AN AMERICAN Rotarian hopes to bridge international and local Rotary clubs by riding his motorcycle across B.C.
Jim Dahl is a rotary member from Ketchikan, which is in southeast Alaska, and hopes to visit upwards of 50 Rotary clubs across the province to speak to the importance of Rotary’s international arm.
He calls it his Rotary Foundation Awareness Ride and also hopes to raise money from every club he visits as he covers a distance of almost 25,000 km.
“There is a need to educate and raise the awareness to Rotary International,” Dahl says in his greetings to other rotarians. “It's also an understanding, and knowing that you're a part of something great.”
Dahl stopped in to visit the Terrace Rotary Club in mid-April.
When meeting with club, he shared his knowledge of Rotary and spoke of the efforts of international Rotary clubs. Efforts that Dahl describes as very substantial, notably Rotary's worldwide effort to wipe out polio, a feat he said is near to being accomplished.
Dahl is financing the trip himself, sending all of the money raised directly to Rotary. His longtime friend, Dr. Donald Fonte joins him on his trip around B.C., providing additional support by following him in a van.
“I have an opportunity, I’m lucky,” Dahl said of his chance to forward a cause he believes in by riding through B.C. “What could be better.”