Field of Crosses

The Field of Crosses Returns to Kelowna Cenotaph
 
 
From November 2 to November 12, City Park will, once again, set the stage for “The Field of Crosses”.  This visual memorial commemorates the lives of Canadian Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the service of their country. 
 
The display touches close to home for members of our community – including students – in a meaningful way.  Each of the 240 young Canadian heroes killed in action are honoured with an erected cross inscribed with their name, rank, regiment and date of death.
 
The Field of Crosses Opening Ceremony will be held on November 2 at 11:00 am near the Cenotaph and is open to everyone.   Recognition will be given to local relatives whose loved ones are named on the crosses.
 
People can visit any time, during City Park hours, from November 2 to November 12, to walk among the crosses in reflection and remembrance.  The staging area is well lit after dark to provide safety and illumination of the crosses for nighttime visits. 
 
On November 10 at 4:30pm, the public is invited to attend a moving, candlelight ceremony at City Park near the Cenotaph.
 
New this year is the opportunity to become a supporter of this worthy project.  Information may be found at www.kelownafieldofcrosses.com
 
The Field of Crosses is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Kelowna.  It was first brought to life in 2018 with partnership and cooperation from the Okanagan Military Museum and Society, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26, the BC Dragoons and Cadets, plus local volunteers.
 
 

For More Information:

 

Rick Potter

Rptary Club of Kelowna, Field of Crosses

Tel: (250) 864-5141

rpotte@hotmail.com

 

Keith Boehmer

Okanagan Military Museum, Field of Crosses Kelowna

250-763-9292

kboehmer@kelownamuseums.ca

 

MEDIA INVITATION

 

11-1   1:00pm             CROSS INSTALLATION volunteers from all partnering organizations work together to install the crosses

 

11-2   11:00pm           OPENING CEREMONIES with dignitaries and families of fallen heroes, near Cenotaph

 

11-6 to 11-10              KELOWNA GRADES 7-9 STUDENTS VISIT – each morning during the five day period from approximately 9:30 to 11:30 am, students are on site to learn about the soldiers and the significance of remembering

 

11-10   4:30pm           CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL SERVICE, near Cenotaph

 

Please RSVP regarding press visits

Tel: (780) 542-1248

jmulligan2011@gmail.com

Field of Crosses 2023-10-25 07:00:00Z 0

Ray Corner Award

Justin Wyllie (right) receives the Ray Corner Award for "Outstanding New Rotarian" from (l-r) President-Elect John Walker and member Gord Charles.
Ray Corner Award 2023-07-17 07:00:00Z 0

Habitat for Humanity

Also at the Feb. 21 meeting, Donations Committee Chair, Sheldon Paulger, along with President Bill, presented a cheque to Daniele Smith of Habitat for Humanity.
Our $5,000 donation will go toward the purchase of a badly needed forklift at Habitat for Humanity's Kelowna ReStore location.
Habitat for Humanity 2023-02-22 08:00:00Z 0

Feb. 21st Induction of New Members

One of our favourite programs (and most important) is welcoming new members into Rotary! 
Pictured here (l to r) Gordy Charles, Membership Chair; Doug Gossoo Induction Speaker; Simon Shaw; Kelley Olinger; Colleen Lees; Hugh McLellan; and President Bill Redmond.
 
Feb. 21st Induction of New Members 2023-02-22 08:00:00Z 0

February 21 Meeting

We were privileged this week to hear a presentation by our own member, Mark Rogers, on the history and great work of the Kelowna & District Fish & Game Club, of which Mark is President.
February 21 Meeting 2023-02-22 08:00:00Z 0

Jan. 31 Meeting

Recognition was given Tuesday, to those members who have continued to support the Rotary Foundation by way of additional Paul Harris Fellowships. Also, Alex Fong was recognized for his long history of service and support to our community by a Paul Harris Fellowship from President Bill Redmond.
Shown here from l to r: Evans Premachuk PHF +3, Alex Fong PHF, Jaime Briggs PHF +2, Bill Redmond Major Donor Level 3, Catherine Comben PHF +7, and Sheldon Paulger PHF +5
Jan. 31 Meeting Doug Gossoo 2023-02-01 08:00:00Z 0

Nov. 29 Meeting

Three new Rotarians were inducted to the Club at the Nov. 29 meeting! Pictured here, holding their membership certificates are (L to R), Tosca Marangoni; Mark Wagner; and Marg Berner. WELCOME!!
 
 Also at the Nov. 29 meeting, Richelle from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club and Adria from the YMCA were in attendance to share with us the great work they are doing, and to receive our cheque for $2500 which will be matched by the Stober Foundation. 
 
Nov. 29 Meeting Douglas Gossoo 2022-12-06 08:00:00Z 0

August 30 meeting

Our featured speaker at last week's meeting was well-known reporter/writer for the Daily Courier, JP Squire. We were also privileged to hear a "Classification Talk" from one of our newest members, Caia Forgione.
 
August 30 meeting 2022-09-06 07:00:00Z 0

COACH Donation

 
 
Rotary and the Pritchard Foundation leverage the power of financial collaboration to support COACH
 
 
 
Colin Pritchard, Sheldon Paulger, Steve Thomson, Jacqueline Gabelhouse
 
The Central Okanagan Association for Cardiac Health (COACH) has been supporting patients recovering from cardiac events for almost 25 years. Its’ primary role is to provide exercise, dietary and other life style recommendations to promote an enduring recovery; all done through an evidence based personalized assessment. This assessment establishes a baseline to understand overall strength and fitness for those entering cardiac rehabilitation. Over 400 patients annually partake in the COACH assessment and programs. Up to now the primary assessment device has been inadequate and mechanically unreliable. An appeal was made to The Rotary Club of Kelowna, through its Major Projects Donation’s initiative to fund a new CASE (Cardiac Assessment System for Exercise) stress testing system. This assessment tool enhances the experience for a cardiac patient to learn about their overall cardiovascular fitness level, symptoms, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure on newly prescribed cardiac medications. The information gathered is shared with the participant’s family physician and cardiologist to optimally manage their care. It directly supports the C.O.A.C.H. staff to provide appropriate safety precautions and exercise prescription for cardiovascular improvements. . The CASE system also serves additional clients from research partnerships with U.B.C.O. (Okanagan). The new CASE stress testing system will provide safe, effective assessments for the frail, the elderly who may require side rails, and heavier participants with extra wide surface area, improved accuracy, safety and work flow efficiencies. These efficiencies include stream lining information using a new electronic medical record systems with other health care providers and researchers (Kelowna Cardiology Associates, Family Physicians and U.B.C.O. researchers).
 
The almost $34,000 purchase exceeded the Rotary Club of Kelowna’s funding limits, so Colin Pritchard of The Colin and Lois Pritchard Foundation stepped up and contributed the balance necessary to make the purchase happen. Sheldon Paulger, Chair of Rotary’s Donations’ Committee, was very grateful. “When you don’t have an unlimited amount of funds, pooling resources with other like minded organizations enables important initiatives to get done that wouldn’t otherwise”. Steve Thomson, President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna, stated “COACH has made a big difference in our community through supporting healthy life style changes and we wanted to support that”. Jacqueline Gabelhouse, Team Lead at COACH, stated “this purchase not only improved on our evidence based assessments but also made a difference for our staff as they no longer have to re-do or work around the limitations of the old equipment”.
COACH Donation Doug Gossoo 2022-08-08 07:00:00Z 0

New Members Inducted

Inducting new members into Rotary is a great event for every club, and we're happy to report that such was the case for the Rotary Cub of Kelowna at our July 12, 2022 meeting! A hearty "Welcome to Rotary" goes out to (left to right):  Caia Forgione, Meg McMannus, Karine Veldhoen and Bruce Merrifield.
Current members, please be sure to extend a personal "welcome" and arrange to be seated for lunch with a new member soon.
 
New Members Inducted Doug Gossoo 2022-07-28 07:00:00Z 0

2022 Stober Group - Rotary Pro-Am Golf Tournament

We have just completed our 28th annual Rotary Pro-Am golf tournament, and our final proceeds will be over $100,000!
Due to the generosity and kindness of all our supporters we will be funding over 2 dozen Rotary charity initiatives!
 
2022 Stober Group - Rotary Pro-Am Golf Tournament Doug Gossoo 2022-05-25 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Annual Award Winners

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The Rotary Club of Kelowna recognized 10 exceptional Rotarians at our Annual President's Dinner:

·         Vocational Service Award – David Cullen 

·         Ian Greenwood Memorial Award – Julie Mulligan 

·         Albert Baldeo Caring Rotarian Award – Randy McBride 

·         Ray Corner Award – Shawna McCrea

·         Hass Houssian Memorial Service Award – Lenetta Parry 

·         Friends of Rotary Award: Gorman Bros 

·         District Award: Carol Eamer 

·         President’s Awards:

o    Small Committee – Small Donations (Sarah Campbell)

o    Large Committee – Fundraising (Robin Smith)

·         Harold Henderson Award – Sheldon Paulger 

Rotary Annual Award Winners JBK 2021-06-23 07:00:00Z 0

The stellar humanitarian work of Rotarian Murli Pendharkar

Author Patricia Ainslie Pubished in the Daily Courier
 
Murli Pendharkar at an all girls school near Ichalkaranji.
 
 

Murli Pendharkar has been involved with the Rotary Club of Kelowna over 30 years and during that time has completed over 40 international projects in India, the land of his birth.

These projects have been in many towns and villages in various central Indian states, from Gujarat to Maharashtra. After studies in mathematics and physics and teacher training at the Visva Bharati University established by Rabindranath Tagore near Calcutta, he moved to Tanganyika (now Tanzania) to teach in rural schools.

He came to Canada in 1961 and taught in schools in Saskatchewan, and was later superintendent of schools in various cities in B.C.. After his retirement in 1986, he began his long-volunteer engagement and in 1987 joined the Rotary Club of Kelowna.

The Indian projects Pendharkar completed were at first small ones using the Rotary matching-grant formula and all were designed to improve the schools in rural India. This includes toilet blocks and desks for classrooms and upgrades to schools. For all of these projects, Pendharkar worked with local clubs in India to identify needs in their communities, and so over the years he has developed important contacts in various cities and he is well-known and respected for his work there.

It is the Indian Rotary clubs in large cities that want to work with nearby villages to improve conditions. Once needs have been identified, Pendharkar would get approval from the Rotary Club of Kelowna and then prepare grant applications. This involves input from the receiving club to get quotes and find people to carry out the work.

Funds for his projects has come first from the Rotary Club of Kelowna, then the Rotary District to which the club belongs, namely 5060, and then the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Funds are also contributed by the Indian club and their relevant district.

Most projects have ranged from $50,000 to $99,000, though there has been one for much more. Once funds are received, they are transferred to India so that the project can begin. Strict records of spending is maintained and tracked throughout the project. All of the funds procured go to the project, none are for Rotarians who do this work or their travel.

And, over the many years, Pendharkar has done projects in India, he has spent a lot of his own money to travel to India and contributed a lot of unpaid time to develop the projects.

In the mid-1990s, along with Jeff Hartt, Pendharkar formed a committee of all the eight Okanagan Rotary clubs for an initiative in Amreli, Gujarat state in west central India. In this dry farming area, reliable rainfall is a serious problem. Pendharkar went to India seven times to meet with Rotarians led by Dr. Panchal in Amreli and later to see the progress of the project, and together they identified the need for a dam. Dr. Panchel was a founding member of the Amreli Rotary club in 1980 which now has about 25 members. At that time, the nearest dam was 25 miles away and Amreli only had water for four hours per week for eight months of the year.

A water engineer from Saskachewan went to Amreli and confirmed that a dam was viable. In addition to the Kamnath Dam, a sewer-treatment plant was proposed. This became an intense Rotary project from 1998 to 2001, involving fundraising by eight Okanagan Rotary clubs, the Amreli club and Rotary districts 5060 and 3060 resulting in more than $800,000 being dedicated to the project. Known as a 3H project — health, hunger and humanity — it received significant matching grants from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

This has been a significant project for the community which now has year-round water. The area was excavated to allow for the depth of the dam, and the year after it was built there was a huge monsoon and the dam was filled. Over time, due to the dam, the water table in the area has been raised from 125 feet to 25 feet, enabling more successful farming in this dry area.The earth that was removed was used to build gardens adjacent to the dam where families gather to celebrate special occasions. A more recent project Murli led with Dr Panchal is at the Chital High School in a village near Amreli. This includes renovations to the school, a new computer laboratory, new desks, and a new water purification system located on the roof of the school for drinking water for all the students.

Additionally, there are two new toilet blocks, one each for girls and boys. It is particularly important for the girls who do not attend school at times of the month without private toilets. In a village 90 minutes from Chalisgon, east of Mumbai, Pendharkar spearheaded a project for the village of Bahadarpur. Here the Chalisgon Rotary Club, led by Shashikant Dharme, had partnered with an NGO Bhagini Nivedita Gramin Vigyan Niketan founded by social worker Nilima Mishra who is president and who has won awards for her work in the community.

Villagers had previously walked many miles to collect water which took up many hours of their day. So, the plan was to locate water and dig a borehole, which was done. Water pumped from this well was put through a reverse osmosis process in a new building with an excellent water purification system. Before the project was started, four men from the village were trained in another town on the process and maintenance of the system.Villagers have a card which they load with rupees and use on the card reader.

They pay five rupees for 20 litres of pure drinking water. Schools in the village receive water free and outlying villages can have access to the water. There are numerous signs around the village recognizing Rotary, some 8 x 8 feet and many with slogans encouraging sustainable use of water: “Let us all take the oath together — That we will together help make our India Clean;” “Let our village be forever the cleanest —With our pledge to volunteer together to guarantee it;” “Making thorough washing a habit will ensure remaining clean and disease-free forever.”

In addition, 300 toilets were built attached to homes, small toilet buildings, all of which are painted white with a large Rotary wheel and the number of the toilet. And a sink for washing hands was added to the outside. An important part of this project was health education and training on how to use the facilities and keep them clean. Each home has liquid soap with Rotary logo on the label.

Within one year, infections and illnesses have been reduced.In the city of Ichalkaranji east of Mumbai, Pendharkar has worked with SN Agrawal over many years on various projects. The Ichalkaranji club was formed in 2010, some of the founding members were women. The club now has 44 members, including 12 women who are all very active. The club focuses on womens’ health, does medical checkups, and provides some medical clinics.

Pendharkar has joined with them to build toilet blocks and provide desks in many outlying village schools. This work has provided employment in the local communities and a workshop has been set up to build the desks.

Prior to starting the buildings the site is marked in white and aprayer ceremony, a puja, is performed with fire, water and offerings. When Pendharkar has been present at theses time, he has participated in these ceremonies.

In nearby Kolhapur, there is the Helpers of the Handicapped school. Pendharkar has done three projects with this school and is recognized on a plaque in the school. Most important was a project to make the school accessible, and also to provide toilets and supplies.With all of the projects he has completed, Pendharkar has made a very significant contribution to many communities in India over many years.

Though he came from a very poor family, he managed to get a good education and always understood that this was key to development of communities. His commitment to schools reflects this belief in the value of education.

We salute him for his dedication, his commitment, his hard work and his great success in this volunteer work.

 
The stellar humanitarian work of Rotarian Murli Pendharkar 2019-12-02 08:00:00Z 0

Inbound Student Orientation in Penticton

Spent the weekend with our exchange student Aurora at the Inbound Student Orientation in Penticton. Twenty two students from 18 different counties meeting and bonding for the first time. So inspiring!!
Bruce and Julie.
Inbound Student Orientation in Penticton 2019-09-23 07:00:00Z 0
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month- So what have we done! Mario Pare 2019-09-08 07:00:00Z 0
Your input is appreciated Guy Auger 2019-08-26 07:00:00Z 0
Why Rotary with Doug Gossoo - Rotary Club of Kelowna 2019-08-13 07:00:00Z 0
Why Rotary? 2019-08-13 07:00:00Z 0

Outbound Exchange Student

Posted by Bruce Henderson on Aug 10, 2019

August 6 Club Meeting - Outbound Exchange Student Presentation

We heard an inspiring presentation by our outgoing Exchange Student Albert Truong at today’s meeting. He is off to a year in Japan in a few weeks. Albert started his presentation in Japanese with his name, where he was from and where he was off to. He then translated into English, so we could all understand. It was very impressive. Albert has studied Japanese so has a beginner’s command of the language. Albert told us of his roots in the Okanagan being born in Penticton after his family immigrated from Vietnam. 

Albert is an accomplished musician as stand up bass player, and was thrilled to find out his first host father plays bass as well and has plans of linking him up with a local group. Albert is also an excellent student with a 98% average in grade 11. His main interest academically is Physics. Ultimately after his schooling he would like to do Physics research somewhere in the world. 

Albert is extremely excited for his exchange to begin with the music connection and the ability to improve his Japanese, as well meeting other exchange students from all around the world. All the best Albert!

- Bruce Henderson – Youth Coordinator ROK

#RotaryExchangeStudent#RotaryAroundtheWorld
#District5060 #RI

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Outbound Exchange Student Bruce Henderson 2019-08-10 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary Club of Kelowna Meeting Agenda Agustust 6, 2019 2019-08-05 07:00:00Z 0

Hippo Roller 5060 Project Update

Posted by Harold Heyming on Aug 05, 2019
We have exceeded our Rotary funding goal!
 
The balance in the account is $24, 487 Canadian.
 
24 clubs in our district have contributed to the project.
 
Monies expected from the District Grant in early August.
 
Production of the first hippo rollers will begin in September.
 
First distribution to villages in South Africa will be in mid October.
 
Final distribution should be in mid January of 2020.
 
I have posted articles on the Face book page as they have come my way.
 
There will be you tube videos created at the time(s) the Hippos are distributed to the villages and they will then be posted on the Face book page and on the District 5060 website.
 
Harold Heyming
Hippo Roller 5060 Project Update Harold Heyming 2019-08-05 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary at Work!

Posted by Ron Pidskalny on Jul 29, 2019
Rotary at Work!
 
On July 24th, once again, the Seniors Fun in The Sun event was held as last year at a Pavilion adjacent to the Sensisyusten Elementary school off Boundary Road in the City of West Kelowna in the immediate vicinity of Pine Acres Care Home, the lead coordinator of the event. Organized annually by activity coordinators this year from 9 care facilities from Kelowna/Lake Country, Kelowna and City of West Kelowna, the BBQ has been hosted by our club since 1996.  
 
This was a very successful BBQ at this facility and all thanks to an experienced and fun team.
 
We served burgers and hot dogs to approximately 130 people, all in 20 minutes.
 
We pulled it off with  7 of us, myself, Vice Chair, Kitchen Steward and Quality control Dennis Gerace, Master Griller extraordinaire Dale McKenzie, assisted by Sheldon Paulger and kitchen crew and servers  John James, Catherine Comben, Sandi Ketler.
 
Thanks to our industry partners especially Reg Henry of Kelly O’Bryan’s for  the   burgers and  jumbo all beef  hot dogs FOC , Natures Oven for discounted buns, ; Safeway Bernard Ave  for a $100 gift Certificate  and the new Nesters Market of Lakeview Hts , City of West Kelowna for supply of onions,  lettuce and tomatoes FOC. 
 
The weather was a bit windy and cool for this time of year but we were under cover and the event and food was tremendously enjoyed and appreciated by all the guests.
 
A great fellowship opportunity for us Rotarians simply rewarded  with a very tasty burger and hotdog treat, appreciative thanks from guests  and kind words “ We could not do this without you” from the coordinator.
 
It was a proud thing to be a Rotarian amongst that appreciative group of seniors.
 
  • Ron Pidskalny – Chair
Rotary at Work! Ron Pidskalny 2019-07-29 07:00:00Z 0

Programming Report of the July 16th meeting

Well it was another great meeting today, with guest speaker Phillipa Douglas from KARIS. She talked about the services they provide, and thanked the Rotary Club of Kelowna for their donation last year. They used the donation to renovate their space, to allow them to be more efficient in their service delivery. Dave Cullen was the Sheriff today and found something to fine all of us! But he gave us lots and lots of laughs in the process.
Programming Report of the July 16th meeting Sandy Ketler 2019-07-22 07:00:00Z 0

Programming Report

Another super meeting this week!! 

Kevin Edgecombe Executive Director of HER International came to tell us about all the work HER International is doing in Nepal. It was  very inspirational. 

There was time for a joke from Dale Briggs that was enjoyed by all. And the room was buzzing with conversation after the meeting!
 
Thanks to Dennis Gerace and his administrative committee for all they do every week. 

Do you see yourself here? Come join us for lunch to learn more, Tuesdays at noon the Capri Hotel!!
 
Programming Report Sandy Ketler 2019-07-15 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Jul 15, 2019
At last Tuesday’s Club meeting our feature presenter was Kevin Edgecombe, CEO of HER International. Kevin to be sure applied the qualities that made his own business successful to his philanthropic enterprise across the globe in Nepal. His international vision around goodwill and service to others improves the lives of all of us. Kevin’s presentation came full circle when he described how the women of Nepal, financially disadvantaged by our standards, are now making money to send to their counterparts in Canada.
 
In 1938 then RI President Maurice Duperry addressed the Rotary Convention in San Francisco, California he stated, Rotary is so simple that many people do not understand it, and some even misunderstand it. Rotary is not a philosophy... not an all embracing world point of view which answers every question...and satisfies all the dictates of the heart and mind. Rotary is merely an association of business and professional men and women in and idea of service. To this point, Kevin Edgecombe simply turned his vision into action and inspired us all.
 
Tomorrow we are looking forward to another great presentation from
 
Phillipa Douglas from the Karis Society.
 
See you all Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
Weekly Message from President Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-07-15 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Year Ends With a PARTY!

Posted by James Kay on Jun 25, 2019
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THANK YOU ROTARIANS!
 
What a great President's Dinner Luau in honour of our outgoing President Raghwa Gopal!  Great fun, fellowship, and dancing!?!?
 
Thanks to all who helped pull it together, but especially those who came and rocked the evening from the opening anthem to the closing dance.  
 
See you all next Tuesday, Coast Capri at noon - guests always welcome!
 
Yours in Rotary
Rotary Year Ends With a PARTY! James Kay 2019-06-25 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Sutart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Jun 10, 2019
The Club Meeting last week seemed to go well, at least I have not received any negative reviews. No
news is good news.
 
The content of last Tuesday’s meeting was focused on sharing information on
activities from various groups and individuals:
  • Club news was offered by Dave Cullen – the after 5 event,
  • Bruce Telford – Peter Schultz’s inauguration as D.G.
  •  James Kay – Presidents Dinner update
  • Dennis Campbell – announced that the finalists from the S.D. 23 public speaking competition are to present this
  • Tuesday
  • Gordy Charles – Mock interviews
  • Carol Eamer – with an International update.
 
On a personal note we had Andrew Pohl give his Vocational Talk, a very funny and interesting presentation.
 
We also heard from our foreign exchange student Chiara, who we are having a dinner for on the 22nd of June at Bruce Henderson’s home. And if this was not enough, we had 2 motions passed, leaving no time for
sheriff or happy and sads.
 
Time management, something I need to work on.

This week our program includes Kim East from Restore and the finalists from the S.D. 23 public speaking
competition.

See you all Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon
Weekly Message from President Elect Sutart Stuart Dickson 2019-06-10 07:00:00Z 0

Message from President Elect Stuart Dickson

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Jun 03, 2019
“Rotary Connect the World” is the theme that the new Rotary International president Mark Maloney will imbue on Rotary in 2019-2020. “Rotary is all about connection” he says, and I could not agree with him more. Being a private person the irony around this theme of connection has not escaped me. In 2019-2020 I am hoping the club sees the value in connecting with initiatives around the theme of “Youth and Education”.
 
Every year at Presidents Elect training the facilitators ask us to think about “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” (BHAG) – Jim Collins’s memorable phrase in his book Good to Great. The concept is, to have goals and plan around achieving them. The first step then is to understand the culture of the club. There is no sense in creating goals around initiatives the culture won’t except. Over the past 2 years our presidents, president elects, and vice presidents have attempted to identify our culture to create continuity and confluence between successive years. Our club like many have multi-generational groups, each naturally with their own cultural identity. This aspect of membership can make it challenging to have consensus around direction and goals. Over the past few months my newsletters have tried to paint a picture of our belief system “Service above Self” and that this belief can weather the storms of change and generational identity. For Rotary to stay relevant we must connect with our young leaders of today and create a system that reflects their needs around “Service above Self. The message from the RI Presidents have been consistent over my years as a Rotarian and that is, we need to pivot to the needs of business professionals of today and rebalance and recalibrate our conversation. In an op-ed to the Rotarian Magazine Neil C. Phillips concludes his piece on Mark Maloney’s perception of and necessity for change by writing “Here’s to Rotary accelerating that culture change and supporting leaders at Higher levels in the way that Mark speaks of.”
 
To this end we can not forget to connect and have fun. Big Hairy Audacious Goals are a natural for this club as is evident in the work that James Kay is doing in Lumby, the initiatives of Peter Schultz, and an upcoming idea By Anne Marie Kirby, just to name a few.
 
The mock interviews at KSS were amazing. Interviewing these young people instilled in me that our future is in good hands. Thanks again to Gordy Charles and to all the members that participated in this Youth and Education initiative.
 
See you all Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
Message from President Elect Stuart Dickson Stuart Dickson 2019-06-03 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly message from President Elect Stuart

More than 25 billion dollars is expected to pour into the philanthropic sector this year. Those gifts will transform significant parts of North America’s civic sector landscape. John James gave me an article from the Globe and Mail last year and it started me thinking about our clubs’ philanthropic ideals and fund-raising efforts. Joel Fleishmans’ new book called Putting Wealth to Work examines the changing world of philanthropy and echoes the opinions of others like Darren Walker and Brian Stephens of the Ford Foundation, George Soros, Bill Gate and Warren Buffett. The main point that these philanthropists make is that the trend to a “spend down” mentality is endangering the long-term survival of endowment institutions and that this endangerment is not good. Think about The Rotary Foundation.
 
If you look at the efforts from non-profit organizations like Rotary and its’ partnerships, working on our 6 areas of focus like Child and Maternal Health, Peace and Conflict Resolution and Water and Sanitation most of them have been founded by or nurtured from Perpetual Foundations. When you examine the arena of “spend down” charitable efforts and what motivates them to give money to things, it is really an effort to replicate, in the non-profit civic sector, the achievements they are enjoying in the profit sector. What companies and individuals are looking for in the short term is a big bang. But what Fleishman suggests is that you do not get a big bang fast. What the studies show is that the sending of money in a short period of time does not correlate to what you would expect.
 
I agree with them that we need to recalibrate the discourse because our efforts in fund-raising shows an imbalance. What is the long horizon for Rotary and how do we compete for members, support and donations? Generational change is a decision everyone must make for themselves. What Rotary is going to look like in 10 to 15 years is not just something I think about or write about or wonder about it is hopefully going to be part of my life. The right answer is the long term.
 
Tuesday we will be thanking our Sponsors and Donors for their generous contributions to the Rotary Pro-Am. This money will fuel many of our worthy initiatives. It is safe to say that we represent the best of what philanthropy is all about. Not just about managing policy and procedure but about managing our moral responsibility and need for social justice.
 
Do not forget about the mock interviews at KSS this Wednesday, please contact Gordy Charles.
 
See you Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
Weekly message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-05-27 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly message for President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on May 20, 2019
Service above Self. Despite the weather, another successful Rotary Pro-Am was completed on Tuesday at the Harvest Golf and Country Club. No other golf tournament in the interior of B.C. is as successful as our clubs. Over a 100K will directly impact the needs of individuals in Kelowna from our service efforts.
 
Personally, I love data and algorithms and the information you can glean from statistical analysis. There is even within Rotary an overwhelming desire to validate outcomes by data. But, are we making something important because we can measure it rather than measuring something because it is important?
 
Case in point, Gregor Mendel is sometimes referred to as the father of genetics. In 1860 this Austrian monks’ laws formed the theoretical basis of our understanding of inheritance, based on his work with pea plants. Almost a century later two researchers named Watson and Crick famously unraveled the 3-dimensional structure and sequence of our DNA. After the human genome was sequenced by Watson and Crick there was this hopeful thinking based on the data that there would be one gene that would express or define the shape of your nose and one that would express and define your height. But this as it turns out is not the case. There appears to be networks of genes that working together in incredibly complicated ways, that then interact with the environment that is the determinant of gene expression. Here in lies my thoughts about how Rotary expresses and defines its effect on us and our community.
 
