August 2023 Bulletin - Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise (Sep 04, 2023)

The Rotary Club of
Vancouver Sunrise

Chartered 1987

Vancouver Sunrise Bulletin for August 2023

Building Understanding Through Shared Learning

The month of August closed out with a beautiful performance of traditional Japanese dance by our friend and educator, Mari Kato with her daughters Hibiki and Shizuha - above.

Mari Kato also shared her work as the owner of Focus Education Services, which builds intercultural language skills through lessons, teacher training, workshops, and global interactive events.

Thank you to Mari, Hibiki and Shizuha for the gift of music, story and dance. If you missed it, you can enjoy the performance on our Vancouver Sunrise YouTube channel here.

Growing Tomorrow's Leaders

Fellow member and District 5040 RYLA South Director, James Fox joined us on August 16th to provide an update about the successful program that was held in March, 2023 at Camp Elphinstone in Gibsons.

The 4-day youth leadership development program was re-launched following the pandemic to provide what James described as a "melting pot" experience. Participants attend interactive workshops, team-building exercises, speaker presentations, hands-on service projects and fun activities where new skills and enduring friendships are formed.

Seventy-eight students, aged 16-18 attended the March 2023 program which has space for up to 100 participants. This year our club is aiming to sponsor 8 students to attend the 2024 RYLA South camp through direct support and partnerships with other Rotary clubs. For more information, visit the RYLA South website: http://ryla5040.org/south/.

An Exceptional Service Leader

On August 9th we were treated to an inspiring presentation of the personal and professional journey of club member Zarina Rosimo. Zarina is the Operations Manager for Shelter and Outreach Services at the PHS Community Services Society, having previously worked as a Building Manager with Atira's Hutchinson Block and Hazelwood Hotel properties and for the BC Indigenous Housing Society.

Prior to working in supportive housing, Zarina was a Community Support Worker with the RainCity Housing and Support Society, and a Supervisor and a Mental Health and Addiction Support Worker with the Greater Vancouver Community Services Society.

Zarina brings a true service commitment to her job and to her role as a Rotarian - one that is deeply rooted in her lived experience growing up in care and having had to advocate for change and supportive programs in the school system as a young parent.

Zarina transferred to our club from the Rotary Club of Vancouver Mountainview where she served as Club Secretary and received the Don Evans Award for First Nation/Indigenous Advocacy for her leadership initiating the Safe Rides for Indigenous Women and other service projects in the Downtown Eastside. She is also a member of Regal Rotaract Club and serves on the District DEI and Youth Alumni committees.

We are grateful to have such a shining model of Service Above Self in our club!

Global Business Collaboration

At our August 2nd meeting club member and marketing master Kaustav Ghosh (pictured above with our Club's new Grants Committee Chair Danison Buan and Past President Cam Scott) gave us an engaging update on his online business campaign I Support Your Business.

In the past six months, the global marketing initiative has expanded beyond the original 100+ companies, with 92 new Canadian and Indian small businesses supporting one another for shared success - congratulations Kaustav!

Learn about the latest Indo-Canadian partnership initiative of I Support Your Business here: https://youtu.be/I_-cvz9IQFo and about the origin of this successful marketing venture here: https://youtu.be/fbPQUd2KzSI.

Generosity of Heart & Help

Congratulations to Past President Cam Scott for reaching another step on the Paul Harris award contribution ladder. Your gift supports Rotary's positive impact around the world.

Green Service on the Greens

Three of our Sunrise club members helped the Rotary Club of Steveston with a service project and fundraiser by doing recycling and clean up on August 23rd & 24th for the LPGA Canadian Women’s Golf Championship held at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.

After her volunteer shift, club member Frances joined some of the fans at the 1st Tee - pictured above with her former student Karn who was attending the event with his children. Pictured below is Canada's Brooke Henderson with her sister Brittany on the 17th green.

Proud of Our Pride Support

We were proud to wave our Rotary banner and provide our support for our local Pride community through two summer events:

Special thanks to Teacher Sponsor Doug Sherrett who coordinated our Strathcona Elementary EarlyAct Club's leadership of their school's second annual school pride parade in June.
And thank you to Ron and President Peter who organized participation by members and friends of our club and the Vancouver Young Professional Rotaract Club with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Parks & Recreation's entries in the annual city July Pride Parade.

It's (Not) All Business

At our August 23rd meeting, we discussed our 2023-2024 Action plan to continue advancing our Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise Strategic Plan. Fasten your seat belts because among our goals and plans for this Rotary year, we can look forward to:

A new Grant Writing Committee led by Danison to increase our Foundation impact.
Growing our service projects by tapping into the talents and passions of our new members.
Continued expansion of our Hoop-A-Thon participation with other District Rotary clubs, and
Even more social events for our members and friends...including the return of the popular Guess Who's Coming to Dinner event!

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