Club News
ROTARIANS CELEBRATE INITIATIVES THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE LOCALLY AND WORLDWIDE at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary
Many Rotarians from our Sidney by the Sea club participated in learning and meeting like minded change makers this past June 24 – 26 in one of the largest gatherings at the Calgary Convention Centre consisting of 16,000 Rotary members and participants from 140 countries.
Rotary International Convention 2025 in Calgary Canada was an opportunity to share on our rich history, honour our dedicated members, and reenergize our commitment to making a positive impact in the world. All. 7 core areas of focus: Promote Peace; Fight Disease; Provide Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Save Mothers & Children; Support Education; Grow local Economies, Protect the Environment were highlighted.
These focus areas reflect Rotary’s comprehensive approach to tackling global challenges. Through its Avenues of Service—Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service, and New Generation Service—Rotarians design and implement sustainable projects that create lasting, positive change in their communities and beyond.
Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over US $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation to support these and other programs worldwide over the last 100 years.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, 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.
This years annual fundraiser Lobsterfest+ was Bigger, Bolder and Tastier than Ever. This is not your an average seafood shindig – and there was a choice of feast.Lobster,Crab or Prime Rib( because options are delicious) Silent and Live Auctions bid on jaw-dropping goodies! Live music with Shaky Ground so you can shake it ‘till you break.
Funds raised for Sidney by the Sea Rotary will support the Youth Clinic at Shoreline Medical Centre; funds raised for the Saanich Penninsula Community Foundation help granting to community charities & non-profits.
Rotarians volunteer helped with the 2025 Victoria Ironman event
On Sunday 23 May Sidney by the Sea Rotary ran Aid Station #2 for the Victoria Ironman 70.3 triathlon. 24 Rotarians and friends helped supply just under 2000 athletes from 16 different countries with water, gatorade and food to sustain them on their long race. Despite the somewhat drizzly day all that participated enjoyed helping the athletes with nourishment and encouragement.
This is the 9 th year that the club has helped out and helped raise funds to give back to the local community.
Rotary supports the Environment by helping remove invasive Scotch Broom and clean up plastics at Island View Beach Park
Our club will be out in our community with hands-on environmental work this coming May 6 at one of our local ocean view parks. Two dozen of us will clean up Island View Beach Park by removing invasive Scotch Broom as well as litter and washed up debris on the extensive beach.
Here are a few photographs from last years event:
Area cleared of Scotch Broom. 
Earth day weekend Saturday April 26 Rotary is supporting the Environment
Wewe
We thank all that came out Saturday to support our annual Papper Shredding event.
Our Rotary club of Sidney by the Sea are Protecting the Environment by hosting a very popular drive-thru secure paper shredding fundraiser event on Saturday April 26. This years location is the Parking lot of the Highway Fellowship Church 10364 McDonald Park Road adjacent to the Co-op service station.
This is your chance to safely and securely shred those piles of paper that have been building up at your home or office.
The contracted shredder is a certified carbon-neutral business, and ensures that all shredded paper is properly recycled and does not go to a landfill. Come out to this Earth Day weekend event in Sidney 10:00 am-1:00pm or until the truck is full.
Recommended minimum donation of $15 per bankers box or equivalent. Please don’t leave us with any plastic.
We appreciate the support of the Seaside Magazine, Best Shredding, Coastal Heat Pumps, local businesses and residents of the Saanich Peninsula.
Mark your calendars for Saturday April 26, and join us in making the transition to a cleaner paper-free world – all awhile giving back to local causes.
See you at Shredfest!!
Shredfest 2025
Rotary is very committed to protecting the environment and encourages and embraces not only recycling but advocating the reduction of waste and plastics.
Rotary is supporting the Environment by implementing Green initiatives
As Rotations we are striving to reduce our impact to the environment.
Our club has been instituting Green initiatives for our club activities of which many are suggested in the “ROTARY GREEN EVENT HANDBOOK” .
– We have been avoiding non compostable containers and encouraging reusable cups, mugs, plates, cutlery or at least utilize compostables.
– We are eliminating as much as possible plastics and no styrofoam in both our public and club activities. Encouraging Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycling, Repurpose.
– The Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea is also mitigating our carbon footprint by supporting carbon sequestration ( offsets) for our yearly activities and events. We have donated to -Tree Canada Society “ National Greening Program “ of tree reforestation in areas of BC that have been impacted and are in locations where trees will be the most long term benefit to our environment.
