Hear about Miss Vickey from Marty Helman and PolioPlus Chair Libby, from Rotary International District 5370

Here's the story of Basma Sorriso! A story about how a simple phone call became more. The Rotary Club of Abbotsford invites you to connect with local leaders, professionals, and community members who are passionate about making a difference.
 

Hear from Alex Mitchell, CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, as she reflects on her Rotary journey. Alex's involvement began with Youth Adventures in Leadership and continued through RYLA before becoming active in Rotary itself. Discover how these experiences helped shape her leadership path and lifelong commitment to community service.

The Rotary International Council on Legislation has eliminated the requirement for an annual District Conference business meeting, replacing it with a District Legislative Meeting. A committee led by IPDG Dave Duskin reviewed and updated the District Leadership Plan and Policies. The District Legislative Meeting will be held virtually on March 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Club Presidents, Secretaries, or authorized representatives must register by March 2. Agenda items include amendments to the District Policy Manual, approval of the revised Leadership Plan, approval of 2024–2025 financial reports, and other submitted resolutions, along with updates on District activities. Please join between 6:30 and 6:55 so that the meeting can start on time. Late arrivals may not be admitted.

What Does Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Look Like?

February invites us to reflect on one of Rotary’s enduring commitments: building peace in our communities and mitigating conflict in the world. Through peacebuilding and conflict prevention, understanding, dignity, opportunity, and hope are cultivated. This work is achieved through patience, relationship-building, dialogue, and service that lifts people up and brings communities together. In Rotary, peacebuilding and conflict prevention are strategies that benefit everyone.

As Rotarians, we are positioned to be peacebuilders by the very nature of what brings us together. Our Clubs embrace people of different backgrounds, cultures, professions, and perspectives. In a world that can feel increasingly divided, Rotary reminds us that differences are not barriers. Instead, those differences are strengths when we embrace them with respect and curiosity. Every time we listen with empathy, collaborate across viewpoints, or serve alongside someone who sees the world differently, we are practicing peace in action.

Rotary’s global commitment to peace is equally powerful. On 14 March 2026, a Rotary Forum on the Future of International Organizations will be held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters. This is an exceptional and rare opportunity to experience leaders from around the world collaborating and reflecting on major global issues, producing a white paper that will be submitted to UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF with the purpose of inspiring action. Click this to discover the Forum and registration details.

Since World War II, Rotary International has been a key participant in the formation and development of the United Nations (UN) and has maintained a strong partnership dedicated to promoting peace and addressing global humanitarian issues. Through the Rotary Representative Network, Rotary members serve as liaisons with humanitarian organizations that share a mission of peace and development. Rotary was also instrumental in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed at the Palais de Chaillot in 1948. Rotary remains one of the most respected nongovernmental organizations in the world.

Through our Rotary Peace Centers, we invest in leaders who are trained to prevent and resolve conflict, support post-conflict healing, and build sustainable peace throughout the world. Rotary Peace Fellows carry our values into governments, NGOs, schools, and communities worldwide, extending the impact of our service far beyond district and national borders. At this moment, we have over 1,700 Peace Fellows around the world sharing their knowledge and skills to support communities. Now is the time to nominate a Peace Fellow. For more information, please contact PDG Brad Whittaker or at 604-819-6402.

Along with global grant projects throughout the world, important work is being led by Rotary Club of Burlington, Rtn. Bernie Halliday, who serves as International Project Alliance (IPA) President and Chair, transforming lives in areas such as Copan, Honduras (info@ipafounda/on.org) and Intercountry Committees (ICCs) working in Belize under the leadership of Rotary Club of Port Moody, Rtn Al Stjernegaard (https://rotary-icc.org/) United through purpose, Rotarians actively shape a better world.

Peacebuilding also shows up at the Club level when we address food insecurity, support mental health initiatives, support global peace ambassadors, welcome newcomers, mentor youth, or create safe spaces for conversation. Although these efforts may not always be labeled as “peace projects,” they prevent conflict by strengthening trust, reducing inequity, sharing critical resources, and fostering belonging. When people feel seen, supported, and valued, communities become more resilient.

