Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 14 July 2015 - Guest Speaker: Elizabeth May OC, MP - Leader of the Green Party

Reporter:Ron Cooley

President Heather opened the meeting but had technical difficulties so we started in a non traditional manner.

Heather told us that the RI President was inspired (quote from Rotarian March 2015): 

"We in Rotary aspire to great deeds. We look up to and admire the towering figures of history who gave such great gifts to humanity. Abraham Lincoln, who gave the gift of human dignity to so many.  Mother Teresa, who gave the gift of compassion to the forgotten. Mahatma Gandhi, who gave the gift of peaceful change to the oppressed. All of them gave their lives to others – and their very lives became gifts to the world. Cannot we in Rotary be, in our own way, a small gift to the world?"

We skipped O'Canada 

John Edgell gave the invocation

Sandy Currie introduced the Visiting Rotarian's and Guests.

Visiting Rotarians:

Allen Lin:​  Vancouver Centennial; Creole Carmichael: Victoria; Bruce Willets: Laguna Beach, CA;Elizabeth May: Sidney by the Sea

Guests:

Helga Jacobsen; Eileen Lavigne - guest of Steve Sharlow; Lloyd Hildebrant; Jenny Hildebrant ; Colleen Force – guest of Jim Force; Jessica Van Der Veen; Lynne Murray; Mandi Pui; Laura Mali                                              

President Heather and Wendy Townsend presented Jim Force with his Past President pin and a plaque.

Bill Burns was recognized for receiving the Citizen of the Century from Courtney. Well done. He did try to protest he was not that old.

President Heather inducted 2 new members. Jenny Hildebrant and Mandi Pui where pinned  by their respective sponsors Anne McIntrye and Jim Force.

Announcements:

 Mary Canty informed us that John Snively and Tricia Timmerman were battling smoke in Nelson. They will have to wait for the snow to put the fires out. Ted Chambers has rejoined us. International service committee will meet after the next meeting on July 21,15

Lori McLeod was our Celebrations Master and 1st of 2 speakers. She did fine herself for her "shameless plug of Elder Care."

Lori stated that 22 million in funding is available to help prevent isolation of sebiors. On Vancouver Island alone, we have 40,000 seniors (above 55) and Southern Vancouver Island has 19,000 seniors of which 14% have no one to turn to which leaves them feeling disconnected and undervalued. This leads to a 60% increase in Alzheimer disease in this group.  

Lori stated that they would be 100% connected if they were Rotarians and  fined us all.

We were fined if we did not get out and enjoy our lovely inner harbor; we did not meet with family or friends this summer; Bill Burns was fined for his Century of age; Rod Sim was fined for over aggressive collections (the EU could use his help);Heather was fined (she offered herself up) for not being a good example and wearing her Rotary Pins

We sang Happy Birthday to Heather (it was last week) Lorna Curtis' is on the 18th

Happy & Sad $:

Jim Force had a happy $1.10 (all he had left) for the return of 1 flag after the Oak Bay news article. Ryan Gisler had a happy $2 for his sister getting married; John Edgell $2 for surviving 2 weeks of grandchildrens visit;Dallas thanked everyone for her card and Joan Firkins for all of her help; Anne McIntyre for her Red eye trip to Toronto (happy or sad?); Heather Aked gave $69 to the Rotary Foundation for a combination of her birthday and anniversary but did not break it down. How old is Alexander?; Heather suggest Lori should be fined for her long intro. Joan Peggs won the draw but not the big prize.

Guest Speaker: Naida Hyde introduced our Speaker Elizabeth May OC, the Leader of the Green Party and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands. Naida covered the following about Elizabeth May, in her introduction: Elizabeth was born in Connecticut but when she was 18 after a holiday to Cape Breton, her family upped sticks and moved there. Travel can have a profound effect on your life.  Naida and Elizabeth have a couple of things in common. The both are long time supporters of girls education in Lesotho. They both have an aunt Mary. Elizabeth's aunt Mary said "Life has much more imagination than you or I." Elizabeth has chosen Life with a capital "L" She quotes Norton Juster in The Phantom Tollbooth who says "So many things are possible just as long as you don't know they are impossible." She embraces the Ghandian principle "having more can never replace being more." As a lawyer, she could have embraced the corporate world but instead took on the directorship of the Sierra Club of Canada.

She is the proud mother of Cate as well as 3 step-children and grandmother to 7.

Elizabeth is an officer of the Order of Canada, received for her decades of environmental work.

She is an author and has a new book (8th) Who We Are. Farley Mowat says "Elizabeth is a storyteller in the Grand tradition."

Joe Clarke, former Prime Minister calls Elizabeth May "Canada's most effective Parliamentarian." She was 2012 Parliamentarian of the Year; 2013 Hardest working MP;

2014 Best Orator.

“Join me in welcoming the woman who danced barefoot in the sand with Bella Abzug”.

Elizabeth May:

Elizabeth suggested that she should quit while she was ahead. That was the most lovely and generous introduction she had ever had. Rotary is non partisan, she said, and non political but with only 97 days to the next election she would be cautious. She said that it is like a protracted job interview. She said it is the single greatest honor to be elected to represent her constituents.

