Installation Dinner June 26, 2012

John Edgell and Tricia have provided some pics from the evening at the Hotel Grand Pacific. A good time was had by all. Here's President Joan's message and report on the evening, followed by the photos:
At my request Jack summarized the year 2011/12; he captured all Club members in many poses, moods and activities. The final closing with a photograph  of Foster is a reminder of a member who contributed much and left The Club with good memories.
 
Thank you very much Jack for taking a lot of time to put this together. It added a dimension of levity and reflection at the closing of a successful year.
 
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/fT5vn9FI
 
My thanks to all who attended the evening last night. The overall consensus seemed to be one of enjoyment; and the food was excellent.
 
A special than you to PDG Joan for providing her projector, speakers and computer to ably set up the DVD. Later in the evening she and Tav capably installed the Board for 2012/13.
Thank you to Lynne for the excellent table theme cards – a reminder of projects of the past year.
Tricia, with her excellent computer skills, composed an excellent program for printing. At the last minute she helped me with my theme button for the coming year.
Vicky, what a great M/C!! Excellent questions, jokes and comments – thank you.
Mark started the evening with an appropriate grace.
John E. made some excellent table display boards for the Club projects; hoping to have them at the Club meetings.
Lori and John E were both snapping photographs. We should have a great record of the evening
Heather patiently sat at the door collecting money/cheques for the dinner – thank you
 
Congratulations need to be extended to our International Committee – the chair, members who partook in the various projects and the projects themselves. Your hard work, dedication and enthusiasm brought great credit to The Club. For those not present Oak Bay Rotary is the recipient of The Floyd Olson Award for International Service – information below from PDG Bob Martin about the award. This is the second year for this award
As District Governor, I created this award last year. I did this to honour Floyd Olson. The Olson Foundation was created for the same reason and the Olson Board has been willing to review the applicants and make the decision on the recipient. Bainbridge Island was the recipient last year and Oak Bay this year. The Olson Board also agreed to fund the $500. stipend each year and we hope that will increase in time. The award is based on dollars/member spent on international service, number of club members visiting the projects, and the variety and scope of the projects. When I created the award, I checked with David and Judy to make sure they would continue it and now Pete Taylor as well. I obviously hope that after 4 years it will be deemed a permanent award
 
Congratulations to Jim F.and  his volunteers on securing a District Literacy Award for The Club – the following projects sealed this award for us (one of 19 clubs in the district)___”Start Early” Fundraiser for baby books for 1000x5 children’s books recycling project in conjunction with other local Rotary Clubs and with a local book store.__
__Collect books for the Times Colonist Book Drive which supports literacy projects on Vancouver Island
__Promote Literacy Month with a literacy moment each week in March – two weeks a club member, one week a children’s author, one week with all club members sharing childhood literacy experiences.
_Sponsored a Chamber Music Concert which raised funds for local and international literacy projects._
_In conjunction with another local Rotary Club installed washrooms and water tank for a kindergarten in La Penita, Mexico.
_One of our club members, Jacqueline Mealing provided lessons in dental hygiene for young indigenous women from Santa Catarina Palopo, Guatemala._
_Club member, John Jordan, taught Rwandan students to make smokeless cooking stoves so they could use the money they earned for their school costs._
__Raised funds for the purchase of a “smart board” for a local elementary school.
 
The Rotarian of The Year Award was bestowed on Jim F. – ‘an ideas man’ who follows up and takes a task to completion. Congratulation Jim.
 
Hoping I have not forgotten anyone
 
To all, the best for this year – Peace Through Service
 
Jp
Joan Peggs

Meeting of June 19, 2012

The last regular meeting of the Rotary Year was called to order at 12:15 pm with President Joan (above) welcoming all with her comment of the day: Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold. She reminded us that this is the final meeting of the Rotary year.

The National Anthem was sung and Mary Canty said Grace. After lunch, Batya Westler introduced the guests: Cheryl Jones and Lita Rolofs.

Health of the Club: Mary Canty:  George Pritchard has just had surgery and is recovering well; he's hoping to be back at Rotary soon.  David Philip continues to have setbacks but his spirit is good.

Announcements: Please let Leslie know if you have any makeups.

Heather announced the circulation of a sign-up list for the Installation Dinner next Tuesday, June 26th. The tables are divided into “activities” which appear on the sign-up sheet. Cocktails at 6 pm, dinner at 7. There is parking below the Hotel Grand Pacific. The cost of the dinner and evening is $46 which can be paid at the door.  The dinner will be buffet style.

