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We will be donating $1,000 towards the Ron Brent School "100 hampers for 100 families" program to support kids and their families during the 2023 holiday season! (Nov 28, 2023)
Rotary has recently provided $1560 of funding for the Tovertafel Table at Simon Fraser Lodge. The Tovertafel (“magic table”), promotes more joyful, social connections for seniors living with dementia through its wide range of interactive games. Developed with seniors and care professionals, the games are designed to suit different stages of dementia and times of the day. Such as family visits and sundowning. The Tovertafel is proven to be effective at physical, cognitive, social and sensory levels. By stimulating physical, social, and cognitive activity, the Tovertafel promotes moments of happiness in caregiving for seniors with dementia and improves their well-being. Stimulating physical activity in elderly people with dementia is especially important as they often don’t get enough exercise in nursing homes. The Tovertafel is a great tool for making physical activity fun! (Nov 28, 2023)
Drone footage taken of the Rotary & David Douglas Botanical Gardens last week. We are done for the season with only minor things left to do. Now that the limestone has been laid, this provides a better image of the enormity of the projects. Note that this is only the start of the DDBG and will expand much, much further than pictured. Rotary ⚙️
Seven of us from three Clubs put the finishing touches on the Rotary Gardens today. We moved more dirt for the perimeter flower beds, pounded in some more rebar and put up the temporary gazebo that was donated to us. A larger permanent wooden structure will be built in the spring when the planting begins. We are looking to raise $5000 to cover material costs so if you would wish to donate please reach out to our Club at info@pgroraty.ca. Below us, you can see Phase 2a of the botanical gardens with the groundwork complete and the shale pathways in. This will be a multi year project that will eventually stretch to university way. All of this will become a legacy project for the community and visitors alike to enjoy for decades to come. ROTARY 💪⚙️ (Photos taken Sept 23, 2023)
Miss Vicky’s Road Rally passes through PG!
“Our "Miss Vicky" will again be joining Rally the Globe for its 12,000 km (~7,600 mile) Alaska to Mexico Endurance Road Rally. Building on her success in the Peking to Paris rally of 2019, Miss Vicky, a 92 year old Model A Ford, will "go the distance" to prove that difficulty things are possible - even ridding the world of the polio virus. Join us for the event and help make history by contributing to the cause. Every penny raised goes directly to Rotary's PolioPlus program. A single penny per mile ($76.00 USD) is matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation. Help Rotary meet its $50 million dollar annual pledge to eliminate polio forever.” — Lee Harvey
$35,298 USD has been raised of the $100,000 USD goal. Donate now and Share! https://raise.rotary.org/MissVicky/challenge/checkout#beneficiary
Today we hammered the last spike into the 25th planter at the Rotary Gardens. Items next on the agenda will be the gazebo, completion of the entrance archway and a raised wheelchair access planter, not to mention a lot of limestone to be wheelbarrowed in for the pathways. 💪⚙️ (Photo taken Aug 30, 2023)
Short Term Exchange Students, Olivia (outbound) and Madeleine (inbound) talking about their exchanges in Belgium/Canada. Each take turns visiting the other’s country for a month over the summer break to experience the culture and see the sights. In the top left, Long Term Exchange Student, Lynn, recently arrived from Germany, is presenting her Rotary Club banner to President Gary Wilson. She will be billeted in Canada for 10 months here in PG. In the top middle, Short Term Exchange Student Madeleine (inbound) presenting her Belgian Rotary Club banner to President Gary Wilson. In the top right, Short Term Exchange Student Lea (inbound) presenting her Belgian Rotary Club banner to President Gary Wilson. Group photos of all the inbound and outbound students shown with Toni Stedeford, Exchange Student Coordinator and Gary Wilson, Club President. (Photos taken Aug 22, 2023)
Shandel Bergen, our Club’s outbound exchange student for 2023/2024 receiving her student jacket by Toni Stedeford, Youth Exchange Coordinator. Shandel will be staying with her host family there for almost a year and will be immersed into the Italian culture. Buon viaggio! (Picture taken Aug 8, 2023)
We recently were visited by our Club’s inbound exchange student from 1982, Tracey Ritchie Watermeyer, who mentioned this program has built family friendships that have spanned now into its third generation. She originally was from Capetown South Africa and now resides with her husband in New Zealand.