Best practices and courses of action around having us all express and agree in the same way, which in common sense would lead to one dominant result, turns out in fact to lead to an opposite recessive result. The genius of our founding fathers is in diversity, both in personhood and in vocation. When this diversity is expressed through a belief of service above self our uniqueness and talents, then interact with our environment, can best be expressed. The Rotary Pro-Am is such an expression. So, we can put away our algorithms and data for awhile, at least until our next board meeting.
 
 Thanks again to Robin Smith and his very capable team for all their efforts.
 
At the board meeting on Thursday we dispensed with 2 motions to be approved by the club this Tuesday. First, the approval by the board (as outlined in our sponsorship letter) to direct 5% of the gross proceeds from the Bollywood Gala to the club account. And Secondly, to direct 25,000.00 to the dispersible account in the RCoK foundation. The remainder of the time was spent on coming up with creative ways to make this year’s committees more fun and engage the membership. Exhausted we adjourned to Browns Social house for refreshments. All club members are welcome to the after-hour board meetings.
 
Gordy Charles would like to remind us of the Mock Interviews at KSS on Wednesday May 29th.
 
See you all on Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon!
Weekly message for President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-05-20 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart

To start, on behalf of the club I would like to welcome our new inductees; Kari Benum, David Kemp, Mark Sunderland, and Krista Berigan to the Rotary Club of Kelowna. Again, we hope your Rotary experience will be meaningful.
 
During our last meeting we heard from several of us who attended the District Conference in Kamloops last weekend. Those of us that attended were hosted at a variety of events and were impressed with how well it was run and how much fun we all had. Thanks again to Carol Eamer and Kathy Butler who were acknowledged for their award-winning efforts this year. The Rotary Youth Exchange program was well represented at the Conference and included Chaira our RYE student. The testimonials from these students and future leaders were heart warming, inspiring and confirmed that our future is in good hands.
 
By now it should be of no surprise that I would like to focus on Youth and Education in 2019-2020. Our club is very active in youth and education initiatives and naturally I would like to capitalize on these efforts and expand on what we already do well. Our clubs’ natural abilities to support youth seems to coincide with that of Rotary International. Some of you may know or remember Darrell Blue, he is our District delegate to the Rotary Council on Legislation and was one of the speakers at the District Conference. The Council is responsible for changes to the Constitution and By-laws of RI. One of the most significant enactments was the elevation of Rotaract Clubs into the membership of RI. This substantive change pilots a new season were a focus on our youth can help shape and expand the potential for Rotary. A natural for this club.
 
To this point, some of us were treated Tuesday night to high school students competing in a public speaking contest at the George Elliot School in Winfield. Applause to Sharron Simpson and Dennis Campbell who are instrumental in putting this incredible event on each year. Also, with wit and humor, Chris Paton did an outstanding job as the MC at this event. Our club will also be involved in the upcoming “Mock” job interviews taking place Wednesday May 29th at KSS. This event is hosted for us by Gordy Charles, we hope to see many of you there.
 
The Rotary Pro-Am hits the links Tuesday. This event is the flagship fundraiser for our club and is the result of many Rotary volunteers and hours of hard work. A shout out to Robin Smith who chaired this event and to all those who participated, well done! And REMEMBER NO MEETING TOMOROW AT THE CAPRI
 
I look forward to seeing you all on the following Tuesday meeting. The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-05-13 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly message from President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on May 06, 2019
Awesomeness is the new word in District 5060’s lexicon. The District Conference held in Kamloops this weekend used Awesomeness to describe the energy and engagement that was awash this year under District Governor Sherry Chamberlain’s vision. Fifty of us from Kelowna took part in what was arguably the best District Conference in recent memory. Great speakers with themes on change and youth engagement created an environment of imagination and vision, of what Rotary must be for the future.
 
Rotary International, District Clubs and Individuals have been asking for years, how can we make Rotary be relevant today. 1.2 million people belong to Rotary world wide and that number has not changed in 10 years. So, this begs the questions on whether we are at a pivotal moment this year and can we change?
 
Last week we had a very informative speaker who laid out the risks of obesity and inactivity. In her presentation she identified two changes we could make to increase our health and longevity. Diet and exercise, sound familiar. For many of us in the room our life style has not changed much in ten years to compensate for the natural aging process. Convinced that I am at least pre-diabetic I opened my fridge to see what changes I could make. The first thing that stood out was the cheese cake! Adding to my dilemma were the cheeses, processed meats, olives and grapes that go naturally with the wine. Adding to my anxiety was the thought of my bike which I have not seen in years. The answer is clear, I need to change, or diabetes and congestive heart failure are imminent! Am I at a pivotal moment in my life? Is Rotary at a pivotal moment in its life? Will we change?
 
At the District Conference golf, wine tasting, and activities abound. But Rotary is about the individual and their story. So, I look forward to hearing those awesomeness stories at Rotary tomorrow. We also have 4 new inductees.
 
The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
Weekly message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-05-06 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Apr 29, 2019
In May Rotary acknowledges and celebrates Youth and Education and all our accomplishments in this area of Focus. As President in 2019-2020 I would like to carry this theme through out my year. During the past few months we have had students and educators put on some of our best presentations. Last weeks presenter from UBCO was another example of the innovations that are coming forward from youth and education. From our questions and responses these presentations had a dramatic effect and showed the human connectedness we can have. Rotary’s greatest strength will always be the individual and no other organization has more effect at combining the power of human resources. As I have prepared and planned for our new Rotary year, one of our most pressing issues in our membership is age. In his RI Presidency James F. Conway suggested that, “Rotary must be renewed constantly at the club level to avoid stagnation and at the International level to avoid retrogression, but Rotary at all levels depends on the individual Rotarian. With this in mind, I hope to move forward with a willingness to try something new, not being bound by the past and confidence to take a risk.
 
To ensure a strong and sustainable Rotary Club we need to address the question of youth, not only for today but for our future. To sustain growth club’s need to know why young business and professional people join and why they stay. If invitees don’t join or members do not stay our club may not be meeting or exceeding their expectations. To ensure our club is worth belonging to, your responses at the assembly was a starting point for improving our clubs’ future direction, to attract new members and engage existing members. From this idea our three questions where asking: where we are now, what do we want to be and how do we get there. Whatever brought each of us to Rotary, we stay because we find value in Rotary membership and this membership should reflect the diversity in our communities and the world. Yet only a small minority of our membership reflect our youth. It is with our youth that we will build an enduring, sustainable and value-based organization that is Rotary. I look forward to your responses to the answers generated from the April 2 assembly, on our May 7 meeting. At this time, you will have an opportunity to collaborate on the best practices for our club’s direction.
 
See you all this Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-04-29 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Apr 22, 2019
Last week was another example of just how busy this club is. An All Presidents Meeting, Club Meeting, Foundation Meeting, Foundation Seminar, Committee Meetings, and a Board Meeting. And some complain about this news letter being to long; Heresy? To this point, the Program Committee is looking at incorporating a Club Meeting once a month dedicated to new and on-going Club business. The demographics of this Club suggest that technology is not our friend and that only half of the membership goes on line. Couple this with our weekly attendance no longer being mandatory and you can see where communication might be challenging. I think it is important to acknowledge all the work that this club does and to promote service above self and so, I look forward to your input around the concept of a Club Business Meetings once a month.
 
I thought I would put this week into perspective by sharing a conversation I had with Pete Erickson a Past District Governor from Moses Lake in Washington State. Pete is currently putting on seminars in the district to inform and educate Rotarians about the merits of The Rotary Foundation. His seminar was of particular interest to me, as promoting the TRF is one of my goals in 2019-2020. Pete and I had a chance to go out for dinner after his presentation where I listened to an historical perspective from someone who has been in Rotary for 50 years. Pete talked for the most part in broad themes around TRF’s slogan of “doing good in the world” but he also pivoted to how this impacts us at the Club level. Kathy Butler’s presentation on her “Maternal Health” Global Grant in Africa last Tuesday was a perfect example of the impact TRF has in the world and on our members. Add to this our successful District Grant put forward by Harold Heming for Hippo Rollers and you can appreciate how important TRF is to this club. For those of us looking for a WHY to be a Rotarian look no further than these initiatives. Pete reiterated that our best chance to reduce the attrition in our membership is to engage our members in worthwhile projects.
 
Eliminating attrition happens to be my second goal. Pete and I talked about the assembly on April 02, and how it reflected the desire of the membership to have fun and stay connected. Thank-you all again for your participation. Rotary has been having a debate for several years around attracting new members.  Increase (by engaging more prospects) vs Attrition (disengagement of new members) a debate where the premise does not corroborate the desired result. The club assembly on April 02 suggests we should have a different debate. Open vs Closed.
 
I hope to meet with the various committee members this week to discuss their responses to the questions at the assembly and have a club discussion the following Tuesday.
See you all this Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
 
Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-04-22 07:00:00Z 0

CHOCOHOLIC FROLIC

Posted by James Kay on Apr 15, 2019
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On the 14th Day, the CHOCOHOLICS FROLIC'D!  And Rotary Was ALL OVER IT.
 
Rotarians, we have a ton to be very proud of: 220 registrants had a great run/bike/walk/hop in the park.  Over 1,000 pieces of chocolate from 5 different suppliers, fueling our 'race'.  $2,500 raised for Elizabeth Fry Society.  THREE Rotary groups pulling together: Rotary Club of Kelowna, Rotary Now! Kelowna, and Rotaract Kelowna pulled together for amazing outcomes.  Check out this CLIP
 
A HUGE thanks to: 
  • Allisa Wu, Montgomery Miles & Stone, started attending Rotary Now! under a year ago, joined Rotary in June, and co-chaired an awesome Rotary event!
  •  Rosemary Kean, RosemaryKean.com, always quick to volunteer, but an exceptionally talented photographer, thank you for the memories!
  •  Carol Eamer, always there to help and support, she marshalled all the kids through Face Painting and help calm the chaos!
  •  Karyn Schueler, Patricia Livingstone and the Rotary Now! Kelowna team - we love partnering with you guys, what great games - amazing job.
  •  Kate Kutzner and the Kelowna Rotaract Team - we love partnering with you guys, your tireless energy makes us wonder why we don't team more!
  •  Kim Dorcas, joined our Organizing Committee to help, we miss you Kim!  
  •  Michelle Novakowski, Elizabeth Fry Society, to you and your team, for all you do!
The Rotary Club of Kelowna should hold its head even higher today - we MADE A DIFFERENCE for 50+ families, a handful of corporate teams, 20+ individuals who had fun, fellowship and camaraderie in the park.  Future Rotarians??
 
Allisa & James
 
CHOCOHOLIC FROLIC James Kay 2019-04-15 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Apr 15, 2019
The answers to the questions from the assembly on Tuesday April 02 have been put into committee profiles and I will be going to each committee to discuss the results. I am aware of some anxiety around expectations within the various committees and I hope to minimize these feelings. Any idea or notion that the assembly was about getting together around tables and trying to find common ground does not get us the desired solution. Everyone has their own opinion and so, the assembly was only a process. What Rotary represents and why the assembly was initiated is, and all about, a belief system. Kathy Butler and others express this belief system as their “why”. Conversely, you cannot beat a belief system with a process. Getting together is just a process. You must know what you believe in and act upon this belief. I met with Mike Houston last Friday and he mentioned that his club in Alberta would recite the “four way” test to conclude their meeting. It can not hurt once and a while to re-articulate what Rotary stands for. Rotary was not unintentional; a belief system was created and has been defended by a series of generations. Sometimes I think we forget what it takes to defend this belief system and part of this defense is as simple as respecting conversation, respecting evidence, and holding on to intellectual honesty. This would include service above self before partisanship and then expanding this idea so that it works for everyone.
 
A shout out to Dennis Gerace for his thought invocation around the writings of our own Albert Baldeo.
 
We listened to a great presentation by Bruce Telford and the recipient of the Gorman Bros. and Rotary bursary. A practical nursing student was the recipient of the award this year and her story identified the phenomenal impact this bursary had on her life, on her family, and on the community.
 
Sarah Campbell from the small donations committee brought forward two motions for club approval. The recipients that where approved unanimously for funding where Coach and Her.
Bill Redmond gave us an update on the status of the Pro-Am and appealed to each member to reach out to the community for financial support.
 
This week we will be given an update from our Rotary Exchange Student Chiara.
 
Our feature presenter will be Kathy Butler, who will talk to us about her Rotary initiatives in Africa.
 
See you all Tuesday. The place to be in Kelowna at noon.
Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-04-15 07:00:00Z 0
Look Twice 2019-04-08 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly message from President Elect - Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson
If there was any doubt that the Rotary Club of Kelowna has a vibrant and engaged membership it was
put to rest at last Tuesday’s meeting. This assembly took on a life of its own, in no small part because of
the support I had received from and the culmination of work by my Rotary family. My heartfelt thanks
goes out to Peter Schultz, whose contribution started the first day I became involved with the idea of
assemblies a year ago. For my own part, I wish to thank Tony French and Kathy Butler without whom I
would have been lost in this endeavour. And a shout out to Carol Eamer and Julie Mulligan who helped
me navigate the challenges of the questions.

Three questions, 69 responses, and 484 dots. This assembly was the work of many hands and my thanks
goes out to the entire membership for their participation. The results of your responses will be collated
into themes and form the foundation for our strategic plan for 2019-2020. Next month we will have a
club meeting where I will bring you all up to speed with where you see the club going. Of all the banal
platitudes and sage advice, I have been given over the past months the most relevant seems to have
come from Bill Redmond, “have fun god damn it”.

A full and proper thanks and appreciation that this assembly was even possible goes out to Raghwa
Gopal who’s thoughtful and contemplative influence has enriched my year as President-elect and
started me down this road.

This Tuesday we will look forward to Kathy Butler’s talk about her International Service Role and Rick
Potter will bring us his experiences from his trip and tour of Israel.

See you all Tuesday. “The place to be in Kelowna at noon”.
Weekly message from President Elect - Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-04-08 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Bus to District Conference

Greetings Rotarians;

Ask any Rotarian their highlight of their Rotary career and almost all will tell you about an amazing Conference or Road Trip with others from our Club.  Kamloops is going to be AWESOME - close enough to get great turnout/support, far enough to call it a getaway.  Come find out why we all LOVE CONFERENCES!

This one, in recognition and support of our incoming District Governor Peter Schultz is not to be missed!  

I am looking to fill a FUN-BUS. Departing Kelowna Thursday afternoon to get us all in returning midday Sunday.  Register, bring a spouse/friend, come have a BLAST!

This is a non-binding non-commitment...this is an indication of interest to see if there are enough fun-loving Rotarians to FILL THAT BUS.  Pricing/logistics to follow...hoping to get us under $45/person round trip but will have to see.

Come Live The Rotary Experience!

Rotary Bus to District Conference 2019-03-25 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Mar 25, 2019
We are all looking forward to Dennis Campbells recovery from hip surgery and hope to see him at Rotary next week.
 
Tuesday’s Rotary meeting went by very quickly thanks in part to an excellent presentation by Kevin Karrdal. Kevin is the Superintendent of Schools for District 23 and I had the pleasure of meeting with him in late January of this year. Kevin is an engaging and thoughtful individual and I was pleased that Murli Pendharkar was able to make this meeting for us happen. Our meeting in late January echoed the same sentiments that Kevin brought to our club on Tuesday. The tone and tenure in both meetings focused on social competencies in kindness compassion and thoughtful communication. In a world of quick texts and twitter he sees the need to think deeply, be curious, and innovative. He is asking his students to look for their passion and use their imagination. Kevin spoke to a practical partnership with Rotary in several ways; currently through a program called “Food for Thought” identifying the need to feed students less fortunate, and the need for a “technology hub”. Chris Patton did a great job of introducing and thanking Kevin.
 
This Tuesday’s speaker is Karoline Radic a Source Control Technician from the City of Kelowna.
 
The following Tuesday, April 2nd, will be a Member Assembly Meeting.  Kathy Butler, Peter Schultz, Tony French, and I would like to have a club review. The review will be the foundation for any action items that come to light. Based on a round table format we hope that key themes emerge from these group discussions. These themes and points of interest will be addressed at a club meeting scheduled in the first week of May.
 
I attended the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation meeting on Thursday where I received a $25,000.00 check for Silver Lake Education Society our Major Project this year. Other business related to ‘The Rotary Club” directly, were the disbursement of funds raised by the “Fox Hunt”. The beneficiaries of these proceeds are JoeAnna’s House and Hands in Service. Regarding JoeAnna’s House, the RCoK Foundation is waiting on a District Grant made by JoeAnna’s house to be completed by May, at which time the amount of approx. $3000.00 will be forwarded. There are some house keeping issues that the RCoK Foundation needed before issuing a check for approx. $2000.00 to Hands in Service. These are minor and should be cleaned up by their next meeting and a check will be forth coming to Hands in Service. Thanks again to Sandy Ketler for her efforts around this fundraiser.
 
Our Board of Directors Meeting also met on Thursday. The BOD made motions on several projects brought forward by the International Committee. First, that the club donate $750.00 to support supplying books for a library being created in La Cuesta, Honduras. Secondly, that the club fund the International Project “HER” in participation with the Kelowna Sunrise Club for $2000.00 USD subject to Global Grant approval. And thirdly, that the Club fund International Project—water sanitation project in Nicaragua in participation with the Salmon Arm Club for $1000.00 USD subject to Global Grant approval.
 
The BOD is also active in Strategic Planning around the Club Assembly in April, the Major Project process, Club Dues, and lunch expenses. We are also looking at implementing a Criminal Record Check for those working with youth as, “a best practices measure”.
 
Hope to see you all Tuesday. “The place to be in Kelowna at noon”
 
Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-03-25 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Mar 18, 2019
In 2019-2020 Mark Maloney will be our next President of Rotary International. At a plenary meeting in Seattle Mark stated that in his year our challenge will be to strengthen the many ways that “Rotary Connects the World”, building the connections that allow talented, thoughtful, and generous people to unite and take meaningful action through Rotary service. Not one to reinvent the Rotary wheel this seems like a sound course of action for a lowly President at the club level. In Marches Rotarian magazine Mark tackles the evolving nature and trends that exist for Rotary.
 
A Kelowna’s city counselor, and community supporter, Mohini Singh was our feature presenter on Tuesday meeting. Mohini’s topic was East meets West and her presentation imbodies Mark Maloney’s slogan “Rotary Connects the World”. In her presentation Mohini identified her Rotary family and how integral and necessary those relationships have been in accomplishing her world vision. Rotarians like Raghwa Gopal, Lois Serwa, and Sharron Shepard to name a few who’s talented, thoughtful, and generous support helped make her projects successful. We have at our disposal countless ways to form friendships and networks.
 
Back from his travels in Central and South America, Chuck Cey, never far from a Rotary Club, gave us an update on his recent experiences and search for a Rotary project. Like Mark Maloney, Chuck sees Rotary clubs around the world facing the same societal and cultural problems but answering them in different ways. Unimpeded by politics Rotary’s ability to connect us remains unique and unrivaled.
 
Rotary and its billion-dollar foundation and generates a huge amount of good in the world in its corporate order. In part this corporate order must rely on its membership and membership growth. Mark Maloney and every other president are prisoners of these two thoughts; foundation and membership growth. Here is where I think we can have both/and at the club level. Rather than focus on increased membership I believe that if our existing membership feels significant and are having fun their purpose and meaning in Rotary will grow the club. I believe that our human capital is the tool to generate our good works. If we do membership right, it would be huge, whether we will do it right is another matter. We need to be open to other answers to our questions and as Tony French affirms “the answer is in the room”. For example, our Rotary club has sixty committees at last count creating a crisis of social solidarity, to much isolation, and fragmentation which is the opposite of the richness of community life. The book that explains all this and many people have read it is Thomas Kuhn’s “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions”. Kuhn coined the phrase “Paradigm Shift” and I think it is appropriate for where we need to move.
 
I have talked with Peter Schultz, Tony French, Kathy Butler and Raghwa Gopal who would all like to facilitate a club assembly for the April 2 meeting. We would have table discussions based on a few topics and then a break out session. These discussions (the first of several) like the Bollywood Fundraiser is the foundation for action and not the substitute for inaction. If you have any topics you would like addressed, please send them along. As a starting point, Kathy Butler and I have identified membership questions, as it relates to the individual and to the club.
 
Susan and I thoroughly enjoyed our selves Friday night at Rosemary Kean’s with the gang from Rotary Now. Apies, wine and risqué board games. We laughed for hours.
 
Hope to see you all Tuesday at Rotary! “The place to be in Kelowna at noon”
Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-03-18 07:00:00Z 0

Rotaract Week March 11- 17

Posted on Mar 11, 2019
INTERNATIONAL ROTARACT WEEK MARCH 11- 17
What is Rotaract?
Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.

In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities like yours.

What’s involved?
Rotaract members decide how to organize and run their clubs, manage their own funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects. Rotary club sponsors offer guidance and support and work with your club as partners in service.

Rotaract Week March 11- 17 2019-03-11 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect- Stuart

On Tuesday at lunch we were happy to acknowledge Sandy Ketler for her outstanding service this past year, with the ``Ray Corner`` award. Sandy has proven to be, on all accounts, an essential part of our club since her induction, participating in numerous committees and kicking off the successful fundraiser the ``Fox Hunt``. Not a bad year!
 
We were looking not only at our future on Tuesday’s presentation, but also, the very heart of what Rotary stands for.  Our speakers were Ashley Charduelow, from Spring Valley Middle School, and Natasha Miles, and Theresa Schwab from Rutland Senior Secondary. These students I suspect are learning in classrooms, laboratories, and libraries but more strikingly was that they are learning how to interact with one another, and from a Rotarian point of view that is the most important lesson. An Interact project brought these students together from different; cultural identities, ages, and schools who seem to have a similar purpose, obligation and need for service. The Interact Project was called 2C2 (consumer to consumer) and involved cleaning up the mess caused by plastic waste. The presentation showed how they were using innovative ways to come up with solutions for environmental problems. Ashely, Natasha, and Theresa also had a chance to educate us on how they are using economic insight to develop products and merchandise, adding value to the end use of their efforts. That is Interact. They are our future.
 
Snow, schnitzel, and schnapps, the only thing missing on Thursday night at the after 5 event was Berndt Dinner leading us in his Jagermeister toast. A small but spirited group of Rotarians braved the cold and ventured down to the Gasthaus in Peachland. An all you can eat schnitzel buffet was on the menu and a variety of German Beer showed up on request. The Jagermeister was free, the snow was extra. This is Dale Brigg`s idea of heaven. A good time was had by all accounts, and we look forward to next months after 5 event.
 
Rotary Now celebrated International Women’s Day on Friday by hosting an event at the Innovation Centre. Thank-you Raghwa. The presenter was Susan Boyle who was speaking on women in the wine industry. Susan has relocated to the Kelowna area from the Napa Valley and is currently the General Manager at the Quail`s Gate Winery. The over arching theme of her talk was on coming to grips with the opportunities and eliminating bias and prejudice in her industry. She seemed proud of the involvement that women have in the wine industry, but suggests women still have a long way to go. Susan humorously tells her story of confronting the types of prejudices, assumptions and inhibitions that have limited women’s opportunities in her industry. She talked about how she circumvented work places that were difficult socially and how she addressed them. In her industry she had to change assumptions about women being less able in finance, science, or less rational, marginalizing them in their aspirations. Susan addressed childcare and the need for the industry to embrace this obstacle and provide choices to women to continue their career or return to the workplace after maternity leave. These structural as well as attitudinal dimensions to moving women forward are still met with resistance and can stem from cultural, financial and ignorance according to Susan. Her inspirational style was intoxicating and so where the offerings by the Quail`s Gate Winery afterward. Good job by Peter Schultz and Rotary Now the small but mighty club.
 
This week’s presenter will be Mohini Singh with her topic; East meets West.
 
John Mulligan will give his classification talk.
 
And hopefully we will hear from our exchange student Chiara
 
See you at Rotary "the place to be on Tuesdays at noon."
 
Weekly Message from President Elect- Stuart 2019-03-11 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart

At our club meeting on Tuesday, Kevin Greenwood gave a fine explanation of what is involved with putting together the weekly program. Together Mike Houston and Kevin Greenwood pull together all the person’s responsible for: the singing of “Oh Canada, Rick Potter’s list of persons’ on Invocation, Dennis Campbell’s member care, Lenetta Parry’s sheriff list, and together they make sure the short program and feature presenter are all lined up. Having done all that, they hope like hell the MC’s don’t screw it up and the meeting will end on time. A big shout out to all involved.

Kevin Greenwood also spoke to how in Rotary partisanship can be set aside. Whether politics or Rotary, partisanship can replace everything else, it can blind us to morality and to the truth. Within our political culture partisanship has become the idol of our time. Within Rotary it restricts our membership and tarnishes our public image. When I travel to various Rotary functions it is not depressing to be a Rotarian. At PETs for example, I met people starting amazing projects, or starting amazing non-profit organizations. These are phenomenal people doing remarkable things they are committed to, healing communities one way or another. No question, going to these functions lifts you up.

To that point, our Rotary after 5 function is this Thursday March 7th at the Gasthaus in Peachland. The amazing and phenomenal Dave Cullen is hosting.

Dr. Allen Jones was our feature presenter on Tuesday. He has, in just a few short years put the Kelowna teaching hospital at the top of medical school’s nation wide. It was -8 and felt like -20 that day. I’m not a global warming believer. I’m not a global warming denier. But, thirty years ago, the scientific consensus was that we were headed for global cooling. Around this time, in 1992 the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that actually measured the mean body temperature at 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit and not 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit as recorded in 1868 by Carl Wunderlich. We lost 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit. My whole university education a myth. I put it down to global cooling. So much nonsense. So much damage. Medicine has a hard time with humility, so says, Dr. Jones, contrary to the facts and the evidence, global warming and 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit exist. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed Dr. Jones’ presentation and our time at the head table.

Dale Briggs seemed to be in FINE form this week, raising a little money while keeping us entertained. Good job!

Next week our feature presenter will be Keneisha Charles: Interact Club at Rutland Senior Secondary

Weekly Message from President Elect Stuart 2019-03-03 08:00:00Z 0

Message from President Elect- Stuart

Not all golfers are crazy and end up in leisure world as Dennis Campbell, in his defense, aptly pointed out on Tuesday. I’m willing to venture that. But not much more. Eccentricity and quirkiness do reign in our Rotary Club. I remember Barry Jones a psychiatrist and colleague of mine came by to fetch me at the driving range a while back. He surveyed my friends and members on the practice facility----intense, disheveled, seemingly autistic, some with severe behaviors---- and declared, “I could run a group here”. Don’t get me wrong. Some golfers are sane. In fact, a group of saner ones, mostly senior men playing in club leagues function normally at my club. Sometimes milling around the lounge and restaurant area after a round they eventually go home to family and friends. But all sane golfers know its dangers. Golf is an addiction waiting to happen. Like alcohol it must be taken in moderation. Overindulgence can lead to a rapid downward spiral. Many books have been written based on the premise of the psychic peril of too close an encounter with, the full horror and abysmal depths of golf. Our Rotary world knows what golfers have know all along: A passion for golf like a drug addiction or a criminal record should be automatic disqualification for any serious public activity. The exception, of course, President of Rotary.
 
Grant Stevens was our speaker on Tuesday. He represented KF Aerospace and discussed with us the need for his company to evolve and change. Failing to do so he explained would mean certain financial hardship for his company. So, Kelowna Flight Craft rebranded itself as KF Aerospace, changed the way it operates and has emerged as an aviation force in Canada.
 
Returning from President-elect training this weekend I received the same message from Rotary International. We as Rotary Clubs need to evolve and change. Of course, they gave the example of Apple. We looked at how Apple does not, in an ever-changing tech world, sell computers it sells instead innovation and an experience.
 
Rotary has always been innovative in solving problems in our community and around the world. But what is the experience? What is the experience that Rotary needs to capitalize on, at the club level, in the community and around the globe? It was suggested that it is “the human experience”. How have Rotarians asked and answered that question through time? Whether you approach that through club members, or whether you participate in community or international projects, you have just amplified your own ability to be human by understanding how other people are having their human experience.
 
Our club needs to be THE place to go on Tuesdays for lunch. See you there.
Message from President Elect- Stuart 2019-02-25 08:00:00Z 0

Message from President Elect Stuart

Posted by Stuart Dickson on Feb 18, 2019
Rotarians found themselves in the midst of some national hysteria on Tuesday with sensible members being asked to search for an emotional response. Sandy Ketler was asking us why we love Rotary. This was especially difficult for grumpy old white guys like me, (who are averse to expressing our emotions), having to write down our favorite Rotary moments. Remember this; keep your head! Valentines Day is an apocalypse du jour.
 
