There is definitely something that is attracting community members to the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise. The club has continued to experience membership growth for the last three Rotary years; but it is the Rotary year of 2016-17 that has brought local citizens to the club in droves. Over the past Rotary year, twelve new members have joined the club, establishing a record for the number of new members in a given year ever since the club was chartered back in 1986.
No doubt the culture and diversity within the club, the impact the club continues to have on the community, the focus directed at service, and the fellowship opportunities are factors that draw individuals to the Sunrise Rotary Club. Whatever the magnet that is drawing community members to join the club, it bids well for Kelowna and the greater world, as this growth will provide the club with even more human resources to reach out in service into the community and to provide increased financial support for community and worldwide humanitarian needs.
Just during the last two months of the past Rotary year, five new members came on board. And yes, there are three to four others who are seriously considering joining the club before the end of the summer in the current Rotary year, 2017-18.
The latest influx of new members included Susan McIntyre, Tom Richie and Norm LeCavalier who are all eager to commit themselves to the values of Rotary with the motto “Service Above Self.”
No doubt the culture and diversity within the club, the impact the club continues to have on the community, the focus directed at service, and the fellowship opportunities are factors that draw individuals to the Sunrise Rotary Club. Whatever the magnet that is drawing community members to join the club, it bids well for Kelowna and the greater world, as this growth will provide the club with even more human resources to reach out in service into the community and to provide increased financial support for community and worldwide humanitarian needs.
Just during the last two months of the past Rotary year, five new members came on board. And yes, there are three to four others who are seriously considering joining the club before the end of the summer in the current Rotary year, 2017-18.
The latest influx of new members included Susan McIntyre, Tom Richie and Norm LeCavalier who are all eager to commit themselves to the values of Rotary with the motto “Service Above Self.”
Susan McIntyre, sponsored by Pat McAlister, was inducted on May 26th with a classification of Human Resources, is the owner and manager of “People in Focus Consulting Ltd.,” which provides human resources and business services that support best practices that lead to success. The business focuses on building the systems necessary to support a positive work environment for employees.
Susan attained a MBA in “Leadership” from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC and an Executive Diploma in Management specializing in Human Resources from Thompson Rivers University. She also studied Business Administration at Simon Fraser University. Susan has a broad range of experience to guide businesses in achieving their goals. As a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), she was awarded the Fellow (FCHRP) in 2011. She is a former Director of the British Columbia Human Resources Management Association, Chair of the Thompson Rivers University Alumni Association, and member of the National Professional Standards Committee for the CCHRA.
Susan is the past President of the Kelowna Newcomers Society and volunteers with the United Way Central and South Okanagan/Similkameen.
Sponsored by club member Greg Norby and inducted on June 09th, Tom Ritchie brings a wealth of leadership experience and volunteerism to the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise which will provide him with an opportunity to make a difference in the community and worldwide through Rotary. His career in education as a high school teacher, university professor, and board development trainer, along with his leadership with a number of non-profit organizations, including serving as the Rail Trail Ambassador in Kelowna, on the executive of the Kelowna Newcomers’ Club and as a board member on foodbanks in Vancouver and Winnipeg, will attribute to his success in serving as a Rotarian.
Tom was born and raised in Winnipeg, where he attended Elmwood High School, the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba, before continuing on with further post-secondary education at the University of Toronto. Tom has a special interest in website design and film production, both of which now provide him with a variety of activities in his free time.
Norm LeCavalier, sponsored by club member Craig Garries, was inducted on June 30th. Norm retired from a career in banking, having served for 33 years with Royal Bank Canada (RBC) where he occupied a number of Senior Management roles. Following retirement, Norm continued working in a self-employed business as a Business Consultant.
Norm was born in Pointe Claire, Quebec. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in Pointe Claire and following secondary school graduation attended McGill College in Montreal.
Norm’s association and membership with Rotary International goes back a number of years. From 2005 to 2010, Norm was a member of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo, where he served as on the Board of Executive as the Chair for the club’s Fundraising Committee and as chair of a variety of Rotary club fundraisers. His club recognized him for his outstanding service with the “New Rotarian of the Year Award” for the 2005-06 Rotary year and “Rotarian of the Year” the next Rotary year. Norm received a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) for his financial and voluntary contributions to Rotary during this time period.
Norm has been a very active volunteer, taking on many leadership roles with not-for-profit organizations within the community. He served on the executive of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce as director, vice-president and president from 2006-2010; and since 2010, Norm has been a director, vice-president and chair of the Greater Westside Board of Trade where he continues to provide leadership in “economic empowerment.” The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada also appreciated his leadership when he served as the Chair of the Society’s Fundraising Committee from 1998 to 2001.
Norm took a leave of absence from Rotary due to heavy travel commitments and his presidency with the Kelowna Chamber. Without these commitments, he now feels that it is appropriate for him to get involved with Rotary as he has always recognized that Rotary is a fantastic service organization to be involved with.
Somehow, Norm has found time and energy to maintain a number of hobbies and special interests including gardening, landscaping, golf, hockey, football and baseball.