rotary Club of Ladner on April 6, 2021.
The StoryWalk outdoor reading trail for children and families is in production for Ladner with the aim of opening early this summer. StoryWalk is a collaborative project throughout Delta among the Delta Child and Youth Committee, Delta Literacy Outreach, City of Delta and the three Rotary clubs in Delta.
Almost six million children under the age of five die every year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation. As people of action, Rotarians have been working with authorities in various countries to prevent those deaths. They have also been working on reducing maternal deaths by 30% through family planning and ultimately empowering women.
Poverty and hunger can be alleviated if mothers are empowered and healthy, and in turn, their families. Thanks to the Rotary Foundation, communities receive the help and training they need to take control of their own maternal and infant health care.
Ladner Rotarians Chris and Penny Offer are featured in the April 2021 issue of Rotary Canada magazine. Both are Past District 5040 Governors and have held, and continue to hold, national and international leadership positions in Rotary.
Members of the Rotary Club of Ladner are people of action. They engage in service above self to make our community a better place......and our world. Members spoke up in a survey last Spring. The club has acted on those priorities, despite the pandemic. Here are some highlights.
Lynn Cameron and Graham Witcher are two members of Rotary Club of Ladner who have seen much of the world and bring their life's experience, sense of humour and commitment as people of action to service above self. They, like our fellow members, make Rotary such a positive experience of friendship in working with other members in fellowship.
For the past 15 years, Constable Mike Grandia has been a member of Delta police where he is assigned to the Youth Services Team working with "high risk" youth. In recent years Constable Grandia has been a leader in the youth program developed with Tsawwassen First Nation where he was the Delta Police liaison officer and where he continues to work with youth. Now his team is working on implementing a similar program for urban setting in local communities.
StoryWalk® is a way for children to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. It is one of the projects to be supported by proceeds from the Ladner Rotary Shred-A-Thon fundraiser on Saturday, April 10th. Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to wooden platforms on wooden posts, which are installed along an outdoor trail. As children stroll down the trail with their families and friends they are directed to the next pages in the story at the next station. The Delta Child and Youth Committee is working with the Rotary Club of Ladner on a StoryWalk for Ladner, and one each with the two other Rotary clubs in Delta and the City of Delta, for an expected launch possibly this summer.
The Shred-A-Thon will also support a program to feed families of high school students in need on weekends just started at Delta Secondary School in Ladner. Rotary Club of Ladner is sponsoring a School Grocery Pantry to provide students of families in need with nutritious food to take home for wholesome meals to help their learning at school. Save-On-Foods in Ladner is providing the food at “food bank prices”.
The Fraser River is the 11th largest river in Canada. In their new coffee-table book, "The Fraser, River of Life and Legend," Carol and Rick Blacklaws raise the profile of its rugged and wild beauty, capturing over 20 years of exploring the river and some of its life and history, from the Cariboo region to the Strait of Georgia. The Blackwells -- whose son became a river guide, and who named his own son Fraser -- wanted to recognize the Fraser as a rich resource for most of us in the province, because, in many places, it is only accessible on backroads or river rafts by those who work on the river.
Residential consumers of water in Canada use over 340 litres per person per day. That’s roughly twice as much per person as in other industrialized countries, other than the United States and Australia. Those of us fortunate to be living in this country of ours, and this province, may take our supply of fresh water for granted, and the sanitation facilities which come with our high standard of living. In other, less fortunate places on Earth, water may be delivered to communities through expensive processes such as desalination or complex recycling. Water is a vital, and can be a scarce, resource.
Rotary Club of Ladner salutes women who are members in this club and among millions of Rotarians worldwide on International Women’s Day, on March 8 -- a day to join voices with people around the world around the message, “Women’s rights are human rights!” It is time to celebrate all women, in all their diversities. We embrace their facets and intersections of faith, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual identity, or disability. We celebrate those who came before us, those who stand beside us now, and those who will come after. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements of women, whether social, political, economic or cultural.
Over 776 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population. In 1985, Rotary declared basic literacy to be a pre-condition for the development of peace. Early literacy training is critical to the success of a child's later education. So Rotarians work worldwide with children, parents, and educators to encourage and build reading skills at an early age for the life and fulfillment of each child and their community, the avoidance of conflict and building of peace.
Presidente Luis Seguel of Ladner Rotary's sister club, Rotary Club of Temuco Norte, in Temuco, Chile sends his greetings to our club along with those of his club. They shared a video clip with a report from TVN, the public national tv channel in Chile. President Seguel and some members of the club are shown donating wheelchairs needed in the community. This event, was done to highlight the 116 years of Rotary international, on February 23. As our honourary member in Santiago, Patricio Ramirez, says this presentation was, "An excellent way to show the citizens of this country the great social and community work done by Rotary International." Congratulations, Presidente Seguel and members of Temuco Norte Rotary.
Rotary Club of Ladner, one of 34,000 clubs in 200 countries and territories of 1.2 million members in Rotary International, celebrated the 116th Anniversary of now the world's oldest and second largest service organization on February 23, 2021. The date is known as World Peace and Understanding Day. Club members enjoyed a virtual tour of the Rotary International headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois.
Rotaract is Rotary for young professionals and college/university students, aged 18 to 30+ years. There are 203,298 Rotaractors in 10,698 Rotaract clubs in 180 countries worldwide.
At the 2019 Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, then Rotary International President Barry Rassin presented Rotaract leader, Phoenix MacLaren, with the Rotary International Award of Honor for helping lead her District into increasing overall membership by 150%. Phoenix talks about Rotary on February 23, 2021, the 116th Anniversary of Rotary.
One of the biggest teams showed up for the periodic street clean up of Arthur Drive on February 20, 2021. Thank you to the 12 who picked up bags of anything from cigarette butts and candy wrappers to drinking cups and straws scattered along the sides of the road and under hedges along Arthur Drive, from its start at the intersection with Ladner Trunk Road along to 44th Avenue, under the City of Delta's Adopt-A-Street program. -- photos by Chris Offer and stock shot by Alamay
Rotary Club of Ladner collaborated with the North Delta Rotary Club which requested our assistance in delivering 180 free dictionaries to elementary students in South Delta. North Delta Rotary has managed this project in recent years through in-person visit to the schools, not possible because of pandemic restrictions.
The international Dictionary Project aims to assist school students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn, so the focus is on elementary school children in the third grade.
Food Plant Solutions Rotarian Action Group (FPSRAG) is a dynamic project that focuses on addressing malnutrition, hunger and food security using readily available local food plants.
FPSRAG creates educational resources to help people, particularly women, understand the connection between plant selection and nutrition. It empowers them to grow a range of plants with differing seasonal requirements and maturities.
26 Ladner Rotarians and partners gathered over dinner, to celebrate the Lunar or Chinese New Year, as usual, or not.....via zoom. Gung Hey Fat Choy. Thank you, Chris Offer. Guillermo and Paulette read fortune cookie fortunes for some of us. We gave toasts as we start the Year of the Ox. The event included two breakout sessions in smaller groups.
Former Chair of the Delta Foundation Noel Philippot received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Club of Ladner, which founded the Foundation in 1986 for his service above self to the Delta community as board director and chair of the Delta Foundation over several years.
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self.
Dr. Gordon McInally Gordon, of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland, spoke to Ladner Rotary on February 9, 2021 from his home in Scotland about “Scotland Today”. Gordon is the past president of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and has served on the Rotary International board of directors.
Conflict and violence displace millions of people each year. 90 percent of those killed in conflicts are civilians and half of those are children. Often conflict starts and continues over long periods in competition for dwindling resources and as environmental changes force people to migrate.
Volatile rainfall and temperature trends in many parts of the world have exerted significant pressure on available land, water and food resources leading to diminishing food stocks, inadequate water supply, mass migration and desertification.
Rotary aims to look beyond the temporary cessation of violence in many parts of the world. There is a need to identify over the longer term conditions that lead to conflict management and mutual cooperation among those who have previously been adversaries.
While the world hopes for peace, Rotary International works to make it a reality by training the next generation of peace leaders.
The Rotary Club of Ladner, and the Rotary Clubs of Tsawwassen and North Delta, are now recruiting local, Delta candidates for the Rotary Peace Fellowship, a program that gives up to 130 fellows the opportunity to obtain professional development certificates or master’s degrees in Peace and Conflict Resolution from one of seven universities around the world.
“Today, there are still far too few mediators who are experienced practitioners in conflict resolution. There is an urgent need to produce another generation of people who can play a mediating role in the future,” said Professor Paul Rogers, University of Bradford, in the United Kingdom. “This program is the most significant development in graduate work in conflict resolution in decades.”
When the Mission to Seafarers began in the 1830s, at the port of Bristol, England, the goal was then, as it is today, "to care for the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of all seafarers and their families." Seafarers, who run the container ships and other cargo ships, bring us 90% of what we have in our typical households and lives. In doing that, they are isolated from their families and the rest of society spending many months at sea, sometimes 12 to 16 months and more.
The Mission to Seafarers is a ministry of 'presence' and 'hospitality' by leaders in different faiths visiting seafarers on their ship, listening and letting them know we care, by providing centres a 'home away from home' where they can go and relax, speak with family, watch TV, play pool, send money home, buy a snack or two. We provide transportation to take them to the centre or to the mall. The Mission also advocates for seafarers, keeping a watchful eye on conditions on board and helping them know their rights.
Dalell Amed, of Village Farms, came to this community from Mexico. Pania Lincoln, of Pure Sunfarms, came from New Zealand. They both give their classification presentations so we can learn more about them as our newer members.
A team of Ladner Rotarians, with some from Pure Sunfarms, took down the outdoor Christmas lights and decorations at Delta Hospital on January 17th. The lights and decorations, installed in early December, were appreciated:
" Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society would like to send out an enormous thank you to the Rotary Club of Ladner for putting up the Christmas Lights at Delta Hospital this year. Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society would also like to thank Pure Sun Farms for donating not only their valuable time to help the Rotary Club in putting up the lights but for also donating new lights to the existing lights for Delta Hospital. The lights have definitely sparked the festive spirit in everyone at the hospital. Thank you, Rotary Club of Ladner and Pure Sun Farms for helping spread the holiday spirit!"
One of the main facilities of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port system, is in Delta. Deltaport is a deep sea port for companies shipping containers and coal, amounting to much of the activity in the system. Tanya Hawke provides an overview on port operations in Delta and an update on the proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project.
Coast Mental Health (CMH) believes that people living with mental challenges can thrive in our communities if they are given the right resources: housing, support services and employment and education opportunities. With compassion and courage, recovery from mental illness is possible when clients take the lead in their recovery, working with the team at CMH. Port Moody Rotarian, Darrell Burnham, speaks about the impact of Covid-19 and the opioid crisis on our community.
Our long-time club member and Rotarian of 58 years, Michael Cruise, suddenly passed away at age 95 at Waterford Delta, in Tsawwassen, where he had recently moved. He had contracted the COVID-19 virus and was in isolation, but was not suffering serious effects as some have done. Michael was a Past District 5040 Governor (1995-96) and a Paul Harris Fellow, who made many contributions to Rotary over the years here in this community, this province and overseas. Michael’s wife Beryl died in 2018.
As we all suffer the hardship of this pandemic in one way or another, we are inspired by the best in generosity and creativity among people in our communities. We are sometimes ashamed or disgusted by the poor judgment and bad behaviour of far fewer people among us in public and private life.
One way to describe many of the kind of supportive, caring actions of volunteers among us is vocational service. That is the essence of any service club: "service above self" to make the community and the world a better place, by working with integrity and contributing expertise to the problems and needs of society.
Ladner Rotarian and Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer appears in the January 2021 edition of the international Rotary Magazine. He has also been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Rotary Foundation Canada.
Optometrist Dr. Joan Hansen, a member of Tsawwassen Rotary, tells us about the four common problems with eyesight for those aged 40-50 years and more. It's important to understand these challenges as 80% of what we learn comes through our eyes, she says.
About 70 people in the South Delta Family and Peer Support Group for special needs adults were delighted to receive full Christmas dinners from the White Spot in Tsawwassen and gifts, all sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner, thanks to organizers and delivery teams on Sunday, December 20, 2020. This home delivery distribution replaced the normal evening of dinner and entertainment for the Group at the Ladner Community Centre because of pandemic restrictions.
A wide range of performers, among members in the 50 clubs of our District 5040, put on a virtual Christmas Concert, hosted by District Governor Dave Hamilton and thanks to the organizing by Past District Governor Darcy Long, Santa Charbonneau and team. Despite the technical limitations of Zoom the performances shone through.
Special visitors helped Rotary Club of Ladner celebrate Christmas in a fun way, including Santa Claus, himself, the Prime Minister, plus Rotary District 5040 Governor Dave Hamilton, District Governor Nominee John Berry and Assistant Governor Dean Hseih. Special thank you to Chris Offer for our Christmas production 2020.
The 25 families supported by Delta Secondary School students in a festive season food drive, and the South Delta Food Bank, will receive the 1,750 food and toiletry items as well as over $2000 in cash and gift cards for the purchase of food, thanks to the students’ and school staff’s “Twenty Days of Giving" campaign. The 42 student members of the school’s Interact Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner, played a significant part in the campaign by hosting a community Drive-Thru Donation event in the school parking lot on December 1st.
Patients in the 58 acute care beds, outpatients, 92 long term care residents, their visitors and the more than 110 hospital and medical staff at Delta Hospital are getting a lift from the Christmas lights now brightening up the main entrance and the Healing Garden at the hospital's central courtyard. A team of 10 Rotary Club of Ladner members, including several from Pure Sunfarms, put up the lights and seasonal figures over the past weekend.
Treasurer for Rotary Zone 32 (includes most states in the Northeastern USA), Past District 7500 Governor, leader trainer and Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation, Horton Hickerson, spoke to Ladner Rotary from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He advises clubs to take new approaches to meeting, such as using Zoom, and blend with in person meetings when safe to do so indoors. Rotary could not only adapt to the pandemic by using newer technology to apply to traditional formats for meeting, it could be developing new ways to do new things in service to the community and the world.
Rotary Club of Ladner looked back on the 2019-20 year, with the theme, “Rotary Connects the World,” and looked forward to 2021-22 with the election of its new board of directors at the club's Annual General Meeting on December 1, 2020. In the past Rotary year, club President Bridget Jacob and the Board of Directors encouraged greater connections between club members, our local communities and Rotarians around the world. The year of connections then evolved into the year of the pandemic necessitating a complete reimagining of how Rotarians, People of Action, could in fact “connect”. As we Rotarians rose to the challenge and, despite the pandemic restrictions, by the end of the Rotary year our club was able to achieve the Gold level international Presidential Citation and special recognition for our Polio contributions.
Vancouver's Women in Blue is a tribute to the 125 women who have served the Vancouver Police from 1904 to 1975, from their early roles as matrons and, after a long, slow course, eventually as police constables.
In 1904 Mata Raymond was the first woman Vancouver Police hired as a matron to supervise women in jail. In 1912, Canada’s first two women started serving as full constables on active duty. In the mid-1930s women continued to double as police constables and matrons. It wasn’t until 1973 that Sharon Smith was the first female constable to be sent out in a patrol car with a male partner.
Founded over 100 years ago, The Rotary Foundation is recognized by international foundation rating organizations as one of the world’s most trusted and effective foundations. It is the foundation for Rotary International, the world’s original service club. Over time it has spent more than US$4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. It is the powerhouse behind many of Rotary’s contributions to communities here at home, such as the Ladner Rotary Splash Park, and around the world.
Members of the three Rotary clubs in Delta, including the original Rotary Club of Ladner, throughout BC and around the world raise funds for, and donate to, The Rotary Foundation because as little as 60 cents can protect a child from polio, $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness and $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.
Paul Engleman is a Chicago-based freelance writer who is a frequent contributor to the Rotary magazine and Contributing Editor for Rotary Canada magazine. He is also an award-winning novelist whose articles, essays, and interviews have appeared in many publications, including the New York Times and Playboy. Paul is a polio survivor.
Eight Ladner Rotarians shared stories about their family members who served or were serving their country in the military as a salute to all those who lost their lives, limbs and peace of mind in that service on the occasion of Remembrance Day. As Ladner Rotarian Rev. Graham Witcher says about sacrifice: "to make something holy by giving it away for love."
E-Comm is the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers in 25 regional districts in British Columbia. It handles over 1.8 million 9-1-1 calls a year. That amounts to 99 percent of B.C.’s 9-1-1 call volume.
E-Comm 9-1-1 emerged from the chaos in coordinating first responders during the 1994 Stanley Cup Riots in Vancouver, as a multi-municipality agency which provides emergency communications operations for the province. The company coordinates 9-1-1 service for police, fire, and ambulance service, providing call-taking and dispatch services for multiple agencies in the Lower Mainland area.
Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Ladner Bridget Jacob receives at a social distance an award from the club for her service as President in 2019-20, presented by current President Peter Roaf.
On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), Canada is celebrating our nation's role as a founding member and a contributor to world peace with its 2020 $1 circulation coin.
Canada was one of 51 countries which founded the United Nations in October 1945. As one of the most “international” organizations in the world of the day, Rotary played an active role in the drafting of the United Nations Charter in 1945 in San Francisco.
A large segment of the population is retiring, displaced workers are seeking employment and new skills, and vast numbers of young, diverse, and underrepresented workers are joining the workforce. The construction industry needs to ensure effective transfer of knowledge to keep up with this churn of change.
Successful mentorship is a critical element in building a high-quality workforce and has been shown to positively affect productivity, safety, quality, and client relations on the job.
SkillPlan has developed and implemented an industry-proven mentorship model for the construction industry that can also transfer well to other settings.
On World Polio Day, October 24th, the proceeds from Rotary Club of Ladner's Pumpkins for Polio sales event will spare 857 children in the world under the age of 5 years from a lifetime of being crippled, sometimes severely, and even death, because of polio. Those children can survive and grow up to be healthy, fully active adults because every US$3 raised will protect a child from polio with oral vaccines, given the event's having raised US$860, which will be matched twice by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for a total of US$2,580.
Mike McGovern, who is Rotary's Chair of the International PolioPlus Committee, gave an update on the global campaign to rid the world of the life crippling and sometimes deadly disease of polio. His committee directs all regional and international PolioPlus committees, coordinates all PolioPlus elements, and develops policies and strategies to achieve polio eradication. The committee’s responsibilities include Rotary's allocation of US$150 million annually for polio eradication around the world.
The Langley Ukulele Ensemble started in the Langley School District during the 1970’s when the ukulele was incorporated as part of the music offerings in the District.
In 1980, Peter Luongo joined the group as an assistant director and assumed the lead role shortly thereafter. He has been the group’s director for all, or part of every year since. His efforts and infectious personality contributed greatly to the ongoing popularity of the instrument in schools and to the recognition of the community of Langley as the “Ukulele Capital of Canada.”
Our economy has suffered seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic and so have many individuals, families and organizations. We have been managing with what we have and helping out each other.
It is that much more meaningful to appreciate that nearly 800 million people in our world live on less than $1.90 a day. An estimated 2.6 million children under the age of five died from malnutrition-related causes. Those children are among the 1 in 9 people in the world, or 795 million people, who do not have enough to eat. Of the world’s hungry people 60% are women and girls. 70% of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihood.
Rotary members have been seeking sustainable solutions to poverty by providing training and access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities. The Rotary Foundation spent $9.2 million last year to grow local economies and reduce poverty.
Rotary Club of Tsawwassen member John Charbonneau, of The Mortgage Group, presents a perspective and some advice on mortgages and mortgage lending during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rotary Club of Ladner has received the international Rotary Citation for our performance in 2019-20, at the Gold level of Distinction, the second highest after Platinum.
The Rotary Citation is the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve. It is awarded for achieving goals such as increasing club membership, developing sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in the community.
That achievement came during a year that was challenging for many Rotarians around the world. Our club demonstrated a commitment to achieve its goals, which has ultimately helped strengthen Rotary and shape our future.
Congratulations to Ladner Rotarians as People of Action, for continued service above self to our community and our world.
Gold Distinction for Ladner Rotary in achieving international Rotary Citation
On September 29, 2020, Arthur Birk, our "don" as longest serving member of Rotary Club of Ladner, celebrated his 56th anniversary of membership in the club.
"Don Arturo" celebrates 56 years a member of Ladner Rotary
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system.
With the recent announcement of the World Health Organization that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of the African region, Rotary and its partners are celebrating this historic and vital step toward global eradication of polio, which is Rotary’s top priority.
To salute World Polio Day, on Saturday, October 24th, Rotary Club of Ladner is holding a “Pumpkins for Polio” sales events with entire proceeds going to the End Polio campaign: 10 am to 4 pm in the parking lot of Tsawwassen Mills mall.
For every US$3.00 donated to the campaign, a child is fully protected against polio and is given a chance to lead a fulfilling life and, when matched twice by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a total of three children is spared the life crippling, sometimes lethal, disease.
Next Vista for Learning is a free, web-based library of videos by, and for, teachers and students. Through his work with NextVista.org, based in Silicon Valley, California, as founder, executive director, and lead janitor, Jason Hurley, as a former teacher, has had the opportunity to speak to and train teachers all over the United States and beyond. Given his love for seeing new places, connecting with students and teachers across the globe, he has helped broaden the offerings of the NextVista.org library in many ways.
A section of Arthur Drive in Ladner, starting at the intersection with Ladner Trunk Road, is now tidied up for the Fall, thanks to a team of six club members who ventured into the rain on September 19, 2020 to pick up trash left over the summer. Arthur Birk, optimistic in his sunny weather gear, applied his dental skills to ensuring no scrap escaped his pincer pick up stick. -- photos by C. Offer and P. Roaf
Rotary Opens Opportunities as it keeps changing in service to our community and communities all over the world. Rotary District 5040 Governor Dave Hamilton, of the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, visited the Rotary Club of Ladner, one of 50 in the District. He was accompanied by Dean Hsieh, Assistant Governor for Delta and Richmond. The meeting was the first hybrid format meeting with 15 members and 4 guests at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn and eight joining the meeting by Zoom.
Among the 21 Rotary Districts across Canada, in our District 5040, of 50 clubs in Greater Vancouver and up the coast to Prince Rupert, per member giving to The Rotary Foundation of US$170 was second highest in 2019-20.
At Ladner Rotary's first in person meeting after several months of virtual ones, it was a happy reunion for some, but many are still missed. Protocols for health and safety were followed. The members were reminded about some of our recent achievements as a club, as a District of 50 clubs and as a global people of action group of 35,000 clubs and 1.2 million members.
This month parents and teachers face the complex challenge of returning children to a safe and secure environment in schools during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this setback, we are most fortunate to have access to the educational system we have here. Around the world more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.
an open air school
Rotarians strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy. They fight for literacy among adults so they can build better lives, build more peace and free themselves from those who control and oppress their communities.
A young man in Ethiopia, who struggled over many years to read and write, and yearned for an education, had been regarded as stupid and forced out of school at grade two, because he was blind. He put on eyeglasses for the first time and, as a new world opened up for him, said as a plea, now, “How can I learn?” His life might have been so much for fulfilling if he had eyeglasses when he was a child.
The second hand eyeglasses and professional help came to this man half way around the world thanks to the Third World Eye Care Society (TWECS), based in Burnaby, BC, founded by Optometrist Dr. Marina Roma-March.
Rotary and its partners are celebrating a monumental achievement with the announcement of the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 25, 2020 that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of its African region. This is a historic and vital step toward global eradication of polio, which is Rotary’s top priority. -- story by by Ryan Hyland
Most of us know so little about Canada's Arctic region, but Danny Catt, ecologist, teacher, world traveler, and internationally published photographer, took Ladner Rotarians on a visit there through his photography and knowledge from visits over the years.
From the age of 12, when she designed her first home, Sarah Gallop has demonstrated her passion for interior design. Today she is Principal Designer of Sarah Gallop Design Inc, of Delta, BC, a firm she founded in 2009, and now runs with her husband and a team of 10 others in architectural design as well as interior design for residences.
Delta Police Constable Dustin Classen spoke to Ladner Rotary about current fraud trends, including those targeting seniors and those emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is Constable Classen’s firm belief that we must continually educate ourselves and raise awareness amongst those in our community as the primary way we can have an impact on the invasive issue of fraudulent crime.
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience. Recent additions to the list of Rotary Fellowships are focused on bees and those who wear beards and moustaches.