Rotarians are support Threashold Society so youth can have a better future.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary is pleased to support the Threshold housing Society in conjunction with others to assist with this much needed youth support program in Greater Victoria. Our donation of $5000- will assist with the society’s programs which provides housing and life skills support to youth at risk of homelessness. Their services are available to youth aged 15 – 24 in Greater Victoria.
Threshold housing Society
Rotary supports the education of our youth on the Culture and Biodiversity of the Salish Sea by funding environmental educational programs such the 2025 Summer Camps Program.
Our club is pleased to be a co sponsor for the Centre for the Salish Sea 2025 summer youth camp programs.
A quote from a former summer camp participant who is now returning as a camp co-leader..
ROTARY CELEBRATES 120 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Rotary International is proud to celebrate its 120th anniversary on Feb 23 2025, marking over a century of service to communities around the globe. This milestone presents an opportunity to reflect on our rich history, honour our dedicated members, and reaffirm our commitment to making a positive impact in the world. We have 7 core areas of focus: Promote Peace; Fight Disease; Provide Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Save Mothers & Children; Support Education; Grow local Economies, Protect the Environment.
These focus areas reflect Rotary’s comprehensive approach to tackling global challenges. Through its Avenues of Service—Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service, and New Generation Service—Rotarians design and implement sustainable projects that create lasting, positive change in their communities and beyond.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, 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.
ROTARY EMBRACING THE FUTURE
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Our Sidney by the Sea Rotary club has a very special speaker coming on Saturday January 25 to the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.International Rotarian speaker Steve Bender is coming on Saturday January 25 to MWC @ 9:30 am to share what Rotarians and others are doing to help with Sustainable Communities and the Environment
Join Rotary, listen to awesome speakers, meet new friends, have fun and do good!
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Rotary Secret Santa
As the holiday season approaches, our hearts fill with warmth and excitement as we prepare to bring joy and happiness to families in our community.
Understanding the true essence of Christmas, Rotarians delight in making a meaningful difference for those less fortunate. Our club, supported by Rotary District 5020, works busily like Santa’s elves, weaving festive joy throughout the community. As of completion of the project a total of 62 family members benefitted from our providing 15 hampers and a total of 23 Rotarians shopped, wrapped and delivered them to Sidney Elementary School. With each gift shared and smile inspired, we’re creating a tapestry of holiday wonder that will be cherished by all!
Rotary supports the Environment in Ghana with the Greening for the Future initiative
Our club has recently supported the “ROTARY GREENING FOR THE FUTURE GHANA “ initiative.
Rotarians in Ghana Launch “Rotary Greens Ghana”
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Thank you to all that supported our annual poinsettias Saanich Peninsula community fundraiser.
POINSETTIA SALES
Each year approaching the winter holidays, our members sell poinsettias to friends, colleagues and local businesses. These sales raise funds to support various causes from literacy programs, ORCCA dental centre, the Sidney Lions Food Bank , local youth and senior programs. Over 900 poinsettias are sold each year and delivered to buyers by our members on November 28 
Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in interclub Solar Cooking initiative
Sidney by the Sea Rotary is joining in with Three other clubs in district 5020 and other clubs in Ontario,California and Mexico with funding for 30 Haines Solar cooking sets for rural low income single woman with families.
This project was supported on the ground by local Rotarians, food bank and non profits like SolarHousehold Energy. The initiative provided much healthier lifestyle rather than collecting firewood from adjacent forests and cooking on an open fires. This also freed up time for opportunities for home enterprises and family support.
The women reported healthier home life with less smoke as well as preparing healthier meals with out fat frying (solar cookers do use fat) here the link to a video of the project https://www.dropbox.com/t/rcYYuwqMZpWN5H5u
Rotary club of Sidney by the Sea celebrating 29 years of community service
Congratulations to local Rotarians
OurRotary club of Sidney By The Sea was chartered on 20/11/1995. The club has completed 29 years of service this past week in RI District 5020 supporting the local initiatives and community service across the world. 👏👏👏
Thanks to many supporting folks we are helping making a difference
Rotary supporting Cycling without Age community program
Rotarian Bob Leitch, Chair Fundraising; Rotarian Bill McGregor, District Governor; CWA Bill Brooks; CWA Pilot Willi Fast; CWA Director Cheryl Brooks; CWA Vice President Maureen Dale; Rotarian Pieta VanDyke, Assistant Governor.
Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution for 2024-25 school year.
Once again this school year’s food share program at Sidney Elementary School in which club members picked up fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy and meat from the food security distribution centre and distributed to parents.
You can read the program details from the above link “ Food Distribution at Sidney Elementary School “.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports VTRA
Rotary club of Sidney by the Sea with other community groups, businesses and individuals supports the life changing program of the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association for children and adults.
Recently we provided the necessary funds for the purchase of Socrates.
On September 25th, members of the Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club visited VTRA for a special barn tour led by Executive Director Liz Gagel. It was an opportunity to watch a lesson in action and spend time with Socrates, the incredible horse whose purchase was made possible through the club’s donation earlier this year.
We were told that Socrates has been a star at VTRA, the two pictures with clients below were taken in action at the annual Horse Show and during summer camps as provided by VTRA.
October is End Polio Now month
LETS END POLIO WORLD WIDE
Each year in October Rotarians and like minded people around the world support Rotary’s World Health Initiative to fundraiser for the End Polio Now program.
Details on how you can support this program are on the web at
https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day
Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community. The Rotary Sugar Shack at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event. AUG 31-Sept 2. Drop by; try our new product “Dole Whip” and the other tasty products.
- While you are at the historic annual Saanich Fall Fair visit the Sugar Shack. Our Rotary club will be operating an ice cream concession serving patrons with delicious dairy soft ice cream, sundaes, dole whip, hotdogs, candy floss and cold drinks. We are located adjacent to the midway.
Look for the Sugar Shack and know that proceeds from sales go to community initiatives.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. Sidney Thursday evening Street Market
Sidney by the Sea Rotarians joining in with other community groups and vendors at the Thursday evening Street market.
Come and learn why the folks are smiling
Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community initiatives.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary is joining in with other community groups and businesses to enhance the museum’s
Rotarians volunteer to help with the 2024 Victoria Ironman event
On Sunday 26 May Sidney by the Sea Rotary ran Bike Aid Station #2 for the Victoria Ironman 70.3 triathlon. 24 Rotarians and friends helped supply just under 2000 athletes from 16 different countries with water, gatorade and food to sustain them on their long race. Despite the somewhat drizzly day all that participated enjoyed helping the athletes with nourishment and encouragement.
This is the 8th year that the club has helped out and helped raise funds to give back to the local community.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community by Fundraising with the annual Lobsterfest the first Saturday of June.
Lobsterfest takes place at the Mary Winspear Centre the first Saturday of June.
Over 200 people enjoy a sit down feed of fresh East Coast lobster with all the fixing’s, live music, cash bar a fantastic silent auction.
Funds raised at the event are disbursed to programs that help our community.
tickets for this years June 1 event are available on line
******to buy tickets use the purchase tickets button *******
Rotary supports the Environment by helping remove invasive Scotch Broom and clean up plastics at Island View Beach Park
Our club had a lovely sunny outing at one of our local ocean view parks on March 26. About Two dozen of us helped clean up Island View Beach Park by removing invasive Scotch Broom as well as litter and washed up debris.
Area cleared of Scotch Broom.
October is our annual poinsettias Saanich Peninsula community fundraiser. Contact any Sidney by the Sea club member to order your seasonal colourful poinsettias.
POINSETTIA SALES
Each year approaching the winter holidays, our members sell poinsettias to friends, colleagues and local businesses. These sales raise funds to support various causes from literacy programs, ORCCA dental centre, the Sidney Lions Food Bank , local youth and senior programs. Over 900 poinsettias are sold each year and delivered to buyers by our members in a single day near the end of November.
place your orders by Oct 27
Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community initiatives.
Rotary is joining in with other community groups and businesses to enhance the Arts in the Saanich Peninsula.
The Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea is a 2024 ArtSea President’s Circle Supporter!
ArtSea is grateful to The Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea for providing a generous contribution toward ArtSea programs, including the Salish Sea Lantern Festival.
Rotary supports the education of our youth on the Culture and Biodiversity of the Salish Sea by funding environmental educational programs such the 2024 Summer Camps Program.
Our club is pleased to provide funds for the Centre for the Salish summer youth camp programs.