The Rotary and David Douglas Botanical Gardens are coming to life! The pictures show all the progress made since shovels were put into the ground on June 25th, only one month ago. (Pictures taken July 22, 2023)
This morning we were a well oiled machine and got another 3 1/2 planter boxes completed. (Picture taken July 29, 2023)
We want to congratulate Gary Wilson for earning his Paul Harris recognition for exemplary service above self and his commitment to the Rotary Foundation. Gary is our recently elected President (right) being awarded his pin by Lorne Calder, Past District Governor (left). Picture taken on July 18, 2023.
The International Convention is being held in Calgary on June 21-25 2025 where Rotarians from all around the world can connect, learn from what other Clubs are doing and celebrate our achievements just a year away! (Picture: July 7, 2023)
We want to welcome Habibur to our Club. He was a past Rotaractor who wanted to return to Rotary and give back to the community he lives in. Habibur is shown being inducted by our newly-appointed president Gary Wilson on his very first meeting as President. (Picture: July 4, 2023)
With shovels in the ground, Rotarians from the four Clubs in Prince George started the work to build a dream that has been years in the making. Electrical and waterlines were buried, sand and dirt was moved and the first 2 of the 22 commercial-grade treated wood planter boxes were built. The vision to build Rotary Gardens and the David Douglas Botanical Gardens is starting to take shape. (Pictures from Work Bee #1 on June 25, 2023)
Rotary took pride in participating in the National Indigenous Peoples Day in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park yesterday. One of Rotary’s seven focuses is peace, where we foster greater understanding and deepen relationships. Lorne Calder (Past District Governor), Gary Wilson (President Elect of the Downtown Rotary Club) and Kathy Carlson (President of the Nechako Rotary Club) shown. Photo taken by Steve Henderson, Rotary NIPD Organizer for our Club. These were but a few volunteers from the four Rotary Clubs here in Prince George who participated in the celebration. (Picture from June 21, 2023)
The first tree was planted yesterday marking the groundbreaking for the David Douglas Botanical Gardens up at UNBC. This is a multi-phase joint project between the Rotary clubs of Prince George and the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society. As part of this great endeavour, the Rotary Community Gardens will be built next to the PG Botanical Gardens which will enable local citizens to grow their own vegetables. This will be yet another sustainable project for in our community, providing not only local enjoyment but added tourism dollars to our economy in the not-so-distant future. Picture from June 16, 2023)
Lucie Briard, our exchange student from Belgium, graduating from PGSS. This will be her second high school graduation as she had graduated from high school in Belgium last year. A rare distinction for anyone! Carol Hansson presented flowers to her at our weekly meeting. (Pictures from June 2, 2023)
Jenny DeReis, MC Psych, RCC from Validity Counselling being inducted by Martin Meyer, Club Secretary. (Picture from June 6, 2023)
Today a cheque for $10,000 was presented to Jay Lazzarin and Patrick Olivier of Yellowhead Rotary for the construction of the new Rotary Community Gardens and David Douglas Botanical Gardens up at UNBC. This is an exciting capital project which will provide those without access to their own gardens an opportunity to grow their own fresh vegetables. (Picture from May 9, 2023)
Toni Stedeford and Past District Governor, Lorne Calder, presenting Rod Holmes the Don Evans People of Action award. This is awarded to Rotarians who provide the Club and the community with outstanding service. (Picture from May 9, 2023)
To everyone who had a hand in The 2023 Kitchen Party. Well Done! Outstanding is what people were saying and will you be holding another next year! You Betcha Boy! (Pictures from April 15, 2023)
We would like to welcome our newest members, Morgan Roney (left) and Sheila Blackstock (2nd from right) who were inducted by Lorne Calder, Past District Governor (2nd from left) and Lanita Horning, Club President (Right).