Thankfully, Rotary rejects the reigning cliché of the day, that “in order to love others one must first learn to love oneself”. The Oprah effect!  Thankfully, as a club we looked outside ourselves and declared overwhelmingly that international and community projects and fellowship are areas we embrace. We have a whole culture that has developed over the past 50 years, based on individualization and self love. This formulation—love thyself, then thy neighbour—is a licence for unremitting self indulgence, because the quest for self love is endless. By the time you have finally learned to love yourself, you’ll find yourself playing golf with Dennis Campbell at Leisure World, having out lived those you might have loved. Good job Sandy.
 
I would like to thank Sharron Simpson for her excellent presentation on the History of Kelowna. Her book intitled “The Kelowna Story an Okanagan History” is an excellent read, filled with notable characters and events. Salacious in spots and entertaining, I would highly recommend it to all those historians and pantomath’s in the club.
 
Bruce Henderson was kind enough to submit this bit of Rotary history for us.
 
When the Depression struck, the Kelowna Rotary Club, very much the community club, responded with local efforts. As early as 1929, the club instituted a relief fund, and in 1931 a special bank account was set up for assisting in the relief of local hardship. In 1933 a school soup kitchen was funded and in 1938 milk was bought for teachers to distribute to students. By 1935, all of the area’s relief agencies were combined and run jointly as the Kelowna and District Welfare Association in a consolidation engineered by the Rotary club. With this consolidation, relief work could be directed to where it was most desperately needed without various organizations working at cross-purposes. And, this new arrangement was certainly more cost effective. The Rotarian magazine in May of 1936, stated that “only one campaign for funds was necessary, and the cost of administration of the fund was reduced through the establishment of one distributing centre.” In September of this year the Kelowna Rotary club was the subject of a second story in the Rotarian magazine. “Because Kelowna’s major industry is fruit raising”, the article states,
 
And because that industry closes, for the most part, from Fall until Spring, unemployment during the Winter months is forced upon many of its citizens. To give them tangible help, the Rotary Club of Kelowna has within the past year established a relief agency which it calls the Kelowna and District Welfare Association… Every case is sympathetically investigated: deserving people may do something worthwhile in return for necessities and thus keep up their morale.
 
This last refers to the Welfare Association’s practice of having those who needed help run the food and clothing depots.
 
Bruce’s historical account is another example how the name Rotary suggest the best in human achievement. Rotary is defined by collective moments where we are grabbed by something in those difficult dilemmas that are never going to be reduced to a formula or a number. Since its inception Rotary has asked, answered and responded to challenges through common effort on the far side of selfless service. Rotary has become a celebration across all societies, in every country.
 
Murli Pendharkar will turn 89 on Tuesday February 19, grabbed by something, he remains on the far side of selfless service.
 
Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-02-18 08:00:00Z 0

Message from President Elect Stuart

After spending 3 hours last Super Bowl Sunday watching play after play with very little scoring and suffering the same effect that evening, you can not tell me that our Rotary meetings are that bad.
 
Now that the Bollywood Gala is over and the revenues are in, analysis of the event suggests it was successful, thanks in large part, if not all, to the fundraising efforts of Raghwa and Sartita Gopal. A big shout out to Susan and John McIntyre for keeping us on track with their organizational skills. And, to the voice and MC of the event Mr. Ken Kilcullen. Finally, to Chris Patton who was my inspiration and support, for my drinking.
 
The immutable fact is this: That with out the relationships formed from the Tuesday meetings none of this would be possible. 53,000 reasons to show up!
 
So, last Tuesday on the short program the value of Rotary’s youth exchange was evidenced by Chiara Brunettis’ update on her experiences here in Kelowna. I am so struck by Chiara’s sense of purpose, obligation, and spirit of service. And, she is smart as hell! I would encourage all of us to get to know her and help her accomplish her experiences here with her Rotary family. Thousands of miles away from home she is bound to be confronted during her stay here with difficult dilemmas that can never be fixed by time or reduced by money. Thanks again to all the host families that add that human touch. The Rotary youth exchange in my opinion gives an exponential dimension for students like Chiara and an opportunity for us to showcase what it means to be a Rotarian in the world. I look forward to Chiara’s presentation this week.
 
When I began my first year in Rotary, Gary C.K. Huang was president of Rotary International. During an International Assembly he presented a membership message stating that, in the year to come, “he hoped that Rotarians would continue the work to light up Rotary and to help it be a gift to the world.” His theme for his year was inspired by the words of Confucius, who said, “It is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness.”
 
Our feature presenter last week was Frank Cui, from the society of reviving 5000 years of Chinese Culture. This society is a non-profit organization that promotes traditional Chinese culture. The essence of Chinese culture as Frank Cui describes it,” is centered on spiritual and moral self-cultivation and betterment through moral codes.” Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism formed the core of the Chinese belief system. Another trail blazer of that time was Socrates, these men focused on the Truth “Veritas” and returning to one’s true original nature.
 
These teachings according to Frank Cui were the most central guide to daily and governmental life in China. In fact, Chinese medicine, astronomy, dance, music, painting literature, poetry, food and architecture are at their highest realms based on the teaching of these schools of thought.  No doubt that, Confucius, Socrates and the Buddha have shaped our lives and the lives of Gary C.K. Huang and Frank Cui.
 
Our satellite club “Rotary Now” meets every other Wednesday of the Month for one hour. The brain child of Peter Schultz, he has named it a “chapter one club” based on Rotary’s Manual of Procedure chapter one. (sounds better than part one). With few of the traditions and formalities of a conventional club meeting Peter feels this format best lends itself to the demographic of young professionals with little time and need for convention. In the last year it has attracted 13 members some of whom have migrated for convenience from our club. This past week several of our members took part in their meeting and I hope they were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the membership.
 
Thanks to Dave Cullen for organizing the after five every month.
 
The incomparable, Sharon Simpson will present The History of Kelowna this week. Who better! 
 
 See you all Tuesday!
Message from President Elect Stuart 2019-02-10 08:00:00Z 0

Message from President Elect Stuart Dickson

Posted by Stuart Dickson
One of the goals our president set out to accomplish this year was to increase diversity within the club.

If you were absent from last weeks meeting you missed the interaction that makes this club diverse.

Our guest speaker was Carmen Sparg who was a Rotary member of our club when I first Joined. Back
then there was no choice who your mentor would be, and Bill Redmond took on that role as my mentor.
Be careful what you wish for, as Bill became a good friend and golfing partner. We have continued our
friendship and mutual interest in golf and have exchanged a few dollars for the good of Rotary. Carmen
has the good sense not to play golf, an affliction I would not wish on any one.

During her presentation Carmen eluded to the year that the Chamber of Commerce originated. The
same year as Rotary’s beginning 1905. During this time Wilfrid Laurier was Prime Minister of Canada and
Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States. This was the era of “industrial revolution” and
the making of big industry. Consequently, large governmental organizations were constructed, to cope
with the inequality of the very rich and the common worker. Running parallel the long scope of Rotary’s
existence and that of the Chamber of Commerce were examples of what organizations and institutions
needed to be to serve the needs of the individual, community and society. Over the years the impact
that both these diverse organization have had and the people that they attract are a testament to what
makes a community great.

As a business owner Doug Gossoo was poignant in his comment about the relevance of the Chamber of
Commerce (CoC) as it relates to lobbying and advocacy around bylaws and rezoning. Doug expressed a sense
of obligation to pay his dues, to be part of an organization that represents business owners in his
community. Doug suggested that he would be prepared to pay more if the CoC would be more active
and relevant to the business communities concerns. Going forward relevance and diversity are essential
for both Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.
 
I hear Carmen might be renewing her membership. Welcome back!

Although Rotary at times may seem messy and chaotic it allows encouragement of curiosity, exploration
and aspiration toward human betterment. Just last fall Rotary’s Vocational Training Team (which was to
include Gord and Maureen Savage) and doctors finished a successful project of reconstruction surgery
for burn victims coupled with an educational component for a village in Africa. We heard from our own
Patricia Ainslie, a curator and writer, who is featured in the Rotarian magazine. Her insight and
accomplishments in Guatemala to see the need for technology, an area out side her vocation, to help
under privileged children get access to computer tablets to further their education is remarkable. Kathy
Butler spoke briefly after just returning from Kenya where she spent her time exploring and connecting
with local Rotary Clubs with aspirations of another global grant. Kathy also spent time avoiding terrorists
and sleeping with water buffalo. Apparently, pre-honeymoon activities.

Even though these extraordinary individuals may go off in different directions to find out how best to
accomplish their ideas, paradoxically this chaos is also ordered, in a way that connects people in a
symphony of working together toward common ends albeit with very diverse kinds of solutions.
 
It is up to us to make sure that our time and experiences in Rotary have certain essential experiences
that improve our quality of life. When I think about Rotary; we are making a choice to have a social
experience when an alternative is to go on line. This group experience is perhaps the most important
aspect of membership in Rotary. Rotary is an organization that brings together people around the world
who are different in every possible way. This gives us the opportunity to have the maximum chance of
educating one another and introduce each other to experiences and points of view and backgrounds.
Perhaps one we have never encountered before. That is the magic of Rotary.

Lenetta Perry did a presentation on the selection of the major project by her committee. The project
selected was Silver Lake Camp. Approved by the board the selection of the Silver Lake Camp as the
major project was presented to the club for its’ approval. After the motions by the club to accept Silver
Lake Camp a discussion period followed. Rick Potters’ comments in defence of Silver Lake ended with
Rick presenting a post-dated check for 25,000.00 to be payed to the club if Silver Lake Camp dissolved
within two years. I applaud Sheldon Paulger for getting up in front of a partisan group to give a different
perspective in a respectful way. I agree with Sheldon we are mostly grumpy old men. One more reason
that women should run things. John McIntyre spoke to the club with an impassioned appeal around the
fact that we are sometimes not very good at listening to one another and not very good at respecting
and having rational disagreements. This is certainly representative in our politics at this moment.

Which brings me to my point and our presidents about diversity. Are there any barriers or obstacles that
would impede diversity in our Rotary Club? Could this be a classroom for youth and education?

I look forward to our feature presenter Frank Cui, of the society of reviving 5000 years of Chinese
Culture and of course our exchange student update by Chaira Brunetti on Tuesday.

See you then.
Message from President Elect Stuart Dickson Stuart Dickson 2019-02-04 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Feb 04, 2019
Happy Monday fellow Rotarians,
 
We had a very passionate meeting last week where our Vice-President Lenetta Parry moved a motion to support Silver Lake as the recipient of our Major Project Funding of $25K. After some very good discussion and deliberation, the membership voted in favor of supporting Silver Lake. A very big thank you to Lenetta and all the members of Major Projects Committee for their work.
 
Our guest speaker was Carmen Sparg - President of Kelowna Chamber of Commerce (and a former member of our club). She highlighted how Kelowna Chamber of Commerce fosters a positive business environment in the Kelowna region by providing members with leadership, advocacy and services of value.
 
 And, last night we had our Bollywood Gala fundraising event. What a great successful event. Everyone had a great time - a lot of fun & laughter, great food, good wine and lots of dancing. We don't have the final numbers yet but looks like we may have raised about $50K. A huge thank you to President-Elect Stuart Dickson - who chaired an amazing committee - who put up a great event.
 
Our guest speaker this week will be Frank Cui from the Chinese Cultural Society. Frank will present to our group on traditional Chinese traditions and culture and their group's attempts to revitalize this in the wake of everything transpiring lately. He is actually coming in from Vancouver to do this so I am quite intrigued.
 
Chiara Brunetti (our exchange student) will provide an update on her experience so far - and she will be talking about some of the things she would like to do between now and June.
 
We also have Rotary After 5 this coming Thursday. Watch for Dave Cullen's email for the location.
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2019-02-04 08:00:00Z 0

Helen's Acres Donation

Posted by Sheldon Paulger
A picture of our club donating $1000 to Darcy Smith ( Darcy was a former member of our Rotary club) of Helen's Acres
 
 
Our donation along with other donations will be used to triple the egg production at Helen's Acres , benefiting the Food Bank and Moms for Moms.
 
Constuction will begin in early Spring with an opportunity for Rotarians to volunteer with construction.
 
Sheldon
Helen's Acres Donation Sheldon Paulger 2019-01-27 08:00:00Z 0

The Gateway grad ceremonies

Posted by Bruce Telford
The Gateway grad ceremonies were really well attended and the students were exceptional; our hard earned money is getting good returns on this initiative. There was one testimonial from the supervisor of a past Gateway grad that was especially cogent about the merits of Gateway. The grad he was talking about spoke after and spellbound the audience with what he had to say.
 
Thanks to Sharon Simpson, Colin Pritchard, Bruce Henderson, and Kevin Greenwood for being there too. Below is a link to check out pictures of the event, plus a video of a Pre-Gateway teambuilding/reduce anxiety event….ski weekend at Big White.
 
 
 
Regards,
 
Bruce Telford
The Gateway grad ceremonies Bruce Telford 2019-01-27 08:00:00Z 0

Message from President Elect- Stuart

"I tried to be nice to people on the way up," said Walter Winchell, "because I knew I would see them on the way down".
 
I remain grateful today to all those Rotarians who were and are more than welcoming to me at our Tuesday meetings, and especially when I was starting out. I am off to PETs again this year, and this time it is on your dime!
 
Yes, I expect the weather vanes of conventional Rotary wisdom will be engaged in another round of angst about Rotary decline. There will be new theories, old slogans, talk about our global impact, the Asian awakening, and how North America's economic and political instability impact Rotary. There will be the anti-declinist point of view around the implausible assumption of indefinite or uninterrupted growth as being unrealistic. Among these cross-currents, my thesis is, like this single malt, simple. The question of whether Rotary is in decline cannot be answered yes or no. There is no yes or no.  Both answers are wrong! Because the assumption that somehow there exists some predetermined inevitable trajectory, the result of uncontrollable external forces, (like millennials), is wrong. Nothing is inevitable. Nothing is settled. There is no settled science, no settled politics, no settled law (although the Kavanaugh hearing might suggest Roe vs Wade is settled law) and no settled economic predictors.
 
For Rotary today, decline is not a condition. Decline is a choice and in our hands. This week we will be voting on another project that has polarizing implications. I agree with those that feel we need to recalibrate the discourse that happens, all too frequently, and has become an unbalanced approach. Our challenges do not have an "either-or" answer but rather a "both and". Without question, we need to have accountability, but no balance sheet can predict the future of the individuals and non-profits that we have supported. Look no further than the strive scholarships. Risk is something that Rotary is in the business of taking and therein lies the "both and". Non-profits are what continue to perpetuate the innovation in our society, often filling the void of failed government supported initiatives. Their ideas do not just fall out of the sky. They are generated from imagination, intelligence, and creativity. There is no single way to Judge performance on much of what needs to happen in the world. We can do randomized control trials on a microfinance program or on a conditional cash transfer program. There are lots of smart people that do these testings. How do we run a randomized control trial on the strive scholarships? How do we know that we are imbuing in our community the kinds of values that make a more democratic society? How do we evaluate that? There are qualitative ways the experts call mixed methodology that helps us understand progress, but the risk is what Einstein reminded us of "there are many things in the world that can not be measured but we must invest in them none the less".
 
There are few organizations like Rotary that are as impactful both in our communities and around the world. We are in over 45 countries around the globe in a varied set of domains investing in projects and peace. This is the Rotary grant machine. To my knowledge, we are not in the business of conjecture and speculation.
 
I suggest then that we focus on what we do well and what makes us the most human, That we approach our philanthropy with humility. Charity and developing friendships with-in Rotary and around the world. Get out and vote. See you on Tuesday.
 
Regards,
 
Stuart Dickson
President-Elect, Rotary Club of Kelowna
Message from President Elect- Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-01-27 08:00:00Z 0

Message from President Raghwa

Happy Sunday fellow Rotarians:
 
Last week's speaker was Magda Kapp, Director of Prevention Services & Community Engagement from BrainTrust Canada - who highlighted the programs and services they provide for concussions and brain injury in education, prevention & support. Their GenZ Prevention Project is aimed at reducing preventable concussions/brain injury among youth in middle schools. 
 
DGE Peter Schultz updated us on his recent trip to San Diego to participate in the International Assembly (training for District Governor elects). He also played an inspiring video on next year's Rotary theme of "Rotary Connects the World".
 
And one of our new members, Anahita Tajadod, gave her classification talk. What an interesting story of her growing up in 2 countries (Iran & Romania) and then settling in Canada.
 
Our guest speaker this week is Carmen Sparg, President of Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
And our Vice-President, Lenetta Parry will be presenting the Major Project recommendation to the membership.
 
This is an ask from our Membership Director, Dale Briggs: let's all invite a guest (a friend, a colleague, a neighbor etc) to one of our meetings in February. A reminder that anyone who sponsors a new member will receive a beautiful, custom designed, hand crafted pin from District Governor Sherry Chamberlain. We currently have 95 members (89 active & 6 honorary) and we have 2 more applications coming in - so will be at 97. The member that sponsor's the 100th member to our will club will not just get the beautiful pin from DG Sherry but will also get a surprise gift from the President.
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2019-01-27 08:00:00Z 0

Message from President Elect Stuart

Scoff if you will, but why is it that when Raghwa is away a Proctologist and a Politician are the featured speakers on my programs. In science when you’re convinced of some eternal truth but can’t quite prove it, you offer it as a hypothesis. In that spirit I offer the “Dickson Conjecture”. Without the benefit of a cash prise I invite my fellow Rotarians to prove me wrong. The “Dickson Conjecture” states that this president, immensely wealthy, widely admired and at the peak of his game is stricken inconsolably with a utilitarian (Benthamian) pleasure/pain calculation.  This net negative suffering for President-elects is inversely proportional to the Presidents’ aslant pleasure.  
 
For the record I enjoyed both meetings.
 
I thought the meeting last week went well. The meeting started on time and despite and appeal from Evans P. to allow more time for the completion of his table discussion and digestion of corn, Dennis G., with perfect pitch, started us off with O Canada and got us back on schedule. I have never felt more patriotic. Our ever-capable Chris P. offered her invocation message around service above self.
 
Member Care was brought to us by Dennis C., who him self is on the list for a hip replacement. John James is recovering nicely from vascular surgery and his wife Karen is doing well after her heart by pass repair.  Flowers will be sent on behalf of the club and a card will be circulated this Tuesday.
 
Anniversaries and spousal birthdays were handled by, who better, Dale B., this I understand is everyone’s favorite Rotary tradition.
 
Announcements where given by the President elect who informed the club that the information around the Major Project selection is now on the website for your viewing and responses. There will be a club vote on this matter on January 29th, 2019. On another note next years budget requires that we deal with club dues and the cost of meals as it relates to quality and content. I also asked for member input on this club focusing on youth and education in the upcoming year. I also suggested that perhaps we could have an assembly and /or a club meeting around club business only.
 
The short program was presented by James Kay. James outlined some details around the 2019 District Conference in Kamloops. We would like to garner as much support for incoming District Governor Peter Schultz and fill the bus.
 
Mayor Colin Basran presented his election platform and perspective on the direction he would to see the city move. Traffic congestion and affordable housing were on the top of his agenda. He was gracious enough to leave time for a question and answer period. To that point, at a distant table far far away Evans P. had a colourful question related to unsettled politics. I drifted off to recalling an announcement from the physics community in the 90’s when it seemed that an x-ray satellite detected evidence of enormous amounts of dark matter in the far reaches of space perhaps enough to stop the expansion of the universe. This too is not settled.
 
Carole E. raffled of some Coffee cups with hot chocolate packets she found in a Rotary locker room Circa 2009. They sold out quickly. Who would have known? Apparently, expiry dates do not apply to hot chocolate. Carole also put a motion to the club for a $1000.00 for an international project. It was carried unanimously. Dennis C did a fine job as sheriff. Apparently, Ken’s Suite will out live him. There will be a collection at his funeral.
 
This Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 Magda Kapp Director of Prevention Services & Community Engagement will be giving her presentation to the club and Anahita Tajadod will be giving her Classification Talk.
 
See you all Tuesday!
Message from President Elect Stuart Stuart Dickson 2019-01-20 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Jan 13, 2019
Happy Sunday Rotarians,
 
Last week was our first meeting of 2019. We had our own Alissa Wu give her classification talk, and our own, Vice-President Lenetta Parry (Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank) shared all the amazing work they do, and accepted a donation from The Rotary Club of Kelowna.
As Lenetta says "teamwork makes the dream work!!"
Also, many happy moments were shared by Peter Schultz and many others.
 
This week, our meeting will be chaired by President-Elect Stuart Dickson - and our guest speaker will be his worship, Mayor Colin Basran - who will share the vision of Kelowna to our club.
And in the short program, Past President James Kay will talk about the District Conference.
 
Rotary Now!
Don't forget Rotary Now! meeting this Wednesday (January 16th) at 5pm at Crowe Mackay office.
 
Board Meeting:
Our Board Meeting is set for this Thursday (January 17th) @ 4pm at the Innovation Centre - everyone is welcome to attend.
 
Major Projects:
Our Vice President, Lenetta Parry will be presenting the major project recommendation to the membership on Tuesday January 29th. All information on Major Projects has been uploaded on Clubrunner (you will need to login to access).
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2019-01-13 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Jan 06, 2019
 
Hope you all had a fabulous holiday season - and got a chance to rest and relax and spend some quality time with your loved ones.
 
We had a fantastic 'Rotary After 5' on Thursday at BNA. Loads of fun bowling (didn't know we have some professionals in our club) and had plenty of time to socialize with other members over good food and beverage. Thank you all for coming out to this event.
 
This Tuesday, one of our new members, Allisa Wu, will be giving her Classification talk and Lenetta Parry will be the main speaker - talking about Central Okanagan Food Bank.
 
Only 4 more months left before the District Convention in Kamloops (May 2-5) - so if you haven't already registered, this is a good time to register. Here is the link for registration:
 
District Governor Sherry hopes to see every member in Kamloops in May! 
 
And, if you want to join some of your fellow Rotarians to the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany (June 1-6) then here is the link to register:
 
Hope to see you all on Tuesday.
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2019-01-06 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Dec 16, 2018
Welcome to Sunday, Rotarians,
 
Another super meeting last Tuesday. It was ‘Poor Boy’ lunch day – and all the money raised will go to the Salvation Army. And, we had the pleasure of starting the meeting with some great jokes from Dale Briggs.

Sarah Campbell updated us on all the work that the Community Donations Committee are doing (see attached report). She also brought forward motions from Community the Donations Committee for local projects.
 
In ‘The Days Gone By’ segment, Sharron Simpson shared stories of Kelowna in the 1930's and Bernd Dinnert shared stories of Berlin from 1948 - 1961. Thank you both so much!
 
Thank you to all that participated in the Christmas Caroling at Society of Hope (the new Pleasantvale) – see pictures below. A big thanks to Sheldon Paulger for organizing this.
 
So many Rotarians were out ringing the bells in support of The Salvation Army Central Okanagan Red Kettle Campaign over the last 2 weeks, including our exchange student Chiara.
 
A very big thank you to everyone who took time out to do this – and thanks to Ralf Rohrlack for organizing this for us!
 
Coming up:
This week is our Christmas program – make sure you attend as Jaime is putting together an amazing program!
Club Board Meeting is this Thursday (December 20th) at 4pm at the Innovation Centre – everyone is welcome to attend.
Rotary Now! Meeting is this Wednesday (December 19th) – 5-6pm - at Browns Social House, 1544 Harvey Ave.
 
Reminder: No meetings next 2 weeks (Dec 25th & Jan 1st). Next meeting will be on Jan 8th.
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-12-16 08:00:00Z 0

Rotary Now! Kelowna

 
Next meeting:  Wed 19 December, 5:00-6:00 pm
                          Browns Socialhouse, 1544 Harvey Ave (at Burtch) (CHRISTMAS Celebration Meeting!)
                          Reservation in the name "Rotary Now!"
 
NEW LOCATION STARTING JANUARY:  Crowe-MacKay LLP
                                                           Landmark V, 500-1620 Dickson Ave
 
Please send any comments or additions for the following agenda to Karyn who is chairing this meeting (kschueler@procura.ca ).
  • Remember we are GUESTS at the facilities we have our meetings in!  We have sent a gift box of chocolates and card to the staff at Accelerate Okanagan to thank them for their hospitality.  If you want to contribute to this fund Karyn will collect, and any excess will go to a "social" fund for future get-together.
  • Event Report on Zach Walsh presentation (any volunteers for this?)
  • Financial Reports first 3 speaker series (Karyn - Please send Peter a copy for report to RCK Board)
  • Report on Women's Shelter visit.  Website HELP please... see note below.
  • Bookings for Yoga class... see note below.
  • Job assignments - Susan Doyle (hopefully Peter will have a job-list circulated before the meeting!)
WEBSITE:
Please check out our website.  It is a "sub-page" of the Rotary Club of Kelowna site (www.rotarykelowna.org), where you will see a link like the one at the left of this message on the home page.  It does NOT require member sign-in, so it is a good place to send your interested friends to get some info about Rotary Now! Kelowna, including the Speaker Series details.
 
NOW for the help!  You will see pages (links on the left) for "Projects & Events 2018" as well as 2019.  On the 2018 page I put a few pictures (THANK YOU Rosemary Kean!) and a few words about our session wrapping presents for the Kelowna Women's Shelter on Monday 10 December.  You will see headings with no info for RibFest and Fox Hunt (neither of which I was at!)  Looking for one of you to volunteer to write up a few words about either of these if you were there!  If you can find a picture or two that would be even better!  Send to me and I will get it on the website.
 
CLUB YOGA SESSION:
 
We are booked!  Sunday 3 February, 2:00pm at Roberta Fidalgo's home studio in West Kelowna (YET Yoga - Your Edge of Transformation).  She will be leading us in the "Renew" session for ~1 hour (see attached info).  Room for first 10 only (sorry, 9 now... I'm definitely in for this one!).  If you want to join us, please email me (RotaryNowKelowna@gmail.com).  By the way, if you are lucky enough to score one of these spots she says you need to bring:
  • comfortable yoga attire
  • yoga mat
  • water bottle
  • smile, open mind and willingness to try something new!
Regards!
Rotary Now! Kelowna 2018-12-16 08:00:00Z 0
People of Action... Carolling at Pleansantvale 2018-12-16 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Happy Sunday Rotarians,
 
Another great meeting last week – our guest speaker Dr. Carla Nash - educated us all about gastrointestinal diseases and the importance of having an intestinal ultrasonography machine in Kelowna.
 
Thank you to all that attended Rotary After 5 last Thursday.
 
A few dates to remember:
Thu Dec 13th - Society of Hope ( the operator of the new Pleasantside) have invited us to join them at the end of their Christmas dinner - for residents to carol.
This is an excellent opportunity to remake acquaintances with residents and get into the Christmas spirit by carolling.
For more information, please contact Sheldon Paulger.
 
Our Christmas program is on Tue Dec 18th – noon at Capri Hotel. Jaime has sent out registration information - please register as soon as possible.
For more information and tickets, contact Jaime Briggs.
 
Dec 25th (Xmas Day) – no meeting
 
Jan 1st (New Years Day) – no meeting
 
Bollywood Gala fundraiser - Saturday, February 2nd at 6pm at Okanagan Mission Community Hall. It will be an evening of fun, fellowship, great good, music and dance. Tickets are $150/person or a table of 8 for $1,200. 
 
This event is almost sold out so get your tickets asap.
 
For tickets or more information, contact Stuart Dickson.
 
And, if you haven't yet signed up for Salvation Army Kettle Drive, please contact Ralf Rohrlack.
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-12-09 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal
Happy Sunday fellow Rotarians,
 
We had a successful Annual General Meeting last week. New Directors for the year 2019-2020 were elected at this meeting - and the following people will make up the Board of Directors for 2019-2020 Rotary year:
PRESIDENT – Stuart Dickson
PRESIDENT-ELECT – Lenetta Parry 
VICE PRESIDENT – Guy Auger
SECRETARY – John Walker
TREASURER - Dick Dumond
IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT – Raghwa Gopal
DIRECTORS:
Dale Briggs
David Cullen
Kevin Greenwood
Randy McBride
John McIntyre
Julie Mulligan
Mario Pare
Chris Patton
Karyn Schueler
 
Congratulations to all - and looking forward to a great 2019-2020 year in Rotary.
 
Our exchange student, Chiara, got her first opportunity to update us on her journey so far. She has a list of things that she still wants to do - like going skiing and visiting Vancouver, to name a few - so if you are going skiing or going on a trip - and have room for one more person - then don't hesitate to call Chiara.
 
