Rotary International's monthly theme for April is Maternal and Child Health! Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes. I would like to applaud the District Rotarians engaged in activities in support of this focus area worldwide.
This is the last call for those who have not registered for the District Conference scheduled for 5 - 7 May.
Please register and book your hotel rooms quickly at the special discounted price of CDN $189 per night with free Wi-Fi and free parking. The rates will go up 19 April. The registration link is
So, if you have not done so already, please go to our District web page and register for the District Conference scheduled for 5-7 May. You can also click here to register. Here is a QR code to make registration and hotel booking simpler with a scan of the code.
Posted by Jack Rae, Conference Chair on Apr 01, 2023
Dr. David Suzuki, Keynote Speaker
Award Winning Scientist, Environmentalist, Broadcaster
Dr. David Suzuki is a grandfather, broadcaster, scientist, and activist. He has made it his life's work to help humanity understand, appreciate, respect and protect nature. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the CBC science and natural history television series The Nature of Things. David was the recipient of The Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been recognized by BC Achievement in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor of BC for his extraordinary work as a recipient of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award. Dr. Suzuki is a Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO Kalinga Prize for science, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and UNEP’s Global 500. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 31 honorary degrees from universities in Canada, United States and Australia. His written work includes more than 50 books, 19 of them for children.
Stephanie Cadieux
Chief Accessibility Officer, Government of Canada
Stephanie Cadieux is a change leader, an advocate for diversity, accessibility, disability inclusion and an entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in planning and leadership roles.
Her four-year appointment as the Government of Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer began on 2 May 2022.
Before her appointment, Ms. Cadieux was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2009 to 2022. She was the Minister of Children and Family Development from 2012 to 2017, and between 2010 and 2012, held various positions, including Minister of Social Development; Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government; and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Prior to her engagement in provincial politics, Ms. Cadieux was the director of marketing and public relations for the BC Paraplegic Association from 2004 until 2009. She was also the provincial peer coordinator for this organization from 2001 until 2004.
Ms. Cadieux is a member of the disability community, using a wheelchair since the age of 18. Her lived experience allows her to have a deep understanding of accessibility issues faced by people with disabilities.
Pamela Zevit
Biodiversity Conservation Planner, City of Surrey, BC
Pamela is a Registered Professional Biologist with a career focus on species at risk, biodiversity conservation, environmental literacy and landscape ecology. Her work has been centered on the South Coast of BC and broader provincial conservation issues since 1995, first as a Conservation Planner for the Province of BC and after leaving the Province in 2004, as an independent adviser, researcher and consultant. Starting in 2010, Pamela took on the role as Program Coordinator for the South Coast Conservation Program until she began a new phase of her career in 2019 as the Biodiversity Conservation Planner for the City of Surrey.
Al Jublitz
Rotary Peace Action Group Co-Founder
A native Oregonian, Al graduated from Yale University (BS) in 1966 and received his MBA from the University of Oregon, School of Business two years later. His business career spanned numerous assignments with Jubitz Corporation in Portland, Oregon, including growing the DAT Services division over 20 years prior to its sale in 2001 when he established his foundation.
As President and Founder of the Jubitz Family Foundation, Al oversees its grantmaking and partnerships with organizations that foster peacebuilding and environmental stewardship. The Foundation’s main program, the War Prevention Initiative, is active in the academic research of peace science and is challenged by Al’s goal to prevent all war by the year 2030. In support of that goal Al co-founded the Rotary Action Group for Peace in 2012 and continues to work through Rotary on various peacebuilding initiatives.
A third generation Rotarian, he is Past President and remains an active member of the Rotary Club of Portland (Oregon, USA). Al joined Rotary in 1977 and is a member of the Arch Klumph Society.
Additional presenters include Drew Kessler, Rotary International Director; Chistiana Flessnor, Chair of the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation; Hillary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands for the State of Washington; Keith Carlson, PhD., Indigenous & Community Engaged History Director, University of Fraser Valley; Lisa Townsend, City of Surrey, BC; and, David Brown, Environmental Consultant & Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of North Delta.
In addition to the fantastic speakers, there will be a variety of musical talents from around the world. And we can tell you there will be an opportunity for the audience to participate in Zumba lessons!
Here is the Hotel registration information for the District Conference:
SHERATON VANCOUVER GUILDFORD HOTEL (a Marriott property) 15269 104TH AVENUE SURREY, BC V3R 1N5 604-582-9288 You are responsible to make your own hotel room reservations.
GUESTROOM BOOKING INFO: The Sheraton Guildford Hotel is offering a discounted rate just for you! The rate goes up on 19 April!! This special FLEXIBLE rate not only includes parking and Wi-Fi but can be cancelled up to 48 hours prior to arrival. To book your room today please click the link below or call 800-587-3038 to speak to one of our in-house reservation team members. Book your group rate for Rotary Club District Conference 2023
Join us for our meal packing event on Saturday, 22 April at 9:00 AM at the Assumption Gymnasium, 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham. The event is a synchronized assembly line where individuals place the ingredients into a plastic bag. The meals will be sent to countries facing hunger and starvation. This year they will go to Sierra Leone. Each meal costs USD 0.29 and we are planning on packing over 30,000 meals. We need 100 people to pack this amount of food in three hours, so please consider joining us in this truly wonderful and rewarding event. Family members are welcomed.
