If you're passionate about meaningful connections, professional growth, and strengthening the fabric of Rotary, you want to join this Zoom chat on Tuesday, May 13th 5-6 pm.

When Paul Harris founded Rotary, his vision was grounded in business networking—bringing together professionals to build trust, grow their businesses, and serve their communities. Over the decades, Rotary has evolved into a powerhouse of global humanitarian impact. But the spirit of business connection hasn’t been forgotten—it’s been reimagined.

That reimagining is Rotary Means Business (RMB).

Launched just a few years ago, RMB was created to reintroduce business networking into Rotary without disrupting the traditional Club agenda. It’s now a thriving international movement, complete with a global board of directors representing Europe, South Africa, South America, Australia, India/Asia, the USA.

We are fortunate that Brant Hasanen of Kamloops West serves as the representative for Canada on RMB.

At this zoom chat Brant and Brad Serl (Kelowna Sunrise) will share the story of RMB—its origins, its mission, and how it's quickly becoming a powerful tool for engaging current members and attracting new professionals to Rotary. And most importantly, how can you initiate RMB in your community. 

Register here

This past weekend, the District Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program held its Outbound Orientation Weekend, bringing together an energetic and enthusiastic group of students, parents, Club Youth Exchange Officers (YEOs), Counselors, and members of the District RYE Committee.

The orientation was designed to provide students and their families with essential tools and tips to prepare for the life-changing adventure of an exchange year. Topics included navigating culture shock, supporting mental health while abroad, and an overview of the District’s strong support systems and resources available throughout their journey.

For the 2025-2026 Rotary year, we are proud to have 12 outstanding outbound students representing our District – 7 from Canada and 5 from the United States. Each student is preparing to embrace new cultures, build lifelong connections, and represent Rotary and their home communities with pride.

If your club is interested in learning more about RYE and hosting a student for the 2026 Rotary year, now is the time to reach out. It might seem a long way away, but the district can provide presentations, training, and other resources to help your club get ready to participate. Questions can be directed to our District RYE Co-Chairs, Kayle Tjomsaas or Martha Kennedy, who are ready to assist and support your club every step of the way.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this important event. We are excited to watch these students grow and thrive as they embark on this incredible opportunity!

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Join fellow Lake Country Rotarians May 9th 6:30 pm at the Creekside Theater for a night of swing, swank and support. Get your tickets here

This is a premier dinner theatre experience that blends elegance, style, glamour and a sense of community. An evening of fine dining serenaded by the live music of Robert Fine and his band. Robert is a Sinatra-style crooner of international award-winning fame with his velvety, smooth vocals and big band sounds. Dinner is by The Fine Art of Catering. Join us for fun and FUNdraising!

Ready to Change the World? Let’s Do It—Rotary Style! 
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is where big hearts and bold ideas come together to make a real difference. From boosting global health and education to protecting our planet and tackling poverty, TRF helps Rotary members create lasting change across the globe.

Want in on the action?
We’re looking for passionate people like you—with energy, ideas, and a spark for doing good. Whether you're a long-time Rotarian or brand new to the cause, your support for TRF can help move mountains (and maybe even fund a few life-changing projects while we’re at it!).
Join our TRF team! We’re on the lookout for someone with a flair for the international (think global grants, worldwide impact, and stories you’ll want to tell at every dinner party).
Let’s turn compassion into action. Together, we’ve got this. 

Check out the inspiring ideas shared at our recent Zoom brainstorm below—your club might find the perfect fit!

30+ Fun & Impactful Ways to Support: The Rotary Foundation (TRF)
Check out these creative ideas cooked up during a recent Zoom brainstorm. Pick your favorites, remix them, or come up with something even bolder!
Make It Fun

• Host a TRF Trivia Night with prizes, laughs, and a side of fundraising.
• Plan a Gala Night or Fireside Chat with music, food, and TRF stories.
• Throw international-themed dinners—one month it’s Italy, next month, Thailand!
• Set up a “Why I Give” video booth at events—capture the heart behind the gift.
• Hold a silent auction with donated items, services, or “mystery boxes.”
• Launch a walkathon or fun run—everyone wins when we move for a cause!

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by Kris Cameron and Natalie Williams, Wenatchee Valley Rotary Eco Team

Thanks to the effort of nonprofits, businesses, and a corps of community volunteers, an iconic celebration of Spring, the Apple Blossom Festival in Wenatchee, WA is leaving a smaller environmental footprint than in the past.  However, as we approach another celebration of hope for a good harvest in our region, the ability to celebrate this likelihood in the future is not as guaranteed as it once was. 

