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This is the weekly bulletin for
The Richmond 
Sunrise Rotary Club 
for February 19th, 2026

Miscellaneous

 
 
Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it or it bears repeating:  
 

On March 16, 6:00, PM there is a club Fireside at the Palace and all are welcome.

 
 
OUR THURSDAY BREAKFAST MEETING IS ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.
 
 
Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
 
1) Mute your microphone if you aren't already muted. Background noise is distracting. 
2) If you are not engaged in the presentation, turn off your camera. 
3) Chat function should only be used to address the speaker, not for Club member remarks during the presentation
4) Unmute when harassing the Sergeant at Arms or taking your turn during Sergeant at Arms.
5)Go Canada!     Emoji Holding Canadian Flag, Emoticon Waving National Flag of Canada 3d ...
Please direct any questions or concerns to the President or a board member of your choosing and the board will discuss any and all questions or concerns during a board meeting. Also please refer to the members committee anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.
 
 
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
 
 

"When a tree stops growing — it is ready to die....A Rotary club is like that: It is moving ahead only when it is growing. When the growing ends, the knife-and-fork club begins." 

— Little Lessons in Rotary (Third Edition), March 1978 

 
 
   VISITORS     
 
 

Yes Foghorn Leghorn. He stowed away on a plane from Mexico. Came back with the work party.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND 

CLUB BUSINESS

Debbie Samson would like me to remind you all coldest night of the year coming up. We have a team sign up for our team and an announcement 6 o’clock seem to still be on there. It is birthdays crispy February 21. OK thanks I sent the invoice the membership membership dues for

(If you wanted a hint of what the transcript looks like before it goes through ChatGpt)

 

 
Speaker

Kiva Loan Day Update with Kiva

Sam led another inspiring Kiva Loan Day for the club, reminding us how impactful this simple idea has become for our Rotary family. For anyone new, Kiva allows us to lend small amounts of money to entrepreneurs around the world. As loans are repaid, we “reload” the funds and lend them out again — multiplying the good we can do.

Since starting these loan days, we’ve held events several times a year, including Sam’s birthday kickoff back in 2021. Our most recent session (July 2025) saw $1,725 lent out to borrowers across the globe.

Here’s the exciting part: by continually recycling our original $2,500, we’ve now funded 284 loans totaling $14,950 — just shy of $15,000. Sam challenged us to push past that milestone at this meeting!

Repayments continue to be strong:

  • 92% overall return rate

  • 94.2% when currency fluctuations are removed

You might notice our most recent loans show only 60% repaid so far. That’s simply because this round has only been out for about seven months. In the past, we waited 10–12 months between loan days, giving borrowers more time to repay. With shorter intervals, repayments are still coming in — just not fully yet.

For this session, members once again worked in small groups to:

  1. Visit Kiva

  2. Choose projects that resonate

  3. Share selections with the club

  4. Pool our funds to complete the loans afterward

Sam also highlighted countries we haven’t yet supported, encouraging us to diversify where our dollars go next.

Overall, it’s a great reminder that even modest contributions, when recycled over time, create meaningful global impact — and that our club continues to make a difference one loan at a time.

Here is the list of groups we were able to support once again with our Kiva Donations!

Florine

Verqor

Johana Maria

Elin

Consuelo Del Rocio

Uxmal Group

Fatu

 

 

 
SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits
 

🎤 Around the Room — Life Lately at Rotary

Chris M
Just back from Mexico and still digesting an incredibly full trip with three Rotary clubs. She described a country of striking contrasts — from poverty to stunning homes — plus a memorable “Comida” gathering and hands-on service projects like painting a school. A presentation (with video!) is coming soon. And at home, granddaughter Eleanor just turned two. 🎂

Mary Lou
Shared how meaningful it was to actually see where the club’s money goes — clean water, kitchens, proper facilities for kids — real, visible impact. Also celebrating Oscar’s birthday (even if he’s a little under the weather).

Sandra
Did her annual early-garden cleanup… and now it’s freezing. Official request: spring, please return.

Sam
Helped host a Family Day hockey event with 200+ people. Players from the Vancouver Golden Eyes showed up, and Justin nervously wore his Macklin Celebrini jersey — which turned into a fun chat with the team captain. Big success all around.

Judy
Enjoyed nail-biting Olympic hockey games and grandson hockey trivia, while continuing her home renovation saga. Flooring disputes and contractor negotiations mean she’s temporarily living among boxes — but standing her ground like a pro.

Debbie M
Weekend getaway to Penticton for hikes and family time, plus a sweet (and hilarious) daycare portrait from Amalia featuring Mile’s “big tummy and long wavy hair.”

Mr. Mahal
Ran into a neighbour at White Spot, shared laughs, and enjoyed a good meal. Simple pleasures done right.