This week's meeting will be hosted by President-Elect Stuart Dickson and the guest speaker will be Dr. Carla Nash - she will be talking about intestinal ultrasonography.
 
New fundraiser: President-Elect Stuart Dickson is chairing the Committee for a new fundraiser - it's a Bollywood Gala - to be held on Saturday, February 2nd at 6pm at Okanagan Mission Community Hall. It will be an evening of fun, fellowship, great good, music and dance. Tickets are $150/person or a table of 8 for $1,200. For tickets or more information, contact Stuart.
 
Don't forget Rotary After 5 this Thursday - venue to be announced soon!
 
And, if you haven't yet signed up for Salvation Army Kettle Drive, please contact Ralf Rohrlack.
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-12-02 08:00:00Z 0
2017-2018 AGM President Report 2018-12-02 08:00:00Z 0
Rotary Now! Speakers that INSPIRE Peter Schultz 2018-12-02 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Happy Sunday Rotarians,
 
Another great meeting last week – our guest speaker Danielle Hofer updated us on the programs and services provided by Women’s Enterprise Centre (WEC).
 
Women’s Enterprise Centre is a non-profit organization devoted to helping BC women launch, lead and scale their own businesses.
 
They provide business loans up to $150K, with access to an additional $100K through a new partnership with BDC. WEC has fueled the success of women-led businesses since 1995, providing business skills training, personalized business advice, mentoring, practical business resources and a supportive community to help women business owners gain the skills, mindset, financing and networks they need to realize their business potential.
 
 
Being Foundation month, Doug Gossoo gave us 5 reasons to give to the Rotary Foundation: accountability, impact, record of success, global reach and bringing about peace.  He also highlighted some of the recent projects that our club has undertaken or supported – which were supported by the Rotary Foundation: Chromebooks for Guatemalan school children, Molo Kenya Maternal & Infant Health project, Vocational Medical Training Team to Bahir Dar (Ethiopia), Chittal High School Improvement project (India), Lake Country Food Bank power pallet stacker purchase project and Peachland pier lighting project – just to name a few!
 
Gord Savage – updated us on the VTT project going on in Ethiopia – looks like the team has arrived safe and sound, got setup and have already started their mission to help the burn victims.
 
We had a great Fireside meeting last Wed evening with 21 Rotarians attending – including 7 new members.
 
This week’s meeting will see our Annual General Meeting, and being Giving Tuesday, Doug Gossoo will talk about different ways to give to the Rotary Foundation. And our exchange student, Chiara, will have her first chance to give us a detailed update on her journey so far.
 
Also coming up:
Thu Dec 13th - Society of Hope ( the operator of the new Pleasantside) have invited us to join them at the end of their Christmas dinner - for residents to Carol.
 
This is an excellent opportunity to remake acquaintances with residents and get into the Christmas spirit by Carolling.
For more information, please contact Sheldon Paulger.
 
KSS Mock Interviews of Grade 10/11 KSS students is taking place on Wed. Nov. 28th at KSS Secondary School. There are 2 sessions - Morning and Afternoon Interview times.
 
Mock interviews provide opportunity for students to develop their job interview skills.
 
For more information, contact Gord Charles.
 
 
Dates to Remember:
Dec 18th Xmas Function – noon at Capri – more details to follow soon!
Dec 25th (Xmas Day) – no meeting
Jan 1st (New Years Day) – no meeting
 
See you all on Tuesday,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa 2018-11-25 08:00:00Z 0

Your Committee Update

We are in the process of updating our list of members and the committees that they have volunteered
for. Please scroll to the bottom of the bulletin where you should see a section labeled “Current Club
Committees”. If it lists a Committee you are no longer on or it does not include a Committee you have
volunteered for (or would like to) please send me an email or text (johnmac5@icloud.com 250-718-
3161) and I will update our records.

If you want to see a list of all of our Club Committees, you can do so in Club Runner. Login and go to the
“Member Area”, “Organization”, “Committees” and you should see a list of all the Committees, the
director responsible and the chair. If you click on the name of the Committee, you will be able to see a
listing of all members in that committee. If you are listed as the Chair of that Committee, you should
also be able to add and remove members without my assistance.

If you need help with your Login to Club Runner or any other matters, let me know and I will help you.
 
John McIntyre
Your Committee Update John McIntyre 2018-11-25 08:00:00Z 0

How to Make an Entrance at the Corporate Holiday Party and 10 Dos and Do Nots to Keep in Mind

From The Etiquette School of New York

The corporate holiday party is the perfect opportunity for you to make a positive impression on the executives in your company you have not yet met; and to reinforce your co-workers’ positive impression of you. Think about the impression you want to make: How you look, how you carry yourself, how you present yourself, and how you treat others will form the impression you make.

Are you noticed when you enter a room? It’s very important to be noticed when you enter a room. Why? Simply because everyone watches the entrance to a room. That’s your opportunity to walk in with confidence and authority and make a positive impression!

How to Make an Entrance:

  • Present yourself appropriately. What is the appropriate dress for the occasion?
  • Take your time. Never rush into a room; you must never look like you are in a hurry. Enter the room, move to the right, and pause. This pause gives you the opportunity to spot key persons, and allows others to see you before you walk in the room.
  • Your posture and how you carry yourself. Good posture instantly creates an impression of confidence and sets the stage for others to accept you as a winner.
  • A winning smile. A warm, confident smile will put you and others around you at ease.
  • Be positive. Your attitude shows through in everything you do. Project a positive attitude.
  • Your eye contact. Good eye contact with those you meet is very important. Maintain eye contact throughout the handshake.
  • Your handshake. Greet and shake hands with those nearest you and others in the room.

10 Dos and Do Nots to Keep in Mind:

DOS

  1. Dress appropriately. For social business functions with your business associates, it is always better to play it safe and wear a conservative outfit that is not too revealingHow you look—your appearance– can either make a great impression, or a leave lasting negative impression!
  2. Eat a small amount of food for energy before the event. Rushing in and heading for the bar or the food is counterproductive to your agenda.
  3. Make an entrance. When you walk in, take a few seconds to look around before starting to circulate. It’s important to make an effective entrance because everyone watches the entrance.
  4. Wear a name badge if everyone else is wearing one. And remember, it goes on your right side.
  5. Keep your conversation positive and light when making small talk. If you are at a social business event, you don’t want to gravitate to a small group of colleagues and talk shop, nor do you want to be entirely social treating colleagues as potential friends. And, this is not the time to complain to your boss about your co-workers. The best topics to talk about are to ask what the other person thinks about local changes or events, about national trends, about current culture, books, and movies, or something you read in the daily newspaper. Steer clear of controversy, however.
  6. Carry your beverage in your left hand. This leaves your right hand free for handshakes and ensures that your hand isn’t damp and cold. Even if you are left-handed, tradition dictates we shake with the right hand.
  7. Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation. It’s at these social events that managers tend to see our true colors and get to know us on a personal basis. Drinking too much can be counterproductive to your professional ambitions. Besides, you don’t want to be the girl or guy that everyone is talking about the next day.
  8. Eat or talk. Doing both at the same time is not suave.
  9. Be mindful of the person or persons who accompanied you to the event. If they’re from your private life, they won’t be familiar with the business half of the room, and vice versa. Introduce them to people with whom they might have something in common.
  10. Be discreet. If you are at a social business function, don’t discuss matters that belong at work. And, where at a purely social event, you might “let your hair down,” this is not the place for it. People from the office will notice any behavior that is too relaxed.

DO NOTS

  1. Do not skip the corporate holiday party, or arrive when it is almost over. You may think your attendance is optional, but your absence will be noticed. The social business function is a great time to show off your polished social skills and mingle with upper management. Arriving at the end of the party shows your lack of respect for the event and will be noticed. It is also more difficult to break into groups that have already formed when you arrive late.
  2. Do not bring your time-is-money business mind-set with you even though the event is both business and social. You could end up with a series of five-second conversations: “Hey,”or “How’s it going?” To avoid this pace, don’t give or ask for one-word answers. Elaborate. Tell an anecdote. Ask a question that needs more than a “yes” or “no” answer. 
  3. Do not use business jargon at a social business event unless you are talking shop with those who are enjoying it as much as you are. Otherwise, leave the buzz words at home.
  4. Do not bring a guest with you to the event unless the invitation specifically indicated that you could bring a guest. If in doubt, ask the host if you may bring a guest.
  5. Do not let your ego take over, particularly if you are a business executive, accustomed to commanding people’s attention and experiencing their deference. You might carry this attitude over into the social arena, where it is less appreciated.
  6. Do not toast yourself. If you are honored at the event with a toast, accept it gracefully. Don’t drink to yourself or clap when others are applauding you.
  7. Do not talk solely with people you know well. Make a point of meeting three new people. Try to find three things in common with each of them. This three-three strategy is not only good practice for social skills, but it is an important stimulus to the goals of the event and might bring you unexpected personal and professional dividends.
  8. Do not take pictures of your colleagues without asking for permission to do so; and do not post them on Facebook without their consent. Be respectful of the privacy of your colleagues.
  9. Do not answer your cell phone or text at the party unless it is an emergency. If you must take a call, leave the room and go to a private place to talk.
  10. Do not forget to thank the host before leaving the party, or to write a thank-you note the day after the party; and follow-up with any contacts you have met at an event and promised to send additional information regarding your services or the company you represent.
How to Make an Entrance at the Corporate Holiday Party and 10 Dos and Do Nots to Keep in Mind 2018-11-18 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal
Greetings Rotarians,
 
What a great Sunday in Kelowna!
 
Great speakers at last week's meeting. Julie Mulligan did her classification talk and showed us some amazing pictures of her travels around the world - especially her trek up into the Himalayas. Our guest speaker was own member, MLA Steve Thomson. Steve gave us an update of whats happening at the legislature - some of the current issues being debated are Proportional Representation, Speculation Tax imposed for Kelowna and West Kelowna, Employer Health Tax, ALR, Ride Sharing and more.
 
The guest speaker for the coming week will be Danielle Hofer from Women's Enterprise Centre - and this being the Foundation Month, Doug Gossoo will talk about Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world - so if you haven't made a contribution to Rotary Foundation this year, this would be the time to do it!
 
It was so good to see Dick Dumond at the meeting on Tuesday and he also attended the Board Meeting on Thursday to present the budget to the Board. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a few individuals who really stepped up to help out when Dick was sick - a huge shout out to Tony French and Ken Laloge for helping us with Treasurer duties and getting our year end done. And to Julie Mulligan - who not only volunteered to help Dick but also took on the wreath sales project.
 
If you haven't registered for the District Conference for next year, here is a great offer:
Register for the 2019 District Conference in Kamloops by November 30, 2018 and you could win your registration cost (excluding activities fees)!  Already registered?  Your name will also be entered into the draw.
 
And don't forget our AGM on Nov 27th.
 
Happy Sunday and see you on Tuesday,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-11-18 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from Vice President Lenettta

Greetings Rotarians,
 
November 11th 2018 marks the 100 year anniversary of the end of the First World War. Last week was a special meeting dedicated to those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  It was a meeting full Remembrance…
 
We were joined by piper, Archie Morrison, Staff Sergeant Robert Daly, Mr. Jim White, President of the Legion, and author/historian Mr. Bill Peckham. The room was full of special visitors and guests, including members of the RCMP, the Royal Canadian Legion and it was especially nice to see our very own Howie Morgan! 
 
Historian Bill Peckham was a pleasure to listen to as he gave us a new perspective on the poem “In Flanders Fields” and walked us through the journey of a young boy’s desire to be a bugle boy in the army!
 
We opened the floor to our own members to share stories. We heard from Ken LaLoge, Sharon Simpson, Carol Eamer and Rick Potter. Rick shared that his son, Sean Potter, was unable to make our meeting because he re-injured his back. An injury that occurred during his time serving our country.
 
Carol Eamer was presented with our “Rotarian of the Month” pin for her leadership in the “Field of Crosses” - a special tribute honouring fallen heroes in Kelowna’s City Park. We also thanked her for her hard work in making arrangements for our Remembrance Day meeting.  
 
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning 
We will remember them.”
 
Lest We Forget.
 
Please join us next week as we welcome Hon Steve Thomson, MLA and our very own Julie Mulligan in her classification talk.
 
Before I sign off, I remind you to please keep former Rotarian Joe Ianfrancesco’s family in your thoughts and prayers (he passed away on November 2nd), along with well wish wishes for Rick Potter’s son, Sean.
 
In service,
 
Lenetta
Weekly Message from Vice President Lenettta Lenetta Parry 2018-11-11 08:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Welcome to Sunday, Rotarians;
 
Great meeting last week - that was a great presentation by Randy Shier of the Mission Group. And congrats to Kevin Greenwood, Sheldon Paulger, Sarah Campbell and John Mulligan for being elected as the new Directors for the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation Board.
 
Congratulations to Mike Houston as well - as he was named as the Rotarian of the Month!
 
A very BIG 'thank you' to Carol Eamer and her team for placing the Field of Crosses at Stuart Park - great job!
 
This week's meeting is a very important one – one where we remember and honor our fallen - lest we forget! 
 
We are planning a Remembrance Day Ceremony to coincide with the Remembrance Week ceremonies for the 100 year anniversary of the Armistice / End of World War I. We have arranged for a bagpiper (Archie) to lead a processional into the room – including an RCMP officer in red serge uniform, the President of the Legion (Jim White), speaker from the Legion( Bill Peckham) and others in uniform who will be seated at a reserved table.
 
Members should arrive a little earlier than usual so that they can be seated and ready to stand when the processional is piped into the room at 12:10pm.
 
Also if members would like to wear uniforms/medals, that would be wonderful.  Note that Sandy Ketler is handling the “Memories” aspect of the meeting where people are encouraged to share memories of relatives who may have served in the wars.
 
The speaker is going to be Mr Bill Peckham, Historian/Author.
 
Rotary After 5 is planned for Thursday November 8th at the Royal Canadian Legion at 5pm.
 
 
All the best, see you Tuesday,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-11-04 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Oct 28, 2018
Welcome to Sunday, Rotarians;
 
Greetings from beautiful Lake Chelan - where we just finished the District 5060 Fall Assembly. The programs over the last 2 days were great - with lots of learnings, fun and fellowship. Good to see great participation from our club - 7 Rotarians from our club made it to the Fall Assembly. And, our very own, Chris Patton, was the keynote speaker Friday evening.
 
This is a great time to register for the District Conference (May 2-5 in Kamloops) and the International Conference (Jun 1-5 Hamburg, Germany) - early bird prices are still available.
 
A very BIG 'thank you' to all who helped out this weekend with the 'Fill The Bus Food Drive". 
 
This week's club meeting will see the continuation of the Foundation AGM and our guest speaker will be Randy Shier from the Mission Group.
 
All the best, see you Tuesday,
 
Raghwa
 
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-10-28 07:00:00Z 0

Fill the Bus

Posted by Kim Dorcas on Oct 21, 2018
Fellow Rotarians.  We are once again going to "Fill the bus" for seniors' in need in our community.  We are in need of a few more volunteers to help out with this.  If you can spare a few hours of your time on Saturday or Sunday, October 27th or 28th, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please contact me know if you can help out.
 
We also need to get the word out so if you could share the poster on your Facebook page, post in your work staff room or anywhere else that you think might help, it would be greatly appreciated.  
(Poster to be sent to you in a separate email)
 
Last year we were able to help the Central Okanagan Food Bank with approximately $30,000 in cash and food donations.  Let's see if we can exceed that this year.  
 
 Thank you.
 
Kim Dorcas
250.864.2426
 
Fill the Bus Kim Dorcas 2018-10-21 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Oct 21, 2018
Welcome to Sunday, Rotarians;
 
I really enjoyed Dr. Jim Crandell's classification talk at last week's meeting - could have listened to him for another half an hour! And we also got a great update from Habitat for Humanity and a bit about their Lake Country project.  We had a very productive Board meeting on Thursday, so please know your Directors and Committees are working tirelessly to get things done.  This week's meeting is not to be missed: the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation AGM - where 7 members are vying for 4 positions on the Foundation Board - come be a part of this key next step in OUR Foundation. 
 
This Wednesday, October 24th is World Polio Day.  Our club will unfortunately not host "The Worlds Greatest Meal to Help End Polio" fundraiser. Anyone interested in donating to this great cause, in lieu of the dinner fundraiser, can contact Carol Eamer.
 
Fall Assembly is this weekend (Oct 26-27) in Lake Chelan - interested in attending - contact Peter Schultz. Also this weekend is 'Fill The Bus Food Drive" (Oct 27th & 28th) at Save-On-Foods - contact Kim Dorcas to sign up.
 
JoeAnna's House ground-breaking ceremony is this Tuesday (Oct 23rd) at 11am - at JoeAnna's House Build Site (Corner of Abbott St and Royal Ave) - all are invited to attend.
 
I'm hoping you're finding the right balance of Fun, Fellowship, Fundraising, Impact, and all that keeps Rotary a priority for you.  Please reach out and chat if there is anything I or others can do to help you get involved, engaged, or enjoy your Rotary journey even more.
 
All the best, see you Tuesday,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-10-21 07:00:00Z 0

Mock Job Interviews

 
WHEN: Wednesday, November, 28th
WHERE: Kelowna Senior Secondary School
TIME: Morning (8:45- 11:30 am) or Afternoon (12:30-3:00pm)
WHO: Any Interested Rotarians
WHY: To provide Grade 10/11 students any opportunity to practice their interviewing skills
 
See Gordy to sign-up or call (778) 363-4633. Further details to follow!
Mock Job Interviews Gordon Charles 2018-10-21 07:00:00Z 0

Wreath Sale Fundraiser

Posted by Julie Mulligan
Hi fellow Rotarians,
Randy McBride and I are excited about our upcoming "Christmas Wreath Sales" project. 

It would be so awesome if you could electronically circulate the poster to your friends, neighbors and family.  We are hoping that each Rotarian can sell at least 6-10 wreaths.  At next week's meeting, we will have all the info you will need to easily sell the wreaths, including order books and additional posters to hang up or pass along.  I have attached a version of the poster with no contact info so that you can share it via facebook, Instagram or email and  include your own details on the message.  If you would prefer, I can make you a "custom" poster with your name and address printed directly on it.   Please let me know, either by email or phone, (780) 542-1248.    If you are unable to make it to next week's meeting, please contact and we will get you the seller info delivered. 

Thanks, so much, for your commitment to this project!

Randy McBride and Julie Mulligan
 
 
Wreath Sale Fundraiser Julie Mulligan 2018-10-14 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Happy Sunday Rotarians;
 
I hope everyone's enjoying a spectacular weekend - what amazing weather we are having - hopefully, this great weather will continue for another few weeks! 
 
Great News -  Our global grant application for funding to send a VTT to Ethiopia to establish a comprehensive burn and wound care management program in the Bahir Dar region - submitted by the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa-Bole and the Rotary Club of Kelowna, has been approved by The Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Foundation Canada. The award is in the amount of US$ 69,650.00. The VTT team leaves Nov 11.
 
Thank you to all that were able to make the club meeting last week. Helen Jackman of United Way talked about their new program called <Code>anagan - whereby they provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth in the tech sector. Please let me know if anyone is interested in receiving Helen's powerpoint presentation.
 
This week, we will get to hear Dr. James Crandell - he will be giving his classification talk - and our guest speaker will be Neil Smith from Habitat for Humanity. 
 
A reminder that our Board Meeting will be this Thursday, Oct 18th, 4pm-6pm at Accelerate Okanagan.  Come see a Board Meeting first hand, consider joining the Board next year, help keep our Club the premier service club in Kelowna!
 
In service,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa 2018-10-14 07:00:00Z 0

Fall Assembly Oct 26-27

Posted on Oct 08, 2018

The fall assembly is Oct. 26-27 at Campbell’s resort in Chelan. Rooms are at a premium and going fast. I want to encourage the attendance of club members that are involved in either District Grants or Global grants as we have scheduled two very informative sessions covering the application process and stewardship of foundation funds.

Friday Oct. 26 at 3PM the stewardship topic will be covered in the session “Grant review and the Club”

Saturday 27th Steve and Kathy will be presenting on district and Global grants at a break out session at 1:30, repeated again at 2:30.

This is a great opportunity for Rotary fellowship, sharing  great projects in the district, good food and friendship. How could you not want to participate.

Please register ASAP as registration will be stopped the week before the assembly.

Pete Erickson PDG

District Foundation Chair

Fall Assembly Oct 26-27 2018-10-08 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary World Polio Dinner

Posted on Oct 08, 2018
The Rotary Club of Kelowna is hosting all other clubs in the Kelowna area to a Polio Day Dinner to Celebrate the successes of Rotary Clubs around the world in (almost) eradicating the Polio Virus ….
Please note the date and time and plan on joining us –
 
Contact Carol Eamer: ceamer@telusplanet.net or Stuart Dickson: stuart@dicksonhomes.ca for tickets and more information.
 
Date: Wednesday October 24th                 
Time: 6:00pm                                   
Place: Michael Brook Golf Club, 1085 Lexington Drive, Kelowna, BC V1W 4M8
Menu: Pizza Buffet, includes 4 types of pizza, salads and desserts.  Bar service will be provided.
Cost: $50 per person, includes donation to Polio Plus. Note: Each Club will receive credit for the Polio Plus donations collected on their behalf.
 
Join us as we link in to other Clubs around the world via Zoom to celebrate World Polio Day!
Rotary World Polio Dinner 2018-10-08 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Oct 08, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving Rotary:

Today's the day to focus on the positive and to be thankful for the many blessings we do have!

Another great meeting last week - with Marjolein Lloyd talking about Shelter Box and Don Compton educated us on Proportional Representation. This is a very important referendum so please make sure you vote - your vote counts!

And, thank you to all that showed up for Rotary After 5 at Brandt's Creek Pub.

We have another great guest speaker lined up for this week - Helen Jackman, Executive Director of United Way will highlight all that is happening in her organization. And we will have our own Murli Pendhakar speaking about the Medical Equipment initiative.

A reminder that Rotary World Polio Dinner will be held on Wednesday, Oct 24th at 6pm at Michaelbrook Golf Club - contact Carol Eamer for tickets and more details.

District 5060 Fall Assembly is Oct 26-27 at Campbell's Resort in Chelan, Washington. There are only a few tickets left so please register as soon as you can. For more details contact Peter Schultz.

If you have a spare moment over the next few days do something nice for someone you don't know. It doesn't have to be a big thing just a random courteous gesture to spread some good will!

Thanks for Giving,

Raghwa

Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-10-08 07:00:00Z 0

Ecofilters for Antigua

Posted by Patricia Ainslie on Oct 08, 2018
The eruption of the Fuego Volcano near Antigua, Guatemala on 3 June, 2018  buried the community of San Miguel Los Lotes, Escuintla, and left hundreds dead in the area (though the unofficial number is a lot higher, some even said more than 2000) and many thousands of victims. They continue to be housed in deplorable conditions and the survivors continue to search for their missing relatives.
 
The Rotary Club of Kelowna agreed to provide $2,000 to be used to buy water filters for people directly affected and displaced by the devastating eruption near Antigua, as the eruption has contaminated the water.  The money was sent to Donna Jepson of Give Kids a Chance Foundation in Toronto [who Patricia Ainslie had worked with on her Chromebooks project] who is working with Alice Lee So Fong of CasaSito in Antigua to identify and give the filters to people in need.
 
Ecofilters for Antigua Patricia Ainslie 2018-10-08 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from Vice President Lenetta

Posted by Lenetta Parry on Sep 24, 2018
Greetings Rotarians,
 
Everyone knows WHAT they do,
We know HOW we do it,
Few people know WHY they do it…
 
Last week we had a great program!   Our very own Chris Patton talked to us about the characteristics of leadership.  She highlighted the importance of “finding your WHY” – fulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose. Knowing your WHY gives you a filter to make choices.  The future of Rotary and the service we give to our community both locally and internationally depends on strong leadership.
 
Our feature presenter was Mike Gawliuk from CMHA, Foundry Kelowna. Foundry Kelowna is a place where youth and parents in our community can find easy access to the help they need. Hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Foundry unites over 25 local partners agencies to help address the health care of youth ages 12-24 and their families. Foundry Kelowna is transforming how mental health and substance use services are delivered in Kelowna.  Mike thanked the Rotary Club of Kelowna for the donation of $25,000. Mike shared a story of prevention. He shared a story of a young man who may have ended up on the streets of Kelowna had he not walked through the doors of Foundry and got connected to resources.  I think it would be safe to say listening to Mike many understand WHY we are Rotarians.  Being a member of this club allows us to have an impact on young peoples’ lives. This week marks a full year since Foundry Kelowna opened its doors and in that time more than 1,500 youth have come looking for help. Foundry Kelowna is delivering great programs in our community, is a model of collaboration and provides early intervention and support to our youth. 
 
Don’t miss next week’s program. The Rotary theme this month is “Basic Education and Literacy.”  Mr Robert Mellalieu from Fair Vote Kelowna will be our main speaker with a presentation on electoral reform.  For the short program, Peter Schultz will deliver a report from Rotary International and Bruce Telford will chair an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation.
 
Before I sign off, I remind you that our dear friend Dick Dumond has had a difficult week. Dick’s wife, Shirely, has requested no calls or visitors as Dick needs his rest. As Chris Patton said, “send your love for Dick from your heart out into the universe and he will receive it.” Dennis Campbell and Rick Potter will keep the club informed as to how Dick is doing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dick and his family…
 
In service,
 
Lenetta
Weekly Message from Vice President Lenetta Lenetta Parry 2018-09-24 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Greetings Rotarians;
 
Here’s looking forward to another great week in Rotary - our meeting to be presided by our Vice President Lenetta Parry. Guest speaker this week will be Mike Gawliuk. Mike is the Director of Service Delivery & Program Innovation at CMHA. He will be providing an update on the Foundry project. Also speaking this week will be Chris Patton - this will be a very inspirational talk. We will also have Paul Zuurbier - Executive Director of Project Literacy - updating us on their Raise-a-Reader Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.
 
Last week we had a great update on the Journey Home project from Dave Krysko. Dave also talked about how he got involved in his journey of helping the homeless. We also heard very briefly from Chiarra - our exchange student and Bruce Telford provided notice of Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation's Annual General Meeting - to be held at noon on Tuesday October 23rd.
 
On a sad note - yesterday we were told that our Treasurer Dick Dumond had suffered a major heart attack and is admitted at KGH. I did go to see Dick today at the hospital and got a chance to speak to Shirley for a few moments. Dick has not regained consciousness after the stroke - but Shirley did say that he was doing "much better today". Let's all pray for a very speedy recovery for Dick.
 
And, as I mentioned at the meeting last Tuesday, I have been seconded by the Provincial Government for a short assignment that will take me to UK & Germany for the next 3 weeks - so Lenetta and James will be presiding for the next 3 meetings. Hope to see you all on Tuesday Oct 9th.
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa 2018-09-17 07:00:00Z 0

Join the Board

Posted by JBK on Sep 16, 2018
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Join Us!
 
The Board of Directors has the most direct influence on the leadership, direction, and strategy of our Club.
 
The Board meets monthly, reviews committee reports and recommendations, and helps act on our key priorities.
 
It's rewarding, enlightening, and really no more than a few hours a month.
 
We are recruiting volunteers to fill two vacancies on the current Board under President Raghwa Gopal, and looking to build next year's (July 2019-June 2020) under President-Elect Stuart Dickson.
 
Please, if you haven't yet had the chance, or want another, please consider volunteering.  We are only as strong as the Rotarians who give of themselves to keep us moving in the right direction. 
 
Contact me anytime, JamesBKay@hotmail.com.
 
Thanks,
 
James
 
Join the Board JBK 2018-09-16 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted on Sep 11, 2018
Greetings Rotarians;
 
Here’s looking forward to another great week in Rotary: a great meeting planned with Dave Krysko (co-founder of Club Penguin) as our guest speaker and our own Sandy Ketler will update us on the Rotary Foxhunt Fundraiser that is coming up on Sep 22nd. And, we will get to meet Chiara - our inbound exchange student.
 
Last week, we received a couple of invitations, and heard interesting speakers again!
 
Ann McIntyre from Disaster Aid Canada shared about the diversity of their work.

Professor Ugo Shizuko invited us to the Kasugai Rotary’s 50th Anniversary Celebration next year (April 6th).
 
Michael Sinclair updated us about Rotary Now and invited us to their Speakers Series on Friday. It was good to see so many Rotarians show up for this event - it was a fantastic talk by Mark Fawcett - Canadian Snowboard legend. He shared with us his journey as a high-performance athlete and the transition to coach. Don't miss the next one coming up on December 7th - Zach Walsh, Phd will be the speaker.
 
