Events

Short Program: President: Announcement of candidate slate for 2024/25 Rotary club board and ask for further nominations from the floor (with nominee having previously consented to stand).

Long Program: Club Committees Meeting

All members welcome and encouraged to participate. 

For the 2023/24 year the club will host a committees meeting approximately every 8 weeks to allow members to learn more about club committee happenings and the various endeavours the Rotary noon club is up to.  

The following/directors/committee chairs will be hosting a table at the November 22nd committee meeting:

• Christmas Giving committee hosted by Darlene Garat, Director of Community Services. Includes seniors gift cards and Christmas packages for youth at risk.

• Membership committee hosted by John Doucette, Director of Membership Services. 

• Youth Services committee hosted by Tara Jordan, Director of Youth Services 
• Environment committee hosted by Steve Nagle, Director of Environment

Committee members sit at their respective table and /or if part of multiple committees can choose their table to sit at for this meeting. Members not on one of the noted committees can sit at any table they are interested to provide feedback to, learn more, or if they are considering joining that committee.

Format of meeting will be quick intro of meeting to intro by President, then overview of committee purpose and upcoming events/plans by Chair to membership group in attendance, 20-25 minute discussion at tables about committee agenda/topic to be discused, then Chair will proivde overview of discussion at table, and next steps for that committee to all attendees.

The purpose of these meetings is to provide awareness to members of the various committees and their purpose, get involved and provide feedback, and join a committee if interested. 

Committees can still continue on with other meetings as required, this one is an open forum for members to learn and get involved, create synergies and have some engaged discussions. 

Any directors or committee chairs who would like to host a table for January committee meeting please let the program committee know! (Myriah, Kelsey, Kent)

Short Program: Rotary Student of the Month for November - Carihi Confirmed

Long Program: Brad McRae and Kindry Mercer to provide update on Western Forest Products Inc. 

Introductions by Gary McLelan 

BIO: Brad McRae, Director, Government Relations 

Brad McRae is the Director, Government Relations, for Western, where he works closely with both local and provincial elected officials to provide perspective on a wide range of forest policy matters. Brad comes from a 20+ year career in both local and provincial government in British Columbia. Brad holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and has lectured extensively at both the Justice Institute of British Columbia and at Thompson Rivers University. Brad resides in Campbell River with his wife, Lori, and daughter.

BIO: Kindry Mercer, RPF, Indigenous Relations Project Manager 

Kindry Mercer has worked in the BC Coastal Forest Industry since 1997.  Kindry is the Indigenous Relationships Project Manager for Western Forest Products (Western), her role is to support the development of long term, mutually beneficial relationships and resource stewardship opportunities with Indigenous communities.  Kindry holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Forest Resources Management from the University of British Columbia and is a Registered Professional Forester with the Association of BC Forest Professionals. 

Western Forest Products - Defining a higher standard™

Please join us for a Joint Christmas Party with Daybreak Club. 72 tickets available for each Club.

Tickets are $60 each:  Buffet Salads, AAA Strip Loin and Vegetarian Lasagne. Seasonal Vegetables, dessert, tea, coffee.

We have engaged a band for after dinner, no host bar, door prize(s), Rotary Trivia. 

Contact Karen Johnson directly to arrange for ticket.  Tickets are mandatory to attend the event.  You can pay cash or charge your account.

Student of the Month for December:  Southgate Middle School confirmed.

Ugly Sweater Day

Networking at 5:30pm with meeting starting at 6:00pm. Join us for a very social meeting focused on brainstorming local service projects and FUNdraisers more even more local service projjects.  

Long Program:: New Member Induction

Short Program: Major Donor Presentation

Short Program: Member thumbnails with Graham Stewart 

Long Program: Yrjö Närhinen, 1986 inbound exchange student from Finland visiting 

Our 1986 inbound exchange student from Finland, Yrjö Närhinen, is be visiting Campbell River from Jan 15-17, 2024. He reached out to connect about joining us for a meeting and spending time with any members that might want to share some fellowship. He will be attending our January 17th meeting and doing a presentation during our meeting, sharing some picture.

He is an avid skier and plans to head up to Mt. Washington while here and is an outdoorsperson, and is open to connecting with our members for any fun activities or fellowship while he is here including a Campbell River tour. A lot has changes since 1986! Please email him directly at: yrjo.narhinen@gmail.com 

Ray Hughes and Mitch Lukinuk have been in contact with him and will be attending lunch with him, with Mitch coming in from Gold River for the weekly meeting.

The People of Action (Satellite Club) will be meeting at Big Rock Garage Restaurant to socialize and brainstorm new ideas for 'Service Above Self' in our local community.  All Rotarians are invited to bring their ideas and add input to others. See you there!  

