On behalf of the You Wear it Well Executive Committee, I would like to extend an invitation for you to attend our Preview Event on Sunday, March 4, from 9:30 - 10:00 AM. We like to invite our sponsors to attend a preview of our Boutique Day event, before the students arrive, so that you can see what we do and how your generous support helps to make our event a success. If you are interested and have some time to spare that morning, we'd love to see you there!

With sincere thanks for your support,

Darcey

You Wear it Well...Just for Grads

Executive Committee

www.youwearitwell.org

www.facebook.com/pg/You-Wear-It-Well-169371206459233

Current total membership - 34

Attending total - 25

Members attending total - 21

Welcome to our guests: Jill Toews, Jacquesline Goodman, Tess Whiddifield, Victor Xavier

District 5040 has committed to be a Peace Builder District donating $25,000 for Rotary Peace Centers to educate Peace Fellows through Rotary Peace Fellowship programs.  A presentation officially will be at the Presidential Conference on February 9 to 11, 2018.

It is the District Peace Committee's vision to have all D5040 clubs become Peace Builder clubs.  One of the criteria to be a Peace builder club is for the club to have a designated Peace Champion to represent the club at District Peace meetings and to share peace related information with club members.

Currently in D5040, there are 9 clubs who have a designated Peace Champion. Lizz Kelly has volunteered to be Royal City's Peace Champion. If any other member is interested, contact Gloria Staudt. For further information about the criteria for being a Peace Builder club or to designate a Peace Champion, please see Gloria Staudt.

Hello dear Monica and Rotary!
First of all, I'm sorry to hear about Mabel. I met her a few times, and will remember her as such a kind person, with a good heart.

I'm thinking of all of you every day, and sending my best thoughts to Alana and Palmer. I hope he will get well soon.

I've been meaning to write to you for a while, and have been trying to reach Hansi and Tom as well through email, but I'm not sure they recieved it :)
Anyway, thought it was time for me to give all of you wonderful people an update of what is going on in my life.

I got accepted into a music institute in Berlin, called BIMM institute (British and Irish Modern Music Institute), and I'm moving this summer, to stay there for at least three years.
I'm so excited about it and about getting to focus more on music and singing! I have a sister in Berlin, whose family I don't get to see that often, so that's another plus by moving down there!

In the meantime, I'm finishing school next week, with my last final. Then we have a tradition in Denmark, where the new graduates, get a smart hat, kinda thing, and we get to flaunt it around town, and show everyone that we're new graduates! Can't wait to wear mine!

My mom got diagnosed with cancer in the end of november, last year. It was a bit of a surprise, and hit me quite hard. Luckily they found it in time, and very early on it the stages, so she is now almost cancer free, just waiting a few more months before it's certain. But things are looking up :)

I strictly told myself not to fall in love, nor to engage in any kind of relationship with anyone for the next 5 years, to be able to focus completely on music... but as everybody knows: you can't plan you future completely, and fate wanted me to meet the man of my dreams in march. So I am no longer single, and hope to never be single again. He's the kindest soul I've ever met, and I'm hoping to bring him to Vancouver in a couple of years, or maybe next summer!

So quite a lot has happened, I am the happiest I've been for quite some time, (not that I wasn't happy before, I certainly was) :)
I hope that all of you are doing great! Know that I miss you guys so much, and love you! I am still both grateful and so incredibly happy that I got to spend my year with you guys, and that for all that you've done for me!
Hope to hear from you soon!

All my love
your danish Julie

Thank you to Monica Woldring and Kelly Lum for keeping the Royal City Rotary club visible in our community with our annual participation in the New Westminster Santa Parade on Saturday December 3, 2016.  Fortunately it did not rain and so we decorated on route in our assigned spot.  Thank you to Andrew Lockhead for the backup use of your OK Tire store to decorate indoors in case it rained. 

The crowd was great, waving enthusiastically and attentively and taking pictures of our club banner. The announcer even noted our club website stated on the banner and Monica noted that the crowd was the largest she had seen in years.  Rick Molstad was also in the parade. Club members Sandy, Paige and Olivia Freeman, as well as Rob and family were spotted among the crowd.  Next year, we would love to see more members and our exchange students participate for our clubs presence in the New Westminster community.

Stay warm and dry.