Joan Firkins congratulated the membership for a successful Tuscan Night from which the profit was $20,500. With some new format changes and sponsorships, the profits were increased.

Tav reminded all that this weekend is the District 5020 Conference and that space is still available to attend.

Fines master: Jessica Van der Veen.  Everyone had to dig deep today as Jessica was out to surpass all former “masters” of the sacred fine. Of note was the praise bestowed by the Saanich Club on Tav’s performance as Assistant District 5020 Governor.  Jack was in good tune to remind us all of the upcoming Victoria Jazz Festival of which he has been a tireless organizer. Great entertainment will fill the weekend of July 30th in many venues. Lori was thrilled to announce that she was off for the weekend with 12 girlfriends to a secret hideaway where they have planned a retreat to meditate and fast in silence. [Editor's note: it's somewhere in the Shawingan Lake area, but you won't be welcome!]  Hans won the draw but alas drew a black sphere.

Neil Madsen introduced our speakers: Vancouver Island Kidney Patients' Association (VIKPA) representatives, Cheryl Jones and Lita Rolofs.

Today’s presentation focused on the issue of dialysis and the growing number of people suffering with kidney disease and malfunction.  The first newsletter of this very active Kidney Association dates back to 1973 and now there are 2,400 people on Vancouver Island assisted in some way through the association.  Those who are on regular dialysis must be on a machine 3 times per week for 5 hours at a time.  This routine takes a great toll on the entire family with time and income lost.  The association therefore supports not only the patients but their families as well, providing compassionate gift baskets at both Easter and Christmas to more than 200 families.  There are 1,300 patients in kidney care awaiting dialysis here on the island and in Victoria alone there are more than 300 transplant patients. At the Royal Jubilee there are 3 shifts for the dialysis machines daily to fulfill the need. The dialysis machines duplicate the function of the kidney to regulate the sodium levels, balance various hormones and to cleanse the urine. Kidney failure is common with diabetes, as is high blood pressure. Once the kidneys shut down there is little likelihood of recovery so we must reduce stress, exercise regularly, eliminate smoking, consume less salt, sugar and alcohol and maintain a low blood pressure. Dialysis machines cost $60,000. There is a government program to provide one to qualified patients for home use.  The cost of a transplant is $23,000 and there is currently a 10-year wait.

Jerry McLean thanked Lita and Cheryl (above).

President Joan expressed deep appreciation to the membership on the exemplary achievements of the club this past year. She distributed the theme ‘headpieces’ onto each table with an appropriate comment. She ended by removing the one she was wearing to close the year. Thanks for a dedicated, successful year as President of Oak Bay Rotary, Joan.

Reporter: John Snively

June 12 Bulletin

O Canada starts us off with ol’ Tommy L. on the keyboard and invocation by Heather, we’re dispersed to the condiment table then out to the blustery but sunny deck for barbecued burgers. Lynne Murray introduces our guests Kate Moore and (speaker) Paul Destrooper as well as visiting Rotarians Dennis Pare from Victoria Rotary Club and Walter Moore, one of our ‘regulars’, from Berri, Australia. Mary Canty reported that she’s been unable to reach David Philip to check on him and also that our club-mate George Pritchard is in for surgery this Thursday - Prez Joan reminded us to send our positive thoughts his way. All the best George...See you soon!

John Jordan spoke of his recent Rwandan experience and the remarkable achievements involving almost 3,000 stoves made and distributed through stove centers. Fourteen permanent jobs were created and about 13,000 people now have smoke-free homes to share...and to be healthy in.

Heather reminded us of the Club Installation Dinner on Tuesday June 26th at the Grand Pacific; $46 per person.

Tav talked of the upcoming District Conference June 22/23rd. Request to think of attending and hearing so many good stories about Rotary, now and in the future.

Tom Croft thanked the club for support of his map initiative, Bowker Creek, and other stuff.

Jessica took her maiden voyage as fines master and she brought that sparkling wit and theatrical bent to her words, fining those deserving and not-so-deserving souls for misdemeanors. One fine: For men who have never worn a leotard. This scribe was okay as I wore one in a musical I performed in (Camelot). Others were not so fortunate and had to fork over a buck as tight as that must have made them feel. Johnny Snively was praised for his haircut but it cost him. And so on...

Mary Canty won the 50/50. Good job Jessica!

Our Speaker was Paul Destrooper of Ballet Victoria who entertained and informed us through a charming presentation of the challenges and successes of his organization of which he is not only a principal dancer but also the director. Ballet Victoria has gone from a budget of $100,000 to one of over $600,000 in the past 7 years. They are invited to perform all over the world. Paul told a few hilarious stories of he and his crew performing in desolate spots such as Clayquot after boarding fishing boats over high seas. He was modest, funny...and gracious, and also proud of the achievements he’s been an important part of. He made you want to go the next ballet. I for one intend to.