She suggested she could have had a number of vocational classes in Rotary: Author; Chef ; Waiter; Chimney Sweep. 

Growing up, Elizabeth's family was well off; her father was VP of Aetna insurance. She said her parents had an inadequate concept of financial planning. They started a restaurant in a town of 42.  Her mom said they were "nouveau poor"

Elizabeth started her career as a policy analyst in Ottawa.  At that time, the Westminster  Parliamentary  conventions followed by Parliament in Canada government was different to procedures today. All members were equal.

The Prime Minister’s job was not considered full time and often they held a portfolio. The PM's office consisted of a few file clerks and assistants.

Since the early 1970's she has seen a steady increase in the PM office as everyone consolidates power and adds to it. The last 4 decades has changed a lot. Prior to that, the PM did not interfere in proposed legislation. Debates were very open and non partisan with sincere evaluation about what the best choice was. It was also open to new ideas which could be introduced. 

Elizabeth referenced Irresponsible Government: The Decline of Parliamentary Democracy in Canada: Brent Rathgeber, Andrew Coyne​ and said that basic respect is no longer observed. Parliamentarians no longer hold government to account and we need to restore the traditional conventions of the Westminster system.

Americans brought a deep distrust of the excess of power to their constitution with a system of checks and balances. An interesting fact she quoted was that the entire graduating class of 1776 at Harvard moved to Canada. Elizabeth May is hoping to restore respect across all party lines.

She questioned how  we might control an excess of power? "Take away their money." The PM's office has 10 million dollars per year of funding that they are unaccountable for. The #1 goal is to improve the chance of getting re elected. 1980 was not that long ago and we could work together like Rotary for the good of the country.

John Edgell had a question re Nestle using ground water.  Because of B.C.’s lack of groundwater regulation, Nestlé Waters Canada — a division of the multi-billion-dollar Switzerland-based Nestlé Group, the world’s largest food company — is not required to measure, report, or pay a penny for the millions of litres of water it draws from Hope and then sells across Western Canada.​ Elizabeth said this is a hot issue and water pricing is important. Canadians and Americans are the biggest water wasters on the planet and we should not allow such corporations  to use ground water for resale at any price.

She spoke about the drawback of NAFTA allowing foreign corporations to sue the government if a decision interferes with their expectation of profit. The current agreement is in place until 2045. 

Renata Gibbs thanked Elizabeth and presented her with a unique Rotary mug.

President Heather closed the meeting with the Sri Lanka National Anthem.

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 4 July 2015 - RCMP Chief Supt. Ray Bernoties on the Tour de Rock

Reporter: Ron Cooley

Jim Force, our hallowed past president, opened the meeting with some thought provoking questions. 

• ​Why are you here?
• Why did you renew?
• What is your gift?

Jim thanked Jack Petrie for organizing the Gospel Choir for the Beach Party.

Jim presented Joan Peggs with her Rotarian of the Year plaque.

Visiting Rotarian & Guests:

Tom Lidkea introduced our visiting Rotarian - Bruce Willets from Laguna Beach CA

and Guests - David Westler great to see him again; Eileen Lavigne guest of Steve Sharlow;

Garen Gisler brought his parents to the meeting and Ray Bernoties our speaker regarding Cops for Cancer

Jim Force spoke of his passion for literacy and of our club's great support of that and our many projects including Africa and Mexico.

He asked members why they were here. The responses were:

• Polio Plus
• Friendship , comradeship 
• Community
• Local and community projects

Jim said one of our greatest strengths is good friends working together.

Health of the Club:

Mary Canty talked about the health of the club. Neil Rawnsley is back.

Dallas has had surgery and Len has had a fall so Joan Firkins is helping out.

Announcements:

• Bob Schelle requested that anyone who had flags from the long weekend return them after the meeting.
• Bill Burns said that stolen flags were marked Oak Bay Rotary
• Lynne Murray request members check and place badges in proper spots (shifted with new members).
• Naida Hyde  presented a banner and described her visit to Lesoto Rotary club.
• Neil thanked Perry, Steve Sharlow and Tom Lidkea who helped out with the flags.

Perry Bamji was our Celebrations master:

He fined everyone at baby Garen's table to ransom his toy that was left behind a previous meeting. He asked Jack Petrie to purchase a New Orleans cook book as he is the resident expert. Jack was willing to go as high as 10K. $2 from anyone who saw Lorna's picture on You tube

$1 from anyone who did not attend the Gospel choir. $1 from everyone at Joan Peggs' table for the privilege of sitting with the Rotarian of the Year. $1 from anyone sitting with Neil Rawnsley.

He then fined Vicki Pitt's table for not knowing the name of the new RI President.

No Birthday people were in attendance

Happy/Sad:

Peter Lawrie had a happy $5 for a stolen flag that was returned.

Joan Peggs had a happy $29 for her 2 dogs, one who is turning 12 and the other who turning 17. Bruce Willets had a happy $ for his 8th annivesary married to a wonderful Canadian girl who made him feel like he was 79 again. Mary was very happy for the Gospel Choir. Janette gave 5 happy $ for the recovery of her ID from her stolen purse in Portugal.