Westside WhidbeyCelia Black
The Rotary Club of Whidbey Westside invites you to attend our First Annual Westside Derby Day, Saturday, 22 April 2023, from 5-9 pm at the Bayview Community Hall, Langley, WA. This fundraiser supports Rotary grants, programs, and projects in our community and the world.
This isn't Churchill Downs, and the horses are of the stick variety, but the racing and the wagering (21+) are all very real! So, don your favorite fascinator or your best Derby hat (there will be a prize!) and join us for a day at the races!
With a generous assortment of lite bites, two drink tickets (beer, wine, or mint julep), and a signature souvenir Derby glass. Food by Sullivan Unlimited and beverages provided by local Whidbey Island purveyors. Join the fun and place your bets (wagering for adults 21+).
We even have something for all the bourbon lovers out there. No need to venture off to the Kentucky Bourbon trail, have an authentic bourbon tasting experience at the Rotary Westside Derby. Our Rotary bourbon experts will guide you on a sensory journey as you taste your way across three distinctive spirits. (Cost: $20)
Get your tickets now to the Westside derby! Horse racing, mint juleps and bourbon tasting all for a great cause. Click for tickets.
So, get your tickets now, mark your calendars, and join us 22 April 2 for a night to remember!
Imagine joining RI President Jennifer Jones and thousands of Rotarians in Melbourne, Australia for the Rotary International Convention. PDG Sean Hogan is organizing interested Rotarians and friends to join him. There will be optional pre- and post-Convention tours.
The pre-Convention trip starts 17 May in Sydney. Options include a walking tour of the Rocks with the Opera House, Sydney Harbour, Hunter Valley wine tour, Darling Harbour and more. We then fly to Uluru (formerly Ayer’s Rock) to see the sacred red sandstone at sunrise and sunset. Then off to visit the city of Adelaide, including a day trip to Kangaroo Island.
We arrive in Melbourne on 27 May for the start of the Convention. We will end the convention with the traditional Rotary District 5050 get together, following the closing ceremony.
The post-Convention tour is in Cairns, to visit the Great Barrier Reef, including a day trip to Kuranca by scenic rail and gondola and a visit to Port Douglas/Mossman. On our way home, Bonnie and I will be heading to Fiji – because you just need a relaxing break after all that touring.
Last month, you'll recall that I mentioned a change to British Columbia law regarding motor vehicle accidents and the need for non-residents to carry insurance cards with additional language. First off, I'm excited that you are reading all of the way through the Journal. Second, after I received some concerned feedback about this, I asked my source to check further. Turns out the information came from the national office of the source's insurance company. However, it was shared with me, that it may take the BC Government a while to "get the process fixed." My source and I are not sure what this means. What I can tell you though is that you should continue to travel across the border by motor vehicle. don't worry about the "additional language" for your vehicle's insurance cards...yet.
Now, with that out of the way, who's going to next month's District Conference? Will we see you there? Jack Rae, Conference Chair and his team have put together a great event with quality speakers from both sides of the 49th Parallel. As noted by Governor Raj, the hotel has agreed to extend the reduced rate through 18 April. Get your reservation in now! And register for the Conference! A gentleman Rotarian is willing to share his hotel room with another gentleman Rotarian for the Conference. Contact the Editor for more information.
House of Friendship Ask
For the Conference, the House of Friendship is seeking Clubs to display their projects that focused on one of these three subject areas: 1) Environment, 2) Peace, 3) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. If your Club's project is related to one of these topics, please contact House of Friendship Chair Lindagene Coyle to make arrangements for your display. If a Club did a project that supported accessibility please let Lindagene know that as well.
Check out the events that Clubs are doing this month. RC Bellingham needs much support for their meal prep day. If you're in the area please lend a hand. Then you can head over to Whidbey Island for Whidbey Westside's Derby. Tell us at the Conference how both events went.
Speaking of events, if you want your Club's program, initiative, fundraiser and success story to be seen by the entire District (and our friends outside of the District), send us the information! With graphics or photos. And please make sure you identify everyone in the photos. Remember, the deadline is the 23rd of the month before publication. Thank you to those that are sending material. Best to use the Story Submittal forms available at the District website and photos should be separate in jpeg format with everyone identified.
How are you exemplifying the Rotary motto -- Service Above Self?
Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment,
until it becomes a memory.
PS: Did you hear? Miss Vicky is going to ride again!!
David Lukov, District 5050 Governor-Elect
The
Peace Arch Journal
This monthly publication is a service to District Members and Friends. It is intended as a source of news and opinion from throughout the District.
The mission of the Peace Arch Journal is to promote communication, understanding, fellowship and fun beyond club meetings, in a manner complementary to shared efforts at placing Service Above Self.
Please send articles and news with or without pictures attached to emails. Photographs are always a plus! Note that the editor appreciates conservation of space in order to meet the sender’s needs and the editor’s time.
The deadline is the 23rd of the month.
Address any and all information to the Peace Arch Journal Editor.