And, thank you to you all who attended the Rotary After 5 at the Yacht Club.
 
A couple of reminders – if you haven’t yet registered for the District Conference, please do so (May 2-6 in Kamloops). And the District Fall Assembly Weekend is in Lake Chelan Oct 26-28.
 
See you all on Tuesday!
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa 2018-09-11 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary Now! Speakers that INSPIRE 2018-09-02 07:00:00Z 0

Guess who arrived!

Sharon, Doug, Raghwa, Sarita, Duane & Olga all welcomed
our inbound exchange student Chiara
at the Kelowna Airport last week.
 
More info to be shared soon!
Guess who arrived! 2018-09-02 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Service Opportunity - Polio Immunization, West Africa Project Fair, Community Service Program

Dear Fellow Rotarian: 

Congratulations on the beginning of a new and hopefully successful year of Rotary Service, and for your efforts to Be the Inspiration.  I sincerely hope it is a wonderfully productive and satisfying experience for you.   

The purpose of this correspondence is to announce an upcoming trip to Cotonou, West Africa in October 2018 to participate in apolio immunization exerciseattend the 13th Annual West Africa Project Fair, and engage in a hands-on work project.  Attached is detailed trip information.  Please feel free to share this information with the Rotarians in your club as soon as possible as we have a limited amount of space and expect this trip to be filled in the next week or two.

Trip Dates:                           October 02 – 11, 2018
Travel to:                              Cotonou, Benin, West Africa 
Per Person Price:                $1,729, double occupancy

Program includes:  Hotel accommodations, transfers, most meals, polio immunization exercise, hands-on community service field work, West Africa Project Fair registration, special Rotary and fellowship events, sightseeing, etc.  For more information, please visit our website:  2018 West Africa Project Fair

In October 2018, North American Rotarians will travel to Cotonou, Benin for a life changing experience.   Have you ever heard a Rotarian speak about their personal experience participating in a polio eradication exercise, a cleft lip/cleft palate mission, or work on ahumanitarian grant?  These trips have a profound effect upon the individual.  For those of you who have gone on one of these trips you know, and for those of you who have yet to enjoy this experience, you should.

The experiences you have stay with you forever.  You get up early in the morning, travel with local Rotarians to a village, health clinic or impoverished neighborhood, and for the next few hours, you change.  Small children come up to you to say thank you.  Mothers and fathers smile at you knowing that you are giving their child a chance for a better life.  You meet with the leaders in the village to learn of their needs and their hopes.  It is hot; it is dusty; it makes you uncomfortable; it is exquisite. 

The West Africa Project Fair is endorsed by Rotary’s Reach Out to Africa Committee (ROTA), who is trying to generate greater connectivity between the African and North American Rotarians to generate greater support of the projects of Africa.  This committee needs your help, leadership and motivational skills, as Governor, to generate awareness, interest and action to support these projects.  Further, projects fairs are an expanding program, encourage by Rotary and The Rotary Foundation as an extraordinary opportunity for clubs to find viable, qualified humanitarian projects

Let us know if you have any questions.   We hope to hear from you soon.

Jolene R. Bortz

Manager
Howard Tours

 

Rotary Club of Oakland-Uptown

Past President

 

516 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94610

(510) 834-2260 voice

(510) 834-1019 fax

JBortz@HowardTours.net

www.HowardTours.net

"We look forward to traveling with you"

Rotary Service Opportunity - Polio Immunization, West Africa Project Fair, Community Service Program 2018-09-02 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

 
Good Day Rotarians:
 
Welcome to September - Basic Education & Literacy Month!
 
What an amazing meeting last week, with District Governor Sherry Chamberlain and her husband Jim visiting us. DG Sherry shared her Rotary journey and her goals for the District. And what an inspiring story she shared! We were all challenged to "Be The Inspiration". 
 
Also last week, the Hippo Roller 5060 Project was launched, a number of deserving members were recognized and we welcomed our inbound exchange student.
 
Congratulations to Guy Auger - our Director of Public Relations - for being recognized as the "Rotarian of the Month" for August.
 
Mark your calendars for this week's Rotary After 5 - Thursday at 5pm - location to be announced soon.
 
This week's guest speaker will be Anne McIntyre and Michael Sinclair (Rotary Now!) will do his classification talk.
 
Enjoy the rest of the long weekend and see you all on Tuesday.
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa 2018-09-02 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Hello fellow Rotarians,
 
What an exciting week for our club last week - with 7 new members being inducted to our club.
A huge welcome to the new members: Anahita Tajadod, Allissa Wu, Jim Crandell, John Mulligan, Julie Mulligan, Patricia Livingstone and Tobi Byrne.
 
 And our guest speaker, Renee Wasylyk talked about her life experiences and inspirations, property development and her intentions to seek nomination for the federal Conservative Party for Kelowna-Lake Country riding.
This week, District Governor Sherry Chamberlain will be visiting our club and will be giving us an update on what is happening at the District and Rotary International levels - so please make sure to attend the meeting - and invite a colleague or a friend as well.  On Wednesday afternoon, she is hosting a social (picnic) starting at 4pm at Mission Creek Regional Park - please come and join her with your family and friends.
 
Also this week, our inbound student, Chiara Brunetti is arriving in Kelowna. She arrives at 10pm on Tuesday evening - and Doug Gossoo will have a big "Welcome Chiara" sign. Let's give her a big warm welcome by being at the airport at 10pm Tuesday night!
 
And don't forget to register for 2019 District Conference - early bird pricing ends Aug 31st, so register now!
 
As always, the Club is all about our members, so please bring any ideas, requests, or comments and we’ll keep being the best we can be. 
 
All the best - and see you on Tuesday.
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-08-27 07:00:00Z 0

District Youth Exchange

Rotary District 5060 Youth Exchange 
Below is a message from Patty Garrett, District Chair for Youth Exchange.
 
"The District Youth Exchange Committee is accepting applications to join the committee to fulfill some very important roles. Our committee meets 5 times a year and enjoys interacting with our inbound, outbound and rebound students.  Camaraderie, the satisfaction of mentoring some amazing youth from around the world, and contributing to world peace and global understanding are just some of the perks!  Many Rotarians say this is the best committee in the District.  If you (or if you know someone) have a passion for youth, Rotary, and have some time and energy to give, then please be in touch with District Chair Patty Garrett at YouthExchangeChair@Rotary5060.org.  
 
We are currently recruiting for the following positions:
  • District Youth Counsellor
  • Inbound Coordinator (ideally male)
  • Youth Protection Officer/YEAH database Coordinator Canada"
District Youth Exchange 2018-08-27 07:00:00Z 0

Your Personal Invitation to Get Engaged!

Posted by JBK on Aug 20, 2018
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Rotarians;
 
There is no time like the present to say YES!
 
Say Yes to:
- Rotary Picnic w. DG Sherri Chamberlain, Wednesday August 28, Mission Creek Park, 4pm
- Rotary Now! Speaker Mark Fawcett, Friday September 7, Innovation Centre, 4pm
- The Rotary Fox Hunt - Our Board Challenged TheRestOfUS - Join the Rotary Team Today - Friday September 22, noon
- CANstruction is gearing up for another great year - join the committee!
- Rotary Club of Kelowna Nominating Committee is seeking volunteers to stand for the Board of Directors for 2019-2020 - Have Your Say!
- District Conference Kamloops, GET ON THE BUS!  Thursday May 2 - Sunday May 5 - register directly HERE then get your names into the RCoK Party Bus!
      EARLY BIRD UNTIL AUGUST 31!
 
Come on, there is so much fun to be had and Rotary Fellowship to enjoy, just say yes.  Any Rotarian who completes the gauntlet and says yes to all six opportunities will get FREE BUS to Kamloops.
 
Contact Past-President Has-Been James Kay at JamesBKay@hotmail.com for registrations or further info.
 
All the Best in Rotary,
 
James
 
 
Your Personal Invitation to Get Engaged! JBK 2018-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Aug 20, 2018
Hello fellow Rotarians,
 
Hopefully you are all staying in - and keeping out of the smoke and haze that has settled in the valley.
 
A great meeting last week - Rotaract President Alex Doran described what the small, but mighty club has been up to. Last year the small club of 10 members donated over $9,700 to the local community - that is an average of approx $1,000/member, pretty amazing! I will invite Alex to come to another meeting soon so that members will get a chance to talk to her more (unfortunately, we ran out of time at the last meeting and Alex had to leave right away).
 
A great presentation from our guest speaker Myles Matilla - he talked about his passion to help youth with mental health issues. Myles is a very engaging young advocate for mental health. Has spoken provincially and nationally. He plays hockey for the Kelowna Chiefs and is taking business at Okanagan College. He is an ambassador for: CHMA Kelowna, CHMA BC, MindRight, Foundry, SickNotWeak &  Jack.org
 
Previous week, we had AJ Akachuk describe his experiences as an exchange student in Belgium. He had some amazing pictures to share with us. And our outbound student for this year - Annika  - talked about her preparations for the upcoming adventure in Chile. And, Larry Widmer - GM of Community Futures highlighted us on al the good work they are doing in the community in terms of educating & training aspiring entrepreneurs and their model of 'impact' investing in growth stage companies.
 
Congratulations to Kevin Greenwood for being selected as the 'Rotarian of the Month'. Kevin does an amazing job in the background to make our weekly programs run smoothly!
 
Reminder: DG Sherry Chamberlain will be visiting our club on Tuesday, Aug 28th - and she is hosting a social (picnic) on Wed Aug 29th starting at 4pm at Mission Creek Regional Park - you are all invited to the picnic.
 
Major Projects Committee is seeking applications for our major project for this year - please contact Lenetta Parry for more information.
 
Our Board Meeting was last Thursday and one of the major items for discussion was an MOU between the Club and the Foundation. We will be presenting the MOU to the club in the very near future.
 
This week will be a great week - with 7 new members being inducted to our club. And we will have Renee Wasylyk as our guest speaker. Renee is a renowned developer in town (Troika Development) and very recently, Renee announced her intentions to seek nomination for the federal Conservative Party for Kelowna-Lake Country riding.
 
I sincerely thank you all - for all you do for Rotary and the community. We are still looking to fill a few positions in a couple of committees. If you are engaged and enjoying, we commend you. If you are looking for a new opportunity within Rotary, please reach out and I will be very happy to match you with the right committee.
 
All the best - and see you on Tuesday.
 
And don't forget to 'Be the Inspiration' every day!
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Good Day fellow Rotarians!
 
Hoping that you are all having a fabulous BC Day long weekend.
 
Last week's meeting - hosted by President-Elect Stuart Dickson - saw Ralf Rohrlack providing an update on the Interact Club at KSS. Also, Kathy Butler - Director - International Services provided an update on the current International projects and what's coming on the International side.
 
Roy Sommerey gave his classification talk and taught us all a bit about flying an aircraft.
 
Thank you to all that showed up for Rotary After 5 at Michaelbook Golf Club.
 
August is Membership month - and I have an ask for all of you - please invite a friend or a colleague to one of the club meetings in August.
 
This week's guest speaker is Larry Widmer of Community Futures. Larry will give us some insights on all the programs they run to help aspiring entrepreneurs - and more!
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-08-06 07:00:00Z 0

The Rotary FoxHunt

The Rotary FoxHunt
“A community scavenger hunt supporting local causes”
What is it?
A technology-fueled adventure game, combining the best of scavenger hunt missions and amazing race style challenges. More information on the game - http://foxhunt.ca/
 
Why do it?
The Rotary FoxHunt is a fun event for families, friends and office teams; to test their problem solving skills and team work while working against the clock and other teams. It is a fundraiser for JoeAnna’s House and Hands in Service, Kelowna based charities that deserve our support. The event is organized by the Rotary Club of Kelowna.
Your event registration of $55 (plus registration fee and GST) per person, gives you a $40 tax receipt for your donation to these causes.
 
When is it?
September  22, 2018   -   Game day information, support and registration   – 12 noon. The Rotary FoxHunt   –  ­­­­­ 90 minute challenge   -   will start at 1pm sharp.
 
Where is it?
The Rotary FoxHunt starts and ends at Stewart Park on Water Street (near the Bear).  It will include locations within a 6 block radius of the Park.
 
How to register?
Get a team together of 4 – 10 people.  Pick a team name, and plan to have fun! Register each member of your team using this link - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-rotary-fox-hunt-tickets-46421532052  
 
Remember to include which Rotary Club you affiliate with when you register! Registration is open for 200 participants, up until the event start time.  Contact Renee with any difficulties with registration at   (778) 538 1103
 
Who can do it?
Everyone can participate, build your family team or an office team, individual players can be added to a team, couples, families, people looking for corporate team building. It is fun for people of all ages!!     
 
                                
The Rotary FoxHunt 2018-07-30 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Good Day Fellow Rotarians!
 
A great meeting last week - with a lineup of 4 speakers. Our main speaker, Dr. Kyleen Myrah talked about Journey Home. The Journey Home Strategy is Kelowna's 5-year, $47m plan to address homelessness with a focus on ensuring everyone has a place to call home. The goal is to ensure a coordinated and easy to access system of care for those in Kelowna who have lost, or are at risk of losing their home. The consequence of not going down this road would cost the community over $100m over the next 5 years. Let me know if anyone is interested in Dr. Myrah's powerpoint.

 
Our outbound student, AJ Akachuck briefly talked about his stay in Belgium. AJ will be doing a full presentation to the club in August.

 
Norm Lecavalier, the Public Relations Director at Sunrise Club talked about volunteer opportunities at Ribfest. If you haven't signed up yet, please do so asap.

 
Carol Eamer talked about - and Harold Heyming demonstrated - a great International Project - the Hippo Water Roller. This water roller allows people to transport upto 5 times more water to their homes for food and garden thus leaving more time available for education, household tasks and food production.  This is a project that individual members can get behind - by sponsoring one of these water rollers for $125USD. 
 
SAVE THE  DATE: District Governor Sherry Chamberlain will be visiting clubs in Kelowna on Aug 28th & 29th. She will attend our club meeting on Aug 28th and there will be a social (picnic) on Wednesday, Aug 29th - from 4:30pm to 8:30pm at the Mission Creek Regional Park (off Springfield).
 
President-Elect Stuart Dickson will be presiding this week's meeting. Roy Sommerey will be doing his classification talk and some Directors will be talking about Club Business.
 
And do not forget Rotary After 5 - this Thursday at 5pm. Venue will be announced shortly.
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa 2018-07-30 07:00:00Z 0

Last week's presenter

The OYP Collective is creating a dynamic, vibrant culture and community that attracts and retains young professionals to the Okanagan Valley through a variety of volunteer, social, professional, sports, arts, cultural events and activities.
Last week's presenter 2018-07-23 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Hello Fellow Rotarians:
 
Hope you all had a great hot weekend – and that no one was affected by the fires!
 
We had another great meeting last week – with Colin Pritchard’s classification talk (what an interesting story – could have listened to Colin for another hour) and a presentation from Drew Vincent of Okanagan Young Professionals Collective – on events and programs OYP runs to retain and attract young professionals to our region.
 
This week also saw the return of our outbound student – AJ Akachuck. We will get AJ to come to one of our meetings very soon to give us an update on his experience in Belgium.
 
This week saw our first Board meeting of the new Rotary Year.  Your 15 Directors are working very hard to keep us along an exciting path and direction.  The Board meetings are open to all club members - please consider joining us at least once this year, and more importantly, feel free to reach out to any Director any time to know more. Thanks to all who continue to step up and keep our Club as the very best Service Club in Kelowna.
 
One more great news this week – the ‘Rotary Satellite Club of Kelowna Now!’ has now been approved by Rotary International as an official club. Congratulations to DGE Peter Schultz and all the members of Rotary Satellite Club of Kelowna Now!.
 
This week’s guest speaker is Dr. Kyleen Myrah of Okanagan College. Dr. Myrah will be talking about ‘Journey Home’ – a project to end homelessness in our city.
 
Please invite a colleague or a friend out to enjoy this week’s luncheon – our speakers are most amazing and it will be a great session.
 
Thanks to all and look forward to seeing you Tuesday,
 
Raghwa
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-07-23 07:00:00Z 0
RibFest 2018 2018-07-16 07:00:00Z 0

Save the dates!

UPCOMING EVENTS - SAVE THE DATES:

Rotary Leadership Institute – Weekend Training RLI: I-II-III Sessions
Sept 7-9 
Vernon, BC

Sept 8, Sept 22 & Oct 20, 2018
Yakima, WA


District Leadership Training 
Learn facilitation and public speaking techniques, how to introduce and thank speakers/new members and PH fellows. Open to all Rotarians.
Oct 26-28
Lake Chelan - Campbell's Resort
*Note: This has been combined with the District Fall Assembly(See below)

District Fall Assembly and AG’s 2018-2020 Training
-District Committee meetings, Foundation Seminars, Membership, Public Relations, and many more interesting sessions to help your clubs.
Oct 26-28
Lake Chelan - Campbells Resort
 
 
Save the dates! 2018-07-16 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Jul 16, 2018
Hello Rotarians,
 
A very big 'thank you' to our Vice-President Lenetta Perry for running her first, very successful meeting of the year (she enjoyed it so much that she wants to run a meeting every month - way to go Lenetta!).
 
Corie Griffiths - Executive Director of Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission -  gave a great presentation on the economic climate of Central Okanagan. Who would have guessed that Central Okanagan is British Columbia's fastest growing Census Metro Area. If anyone is interested in the powerpoint presentation, please let me know and I will forward it to you.
 
This week's guest speaker is Drew Vincent of Okanagan Young Collective. OYC is an organization created to attract and retain young professionals to the Okanagan Valley. Drew will highlight on all the many activities that his organization organizes to create a vibrant, dynamic culture and community for young professionals.
 
Big week in Rotary - our first Board Meeting of the year is this Thursday at 4pm at the Innovation Centre - everyone is welcome to attend the Board Meeting.
 
See you all on Tuesday and let's "Be The Inspiration" everyday!
 
Regards,
 
Raghwa Gopal
Weekly Message from President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-07-16 07:00:00Z 0

Last week's Speakers- Happipad/iGen

Posted on Jul 09, 2018
Happipad/iGen
 
Somewhere along the way, the way in which we share our homes has become more about transaction and less about connection.  Happipad is pioneering a more humane way to share our homes – whether it be through renting, co-living, or hosting – by fostering connections with a focus on people, context, and relationships.  By creating harmonious and fulfilling living arrangements, Happipad strives to build happier and healthier communities.  
Last week's Speakers- Happipad/iGen 2018-07-09 07:00:00Z 0

Be the INSPIRATION

Posted on Jul 09, 2018
Rotary International President-elect Barry Rassin laid out his vision for the future of the organization, calling on leaders to work for a sustainable future and to inspire Rotarians and the community at large.
 
Rassin, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, unveiled the 2018-19 presidential theme, Be the Inspiration. “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.”
 
Rassin stressed the power of Rotary’s new vision statement, “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” This describes the Rotary that leaders must help build, he said.
 
To achieve this vision, the president-elect said, Rotarians must take care of the organization: “We are a membership organization first. And if we want to be able to serve, if we want to succeed in our goals — we have to take care of our members first.”
Be the INSPIRATION 2018-07-09 07:00:00Z 0

From President Raghwa

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Jul 09, 2018
Hello Rotarians - Thank you all for your support & continuing in all the great work you do.  It’s been a great first week in the Rotary Year.  Once again, our Club is off to an amazing start.
 
Last week we inducted our new Board of Directors - congratulations to our new Executive & Directors: Past-President James Kay, President-Elect Stuart Dickson, Vice-President Lenetta Perry, Treasurer Dick Dumond, Secretary John Walker, International Service - Kathy Butler, Fundraising - Carol Eamer, Club Programs - Kevin Greenwood, Public Relations - Guy Auger, Membership - Roger Powley, Community Service - John James, Club Socials - Dave Cullen, Youth Programs - Dale Briggs and DGE & Rotary Now - Peter Schultz.
 
Last week our Membership Director distributed our committees list - in hopes to invite/recruit volunteers to a few key areas- please make sure you are signed on into at least committee. Our Club Programs Director is also looking for Chairs for a few Committees - please step up and get involved. Our Club achieves so much because we all get involved and pull together.
 
Social Media - please like and share Rotary Club of Kelowna's posts on Facebook. Last week's post reached almost 1300 people - and we got one potential member out of it!
 
Thanks to all who joined the Rotary After 5 last Thursday at Montana's. Please consider inviting a colleague or friend to join us at our socials and our meetings.
 
Our Vice-President Lenetta Perry will be the MC for Tuesday's meeting and our guest speaker will be Corie Griffiths - Executive Director of Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission - giving us an update on the local economy.
 
See you all next week!
 
Raghwa
From President Raghwa Raghwa Gopal 2018-07-09 07:00:00Z 0

The Rotary Fox Hunt

The Rotary Fox Hunt is a fun event for families, friends and office teams; to test their
problem solving skills and team work while working against the clock and other teams.
It is a fundraiser for JoeAnna’s House and Hands in Service, Kelowna based charities
that deserve our support. The event is organized by the Rotary Club of Kelowna.

Your registration of $55 per person, gives you a $40 tax receipt for your donation to
these causes.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

OR SEE

Sandy Ketler

The Rotary Fox Hunt Sandy Ketler 2018-07-02 07:00:00Z 0

Welcome to a New Rotary Year

Posted by Raghwa Gopal on Jul 02, 2018
Happy Canada Day Rotarians!
 
What a great year we had for our Rotary Club last year - a huge thanks to President James, the Board & the Club.  We continued to Make A Difference and will do so again with an inspiring 2018-2019. Let's 'Be The Inspiration' this year for our community - and to the world by our actions, our words and our deeds!
   
A huge kudos to Ron Pidskalny on another great Seniors BBQ - more on this on Tuesday.
 
Congratulations to the newly elected Board Members: Guy Auger, Dale Briggs, John James, Kevin Greenwood, Roger Powley and Peter Schultz.

As your new President - I ask for your help & support:  I ask that every member of the club engage by being a volunteer or by leading an initiative - this is your Club - make it an exceptional year for every Rotarian in The Rotary Club of Kelowna. Please feel free to reach out to me (call, email or talk to me at a club meeting) with your suggestions and feedback to make this a great year!
 
We have a jam-packed program for Tuesday - new Board installation and Dr. Ken Chau as our guest speaker - speaking on the IGEN initiative (home sharing made safe & simple).
 
Have a great long weekend, see you all Tuesday at noon.
Welcome to a New Rotary Year Raghwa Gopal 2018-07-02 07:00:00Z 0
President's Dinner...What a great event! 2018-06-25 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Seeking Used Laptop for Club Use

Posted by JBK on Jun 10, 2018
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Hello Rotarians;
 
Might anyone have a quality used laptop they would be wiling to donate for Club use?  
 
Just needs basic functionality for Adobe and PowerPoint and web viewing.
 
As you know, my 10-year old Toshiba is too slow to play video or quality audio...it's a bit embarrassing.
 
We'll seek the connectors, needs to adapt to VGA.  
 
Pls contact James or Dennis,
 
James
 
Rotary Seeking Used Laptop for Club Use JBK 2018-06-10 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Fox Hunt

Posted by SKetler on Jun 10, 2018
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Introducing the Rotary Club of Kelowna’s newest fundraising event:
 The Rotary Fox Hunt
“ a community scavenger hunt supporting local causes”
 
It’s a 90 minute technology-fueled adventure game -  fun for friends, families and coworkers!
 
September 22 – 12:00 - 3:00  at Stuart Park on Water Street – by the big bear
 
Registration for each player is  $55 (plus registration fee and tax); you will  receive a  $40 tax receipt for your donation to JoeAnna’s House and Hands in Service.
 
So, get together a team of 4 – 10 players. Pick a team name, then register online using this link:
 
Contact Renee from Fox Hunt with any questions or difficulties with registration at (778) 538 1103
Contact Sandy Ketler with any other questions, and for information about sponsorship opportunities, prize and swag donations at ketlers@shaw.ca
 
We hope to see you at this fun team building event!
Rotary Fox Hunt SKetler 2018-06-10 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Exchange Students

Posted by JBK on May 29, 2018
Rotarians;
 
Some of us have had the benefit of meeting, greeting, and embracing our Rotary Exchange Students.  For the rest, please make the time, you will be BLOWN AWAY!
 
We understand that Oli Datu is leaving us on Wednesday June 27th.  Please join us at YLW for a most-amazing send-off.
 
We understand that AJ Akachuk returns on Monday July 16th at 5:07pm.  Please join us at YLW for a most-amazing reception.
 
We will have a strong Rotary presence at both, and be celebrating both parts of the exchange.  Please join us at the airport.
 
James
 
 
Rotary Exchange Students JBK 2018-05-29 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Major Project: Central Okanagan Community Food Bank

Posted by JBK on May 29, 2018
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The Rotary Club of Kelowna is thrilled to announce the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank as its Major Project selection for the year.  A Heartwarming Project knowing how many you serve.  Keep up the amazing work!
 
Rotary Major Project: Central Okanagan Community Food Bank JBK 2018-05-29 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary Now! Kelowna Speaker Series...June 1, Be there! 2018-05-28 07:00:00Z 0

Sun Safety

Sun safety tips

You can protect your family and still have fun under the sun.

  • Cover up. When the UV Index is 3 or higher, protect your skin as much as possible. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat made from breathable fabric. When you buy sunglasses, make sure they provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Limit your time in the sun. Keep out of the sun and heat between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The UV index in Canada can be 3 or higher during those times. When your shadow is shorter than you, the sun is very strong. Look for places with lots of shade, like a park with big trees, partial roofs, awnings, umbrellas or gazebo tents. Always take an umbrella to the beach.
  • Use the UV Index forecast. Tune in to local radio and TV stations or check online for the UV index forecast in your area. When the UV index is 3 or higher, wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen, even when it’s cloudy.
  • Use sunscreen. Put sunscreen on when the UV index is 3 or higher. Use sunscreen labelled “broad spectrum” and “water resistant” with an SPF of at least 30.
  • Drink plenty of cool liquids (especially water) before you feel thirsty. If sunny days are also hot and humid, stay cool and hydrated to avoid heat illness. Dehydration (not having enough fluids in your body) is dangerous, and thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.
  • Avoid using tanning equipment. There is no such thing as a ‘healthy’ tan. Using tanning equipment damages your skin and increases your risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Sun Safety 2018-05-28 07:00:00Z 0

KSS Mock Interviews

Rotarians helping the next generation get ready for the Job market...
 
Job well done!
 
KSS Mock Interviews 2018-05-28 07:00:00Z 0

Last week...

 
We learned about JoeAnna's House... With more to come on how Rotary can help this great project.
Last week... 2018-05-28 07:00:00Z 0

Always Be Prepared!
 

Posted on May 21, 2018
Just like the Boy Scouts you should
"Always Be Prepared!"
 
You just never know when disaster might strike and you need to leave the comforts of home at a moments notice.  Do you have an Emergency Kit prepared?
 
Here is what you should have prepared in advance and ready to go at a moments notice...
(from the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO)
 

In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

You may have some of the items already, such as food, water and a battery-operated or crank flashlight. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?

Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front-hall closet. If you have many people in your household, your emergency kit could get heavy. It's a good idea to separate some of these supplies in backpacks. That way, your kit will be more portable and each person can personalize his or her own grab-and-go emergency kit.

Basic emergency kit

  • Water – at least two litres of water per person per day; include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
  • Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (replace food and water once a year)
  • Manual can-opener
  • Crank or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries). Replace batteries once a year.
  • Crank, battery-powered radio (and extra batteries) or Weatheradio
  • First aid kit
  • Extra keys to your car and house
  • Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills and change for payphones
  • A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
  • If applicable, other items such as prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal (personalize according to your needs)

Recommended additional items

  • Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
  • Candles and matches or lighter (place candles in deep, sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
  • Change of clothing and footwear for each household member
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
  • Toiletries
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Utensils
  • Garbage bags
  • Toilet paper
  •  Water purifying tablets
  • Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife)
  • A whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
  • Duct tape (to tape up windows, doors, air vents, etc.)

If you think your water is contaminated, check with your municipality or local authorities for details. When in doubt, do not drink water you suspect may be contaminated.

Keep some cash on hand, as automated bank machines and their networks may not work during an emergency. You may have difficulty using debit or credit cards.

 
Always Be Prepared!  2018-05-21 07:00:00Z 0

Job well done!

Posted on May 21, 2018
Feedback from one of our Golfers...
 
