PEOPLE OF ACTION
'SERVICE ABOVE SELF'Rotary is known by the results that are achieved. Rotary International provides services to others, promotes integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Welcome to Rotary in District 5020. We represent Rotarians on Vancouver Island, B.C. and Western Washington from Pierce County south to Woodland including the Olympic Peninsula. Rotary unites over a million people worldwide to take action locally and globally. Each day, our members pour their passion, integrity, and intelligence into completing projects that have a lasting impact. We persevere until we deliver real, lasting solutions.
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PEOPLE OF ACTION
UPCOMING KEY EVENTS
DISTRICT 5020 TRAINING AND CONFERENCE is just around the corner!
PLEASE JOIN US! To learn more, please CLICK HERE
UNITE DISTRICT 5020 (PEOPLE OF ACTION MAGAZINE)
DISTRICT ONLINE NEWS SOURCE
After two incredible years, UD5020 will be changing its format to address ease of use and social media sharing.
As the magazine merges into the new format, please continue to share your stories, club successes, and exciting news. Your continued enthusiasm will continue to build the new excitement for the format.
DISTRICT 5020 GOVERNORS MESSAGE
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD
“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Rotary International has designated April as “Maternal and Child Health” month. Lori Cloutier from the Rotary Club of Poulsbo will be presenting a session at the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne and at the District 5020 Training and Conference about the negative effects that plastics are having on maternal and child health.
Her talk is something you do not want to miss. It is persuasive and eye opening. What makes Lori’s presentation unique is her prescription for the action that Rotary clubs can take. She suggests that we model the solution by stop the use of plastic in our clubs. If Rotary clubs and Rotarians demonstrate through our actions how to move away from the use of plastics, it will spread.
That is an excellent formula for Rotary clubs and Rotarians on many fronts. If we make a commitment to show our dedication through our actions, we not only have the moral right to suggest that others follow our lead, but we can also influence that change.
Take public civility for example.
It is becoming almost cliché to point out that North American society is becoming more divided. More and more people only associate with people who hold the same beliefs, whether on social media, in the workplace or amongst acquaintances. People who do not hold the same views become the “unknown”, resulting in suspicion, fear, and demonization. One side refuses to be associated with anyone who isn’t a part of their “tribe”. The other howls to cancel any speaker who doesn’t fall in line.
Rotary is an oasis in this desert of polarization. We have members of all faiths, political views, and beliefs who coexist in the common cause of service above self.
Rotary has had a goal of creating peace in the world since the 1914 Rotary International Convention approved a proposal that Rotary use its influence to maintain peace among the nations of the world. We have built on that focus on peace ever since, including through our Rotary Peace Centers.
Now is not the time to abandon that history and allow the language of division to creep into Rotary discourse. Perhaps now is the time to invite a person to become a Rotarian who sees the world from a different perspective than you. You will broaden your own world view and create a small step to a more peaceful world.
We can set an example to our communities and to the world, whether it is working toward protecting mothers and children through the reduction of use of plastic or whether it is our ability to welcome the diverse views of our community into our midst in a respectful and accommodating manner.
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” Albert Einstein
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD
“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change...
WELCOMING IS AN ACTION
Rotary International has a statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity that is often misunderstood. You can read it here: https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/diversity-equity-and-inclusion. The statement does not mandate a change in the political views of...
ITS ABOUT THE PEOPLE
I was on a flight going south a few years ago. The person in the seat beside me turned out to be the neighbour of a Rotarian I knew quite well from another community. We had a great chat and, as I usually do, I turned the conversation to Rotary. She was fascinated by...
WHO WE ARE
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
Learn more about our structure and our foundation and our strategic vision.
What we do
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Grow local economies
- Protect the environment
Our mission
We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Vision statement
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We are opportunity-creators
Rotary members look for opportunities to improve our communities today and invest in the next generation for tomorrow.
We are problem-solvers
Together, we apply our professional experience and personal commitment to tackle our communities’ most persistent problems, finding new, effective ways to enhance health, stability, and prosperity across the globe.
We are people of action
We connect passionate people with diverse perspectives to exchange ideas, forge lifelong friendships, and, above all, take action to change the world.
We are community-builders
We collaborate with community leaders who want to get to work on projects that have a real, lasting impact on people’s lives.
OUR CAUSES
Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever..
Promoting peace
Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
Fighting disease
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas.
Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We don’t just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
Saving mothers and children
Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
Supporting education
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
Growing local economies
We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Protecting the environment
Rotary members are tackling environmental issues the way they always do: coming up with projects, using their connections to change policy and planning for the future.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.
DIVERSITY
Rotary welcomes people of all backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and identities.
EQUITY
Rotary strives for the fair treatment, opportunity, and advancement of all Rotary participants.
INCLUSION
Rotary is working to create experiences where all people feel welcomed, respected, and valued.