Vol. 101 No. 42
Brian Street, President
Joan Posivy, Secretary
Next meeting: Tuesday May 7, 2019
Dan Peach, PhD, SFU Entomologist The impact of insects on humans and nature
Insects are small, but they have a big impact. As pollinators, crop pests, food sources, virus vectors, biological controls, and more, insects interact with the environment bringing harm and benefits to humans. This talk will discuss the impact of insects on agriculture and their role in nature, as well as their economic costs and benefits. The decline of insect populations reported in the media, and implications for humans, will also be covered.
Dan is an entomologist who specializes in mosquitoes and integrated pest management. He is the graduate student director of the Entomological Society of BC, and last month defended his PhD thesis on mosquito ecology and control. Dan has worked at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), and he has published more than a dozen scientific papers on topics including the control of agricultural pests, mosquito ecology, and invasive species. He is also a recipient of the John Borden award from the Entomological Society of Canada, an NSERC postgraduate scholarship, and three SFU Provost Prizes of Distinction.
Upcoming social: Monday May 13, 2019
Seaforth Armoury Soldier training in the parade square, museum artifacts, and refreshments in the Officers' hall
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00
Please let Carolyn know if you would like to attend.
Upcoming meeting: Tuesday May 14, 2019
Susan Yurkovich, President & CEO of Council of Forest Industries Forestry: The Cornerstone of BC's Economy
Susan Yurkovich was appointed President and CEO of the Council of Forest Industries (COFI) in June 2015. COFI advances the strategic interests of the BC interior forest industry, Canada’s largest lumber producing region. Ms. Yurkovich also serves as President of the BC Lumber Trade Council representing the interests of the BC forest industry on trade matters, including the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement. Prior to joining COFI, she spent 20+ years in the natural resource sector in BC.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Ms. Yurkovich holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma in International Business from Erasmus University, Netherlands. She currently serves as a Director of Centerra Gold, Governor of the Business Council of BC, Director of Vancouver College and a member of the Faculty Advisory Board at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.
If no written objection is filed with the Secretary within 7 days of May 6, 2019 (May 13, 2019), Sahra Homayounian, will, upon payment of the dues and assessments determined by the Board, be declared elected as a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver recognized by Rotary International.
The classification that Sahra Homayounian will hold is
"Real Estate: Capital Investment"
Proposed: Navid Morawej
Seconded: Franz Gehriger
If no written objection is filed with the Secretary within 7 days of May 6, 2019 (May 13, 2019), Saarika Varma, will, upon payment of the dues and assessments determined by the Board, be declared elected as a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver recognized by Rotary International.
The classification that Saarika Varma will hold is tbd.
Proposed: Franz Gehriger
Seconded: Jason Boudreau
An error in last week's Rotor: It was noted that Don Evans played the piano for us when in fact it was Kayo Otake. Sorry Kayo.
Last Meeting April 30, 2019
President, Brian Street chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Don Evans accompanied us on the piano for the singing of O Canada.
Joe Lopushinsky, Sergeant-at-Arms, introduced visitors and guests.
President's Announcements:
On Friday Rotary International President nominee, Sushil Gupta from India stepped down from becoming RI President 2020-2021 due to health reasons.
Rene Fluri has brought his books for those who requested them. If you are interested in obtaining a copy contact Carolyn.
Joan Posivy, provided the Secretary's announcements:
wedding anniversaries:Paul Martin & Heather Baker 41 years May06
Special announcements and members' moments:
Gary Chomyn provided exciting news from the Hoop-a-thon. They have ~$50,000 in donations! They were highlighted in the morning, noon, and 6:00p.m. Global News shows. They provided $30,000 in scholarships to kids at Strathcona. Amazing all around! Congratulations.
Joan Posivy let us know that the RI Council of Legislation, at their 2019 meeting, elevated the status of Rotaract clubs. This measure does not change the current structure of Rotaract Clubs. It simply expands the definition of membership in Rotary International to include both Rotary and Rotaract clubs. To read the highlights from the meeting, CLICK HERE.
The following members were presented with Paul Harris Fellow pins by RI Director Jeffry Cadorette, DG Darcy Long, and President Brian Street
Kendall Jessiman, PH+4
Wolfgang Degemann, PH+4
Michael Woolnough, PH+8
Program:
DG Darcy Long introduced our special guest, RI Directory Jeffry Cadorette. Darcy noted and thanked the 15 clubs that were present at the meeting.
Jeffry is often asked, "What is your favourite part of your position as RI Director?" It is undoubtedly getting out to meet, speak with and especially listen to Rotarians.
His talk focussed on membership as the biggest challenge for Rotary. In the last decade 1.2 million members were brought in, however, 1.2 million members left, leaving the organization flat. Membership in North America is on the decline. There is a definite disconnect between what is expected from new members and what is being delivered, with a majority leaving within the 1st two years.
The traditional format of Rotary can not be sustained. We must honour our past, our glorious past, but we need to move the needle up to meet new expectations in changing times. Consumer trends have changed. We, as an organization, are at a pivot point. The way people need to experience and buy our product, the Rotary Experience, must adapt. We need to diversify; the traditional club meeting format no longer works.
At the RI July Board meeting and operational review committee was charged to review format -- the Shaping Rotary Futures Committee. They will ask What would Rotary look like if it was formed today?
We need our work to continue. There are millions and millions who are at the edge facing darkness. Rotary works to answer their needs. To continue we need members and membership growth. To accomplish this we need to evolve to meet the needs of potential members. Only then can we be sure the work will continue.
As mentioned earlier, Rotaractors have been elevated to be recognized as full members of Rotary. They will not yet be charged dues. Before this happens RI needs to evaluate with the value proposition is for them in order to charge fairly.
RI will be entering into a partnership with Toastmasters that will include communications and leadership development. A bonus for our members and, as Toastmasters usually has a finite length of membership (e.g., a couple of years), hopefully a source of new Rotary members.
In closing, Rotary is evolving, growing and always improving in answer to our member needs. Thinking outside the box the future will be exciting, and it all starts at the Club level.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to revolutionizing Rotary.
Insects are small, but they have a big impact. As pollinators, crop pests, food sources, virus vectors, biological controls, and more, insects interact with the environment bringing harm and benefits to humans. This talk will discuss the impact of insects on agriculture and their role in nature, as well as their economic costs and benefits. The decline of insect populations reported in the media, and implications for humans, will also be covered.
