Bulletin report by David Westler. Photos by Jack Petrie.
President Joan opened the meeting at 12:15 -
right on time. With this month's theme of World Understanding in mind she spoke about how we work together for a more peaceful
world by bringing water, health, education, and hope to the people who need it
most, continuing our contribution to a
more compassionate and generous world. With the International- and Community-based projects we do, Rotary is helping alleviate some of these
problems. We are blessed.
The President’s welcome
and a comment of the day was a poignant reminder of the monthly theme:
“If you have food in
your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of the world; if you have money in the bank, your
wallet and some spare change, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy;
if you woke up this morning with more health than illness you are more blessed
than the million people who will not survive the week; if you have never
experienced the danger of battle, the agony of imprisonment or torture or the
horrible pangs of hunger, you are luckier than 500 million people alive and
suffering; if you can read this message you are more fortunate that 3 billion
people if the world who cannot read at all”
O Canada, was sung with Tom Lidkea on the piano and Grace was said by Rod Sim.
Announcements:
President Joan made an announcement on behalf of Lori McLeod about
two students looking for a ride to Washington State. She reminded us
that the February 26 Club meeting would take place at the Oak Bay Hotel.
Health of the Club:
Mary Canty reported that John Snively and Jacqueline Mealing are
doing a great job in Guatemala in hygiene education. David Philip is improving. Donna Chow's baby has purple crying, formerly known as colic. Mary and Eugen visited Ted Harrison after
the meeting of February 5th. Ted was thrilled to see them, appreciated the card with signatures;
would like others to visit. He missed Rotary
Who is this?
President
Joan asked members to participate in identifying the club member from the
description she was about to read; there was a $1 to be added to the kitty if a person did not know the
member. She read an excerpt and asked the member to stand up. Mark Bedford stood up!
Fines master: Jack Petrie
Jack established a
lucrative “fines” rapport with the audience in a good natured humour; unfortunately the attendance at today’s Club meeting was almost half the
usual. Jack enlightened us on the history of St. Valentine's Day; we
learned the celebration contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first
"Valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young
girl, possibly his jailor's daughter, who visited him during his confinement.
The Draw:
The visiting
Rotarian, Russ Kinghorn, had the lucky ticket but was betrayed by the
mischievous marble.
Guest Speaker:
Brian Lamb introduced the Guest Speaker, Jamie Hubik, Regional Director of Philanthropy at Opportunity International Canada.
Founded in 1971,
Opportunity International is a registered Canadian charity that
provides small business
loans, savings, insurance and training to over two
million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world.
Clients in over 20 countries use these services to start or expand a business,
provide for their families, create jobs for their neighbors and build a safety
net for the future. Jamie mentioned the work done in Cartagena,
Colombia and in Mozambique, Africa.
The Opportunity International mission is
to provide opportunities for people in chronic poverty to transform their
lives. The organization believes that small-scale entrepreneurs can be big
change agents in overcoming global poverty.
The organization's strategy is to create jobs, stimulate small
businesses and to strengthen communities among the poor. The method used is to work through their indigenous partners to
provide micro finance services, training and counsel.
The meeting was closed
with Tom Lidkea on the piano leading us in God Save the Queen.
No comments:
Post a Comment