Neil won the drawn but no luck on the winning marble.

Guest Speaker:

Mary introduced our speaker Ray Bernoties Chief Superintendent Commander Island District RCMP-GRC. She said it was a pleasure as an x-cyclist. Ray is riding in this year's Tour de Rock. He has been in the RCMP for 24 years and served in Surrey, Ottawa and in Northern Canada.

Ray said he was dressed covertly in a suit as he is riding for Oak Bay Police this year. 

He and his family moved to Oak Bay from Surrey and his 2 young sons, 4 and 6, were nervous about the move until the Oak Bay Tea Party parade went right  past their house and they recovered a life time worth of candy. The family plans to stay forever.

His parents moved him to Ontario when he was 9. He made a note that he would be a police officer in BC by the time he was 25. Is Surrey in BC? If so, he made it.

Ray's talk was very emotional and he appeared to have a allergy attack. He said he speaks all the time but it is never about things personal to him.

He had a video that would not play but you can access information at www.tourderock.ca It will give route and dates also.

This year's tour will start in Port Alice and will be approximately 1000 kms over 9 days with stops at several schools. Vancouver Island's Tour de Rock raises more money for cancer research than all the other BC tours combined.  Last year it raised $1.3 million.

Since 1998, it has raised over $20 million.  It will run from Sept 19 to Oct 2, 2015. The longest day is 140 kms and the course has grueling climbs with plenty of rain.

The 6 month preparation requires training 2 nights a week, with a long ride on Sunday which is usually 100km. Not everyone makes the final cut to ride. This Sunday, the ride is up Mt. Washington which becomes competitive and turns into a race. 

Ray said that when he is wearing his Tour jersey, motorists wave with all 5 fingers. He is riding with a fellow who's mom was born the same year as Ray.

Each rider is expected to raise $5000 towards Cancer. Some have raised $50,000.  Ray is attending Markets, Rotary clubs and barber shops to raise money for his share. Each rider is assigned a junior rider who has or had cancer. Unfortunately, there is never a shortage.

Now 82% of children who contract cancer can expect to survive. The goal should not be only to survive.  Part of the money raised sends children to Camp Goodtimes which costs $1500 to attend. Camp Goodtimes in Port Moody provides a safety-focused, medically supervised, fun and recreational experience for children with cancer and their families. 

Cory Burger thanked Ray who is a past member of Rotary, for speaking about cancer which has touched many of us, and the work it takes to be a part of Tour de Rock and the funds raised.

Ray asked us "What are you passionate about?

Jim whose passion is Literacy; closed the meeting with a video from the Malawi Girls School - one of our long term literacy projects.

Our very own treasurer Brian L selling raffle tickets

Installation of 2015/2016 Board for the Rotary Club of Oak Bay - 24 June 2015

Reporter: Anne Sims

Oak Bay Beach Hotel- June 24^th 2015

Rotary Theme of the Year: Be a Gift to the World

Starting at 6:00 pm in the hallway to meet and mingle and have a beverage. At 6:45 we had a great performance from the jazz club from the Rockheights School. Jen Kelly is their teacher and is the Performing Arts and Music Program Director. They played 3 songs:

Route 66;Sway from Buble and Hawaii Five-O. The performance was very entertaining.

David Maxwell was our Master of Ceremonies. Tav MacPherson delivered the invocation. And Perry Bamji won the 50/50.

Jim Force, our President gave us the year in review.

Our events and fundraisers:

Paul Harris Award Dinner

Polio Light Up

Selling Poinsettas

Merrython

Flag Project

Mardi Gras Dinner

Car Raffle

Jim also thanked the International Committee. We have grants for the Mexico, East Timor projects.

Also the Community Committee has a $45K grant for the Youth Centre at the Oak Bay High School. Our trailer was donated to Oak Bay High School and it will be refurbished and it will then be a library.

We have had many partnerships this year. Some of them are: Victoria Foundation, Victoria Hospitals, Thrifty Foods, Foodshare, Oak Bay Recreation and the Oak Bay High School.

Jim was very excited to be our Past President in this club and is looking forward to Heather Aked being our next President!

The honour of being Rotarian of the Year went to Joan Peggs. She has been a President for 2 years and has been tireless in her dedication to service.

Brian Lamb has installed our new Board:

President-Heather Aked

President-Elect &Co-President-Lori Mcleod

Past President & Youth Services-Jim Force

Secretary-Wendy Townsend

Public Image-Perry Bamji

International Service-Pete Lawrie

Treasurer-Vicky Pitt

Administration-Bob Schelle

Membership-Bill Burns

Foundation-Neil Rawnsley

Community Service-Sandy Currie

Brian  L. talked about our new Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran. Ravi’s quote was:

“All of you have been given so many gifts. And you now have been given this great gift: one year to take all your talents, all your gifts, everything that you are and can become—and be a gift to the world. You have one year to take that potential and turn it into reality. One year to lead the clubs in your district and transform the lives of others. The time is so short, yet there is so much to be done.”