Rotary Action Groups are independent, Rotary-affiliated groups made up of people from around the world who are experts in a particular field, such as economic development, peace, addiction prevention, the environment, or water. Action groups offer their technical expertise and support to help clubs plan and implement projects to increase our impact, one of Rotary's strategic priorities. This support includes helping clubs find partners, funding, and other resources. Action groups can also help clubs and districts prepare grant applications, conduct community assessments, and develop plans to monitor and evaluate their projects.
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self. This is the fourth time Guillermo Bustos has received this award.
The Rotary Foundation transforms our gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than US$4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International enables Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self.
Rotarian of 27 years and member of Sweden’s Parliament, Ann-Britt Åsebol, spoke to Ladner Rotary members from her home of Falun, in northern Sweden on July 21, 2020. After 25 years as a teacher, Ann-Britt, having appealed to politicians over many years for various changes, was encouraged to run for public office herself. She started her new career as a County councilor of Landstinget Dalarna. In 2010 she was elected one of 349 members of the Swedish Parliament where she has served on the Committee of Constitution, and Committees of Education, of Social Insurance, of Social welfare and of Culture. As a member of the Rotary Club of Falun Kopparvågen, Ann-Britt also served as a Rotary International Director 2012-14, as one of the first women to be elected to the RI Board.
Ladner Rotarians gathered for an impromptu "Coffee in the Park" on Saturday morning to catch up in person, at long last. The gathering, organized by Chris Offer, at Rotary Park next to Delta City Hall, abided by social distancing. Mayor George Harvie dropped in to say hello.
Walt Hayward indicates how much he enjoyed the event
This year retired dentist, Dr. Arthur Birk, celebrates 50 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Ladner. Congratulations, Arthur, and thank you for your many years of service to our club and community.
Mamas for Mamas aims to change the landscape of poverty through innovative approaches to financial barriers faced by mothers, caregivers and women in crisis. The national organization, founded in Kelowna and now operating in Delta, is working with multiple levels of government and non-profit agencies, to change systems that contribute to the vicious cycle of poverty, mental health issues, housing, and food insecurity. At the same time, it supports struggling families with a hand up, providing essential needs of food, affordable housing and education. See the previous story on Mamas for Mamas.
StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. Storywalks are proposed for Delta.
StoryWalks® have been installed in Canada, the United States, Germany, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea.
“Rotary Opens Opportunities.” That’s the theme for Rotary in 2020-21. Yet, for over its 63 years, Rotary Club of Ladner has been continually opening opportunities for its members, for our community and for our world. We are building relationships with other organizations near and far, and with the people in them as they too serve our community, they with us, and we with them.
Peter Roaf, President, Rotary Club of Ladner, 2020-21
That theme was experienced as Rotary Club of Ladner installed its new board of directors for 2020-21 at a virtual ceremony on June 30, 2020, officiated by the 2020-21 District 5040 Governor for 50 for the Rotary clubs in BC, Dave Hamilton.
Congratulations to Whitby Sunrise Rotarian Steve Rutledge on receiving the District 7070 Dr. Bob Scott Award in Disease Prevention on June 30, 2020. Steve recently presented an update to Ladner Rotary about Adopt A Village Laos, a program he has led for many years and which has made a significant contribution to disease prevention and treatment.
Rotary Club of Ladner, which includes among us his sister, Dawn Rutledge Brennen, joins Rotary Whitby Sunrise Club in congratulating Steve on this well deserved honour. #rotarywhitbysunrise #rotary7070
Disease Prevention and Treatment honour for Steve Rutledge
Delta Optimist circulates every week 17,000 newspapers in South Delta. The online version of the newspaper reaches 400,000 to 500,000 views a month. Among the community newspapers in Canada, the Optimist has 1,300 voluntary subscriptions, at $50 per year, from people who want to support the newspaper, which is among the highest in Canada among community newspapers.
Matt Blair, Publisher and General Manager of the Delta Optimist, who replaced Rotarian Dave Hamilton on his retirement in the past several months, spoke to Ladner Rotary about the value of community news in trying times.
Adopt A Village Laos, partially sponsored by Rotary Club of Ladner, has brought water filters to each of the families in each of the small, remote villages of the impoverished, Southeast Asia nation of Laos. The program has also delivered water dam and pipeline systems, electricity, school and health supplies to these villages. There are now over 45 villages with filtered water serving over 25,000 rural villagers. Adopt A Village Laos has achieved a positive impact on the lives of 4,000 people in the past year alone.
From her upbringing and start to her teaching career in Scotland incoming President Elect of Ladner Rotary in 2020-21, Ann Waldo, told club members about her adventures in education and married life throughout some remote areas of Canada. A Rotarian of almost 15 years, Ann recently joined the club from the Rotary Club of Sechelt.
For low income mothers and families raising children as they struggle with trying to make ends meet, all volunteer Mamas for Mamas, in Delta, welcomes relief of $8,000 to cover the cost of groceries, diapers, formula, counseling and the part-time, temporary hiring of somebody to deliver and pick up. Funding of $4,000 comes from the Rotary Club of Ladner, which resonated with Mama’s for Mama’s vision that no mother or caregiver, or child, is left behind, especially during this even more challenging period of COVID-19 restrictions. -- photo courtesy of Delta Optimist
On May 27, 2020, the following Delta organizations arranged a thank you to healthcare workers with a parade of almost 40 vehicles driving around the block of the Delta Hospital, led by a Delta Fire and Rescue truck, lights ablaze and sirens blaring:
A Rotary member for almost 45 years, Tsawwassen resident Bob Silvester recently joined Ladner Rotary from Rotary Club of Burnaby. In his "classification speech" to club members, so we could get to know him, Bob outlined a career in marketing for the printing business and then in the wine business.
Two Ladner Rotarians received District Governor Awards on May 24th at the Rotary District 5040 2020 Vision Roskars Awards, a virtual ceremony of awards presentations which normally would have been held at the District Conference in late April, but cancelled earlier in the year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One in three women in our world suffer from gender-based violence. During this COVID-19 pandemic there is estimated to be a 20 percent increase in reports of this form of violence. For every month our self isolation continues gender-based violence is expected to increase even more, by an estimated 15 million more cases. These are the chilling facts presented by Rotary Peace Fellow Will McInerney.
Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International have issued a joint statement in a collaborative approach to responding to the global pandemic crisis.
Ladner Rotary President Bridget Jacob, right, presents to Past District Governor Penny Offer a member of the month gift in recognition and thanks for her contributions to the club in leading a review of the bylaws, her district and international work and faithful attendance to support all of our club events, such as pumpkins for polio, summer barbecue and Christmas dinner event, among others.
Young leaders at Delta Secondary School, who make up the Ladner Rotary sponsored Interact Club, complete a productive year, despite the COVID-19 shut down, and look to a more productive one in the coming year. Interact Club President 2019-20 Nathan Senyard, and 2020-21 President Aish Wariya, spoke to Ladner Rotary members at a club meeting on May 12.
All members in our District now have the opportunity, through Zoom, to experience the inspiration and learn from the shared knowledge and wisdom of some of the leading speakers who were scheduled to speak at the cancelled 2020 Vision Conference in Vancouver in April.
The 2020 Vision Speakers Series will include five speakers, as scheduled below, including District Governor Bala Naidoo.
Conflict and violence displace millions of people each year. 90 percent of those killed in conflicts are civilians and half of those are children. Often conflict starts and continues over long periods in competition for dwindling resources and as environmental changes force people to migrate.
Fergal McCarthy, the Peace Programs Manager at Rotary International in Chicago, spoke to Ladner Rotary members and District 5040 Peace leaders on May 5, 2020. Prior to his role at Rotary, Fergal worked at the Rand Corporation in California, the Irish Prime Minister’s Office in Dublin Ireland as well as the Irish Foreign Ministry. He holds a BA in World Religions & Theology and an MPhil in International Peace Studies both from Trinity College Dublin, an MA in Comparative Ethnic Conflict Studies from Queens University Belfast, and an MSt in International Relations from the University of Cambridge.
In the middle of this year's international Immunization Week, polio survivor, Ann Lee Hussey spoke by Zoom to Ladner Rotary members about her passion for the global campaign to rid the world of polio, started by Rotary 35 years ago.
The African Ruggedized Educational System (ARES) has proven to be such a success in bringing the world's education to children in remote, rural communities of Africa, where there is limited access to books, paper and writing materials, and intermittent power and no access to the internet, it has now arrived in The Philippines.
The first mission of its kind, to introduce what has been called, "Asian Ruggedized Educational System (ARES)", happened in February as a joint International Service Project of the Rotary Club of Ladner and the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise. Ladner Rotary President Bridget Jacob, on behalf of this club as a sponsor, participated in the team visit to The Philippines and reported on the overall mission in a club meeting on Zoom April 21, 2020.
Elena Agala, of the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise, was the driving force behind the mission to distribute three ARES systems to schools and, as she has done for many years, to provide dental services to those in need in various communities.
Bonnie Sutherland, of the Rotary Club of North Delta, who also a member of the recent ARES team mission to The Philippines, started working in Africa in 1992 with her late husband, Don, both teachers in Delta. In Kenya they saw the great need for teachers and students and began shipping containers of books and other materials to Africa. ARES eventually emerged from this international service in education.
Businesses large and small and the millions of people who rely on them for their livelihood in BC and all across Canada are receiving some support from the three levels of government. We are all in this together. Executive Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce, Garry Shearer, outlines the role of the Chamber and the support coming to businesses in our community.
Our club is in good company worldwide in holding its weekly club meeting for the first time in 64 years as a virtual one on Zoom. 25 members were able to attend this first of a kind meeting, including three members who have been unable to join us regularly for a long time. There were few technical glitches and we all had a chance to connect. We are back to our weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom. More information to follow.
President Bridget Jacob chaired the meeting, with support from Chris Offer, who set up the Zoom meeting
Dr. Lisa Ghent,BSc, ND, a doctor in Naturopathic Medicine and clinic leader at Collaborative Wellness in Ladner, was personally drawn to naturopathic medicine over 10 years ago when a naturopath helped her and her husband have children after a struggle to become pregnant. The idea of really listening to people’s stories and treating them holistically to help guide them towards health became the appeal of this field of medicine. -- photos by Mel Baly
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self.
For her ongoing leadership in providing to Delta residents a wide range of courses in continuing education through Eldercollege, Paulette Tattersall received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary District 5040 Past District Governor Chris Offer to recognize extraordinary service above self. -- photo by Mel Baly
Highlights of the Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games 2010, which brought a collective thrill and sense of pride to our region, were recalled. -- photos by Mel Baly
My Le Dang, who recently joined Rotary Club of Ladner, is an excellent example of productivity and contribution to Canada through immigration, as she brings her skills in hydroponic farming and business accounting at the local company, Pure Sunfarms, from Vietnam to Delta. She tells club members about herself in her new member "classification speech." Welcome, My.
Paul Harris Fellow honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. Honourees may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation or may be recognized with this award by their club for extraordinary service above self.
Little House Society, which offers clinical services, education and drug prevention strategies in Delta, has received a bookcase from Rotary Club of Ladner, and on February 7 some club members gathered at the home of Irene Forcier to donate books for the bookcase and add stickers, “Donated by Ladner Rotary,” on the inside cover. The books will provide some comfort to those visiting Little House in Tsawwassen. -- photos by Penny Offer
President Bridget Jacob presents the Member of the Month Award to Past District Governor Chris Offer for his many contributions to the Rotary Club of Ladner, on top of the many he continues to make at the District, Zone and International levels, for The Rotary Foundation and Peace Building, among others.
"Rotary Get Inspired Talks" on May 23, 2020 aims to inspire attendees to take action and make the necessary changes to improve their lives and communities. In partnership between our Rotary District 5040 and "Get Inspired Talks" the event is part of an overall strategy to attract new members to Rotary.
New member, Financial Consultant Kreesan Naidoo, with Investors Group Financial Services Inc., talked to club members on January 21 about his life at home and on the job.
The Christmas celebrations of more than 500 lower income families and seniors throughout Delta were made a little brighter on December 21 when they received food hampers, each with a turkey, root vegetables, canned goods, macaroni and cheese, cranberries, cookies, candy canes and bread. Rotary Club of Ladner representatives joined Deltassist and many other service organizations in the annual Christmas hamper food distribution.
Fun, festive music, a wine lottery draw and tasty food made a delightful mix for the Ladner Rotary Christmas lunch on December 17, 2019. -- photos by Chris Offer
The three Rotary clubs in Delta -- Ladner, Tsawwassen and North Delta -- have sponsored six sets of new road signs for entrances to the three communities, with support of the City of Delta.
Rotary has a long history of peacemaking. PDG Chris Offer was the club’s speaker on Dec. 10th. He explained how Rotary is using the Positive Peace model to assist clubs and districts to expand their peacebuilding capacity.
Financial Consultant Kreesan Naidoo has just been inducted as a member of Rotary Club of Ladner. The induction ceremony was all the more special when Rotary District 5040 District Governor Bala Naidoo, Kreesan's father, officiated. Club President Bridget Jacob pins Kreesan as part of the ceremony. photos by Mel Baly
Take thousands of coloured lights, hundreds of cups of hot chocolate, dozens of children’s craft trappings, add a fire truck bringing a special guest and you have a very successful Christmas festival.
Over 70 million children in the world are too poor to go to school. This is not a third world problem, it's a world problem. Conventional approaches are not working. New approaches are needed. Amarok Society brings a revolutionary solution to a chronic humanitarian problem.
The third annual South Delta Drum Festival was held on November 17, 2019, at the Genesis Theatre in Ladner.
The Festival featured some of the industry’s best drummers. DSS students supported the event by assisting with staging. A variety of types and styles of drums were on display and played.
Featured performers/instructors included Craig Scott (big band and jazz drumming), Julia Geaman (metal drumming) and Mike Michalkow (drum set artistry).
Festival organizer Rick Klemm said, “We have more sponsors this year, the Ladner Rotary Club donated funds, which is very kind of them, so it’s going really well,”
Delta School District #37 is focused on achieving its vision of becoming a "Leading District in Innovative Teaching and Learner Success", according to School Superintendent Doug Sheppard. The District's focus on questioning and inquiry as methods of investigating both student learning and educator practice is central to the achievement of this work.
Rotary Club of Ladner welcomed Ann Waldo as a new member, transferring from the Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast Sechelt. Ann moved to Sechelt from Peachland, BC in 2006 after retiring from a career as a teacher and school administrator. Her husband, George, had been mayor of Peachland. Ann joined the Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast Sechelt in 2007. She served on a variety of club committees and as club president. In 2018 after the death of her husband she moved to Delta to be close to family. -- photos by Chris Offer
At the Remembrance Day parade and cenotaph service in Ladner on November 11, 2019, to honour those who gave their lives and were wounded, in wars over the past century, members of Rotary clubs in Ladner and Tsawwassen, and of the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School, joined hundreds of people in military, first responder and community organizations and from Delta to participate in the solemn ceremony. -- photos by Chris Offer
Remembrance Day, a national and international memorial to the millions of men and women in military service who lost their lives or were wounded in wars over the past 100+ years, was observed by Rotary Club of Ladner in advance of the actual day on November 11, 2019. To mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the hostilities of the First World War ended, Ladner Rotarians will march in the Remembrance Day parade through Ladner to join those from many organizations and Delta residents at the cenotaph in Memorial Park.
The global campaign to End Polio around the world, started by Rotary over 30 years ago, will receive proceeds from sales of pumpkins on October 22, ahead of World Polio Day on October 24, 2019. Rotary Club of Ladner members, Delta Police community volunteers and members of the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School joined forces in Pumpkins for Polio sales, at Ladner Leisure Centre, then at Delta Secondary School, where a pumpkin carving contest was included. Pumpkins donated by Westham Island Herb Farm, with thanks. -- photos by Chris Offer
With the approach of World Polio Day on October 24, 2019, Delta Mayor George Harvie announces at a City Council meeting Ladner Rotary's Pumpkins for Polio events on October 22.
Rotary International's contributions to its six global areas of focus have almost doubled over the past five years and approach $100 million. The Rotary Foundation has continued to grant funds to locally and regionally led Rotary projects around the world in the six areas of Maternal and Child Health, Water and Sanitation, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development. For example, Ladner Rotary led a project to bring running water over 6.5 km to a remote village in Laos where children and women now have more time to devote to school and community life.
Zosim Ettenbera was only six months old when she contracted polio. She managed to work her way past the crippling viral disease in her childhood and move on to a career in physiotherapy. Eventually she became Director of Rehabilitation Services at Langley Hospital. Her story, of battling not only polio, but later in life, cancer, is one of tremendous courage and determination, includes the recurrence of effects from her childhood affliction, with Post Polio Syndrome, which affects many adults decades later after what used to be called, "infantile paralysis (polio)" or poliomyelitis.
Preparing to light up a third 60-foot tree at Memorial Park in Ladner for the Christmas season, Ladner Rotarians met at the home of Walt Hayward to screw 1,500 coloured lightbulbs into 60 strings of tree lights. Rotary Club of Ladner is preparing for its second Christmas tree lighting and community celebration early in December.
Worldwide polio cases have dropped from 350,000 in 122 countries in 1988 to just 33 in two countries in 2018 – Pakistan and Afghanistan. Now the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease forever. Nigeria, the last polio endemic country in Africa, has passed the 3-year milestone without a case, and it is anticipated that the whole African Region will be declared polio free in 2020.
To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than 2.5 billion children around the world. Around the world, on October 24, 2019, Rotary International, foundations, governments and global health organizations are marking World Polio Day. To salute World Polio Day, Rotary Club of Ladner is holding “Pumpkins for Polio” sales events on Tuesday, October 22, with proceeds going entirely to the End Polio campaign: 10 am to 1 pm at Ladner Leisure Centre and 3:30 to 5:30 pm, including a pumpkin carving contest, at Delta Secondary School.
Among the 34 Rotary Districts across Canada, Northeastern United States and Bermuda, in Zones 24 and 32, representing 1,814 clubs, our District 5040 of 50 clubs was second highest per capita in giving to the campaign to End Polio worldwide at almost US$105,473. With 50 members Ladner Rotary comprises 3.3% of membership in District 5040, but our giving US$3,880 to this campaign in 2018-19 represented 4.6% of the total for District 5040. Congratulations and thank you to our generous members in our club and our District.
From the $2 million ladder truck and various other vehicles, to the dispatch system and living accommodations, Delta's Firehall 1, in Ladner and three firefighters hosted Ladner Rotary members on a field trip on September 24, 2019. The Rotary visitors not only learned about the various functions of the firehall, but about the fire and rescue system throughout Delta, including the new hall near Boundary Bay Airport and the top quality training facilities at that location.
Expanding the recreational enjoyment of Delta residents even further at Memorial Park in Ladner, after the official opening of the Ladner Rotary Splash Park in July 2018, the Rotary Club of Ladner and the City of Delta have collaborated once again by installing nearby three outdoor cooking grills and renovating the adjacent gazebo. -- photos by Chris Offer and Peter Roaf
Realtor Howard Wang (left), in his induction as a new member of Ladner Rotary on September 10, 2019, is given his membership pin by Ed Klassen, long time member of Ladner Rotary, who is also a member of our sister club in Mount Manganui, New Zealand.
Rotary District 5040 Past District Governor Sonia Baron, left, prepares to contribute 55 pairs of single lens glasses she has collected over the summer towards the collection being assembled for the Third World Eyecare Society, a Rotary supported projected based in Burnaby, by the time of the District's 2020 Vision Conference, April 24 to 26, 2020 in Vancouver. President Elect Diana Cabott is receiving the glasses with the collection box.
The 45 or so ElderCollege courses offered in spring and fall semesters are short and stimulating with no pressure and no exams. Paulette Tattersall, Program Coordinator, explains that ElderCollege Delta is a volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing life long learning and personal growth through a relaxed approach where no prior experience is necessary.
Leader of the Ladner Rotary Splash Park project, current leader of the adjacent Memorial Park addition of BBQ grill and gazebo renovation, first female and long time member of Ladner Rotary, Irene Forcier, was recognized as Rotarian of the Month on September 3, 2019.
One of three Delta Secondary School's graduates in Ladner at the end of June was Brandon Beeksma, who received a $500 scholarship from Tammy Hansen on behalf of the Rotary Club of Ladner. Brandon has planned a career in public service.
Toastmasters helps people find their voice through training in communication and leadership. Founded at roughly the same time with a similar spirit of service over 100 years ago, Rotary and Toastmasters are exploring how the two organizations can shape the next 100 years in a new, strategic alliance to unlock the great potential of members in both organizations and the world of service. -- photos by Chris Offer
Delta Clubhouse is a community of understanding, like-minded adults living with a mental illness who might share the same experiences. The Clubhouse welcomes people with mental health challenges and provides a safe, supportive environment where one can socialize, participate in fun recreational activities, learn employment skills, and increase community involvement.
The members of the Rotary Club of Ladner were out in force on Sunday, August 18, 2019, for the annual picnic for the South Delta Peer Support group. Fresh corn, hotdogs, salads, baked beans, and pie were menu highlights.
What do you get when you gather 30 would-be artists, lots of oil paint, a heap of brushes and one canvas? A unique and irreplaceable painting with the theme of “connections”.
Bridget Jacob, who was installed as the President of the Rotary Club of Ladner, along with her board of directors for 2019-20, speaks about the club and year ahead at the Installation ceremony on July 9, 2019.
Bridget Jacob was installed as the new 2019-20 President of the Rotary Club of Ladner at a dinner on July 9, 2019, along with her board of directors to the theme of "All That Jazz". -- photos by Chris Offer
From sponsoring water parks for children and their families, running a bathtub race, cleaning up a street, running a soap box derby event, shipping medical equipment to communities in other countries or supplying clean water in Southeast Asia where there is need, the two South Delta Rotary clubs in Ladner and Tsawwassen have generated an estimated total of 13,728 volunteer hours of service among their 130 members in the past year. According to calculations in a special Value of Rotary Volunteering report by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Civil Society Studies, the monetary value of that time devoted to local, regional and international projects is $308,880 since July 1, 2018.
Tsawwassen Rotary holds an annual Soapbox Derby for kids
A decade since Tsawwassen First Nation signed BC's first modern urban First Nations treaty, an overview of the nation today was presented at a lunch meeting in the TFN recreation centre hosted by the Rotary Club of Ladner on May 28, 2019. -- photos by Mel Baly and Chris Offer
A sample range of services to the community and the world provided by the Rotary Club of Ladner and Rotary International was on display at Memorial Park for the annual Ladner Pioneer May Days fair on May 25 and 26, 2019. A team of Ladner Rotarians and Delta Secondary School Interact Club members hosted the information booth over the two days. -- photos by Peter Roaf and Chris Offer
Ladner Rotary Splash Park, which Rotary Club of Ladner and City of Delta opened last July, was in full swing for the summer season with children and their families on Ladner Pioneer May Days Sunday, May 26.
Alumni of Ladner Rotary, friends and family joined members at a club sponsored social lunch on May 21, 2019, including Delta Councillor and former Mayor Lois Jackson, representatives of the Delta Chamber of Commerce, BC and Alberta Guide Dogs, Buoyant Creative and IS Creative Inc. among other organizations and featuring magician Bruce Hunt. -- photos by K-L Findlay, M. Baly, P. Roaf
A very dear friend to many in our Rotary District 5040, Past District Governor 2017-18 Don Evans, has passed away suddenly on May 20th. While travelling in South America, with his wife, Deb, and Deb's brother Mike, Don suffered a massive coronary. District Governor Darcy Long said on behalf of more than 1,400 Rotarians in 50 clubs of our District, that so many of us individually, our District and the Rotary World have lost a monumental force.
Darcy says, "Don's passion for not just Rotary but our Foundation, our clubs, and us as individuals was immense. He will be dearly missed."
Remote villages in Luang Prabang province of the southeastern Asia nation of Laos, still struggling after extensive destruction in the Vietnam War, have been receiving education facilities and supplies and clean water for more than 10 years from a Rotary initiated program, Adopt-A-Village, started by Steve Rutledge of the Rotary Club of Whitby, Ontario. For the past five years a team of Ladner Rotary members has joined Adopt-A-Village in Laos to deliver the water filters and education supplies. -- presented by Mike Storey, Diana Cabott Nimsick, Dawn Rutledge and Chris & Penny Offer
Delta Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business in Delta for almost 110 years. It is a federally-registered, non-profit corporation of businesses and community organizations originally established as the Delta Board of Trade in 1910 and became the Delta Chamber of Commerce in 1961. It is governed by the Board of Trade Act administered by Industry Canada.
