It is now 9 months since the international assembly, our lives have changed, but our goals have not.  We still need to work toward making change, caring for members and doing service projects.  There is a strong message from Rotary international that the work happens at the Club level.  Rotary’s vision statement says that we are to continue to create change.  Think of how less rich our community would be without our club.  Our community needs Rotary more than ever. 

 

In late 2018, Rotary asked the John Hopkins university to do a study about the impact on Rotary on the world.  They determined that Rotary saves $850 million annually, 870 US volunteer hours. 

 

When she joined Rotary in 1992 she learned about Rotary’s goal to eradicate polio.  It touched Carol’s heart because her father was touched by Polo.  She began to go on trips and helped to immunize children against Polio.  Watching mothers thank her for saving their children meant more than anything else.  Year to date there have been 74 cases in Pakistan and 54 in Afghanistan.  We have made progress in the fight against Polio and the infrastructure developed will help save children from other diseases in years to come.  These leaders have been on the leading edge.

 

Jennifer Jones had been nominated by RI to be the new President. This helps to continue the commitment to women in leadership.  Rotary is also committed to diversity.  RI added a 7^th issue of focus on environment.  We are also starting a district wide blood donation friendly competition to help encourage Rotarians to give regularly.   Another new partnership that Rotary has is bringing the Rotary and Toastmasters alliance to full reality.  They are looking to know of Rotarians that are Toastmasters and will have training later this month.  They are also working on encouraging clubs to write and do international grants.

 

 If there is a viable vaccine Chilliwack’s doors will be open for the district conference.  Mark your calendars for May of 2021. May 13-16, 2021,  Look for more information to come soon. 

 

We are also encouraged to submit stories and pictures to the Peace Arch Journal of our events, activities and Fundraisers.  Coffee Corners are starting again via Zoom and information and registration is on the website.

 

The Rotary International Convention will be in Taipei in June of 2021.   Register now and registration fees will be returned if we are able to not go because of COVID. 

 

Carol was raised in a great family.  She was daddy’s girl and had a hard relationship with her mother.  Carol was raised Catholic and struggled as Carol started working with Rotary and giving volunteer time to Rotary and not to the Church.  One year Carol took her mother with her on a Rotary International Trip in Mexico.  Her mom looked at her on this trip and told her that she was doing God’s work.  The year after Carol was club president and her began to attend meetings, became a Paul Harris Fellow and did many other things.  This changed their relationship and they became best friends in her later years.  Rotary does change lives.

 

People of Action pins were given, at the request of President Bryce, to Jim Kelly as an unsung hero in our club for putting together so many safe projects during the pandemic.  The next one was to Jola Barnett for her efforts to raise money for the Dry Duck Dash.  She has raised almost $60,000 toward student scholarships. 

 

  

 

 

Like all of our programs since going to Zoom, the address to the club including the presentations was recorded and can be viewed on our YouTube channel.  To see this presentation, click HERE.