A quote from a former summer camp participant who is now returning as a camp co-leader..
Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution opens again for 2023-24 school year.
Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community
Our Rotary club of Sidney by the Sea are Protecting the Environment by hosting a very popular drive-thru secure paper shredding fundraiser event on Saturday April 20. The contracted shredder is a certified carbon-neutral business, and ensures that all shredded paper is properly recycled and does not go to a landfill. Come out to this Earth Day weekend event in Sidney 10:00 am-1:00pm or until the truck is full @ Mary Winspear Centre parking lot near the Sidney Fire Hall.
Recommended minimum donation of $15 per bankers box or equivalent. Please don’t leave us with any plastic.
We appreciate the support of the Seaside Magazine, Mary Winspear Centre, Best Shredding, Coastal Heat Pumps, local businesses and residents of the Saanich Peninsula.Thank you to all that supported this fundraising event.
Proceeds from this EARTH DAY related event will be given to local community initiatives.
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Rotary is very committed to protecting the environment and encourages and embraces not only recycling but advocating the reduction of waste and plastics.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. The New Years 2024 Polar Bear swim
Sidney by the Sea Rotarians joining in with other community ocean dippers Jan 1 ,2024 at Glass Beach Sidney.
We aren’t sure if the white Polar Bear outfits retained any body warmth but they certainly stood out as a group of fun loving thrill seekers.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. Sidney Sparkle Parade
- “Sidney by the Seas Rotary members Jane Evans (aka: Ms. Claus) and Tara Keeping (aka Frosty the Snowman) are seen preparing for the Sparkles Christmas Parade in Sidney. The EV Sled is decked out in Rotary colours with Lola the Lobster riding atop to advertise Lobsterfest 2024.
Pleasing all those young and old alike who watched the parade.”
THANK YOU TO ALL THE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT SUPPORTED THIS YEARS POINSETTIAS FUNDRAISER.
POINSETTIA SALES
Each year approaching the winter holidays, our members sell poinsettias to friends, colleagues and local businesses. These sales raise funds to support various causes from literacy programs, ORCCA dental centre, the Sidney Lions Food Bank , local youth and senior programs. Over 900 poinsettias are sold each year and delivered to buyers by our members in a single day near the end of November. Thank you to all that supported this annual fundraiser.
Rotary supporting youth programs
Breakfast Speaker meetings Check out our upcoming events page under header Get Involved
Most Thursday morning we have a speaker at our Breakfast meetings.
– details are posted on our upcoming events calendar when you tap on the date.
[email protected]
Rotarians volunteer to help with the 2023 Victoria Ironman event
On Sunday 28 May Sidney by the Sea Rotary ran Bike Aid Station #2 for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon. 25 Rotarians and friends helped supply just under 2000 athletes from 17 different countries with water, gatorade and food to sustain them on their long race. This is the 7th year that the club has helped out and helped raise funds to give back to the local community.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. The Salish Sea Lantern Festival Aug 26, 2023
- “Sid the Lobster from the Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club and his sister Lola the Lantern, also from the same club, are seen here getting ready to strut their stuff at the Salish Sea Lantern festival held at Beacon Park in Sidney on Saturday Aug. 26th, pleasing all those young and old alike who watched the parade.”
Rotary supports the Environment by funding environmental educational programs such as the Microplastics Community Science Toolkit at the Salish Sea Centre.
Our club is pleased to provide funds for the Centre for the Salish Sea to purchase a Microplastic Community Science Toolkit which has been developed by Ocean Diagnostics, Victoria.
Acknowledge and details are found in the article in the Penninsula News review . See the attached link
. 
Rotary supports educational achievements by providing scholarships .
This year Sidney By the Sea Rotary selected three inspiring young adults by awarding each with a financial scholarship:
– Cordelia “Corde” Taylor -from Parkland Secondary School who will attend UVic entering the Visual Arts program
Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community. The Rotary Sugar Shack at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event Sept 2- 4,2023
- This year during the historic annual Saanich Fair, our club will be operating an ice cream concession serving patrons with delicious piled island dairy hard scooped ice cream, soft ice cream, hotdogs, candy floss and cold drinks. We are located adjacent to the midway.
Look for the Sugar Shack and know that proceeds from sales go to community initiatives.
Rotary supports the Environment by helping fund environmental educational programs
Our club through its fundraising initiatives are pleased to provide funds to further the environmental education initiatives at the Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney
.