Rotary leads by example and supports the efforts of peacebuilders at home. I reflect on the impact of our Ambassadorial Scholar, Dr. Yashar Keramati, a brilliant surgeon who flew to Cuba on 21 January on a humanitarian mission to provide emergency medical assistance. In February, he will fly to Mexico, where he will volunteer in trauma surgery units at Culiacán General Hospital. He brought with him over 400 pounds of medical supplies donated by Rotarians in our District. I urge you to connect with him as a speaker, inspire support for his efforts through personal contacts, supplies, or donations, and read more about his work at: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1355/stories/yasha-keramati

The Rotary Club of Aldergrove, led by President Robin McIntosh, will welcome incoming President Jessica Harris for the 2026–2027 year. Jessica’s Rotary journey began in 1992 as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Brazil. That experience led to a deeper relationship with Rotary, including her becoming an Ambassadorial Scholar in 2002, which led her to work throughout the world in peacebuilding and conflict prevention in vulnerable and conflict-ridden areas. Jessica contributed her story to the November issue of the Peace Arch Journal. If your Club wants to understand firsthand the impact of becoming a Peace Fellow, please reach out to Jessica.

On a personal level, I often speak about the importance of our Rotary family. I recognize that, in any family, we have differing points of view that can sometimes cause division, disruption, or difficult conversations. In moments of disagreement, within our Clubs, workplaces, families, or communities, we have the opportunity to choose thoughtful dialogue over division, compassion over criticism, and collaboration over conflict.  We can choose a thoughtful response  rather than simply reacting. These choices may seem small, but collectively they shape a culture of respect and understanding.  They contribute to who we are as Rotarians.

This month, I encourage every Club to reflect on how peacebuilding is woven into your service and to consider how you might deepen that impact. Host a conversation on conflict resolution, partner with organizations or individuals supporting peacebuilding, conflict resolution, youth leadership, or highlight stories of peacebuilders within your community. Even a single act of kindness can be a powerful shift away from conflict.

Peace is built through consistent, caring action, through one relationship, one project, one conversation at a time. Thank you for being Rotarians who choose peace, who lead with heart, skill, and thoughtful action, and who believe that a more understanding and compassionate world is possible.

With gratitude for your service,

Happy Holidays, All

Best of the Holiday Season to all from Team Miss Vicky!

Many have asked how our 1931 Model A is doing after the misfortune of an engine failure. Enroute to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, last Fall and just 10 miles short of the Canadian border, a brand new (but flawed) piston came apart, leading to a rather abrupt halt to further travel! The good news is that repairs are coming together nicely with the goal of making exhaust just after the Christmas Holiday. After a successful thousand or so break-in miles, we intend to restart the Edmonton Adventure on the 12th of January so that Miss Vicky (and drivers) can attend their first ever hockey game experience at the Oilers Game for PolioPlus on Saturday, January 17th. From there, Fort McMurray, Yellowknife, Harrison Hot Springs, Whitehorse… and Lloydminster(!), are in our sights.

Many folks have also asked: “Why are you tormenting a 94 year old automobile (and yourselves!) with a 700 mile journey to Edmonton in the dead of winter?” The answer for us in the Miss Vicky is simple: just like completing the 10,000 mile Peking-to-Paris Endurance Rally, then rallying 7,500 miles from Anchorage to Cabo San Lucas, we wish to prove that difficult things can be accomplished… even ridding the world of the polio scourge, once and for all.

Winston and I have presented the Miss Vicky Challenge for PolioPlus to many, many Rotary Clubs north and south of our common border. We’ve discovered that fully two thirds of those attending have no, or very limited, appreciation of the forty one year history of Rotary’s signature project known as PolioPlus. The Miss Vicky Challenge and Rotary’s PolioPlus quest is indeed like climbing a mountain: the closer to the summit, the steeper the climb and the closer the possibility (or likelihood?) of failing to achieve the goal. In the twenty five minutes of a typical Rotary presentation, we emphasize the history, some science and the consequences of failing to reach the summit. Therefore, the challenge for Miss Vicky is ultimately to educate, motivate and incentivize fellow Rotarians to continue, step by step, our mutual journey to the summit of a very high mountain: a polio-free world. Join us in January as we restart our journey to “Mount Edmonton” by continuing to contribute generously to The Miss Vicky 2026 Challenge for PolioPlus. This link takes you directly to the Miss Vicky raise.rotary.org website.

Happy Holidays, Lee and Winston

Honouring Every Path – Why Every Vocation Matters

Vocational Service Month is a powerful reminder that every vocation matters. Across District 5050, Clubs create meaningful opportunities for Rotarians to share their vocational journeys, the passion, purpose, or circumstances that led them to the work they have done throughout their lives. These stories deepen our understanding of one another, broaden our perspective, and foster a genuine appreciation for work we may never have personally experienced. Most importantly, they allow us to see the value of every profession through a deeply personal lens.

