“We are extremely grateful to the Rotarians, foundations, local governments and individual donors who recognized the importance of this work and stepped forward to support it,” said James Littley, Chief Operating Officer of the Okanagan Basin Water Board. “This is an excellent example of people coming together to address a major threat before it reaches our lakes.”

The project began with catalyst contributions of $200,000 from the Okanagan Basin Water Board, $100,000 from The Colin and Lois Pritchard Foundation and $75,000 from Mitacs. The City of Kelowna–UBC Okanagan Research Alliance contributed a further $100,000.

During a public fundraising drive launched by Rotarians, an additional $109,000 was raised, including from the Rotary Club of Kelowna Okanagan Mission, the Rotary Club of Kelowna, the Rotary Club of the Rivers as well as individual community donors, serving to strengthen and expand the project’s impact.

Researchers are developing a portable environmental DNA, or eDNA, detection system that could eventually be used at roadside watercraft inspection stations. The system is intended to collect and process small genetic samples from watercraft, helping inspectors identify boats that may be carrying invasive mussels and require decontamination or quarantine.

“This research is harnessing leading-edge genomic technologies to help address an issue of the utmost importance to the Province and our community,” said Dr. Michael Russello, Principal Investigator and UBC Okanagan Impact Research Chair in Conservation Genomics. “At the same time, the work is only possible because of our partnerships with researchers at the University of California, Davis and Queen’s University in Ontario, making this a North America-wide effort.”

Currently, B.C. supplements human inspectors with trained mussel-sniffing dogs, but there are only two of these specialized canines in the province. Colin Pritchard, a local Rotarian and donor who originated the concept of creating an “artificial dog’s nose” to detect invasive mussels, said the fundraising response demonstrated the community’s willingness to address significant environmental challenges.

“Rotarians have a mission to protect our planet and its resources and fund projects that have lasting impacts. We care deeply about our communities, and we are not afraid to tackle big issues,” Pritchard said. “When we learned about the threat invasive mussels pose, I knew we had to do something.”

“The additional funding may allow the project to move beyond the initial research phase and help put this technology directly into the hands of watercraft inspectors,” he added. “I am very pleased with the outcome and grateful to my fellow Rotarians and everyone else who stepped forward to support this work.”

The urgency behind the project is growing as invasive mussel threats continue to move closer to British Columbia.

Earlier this month, zebra mussel larvae were detected in Lake of the Prairies, a waterbody shared by Manitoba and Saskatchewan, while golden mussels, first detected in California in late 2024, have since spread rapidly through the state. Infested watercraft have also been intercepted travelling north toward Idaho.

Golden mussels present an additional threat as they can survive in a wider range of environmental conditions than zebra and quagga mussels, including brackish water. Their arrival in North America has expanded the range of B.C. waters and infrastructure that could be at risk, including coastal facilities such as the Port of Vancouver. The province has also added 16 lakes to its priority monitoring list in response to the changing threat.

The Arvin-Edison Water Storage District in California recently reported spending approximately US$3 million on a 30-day copper treatment of its water system, only months after golden mussels were first detected there.

Previous provincial estimates found that zebra and quagga mussels alone could cost British Columbia between $64 million and $129 million annually. Those estimates predate the arrival of golden mussels in North America and do not account for the additional risks they pose. With potential impacts to hydroelectric facilities, drinking-water systems, irrigation infrastructure, ports, marinas, tourism, real estate and ecosystems, the annual cost of an infestation could now reach hundreds of millions of dollars.

“Invasive mussels would affect nearly everything we value about British Columbia’s lakes — from ecosystems and recreation to agriculture, tourism and essential infrastructure,” Littley added. “Even people who never own a boat or visit a beach could see the consequences through higher electricity and water costs. Prevention remains our best and least expensive defence.”

Anyone transporting a boat or other watercraft into the Okanagan is reminded to Clean, Drain and Dry all watercraft and equipment, remove drain plugs during transport and stop at every open watercraft inspection station along their route.