Thanks for an awesome day yesterday Robin! It was great meeting you and I can say with absolute certainty that our team enjoyed the day immensely!
 
You know a function is put together well,  when none of the mechanics that make it happen are visible.
This was my third year attending and it continues to run seamlessly.
 
Please convey my gratitude and appreciation to your team for all the hard work that was done to make the day a success!
 
Dave M.
Job well done! 2018-05-21 07:00:00Z 0
KSS Mock Interviews 2018-05-14 07:00:00Z 0
How man learned to swear Guy Auger 2018-05-14 07:00:00Z 0

FUN IN SCHOOL!

Posted on May 06, 2018
Q: Why did the student throw his watch out of the school window?
A: He wanted to see time fly. 

Q: Why do they never serve beer at a math party?
A: Because you can't drink and derive...
 
Q: What do you say when you are comforting a grammar nazi?
A: There, Their, They're
 
Q: What's another name for Santa's elves?
A: Subordinate Clauses. 

Q: What is Grammar?
A: The difference between knowing your shit, and knowing you're shit. 
 
Q: How did the geography student drown?
A: His grades were below C-level 

Q: Why is a math book always unhappy?
A: Because it always has lots of problems.
 
Q: Why don't you do arithmetic in the jungle?
A: Because if you add 4+4 you get ate!
 
Q: Why is 6 afraid of 7?
A: Because 7 8 9 

Q: What's the longest word in the dictionary?
A: Rubber-band -- because it streches.
 
Q: If H2O is the formula for water, what is the formula for ice?
A: H2O cubed. 
 
Q: What happened when the teacher tied everyones laces together?
A: They went on a class trip. 
FUN IN SCHOOL! 2018-05-06 07:00:00Z 0

THANK YOU - BIG BIKE RIDE

YOU DID IT!

What a great day for a BIG Bike Ride...
 
A BIG Thank you to Members and Special Guests that made the BIG Bike Ride a GREAT SUCCESS!
 
We pedalled that 3,000 pound bike 2.5 KM around Downtown Kelowna making sure everyone knew we were ROTARIANS!
 
I will have a final tally on our amount raised in the days to come.
 
There is still time to support this great by making a donation
 
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
(then click in donate)
 
THANK YOU - BIG BIKE RIDE 2018-05-06 07:00:00Z 0

Fortis PRO AM GOLF Tournament

Posted on May 06, 2018
 
FORE!
LAST CALL...for Volunteers and Donations.
 
Still needed: PLAYER GIFTS (in sets of 4)
 
Fortis PRO AM GOLF Tournament 2018-05-06 07:00:00Z 0

BIG bike ride last call!

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 29, 2018
 
The Heart & Stroke Foundation is a National organization that successfully funds research projects to better the lives of all Canadians.
They currently fund over 800 research projects in addition to many important education programs and other endeavours.
 
 
  • Do you know anyone that has had bypass surgery or had a stint inserted?
  • Do you know anyone using statins?
  • Do you know anyone that has been trained in CPR?
  • Do you know anyone that has received CPR?
  • Do you know anyone that has survived a stroke?
I would be very surprised if you answered No to all or any of these questions. 

In fact, several of our members are living proof of the tremendous benefit received from the extensive and successful research that is undertaken every year by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
 
Without this important research to develop and perfect all the procedures, medications and life saving techniques, many of us would not be here today.
 
Did you know that in Canada we lose 1 person every 7 minutes to a Cardiac event. Quick access and use of an AED increases the likelihood of surviving a cardiac event from 10% to 80%. The Heart & Stroke Foundation has placed over 170 AEDs within the local region (Okanagan/Kootenay).

I truly believe that our community benefits greatly and directly from the funds we raise for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

In my humble opinion, our Club directly receives significantly more benefit from the Heart & Stroke Foundation than what we raise for them, thru the presence of many of our amazing members that would not be here today, if the Heart & Stroke Foundation did not do what they do.
 
If you can't SADDLE UP with us to help pedal that BIG Bike around Kelowna... Please consider a donation to support a fellow Rotarian that is on the Bike Team!
 
You never know... The life you save might even be your own!
BIG bike ride last call! Guy Auger 2018-04-29 07:00:00Z 0

It's Wine O'Clock somewhere!

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 29, 2018
  • I've trained my dog to bring me a glass of red wine.
    It's a Bordeaux collie.
  • The first thing on my bucket list is to fill the bucket with wine.
  • What did the grape say when it was crushed?
    Nothing, it just let out a little wine.
  • It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full. There's clearly room for more wine.
  • I enjoy a glass of wine each night for it's health benefits.
    The other glasses are for my witty comebacks and my flawless dance moves.
  • The secret of enjoying a good bottle of wine:
    1-Open the bottle to allow it to breathe.
    2-If it doesn't look like it's breathing, give it mouth-to-mouth.
  • I drank so much wine last night that when I walked across the dance floor to get another glass, I won the dance competition.
  • Every box of raisins is a tragic tale of grapes that could have been wine.
It's Wine O'Clock somewhere! Guy Auger 2018-04-29 07:00:00Z 0

Golf Slang!

Learning the Language of Golf Slang
Will Make Your Game More Fun

  • Albatross: A hole played three (3) strokes under Par. Also known as a Double Eagle.
  • Army Golf: The term "Army Golf" originates from the famous Army marching cadence: Left-right-left, which relative to the game of golf, means hitting the ball out of bounds to the left one time to the right the next and so on. (With just a few hit straight down the middle!)
  • Barkies: Specifically, a slang term for hitting trees, but obtaining a good score in spite of it. On a drive where the ball travels into the woods and hits the trees, you could say the golfer got a lot of "good wood" on that shot. Oak, elm, pine…….
  • Cabbage: A term referring to hitting the ball into very deep and inescapable thick rough. Also called spinach.
  • Chicken Stick: A play-it-safe club is known as a "Chicken stick". When faced with a tough or delicate shot, a golfer will choose a club that is within his capabilities to properly execute the shot.
  • Fried Egg: "Fried Egg" is a slang term relating to the appearance of a ball buried in a Sandtrap. Only the top half of the ball is visible, which makes it look like a "Sunny-Side-Up" egg located in the sandtrap. Also known as "Plugged".
  • Frog Hair: "Frog hair" is a golf slang term for the Apron or Fringe, which is the closely mown grass surrounding the Green.
Golf Slang! 2018-04-22 07:00:00Z 0

Finish line in Sight

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 15, 2018
BIG Bike Ride Update
MAY 4th at 16:00
We need more A$$E$ in the seats!
 
# of days till Ride
5
Riders on Team
17/29
Dollars Raised to date
$1,025/ $3,500
 
Some of you have said you want to be part of this great ride
But you haven't REGISTERED YET!
 
CLICK HERE
TO REGISTER NOW!

then click  JOIN TEAM
 
Finish line in Sight Guy Auger 2018-04-15 07:00:00Z 0

Big Bike Ride Update! April 22

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 15, 2018
BIG Bike Ride Update
MAY 4th at 16:00
We need more A$$E$ in the seats!
 
# of days till Ride
12
Riders on Team
14/29
Dollars Raised to date
$1,025/ $3,500
 
Some of you have said you want to be part of this great ride
But you haven't REGISTERED YET!
 
CLICK HERE
TO REGISTER NOW!

then click  JOIN TEAM
 
Big Bike Ride Update! April 22 Guy Auger 2018-04-15 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary At Work: Saturday April 28

Posted by JBK on Apr 15, 2018
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Greetings All;
 
It's That Time Again!  Rotary At Work Day.  A Food Drive in support of the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
 
We're seeking 8 More (total 16 Rotarians/Friends of Rotary) who are willing to put in a 2-hour shift at Save On Orchard Plaza.  (10am, 2pm, 4pm)
 
Please e-mail me or sign-up on Tuesday to join the fun and support the cause,
 
James
Rotary At Work: Saturday April 28 JBK 2018-04-15 07:00:00Z 0

Big Bike Ride Update- April 15

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 15, 2018
BIG Bike Ride Update
 
# of days till Ride
19
Riders on Team
13/29
Dollars Raised to date
$1,025/ $3,500
 
Some of you have said you want to be part of this great ride
But you haven't REGISTERED YET!
 
CLICK HERE
TO REGISTER NOW!

then click  JOIN TEAM
 
Big Bike Ride Update- April 15 Guy Auger 2018-04-15 07:00:00Z 0

Getting old

 
Signs you are getting old...
 
  • Your ears are hairier than your head.
  • Your little black book contains only names that end in M.D.
  • You finally reach the top of the ladder and find it leaning against the wrong wall.
  • Your mind makes contracts your body can't meet.
  • Your knees buckle, and your belt won't.
  • Your back goes out more than you do.
  • You know all the answers, but nobody asks you the questions.
  • Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.
  • You take a metal detector to the beach
  • You wear black socks with sandals.
Getting old 2018-04-08 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Laugh!

 
C'mon Man!!!
 
  • Q: What do you get if you cross a bike and a flower? A: Bicycle petals!
  • Q: Why can't a bicycle stand up on its own? A: Because it's too tired! 
  • Q: What do you call a professional cyclist who just broke up with his girlfriend? A: Homeless
  • Q: Do you know what is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike? A: The pavement. 


 
Weekly Laugh! 2018-04-08 07:00:00Z 0

BIG Bike Ride Update

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 08, 2018
BIG Bike Ride Update
 
# of days till Ride
19
Riders on Team
13/29
Dollars Raised to date
$1,025/ $3,500
 
Some of you have said you want to be part of this great ride
But you haven't REGISTERED YET!
 
CLICK HERE
TO REGISTER NOW!

then click  JOIN TEAM
 
BIG Bike Ride Update Guy Auger 2018-04-08 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Needs YOU

Posted by JBK on Apr 08, 2018
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Greetings All;
 
Our District 5060 Rotary District Governor-Elect, Sherry Chamberlain of Kamloops West, is creating opportunities for you to Make A Difference beyond the Club:
 

POSITIONS IN DISTRICT AVAILABLE: Chairperson or Representatives: (CLICK READ MORE FOR FULL DESCRIPTIONS)

 

  • DISTRICT TRAINER – Chair Position
  • YOUTH SERVICES LIAISON
  • INTERACT Chair
  • YOUTH EXCHANGE COMMITTEE: Canada YE Vetting Chairperson
  • ROTARIAN AT WORK DAY or ROTARY DAYS Liaison
  • ENVIRONMENT: “Preserve Planet Earth”
  • FUTURE ASSISTANT GOVERNORS:
  • ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

 

CLICK READ MORE FOR FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION

Rotary Needs YOU JBK 2018-04-08 07:00:00Z 0

More Spring Time Fun...

C'mon Man!!!
 
  • What falls but never gets hurt?… The rain!
  • Why are frogs so happy?… They eat whatever bugs them.
  • What kind of garden does a baker have?… A “flour” garden.
  • What do you call a rabbit with fleas?… Bugs Bunny
  • What do you call it when it rains chickens and ducks?… FOUL weather!
More Spring Time Fun... 2018-04-08 07:00:00Z 0

The Passing of Klaus Reichwald

Posted by JBK on Apr 07, 2018
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The Rotary Club of Kelowna mourns the loss of a great man, philanthropist, Rotarian in our friend Klaus Reichwald.
Klaus Reichwald passed away peacefully at his home in Kelowna on March 31, 2018 at the age of 78.  Survived by his loving wife, Lydia of 56 years; son David and his wife Kate and daughter Kari.

CLICK READ MORE 

The Passing of Klaus Reichwald JBK 2018-04-07 07:00:00Z 0

Mountain Bike Dictionary!

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 01, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Words that mean something completely different to a Mountain Biker

 

Dialed:

What it means to the general public: What you do when you pick up your phone.

What it means on the mountain: When everything is going perfectly on the trails, without a crash in sight.

“He’s absolutely dialled in bro! Hope he has the GoPro on!”

Bomb:

What it means to the general public: A harmful device that has made getting through an airport a freakin’ nightmare.

What it means on the mountain: To ride down hard, with little regard for your own safety and for the fact that you’re probably about to slam into a tree.
 
“Dude, I totally bombed that run! So stoked to get back up there!”
 
Skinny:
 
What it means to the general public: A person who is either slightly-underweight, or just a normal weight. Not too many Big Macs. Not too many salads.

What it means on the mountain: A wooden beam, roughly six inches or less in width, raised off the ground.

Granny

What it means to the general public: The mother of your mother. Shortened from the term ‘grandmother’.

What it means on the mountain: The lowest gear on a bike.

“Check the dude riding that uphill on granny gear! Weak!”

 
Mountain Bike Dictionary! Guy Auger 2018-04-01 07:00:00Z 0

BIG Bike Ride Update

Posted by Guy Auger on Apr 01, 2018
BIG Bike Ride Update
 
# of days till Ride
26
Riders on Team
10/29
Dollars Raised to date
$675/ $3,500
 
Some of you have said you want to be part of this great ride
But you haven't REGISTERED YET!
 
CLICK HERE
TO REGISTER NOW!

then click  JOIN TEAM
 
BIG Bike Ride Update Guy Auger 2018-04-01 07:00:00Z 0
Word of the week! April 8, 2018 Guy Auger 2018-04-01 07:00:00Z 0

President Ian Riseley's 1.2 Million Tree Challenge

Posted by JBK on Mar 26, 2018
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Re: President Ian Riseley's 1.2 Million Tree Challenge:  There's Still Time!!

Dear District Leaders,  
Earth Day, April 22, 2018, is fast approaching, which is also the “soft” closing date for President Ian Riseley’s Environmental Sustainability 1.2 Million Tree Challenge: “Plant a tree for every Rotarian”.  Many Districts and their clubs have already engaged. Congratulations if your District’s clubs have already completed the Challenge. If not, there’s still time!
To date, over 3,370 Tree Planting projects have been uploaded on the Rotary Project Showcase. You can review these projects for inspiration and ideas by logging into my.rotary.org and using this link to search for the keyword "tree".  (Hint:  the search only works automatically when you are logged in!)  

On the main Rotary Project Showcase page, you may also select the keyword: “Category” and check off the new phrase, “Environment.” Tree Planting is an environmental project that counts towards the requirements to earn 2017-18’s Presidential Citation, when you have reported it.  However, many Tree Planting projects have not yet been tagged in that category.
ESRAG, the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group, at President Riseley’s suggestion, also affords the opportunity to report your District’s and its clubs’ tree planting activities. Please report your tree counting at https://www.esrag.org/2017-2018-trees-planted-counter. This will allow ESRAG to begin to measure, track and share your environmental sustainability efforts throughout Rotary. For ESRAG’s purposes, we are giving credit toward the challenge for projects that are planned and funded by April 22, 2018, even though the trees might not have been planted by that date. 
A District or club tree planting event is a great opportunity for “getting your hands dirty” service, hosting a multigenerational event for family members, engaging members of Interact and Rotaract, and raising Rotary’s visibility in your community. And as President Ian noted, it’s a great way to reaffirm that: “Environmental Sustainability  . . .  is, and must be, everyone’s concern!”
If it’s too late for your clubs to organize their own planting projects, they can also still meet the challenge by funding ongoing tree planting in other districts, and with Rotary partners. ESRAG maintains a list of them.  If your District is engaged with an ongoing project that needs resources, we’d like know about that, too. To share that information, or request specific information that will help your District be part of meeting President Ian’s 1.2 Million Tree Challenge, contact ESRAG at trees@esrag.org
Thanks for all you do!   
Peter L. Moralée, PDG
ESRAG Chair
 
 
 
President Ian Riseley's 1.2 Million Tree Challenge JBK 2018-03-26 07:00:00Z 0
Golf Tournament 2018-03-25 07:00:00Z 0
Word of the week! 26 mar, 2018 Guy Auger 2018-03-25 07:00:00Z 0

Spring FUN!

C'mon Man!!!
  • When do monkeys fall from the sky? During Ape-ril showers!
  • Can February March? No, but April May!
  • Why is everyone so tired on April 1? Because they've just Finished a long, 31 day March!
  • What season is it when you are on a trampoline? Spring-time!
  • What flowers grow on faces? Tulips (Two-lips)!
  • Why are trees very forgiving? Because in the Fall they "Let It Go" and in the Spring they "turn over a new leaf".
  • Why is the letter A like a flower? A bee (B) comes after it!
Spring FUN! 2018-03-25 07:00:00Z 0
Canstruction update! 2018-03-25 07:00:00Z 0

A bit of Humour... C'mon MAN!

 
  • When I told the doctor about my loss of memory, he made me pay in advance.
  • Two old friends met by chance on the street. After chatting for some time, one said to the other, "I'm terribly sorry, but I've forgotten your name. You'll need to tell me." The other stared at him thoughtfully for a long time, then replied, "How soon do you need to know?"
  • Q: Why was the wizard kicked out of school. A: Because he forgot how to spell.
  • Doctor: "Did you take those pills I gave you to improve your memory?" Patient: "What pills?"
A bit of Humour... C'mon MAN! 2018-03-20 07:00:00Z 0

OOOoooppps...I goofed!

My Apologies for the tardiness of this Bulletin. 
 
I totally forgot about it on Sunday evening.  Thankfully I did not forget our Anniversary, so my excuse is that I was busy preparing dinner for my amazing wife!
Hopefully the Sheriff will go easy on me. smiley
OOOoooppps...I goofed! 2018-03-20 07:00:00Z 0

St Paddy's day humour

Posted by Guy Auger on Mar 12, 2018
 
 
 
Q:What is out on the lawn all summer and is Irish?
A: Paddy O'Furniture
 
Q: What do you call a fake stone in Ireland?
A: A sham rock.
 
Q: Why do people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day?
A: Regular rocks are too heavy.
St Paddy's day humour Guy Auger 2018-03-12 07:00:00Z 0

Tour de Kelowna

Posted by Guy Auger on Mar 12, 2018
 
 
 
Hello! I really appreciate that many of you have reach out to me
to say you want to join the Team for this great event.
 
BUT...I need you to register thru the link below
 
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Kelowna
“Tour de Kelowna”
on the Heart & Stroke Big Bike will be
May 4th at 16:00.
 
Remember only 29 seats and we have over 80 members!
Please join us for this Fun Event!
 
Please contact me with any questions.
 
Thank you
Guy
 
Guy Auger
604-698-8435
Tour de Kelowna Guy Auger 2018-03-12 07:00:00Z 0

Greeter Committee Opportunity

Posted by JBK on Mar 06, 2018
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Rotarians;
 
Looking for the right opportunity to volunteer and step up while optimizing your time/effort?  Our Greeters Committee is for you.
 
Membership surveys have long hailed the efforts of the Greeter as the Face of Rotary in welcoming members and guests to the meeting.  It's a noble and respected profession that Makes a Difference to all who cross our threshold.  Besides, you are coming to the meeting anyways, what better way to greet and get to know (we're all wearing nametags at this point) all of our members and network/sweet talk/coerce everyone who comes to see you.
 
Please consider this your best opportunity to get involved.  Reach out to Randy McBride or James Kay to volunteer - every 4-6 weeks you get a chance to meet/greet every Rotarian and Guest.
 
Many thanks,
 
James
 
Greeter Committee Opportunity JBK 2018-03-06 08:00:00Z 0
Host Families - Rotary International Youth Exchange JBK 2018-03-04 08:00:00Z 0

Golf is Fun!

C'mon Man!!!
 
  • The schoolteacher was taking her first golfing lesson. "Is the word spelt p-u-t or p-u-t-t?'' she asked the instructor. "P-u-t-t is correct,'' he replied. "Put means to place a thing where you want it. Putt means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing." 
     
  • A golfer standing on a tee overlooking a river sees a couple of fishermen and says to his partner, "Look at those two idiots fishing in the rain."
     
  • What is the difference between a golfer and a fisherman?  When a golfer lies, he doesn’t have to bring anything home to prove it.
     
  • Golfer: "Think I'm going to drown myself in the lake." Caddy: "I don't think you can keep your head down that long."
     
  • Golfer: "You've got to be the worst caddy in the world." Caddy: "I don't think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence."
     
  • Golfer: "Do you think my game is improving?" Caddy: "Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now."
Golf is Fun! 2018-03-01 08:00:00Z 0

Thank You Hosts & Guests: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

Posted by JBK on Feb 25, 2018
Well Done Rotarians!
 
Thank you to all hosts, guests, and our supreme event organizer Ms. Jaime Briggs for another amazing Guess Who's Coming To Dinner! 
 
33 people partook, amazing fun and friendship all around.
 
We look forward to hearing all kinds of stories, and for getting the next date in our Calendar!
 
Cheers!
Thank You Hosts &amp; Guests: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner JBK 2018-02-25 08:00:00Z 0

Major Project Selection Process within the Rotary Club of Kelowna - Backgrounder

Posted by JBK on Feb 25, 2018
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Our Club has an amazing history of Making A Difference in our community, and one of the powerful tools we have is in the donation of a large amount of money to a local Major Project.  Recent years include: COFood Bank ($25k, 2018), Foundry (KGH, $25k, 2017), Rotary Kitchen (Freedom’s Door, $76k, 2016), Recognition within Trades Building (OC, $75k, 2014-16), Neuro-Navigational Surgical Device (KGH, $75k, 2012-14).  Historical Greats include: Rotary Centennial House (NOW Canada, $80k, 2003), Rotary Centre for the Arts (2001), Southern Interior Rotary Lodge (Canadian Cancer Society, $1.2m, 1998), Rotary Marshes (1995), Rotary Beach, and of course Pleasantvale Homes.  The list is long and distinguished.  Some projects require multi-year commitments or partnership with other Clubs and/or Organizations to get completed. 

In my short time with Rotary I have seen Club Presidents and their Boards prioritize saving towards a Major Project with a $25k/year donation to our Foundation to someday achieve a big, visible, naming opportunity.  I saw one President/Board forego a Major Project in his year so that we would not be committing to a project in Fall in advance of having the proceeds from the tournament next Spring.  There is great debate within the Membership about whether a Major Project is $25k, or whether our $25k/year goes towards a larger Major Project, but that is up to the will of the Club.

Enter the Major Project Selection Committee.  Two years ago, under the vision of then-President John McIntyre, he set about to establish an accountable, transparent and thorough process to engage our membership, evaluate the areas of greatest need, and report to the Club on a recommendation.  That inaugural Committee, Fall 2015, selected the Rotary Kitchen at Freedom’s Door for $76k such that it was known and available for promotion at the 2016 ProAm.  Each committee aspires to complete their assessment and deliver a recommendation by late Fall so that promotion can take place and grants can be sought through the Winter/Spring.  Some of the amazing initiatives considered over the three Selection Processes include:

2015/16– Rotary Kitchen (Freedom’s Door), Glenmore Clubhouse (NOW/EFry/WKS); Giving Giggles Campaign (KGH), Trailer & Tools (Habitat for Humanity), Trades Literacy Campaign (OC), New Van (Salvation Army), Classroom & Counselling Room Reno (Teen Challenge), Bereavement Centre (COHA), Children’s Literacy (YMCA/SD23), AquaZone (YMCA), Rail Trail (City of Kelowna), Rotary Centennial House Roof (NOW), New Building (COFoodBank), Kelowna Pharmacare Assist Program (CCS), Glenrosa Childcare Centre (YMCA).

2016/17 – Foundry (KGH), Silver Lake Camp, SD23, Salvation Army, Kelowna Museum, Okanagan Boys & Girls Club, Willow Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.

2017/18 - Central Okanagan Food Bank, Silver Lake Camp, JoeAnna’s House, Kelowna Foundation Child Advocacy Centre.  (Only Top 4 Listed)

The 2018/2019 approach to donations/spending/savings/major project truly belongs to the incoming Board of Directors and the budget it wishes to present to the Club.  The budget must balance Donations, World Community Service, Foundation Donation, and/or Major Project Selection, which often are four equally deserving components of our Rotary Giving.  Their challenge is difficult and for the coming year we have already heard from several worthy causes in our community: BC Cancer and the PET CT Scanner, JoeAnna’s House and the potential Rotary Garden, not to mention the under-publicized but highly beneficial partnership in October 2017 between Rotary International and Habitat for Humanity to facilitate collaboration to improve access to safe and affordable housing across the globe – their Okanagan Builds could use our help.

If you have read this far, thank you, I appreciate your engagement in this process.  The Major Project Selection process has been undertaken three times within our Club, remarkably successfully by most accounts.  The Club has decisions to make about what constitutes a Major Project, how often can we do them, and how do we select them.  $25k+ is a significant sum of money, and as our funds all come from the generosity of our donors and sponsors to the Pro Am Golf Tournament, our stewardship of these funds deserves our full wisdom, discretion, and vision. 

Major Project Selection Process within the Rotary Club of Kelowna - Backgrounder JBK 2018-02-25 08:00:00Z 0

In Memoriam: Carole Paradis

Posted by JBK on Feb 18, 2018
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Rotarians;

 

Carole Paradis, our long-time Rotarian friend and colleague, and secretary for our Pleasantvale Homes Society, passed away February 16 in the morning according to her son Rick.  Carole was a generous, self-sacrificing and giving person, who exemplified the ideals of Rotary.   She seemed happiest when giving of herself for others.  Carole was such a hard worker for so many groups in our community and will truly be missed.

 

 There will be a celebration of Carole's life sometime in April.

In Memoriam: Carole Paradis JBK 2018-02-18 08:00:00Z 0

Rotary In Action: Friday Night Ski w. Freedom's Door

Posted by JBK on Feb 18, 2018
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Good Times Had By All!
 
Andrea Shaw and Rochelle Noren took Andrew & Karl, two Freedom Door students, to Big White as part of the Friday night ski program.  Everyone had a blast and looking forward to the next trip!
Rotary In Action: Friday Night Ski w. Freedom's Door JBK 2018-02-18 08:00:00Z 0

Rotary Leadership Institute - March 24

Posted by JBK on Feb 18, 2018
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Rotarians;
 
The VERY BEST Rotary training opportunity is upon us.  Please consider registering and joining John Walker and Sandy Ketler for an exceptional and thorough detailing of all aspects of Rotary!
 

The RLI team is pleased to announce that we've nailed down a venue for the upcoming RLI courses: The Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna. 

RLI is a great way for new members to become more educated, engaged, and aware of the great things Rotary does, and the ways they can contribute.  It's also an excellent way for longer serving members to reacquaint themselves with the various programs in Rotary, learn about how the organization has changed in recent years, and to add their wisdom to the body of knowledge created in the RLI sessions. 

When: March 24, April 7, April 21

Where: The Coast Capri Hotel (1171 Harvey Ave, Kelowna) 

Why: To build friendships and acquire knowledge about Rotary.

Who: All Rotarians, no matter how long they've been in Rotary.

How much: To help cover costs, RLI costs $85 per person per day.  The district is currently covering half the fees, so 1 day is $42.50, 2 days are $85.00, and 3 days are $127.50.  payments can be made either by credit card or cheque.

 

To register or modify your registration, please click on this link: Register/Modify Registration 
Rotary Leadership Institute - March 24 JBK 2018-02-18 08:00:00Z 0

New Member Inductions - March 6th

Posted by JBK on Feb 18, 2018
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Welcome to our Newest Rotarians!
 
Just a reminder that you became members of the Rotary Club of Kelowna when your membership was approved.  However, we look forward to officially welcoming you in our Induction Ceremony.  Please feel free to invite a significant other or colleague to share this key moment.
 
Kim Dorcas, Membership Chair, wrote: 

 

Good Morning everyone.  Just a heads up that we are planning an induction ceremony for March 6th.  Please mark this on your calendar and try to attend.  

 

 

New Member Inductions - March 6th JBK 2018-02-18 08:00:00Z 0

Meet Ms. Chloe Kang, RCoK Candidate for Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake

Posted by JBK on Feb 12, 2018
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Greetings Rotarians;
 
Lenetta and Angela are so proud to introduce our Club's Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake Candidate, Ms. Chloe Kang!  Chloe is a Grade 11 student at KSS.
 
The Lady of the Lake is a young woman who has a personal presence that leaves a favourable and lasting impression. She has the integrity to meet anyone in an honest and genuine manner, the self assurance and judgement to converse intelligently, the finesse to meet dignitaries in any social setting, the natural warmth and grace of a young lady, as well as the intelligence, and excellent public speaking skills.  Combined with the fact that she has an awareness of herself as an individual, and you have the young woman who is the Ambassador of Kelowna.
 
Best of Luck Chloe!
Meet Ms. Chloe Kang, RCoK Candidate for Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake JBK 2018-02-12 08:00:00Z 0

Chromebooks for Los Patojos School in Guatemala 

Posted by JBK on Feb 05, 2018
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THANK YOU ROTARY!
 