Vocational Service is not about titles or accolades. It is about integrity. It is reflected in the daily choices we make, the way we treat others, and the values we carry into our workplaces and communities. As Rotarians, our vocations are more than what we do, they are an expression of how we live our commitment to Service Above Self.

Within our District, Rotarians represent an extraordinary range of professions. Each one matters. Each brings unique skills, perspectives, and lived experiences that shape who we are and how we show up in Rotary. When we honour all vocations, we honour the people behind them, and the impact they make, often quietly and without recognition.

My own vocational journey began at a very young age, working in every aspect of my family’s restaurant business. The service industry is demanding, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It requires resilience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to customer service. As a child, working was not a choice; it was a responsibility. I learned to contribute, to endure, and to help strengthen my family through hard work. From washing dishes and cleaning bathrooms to serving customers, bartending, cooking, and managing finances, each role, challenging as it sometimes was, shaped the person I am today. Those experiences grounded me in a deep respect for the work others do and instilled a strong work ethic that continues to guide me. It remains a humbling and formative chapter of my life.

Vocational Service also reminds us of our responsibility to support the next generation. It lives in mentorship, guidance offered to young professionals, support for community organizations, and in moments when we choose to apply the Four-Way Test, especially when it would be easier not to. These actions may not always be visible, but they are profoundly impactful. Through mentorship, scholarships, vocational training, Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Youth Engaged in Service, and Youth Adventures in Leadership, we have the privilege of helping young people discover confidence, purpose, skills development, and ethical leadership.

When we share our stories, our successes and our challenges, we help others, especially youth, see what is possible. We show that every job has meaning and that every skill learned can shape a future.

As we begin 2026, I urge each Club to highlight the vocations within your membership. Create opportunities for vocational speakers, storytelling, and mentorship. Celebrate the diversity of skills and experiences around your table. Make space for members to share how their work has shaped who they are and how it strengthens your club’s service.

Thank you for the many ways you live Rotary through your work, your service, and your unwavering commitment to others.

Editor's Note: This is the third of a six part series by Marty Pease on how she ended up in Rotary.

International Project Alliance/Honduras

After retiring, Peter Martin sought a way to put his energies into humanitarian service somewhere in Central America. He and his wife were doing a Mayan ruins tour through Central America and stopped in Copán Ruinas, Honduras. He was in a poor Mayan village when a young girl reached up to Peter’s hand and asked, “May I walk with you?” That sparked Peter’s interest, and he started investigating possibilities in that region. He discovered people in need, few active NGOs in the area, and the dollar stretched far. And Copán Ruinas provided comfortable hotels and restaurants for visiting Americans.

His next step was to find an organization that could support his dream. He stumbled onto Rotary, an organization that does service projects and has a grant system to fund them. He joined the Fidalgo Island Rotary Club in Anacortes, Washington. He realized very quickly that what he aspired to accomplish was beyond the capacity of one club. In 2014, five Rotary clubs in Skagit County, including the Rotary Club of La Conner, came together and created the International Project Alliance (IPA).

The program has since grown to fourteen clubs and has been providing assistance to Mayan villages in western Honduras for eleven years. I am very passionate about this group and the help it provides. In Rotary, it is fairly unusual for clubs to collaborate on a project. When it does happen, the focus is often on a one-time project such as a park, a water system, or a new school. The IPA is unique in the number of clubs working together and the longevity of the program. The IPA’s primary focus has been on education and economic development, including training, infrastructural improvements, and providing school supplies. However, the IPA has the flexibility to meet most requests from the villagers, such as a footbridge, a water system, a new road, silos, ecostoves, student health care, and libraries. As one need is met, another is addressed.

So what does this mean to me? Before joining Rotary, I would never have guessed I would travel to Honduras and be involved in service. My first trip to Honduras was in the fall of 2016. I found the area interesting and enjoyed my time there. I came back saying, “Been there, done that,” with no intention of returning. Well, as it turns out, this June will be my fifteenth or sixteenth trip; I have lost track. 

Why do I love to go? I find the countryside beautiful and peaceful. The pace of life, even in Copán, is slower, though modern amenities are available. Well, sort of. The streets are the original cobblestone. They are so narrow that two cars can’t pass. Only last year did the town adopt a system of one-way streets. The sidewalks are uneven. The power regularly goes out. There may not be running water, depending on the status of the municipal water system. 