President’s Comments - Heather Aked.

Heather has been re-gifted! As our President. Heather was our President in 2005(?). Heather  thanked our group. She also thanked Jim Force as our President  for his heartfelt contribution and how he has led by example. Heather and the new Board will be successful and lots of fun!!

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting of 16 June 2015 - Joanne McKechnie from RESTOR International

Reporter:  Joan Firkins – reporting from the Victoria Golf Club!

Opening:   President Jim recounted a tale of 20 pounds of strawberries he had recently turned into wine and Perry was the lucky recipient of the bottle of strawberry wine as a reward for his work on the PR Committee.  The 37 members and guests assembled then sang a rendition of O Canada!

Wolf Schopper gave the invocation.

Guests: Steve Sharlow announced the Visiting Rotarians (Dr. John Snively) and Guests (Eileen Lavigne and Mandy Pui) .

Announcements:

• Bob Schelle indicated the sign-up sheet would be going around for the Installation Dinner on Wednesday, June 24^th. Let’s get everyone out to support incoming President Heather – tickets are $48 – contact Bob Schelle asap if you haven’t already!
• President Jim advised the car raffle crew is looking for traffic marshals on the day of the draw, August 9^th in Oak Bay – see Jim if you wish to volunteer
• .Jack Petrie reminded everyone of the Victoria Soul Gospel Choir performing at Willows Park on Tuesday June 30^th from 6:30-8:30 pm. We are partnering with the Kiwanis Club and the Oak Bay News and we should be out supporting what promises to be a great night of Motown, R&B and Gospel music! A reminder that there is NO MEETING NEXT TUESDAY given that the Installation evening is the following night.

Celebrations Master

Tav did a fine job of denuding everyone of loonies and toonies for various and sundry reasons– best fine of the day: John Edgell for not having enough hair to put into a ponytail to match the other two John’s who are also involved in international projects!  (Snively and Jordan). Tom Croft had the winning ticket number for the 50-50 draw but did not pull the appropriate marble for the big bucks! In true Rotarian fashion, Tom donated his winnings back to the club. Thanks Tom!

Guest Speaker:

Gordon Quigley introduced the speaker, Joanne McKechnie. Joanne came to us today from Kelowna to speak about RESTOR International, formerly known as Rotaplast Canada. Rotaplast Canada has a new name but the work remains the same – restoring lives in developing countries. Rotaplast formerly concentrated solely on cleft palate surgeries however after a number of missions it was apparent there was definitely a need for more than just cleft palate surgery, particularly in the area of burn reconstruction and repairs. The missions now include full surgical teams who are able to address these needs, as well as provide medical training on the ground in the countries where they work – to date, much work has been done in Ethiopia, Chile, China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and they will be expanding to Haiti shortly. 

              

RESTOR International is a registered not-for-profit charity and funds are needed to carry out the mission surgeries. On average, $100k is required per mission and the missions to date have been made possible by sponsors, donors, Rotary clubs and volunteers. RESTOR is always looking for donations or volunteers (or both) to help carry out the missions on behalf of those who need the surgeries. Volunteer opportunities are available for both medical and non-medical people with the non-medical volunteers donating their time and travel/accommodation costs. Financial donations support the costs of hospital facilities and anesthetics, antibiotics, other drugs, equipment and supplies and many other items. They also set up teaching and public health clinics to help sustain the work after the team has left. A donation of $1000 can pay for everything necessary for one life altering surgery.

On a personal note, this seems like a good project our club could support – there was a good amount of interest in Joanne’s presentation with lots of questions etc.  It’s a Canadian non-profit basically in our back yard and I’m sure they could use the support of many Rotary clubs. There will be presentations at the District Conference this weekend in Nanaimo.

 Joanne was nicely thanked by Lynne Murray who herself has been on a Rotaplast Canada mission so certainly understands the needs in the developing countries.

Closing:

President Jim closed the meeting by thanking club members for their support throughout his reign this year and he indicated he thoroughly enjoyed his year at the helm!

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting of 9 June 2015 - RYLA & Adventures in Citizenship and Dr. John Snively's report

Reporter: Joan Peggs

Members were pleasantly greeted by David Philip, Janna Gisler with young Garon. What a smile and wave he gave to all.

The Meeting commenced promptly at 12:15 pm with a welcome by President Jim. MC for the meeting was shared with Janette N – a relatively new member. She gave a short personal presentation:

She was born in Japan, grew up in Tasmania, a state of Australia (Hobart is the capital). Tasmania is approximately the size of Vancouver Island. Her great, great grandfather reputedly began the apple industry in Tasmania by planting the first apple tree. The apple industry is not as big as it used to be and now wine, cheese, small fruits and tourism arre the main industries.  Janette did a law degree at the local university and was the second youngest  student admitted to the university – her second cousin was the youngest. She moved to Sydney, NSW,  did a post graduate course at the University of New South Wales and subsequently worked in Sydney as a lawyer. In Sydney, she met the brother of a Canadian friend. The brother and she went on an off-shore sailing trip around the Hawaiian Islands and across the Pacific to  Victoria. She subsequently married this man and although the relationship did not last, they have a wonderful son.

