By Courtney Almeida

Tracey Vavrek named District Governor for Rotary District 5370

Feb 23, 2019 | 6:00 AM

Tracey Vavrek has just been named the new District Governor on behalf of Rotary District 5370 for the 2019/2020 Rotary year.

Vavrek has over 17 years of experience leading charity work in Grande Prairie, as well as many other northern communities in Alberta. The current District Governor Elect has an additional 13 years of involvement with Rotary International.

When asked what she looks forward to most, Vavrek said, “my intent is to truly help to broaden the understanding of Rotary, to invite others to be part of Rotary and also look at ways that we can provide additional service and support to our local communities and our international communities.”

As of July 1, 2019, Vavrek will succeed current Governor, Ingrid Neitsch.

Leading up to the new promotion, Vavrek has been training for three years. She is one of 17 Governors in Canada and one of 525 around the world. More impressive, Vavrek is one of only 112 female Governors globally.

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“I am very fortunate to have the support of my husband, family, colleagues, Board of Directors at the Community Foundation and a community that’s on board with me.”

Volunteerism and community connection are at the forefront of her work within Rotary. Vavrek has also been Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director for Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta since 2002.

“I’ve been very fortunate to help in many areas to strengthen our community,” she said.  “I truly believe Rotary is essential for communities. Rotary is essential for everyone to be able to have the chance to give back and provide service.”

In 2006, she joined Rotary as an active member of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie After Five. Since then, she’s participated in numerous Rotary projects including Vital Signs, Project Amigo and Highway to Mexico. Vavrek is also a past- President of the Rotary Club Grande Prairie Sunrise and a Paul Harris Fellow (the highest award an individual Rotarian can receive).

Vavrek says the organization has made some significant progress over the years.

“Thirty years ago, Rotary made the commitment to eradicate Polio. Rotarians along with our partners have reduced polio cases by 99.9 per cent worldwide since we first starting vaccinating children. This is an example of the world needing Rotary.”

Beginning in 2014, she served three terms with the Rotary International District 5370 as Assistant Governor.  Concluding that, she continued to serve on the Board of Directors, serving on numerous Rotary District Committee’s.

“I joined Rotary as a result of not only the local focus but the international focus,” notes Vavrek.

“Rotary is a worldwide organization that is established to truly help individuals, groups and community citizens to strengthen the community. Rotary is on the ground in every part of the community, from providing service to support organizations, to assist with financial support or provide some leadership support. The connection of joining Rotary with my current work at the Community Foundation was a perfect fit.”

The announcement came as part of the 114th Rotary International Day of Celebration on Friday. Rotary was founded on November 23, 1905. The celebration featured a Grande Prairie Storm Hockey game, and a celebration of dedication and successful work by all Rotarians.

Rotary District 5370 will hold a 2019 conference in the Swan City from October 3 to 5.

“This is a community conference, which is open to absolutely anyone in the area to attend,” says Vavrek. “We’ve got some world-class speakers we’re bringing in to be able to share with our local people and our other Rotarians that’ll be joining us, from all through the district, Rotarians from throughout Canada as well. We also have Rotarians coming up from the United States to join us.”

To register for the 2019 Rotary District 5370 Conference visit:  https://conference5370-2019.ca/