New member, Charmaine Levan, who is a funeral director at Delta Funeral Home in Ladner, has fun with her husband, is proud of her daughter and granddaughter and family, in Ontario, originally Jamaica, sings in a trio and now a quartet, and has visited remote areas of Guatemala to rescue abandoned babies, children and vulnerable people. Her education is in social work and business. She loves her work because she is dealing with people and helping them in tough times.
The 15,000 residents of Pozo Almonte, a small community in northern Chile, are most grateful for a shipping container load of 284 items of needed medical and dental equipment and supplies sent through Rotary World Help (RWH) in February. RWH is a non-religious, non-political charity run by 45 Rotary clubs mainly in Rotary Districts 5040 and 5050, throughout Metro Vancouver, up the coast to Powell River, Prince George and as far away as Summeride, PEI. The Rotary Club of Ladner was the lead sponsor of this shipment, the 395th shipped to 62 countries on five continents since RWH was founded in 1993.
Public Image is an essential element in any club's strategy. Without it your club appears "dead" to the outside world. Public Relations builds Public Image. Public Relations Chair for Ladner Rotary and Rotary District 5040 Peter Roaf presents some of the key aspects in developing and acting on communication strategy.
Delta residents who want to connect and engage with others to make their community a better place to live can do something about it with a Neighbourhood Small Grant from the Delta Foundation.
Based on a simple but powerful idea – that everyone is a valuable member of the community and that we all have something to share — Neighbourhood Small Grants of $50 to $500 can enable local residents to strengthen their community by bringing people together, sharing their skills and knowledge, celebrating diversity, and increasing their sense of belonging.
On behalf of Rotary International President 2017-18 Ian Riseley, of Australia, District 5040 Governor 2017-18 Don Evans presented the Rotary Citation to the club on February 26, 2019 for developing sustainable service projects, building awareness of Rotary in the community, growing membership and giving to the international Rotary Foundation in 2017-18.
From the international Rotary Foundation, Ladner Rotary was also recognized for its extraordinary contribution to the campaign to End Polio Now: Countdown to History campaign.
Over time Adopt-A-Village has helped many thousands of people, mostly children, in small, remote villages of northern Laos, live healthier lives with access to clean water and, in turn, gain a valuable education to improve their lives. Providing water filters to these villages enables education support in that region, as the original aim of Adopt-A-Village, in a poor country still suffering the impact of the Vietnam War and struggling to look after its people.
For the past five years a team of Ladner Rotary members has joined Adopt-A-Village in Laos founder and Ontario Rotarian, Steve Rutledge, and several others from Canada, Italy and Denmark, to deliver the water filters and education supplies to the remote villages in Laos’s Luang Prabang province. -- story by Mike Storey, with Peter Roaf, and photos from Chris Offer, Mike Storey and multiple sources
In celebrating the 114th Anniversary of Rotary International on February 23, Past District Governor 2017-18 Don Evans entertained the club with some of his musical favourites on an electric piano, loaned by Ladner Rotarian Chu Wu at the club meeting on February 26, 2019.
Over time Adopt-A-Village has helped many thousands of people, mostly children, in small, remote villages of northern Laos, live healthier lives with access to clean water and, in turn, gain a valuable education to improve their lives. Providing water filters to these villages enables education support in that region, as the original aim of Adopt-A-Village, in a poor country still suffering the impact of the Vietnam War and struggling to look after its people.
For the past five years a team of Ladner Rotary members has joined Adopt-A-Village in Laos founder and Ontario Rotarian, Steve Rutledge, and several others from Canada, Italy and Denmark, to deliver the water filters and education supplies to the remote villages in Laos’s Luang Prabang province. -- story by Mike Storey, with Peter Roaf, and photos from Chris Offer, Mike Storey and multiple sources
Almost 20 years ago, discussions began about consolidating the many different, unconnected federal employee payroll systems scattered throughout the many government departments. The aim over the long term, of what has become known as the Phoenix payroll system, was to consolidate all the payroll systems in the various government departments into one overall system in one location. The system has proven to be a major failure.
In celebration of the Year of the Pig at Chinese New Year 2019, 30 Ladner Rotarians, family and friends gathered at the Ocean Palace Restaurant in South Ladner (Tsawwassen) on February 4, 2019 for a tasty, multi-course dinner and good cheer.
On starting in the car sales business long ago, having already committed to Rotary’s "4-way test" for truth and integrity, Gene Vickers asked the owner of the car dealership whether he could make it in the business if he was completely honest, contrary to the general perception of those in that field. The owner responded, “It’s the only way.” Eventually Gene ranked the top in car leasing at Ford dealerships in Western Canada in three different years.
Delta Police Pipe Band performed, along with highland dancers, at Robbie Burns Night in Ladner on January 25, 2019, at Sacred Heart Church hall in Ladner for 10 Ladner Rotarians and guests who dined on Haggis as part of the buffet dinner. -- Chris & Penny Offer photo & video
"Whenever I go doing my work in Africa, The Rotarians have been there before me. It Is very humbling thing to discover just exactly what "Service Above Self" adds up to when you see it in practice in the field" ~ Bono
One of Ladner Rotary's newest members, Brian Smith, a career foreign service officer and advisor on government, was born in Victoria, as one of five children of his pharmacist father and hospital dietician mother. -- photo Mel Baly
The Rotary Club of Ladner's "don", Dr. Arthur Birk, as longest serving member, receives a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award +1 (second one received) on January 15, 2019, from President Kerry-Lynne Findlay. -- photo Mel Baly
Two new members inducted into the Rotary Club of Ladner are Vocational Counselor with Delta Community Living Society, Sharrie Dahl, a returning Rotarian, and career foreign service officer and advisor on government, recently moved to Delta from Ottawa, Brian Smith. Participating in the ceremony were (l to r) Richard Shantz, Lynn Cameron, Brian Smith, President Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Sharrie Dahl, Past District Governor Penny Offer and Denis Denischuk. -- photo Mel Baly
Rotary clubs in General Santos, the southernmost city in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao, will be receiving medical and dental equipment, plus books and student desks for needy communities in the region, thanks to Rotary World Help, based in Metro Vancouver. -- photos by Peter Roaf and Drew Antrobus
The butterfly symbolizes the transition between life and death. It is used by many hospice societies world-wide, including the Delta Hospice Society, a community-based, non-profit charitable organization helping individuals and their families experiencing a life-threatening diagnosis, advanced illness or bereavement since 1991.
A turkey, root vegetables, canned goods, macaroni and cheese, cranberries, cookies, candy canes and bread are the contents of at least two boxes, sometimes three, that made up hampers delivered to over 550 lower income families and seniors throughout Delta on December 23 to make Christmas a little brighter.
As a busy and productive year draws to a close, Ladner Rotarians celebrate the Christmas season and look ahead to the new year at our annual festive season lunch. -- photos by Chris Offer
65 members of the Weekend Family & Peer Support Group, for special needs adults and their families in south Delta, received a traditional Christmas Dinner at the Ladner Community Centre hosted by 28 Ladner Rotarians and family members, plus exchange students from New Zealand on December 15, 2018. -- photos by Patricia Sibley
Rotary members have played a key role in bringing the world to the brink of polio eradication. Our members have not only helped end polio in 122 countries but also created a system for addressing many other health priorities, like Ebola. Rotary clubs lead efforts to fight diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. Clubs also focus on disease prevention by providing health education and bringing routine hearing, vision, and dental care to those in need. In December, Rotary’s Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, take action to fight disease in your community. Here are six ways to do that.
Rotary's longstanding commitment to fighting and preventing diseases
A little girl, sad that her family cat had not returned home, came with her family to the Ladner Rotary Christmas Tree Lighting event on December 7 and had a chance to make a personal appeal to Santa for her cat to return by Christmas.
Two young visitors from New Zealand, on exchange for three weeks, (centre left and right) Caitlin Fletcher and Brooklyn Tarik, are welcomed by President Kerry-Lynne Findlay and President Elect Bridget Jacob. -- photo by Mel Baly
ClubRunner is not only a valuable system to support the administration of our Rotary Club of Ladner, it is also a valuable tool for communications among members and with our community, enhanced through social media.
Arthur Drive, from the intersection with 48 Avenue in the centre of Ladner, down to Whitworth Crescent, is now cleaned up in time for Christmas thanks to a crew of seven Ladner Rotarians and two Delta Police Volunteers. The street cleaning is one of many community service projects of the Rotary Club of Ladner as a commitment three times-a-year to that stretch of the road under the City of Delta's Adopt-A-Street program. photos by Peter Roaf and Chris Offer
Wine Specialist, Sheldon Starrett, who recently joined Ladner Rotary, was born in Richmond, grew up in Ladner and finished his school years in Chilliwack. Having studied political science at KPU and then the University of Victoria, Sheldon joined the Progressive Conservative Party at a young age. His interest in politics took him to Ottawa where he served a term as a parliamentary intern. He has completed the first three levels of study through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.
The newly renovated medical centre in the fishing village of Panglao, on the island of Panglao, Bohol, the Philippines, will receive used medical equipment such as hospital beds, side tables, medicine carts, wheelchairs, emergency beds and cribs for children in a shipping container organized and loaded on November 17, 2018 by Rotary Club of Ladner members and others in clubs from Rotary Districts 5040 and 5050 in the Greater Vancouver area.
Also in the container, sponsored by Rotary World Help, which is supported by many Rotary clubs in this region, and, in this case, by the Rotary Club of Coquitlam Sunrise, are dental chairs, dental equipment and supplies, plus computers and books. The Rotary Club of Panglao is administering distribution of the equipment and supplies when the container arrives at its destination in the coming weeks. -- photos by Drew Antrobus
While the new Ladner Rotary Splash Park attracted thousands of visitors during the summer, the play area in Memorial Park is attracting many more for the festive season with the first annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 7th from 4pm to 7pm. The Rotary Club of Ladner, which is hosting this 1st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, invites the entire community to this year’s event to help celebrate and help create the magic of the Christmas season.
On the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I, Rotary Club of Ladner members joined those in the Tsawwassen club to honour the many thousands of young men and women who gave their lives or lost something of themselves in wars, then until now, so we could enjoy the basic democratic freedom we enjoy today. -- all photos by Chris Offer
After launching the global campaign to rid the world of polio 30 years ago, Rotary International has involved governments, foundations and global health organizations, to reduce the number of cases worldwide from 350,000 to 22, sparing billions of children over that time from this crippling lifetime disease. Leading up to World Polio Day on October 24, 2018, the City Council of Delta, BC, discusses the importance of this End Polio Now campaign.
An auction of a stay at Whistler condominium, another at the River Rock Casino Hotel, an elegant black jacket with gold First Nation's motif, and a power paint sprayer were among the items auctioned off to club members, generating $1,800 for Rotary's global End Polio Now campaign. These funds, to be matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will ultimately generate $5,400 (US $4,117) for the campaign.
Simran Walia, talks about the values of her family and the commitment of her father to public service and giving back to the community that shaped her years growing up in India, in her classification speech to Ladner Rotary members who learned more about her as a new member. She moved with family to Canada at age 17. Today she works for Samsung and serves on two advisory committees for the City of Delta. She is running for Delta Council in the October 20, 2018 municipal election. -- photo by Mel Baly
A Paul Harris +1 pin (second time presented), which recognizes members who have delivered extraordinary service above self or who may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation, is presented to New Generations Chair Tammy Hansen, right, by President Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
The Happy Liver Society of BC is a non-profit society focused on providing housing to support patients and their families from all over British Columbia as they need to travel to Vancouver General Hospital for a life-saving Liver Transplant.
Chris Offer demonstrates how keen he is about ClubRunner, the web system which supports this website and its communication and administration features, and those of our District and many clubs throughout Rotary, in wearing ClubRunner socks.
In the theme of Rotary for 2018-19, "Be the Inspiration," District Governor Darcy Long certainly proved to be that as she made her annual visit, with husband, Doug, to the Rotary Club of Ladner, one of 51 club visits in the District which began in the summer.
With 1,442 members on July 1, 2017 Rotary District 5040 grew by a net 29 new members to 1,471 by July 1, 2018. On behalf of the District, 2017-18 Governor Don Evans received recognition at the Rotary Zone conference in Montreal over the past weekend for the highest net gain in membership in Zone 24 West (Western Canada). Congratulations to all our 51 clubs, District board, Assistant Governors and membership committee.
At the Zone 24-32 Conference in Montreal, September 21st, PDG Don Evans, on behalf of D5040, received recognition for our contribution to PolioPlus during 2017-18. Highest total giving and highest per member giving in Zone 24W.
Rotarians have been investigating the late January early February 2019 Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) to the Philippines and are preparing to sign up. There is the option of a two week visit, or three week visit. 2019 will be a special centennial year for Rotary in the Philippines so RFE travellers could experience some special celebrations.
“Thinking about homeless youth who are cold and scared every night, who so often end up there for months, even years, because it is safer than where they were living,” Delta-based leadership, executive and life coach, Vicki Fenn, describes to Ladner Rotarians her joining many business and community leaders -- one seen here preparing for a night's sleep on the ground -- who volunteer to “Sleep Out” in downtown Vancouver on a cold November night to raise funds for Covenant House.
With a background in genocide prevention policy and finance through his studies in ethical institutional investment, Marc Schutzbank is now working through his organization, Fresh Roots, in partnership with Delta School District on a project called Farm Roots. Farm Roots educates grades 10 to 12 students in Delta to grow delicious foods in Tsawwassen on an 8-acre farm near Boundary Bay. Students can earn credits toward a degree at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Over 40 people, including 15 Ladner Rotarians, participated in the annual picnic hosted by Rotary Club of Ladner for the special needs adults' Weekend Family Peer Support Group in Rotary Park next to Delta City Hall on Sunday, August 19, 2018. The event included a bbq picnic lunch and games of boules, bean bag toss and horseshoes. Many members of the Group expressed their sincere appreciation to the club for the event which makes a difference in their lives.
Mike and Kathy Storey, with daughters and husbands, Jen and Lloyd and Crystal and Stephen, hosted 35 Rotarians and friends, plus 20 other friends and children, at their annual LuAu Hawaiian afternoon event poolside on August 11, with live music and a hosted and potluck feast. Good fun as always.
Children in India show their pinky fingers painted purple for a few days to indicate that they have received oral polio vaccination. Billions of children's lives around the world have been saved or spared the crippling, lifetime burden of polio since Rotary took the lead over 30 years ago in ridding the world of polio. We are almost there, but it will still take a massive effort of professional expertise and volunteer time and an estimated US$1.5 billion more to reach that goal. Rotary District 5040 Past District Governors, Chris Offer and Penny Offer, who are members of the Ladner club, explain the scope of the global campaign and their involvement in it.
Rotary Club of Ladner has recognized its President Elect, Bridget Jacob (right), as Rotarian of the Year for her outstanding service to the club and to Rotary. Bridget received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award from President Kerry-Lynne Findlay, on behalf of Past President Ulf Ottho, for her accomplishments over the past year. Award honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International, may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation, for which Bridget has been recognized in the past, or may be recognized by their club, as in this case, for extraordinary service above self.
Two women who have consistently demonstrated the essence of our philosophy, "service above self" are members of the Rotary Club of Ladner, Sonia Baron and Irene Forcier. They are two trail blazers, who, over the years, have exemplified the spirit of what it means to be engaged Rotarians, in conversation with fellow Ladner Rotarian Avis Glaze. -- photos by Mel Baly
Thousands of children and their families will splish splash their way through summer at no cost for many years to come with the opening of the Ladner Rotary Splash Park on July 14, 2018.
The Ladner Rotary outdoor movie night on July 13, 2018, drew 30 Rotarians and friends to the farmyard lawn of Walt Hayward to watch the film, The Bucket List, projected onto a screen attached to the side of one of the barns. It was a beautiful summer evening with tables filled with potluck appies and beverages.
Members of the Rotary Club of Ladner and friends in front of the Town and Country Inn at the last weekly event there after 46 years so the hotel can be demolished to make way for a planned casino. Ladner Rotary is moving its home base to the Coast Tsawwassen Inn. photo by Mel Baly
Stroke survivors in Delta have been receiving support from the Delta Stroke Recovery Society for the past 23 years. It's 50 members of wide ranging ages and ethnic backgrounds will gain 20 hours of speech therapy, almost 70 hours of physical training and hall rental for more than four years with the $4,000 from proceeds of the Rotary Club of Ladner's 2018 lottery calendar, with thanks to over 60 sponsors and the communities of Ladner and Tsawwassen.
Rubia Nigoski, Exchange Student from Brazil in 2004/2005 at the Rotary Club of Ladner, recently returned to the community with her husband, Roberto, and connected with John Thomas and family. Rubia, who has her own wedding dress company, and Roberto are seen here in Fred Gingel Park in Tsawwassen, overlooking the BC Ferry Terminal.
Brazilian Rotary exchange student returns for a visit
Stream of Dreams, an eco-education program which educates communities about their local watershed, rivers and streams, and encourages behavioural change to conserve and protect water is coming to Hawthorne Elementary School in Ladner. The Rotary Club of Ladner is supporting this new program with a donation of $1,500 from proceeds of sales of the club's 2018 lottery calendar, with thanks to over 60 sponsors and the communities of Ladner and Tsawwassen. Salmon decorated by children in a school program stream across a playground fence.
Vice President of the 1.2 million-member Rotary International, Dean Rohrs, right, installs the 2018-19 Governor of the 51 Rotary clubs in District 5040, from Greater Vancouver up the coast to Prince Rupert, Darcy Long (Sechelt), second right, and (l to r) Governor Elect Bala Naidoo (Burnaby), Governor Nominee Dave Hamilton (Delta) and Governor 2017-18 Don Evans (Vancouver) at a ceremony in Gibsons, BC, on June 16, 2018. photo by Brian Finley
51 Metro Vancouver and BC coast Rotary clubs install new Governor and team
Children in Ladner and Delta are about to have fun with their families, at no cost, when they visit the new Ladner Rotary Splash Park, thanks to sponsors like local greenhouse producer, Village Farms.
At-risk youth in Delta high schools are receiving more support in helping them steer clear of drugs, gangs and criminal violence and becoming more resilient in the face of challenges thanks to the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative and Delta Police. Receiving a donation of $5,000 from proceeds of the Rotary Club of Ladner's 2018 lottery calendar sales is Joe Calendino, executive director and a founder of YoBroYoGirl (3rd right) and Delta police constables (3rd left and 2nd right) Mike Grandia and Ladner Rotarian Ken Kirk. Presenting the cheque are Lynn Cameron and Bridget Jacob (left) and President Ulf Ottho (right). The donation will be used for equipment in local schools to operate the youth program.
Youth support group receives Rotary calendar lottery 2018 sales proceeds
Just before it opens for the community, the Ladner Rotary Splash Park (one of the features pictured) was the focus of Ladner Rotary's participation in the 122nd Ladner Pioneer Days fair and parade on May 26 & 27, 2018. Club members produced and marched with the float, hosted a two day information booth next to the splash park site and manned the barricades in the community to control local traffic during the parade. photos by Patricia Sibley, Chris Offer, Kerry-Lynne Findlay
Fishing was an essential industry in Ladner and area, in early days. Many of the farmers who established and built the farming industry were also fishermen. The Delta Fishing Heritage Society preserves and displays the unique history of the fishing industry of Delta and its important connection with the Fraser River Estuary.
The Government of Canada has just signed a generous pledge of Can$100 million to help eradicate polio in Afghanistan as well as in the two other endemic countries, Nigeria and Pakistan, and to continue to protect many polio-free countries. Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, had announced the pledge at the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta last June.
In addition to previous donations of Can$ 650 million, this most recent funding consists of Can$ 30 million to WHO and UNICEF to support programme activities in Afghanistan, and Can$ 70 million of flexible funding that can be used to support vaccination campaigns, rapid outbreak response, poliovirus surveillance and other critical eradication strategies and activities to reach every last child worldwide with a safe vaccine.
When a choosing a “safe” career or her dream, Dr. Patch Adams advised Professional Development Specialist and Training Consultant Dr. Vivian Ching, who also runs Happy Art, to stick to her passion and strength, art. She said why not do both?
Dr. Jack Taunton, long time Director of the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre at UBC has a spinal cord supported with a structure of metal parts. Yet he walked from Tsawwassen, where he recently moved, to the Delta Town and Country Inn to join Jody Mann, of Paris Orthotics, at a Ladner Rotary club meeting, in presenting on a sports medicine program in Uganda. Already the program is having such a beneficial impact on the lives of not only athletes who now learn how to avoid and treat sports injuries, but on many others who learn about the value to their health of regular exercise.
Janet Shantz has supported husband, Richard, as Rotarian, financial advisor and family man over many years in various Canadian communities and receives a Paul Harris Fellow Award in appreciation through Richard.
President Ulf Ottho pins Janet Shantz with a Paul Harris Fellow Award
A sunny evening on the water in Ladner at Speed's Pub attracted 16 Ladner Rotary members and two from Tsawwassen club for a Monday evening social thanks to Sandra O'Keeffe.
This summer local children and families will be having fun with water at the new Ladner Rotary Splash Park in Ladner’s Memorial Park thanks in part to a donation of $5,000 from Sunnyside Produce Ltd.
Millenium Greenhouses is supporting the new water play area in Ladner’s Memorial Park for local children and families with a generous donation of $3,000 to the new Ladner Rotary Splash Park opening this summer.
Founded in 1996, in Ladner, BC & Alberta Guide Dogs breeds, raises and professionally trains Guide Dogs for people who are blind/visually-impaired, and Autism Support Dogs for children with moderate to profound autism aged 3-10 and their families.
Guillermo Bustos, centre, receives this third, prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award on April 17, 2018, presented by Past President Walt Hayward, left, and President Ulf Ottho
Sandra O'Keeffe was one of the 10 Ladner Rotarians who formed a work party on Saturday morning, April 14, to clean up a two kilometre section of Arthur Drive, starting at the town centre intersection.
The lives of an estimated 11,460,000 women, men and children around the world have been improved in some way over the past 20 years since Rotary World Help started shipping containers of badly needed medical, dental and educational equipment and supplies from the Greater Vancouver area to now over 60 countries. Rotary World Help, of which the Rotary Club of Ladner is a member and active participant along with other clubs in Rotary Districts 5040 and 5050, has shipped to date 382 53-foot containers for an estimated replacement value of almost $134 million.
Houweling Nurseries is giving back to our community and its children and families with a generous donation of $5,000 to the new Ladner Rotary Splash Park opening this summer.
Hives for Humanity, supporting the bee population essential for crop farming in Delta, and a small business engaging residents in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, is supported by the Queen Bee Tea on Sunday, May 6, 2018. an early salute for Mother's Day. Join us 2:30 to 4:30 pm, Tsawwassen Springs ballroom to boost the bees, and moms.
Children and families will be enjoying the new Ladner Rotary Splash Park this summer, thanks in part to a generous donation of $5,000 from Westcoast Vegetables Ltd.
Little House Society is an addiction resource centre that offers clinical services, education and drug prevention strategies within the community of Delta. Delta Foundation has donated $2,500 to Little House to upgrade its website.
Walt Hayward and Carlene Lewall (left, 2nd left), of the Delta Foundation, present a cheque for $2,500 to Little House President, Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay (front row, 2nd right) and the Little House board of directors.-- photo Eleanor Calderwood
The Ladner Rotary Splash Park, opening this summer, can provide more for children and families at the site, thanks to a generous donation of $5,000 from Windset Greenhouse Grown Foods. Windset is one of the local greenhouse producers which have contributed to the splash park project along with the rest of the local farming community.
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. Because HCV infection usually produces no symptoms or very mild symptoms during the early stages, many people don’t know they have it until liver damage shows up – sometimes decades later – during routine medical tests.
More families of children with special needs will have access to services that are more accessible with the opening of Reach Child and Youth Development Society’s new three-storey, 20,000-square-foot Lois E. Jackson Kinsmen Centre for Children, on February 24, 2018. Rotary Club of Ladner was one of the first sponsors of the project, joined by many other supporters over seven years of fund-raising for the $5.7 million facility on 47th Avenue adjacent to the Ladner Pioneer Library in Ladner. For the past 40 years Reach has operated from a now aging building which could not be expanded to meet the needs of the growing community, in a remote location, off 72nd Street near the Boundary Bay Airport in East Ladner, with no nearby bus route. Next door to the new Reach building, the Ladner Rotary Splash Park is now under construction in Memorial Park, and when it opens for this summer season, it will provide a play area for families using the Reach facility as well as the rest of the community.
