Seven New Members Inducted by the District 5020 Governor, Peter Taylor, November 26, 2013

President Peter Lawrie welcomed a large turnout, including our District 5020 Governor, Peter Taylor, to our meeting in the beautiful David Foster Foundation Theatre on a glorious Oak Bay fall day.  He noted that having the induction of seven new members on the program today was a very fitting way to complete Vocational Service Month, and asked us to consider how we might demonstrate the Rotary 4-way Test, either at work or while mentoring someone, suggesting we be conscious of its principles, to promote them, and to be proud of them.

AG Lorna Curtis, DG Peter Taylor and Secretary Wendy Townsend

The Canadian and US National Anthems were sung a cappella, and Heather Aked led us in Grace.  Lynne Murray introduced guests: Janna Malo, Richard and Peggy Acomba, Doug Canty, Mark Mawhinney, Tara Hearn, Sandy and Barb Currie, Markus Ludwig and his daughter Milena, Michelle Le Sage, Graeme Finney, and Mike Hodges.

Left: A club banner was presented to Brigadier Graeme Finney, OAM, Director General Army Operations Australia, who is visiting Victoria for a military convention. Brigadier Finney holds the distinction of the Order of Australia and is a member of the Rotary Club of Hall in Canberra.

Announcements:

Lori enthusiastically promoted Pamper with Purpose. It’s in support of elders, and is for ladies only. Date: Sunday, November 10^th at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Sparkle Brunch is from 12-2PM and costs $35; the main event ($65) is from 2 to 6PM and includes learning and pamper stations, a fashion show, and much more. Phone Eldercare Foundation at 250-370-5664 or visit www.gvef.org for more info.

Jim Force reported that this Thursday (Halloween as it happens!) is our fiftieth Club in a Pub fellowship at the Penny Farthing. Please come - and as an added feature, bring a non-perishable item or two in support of Victoria’s less fortunate, to support Rotaract’s Trick or Eat event. To date more than 100 have attended the now FAMOUS Oak Bay Rotary’s Club in a Pub.

Mayor Nils Jensen (Honorary Member of  OBR) spoke of how well he survived being in jail. $2500 was raised to free him, which exceeded the required bail of $1500. This is to be matched by a 2 to 1 contribution by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mayor Jensen recognized the organizers and spoke of the need to eradicate Polio.  See photos at the link above.

Soon to be new member, Janna Malo (right), spoke  about the Fired Up for the Souper Bowls of Hope event

Janna

on November 6. There are two spots left, so you’d better hurry to score a place in this sure-to-be-fun event. For information contact Janna or Jim.

Heather reminded everyone of the December 1 Merrython event at 10 am. The committee is looking for participants and volunteers. Get out your running shoes!

A reminder that next week we are at Ogden Point. Be at the cable-laying ship Wave Venture on Pier B by 11.20, and pay Don or Pablo $15. Joan Peggs is placing the order for lunch on November 3, so if you need to cancel, please let her know by Nov 2. Wear walking shoes, and bring ID (your DL will work). Here’s a link to an article about the ship.

President Pete asked Barry Mutter (left), chair of the Membership committee (Barry, Claire and Sabrina), to introduce the seven new inductees, noting that it must be a record in our club’s history to have so many new members on one day.  

They are:

• Michelle Le Sage – Hotel Management, Oak Bay Beach Hotel; has been a member of the Courtenay Club; sponsored by Lori McLeod.
• Sandy Currie – Forester; sponsored by Tom Lidkea
• Mike Hodges – Financial Advisor;  sponsored by Dave Maxwell
• Markus Ludwig – Interior Design; sponsored by Don O’Coffey
• Janna Malo – Merchant/Artist; sponsored by Tom Croft
• Richard Acomba – Real Estate;  sponsored by Joan Peggs;
• Mark Mawhinney – Financial Services; sponsored by Joan Peggs

President Pete read the Objects of Rotary, and an Induction pre-amble describing Rotary; he then handed over to DG Peter Taylor to do the Induction.

DG Peter Taylor inducted, then welcomed the seven newest members of the Rotary Club of Oak Bay, outlining what membership in Rotary represents.

President Pete reminded the new members that their families are always welcome, and informed us of which committees the new members would serve on:  

Michelle Le Sage – PR Committee

Sandy Currie – Community Services Committee

Mike Hodges –  Youth Services Committee

Markus Ludwig – Community Services Committee

Janna Malo – Youth Services Committee

Richard Acomba – International Committee

Mark Mawhinney – Community Services Committee

New members and Sponsors with President Pete Lawrie

Tav managed to get a few dollars out of everyone, while complaining that because of the DG’s visit, he has been muzzled. Rod had $100 for the Foundation for his birthday (he’s holding his age well for an centenarian). Brian Lamb won the draw, which went straight back into the PolioPlus purse. Thanks Rod and Brian.

Lorna Curtis introduced DG Peter Taylor and his wife, Christine.  In brief: DG Taylor was born in New Jersey, raised in Miami, and attended Duke, choosing a career in media. He ran his own PR firm in San Francisco for 18 years, retiring in 1996. He has been a member of both SF Rotary 2 and Tacoma 8, was president twice, and was once the Duck Race Chair!  Christine is a Tacoma girl, attended UW, and retired as a Registered Dietician in 2012.

DG Pete welcomed Brigadier Finney, commenting that he’d been to Canberra, noting that, of course, it was designed by an American! He honoured Joan Firkins, Lorna Curtis, Vicky Pitt, Tav Macpherson, and Joan Peggs for all their help in Rotary 5020. He thought that 7 new members was outstanding, and singled out Brian Lamb as the senior member of the club. He awarded Lynne and Mary with the “Energizer Award” for all their volunteering—the pin is in the shape of an atom.

He spoke at length about his visits to the 88 5020 clubs, and of how much he was enjoying it. He

asked us to think back on what we felt our Rotary Moment was, and suggested various ways of mixing with fellow Rotarians; he highly recommended attending a Rotary Conference. He also mentioned the Ambassadorial Scholarship, which he and Vicky were interviewing for over the weekend. He then handed out bumper stickers, and asked President Pete to come to the podium and blow a whistle – the significance of which is that the joint 5020-5050 District Conference is in Whistler, May 2-4, 2014. He encouraged us all to attend, finishing with a request that we lend a hand to our president, as it is a long and hard job (especially all that blowing).

Phil Neroutsos (above) thanked the DG and presented him with an Oak Bay Rotary mug.

Joan Firkins, Christine Taylor and Tav Macpherson