We received confirmation last week that all of the hard work and effort from Patricia Ainslie and our Club's International Committee has resulted in the successful deployment of 40 Chromebooks to the Los Patojos School in Guatemala.  We are thrilled for the outcome, thank you all for your contributions and another successful project!
 
Well done.
Chromebooks for Los Patojos School in Guatemala JBK 2018-02-05 08:00:00Z 0

SIDR Delivers Relief in Haiti & Puerto Rico

Posted by JBK on Feb 05, 2018
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THANK YOU ROTARY!
 
As you may recall, in October our Club received a request from Shelters International Disaster Response Society with a 58,000lbs shipment of Gleaners food product donated to them but no funds to deploy: Carol Eamer took up the cause, solicited inter-Club support at the Fall Assembly, we jointly raised $6,700, and got the food en route December 1.  I'm thrilled to report that as of last week, 3 pallets were delivered to Jacmel Haiti, and others in the north of Haiti hit by Irma.  They are feeding schools and birthing clinics and farmers.  The rest should be in Puerto Rico this week.
 
Thank you for all you have done!
SIDR Delivers Relief in Haiti &amp; Puerto Rico JBK 2018-02-05 08:00:00Z 0
Upcoming Events (Jan. 30) 2018-01-28 08:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - Jan. 30 2018-01-28 08:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - Jan. 23 2018-01-21 08:00:00Z 0
Upcoming Events 2018-01-14 08:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - January 16 2018-01-14 08:00:00Z 0
Last Week's Meeting - Jan. 2, 2018 2018-01-07 08:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - January 9, 2018 2018-01-07 08:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - December 19 2017-12-17 08:00:00Z 0

Last Week's Meeting - Christmas Party

Posted on Dec 17, 2017
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If you weren't able to join us last week, it was another fabulous Christmas party for the books - a huge thank you to Jaime Briggs, Stuart Dickson and all who organized this great event! There was a ton of fun, some good laughs and great carols; we even spoke with AJ and Alex! Here is the link to our Facebook photo album of the party: Facebook Christmas Party Photos, 2017
Last Week's Meeting - Christmas Party 2017-12-17 08:00:00Z 0
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-12-17 08:00:00Z 0
Last Week's Meeting - Dec. 7 2017-12-10 08:00:00Z 0

Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign Calendar

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Thank you to all of our Rotary members who have generously donated your time to help with the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign. Below is a calendar of the shifts, along with instructions for those helping:
 
 
 
Instructions:
If you are the first shift of the day:
  • Customer Service Desk of the retail store location is the holder of the bubble and supplies
  • Each succeeding kettle bell ringer gives the password to relieve the previous shift. If the previous shift was not filled, the bubble will be with the bubble holder assigned to that location
  • Should the next shift not report for duty, please take the bubble off the stand, ensure that it is placed in the cloth bag provided (for your security), and take the bubble back to Customer Service
  • If you need to leave the kettle for any reason, please return the bubble to the bubble holder at the location
This procedure is done at the end of the day as well.
Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign Calendar 2017-12-09 08:00:00Z 0
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-11-26 08:00:00Z 0

Engage In Rotary

Posted by JBK on Nov 21, 2017
Greetings Rotarians;
 
This month we are highlighting Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation and all the benefits that come from being Rotary.  With great power comes great responsibility.  I challenge each Rotarian to undertake this quick homework assignment and see all that RI has to offer:
 
First, visit RotaryKelowna.ca.  This is our club website listing upcoming speakers, events, club activities etc.  No excuse for not joining the next Fireside, After 5, or Rotary at Work project; nor inviting a colleague who may be interested in the next speaker.  Please review and see who our speakers for December 19 will be.
 
Second, click on Member Area in the top right, and sign-in.  I can see that 45% of our Club has logged in in the last month, and 74% in the last 6 months.  Pretty good.  I challenge everyone to login this month!  Check out Organization, then Committees, and select from the 64 active committees we have working to Make a Difference.  Choose one or two, and reach out to the Chair to offer to get involved!
 
Third, our main outward-facing Social Media is our Facebook Page.  Please visit, like, share, or select "Going" to an upcoming meeting, After 5, or Rotary At Work project.  We have had great success in this area this year, but more help is needed.
 
Fourth, please visit our District Page: learn about Prosser in May or Toronto in June, and keep an eye on conferences and training - some amazing work at the District level.  We are one of 57 clubs in the District and 2,760 Rotarians all pulling together.  Leadership is the key - can you name the incoming District Governor Nominee (2019-2020)?  Hint - Past President and Active Leader in our Club!
 
Finally, please visit the Rotary International page: view a video, learn about what's going on, then login and click Profile, then Donor History Report.  See your contributions to The Rotary Foundation and consider becoming a Sustaining Donor: monthly contributions; or Bequest Society: donation in your will -  - 91% of funds are spent directly on programs.  
 
Rotarians, we are part of a worldwide network doing exceptional work across the Globe.  1.2m of us pulling together.  Together we are THIS CLOSE to Ending Polio.  We undertake projects worldwide.  The key is knowing where to look and how to access the information.  Please do your homework and there will be a quiz next week.
 
All the best in Rotary,
 
James
 
Engage In Rotary JBK 2017-11-21 08:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - Nov. 21 2017-11-19 08:00:00Z 0

India Calling 2017 - Update From India

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This email was received from John McIntyre on Friday, Nov. 17, and is an update from our members in India:
 
We have now been in India for about 11 days.  We were hosted by the Amreli Rotary Club for three days and toured many projects.  The current Global Grant project, Chital School improvement is almost finished.  About 400 students and many parents attended two days of celebrations and it was amazing to see the happiness this has brought to this community.
 
After a 3 hour drive, 1 hour flight and 6 more hours on the bus and we arrived at the Rotary Club of Chalisgaon.  The next day we made the 2 hour drive over very rough roads to the Global Grant project in a small remote community.  As we entered town the road was lined with hundreds of smiling faced children and many parents.  300 toilet blocks and education agreements with each family will make a huge difference to the hygiene of this community.  Again a fabulous program focused on hygiene education took place in front of a packed house.
 
After two and a half days of driving we are about to arrive at our third Rotary Club Ichalkaranji.
 
Murli, John, Susan, Chuck, Diane, Patricia, Raghwa, Sarita, Vivian and Keith.
India Calling 2017 - Update From India 2017-11-19 08:00:00Z 0
Last Week's Meeting - Nov. 14 2017-11-19 08:00:00Z 0

AGM Highlights from Past-President Rick

Posted on Nov 14, 2017
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Hi Rotary Friends. 

 

On our November 28 meeting, we will, once again, be holding the highlight of the year ... and what you all have been waiting for ... our Annual General Meeting.  Don’t forget to bring your friends.

I will be touching on last year’s club accomplishments (I might even tell a joke!) while our extremely likable and competent treasurer, Dick Dummond, will no doubt stun us with his financial wizardry pertaining to  both last year and looking ahead.

 

As a club member, you will have an opportunity to cast your votes for those lucky souls who get to sit on the board for the upcoming Rotary year of 2018/19, under the very capable leadership of President Raghwa Gopal (first to say it).

 

If you have an interest in being on the board, please contact me, as it is not too early to start thinking about July of next year when our new board will begin guiding us toward even bigger and better things.  Seriously ... being a board member is of great value to the club, and thus has its own reward.  Be prepared to commit to meet once a month for one or two hours, and, preferably, to offer your services for longer than the one year commitment, and to have some fun doing so.

 

Lastly, if you are a current director, many thanks for your board and committee work.  If you are not intending to stay on for 2018/19, please let me know immediately so we can begin the process of finding a successor

 

Thanks.  A strong board leads to a strong club!

 

Past President Rick Potter

AGM Highlights from Past-President Rick 2017-11-14 08:00:00Z 0
Weekly Message from President James 2017-11-12 08:00:00Z 0
Last Week's Meeting - Oct. 31 2017-11-05 07:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - Nov. 7 2017-11-05 07:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - Oct. 31 2017-10-30 07:00:00Z 0
Fill The Bus Nov. 4 &amp; 5 2017-10-30 07:00:00Z 0
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-10-29 07:00:00Z 0

Advertising Opportunity

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For those of you who are business owners, we now have an advertising opportunity available to you to advertise your business on our Club's webpage and newsletter! The cost is only $30/month, and this is only available to Club members at the moment. Please get in touch with Joshua Dodgson (joshuadodgson@outlook.com) if you are interested or would like more information.
Advertising Opportunity 2017-10-22 07:00:00Z 0
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-10-22 07:00:00Z 0

Rotarians in the News

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We had a few of our very own Rotarians in the news last week:
  • Colin Pritchard and Bruce Telford were mentioned on Castanet for being involved with Maxine Dehart's drive-through breakfast
  • Raghwa Gopal was on the local news at a fundraising dinner supporting Karis, a support society which provides loving homes for women struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.
Rotarians in the News 2017-10-22 07:00:00Z 0
Last Week's Meeting - Oct. 17 2017-10-22 07:00:00Z 0
This Week's Meeting - Oct. 24 2017-10-22 07:00:00Z 0
World Polio Day 2017-10-16 07:00:00Z 0

Upcoming Events

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World Polio Day, Oct. 24
  • Join the Ogopogo Club on the Highway 97 overpass near Parkinson Rec Centre to raise awareness on Oct. 24, World Polio Day
Fill the Bus Food Drive, Nov. 4 & 5
Salvation Army Kettles @ Costco - Dec. 16, 18-20
  • Our Club has once again volunteered to man the Salvation Army Kettles at Costco this year on the above dates. This is an excellent opportunity to volunteer and have a great time!
 
Upcoming Events 2017-10-15 07:00:00Z 0
Last Week's Meeting - Oct. 12 2017-10-15 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting - Oct. 17

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Dennis Jacobsen will be presenting on the Rotary Youth Exchange Program at our Club meeting this week. This is an amazing program, and there's sure to be some great information presented - don't miss it!
This Week's Meeting - Oct. 17 2017-10-15 07:00:00Z 0


Weekly Message from President James

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Happy Sunday Rotarians;
 
I hope everyone's enjoying a spectacular weekend!  Thank you to all for your engagement in our impromptu Club Business meeting last week.  There are dozens of great suggestions there, and your Board will be considering them this Thursday, 19th, 4pm-6pm at Accelerate Okanagan.  Come see a Board Meeting first hand, consider joining the Board next year, help keep our Club the premier service club in Kelowna!
 
Several of the suggestions focussed on more communication and sharing of and from our committees - so much of what we accomplish comes from the committee level, we will aspire to provide more updates.  Several requests were regarding ClubRunner and the request for some show-and-tell.  We will schedule that in too, but please consider making time to attend either the Development Weekend in Osoyoos (Oct 27-28) as it's a blast and there will be a ClubRunner session there, or Rotary Leadership Institute Session #1 - November 4 in Kamloops.  Both great options to expand your knowledge of Rotary and all that happens behind the scenes.
 
This Fall there are many key initiatives: World Polio Day, October 24, join the Ogopogo Club on the overpass to raise awareness; Fill The Bus Food Drive Nov 4&5 at Save-On-Foods, Salvation Army Kettles Dec 16, 18-20 at Costco.  There is also preliminary plans for a community garden cleanup at Central School - stay tuned.  Rotary At Work - Making A Difference!
 
The Rotary Club of Kelowna is a very engaged and effective Club - please keep it up!  Also, I received greetings from our Past-President Rick visiting our past exchange student Alex in Florence.  
 
See you Tuesday,
 
James
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-10-15 07:00:00Z 0
Last Week's Meeting (Oct. 3) 2017-10-09 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting

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Happy Thanksgiving! Come join us at our Club meeting this week where we will be welcoming Dr. Paul van Donkelaar and Dr. Keith Culver, both professors at UBC. Dr. Culver conducts research at the intersection of sustainability, jurisprudence, and knowledge for mobilization for innovation. Dr. Donkelaar's research and teaching focuses on gaining a better understanding of how the human brain is able to plan and execute body movements. It's sure to be a very insightful meeting - this is a meeting you'll want to bring a guest to! 
This Week's Meeting 2017-10-09 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President James

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Happy Thanksgiving Rotary:
 
What a meeting last week - Supercharged Youth Exchange meeting with Colette sharing some amazing memories from her year in Australia, and Peter revisiting a very tough Club decision: I am thrilled that the Club has committed to continuing our hosting of exchange students.  We will all pull together to help find the host families needed to keep this program as successful as we know it can be.
 
A GREAT After 5 on Thursday - thanks to all who came out to make it happen.  Please keep October 24th open for a Rotary At Work late afternoon in recognition of World Polio Day.
 
Open Invitation: Three amazing opportunities to get involved: The Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation, the Rotary Club of Kelowna Board of Directors, and The ProAm Committee are all looking for interested Rotarians so consider putting your name forward today.
 
Please consider joining us for the Rotary Development Weekend, Oct 27 & 28 in Osoyoos, Rotary Leadership Institute, Nov 4,18,25 in Kamloops, District Conference May 17-19 in Prosser, WA, and RI Convention, June 24-27 in Toronto, ON.  
 
Three crucial Rotary Sites:
- RCoK: http://www.clubrunner.ca/kelowna/ 
- District 5060: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50005/
- My Rotary: https://my.rotary.org/en
 
THANKS FOR GIVING,
 
James
 
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-10-08 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President James

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Greetings Rotarians;
 
Welcome to October!  I sit here at Big White watching the snow come down pausing to reflect on Rotary, what we do, why we do it, and the joy we get from Service Above Self, knowing our efforts are Making A Difference.
 
It was truly amazing presiding over our meeting last week, being able to welcome five new Rotarians to our Club: Ken, Michelle, Grace, Myron, and Sandy - this is your Club, we welcome you with open arms, and ask you to share your passions and wishes so we can ensure a long and rewarding Rotary career.
 
Welcome to Economic and Community Development Month in the Rotary Calendar.  We have many activities planned: After 5 THIS THURSDAY at Tree Brewing, Major Project consideration, seeking a Rotary At Work project, planning a Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, Fireside Chat, and World Polio Day is October 24th.   These are all in addition to the great work you are all doing in our committees.  Please keep it up.
 
 
 
Three months
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-10-01 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting

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Our Club meeting this week will be held upstairs in the Horizon Room. We will be welcoming District Governor Bill Jenkin to our Club Meeting this week, and will be inducting some of our newest members! In the evening at 7, come join us at the Rotary Centre for the Arts where we will be collaborating and socializing with Bill Jenkin and members of the other Clubs in the area - it's sure to be an amazing evening!
This Week's Meeting 2017-09-25 07:00:00Z 0

Last Week's Meeting (Sept. 18)

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Last week, we had Chris Mazurkewich, President and CEO of Interior Health, give a presentation at our Club meeting. His presentation included a historical comparison of Kelowna General Hospital in 1975 compared to 2017, Interior Health today, Primary and Community Care, Research in Elder Care, along with some other excellent information. Thank you very much for sharing with our Club Chris, and for helping shape health care in the Central Okanagan in such a positive way!
 
Last Week's Meeting (Sept. 18) 2017-09-25 07:00:00Z 0


Weekly Message from President James

Posted on Sep 23, 2017
Greetings Rotarians;
 
This is a HUGE Week in Rotary.  Tuesday, our meeting is upstairs in the Horizon Room, we welcome our District Governor, Mr. Bill Jenkin!  Please come join us for a great meeting.  We will also have inductions of our newest members.  
 
Also, please join us Tuesday night for the inter-club Rotary Party - we can do so much more if we collaborate with our friends in other clubs - come join the fun.  7pm at the Rotary Centre for the Arts!
 
As always, suggestions and ideas on how to keep our Club moving in the right direction are always appreciated.
 
All the best, see you (twice!) on Tuesday,
 
James
 
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-09-23 07:00:00Z 0

Last Week's Events

Posted on Sep 17, 2017
Here are a couple of last week's events we hope you didn't miss!
  • RIBFEST
    • Last weekend, from Friday Sept. 15 - Sunday Sept. 17 downtown Kelowna in City Park
    • There was a great turnout - congrats to the Sunrise Club for putting on such a well-attended community event, and thank you to all of our Club members who helped make it such a success!
 
  • SILVER LAKE
    • There was a decent turnout of just over 20 people - thank you to all who made the drive and came out!
Last Week's Events 2017-09-17 07:00:00Z 0

Raise-A-Reader Pancake Breakfast

Posted on Sep 17, 2017
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Come down to the Daily Courier office downtown Kelowna to help support Project Literacy and "Raise-A-Reader" on Sept. 21 from 7:30 - 10 am. $5 for a pancake breakfast, or donate your time and help serve Kelowna breakfast for a great cause! Contact Tony French or Colin Pritchard for more information if you'd like to volunteer.
Raise-A-Reader Pancake Breakfast 2017-09-17 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message from President James

Posted on Sep 17, 2017
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Greetings Rotarians & Guests;
 
A great week in Rotary, and a concerted effort towards Basic Education & Literacy Month.  Well done.
 
Let's keep Making A Difference:
  - Major donation at this Tuesday's Club meeting for KGH Foundry 
  - Volunteers sought for Raise-A-Reader Pancake Breakfast in support of Project Literacy this Thursday - see Tony F. & Colin P.
  - Volunteers sought for "Stuff The Bus" in support of the Food Bank for October - See Kim D. 
  - Please send suggestions for Rotary At Work projects so we can maximize our impact in the community.
 
Keep in mind:
  - District Governor Bill Jenkin & Rotary Party September 26th, 7pm, Rotary Centre for the Arts
  - Rotary Development Weekend in Osoyoos October 27 & 28
  - RLI in Kamloops November 4, 18, 25
 
Also, there is increased inter-club participation and Lyle I and Stuart D are working to bring the clubs together, please share any ideas before the All-President's Meeting on Tuesday.  Finally, our Board Meeting is open to all members, this Thursday at 4pm.  Come see what it's all about, or know that the minutes are posted in our Club Documents folder for all to see.
 
Have a great week,
 
James
Weekly Message from President James JBK 2017-09-17 07:00:00Z 0

2018 District Conference Early Bird Registration

Posted on Sep 13, 2017
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The 2018 District Conference is being held in Prosser, WA May 17-19. Register before October 31 and save $50 off of the registration fee or $10 off of the dinner-only fee. Register online: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50005/SitePage/district-conference-2018-1 
2018 District Conference Early Bird Registration 2017-09-13 07:00:00Z 0

Last Week's Meeting - Sept. 12

Posted on Sep 13, 2017
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Last week's meeting was full of great presentations, info about upcoming community events and even a sing-a-long! Here's a quick recap:
  • Larry Carruthers shared about the work he and his wife Francine are doing in Kenya with Rotary and the help of Clubs around the world
  • Ernie Patterson shared a very interesting and engaging classification talk where he spoke about the evolution of his career from custodial work in a school to becoming the Superintendent, and finally the President of the Alberta Urban Municipal Association where he worked with Premier Ralph Klein
  • Christine McWillis from Project Literacy Kelowna gave a presentation to the Club on the work her organization does in the community.
    • Project Literacy is recognized as the best literacy organization in the Province
    • Literacy issues are now more focused on critical thinking and comprehension, and nearly 50% of the population are affected
    • Project Literacy supports immigrants in language development
  • Bruce Wilson led the Club in a sing-a-long of the 4 way test
  • See the "upcoming events" bulletin for a list of events that were covered
 
 
Last Week's Meeting - Sept. 12 2017-09-13 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting - Sept. 19

Posted on Sep 13, 2017
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Make sure to join our meeting and bring a guest this week as we welcome Chris Mazurkewich, CEO of Interior Health. Chris was appointed as President and CEO of Interior Health (IH) in October 2015. He rejoined IH after spending four years at Alberta Health Services, most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the provincial agency. This is sure to be a presentation you won't want to miss!
This Week's Meeting - Sept. 19 2017-09-13 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Fall Assembly/Development Weekend

Posted on Sep 10, 2017
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Please consider joining us for the Rotary Fall Assembly/Development weekend in Osoyoos from Friday, October 27 at 4:00pm to Saturday, Oct. 28 at 3pm.  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/565/Event/rotary-development-weekend 
Rotary Fall Assembly/Development Weekend 2017-09-10 07:00:00Z 0

RLI - November

Posted on Sep 10, 2017
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The District 5060 RLI team is happy to announce that we will be delivering the RLI curriculum at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre in Kamloops on November 4, 18, and 25.  RLI is a great way for new members to become more educated, engaged, and aware of the great things Rotary does, and the ways they can contribute.  It's also an excellent way for longer serving members to reacquaint themselves with the various programs in Rotary, learn about how the organization has changed in recent years, and to add their wisdom to the body of knowledge created in the  RLI sessions. 

To register or modify your registration, please click on this link: Register/Modify Registration
RLI - November 2017-09-10 07:00:00Z 0

Last Week's Meeting - Sept. 5

Posted on Sep 10, 2017
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At our Club meeting last week, we welcomed our local MLA and Club member, Steve Thomson to share with us. In something a bit different, Steve provided a presentation on his career in rugby and how life experiences travelling to different countries and representing Canada has helped shape his approach to work and now his role in politics as MLA for Kelowna Mission. The presentation reflected on stories from Uruguay, Argentina, and South Africa mixed with some entertaining videos featuring the New Zealand Haka and recent Rugby Sevens action.  As a member of government, Steve was instrumental in bringing the World Cup of Rugby to Vancouver two years in a row.  Steve claims that his passion for rugby and his 24 years of involvement in the sport taught him four things that have guided his personal and political life: Teamwork; Loyalty; Work Ethics; and Flexibility.
Last Week's Meeting - Sept. 5 2017-09-10 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting - Sept. 12

Posted on Sep 10, 2017
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This week at our Club meeting we will be welcoming Christine McWillis, the executive director of Project Literacy, Kelowna, who will be sharing about the work her organization does. Please bring someone you think would enjoy our meeting!
This Week's Meeting - Sept. 12 2017-09-10 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message From President James

Greetings Rotarians;
 
Here's looking forward to another great week in Rotary: a great meeting planned, a Rotary At Work in planning, and opportunities abound.
 
Please consider joining us in Osoyoos for the Development Weekend.  October 27-28  Friday 4pm to Saturday 3pm
 
Also, Rotary Leadership Institute: Kamloops, November 4, 18, and 25.  RLI is a great way for new members to become more educated, engaged, and aware of the great things Rotary does, and the ways they can contribute.  It's also an excellent way for longer serving members to reacquaint themselves with the various programs in Rotary, learn about how the organization has changed in recent years, and to add their wisdom to the body of knowledge created in the RLI sessions.
 
See you Tuesday!
 
James
Weekly Message From President James JBK 2017-09-10 07:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting, August 29

Posted on Sep 04, 2017
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If you missed our Club meeting last week, here's a recap:
 
  • We heard a very entertaining classification talk from Murli,  and one of his stories about growing up in India and the lessons he learned as he was growing up.
  • Our Club welcomed Ollie, our new inbound exchange student from the Czeck Republic
  • Kelowna Community Resources came and shared about the work that they do in our community which includes immigrant services, employment services, community services and family and adoption services.
Thank you to everyone for sharing with our Club and helping make our community a better place!
 
 
 
Club Meeting, August 29 2017-09-04 07:00:00Z 0

FASD Awareness Day, Sept. 9

Posted on Sep 04, 2017
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Come join us at the Parkinson Rec Centre this coming Saturday, Sept. 9 as we help host a BBQ for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day! The event is from 1-4pm and will include face painting, Kelowna Park n' Play, a BBQ and celebration cake, and a councillor reading the City of Kelowna proclamation for FASD Awareness Day. 
FASD Awareness Day, Sept. 9 2017-09-04 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting

Posted on Sep 04, 2017
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Come join us this week on Tuesday for our Club meeting where we'll be welcoming Steve Thomson, local MLA! This is a great opportunity to bring a guest to meet and hear their MLA in a comfortable setting, introduce them to Rotary and get a free lunch at the same time.
This Week's Meeting 2017-09-04 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message From President James

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Greetings Rotarians:

 

Welcome to September in the Smokanagan, Basic Education & Literacy month: They’re going back!

 

With a whole lot of effort on behalf of many, our Club keeps achieving amazing things.  Last week’s speakers were great, and awesome to meet Ollie, our inbound exchange student.  We look forward to highlighting more of the committee work shortly.

 

This month we feature MLA Steve Thomson, Rotary After 5, Christine McWillis of Project Literacy, Chris Mazurkewich of Interior Health, Board Meeting, District Governor Bill Jenkin visit & night greet, and Fireside for new members.  What a lineup! 

 

We’re still looking for a Rotary At Work project – small, minimal planning, 4-10 Rotarians, hands-on, maximum impact.  Please keep your ideas flowing and let’s pick something meaningful.

 

See you Tuesday, have a great LONG weekend,

 

James

Weekly Message From President James 2017-09-04 07:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting August 22

Posted on Aug 27, 2017
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At last week's club meeting we heard from Jim Belshaw of Shoe Bank Canada, a classification talk by Roger Powley and our rebound student Colette.  
 
Jim Belshaw shared about the incredible work that he and his organization are doing by providing good footwear to those in need here in Canada. Shoe Bank Canada is growing and providing a much needed service in our own back yard. Thanks for joining us Jim!
 
Roger Powley shared a fascinating classification talk about his background in the military (along with some very interesting stories), through his time working in the corporate world to most recently working in education. We're very happy to have you as a Club member Roger, along with the wealth of knowledge and experience that you bring!
 
Colette shared about her time away as an exchange student, and her gratitude for this life changing experience and how it's affected her. We appreciate you coming to share with our Club Colette, and that you're time away as an exchange student had the positive impact that it did!
Club Meeting August 22 Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-27 07:00:00Z 0

RI Convention 2018 - Toronto

Posted on Aug 27, 2017
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The 2018 RI Convention is in Toronto. Here are just a few of the reasons that YOU will want to be in Toronto next June. 
  1. You will meet inspiring people from every corner of the world.  It’s a unique opportunity to connect with old friends, make new ones, and share your club’s current and future projects. 
  2. Amazing speakers will help you discover more ways to get the most from your Rotary membership, as well as ideas to make your club stronger. 
  3. In the House of Friendship – where the Rotary world comes together – you will find new ideas, learn best practices and share project successes.  
And you will definitely want to enjoy some of the special events offered by the Toronto Host Organizing Committee!
 

Be sure to go to both www.riconvention.org and www.rotary2018.org for more information.

RI Convention 2018 - Toronto Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-27 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting

Posted on Aug 27, 2017
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Join us this week and bring a guest on Tuesday at the Coast Capri Hotel at noon for lunch and our weekly meeting where we will be welcoming Katelin and Peter from Kelowna Community Resources, and hearing a classification talk from Murli Pendharkar! 
This Week's Meeting Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-27 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message From President James

Posted on Aug 27, 2017
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Greetings All;
 
One of the joys of being President is getting connected in with all of the great work that goes on in our Club. 
  • Last week hearing from Colette, Roger, and Jim Belshaw was a blast. 
  • Knowing that Sharron and the Youth Exchange Committee are helping make the first week for our own inbound Olga Datii from Czech Republic exceptional is amazing. 
  • Watching Stuart and Lyle carry the baton into the next Major Project Selection is encouraging.
  • Seeing Membership and Extension month end with several new Members is great to see.
 
Join us this week for Katelin & Peter sharing about Kelowna Community Resources and a classification talk by our own Murli Pendharkar!  Please bring a colleague to share Rotary.
 
Heading into September, Basic Education & Literacy month, I would love to see us select a small, local, Rotary at Work event, so please pass along any suggestions.
 
As always, the Club is all about our members, so please bring any ideas, requests, or comments and we’ll keep being the best we can be.
 
Cheers,
 
James
Weekly Message From President James Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-27 07:00:00Z 0
2017 Apple Triathlon 2017-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Albert Baldeo Bocce Tournament

Posted on Aug 20, 2017
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The Rotary Club of Kelowna Annual Albert Baldeo Bocce tourney was a great day! Congrats to the winners Dennis & Susan. Too bad Dave & Maureen, you came so close! Doug, where did you find those shorts? Thanks again to Biil and Jean for hosting.
 