Bob Schelle asked  all who are attending:

•  the meeting on Tuesday June 16 at the Victoria Golf Club
•   the Installation Dinner on Wednesday June 24^th at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel ($48/person)

to please sign the respective sheets that will be circulated. You are responsible for payment if you do not show up!!

O Canada was sung. This was followed by a Scottish grace given by David Philip

Visitors and guests commenced the buffet and Rotarian fell in behind!!

12:40 pm Janette asked Sabrina to please come forward to introduce the speakers

Nicole and Cetarah who were RCOB sponsored attendees at RYLA and Ruby who went to Ottawa for Adventures in Citizenship

•  RYLA held at Pacific Lutheran University February 26^th to March 1^st 2015

• Inspiring speakers, great fellowship, learned that leaders, 'come in all shapes and sizes'!!

•  Adventures in Citizenship held in Ottawa May 2 to May 5 2015

• 200 youth representing all the provinces and 2/3 territories

• Many activities relating to being a Canadian, activities centred around and close to The Parliament Buildings

• Bill Burns – forgot to include Eileen Lavigne in the thank you for covering car raffle shifts. 

• Eileen has done 8 Heather – Thrifty Foods Smile Card. 

• Approval for $1,500. raising money for Rock Heights School IE department. 

• Many thanks to Ryan who donated a band saw he no longer uses

• Lorna – Car Raffle sales at $32,400 – excellent.Ken Agate has asked if members of the club would be the traffic marshals for the Car Show, Sunday August 9^th, Oak Bay Avenue. Sign up sheet is being passed around. President Jim will have it at future meeting.

•  Jack – Tuesday June 30^th Willows Beach 6:30 – 8:30 pm concert with Victoria Soul Gospel Choir. The Victoria Soul Gospel Choir is a talented and enthusiastic community choral group made up of singers of all ages and walks of life, who love and embrace the unique blend of Motown, R&B, Smooth Soul and Afro-American music. Under the direction of the talented Checo Tohomaso, the choir began just over a decade ago with a handful of voices singing five-part harmony. It has now grown to over 70 members – men and women – who share spirited song and infectious energy that brings audiences to their feet! Bring your own blanket or chairs. The Kiwanis Tea House will be open for dinner, refreshments and snacks or bring your own picnic! Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Oak Bay, Rotary Club of Oak Bay and the Oak Bay News. Tuesday June 30, 2015 6:30-8:30pm Willows Park          

All were thanked by President Jim and presented with a Rotary mug and 1000 x 5 bookmark (Interact students have been involved with this project)

Janna introduced the visiting Rotarians and visitors

Rotarians:

Joe Tuck –  Cedar Creek Rotary Club TX (classification Lawyer)

Dr. John Snively,  Nelson BC Nelson Rotary Club

Interactors:

Ruby Tang, Nicole Quast, Cetareh M-F

Visitors:

Eileen Lavigne guest of Steve Sharlow

Lillian Duffy guest of Jack Petrie

Mandy Pui guest of President Jim

Jenny Hildebrand guest of Anne McIntyre

Health of The Club – Mary Canty

Batya and David Westler returning to Victoria June 15^th for 2 weeks. Hope to attend a meeting

Nadia Hyde – presently in Capetown returning home – see information at end of report

Neil R. – not sleeping well. Recovery probably will take a bit longer than anticipated. (Thinking of you Neil!!)

Announcements:

Celebrations Master:

Tav Macpherson  levied numerous fines – not wearing pins and name tags, dress code of all members displaying knees, No birthdays, no anniversaries

Happy Sad $$$:

Sandy Currie – successful wedding of daughter

Heather Aked – good trip to France – did meet up with husband!!

Bill Burns – visited grand daughter for 6th birthday

Joan Firkins – congratulations to the 'dinner committee'

Lorna Curtis – heading out  on Wednesday to drive to San Francisco. Grand sitting children while parents holiday!! Then off to Grand Canyon, and back at the end of July

Jim Force – enjoys talking to people about the Food Rescue program

Janette N. – off to Portugal and Spain for 3 weeks.

Bob Schelle won the 50/50 draw but pulled a green marble – Pot is approximately $170!!

Dr. John Snively gave an update on his work in Guatemala. He is concentrating now on health education and nutrition to curb the diabetes and dental problems. His work is mainly directed to benefit Mothers and children. The dental clinic will serve 4 villages. He will be concentrating on being the "village dentist". He has been working there approximately 6 months of the year and may be going there for a longer period.

President Jim presented Eileen Lavigne with a Light Up Rotary pin, thanking her for her volunteer work.

Meeting closed by President Jim at 1:30 pm

Remember next week – Victoria Golf Club

 Report from Nadia

"It's very hard to believe my trip is coming to a close soon. It has been marvellous and difficult as these always are. I packed lots of wool for the cold in the high mountains and the days were just like our best summer days, around 23 degrees, no wool needed! But the nights did get quite chilly.

