February 26 at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Program for February 26, 2013. 

Reporter David Sills. 

Photos by David Sills and Jack Petrie

Standing Room Only                                  

A pleasant surprise as President Joan had to delay proceedings until the Oak Bay Beach Hotel brought in an additional table to accommodate the many visiting Rotarians and guests.

Grace, as provided by Hans Ockermueller, reminded us of our obligation to always be ready to be of service to all in need.

Our many visitors were introduced by Leslie Rogers-Warnock:

Rotarians - Sherry Moyer (Sidney) and Colin Smith and Christopher Causton (Harbourside).

        Colin is a Past-President of our Club.

Guests

David Warnock and Joyce and Don Rogers  (Leslie Rogers-Warnock)

Jean Lawrie and Jim and Judy Sidberry (Peter Lawrie)

Don Thompson (Wolf Schopper)

Colleen Force (Jim Force)

Jan Bueller, Art Raven and Tara Douglas from B.C. Guide Dog Services

And our very Special Guest pictured below. 

New Rotarian Sabrina Corraini

A special event today as Tom Croft, Barry Mutter and President Joan inducted Sabrina as a new member of the Oak Bay Rotary Club. Here we see Sabrina welcomed by our genial President at an earlier meeting in the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. 

Petrie Dishes

Our Sgt-at-Arms welcomed new member Sabrina (right) by assessing her a modest fine, then went at the rest of us with a vengeance, including anyone not attending the upcoming DLTA meeting and the Fireside Soiree at his home on March 15. He concluded with a shaggy tale about a talking dog put up for sale. Sadly (or not) this reporter missed the ESL punch-line. Wendy Townsend paid a happy dollar to announce her pending holiday in Mexico then drew the white marble to win the draw proceeds to finance her vacation.

Recognitions                                                

Foundation: Neil Rawnsley announced that the Foundation has a new Major Donor in the person of Neil Madsen. In accepting congratulations, Neil M pointed out his personal satisfaction with the work of the organization in particular the results from the polio elimination project.

Years Of Service: Brian Lamb is now a thirty-eight year member of this Club

Announcements

The Tuscan Dinner: Ron Cooley reminded members of this major Club fundraiser on April 27 and urged members to each contribute a bottle of Italian wine for table center-pieces and for the auction.

Rotary Literary Fireside: Jim Force announced an evening gathering at Berwick House at 4680 Elk Lake Drive on March 5 to discuss Rotary literacy projects.

B.C. Guide Dog Services

Wolf Shopper introduced our guest speaker, Jan Buehler, Manager of Development and Communications. Jan was accompanied by trainers Art Raven and Tara Douglas with the current dogs under their care in the training program. Their mandate is to provide, at no cost, trained guide dogs for blind and visually-impaired residents of B.C. 

The first step  involves the breeding, raising and training of suitable dogs. An in-house breeding program is maintained in Delta, where Labrador and Golden Retrievers are bred. These dogs make good guides being gentle, intelligent, energetic and good natured. All puppies are then raised in the homes of volunteer ’Puppy Raisers’, where they learn basic obedience skills. At 15 months of age, they enter advanced training and work with a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor. After 4 months, the dogs are ready to meet their new owners. A three-week training course is held at the person’s home by the Instructor in order that the dog and the new owner can train on familiar ground.

 

The organization also provides dogs for autistic children. It takes up to two years and a cost of $20,000 to produce each autism-support dog. The dog provides a calming influence as well as a safeguard for the child when in public places. One should read the testimonials in ‘Paw Prints’, their official newsletter, to get a better appreciation of the value of this program.

Peter Lawrie thanked Jan and her team for their presentation. He and Jean, as well as his sister and brother-in-law, are dog owners and have been waiting impatiently for this day. He also learned a new expression “intelligent disobedience” which he suggested could be applied to our sergeant-at-arms.

This most enjoyable meeting was closed all too soon by President Joan at 1:30 pm.

Oak Bay Rotary proudly presents Tom Lidkea!