Rotary Club of Oak Bay meeting 4 August 2015 - Collette Travel

Reporter: Tom Croft

President Heather opened the meeting a little late at 12:20!.  She welcomed us to the 5^th meeting of her term.  Membership and Extension Month, challenges us to sit with someone new, and invite someone out for coffee or lunch.  The social team is working on events to promote fellowship.

O’ Canada was sung with gusto reflecting the mood of an election call!

 Don O’Coffey provided grace and was thankful that we have 78 days to make up our minds on who to vote for.  He felt the cost of the election could be better spent on homelessness.

Visitors and Guests: visiting Rotarian Bruce Willats from Laguna Beach; Anna Coleshaw-Echols, guest of Ron Cooley; Eileen Lavigne, guest of Steve Sharlow ,

Announcements:

• Heather offered Rotary Pins to those who had signed up online: Eileen Lavigne and Rod Sims. However, Heather had left the pins at home.
• Perry reminded us of the Paul Harris Award Nominations closing this week.  
• John (?) is looking for kitty litter trays?

Celebration Master:  is Jim Laing now typecast, as the celebration master,  to bring humour and lightness to meetings. Bob Schelle fined for speaking out; Heather Aked fined for not having Pins and a late  start; Vicky Pitt fined for hair day? Joan said something to David about his hair colour, apparently caused by going out in the sun.  Perry fined for cutting in on the Master.

Wedding anniversaries for Phil, Wynn, and David. 

Happy Sad Dollars: Lorna gave an emotional thank you for work on the Food Rescue program. Congratulations to the Rotary Car Raffle for making the $100,000 goal for food rescue for homeless. Tom was happy because of  daughter's wedding, Vicky was happy because Nigeria went a full year without Polio, Anne was happy about her warehouse.

Happy thoughts go to Joan Firkins for a healthy recovery and the work she does for Rotary in the world.

Brian won free lunch!

Speaker:  Tom MacLean from Collette Travel   Click here for more information

Steve Sharlow introduced the speaker,Tom MacLean, who spoke to us about us about river and land tours, offered by Collette Travel and available from travel agents.  Tom has been with the company for 14 years, and has travelled to many countries in 6 continents.

The tours are aimed at the 50 + age group; a discerning client base; and those interested in cultural learning experiences. Door to door limo service is available, most meals, and wine with lunch and dinner. The tours are mostly inclusive of sightseeing options and 4 star, centrally located accommodation. Change of mind cancellation is available, for whatever reason, 24 hours before departure, with a refund, not a future credit.

The talk focused on the Legendary Waterways of Europe boat tour available June 10, 2016 offering 16 days, 41 meals, 5 countries and 3 rivers, on the Amadeus Princess. Tom provided a great pictorial tour of the trip on the rivers from Budapest to Amsterdam.

Tom fielded a number of questions and the presentation was greatly appreciated by all present.

Jack Petrie thanked Tom for his presentation, and said that it was so real that he felt that he had jet lag, had gained 5 pounds and  also had a hangover!  Tom received his mug with thanks.

Heather closed the meeting on time with God Save the Queen!