My daughter Tholoana, the midwifery student at the university, and I spent  2 glorious weeks working together in the high mountains. She was an ace interpreter and soon became a co-leader rather than just interpreter, good practise for her, of the group of women gathered from the village. The village in this case is not like a cozy English village but is a collection of far-flung rondavels, all at great distances from each other on mountain hillsides, ridges, the back of beyond,

as Helga would say.  We spent most of our 3 days with the women's group talking about women's health. They have never learned about how our bodies work. "Is it OK to turn over in bed at night?" was one question. Truly.

"Yes, it's a really good idea. Moving helps your heart", said I. These are rural women who never, as girls, were given the opportunity to go to school.

Why would they know anatomy?

I did simple mindfulness slow breathing exercises with them because so many reported heart palpitations or some version thereof. At one point I suggested they put their hand on their heart and saw some searching around for their heart on their right side.

I should have started with a demo of where the heart is, and then move into breathing through your heart,

slowly, and notice if there is a difference. Slowing down is the idea. They were ecstatic to find that these actually work, panic attacks disappearing, blood pressure going down, (one obese older woman showed us her health

booklet where the doctor writes and her BP had fallen from 200 to 153 in a

week; she danced around the room, so happy, so relieved).

Well being improved, bodies feeling more alive.

Doctors (who often come from places like Nigeria and don't speak the language) just give them who knows what meds and send them away.

No respect, they are just old women. Then they are completely disempowered.

Reabetsoe, one of my other girls who I am with now in Cape Town says women send their kids to pick up the meds each month because there is no point to them going to the doctor, lining up all day to just pick up a bottle of pills. Great medicine. So, for them to feel empowered to change something worrisome in their body is a great relief to these lovely smart women.

And then there are the many diabetics who just get out of bed in the morning, go immediately to work in the fields, driven by

their culture's demand that women work all day,  no breakfast, no insulin. You can perhaps imagine my response to them about that.

Housework will always wait. Your body won't wait and you must stop asking your body to wait. You damage yourself by not paying attention to your body's need for food and insulin.  I had everyone promise me and each other that they would eat breakfast every day.

On our last day together, they reported they felt so much better. One woman even said she stopped beating her son. I am still shocked when I hear about beating. NO beating!, I said. We talked about how shamed and bad they had felt as kids being beaten.

All the church denominations came in here years ago and brought with them use of the switch on children. Brutal and horrifying. Because he churches did it, the parents then did too. Very hard to unlearn. They don't want their kids "soft" like Western kids. I spent a lot of time talking about love and hugs and appreciation and enjoyment of their children, teaching them, reading to them or telling them family stories in the absence of books. i hug the women and laugh with them and appreciate them and hope there is some carry over to children.

I hope you are well and happily in your beautiful garden these summer days.

I get home the 20th so will see you after the jet lag wears off and I am germ free.

love, Naida"

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 2 June 2015 - Sam Duke on Organ Donations

Reporter: Peter Lawrie
Photos: Coming

A small but robust crowd showed up enthusiastically at the Oak Bay Rec. Centre. Several (at least 6) showed up following a brief guest appearance at the wrong venue - the Hotel!

The meeting was very professionally co-hosted by President Jim and Sanjay. In the spirit of the June theme of “Fellowship” we heard some background and some thoughts from Sanjay and President Jim shared a recent letter to the editor of the Rotarian magazine, from our very own Giles, and the letter divulged some background from Giles most of us likely didn’t know. Check it out and ask Giles about it.

Jim advised that through June he would be co-hosting meetings with some of our newer members. What a great idea!!

Phil gave the Grace. 

Guests included: Madeline Larsen who was a guest of Bob Schelle’s; Sam Duke our speaker; Visiting Rotarian was Dr. Johnny Snively our long lost prodigal son. Guests were heartily welcomed.

Announcements included:

• We now have almost 250 flags sold/installed this year up from 209 last September. Good job everyone!! 
• Encouragement to volunteer for car moves and raffle ticket this weekend (Tea Party weekend!). Overall our club is doing well filling shifts and completing sales and we are on our way to a very successful year and project;
• Saturday afternoon is a fund raising concert by Pablo’s group at St. Mary’s on Elgin Street. Net proceeds will be generously donated to our club. Where else can you enjoy a fabulous concert by one of our own and raise funds for our club projects at the same time? The concert starts at 2:30; Pablo also has a wonderful concert planned for Sunday afternoon in Sooke at a private location and admission by donation. It is a different program than Saturday. Contact Pablo for information and directions.
• Reminder that next week’s program included speakers from the Interact club who attended Adventures in Citizenship and RYLA this year. Come and be inspired by the recipients of some of your hard earned volunteer $’s.  These young leaders are good examples of why it makes a difference to support our youth work in the community.

Health of the Club:

Mary reported that Neil’s surgery was completed and a card was being circulated wishing a speedy recovery. We haven’t heard from David and Batya in Israel for a bit. Please reach out and provide some support.

Celebration Master: Tav

Tav extracted funds from everyone!! He was happily, maniacally merciless in his work! Among the many single awards included Janette for not getting last week's bulletin out; Jim Laing, Giles, those that made brief appearances at the hotel on their way to the rec centre. There were many other individual and mass penalties levied – most to good cheers and some to unheeded, raucous protests.