Robert Whitelaw and Gloria Staudt attended the District's Foundation seminar at the Wosk Center downtown on Saturday October 22, 2016.  They met the 2017 Rotary International President Ian Riseley and his wife Juliet from Australia. Robert and Gloria shared the following FYIs and will share more in the coming weeks:

• The Rotary Foundation(TRF) in 2017 will be 100 years old.
• The first contribution was $26.50 and has since given over $3 billion all over the world.
• Two examples of how clubs are celebrating include making bottles of wine and selling them for $26.50/bottle and performing 100 kind deeds.
• Generally clubs need to do a better job of marketing the impact of the funds we raise for programs, both locally and internationally.
• Charity Navigator evaluated charity organizations in the US and rated The Rotary Foundation in the top three with a score of 100. They examined performance in two broad areas, financial health and accountability & transparency.
• 50% of our donations to the Annual Fund Share of The Rotary Foundation comes back to our district, available to us through club grants for our programs. Last year that was $87,000. The other 50% goes to the World Fund. 

God's Hope­ was founded in partnership between Haitian Elisee Augustin and Canadian Greg Brady. They first met in March 2009 and began discussing the possibility of starting a school in January 2010, shortly before the devastating earthquake. Despite the tragedy, the plans for the school went forward, and the grand opening was held under tarps in a vacant lot that September with approximately 70 students in attendance.

Mid-way through the first year a local church offered use of their space to the school, rent-free, in exchange for assistance in improving and expanding the building. We have been working with them ever since.

Here is what they have to say:

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and the fourth poorest in the entire world and has had a slow recovery since the 2010 earthquake. The Worldbank states that over half of the country’s population is living in poverty and over 26% live in extreme poverty. World Vision cites that 80% live below the poverty line. Sources vary, but usually cite the average daily income as less than $2.00 US/ day. Statistics usually indicate a 50% literacy rate. Compare that with greater than 95% for developed countries. 

We do not charge tuition unlike most other schools in the country. The families simply cannot afford it and many children would not be in school otherwise. Most of our students did not attend school prior to the opening of God’s Hope. Our school comprises 3 levels of kindergarten through grade 6, which is the highest grade in the Haitian system of elementary school.


We provide government created textbooks, and supplies as we are able. We have received generous donations of school supplies for both students and teachers, but are limited to either taking them personally, or sending money to have them purchased there, as shipment of goods to the country is unpredictable and expensive. Often the simple supplies such as paper and pens can be more expensive in Haiti due to the fact that most items are imported.

Each year the students are provided with one golf-style tee shirt and are responsible for having their own blue skirt or pair of pants. Many times their skirts or pants are ill-fitting or somewhat ragged. Their shoes are whatever they can manage.

Medical Aid

We also provide funds for the students to receive medical treatment when necessary. Health care is often unaffordable for families in the Juvenat area and many times the children go untreated. God’s Hope School has a medical fund that allows the Director to take students needing medical care to the local clinics and purchase medicines as needed. We keep the fund topped up so the Director can take children as needed. Through this fund we have treated many children over the last few years with a great range of illnesses including dehydration, malnutrition, typhoid, malaria, and infectious scalp conditions. 

Lunches

At this time we provide lunch for the students three times each week. As it becomes financially possible we hope to increase the number of meals a week and nutritional quality of those meals. 

Job Creation

We employ 6 teachers, one Director (or Principal) and one Administrator (Secretary). Their salaries are very small by western standards and we have increased them as we can afford to and provide annual Christmas bonuses. These staff members are very dedicated to the children and pleased to have gainful employment.

Hansi Natzke spoke on Youth Programs

Hansi gave an update to our club on the Youth Programs offered by Rotary.

RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and is a leadership program coordinated by Rotary Clubs around the globe. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. Young people ages 14–30 are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the club's district committee. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential. Rotary Clubs and the Rotary District cover all expenses for the participants. The format of the event vary from district to district, but commonly take the form of a seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum.

RYLA aims to:

·         Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth;

·         Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders;

·         Encourage leadership of youth by youth;

·         Recognise publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.

Every RYLA program covers the following core topics:

·         Fundamentals of leadership

·         Ethics of positive leadership

·         Importance of communication skills in effective leadership

·         Problem-solving and conflict management

·         Rotary's purpose and service to the community

·         Building self-confidence and self-esteem

·         Elements of community and global citizenship

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.

Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community.

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of

·         Developing leadership skills and personal integrity

·         Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others

·         Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work

·         Advancing international understanding and goodwill

As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 340,000 young people are involved in Interact.

Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a Rotary International student exchange program for students in secondary school. Since 1929, Rotary International has sent young people around the globe to experience new cultures. Currently, about 9,000 students are sponsored by Rotary clubs every year. Typically, students are sent to another country for a year-long stay, generally living with multiple host families during the year and being expected to perform daily tasks within the household as well as attend school in the host country.  Short term exchange programs are also quite common. These typically involve direct student exchanges between two families arranged through Rotary to coincide with major school holiday periods.

The Rotarians that participate in the program are volunteers. Many Rotarians are involved in various aspects of the youth exchange program including student selection, compliance with immigration and Rotary regulations, hosting, and supporting students. Each student is sponsored by a Rotary Club and Rotary District in their home country and is hosted by a Rotary Club and Rotary District in their host country. Most districts have a chair for the Rotary Youth Exchange program and some also have committees. Each Rotary Club that hosts a student SHOULD provide a Rotarian counselor for the student who is the student's contact person within the club and provides support to the student when needed (this does not always happen). Some districts are very active and host and send many students, other districts are less active and host fewer students. Some clubs do not even invite host students to attend weekly meeting while other clubs will actively encourage the students to attend.

The parent Rotary organization, Rotary International, has instituted a Certification Program which assesses individual RYE programs with a primary focus on quality control and student safety. Rotary groups are not permitted to participate in RYE programs without first obtaining RI Certification.

Events for students vary from country to country and district to district, but exchange students may often be able to visit other parts of their host country and sometimes other countries while on exchange with their host families, schools, or Rotary. Many districts organize tours for the students they host, which may include weekend trips to nearby cities, tours of the host country that may last several weeks, and many students in Europe have the opportunity to take part in Eurotours which visit many countries and last two to four weeks. However, like most exchange programs, the primary purpose of Rotary Youth Exchange is to provide a cultural and academic exchange and significant independent travel by students is therefore not allowed.

Today, many Rotary Exchange students can be recognized by their Rotary Youth Exchange blazer. While most countries recommend navy blue, the blazer may also be dark green, red, black, or maroon. The colour of the blazer usually depends on which country or region the exchange student is from. One Rotary tradition is that students cover their blazers in pins and patches they have traded with other students or bought in places they have visited as evidence of their exchange.

Before students are sent abroad they attend orientation at Quest University in Squamish. Students get drilled what to do and not to do. Parents are taught how to deal with problems and new situations and both parents and students are subjected to 3 days of training.

Rebounds are students who have spent a year abroad on the Rotary Youth Exchange program and return home for their "rebound year." This is a year of transition for them, as they reflect on the changes they have undergone in their host country as they focus on reintegrating into their home culture, school, friendship circles and social networks. While the Rebounds are excited to share their experiences from their year abroad, this time may be a confusing one for them. Many find they are now a part of two cultures: their host culture and home culture.

Our commitment to the Rebound students is to provide a support network as they go through this transitional year. In the fall, after their exchange year, Rebounds are invited to an orientation where they can share their experiences with fellow Rebounds who understand their joys and challenges. We provide a facilitator to work with the Rebounds, in exercises where they explore ways they've changed, and discuss ways to translate their exchange experience into their lives back at home and future goals. When possible, a social worker is available for kids who have had particular challenges on their exchange year.

It is our hope that the Rebounds will transition from students who are served and helped by RYE, to a group who is serving and helping us and others. We ask Rebounds to work with their sponsoring clubs to recruit and train prospective Outbound students, help provide orientation for Inbound students in their community, and participate in their sponsoring Rotary club's service projects. They are asked to share their experiences from abroad with their club and community, and to continue to be outstanding representatives of the program. Students who excel in these areas are invited to the Winter Orientation, to serve as trainers and role models for Inbounds and Outbounds. At the same time, many Rebounds enjoy the chance to strengthen friendships in their Rebound class, and expand their Rotary connections and network.

All Rotarians are encouraged to get their criminal record check complete, in order to better facilitate the program.

Get your criminal record check completed online here:

https://justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC/home.htm

1. Club Members currently not Paul Harris Fellows, who have contributed greatly to our club for several years. The criteria for first time recognition will satisfy a majority of the following:

• A member in good standing for minimum of 2 years.
• Has served as an active board member or active committee chair for a minimum of one full year, during which time they have shown commitment to their responsibilities.
• Active participation in and supportive of the club’s service and fellowship activities.
• A record of regular attendance (a minimum target of 60%) although personal circumstances  that preclude regular attendance may be taken into consideration
• Supportive of The Rotary Foundation through annual personal  donations

2. Club members who are already Paul Harris Fellows, who are worthy of additional recognition for their outstanding and ongoing contributions to Rotary within the club and at the district level, or who have made significant contributions in the community outside of Rotary. This would take second place to those being considered for first time PHFs and only when other awards such as Four Avenues of Service, DG Awards, etc. were not an option.