The villages the IPA visits are tucked away on the hillsides; it’s truly rural countryside. Though many of the villagers live in poverty, they are happy and grounded. They are very present in the moment. As I observe village life, it causes me to wonder if our hectic modern electronic environment is really any better. Admittedly, every time I come home, I am grateful for potable water and the fact that I can flip a switch to have power. Food and shelter are not my worries. The trips make me even more grateful for what I have here. It does make me more aware that my happiness is not totally dependent on my material wealth. 

Another reason is the reward of seeing the changes in the villages year to year. How the school infrastructure has improved: lights, working latrines, desks, white boards, and so on. Now, children are attending school at least through sixth grade, whereas their parents may have only made it to second or third grade. More and more youth are choosing to attend middle school, high school, and even university. They say education is the best path out of poverty, and the IPA is making that possible for the village children.

Today, November 11, 2025, on Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States, we come together as one Rotary family to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of all who have defended freedom and peace.

Across Rotary District 5050, which bridges two nations, we are united in deep gratitude for those who have served, those who continue to serve, and those who never returned home, so that we may live in peace. We also remember the families and communities who have stood beside them with unwavering strength, love, and support.

Today reminds us not only of the lives lost and sacrifices made, but also of the urgent need to build a world where peace prevails over conflict. Let us also look forward to creating pathways of understanding, collaboration, and sustainability that make lasting peace possible.  

As we honour the good that Rotarians achieve across the world, let us draw strength from Rotary’s mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. The future is ours to shape. Let’s seize this opportunity to recommit ourselves to building peace and fostering understanding among all people.

With deep gratitude,

Isabelle Martinez Hayer

District Governor, 2025-2026

Rotary District 5050

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.

This past May, in Santa Rita, Copán, Honduras our district’s International Project Alliance launched a new program of classes. Those classes were offered by ETAOO,  a local non-­profit trade school, and sponsored by a new partnership of the Rotary Club of Copán Ruinas and fourteen Rotary Clubs in District 5050 that form the International Project Alliance (IPA). Established in 1989, ETAOO is a non-profit trade school in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras, committed to community development through education and skills training. For three decades, ETAOO has offered many courses, including gastronomy, carpentry, barista skills, beauty and cosmetology, electrical work, barbering, welding, and computer skills, among others.

Needs for trade school education have long gone unmet in the 40 rural villages around Copán Ruinas where for ten years the IPA has been working. We have sponsored numerous successful programs and individual students within the traditional schools in the area.  Each village has a primary school, and many have middle schools, that emerged from this partnership of Rotary clubs. But these 60 small villages have not been able to offer more specialized education, focused on the occupations needed in the region, because of the small population base in the individual villages. 

Fortunately, the IPA works with many small villages that all share this need, challenging us to explore, with the villages, the possibility of  a collaborative solution. Our Club, under the leadership of Mark Lascelles (Anacortes) and Walt Guterbock (Fidalgo Island), and logistical work of our in -country contractors, identified families who might have students interested in the idea of expanded offerings. Concurrently we were able to find an educational organization with an excellent reputation already conducting trade education in Honduras.  That group, ETAOO, was operating in the town of Santa Rosa a couple of hours from Copán Ruinas from where the IPA operates. Meetings to explore the feasibility and nature of expanding their offerings led over time to a successful contract under which a new set of classes to meet the needs of IPA villages was established. 

Interests in trade education have been great in the villages, but not a sense of how those needs might be addressed. That type of awareness and serving as a neutral broker and financial supporter was something IPA could bring to the table. Getting funding by the local school system was not a possibility given how far their resources were stretched already. However, we knew our alliance of Rotary Clubs could foster the planning and bring together the needed funding and do so in a sustainable fashion. 

A contract with ETAOO for facilities, equipment and teachers was negotiated and signed. Tuition and fees for each student was funded by the IPA. Each student paid for transportation from their village to and from the school. Because of those costs, and the ongoing need for students to work in support of their families, a scheme was devised to bring these mostly adult students to the school on Saturdays.   

Villages will rarely send more than two students since villages are small and the program, although inexpensive, is not free. After a ride to school of 30 minutes or so students will attend class and return home that day. Admittedly these school days will be grueling, but students are highly motivated and well aware of the challenges their remote locations pose for continuing their education. 