“It’s the law, and it’s the right thing to do,” Littley said. “The success of this fundraiser is encouraging, and the technology could be a gamechanger, but we still need every watercraft owner to take responsibility and help prevent invasive mussels from reaching British Columbia.”

For more information about invasive mussels and how to prevent their spread, visitdontmoveamussel.ca.

My grandmother went to Belgium in 1974, my aunt traveled to Mexico in 2004, and my uncle also went to Mexico in 2011. Each of them has shared their experiences with me and inspired me throughout my life. Their stories have given me a glimpse of how transformative this journey can be, and I know this exchange will help me grow, learn, and gain a deeper understanding of the world.

This tradition is possible thanks to Rotary and the many dedicated volunteers who give countless hours to make the Rotary Youth Exchange program a reality. This year, I was accepted into the Rotary Youth Exchange program and will be spending 11 months in Brazil. The program provides everything from travel guidance to the chance to meet lifelong friends who share my passion for exploring the world.

I am incredibly grateful to be continuing this family tradition, and I can't wait to create my own Rotary Youth Exchange story in Brazil!

By Noah Bagan

Our focus this year will be centered around three key priorities:

• Member Attraction: Sharing the Rotary story and welcoming new members into our clubs.
• Member Engagement: Creating meaningful experiences that inspire members to stay involved and connected.
• New Club Development: Exploring innovative ways to bring Rotary to new audiences.

If you have a passion for one of these areas, we would love to have you join our committee. Whether you have years of experience or simply a great idea to share, your voice can make a difference.

August is Rotary Membership Month

We'd love to hear what your club is doing. Do you have a creative membership event planned? A successful strategy for welcoming new members? An idea that's helping members stay engaged? Please share it with us so we can celebrate and learn from one another across the district.

Rotary continues to change lives because of people like you. Together, we can ensure our clubs continue to grow, thrive, and make an even greater impact in our communities.

We look forward to connecting with you throughout the year.

District Membership Committee Co-Chairs

Anna Harrison – annaharrison1771@gmail.com

Rob Tidd - rtidd@corpoffices.org

The Gorman Group has donated 600 linear feet of lumber to the club, ensuring every child who stops by the workshop can construct a birdhouse completely free of charge. "At the Gorman Group, supporting our local community and investing in the next generation is at the core of what we do," shared Nicole Arkle, Communications Coordinator for the Gorman Group. She added that when the Rotary Club approached them about the project, the team knew immediately that they wanted to help, thrilled that their lumber would put smiles on kids' faces at the festival.

It takes each young builder about 20 minutes to assemble their birdhouse with the help of club members. Once finished, the children get to take their handcrafted creation home, where the real creative fun continues as they paint it and proudly mount it in their own yard.

For the club, this ongoing effort is about far more than just a fun afternoon of crafting. Providing shelter for local bird species plays a vital role in supporting the Okanagan's delicate urban ecosystems. Nesting boxes offer safe refuges for cavity-nesting birds like chickadees, wrens, and swallows, whose natural habitats are often displaced by urban development. By encouraging children to place these houses in their yards, the project fosters native wildlife, supports natural pest control, and sparks a lifelong sense of environmental stewardship in the next generation of Kelowna residents.

That shared passion for youth and environment is what brought this collaboration to life. "We can't thank the team at Gorman’s enough for their generosity," said Anne Brunton, Co-President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo, noting that six hundred feet of lumber is an incredible gift that directly fuels their mission to bring families together for a hands-on day of building. Co-President Trish McLeod agreed, reflecting on the deeper impact of these recurring community workshops. "Projects like this capture what Rotary is all about," explained McLeod. "When local business partners like the Gorman Group stand alongside our members, we can spark creativity in young minds, care for our local environment, and create lasting memories for families across Kelowna."

As Ray Lewis once noted, "Greatness is a lot of small things done well." With hundreds of feet of fresh timber ready to be transformed into backyard bird sanctuaries, the Ogopogo Rotarians are once again proving that small, hands-on community projects can make a big, lasting difference for both local families and the environment.

