President & Board 2025-26, Rotarian of the Year

Posted on Jun 10, 2025

"Unite for Good" is the 2025-26 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, 2025, and presents its Rotarian of the Year Award. Guillermo Bustos presents the club's heritage with its Talking Stick -- Indigenous tradition that only the person holding the Talking Stick is entitled to speak -- passed in a ceremony from the outgoing club president to the incoming one.


District 5040 Governor 2025-26 Jan Gisborne (left) swore in Ladner Rotary's 2025-26 Board of Directors (l to r) President Brian Coe, Past President David Ruston, Administration Director Denis Denischuk, Treasurer Tammy Hansen, Secretary Mike Storey, Executive Secretary Lynn Cameron, Foundation Director and Past District Governor Chris Offer, Public Image Director Peter Roaf, Fundraising Director Richard Shantz, Youth Liaison Director Guillermo Bustos and Sergeant At Arms Simbarashe Basvi

District Governor 2025-26 Jan Gisborne speaks to the club	Jan installs Brian Coe as club president for 2025-26

Outgoing President David Rushton (l) passes The Talking Stick to incoming President Brian Coe	Brian Coe, who was President in 2023-24, speaks to the club about looking forward to returning as President

Past District Governor and the club's Foundation Director Chris Offer presents the Rotary International Major Donor Award to Denise Pretty in her honour and that of her late husband and long time member Larry Pretty	President David Rushton presents Denise Pretty with a Paul Harris Fellow Award +1 for generous support of The Rotary Foundation

President David Rushton gives his farewell speech, thanking members for a productive year	Past District Governor and Membership Director for the club Penny Offer receives the club's Rotarian of the Year Award from David Rushton and MC Denis Denishuk






The Talking Stick – Rotary Club of Ladner Talking sticks are a part of the Coast Salish Culture. The Rotary Club of Ladner’s first talking stick, now part of the Delta Museum's Archive's collection, was carved for the Club by Clarence Taylor the last Reeve of Delta. Our present talking stick, a present from Dr. Jim Morin, is carved with various animals and symbols on them. A copper represents wealth. A raven represents the trickster or the teacher depending upon whether you have learned from life's lessons. An eagle represents Freedom and Vision. Freedom is acknowledging your own freedom, first as an individual, then, once you become strong in this, you share your knowledge with your environment. Vision is knowing that each life decision you make will affect seven generations of your people. The bear represents strength and wisdom and so on. Our talking stick bears the salmon: for the once vibrant fishing village of Ladner. It feeds man and animal. Eagles will fish for salmon to feed their young just as our local fishermen did. Talking sticks are used usually on formal occasions, in the Coast Salish community, but, in more recent times, a contemporary use of the talking stick is within small groups, family or organizations such as Rotary where the individual holding the talking stick is the only one with the right to speak. When speaking, the holder of the talking stick must honour all present including him/herself. In our club, the talking stick is presented to the President by the Past President and symbolizes the transfer of the leadership role and the role of responsibility and respect. Symbolically, the President will hold the talking stick and will conduct his or her business with all Rotarians in mind. Ladner Rotary is a club of diversity. We are a club of community leaders and a club that appreciates the differences at the same time we respect that we cannot always agree with each other. It is up to the President, holder of the talking stick, to lead our Club for the good of all concerned into the future.
Invocation, by Chris Offer Good evening, fellow Rotarians and guests, Ever wonder why the Rotary year starts July 1st? Before 1912 convention in July or August with financial reports approved and then the new Rotary year started. on July 1, 1912 after the audit As we gather here today, we reflect on a year filled with service, impact, and friendship. The Rotary Club of Ladner has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to making a difference both locally and globally. This past year, we have seen remarkable projects come to life. Our StoryWalk initiative brought joy to children and families along the Millennium Trail, fostering literacy and community engagement. We extended a helping hand to those in need, providing food support to local students, as well as contributing to the South Delta Food Bank. Our dedication to youth empowerment continued through our sponsorship of the Interact Club at Delta Secondary, nurturing the next generation of leaders. The Westham Island Park was completed with our support and the E-bike charging stations are being used in Ladner. We again brought joy with Christmas lights at the hospital and hospice. It is hard to tell if our club members or those attending the Peer Support Group Christmas dinner had the most fun. Our membership grew and we explored new categories of membership. Beyond our local efforts, we reached across borders, delivering water filters remote villages in Laos, ensuring access to clean drinking water for communities in need.