Posted by Isabelle Martinez Hayer on Nov. 01, 2025
The Global Impact of The Rotary Foundation and the Heart of Rotary District 5050
For more than a century, The Rotary Foundation has been a driving force for good in the world. Powered by the passion and generosity of Rotarians, it transforms donations into life-changing projects that build peace, fight disease, provide clean water, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies, and protect the environment.
It all started with an idea from Arch Klumph, who proposed an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” Through that humble idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, the Rotary Foundation was set in motion, leading to its official formation in 1928. Today, the Foundation continues to be a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe through global grants available to Clubs worldwide.
One of the Foundation’s most extraordinary achievements is its leadership in the fight to eradicate polio. Since Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985, polio cases have fallen by more than 99% sparing millions of people from paralysis or death. The global effort, supported by Rotary and generous partners such as the Gates Foundation, has not only brought us to the5 brink of eradication but also strengthened health systems, trained millions of workers, and laid the groundwork for future disease prevention.
The Rotary Foundation’s work goes well beyond polio. Through clean water and sanitation projects, communities gain access to safe drinking water and hygiene education that prevent illness and build resilience. In maternal and child health, Rotary helps reduce preventable deaths by improving access to healthcare and nutrition. Education and literacy programs give children the chance to learn, while Peace Fellowships prepare the next generation of leaders to tackle the world’s toughest conflicts.
Within Rotary District 5050, the spirit and impact of The Rotary Foundation are bold. Clubs from Everett to Bellingham, and from Surrey to Hope, are proof of the power of uniting to create good in the world. They accomplish this through diverse global grant and service projects, whether partnering with Kiva to provide microfinance opportunities, supporting clean water projects in Kenya, advancing literacy at home and abroad, or through the valiant fundraising adventures of Lee Harman and Winston Conyers with Miss Vicky, raising funds and awareness for the PolioPlus campaign. Every club is actively engaged in harnessing the resources available through The Rotary Foundation to deliver meaningful impact in the communities they serve.
According to the world’s leading charity evaluator, Charity Navigator, The Rotary Foundation earns a perfect 100% score and a Four-Star rating: “If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.” True to the high ethical standards and Service Above Self of Rotarians around the world, Rotary remains committed to giving back through purpose and integrity. The Rotary Foundation connects hearts and hands across continents.
Giving to The Rotary Foundation is simple—but its impact is extraordinary. Just log in to Rotary.org and click on the Donate button. You’ll find many ways to give. For example, contributions to the Annual Fund – SHARE are divided at year’s end: one portion supports global projects through the World Fund, while the other returns to Rotary District 5050 as District Designated Funds, empowering our clubs to carry out meaningful local and international projects through grants. No matter which fund you choose or the amount you give, every dollar makes a difference, fueling life-changing projects that deliver lasting results.
Through every donation to the Rotary Foundation and every hands-on project, Rotarians are transforming lives, inspiring hope, and building a better world for all.
With gratitude for your service and kind generosity,
Friday, May 1, 2026 - Your Adventure Begins! Kick off the weekend with opportunities to connect and enjoy the natural beauty of the Harrison area. Choose from a round of golf, a guided hike through nearby trails, or a relaxing boat tour on picturesque Harrison Lake. In the evening, join fellow attendees for an outdoor party at the Harrison Country Club. Enjoy great food, live music, and local beverages in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. It's the perfect way to celebrate the start of a meaningful weekend.
Saturday, May 2, 2026 - Conference Day Spend the day immersed in thoughtful discussion, learning, and inspiration. Saturday's programming will feature keynote speakers, expert panels, and engaging workshops focused on the key issues facing our communities today. Topics will include climate resilience, mental health, youth empowerment, among others. You'll hear from leaders in the field and take part in sessions designed to spark ideas and identify actionable ways our Rotary clubs can lead and support change. Throughout the day, connect with fellow Rotarians, share ideas, and build partnerships that can carry forward the work beyond the weekend.
Sunday, May 3, 2026 - Closing Ceremonies & Give back to our host City through service
On Sunday, we'll gather for breakfast and closing remarks, including a special look ahead at 2026-2027 led by incoming District Governor, Kathleen Olson. Afterward, all attendees are invited to participate in hands-on projects at Seabird Island and with the Earthwise Society. These activities have been thoughtfully designed to be inclusive of a range of skills and abilities, offering meaningful ways to give back to our host city and end the weekend with purpose.