Short Program: Robbie Burns Day 

Quay West will be cooking haggis. Brian Shaw and team to organize Pipers Ode to Robby Burns and short program presentation to celebrate this important day. Wear your best plaid! :)

Burns Night | Traditions and Robert Burns Information | Scotland.org

10 Robert Burns Poems Everyone Should Read – Interesting Literature

Long Program: Jeremy Maynard will be speaking on Salmon in 2023 

Jeremey Maynard is a well-known salmon expert in Campbell River. He was a well received speaker to our club last year, and he recently attended the Pacific Salmon Treaty talks in Seattle and we are excited he has agree to come and speak to our club again to provide an update on Salmon in 2023.

If time allows he will touch on an important initiative that will have major significance to the recreational fishery in this part of the world. And then look to come back to another meeting in 2024 to speak about this topic. 

Jeremy ran the salmon hatchery in Campbell River for many years, and he is on the Sports Fishing advisory board. He has a broad depth of knowledge and can speak to many topics in the world of salmon fishery. 

Short Program:

Long Program: Insight to Action (Vocation) - Laurel Cronk, Island Joy Rides

To support Rotary's theme of the month for January of vocation, Laurel Cronk, Rotary member and owner and operator of Island Joy Rides, will be speaking to our club about her journey to open her company and transition her career. She will tell us her vocation story and kick off our Insight to Action session. 

About - Island Joy Rides

Home - Island Joy Rides

Then members will get a chance at their tables to share their stories and experiences. Be ready to speak to your story of how you got into their vocation, and what you expected going in to your career, what you learned along the way, any final thoughts of how your vocation impacted your life over and above providing your livelihood.

What are you most grateful for from your vocation? 

Members will be encouraged to share highlights at the end of the insight to action session.
 

Back to 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.  Join us for networking, and brainstorming ideas on how can we impact our local community with 'boots on the ground' service projects.

Short Program: Tara Jordan - My Year in India 

Bio: Tara co-owner of Small Planet Energy Inc. with her husband Jarek, founded their company in September 2009. The renewable energy company specializes in solar installations and are passionate about supporting their clients to achieve energy independence by harnessing the energy of the sun with solar panels. Tara also founded the Caremongering Campbell  River group in March 2020, with 4,300 people involved and 74 screened volunteers to provide support to people in need groceries and necessities across the community with the $15,000 of annual donations received.

Presentation: Tara has spent time living in Japan through the Ishikari/Campbell River Senior Exchange, and one year and India, and will be speaking to her experience Southern India and her connection to here since she was 12 years old. She lived with her pen-pal and his family, in Kerala state in South India in a tiny village that has never had a foreigner live there before. She will speak to how much this experience changed her life. Her time in India and lessons learned there are some of the most beautiful parts of her entire life. 

smallplanetenergy.ca

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2574183796236834

Long Program: February Monthly Theme is Peace & Conflict Prevention/Resolution - Kevin Hilgers 

Keith Price to introduce Kevin. 

Kevin Hilgers (District Chair of Rotary Friendship Exchange Program and President of Victoria Rotary Club) to come and speak to our club about the Friendship Exchange program. 

Presentation: The Friendship Exchange Program's purpose is to allow Rotarians to visit other clubs in all parts of the world, have an adventure, make friends, learn about other cultures, and in turn have other clubs visit our District and get to know us. By making Rotary friends around the world, it should certainly help to stop prejudice and hate. Kevin has visited many countries, is a dynamic speaker, and has offered to come up from Victoria to speak to our club. The program was stalled out during COVID but is gaining momentum again. 

Bio: Kevin is President of the Rotary Club of Victoria Harbourside. He joined that club after 25 years of membership in a Rotary Club in Grande Prairie, Alberta. In Alberta, Kevin had many Rotary roles including District Governor in 2012, 2013 for District 5370 - 65 clubs in northern Alberta, parts of BC, Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories. In 2001, Kevin and his wife Jan bought their first rental property in Victoria, and over the years bought more in James Bay. After their daughters finished schooling, they moved full time to Victoria. Kevin was Chair of Rotary Friendship Exchange in 5370 and took on the role here in 5020 a couple years before COVID. Professionally Kevin spent 15 years in radio broadcasting in western Canadian cities until he went full time as an entrepreneur with a marketing firm, a professional fundraiser, and properties. Kevin and Jan are retired for the most part outside of the rentals they have in Victoria. 

Mobile 250-893-0373

kev@yesforsure.ca

Short Program: Honour & Thank You to Rotary Auction Platinum Sponsors

Presented by Greg Manzulenko and Graham Stewart 

Long Program: Cleo Corbett and Lucas Schuller to present an update on Rotary sponsored Youth Open Mic Nights. 

Ian Baikie to introduce Cleo and Lucas. 

