Fellow Rotarian Robin and his wife Melanie hosted "Living room live" on September 15. The two Musicians are Nicola Davies and Swayer Craig, Soprano both from Winnipeg. It was a beautiful night of music and socializing. Pianist Nicola Davies divides her time between opera & musical theatre, playing recitals, teaching, and working behind the scenes making art things happen. Her theatre work emcompasses well over thirty productions as musical director and pianist, including Carmen with Opera Kelowna, La boheme with Opera NUOVA as assisted conductor, and many musicals with various BC companies. She works with the University of Manitoba Musical Theatre Ensemble and with the nine to twelve year olds at Manitoba Theatre for young people. Nicola has toured throughout western Canada with cello piano duo Nate & Nina.
Nicola has instigated various projects over the years including Secondary Characters Musical Theatre, for which she was Co-Artistic Director for nine years. She is now the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Living Room Live, a house concert touring organization founded in 2018 to create intimate live music events for classical musicians and audiences. As a perpetual student, studies have included a Masters in Collaborative Piano, Diploma in Voice Performance, Certificate in Conducting, and a Bachelor of Science.
Many thanks to the Lapointe family, and the performers, for a wonderful evening!
Kitimat Rotarians had a fun filled day August 27th. It started out with a potluck bbq at Delta King Place, Kitimats Assisted Living Facility. Rotarians brought their favourite salad or treats and shared with the residents that reside there. The greatest part of the day was having a visit from District Governor Bala Naidoo, his lovely wife Vasi, and Chad Sallenback, Assistant to the District Governor. Chad was busy at work bbqing the hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone, thanks for that Chad! Lots of socializing took place, and lots of questions answered about how Assisted Living facilities work. We were able to show the District Governor, Chad and Vasi, how we spent fundraising monies in the last year. Kitimat Rotary donated twenty thousand dollars to the kitchen renovation project. Kitimat Rotarian Eleanor Kendell told residents the background story of the peace crane, and gifted all residents with their very own crane.
The Bbq was followed by a meeting at the Hirsch Creek Golf Course, where some great conversations and brain storming took place regarding membership growth. We thank Bala, Chad, and Vasi for the visit, and hope to see you all again soon!
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Thanks to all that attended our Nibblers and Wine event June 18th. Rotarians wanted to thank all the volunteers and businesses who donated items, and those who helped put together our wine tasting evening in May. 
Teresa Windsor sent us the following schedule for an excellent weekend coming up at Kitamaat Village! Unfortunately the watermark graphics were lost with this copy and paste.
Guatlap Days Agenda
Friday, June 21st, 2019
11:00am- “Walking for Strength,” parade
Our communities have been hit hard with a lot of troubling times and losses. Let walk beside one another as a community to build our collective strength.
12:00pm– Indian Taco Luncheon, fried bread + taco toppings
1:00-4:00pm– Cultural dancing (detailed performance agenda to come)
5:00-6:00pm– Community Potluck, please bring a main dish or dessert
Kitimat LNG will be supplying BBQ Burgers, Hotdogs, chips, broccoli salad 6:00pm-10pm– Cultural dancing (detailed performance agenda to come)
Vendor/Information Tables: Face painting, Kitimat LNG sponsored H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Star Lab, Kitimat Disability Services-Sensory Friendly Tent, Haisla Nation Council program information tables.
Saturday, June 22nd, 2019
9:00am-10:00am– Pancake Breakfast, put on by the Haisla Lightening Women’s Soccer team, sponsored by HNC
10:00am-12:00pm– Reading by Haisla Author, Joseph Starr Day School Research
12:00pm-1:00pm– Lunch Refreshments served
1:00-2:00pm- Soapberry Making Contest
5:00pm– Guatlap Dinner
6:00pm– Guatlap Awards Ceremony, Honoring our Language teachers, community merits, Staff merits
Sunday, June 23rd, 2019
2:00pm– Movie Matinee showing– Totem: The Return of the G’psgolox Pole 1hr 10mins
-Totem: Return and Renewal 23mins
Bus transportation (JUNE 23rd only) sponsored in kind donation of LNG Canada
Kitimat Rotary celebrated 60 years running in Kitimat. To celebrate and mark the day, Rotarians purchased a bench that was placed below the Haisla centre, right beside the beautiful totem pole in down town Kitimat. Much credit goes to Rotarians Gaureen and Jo for starting this project off, and carrying it through.
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What's Kitimat about, This lady is the answer! Much has been happening at the Chamber over the last year or so. Anyone passing by will see the bright paint job at the Gazebos. Walk inside and the vivid colours are there too. We now have a "slogan" Kitimat Bound. Focus has been placed on workforce attraction. An amphitheatre will be going up this coming summer. A carver will be working on a Welcome sign. Access for the disabled is being addressed. Kayaks can be rented from the Chamber this summer. Members are working on a new strategic plan. Our thanks go to Jill for sharing so much information with us and for doing a bang up job at the Chamber.