Albert Baldeo Bocce Tournament 2017-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting Aug. 15

Posted on Aug 20, 2017
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Our Club welcomed Howard Soon of Sandhill Winery to our lunch meeting last week. He gave a very engaging and entertaining history of wine in the Okanagan and his career journey which encapsulated a lot of the wine industry's modern history in the Valley. We also heard from Stuart Dickson and Raghwa Gopal on the Major Projects Committee, and there is sure to be more to come! Thank you to everyone involved for another great Club meeting!
Club Meeting Aug. 15 Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Club Meeting

Posted on Aug 20, 2017
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Be sure to join us for our Club meeting this week as we will be welcoming fellow Rotarian Jim Belshaw of Shoe Bank Canada and Roy's Shoes! Guests are always welcome - bring a friend or colleague to what's sure to be a great presentation. 
This Week's Club Meeting Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Governor's Message From William Jenkin

Posted on Aug 20, 2017
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Hello Rotarians 
 
August has been a lot of fun visiting Rotarians in Wenatchee and Yakima.  Lisa and I began our visits in Wenatchee where we met with members from the 6 clubs in the area.  Assistant Governor Carol Adamson did a marvelous job organizing the District's first cluster visit.  Area 9 includes Wenatchee, Wenatchee North, East Wenatchee, Wenatchee Sunrise, Cashmere and Leavenworth.  We were joined by Past District Governor Bruce Falkins and his wife Donna from Kelowna.  We began with a lunch meeting and there was a social in the evening.  We were encouraged by the large turnout.  The Wenatchee area is rich with Rotary history.  The Wenatchee club was chartered in 1921 and is the 2nd oldest club in District 5060.  There have been 10 District Governors from the area including Past Rotary International President Ed Cadman.  The Wenatchee club has sponsored 9 clubs.  PDG Jim Adamson gave Lisa and I a tour of the community to see the impact of Rotary.  The Rotary presence in the area is significant.  The parks and signage in the area as well as the work towards a new school is impressive.  The visit energized us on how passionate Rotarians can truly make a difference in a community.
 
Last week we traveled to Yakima for a cluster visit with the Downtown, Southwest and Sunrise clubs.  I made it even though I ran out of gas in the middle of the night on a lonely highway coming back from the capitol in Olympia.  Thank God for cabs! I'll have to pay more attention to my driving I guess.  Tressa Stadel did a terrific job in organizing this. We began with a board meeting which included about 30 Board members from the three clubs.  I was very impressed with the partnerships that they have formed with themselves as well as the city, county and other organizations.  They are currently undertaking their centennial  project in which they plan to build the Yakima Rotary Aquatics Center at a cost of 40 million dollars.  The club is well along on their fundraising efforts and are looking forward to December 1, the clubs 100th anniversary. Yakima was the first club in the District and was sponsored by Seattle 4.  They have since sponsored 5 clubs of their own. They have had 11 Governors and are the largest club in District 5060 at 311 members.  The other two clubs have another 120 members.  The three clubs filled the convention center meeting room.
 
So far the cluster visits have been a change for our District that has been a way for the clubs in the area to socialize and exchange ideas.  I am looking forward to visiting Penticton and Ellensburg in the middle of next month.  
 
See you all soon!!
 
Bill 
Governor's Message From William Jenkin 2017-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message From President James

Posted on Aug 20, 2017
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Happy Sunday Rotarians;
 
What a week in Rotary!  An excellent and entertaining Club meeting, an impactful choice of Foundry for our Major Project, a most productive Board meeting, a perfectly-executed charity breakfast, and a thoroughly entertaining Bocce Tournament.  Thanks to all who organized and participated, and who continuously to put Service Above Self and continue Making A Difference.
 
Upcoming are a great series of Club meetings.  Please join us and bring a colleague or friend to share.  Our membership continues to thrive because the guests connect and embrace our Club.
 
The next couple of weeks are great opportunities to get involved.  Stuart & Lyle co-chair this year’s Major Project Selection Committee with a mandate to review/recommend by October 1.  After 5.  Help Sunrise Rotary with RibFEST September 15-17.  Please consider registering for District Fall Assembly in Osoyoos October 27-28, and RI Convention in Toronto, June 23-27, 2018.
 
We have an amazing Club, see you all Tuesday,
 
James
Weekly Message From President James Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting, August 8

Posted on Aug 13, 2017
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Our Club meeting last week, August 8, saw outbound student, AJ, speak about his soon to be adventure to Belgium along with Doctors Jenkins and Adams from Lighthouse Chiropractic share about spinal health and making the last decade of life great.
 
AJ shared his enthusiasm about his upcoming exchange trip to Belgium and spoke about how he feels about his adventure - a mixture of excitement and a bit of trepidation. He is planning on bringing his hoops with him so that he can share his hoop dance, and is a bit unsure of how he is going to pack his life into 1 suitcase for the next year. AJ also spoke about his gratitude to the Club for all of the donations and fundraising that made this trip possible for him; he is very thankful and looking forward to a year that's sure to be full of adventure.
 
Doctor Graham Jenkins and Doctor Ken Adams from Lighthouse Chiropractic made a presentation to the Club on the importance of spinal health and making the last 10 years of life enjoyable. They shared about their approach which includes sharing all of your information including x-rays and medical records with you, staying up to date with the latest technologies and working with you to improve your quality of life. You can find out more about their practice at lighthousechiro.ca.
Club Meeting, August 8 Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-13 07:00:00Z 0

This Week's Meeting

Posted on Aug 13, 2017
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Make sure you join our Club meeting this Tuesday as we have a full agenda! 
  • Raghwa Gopal will be presenting on the Major Project Selection Committee
  • Michelle Novakowski's Classification Talk
  • Howard Soon, Master Winemaker for Sandhill Wines will be sharing with our club
Invite a guest, bring a colleague, or drag your friend out on Tuesday; it's going to be a great meeting!
This Week's Meeting Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-13 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message From President James

Posted on Aug 13, 2017
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Good Day Rotarians;
 
Time flies when you’re having fun.  There is so much good going on in our Club and we will try very hard in the coming weeks to share and show the excitement.
 
We’ve got a Pancake Breakfast and potentially a second BBQ project for charity, International Service delivering and selecting impactful projects, Community Service seeking deserving candidates, Bylaws being updated, great socials, visitors applying for membership, a huge renewed effort into Public Image, Committees pulling together and delivering meaningful outcomes, and a Board working hard to make The Rotary Club of Kelowna the very best it can be. 
 
I appreciate the support and patience as we work to iron out a few wrinkles and continue to deliver great meetings and opportunities for service.
 
This week will be a great week: Raghwa presenting on the Major Project Selection Committee, Michelle Novakowski sharing a classification talk, and Howard Soon, the Master Winemaker for Sandhill Wines coming to share.  Please come join us and bring a colleague!  The Apple Triathalon Breakfast Team and Bocce Teams are gearing up for a big day August 20 so please volunteer and come partake in the fun.
 
If you’re engaged and enjoying, we commend you.  If you are looking for a new opportunity within Rotary, please reach out and I’d be happy to match you with the right committee or team: volunteers always appreciated.  If you have suggestions or feedback, I’m all ears, please reach out.
 
All the best, see you Tuesday,
 
James
 
Weekly Message From President James Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-13 07:00:00Z 0

Albert Baldeo Bocce Tournament August 20

Posted by Joshua Dodgson
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Come join us at Bill Redmond's house (3735 Hart Road) for the annual Albert Baldeo bocce tournament that's sure to be a good time on August 20th from 1-4pm - thanks for hosting again Bill! 
 
 
Albert Baldeo Bocce Tournament August 20 Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-07 07:00:00Z 0
Apple Triathlon Pancake Breakfast August 20 Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-07 07:00:00Z 0

Presentation - Norm Letnick

Posted by Joshua Dodgson
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Norm joined us on August 1st to share a glimpse of his life story through family, politics, career, and some thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing our Canadian health care system. Living the Rotary way of service above self has been a priority for Norm all his life including many volunteer and political positions most recently terminating in four years as BC’s Minister of Agriculture; the longest tenure since Corky Evans and in BC Liberal history.

Prior to being in the BC Cabinet Norm had achieved candidacy status toward a PhD in Health Economics and has plans to complete the doctorate now that he sits in opposition. His brief discussion on Health pointed to the history of our system, its value proposition relative to other OECD countries, some ideas for improvement, and possible strategies for their implementation. Norm finished the time allotted by answering a few questions.

Presentation - Norm Letnick Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-07 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message From President James

Posted by Joshua Dodgson on Aug 07, 2017
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Greetings Rotarians:
 
I trust everyone’s enjoying an exceptional long weekend. Make the most of the holiday Monday, and be ready for an amazing Tuesday meeting. 
 
A great meeting last week, well done Norm & Roy, and a ton of fun at the Rotary After 5.  So much fun to be had in our club.
 
The next two weeks see two meetings, great speakers, a Board meeting (17th), a pancake breakfast and a bocce tournament (20th).  Please join in, volunteer, and let’s continue Making A Difference.
 
See you Tuesday,
 
James
Weekly Message From President James Joshua Dodgson 2017-08-07 07:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - Guest Speaker: Joshua Molsberry, Developing World Connections

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In 2000, Canadians Wayne McRann and Dan Miller were in the jungles of Guatemala, installing water systems and building houses on a Rotary International trip. They felt people other than Rotary members should have the same chance do something to make others’ lives better.
 
Four years later, the first Developing World Connections meeting was held in Kamloops, B.C., but getting up and running took a while longer.
Then, on Dec. 26, 2004, a massive tsunami pounded 14 countries in the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000 and destroying the lives of hundreds of thousands more. The horror of the devastation sparked DWC to life, with the first teams rushing to Sri Lanka to rebuild homes and community buildings. The fledgling group got itself organized, got teams over to Sri Lanka, and McRann took the helm as executive director.
 
DWC has been on the ground ever since, first in Sri Lanka, then spreading to other parts of Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin/South America. Marking one decade in 2015, DWC had organized 200 trips and sent more than 2,000 volunteers to build homes, schools, training centres, latrines, water systems, computer labs and other projects.
 
In 2014, McRann retired as executive director and handed the leadership over to Joshua Molsberry. 
 
Our Vision: We envision a globally engaged, poverty free and socially just world.
Our Mission: Our mission is to connect people and resources through international community development.
Club Meeting Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - Guest Speaker: Joshua Molsberry, Developing World Connections 2017-07-23 07:00:00Z 0

Weekly Message From President James

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Good Day Rotarians:
 
Top O’ The Weekend To You!  Thanks to all who continue to step up and keep our Club as the very best Service Club in Kelowna.
 
This week saw our first Board meeting of the new Rotary Year.  Your 14 Directors are working very hard to keep us along an exciting path and direction.  The Board meetings are open to all club members, and the minutes have been added to ClubRunner, so once logged in, click Organization and RCoK Board Meetings for all the latest info.  Please consider joining us at least once this year, and more importantly, feel free to reach out to any Director any time to know more.       
 
We have three exciting events upcoming: Dale is looking for volunteers to assist with a downtown cleanup, Dave is organizing our next After 5, and Kevin is coordinating a Volunteer Breakfast.  Please come and participate and let’s make a splash in our community.
 
Two asks for the week: please invite a colleague out to enjoy this week’s luncheon – our speakers are most amazing and it will be a great session.  Also, we have a contentious decision coming before the Club this week I ask for everyone to stay true to Rotary values and integrity: let the 4-Way Test guide us, and I ask you all to demonstrate the qualities and characteristics of true Rotarians: speak up for what you believe in, and let’s do it with class, fairness and through the requested channels to ensure a fair process. 
 
Thanks to all and look forward to seeing you Tuesday,
 
James
Weekly Message From President James 2017-07-23 07:00:00Z 0

Lady of the Lake 2017

The Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake pageant was held on July 14th and as always, it was a spectacular evening of wonderful performances, evening gowns and impromptu speeches answering the question "What does it mean to you to be Canadian?" Very fitting since the entire evening centred around a Canada 150 theme.  The ladies all did a spectacular job and our very own candidate, Brenda Millard, received a $250 bursary for the Lady of the Lake award which was given to the individual who displayed the most growth through the process.  I can attest to the fact that she truly deserved that acknowledgement.  Brenda did an amazing job and I know it was a great experience for her. Congratulations Brenda!
 
Lady of the Lake 2017 Angela Kuefler 2017-07-22 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary After 5 - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - Kelowna Yacht Club Karyn Schueler 2016-04-11 07:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting April 5, 2016 - Paul Harris Fellow Awards

Posted by Karyn Schueler on Apr 11, 2016
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Congratulations to all of our Paul Harris Fellow contributors:
First Time Paul Harris Fellow:  Dale Briggs, Jaime Briggs, Stuart Dickson
PHF + 1:  Evans Premachuk, Colin Prichard
PHF + 2:  Michael Dorsel, Sergei Krasnov, John McIntyre
PHF + 3:  Kathy Butler, Ross Gilley, Michael Leowen, Vern Tompkins, Bruce Wilson
PHF + 4:  Ernie Patterson
PHF + 5:  Chuck Cey, Catherine Comben, Dennis Gerace
Major Donors Level 1:  Ken Laloge, Vern Nielsen
Major Donor Level 2:  Bill Redmond
 
Club Meeting April 5, 2016 - Paul Harris Fellow Awards Karyn Schueler 2016-04-11 07:00:00Z 0

Welcome New Members!

Posted by Jaime Briggs
Please help us welcome our 4 Newest Club Members!  All to be inducted on Tuesday January 5th.
 
(From top left) Daniol Coles, Encompass Benefits; Bernd Dinnert, Past District Governor; Joshua Dodgson, Maccabee Financial; and Susan Murphy, Everdeen Rust Funeral Services.
 
Welcome New Members! Jaime Briggs 2015-12-17 08:00:00Z 0
Club Meeting December 1, 2015 - New Member Inductions: Darryl Burry & Angela Kuefler Karyn Schueler 2015-12-07 08:00:00Z 0

KSS Student Mock Interviews - November 26th, 2015

Posted on Nov 26, 2015
Voluteers from the Rotary Club of Kelowna participated today in Mock Interviews with the Grade 11 classes at Kelowna Secondary School.
Rotarians provided an invaluable learning opportunity of practicing interview skills, writing effective cover letters and resumes with for 160 STUDENTS!
Nothing comes close to this type of “one on one” learning!!
Special thanks to Gord Charles for coordinating our Volunteers and to 2 brand new Rotary members for stepping in to help!
 
KSS Student Mock Interviews - November 26th, 2015 2015-11-26 08:00:00Z 0

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - Friday November 13th, 2015

43 of our Rotarians participated in our "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" event Friday November 13th.
5 hosts volunteered and cooked the main course.  Guests were given an address and what to bring only. . . And then a surprise dinner party was held!
An enjoyable evening of great food, fellowship and fun was had by all.
Thanks again to our 5 Hosts - Harold, Tony, John, Robin and Jaime.
 
 
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - Friday November 13th, 2015 Jaime Briggs 2015-11-15 08:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting January 4, 2015 - Guest Speaker: Linda Swanson & Brooke Mapstone

Posted by Karyn Schueler on Jan 10, 2015
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"Although I have only worked with the LOTL Society in Kelowna a short time, I can see the similar thread continuing that I recognized in other candidate organizations...the candidates join our program which runs for six months.
They are shy, timid, not too sure of their role in life...after six months they transform into strong, confident, reassured young woman....ready to share their experiences with other communities....a total beacon for Kelowna!
Truth is I have always worked with the Youth of my community...these are truly our assets,
If you are not happy with what you see in our Youth of today, get involved...start creating our Future!"
 
Linda Swanson – Chair Lady of the Lake Society
 
"The Lady of the Lake Program helps young woman to build self-confidence, help with public speaking, and allows the youth to be involved with the community in many different ways. Well on my journey of being Miss Kelowna I have had an opportunity to travel our sister city, Kasugai. I also travel to other communities promoting our beautiful city while riding on the Kelowna float. There are many different volunteer events that we participate in, such as the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles, the Poppy Campaign as well as the Maxine DeHarts’ United Way drive thru breakfast."
 
Brooke Mapstone - 2014/2015 Lady of the Lake
Club Meeting January 4, 2015 - Guest Speaker: Linda Swanson & Brooke Mapstone Karyn Schueler 2015-01-11 00:00:00Z 0

Final RLI Course #3 for Leaders: Nov. 29, 2014

Posted by Peter Schultz on Nov 22, 2014

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The Rotary Leadership Institute is a 3 day course ideally suited for creating the Club and District Leaders of the future.  It is perfect for board members, PE’s, and committee chairs, but is valuable for anybody that has a heart for Rotary and an interest in contributing to the best of their abilities.  Our final session in Kelowna is 29 November.  Students develop strong relationships with their fellows in this highly interactive program, so it is always best to do all 3 in the same session.  However, if one must be missed it can always be made up at a future session.

The Rotary Club of Kelowna has many graduates of this excellent program, and the Club Board will generally sponsor the $265 fee for at least 2 students each year.  If you have an interest in participating in the coming session, contact Club President Dennis or RLI Coordinator Peter Schultz.

Final RLI Course #3 for Leaders: Nov. 29, 2014 Peter Schultz 2014-11-23 00:00:00Z 0

Dennis Weekly e-bulletin

Posted by Dennis on Nov 15, 2014
President’s Report November 15, 2014
Greetings from the California desert to all you shivering Okanagan Rotarians, and to those of you who are still basking in the sun somewhere—(we know who you are!)  The Rotary Club of Kelowna wheel continues to turn at a rapid rate; our club was represented at the City of Kelowna Remembrance Day ceremonies, thank you Randy McBride!  I’m told that prior to Gord Savage departing for the medical mission in Ethiopia, he chaired a spirited meeting around RI Foundation.  (Check our website for Gord’s reports on this amazing mission.)  On October 28 Ross Gilley chaired a lively and productive meeting around our Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation’s Annual General Meeting: I am continually reminded of the significant contribution in time and talent that many of our members (John Hannah, Gary Bennett, Karen Hill, to name but a few) have put forth to make our club a meaningful force in our community. This week we are in for some real entertainment, with a self-admitted immature senior as our guest speaker on the 18’th, and on the 25’th, we are holding what promises to be a riveting, action-packed, and potentially life-changing (for some) Annual General Meeting.  And if you think that all of this is not exciting enough for you, please take a look at our website again and see the candid and revealing photos taken at the Freddy’s Brew Pub social event last week.  What a great turnout, and what a great event; thank you to our organizers-- Karyn and Jaime in particular.  I look forward to seeing you at our meeting on Tuesday, I’ll be the retired guy with the peeling nose over the microphone.
Dennis Weekly e-bulletin Dennis 2014-11-16 00:00:00Z 0

Rotary Burger & Beer Social Night - November 12, 2014

Posted by Jaime Briggs on Nov 11, 2014
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On Wednesday November 12th, 2014 members of the Rotary Club of Kelowna and their guests enjoyed a fun social evening at Freddy's Brewpub in Kelowna.
Guests had the choice of Chicken or Beef Burger, plus a pint of Beer.
We also had the pleasure of private brewery tours with their Brewmaster Jack Clark! He was engaging with his stories of the entire beer making process.
Everyone then got to taste their 5 beers, plus the special winter seasonal beer.
About 50 Rotarians enjoyed the great evening!
 
 
 
 
 
    
Rotary Burger & Beer Social Night - November 12, 2014 Jaime Briggs 2014-11-12 00:00:00Z 0

Welcome New Rotarians!

Posted by Jaime Briggs
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On Tuesday October 21st, 2014 ~ 5 New Rotarians were welcomed to our Club!  We look forward to having them get involved in our Club activities.  Please welcome them to the Rotary Club of Kelowna!
 
Jacqueline Brisebois - Proposed by Jaime Briggs
Jaime Boyle - Proposed by Jaime Briggs
Randy McBride - Transfer from Yellowknife
Susanne Basson - Proposed by Stuart Dickson
Patricia Ainslie - Proposed by Sharon Barnes
 
 
Welcome New Rotarians! Jaime Briggs 2014-11-03 00:00:00Z 0
PLEASE NOTE - CHANGE OF MEETING VENUE SEPT 30 to SALVATION ARMY Dennis Campbell 2014-09-28 00:00:00Z 0

Club Meeting August 19th - Guest Speaker - Lloyd McClellan

Posted by Karyn Schueler on Aug 23, 2014
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Lloyd McClellan is an Addictions Worker with Freedoms Door here in Kelowna.  Freedoms Door helps Men with Alcohol/Drug/Gambling Addictions.  It is a Non Profit - Faith Based Organization that has been in Kelowna for 13 years in September.

It began with 1 rental home & is now 5 homes that house up to 50 men, almost always at capacity & often a large wait list.

 

Club Meeting August 19th - Guest Speaker - Lloyd McClellan Karyn Schueler 2014-08-24 00:00:00Z 0

Pleasantvale Homes Update: Catherine Comben

Posted by Catherine Comben on Aug 23, 2014
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HELLO EVERYONE

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE HAPPENINGS AT PHS SINCE JULY.

1. THE LAST PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PLEASANTVALE WAS HELD ON JULY 29, 2014 AND COVERED TWO ITEMS: THE DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT AND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT. BOTH WERE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY COUNCIL. ONLY ONE NEIGHBOUR SPOKE ABOUT HER CONCERNS REGARDING THE HEIGHT OF THE  NEW BUILDING AND POTENTIAL BLOCKING OF HER VIEW OF KNOX MOUNTAIN. SHE LIVES ON ROANOKE AVENUE WHICH IS 3 BLOCKS FROM OUR COMPLEX. BRYCE TUPPER OF NORR ENGINEERS/PLANNERS AND JULIET ANDERTON RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL AND BOTH WERE CONCISE AND COVERED KEY POINTS.   

2. THE BUILDING PERMIT HAS NOW BEEN SUBMITTED TO CITY HALL AND THE TENDER DRAWINGS ARE ALMOST COMPLETE SO THE PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD ON SCHEDULE.

3. DEMOLITION HAS BEEN UNDERWAY AND I WILL SEND A COUPLE OF PHOTOS TAKEN BY OUR CUSTODIAN  VIA ANOTHER MEANS (WEEKLY BULLETIN) SO THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE THE CHANGES, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PHASE WILL BE COMPLETED  SHORTLY, 11 UNITS ON CAMBRIDGE 661-697 AND 648 RICHTER HAVE BEEN DONE AND VERY LITTLE IS LEFT TO COMPLETE.

AS FURTHER ACTIVITY TAKES PLACE, WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP YOU INFORMED.

REGARDS, Catherine V Comben BA CHS EPC
PRESIDENT OF THE PLEASANTVALE HOMES SOCIETY
A PROJECT OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KELOWNA SINCE 1956

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Pleasantvale Homes Update: Catherine Comben Catherine Comben 2014-08-24 00:00:00Z 0

The final speaker of the 2013-14 year was ex-politician Moe Sihota

Posted by Derek Bottomley PDG on Jun 26, 2014
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Moe's strong views came through very noticeably today when he chose a topic that will affect all future retirees. If you have been following this issue you will know that  many workers do not have a retirement plan. Moe provided some statistics that looked rather bleak. Apparently 12 million Canadians or two thirds of the work force do not have a plan. Only one third contribute to an RSP.

There is talk of enhancing the RSP program, but there is also much opposition to that and as the employer must contribute to the plan in addition to the worker, there is resistance and the plan has been tagged as an employment tax.

 

The final speaker of the 2013-14 year was ex-politician Moe Sihota Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-06-27 00:00:00Z 0

Interact Presidents visit our club

Posted by Ralf Rohrlack on Jun 25, 2014
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We also had the pleasure of a visit and a short announcement from two young ladies from our KSS Interact Club and her is a photo of them
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Interact Presidents visit our club Ralf Rohrlack 2014-06-26 00:00:00Z 0

Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from our club

Posted by Derek Bottomley PDG on Jun 25, 2014
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Once again Anne-Marie brought our outbound RYE to the meeting and she promised that we would see more of her before she left for Chili on August 9 th.

Here is photo of Anne-Marie and Charlotte Lewthwaite.

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Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from our club Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-06-26 00:00:00Z 0

Thank You to all who helped with the Newsletter this year

Posted by Derek Bottomley PDG on Jun 25, 2014
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During the past year several of our members were very helpful in assisting me with the weekly Newsletter. As I will not be continuing in this position next year, I would like in particular I'd like to give a big thank you to photographers Rosemary Kean and Jaime Briggs.
Also to back-up scribes Tobi Byrne and John Walker.


 

Thank You to all who helped with the Newsletter this year Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-06-26 00:00:00Z 0

Access to Club Documents.

Posted by Derek Bottomley PDG on Jun 25, 2014
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Don't forget that several club documents can be viewed by members via the Club's Website. Go to the site at www.rotarykelowna.org .... Log in then in the Administration page find and click on "View Club Documents" in the top left grouping under "My ClubRunner". Then click on the folder at the left of the document heading that you wish to see. View such items as:-
... KRC Financial Statements
... Monthly KRC Board Meeting Minutes
... AG Vern's monthly column in the Courier
... Under "Service Projects" you will find ... AGM minutes for Pleasantvale Homes Society and the Investment Proposal for Gateway to Trades


 
 

Access to Club Documents. Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-06-26 00:00:00Z 0

Administration Desk - Goings on.....

Posted by Dennis Gerace on Jun 24, 2014
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A big thank you to Dennis and to all members who have helped
out
on the Administration Desk this past year

(Derek Bottomley Newsletter Editor 2013-14)

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Administration Desk - Goings on..... Dennis Gerace 2014-06-25 00:00:00Z 0
Annual Club Banquet June 17th to say Thanks to Pres. Ross and Hello to PE Dennis. Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-06-21 00:00:00Z 0

Seniors' BBQ another Big Success

Posted by Ross Gilley on Jun 20, 2014
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Once again, our merry band of Volunteers helped make the annual treat for Seniors a memorable outing.
Thanks also to Reg Henry and Kelly O'Brian's for the food donations.

Seniors' BBQ another Big Success Ross Gilley 2014-06-21 00:00:00Z 0

Medical Equipment is off to Guinea!

Posted by Ross Gilley on Jun 20, 2014

Murli Pendharkur and his team have shipped another container off to West Africa.
Here, Raghwa Gopal chips in to help.Thanks to the Kelowna Daily Courier for the photo.Image

Medical Equipment is off to Guinea! Ross Gilley 2014-06-21 00:00:00Z 0
Details attached of full meeting on June 10th John Walker 2014-06-12 00:00:00Z 0
Gord Savage Escorts Ottawa Rotarian out of town Ross Gilley 2014-06-08 00:00:00Z 0
Kelsey Serwa thanks Rotary Ross Gilley 2014-06-08 00:00:00Z 0
Paddle Centre puts RCK Funding to Work Ross Gilley 2014-06-08 00:00:00Z 0
The Speaker on May 27th was Olympic Silver Medalist Kelsey Serwa Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-05-29 00:00:00Z 0
Rotary In The News!...on Shaw TV Ross Gilley 2014-05-11 00:00:00Z 0

Our Exchange Student Math Hoferlin's wish list

Posted by Derek Bottomley PDG on Apr 30, 2014
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Here is Math's wish list, updated May 1st.  She would still like to: -

Go to a Canadian Football game and see a Soccer match.
Go to a Baseball game and a Rodeo. Try Water Skiing.
Travel to: - Seattle, Victoria and to Ontario.
See a Bear and eat Caribou. See a famous person.
Graduate from school and be at the Graduation celebrations.

 

Our Exchange Student Math Hoferlin's wish list Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-05-01 00:00:00Z 0

Photographs

Posted by Derek Bottomley PDG on Mar 28, 2014
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Did you know that our member Rosemary Kean is taking photos every week. Some are used in this newsletter and she places many of them in the club website. Look for them at the bottom of the home page in the Photo Albums. 
Photographs Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-03-29 00:00:00Z 0

Math's Family Visits Us

Posted by Derek Bottomley PDG on Mar 06, 2014
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Left to Right .. Matt; Mum - Sophie; Dad - Julien; Sister - Louise; Cousin - Camille; Cousin Noemie. 

Math's Family Visits Us Derek Bottomley PDG 2014-03-07 00:00:00Z 0
Your Rotary Dollars At Work Ross Gilley 2014-02-21 00:00:00Z 0

Meet our newest Lady of the Lake Candidate - Bella Thomson!

Posted by Jaime Briggs on Feb 12, 2014

Bella, representing Miss Downtown Rotary Club, is sixteen years old and currently attending Kelowna Secondary School. She is very passionate about filmmaking, writing, cooking, and raising awareness about mental health. She is very excited to be taking part in the Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake program, and looks forward to learning some amazing skills like public speaking, networking, and how to change a tire!

(Photo - Bella and Rotarian Liaison Karyn Schueler)

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Meet our newest Lady of the Lake Candidate - Bella Thomson! Jaime Briggs 2014-02-13 00:00:00Z 0
District Conference May 1-4 2014! Ross Gilley 2014-01-02 00:00:00Z 0
Final Meeting in December 2013 Derek Bottomley PDG 2013-12-17 00:00:00Z 0