This week’s meeting started with honouring the legacies of past members Mary Laing and Dan Gallant - both long-time Rotarians whose dedication and kindness left lasting impacts on our club and Rotary World Help.
During the meeting, the Rotary Club of Vancouver proudly inducted two new members: Dr. Alexandra Carter and John Clerides.
Dr. Carter is a registered child psychologist specializing in neurodiverse children and their families, while John is a local wine business veteran with a passion for sports.
Each new member was introduced to the club, assigned a mentor (Stephanie Lawton for Alexandra and Peter Clarke for John), and warmly welcomed into our Rotary family and global network.
The club spotlighted its spirit of support, camaraderie, and the many opportunities available for new members to get involved and make a difference.
Another highlight was the presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow Award to Kim Lepp - for the prestigious exceptional generosity and steadfast commitment to Rotary & the Rotary Foundation. President Joan highlighted the award’s significance, noting its namesake and the impact of the Foundation’s highly-rated charitable work.
Our members expressed deep gratitude to Kim for embodying Rotary’s values through her philanthropic leadership and dedication to service.
Emil, a grade 12 student of Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School and Rotary Youth Exchange participant, shared highlights from his year-long adventure in Japan.
He described a warm welcome from the Sapporo Rotary Club, adjusting to life with multiple host families, and developing close bonds—especially through shared interests like karate and gaming.
Emil took part in traditional Japanese archery, karate tournaments, and school rugby, fully immersing himself in the culture and school life.
He recounted memorable travels across Japan, learning the language, making international friends, and even going viral on TikTok due to a humorous family moment.
Emil expressed deep appreciation for the consistent support provided by Rotary, including encouragement in learning Japanese and opportunities for memorable service projects. He credited the exchange for helping him grow personally, experience a new culture firsthand, and create lasting friendships—thanking Rotary for this life-changing opportunity.
Lastly - we had our members & Co-Chairs William Law and Graham Fox give an update on this year's Rotary Ride for Hearing.
June 14 is the big day at Stanley Park! Save the Date!
This year’s ride will follow the scenic and safe route through the park, with expanded access and more time for participants. Registration numbers and funds raised are already up—thanks in part to a new, user-friendly fundraising platform called FunRaisin.
They encouraged everyone to participate, seek sponsors, and consider volunteer opportunities, noting special early-bird registration fees and a newly designed event jersey.
The Ride for Hearing remains one of the Rotary Club’s key fundraisers, supporting a great cause and building club spirit.