My name is Basma, and my journey from Egypt to Canada has been one of determination, reinvention, and unexpected belonging.
For 14 years, I worked in the banking industry in Egypt, leading customer service teams in one of the country’s major national banks. I had a stable career, a respected position, and a defined path. But inside, I felt a calling for more growth, more knowledge, and more global exposure. I wanted to evolve beyond the title printed on my business card and expand my future into something bigger, something international, something aligned with the world of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
I made one of the boldest decisions of my life: to leave everything familiar behind, my career, my comfort, and my family, to pursue an MBA in Canada and specialize in business analytics, data quality, cloud computing, AI, and machine learning.
I was the first woman in my family to take such a step, to move alone to a new country without family waiting for me. I had just two friends in the entire country, one in Toronto and one in Abbotsford. Convincing my family was a battle in itself. They said:
“You won’t manage on your own.”
“You need family, support, and stability.”
“Why start from scratch after so many successful years?”
But I believe that growth sometimes means leaving comfort. And growth is never silent, it demands risk taking, discovery, and transformation.
When I arrived in Canada in July 2024, I was full of excitement and fear at the same time. I lived in a small room in a shared house and would sometimes cry from loneliness and the pressure of being fully responsible for my decisions. I asked myself many times, “Where do I start?”
And Then — Rotary Found Me
Behind the house where I lived, I saw a banner for the Rotary Club of Abbotsford. Something in me said, “Call them.” I did and that phone call changed everything.
When I attended my first meeting, I met Doris. I briefly shared my story, and at the end of the meeting, she hugged me, a gesture I will never forget. At that moment, I felt I had found something I didn't expect: family, friends and support.
From there, my circle of support grew:
Doris became my guardian angel. She invited me to her family’s gatherings during Thanksgiving and Christmas, filling the gaps that homesickness left.
Vanj, Ernie’s wife, became my safe corner. When I felt down, I would tell her, “Please, can we meet?” And she was always there.
Ken Funk kept pushing me forward with encouragement, telling me how much he admired my resilience and strength.
Rod Thomson was a father figure — someone I could trust and look up to.
Blaine Bailey and many others stepped in with advice, kindness, and guidance whenever I needed support.
I came to Canada alone, but Rotary made sure I never stayed alone.
Today, I proudly serve as Secretary of the Abbotsford Rotary Club (2025–2026). Rotary didn’t just give me a place to serve — it gave me something far deeper: belonging, confidence, and community.
What Rotary Truly Means
Rotary is not only about “Service Above Self.” It is about:
Connection across borders
Family beyond blood
Support that expects nothing in return
Belonging when you’re thousands of miles from home
When I was lonely, someone hugged me. When I doubted myself, someone believed in me. When I felt like a stranger, Rotary made me part of something bigger.
To everyone who stood by me — thank you. For every hug I received when I was down, For every word of encouragement when doubt was loud, For every moment I felt I belonged, Rotary was there.
The story of Rotary is not only about Service Above Self—it is about how small acts of exchange, learning, and support can ripple outward to change communities, policies, and even global institutions. My journey with Rotary began in Brazil in 1992–1993, when I lived with a host family through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. What seemed at first like a cultural adventure became the beginning of a lifelong commitment to building bridges across borders and promoting equity.
Rotary’s ripple effect deepened during my Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship in 2001–2002, which supported my graduate studies in Women, Gender and Development at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. There, I explored the structural roots of male violence in intimate relationships. This early focus on power and control dynamics shaped my career path: the recognition that evidence-based approaches are essential to challenging stereotypes, dismantling oppression, and designing effective policies. Without Rotary’s investment, this academic grounding—and the professional doors it opened—would not have been possible.
As my career expanded into development finance, social inclusion, and equity-focused program management, I carried Rotary’s ethos of service and hope into diverse contexts. In Brazil, working with UN-HABITAT and later in Sri Lanka with World University Service of Canada, I applied principles of community empowerment to help tsunami-affected women and women living in shantytowns develop small businesses and sustainable livelihoods. These experiences showed me how local actions, like training women in entrepreneurship, can trigger broader shifts in resilience and agency within families and communities—a living example of the ripple effect in practice.
