For more than 26 years, Lorne Calder has been a member of the Rotary Club of Prince George.
He was recently named the 5040 District Governor Nominee and will serve his one-year term from July 2021 to June 2022. Rotary District 5040 includes 54 Rotary Clubs Prince George, Mackenzie, communities west to Prince Rupert, the Cariboo to 100 Mile House and Greater Vancouver.
As a dedicated member of Rotary, he's taken on every position there is as an opportunity to serve the community.
"I was inducted in 1993 and I've been president, treasurer, sergeant-at-arms, and so I've done just about everything within the club," Calder said. "I've also been assistant governor for the area for a three-year period, which is important because you get to know five different clubs and I have been actively engaged at the district level for a few years."
The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
To be designated as the district governo, there is an application process and Calder said he has applied for the position twice, knowing it takes time to get in line for it. There is a panel review and interview process. Calder knew in November that he was selected to serve as the 2021-2022 district governor.
"It's a big learning curve, there's lots of training and leadership development that goes on so you can be successful in your one year," said Calder, who was encouraged by many members of the three Rotary clubs in Prince George to pursue the role.
There have been only two district governors in Prince George during the last 30 years. Neil King served in the late 1990s and Ron Neukomm served in the early 2000s.
When Calder takes on his duties as district governor, he will be able to host the district conference in Prince George in 2022, which means there will be about 200 Rotary members in attendance. Usually conferences are about two and a half days and run Friday, Saturday and part of Sunday. District conferences feature inspirational speakers whose focus is leadership training and Rotary engagement as well as showcasing local Rotary clubs as vibrant organizations.
"Sometimes we throw on another day in front of the conference for a day of golf, a fun event or project," Calder said.
Calder's family is also involved with the club. While his wife, Sue, is not an official member, she is very involved and Calder's oldest son, Christopher, is currently the treasurer of the club and both he and younger brother Jeffrey have been on youth exchanges.
"We've been an active Rotary family for over 25 years," Calder said. "It's in our DNA now. Prince George is a volunteer town so that's what we do."