Special needs children and families supported with new Reach building
In the book he co-authored -- The Clean Money Revolution -- Joel Solomon recommends that, as the trillions of dollars are being transferred from the older generation to the younger one, around the world that those funds could be converted from “damaging” use to “regenerative” use. It’s sound investment strategy.
Possibly the highest number of Paul Harris recognition pins presented in one club at one time, in our District 5040 -- to eight members -- came when District Governor Don Evans (far right) made the presentations on February 13, 2018, with club President Ulf Ottho (far left) to six members of the Rotary Club of Ladner, including (l to r) President Elect Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Bridget Jacob, Larry Pretty, Geoff Willers, Richard Shantz, and Mel Baly. Receiving their pins on separate occasions were, inset, Peter Roaf from Irene Forcier and Sandra O'Keeffe from Kerry-Lynne Findlay. The Paul Harris pin recognizes each time a member has accumulated US$1,000 in donations to The Rotary Foundation. Some in the group were first time recipients, others were multiple donation members.
Club members receiving Paul Harris pins could form a team
Demolition of the Kinsmen Water Play Area, which has served families in Ladner and Delta for 30 years, began in January to make way for the new Ladner Rotary Splash Park, in partnership with the City of Delta, and with the support of sponsors and donors. The new splash park is scheduled for opening in time for this year's summer season.
By 2020 over 20% of Canada’s population are projected to have a disability. At the same time the Conference Board of Canada predicts that the national workforce supply will fall short of one million needed positions. Businesses can enhance their understanding of disability to increase market share and meet future labour needs. Rotary at Work BC, a partnership between Rotary and Community Living BC, Inclusion BC and Vancouver Foundation, is creating employment opportunities for people who have a disability.
For the 10th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation, which supports aid and development work around the world, has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. In the most recent ratings, the Foundation earned the maximum of 100 points for demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. In a letter to the Foundation, Charity Navigator notes that "only 1 percent of the charities we evaluate have received at least 10 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that The Rotary Foundation outperforms other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets The Rotary Foundation apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness." The rating reflects Charity Navigator's assessment of how the Foundation uses donations, sustains its programs and services, and practices good governance and openness.
Highest rating for international Rotary Foundation
The way of thinking among societies throughout the world tend to be dominated by one of three "ancestral world-views" according to international development expert, Dale Albertson: Fear & Power; Shame & Honour; Wrong & Right. Societies function with all three world-views, but tend to give priority to one of them, reducing one aspect (eg fear) and increasing the other (eg power). Our "Wrong & Right" legal view of the world cannot be imposed on other societies which have a different predominant world-view in international development, peacebuilding and so on.
ElderCollege Delta is a volunteer group which takes a relaxed approach in providing opportunities for lifelong learning and personal growth, based at KinVillage Community Centre in Ladner.
50 Ladner Rotarians with family and friends enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Delta Town and Country Inn on December 19, including prize draws, carol singing and music by a trio including Rotarian Ken Whitney.
Delta Foundation elected its Board of Directors 2018 (l to r) Richard Shantz, Eleanor Calderwood, Chair Noel Philippot, Guillermo Bustos, Carlene Lewall, Murray Lott, Walt Hayward, Peter Roaf
Special needs adults and their families who are members of the Weekend Family & Peer Support Group in Delta were treated to a traditional Christmas Dinner at the Ladner Community Centre by 25 Ladner Rotarians and family members on December 17, 2017.
More children are being affected by chronic diseases previously only seen in adults. How can that be? Can it be the result of urbanization, modernization and technology, globalization of food markets? As threats to our health increase, we are well aware of the growing burden on our health system: long waits for surgery and treatment; cuts in clinical programs; increase in hospital admissions for seniors falls; and more. The Healthier Community Partnership Initiative (HCP) is Fraser Health’s commitment to working with municipalities and various sectors to build healthier communities by way of a pro-active, preventative approach that takes into account the underlying causes of disease.
Learn how to take care of yourself. That’s the basic message of Ron Gale, who has dedicated his adult life to fitness and wellness. Retired for the past 13 years from policing, 31 years with Vancouver Police Department and nine with the military police, Gale is still quite active in the field.
First female president of the 60-year-old Rotary Club of Ladner, the club’s 2017 Rotarian of the Year, recipient of the Governor General's Silver Medal for Outstanding Community Service, Paul Harris Fellow and long-time community leader, Irene Forcier, has received the Delta Chamber of Commerce’s 66th Citizen of the Year Award. The award was presented at the Delta Chamber’s annual Hats Off to Excellence dinner on November 24, 2107 at Tsawwassen Springs.
At the Rotary District 5040 Foundation dinner in Vancouver on November 18, District Governor Don Evans presented, on behalf of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, to the Rotary Club of Ladner a special 2016-17 club banner recognizing deep appreciation for the club’s generosity in support of the Annual Fund, as the second highest contributor among the District's 49 clubs.
Rotary Club of Ladner is recognized by the international Rotary Foundation as one of the top clubs, among the 49 in Rotary District 5040, for its generous support of the global End Polio campaign in 2016-17
Ladner Rotary has reached 60% of its 2017-18 goal of US$6,000 in donations to The Rotary Foundation. The club has been recognized over the past year for its significant contributions to the Foundation and in particular to the Rotary led global campaign to rid the world of polio. Rotary District 5040 (49 of the total clubs in BC) has also been recognized for its outstanding Polio Plus contributions in the past year.
The Rotary Club of Ladner received a certificate of appreciation from the newly formed Rotary Club of Vancouver Mountainview for our significant support in launching the new club.
Thank you to Ladner Rotary from the newest club in the region
Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord, right, with Ladner Rotarian Melissa Granum, distributed reflective vests to President Ulf Ottho and club members with the appeal to wear them when out walking in the long, dark, winter nights, especially when wearing dark clothing.
Rotary District 5040 Governor Don Evans, with partner Deb Sankey, and Assistant Governor Wayne Connorton, made his annual visit to the Rotary Club of Ladner on October 24, coinciding with World Polio Day.
To mark World Polio Day on October 24, club members had their pinkie finger nails painted purple, an indicator in polio vaccine campaigns overseas that a child has received the vaccine
Richard Shantz, now retired from the securities field, recently joined the Rotary Club of Ladner. He is a 34-year member of Rotary who recently moved to Ladner from Ottawa.
With assets of more than $1.3 million and growing, the Delta Foundation awards $35,000 in grants every year to charitable service organizations and scholarships and bursaries to graduating students.
In recent years Kin Village seniors' residence has received $25,000 through the Delta Foundation for various projects, including a bus for outings
Black Bond Books runs book stores at 10 Lower Mainland locations, including two Book Warehouse stores in Vancouver, and the one in Trenant Park Mall in Ladner. Manager of the Ladner store, Holly Morgan, told members about the following of many for hand held books, despite the advent of digital versions in recent years.
mural by Rick Lee (Surrey, BC) from an original photo of the street where Black Bond Books began in Brandon, Manitoba over 50 years ago
Children and Youth in Ladner and Delta are the cause of proceeds from the sale of 2018 Rotary calendars and lottery. Rotarians are once again selling the calendars throughout South Delta with 100% of proceeds going to community service projects.
Rotarians Walt Hayward and Elena Murgoci, at Save On Foods in Ladner on September 30, were one of the teams which started selling calendars in South Delta this Fall
Silvercore training programs teach clients the theory in safely handling firearms and the practical knowledge through hands-on training to ensure some comfort level with the firearms they plan to use.
Thanks to Tsawwassen Mills mall, Urban Impact and the Delta Optimist, the Rotary Club of Ladner raised over $700 net for the water project in the remote village of Ban Xiengda, Laos from donations by people who stopped by the club's Shred A Thon in the parking lot of Tsawwassen Mills mall on September 23, 2017. Delta Police representatives were on hand to advise people about fraud and identity theft and effective management of documents.
Four years after the Rotary Club of Ladner identified the need in the community, representatives of the club and partner, Corporation of Delta, celebrated with a sod turning ceremony to officially start construction of the Ladner Rotary Splash Park at Memorial Park on September 21, 2017. Turning of the sod included: (l to r) Rotarians Guillermo Bustos, Patricia Sibley with grandson Jackson, and Lynn Cameron, Delta Chief Administrative Officer George Harvie, Ladner Rotary Splash Park Committee Chair Irene Forcier, Delta Councillor Heather King, and Ladner Rotarians Peter Roaf, Bridget Jacob, Linda Cran, Walt Hayward, and President Ulf Ottho. -- photos by Mel Baly
Engaging young learners through stimulating, relevant and inspiring educational experiences is the aim of the Delta School District's Academy Programs. The School District offers 10 Sport Academies, from Baseball to Golf, and seven elite hockey teams. It also offers four Fine Arts Academies: Dance; Film Acting; Film Production; Opera & Performance.
A 34-year veteran of Rotary and former investment firm regional manager, Richard Shantz, is inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Ladner, having transferred from the Rotary Club of Ottawa to his new home in Delta with wife, Janet. Officiating at the ceremony were President Elect Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Past President Walt Hayward. During his 34 years in Rotary, six were as member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver. 21 of those years were spent in the Ottawa club, where he was President in 2008-09 and Chair of the Rotary Club of Ottawa Children’s Foundation.
Westshore Terminals has enabled the Ladner Rotary Splash Park to make a significant advance towards opening in Memorial Park by next summer with its $50,000 sponsorship, presented by Westshore’s Vice President and General Manager Glenn Dudar (2nd left) to Ladner Rotary’s Past President Walt Hayward, Splash Park Committee Chair Irene Forcier and Peter Roaf.
About 50 guests of Mike and Kathy Storey and family, including Ladner Rotarians and family friends, enjoyed a sunny afternoon Hawaiian theme LuAu, through the afternoon and evening of August 26, 2017. The Perfect Alibi band played through the afternoon, delicious food was served and all had a good time dancing and networking.
30 Ladner Rotarians and guests raised about $1,000 for the remote village of Ban Xiengda Water Project in Laos, at the Parallel 49 Tasting and Famoso Neopolitan Pizzeria fund-raiser in South Surrey on August 20, 2017.
The Weekend Family Peer Support Group for special needs adults in South Delta was hosted once again by the Rotary Club of Ladner at its annual summer picnic in Rotary Park next to Delta Municipal Hall on August 20, 2017.
As Verity Credit Union executive for 16 years in the Seattle area, Shari Storm oversaw marketing, IT, sales, investment services, innovation and strategy. Then she became a mother of three girls. That new career led to her book, Motherhood is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to be a Better Boss. As a parent she realized that people are motivated to get the job done in the workplace, not so much by the numbers, but when it's fun and what they enjoy doing.
In Delta, women and children fleeing domestic violence will be able to find refuge at a facility similar to New Westminster's Monarch Place Transition House. Transition House is one of the programs of W.I.N.G.S. (Women in Need Gaining Strength) Fellowship Ministries.
Working towards a drug free community, Little House Society partnered with Rotary Club of Ladner to celebrate Canada's 150th Anniversary and raise funds for Little House with a BBQ at Kirkland House in Ladner on July 23, 2017.
By working together in recent years, Mike Grandia, of the Delta Police Department and Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) leaders and youth have achieved some excellent results such as:
> 25% reduction in calls for police services over the last three years;
> significant increase in TFN members attending drug and alcohol treatment facilities and increase in positive results when returning to the community;
> decrease in violent crime, including domestic violence. And more...
On left is the coat of arms of the Delta Police Department surrounded by TFN artwork, illustrating the link of collaboration in policing that is adapted to, and supportive of, the needs of the TFN community.
A young Swiss family arrived in Vancouver a week ago en route to a job in the BC Interior, but they didn't make it. Wildfires have kept Barbara and Gregoire Kuehn and their four young children from reaching the ranch in Redstone, BC, west of Williams Lake, where they expected to work for the next two years. But Rotary stepped in to help. -- photo by Chris Offer
Gregoire and Barbara Kuehn and their four children, stranded in the Lower Mainland because of BC's wildfires, with Delta MP, Hon. Carla Qualtrough (right) who is leading the federal government's response to the wildfires
Members of Rotary, known around the world for their compassion, generosity and action in support of those suffering from disaster and deprivation, are focusing relief efforts on the thousands of people displaced by wildfires raging through BC. The 1,450 members of the 49 clubs in Rotary District 5040, from Greater Vancouver up the coast to Kitimat and Prince Rupert are rallying to establish the “Rotary BC Wildfire Recovery Fund.”
The Rotary Club of Ladner welcomes its newest member, Dr. Avis Glaze, who was recently identified as one of the most inspiring women every educator should know. From her earliest days in Jamaica, as a young girl who was driven to teach others to read, to her rapid rise through all levels of the school system to become the founding CEO of the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat and Ontario’s Education Commissioner, Glaze has been a persistent voice in the belief that there should be no ‘throw-away kids.’
Delta is a deepsea and river port city and serves Port Vancouver, the largest port in Canada. There are 3,300 port-related jobs in Delta, representing $180 million in wages, Gross Domestic Product generated of $260 million, municipal taxes paid by tenants and fees paid by the Port of $7 million.
The 1,133 people living in the remote village of Ban Xiengda, in northern Laos, must trek 1.5 km downhill to retrieve whatever water they can carry back uphill to their homes. With the village population expected to triple within five years, the supply of water is more important than ever.
Peter Podovinikoff lines up to pot the red ball in the side pocket
Through a request from local district water and hygiene authorities to the Rotary led Adopt A Village In Laos program, the Rotary Club of Ladner has undertaken to lead an international service project of Rotary to develop a CDN$45,000 water delivery system for the village with the participation of other clubs in Rotary District 5040.
A Beer and Burger Night fund-raiser for the project, at the Royal Canadian Legion in White Rock, drew 30 Ladner Rotarians and friends on July 13, 2017.
For community leadership, interest in a technical career and, in honour of our local farming heritage, interest in plant science, three Delta Secondary School students received scholarships from the Rotary Club of Ladner at the school's Valedictory Ceremony on June 27, 2017.
Rotary Club of Ladner New Generations Chair (youth), Tammy Hansen (left), presents the Ladner Rotary Sustainability scholarship to Shelby Brubacher
Throughout British Columbia there are families who cannot meet the needs of their children for various reasons. Those 4,000 children are living under the care of foster parents. There are 2,000 foster parents who offer themselves, their families and their homes to provide skilled and caring service for those children and their families, from emergency, short term care to intensive therapeutic care. More are needed. Fostering can be challenging, demanding and frustrating, but is described as the “hardest job you’ll ever love”.
Shunsaku Okada, past president of the Rotary Club of Osaka-Midosuji Hommachi, in District 2660 Japan (right) presents a Rotary friendship banner to Ladner Rotary President Ulf Ottho on his visit to our club on July 11, 2017. photo by Penny Offer
Stream of Dreams is an eco-education program, for entire schools, that educates communities about their local watershed, rivers and streams, encourages behavioural change to conserve and protect water. It's a serious, but fun, way to empower youth to make a positive environmental impact, and create a community legacy of art.
Park Planner for the Corporation of Delta Linda Nielsen, left, receives a cheque from Irene Forcier, Chair of the Rotary Club of Ladner Splash Park Committee – thanks to Rotary and various sponsors and donors -- for deposit in trust towards the splash park project in a $600,000 partnership for completion in May 2018.
Rotary Splash Park receives community funds to enable project start
With her love of gardening and strong belief in growing food locally UBC nursing instructor, Mary Ballon, founded West Coast Seeds Ltd. 34 years ago in Vancouver. The company, now based in Ladner, has helped motivate a generation of organic gardeners on Canada’s West Coast and right across the continent.
Rotary International Board of Directors including District 5040 Past District Governor and now Zone 24/32 Director (Canada & NE USA) Dean Rohrs (back row, third right) and also including (front row, l to r) General Secretary John Hewko, Vice President 2016-17 Jennifer Jones, President 2016-17 John Germ, Bill Gates, incoming President 2017-18 Ian Riseley
Global representation on Rotary International Board
Adam Rondquist, manager of Save-on-Foods in Ladner, talked about his parent company, Overwaitea Foods, and the food and products it provides under the Save-On-Foods brand with a customized focus on demographics of each local community it serves. Now back in his home town of Ladner, Ronquist described his various store postings over many years and his company's emphasis on community involvement, including Nanaimo and mid-Vancouver Island. Save-On-Foods in Ladner and Tsawwassen have provided valuable support to the Rotary Club of Ladner in its annual sales of calendars supporting a wide range of charitable causes in the community, including the new Rotary Splash Park for Ladner.
Among countless examples of The Rotary Foundation's positive impact over its 100 years include, for each US$1,000 donated today, are cataract operations for 30 blind people in India, or textbooks for 10 elementary schools in Zambia, or hearing aids for 10 deaf children in Pakistan. For donating US$10,0000 or more to the Rotary Foundation over a number of years, Wilbur Walrond (centre) received a three Ruby Level Paul Harris Fellow award and pin from Past District Governor Michael Cruise (left) with President Walt Hayward. Wilbur's contributions over many years have helped The Rotary Foundation in its vital work for international understanding and world peace. Thank you, Wilbur.
Irene Forcier (2nd right) receives a Paul Harris Fellow Award as "Rotarian of the Year" for outstanding service to the Rotary Club of Ladner, most recently as chair of the Rotary Club of Ladner Splash Park Committee, leading the club's largest project in its 60 years of service. Presenting the award at the ceremony to induct the club's 2017-18 board on June 6, 2017 were (l to r) Assistant District 5040 Governor Rick Lewell, Ladner Rotary President Walt Hayward and District Governor Lyn Stroshin.
Rotary District 5040 Governor Lyn Stroshin (centre), with President Walt Hayward (left). presented a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award +3 to Past President Peter Roaf
Rotary District 5040 Governor Lyn Stroshin (2nd right) recognized Past District Governor Penny Offer (2nd left) on June 6, 2017 with a District citation for long, outstanding service to the District and Rotary International, including more recently service to the District as our representative on the Rotary International Council on Legislation. They are flanked by Past District Governor Chris Offer (left) and Rotary Club of Ladner President Walt Hayward (right) --photo by Mel Baly
Penny Offer recognized for outstanding service to District
Officiating at the June 6, 2017 installation of the Rotary Club of Ladner Board of Directors 2017-18 and the club's incoming President, Ulf Ottho (2nd left) were (l to r) President Walt Hayward, Rotary District 5040 Governor Lyn Stroshin and Assistant Governor Rick Lewall
Joshua Wollny, from Germany, is one of 13 high school students who have come from nations on four continents to spend a year in the western BC clubs of Rotary District 5040. The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen sponsored Josh to spend the school year in the Delta area and was accommodated part of the time by Rotary Ladner President Elect Ulf Ottho.
Rotary Ladner Club President, Walt Hayward, tows the club's float with his 1942 John Deere tractor, in the 121st Ladner Pioneer Days parade on May 28, 2017. Club members produced and marched with the float, produced a pancake breakfast at Memorial Park earlier that morning and many manned the barricades in the community to control local traffic during the parade.
photos by Chris Offer, Patricia Sibley, Chu Wu, Lindae Thomas, Sandra O'Keeffe and Peter Roaf
When Arch Klumpf founded The Rotary Foundation 100 years ago and the first contribution of was $26.50 was made, the purpose of the Foundation then, and over many years to follow, was development of our local communities. Although we think on the grand, global scale about our Foundation, with pride that it is among the top rated in the world, development of our own communities still remains a primary focus.
Award-winning R&B/Soul Recording Artist, and JUNO nominee, Warren Dean Flandez, describes his music simply as “songs with purpose”. Born in Yellowknife and calling Vancouver home, Warren grew up singing in the church, steeped in the rich tapestry of gospel music.
Hives for Humanity connects people to nature, community and themselves through bees. Bee populations are a constantly threatened population and so, in turn, is our food production, in Delta and beyond. Those living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside are a marginalized population living in hardship and also under constant threat.
So the Rotary Club of Ladner’s Queen Bee Tea on Mother’s Day raised over $1,500 to support the bees and the people through the Delta-based Hives for Humanity.
Because of its leadership in initiating, and co-developing a new kids’ splash park in Ladner, giving to the community through calendar sales fund-raising, attracting funding for Ladner community projects from Rotary International, hands on help for remote villages of Laos, initiating shipment of used medical equipment to needy communities overseas, and steady growth in membership and communications, the Rotary Club of Ladner has received the “Outstanding Club of the Year Award” among 48 clubs in Rotary District 5040.
Andrew Neufeld, Executive Director of Alongside You, spoke to Rotary Ladner members about "Save Yourself First: Why your health matters most." If you need help with a personal health issue, physical or mental, then you can't help those around you who may need your help.
New member, Blake Chancey, with Chancey Real Estate in Ladner, gave his Rotary classification speech to tell other members about him and his life. Here Blake displays a salmon caught on the Fraser River.
With May upon us and the Rotary theme of Youth Service, it seems so apt that the theme of our District conference this month is Generations Serving Humanity. That’s not just a slogan. All of us, Rotarians of all ages, learn so much from our youth as they emerge as leaders in our communities and throughout our world. At our conference May 4 to 7 we are also hosting the Youth Conference for Interactors.
Mel Baly (centre), receives his fifth Paul Harris Fellow Award for generous donations to The Rotary Foundation from club Foundation Committee Chair Peter Podovinikoff (right) and Club President Walt Hayward
Children's book authoring and publishing has become a keen pursuit and change of pace for Delta Police traffic accident investigator Grayson Smith, father of three young sons.
A 10-person crew of Ladner Rotarians took to the streets on April 22 to clean up Arthur Drive in Ladner in the Corporation of Delta's Adopt-A-Street program.
Celebration of the Sikh harvest festival of Vaisakhi was a focus of the North Delta and Surrey communities over the weekend as 23 Ladner Rotarians and guests gathered for dinner at the Tasty Indian Bistro on North Delta's Scott Road April 21. Thank you to Graham Witcher and Sandra O'Keeffe for organizing the delicious, three-course meal and delightful company.
Peter Podovinikoff (left), who is the Rotary Ladner Foundation Committee Chair, receives his fifth Paul Harris Fellow Award for generous donations to The Rotary Foundation from Past District Governor Chris Offer, middle, with Club President Walt Hayward
Hobbiton, the set of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies, enhanced by stories from the members of the Rotary Club of Matamata, was one of the stops for Ladner Rotarians Chris and Penny Offer and Sandra O'Keeffe who reported on their March visit to our sister Rotary Club of Mount Maunganui in New Zealand
An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented. Women in the 20th century have achieved significant progress in the economically progressive areas of the world, but women and girls in non-developed countries have a much more difficult life and must accept their inferior social status and tend to fall into traditional roles. In April, Rotary worldwide recognizes this all so important bond of maternal and child health as one of our six areas of focus.
Welcome to new member Blake Chancey, of the Chancey Real Estate Team for Remax Realty, Ladner.
President Walt Hayward (left) presents the Rotary pin to new member Blake Chancey as Denis Denischuk (background) and President Elect Ulf Ottho participate in the induction ceremony
Envision Financial manager in Ladner, Geoff Willers, joins President of Envision Dave Lanphear (at left) in presenting a $20,000 cheque on behalf of First West Credit Union for the new Rotary Club of Ladner Splash Park, to Ladner Rotarians, club president Walt Hayward, splash park committee chair, Irene Forcier and Delta Credit Union founding president Peter Podovinikoff.
Rotary Club of Ladner's President Elect Ulf Ottho, centre, received a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award on January 10, 2017, presented by President Walt Hayward, left, and Foundation Chair Peter Podovinikoff
To mark the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary International President John Germ addressed the Rotary District 5040 & 5050 Million Dollar Dinner – which raised US$3.3 million -- on January 9, 2017, in Delta, BC.
The text of the first half of his speech is presented below. The text is followed by a link to an audio recording of stories President Germ told about the impact of the Foundation.
$1,000 winner of the December 25, 2016 draw in the 2016 calendar lottery and the $1,000 winner of the January 1, 2017 draw in the 2017 calendar lottery receive their cheques. Proceeds from calendar sales are helping fund the new splash park for children in Memorial Park, scheduled to open this summer, in partnership with the Corporation of Delta and with support of sponsors and donors.
Ancient Light Lodge 88 of the Freemasons meets on the upper floor of the building housing Delta Law Office, on Delta Street, originally built as the Odd Fellows Hall. The Lodge, founded by farmers and local business men, has met in that location for the past 50 years.
The original Odd Fellows Hall, third left, eventually become home to Freemasons in Ladner in the mid-1960s
You better watch out. You better not cry. The Reverend Dr. Santa Graham Witcher has come to town and made an appearance at the Ladner Rotary Christmas lunch on December 13.
Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was affected by floods in 2010, directly affecting about 20 million people, through destroyed property, livelihood and infrastructure, and with a death toll of close to 2,000. Disaster Aid Canada provides emergency shelter and safe drinking water in disaster zones, but also clothing and soap.
Weekend Family Peer Support Group in South Delta, for special needs adults, has enjoyed an annual Christmas dinner over many years, and Rotary Club of Ladner has enjoyed the fellowship and pleasure of producing it over the past 11 years.
Thank you especially to leaders, Mike and Kathy Storey, and other Ladner Rotarians, other volunteers with the Group and sponsors for bringing an evening of joy and Christmas spirit to this community within our community.
Delta Life Skills to benefit from this year's Delta Secondary School Interact gift wrapping sessions in December. Please keep this in mind for your Christmas gift wrapping.
Santa and Rotary District 5040 Governor Lyn talk up the May 4 to 7, 2017 Rotary District 5040 Conference. If you're a member of Rotary not yet registered at the lower conference rate, please do so now, or no later than December 24, 2016, to be eligible to win two nights free at the Chateau Whistler Hotel.
For providing extraordinary service to the community of Delta, conducting their life with integrity and standing out amongst peers, Rotary Assistant Governor for Delta and Richmond and community leader, Rick Lewall, has received the 2016 Citizen of the Year Award from the Delta Chamber of Commerce at its Hats Off Awards event on November 25, 2016.
First awarded in 1951, the Citizen of the Year Award is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in the Delta community. Congratulations from the Rotary Club of Ladner, Rick.
Delta's Citizen of the Year Award to Rotarian Rick Lewall
Ladner Village Market began with 13 vendors in 1996 and has now grown into a summer attraction as one of western Canada’s largest open air markets spread over three blocks on the 2nd and 4th Sundays in June, July and August and the second Sunday of September
Rotary International started the global fight to end polio in 1985 when there were over 350,000 cases reported in 120 countries. Now it's down to three remaining countries.
Ladner Rotary President Walt Hayward and two Ladner Interactors after laying wreath at the cenotaph in Ladner's Memorial Park at Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11, 2016
On the Philippine Island of Mindoro, the local mayor, head of the diagnostic centre and some municipal councilors were on hand to witness the unloading of a container of medical equipment and supplies for the local medical centre on October 31, 2916. Local residents expressed tremendous gratitude for this Rotary-sponsored gift to their community.
In her "classification speech" as a new member of the Rotary Club of Ladner, Elena Murgoci, Executive Director of Little House Society, based in Tsawwassen, described her Eastern European heritage of parents who fled communist regimes and emigrated to Canada.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Elena described her aspirations and career path in the hotel and hospitality industry and sales.
Elena is multi-lingual and holds a B.A. degree from the University of Western Ontario and an M.B.A. in international business from Asia Pacific International Institute. She also earned an Executive Management Diploma in Hotel Administration from Cornell University. She has traveled, studied or worked in France, Germany, Mexico, the United States, and Thailand.
Following a period in the education field she became BC/Yukon Regional Director for the Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) and after six years there joined Little House Society which advocates, educates and collaborates with community stakeholders for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and addiction.
Diane Askin, founder of netclimber web design inc., in Ladner, co-presented advice on a company's effective web presence and function on multiple formats and on effective results in Google searches by potential customers.
Thanks to the Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, Rotary on Ice was another winner this year at the October 23, 2016 game when Vancouver Giants played the Tri-City Americans at the Club's new venue, the Langley Sports Centre, in Langley, BC.
Rotary youth helping to sell 50/50 draw tickets at the October 23rd Vancouver Giants hockey game surround Rotary District 5040 Governor Lyn Stroshin
Rod Swenson, of Rod Swenson Farms in Delta, expressed his gratitude to our community on behalf of current and previous generations of his farming family, in making a generous donation to the splash park planned for children and families starting in the summer of 2017. The Rotary Club of Ladner Splash Park was initiated by our club and is progressing in partnership with the Corporation of Delta and with support of generous sponsors and donors such as Mr. Swenson. The main theme of the splash park will reflect and honour the farming heritage of Ladner and Delta.
President Walt Hayward and (l to r) Ladner Rotarians Geoff Willers and Peter Podovinikoff thanked Rod Swenson, of Rod Swenson Farms (second from right) for his generous donation to the new Rotary Club of Ladner Splash Park planned for Memorial Park in Ladner
Splash Park project receives generous support of Rod Swenson Farms
Eight years ago a car accident left Sarahi without the ability to walk and to her becoming a single mother in Zapata Mexico. With perseverance and positivity, and her work in a local market, Sarahi chose to view each day spent with her daughter, Samanta, as a blessing and an opportunity to help provide her with a better future.
The Chief Operating Officer of First West Credit Union Shelley Besse described her experience of travelling with a group of Canadian women and youth to the Mexican community, most with little or no experience in construction skills, to help Sarahi and Samanta build a new home for themselves, through Hamilton, Ontario based Live Different.
Rotary Districts 5040 and 5050 host Exploring The Rotary Foundation, a Regional Rotary Foundation Seminar, at the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, downtown Vancouver, Saturday October 22, 2016
Hear from and interact with senior Rotary leaders, ask questions and share your ideas to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation, with assets over $1 billion one of the most trusted international philanthropic foundations.
Rotarians are invited to come together and share ideas on how to grow Rotary Foundation support, increase service and expand knowledge of The Rotary Foundation.
Addressing the Rotary Club of Ladner on October 11, 2016, Member of Parliament for Delta, Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, spoke about her family living in Ladner and said that they were looking forward next summer to the new splash park led by the Rotary Club of Ladner, in partnership with the Corporation of Delta. Addressing the Rotary Club of Ladner on October 11, 2016, Member of Parliament for Delta, Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, spoke about her family living in Ladner and said that they were looking forward next summer to the new splash park led by the Rotary Club of Ladner, in partnership with the Corporation of Delta.
Her address provided a glimpse of her personal and family life, and an update on constituency activities and legislative policy being rolled out at the federal level, and on her portfolio of Sport and Persons with Disabilities (below).Persons with Disabilities (below). photos by Chris Offer
Rotary's 30-year worldwide campaign to end polio received the largest donation by a Rotary District in 2015-16 from our District 5040 in western BC from International President of Rotary John Germ (left) at a Zone conference in Winnipeg. The fight to end polio continues. Congratulations, Past District Governor 2015-16 John Anderson, and our 48 clubs for this achievement. Just one of many ways Rotary makes the global community as well as local communities near and far better places to live.
Remote Philippines island to receive medical equipment thanks to Rotary
DELTA, BC (September 14, 2016) On Mindoro Island, one of the 2,000 inhabited islands among the 7,000 islands which comprise The Philippines, the mother of Alfredo Goco, a Ladner Rotarian, injured herself badly, but had to travel many painful, agonizing hours to reach medical help. Since then Goco has been working with various health authorities to bring medical assistance closer to the people of that island.
Demonstrating the global as well as local reach and impact of Rotary, a 40-foot shipping container fully packed with used medical equipment is on its way to The Philippines thanks to 25 members of not only the Rotary Club of Ladner, Goco’s home club, but several other Rotary clubs in the Lower Mainland and to the ongoing work of Vancouver-based Rotary World Help Network, a multi-club and multi-district Rotary program.
The Rotary Club of San Jose, in The Philippines, is receiving the container loaded with hospital beds, mattresses, IV poles, wheelchairs and more then distributing the equipment to a clinic on or near the remote island.
The shipping container is loaded with used medical equipment and supplies, worth $200,000 to $300,000 in terms of replacement cost, and of tremendous value to people in that remote Philippines island, according to Rotary Club of Ladner President Walt Hayward.
Hayward says, “Ladner Rotarians Alfredo Goco and Larry Pretty led the project for this shipment, one in The Philippines and one here, to generate funding from our club and The Rotary Foundation and equipment through Rotary World Help. Then five of our members joined 20 other Rotarians on September 10th at the former Riverview Hospital site in Coquitlam to help load the container. We are grateful to our hospitals and health system which provided the equipment to make this project, along with many Rotarians in the chain over many months, yet another international community contribution of Delta, the Lower Mainland and the province.”
Rotary Club of Ladner is one of 35,000 Rotary clubs around the world run by 1.2 million members. Rotary brings together leaders who step forward, exchange ideas and act on tough challenges to create positive change in their communities.
Chu Wu, who returned to his original Rotary Club of Ladner earlier this year, gives his classification speech. Having served Rotary in many roles in the past, including President of this club and Assistant District Governor, encourages club members to aim for the Club of the Year Award at next year's District conference in Whistler, having been a runner-up this year. (photos by Wilbur Walrond)
Sandra O'Keeffe and Ken Whitney were on one of the four teams which kicked off sales of the new 2017 Rotary Club of Ladner calendar and lottery on September 17, 2016. Proceeds will go to completion of the Rotary Club of Ladner Splash Park, in partnership with the Corporation of Delta, in Ladner's Memorial Park by Spring 2017. photo by Sherrie Jamieson
FortisBC's impact on the local economy, as presented by Community & Aboriginal Relations Liaison Officer Jo Hunton-Sehdev. For a copy of the presentation >>click here>>
Living on a remote island in the Philippines, the mother of Ladner Rotarian Alfedo Goco suffered an injury and had to travel a long distance to receive medical treatment. To help provide medical services to residents, used medical equipment is now making its way by shipping container to a clinic on the island. Ladner Rotarians Bridget Jacob and President Walt Hayward prepare a box of equipment for shipping.
Rotary World Help -- a non-religious, non-political charity run by Rotary Clubs from British Columbia -- is a non profit organization aimed at collecting and distributing medical equipment & supplies, dental, optical, education & sports equipment and disaster relief supplies to international recipients in need.
As Rotarians prepare for the September 10 loading of a Rotary World Help shipping container with used medical equipment for the Philippines -- initiated by Ladner Rotarian Alfredo Gocco and partially sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner -- the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise celebrated the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation and the key role the Philippines played in eradicating the disease on September 1, in Richmond. A recent article in the Richmond News newspaper features Ladner Rotarian and Past District Governor Chris Offer, who, with his wife, Ladner Rotarian PDG Penny Offer, had administered polio vaccine to children in India last year.
Officiating at a September 1, 2016 ceremony to mark the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation and the Philippines role in eradicating the disease, with Foundation support, were (l to r): Neil Ferrer, Consul-General to the Philippines in Vancouver; Neil Reeder, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines; Lyn Stroshin, District 5040 Governor; Sandra Hass, President, Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise; Joe Peschisolido, MP For Steveston-Richmond East
Louise Wechselberger, of the Delta Chamber of Commerce (2nd from right), is inducted and welcomed to the Rotary Club of Ladner by her sponsor, Peter Roaf (right) and President Walt Hayward with Past District Governor Penny Offer, who outlined basic responsibilities in becoming a Rotarian.
The 7,000 people living in and around the remote village of Ndandini, Kenya now enjoy direct access to 19,000 liters per hour of fresh, clean water -- in place of dirty, unhealthy water, in the past hauled over great distance and at considerable cost of time. Drilling down 300 feet or more and erecting water storage tanks have brought the village into a new era.
Executive Director of the Little House Society, Elena Murgoci, second from right, is inducted as a new Ladner Rotary member by (l to r) Past District Governor Penny Offer, President Walt Hayward and President Elect Ulf Ottho
The Rotary Club of Ladner held the annual picnic of the Weekend Family Peer Support Group for special needs adults at Rotary Park next to Delta Municipal Hall on Saturday, August 20, 2016, oranized once again by Mike and Kathy Storey. (photos by Penny Offer)
In 1907 Richard Carmon Purdy started selling homemade chocolates in downtown Vancouver. Today, more than 110 years later, Purdys Choclatier sells products through its own shops across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
Fortis BC's Viviana Zanocco, third from left, joins Ladner Rotarians to celebrate Fortis BC's sponsorship of the planned Ladner Rotary Water Spray Park at Memorial Park, in partnership with the Corporation of Delta: (l to r) President Walt Hayward, Bridget Jacob, Irene Forcier and Guillermo Bustos.
Fortis BC contributes to the Rotary-led water spray park
The six-man A Perfect Alibi played some favourite oldies throughout the afternoon and into the early evening at a Lu Au party on August 13, 2016, hosted by Mike and Kathy Storey and their family, Jen & Lloyd, Crystal & Stephen.
Maggie Munro, of the Ladner Rotary sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School was this year's candidate for sponsorship to join students from across Canada to learn more about the federal government and its systems, policy issues debate and some history of Canada. The group stands in front of the Speaker of the House of Commons Hon. Geoff Regan, P.C., M.P.
Among working adults in Canada, 73% report some level of stress (General Social Survey, 2010). Stress and burnout can have a negative impact on physical, mental and emotional health. That impact can cause illnesses, allergies, autoimmune disorders, cancers, low energy and loss of productivity.
Holistic Empowerment Specialist, Tu Van Trieu, founder of Human Wellness, in New Westminster, describes our human body as a container which holds onto a lot of stress. When we connect with our body and learn how to release stress from it, we learn to heal ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and socially because they are interconnected.
Amber with Guide Dog Bear (left) and Asher with Autism Support Dog Landon -- enjoying happy, fulfilling lives thanks to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, based in Ladner
Ladner-based BC & Alberta Guide Dogs (BCAGD) breeds, raises and professionally trains Guide Dogs for individuals who are blind/visually-impaired, and Autism Support Dogs for children with moderate to profound autism aged 3-10 and their families. It takes two years and upwards of $35,000 to produce one certified dog, provided free of charge to the recipient.
Ladner Rotarian Alfredo Goco owns and operates Sinaoga salt company in the Philippines. Salt is harvested from capturing sea water and evaporating the water in 1,000 shallow concrete trays across this field (photos by Alfredo Goco)
Tsawwassen resident, Dr. Avis Glaze, who founded EDU-QUEST INTERNATIONAL INC., has been recognized internationally as one of Canada's outstanding educators. From classroom teacher to Superintendent of Education in Ontario, this award winning educator has experience at all levels of the K-12 education system and at the college/university level. She has won numerous awards for her contributions to education.
Three Delta Secondary School students received scholarships from the Rotary Club of Ladner at the school's Commencement Ceremony on June 27, 2016, at South Delta Baptist Church.
Natalie Baltzer, Kieffer Silva Pinto and Wendel Vistan each received a $500 scholarship for each of these three awards:
1.Involvement in community service, demonstrated community leadership, entering trades/technical program.
2.Involvement in community service, demonstrated community leadership, planning a career in Floriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, or related field.
3.Involvement in community service, demonstrated community leadership, participated in cadet program, entering Coast Guard or Armed Forces.
Then Ladner Rotary President Peter Roaf presented the scholarships on behalf of the Rotary Club of Ladner.
For developing sustainable service projects, building awareness of Rotary in the community, growing membership and giving to The Rotary Foundation, the Rotary Club of Ladner received the top, Gold level Presidential Citation 2015-16, as announced earlier at the April 29 to May 1, 2016 conference of Rotary District 5040, in Whistler, BC.
On behalf of Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran, of Sri Lanka, District 5040 Governor John Anderson presented the Citation to the club, at the June 25, 2016 Installation dinner.
From early explorers, Alexander Mackenzie and Simon Fraser, to BC's first Governor, James Douglas, and industrialist Robert Dunsmuir, among many, the Scots played a key role in putting BC on the map, literally as well as figuratively.
Amarok Society defeats ignorance with the most powerful force known to man: woman. The Society effects change in the lives of thousands of children living in desperately poor slums by empowering mothers. http://amaroksociety.org/wordpress/
Rotary Club of Ladner was out in full force for the 120th Ladner Pioneer May Days fair and parade May 28 & 29, promoting the new water splash park replacement project in partnership with the Corporation of Delta, and Rotary's service above self. The Rotary-sponsored Interact Club at Delta Secondary School played a major role in the May Days events by the Rotary club.
HoneyDo Lifestyle Assistant Inc., which Rhonda Doram describes as, "Grandma Approved" Senior Services, serves busy professionals trying to juggle family life, a career and household, while caring for their aging parents so they can spend more of their time on their own family and lives.
The company keeps the senior family member's household up to speed so the children do not need to spend evenings and weekends playing the catch up game.
HoneyDo Lifestyle Assistant received the top award among finalists at the Delta Rotary Business Ethics Award event in February.
At the 2016 Delta Rotary Business Ethics Awards (front row, l to r) Scott Hamilton, MLA, Barry Hartman and Scott Foran, of 505-Junk, top award winner Rhonda Doram, of HoneyDo Lifestyle Assistant, Vicki Hamilton, MLA; (back row l to r) Shane Todhunter, President, Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, Peter Roaf, President Rotary Club of Ladner, Kiran Johal, of Enactus, Ian Vowles, Rotary Club of North Delta, Zain Askari and Sarah Khan, of Enactus -
Ray Moschuk (right) receives a Paul Harris Society pin +2, from club Foundation chair, Peter Podovinikoff, in recognition of his third time making a signficant contribution to The Rotary Foundation. Thank you, Ray.
The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or approved global grants.
Giving promotes peace, fights disease, provides clean water, saves mothers and children, supports education, and grows local economies through grants for purposes such as those listed here.
•Bring peace-building seminars to 200 teachers and 1,300 students in Uganda.
•Distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets and medical services that help prevent malaria in Mali.
•Train teachers who are establishing an early-childhood education center in South Africa.
•Provide water filters, toilet blocks, and hygiene training to prevent fluorosis in a community in India.
•Fund a scholarship for a medical professional to research ways to minimize mortality rates among premature babies in Italy.
•Protect children around the world from polio.
Ray Moschuk recognized for Rotary Foundation support
Rotary soccer ball was a great hit in trade for the home made one (left) on a Rotary humanitarian support visit to Ethiopia, with husband Alex, by Rotary District 5040 Governor Elect Lyn Stroshin, of the Whistler Millenium Club
The Otter District Farmer's Institute was incorporated in 1922 with twenty-five members to promote agriculture and agricultural knowledge, to work for farm legislation to improve farm conditions and to buy supplies at cost for its members
Rotary District 5040 provided toiletries for homeless and other communities in need throughout the District.
Ladner Rotary President Elect Walt Hayward (left), with Kathy Storey (right). presented a supply of toiletry gift bags to the Peer and Family Support Group
Retired Anglican Church Dean John Tyrell, of the Rotary Club of Westlock, Alberta, and wife Carol have lived many years in Canada's north, where Rotary does not exist, but they found a life of more adventure and sharp contrast during and between retirements.
The church where John worked, while Carol served as a nurse, for five months in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Nicosia, Cypress, where John served as Dean 2009-2014
After first retirement John worked in summer for Holland American Lines as coach driver in Dawson City, Yukon
Quite a switch five years later to Dean of a cathedral in Cyprus
Rotary members attend Jubilee Audience at the Vatican
Pope Francis thanks Rotary for its efforts to end polio and urges Rotary members to continue vaccination campaigns
Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran is greeted by Pope Francis following the Jubilee Audience at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square on April 30, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Vatican.
Nearly 9,000 members of Rotary from across the globe attended the Jubilee Audience at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square on 30 April 2016 at the invitation of Pope Francis.
At the end of the Audience, a delegation of Rotary members - led by Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran - met Pope Francis where he emphasized the importance of vaccinations against polio and urged Rotary to continue.
Pope Francis follows Paul VI and John Paul II in connecting with Rotary to encourage their support of a more peaceful and compassionate world.
Viola Kiess has organized a weekly drop-in event for special needs adults every Thursday at noon, at Ladner United Church, 4960 48th. Avenue in Ladner. Light lunch is served.
Viola Kiess (right) at last summer's Peer and Family Support picnic sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner
Viola is looking for guest speakers and volunteers and sponsors for the following programs: Art classes; Photography; Guitar Jamming Sessions; Sewing and Knitting, etc; Summer food preparation.
As Viola says, "Let us finally make our people feel like they are a part of this community and we care about them!"
With sponsorship by the Rotary Club of Ladner, three members of Ladner's Interact Club made friends for a lifetime and learned about leadership when they participated in this year's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) event at Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast over the Easter weekend.
There are 30 members in Ladner's Interact Club at Delta Secondary School, sponsored by Ladner Rotary. The club is one among 23 in Rotary District 5040 which includes the Lower Mainland and the western half of mainland BC.
The Ladner Business Association supports local businesses, engages the community, maintains relationships with governments and promotes Ladner. LBA board director, Mandip Gill, of Sutton Group-West Coast Realty, explained the value and services of the Association.
Through networking, mentoring and social interaction, members support each other and the community by providing business resources, the “Shop Local” program, networking opportunities, special events and annual scholarships to Delta Secondary School graduates.
The Rotary Club of Ladner is a member of the Ladner Business Association and Gill mentioned the positive impact on members of a recent presentation about the Ladner Rotary water park project.
photo by Wilbur Walrond
LBA boosts local businesses and gives to the community
Rose Chiron describes her upbringing in a dysfunctional family in a rough part of Chicago and later substance abuse in sharp contrast to her positive life today, good relationships with her own children, and influence on others caught in desparate conditions because she stopped blaming others and took charge of her own life.
From the depths of despair to a leader of positive influence
Police, sheriffs, corrections, border services, armoured car companies, government agencies and companies working in forestry, fisheries, mineral exploration, film, adventure tourism, among others, have used the services of Delta-based Silvercore Inc. in workplace safety training in firearms, use of force and occupational health and safety.
Congratulations to our District 5040 Governor Nominee (DG in 2017-18), Don Evans, who received The Caring Canadian Award from His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada at the Chan Centre, UBC on Friday March 4th.
The award recognizes individuals who volunteer their time to help others and to build a smarter and more caring nation.
The award also highlights the fine example set by these volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are so much a part of our Canadian character.
Through Don, "Service Above Self" in Rotary receives national recognition for a career of valuable contribution to community, nation and the world. Bravo, Don.
Our Rotary District Governor Nominee Don Evans receives national award
Speaking about the Delta Foundation is its Treasurer, a fellow Ladner Rotarian, Tom Siba
The Delta Foundation is now receiving donations of $200+ to the new water park project in Ladner, in trust for the Rotary Club of Ladner as it partners with the Corporation of Delta to complete the project by summer 2017.
Rotoract members (age 18-30) present plans and activities of their clubs in Greater Vancouver
Rotary's plans for 2016-17 and the resources and opportunities of Rotary were shared and learned among clubs from Greater Vancouver, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast
all photos by Chris Offer
Leadership, team work, communication and membership development were key areas of discussion at the first in a series of Rotary District 5040 Assemblies prior to the District Conference in Whistler, BC, April 28 to May 1, 2016. Under the leadership of incoming District Director 2016-17 Lyn Stroshin, Assistant Governor Bala Naidoo and Past District Governor (PDG), District Training Chair and Ladner Rotarian Penny Offer, and several other presenters including PDG and Ladner Rotarian Chris Offer, more than 50 Rotarians gathered in Richmond on March 19, 2016 to plan the next Rotary year. The overwhelming conclusion the day was a success. www.Rotary5040.org
Ladner Rotarian Patricia Sibley describes her work with Rooftops Canada over a number of years, twice in Zimbabwe and seven times in Tanzania.
Rooftops Canada is the international development program of co-operative and social housing organizations in Canada.
Rooftops Canada works with the Canadian housing sector and overseas partners to improve housing conditions, build sustainable communities and develop a shared vision of equitable global development.
Rooftops Canada's focus is on disadvantaged communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.
Ted Talk presenter, Miguel Rozo, who is also President of the Vancouver Rotoract Club, speaks on Forced Migration and Resilience: How Countries Stand to Benefit.
"Rotaract" stands for "Rotary in Action". It is a service, leadership and community service organization for young men and women between the ages 18–30 which has grown since its founding in 1968 into a major Rotary-sponsored organization of over 9,539 clubs spread around the world and 219,397 members.
Rotaract focuses on the development of young adults as leaders in their communities and workplaces. Clubs around the world also take part in international service projects, in a global effort to bring peace and international understanding to the world.
Ted Talk presenter on the benefits of Forced Migration
Rotary Day on February 27, 2016, at the Port Metro Vancouver office in Trenant Park Square, Ladner, featured the new water park being developed for Ladner by Rotary, in partnership with the Corporation of Delta, and the wide range of "service above self" projects here at home and around the world.
“What would Granny want?” With that mantra top of mind, Rhonda Doram left 20 years of corporate life to found and develop her successful HoneyDo Lifestyle Assistant business in Delta.
