September 3 Meeting

To mark the end of our 2013 Canada Flag Project, Allenby Street (thanks Don!) had a sell-out. Thanks to all of you, especially organizer par excellence Jim Force, who went beyond the call of duty in making this first year of our ongoing fundraiser such a brilliant success. We are already collecting subscriptions for 2014 and are en route to an even more successful year. 

Meeting of September 3.   Eugen Bannerman, Scribe.

It’s nice to be greeted and made to feel welcome by those you know well. Today’s BLUE BUTTON GREETERS at the plush Oak Bay Beach Hotel were Jim Force and Jessica Van der Veen.

PRESIDENT Peter Lawrie informed us that, “September is Youth Services Month. This is one of the most important themes in the Rotary Year. This is all about future! ... Past and current members are making an impact on the world!!”

Tom Lidkea played the NATIONAL ANTHEM (OCND), and Jim Force said GRACE, reminding us this is the first day back to school for many children.

Then it was LUNCH, after which Jessica introduced the following GUESTS: Kathy Stinson, our Speaker; Mike Hodges, hosted by Dave Maxwell; Betty Pitt and Evelyne Carter, hosted by Vicky Pitt; and young Alex (photo by Rod below), son of Heather Aked.

CELEBRATIONS MASTER Jessica Van der Veen stepped to the podium to sporadic clapping, but cautioned the clappers, “Clap as much as you like, it won’t do you any good.” Loonies were collected from those who did not wear Rotary Pins, who didn’t sign in, who arrived late, who had to leave early, and anyone who was wearing closed-toed shoes, “we can’t give up on summer too soon.”

HAPPY DOLLARS from Tav Macpherson who spoke about his trip to UK and Europe; Vicki Pitt, who was happy to have her sister Evelyne Carter visiting from Toronto; Jim Laing, donated many dollars because Graham DeLaet, Canada’s rising professional golfer, is from his home town of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. “He has six Top-10 finishes, two Top 3s, and has earned more than $2 million dollars this year.” Tricia Timmermans, after 15 years of collecting data, memoirs, photos, etc, is finally self-publishing her father’s wartime story. [Editor's note: she did a few other things during those 15 years, too.]

Vicki Pitt won the 50/50 DRAW, and the black marble pot of $14 (leaving the white marble and $76 dollars for another winner).

Mary Canty introduced Kathy Stinson (above) from the local Cool Aid Society, who presented us with a slide and document show. Here are some excerpts from her presentation:

• Our Mission is to end homelessness in Victoria, and that everyone who needs supportive housing, gets it.
• Organization started in 1968, but now is the largest in the CRD serving adults: 265 staff, 14 sites, 100s of volunteers.
• Housing First philosophy implies the first step to solving other problems is to provide housing – a home base.
• Every Step Counts is a Running and Walking Program that helps people.
• Cool Aid is in partnership with Coalition to End Homelessness whose mandate is to end homeless by 2018.
• Next steps: a Capital campaign; they have $1 million and need to raise $4 million.

Answers to Questions:

• It costs $50,000 a year for a person to remain homeless. It is cheaper to house these people.
• Jack Petrie’s moving story: as a new UVic student he stayed in the Cool Aid Shelter back in 1969 (at the Belfrey). They served him his first Vegetarian Chili for dinner, and Porridge in the morning. “After all these years, I’d like to make a donation to Cool Aid, to pay back for my chili and porridge.” (Much applause).

Heather Aked (above right) thanked Kathy commenting on how much Cool Aid does in our city, and presented her with our very own Oak Bay Rotary Mug.

The meeting concluded with THE QUEEN (GSTQ).