Attention Rotary Alumni

On September  16, 1989, an event occurred which would change my life forever.  After a two day competition with students from all over Atlantic Canada, I was awarded the Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship by Rotary District 7820.  This district covers the three Canadian maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland along with the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon.  My sponsor Rotary Club was the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest, based in my hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I chose to attend university in the United States for my scholarship year, and in 1990, I left Halifax for Phoenix, Arizona, to complete my Masters in Business Administration at the American Graduate School of International Management (AGSIM) in Glendale, Arizona.

During my year as an Ambassadorial scholar, I lived with another Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from Holland, Mr. Edward Jansen.  We also had another four Ambassadorial scholars at the university at the same time from countries including Japan and Mexico.

I chose the AGSIM for my studies because of its reputation for international business (ranked number 1 in the world for international studies for more than a decade by US News and World Report magazine) and because of the large number of international students, representing more than 50 countries, that regularly make up its student body.

I learned as much outside the classroom as I did inside the classroom from these international students.  For example, cultural similarities (and differences), understanding, respect, and learning to help each other succeed in a place far from home for many of us.  This led me to decide to write the Canadian foreign service exams upon my return to Canada to try and join Canada’s diplomatic corps, as being around international students instilled in me the desire to work internationally and travel the world.

I was successful in being chosen for the Canadian foreign service and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in January 1995.  During these past 17 years, I have had three postings, in India (Mumbai 1997-2000), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City 2003-2006) and now Brazil (Rio de Janeiro 2011-present).  In the latter two postings, I have had the honour to serve my country as Consul General.

Rotary has always been close to my heart.  During my scholarship year, I spoke at many clubs in my host Rotary district 5280, always accompanied by my Rotary counselor, Dr. John Phillips.  I also spoke at many clubs in Canada upon my return from the United States.  In India, during my posting there, I spoke at Rotary clubs thoroughout Mumbai and, in fact, became a Paul Harris fellow during that time even though I was not a Rotarian because of a donation made by my Rotary counselor in Canada, Mr. John Williamson, of the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest, in my honour.

Today, twenty three years after first winning the scholarship, I am still in touch regularly with both Dr. Phillips and Mr. Williamson.  My former roommate in the United States, Edward Jansen, married one of my best friends in India, and took her back to Holland with him.  We, too, are still in touch.

But, I had never joined Rotary until this year, when, as Consul General of Canada to Rio de Janeiro, I made my first official speech upon arrival in this beautiful city to the members of the Rotary Club of Rio de Janeiro.  I went to the club to introduce myself and my office to the Rotarians.  I told them that as Consul General, I was responsible for three states: Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais (where we have a small office with two Brazilians) and Espirito Santo.  Our office here in Rio is on the corner of avenida Atlantica and Princess Isabel in the Atlantica Business Centre.  We are responsible for developing business in the following sectors:  oil and gas, electrical energy, and ocean technology.  In Belo, my officers there take care of the mining sector. I was welcomed so warmly at the Club by then President Eduardo Costa Garcia, Brigitte Barreto, and Alice Cavaliere, that I felt I had found a home.   Alice and Brigitte sponsored me to join the Rotary Club of Rio de Janeiro, and today, I am a proud Rotarian.

Dr. Phillips, during a recent phone call with me, told me that many former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars do not join Rotary for some reason.  I, personally, can attest to the fact that there is no better way to make friends in a new place, like I have done here in Rio, while giving something back to the city in which you live through work of the Rotary Foundation.   I encourage all former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars to do what I have done.   Join Rotary and give something back to an organization which has given us so much, an education which lasts a lifetime.