Club Services
Through Club Services, we manage the day to day needs of the Club. We maintain records and documentation of our club meetings and events.
We invite guest speakers for the club meetings and they talk on subjects from politics to personal health as well as updates from community groups such as the Britannia Shipyards, Steveston Community Centre, Steveston Harbour Authority and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.
We have expanded our commitment to Friends of Rotary. These friends have assisted the club in activities including the summer seniors barbeque and the seniors Christmas dinner. They have also assisted in the monthly meals at St. Albans and Gilmore Churches.
President's Message from Bill McNulty
The Rotary Club of Steveston was formed as a "hands on" club in the village of Steveston in 2001. Steveston was founded in 1890 as a fishing village. It has gone through many phases in its development and remains the last fishing village of its kind on the west coast. Our Rotary Club reflects the pioneer "spirit of Steveston" with a goal to make Steveston a better place to live.
The Club and its members are committed to putting their efforts toward community improvement. We were a significant sponsor of the Steveston Water Park feature in Steveston Park and the Legacy Statue in front of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.
The Club maintains support for seniors by hosting Christmas dinners and summer barbeques, as well as providing support for programs at the Steveston Community Centre. It also contributes to reducing poverty by sponsoring meals at two local churches, Gilmore Park and St Albans. Members pitch in to prepare and serve those meals. An extensive hamper program for needy families is provided at Christmas time.
In addition to seniors, the Club invests in local youth. We have adopted McMath Secondary School and have established an Interact Club in the school which is supported with an ongoing scholarship program. Scholarships are focused on trades, first responders and crime prevention careers and have been expanded to include Burnett, London/Steveston and Hugh Boyd Schools. Students have been supported for youth exchanges, RYLA and Adventures in Citizenship.
Internationally the Club is "second to none". As one of the staunch supporters of the Rotary International Foundation, the Club exceeds it annual contribution goals for Polio Plus and the Sharing Fund. The Club reaches Guatemala in supporting a dental program. This year we responded to the disaster in the Philippines, sending two shelter boxes there and, in the past, we also supported the disaster in Sri Lanka.
Twice a year the Club gathers books from library book sales. These books then are sent overseas to help literacy and are also circulated in the community.
The year 2009 was a banner year for the Club since it was foremost in the facilitation and operation of the B.C. Seniors Games Torch Run and provided many Club volunteers for key positions in the operation of the B.C. Seniors Games held here in Richmond.
The Rotary Club of Steveston prides itself on what it has been able to accomplish and looks forward to future challenges and obligations to ultimately help the community of Steveston and the good of Rotary.
History
The Rotary Club of Steveston was officially chartered on April 5, 2001 under the steadfast determination and efforts of founding members Bill McNulty, Bob Ransford, Dave Bradley, Arnold Walter and Bob Jones.
Notwithstanding, the club could not have formed if were not for the gracious sponsorship from the Rotary Clubs of Vancouver South and Vancouver Chinatown.
Today, the Rotary Club of Steveston is over 30 members strong and prides itself in supporting the local community through fundraising, volunteering and the encouragement of goodwill projects.
Each member upholds the strong ethics of Rotary and remains true to Rotary's Four-Way Test in everything he/she does.
Board of Directors
(July 1st, 2009 to June 30th, 2010)
| President: | Bill McNulty | 604-277-2176 |
| Past President: | Doug Nielsen | 604-275-6853 |
| President Elect: | Peter Mitchell | 604-277-8882 |
| Vice Presidents: | Lee Bennett | 604-277-2904 |
| Dave Ferguson | 604-277-2909 | |
| Secretary: | Peter Mitchell | 604-277-8882 |
| Treasurer: | Bill Brooke | 604-271-5253 |
| Directors of: | ||
| Club Service: | Barbara Bradey | 604-271-5622 |
| Rick Duff | 604-270-4219 | |
| Community Service: | Paul Meyer | 604-274-5950 |
| Lee Bennett | 604-277-2904 | |
| International Services: | Pat Kasprow | 604-271-9179 |
| Dale Jackaman | ||
| Vocational Services: | Susan Nielsen | 604-275-6853 |
| Roger Watts | 604-605-8343 | |
Committee Chairpersons
| Funds Allocation: | Executive |
| Membership: | Sean Graham / Bob Butterworth |
| Rotary Foundation: | Bill McNulty and all Past Presidents |
| Public Relations: | Verna Palmer |
| Club Services: | Jim Toogood |
| Community: | Don Pfeffer |
| Vocational: | Roger Watts |
| Youth / Interact: | Susan Nielsen |
| International: | Pat Kasprow / Dale Jackaman |
| Greeters: | Bob Jones / Judy Lau |
| Historian: | Barb Bradey |
| Family of Rotary: | Sally Houston |
| Club Bulletin: | Mike Palmer / Dale Jackaman |
Membership
The membership committee is responsible for the recruitment and retention of Rotary members. During 2008, the club has inducted 7 new members (5 new members in the 2008/09 Rotary year). These new members have contributed significantly to the club in many ways. Our total membership stands at 34 active members.
In the past year, the membership committee has created an orientation package for new members that is specific to the Rotary Club of Steveston.
The committee has also administered a membership satisfaction survey to stay in touch with the general thoughts and opinions of club members.
The membership committee has helped in the development of the "Friends of Rotary" program that recognizes volunteers in the Steveston community that have significantly contributed to the Rotary Club of Steveston.
In the upcoming year, the membership committee looks to continue these initiatives and has a goal of adding 2 new members to the club.
The Paul Harris Foundation
The Paul Harris Foundation is Rotary's Charity. It was established in 1917 to do good in the world and is supported almost entirely by Rotary member contributions.
Rotary Foundation humanitarian grants support projects providing health care and supplies, clean water, food, job training, and education, particularly in the developing world.
Rotary members also contribute their time, technical expertise, and compassion to such projects.
Examples of our clubs involvement in such projects can be found in our Rotary club's International Services section. Each Rotarian is requested to donate at least $100 annually to the Rotary Foundation, and individuals that donate or have donated $1000 in their name become Paul Harris Fellows.
Paul Harris Fellows within the Rotary Club of Steveston include:
Rick Alder+1, Bob Baziuk, Barb Bradey+2, Bill Brooke, Bob Butterworth, Don Burgess+3, Charles Hawes – FOR, Sally Houston+1, Aliza Hutchinson, David Jackson, Bob Jones+6, Pauline Jones, Pat Kasprow, Rob Madsen, Lee Malleau, Bill McNulty+7, Paul Meyer+1, Peter Mitchell, George Montgomery, Doug Nielsen+2, Susan Nielsen+1, Rob Nose, Don Pfeffer, Jim Toogood+1, Arnold Walter.
Public Relations
The basics of the Public Relations Committee is to maintain a close relationship with the local media, i.e.. the newspapers, radio, and TV. This is accomplished by personal contact, photos, and e-mail. We advise them in advance of our events, and make a request for coverage. This is of course a team effort. Our website is also a very important area for information. We have to call on our members who have these individual skills to assist in accomplishment of these goals.