Margaret Dixon
Had a small passport scare entering Mexico (note to all: caution when only six months left!), but loved the trip and especially helping paint a school for kids with autism. Bonus story: perfectly behaved dogs lining up daily outside the butcher for bones.

Judy May
Grandparent moment of the week: grandson skating over mid-game to draw a heart on the glass just for her. Instant joy.

Garth
Packed Saturday: bridge, golf, mowing the lawn, then a comedy show featuring a writer connected to Saturday Night Live testing new material. Court the next day… but no judges showed up, so early finish!

Michael
Family weekend in Whistler with lots of snowy downtime and good food. Also shared news of a beloved 107-year-old relative passing in Sacramento, and will travel south to pay respects to a life well lived.

Brian
Big family dinner and a milestone: daughter Macy finally met Allison’s boyfriend. The day turned into a long hike at Alouette Lake, complete with icy swims for the brave — and full approval all around.

Lawrence
Thanked everyone for their support while preparing for his dad’s funeral. On the brighter side, his dog’s tumour surgery went smoothly and he’s headed home to a new bed and toy. Family arriving from across Canada, the U.S., and the Philippines means a busy, love-filled week ahead.

Bobby
Bittersweet week marking the loss of a 107-year-old family elder, mixed with passport renewal adventures, a much better Valentine’s Day than last year, and plenty of cheering for Team Canada hockey.

Pat
Bowling, a theatre night at Stanley Theatre, and fond Mexico memories — plus some good-natured teasing about having 230 tabs open on her phone.

Susan
Happy to be back in person. After family trips to Vancouver Island, everyone reunited at home with cookies, dinner, and a proper Family Day celebration.

Debbie T
Still recovering from travel but proud of the Canadian touches they brought to Mexico — maple cookies, candies, pins, and flags. Inspired by the hands-on service they saw and thinking about how to create that same impact locally.

All in all: travel stories, family moments, hockey excitement, home renovations, and lots of service spirit — just another lively week in Rotary life.

 

 

MEANDERINGS    

 
  • Really weird huh? Do you love Pangolins as much as I do? If so read on. Don't ask me how I ended up with this format. I have no idea what happens with cut and paste. 
     World Pangolin Day 2026 was observed on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Celebrated annually on the third Saturday of February, this global awareness day highlights the urgent need to protect pangolins — the world's most trafficked mammals. Despite their shy and gentle nature, pangolins face severe threats due to illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. World Pangolin Day is a time to educate, advocate, and take action to conserve these unique and endangered creatures.

What Is a Pangolin?

Pangolins are scaly mammals known for their distinctive armor made of keratin — the same material as human fingernails. When threatened, they curl into a tight ball to protect themselves. There are eight species of pangolins, found across Asia and Africa. They belong to the genus Manis (Asian species) and related African genera. Often called “scaly anteaters,” pangolins primarily feed on ants and termites, playing an important ecological role in controlling insect populations.

History of World Pangolin Day

World Pangolin Day was established by Annamiticus, a conservation organization dedicated to protecting pangolins and other endangered species. The day aims to:

  • Raise global awareness about pangolin trafficking

  • Promote wildlife conservation efforts

  • Encourage governments to strengthen anti-poaching laws

  • Inspire community participation in conservation

Over the years, wildlife organizations, zoos, environmental groups, and schools worldwide have participated in campaigns, educational events, and fundraising activities.

Why Are Pangolins Endangered?

Pangolins are critically endangered due to:

  • Illegal Wildlife Trade: Pangolins are heavily trafficked for their scales and meat. Their scales are used in traditional medicine in some regions, despite lacking scientific evidence of medical benefits.

  • Habitat Loss: Deforestation and land development reduce their natural habitats.

  • Slow Reproduction: Pangolins typically give birth to only one offspring per year, making population recovery slow.

All eight pangolin species are protected under international law, including regulations by CITES, which bans international commercial trade of pangolins.

Importance of Pangolins in the Ecosystem

Pangolins play a vital ecological role:

  • Control termite and ant populations

  • Improve soil quality through burrowing

  • Maintain balance in forest ecosystems

One pangolin can eat millions of insects per year, making them natural pest controllers.

 
                                                                      

 

 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
Third Thursday of every month will be a projects meeting.
 
Friday, May 1st, 2026; Rotary Gala.
 
 
 
 

 TODAY'S CHUCKLEs     

 

See related image detail. Tongue Out Emoji Clipart PNG Images, Squinting Face With Tongue Emoji ...
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Margaret Dixon
February 6
 
Chris Pughe
February 21
 
Bill Jaffe
February 26
 
Anniversaries
Debbie Tablotney
Drew
February 12
 
Melinda Newman
John Newman
February 14
 
Dalbir Rai
Kal Rai
February 17
 
John Marquardt
John
February 25
 
Join Date
Maryam Bawa
February 1, 2025
1 year
 
Bill Jaffe
February 2, 1994
32 years
 
Gordon Dalglish
February 10, 1987
39 years