ROTARY CONFERENCE IN PENTICTON
MAY 2 – MAY 5, 2024
ROTARY DISTRICT 5060 MISSION
Assist the meaningful work of clubs and Rotarians by providing leadership, administrative, training, and development support so that clubs advance humanitarian service, encourage participation in Rotary International Programs, and advance the work of the Rotary Foundation.
LATEST NEWS
Wenatchee Rotary Raises $53,000
The Wenatchee Rotary's annual fundraiser, the Wenatchee Rotary Toast & Roast, amassed an impressive $53,000 this year, celebrating Mayor Frank Kuntz as its special guest. Mayor Kuntz's friends and family shared endearing stories at the event, highlighting the community's admiration for him.
These funds will significantly benefit the Sage Advocacy Center, Wenatchee Rotary Scholarships, and Community Outreach grants. Jill Leonard, emphasizing the Rotary's century-long commitment to local impact, lauded the event's success.
The Sage Advocacy Center, serving Chelan and Douglas Counties, will use the funds to enhance shelter facilities and support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes. Executive Director Bethany Alhaidari expressed gratitude for the support, citing the urgent need to expand shelter capacity.
Since 2016, the Wenatchee Rotary Foundation has awarded over $149,975.00 in scholarships to 85 students, promoting education and community service. Additionally, the Community Outreach grants, totaling $68,000 since 2016, aid various local projects.
Generous sponsorship from Wenatchee Valley Medical Group, Cascade AutoCenter, Marsh McClennan, Salcido Enterprises, Speidel Bentsen, Express Employment Professionals, Larson Gross, Coldwell Banker Cascade, and Wheatland Bank underscores the community's commitment to progress.
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District Governor's April message
I adore my club meetings. I mean, I really really do! We meet on Friday mornings at 7:01am and quite often I’m one of the last people to run into the meeting space just under the wire. As many of you know, I work as a baker. On Friday mornings I work a half shift, beginning at 1am and rushing out at 6:30 so that I can attend my meeting. I’m usually pulling into the parking lot of the golf course where we meet, changing my shoes in the car, brushing my hair out in the hopes of getting any residual flour out, putting my name tag on and running through the doors at about 6:59. We are always greeted with a smile and a handshake or hug and the front desk is staffed by 2 more of my Rotary peeps. This time of the morning, the coffee station is bustling with activity, people catching up with each other, while others grab their first caffeine fix of the day (fully disclosure, but this time it’s often my 3rd fix). There are often all sorts of conversations happening in the room but as I mentioned, I usually running in at the last second, grabbing a seat in the back of the room. Our meetings always begin with a thoughtful land acknowledgment (many thanks to our club’s HIP committee, Honouring Indigenous People, for the guidance), a rousing rendition of “O Canada” and then, one of my favourite parts of the weekly meeting, gratitude.
Picture: Some of my fellow Sunrise Rotarians during an afternoon of snowshoeing.
Traditionally known as invocation, our club shifted to a gratitude, given by volunteer members each week. There are a few parameters to follow, but the gist is that we are inclusive and do not focus on religion. I often volunteer to provide gratitude for the meetings. I do this for a few reasons:
- It ensures that I focus on getting to the meeting on time or even a little early
- Considering the role I currently have with the District serving as the Governor, volunteering for a club role such as this makes me feel engaged and connected with my own club
- It’s a great opportunity to share some of those inspirational quotes or memes that pop up on social media
- I am just so grateful for my club and for the District, and this is my way of giving back
This brings me back to gratitude. Gratitude for so many people who surround me.
My family, for one. It takes a special kind of patience and understanding to be around my crazy schedule.
Gratitude for the Governor’s Council (affectionately known as the G5), Governor’s Aide and District Secretary who are always open to providing guidance and advice when asked, but also offering an ear when I just need to vent.
Gratitude for the Assistant Governors; serving in this role would be IMPOSSIBLE without the AGs willing to step up and support the clubs in their areas.
Gratitude for the District Chairs; we have a ton of committees in the District lead by some wonderfully dedicated Rotarians who share their passion with our members
Gratitude for my club, Kelowna Sunrise; they have been so incredibly supportive of me and of the District. Sure, I get fined almost weekly, somehow related to my role, but I know that I am appreciated and loved and supported.
Gratitude for the over 2200 Rotarians throughout our District who continue to serve their clubs, their communities, and the world. I am floored by your dedication, your creativity, and your passion.
I am so incredibly grateful for District 5060 and the work that you are ALL doing as you.
CREATE HOPE IN THE WORLD!
See you at the Conference in Penticton, friends.
And thank you. I am grateful.
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Involved Interact Students Smash It!