We’ve all experienced the drought, heat waves, wildfires and other symptoms of an overheating planet. The stable climate upon which our agricultural economy depends is no longer assured. We all have a stake in stabilizing the climate and cooling the planet. And we all can take meaningful action to make it happen. 



 

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Greetings fellow Rotary family members! 

It’s that time of year when Rotary leadership teams around our district, including the District Leadership Team, begin their transition and succession to the next group of leaders.  I am very pleased (and proud) to announce that leadership positions have been accepted on our District Rotary Foundation Committee for the Rotary year 2025/2026.  It has been a real pleasure for me to work specifically with DRF Chair (and Past District Governor) Roger Perry and our District International Service Chair Barry Reid.  Both have served our family of clubs and members with great energy and dedication. Thank you, Roger and Barry! 

In PDG Rogers’ place beginning July 1st, PDG Sherry Chamberlain will fill the role of DRF Chair, supporting current District Governor-elect Tracy McCall.  Additionally, Sherry and I have recruited two extremely capable and dedicated Rotarians to serve as ‘co-chairs’ of Global Grants and International Service teams.   Please see the announcement from PDG Sherry below for details!

As DRFC, I’ll be leading and supporting all programs of The Rotary Foundation across our district. From District Grants to Global Grants to promoting the many ways Rotary changes lives, my goal is to make our Foundation work accessible, more dynamic, and deeply impactful.  We have had strong leadership from PDGs Roger Perry and Pete Erickson in the past, and my energy will be to add to what they have already built in our district, which is a strong Rotary Foundation base.

I’m thrilled to share that we already have a fantastic leadership team in place:

• Guy Evans from the RC of Chelan will serve as Global Grants Chair for USA-based projects.
• Gary Soles from the RC of Kamloops West will serve as Global Grants Chair for Canada-based projects.

Both Guy and Gary have deep experience in international service and will also take on the role of International Service Chairs. Their work will help connect new international projects with the funding and support they need through Global Grants — areas we know need more attention and action!

District Grants continue to be in excellent hands with Kathy Butler — and remember, 50% of our District Designated Funds (DDF) support District Grants, while the other 50% goes toward Global Grant opportunities. It's important we keep those funds strong by continuing our generous support today!

From my own experience working on District and Global Grants, I can tell you: Global Grants don’t have to be overwhelming. With a little planning — and the support of our experienced team — they can be a fun and very rewarding adventure.

Now, here’s where YOU come in.
We’re building a creative, passionate team to lead our district's Foundation work. We need Rotarians to champion programs like the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, the Endowment Fund, Paul Harris Society, EREY, and more. We’re looking for innovators, collaborators, and leaders who want to build engaging, inspiring projects for our district — not just send out information.

Are you ready to get involved?
If you’re passionate about Rotary’s mission and want to make a difference, I want to hear from you!
Let’s make 2025–2026 a year to remember — for our clubs, for our communities, and for the world.

"Together, We Can Do More — Join the Foundation Team!"

Yours in Rotary,
Sherry Chamberlain
District Rotary Foundation Chair 2025–2026
PDG Rotary D5060 2018-2019
Hanwash Haiti-Ferrier Project Chair
250-314-7999
www.adobie.com
 

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Join us in celebrating DG Tom Tochterman’s year and welcoming in DG Tracy McCall.

This event is open to anyone in the district! Bring friends and family along.

June 13 @ 6pm Sandman Signature Hotel in Kamloops

REGISTER NOW for this event.

• $50 CDN per person
• Attire: Cocktail party formal
• 6pm-9m
• Appetizers and cash bar
• This is a stand-up event with some seating
• Includes complimentary glass of sparkling wine

The Sandman Signature is located in downtown Kamloops beside the beautiful Riverside Park.
Amenities include pool, underground parking, ice cream shop, Moxies Restaurant, Shark Club
A block of rooms is available at the event hotel. Book here: https://www.sandmanhotels.com/signature-kamloops
There are other options in the downtown area that are a short walk or ride away.
 

Come and stay awhile!

The Rivers Trail, a 40 km network of pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly trails, can be accessed across the street from the hotel in the park.

The hotel is walking distance from numerous boutiques, restaurants and pubs.

Deals for Foodies

https://kamloopswestrotary.club/buy-restaurant-cards-online.php

Deals for Golfers

https://kamloopswestrotary.club/buy-golf-cards-online.php

If you are interested in the deals for foodies and golfers but do not want the cards dropped in the mail, we can make arrangements to have yours ready when you arrive at the hotel.









 

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