Bio - Cleo Corbett, MCIP, RPP - is an urban planner with 20 years experience in working for local government. She is currently a Senior Specialist with CMHC`s Municipal Relations team for BC and the Yukon to deliver programs, build capacity and improve the housing system. Cleo serves as a Board Member on the planning institute of BC and the Yukon, and is a former board member of Rivercity Players. Cleo also was a proud Rotarian with the Club in Golden BC in the 2000s. Cleo loves theatre and rock n roll … but doesn’t have much time for it these days given career and family obligations, so she just really enjoys being able to help others perform. 

Bio - Lucas Schuller - since settling in Campbell River in 2014, Lucas Schuller has served on the board of the Art Gallery and the Tidemark, and as assistant to Member of Parliament Rachel Blaney. He founded the Highway 19 concert series in 2019 and is the programmer and manager for Spirit Square under contract from the City. Lucas spent three years in Ottawa as a program officer for Canada Council for the Arts, and 15 years in the music business in Vancouver in artist management, CD distribution, and as a performing and recording drummer. Lucas has a BFA from the School for Contemporary Arts at SFU, and a music performance diploma from Vancouver Community College, and once had music he wrote performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He lives in Willow Point with two kids and his partner who teaches elementary school music, and spends as much time as possible on the soccer pitch playing with the masters club and coaching youth.
 

The Satellite Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.  Join us for networking, and brainstorming ideas on how can we impact our local community with 'boots on the ground' service projects.

Short Program: Student of the Month - Pinecrest School (Confirmed). 

Long Program: Club Committees Meeting 
 

We are using this club committee meeting to re-visit our strategic plan approved in the fall. To review from our work plan what has been achieved so far, what do we wish to accomplish by the end of this 2023/2024 year in June, what is to be deferred until next or the folloiwng year. 

This review will be based on the strat plan approved in fall 2023, with columns to update for status as of February 2024. The document will be sent closer to the meeting. 

This check in will ensure we as a club are working to achieving our strategic goals through varoius work plan items, and we are aligned in our focus and efforts across the club. 

Join us for fellowship and discussion/development of fundraising and community event ideas.  Very casual meeting.  Food is optional and at your own cost. 

For more information contact DarleneGaratRotary @gmail.com.

Short Program: N/A

Long Program: Off Site Tour at the Campbell River Water Treatment Plant!

A really exciting meeting off site to do a tour of the Campbell River Water Treatment Plant with City staff from 12-1pm.
 

Campbell River's Largest Infrastructure Project Flows With Success - Water Canada

LUNCH: Bag lunch from Quay West of sandwich, salad and cookies to be proivided, as well as bottled water. 

TRANSPORTATION: Parking is limited a the water plant, so please meet at the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge parking lot and the Beacon Club mini bus has been booked to shuttle people to the plant for the tour, and back at tour end starting at 1pm. 
The shuttle will be in operation from 11:30-11:55, and then with trips back at end of the tour starting at 1pm. 
Members can walk from the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge parking lot if they wish, or need to come later or leave earlier with work and other commitments; it is approximately a 10 minute walk. 

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: For those who can't attend, we are looking to take some videos and photos to share following the event. 

RSVP: Please confirm your attendance on clubrunner by 10am on Monday, March 4th to ensure we have an idea of numbers and can have lunch ready for you.

Big thanks to Graham and Ian for coordinating transportation, and to Steve for lunch!

It should be a great day. 

Programming Committee (Steve, Kelsey, Kent, Myriah, Graham, Ian) 

Short Program: Student of the Month: Ocean Grove (Confirmed).

Long Program: Stephen Gabrysh of the Campbell River Adventure Tours Group

Campbell River Adventure Tours Group has been a long standing sponsor of the TV Rotary auction, and owner/operator Stephen Gabrysh is pleased to come present to our club about his local tour operating company, CR Adventure Tours Group and CR Whale Watching. He will speak to his building of the business and where it is today, with a presentation on some of the tours they provide to residents and tourists alike. 
 

Stephen Gabrysh (he/him) I Owner/Operator

Campbell River Adventure Tours Group

www.campbellriverwhalewatching.com

www.discoverymarinesafaris.ca

O: 250 287 2667  C: 778-874-3353

Programming Committee (Steve, Kelsey, Kent, Myriah, Graham, Ian) 

Short Program: N/A

Long Program: Alex Jackson, Youth Exchange Student, Living in Denmark 

Introduction: Tara Jordan 

Bio: Hello Rotarians, my name is Alexander (Alex) Jackson. I have just turned 17 years old in January. I am passionate wrestling, rugby, scouts and being outdoors, music and school. Here in Denmark, I wrestle three times a week and go to music twice a week. I was born in Nanaimo and moved to Port McNeill when I was around five. I lived in Port McNeill until we moved to Campbell River when I was in the third grade. My mom comes from a big French-Canadien family with over 200 attendants during family functions, while my dad comes from a small family who are very distant from one another. Last year I was able to complete my bronze Duke of Edinburgh award, which is an international award; designed to get young people active in the community, developing personal interest and maintaining physical activity, as well as completing a grand adventure outdoors. In addition, I have also completed my chief scout and six star awards through scouts and completed some courses from JIBC in emergency management. One of my short terms goals for the near future is to develop my Danish vocabulary and language skills. 

