April, Rotary’s Environmental Month, invites us all to reflect on our climate actions, and to recognize the extraordinary opportunity we have, as Rotarians, to protect and restore our world.

Across Rotary District 5050, we are connected, not only through our commitment to Rotary’s principles, but by a landscape that is as breathtaking as it is diverse. From Everett, Washington to the San Juan Islands, along the I-5 corridor, across borders to Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam,  and East along the Highway 1 corridor up to beautiful Hope, British Columbia, we are connected. 

District 5050 is far more than a place we call home. It’s the land that sustains us, supports our livelihoods, and shapes the lives we build with our families and friends. It’s a daily reminder that our responsibility to the environment is not distant or abstract, but rather, is immediate, personal, a shared responsibility, and deeply human. 

In a world marked by division, global conflict, energy uncertainty, major weather events, and unrest that can challenge our sense of hope, we are called to rise to protect and restore the world we all share. This moment calls for bold thinking and intentional action. How might we support one another through these challenges and uncover opportunity within them? What actions can we take, as individuals and as a collective, to make a meaningful difference for our environment and our communities? How might Canada and the United States transition more efficiently to a circular economy that leads to a healthier population and sustainable environment? To explore potential pathways and insightful ideas, I encourage you to read Nature-Positive Lifestyles.

I am continually inspired by the leadership and commitment demonstrated across District 5050. Rotarians are taking action in ways that truly matter by restoring habitats, providing emergency response aide, advancing sustainable practices, and empowering others. These are not small efforts. They are meaningful, intentional and visible expressions of Service Above Self. Through these actions we are creating lasting, positive change in our communities and beyond.

This year, District 5050 has experienced a series of atmospheric river events, bringing significant flooding to communities across Chilliwack, Abbotsford, the Sumas Prairie, the Skagit region, and other parts of Washington State. In the face of these challenges, Rotarians have stepped forward with courage and compassion, responding where needed, when needed, and standing alongside their communities in times of greatest need.

Rotary District 5050 is rising to meet the increasing focus on environmental stewardship, guided by exceptional leaders who are shaping a more sustainable path forward. Sincere thanks to Robyn Curtis, Chair of the Rotary Club of Chilliwack Climate Change Action Group (CCAG), for your outstanding and inspiring leadership.  Robyn explains: “In 2021, members of the Rotary Club of Chilliwack came together with a shared sense of urgency and purpose, forming the Climate Change Action Group (CCAG). What began as a small team of ten dedicated Rotarians has since grown into a vibrant network of more than 130 individuals, including both Rotarians and engaged members of the public. This growth reflects not only rising awareness around climate issues, but also a strong community desire to be part of meaningful solutions.

From the outset, the group has focused on education and action, two pillars essential to addressing the global climate crisis. Through presentations, outreach initiatives, and collaborative projects, the team works to increase understanding of climate change while empowering individuals and communities to take practical steps toward mitigation. Their approach emphasizes accessibility, ensuring that people from all backgrounds can learn about and contribute to climate solutions in their daily lives.

One of the group’s most exciting recent initiatives extends far beyond Canada. In Uganda, the CCAG has launched a project aimed at both environmental restoration and sustainable living. The program focuses on teaching local communities how to build fuel-efficient stoves that significantly reduce environmental impact compared to traditional methods. These improved stoves not only lower carbon emissions but also reduce deforestation by decreasing the demand for firewood.

In tandem with this effort, the group is supporting reforestation initiatives in areas that have experienced significant tree loss. By working alongside local partners, they are helping to restore ecosystems, improve air quality, and create long-term environmental resilience. This project exemplifies the group’s commitment to combining education with tangible, on-the-ground results.

Closer to home, the CCAG continues to expand its reach through community engagement. Those interested in learning more or getting involved will have several opportunities to connect with the team in 2026:

• April 25: Mission EarthFest 

• May 2: 2026 Rotary District 5050 Conference 

• May 3: Paddle Expo at Cultus Lake 

As the CCAG continues to grow, so too does its impact. By fostering education, encouraging local action, and supporting international initiatives, this group demonstrates how community-driven efforts can play a vital role in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.”

I urge you to connect with Robyn to learn more about the impactful works being carried out in Rotary District 5050 and around the world. My gratitude to the support given by the Rotary Club of Chilliwack to the CCAG, identifying the critical importance of a sustainable environment initiatives and education.  CCAG serves as an important model for other clubs to emulate and shows through action the impact of collaboration for a sustainable future. Click here to contact her via email.

