Today's bulletin - by "Speedy Tom" Gonzales

Reporter: Tom Croft. Pics by Tricia

President Joan welcomed the many returnees from warmer climes - John E., David and Batya, Don, and Jacqueline. April is Magazine Month, but Joan hasn't received her April Mag yet. O Canada was sung a cappella (as opposed to 'Acapulco' style). Grace was said by Joan Peggs in Ted Chambers' absence.

Guests were introduced by Ron Cooley.

Rotarians: David Sheppard - Qualicum - Active.

Harald Westendorf of Mission San Jose, California, Attorney. Harald is a third-generation Rotarian and is Hans' nephew. Harald (left) exchanged a club banner with President, Joan.

Guests:  Gianfranco Mosca - who will become a member next meeting.

Health of Club: Mary Canty says everyone is doing OK

Flag Project: In Jim Laing's absence (he's on the way home), Jim Force and Jack Petrie informed that 100 flags are here and ready to be placed for the May 24th holiday. These were donated (and we are most grateful) by the Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona. Rotary Club of Oak Bay members will provide "plantings" of  a Canada Flag on subscribers' front lawns three times per year in exchange for a $50 annual subscription. The plantings will take place on the three holiday weekends: Victoria Day, Canada Day and Labor Day. After the holiday is over the club members (and other volunteers) will pick up the flag and store for future use. It is hoped that this project will build over the years. If all club members take part - buy a subscription and/or help the team - our club could soon be as successful as the Edmonton Strathcona club has been. Our international and local projects need dollars - if you want to help our club fund these projects, please purchase a subscription. Check out Jim on our Facebook Page describing the project further.

Flag left, Jim Centre, Jack Right!

Announcements:

Peter Lawrie: Fundraising committee meeting after today's meeting. Peter read a letter from one of our Rotaractors living in Townsville (Queensland) Australia who thanked club members for providing her with Rotary Values. 

Lorna Curtis: The Tuscan Dinner is sold out!  Get your unsold tickets back to Anne ASAP, else you'll be paying for them. Theme basket items are to be at David Maxwell's house by April 13th.  Volunteers will do the same job of packaging the items (prettily) as they did last year. Please accept or ask for a different job through Lorna. And don't forget to Buy your wine!

Wynn Taylor announced that there will be a Community Service Meeting after the club meeting next week.

Fines Master: Jim Force

Happy Dollars were given by Mary Canty, Peter J, John E, David and Batja, David S, Tricia, Jacqueline, David Sheppard, Tav, and Tom C. Dallas's table was fined (but not Dallas) for the pleasure of her company after a fine job as the March Fines' Master. Late fines were levied to Rod, Wynn, Peter.

Facebook Friends: Jim encouraged all to be his and OBR's Facebook Friends. The OB Facebook pages reaches 15,000 fans.  Fines ended on a doughnut hole!

Birthday: Will Carter; Anniversary: Joan and Donna

The draw was won by Pablo who reaped in $16; there's $66 in the big pot and only a few marbles left.

The April 16th meeting is at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. The April 30th meeting is in the renovated CPR Steamship Terminal building (aka The Royal London Wax Museum) - details to come.

Lorna Curtis introduced the guest speaker, Renate Gibbs, a club member of two years.  Renate has been a nurse educator at Camosun College since 1990. She obtained a Diploma from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases, and has travelled to India for the past 4 years working with student nurses. In February of this year she accepted a volunteer opportunity in Kenya with the Mikinduri Children of Hope project. She volunteered at a medical, vision and dental clinic, with other nurses, doctors, dentists and support people who travelled to a remote part Kenya to provide medical services. The team served over 4,000 patients during Renate's time in Kenya. She described the harsh living conditions for rural Kenyans, many who had been forced off their traditional lands. Facilities have been improved by the project, especially classrooms. There are still many challenges regarding nutritional problems, education, water and sanitation, and poor infrastructure. Moringa Millet and Maize provide the bulk of basic nutrition in the area. Working on cooperative production to improve the standard of living is the local goal. Children at risk was the primary focus of the medical team. The team utilized the services of the Chaaria Mission Hospital and the Meru Public Hospital.  Learn more about the project here.

Pablo Diemecke (above left) thanked Renate for her presentation.

The meeting ended with God Save the Queen