February is dedicated to “World Understanding” in Rotary.

How do we begin to understand the many cultural, racial, religious, and political differences that make up our world? We are a world of minorities and being a Rotarian is one of those minorities. Rotarians have privileges unavailable to the majority of the world population. We have clean water, safe housing, access to education, health care and, a personal and collective commitment to change lives in communities. Rotarians are a privileged minority with responsibility.

Rotarians, we have a responsibility to open our eyes and our hearts to the minorities in our home communities because ‘world understanding’ starts at home. What are we doing to increase our understanding of the marginalized within our communities? Are we actively working to increase literacy, understand religious minorities, to work against homelessness, prejudice, and intolerance?

World understanding starts at home. Look around the neighbourhood, our clubs, our places of business. Are we inclusive in our daily interactions? Do our clubs reflect the cultural diversity of our communities? Are we involved with our youth exchange students? Do we invite our Interactors and Rotaractors to participate in our club meetings?

Rotarians, February is the month to focus on ‘World Understanding’ – the challenge is to maintain that focus throughout the year and truly ‘Celebrate Rotary’!

District & Club News
Posted by John Challender on Feb 10, 2013

While the world hopes for peace, Rotary works to make it a reality.  Geysar Gurbanov has been named as one of 50 Rotary World Peace Fellows to study peace building and conflict resolution.  The program was created as part of Rotary’s ongoing effort to promote greater tolerance and cooperation among people worldwide.

Posted by John Challender on Feb 04, 2013

The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island has been named the city’s Non-Profit Organization of the Year by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented to club president Vicki Evans during the Chamber’s awards banquet and installation dinner on January 19.  President Vicki Evans proudly holds the certificate.

 





Club member Jim Chapel (left) was named Citizen of the Year.  

Nominees were selected for their contribution of time, effort or financial support of chamber programs or the community in general during the past year. Nominations came from the business community and the community at large. They included the BI Rotary, BI Schools Foundation, BI Senior Center, Helpline House, Housing Resource Board, One Call for All and Sustainable Bainbridge. 

 


Posted by John Challender on Feb 04, 2013

Roger Merrifield has been selected as the incoming Assistant Governor for Area 6A.

Roger joined Rotary in 2001 as a member of the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Iskand and served a Club Service Director from 2003 to 2005. He was Club President 2006-2007 followed by Foundation Director 2007-2008. He has served as Club Membership Chairman since 2008. On the District level he has served on the Scholarship Committee, Area Foundation Representative, Membership Committee, and currently as District Community Grants Coordinator until July 2013.





Marnee Obendorf and Tom Carroll will be the new Assistant Governors for Area 9B. 

Marnee Obendorf joined the Rotary Club of South Puget Sound in November of 2002. Marnee has served on the following committees: Membership, Club Administration, Community Service and Auction Committee.  Marnee was selected as the South Puget Sound Rotary’s Rotarian of the year for 2009-2010 and served as club President 2011-2012. Marnee has participated in two Rotaplast missions: 2008 and 2010.






Tom Carroll joined Hawks Prairie Rotary in 2008 and served as Director of International Service, responsible for overseas projects and the club’s student exchange program.  In 2011, Tom and a small group of Rotarians founded the Rotary Club of Gateway – North Thurston County, a 100% Paul Harris Club.  Tom served as Charter President in 2011-12 and was elected to serve a second term as President in 2012-13. 



Posted by Don Bonner

Rotary Peace Forum Feb 23 2013

District 5040—5050 Rotary International Districts 5040 and 5050 will hold a joint Rotary Peace Forum. The forum’s goal is to engage and inspire Rotarians and community leaders to become involved in Peace Through Service

Speakers:

RI Director Bryn Styles Rotary’s History Of Peace Making
Hon Julian Fantiino Canada’s Support for Polio Eradication
APD Chief Bob Rich Combating Gang Violence
PDG Ann Lee Hussey Polio NIDs as Peace Projects
PRIVP Bob Scott Pax Polio Chair
Vancouver School Board Patti Bacchus Bullying Panel
PRID Paul Netzel Rotary Peace Centers
PDG Chris Offer FV Grants for Peace Projects

Details & Register at: www.Rotary5040.org

Posted by John Challender on Jan 22, 2013

At the International Assembly where Rotary International President 2013-2014, Ron Burton, unveiled the theme: Engage Rotary Change Live.  Pictured here are: Kristine Taylor, DG 5020 2013-14 Pete Taylor, Ron Burton and Jetta Burton. 

Posted by John Challender on Jan 20, 2013

In 2012 the Vancouver Island Military Museum relocated from premises it had occupied since the Museum was formed as a Non Profit society in 1968.  The new location provided by the City of Nanaimo was chosen to house the impressive and growing collection of Military Artifacts and Memorabilia dedicated to honouring veterans and preserving Canada's Military Heritage.  The Museum had a small exhibit dedicated to Canada’s Peacekeepers and it was thought that the exhibit should be expanded to fully display Canada's contribution to the ideals of Peacekeeping and Canada’s commitment to world peace.  ~Story submitted by Brian McFadden of the Rotary Club of Lantzville
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