Later, at the African Development Bank (2016–2018), I worked on gender-responsive budgeting and women’s economic empowerment across multiple African nations, including Guinea-Bissau. Here, Rotary’s lessons in collaboration and partnership came alive. Just as Rotary connects diverse professionals for shared goals, I saw how financial institutions could empower women by mainstreaming gender equality into investment policies. This work linked macro-level financing with grassroots realities, proving that systemic change is possible when values of equity and inclusion are prioritized.
At the Caribbean Development Bank, I advanced gender-responsive finance and designed training to integrate gender equality and social inclusion into infrastructure and climate initiatives. Most recently, in Mozambique with GAPI Development Financial Institution, I developed gender policies, strategies, and monitoring frameworks to ensure women’s economic empowerment was not an afterthought but a cornerstone of institutional practice. Each of these roles echoed the Rotary values of leadership, integrity, and global fellowship.
Rotary’s ripple effect has also extended into my home province of British Columbia, where I now lead equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism programs for the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Whether fostering inclusive workplaces, guiding data standards for equity analysis, or supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, I see my Rotary journey as the through-line. Rotary planted the seed of hope and belief that global citizenship matters—and that each initiative, no matter how small, contributes to waves of transformation.
From a Rotary youth exchange in Brazil to gender policy influence in Africa and the Caribbean, the ripple effect of Rotary continues to expand through my professional and personal life. It demonstrates how Rotary empowers individuals to carry forward its vision—creating hope in the world, one ripple at a time.
It is my honour and privilege to announce that Mr. Darrell Burnham from the Rotary Club of Port Moody has been selected by the Rotary District 5050 Nominating Committee as the District Governor Nominee Designate. Any challenges to this selection must be submitted within 14 days to either the District Governor or the District's Nominating Committee. Should there be no challenge per the Rotary International Bylaws, after the 14-day period his nomination becomes official on November 19, 2025. He will serve as the District Governor beginning July 1, 2028.
Darrell joined the Rotary Club of Vancouver Collingwood on April 1, 1991, later joining the Rotary Club of Port Moody on September 2, 2001. Darrell brings extensive Rotary experience, having served as President with Vancouver Collingwood and will serve as President of the Rotary Club of Port Moody in 2026-2027. In addition, he has served as Assistant Governor and is a Paul Harris Fellow + 8. Once Darrell’s nomination has been officially confirmed, an official bio will be posted on the Rotary District 5050 website.
I am thrilled to have Darrell join our District Governor's leadership team and look forward to his “Service Above Self” in the years ahead.
Editor's Note: This is the first of a six part series by Marty Pease on how she ended up in Rotary.
The journey began in Colorado, where I was a business partner in the Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group (CRCG)—that story is for another time. My physical therapy career started in the hospital and switched to outpatient orthopedic care in private practices. Late in the 1990s, I rediscovered my teenage dream of becoming a veterinarian, or more specifically, working with animals. At that time, canine rehabilitation was a budding field. I took every course available and eventually became certified as soon as possible. I started as a consultant for several veterinary clinics. Lori was a client at one of the clinics, and she eventually approached me about the prospect of creating an independent dog rehabilitation clinic and business.
I learned very early as a child to stifle my authentic voice, and that pleasing people of authority was the best way to go. I was a goodie-two-shoes, conforming to societal norms and following the rules (except perhaps speeding and letting my dog off leash). Expressing my true self and real desires was a very scary concept. I did my best to meet others’ expectations, and Lori was no exception. I put her in the authority role as she was the one who suggested starting the business and provided most of the capital.
We created CRCG in 2004 and opened the doors to clients in 2005. We started with one clinic, and the business grew to three. Yet, the business was running at a loss, and I found the time demands to be very stressful. Lori expected me to commit 100 percent of my time, and to her way of thinking, play was a four-letter word. I thrive when playing, and my personality became warped. Over time I came to resent the business. In hindsight, I see that I did not bring my authentic self to the table.
