Virginia Ferguson, a seventeen-year member of Sunrise Rotary in Tacoma, WA, USA, married the Club President in 1994. Between them, they have five children and eight grandchildren. As a semi-retired attorney, Virginia keeps busy in her yard and with clubs and activities when she isn't working on cases involving children or the elderly for the Court. Virginia applied to be Rotary GSE Team Leader to have a chance to expand her world-view, and share in the adventures that come with learning about another culture. Her husband, the Human Resources Director for the City of Tacoma, is very supportive of her role as GSE Team Leader, except for the fact that she will be gone for four weeks.
 

Team Members:

Tom Hults lives in Suquamish, WA with his wife Erin, son Harper and three cats, Gingko, Jooky & Digger. Tom is a stonemason and member of the local Built Green program promoting Low-Impact Development and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. His focus is on pervious pavers and innovative stormwater management solutions including the use of natural stone that is pervious. He also imports Turkish Travertine pavers, tile and architectural accents and is the only distributor in the Northwest of this line. On occasion, he finds time to fly fish, garden, brew beer & wine, go bicycling with his family and tend to his growing bonsai collection.

I have taught the journalism program at G.P. Vanier Secondary for 71/2 years. Vanier is one of the three high schools in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. I have my masters in educational leadership and am involved with my local teachers' union. Outside of school I play soccer, run and sing in a Celtic band. We are releasing our first cd this spring.

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to travel to Bremen, Germany in May. I have taught an exchange student from Bremen this year and am intrigued with what she has shared with me about her education system. Representing my community, province and country is an honour and I thank the Courtenay Rotary for sponsoring me.
 

Megan is 30 years old and resides on Northern Vancouver Island (Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada. She is a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio) and Registered Forest Technologist (RFT). The focus of her work is independent consulting on various biological and forest management projects throughout the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

When she has spare time away from operating her consulting company, she likes to spend time with her friends and family; she has a brother who is a Lieutenant in the Canadian Armed Forces and a sister who is a Chef in Provencale, France. Megan's hobbies include trail running, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, golfing, travelling, reading and photography. Her dream job would entail working in international forest products trade (for half the year in British Columbia and the other half in Europe).
 

Shane works in Information Technology with Correctional Service Canada. He is responsible for managing the IT infrastructure at William Head Institution and three Vancouver Island parole offices. He is originally from Little Burnt Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador and has been living in Western Canada since February 1998. Prior to moving to Victoria he worked at Drumheller Institution for Correctional Service Canada in Drumheller, Alberta.

Shane's hobbies include photography, mountain biking, hiking, weightlifting, and travelling. Other volunteer activities include giving his time to another well-known service organization in addition to being a steward for Canada's largest union representing federal public service professionals.
 

My name is Chanace Vanderheide. I live in Courtenay, a small city located on Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I live with my husband Scott and my dog Tonquin. I am a graduate from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. I work as an occupational therapist in a small hospital serving primarily adults in an inpatient and outpatient setting. I also work with paediatric clients with the Child Development Association.

I am very involved with my soccer team, The Berkshire Legends, training three times a week to prepare for the World Games in 2005. In my leisure time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends in the great outdoors, running, snowboarding, mountain biking, fishing, or gardening.