President's message 45 of 52

President’s Message

45 of 52.  

We are back from the District Conference this weekend at Harrison Hotsprings.  Getting together with fellow Rotarians from Everett to Chilliwack is an invigorating experience.  Our club was well represented, Linda, Isy, Gary, Darrell, Christa (well she’s almost our club!) Dan, Al, Julia, Ruth and I.

District conferences can have inspiring speakers and this year was no different.  Jennifer Jones, RIPR (Rotary International President’s Representative) is a Past District Governor from Windsor Ontario.  She spoke eloquently on Saturday evening when she said: 

“Peace is not the absence of war.  It is the absence of want”

This speaks of social justice issues, we as Rotarians value.  Our projects locally and internationally are to help remove the want in the world.  Working to feed our local needy with Generous Hearts Food Bank Drive, helping teach children and adults to read in South Africa or enabling youth from around the world experience other cultures and friendships are proactive programs our club is directly involved with.

Other speakers were Christopher Gaze from Bard on the Beach who spoke on vision and making it happen.  How 20 years ago they got a tent as a part of the Fringe Festival and did Shakespeare at Vanier Park.  This year with a new tent (and reserved seating!) it is going to be bigger and better.  Ruth and I plan to go.

Hockey player and coach, Ryan Walter talked on Leadership and Attitude.  I got a signed copy of his book which I will auction off for Polio Plus this week.

We were entertained on Friday night by Peter Luongo and the Langley Ukelele Ensemble, and yes I wondered about them until I heard them.  They are a treat to experience and recommend you take the opportunity to hear them if you can.  

Saturday Morning we heard from David Guscott, who had been the VANOC VP in charge of celebrations.  We heard of the preparations for the torch run and the problem with the opening of the one arm of the touch at opening ceremonies.  He was involved in partnerships that engaged the country for the 2010 Games.

I also heard Dan make a presentation on the Rotary World Help Network.  He and Isy met with district reps Rick and Bill about how they can take this program forward to the International Convention in New Orleans.

Denis Boyd made a presentation on how to handle stress for Rotarians.  It was clearly something that many of us can identify with.

And on Saturday morning I had the privilege to receive on your behalf, a Presidential Citation, with Distinction.  Only Coquitlam and our club received the award with distinction of our area’s six clubs.  This means we are very engaged in all avenues of service and we are doing it right!.  Well done Rotary Club of Port Moody.

I rushed out to Harrison with Linda and Isy after our successful Search for the Perfect Pint.  The club engagement was wonderful.  Al, you brought together a team that will allow us to continue to serve our community and those overseas.  It was entertaining and fun for all who came. Thank you to all who helped make this happen.  This is how we can be Building Communities, Bridging Continents

Nick