UPCOMING MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022
Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, President, & Ms. Leslie Sundby, Lead - Nepal Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration
Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration is a Canadian non-profit foundation. Our team of Canadian and international health care professionals collaborates with local care professionals in lesser-resourced countries to help reduce the burden of cancer and other life limiting illnesses. In regions of South Asia, 80% of young people diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting health issues die. The disparity is such that 80% survive in higher-resourced countries such as Canada. Our mission is to help bridge that gap between these two worlds of health care.
Dr. Sutcliffe is the former President of the BC Cancer Agency and past Chair of the Canadian Partnership against Cancer. Dr. Sutcliffe, a renowned cancer specialist, established Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration – the Canadian branch of the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR) – in 2010.
Leslie Sundby has an extensive nursing background in leadership, global health issues, pediatrics, perinatal and palliative care. She is the Chair of the BSN Program at Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo, BC. Leslie has been actively involved with the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Twinning Project, in Nepal since 2007. She has helped develop, implement and evaluate the palliative care program at Bhaktapur. Leslie has overseen several field schools in Nepal with nursing students from VIU.
UPCOMING MEETING NOVEMBER 01, 2022
CLUB DAY - Get to know your International Service Committee
"Please, please get your children immunized," [Miki Boleen] the Abbotsford, B.C., resident said in a conversation with Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC Radio's White Coat, Black Art. "You don't want them ending up like me."
These conversations are happening as public health experts warn that polio could resurface, following spread in the U.S. and the U.K. In New York state this summer, a young man suffered paralysis after a polio infection, the first case in the U.S. in nearly a decade.
This week, doctors and scientists pointed to those developments as well as outbreaks in Malawi and Mozambique and how the unprecedented floods in Pakistan could disrupt polio immunization in issuing an urgent call to achieve a polio-free world.
By the 1990s, mass immunization campaigns that began in Canada in 1955 largely eradicated polio here. Before then, thousands of children were infected.
"Trust me, if I could have had immunization, I wouldn't have had polio twice and I'd still be dancing," Boleen said. "That's the thing I miss the most."
CLICK HEREto read the full CBC, White Coat, Black Art article, As routine vaccination rates fall, polio survivor hopes her story reverses urgent trend, author Amina Zafar, October 15, 2022
World Polio Day is Monday October 24th.
Here's the itinerary
Everyone is encouraged to wear red End Polio Now shirts or just wear RED.
4:15 p.m.
Councillor Peter Fry will read out and present the World Polio Day Proclamation
4:30 p.m.
Rotarians, family and friends to meet on the north side of city hall in preparation for the World Polio Day Walk to Science World
5:00 p.m.
World Polio Day Walk to Science World
LONG ROUTE
City Hall to Science World, 2.7 km
4:30 p.m.
Rotarians, family and friends to meet on the north side of city hall in preparation for the World Polio Day Walk to Science World
ALTERNATE SHORT ROUTE
Creekside Community Center to Science World, 0.4 km
5:15 p.m.
Rotarians, family and friends to meet on the west side of Creekside Community Center
Both groups will end at Science World at sunset (approximately 6:00 pm) for photos as the lights of Science World and City Hall glow red. Wear your red END POLIO NOW shirts (or just wear red). Red glow sticks will be provided.
Can't join the walk? You can still help by donating to the Rotary Foundation EndPolio Fund, CLICK HERE
We need to take action to improve on the legacy we pass on to our children and grandchildren. As we continue to emit unprecedented amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and reduce our biodiversity, the temperature continues to increase globally. It's a fact that this will make life difficult for our future generations so we must help them by taking action.
To get us started, Christian is starting a new Environmental Committee and has asked for your help, because we have to come together to decide what to focus on to create the best impact.
If no written objection is filed with the Secretary within 7 days of Oct. 21, 2022 (by Oct. 28, 2022), Olesia Kloster, 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 Olesia will hold is “Accounting”.
Proposer: Jason Boudreau
Seconder: Parisa Adrangi
Happy to say the John Hayto had a successful operation on his ankle last week. Wishing him a speedy recovery that will see him back on the ski slopes this winter.
*
no birthdays this week
at our Club
Marla Brock 1 year
Emmie Santos 1 year
Deb Sankey 3 years
Alvin Zhao 4 years
wedding
John & Pamela Sullivan 63 years Oct 24
* come in person to celebrate with Purdy's chocolates!!
Last Meeting October 18, 2022
Kendall Jessiman, President, chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Sandra Lowe, Secretary, hosted the Zoom portion of the meeting
Peter Clarke, Sergeant at Arms, introduced guests
Miya Otake played O Canada on her harp
President’s Announcements:
Thank you to all of you who came to enjoy the companionship of your fellow club Rotarians.
A district governor nomination for 2025-26 has been announced: Jan Gisborne from RC Powell River. The process is now in the appeals phase -- you have until Oct. 30th to submit any concerns you have about this nomination. See above for more info.
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Special announcements and Members' Moments:
Christian Nielsen – promoted the new Environment Committee which will get up and running very soon. All members are welcome to join. The first objective is to determine what the committee’s focus will be. See above for more info.
