Zoom is the new normal in the world and the Rotary Club of Bowen Island is no stranger to this medium. We have reduced our meetings to two per month, but we really miss our social dinner meetings that usually come between the two. However, it is true that it is easy to get things done this way, and on rainy evenings we are happy to be ‘in place’ and perhaps drinking a glass of wine or eating our dinner while participating in lively discussions.
Here is an update on our various projects.
AEDs: There are now 23 outdoor AEDs in place, as a result of the efforts of the Rotary Club, the Bowen Island Municipality and Amanda Ockeloen of Lifesavers First Aid Training. We are encouraging representatives from those communities that do not presently have an AED to contact us to find out how the system works. Our contact people are Allard and Amanda Ockeloen.
House numbers: Those blue number plates with a small Rotary logo on them are to be seen everywhere on the island. Islanders risk missing a vital delivery if you do not have a clearly visible sign at your gate. Check at the pharmacy for a flyer to find out how to acquire one or contact Sheila Webster.
BIRD: We have worked closely with BIRD in their initiative to acquire a new bin, and as a result of our volunteer work spearheaded by Ross Patterson, we were able to fund a large portion of the new bin cover. It will soon sport a Bowen Rotary logo on it.
We will be volunteering at BIRD again this year so that we can support our various projects.
Rotary Run for Rwanda: Our tenth annual run/walk will not look like those of previous years. Thirteen young women in Rwanda rely on us to fund their education and we cannot let them down so this year’s event will be a virtual run. That means that participants will run or walk 5K or 10K in their own time and on their favourite route and send in their times. Prizes will be draw prizes rather than place prizes. We hope that Bowen will step up to the mark for this event, as 100% of registrations and donations go straight to help out these young girls at high school and university in rural Rwanda. Our contact person is Hilary Butler.
Rotary Trails Guide: A new edition will be published this month. In the meantime, islanders are encouraged to pick up copies at the Pharmacy or Ruddy Potato. Many people do not know that there are good hikes everywhere on Bowen Island, apart from Crippen Park and Mt. Gardner.
NERP: Several of our members are NERP volunteers, and our club is offering support to the NERP in their various initiatives.
International Projects
Banderas Bay, Mexico: We have raised funds to help support the building of a women’s shelter in this area of Mexico. Ross Patterson has spent time and effort on this project.
Costalegre, Mexico: One project for repairs in an elementary school in the Barrio area has been completed, and we are sending a further donation for repairs at a middle school in El Ranchito.
Apart from projects, we have a good program of guest speakers at all our meetings, so Bowen Islanders are encouraged to reach out if you would like to try us out! We are open for new members! Our website is www.bowenrotary.com. Have a look!