Village needs and family interests led IPA to float a proposal for a partnership initially offering education in four trades: carpentry, sewing, gastronomy and cosmetology. These are trades for which there are needs in the region, if not in every village. Fortunately, given ETAOO’S other offerings, there was no need to purchase equipment to launch these programs, using the existing facilities at the public Cashapa secondary school in Santa Rita. The IPA did agree to maintain the machines. 

Pictures that accompany this article were taken on the first day of class. Excitement among students, teachers and Rotarians was palpable. For some it was the culmination of a lot of planning. For others it was the opening of a door to new work opportunities, and the hope they’ll be bringing salaries back to their villages. 

If you would like more information about or are interested in joining the International Project Alliance, please contact Marty Pease of the La Conner Club or at 720-291-1979.  While Rotary Clubs from Canada, the United States, and Honduras constitute the bulk of the membership, individual Rotarians and friends are welcome to join and/or contribute to these projects and Club activities.

Now is the time for high school students to apply for our District’s Rotary Youth Exchange Program! This is one of Rotary’s most impactful opportunities—where students not only experience the adventure of a lifetime, but also return as true ambassadors of peace, service, and global understanding.

Do you know any students who may be interested?

• Do you have a school administrator or teacher in your Club?

• A community group, church, or youth program staff person in your circle?

• An Interact Club looking for inspiration?

• Or simply want to bring new and youthful energy to your Rotary Club?

They need this information as soon as possible!

Polio is a devastating, even deadly – and utterly avoidable disease! Let us unite and draw attention to WORLD POLIO DAY and to the need to keep the children of the world safe!

Successes:

• over 3 billion children immunized

• 21,000,000 children saved from the paralysis of polio

• 1.6 million lives saved thanks to polio vaccines   

Current Challenges:

• lowering vaccination rates allow the virus to mutate

• tense political situations hinder vaccination campaigns (paralysis case in Gaza in 2024)

• movement of peoples spreads the virus across the world (paralysis case in New York 2024)

• 30 cases of Wild Polio cases in last endemic countries Afghanistan and Pakistan this year

• environmental samples positive for polio in many countries around the world

Reaffirm commitment 

• This week senior global health leaders met to discuss the final push to eradicate polio in a side event of the 80^th United Nations General Assembly. 

• There is a sense of urgency to not let the current challenges let our pending success get away from us!

What can your Club do?

• Join Miss Vicky’s Matching Funds Campaign

• Raise awareness about the dangers of polio in your club and your community

• Show brief videos from the websites below during your Club meeting, give polio a face!

  • https://endpolio.org                                                                                       https://polioeradication.org 

• Arrange an event to raise awareness and funds, examples:

  • Pints Against Polio, 6 October  (Rotary Club of Semiahmoo)

  • PolioPlus Luncheon, 19 October (Rotary Club of White Rock)

• All donations of US$100/year or more qualify for membership in our District 5050 PolioPlus Society

• Bill Gates matches every dollar 2 to 1, so every $100 donation will turn into $300.

Remember: Polio is only a plane ride away!

*Did you know Actor Robert Redford, who passed away recently, contracted Polio as a child in the 1930s? The illness left him bedridden for weeks, during which time his mother read to him constantly. That experience nurtured his imagination and planted the seeds for his later interest in storytelling, film, and the arts.

This is your invitation to apply for the position of District 5050 Governor for 2028-29!

The deadline to apply to be the District Governor in the Rotary year 2028-2029 for District 5050 is approaching - October 15, 2025.

Being District Governor is one of the most critical roles in the District. It is rewarding, challenging, exciting, and highly responsible. It is the epitome of Service Above Self. The District Governor provides leadership, inspiration, and guidance to Rotary clubs in collaboration with  the Board of Directors.

Breaking Barriers

Why Basic Education and Literacy Matter to the Communities We Serve

In September, Rotary highlights the importance of Basic Education and Literacy, reminding us that the ability to read, write, and learn is not just a skill but a fundamental human right. Yet across the globe, and even here at home, millions of people remain vunerable to being left behind. Rotary reports a staggering statistic: more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate, which constitutes about 17 percent of the world's adult population. the United Nations educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported in 2023 that “3 million children are struggling with minimum levels of proficiency in reading, writing, and numeracy, while some 250 million children between the ages of 6-18 years are out of school.” Literacy and education are more than academic goals; they are transformative skills that can lift people out of poverty and allow lives and families to thrive.

