Speaker
Fireside Chat Pulls Back the Curtain on Rotary
This week’s meeting featured an engaging Rotary Fireside Chat led by Brian Cole, who took members—both new and seasoned—on a whirlwind tour of what Rotary is all about. Part history lesson, part orientation, and part comedy routine, Brian described the session as the “Cole’s Notes version of Rotary,” designed to demystify the many acronyms, traditions, and opportunities that make our organization unique.
The discussion began with members sharing their vocations and years in Rotary, highlighting one of Rotary’s founding principles: bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to create opportunities for service and friendship. Brian emphasized that while everyone experiences Rotary differently, a common thread runs through the club—a genuine desire to help others and make a positive impact.
Members learned that Rotary is much more than weekly meetings. Participation in service projects, fundraising events such as the annual auction, fellowship activities, and committee work all help bring the club’s mission to life. The message was clear: Rotary is not a competition to see who can volunteer the most hours. Instead, each member chooses their own path and level of involvement, with the understanding that the more you engage, the more rewarding the experience becomes.
The conversation also explored Rotary’s broader reach through the Rotary Foundation, district grants, and global initiatives such as the fight to eradicate polio. Attendees were reminded that even small local contributions can have a remarkable impact when combined with the efforts of Rotary clubs around the world.
Several members shared personal perspectives on Rotary’s programs. Lawrence provided an overview of Interact and Rotaract, explaining how Rotary helps develop young leaders. Chris spoke passionately about the life-changing effects of Rotary Youth Exchange programs, describing how they broaden horizons, build cultural understanding, and create lifelong connections across the globe.
The group also touched on Rotary traditions, including the Four-Way Test and the significance of becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Joyce offered a particularly heartfelt reflection, describing Rotary as “lifting others up when nobody is looking”—a sentiment that resonated deeply around the room.
Brian concluded by highlighting the countless opportunities available within Rotary, from club leadership and committee work to district and international involvement. Whether travelling the world and visiting Rotary clubs abroad, organizing speakers, helping with service projects, or simply sharing life updates during Sergeant-at-Arms, there truly is a place for everyone.
The session reinforced what many members already know: Rotary is far more than an organization—it is a community of people united by service, friendship, learning, and a shared desire to make the world a little better. And, if Brian has his way, it’s also a place where meetings are kept just short enough to leave plenty of time for everyone’s favourite part of the morning: Sergeant-at-Arms.
SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits
Sergeant-at-Arms Round-Up: Stories, Smiles, and a Few Adventures
Bill or possbly Chuck Norris(I wasn't there) shared a touching reminder of Rotary’s lasting impact. He reflected on an exchange visitor from Thailand who stayed with his family years ago and became a lifelong friend. Sadly, his friend recently passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Bill’s story was a heartfelt tribute to the deep connections Rotary creates across borders and generations.
Sam brought some exciting news from the hockey world. Thanks in part to support from our club, the Cutting Edges Hockey Association successfully launched its Hockey Access Fund and was able to fully fund every applicant in its inaugural year. Sam not only plays hockey himself, but he’s clearly helping others get into the game.
Debbie M. has recovered from COVID just in time to head to Victoria for a dragon boat regatta. She entertained us with a tale of paddling through ocean swells so large that one stroke landed in thin air instead of water. Terrifying? Yes. Exhilarating? Also yes.
Judy enjoyed a peaceful retreat at Birch Bay, soaking up sunshine, ocean views, and some much-needed quiet time. Back home, her social calendar remains packed with book clubs, lunches, grandchildren’s graduations, sports days, and now FIFA fever.
Margaret and her husband played hosts to visitors from Australia, who were utterly captivated by British Columbia’s mountains and scenery. They’ve already booked a return trip. Margaret also enjoyed another viewing of Come From Away, leaving her once again bursting with Canadian pride.
Joyce returned from Sacramento deeply moved by a school ceremony where Grade 5 students reflected on the challenges they had overcome. From family loss to learning disabilities and immigration struggles, the resilience and wisdom shown by these young students left a lasting impression.
Lily is embracing international fellowship in a very Rotary way, hosting students from Mexico, Japan, and Brazil while simultaneously preparing for an Alaskan family adventure.
Jeannette thanked Brian for stepping up with his expertise and provided an update on ongoing union negotiations, which may require a return to the bargaining table.
Evangeline, visiting as a guest, shared that she immigrated from the Philippines 20 years ago and now works with the Bank of Montreal. Her Rotary connection comes full circle, as she herself participated in a youth exchange program years ago and was delighted to experience her first Canadian Rotary meeting.
Danny once again proved that travel with Danny is never boring. He skipped Dubai after security warnings, headed to Japan instead, encountered a typhoon, visited a Rotary club in Tokyo, then travelled to the Philippines where he experienced a magnitude 7 earthquake. Somehow, he survived it all with a smile and another great story.
