March 05, 2024 - REGULAR MEETING SPEAKER
Speaker: Camilla Moioli, UBC Researcher Topic: Challenges & opportunities of forest projects for climate change mitigation
Afforestation and reforestation projects offer a dual promise of socio-economic development and climate change mitigation but also come with challenges. On the positive side, these initiatives can significantly reduce atmospheric CO2 levels through carbon sequestration, as trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. This process also supports biodiversity conservation by restoring habitats for various species, contributing to ecological balance. Economically, afforestation can create jobs in tree planting, forest management, and conservation, while also fostering sustainable forest-based industries like ecotourism and the production of non-timber forest products, benefiting local communities. However, implementation of tree planting projects faces several social and environmental challenges. Water usage is a significant concern, especially in arid regions where trees may compete with local agriculture and drinking supplies. The selection of appropriate tree species is crucial to avoid ecological imbalances, such as the introduction of invasive species that can harm native biodiversity. Furthermore, afforestation requires long-term commitment and management to ensure the survival and growth of new forests, necessitating sustained financial and community support. Lastly, land availability can be a challenge, as areas suitable for afforestation may conflict with agricultural or urban development needs, highlighting the importance of careful planning and stakeholder engagement in planning and implementing afforestation projects. Despite these challenges, with thoughtful implementation, afforestation can be a powerful tool for environmental restoration and economic development.
Join us to listen to Camilla Moioli, speak to the topic of the importance of our forests in climate change. Camilla is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of British Columbia’s ERDE (Energy Resources, Development, and Environment) Lab and Forest Action Lab, is conducting multidisciplinary research on forest policies for climate change mitigation.
Reach out to fellow Rotarians and friends who we don't see often to join you. It will be a regular meeting format with a couple of special presentations:
We will be welcoming the IRL Group - William Donnellan, Laura Donnellan & Aaron Lacey - into our Rotary family.
Franco Gallo will be letting us know just what PETS (President Elect Training) was really like.
Mar 12, 2024 CLUB DAY
Member focused
Mar 19, 2024 SPEAKER SERIES
Speaker: Christina de Castell, Chief Librarian & CEO of Vancouver Public Library Topic: Libraries in the Age of the Internet
North American Youth Exchange Network Annual Conference
Mar 07, 2024 8:30AM—Mar 09, 2024 10:00PM
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, 1000 Burrard St., Vancouver
NAYEN offers a unique opportunity for students to learn about different cultures and customs while also improving language skills and gaining valuable insights into international affairs. Whether you are interested in studying abroad, hosting an exchange student, or simply supporting our mission, we invite you to join us in this exciting journey.
All Rotarians and guests are welcome to attend the conference. A virtual option is available. Registration officially closes today, March 1st.
CLICK HERE for more info about NAYEN on the website
If you are able to help out by volunteering at the registration desk or for some other hours during the conference, contact John Hayto asap. Much appreciated.
The team at RYLA South will be hosting a Rotarian/Rotaractor visit day on Saturday, March 30th at YMCA Camp Elphinstone in Gibsons, BC and would like to invite members of the District to attend.
It's a great opportunity for members of the Rotary Family to learn more about one of the biggest Youth Programs in the District and connect with an amazing group of young leaders from across the province. To learn a bit more of RYLA in detail, please check out the video on the District 5040 RYLA page here.
If you're interested and would like to attend, please fill out the online registration form by March 14th, 2024. We will confirm with you via email after this date about your attendance. We also ask that you respect the deadline above and register before the end date, as we need to submit numbers to the venue in advance.
(We will be charged extra for unregistered guests.)
Have you registered yet?
The 2024 District Conference is fast approaching
April 26-28, 2024
@ Terrace, BC
Imagine a journey into the heart of northwestern British Columbia, where the world within is magnificent mountains with teeming inlets, dense forests, and sleeping volcanoes. As you view this breathtaking landscape you connect with your Rotary family to celebrate, open your heart to diverse ways of being.
Experience these ways of being with the peoples of this land in the territories of the Tsimshian, of the Haisla, and of the Nisga'a. Create inspiring memories and adventures into a world within a world, of culture(s) since time immemorial, and of stories as together we Plant Seeds of Peace and Hope.
Come join us in beautiful northwest British Columbia!
Jason Boudreau, President, chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Catherine Darley, Secretary, hosted ZOOM
Jim Evans, Sergeant at Arms, introduced guests
President’s Announcements:
Welcome to our guests, new and returning, as well as our own members who have taken time out of busy schedules to attend. We are grateful to see new faces, remember guests are ALWAYS welcome at our meetings.
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Members' moments and special presentations:
Franz Gehriger promoted the 2024 Ride for Hearing. The goal is to exceed all past events in the number of riders, volunteers, and donations. It will be an event not to be missed. Please sign up to participate – if not riding then please volunteer. A minimum of 60-70 volunteers are needed. That’s a good percentage of our club, the hope is that all members will participate in one way or another.
Phil Webber continued by promoting the family ride portion of the event. Kids can organize teams, e.g., school teams or extended family teams, to get more involved. What a great way to show them how they can give back while having fun at the same time. He mentioned that if the family ride doesn’t fit for you and the full ride is too much then Michael Woolnough is a good person to talk to about splitting up the ride – you don’t have to do the whole 100 kms on your own.
Phil let us know that Paul McCrea is struggling a bit right now with some health issues that are impeding how he can move around. Please reach out to him to let him know we’re thinking of him and wishing him well.
John Hayto let us know that next week the North American Youth Exchange Network Annual Conference will be here in Vancouver. Who knew?! They are looking for volunteers to work at the conference. See above for details.
Program - SPEAKER:
Gordon Esau introduced speaker Prem Gill, the CEO of Creative BC. Prem has been recognized as being one of the top 100 most influential and powerful women in Canada. She was included in Vancouver Magazine’s 2023 Power 50 list. Recognized for her accomplishments, rightly so, Prem loves books. A career as a librarian was something she seriously contemplated in university. Her trajectory towards her current role at Creative BC has not been a straight line. Over time she has learned to “anticipate bumps, focus on being self-aware and learning to adapt.” Her optimism and positive attitude is obvious.
If you missed the meeting, you missed a fabulous speaker who educated us about her organization, Creative BC. The focus of the organization is on the humans involved in the creative sectors, versus the content created. Her presentation was, as one member mentioned, far reaching covering a lot of information in a short amount of time. Creative BC ensures all stakeholders are receiving value and the industries continue growing and thriving in our province.
It is clear that she, personally, is committed to gender and racial diversity, and to equity in the business world. She is very focused on ensuring this for below the line positions. Interesting to us is she made a comment of how, looking around the room, our club is obviously doing well on that front.
There are two Creative BC initiatives Prem is particularly proud of:
Reel Green, Canada’s motion picture climate action catalyst, a collaborative group of 30+ organizations across Canada working toward sustainable production goals supporting conservation work.
Creative Pathways, a job-seeker platform championing a workforce that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
Links of interest:
Please CLICK HERE to view the presentation slides.
CLICK HERE to learn about Creative BC through their website.
want to know what's in production in BC, CLICK HERE
want to list your property as a potential filming site, CLICK HERE
Meeting adjourned with a toast to continued success of the creative industry in BC.
Join us to listen to Camilla Moioli, speak to the topic of the importance of our forests in climate change. Camilla is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of British Columbia’s ERDE (Energy Resources, Development, and Environment) Lab and Forest Action Lab, is conducting multidisciplinary research on forest policies for climate change mitigation.
