DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S CORNER

My father was a Rotarian. My mother was a Rotary Ann. As a young child, watching my dad head off to a “Rotary” meeting seemed both mysterious and intriguing and I saw no barrier to me becoming a Rotarian one day. 

In 1991, I had the life-changing opportunity to participate on a Group Study Exchange team to the Philippines. When I returned, I had a choice. I could join the Rotary Club of Sudbury who had sponsored my great adventure, or a new Rotary Club - the Sudbury Sunrisers - who were chartering with 10 female and 10 male members. So … as a proud Sunriser, I jumped at the chance to serve. 

Club activities led to District opportunities, and I began to better understand and appreciate Rotary’s impact around the world. Later in my Rotary career, I was chosen to lead a GSE team on a unique 4 country exchange in the Caribbean. I have a sneaking suspicion that the District leadership at the time, former RI Director Bryn Stiles included, simply wanted me out of the country, but I returned.

The experience only deepened my love of travel and learning about different cultures, which soon led me to combine annual vacations with Rotary International Conventions. My first was in 1996 in Calgary, Alberta. Almost 30 years later, I was proud to return to Calgary this past June to represent our District at the 2025 R.I. Convention. What a full circle moment! 

As District Governor, I hope to cultivate and share the same passion, excitement and joy that I feel about Rotary with others in our community and around the world. 

Although my parents have both passed, I hope my father, and perhaps more importantly, my mother, would be proud.