A very enthusiastic and energetic District Governor Carol Tinkelman visited our Club via Zoom on Friday, October 16th along with Assistant District Governor Dwayne Rhodes. Carol grew up in Vancouver, BC and spent eight years as Branch Manager with Canada Trust in Price George. She joined the Port George Rotary Club in 1992. In 1995, the she moved to Chilliwack to be closer to family and friends. She opened her own Financial Planning practice and joined the Rotary Club of Chilliwack. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Major Donor and Benefactor of the Rotary Foundation and a recipient of the Avenues of Service Citation from Rotary International in recognition of her very lengthy list of service to Rotary, her church and her community.
The Governor talked about Rotary going dark in March. There was never any training for a pandemic. Every Rotary Club in the world was going through this storm together. Within two weeks of the shutdown the District offered Covid-19 funds through Area grants. She envisions Rotary coming out of this more connected and together. Rotary is not just a Club you joined, its a yearning to engage in your community. Since March, RI President Holger Knaack had asked that each Club have at least one meeting per month. With Zoom taking center stage with Rotary International most Clubs returned to virtual meetings.
Everything that Rotary does opens avenues for someone. Be selective in member recruitment, get them engaged early and often.
Governor Carol acknowledged the six new members who have joined our Club since March. She welcomed John Spencer, David LeDuc, Larry Ruble, Cherie Binns-Cross, Brett Gailey and Ryan Mathisen. The Governor proceeded to talk about the major changes to the Rotary Citation. She said that Rotary role is within each club to achieve. Another acknowledgement went to James Monroe who is the editor of the District's Peace Arch Journal. Prior to her visit, the visit checklist included recognizing distinguished members of our Club. President Ken recommended special acknowledgement to Jim Haugen, Reshal Ploeger, Angie Hein and Ilene Levering for their outstanding contributions to the success of Corks and Kegs fundraiser. Jim Haugen was further recognized for his Paul Harris + 8 and Reshal Ploeger for her Paul Harris + 4.
She also talked about the upcoming District Conference in Chilliwack, BC in May 2021 nd the RI International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan in June. She encouraged us to considering participating in those fun gatherings.
The Governor reminds us that we have to complete this year's Club goals and she recognized the impact of our Interact Club and the work we are all doing. Thank you Governor Tichelman for visiting our Club!