Birthday wishes were extended and sung to Vicky and to Janna.

Club anniversaries were announced by way of demonstrating June was a traditionally good recruiting month. This tired old scribe was unable to catch and write all of them down but I think David Sills, Heather, Jim Laing, and Vicky were among them but there were many more!

Janette chose the winning ticket. Jim Laing was holding the winning ticket narrowly beating out this old scribe by a single number!

Happy and Sad dollars covered a wide spectrum including Brian Lamb noticing that Thrifty ads in the paper are now including “Rotarians for Food Rescue”!! Good work Lorna and Brian and others for creating and building the partnership through the Car raffle. We are filling Dinners not Dumpsters!

Guest Speaker:  Sam Duke on Organ Donations 

Sam Duke informed us and reminded us that organ donation is  a crucial conversation to have with yourself and your family. The way to ensure your wishes are carried out is to sign on to the organ donor registry and tell your family about it. While no one wants to confront their own mortality, failure to do so means the loss of  an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and adds stress to your love ones at the most critical time.

80% of British Columbians, when polled, agreed with the notion of organ donation, but less than 20 % actually register. Past sign ups when renewing you driver’s licence or on your Carecard is no longer official. One has to register on the organ donor registry. You can check your status and/or register online  HERE

Under certain conditions your donation could help as many as 50 different people!

Canada has one of the worst rates of organ donor registration in the developed world.  Encouraging news is that Vancouver Island has one of the highest rates in the country and has a rate of participation similar to Spain. Spain is one of the best in the world. There is  no expenses in donating. Most religions support the donating of organs.

Sam told us a great story about a 92 year old who donated her kidney, some years ago, and it is now a successful 114 year old kidney!

Sam read a wonderful poem called “To remember me I will live forever” which deals with organ donations and transplants. One of the lines was to not call it my death bed but to call it my life bed. We were reminded that “the good we do for ourselves goes with us and the good we do for others continues to live through others”.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 by President Jim

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting of 26 May 2015 - Dr. Michael Woolnough on Project Amigo, Colima, Mexico

Reporter: Janette Nation

Greeter and Grace: Anne McIntyre

Greeter and Introduce Visitors: Lori McLeod

​Host and Introduce Speaker: Lynne Murray

Thank Speaker: Sandy Currie

​M/C: Bill Burns

​Cashier: David Sills

​50/50: Sanjay Uppal

Celebration Master: Jim Laing

​Set-up and Take-down: Pablo Diemecke

We opened with O’Canada

Visiting Rotarians:

Ronald Quigley, Boundary; Dr. John Snively, Nelson; Dr. Michael Woolnough, Vancouver

Guests:

Johanna Kaipio  Host: Jim Force; Manoy Poi Pui Host: Lori Mcleod

Announcements:

• Jim Force mentioned  that  Johanna’s father was a guest a few weeks ago from Finland. We didn't have a banner and Jim gave Johanna a banner to give her Father. Johanna is a researcher at UVIC working in Health Care systems for 6 months. She loves the lifestyle in Victoria and the gardens in Spring.
• Mary had no news except Neil was having his surgery  today.
• Peter Laurie, in Neil’s absence,  reminded us all to take turns signing up for  the  car raffle car movements between June 4 to June 14.
• Pablo has a concert on June 6 at 2.30 pm, Saturday June 6, at St. Mary’s Church, on Elgin Road, Oak Bay. The next day there is a Fundraising concert in Sooke with admission by donation and all net proceeds going to Rotary! For more information, email: diemahler@shaw.ca
• The Interact Club is having a grand celebration on May 29^th,  at the Pavilion in Windsor Park.  There will be speeches on how Interact has impacted their lives.
• Flag Sales Program:  A most innovative flag sale. Don and Jim L. were selling flags. A woman couldn’t afford the money but wanted a flag.  Jim asked if she made piroges. For a dozen piroges, they left a flag. Jim said they were so good he may buy another flag for her.
• Bob Schelle announced that next Tuesday, June 2, the meeting will be at the Oak Bay Rec.  Centre. Bob will send out an email on where our lunches will be during June.

Celebrations Master, Jim Laing, spoke of a book autographed by last week’s guest speaker that was left behind. He claimed that the inscription inside read: “Bob, come up and see me some time. Love Pammykins” It was sold for $3 but the scribe can’t recall if anyone by the name of  Bob bid on it.

50/50:

All those who weren’t wearing 2 pins; had no guest at their table; failed to sign in; and didn't buy a flag had to pay $1. If late, $2. Joan F. was  fined a $1 for not watching the Stanley Cup playoffs. Tom Croft fined $1 for adjusting his fly during O’Canada (who was looking?). Perry was overdressed and therefore fined a $1. Peter Laurie refused to shake hands in the bathroom and was fined $1 for that omission.  Lori didn't give a hug and kiss so was fined $1. Jack Petrie’s shoes were on the wrong feet so fined a $1.

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Renate celebrated her 29^th birthday. That is what she said and she is sticking to that.