Verona Edelstein was interviewed by Franco Gallo. Verona is yet another amazing woman. She relayed entertaining and informative stories from her professional life as a UN diplomat & ambassador. There were not very many women in diplomacy in those days, so she was a trail blazer, always pushing for gender equality.
Program:
Peter Clarke introduced guest speakers, Ardath Paxton-Mann & Danison Buan. Two wonderful, inspirational people who Peter has met and gotten to know a little through his work at the District level.
Rotary values, which we all wear on our sleeves, include diversity, equity (fairness in all aspects of Rotary), and inclusion (we do strive to create an inclusive culture – something we haven’t done very well).
At Rotary we are committed to treat everyone with dignity and respect. Allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service, and leadership. We understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change. We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds with difference in ideas, thought, values, and beliefs.
We commit to advancing equity in all aspect of Rotary including in our community partnerships, which will become increasingly important moving forward, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive. We strive to create an inclusive culture where each person feels they are valued and belong.
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization and to continue learning and doing better.
When RI was looking at how to deal with DEI a couple of years ago, they did a RI wide survey. It was a complex questionnaire that resulted in three separate items – DEI framework, code of conduct, and how to respond to the local member surveys and how those results fit in to the DEI framework.
They identified eight key themes from the feedback and resulting assessment. Rotary will use them all to guide our work to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in Rotary.
Members around the world are invested in making Rotary a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization to grow our membership and increase our impact.
Rotary’s current DEI policies and procedures vary by region leading to inconsistent and inequitable experiences.
Members don’t have enough information or insight about our efforts to be more diverse, equitable and inclusive. There is a lack of member awareness about our DEI commitment statement, training courses, and webpage.
25% of the survey respondents don’t know how to report discrimination or harassment at Rotary (RI worldwide survey). There is lack of a central place to report, therefore some instances go unreported.
30+% of the survey respondents don’t believe that Rotary leaders are actively promoting DEI. They do not see Rotary leaders being held accountable. They do see leaders who don’t uniformly apply or uphold Rotary’s DEI principles.
Members believe that leadership opportunities are limited for anyone who doesn’t “fit” the “traditional” profile of a Rotary leader. If you don’t “look or behave in a certain way” or have the “right” Rotary resume you don’t have the same opportunities to advance.
The cost of joining Rotary is an obstacle to retaining members, attracting new ones, and accurately representing our communities. Welcoming only those with financial means excludes community folks who want to make a difference but cannot afford to join.
Younger members, particularly Rotaractors, say that they don’t have a pathway to leadership, are not offered MEANINGFUL opportunities to get involved, showcase their ideas or take part in decision making because of their age or perceived lack of experience.
Code of Conduct
All members, and all who visit us and collaborate with us, should expect, of ourselves and others, to be considerate and contribute to a collaborative, positive, healthy environment in which all are respected and valued.
All members, and all who visit us are expected to use respectful language to be supportive, to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, and to celebrate diversity.
If you have any questions or concerns about the code of conduct or about any behaviours observed or experienced that goes against the code, contact DEI.Inquiries@rotary.com.
Adult harassment issues can be reported to Rotary International’s Club and District Support Team at cds@rotary.org.
District 5040 survey
All clubs are at different levels of engagement in the areas of awareness, understanding, commitment, and action.
The top 5 factors members noted as being DEI identifiers were age, ethnicity, gender, ideas, and occupation. They feel that what is most important is to feel they “belong”, the club is able to grow and adapt, the work is relevant and sustainable, and value is placed on what is contributed vs what they look like.
The values of most important (much like our 4-way test) are
Fairness to all
Beneficial to all concerned
Build goodwill
Reflect community
Connection to all communities, and
Serve all communities.
Recommendations
Take a club-driven approach to DEI. The District DEI committee is to become a “consulting agency” for clubs.
Learn the needs of community groups, support their causes, invite some members to achieve their goals through Rotary.
Match club profile with community profile in terms of culture and abilities.
Hold club socials for members and community and celebrate culture and recognition.
Provide opportunities for members to learn about DEI, share stories, showcase clubs in developing a DEI culture.
Add DEI to the District’s Speakers’ Bureau or club consulting service.
Focus on the 4-way test and value of service time, not just value of business networking.
Make Rotary experience more attractive and not just recruitment of members by the numbers.
Enable club members to take an active obligation approach to DEI and do not be just a bystander.
Reduce costs, increase flexibility.
Provide clubs with a framework to develop and sustain a DEI culture.
Provide clubs with a DEI Code of Conduct to support members who may need to speak up.
Develop a relationship between District DEI and Peace initiatives in support of clubs.
Develop a 2022-23 Action Plan with emphasis on highlights from focus groups and surveys.
Promote DEI learning centre and DEI resources on Rotary International Website.
In closing our club, RCoV, is doing very well in a lot of areas compared to other clubs but as is always the case there is more to do.
Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration is a Canadian non-profit foundation. Our team of Canadian and international health care professionals collaborates with local care professionals in lesser-resourced countries to help reduce the burden of cancer and other life limiting illnesses. In regions of South Asia, 80% of young people diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting health issues die. The disparity is such that 80% survive in higher-resourced countries such as Canada. Our mission is to help bridge that gap between these two worlds of health care.