I have never been one to go on a "vacation." Heading to a hot location and sitting by the pool with unlimited booze never really appealed to me. I was the one who saw which direction the masses were going and went the opposite way. I craved connection, learning about the cultures of the countries I visited and immersing myself in the local communities.

Travel plus service seemed like the perfect combination, so I joined the International Service Committee and impatiently waited for everyone to get back so we could start planning.

With Ecuador 1.0 a great success, planning for 2.0 was quickly underway. Just like the first trip, Ecuador 2.0 was heading to the same town of Baños de Santa Agua. Nestled high in the Andes under the watchful eye of Tungurahua, Baños is famous for its healing hot springs and adventure tourism. Partnering with Baños Rotary, the plan was once again to fund the installation of six water filtration systems in rural elementary schools around the town.

Kamloops Rotary West sent five members and four family members to Baños with a total of 32 members and family from clubs around BC and the PNW. Flying into the capital, Quito, the group converged and quickly headed south by bus. As the scenery passed, it became clear that Ecuador was going to leave a lasting impression on me. We passed towns, farms, rose plantations and mountains as the bus wound its way through busy streets and highways. We stopped for a rest at a gas station and swarmed a local fruit stand, buying watermelon, pineapple and melon stuffed into cups, laughing and sharing the treat as we climbed back onto the bus.

By late afternoon we pulled up to the beautiful Sangay Spa Hotel, owned by Sasha Warmington, a Baños Rotary member, and were greeted by cheering children, welcoming families, and a joy that filled each of us to overflowing. Each child had prepared an individual gift for us, giving hugs and genuine thank-yous to every one of us. The experience left me feeling more connected to community than I had in a very long time.

Over the next nine days, the group played in the mornings, going on a variety of adventures from canyon rappelling to relaxing spa treatments; there was something for everyone. When we travelled together, there was a party bus with open sides and a boombox blasting music that the group loved to sing and dance to; definitely ask Geoff to teach you his moves. After the adventure, we would gather in the hotel lobby and make our way to one of six schools, where we worked on cleaning playgrounds and painting walls and murals. Once again, the hospitality of the local communities was incredibly generous, with families coming each afternoon to share a traditional meal of meat, corn, beans and hot tea.

Kids and family members joined in the work, and most afternoons were full of laughter and soccer. It took incredible bravery to stand in the net as goalie while ten-year-olds came down the pitch, ball-handling like pros.

After hours, we spent our time at the Sangay restaurants or taking in the local gastronomy. Throughout the week, there were a number of events that went above and beyond what we expected: dinners at other Rotary members' restaurants, and a public "Key of the City" ceremony honouring Malcolm Kennedy and Donald Montgomery (Monty) for their dedication and service to the community. Members also visited Casa Tao, where unwed young mothers are cared for and learn life skills to help them thrive outside their rural communities.

As if all this wasn't enough, Malcolm and Monty began organizing Ecuador 3.0. We plan to go back in the late winter of 2027, bringing Global Grant funding to support sustainable business development in the nearby town of Vizcaya.

I first thought about international service, I imagined how great it would be to travel the world and leave a positive impact. After visiting Baños and connecting with the community, my perception changed. I realized the point of international projects isn't the travel, though it is wonderful; it's the connection and the community. It's the lasting legacy we create while we're there, the relationships we cultivate and grow. It's the excitement of the children who see us come back and learn our names as we learn theirs. It's the legacy of positive change and community that we create.

That is why I am so excited to organize and implement Ecuador 3.0, bringing together more Rotarians to experience the magic of Baños and its community, and creating new projects that will continue on long after we return home.

 

How It Works

1. Clubs preorder wristbands.
 Each club decides how many wristbands it is willing to purchase and distribute.

2. Wristbands cost the club 40 cents each.
The club is responsible for paying District 5060 for the total number of wristbands it orders.

3. Clubs distribute the wristbands for a minimum donation of $3 each.
A $3 donation represents the approximate cost of immunizing one child against polio. Members may donate more than $3 or take several wristbands to increase their impact.