Congratulations to Gerry Knechtel (right) who earned his Major Donor pin, presented by Lorne Calder, Past District Governor. This recognition is awarded to Club Members upon reaching their 10th Paul Harris level with Rotary International.
Today, Lucie Briard, our inbound exchange student, gave a presentation on her home country, Belgium. She later presented president Lanita Horning with a banner from her club in Namur. A banner from our Club here in Prince George was presented to Lucie to bring back to Belgium with her.
We are happy and honoured to welcome Susan Hollister (right) to our Club, inducted by our Club President, Lanita Horning (left). Susan has a background in Human Resources and provides leadership coaching and consulting to middle/upper managers/management.
On January 23rd, our very own Kevin Beatty was presented the Major Donor Award pin by our Past District President, Lorne Calder, for making the milestone of lifetime contributions totalling $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation. The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. Congratulations Kevin and thank you for all your support!
The Rotary Club of PG recently donated funds to Harwin School to purchase a new oven and a new conveyor toaster to support their breakfast program. Seen above is Vice Principal T.J. Grisedale, parent and Indiginous Education Worker Larissa Montgomery, and Rotarian Gary Wilson. June 7, 2022
Our Rotary club hosts an online bingo every Wednesday evening. To buy tickets go to the following link: http://www.Rotarybingo.ca and to participate in the live feed go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/rotarybingo/
Brett Wilson (right) was inducted into the Rotary Club of Prince George on March 1, 2022 by Rod Holmes, President (left) and Lorne Calder, District Governor (center).
Rotarian Mindy Stroet explaining to the Rotary Club of Prince George how the proceeds from the recent Mega 50/50 Jackpot will be directed towards the new Rotary / PG Community Foundation proposed park project in the city. $187,300 was raised at the February 26, 2022 Cougars game.
The Polio Certificate is given to any club that donates $1,500 or more in a Rotary year to Polio Plus. This is Rotary’s project to eradicate Polio in the world.
Sue was given a Paul Harris Society certificate and chevron. Both Sue and Lorne received their Major Donor level 4 pins/pendant for their donations in excess of $100,000! Way to live and breath Rotary to these generous Rotarians!
Julie Cote was one of the winners of a Homesteader Meats gift certificate. She is seen here with Lanita Horning, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Prince George. Proceeds from the raffle are used by the Rotary club to help support numerous community projects. 24 November 2021. 
Juliet Goveia was inducted as a new member of the Rotary Club of Prince George by President Rod Holmes on 23 November 2021. Welcome Juliet!
President Rod Holmes is shown presenting Lanita Horning with a multiple Paul Harris award. The award recognizes individuals who have contributed US$1000 to the Rotary Foundation. The foundation supports many worthwhile endeavors, including a program to eradicate polio from the world. 
Rob Schuetz receiving a multiple Paul Harris award from president Rod Holmes. 
Past President Matthew Thomson received a citation from District Governor Lorne Calder to acknowledge the club's accomplishments during the term ending June 30, 2021
President Rod Holmes inducted new members Carol and Jon Hansson on September 14, 2021.
Kevin Gemmell was inducted as a new member on August 31, 2021 by District Governor Lorne Calder.
With the Covid restrictions President Matt Thomson and incoming President Rod Holmes have discovered a great way to fundraise safely and have fun with an online weekly bingo. Pictured are regulars who keep things going smoothly Chris & Sarah Calder, President Matt, Kal Basi & President elect Rod. Missing is the photo taker and ball spinner Lanita’s Horning.
Assistant Governor Bill Hellyer Sr. presents District Governor Elect Lorne Calder with his Major Donor Level 3 award which represents a whopping accumulative donation of $50,000.00 to the Rotary Foundation. Lorne acknowledged that it was with his wife Sue's encouragement that they support such a worthy charity in such a grand way. He also let us know they aren't done by a long shot.
District Governor Elect Lorne Calder presents Past President Kevin Beatty an upgrade to his Paul Harris Fellow pin to PHF + 6 which represents an accumulated donation of $7,000 to the excellent Rotary Foundation that helps make our world a much better place.
