Vol. 100 No. 40
Philip Webber, President
Franco Gallo, Secretary
Next meeting: Tuesday April 24, 2018 Kevin Desmond, CEO Translink The Future of Regional Transit
Excerpt from Daily Hive article, author Kenneth Chan, dated Dec 31, 2017:
Nearly two years ago, Kevin Desmond left his position as the General Manager of Seattle’s King County Metro transit system and took on a new role just north of the border as the new CEO of TransLink.
He entered the organization during one of its most turbulent periods.
When Desmond took on the position, TransLink had just went through a failed, bitter transit referendum of introducing a 0.5% regional sales tax to fund transit improvements.
Public memory of the Compass Card launch delays and the prolonged SkyTrain shutdowns of 2014 were still vivid going into the vote.
And in the year-long period before Desmond’s arrival in the spring of 2016, the transit authority had three CEOs.
Desmond was brought in following the successes of the Seattle system during his tenure, and his new role in Metro Vancouver centres on not only improving TransLink’s service performance but also its accountability.
“The board hired me to improve the reputation of TransLink,” Desmond told Daily Hive. “First we have to be available, then be authentic, accountable, and transparent. That’s who I am, that’s what I do. It’s not just me, but the organization also needs to be seen doing that.”
Upcoming meeting: Tuesday May 01, 2018 Peter Mey, PhD Geology Finding Water in the Desert, Presenting the work of Alain Gachet
Peter Mey’s subject is about water for those who have little or none now, and for the 2/3rd of world population who will be exposed to recurrent droughts by 2050.
Peter will describe the problem and then his friend, a French geologist, Alain Gachet’s ability to bring water to areas of the world with little or none.
Dr. Mey’s was born in Germany was born in Germany in 1936. He earned his PhD in structural geology at the Leiden University, Netherlands. He has spent 50 years in International hydrocarbon and mineral exploration working for major oil companies, followed by 20 years as independent consultant.
Oil and gas has been his principal expertise but latterly his interest has been in the water exploration technique of Alain Gachet. This involves studying the geological terrain and drilling into aquifers, not a new approach but his has been remarkably successful.
When asked why his technique has not been widely exploited, the simple answer is: while there is money for gas and oil, there is little for water.
A half-day session was held by the District Membership committee to get creative and generate ideas on how to foster a reliable membership pathway within the Rotary family. Attendees from our club were DG Don Evans, Madhu Toshiniwal, John Bathurst, Brian Street and myself. Also, both Johanna Johnson and Thomas Miller from the Young Professionals Rotaract participated. Due to the unique format of the day everyone was actively engaged. The format used is called Open Space Technology and was new to most of us in the room. Watch a short video and check it out: CLICK HERE.
Many of us ended up being facilitators of small group sessions. We were brainstorming and sharing ideas on how we all can better transition members of our youth programs along the pathway to one day becoming Rotarians.
One idea which was once again raised, is to create a mentor/mentee relationship between members of our club and those of our Rotaract clubs. If you have ideas about how this might work within our club, please share. I'd love to hear them!
Please take 2 minutes to view this video of District Governor Don's invitation and welcome to Squamish for our 2018 District Conference. In the video is a brief overview of highlights of the conference.
June 1st to 3rd at the West Coast Rail Heritage Park, Squamish BC.
We would love to see you there! Click on the link below.
Registration is easy on the 5040 website. remember to book your hotel before the end of April for preferred pricing. Also rooms in Squamish are limited so be sure to get one.
President Phil Webber chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Kayo Otake accompanied us on the piano for the singing of O Canada.
Jim Evans, Sergeant-at-Arms Elect, introduced visitors and guests.
Chair's (Phil Webber's) announcements:
District Conference (per our Champion Peter Clarke).
All viewed the promo video from Don Evans (see reference & link above). Hotel rooms are going fast and the special group rate will only be available until the end of April or until all blocked rooms are booked, whichever comes first. Please register as soon as possible.
Register on the District 5040 website (www.rotary5040.org).
Sandra Lowe & Tirgce Irtenk received their name badges and 4-way test plaques.
Secretary's, Franco Gallo, announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above);
Gail Robertson, from Melbourne Australia and who has shared lunch with us for the last few weeks is going back home. She has been in Vancouver to visit her son & daughter-in-law, and as of a few days ago, her new grandchild. Congratulations Gail.
Anita Cymet & Marcy Perron of the B.C. Foster Parents shared the plight of children waiting for help and support via foster families. Please CLICK HERE for more information.
Special announcements; members' moments:
ISC members, Michael Woolnough, Kaz Kadono, Verona Edelstein, Kayo Otake & Barb Welsh shared some of their experiences while in Tokyo recently. The trip was fabulous, they were made welcome everywhere they went and really enjoyed each other's company. Barb put together a great visual presentation sharing pictures of their experience, or at least some of it. Thank you all for representing our Club, securing the continuance of our sister agreement and then sharing it with the rest of the Club.
Katherine Copeland, let everyone know that there has been an extension until April 23rd for members, guests & friends to reserve tickets at this year's Deighton Cup. See notice above for more information.
Program:
Terry Gunderson introduced our guest speaker, Pushpa Chandra.
Pushpa Chandra began her journey as a runner when she was just a little one growing up in Fiji. She would run 8 kms to and then from school, alongside the bus, saving the pennies it would have otherwise cost. Purchasing candy was much more attractive!
It was while growing up that her love of being in nature, alone with her thoughts became a cherished and important part of her life.
When she was 16 she moved to Canada, became a registered nurse at 21 and had her children here. She changed career after having her three children to become a naturopathic physician.
Pushpa was looking for adventure but needed to be sure it wasn't too dangerous -- keeping in mind she was a mother still caring for her children. Therefore things like mountain climbing was out of the question, she chose instead marathon running and for her first marathon it was to be Mt. Everest.
In completing this marathon, with the extreme challenges she faced, she found a drive within herself to not quit. She decided to run a marathon on every continent and did so with great distinction. Pushpa has found that figuring out how to get through each marathon, all in extreme conditions, was empowering.
For her 60th birthday, this year in 2018, she decided to do 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. Crazy! Between Jan 30th and Feb 5th she ran in the Antartica, Cape Town South Africa, Perth Australia, Dubai, Lisbon Spain, Cartagena Columbia & Miami.
Her next goal is not as physically draining, it is to help others. Pushpa will be working to support the provision of education for street children in India. The Schools on Wheels program is a mobile classroom -- a bus that travels the neighbourhoods providing education to youth that would not otherwise have the opportunity. There is no better cure for poverty than education.
If you would like more information about Schools on Wheels in Mumbia, CLICK HERE to watch a short video.
To read a CBC article about Pushpa Chandra's 7 on 7 in 7 journey, CLICK HERE.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to educating the human spirit.
Daily Hive article, author Kenneth Chan, dated Dec 31, 2017:
for more info: 