Ultimately, Lori found a way to expel me from the business. I was near personal bankruptcy, which she knew, and I had exhausted all my resources, such as loans and family generosity. Without alerting me to her plan, she arranged a meeting with a lawyer and presented me with a demand for each partner to contribute $10,000. She knew full well I could not meet that demand. I was in shock in the moment, and later the shock turned to anger.
In retrospect, she did me a huge favor. The situation as it was could not continue, and my innate skills do not shine as a business owner. Most of my friends expressed relief and couldn’t wait to have the real Marty back. One friend said I am the type of person who bends and gives until it goes too far, and then I get mad. I vowed I would never let anyone do that to me again and that I would never give up on my true self. When I left that business, I found depths of myself I never knew existed and inner strength that has served me to this day.
In the summer of 2011, I condensed my belongings to a pod and moved back to Connecticut, where I had grown up, and where my parents still lived. Have you ever sold or given away most everything you owned and kept one small container worth? It’s a very cleansing process, and amazingly freeing, like major spring cleaning.
What was it like for me to go back near my parents and be in or near my hometown after thirty years? I felt an amazing sense of relief upon returning to a world of woods and water: ocean, ponds, and streams versus the brownness and aridness of Denver. I was thrilled to spend more time with my parents. I adored my mother and loved and tolerated my father. It made me feel good to be able to help them as needed.
I had heard the parental voice of “shoulds” and “should nots” all my life and found them daunting. It was a growth experience for all of us, as I re-entered their lives as an adult and consistently expressed my newly found drive to express my authentic personality. They both passed away in 2013. Miraculously, the parental voices also died; I no longer heard their voices in my head telling me what I should or shouldn’t do.
In the late1970’s, I left Granby, Connecticut, literally and emotionally when I went off to college. I loved growing up in my small town, but I also found it limiting. After my parents’ deaths, I needed to decide where I wanted to live. I did not want to return to Denver because I couldn’t live in a world of dryness and minerals and the energy of fire and heat again. I was ready to get out from under what the town residents expected from me because of the Pease name, so staying in Connecticut didn’t appeal to me either.
During what turned out to be my last Christmas in Connecticut, I was planning to visit my sister who lived east of Seattle. Just a few days before I was set to leave, my car died and needed significant repairs. All my friends were out of town with their respective families. I felt very alone and realized the benefits of being near family in times of need, even if it’s just the logistics of getting a car to the shop. So during that visit to the Pacific Northwest, I decided to buy a house a few doors down from my sister’s vacation home, in a land of woods and water.
In June of 2015, I moved to La Conner, Washington. I was in an incredibly liberating situation. After my parents passed away, I received a considerable inheritance, so I no longer faced financial pressures and was able to retire. I was responsible for no one except myself and my pets. The parental voices were gone. I had moved to a place unfamiliar to me and knew no one but my sister. I had a newfound devotion to myself and a deep desire to discover who I really was. I arrived in Washington with a clean slate, and it was up to me how to fill it.
Shortly after moving to La Conner, I found a yoga center that offered a class called “Stiff Guys and Gals.” It was advertised as Part 1 yoga class and Part 2 beer and dinner at the brewery after class. That sounded pretty damn good to me, especially since beer is one of my favorite beverages. Those classes and dinners proved to be my way of getting to know folks in the community. Stiff Guys and Gals, and beer afterward, are still a major part of my life, and I cherish that group of friends. Later that summer, one of the stiff guys suggested that I attend a local Rotary meeting. I declined, I was just recovering from breast cancer and radiation, and was still settling in after moving across the country.
That same friend approached me again in the spring of 2016. This time I said yes. I had never heard of Rotary before and knew nothing about it. I did some internet research and realized the worldwide scope of Rotary International. The local club supported a variety of initiatives, including education for children, park improvement, supporting the library, providing books for children aged zero to five, and poetry in the schools. I could definitely get behind all that, so I attended my first meeting. After attending three meetings, I decided to join, and my life has not been the same since.
Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self.” Having time after retirement, I have found serving others to be very fulfilling. It is a wonderful feeling to generously share my time and money and assist others in need. Living by the motto also brings a sense of purpose to my life. Rotary has become my second career, but this time on a volunteer basis.
