A Successful Rotary Friendship Exchange in the East Kootenay

By David Savage

In this time of wall builders, isolationists, narrow perspectives and fear of people from other nations, the Rotary Friendship Exchange’s purpose is to bring together people across the globe for reciprocal visits, education and ongoing connection.

The 4 Way Test of Rotary International is; Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

We have passed the test. From August 24 through the 28, David Savage and Lise Levesque led a group of eight Rotarians from the Andorra, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrenees region of the south of France.

Specifically, the Toulouse and Balma Rotary Clubs came to the East Kootenays as part of a 16-day exchange tour of Grand Forks, Cranbrook, Sandpoint, Kennewick, and Spokane.

In a wonderful show of Kootenay friendship, volunteerism and generosity, the Rotary Clubs of Creston, Kimberley, Fernie, Cranbrook and Cranbrook Sunrise collaborated to give our guests a special introduction to the many features and the great lifestyle in the East Kootenays. Some of the highlights included the Creston Valley, the Ktunaxa Museum and guide, St. Eugene Mission, the Cranbrook Railway Museum, Fort Steele, Wildhorse Creek, a BBQ at Rotary Park in Cranbrook, Marysville Falls, Kimberley, the Pletzl, the NorthStar Rail Trail, Cranbrook Farmer’s Market, Old Growth Forest Trail at Island Lake and a tour of downtown Fernie.

Special thanks to the five Rotary Clubs, the dozens of member volunteers and their Presidents and leaders Riley Wilcox, Sandy Zeznik, Gwen Telling, Randal McNair, Patrick Barclay, Carla Nelson, Bud Abbott and Friends, Melanie MacFarlane, Jim Capudio, Ron Popoff, Heidi Romich, Don McCormick, and so many more for their hard work and open hearts to our guests. We enjoyed meals with all five clubs.

So why is a Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) important to the East Kootenay?

Here are a few key benefits of RFE (and most travel and global connections);
a) Creates friendship, education, awareness and collaboration across the world.
b) Circumvents the prejudice, ignorance, isolation and helplessness that is too prevalent in media, social media and communities.
c) Provides an opportunity to learn language, culture, history and perspectives.
d) Creates collaboration on, influence and power to volunteer projects.
e) Brings our own communities together to enjoy and reflect on the great area we live and work in.
f) Engages our guests as ambassadors and proponents of Canada, British Columbia and the East Kootenay.
g) Invokes the potential of economic alliances, entrepreneurship and leadership for our region, (AirBus, Kootenay Rockies Airport, College of the Rockies, golf and ski resorts, housing, Centre of Excellence, Shelter Box, End Polio…).
h) It is a great way to travel the world and to show-off our communities.
i) Our guests and their families plan to return for longer periods of time. We plan to visit them in France again.
j) And, we get to exchange homes with our friends in Revel, France for 2 months next year!

Lead image: Joining Lise and David in hosting our French guests are Mary Ann and Ron Jenkins, Judy Wiwchar and Roger and Majella Brown. Our guests are Michele, Marie-Jose, Eugen, George, Kathy, Laurence and Michel. Photos submitted

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