Celebrating a Remarkable Meeting and Event

The June gathering was one of the most memorable our club has held in years. Building on a simple “seed of an idea” inspired by a documentary, we came together to honor a very special guest and her work, and the result was an outstanding success.

With around 200 attendees, the atmosphere in the room was warm, energetic, and deeply engaged. Our guest of honor, Sarah from the School of Music, was genuinely surprised and delighted by the presentation of the cheque for a $10,000 donation to her School, which we had successfully kept secret until the moment it was unveiled. The emotion and joy of that moment were captured beautifully in the group photo—an image that will serve as a lasting memory for our club.

Long-time members commented that it was one of the best meetings in many years, with strong attendance, outstanding program content, and the kind of energy that bodes well for our club’s future.

With Gratitude

Our thanks go out to:

• President Joan, for the vision to turn a documentary-inspired idea into a fully realized event, and for stewarding the program from concept to execution.
• Patricia Tait of PTM Services Inc. and team, for the extensive behind-the-scenes work—logistics, coordination, and countless details that made the day flow seamlessly.
• Second Narrows Technology Solutions, for their in-kind AV sponsorship, which significantly reduced our costs while elevating the experience for everyone in the room.
• Ally Potel of Flyberry Events, for serving as an outstanding MC, keeping the program lively, on time, and engaging for all attendees.
• Emma from the Peanut Agency, our photographer, whose leadership and direction during the group photo ensured we captured a complex shot smoothly and professionally.
• Peter Jackman from the Terminal City Club, and their entire staff for their attention to details and service of excellence. 
• All Rotarians and volunteers who contributed time, energy, and ideas—whether in planning, setup, welcoming guests, or helping with follow-up.
• Our guests and prospective members, whose presence and enthusiasm added to the energy in the room and reminded us of the wider impact of our service.

As Joan noted, this event stands on the shoulders of 113 years of club history and Rotary service. The strong turnout and positive feedback show that when we bring in compelling speakers and causes, our club can attract a large, dynamic crowd—and our future looks very bright.

Ride for Hearing – This Sunday, June 14

This Sunday, June 14, our club will host the Ride for Hearing, featuring an early-morning cycling event through Stanley Park.

Rider Check-In & Bag Pickup

• Saturday (pre-event pickup):
  • Location: Terminal City Club | Gibson Suite
  • Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Riders can pick up their Ride for Hearing bags on Saturday. If you can’t attend:
    • You may send someone on your behalf, or
    • Pick up your bag on Sunday before your ride start time.
• Sunday (event day):
  • Bags will also be available before riders begin their ride.

Each rider bag includes:

• Cochlear/partner brochures
• Ride information: event schedule, donation info, emergency contact
• Maps for both the family ride and the main ride, including a QR code for route details
• Bag tags so we can identify riders’ bags on event day

Safety & Route Highlights

• The main route runs through Stanley Park in the early morning.
• Riders have from approximately 6:30 am to 9:00 am (2.5 hours) to complete up to nine laps in the park—do as many laps as you’re comfortable with.
• Key safety reminders:
  • Follow the rules of the road at all times—obey stop signs and check both ways, even early in the morning.
  • Traffic control volunteers will help riders safely cross the westbound lane at the start and get onto the correct side of the road.
  • Inside the park, there is generally ample space, but riders must still be prepared to stop at signed intersections or follow directions from police officers who may wave you through.
  • The park remains accessible to emergency vehicles, aquarium staff, and limited transit buses, so stay alert—“one bus is too many if it hits you.”

Riders can look forward to a beautiful, unique ride around Stanley Park in the early morning, with a safe, well-organized course and plenty of support from our volunteers.

Updating Our Membership Fee Structure

Incoming President Navid presented a refreshed membership fee structure designed to be easier to explain, fairer for members, and financially sustainable for the club.

Under the previous model, the way dues and lunches were bundled meant that if many members attended most meetings, the club could actually lose money on luncheons, even though this is exactly the participation we want to encourage. The new structure separates things more clearly:

• A straightforward quarterly membership amount that covers Rotary-related costs (administration, room, AV, and other fixed expenses).
• A clearly defined per-lunch cost for the buffet and program, with a set number of lunches included each quarter and a simple, predictable charge for any additional lunches.

Age-based discounts for younger members and seniors are still in place, and corporate memberships remain an important focus, with the new structure making it easier for businesses to understand the value of joining and attending regularly.

For most members, the financial impact is a modest increase, but with a much more transparent breakdown. A small number of members with special circumstances (such as dietary restrictions) will be supported individually through the membership committee so that no one is unfairly affected.

Overall, the new approach is intended to:

• Make it simple to describe what it costs to be part of the club.
• Ensure the club does not lose money when members attend lunches.
• Better support our long-term ability to focus on service and community impact, rather than constantly managing around hidden subsidies.