Welcome! Our club was chartered on 3 June 2005 with 20 members and has grown to 30. We are one of four Rotary clubs in the Comox Valley on beautiful Vancouver Island. Check our calendar on the menu to the left to find out what's coming up. To find our meeting venue click on: Where we meet
We've Moved!
On 18 November we began meeting at our new venue, Carmie's Café and Catering, 2699 Dunsmuir Avenue (formerly The Miner's Café) at 7 AM. We welcome you to join us.
Club Members Remembered the Fallen on 11 November
President Linda Donates to Cumberland Village Square
Village planner Judy Walker, Cumberland Councillor Bronco Moncrief, president Linda, Cumberland Councillor Gwyn Sproule and Cumberland Village CAO, Anja Nurvo pose in front of the Village Square sign on 6 November to mark the generous donation of more than $100 worth of bulbs by Linda to help beautify the square. A plaque will be installed by the Village to mark our president's generosity and to encourage other residents to contribute to the project.
Fourth Annual Extravaganza Italiana a Huge Success!!!
300 People filled the Cumberland Recreation Hall on Saturday, 18 October. The fun-filled evening featured a family-style Italian dinner and live and silent auctions. With Chef Dawn in the kitchen, the Orca Swim club serving under Chantal's guidance and Auctioneer Dave encouraging people to support our efforts to raise funds for the Comox Valley Hospice Society, there was plenty of good food, laughter and generous spending. The final numbers are being tabulated but revenue overall was in the $40,000 range. Thanks to our generous donors and supporters, we had lots of great auction items and plenty of bidders. Well done Cumberland Rotarians and family members who worked so hard to make this event such a huge success.
Rotarians Help Support Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock
The four men pictured above raised $5412 by pledging to have their heads shaved in support of the 2008 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock who paid a visit to a small but enthusiastic crowd in the Cumberland Recreation Hall on 24 September. Local hairdresser Jean Cameron removed the locks and cancer survivor Colin Gardner presented hats to keep heads warm. Rotarians served as MC, auctioneer and ran a successful concession for donations. In all the Village raised more than $20,000 for the team!
Comox Valley and Campbell River Presidents Present Cheques
On a cold, wet and windy Wednesday morning, the presidents of the six clubs in the Comox Valley and Campbell River gathered on Mount washington to present cheques of $2,000 each to the Strathcona Wilderness Institute to help fund the wilderness hut that is being built adjacent to Raven Lodge at the trailhead to Paradise Meadows. The structure will be used as a gathering place for visitors and by the Park Rangers to orient people to the trails, flora and fauna to be found in Paradise Meadows and beyond.
Club Funds Community School Drama Programs
At our meeting on 9 september, president linda presented a cheque for $2,500.00 to Janey Armstrong, Program Director of the Cumberland Community School Society to fund drama programs in the Cumberland Elementary and Junior Schools. More than 80 students will benefit from this program as they learn theatre skills and enter the world of drama.
Club Receives RI PR Award
AG Kim Sleno presented a certificate of recognition to PP Keith at our meeting on Tuesday, 9 September. The certificate honours the club with a Public Relations Award signed by RI President 2007-2008 and DG 2007-2008 Norm Watts "For outstanding achievement in launching a successful public relations campaign to promote awareness and understanding of Rotary" PR Chair John, PP Keith and AG Kim were all smiles.
MPHF Recognition for John C
President Linda pinned a MPHF(Multiple Paul Harris Fellow) pin with 3 rubies (PHF + 8) on John's collar at our meeting on 9 September to recognize his contributions to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Newest Rotarian Inducted on 2 September
Our club welcomed Chantal Stefan as our newest Rotarian at our meeting on 2 September. John Challender presided over the induction ceremony as all members welcomed Chantal to the club.
Rotarians Cook Breakfast for 300 in Cumberland
On Sunday, 9 August, most of our club members turned out at 6:00 AM in the Cumberland Village Square to cook and serve pancakes to participants in The Big Time Out or TBTO as it is known locally. The busiest time was from 10:00 AM until Noon because it took a while for the concert goers to rise from their long night of music and shorter night of sleep! Funds raised will be used to support a drama program in the Cumberland Community School. A big thank you to TBTO organizers for including us in the festivities.
Transit Shelters Branded
The transit shelters we provided to the Village of Cumberland last year now bear our logo and a message for the public so everyone will know where they came from. Thanks to PP Keith Tatton.
DIstrict Governor Brian Beagle and Barbara Beagle Pay Official Visit at Our Meeting in the Orchard on 15 July
District 5020 Governor Brian Beagle and his spouse, Rotarian Barbara Beagle paid our club a visit at our meeting in the orchard on Tuesday, 15 July. DG Brian spoke to us about Rotary and being a Rotarian and the dream we all have to see polio eradicated from the world. Barbara reminded us of the importance of literacy and numeracy and asked us to continue promoting both in our community.
Great Work Party in the Orchard - 9 July
Rotarians and family members turned out in good numbers for an hour of hard work cleaning up the orchard. Lawnmowers, whipper-snippers, hedge trimmers, rakes, loppers and secaturs received a workout trimming the grass and other material in readiness for the visit by District Governor Brian Beagle and his spouse Barbara for our meeting on 15 July. Thanks everyone for the hour of service, fun and fellowship that was followed by a Lucky break!
Julie Horwood - World Peace Scholarship Candidate
Our club is honoured to sponsor Julie Horwood, a career nurse, as a Rotary Peace Scholar. Julie began the process to become a Rotary Peace Scholar in the Fall of 2007, has completed all the tests and interviews at the District level and her application has been forwarded to the final jury level at Rotary's world headquarters in Evanston Illinois. She has been informed that she will learn whether she will be part of the 60-person class of 2009-2011 in November or December 2008. Julie is a strong candidate and deserving of selection.
President Linda in the Chair
President Linda Oprica led our first meeting of the new Rotary year at the Gatehouse Bistro on 8 July. She reminded everyone of RI President DK Lee's theme for 2008 - 2009: Make Dreams Real.
Celebrating Canada Day at the Orchard
President Linda asked as many Rotarians as possible to participate in a Canada Day, potluck breakfast in the orchard. Nineteen of our members, some spouses and guests attended and we had a great time. Rehabilitating the century-old orchard on Camp Road was our first community project begun before we were chartered and a has become great contribution to the community. The property owner has been very supportive of our efforts and through responsible tree husbandry and the eradication of invasive plants, the area has become a place where families like to walk and play.