New commitments to a life of service were made by student members of the “Cascade Cares” Interact Club as they planned and executed a community fundraising dinner March 27, at Cascade High School. The event was promoted on social media and the sold-out crowd of parents, Rotarians and community members raised over $4,000 to assist in drilling a well on property owned by the Dream Again Home, an orphanage in Seirra-Leone, Africa.
onations and to support the efforts of the orphanage. Upon returning, there was strong commitment to assist the needs of the struggling orphanage and build a well to service the new site for --- Home. The idea of a fundraising dinner with auction items seemed to be one of the plans.The practice of Rotary in contributing to a water source in a third-world country is to assure that there is a high likelihood that the water project will be successful and continuous. Members of the Leavenworth Rotary Club are actively lending their support to ensure that the well will meet Rotary standards.
The speeches made by the Interact students, reflected a new awareness of the needs of orphaned children around the world, and specifically, in Siera-Leonne. Those students who traveled to the Dream Again Home vibrantly shared their passion for the children and their hope for an improved life for them.
If your club would like to consider having an Interact Club in your area, contact John Fishburne, District Interact Chair, at fishburnej3@gmail.com
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April is Earth Month
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District 5060 earned the ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group) Eco Star District designation
5060 is the first district in the Big West Chapter of ESRAG to earn this honor by reaching an ESRAG membership of 50 or more.See the full story for how to join ESRAG, a message from PDG Karl Ruether, and more.
Earning individual club honors were the following clubs:
To join ESRAG, visit the ESRAG website. For more information about how your club can become an Eco Action or an Eco Star club, contact Kris Cameron at kris.cameron@esrag.org.
Enjoy Past District Governor Karl Ruether's star turn in this short video promoting ESRAG's Operation Pollination campaign.
Learn how joining ESRAG can help retain club members.
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Wenatchee Rotary's Fundraiser Incorporates Green Event Practices
Former Wenatchee mayor Frank Kuntz was the featured guest for Wenatchee Rotary's recent annual "Roast & Toast" fundraiser. This signature event typically raises tens of thousands of dollars for local charities. This year the club adopted practices recommended in the ESRAG Green Event Handbook, such as offering plant-based entree items, composting leftover food and organic waste, and recycling. Rick Edwards of Sustainable NCW, and event organizer Jill Leonard of the Wenatchee Club, worked with convention center staff and local commercial composter, Winton Mfg. to reduce waste from the event. The new practices were such a success that they were repeated for an event three times larger a week later, and Center staff are interested in continuing these practices for all future events. To learn more about how you can make your events more environmentally friendly, download the ESRAG Green Event Handbook. Not listed on the menu was a delicious plant-based Wellington.
Every Day Can Be Earth Day . . .
. . . when you tackle climate change one bite at a time!
Can’t afford an electric car? Solar panels not an option? There is an inexpensive and easy way for all of us to tackle climate change every day!
Project Drawdown, an ESRAG partner, has identified reducing food waste and adopting plant-rich diets as the two most powerful steps we can take to reduce GHG emissions.
Experts warn that even if we reach net zero emissions in the transportation and energy sectors, without significant reductions in the agriculture sector, we will not be able to maintain stable global temperatures.
All Rotarians can choose the plant-based foods that work for their lifestyles. This Earth Day, we invite you to learn how, by taking the ESRAG 15-Day Plant-Rich Diet Challenge - a guided journey to improved personal and planetary health. Here’s a preview presentation from the Challenge with excellent tips to get you started. The Challenge also includes a cookbook, recipes, and much more!
Register for the ESRAG 15-Day Plant-Rich Diet Earth Day Challenge HERE!
For more information visit our webpage or email us at plantrich@esrag.org
Haiti Needs Us More Than Ever
Our Rotary District Encouraged program is to bring clean drinking water to those in need in Haiti. Sherry Chamberlain from RC of Osoyoos and Carin Smith of RC of Wenatchee are still working long and hard at making this dream a reality for a small commune in the NE corner of Haiti.Ferrier commune is away from the struggles of Port-au-Prince in the South, but they continue to suffer their own struggles. Shortage of fuel, food, water and a strong economic area. Sherry traveled to Haiti in November 2019 and November 2023 and has seen firsthand the water needs of this community.
Due to the violence of the gangs who have taken over much of the government, larger cities and the import of goods, fuel, supplies etc. are expensive and hard to come by. This project has challenges of higher costs, delays and labour issues. The cost of our Rotary project has already increased by about 40%. We started with our GG at $490,533.00, and we are now sitting at $717,533.00. Some of this funding has been satisfied by ongoing fundraising from the RC of Wenatchee.
We can use more funds and more awareness for this project. If you would like to have a presentation to your club and/or to help out, please reach out to either Sherry or Carin.
sherry@adobie.com or carinsmithie@gmail.com
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Major Donor Reception Set for Conference in May
The District Foundation committee is in the early stages of planning a hosted reception at the district conference May 2-5 to recognize members who have made a significant commitment in their estate plan of US$10,000 or have contributed US$10,000 or more to the foundation. District 5060 is the second-largest district in Zone 28 and is typically first or second in foundation giving.
Invitations will be mailed in February asking for an RSVP with a reminder sent prior to mid-April. If you have any questions, you may contact me at: pete.rotary5060@outlook.com
Grateful for your support of our Foundation programs.
Pete Erickson, PDG
District Foundation Chair
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