Not only Granny’s needs, but her standards, have driven Rhonda and her team in what they do to serve the home support needs of seniors, but how they do it.
The company won the top award at Rotary’s 5th Annual Business Ethics Awards, as a model of ethical business practice, at a dinner and ceremony on February 19, at the Delta Town and Country Inn, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen, and the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Enactus business student chapter.
(front row, l to r) Scott Hamilton, MLA, Barry Hartman and Scott Foran, of 505-Junk, top award winner Rhonda Doram, of HoneyDo Lifestyle Assistant, Vicki Hamilton, MLA; (back row l to r) Shane Todhunter, President, Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, Peter Roaf, RC of Ladner, Kiran Johal, of Enactus, Ian Vowles, RC North Delta, Zain Askari and Sarah Khan, of Enactus
The Canadian Wheelchair Foundation/ Fondation Chaise Roulante Canada (CWF) is an independent Canadian registered charity dedicated to:
•Raising awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities
•Delivering mobility into the lives of children, teens and adults in the world who have no means to acquire a wheelchair
•Transforming lives through mobility, and with it giving to all those deprived of it by war, disease, accident, natural disaster and advanced age, independence, dignity, hope and opportunity
Rotarian Bruce Wiebe, District Manager of The Co-operators, and Ladner Rotarian, Ray Moschuk, an advisor with The Co-operators (at left) present a cheque for $10,000 towards the new water park in Ladner, to water park campaign chair, Irene Forcier (right) and cllub president Peter Roaf.
The Co-operators has made a $10,000 contribution to the new water park planned for Ladner's Memorial Park. Thank you to Ladner Rotarian, Ray Moschuk, who made the contribution with the support of The Co-operators Advisor Community Fund.
The Fund supplements donations by its advisors make in their local communities in support of local initiatives that make communities across Canada more vibrant, healthy and sustainable. Because of this fund and other community support programs The Co-operators continues to qualify as a Caring Company with Imagine Canada for demonstrating leadership in community investment.
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned insurance and financial services co-operative. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products.
The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The organization is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt, Corporate Knights’ Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean’s magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.
Dream On Seniors’ Wish Foundation
Some dreamers may want computer lessons so they can keep in touch with family and easily receive photos and updates of their grandchildren. Others may want to attend a special event. Who wouldn’t want an opportunity to meet their life-long hero? Or learn to dance, sing or play an instrument? Imagine an elderly woman who dreams of traveling to her birthplace or to reunite with loved ones. The Dream On Foundation wants to prove that life doesn’t stop at 65 – in fact, it’s just getting started.
Lawyer Bridget Jacob (left) and financial management consultant, Christiaan ter Keurs, of Raymond James were inducted as new members at the Rotary Club of Ladner on January 12, 2016.
Christiaan also gave his "classification" speech as a new member about growing up with Rotary in The Netherlands and being attracted to the financial field when he was young. He also described trends and changes in the investment and financial planning fields. He and his wife live in Ladner with their three children.
Linda Cran and Lynn Cameron take over the final shift of calendar sales from Arthur Birk and Peter Roaf on December 12.
The final shift of calendar sales on December 12, 2015 added $420 to the proceeds, along with sales at various club and organization meetings and on a shared basis through Delta Life Skills and a Ladner Parents Advisory Committee for a net total of approximately $21,000. 100% of proceeds from the calendar sales will go the proposed new water park in Memorial Park in Ladner and to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. Click on "Read more" to see the project sponsors who made it all possible.
Tsawwassen Commons is a 550,000 SF retail development in progress at the Tsawwassen First Nation. It is described as offering a diverse tenant mix and trading area that will service the affluent areas of Tsawwassen, Ladner, South Delta, North Delta and South Richmond. Tsawwassen Commons is next door to Ivanhoe Cambridge’s Tsawwassen Mills development.
When it comes to running a business with integrity, who are the role models among us? That is the question that the three Rotary Clubs in Delta and Enactus KPU asked when they developed the Ethics in Business Award.
The Rotary Club of North Delta, Tsawwassen, and Ladner, along with Enactus KPU want to recognize businesses in our community who exhibit outstanding business practices.
If you would like to nominate a business, please fill out the information required on the tab labelled Nominate. If you are a business owner and wish to apply for the award, please go the Apply Now page and fill out the application form. http://www.ethicsinbusiness.ca/
Rotary District 5040 Membership Chair and Paul Harris Society District Chair Tom Smith presents advice on the importance and process of membership development.
What is Rotary? In response to a recent survey of Rotarians about what was the "initial attraction" to our organization, the answers came down to:
"It's a leadership organization...we're made up of local business, professional and civic leaders."
and
"We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and, through that, we're able to get things done in this community."
Ladner Rotarian Lindsay Eldridge thanks Tom with a club donation to the Rotary International End Polio campaign
Membership, New Generations, Rotary's Image and Service were the four areas of focus as 150 Rotarians from Districts 5040 and 5050 and others from Vancouver Island, Alberta and Saskatchewan, plus two staff from RI head office, met at the Day of Dialogue session on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue in downtown Vancouver.
Interact is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care most about.
On Easter weekend this year five members of Ladner's Interact Club attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards event at Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast, where they made friends for lifetime and learned about leadership
Through Interact, members carry out hands-on service projects, make international connections, develop leadership skills and have fun.
There are 30 members in Ladner's Interact Club at Delta Secondary School, up from 21 last year. The club is one among 23 in Rotary District 5040 which includes the Lower Mainland and the western half of mainland BC. For achievement in its work to Light Up Rotary, Rotary District 5040 recognized the Delta Secondary School Interact Club in Ladner with the 2014-15 Presidential Citation.
Those who have fallen in wars of the past century and this one were honoured and remembered at the cenotaph in Ladner's Memorial Park on November 11, 2015. Those who had fallen at their own hand on returning home from war fronts overseas were also honoured.
Placing a wreath on behalf of the Rotary Club of Ladner were Interact Club President Tessa Hansen, of Delta Secondary School, (left), with Rotary club President Elect Walt Hayward (middle) and President Peter Roaf. District 5040 Governor John Anderson and Assistant District Governor Rick Lewall were among the contingent of Rotarians and Interactors from the Ladner and Tsawwassen clubs
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few," was the memorable line in the wartime speech in the British House of Commons by Prime Minister Winston Churchill on August 20, 1940 about the Battle of Britain.
Of the 2,936 pilots who fought during the four-month Battle of Britain, 595 were non-British, including 112 Canadians. Among the 1495 aircrew killed during the four-month Battle, 47 were airmen from Canada.
Many thanks to sponsors, Ray and Joanne Moschuk, and Sandra O'Keefe's social committee, 12 club members and guests enjoyed a tasty meal and fun wine tasting evening on Saturday, November 7, 2015.
The evening included excellent photo highlights of Lynn and John Cameron's recent trip through five camps in Southern Africa and Capetown, with technical support of Ken Whitney. Prizes were awarded through a draw.
The big winner though was the Rotary Foundation. The $180 cash donations raised from the small group and, through the 5:1 matching program of the Government of Canada and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, should generate CDN$900 or USD$675 as one of our club's annual Foundation contributions.
Sandra O'Keefe (second left) holds the $180 cash raised for the Rotary Foundation at the November 7 wine tasting social, with (l to r) Ray Moschuk, Peter Roaf and Lynn Cameron (photo by Ken Whitney)
Rotary Foundation to benefit from wine tasting social
Manager of the Envision Financial branch in Ladner, Geoff Willers, gave his classification speech on November 3, 2015.
Geoff came to our club earlier in the year from the Rotary Club of Penticton, where he had been a member for six years, and prior to that, the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert as a member for four years.
While his dream was to become a ship captain, he eventually decided to work in finance. He started his career at the main branch of Scotiabank in the old financial district of Montreal.
Rotary District 5040 Governor John Anderson (left) congratulates and thanks Mike Storey for his many contributions to our club, our District and Rotary International.
photos by Mel Baly
Lynn Cameron, who was not present at the October 27 meeting, received similar recognition from District Governor John Anderson.
Posted by Peter Podovinikoff, Penny Offer, Mike Storey on Oct 20, 2015
Mission of The Rotary Foundation To enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through projects that improve health, support education, and help alleviate poverty.
To Do Good in the World!
Foundation Committee Chair Peter Podovinikoff speaks about the tremendous value to Ladner and the world of The Rotary Foundation
Since 1959 Reach Child and Youth Development Society has been providing services to special needs children and their families in the belief in the potential of every child, and in the knowledge that each child is unique. The Reach team works together with families to recognize each child’s strengths and develop her or his abilities.
The society has reached 80% of its $5 million fund-raising goal towards building a new facility on the current Kinsmen clubhouse site at Memorial Park in Ladner.
Representatives of the BC Self Advocacy Foundation, founded in 1985, speak on the advantages for employers, employees and communities of inclusive employment which includes the hiring of individuals who are receiving government assistance.
The BC Self Advocacy Foundation is a charitable organization whose sole purpose is to assist people with developmental disabilities to become full, participating citizens in their own communities.
Jeremy Ferrer, left, blind from birth, speaks to a visual presentation about the abilities of those supported by the BC Self Advocacy Foundation, with colleague, Julya Hutton
Children and Youth are the focus of proceeds from the sale of 2016 Rotary calendars and lottery. Rotarians are once again selling the calendars throughout South Delta with 100% of proceeds going to local charities or service projects.
The 2016 calendar showcases the community of Delta: our farms and communities which grew up around them and our commerce, industry and people. The calendar is also a lottery, with a relatively high possibility of winning cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000 in weekly draws throughout the coming year.
Rotarians Ken Whitney (left) and Walt Hayward form one
of the teams selling calendars in South Delta this Fall
Rotary International has been a leader in the global "End Polio Now" campaign for the past 36 years and the Rotary Club of Ladner has been contributing to this campaign over the years.
It is cause for celebration on this day, September 25, 2015, that the World Health Organization (WHO) announces that Nigeria is now polio-free and has been officially removed from the list of countries where polio is endemic.
It’s been 14 months since any cases of polio caused by the wild virus have been detected there. Nigeria is the last country in Africa to be declared polio-free.
With Nigeria’s historic achievement, polio remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. That means transmission of the virus has never been stopped there.
Ladner Rotarian Debbie DaSilva represented the Rotary Club of Ladner at the Delta Secondary School Commencement Ceremony on June 23, 2015, at South Delta Baptist Church.
Georgia Taipalus, left, received one of three Ladner Rotary scholarships in June
Over 570 clients in Delta use the free rehabilitation services of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). CNIB, which is approaching its 100th Anniversary, is Canada's oldest charity. It provides community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life.
CNIB's regional Manager, Community Giving, Jennifer Yankanna with club president Peter Roaf, left, and Ken Whitney
Retired dentist, Dr. Robert van Dongen, of the Rotary Club of Bonaire, in the Dutch Antilles, off the north coast of Venezuela, visited the Rotary Club of Ladner with his nephew, Chris ter Keurs, of Ladner.
Robert says one of the main priorities of his club is literacy.
Robert also has a home in Voorburg, near The Hague, in The Netherlands.
Visiting Rotarian Dr. Robert van Dongen (right) with nephew, Chris ter Keurs
Bonaire, Dutch Antilles, home of visiting Rotarian
"The network of friends in my old club and the new friends in my current club are why I stay in Rotary."
"My network of Rotary friends goes far beyond my Rotary club. I have made Rotary friends from many countries. Rotary has taken me to every corner of the world."
-- Ladner Rotarian Chris Offer
Chris Offer, middle, in Kassala, Sudan, representing Rotary on a World Health Organization polio surveillance project.
Leaders of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) business student chapter of the international Enactus network launched the 5th Annual Delta Rotary Business Ethics Awards program in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen.
The Awards, which will be presented at a gala event in January 2016, recognizes local companies and organizations nominated as role models of ethical business practice.
Receiving thank you from New Generations Chair Tammy Hansen (right) were Enactus representatives Avie (left) and Kiran.
KPU Enactus business students launch Delta Rotary Business Ethics Award
The Rotary International Presidential Citation awarded to the Rotary Club of Ladner by then RI President Gary C.K. Huang, of Taiwan, as announced at the District 5040 conference in May, was presented to the club by Immediate Past District Governor Ken Wilson at the September 8, 2015 club meeting.
The Citation was awarded for achieving goals that strengthen Rotary and our club in areas such as:
growing membership,
developing sustainable service projects;
giving to The Rotary Foundation;
building awareness of Rotary in our community.
Receiving the Citation on behalf of the club was Immediate Past President Patricia Sibley.
Ladner club presented with Rotary International Presidential Citation
Ladner Rotarian Wilbur Walrond, right, with fellow club member, Ray Moschuk, was born, one of nine children, on July 28, 1938 in the town of Couva, Trinidad.
Babies are learning about different tactile sensations
Lego Club is one of the programs for children at the Delta Library branches
A mobile library takes books to food banks, homeless shelters, transition housing. Fines are waived, literacy information is provided to get people back to the libraries
A Paul Harris +1 pin (second time presented), which recognizes a significant donation to the Rotary Foundation, is presented to Past President Guillermo Bustos (left) by Past District Governor Leo Nimsick.
Mike and Kathy Storey once again organized Ladner Rotary's contribution to the annual Weekend Family Peer Support Group picnic at Rotary Park next to Delta Municipal Hall on Saturday, August 15, 2015.
The speaker on Aug 11, 2015 was Delta Police Department’s Chief Constable Neil Dubord. e comes to Delta after three years as Chief of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police and 25 years with the Edmonton Police Service where he was the Deputy Chief in charge of Community Policing Bureau.
On August 8, 2015 members of the Rotary Club of Ladner and volunteers from several other Rotary clubs loaded a 40 foot sea container with medical and educational material for Ghana.
Owner of Creative Embroidery and member of the Rotary Club of New West – Royal City, Nick Jordan, spoke about the business on August 4, 2015. He also brought samples of men’s and women’s Rotary apparel.
Ladner Rotary President Peter Roaf shared some insight from Rotary International about membership development. Membership strength and growth is about everything we do together to make ourselves and our club a "gift to the world." All our members can become a part of that success.
Membership Development comes from our success in all these areas
Community Service
International Service
Fellowship
New Generations
Rotary Foundation
Fundraising
Public Relations
Club Administration
Training
Family of Rotary
Speaker Program
Membership
Ronald McDonald House BC provides a much needed, nurturing home away from home for sick children and their families where, together, their lives are enhanced through unconditional support, encouragement, friendship and love. Club members heard about the new Ronald McDonald House BC, which opened in July 2014, after moving from its original location of 30 years on Angus Drive in Vancouver, from Sarah Catliff, the Society's Development Director for Individual Giving. Ronald McDonald House BC also operates the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Surrey Memorial Hospital, a ‘home’ within the Hospital for families of pediatric patients.
Sarah Catliff, of Ronald McDonald House BC, with Past President Lynn Cameron (left) and Past District Governor Penny Offer (right)
One of our newest members, Lindsay Eldridge, General Manager of the Nurse Next Door franchise throughout Delta, spoke about where she grew up and her family as her classification speech. Here is a scene from the town of her early years, Gold River in the centre of Vancouver Island.
RESTOR International is a Rotarian non-profit humanitarian organization providing free reconstructive surgery to disadvantaged children and adults in developing countries.
An 18-year-old boy in Ethiopia, disfigured by severe burns since age 4 after falling into a cooking fire at his home, received reconstructive surgery and now can close his mouth and one of his eyes.
The focus of the surgery is on cleft lip and palate anomalies, burn contractures and other disfiguring and disabling conditions.
[Founded in 2004 as Rotaplast Canada, affiliated with Rotaplast International, RESTOR International under its new name is all Canadian.]
Congratulations to John Anderson, with wife Claire, for being formally installed July 2, 2015 as Governor of our District 5040 at a dinner hosted by John's home club, the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen. (photo by Chris Offer)
Tsawwassen's John Anderson becomes District Governor
Ladner Rotarian Mike Storey, with wife Kathy (third & fourth from left), with a Canadian team distributing water filters in an Adopt-A-Village Laos visit in February 2015. Mike shared their experience with the club. Mike and Kathy plan to join another Adopt-A-Village Laos group in 2016 along with others from Ladner Rotary and Canada.The 2015 visit was to villages in northern Laos.
Letter to Ladner Rotarian Patricio Navirez from President, Rotary Club Temuco Norte
Dear friend Patricio:
Knowing that you will soon return to Canada, I want to wish you a pleasant trip on behalf of all the members of our Rotary club Temuco Norte. We want to take this opportunity to ask you to be our spokesperson to express our affection and friendship to all the members of the Ladner Rotary Club, our sister club of that far away country of the north...............
Ladner Rotarian Jim Cessford, former Delta Chief Constable (left) and Mayor Lois Jackson officiated at the swearing in of Delta's new Police Chief Neil Dubord, at a Municipal Hall ceremony on June 29, 2015. Chief Dubord credits his exposure to Rotary through his father as a key reason he dedicated his career to public service.
As we celebrate our 148th birthday of Canada, the Ladner Rotary Board of Directors officially takes office.
District Governor Ken Wilson swears in the new board at the June 21, 2015 Installation
Some members elected to the board at the last annual general meeting, or appointed since, have had to step down with regret for various reasons: Alfredo Goco, as President Elect; Brad Cooper, as President Designate; Roy Sakata, as Club Administrator.
New Officers or Directors who have agreed to serve by appointment of the board are: Walt Hayward, as President Elect; Ulf Ottho, as President Designate. Welcome to them.
President of OWL Rehabilitation Society Karen Wheatley receives $500 from the Rotary Club of Ladner as proceeds from a weekend open house event at OWL earlier in the year, presented by 2015-16 President Peter Roaf.
Orca Airways Ltd.
Founded in 2005, Orca Airways Ltd. has 22,500 square feet of office and hanger space at Vancouver International Airport South Terminal to support a fleet of 17 aircraft providing daily scheduled flights between Vancouver and Vancouver Island as well as charter and Medivac services throughout North America.
Dr. Don Burkett (right) with fellow musician and old friend Bob Miller
The Dr. Don Burkett Memorial Bursary will support candidates attending the workshop in conjunction with the South Delta Jazz Festival sponsored by the Delta Community Music School. The bursary will be in effect for this year’s workshop, July 7-11, 2015, and will continue for years to come.
Ladner Rotary club members and visitors attending the last meeting led by President 2014-15 Patricia Sibley (front row, third from left) on June 16, 2015
Here are the latest stats for Polio - as of June 10, 2015
Total cases
YTD 2015
YTD 2014
total 2014
Globally
27
111
414
endemic countries
27
99
392
non-endemic
0
12
22
1985 there were 350,000 cases worldwide and in 2008 we had 1652 cases of Polio.
Our District continues to support Polio eradication and has made a huge difference in countless lives around the world. So never doubt the impact of all your hard work.
As operators of the only two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in Western Canada, FortisBC is expanding the one in Delta's Tilbury industrial park.
FortisBC Community & Aboriginal Relations Manager, Amy Hennessy
Guest speakers from the company, Amy Hennessy, Community & Aboriginal Relations Manager, Edmond Leung, Chief Engineer, LNG, and Rob Dunsmore, Project Director, Tilbury Expansion
Thanks to members of our current board and the incoming board who met for an evening planning session on June 8, and to District Rotarian Don Evans who facilitated the session, Rotary Club of Ladner now has an action plan for 2015-16.
As Manoah Steves Elementary School in Richmond celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Ladner Rotarian Roy Sakata recalls his days as a student there in the late 1960s and then as Principal from 1987 to 1994 in this Richmond Review article.
Almost half the members of the Rotary Club of Ladner, two friends of Rotary, and Rotary District Governor Ken Wilson and wife Peggy, turned out to volunteer at the May 24, 2015 Ladner May Days parade.
Rotary Club of Ladner contributed sponsorship funding to support the visit to Ottawa of Ladner high school student, Christopher Tsui, who reported on his experience learning about our nation's capital and government as a member of a youth forum.
Rotary District 5040 paid tribute to Ladner Rotary Past President Linda Ottho and Rotarian Claudette Hayward, among those who passed away over the past year.
Receiving the Rotary District 5040 Presidential Citation 2014-15 on behalf of the Delta Secondary School Interact Club are Brittany Salikin (left) and Tessa Hansen.
Rotary Club of Ladner was one of three clubs receiving the District 5040 Public Image Award. Club President Patricia Sibley (second from left) received the Award from award committee chair, Ladner Rotarian PDG Penny Offer (left) and District Governor Ken Wilson and wife Peggy (right)
Clean water and education is the focus of service above self through "Adopt a Village in Laos".
Inspired by Port Hope, Ontario Rotarian Steve Rutledge, founder of the international program, who spoke to our club last year, Ladner Rotarian Mike Storey and wife, Kathy, acted with a donation and a commitment through a visit to a village in Laos six months later.
Ladner Rotarian PDG Penny Offer (second from left) received the presigious Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service from Past Rotary International Director Shekhar Mahta of Calcutta, India, representing RI President Gary Huang (second from right) and District Governor Ken Wilson with Peggy.
For outstanding contributions to Rotary over five years or more, Rotary District 5040 presented the Light Up Rotary Award to Ladner Rotarian Mike Storey.
For producing Christmas dinner in December 2014 for the Weekend Family Peer Support Group, serving mentally challenged adults, the Rotary Club of Ladner receives the District 5040 "Special Projects Award" at the District conference on May 8, 2015.
President Elect Peter Roaf (left) with Rotarians completing Level 3 of the three Rotary Leadership Institute levels prior to the District 5040 conference in North Vancouver on May 7, 2015. Others in the group were from Williams Lake, Prince George, Burnaby and Vancouver. Past District Governor Chris Offer, of Ladner, and District Governor Elect John Anderson, of Tsawwassen, facilitated the session. PDG and Ladner Rotarian Sonia Baron participated in another RLI session and PDG and Ladner Rotarian Penny Offer facilitated one of the other RLI sessions. Roaf says, "RLI is an excellent way to learn about the full scope of Rotary and many lifetime skills as well. I highly recommend it to all Rotarians, whether just starting out or many years a member."
Ulf Ottho, many years a Ladner Rotarian, has returned as a member after serving two terms on the National Parole Board in Abbottsford. District 5040 Governor Elect John Anderson officiated at Ulf's induction as a new member at the May 5, 2015 club meeting.
Ladner Rotary President (left) Patricia Sibley with District Governor Elect John Anderson (right) who officially inducted Ulf Ottho as he returns as a member
Coincidentally, on the day he was inducted as a new member, Ulf gave his Classification speech. More....
Long-time Ladner Rotarian Ed Klassen and his wife Kathy, en route home to Nanaimo from a winter stay in New Zealand, spoke to the club about Hope of Life International.
Hope of Life International is a faith-based Christian organization to minister to the spiritual, physical, and educational needs of the impoverished people of Guatemala. To address the needs of the poor, the sick, the homeless, and the fatherless Hope of Life began in 1987 with a campus of 3 acres and now thrives on 3,000 acres, feeding the hungry through 78 feeding centers, caring for countless orphans and the elderly, rescuing hundreds of children from the brink of starvation each year, sheltering the homeless, and providing a first-class education for hundreds of poor children.
Lindsay Eldridge, General Manager of Delta-based Nurse Next Door Home Care Services, spoke about the growing field of home care services, seen with Past President Peter Podovinikoff
Rotary International President Elect Ravi Ravindran was one of several leaders who spoke to the more than 700 Presidents Elect and other leaders in clubs and districts from Oregon through Alaska at the Pacific Northwest PETS (Presidents Elect Training Session) March 5 to 8 at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel next to Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle.
Executive Director of the Delta Hospital Foundation Veronica Carroll, gave her new member's classification speech, which included a presentation on the future plans for the Delta Hospital, the needs and the role of the Hospital Foundation. See more for a presentation on the hospital's future.........
As part of National Immunization Day aimed at vaccinating over 172 million children under the age of 5 across India, Ladner Rotarians Chris and Penny Offer, both Past District Governors, joined a Rotary International team of volunteers from Canada, Switzerland, Australia and the United States to give Polio vaccinations in rural India in late February.
Winner of the 2015 Delta Rotary Business Ethics Award Tanya Marsh, of 100 Acre Wood Family Daycare ( left) with fellow finalists, Christina Tablan, of Complete Cleaning Services Corp., and Tanya Snow, of Augustine House, and Delta Richmond East M.P. and Ladner Rotarian Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
Over 50 new Rotarians as well as long service members throughout District 5040, from Williams Lake, Whistler, the Lower Mainland, and points in between, participated in the Rotary Leadership Institute Parts 1 and 2 on Saturday, January 24, 2015 in Burnaby.
