Reporter: Pete Lawrie
President Heather started the meeting with
an inspiring call for youth services as the theme of the month. Our club has a
proud tradition of youth services. Youth are not only the hope of the future
they are the hope of the present!
Rod provided a thoughtful grace and had to
dance effectively with the Audio system
Steve introduced visitors who included:
Kris Zmudzinski from Prince George; David Coe a visitor and prospective member
and Sophie Gloy from Rotaract in Germany!). A rousing welcome ensued.
Announcements:
- Eugen read a wonderful note of thanks from Chris Philip for the Rotary support at David’s celebration of life. Particular thanks was given to Rod Sim
- Perry advised there were only 2 tickets left for the Paul Harris celebration dinner evening. There are also 5 tickets left from Steve’s generous donation of 10 free tickets for prospective members.
50/50:
Ron, Celebrations Master, made his
way to the podium amidst a deafening ovation of adulation! It was insufficient
to spare the financial onslaught! He even fined our youngest member (Garon – 1
year old) for eating while President Heather was speaking! He also drained the
pockets of most in attendance with an enthusiasm. He had a particular
attachment to Greenways and fined virtually every table for not knowing an
obscure reference to a Calgary Greenway!
Birthdays included – Phil N, Tav, Will C
Anniversaries included: Joan F & Donna
Club Anniversaries included: Lorna, John E
Happy and Sad Dollars were fast and
furious. This writer was unable to keep up. I think the Celebrations Master had
so loosened the purse strings that everyone wanted to simply throw money at
him!! They included: Wendy for new flag spikes manufactured in the William Head
shops, Joan F for her inspiring experience at Rotary International Foundation
awards meeting.
The 50/50 was fraught with controversy and
generous Rotarian behaviour. Perry and Sandy generously deferred to Vicky for
the winning ticket that happened to be left at Sandy’s place at the table.
Tears of gratitude were shed!
Guest Speaker: Renate Gibbs
Sanjay gave a warm and sensitive
introduction to our guest speaker, our very own Renate.
Renate gave a wonderful presentation with photos, about
the trip she led with 9 nursing students to New Zealand on a 5 week cultural
and professional, international learning trip. Renate shared very interesting
stories from a personal vantage
point in regard to the students. There is much for all of us to learn in terms of focused
and inclusive health systems for higher impact on indigenous health care.
There were also delightful pictures of a Wellington Hurricanes’ rugby game with
students sporting signs of Canadian nurses loving the Hurricanes and Prince
Harry (who happened to be watching the game in person!)
Renate shared information on the health
challenges of indigenous obesity, tuberculosis and diabetes. All are troubling
issues for the New Zealand health care system.
Anne Sims thanked Renate.
Our final anthem was that of Nigeria.
Consistent with youth focus for the month, Nigeria has the highest percentage
of young people (0-14) in the world (49.6%).
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