Rotary has provided a venue for my authentic self to shine. I have been challenged within Rotary at times to stay in integrity. I have relished an avenue for the leader in me to flourish. I have discovered my ability to manifest, to bring an idea into fruition. My interpersonal skills are evolving. The pleasure of being part of a group where personal differences are put aside to reach a common goal is incredibly refreshing.
This month we have three great articles by Rotarians on why they became Rotarians and why they stay Rotarians. Jessica Harris's journey began 33 years ago in Brazil as a Youth Exchange member. Today she is President Elect of her Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and an Ambassadorial Scholar. Basma Elgreatly shares how she took a leap of faith and came half way around the world to pursue her dreams. Marty Pease took two leaps. One didn't work out so well, but as we'll read in her multi part series, the second one has paid dividends far more than even she could have imagined.
I can relate to making a change. 40 something years ago I left my parents home in the Midwest, came out to the Pacific Northwest to pursue a dream. I was alone for a few weeks, no job, very little prospects, but slowly, little by little I planted my roots. I joined Rotary because of my work. I stay a Rotarian because of the joy it brings me to help my community and to help others less fortunate than me.
Congratulations to Darrell Burnham on being named DGN. We look forward to his leadership as part of the Governor's Team.
I must apologize that this issue has been distributed a week late. I try not to do that because you count on this to receive timely information. I appreciate your patience with me.
The District Youth Exchange Committee is accepting applications for youth to be part of that program. This is a great opportunity for your Club to do an outreach in your community. Who knows, you might create a future Rotarian as Jessica Harris can attest to.
You can register for both the 2026 District Conference and the 2026 Rotary International Convention now be clicking the respective links. The early registration fees are only good through 15 December for the Conference and 31 December for the Convention. register TODAY!
You are welcome to share the Peace Arch Journal with your family, friends and even Rotarians in other Districts. Share the wonderful things that District 5050 Rotarians are doing!
Rotarians! I asked for Club's to share reports and photos of the Governor's Club visits. Our Inbox is quite lonely. We want to know what your Club has been up to! We also asked for you to share you activities of World Polio Day. Sad to say, we didn't receive a single article or press release.
If you want your Club's program, initiative, fundraiser and success story to be seen by the entire District (and our friends outside of the District), send us the information! With graphics or photos. And please make sure you identify everyone in the photos. Remember, the deadline is the 23rd of the month before publication. Thank you to those that are sending material. Best to use the Story Submittal forms available at the District website and photos should be separate in jpeg format with everyone identified. Word documents are the best. Make sure any graphics or images you use in your submissions are original, perhaps even created by your own members and not taken off of the internet unless you have received copyright permission.
Sometimes you will never know the value of
a moment, until it becomes a memory.
Upcoming Club Events
Bellingham
Mountainfilm On Tour Comes to Bellingham
The Rotary Club of Bellingham is, once again, hosting Mountainfilm On Tour. Mountainfilm has been celebrating the indomitable spirit through film since 1979, using the power of film, art, and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. The event will include an evening of short films about community, nature, and overcoming adversity.
Event Details:
November 15th at Whatcom Community College Syre Theater 237 West Kellogg Rd Bellingham, WA 98226
The evening will include films, food and beverages will be available; we will also have a silent auction with several valuable items donated by local businesses.
View Mountainfilm On Tour trailer:
Mountainfilm On Tour is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Bellingham
This monthly publication is a service to District Members and Friends. It is intended as a source of news and opinion from throughout the District.
The mission of the Peace Arch Journal is to promote communication, understanding, fellowship and fun beyond club meetings, in a manner complementary to shared efforts at placing Service Above Self.
Please send articles and news with or without pictures attached to emails. Photographs are always a plus! Note that the editor appreciates conservation of space in order to meet the sender’s needs and the editor’s time.
The deadline is the 23rd of the month.
Address any and all information to the Peace Arch Journal Editor.
Rotary’s History in KoreaThe first Rotary club in Korea was chartered in Seoul on 10 November 1927. Since then, Rotary members in Korea have maintained their commitment to fellowship, service, and leadership through difficult times —
From night markets to tea plantations, American chef Rick Bayless leaves no avenue unexplored as he tastes his way through Taipei. Find out what flavors he’ll never forget. Then, get ready to pick up the culinary journey yourself during the 2026 Rotary International Convention.