The weather changed back to sunshine, perfect for our Installation of Officers for the 2019-2020 year at our President Robin Lapointe’s home. On hand to do the honors at our installation were current Area Governor, Bill Parmar, Past Area Governor, Brian Downie and incoming Area Governor, Chad Sallenback. It was a delightful evening filled with Rotary goodwill. Robin even launched a drone that flew overhead taking pictures of all of us out on the lawn. Steaks and chicken on the BBQ, salads, dessert, wine compliments of all of us. Our best wishes go to Gareen Ball, president for Rotary Connects the World. We will connect J. Our thanks to Robin’s wife Melanie for taking photos.
Congrats to our Secretary/Treasurer Jo Hildebrant, as she received her third sapphire pin from AG Bill Parmar , the recognition for her support of the Rotary Foundation.
Rotarians were on hand to help with registration, and to give direction to any other help needed to Kitimat Grade 12 students who headed to Christ Church Anglican Church to receive MCV4 shots against Meningitis A, C, Y, and W135.
Brigit Manninen, Manager at Douglas Place in Kitimat, greeted Rotarians Linda and Eleanor warmly when they stopped by to see the new mattresses that were purchased for use in the two units now available for housing of the homeless when winter is upon us. Each unit contains a bathroom, shower, toilet, sink, ect. Clients are given toiletries, towels, blankets, for their nights stay then, for the most part, sent on their way with Tim Hortons gift certificates. Manninen searched for where to find the best mattresses for the purpose and found the answer through the Salvation Army in Fort St. John. They are easy to clean, bed bug proof, etc. Bridgit and Linda are proppoing one up. Linda is holding our Rotary Club of Kitimat check for $500.00 which went toward the purchase of 4 mattresses.
May 21st, what an interesting evening, Haisla Nation Council community cultural coordinator Teresa Windsor walked us through a good deal of Haisla history backed by an excellent PowerPoint slide show. We learned about the clans at Kitamaat Village. Theirs is a matriarchal society, one where families are closely knit together. Teresa grew up in Kitamaat Village. She was sparked to research and share the Haisla culture when her son came home from school reciting a prayer that he had learned in the Haisla language. As we listened, her story 'came alive'. Now JHaisla kids are learning their language. Like all of us, she shares the simple truth, they are our future. Teresa invited us to come out to a gathering on the June 21st weekend. It's called Guatlap Days (to help one another). More to come from her later.
Gareen, a few flowers for your desk, a small thank you from all of us for being our Nobel Wine Tasting Leader.
Guests started arriving early on Saturday, May 4th, not surprising! What a perfect night, lovely sunshine to walk in, summertime clothing even sandals, a great start to the evening. This was topped off by the welcoming decor in the Christ the King Church Hall. Wine barrels, grape arbors, Kerr mason jars and cross cuts of tree trunks on the tables. 200 wine glasses set out for the tastings. Not to be overlooked the smiling faces of Rotarian greeters.
Background music by the man himself, D. of K. councilor, Edwin Empinado, time for a couple of Rotarians to 'breath' before the action begins,the behind the scenes action in the kitchen, exemplary staff of Seven Tables! 
We were pleased to have our former Club Member Lynda taking the time from her busy schedule to to bring us up to speed on the youth programs offered in our District. Using an excellent PowerPoint presentation, she showcased the programs that exist. Lynda now lives in Squamish. She's a member of our the District's Youth Committee. Whenever possible she heads north to participate at RYLA Lakelse. We learnt about the newest program Earlyact, ages 5-12, Interact - middle/high school age youths, Rotoact, young adults up to 30 years of age. RYLA, Youth Exchange, ROSE, Adventures programs, New Generations Service Exchange. Lynda brought along a SURPRISE. We were delighted to see her present young Luca and Eva Columbo with a certificate of recognition. The children gave their stuffies to the Korle Bu Neurocience Foundation in West Africa. How very special of them to do this.
We were privileged to hear our Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club's manager, Winston Mitchell, tell his story at our April 16th meeting. Winston's sharing of his previous employment sites at elite golf clubs was impressive. With this experience behind him, he brings a new vision to golfing in Kitimat and to the operation of this facility, Growing the club is a priority, getting ahead of the game, having all staff part of the team, sharing their energy and recognizing their importance. What a plus to have him with us with a goal one can see becoming a reality!
Be the Inspiration is a perfect fit for our DG Darcy Long. Her enthusiasm inspires us! She covered a wide range of everything we have in Rotary, mentioning more than once our using the yearly Presidential Citation as a goal in our Rotary Clubs. Our President Robin jotted down the topics covered. Here they are friends:
1. Rotary Vision Statement
2. Firesides
3. Core Values
4. Fellowship and Service
5. Foundation
* PolioPlus
* Annual giving
* Matching grants
* Global matching grants for International projects
* Endowment Fund - World fund, Share, Rotary Peace Centre
6. Past District Governor Don Evan’s offer to come to Kitimat this Fall to help us prepare a Strategic Plan - we should book a date as soon as we can.