3. Non- Rotarians who have made significant contributions to Rotary or to the community where these contributions have been outstanding and supportive of the ideals of Rotary International. Such an award would promote a greater awareness of Rotary or Service within the community.

Danison:  refood.ca

Danison is an entrepreneur. His story is explained on CBC Vancouver TV, New Westminster Record, CBC radio, philippinecanadiannews.com, Epochtimes.com, cbc.com, and other publications.

Since entering the restaurant industry eight years ago, Buan has seen a lot of perfectly good food go to landfills. Fruit and vegetables discarded by grocery stores because they were bruised or misshapen and didn't make a pleasing display in the produce section. Other products pitched because they were nudging up against their Best Before date.

In the industry, that's called "excess food." To Buan, that's a waste.

So the owner of the Golphi's restaurant on 12th Street recently applied for, and was awarded, one of three ONE prizes offered by Donald's Market and the River Market to fund worthy community-building projects.

Buan will use the $2,000 prize money to launch Refood to steer excess food away from the disposal bins to local groups serving seniors and families in need, or inner city schools, via his own restaurant's commercial kitchen.

That's where Buan will collaborate with other local chefs to concoct simple recipes to turn bruised or ripening produce into safe, delicious fare like smoothies that can be frozen and easily stored.

High school students will be enlisted to help collect the raw ingredients from participating grocery stores and markets, and then distribute the resulting dishes to social service agencies.

Buan said recent changes to municipal bylaws to divert organic waste from landfills into composting programs is causing many grocery stores and markets to rethink how they deal with excess food.

"Grocery stores' compost bills are rising because of new laws," said Buan. "By reducing the amount of food that is collected for compost, it reduces their cost."

It also makes them more socially responsible.

"The food is going to a good use," said Buan.

Photo Credit:  Wendy Scott

Rotary International no longer has the Ambassador Program.  

In Germany,​ seven clubs in ​District 1842 modeled the program under a​ Scholarship Program​ to send Katharina out to us.  

​Remember not to refer to her as an​ Ambassador Scholar, as now for all intents and purposes ​she is technically a R​otary S​cholar from Germany as part of the Global Gr​ant System.

Katharina is from Munich, Germany. Interesting point about there is no building is permitted​ to be built taller than certain height. So won't find the same skyscrapers like we do here. She has done a lot of traveling to different countries.

​She is now in Vancouver and studies Architecture at UBC as part of the Rotary Global Grants System.

​Welcome Katharina, and thanks for your presentation!​

Hi:

This email is to let you know that there will be a container loading Saturday, February 20, 9:00am, at Riverview.   We could really use your help.

This shipment is going to Nicaragua and is being sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vancouver.

Lizz introduced our speaker, Neely Hazell who works for Fraser Works Co-Op, the New Westminster WorkBC Employment Centre, which is conveniently located between the Union Jack Public House and private Liquor Store on 7th Street between the Royal City Centre Mall and Belmont Street. 

Neely is the Community Relations Coordinator at Fraser Works Co-Op.

Fraser Works Co-op is New Westminster’s one and only WorkBC Employment Services Centre. WorkBC Employment Services Centres are funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia to deliver the Employment Program of British Columbia (EPBC). If you live outside of the New Westminster catchment area, you can find your local WorkBC Employment Services Centre by visiting www.WorkBCCentres.ca. If you are a Burnaby resident, check out Fraser Works Co-op in Burnaby.

The EPBC, delivered by Fraser Works Co-op, offers no cost employment services, programs, information, and supports to all New Westminster residents seeking employment. The purpose of delivering the EPBC is to aid job seekers in obtaining employment as fast as possible. At Fraser Works Co-op, we aim to get job seekers connected to the labour market, ensure clients receive appropriate employment services in alignment with current labour market information, and make certain that labour market services are in accordance with the needs and opportunities presented by New Westminster and local employers. Fraser Works Co-op annually composes a Community and Employer Partnerships Plan in order to best address the needs of New Westminster, offer exceptional programs and services, and connect job seekers to the labour market. If it is training,financial supports, job development, apprenticeship training, self employment, or job search support you are seeking, Fraser Works Co-op may be your solution!