4. The club keeps track of all donations collected.
After the wristbands have been distributed, the club submits the money raised directly to The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus Fund.

5. The contribution counts toward the club’s PolioPlus fundraising goal.
Because the club submits the funds under its own Rotary club account, the contribution will be credited toward the club’s annual PolioPlus goal.

A Simple Example

• A club preorders 100 wristbands:
  • Cost to the club: $40
  • Minimum collected at $3 per wristband: $300
  • Amount submitted to PolioPlus: $300
  • Children represented by the fundraiser: approximately 100

The club’s PolioPlus contribution is also eligible for the Gates Foundation’s 2-to-1 match, increasing the impact of every dollar raised.

Who Is Responsible for What?

District 5060 will:

• Purchase and provide the wristbands
• Coordinate club preorders
• Deliver wristbands through Assistant Governors or other arrangements
• Each participating club will:
• Commit to a specific number of wristbands
• Pay 40 cents for each wristband ordered
• Collect a minimum donation of $3 per wristband
• Track the money collected
• Submit the proceeds to The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus Fund under the club’s name

 The Goal

Our goal is to see orange End Polio Now wristbands throughout District 5060 while helping clubs meet or exceed their PolioPlus fundraising goals.

Each wristband represents a child protected, a club taking action, and another step toward a polio-free world.

Together, we can Fuel the Future by ensuring the next generation inherits a world without polio.

Each Rockstar is nominated by their club as an Unsung Hero, someone whose service may happen behind the scenes but whose impact is felt throughout the club and community. They are the steady volunteers, encouraging mentors, creative problem-solvers, and trusted teammates who embody Service Above Self.

Congratulations to our first District 5060 Rockstars:

Jean Jacobsen, Penticton Sunrise
Carol Sheridan, Oliver
Glenn Chamberlain, Ephrata
Chris Culp, Okanogan-Omak

 


Your service is appreciated and recognized. Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and passion with Rotary. Keep creating lasting impact in your clubs and communities.

Throughout the year, District 5060 will continue to showcase the photos, stories, and words of the Rockstars recognized during Jill’s club visits. Their examples remind us that Rotary’s greatest impact is often created by people who serve consistently without asking for attention or applause.

These members are strengthening their clubs, changing their communities, and helping Fuel the Future.

Who will be the next District 5060 Rockstar?

Throughout the weekend, students explored the often overlooked challenges of reentry, shared stories from their exchange experiences, and learned practical tools for navigating the transition back home. Parents also participated in discussions to better understand reverse culture shock and how they can support their students during this important stage of the journey.

One of the most meaningful conversations centered on how our returning students can pay their exchange experience forward. Whether through speaking at Rotary clubs, mentoring future outbound students, hosting inbound students, or simply sharing the lessons they have learned, each student has the opportunity to inspire the next generation of Rotary Youth Exchange participants.

A special highlight of the weekend was a visit from Omak natives Jas and Jag Bains, winners of Season 38 of The Amazing Race. The brothers shared stories of teamwork, perseverance, and embracing new experiences, while also reflecting on their pride in their Sikh heritage and the importance of building understanding between cultures. Their message perfectly complemented the spirit of Youth Exchange: stepping outside your comfort zone, appreciating different perspectives, and discovering that our differences make our communities stronger.

As our students begin the next chapter of their lives, they return home with more than unforgettable memories. They bring greater confidence, lifelong friendships, a broader understanding of the world, and a renewed commitment to making a difference in their own communities.

Welcome home to our returning exchange students. Your Rotary journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see how you continue to Fuel the Future.

Thank you to the committee members for your dedication to the program.

When we hear the word “membership,” it’s easy to think about numbers. But membership is about so much more than growth. It’s about creating an experience that inspires people to participate, build friendships, and discover purpose through service.

That’s why one of our district priorities this year is Engaged Membership.