Christmas Gift Sale November 19 BC CANCER AND ROTARY
THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT SUPPORTED THIS FUNDRAISING EVENT
Breakfast Speaker meetings Check out our upcoming events page under header Get Involved
Most Thursday morning we have a speaker at our Breakfast meetings.
– details are posted on our upcoming events calendar when you tap on the date.
open this link. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/city-of-langford-globalmedic-ukraine-humanitarian-/
Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution
This past September club members helped out with BC 50+ games community.
Club members actively supported the 50+ BC Seniors Games September 13-17 with the registration of athletes in more than 22 different events and 3500 participants.
Breakfast Speaker meetings Check out our upcoming events page under header Get Involved
Most Thursday morning we have a speaker at our Breakfast meetings.
– details are posted on our upcoming events calendar when you tap on the date.
for example:
Thursday Dec 8 we had an energized presentation by Gary Smith author and former diplomat on behind the scenes of the Summit Hockey Series 1972 “ Ice War Diplomat: Behind the Scenes at the 1972 Summit Series“
Marking the 50th anniversary of the historic Summit Series, here is the incredible story of an unlikely political stage–the hockey rink–where a Cold War, and the threat of nuclear annihilation, is no less important than a power play in the final minute.
check out this Youtube link
Another notable author presentation was November 17 by author. Jim Kingham about his recently released book “ Solutions for a Wounded Planet.
October is our annual poinsettias community fundraiser. Contact any Sidney by the Sea club member to order your seasonal colourful poinsettias.
POINSETTIA SALES
Each year approaching the winter holidays, our members sell poinsettias to friends, colleagues and local businesses. These sales raise funds to support various causes from literacy programs, ORCCA dental centre, the Sidney Lions Food Bank , local youth and senior programs. Over 900 poinsettias are sold each year and delivered to buyers by our members in a single day near the end of November.
place your orders by Oct 17.
Rotary supports the Environment by clean up litter and plastics at Island View Beach Park
Our club had a lovely sunny outing at one of our local ocean view parks on May 13. Two dozen of us helped clean up Island View Beach Park by removing litter and washed up debris. After completing the community volunteer work we gathered at a picnic shelter enjoying a picnic style lunch and social.
Rotary supports the Environment by clean up litter and plastics at Island View Beach Park
Our club had a lovely sunny outing at one of our local ocean view parks on May 13. Two dozen of us helped clean up Island View Beach Park by removing litter and washed up debris. After completing the community volunteer work we gathered at a picnic shelter enjoying a picnic style lunch and social.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community ; the Ice Cream trailer at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event Set 3 - 5 ,2022
Rotarian Stephanie Staples has an illustrated childrens book that will challenge their creative minds
Use Noah and the Try-ceratops to help children see the fun in exploring, experimenting and trying different things, even when it’s hard.
Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community Rotary Environment Day June 5 was a day of inspiring speakers and displays showcasing environmental sustainability initiatives.
Our club’s event is June 5 at Mary Winspear Centre.
“ Acting Locally – to save the Environment https://rotarybythesea.org/environment-day/
October is End Polio Now month
LETS END POLIO WORLD WIDE
Each year in October Rotarians and like minded people around the world support Rotary’s World Health Initiative to fundraiser for the End Polio Now program.
Details on how you can support this program are on the web at
https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day
Rotarians volunteer to help with the 2022 Victoria Ironman event
On May 29, Rotarian volunteers hand out electrolyte drinks and energy bars at the Horth Hill/ Tatlow Rd. feeding station
for the athletes cycling this portion of the Victoria 2022 Iron man event.
Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community ; the Ice Cream trailer at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event Set 3 - 5 ,2022
Our club recognizes the contribution of 100 year old veteran Peter Chance at our special Remembrance Day meeting
Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community
Our club held a very popular paper shredding fundraiser event on April 23, 2022; Earth day . Thank you to all that supported this event.We appreciate the support of the Seaside Magazine and Mary Winspear Centre , local businesses and residents of the Saanich Peninsula.
The contracted shredder is a certified carbon-neutral business and ensures that all shredded paper is properly recycled.
Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution
Rotary reaches out to support COVID-19 prevention
Rotary is taking action in response to the pandemic as our clubs support COVID-19 vaccination and continued prevention efforts around the world.
