First Meeting of October - Bulletin.

REPORTER: Mark Bedford; PHOTOGRAPHER: September Smith

President Joan opened the meeting with some thoughts on Vocational Service, and Tom Lidkea at the piano led us in singing “O Canada.”  Heather took the microphone to lead us with a well-worded grace.  (Thanks for using the mike, Heather; hopefully, other members will follow your example when saying Grace).

Perry Bamji introduced the guests: - Rotaracter, Shaun O’Leary and two Interact members:  Mary-Lynn Sachowski and Kevin Klippenstein; Donna Chow (inductee); and guest speaker, Frank Wilson.

Our newest member, Donna Chow, with sponsor Barry Mutter, and President Joan

President Joan then conducted the first “official” De-ribboning Ceremony. September had collected initials of all members (except David Maxwell, who is globetrotting) on her Introduction to Members' page.  The Red Ribbon was ceremoniously removed from her name badge.

Induction of new member: Donna Chow.  Heather, Barry and Jack all came forward to officiate at the ceremony. Donna (a former Rotary Exchange student, and former member of the club as Donna Carrigan) will carry the classification: Executive Coaching; she will be a member of the Membership Team. (Note: Barry has to bring in a new member to get people on his team!).  Welcome back to the Club, Donna.

John Jordan spoke on the need for books to be shipped to Zimbabwe. Lists of suitable books and topics were available on each table.

Heather announced the 5^th Tuesday (October 30^th) “off-site” social meeting will be at the Victoria Golf Club.  Cost will be $20 for the meal and the speaker’s fee.

Wynn Taylor showed a picture of the new sign at the Water Park; it features a leaping orca. The fire damage at the park has been repaired. You can see the sign at the “unveiling” this Thursday at 2.30 p.m.

Vicky was introduced and mildly applauded as the Fines Master for October. Tom Croft and Jim Force were the “bucket men”. After a number of fines and happy/sad dollars, Tav won the draw and successfully drew a black marble from the bag. Interesting note: Jim put in “happy bucks” to express joy about the attendance of two Texans at the Club in a Pub night!!!

Please note: Tom Croft contributed sad dollars because some of our banners have “gone missing in action”; we’d like to have them available for future occasions.  If you know of their whereabouts,  please contact Tom.

Teaser for the day:  What do you get when you cross-breed a tapeworm with  a porcupine? 

Lori McLeod introduced our guest speaker, Frank Wilson.

Frank was a professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Bradford in Yorkshire, U.K.  He has published two volumes of short stories and is about to publish a book of poems. This latter book will be sold to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. Frank’s “claim to fame” lies in his blood line with the Earldom of Wanford (which seems to have also carried the name of Wharncliffe). The stately 17^th century home is known as Wortley Hall and is located off highway 629, N. W. of Sheffield, Yorks. Frank shared fascinating stories of the family history which dates back to 1125.  The dramas, scandals, intrigues and triumphs were, indeed, a mirror image of the T.V. Program: “Downton Abbey”.  One felt that the history of the family might also be a reflection of Sir Walter Scott’s line: “Oh what a tangled web we weave ...”

The talk continued with some fine photos and stories of the village life centred around Wortley Hall.  Perhaps the most obvious illustration of the “upstairs/downstairs” nature of life can be seen in the local church.  The church was built by the family, the vicar is “appointed” by the family, there is a door for the family and guests of the family and another door for other congregants, and seating in the church is very clearly hierarchical! The “turnabout” has now come into play.  During W.W. 2, it was taken over and used as a military base.  In May 1951, Wortley Hall was bought by the Labour Party and has been transformed into a Conference Centre and hotel with 35 en-suite rooms, and it is widely used for Labour Party related personnel and meetings.  It is now listed as a hotel in the travel guides.

Giles thanked Frank for a fascinating talk and presentation and presented the coffee mug.

We closed the meeting with God Save the Queen.

(Answer to the teaser: --  About twenty feet of barbed wire!).

NEW MEMBER INFORMATION for Marco Fernandes, BCom.

The following describe his Interests and affiliations: 

·         Community Volunteer Member - Tutoring Youth at V.I.R.C.S.  (Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society)

·         Community Volunteer at Income Tax Program Canada Revenue Agency by ISS of BC - Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia

·         Volunteer Coordinator of the Editorial Board for the Association of SABESP* Engineers

·         Volunteer Member of Organization for Technical Events promoted by the Association of SABESP* Engineers

Alumni – Royal Roads University

Education

• Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management, Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC (2008)

• Business Access Program, Camosun College, Victoria, BC (2005) 

• Specialization in Environmental Pollution Engineering, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Brazil (1997)               

• BA in Administration from School of Economics, Accounting and Management – Mackenzie University, São Paulo, Brazil (1991) 

• BSc in Civil Engineering, Mackenzie University, São Paulo, Brazil (1985)

Occupation

·         Financial Planning with Investors Group in Victoria, BC

·         Civil Engineering  at SABESP* in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Number of years in Canada

·         Nine years ( one year in Vancouver and eight in Victoria)

*Note: SABESP is the acronym for the State of Sao Paulo Basic Sanitation Corporation

Should any member have any comments about this application, please contact President Joan or a member of the Board of Directors.