David Sills, Paul Destrooper, Pablo Diemecke discussing ballet (and more) after the meeting

Pablo had introduced Paul, which is fitting as Pablo (performing the music) and Paul (the dance interpretations) have partnered in one of the Ballets. Tav very eloquently thanked Paul and we were out of there...into the blustery sunshine again, right on the dot at 1:30. Well done President Joan. It’s not easy keeping a meeting on track with so much to do and hear.

Jack

Meeting June 5, 2012 at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre - CAITLIN MANGIACASALE

Peter and Jane get stuck into it!

It was Tea Party week here in Oak Bay, and members were out in force to help raise Club funds. Check out our chat blog to see more photos by Ron and Tricia.
Here's yesterday's meeting report by Eugen:
There was quite a buzz of chatter and laughter in the room, before PRESIDENT JOAN PEGGS called the meeting to order. She announced the theme for June was “Rotary Awareness,” and we were off to sing, O Canada, hear the invocation by JOHN EDGELL, and cue up at the table (visitors and guests at the head of the line) for a tasty chicken casserole dish and salad.

After lunch PERRY BAMJI introduced visiting Rotarians and Guests: Peter Sou from the Sidney Club, Judy Byron, Incoming District 5020 Governor, also from the Sidney Club, and Hugh Robertson, Incoming Assistant Governor, from the West Shore Club. There were 7 guests: Colleen Sullivan, hosted by Tom Croft, Clive Reiss, hosted by Hans Ockermueller, Wendy Townsend, hosted by Anne Sims, Jo Bedford, hosted by her husband, Mark Bedford, John Playfair, hosted by Peter Sou, and Sabrina Corraini and Caitlin Mangiacasale, of the Oak Bay High School Interact Club.

TAV MACPHERSON (left with President Joan) presented our Club with banners from India given to him by Rotarians visiting from India, and JOAN FIRKINS presented a banner to our club from Nairobi.

TAV announced he has 24 days left as Assistant Governor, and that it has been “one of the most delightful experiences of my life.” He introduced his successor, HUGH ROBERTSON, who told us how thrilled he was to see so many new members joining the Oak Bay Rotary Club.

NEIL RAWNSLEY (below) awarded pins to the following Paul Harris Fellows: Don O’Coffey, PHF#1, Ron Beyer, PHF#2, Tricia Timmermans, PHF#3, Tav Macpherson, PHF#8. Also awarded were Paul Harris Certificates, to John Jordan for his volunteer work in Rwanda, and to Jo Bedford, for her work in India. All in all, an impressive number of contributors to the Rotary Foundation from our club.

John, Tav, Ron, Tricia, Don, Jo, and Neil

Wendy Townsend

Peter Sou

 Two new members were inducted into the Oak Bay Rotary Club by PRESIDENT JOAN. WENDY TOWNSEND, sponsored by Anne Sims, and who has been appointed to the New Generations Committee; and PETER SOU, a former member of the Sidney Club, who has joined the Membership Committee.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Installation Dinner for the 2012-2013 Executive will be at the Grand Pacific Hotel on Tuesday June 26;  cost will be $46.00. Tom Croft displayed the new Oak Bay Community Map which you can purchase for $5.00. Perry Bamji handed a cheque of $2,500 to our treasurer, Brian Lamb, the grant portion of funds raised for the Atsikana Pa Ulendo Girls' School in Malawi. Perry also handed out paper rolls to wrap our pennies for the “Pennies To Heaven – The Last Journey” project.

Tom Croft with Oak Bay Community Map with incoming AG, Hugh Robertson

JACK PETRIE found time to collect fines from many good people, but ran out of time for happy and sad dollars. If you heard a squeal of surprise, it was because Joan Peggs won the 50/50 draw.

Our speaker was the enthusiastic CAITLIN MANGIACASALE (left with Prez Joan), President of the Oak Bay High School Interact Club, who had been sponsored by our Club to attend the Adventures in Citizenship conference in Ottawa. She showed slides of the many places, people, and buildings she visited and met in Ottawa, and thanked our club for allowing her to go on the trip of a lifetime. “It was an amazing thing to see what an impact it has on others to be a Canadian citizen.”   LORI MCLEOD thanked Caitlin, and after “God Save The Queen” and the bell, the meeting was over for another week.

Reporter,

EUGEN BANNERMAN