7. Things we can do to improve our Public Image
8. Ideas for Fundraising
9. Peace and Conflict
2. Firesides
3. Core Values
4. Fellowship and Service
5. Foundation
* PolioPlus
* Annual giving
* Matching grants
* Global matching grants for International projects
* Endowment Fund - World fund, Share, Rotary Peace Centre
6. Past District Governor Don Evan’s offer to come to Kitimat this Fall to help us prepare a Strategic Plan - we should book a date as soon as we can.
7. Things we can do to improve our Public Image
8. Ideas for Fundraising
9. Peace and Conflict
An impressive list. Darcy is a strong supporter of our Rotary Club of Kitimat (and all other clubs in 5040 for that matter.
). Much Rotary love goes your way from us Darcy.
). Much Rotary love goes your way from us Darcy.
Meet our 2019-2020 District 5040 Governor, Bala Naidoo. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown. A financial planner by profession, Bala brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as our DG, a leader that lead us through "Change Readiness". We talked about planning, vision, rewards, in particular the action plan. we looked at some case studies, highlighted People of Action, resistance to change, the journey ahead. The PowerPoint used was one the best this writer has seen. Using RI's resources from the website, Club Central (only effective if we use them) tracking our volunteer hours were highlighted, small things that will make a difference. The day long session did not seem to be all that lengthy. All those attending were sparked by the message he shared.
Sunday was spent with our Past District Governor Don Evans as he walked us through the what is it of the Rotary Foundation, when and why it started, recognition for those who make contributions, who can contribute to it, the ABC's of our foundation. In this photo you see Don with his 'go to' slide behind him, the Rotary Foundation Grants, the two different biggies, District and Global, and some further arms that do make understanding easy. We talked about good stewardship, heard examples. and shared stories. Another well presented assembly. At the end those attending were given the paperwork to take back to their club to be signed with their club president and president elect's signatures, the proof they had completed this step so their clubs can apply for a Foundation Grant this upcoming Rotary year. These are to be returned to Don.
What a gala evening. Pictured below are Kitimat Rotarians Eleanor, Meghan, Jonathan, husband Ivan and Gareen smiling for the camera. Much credit goes to Rotarian Evan VanDyk for the creative handling of the reverse draw to win the $5000 ticket prize. And then there was the professional cruise ship auctioneer, a lovely young woman who moved the bidding higher keeping the atmosphere in the room full of laughter and energy. The chefs at the Skeena Valley Golf Club did themselves proud. The dinner was excellent.
Appreciation came from all Rotarians to our Skeena MLA Ellis Ross. Ellis put up an amazing auction item - dinner for six here in Kitimat with seafood fresh from the Douglas Channel. Every type of fish from our local waters was mentioned, crabs, prawns, even a taste of oolichan to be presented. The bidding went up and up. Some $3000+ was paid for this dinner at the close of bidding. Yes Ellis, we thank you!
Brilliant sunshine outside, a perfect setting for the good news story told by Doug Thomson, Kitimat Valley Housing Society's spokesman, as plans progress for the Dementia and Alzheimer's Care facility.
Rotarian Maryann Ouellet introduced Doug, Rotarian Meghan Marshall presented our thanks.One could say the vision here is state of the art, with every aspect considered when looking at the challenges that residents will be facing. The model is a 'circular one' with no end of corridor walls to confuse, exterior walls built wide to improve energy efficiency, open kitchen areas for residents to make their own cup of tea, and specific training using a relatively new method for caregivers geared to allowing residents the means to use their own initiatives. Watching and listening to Doug's presentation, one could not help but think, what a well thought out initiative. Well done to KVHS.
We were also joined by Terrace Rotarian Brian Downie who gave us an update for the weekend of Foundation Dinner, starting the day with the Year Ahead workshop and Foundation Grant the next day.
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Tuesday, February 26, 2019 proved to be a noteworthy evening for us when we listened to Linda Slanina and Michelle Martin share the work the people do with their organization. There are several programs beyond the service many people know them for - providing a safe haven for women's suffering from abuse. Their presentation described them, then continued with a detailed overview of the project proposed for construction on Quatsino Blvd. Where exactly it is proposed to be built, what borders the property, facilities that will be provided under one roof, the shelter for women, office space for all their programs, low income housing, transition housing, a cafeteria, furniture exchange, needle exchange and a play area for children. They also shared some of the concerns voiced by people living in/owning neighboring properties. The province has committed 103 million dollars to this project to be used for construction and operating costs once completed. For the most part, people are in favor of what the facility will provide, just not this proposed location. A final public hearing will take place Monday, March 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Luso Canadian Hall.
Thank you from all of us LInda and Michelle for 'telling all'.