Programming Committee (Steve, Kelsey, Kent, Myriah, Graham, Ian) 

Short Program: None

Long Program: Insight to Action - International Womens Day

Kim Schmid had a fabulous idea to have an event celebrating our women members and what they bring to our club, their vocations, and their families and communities. 

Tying in to International Women's day on in March, held on March 8th in 2024 we will celebrate our women members at this insight to action. 

We'll have two of our Rotary and community member trailblazing women Mary Ashley, and Marlene Wright speak and then a discussion amongst our members of women that have had an impact or impression on them, through Rotary or in their lives. 

See pics below of some of our current and previous women Rotarians. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1uArtrT6Jq8h5yQn6

And don't fret male members, we will do a similar event for you all in November! 

International Women's Day 2024 (internationalwomensday.com)

Home - International Men's Day (internationalmensday.com)


 

Programming Committee (Steve, Kelsey, Kent, Myriah, Graham, Ian) 

Join us for fellowship plus discussion & development of fundraising and community event ideas.  Very casual meeting.  Food is optional and at your own cost. 

The Satellite Club meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 6pm - 730pm.  

For more information contact DarleneGaratRotary @gmail.com.

Short Program: March Student of the Month - Sayward School (Confirmed).

Long Program: Jeremy  Maynard will return to speak on an important initaitive that will have major significance to the Recreational Fishery in this part of the world.

No lunch meeting today. Evening event instead. 

Special speaker presentation on the History of the Laichwiltach People. More details to come. 

No meal provided. 

Evening meeting option.  Join us for fellowship, and planning of local fundraising and community service projects.

RSVP is not required but appreciated to: darlenegaratrotary@gmail.com

Food/Beverage is not mandatory and at the attendees own cost.

Short Program: Update of PolioPlus

Long Program: Semi-annual Paul Harris Fellow presentation

Introduction by Todd Peachey, Chair Rotary Foundation Committee.

Assistance by Pieter Koeleman, Rotary Foundation Committee 

Paul Harris Fellow recognition | Rotary International

Short Program: SOM Sayward Video

Long Program: Stacey Marsh, Executive Director of Campbell River Hospital Foundation (CRHF)

Introduction: Robin Havelaar 

Stacey will be providing an update on the funds raised through the March of Dimes this February, and speaking to the 2024-25 fiscal year for the CRHF related to Maternal and Child Health, the April Rotary Theme of the Month. 

Campbell River Hospital Foundation | Give. Because You Care. (crhospitalfoundation.ca)

About Us - Campbell River Hospital Foundation (crhospitalfoundation.ca)

Short Program:  Confirmed April Student of the Month Ocean Grove School.

Long Program: Interact Program Update by 6 or 7 Students on what training they were involved in and training that they plan to take in the future, why they became involved in the Rotary Interact Program and their goals for the future.

The students have a question for all Noon Rotary Members.: How can the Interact Club better serve the community.?

For example, should the Interact Club partner with Noon Rotary on projects and events to reach out to a wider range. of the population than either Group could reach on their own?

Join us for fellowship and discussion of upcoming Rotary/community events plus brainstorming new ideas on how we can affect positive change in our local community.  

For more information contact: DarleneGaratRotary@gmail.com

Food and beverage is optional and at your own cost.

Short Program: 

Long Program: Darrell McKay, will be speaking on his Ukranian and humanitarian efforts. 

Introduction by: Samantha Storfie  

Bio: For the last 10 years Darrel has been traveling to remote places helping NGO’s (private not-for-profit organization) by using his photography skills and ability to travel to rough places. One organization he has really enjoyed volunteering for is SEVA (restores sight and prevents blindness in low to middle income countries) where he traveled to Ethiopia and Benin to document the eye care they provide to less fortunate.

Over the last 2 years has spent 160 days, over five different trips, in Ukraine and Poland helping with the war effort as a humanitarian.

Darell has raised $42,000 dollars for the Ukrainian people as well as delivering 535 stretchers to the front line as well as thousands of dollars in medical supplies.

Working with Ukrainian Patriot he provided medical supplies and goods to the front line, helping civilians, soldiers and animals.

He hopes to present to our Rotary club to make them aware of the situation and how we can help.
 

Home | Seva Canada

–Ukrainian Patriot
 

Long Program: Thumbnails
 

Graham Stewart will be leading thumbnails of our new and long-standing members.