Ladner Rotarian and Past District Governor Chris Offer facilitates, and presents with two others, the learning sessions for Part 2. Ladner Rotarian and PDG Penny Offer played the same role for Part 1 sessions.
President Elect Peter Roaf participated in Part 2: "I highly recommend the high quality sessions to any member, especially for newer members like me, to get the most out of their Rotary experience."
The next opportunity to take the sessions in any of the three parts will be on Thursday, May 7, 2015 in North Vancouver just prior to the annual District 5040 Conference. Register on the District 5040 website.
Members of the Rotary Club of Ladner and friends of Rotary prepared and served the annual Christmas dinner to the Family and Peer Support group on December 7.
May 23, 1887 was a great day for Vancouver, when CPR Engine 374 pulled the first transcontinental passenger train into the city. Crowds cheered, the city band played, ships in the harbour blew their horns, and hundreds of flags decorated the young city.
Kiva - a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.
The remote villages of Laos have never recovered from the ‘Secret’ war of the 1960′s and early 70’s. While rich in culture and tradition, their education, healthcare and hygiene conditions are severely lacking. The average lifespan is only 56 years and average age is only 20.8, caused by poor quality water, poor hygiene and general poverty.
Jocelyn O'Brien who was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner to attend the 2014 Adventure in Citizenship in Ottawa gave the highlights of her visit to Ottawa, May 4 to May 7, 2014.
Our speaker on July 15th was Jay Duncan of Duncan Guitar. A unique social venture that combines the best of charity and business, creating a new model for development based on sustainability, excellence and merit. And builds great guitars.
The members of the Rotary Club of Ladner send thank you to Linda Cran for her year of leadership as president of the club. Members gathered at the home of Irene and Charles Forcier on June 29th.
Our speaker on June 24th was Cindy and Chris Hornaman from District 7430, Pennsylvania, members of the Rotary Friendship Exchange Team. The Rotary Club of Ladner was their last stop before returning home.
Governor Garry Shearer visited the Rotary Club of Ladner on June 17th to recognized two club members for their work in making the recent district conference a success.
The Rotary Club of Ladner was honoured at the District 5040 Conference in Squamish by DG Garry Shearer with the Presidential Citation with Distinction. This is a certificate and a patch to place on the club banner.
Helping the Philippines recover from Typhoon Haiyan. Rotary humanitarian aid on the ground.Our speaker on May 20th was Elenna Agala from the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise. She has been an active volunteer with Rotary World Help for many years and coordinated the shipment of numerous containers to the Philippines.
Spartina is an invasive, aquatic grass that rapidly converts tidal mudflats areas (like Boundary Bay) into elevated spartina meadows. This increases the risk of flooding and results in loss of migratory bird, fish and shellfish habitat.
The Write to Read Project’s goal is increasing the level of literacy among aboriginal people in British Columbia, and in building cooperative relationships between urban groups and rural First Nations communities.
On April 1st the speakers were Brenda Casey and Rick Llewall. From ICEF (International Community Empowerment Foundation). ICEF is currently centred in the southwest of Uganda, in Masaka District, where they manage the Tekera Resource Centre (TRC) and contribute to the welfare of 30 orphans cared for in the Nazareth Children’s Home.
The Rotary Clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen are seeking nominations for their 6th Annual Delta Rotary Youth Awards. The youth nominated for these awards have contributed to their community by reaching out to others or by showing remarkable courage and strength combating adversity and hardship.
Our speaker on March 4 2014 was Reena Lazar discussing a unique peace building program that brings Israeli, Palestinian, and Canadian youth together each year for a summer camp.
Marion Bunch, a Georgia Rotary member, who lost her son to AIDS, talks about how Rotary gave her the platform to promote free health care for thousands in Africa.
Parole is a bridge between incarceration and return to the community. It is a conditional release, which allows some offenders to continue to serve the balance of their sentence outside of the institution.
The speakers on December 10 were from New Zealand. The four students are part of the club to club exchange with the Rotary Club of Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.
Thank you all of the purchasers, bidders, volunteers, donors and supporters for another successful Rotary TV Auction. Photo journal of the Auction . . .
The Delta Secondary School Interact club collected more than 160 large bags of clothing. A full truck was loaded and donated to Big Brothers - well done Interact!!
Deputy Chief Constable Lyle Beaudoin and Staff Sergeant Debra McLeod from Delta PD were our club’s guest speakers with a presentation on the Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Special Olympics.
The BC Guide Dog Service is located in Ladner. CEO Bill Thornton accompanied by one of the service dogs spoke about the organization and their recently built new training and breeding center in Ladner.
Gene Vickers on October 8th talked about the legacy you leave behind. Often many of us never realize how we have affected somebody else in a positive way. The "footprints" are those things we do that will create memories.
Rachel Hislop-Hook, president DSS Interact Club spoke to the club on September 24 about plans at Delta Secondary School Interact Club which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner.
The Discovery Centre is a way to explore the Fraser River through the stories and diversity of the entire Fraser River. Through rotating exhibits and hands-on programmes, the Fraser River Discovery Centre presents the river's contribution to the life, history, and future of British Columbia and its people.
The Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program celebrated its 63rd Anniversary in 2013. This spring, 220 outstanding senior high school students from across Canada spent four days in the National Capital in a program designed to develop their potential as leaders in their communities and in Canadian society.
"Our reliance on industrial agriculture has resulted in a food supply riddled with hidden environmental, economic and health care costs and beset by rising food prices. With only a handful of corporations responsible for the lion’s share of the food on our supermarket shelves, we are incredibly vulnerable to supply chain disruption.:" Peter Ladner
Digital billboard advertising is one of the fastest growth advertising sectors while print, TV and radio media ad revenues are declining. There are very good reasons for the rapid growth of digital media advertising and messaging.
Members of the Rotary Club of Ladner were presented with Paul Harris Fellow recognition for their ongoing support for The Rotary Foundation and the humanitarian work of Rotary
President Linda Cran held her first club assembly of the Rotary year on July 30. Each board member gave a brief report and answered questions from club members.
The container of medical and dental equipment for Iquique Chile sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner was loaded on Saturday, July 20 2013. It will arrive in Iquique in 6 to 8 weeks.
Geoff Freer, Executive Director of South Fraser Perimeter Road project gave a fascinating and detailed update on the new highway. The highway will have a direct impact on all Tsawwassen and Ladner residents. Commuter patterns will change and there will be significantly less traffic on some roads.
Three-time Olympian, Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion, Darcy Marquardt has worked tirelessly in pursuit of her dreams over the course of her 14 year rowing career. She has learned that no matter what the obstacles, with perseverance and teamwork, you can achieve things you never thought possible. Darcy credits her parents and family values of integrity and commitment for creating the foundation from which her rowing career took off.
Linda Cran chaired her first meeting on July 2nd as club president. The theme for the Rotary year 2013-14 is "Engage Rotary - Change Lives". The Rotary Club of Ladner is in for a anothr great year.
In a presentation to the RC of Ladner Jeremy Perry stressed the value of using Face Book and other social media to spread the good news story about Rotary and what the RC of Ladner is doing in the community.
On the evening of April 25, President Ray hosted this year's first Fireside Meeting in Tsawwassen. It was well attended with 13 Rotarians and 5 guests.
The Rotary Club of Ladner has selected a representative to Adventures in Citizenship - Ottawa and representatives to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)
A service was held for Chef of the Town & Country Restaurant, Richard Downes who passed away March 2, 2013. We thank Richard for making sure we were always fed well.
Major Lois Jackson and Delta council said thank you to the three Rotary clubs in Delta and presented certificates to each club as part of the celebration of 100 years of Rotary in BC
This report refers to work started by the Rotary Club of Ladner more than 20 years ago with the assistance of a variety of Rotary Foundation grants and particularly with the leadership of PDG Michael Cruise in Cebu City, Philippines.
Congratulation to PDG Chris Offer. He has received the Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award, whichis an Internationally competitive award granted annually to a maximum of 50 Rotarians who have exhibited exceptional active service to the Rotary Foundation.
Our own Chris and Penny Offer were inducted into the Rotary Arch C. Klumph Society during a ceremony on October 25th in Evanston. The society honors those who give at least US$250,000 to the Foundation. Congratulations and commendations to these altruistic members of our club, you have made a wonderful difference in peoples lives. Thanks for making the Rotary Foundation your charity!
The Rotary Clubs of Ladner, Tsawwassen and North Delta wish to recognize persons and businesses in our community who exhibit not only exemplary business practice, but personify the Rotary International Four- Way Test in how they conduct their business.
On Saturday July 28 40 Rotarians and friends of Rotary gathered at the home of Walt and Claudette Hayward for a farewell barbeque for the New Zealand Rotary Friendship team.
Contact Mike Storey if you are interested in sitting at the Ladner Rotary Table, we are looking for 10 to attend (we have five persons from our club registered as of Oct 16).
Good food, fun, and live auction! Dance the night away to Elvis tribute artist Steve Elliott, with entertainment by the Spirit of the South Seas - Hula Halau Na Keiki 'O hana Lokahi. Your best Hawaiian shirt and mumuus optional!
Tickets are $80.00 per person and registration is now open on line, more information can be found at www.rotary5040.org
We are looking for you to make a commitment before Remembrance Day as the Banquet Hall wants us to confirm our numbers one week before the event.
Guillermo and Sandra are organizing the next Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. See Events on our website to sign up. Contact Guillermo (gabustos@dccnet.com) or Sandra (boss101@dccnet.com) by email if you can be a host (not more than 8 people including yourself and partner). This is also an excellent occasion to invite some prospective Rotarians. We have (15) confirmed persons attending and room for more to join in for a fun evening.
Here are the details: The date is Saturday October 29th at 6 p.m. The location will be announced when all have signed up and indicated whether you are a visitor or a host. For the host: You will provide the home and make the main dish. You will need to provide all of the little things that go into a dinner as well. Your guests will bring a bottle of wine for themselves and one for the host. All participants: Each couple will bring: Two bottles of wine (or one drink of your choice and one bottle of wine for the host)
You will be assigned to bring either appetizers for 8, dessert for 8 or salad for 8. You may sign up for yourselves and your friends or family. (2 adults) Sign up now under Events on this website so we can organize the evening and send you a letter to indicate what to bring and whose home to go to. This dinner is always a success and a good time is had by all.
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Lyle Soetaert of Alpha Aviation discussed emerging development opportunities and long-term plans for Boundary Bay Airport at the September 27 Ladner Rotary Luncheon. Since Alpha Aviation took over as operator of the Airport in 2004, the face of Boundary Bay Airport has changed greatly – with a new state of the art terminal building, major improvements to the heritage hangar, installation of a new fuel farm, increased hangar storage capacity and further upgrades scheduled for the near future.
Delta Council recently endorsed an extension of Alpha Aviation’s lease for Boundary Bay Airport to 2099 along with a Master Servicing Plan to provide infrastructure and stimulate investment at the industrial lands located at the Airport.
A key project currently underway to improve access to the Airport is the 80 Street Overpass. Once completed next year, the overpass will benefit Delta by minimizing traffic delays and providing safe, uninterrupted vehicle access to Boundary Airport – a key service enhancement to the Airport and the surrounding industrial areas.
With its central location and close proximity to BC Ferries, the US Border, DeltaPort, YVR and the South Fraser Perimeter Road, the Airport offers a prime location for development.
On Friday, our Rotary District celebrated hockey by having over 300 Rotarians and friends join together at the Vancouver Giants game to watch their season opener against Seattle. The Giants put on a very entertaining game winning it 5 - 2.
Vancouver Giants Cain Franson celebrates his second period goal against Victoria Royals in opening night WHL action Friday night, September 23, 2011, in Vancouver, B.C
Dr Don somehow managed to comandeer, oops, find some friends who wanted to help him again with the noxious spartina removal this past weekend! New Rotarian Sandra and La Diva came by to assist and it turned out to be a lot of fun and some new friendships were made. Don's friend Bob somehow forgot not to trust Dr Don with a dare and tried to cross the boggy wetland to the next clump of grasses and found himself having an impromptu organic mud bath. Now we know that people pay big bucks for a treatment, but this one was not planned. Somehow after all the laughing and losing one of his boots (which he'd owned since 1984), Bob managed to get out of his mud bath and walk back to dry land not smelling so pleasant, but at least with one boot and 2 socks rescued.
As most of you know, Don has spearheaded the Spartina Project and we would like any able bodied Rotarians (friends welcome also) to pitch in at least once. It takes only an hour or less once you are on site.
Your next volunteer opportunity is almost here!
Here is some info:
Spartina anglica (Common Cordgrass) is a species of cordgrass that originated in southern England in about 1870. It is an allotetraploid species derived from the hybridSpartina × townsendii, which arose when the European native cordgrass Spartina maritima (Small Cordgrass) hybridised with the introduced American Spartina alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass).
It is a herbaceousperennial plant growing 0.4-1.3 m tall, yellowish green in spring and summer, and turning light brown in autumn and winter. The leaves are 20-60 cm long, and 1.5 cm broad at the base, tapering to a point. It produces flowers and seeds on only one side of the stalk. The flowers are a yellowish-green, turning brown by the winter.
The three Rotary Clubs in Delta have developed this award to be given out at the Hats Off to Excellence Gala 2011 on November 18.
Nominations will be accepted for this award until September 25th at 12pm.
All nominees must exhibit ethical standards of honesty, integrity and consistency in dealing with employees, contractors and customers, while positively enhancing the economic well-being of the firm’s stakeholders, providing jobs, opportunity and profits.
On August 13th there were a number of environmental Ladner Rotary members who decided that painting fish on the streets of Ladner was a great idea. The environmental work party was fun and we had a few young up and coming young Rotarians to help out.
Seven Ladnerians attended District Conference this past weekend. Kudos go to Mike Storey for the excellent work in organizing the registration, to Graham Whitcher, Sergeant-at-Arms and invocator supreme and to Lynn Cameron, District Secretary, responsible for the Minutes of the General Meeting. The General Meeting voted a $10.00 fee increase to sustain Our new Governor plans. Your Supremo voted against as Governor Doge had only asked for $5.00. Now it will be up to us to harmonize this increase.
Our Program is Carol Thatcher and Lionel Wilson from InspireHealth. This centre is Canada's foremost integrated cancer care centre, leading the way through research and innovative cancer care programs integrated with conventional cancer treatment. Since 1997, InspireHealth's medical doctors have helped guide more than 5,500 patients to integrate research-informed natural approaches to health into their cancer treatment and recovery. There is growing evidence that these natural approaches to supporting health and immune system function can significantly decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and increase survival. Our own Myrna Sakata and Claudette Hayward have benefited from their approach. As we do not want the speakers to run out of time, we will keep Denis’ Rotary Moment short.
What a story! Constable John Smith gave us a very interesting presentation of Emergency Response Teams action during the Lillooet fires of 2009. Although the town was emptied, not one spoon went missing during the evacuation period. John also deglamourised the medal “ceremony”.
Changes for Tuesday April 26: In order to accommodate the visit to the Tsawwassen Golf & Country Club redevelopment, lunch will be served at 11:30. Please adjust your schedules. We will leave the T&C around noon. This is necessary as there are no facilities to sit at the site. In order to expedite lunch and departure I suggest we will have cheques for the Ladner Rotary Club ready ($19.50). We will tour the facilities just before residents start to move into their units. The President of Talisman Homes, Ross Clauston , who is in charge of the development will give a short update/overview of the project. Sarah Toigo will also be present to answer any questions. If there are instructions about access on the site they will, follow soon. Please let people know about the time and venue changes for Tuesday.
Field trip April 26: our meeting next week will take place at the Tsawwassen Golf& Country Club redevelopment by Shato Holdings just before residents start to move into their units, thanks to Amir at the DT&C, who is also manager of the golf club.. The Town & Country Inn will provide a brown bag lunch for that day because there are no facilities at the site. If there are instructions about access on the site they will, follow soon. So, mark your calendars and let people know about the venue change for next week.
Team dreams of clean streams: Following Don Burkett’s plug for his team I found this gem in our RI weekly update. It is certainly an example that we can emulate. The banks of the Sacramento River are a tangle of unwelcome plants. The Allied Stream Team of the Rotary Club of Redding Sunrise, ( the club’s environmental committee), is hard at work since 2000 supporting wildlife and removing invasive plants. “The crying need for restoration of our natural habitat was much larger than picking up discarded coffee cups and Coke bottles,” says the organizer. T he team’s work over the past decade is estimated at $1.4 million, based on government calculations of the value of its completed projects. The 50-member group does not work alone. Some projects – such as the annual Community Creek Clean Up Day – draw hundreds of volunteers, including Rotarians from other clubs, Interactors and Rotaractors, college students, and people responding to newspaper ads.
Friday October 8, North Delta Rotary and friends will be celebrating their 2nd annual Diwali Night. Please join Mike & Kathy in support of our North Delta Rotarian friends at this event.
As Delta Chamber of Commerce reflects on its first 100 years it looks forward to the future of economic development for Delta.View the presentation on September 28, 2010 by Ladner Rotary member, Peter Roaf:»click here»
A new concept in industrial land development for Delta
Delta Corporation Community Planning and Development Director, Thomas Leathem, presented plans for revitalizing Delta's industrial land base and planning for Zone C in the Tilbury area at the Ladner Rotary lunch meeting on September 14, 2010.
The concept envisages lot reconfiguration, a new road and pedestrian layout, higher intensity industrial uses, green buildings and infrastructure, creation of a waterfront 'heart' and 'main street' area with public amenities and services to support a vibrant industrial sector.
Thanks Lynn Cameron and Denis Denischuk who have volunteered to promote the Banner Advertising campaign for our 20th Rotary TV Auction. New banner ads will cost $200, those who have already had previous banner advertising on our TV Auctions can renew the same banner ad for $150 (electronic banner ad will already have been created, less work for our tech team)
Ken Stinson, who has been directing development for the Chan family's Waterfront Marina Garden Estates for the past 30 years presented plans for the next and perhaps final phase of development for the housing, marina and golf course complex in the Ladner area, at the Ladner Rotary Club lunch meeting on August 24.
This seminar, scheduled for October 29 -30 at the Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel 7571 Westminster Hwy in Richmond is a new approach to Rotary education. Go to our district website to register.
A wonderful pool party was held at Ray & Joanne's home in Delta. The weather, the location, the guests, the food and the games were perfect.....as were our hosts!
Thanks to all for your donations to Covenant House. The clothing was delivered by Ray and Joanne, and gratefully appreciated!
In 2009 Reach celebrated 50 years of providing programs and services that have made a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families in the South Fraser region.
For 50 years our primary goal has been to ensure that our range and capacity of services meets identified needs of children and families in the community to increase quality of life and support children to meet their full potential.
We are proud to have had the opportunity to serve the community for 50 years, grateful to our volunteers, staff and supporters, and honored to work with the many children and families who have been with us over the years.
Ryan Williams speaking on Social Media will be presenting to our club Tuesday April 6
, Update on Jody's return from New Zealand, Family of Rotary, RYLA South & World Peace Scholar nomination, ECU project update, Education Night in April
Remember, tomorrow our meeting is off site at REACH, Reach Child & Youth Development Society at 3 - 3800 72 St in Delta (off of Ladner Trunk Road).
Updates on Rotary Foundation Grant Seminar, District Assembly, ECU Project with Don, New Zealand Artist Exchange, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Chilean Rotary Friendship Exchange
We have chosen Patricia Chu to attend RYLA South this year at Camp Jubilee.
This is a Rotary program designed for youth ages 16 - 18 and can include your immediate family, friends, or any deserving young person. To ensure that we are able to put on the best program possible for the deserving participants, we will not be extending this registration deadline.
We will still be looking for another candidate for RYLA Lakelse (ages 14 - 15) being held in July this year.
Rotary International President Elect Ray Klinginsmith has announced the theme for the 2010-2011 Rotary Year: Building Communities - Bridging Continents.
On Sep 29 2009, after participating in the Dalai Lama's Vancouver Peach Summit, Daphne Nederhorst, founder of Sawa Global will visit Rotary Club of Ladner and share with us her journey with Sawa Global. Daphne also intends to bring with her one of the three Sawa Heroes who were also invited to the same Peace Summit.
Rob Wright of South Shore Cycles (Rob and his bike company are incredible community boosters) is a member of the Rotary Club of North Delta and has an opportunity for you to be rewarded with a free Sept 20 afternoon boat cruise with Team Coastal. There are several events in our community and many are supported by local Rotary Clubs here and across the line in Washington. Anyone needing a bike, accessories, bike service, please support Rob and his shop (located in North Delta beside the Cactus Club). Here are some community events happening in the next few weeks that need volunteer support from people like you. Invite your friends to volunteer, have a great time volunteering and then you & a guest can enjoy a free cruise with appetizers out on the ocean.
Hello Club Members, you are welcome to join Brenda, Kim, Lynn and myself Sat July 11 at Holly Park @ 8:30 am. We have a joint Rotary project with North Delta and Tsawwassen Clubs happening this weekend. Some of us will be riding with the public from 9 am to 10 am while others prep and set up. We'll be cooking and serving pancakes from 10 am to 11 am, then clean up till 11:30 am. They have requested minimum four Rotarians from each club but more are welcome. Here is more info on this event:
Let's make our annual baseball trip a SELL OUT, join us in Seattle to see the Mariners play the Texas Rangers on Sunday July 12........ still have 4 tickets and 4 bus tickets remaining for this excellent sporting event! If any members have friends or relatives still thinking of going, please ask them to join us and to let me know as soon as possible. A fun day is planned for all and the weatherman is supposed to co-operate for us by the weekend.
Many families and many persons are forever grateful for the BC Transplant Program. Lonnie, one of our past members underwent a kidney transplant that changed her life.
As of Wed night June 10, there are seven tickets left for Sat June 13 Lobsterfest. Tickets are $75 each, doors open 6:00 pm, program starts 6:30 pm, dinner served 7:30 pm. Come join Stacey, Jeff, Linda, Ulf, Kathy, Mike and your North Delta Rotary friends at the East Delta Hall on Highway Ten. Free mussel bar, silent and live auction, live music/dancing to Circle of Friends, lobster dinner (or steak if pre-ordered). Call Mike Storey ASAP if interested in tickets, cell 604-830-1310 or office 946-9669. Click on "More" tab to view video commercial for more information...
Leo Nimsick & Diana, Larry & Denise Pretty, Chu Wu, Mike & Kathy Storey attended the District Conference this year. We started the conference by joining other Rotarians at the Victoria Golf Club
The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society is a non-profit organization whose volunteers are dedicated to public education and the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned birds. OWL is licensed through Fish and Wildlife. Under the direction of founding director Bev Day. OWL is on call seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Public tours are held every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 2:30pm.
Ladner Rotary has committed to sponsor a youth aged 14 - 15 to RYLA Lakelse 2009 and Riley MacLoud of Delta Secondary has been chosen to attend and represent our club.
Patricio Alvarez presented an overview of our matching grant project in progress between our club and the Temuco Norte Rotary Club in Chile. Patricio gave us a geographical and historical overview of Temuco City and this area of Chile. Temuco City is about a six hour car ride from Santiago. This region of Chile is very beautiful and is surrounded by volcanoes, lakes and trees. There are many golf courses in this area.
Patricio brought greetings from Temuco Norte Rotary Club and word that they are very excited about being our sister Rotary club and developing a Friendship Exchange. The planning for the Friendship Exchange has just begun and consideration is being given for our visit to be in later winter or early spring of 2010.
At the end of his presentation, Patricio presented Peter with a Rotary banner from the Temuco Norte Rotary Club.
This year's auction is scheduled for Saturday November 14. Jeff Norris is the chair with the committee comprising of Gerry Beltgens, John Anderson, Mike Storey and Adnan Hussain. We are exploring several new ideas this year including:
-Pairing Rotarian on air announcers with a young person that has Rotary connections
-Increased Banner Ad campaign
-Explore Pro-rating of auction proceeds on a club basis
-Increase auction donations by merchants (we want everyone to participate in gathering auction items, this committee will provide leads to Rotarians to help make this possible)
-Increased PR & promotions with a series of newspaper articles targeting merchant donations + public awareness of auction date
-Drawing North Delta Rotary back into the TV auction
As we organize this event, everyone will be invited to take part. We will be developing jobs/tasks for everyone in the club so can make this a successful event. The auction committee is looking forward to working with everyone on this project and having a lot of fellowship also.