District Governor Elect Lorne Calder presents a check from the district with a check to President Steve Findlay and Treasurer Chris Calder for the breakfast programs that we do at 3 schools in Prince George. Along with the Sinclair Group we fed breakfast and snacks 20,000 times last year.
A couple of weeks ago we had our Mini Auction at CNC, here are some pictures at the Event!
WE SOLD OUT THE EVENT!!!
This Year we had a new Venue for the Gourmet Gala and Dream Auction hosting it at the Courtyard by Marriott. The event was sold out at 175 people, and we had some great entertainment from Genevieve Jade and DJ Erik Sullivan. MC's Doug Jones from 99.3 the Drive and Afarin Mirzadeh from 101.3 the River kept the festivities moving along smoothly all night. Our Auctioneer Melissa Barcellos kept people on the edge of their seats as we auctioned off our big ticket auction items. And our very own Steve Henderson won the 50/50 and Judy Mason won the fabulous necklace brought to you by Ken's Goldsmithing!
Name: Taryn Forrest
Email address: tgfor03@gmail.com
Host Club Counsellor: Roger Caron
Host Club: Valognes Rotary Club
Sponsor Club: Prince George Downtown
Host Info:
Host Family Name: Jérôme Piard and Marisoll Piard
Host Phone Number: 33 06 82 33 93 96 and 33 06 68 51 14 68
Host Address: 25 Bis Rue du Grand Saint Lin
Do you have a same gender Counsellor: No
Health: For the most part I haven’t been sick, I did have a little cold for a week and a half, but it was just a little sinus cold. I did get some sort of stomach bug which I assume came from the food at the cafeteria. I was sick for the whole weekend and didn’t do much. When I was sick I got pretty homesick because whenever I’m sick my mom is always asking how I’m doing and even if I don’t ask she brings me water and crackers.
School Activities: I haven’t joined any school activities because there’s pretty much nothing to do. I haven’t heard of anything other than Wednesday sports after school, but I don’t really know what that is. I have joined some non-school activities.
Attendance at Rotary Functions: I’ve only been to one Rotary meeting so far, but the meetings are very late, and I am at school from 8:30am to 6:00pm on Thursdays, so going to the meeting every other week could be tiring. I had my orientation the weekend of the 6/7/8 and I met all the exchange students and it was an awesome time. We played some get to know you games and we did a lot of dancing and we talked to each other the best we could.
Activities Outside of Rotary: Like I mentioned before I joined a few after school activities, I joined a volleyball training thing that I was invited to by a classmate. I also joined a basketball team (I don’t know if it’s a team or just a training group). They’re both fun and I enjoy doing something after school.
How often do you interact with your Host Counsellor? How is your relationship with your Host Counsellor? Is there anything you would like to tell us???
I’ve only interacted with my counselor twice, but he seems very kind. I haven’t really talked with him because I don’t see him often, which means I don’t have anything to complain about, I guess.
Comments/Requests/Concerns: Just wanted to mention that I really like my host family and they really make an effort to take me to cool spots around our town and near Cherbourg or Barneville Carteret. I’ve met extended family members from both sides of my host family and they’ve been super awesome and loving.
President Steve Findlay & Past President Toni Stedeford bookend our outbound Student Taryn Forrest who is going to spend the next year of her life in France as part of Rotary's wonderful youth exchange program. Have fun Taryn!
12:10pm every Tuesday at the
Prince George Golf and Curling Club
We would like to acknowledge that we hold our meetings on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Lheidli T'enneh
Other Local Clubs
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1. Friendship - A basic human need: One of the two reasons Paul Harris began Rotary in 1905. Rotarians believe while it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.
2. Business Development - The second original reason for Rotary's beginning. Everyone needs to network. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication, and the opportunity to use it.
3. Personal Growth - Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relations and personal development. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education in Leadership.
4. Fun - Rotary is fun. The club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. And the service is fun. Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide social fun and camaraderie.
5. Youth Programs - Rotary provides one of the world's largest youth exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians, and youth leadership programs.