Jim Force and wife, Colleen,  have been married 25 years. Jim said that Colleen was, however, in Calgary, because she is looking after her first husband who has had surgery and also looking after her  first husband’s grandchildren. (What a civilized couple.)

Anniversary: Lorna and Vicki P. celebrated 18 years as Rotarians.

Happy Sad: Heather A.  put in a $1 for being allowed to speak and say that 50% of NHL are Canadians plus she put in  $2  because she and Alexander are going to Paris to watch the tennis.

Lori asked Mr. Maxwell to join her at the microphone and gave him a pin that he should have been given years ago. Joan P.  gave a happy $ because she had returned from Stratford, ON, and it was -3c. She shared an anecdote on how small the world is: She took only one of her two dogs to Stratford and  walked into “Needles”, an appliance store. One fellow there said, “You are from Victoria” and  she answered “Yes”. He then said, “You have two white dogs and you are with only one”. Lorna gave a happy dollar for her 18th year with Rotary. She thanked everyone for signing up for shifts and reported that $20K had already been raised. Vicki P also gave a happy $ because she had celebrated her 18th year with Rotary and said it was one of the best things she ever did.

Brian Lamb was called up to do the draw.

Sandy won the 25/75 draw and didn't pull out the black marble.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Woolnough on Project Amigo

Michael is a Radiologist and lives at Point Grey in Vancouver. Michael is involved with a charitable project in Mexico called Project Amigo in Colima, Mexico.

Michael is a friend of Renate who is currently away. He opened up with a joke about anniversaries, given the several 25^th anniversaries being celebrated in the Club. He said they reminded him of an Italian couple who were having their golden wedding anniversary. He said that for their 25^th, he took her back to her home town in Sicily. What did you do for your Golden, the chap was asked. The response was: “I am going back to pick her up”.

Project Amigo is an independent non-profit corporation, not affiliated with  Rotary International but works closely with it. The project started 30 years ago and is based out of San Franciso, CA where it all started. It is focused on the way Rotarians can be involved sponsoring children and the volunteer weeks one can spend there. He had been about 10 times for a week in the winter. It is in Colima, Mexico, at an altitude of 4000 ft. and approximately  1.5 hours inland from Manzanillo. There is a volcano nearby that puffs smoke from  time to time but is not active.

He showed a 12 minute video and then some slides. The video showed what the people did without stoves and proper toilets. Children go up to 6th grade but many drop out before that. Project Amigo was originally confined to funding gifts and trips to the Museum. It now provides clothing, piñatas and  lunches. With the trips and experiences outside their village, it gave the children of Colima a thirst for knowledge. They now have excursions to the beach, turtle reefs, and boat trips. The children didn't have shoes or books; they suffered from  illnesses from non-potable water and mouth infections, which kept the children out of school. Their living arrangements were dirt floors and  7-10 people sleeping in one room. Without help with homework, the children failed at school and  their parents were illiterate. The project  set up homework clubs with tutors and a scholarship program. With grants from Rotary and charities in the U.S.A and Canada, cyber cafes have been set up. Sponsors pay for tuition and books etc. for university degrees at the University of Colima.

With fluoride, dental health has greatly improved and there is also an optometrist available. Today, Project Amigo is addressing the needs of  migrant workers who come to the sugar cane fields by providing them with such basics as food and clothing.

Project Amigo operates on donations and volunteers. Volunteers come from the U.S. and Canada.The scholarship winners are based on need  but have to attain an average grade of 9/10 at school in order to qualify for a scholarship. The student then needs to maintain an 8.5 average to remain on the scholarship. Scholarship winners are requires to give back with their time and effort.

A glowing example he gave related to  a girl who was one of 6 children, suffering from physical abuse due to parental alcoholism. She won a scholarship to do law and now holds a senior position in public office.

A map of Colima was shown. It is a very poor State with sugar cane its main crop and industry. The sugar companies bring in migrant workers, who come from poorer areas in Guerrero. They total  a staggering 2 million and they don't speak Spanish. Therefore, the children of these workers can't attend the local schools due to the language barrier. Sadly, they live in appalling accommodation provided by the sugar companies. When boys are 8 or 9 they are given a machete and sent to work in the sugar cane fields. Project Amigo has broken this miserable cycle by building a basic two room school and bringing in a teacher who speaks their language as well as Spanish.  

Donors  can support these people with just a $100 a year donation, which will provide the basics, such as food, clothes and shoes. If you volunteer, you can deliver books to help set up library and read to the people . Teaching English with immersion are some of the duties in which you can become involved, and there is a Christmas Fiesta during the week of  December 6.

To read more about the project and sponsor a child for only $100 a year click on: PROJECT AMIGO 

Sandy thanked the speaker for being part of a greater cause, the scholarship program and tackling  the migrant work problem; an incredibly worthwhile venture. A Rotary Mug was given to Michael in appreciation of his excellent presentation.

President Jim thanked Bill for being MC for the last two weeks and his work on the car raffle. Bill was given a Light Up Rotary pin. Bill thanked those on rostered  duties. 

We ended with “The Queen”.