Rotary District 5050 is also home to an environmentally focused Club, Nature Celebrators BC. President Sophie Jin and Club members are making a concerted effort to reach out to youth in South Surrey and has recently added a new Community Interact Club to the effort. On 25 April 2026 the Club is planning a Youth Environmental Awareness Program Award Giving Ceremony at Peace Arch Park.  Sophie writes “This special event celebrates young people in our community who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental protection, sustainability, and leadership. Through this program, we aim to inspire youth to take an active role in caring for our natural environment and building a greener future.”  Please reach out to Sophie to learn more about this special event and participate in the celebration.  Click here to contact Sophie via email.

Another path is shown through a personal environmental sustainability approach. Meet Shawn Gold, Assistant Governor for Area E (Surrey, Surrey-Newton, North Delta, Rotaract Club of Surrey).  Shawn is the lead author of The Unorthodox Vegan blog, where he explores creative, simple, and masterful approaches to crafting delicious meals with a vegan palate and a focus on climate sustainability. Check out his Unorthodox Vegan blog on YouTube. Contact Shawn at his email.  Ask him why he is a Climatarian and what that means. 

Personal action can begin with reimagining how we move through our daily lives. As global conflict drives fuel prices to unprecedented levels, Rotarians are choosing to see this not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity for change. Whether it’s walking to a nearby store, cycling more often, reducing vehicle use, or making the significant shift to an electric vehicle, these choices reflect a growing commitment to more sustainable living, one step, one decision at a time. 

Protecting the environment is not separate from Rotary’s mission, it’s essential to it. Whether it is buying food in bulk and sharing with our neighbours, to reducing waste, recycling more, or encouraging business to adopt sustainable practices, every action taken to protect the environment matters. Healthy ecosystems support clean water, food security, economic stability, and community well-being. When we care for the environment, we are strengthening every other area of service we hold dear. Let’s lead in ways that inspire others to see themselves as part of the solution today and for generations to come.

With gratitude,

Hi District Rotarians!

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) kicks off once again at the end of May near beautiful Cultus Lake, B.C with a jam-packed, fun-filled schedule lined up by this year’s Head Facilitators–Carmen Mendonca and John Daly Crompton, both District 5050 Rotaractors.

For those that don’t know, RYLA is a powerful 4-day leadership program that transforms potential into action. It’s an experience designed for aspiring leaders, passionate advocates, and those looking to get more involved in their communities, ages 18-30.

For the second year in a row, RYLA will be held at Camp Stillwood in Lindell Beach, BC, 28-31 May, 2026. Over the course of the weekend, participants will hear from a variety of speakers covering topics such as: Breaking Down Barriers, Ethics & the 4-Way Test, and Diverse and Inclusive Leadership. Beyond that, the participants will compete in a series of “RYLANTICS” (teambuilding activities) as well as take on indoor and outdoor projects that allow them to utilize newly learned collaboration and communication skills brought forth during the weekend.

Registration for RYLA 2026 will remain open through April, so please help spread the word by nominating young, aspiring leaders in your life to attend RYLA–a life-changing opportunity no one should miss out on! Click here to register!

The RYLA Committee would like to thank all the Rotary Clubs that have already financially sponsored and committed to sending participants to RYLA—no RYLA could ever happen without your Club’s support, and the impact you all have cannot be overstated! 😊

Thank you,

-The RYLA Committee

Editor's Note: This is the sixth of a six part series by Marty Pease on how she ended up in Rotary.

EGO

Wow, has Rotary been a playing field for managing my ego. Ego is required for us to survive and have a sense of ourselves. But it can become a problem when ego thinks it is in charge and feels defensive when questioned. In general, I recognize my ego is agitated when I overreact, usually in a “wronged” manner. I have enough self-awareness to know in those moments that I am not operating from an open perspective. 

Rotary is an organization made of motivated, smart, active people who often have been managers or leaders in their professional careers. They are motivated by caring for the greater good and being of service. These are get-it-done types, and they usually prefer their way of doing things. Personalities sometimes come into conflict quite strongly, which may lead to challenges. I have been one of those folks involved in occasional personality conflicts. 

In fact, I can think of two people in particular with whom I have come into conflict. Each time I have had to step back, assess my role, and figure out a way to make it work. Both of these people are amazing, and their hearts are in the right place. Ultimately, we all want the same end result: to help others. That high-value mutual desire motivates me to evaluate my behavior and deepen my self-awareness. I chose to stick it out, rather than quit and run away, and this willingness to grow has been so worth it. The relationship between those two people and me has evolved into one of strong mutual respect.

The overriding trait among Rotarians is a genuine kindness and a high level of morality, as evidenced in the Four-Way Test. In the Club, IPA, and YES, collaboration is essential and genuinely valued. A level of trust and respect exists so that open discussion can occur. Out of these discussions come wonderful, creative ideas. We all have healthy egos, but ego as a driving force is rarely present. 

