Opening:
President Heather recounted aspects
of the legacy of Paul Harris for Rotary Clubs and the resulting impact this has
had in making Rotary Scholarships possible, one of the most generous throughout
the world. Members and guests assembled
then sang a rendition of ‘O Canada’!
John Jordan gave the invocation.
Guests:
Ted Chambers announced the Visiting
Rotarians (Dennis Rusk – Phoenix 100, George Zeman, Victoria Club ) and Guests
(Jenifer Blyth, Maureen Madsen, Lori Rusk, Janet Welham and Helga Jacobson) .
·
A Banner exchange occurred with the
Phoenix 100 Rotary Club.
Announcements:
- Mary Canty advised another past member is now moving to the Kootenays: Jaqueline Mealing is leaving Courtney for Kaslo.
- Jim Force and President Heather presented Janet Welham (District of Oak Bay) with an enormous facsimile of a cheque in the amount of $40,000 to support the work involved in furnishing the kitchen and interior of the brand new Neighbourhood Learning Centre, part of the Oak Bay Youth Centre. Janet thanked the club warmly and provided a description of the activities local youth could expect with Oak Bay Recreation Centre’s partnership. Vicky Pitt promised to issue a wallet sized cheque shortly!
- President Heather reminded the club that last year’s Paul Harris Dinner was a success and this year on October 22nd, 2015 we will once again award 3 non-Rotarians with a Paul Harris Award. Nominations are now invited, and Perry Bamji will send out the criteria early this week to help meet the August 11th deadline for nominations.
- Neil Rawnsley presented Steve Sharlow with a Paul Harris pin to acknowledge Steve has achieved this six times!
- Bill Burns introduced George Zeman, who addressed the need for help with the Car Raffle for the remaining 3 weeks. He stressed that help with the car ‘movements’ were going to be important. Brian Lamb is also ready this week and the next, to share more books of Raffle Tickets, please turn in ‘sold’ books as soon as possible and consider signing up to sell tickets, taking a book of tickets to sell and moving the car. By August 9th these efforts will help us reach the goal of $110,000 which will be matched by Rotary Foundation to help support the Food Share Program in Victoria.
- Vicky Pitt reported that $1500 is available to us through Thrifty Smile Cards. Heather would like this worthwhile program to have another member take on this oversight as she takes on her responsibilities. Janette volunteerd.
Celebrations Master
Tom C did a remarkable job of relieving everyone of their loonies and toonies for various and sundry reasons. The best fine of the
day involved the statement that ‘short pants are not appropriate' worn by a
select few. Four birthdays included our
celebrations master, Ron Beyer, Joan Peggs and Ron Cooley. Tom Croft and Joan Peggs each gave $68 in
recognition of staying young. Happy and
Sad $ included Perry Bamji for John Jordan’s work in Rawanda, Mary Canty loved
the time to chat with potential raffle customers, Lynne Murray had an injury
free but scary taxi ride, Vicky Pitt learned there is a way to get a
malfunctioning car power window to work but it’s still a mystery, Joan Peggs
solved another car problem using a spare key to start her vehicle, Bob Schell
celebrated his 5th grandchild with $5 and George Zeman thanked those
who attended his son’s film screening “I search for Freedom” which is going to
be shown in 80 cities. Sanjay Uppal had
the winning ticket number for the 50-50 draw and pulled the appropriate marble
for the big bucks!
Guest Speakers:
Heather Aked preceded guest
introductions with a story about her first tenure as President more than a
decade ago which involved inviting Jack Petrie (a newer member then) who was
paired with Bert Wonton who took more than his share of time time to talk
about his vocation. Jack was assured he would be invited to speak again; Heather just didn’t warn Jack that it would be eleven years later!
Peter Lawrie introduced Jack Petrie, a partner with Newport
Realty.
Jack wasted no time outlining
his early years, leaving Hamilton, Ontario in 1969, where he went on to manage
bands such as Ike and Tina Turner.
Convoluted circumstances and ‘a 100 head of chickens’ eventually brought
Jack to Victoria in 1975, and after a year of bartending, he obtained his real estate
licence and was off and running.
Actually his first 2 weeks in the business involved sorting out what new
clients would like and discovering how to keep clients. Jack was sure it wasn’t accidently showing
off his driving skills in a Volkswagen Beetle sliding through intersections and
up on the curb in front of the new clients.
Jack was able to think on his feet.
For example he thought quickly when at the start of an Open House he opened the door to find the
resident cat expiring in front of him.
His decision to tuck the recently deceased cat on the fireplace hearth
lent an air of calm as the family viewed the home without noticing the
cat. Jack’s composure was tested when
the parents and Jack found the children sitting with the less-than-lively cat and patting it. Needless to say, the cat wasn't moving a muscle.
Peter Lawrie followed some laughter
to eloquently introduce Sanjay Uppal,
Revenue Manager with the Royal BC Museum.
Sanjay also started in Ontario, leaving Thunder Bay for Yellowknife and
then Iqaluit before coming to Victoria in 2004 with his wife Megan and 2 young daughters. Sanjay explained that the day in the life of a
revenue manager involves the opportunity to develop revenue beyond the Box
Office, as only 17% of revenue comes out of ticket sales. With such a world class organization as the Royal
British Columbia Museum, Sanjay recounted some heart-warming stories
where visitors are known to exhibit a generous spirit. He shared that 52% of visitors are actually BC
residents who come to learn about the province’s history and natural habitat
through the museum’s many exhibits.
Sanjay is also developing skills in another role as a Property
Manager and completing the course to become a licensed Real Estate salesperson.
Closing:
Vicky Pitt updated the club on a Global Grant Scholarship awarded to
Katie DeRosa who spoke at a previous meeting and will pursue her studies at the
London School of Economics. President Heather
closed the meeting and then The Queen was sung.
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