Engagement looks different for every Rotarian. For some, it’s leading a service project. For others, it’s mentoring a new member, serving on a committee, welcoming guests, or simply showing up consistently with a willingness to help. Every member has something valuable to contribute, and every contribution matters.

“Because I believe our greatest impact isn’t measured by what we accomplish ourselves. It’s measured by the people we inspire, encourage, and develop along the way.” Jill Leonard

Our district theme, Fuel the Future: Investing in the Next Generation, reminds us that investing in people begins with creating a sense of belonging. Every welcoming conversation, every invitation to get involved, and every opportunity to lead helps shape the future of our clubs.

Strong clubs don’t happen by accident. They are built by members who encourage one another, celebrate successes together, and make room for new ideas and new faces.

As I continue traveling throughout District 5060, I look forward to hearing your stories and celebrating the many ways your clubs are creating meaningful connections in your communities.

Fuel the Future: Creating Lasting Impact

This Month’s Challenge

This month, choose one intentional action to strengthen engagement in your club.

Perhaps you’ll:

• Invite a prospective member to join you at a meeting or service project.
• Reach out to someone who hasn’t attended recently.
• Welcome a newer member by inviting them for coffee or introducing them to other members.
• Encourage someone to take on a new leadership opportunity.
• Create a fellowship activity that helps members connect beyond the weekly meeting.

Small actions create stronger relationships. Strong relationships create stronger clubs.

Share Your Story

How is your club building engagement?

I’d love to hear your stories and celebrate them with our district. Share a photo and a short story so together we can inspire one another and continue to Fuel the Future.

Our district is forming a new District Fundraising Committee to help clubs share fundraising ideas, practical resources, and proven strategies. We are seeking a collaborative and enthusiastic Rotary member to serve as the committee’s first chair.

This committee will not plan or manage fundraisers for clubs. Each club will continue to choose, organize, fund, and oversee its own fundraising activities. Instead, the committee will serve as a connector and resource hub, helping clubs find ideas, examples, tools, and other clubs with relevant experience.

The committee chair will gather successful fundraising ideas from throughout the district, encourage clubs to share lessons learned, and help build a simple resource library. Resources may include sample budgets, sponsor packages, event timelines, planning checklists, promotional ideas, and tips that clubs can adapt for their own communities.

The chair will also work with Assistant Governors, district leaders, and committee members to identify opportunities for collaboration and shared learning. From auctions and raffles to sponsorships, online giving, community partnerships, and small-club fundraisers, the goal is to highlight a wide variety of approaches.

The ideal chair enjoys connecting people, sharing ideas, and helping others succeed. Experience with fundraising, sponsorships, event planning, or community partnerships would be helpful. Just as important is an understanding that every club has different resources, capacity, and community needs.

Strong fundraising helps clubs support scholarships, service projects, grants, youth programs, and meaningful community work. By sharing what we know, we can help clubs spend less time starting from scratch and more time creating lasting impact.

This is an opportunity to shape a new district resource, strengthen connections between clubs, and help Fuel the Future of service throughout District 5060.

Interested in leading the District Fundraising Committee or learning more about the role? Please contact District Governor Jill Leonard at JLeonard5742@gmail.com.

Dinner Speaker:

Sylvia Whitlock, Ph.D. is an educator, therapist, and trailblazing Rotary leader best known as the first woman to serve as president of a Rotary club following the landmark 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing women into Rotary. Born in New York City and educated in Jamaica and California, she holds advanced degrees in education and marriage and family therapy and has dedicated her career to education, counseling, and community service.

A longtime Rotarian, Dr. Whitlock has served in numerous club and district leadership roles and has spoken at Rotary events around the world. Her humanitarian work has supported projects including water wells in Nigeria, an AIDS center in Jamaica, orphanage support in Mexico, and education initiatives for girls in India. Rotary International named its annual Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award in her honor. The award recognizes a Rotary member each year who has actively worked to advance women in Rotary, and Dr. Whitlock herself was the inaugural recipient. She is also a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and recipient of numerous honors, including the NAACP Woman of the Year Award, and remains a passionate advocate for service above self.