Vincent, a guest of Peachy’s, introduced himself as a lawyer and mediator. He recently returned from Asia, where he reconnected with family and cultural roots for the first time in decades. He was impressed by the spirit of service he found in Rotary and looked forward to learning more.
Peachy reported a busy week promoting her services at a seniors’ expo in Langley, where interest was high and conversations plentiful. She also thanked her guests for joining the club.
Michael reflected on a Rotary-filled week, including the successful Presidents’ Dinner and a board meeting at Country Vines. He also shared his brother Bobby’s hilarious FIFA wardrobe changes as he repeatedly switched jerseys depending on who was playing. On a more serious note, he expressed concern over a recent waterslide accident that hit close to home.
Elena reminded everyone of the remarkable reach of Rotary World Help. Thanks to a generous donation covering shipping costs, another container will soon be on its way overseas. The organization has now shipped more than 500 containers of aid around the world—an extraordinary achievement.
Mary Lou celebrated hearing firsthand how Rotary donations are changing lives, citing Sam’s hockey program as a perfect example. She also confessed that while she’s cheering enthusiastically for Canada at FIFA, she’s quietly keeping an England shirt nearby—just in case.
Melinda praised the fellowship and laughter that make 7 a.m. meetings worthwhile. Between a granddaughter graduating kindergarten, a husband battling pneumonia, and family members enduring a soggy soccer match in Toronto, life remains delightfully busy.
Amanda provided comic relief with a story about accidentally convincing a new employee she was responsible for locking up Country Vines. She’s also looking forward to another weekend at the Ladner Market, hopefully next to the dancing vegetable vendors once again.
Eleanore discovered she may have inadvertently volunteered for a treasury role after a conversation with Bobby. She also joined the growing list of members singing the praises of Come From Away.
Peggy Johnson, attending as a guest and neighbour of John Marquardt, delivered one of the morning’s most heartfelt introductions. Recently retired and navigating life after the loss of her husband, she spoke about seeking purpose and feeling an immediate connection to the warmth, service, and fellowship she witnessed in Rotary.
Garth reflected on Rotary’s global reach, sharing stories of visiting clubs in places like Tokyo and Rome. He also reminded us that while Americans may struggle to sing their national anthem, Canadians somehow keep getting invited to sing ours.
Susan proudly described herself as a “Richmond traveller” rather than a world traveller. She’s been helping organize her mother’s apartment and reflected on how a Rotary exchange to Mexico led her brother-in-law to meet his wife—a life-changing connection that lasted decades.
Brian compared his camping trip to Danny’s adventures, though his involved full campgrounds, fishing disappointments, and sleeping on the ground rather than earthquakes and typhoons. His verdict? He’s a much better camper than fisherman and now appreciates his RV more than ever.
Larry celebrated one grandson graduating from UBC and pursuing a career with the RCMP, while another heads to Vancouver Film School to study animation. He also enjoyed a reunion with his sisters that involved plenty of champagne and laughter. Larry did admit to feeling nervous about an upcoming appointment at the BC Cancer Clinic, prompting immediate encouragement from fellow members.
Blair highlighted the power of Rotary exchange programs, sharing news from a former exchange student in Argentina. He also recounted adventures involving FIFA tickets, a grandson’s European travels, and an upcoming Alberta golf trip. Somewhere in the middle, Dalbir apparently misplaced his wallet and “pulled a Blair.”
Chris M. delivered the feel-good moment of the morning, describing a perfect family afternoon around a newly installed backyard pool. Watching her granddaughter splash around brought back memories for multiple generations and reminded him exactly why he bought the family home back.
Lawrence Chew fully embraced World Cup excitement, logging an impressive 31 kilometres wandering downtown Vancouver with visiting family members who had won the opportunity to carry a FIFA flag onto the pitch. He also reflected on reconnecting with an old Rotary leadership friend under bittersweet circumstances.
Chris P. welcomed guests with enthusiasm and shared a humorous discovery that a former exchange student from Guadalajara was still listed on her City of Richmond account two decades later. Some Rotary connections apparently never expire.
Fernanda proudly spoke about her journey from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Canada. Now preparing to become a Canadian citizen, she expressed her love for Canada and gratitude for the friendships she has built here.
Debbie T. celebrated Fernanda’s upcoming citizenship, enjoyed a scenic 30-kilometre bike ride, and reported on school district activities. She also shared the tale of a greenhouse that took flight during a windstorm while her loyal herding dog desperately tried to alert the household to the airborne disaster.
The Morning’s Themes
This week’s Sergeant-at-Arms session featured everything from typhoons, earthquakes, dragon boats, and FIFA fever to grandkids, graduations, camping adventures, and heartfelt Rotary connections. The common thread? Rotary continues to bring together an extraordinary group of people whose lives are never short on stories, laughter, service, and friendship.