Dan Gallant, Rotarian and "old" friend of Denis Denischuk, was today's speaker. The Rotary World Help Network is a non-profit, charitable organization that coordinates the shipment of Educational, Humanitarian, and Medical supplies to countries in need.
Our mission is to help communities through a coordinated effort to relocate used equipment and supplies.
This has allowed Ladner Rotary to be a part of an organization that ties in with Rotary Clubs worldwide.
Being a member helps a club meet the District objectives for International Service, and work parties count as a make-up.
The Rotary Club of Ladner has sponsored numerous containers over the years.
The replacement value of goods sent in each container is approximately $300,000. The approximate "replacement value" of goods sent to other Rotary clubs around the world is approximately 80 million dollars.
It all started in 1992 when District 5040 Rotarians went to Kiev. They saw the state of the medical facilities and decided to help. Together they organized a shipment of medical supplies.
Bill managed to convince the Vancouver Club to carry on the project under their international service portfolio. By 1997, the project became too big for one club to handle and if the project was to survive it had to evolve. In September 1997, seven Rotary Clubs joined together and founded the network.
Watch for announcements for the next RWHN loading, you can help a little or a lot, but it is amazing to see some of the medical and specialized equipment that is donated through this very special Rotary project.
Well we beat the odds and the rain. Tom, Art, Tony Wideski, Graham and grandson Aidan, shoveled, wheelbarrowed, and hauled soil in a garbage can. We completed the job in under 2 hours. Not bad for a bunch of old farts and one youngster. Aidan worked hard and showed us how to put in the effort. The rain started during the last fifteen minutes of loading the planter. It got a bit mucky and slippery in that short period of time, however, through spectacular good luck no one slipped or fell, thus saving us from a multitude of whining and complaining. There is a chance we may hear a bunch of noise about sore muscles, aches and pains. Next step is for the master carpenters to put the capping on then we can turn it over to the ECU for replanting of flowers etc. T'was a job well done again. Thanks to Tom, Art, Tony, Graham, and Aidan for coming out to complete this vital step.
On Monday, March 23, 2009 President Peter hosted a meeting of his Board of Directors, President Elect Lynn's Board of Directors and our newest members. Peter provided us with food and quantities of fine grape product. Excellent fellowship, plus great communication, some of it about Rotary, was enjoyed by all who attended. We all learned something new about our club and Rotary as an organization. If you have never taken the opportunity to attend a fireside, you miss the chance to learn about your fellow Rotarians and our Club itself. Next time there is a fireside session take a risk, attend, everyone is welcome.
March 22, 2009 Delta Hospital Extended Care Unit Project
As you can see, great progress has been made by the motley crew..... Mike and Cathy Storey and Jon finished sealing the wall, (Initially power washed by Mike, Graham, Jon and Art), the old rotten, rotten, rotten flower bed has been torn apart, and incredible progress made on building a new planter box. Master carpenters, Don and Jeff, made the 11 required cuts, well at least 11 cuts, everyone lifted and lugged the freek'n timbers about, Don under explicit instructions not to drop one of the timbers  immediately upon hearing the words dropped in on my fingers ...... a12' ter. Gott's an ow'y!!!!!! (I know... poooooorrrrrrr BABY)
Here is a photo of a recent cheque presentation for the endoscopy equipment for our local Delta Hospital. The people in the photo are Steve Millen, Chair of the Delta Hospital Foundation; Lynn Cameron, Ladner Rotary Club President Elect for 2008/2009; Dr. Jean Segal, former medical director at Delta Hospital; Peter Podovinikoff, President of the Ladner Rotary Club 2007/2008, and Jeff Norris, member of the Ladner Rotary Club.
On February 23rd in 1974, two of our Rotarians were married in Richmond at approximately 1 to 2 pm only one block apart. They did not know each other then, but celebrated their mutual 35th wedding anniversary last night at the Sun Sui Wah Restaurant. The two couples also had a winter theme for their honeymoon, as Larry and Denise Pretty went skiing in the Interior and Lynn and John Cameron honeymooned in Whistler. Congratulations to these two wonderful couples.
At our meeting on February 17th, Ron Bollen told us the wonderful tale of how he and the love of his life Susan met. They married in 1944 and have had many happy wonderful years together. Ron and Susan Bollen celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on February 12th. We wish them well and honour their happiness together.
Check out our recent 2009 winners and our DECEMBER 25th, 2009 winner of a $1,000.00 prize, Tsawwassen Golf Club Staff...
DECEMBER 2009
Winners
December 4/09 164 Robert/Jean Firzpatrick Delta $100.00 December 11/09 19 Terry Cochrane Delta $100.00 December 18/09 2305 Ms. Christine Brodie Richmond $100.00 December 25/09 969 Tsaww.Golf Club Staff Delta $1,000.00 December 26/09 1276 Mr. Dann Sheen Delta $100.00
At the District 5040 Foundation Dinner on November 21, the Rotary Club of Ladner was recognized as the Number 1 club in our district in per capita contribution to the Rotary Foundation (TRF) for the Rotary year 2007-2008.District Governor Bob Blacker and immediate Past District Governor Dean Rohrs presented Club President Peter Podovinikoff with a recognition banner.
Five of our members attended Club Leadership Assembly at Douglas College New Westminster Campus on Saturday, March 29. Led by President Elect Peter Podovinikoff, PDG Leo Nimsick, President Chu Wu, President Nominee Lynn Cameron and Program Chair and incoming Director of Club Projects Jeff Norris attended the all-day event. District Governor Elect Bob Blacker and District Trainer Penny Offer planned an action packed fast paced day of club leadership education distributed by key pillars.
What a tremendous night Past President Irene Forcier created for us on Saturday night, April 5, 2008!More than 165 guests came to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Ladner with a Gala Dinner.
It's been three months since I have updated the Club on my Rotary journey as Club President from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.Some amazing things have happened and many things, for better or worse, remain the same.It's Week 24!The year is almost half over for me as Club President.
Tonight at our December Board Meeting at Delta Town and Country Inn, we invited Marjorie Higginson to join the Board of Directors as Director of Club Projects and Marjorie accepted.She is really just getting a six-month jump start to the role which she has already agreed to fill in Rotary Year 2008-2009, when Peter Podovinikoff will be the Club President starting July 1, 2008
As always, there are some changes with our Rotary TV Auction this year. Some of the same challenges remain the same. Getting Rotarians to solicit Auction Items has always been difficult. It gets done but usually at the last minute. And this year, the last minute is sooner that ever before. We do not have the use of the warehouse space at Delta Cable so that changes things including our early deadline of September 30.
On Tuesday, Gene Vickers who is a Rotarian from District 5050 and known well to our own PDG Leo Nimsick came to our club as the guest speaker to give us a bit of inspiration - Rotary, Quietly Making a Difference.Gene Vickers brought his wife, Heather, with him.After our meeting, they were crossing the border to speak to another Rotary club for a dinner meeting in Washington State.Gene's main message was to believe in the POWER OF ONE.
After spending a laid back week with my wife, kids and parents on the Oregon Coast flying kites and riding dune buggies, there was nothing like "hanging out" with PDG Chris Offer to get me back into Rotary. On Tuesday, Chris was our guest speaker. On Friday and Saturday, Chris chaired the Rotary International Presidential Membership Conference, which Leo Nimsick and I attended.More than 400 Rotarians attended this sold-out event in Richmond. On Saturday night, at a by-invitation only dinner, RI President Wilf Wilkinson presented Chris Offer with an award for his work on Polio eradication.
Even though some of the original Wilburys have passed away, the Wilburys of Ladner Rotary continue on and help do our best to raise funds to help End Breast Cancer.
The Traveling Wilburys Volume One is the best record of its kind ever made. Then again, it's also the only record of its kind ever made. A low-key masterpiece, Volume One marks the auspicious debut of the Traveling Wilburys - Lucky Wilbury (a.k.a. Bob Dylan), Nelson Wilbury (George Harrison), Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison), Otis Wilbury (Jeff Lynne) and Charlie T. Jr. (Tom Petty).
There were three Rotary meetings this past week!In additional to our regular Tuesday meeting, many Ladner Rotarians were at Beach Grove Golf and Country Club on Wednesday afternoon for Rob Kamensek's Celebration of Life.On Sunday, Arthur Birk's 2008 Mariner Trek to Seattle resulted in an exciting come from behind win by the Mariners over the Oakland A's, with an whopping 14-10 score.
It has been said that golf is a perfect game to learn about the true nature of the person you are golfing with. One often finds that the person you started with on the 1st hole is a completely different person on the 18th hole. One game I do recall was with Ladner Rotarian Robin Hunkin and Rob Kamensek.
The passing of Rob Kamensek took me back to one of my first volunteering experiences at the Rotary Club of Ladner. It was a 3-hour shift of selling Tunnel Tally ruffle tickets at Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall on a Saturday in the summer of 2002. It was a pleasantly beautiful sunny day. Four of us volunteered for that shift from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. There were Arthur Birk, Barry Irvine, Rob Kamensek and me -- three Past Presidents and a rookie. I had barely joined the Club for a little over a month.
We had a small but energetic crowd for our Tuesday Jul 8 meeting. Bob McNary from Coquitlam Sunrise Club and a former recipient of Citizen of the Year Award by Coquitlam Chamber Commerce was our guest speaker. Bob shared with us his knowledge about Special Olympics and then demonstrated his skill as an auctioneer following his speech.
John Thomas just became grandfather for the third time. The baby girl was pre-mature at 3.5 lbs. but mother and daughter appeared to be doing well. John Thomas also spoke eloquently on the importance for each of us to focus on bring in one or two more sponsors for the Calendar Lottery to help Chair Lynn Cameron filling all 60 sponsor spots. We still need almost twenty sponsors.
President Bill Bramwell and his wife Marilyn celebrated the end of Bill's presidential year by joining the Rotary Foundation's Bequest Society. Bill and Marilyn recently pledged to amend their will to include a bequest of at least US$10,000 to the Rotary Foundation. District Governor Dean Rohrs and our own PDG Leo Nimsick were on hand to present Bill and Marilyn with pins and the Crystal on behalf of the Rotary Foundation.
Lynn Spence was installed as our newest Rotarian by DG Dean Rohrs. Lynn Cameron was recognized by the Club as a Paul Harris Fellow for her dedicated service this past year.
July 1 represents the start of another Rotary year. Our new Board was installed on June 26, 2007 at Delta Town and Country Inn by District Governor Dean Rohrs. More than 50 Rotarians and friends were on hand to celebrate the year of "Lead the Way" and bring in the year of "Rotary Shares". President (2006-2007) Bill Bramwell reviewed the highlights of 2006-2007. President (2007-2008) Chu Wu shared the "Six-Way Test".
District Governor Dean Rohrs, Kelly Guichon (Public Relations), Mike Storey (Secretary), Lynn Cameron (Treasurer), Bill Bramwell (Past President), Melissa Granum (Administration), Chu Wu (President)
April brings the three Delta Rotary clubs together to begin planning our 17th Annual Rotary TV Auction and we are looking for volunteers from the Ladner club to sit on the planning committee together with
Our Ladner Rotary Club CHRISTMASDINNER was a special treat for some of the widows of past Rotarians. It was so nice to see them enjoying themselves and re-connecting with them.
The newly chartered Vancouver Centennial Club that was sponsored by our club came to the dinner and we all enjoyed the fellowship. We thank them for coming and sharing in our Christmas event.
Another treat was that some Rotarians brought their very well behaved children and/or grandchildren. Small gifts were handed out to the children after a wonderful dinner and some singing of Christmas carols. One of the favorites that got everyone involved was " The Twelve Days of Christmas" , with everyone participating and singing the chorus of their respective month's birthday (ie: if your birthday was in January, then you were the 1st month and were the "partridge in the pear tree" 1st chorus.)
Later we had the entertaining sounds of the "Bosa Boys" who were our own Don Burkett and his crew.  Thank you to all who worked so hard in arranging everything and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.Â
On Nov 22 2005, our Guest Speaker was Spender McDonald. Spencer suffered a mental disorder and he reports there is still a stigma attached to any type of mental disorder.People should care about persons suffering from depression, as one in ten persons experiences clinical depression in their lifetime.
President Mike Storey had happy dollars for a tremendous Foundation Dinner event on November 18, 2005. Neall Lucente had sad dollars. Neall arrived early to help set up the Foundation Dinner and volunteered throughout the evening. He was having such fun trying to keep up with Leslie Abramson but got kind of tired. He decided to go for a little nap in his car. Neall was awake by a mall security guard at 2 am. Everyone was gone!
News about: Rotary Calendar Sales Team; November 11 Remembrance Day Service; District 5040 Foundation Dinner; Rotary Foundation Seminar; TedTowers "Night at The Races; spousal luncheon -Nov 29th; Red Nose Program; Canadian Mental Health Association Christmas dinner; Friday Night Social.
Ed's second CESO (Canadian Executive Services Overseas)humanitarian project, this time to the Philippines. Horrible corruption still exists in this country. Average income is less than $150.00 per month.
Our own President, Rotarian Mike Storey participated on August 19-21, in the "The Weekend to END Breast Cancer". Thank you to everyone who donated and supported MIKE's fundraising effort, making the weekend a success!
The following is my tentative Board of Directors for 2005-2006.
The only confirmation I need is from Peter Pod (he asked for this directorship a few months ago when I was canvassing people).
President: Mike Storey Past President: Brenda Sheen President Elect: Kelly Guichon Vice President: Bill Bramwell Secretary: Kelly Guichon Treasurer: Neall Lucente Directors Club Service "A": Lani Jo Weaver Club Service "B": Peter Waycott Community Service: Peter Podovinikoff Vocational Service: Chu Wu World Community Service: Larry Pretty Director At Large: Leo Nimsick
Regards,
Mike Storey IDEAL DOOR LTD. #2-7449 Hume Ave, DeltaV4G 1C3 Email: mike@idealdoor.ca Ph (604)-946-9669 Fax (604)946-9504 Website: www.idealdoor.ca
At the Installaton Dinner held at the Sundance in Ladner on June 22nd, our own "Webmaster" Chu Wu received the Paul Harris Fellowship. Congratulations Chu!
Jim Burnett, on behalf of the family, would like to thank the Rotary Club of Ladner for the flowers and support from the members, many of whom have visited Ernie at Delta Hospital.
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.
An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented.
In a salute to Remembrance Day 2021, Ladner Rotarians Ulf Ottho and Jim Burnett raise a flag for a week on the lawn of a Ladner resident who has registered for this service to generate funds for local community services in Delta. Lest we forget. 
Our club is in good company worldwide in holding its weekly club meeting for the first time in 64 years as a virtual one on Zoom. 25 members were able to attend this first of a kind meeting, including three members who have been unable to join us regularly for a long time. There were few technical glitches and we all had a chance to connect. We are back to our weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom. More information to follow.
A Paul Harris +1 pin (second time presented), which recognizes members who have delivered extraordinary service above self or who may have contributed more than US $1000 to The Rotary Foundation, is presented to New Generations Chair Tammy Hansen, right, by President Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
Chris Offer demonstrates how keen he is about ClubRunner, the web system which supports this website and its communication and administration features, and those of our District and many clubs throughout Rotary, in wearing ClubRunner socks.
Rotary District 5040 Governor Lyn Stroshin (centre), with President Walt Hayward (left). presented a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award +3 to Past President Peter Roaf
Saturday, April 8, 2017 Richmond, BC
Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was affected by floods in 2010, directly affecting about 20 million people, through destroyed property, livelihood and infrastructure, and with a death toll of close to 2,000. Disaster Aid Canada provides emergency shelter and safe drinking water in disaster zones, but also clothing and soap.
Weekend Family Peer Support Group in South Delta, for special needs adults, has enjoyed an annual Christmas dinner over many years, and Rotary Club of Ladner has enjoyed the fellowship and pleasure of producing it 
Delta Life Skills to benefit from this year's Delta Secondary School Interact gift wrapping sessions in December. Please keep this in mind for your Christmas gift wrapping.
For providing extraordinary service to the community of Delta, conducting their life with integrity and standing out amongst peers, Rotary Assistant Governor for Delta and Richmond and community leader, Rick Lewall, has received the 2016 Citizen of the Year Award from the Delta Chamber of Commerce at its Hats Off Awards event on November 25, 2016. 
Ladner Rotary President Walt Hayward and two Ladner Interactors after laying wreath at the cenotaph in Ladner's Memorial Park at Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11, 2016
On the Philippine Island of Mindoro, the local mayor, head of the diagnostic centre and some municipal councilors were on hand to witness the unloading of a container of medical equipment and supplies for the local medical centre on October 31, 2916. Local residents expressed tremendous gratitude for this Rotary-sponsored gift to their community.
In her "classification speech" as a new member of the Rotary Club of Ladner, Elena Murgoci, Executive Director of Little House Society, based in Tsawwassen, described her Eastern European heritage of parents who fled communist regimes and emigrated to Canada.
Thanks to the Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, Rotary on Ice was another winner this year at the October 23, 2016 game when Vancouver Giants played the Tri-City Americans at the Club's new venue, the Langley Sports Centre, in Langley, BC.
Rod Swenson, of Rod Swenson Farms in Delta, expressed his gratitude to our community on behalf of current and previous generations of his farming family, in making a generous donation to the splash park planned for children and families starting in the summer of 2017. The Rotary Club of Ladner Splash Park was initiated by our club and is progressing in partnership with the Corporation of Delta and with support of generous sponsors and donors such as Mr. Swenson. The main theme of the splash park will reflect and honour the farming heritage of Ladner and Delta.
Rotary Districts 5040 and 5050 host Exploring The Rotary Foundation, a 
Rotary's 30-year worldwide campaign to end polio received the largest donation by a Rotary District in 2015-16 from our District 5040 in western BC from International President of Rotary John Germ (left) at a Zone conference in Winnipeg. The fight to end polio continues. Congratulations, Past District Governor 2015-16 John Anderson, and our 48 clubs for this achievement. Just one of many ways Rotary makes the global community as well as local communities near and far better places to live.
Chu Wu, who returned to his original Rotary Club of Ladner earlier this year, gives his classification speech. Having served Rotary in many roles in the past, including President of this club and Assistant District Governor, encourages club members to aim for the Club of the Year Award at next year's District conference in Whistler, having been a runner-up this year. 
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Rotary soccer ball was a great hit in trade for the home made one (left) on a Rotary humanitarian support visit to Ethiopia, with husband Alex, by Rotary District 5040 Governor Elect Lyn Stroshin, of the Whistler Millenium Club
Ladner Rotary President Elect Walt Hayward (left), with Kathy Storey (right). presented a supply of toiletry gift bags to the Peer and Family Support Group
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Viola Kiess has organized a weekly drop-in event for special needs adults every Thursday at noon, at Ladner United Church, 4960 48th. Avenue in Ladner. Light lunch is served. 
The Rotary Club of Ladner is a member of the 
Rose Chiron describes her upbringing in a dysfunctional family in a rough part of Chicago and later substance abuse in sharp contrast to her positive life today, good relationships with her own children, and influence on others caught in desparate conditions because she stopped blaming others and took charge of her own life.
Congratulations to our District 5040 Governor Nominee (DG in 2017-18), Don Evans, who received The Caring Canadian Award from His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada at the Chan Centre, UBC on Friday March 4th.
Ladner Rotarian Patricia Sibley describes her work with Rooftops Canada over a number of years, twice in Zimbabwe and seven times in Tanzania.
The Canadian Wheelchair Foundation/ Fondation Chaise Roulante Canada (CWF) is an independent Canadian registered charity dedicated to:
Rotarian Bruce Wiebe, District Manager of The Co-operators, and Ladner Rotarian, Ray Moschuk, an advisor with The Co-operators (at left) present a cheque for $10,000 towards the new water park in Ladner, to water park campaign chair, Irene Forcier (right) and cllub president Peter Roaf.
Dream On Seniors’ Wish Foundation
Lawyer Bridget Jacob (left) and financial management consultant, Christiaan ter Keurs, of Raymond James were inducted as new members at the Rotary Club of Ladner on January 12, 2016.
Christiaan also gave his "classification" speech as a new member about growing up with Rotary in The Netherlands and being attracted to the financial field when he was young. He also described trends and changes in the investment and financial planning fields. He and his wife live in Ladner with their three children.
Tsawwassen Commons is a 550,000 SF retail development in progress at the Tsawwassen First Nation. It is described as offering a diverse tenant mix and trading area that will service the affluent areas of Tsawwassen, Ladner, South Delta, North Delta and South Richmond. Tsawwassen Commons is next door to Ivanhoe Cambridge’s Tsawwassen Mills development.
When it comes to running a business with integrity, who are the role models among us? That is the question that the three Rotary Clubs in Delta and Enactus KPU asked when they developed the Ethics in Business Award.
What is Rotary? In response to a recent survey of Rotarians about what was the "initial attraction" to our organization, the answers came down to:
Ladner Rotarian Lindsay Eldridge thanks Tom with a club donation to the Rotary International End Polio campaign
Of the 2,936 pilots who fought during the four-month Battle of Britain, 595 were non-British, including 112 Canadians. Among the 1495 aircrew killed during the four-month Battle, 47 were airmen from Canada.
generate 
Manager of the Envision Financial branch in Ladner, Geoff Willers, gave his classification speech on November 3, 2015. 
Mission of The Rotary Foundation
Representatives of the BC Self Advocacy Foundation, founded in 1985, speak on the advantages for employers, employees and communities of inclusive employment which includes the hiring of individuals who are receiving government assistance.
The 2016 calendar showcases the community of Delta: our farms and communities which grew up around them and our commerce, industry and people. The calendar is also a lottery, with a relatively high possibility of winning cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000 in weekly draws throughout the coming year.
It is cause for celebration on this day, September 25, 2015, that the World Health Organization (WHO) announces that Nigeria is now polio-free and has been officially removed from the list of countries where polio is endemic. .JPG)
It provides community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life.
Robert says one of the main priorities of his club is literacy.
The Awards, which will be presented at a gala event in January 2016, recognizes local companies and organizations nominated as role models of ethical business practice.
The Rotary International Presidential Citation awarded to the Rotary Club of Ladner by then RI President Gary C.K. Huang, of Taiwan, as announced at the District 5040 conference in May, was presented to the club by Immediate Past District Governor Ken Wilson at the September 8, 2015 club meeting.
The Citation was awarded for achieving goals that strengthen Rotary and our club in areas such as:
Rotarians are invited to the Rotary Day of Dialogue at the Wosk Centre, downtown Vancouver, on November 21, 2015. 
Ladner Rotarian Wilbur Walrond, right, with fellow club member, Ray Moschuk, was born, one of nine children, on July 28, 1938 in the town of Couva, Trinidad.
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RESTOR International is a Rotarian non-profit humanitarian organization providing free reconstructive surgery to disadvantaged children and adults in developing countries. 
Orca Airways Ltd.
As operators of the only two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in Western Canada, FortisBC is expanding the one in Delta's Tilbury industrial park.
Thanks to members of our current board and the incoming board who met for an evening planning session on June 8, and to District Rotarian Don Evans who facilitated the session, Rotary Club of Ladner now has an action plan for 2015-16.
Rotary Club of Ladner contributed sponsorship funding to support the visit to Ottawa of Ladner high school student, Christopher Tsui, who reported on his experience learning about our nation's capital and government as a member of a youth forum.
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Long-time Ladner Rotarian Ed Klassen and his wife Kathy, en route home to Nanaimo from a winter stay in New Zealand, spoke to the club about 
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Executive Director of the Delta Hospital Foundation Veronica Carroll, gave her new member's classification speech, which included a presentation on the future plans for the Delta Hospital, the needs and the role of the Hospital Foundation. See more for a presentation on the hospital's future.........
Winner of the 2015 Delta Rotary Business Ethics Award Tanya Marsh, of 100 Acre Wood Family Daycare ( left) with fellow finalists, Christina Tablan, of Complete Cleaning Services Corp., and Tanya Snow, of Augustine House, and Delta Richmond East M.P. and Ladner Rotarian Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
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Over 50 new Rotarians as well as long service members throughout District 5040, from Williams Lake, Whistler, the Lower Mainland, and points in between, participated in the Rotary Leadership Institute Parts 1 and 2 on Saturday, January 24, 2015 in Burnaby.
Ladner Rotarian and Past District Governor Chris Offer facilitates, and presents with two others, the learning sessions for Part 2. Ladner Rotarian and PDG Penny Offer played the same role for Part 1 sessions.
President Elect Peter Roaf participated in Part 2: "I highly recommend the high quality sessions to any member, especially for newer members like me, to get the most out of their Rotary experience."
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