Breaking the barriers to this empowering knowledge is life changing. A child who can read has the chance to dream bigger, achieve more, and open doors for their family through skills acquired from access to education. A parent who learns a new language can find better work and provide stability for their household.

Each year on 21 September, the world pauses to reflect on the International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. This day is meant for people everywhere to embrace peace, cease hostilities, build understanding through dialogue, and create opportunities for lasting conflict resolution. For Rotary, this day carries profound meaning and opportunity, as we are grounded in advancing peace and goodwill among nations. For me, it is deeply personal. My father-in-law, Tara Singh Hayer—editor and publisher of a Punjabi language newspaper, the Indo-Canadian Times—was brutally assassinated in his Surrey, BC home. His loss is a reminder that violence is not only experienced in foreign, distant lands, but also here in Canada.

Rotary reports that over “120 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children.” Peace initiatives not only center on the cessation of hostility but also provide opportunities for rebuilding that intersect with all Rotary areas of focus, from peacebuilding to water, sanitation, and hygiene, and access to education. Peace also signifies the presence of justice, opportunity, equity, and compassion. What might we, as Rotarians, do to promote peace in our communities, and why should we care?

Rotary Clubs can make a meaningful impact by not only providing assistance to those struggling to survive in war-torn countries through aid and supplies, but also by creating awareness and sparking dialogue. How might we encourage greater understanding across divides? Options might include hosting Rotary focused intercultural events or partnering with other clubs to establish a Peace Pole project, a visible reminder that peace is possible when communities come together. Clubs can also highlight Rotary’s global efforts, such as the Rotary Peace Centers, which empower the next generation of peacebuilders. These centers have trained and inspired more than 1,800 Peace Fellows, who now serve as ambassadors for peace in government, education, and international organizations. Many graduates work at the grassroots level to improve community conditions.  As Rotarians, we might also join the conversation through the Rotary Action Group for Peace. https://www.rotaryactiongroupforpeace.org/

Why should we care? Rotary’s focus on peacebuilding and conflict prevention equips members to create conditions where communities can thrive without fear or violence. Raising awareness can be as simple as sharing stories of peacebuilders on social media, engaging youth through art or essay contests, or organizing moments of silence to honor lives affected by conflict. Each action, no matter how small, can set in motion a chain of goodwill reaching those we will never know, but contributes to a culture of peace and impact. 

The International Day of Peace is an invitation for Clubs to make peace visible in their communities. On 21 September, let us remember that Rotarians and Rotary Clubs everywhere have the opportunity to shine a light of hope, reminding the world that peace begins with us, in our communities, and in our daily actions.

Backpacks, Burgers, and Better Governance: A Month in the Life of a Rotary President

They say leadership keeps you on your toes — and Rotary proves it. As President, there are plenty of meetings, emails, and moments that make you double-check the calendar, but there’s also a steady stream of connection, joy, and good food along the way.

The month kicked off with Fraser Valley Rotaract Co-President and our RYLA recipient Ansh (whose name rhymes with ranch) sharing his RYLA experience. Our Club also donated a bin of care items for Rotaract’s Hope Central Service Project — the kind of handoff where you picture tomorrow’s leaders being given today’s torch, and knowing they’ll carry it further.

Meanwhile, our Starfish team kept right on going — packing, delivering, and feeding 104 children throughout the summer. No fanfare, no spotlight, just backpacks lined up like a quiet army of kindness, marching out to meet kids who count on them. That’s the kind of steady service that doesn’t make headlines but absolutely changes lives.

Building an Impactful Membership Experience

July flew by offering me awe-inspiring moments and meaningful insights into the membership experience across the District. I had the privilege of meeting with many club leaders and members, as District leaders and I attended or facilitated installations across District 5050. At every stop, I was struck by the energy, optimism, and insight of Rotarians whether it be a talented Rapper from the Rotaract Club of Surrey (yes, I’m talking about you, AQ) to skilled Rotary ambassadors leading Clubs in Marysville, Arlington, and Mission, to a Rotary leader from Hope who experienced the impact of Rotary in the Ukraine. We all come to Rotary with our unique life experiences and a common thread to do good in our world. I am drawn to Rotary not only from the work I feel driven to do, but also the experience I feel as part of a Rotary family.

During many of the Club visits I asked members to reflect on questions regarding their member experience and expectations from their Club:

• Are you involved in projects that matter to you?
• What makes you look forward to attending meetings and engaging in club projects?
• Are you contributing to projects and feeling valued?