Interpersonal

I have been in leadership roles as a manager and business owner, and honestly, I wasn’t very good at it. I had a lot to learn about myself and needed to love myself and trust in myself. It has taken several decades of life to get there, and it is still a work in progress. I wasn’t particularly good at managing because I came across as assertive or aggressive. People thought I was not open to others’ ideas. Yet in reality, my behavior was a cover for my insecurities and my need for outside validation. For example, I discovered that when a person shared an idea, as I pondered it and thought about the next step of implementing it, I would look away from the person and into the distance. That was interpreted as disinterest. But really, I was buying into the idea and mentally visualizing how to manifest it. 

The years leading up to joining Rotary offered me maturity and self-growth, and this growth has continued to happen after joining. Rotary has been such a supportive playground for the leadership side of me. I have held several different leadership roles, and I love having somewhere to manifest ideas. I am good at implementing ideas, and Rotary is a doing organization. It is a natural fit. In the process, interpersonal dynamics play an integral part, and through these dynamics, personal growth and change occur.

Manifestation

I knew I was skilled with manifestation all along, but Rotary has really brought it forth. One of my strengths is taking an idea, mapping out a plan, and bringing it to life. Throughout my life, I’d get an idea, let it brew on the back burner, and then eventually, a plan naturally emerges, and boom, today is the day! Rotary has permitted me and encouraged me to flex that muscle. Where I have to be careful is not going it alone, but allowing room for all who want to participate to do so. When you are with a group of doers, it is a lot of fun!

What does Rotary mean to me?

I could have gotten involved in many other nonprofits, but Rotary naturally came my way, and it fits my values and ways of thinking. Any other organization could have given me a sense of purpose, but Rotary has helped me thrive. I appreciate the apolitical and nonreligious approach. All are welcome. We are united by a common desire to serve. I also appreciate that Rotary is not stagnant, both at the local level and internationally. Creative thinking occurs, and the organization flows with the changing times.

Clubs in our District were well represented at the First Annual District 5050 Legislative Meeting on March 4.  Thirty-nine of the District’s fifty-four Clubs had representative attendance as well as two of the six active Rotaract Clubs.  Six Clubs that had representatives registered for the meeting did not attend. 

Following a half-hour of socializing that began at 6:30 PM, District Governor Isabelle Martinez Hayer welcomed attendees shortly after 7:00 PM. After confirming that there was a quorum, Immediate Past District Governor Dave Duskin, who chaired the District’s Leadership Plan and Policies review committee, explained that although the Board of Directors governs the District, policy changes must be ratified by the Clubs in the district. This used to be done at a business meeting held during a District Conference.  Recently, Rotary International eliminated the requirement for a District Conference, and a District legislative meeting has replaced the conference's business meeting.

In addition to policy changes, the Clubs in the District must review and approve the Annual Statement and Report for the previous Rotary year, in this case, the 2024-2025 year. So, after IPDG Dave explained the purpose of the meeting, Past District Governor and District Finance Director, Beverly Harrington, shared the report and answered questions.  The 2024-2025 Annual Statement and Report of District Finances was accepted for submittal to Rotary International. 

Following the acceptance of the financial report, the business shifted to approval of policy changes.  The District Policy Manual was amended by DG Isabelle to replace “district conference” with “legislative meeting.”  That change was approved (ratified) by those attending the meeting as the second action item.

The focus then shifted to the revisions to the District Leadership Plan and Polices (DLP) proposed by the Board of Directors. The DLP was first adopted by the Board in June of 2023. In addition to changes related to District Conferences, the primary changes adopted by the Board for ratification at the meeting concerned financial procedures. Electronic transfers have, for the most part, replaced the use of checks/cheques, given the slow postal services, especially since we are dealing with two countries.

Following very little discussion, the District Leadership Plan and Policies document, including the revisions made by the Board of Directors, was approved (ratified) and replaced the District Policy Manual. 

Each Rotary member in our District received an invitation to attend the first annual legislative meeting.  The invitation included links to the documents that were approved at the meeting.  Since the meeting, the revised document (District Leadership Plan and Policies) has been formatted so that each section in the table of contents includes a link to that section.  It can be found in the documents section of the District’s ClubRunner website. To access, click HERE.

Prior to the meeting, DG Isabelle also sent her State of the District Report to each Rotary member in District 5050.  She summarized her report at the end of the first Annual Legislative Meeting.  Her report can also be accessed in the documents section of ClubRunner, as can the minutes of the legislative meeting.

Lastly, thank you to everyone who attended.

• April 8: Snohomish County Rotaract (Evening)
• April 16: Langley (Evening)
• May 11: Rotary Club of Bellingham (Lunch)