Creating a meaningful member experience begins with understanding what a member wants from the Club and building a culture of belonging and purpose. Clubs should continue doing what works well, both with projects and membership development initiatives, but also be open to shifting practice if needed. It’s important to find the right balance between what works well and what might need changing. Celebrate the pioneers and members who have contributed to the Club’s success while also embracing the needs of new members.

Isabelle Hayer joined the Rotary Club of Surrey-Guilford in 1989. Her husband, Dave had joined the Surrey Club in 1986. She commented that Jim Follows saw something in her in the early 1990's that inspired her to achieve more. She has served as Club President--twice--the first time in 1997-1998 when she was the first woman President of the Surrey Club. Somebody else that has encouraged her Rotary journey has been Alf Marchi.

The year leading up to her Governorship has been busy with working on the revitalized Hands Across the Border events, filling out the District Leadership team, attending the President-Elects training to support our new Club Presidents, attending the District Grant Seminars and regularly meeting with the District Governor's Leadership team comprised of the immediate Past Governor, the current Governor, the Governor Elect, the Governor Nominee and the Governor Designate when that person has been selected. She has also been partnering with District Conference Committee on planning for next year's Conference at Harrison Hot Springs. The 2025 Rotary Convention was her first Convention.

She would like Rotarians to know that she is accessible to support their efforts, help Club's with the membership experience and ensure that members are feeling valued. Governor Isabelle added that we should find joy in what we do. In conclusion she wants everyone outside of District 5050 to know that our District has the most amazing Rotarians in the world. “They are diverse, they uplift each other and serve as a model of what Rotary is all about.”

Thank you Governor Hayer for visiting with the Journal in preparation for this article. We are excited about your Governor Year and can't wait to share it with our readers.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) wrapped up another successful event this past month, so we thought we’d share with you a rundown from the weekend along with a look-ahead for next year!

For those that don’t know, RYLA is a powerful 4-day leadership program that transforms potential into action. It’s an experience designed for aspiring leaders, passionate advocates, and those looking to get more involved in their communities, ages 18-30.

This year, RYLA was held at Camp Stillwood in Lindell Beach, B.C, 29 May through 1 June 2025. The camp is located on a beautiful plot of land just south of Chilliwack. It is outfitted with incredible accommodations and has a team of support staff worth bragging about. It was just the spot needed to hold a successful RYLA.

24 participants from across the district (and beyond!) attended RYLA this year, along with eight facilitators and two head facilitators. Billy Hager and Sofia Ngieng (our head facilitators) did a fantastic job leading their Fac team this year, making it a truly wonderful experience for the participants.

Rotarians at the world's longest undefended border

Governor Isabelle with the Assistant Governors

Governor Isabelle and Dave Hayer

Pat Bond, a devoted Rotarian for 30 years, served in key leadership roles in District 5050 and multiple Rotary clubs. Her commitment to service and mentorship impacted countless lives.

Kathleen Olson, a member of the Rotary Club of Arlington, has been selected as the District 5050 Governor Nominee Designate by the District's Nominating Committee and will serve as District Governor in 2026-27.

July is Maternal and Child Health Month 

District Conference 2023 Highlights

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November is The Rotary Foundation Month 

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Rotary International Director Drew Kessler's

October 2022 Message to Rotarians

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October is Economic and Community Development Month 

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Imagine A Peaceful And Inclusive World 

Registration is Open 

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DOGOODERY!

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Save The Date - April 9, 2022

District wide Training - formerly known as District Assembly, District Training Assembly and Club Training Event, Club Training Fiesta

Do you have a favorite name for this event?  

Please forward suggestions to me @ Pat Bond <pat007bond.gmail.com@clubrunner.email> and I will pass them along.  Thanks.

Find an ethical Rotarian business - CLICK for Rotary Networking Plus

Sponsor young people to Rotary's Youth Leadership program - RYLA
Ages 18 – 30 (family members of Rotarians are eligible). 

CLICK TO VISIT THE RLYLA WEBSITE:  www.ryla5050.org 

                 Registration is now open.  CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Every club intending to apply for a matching grant for service projects (both local and international) must have the President-Elect and another member attend a Grants Seminar. 
CLICK HERE to register for the February 16th Grants Seminar in Ferndale, Washington

A New Year's Resolution by Rotarians