Seven New Members Inducted by the District 5020 Governor, Peter Taylor, November 26, 2013

President Peter Lawrie welcomed a large turnout, including our District 5020 Governor, Peter Taylor, to our meeting in the beautiful David Foster Foundation Theatre on a glorious Oak Bay fall day.  He noted that having the induction of seven new members on the program today was a very fitting way to complete Vocational Service Month, and asked us to consider how we might demonstrate the Rotary 4-way Test, either at work or while mentoring someone, suggesting we be conscious of its principles, to promote them, and to be proud of them.

AG Lorna Curtis, DG Peter Taylor and Secretary Wendy Townsend

The Canadian and US National Anthems were sung a cappella, and Heather Aked led us in Grace.  Lynne Murray introduced guests: Janna Malo, Richard and Peggy Acomba, Doug Canty, Mark Mawhinney, Tara Hearn, Sandy and Barb Currie, Markus Ludwig and his daughter Milena, Michelle Le Sage, Graeme Finney, and Mike Hodges.

Left: A club banner was presented to Brigadier Graeme Finney, OAM, Director General Army Operations Australia, who is visiting Victoria for a military convention. Brigadier Finney holds the distinction of the Order of Australia and is a member of the Rotary Club of Hall in Canberra.

Announcements:

Lori enthusiastically promoted Pamper with Purpose. It’s in support of elders, and is for ladies only. Date: Sunday, November 10^th at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Sparkle Brunch is from 12-2PM and costs $35; the main event ($65) is from 2 to 6PM and includes learning and pamper stations, a fashion show, and much more. Phone Eldercare Foundation at 250-370-5664 or visit www.gvef.org for more info.

Jim Force reported that this Thursday (Halloween as it happens!) is our fiftieth Club in a Pub fellowship at the Penny Farthing. Please come - and as an added feature, bring a non-perishable item or two in support of Victoria’s less fortunate, to support Rotaract’s Trick or Eat event. To date more than 100 have attended the now FAMOUS Oak Bay Rotary’s Club in a Pub.

Mayor Nils Jensen (Honorary Member of  OBR) spoke of how well he survived being in jail. $2500 was raised to free him, which exceeded the required bail of $1500. This is to be matched by a 2 to 1 contribution by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mayor Jensen recognized the organizers and spoke of the need to eradicate Polio.  See photos at the link above.

Soon to be new member, Janna Malo (right), spoke  about the Fired Up for the Souper Bowls of Hope event

Janna

on November 6. There are two spots left, so you’d better hurry to score a place in this sure-to-be-fun event. For information contact Janna or Jim.

Heather reminded everyone of the December 1 Merrython event at 10 am. The committee is looking for participants and volunteers. Get out your running shoes!

A reminder that next week we are at Ogden Point. Be at the cable-laying ship Wave Venture on Pier B by 11.20, and pay Don or Pablo $15. Joan Peggs is placing the order for lunch on November 3, so if you need to cancel, please let her know by Nov 2. Wear walking shoes, and bring ID (your DL will work). Here’s a link to an article about the ship.

President Pete asked Barry Mutter (left), chair of the Membership committee (Barry, Claire and Sabrina), to introduce the seven new inductees, noting that it must be a record in our club’s history to have so many new members on one day.  

They are:

• Michelle Le Sage – Hotel Management, Oak Bay Beach Hotel; has been a member of the Courtenay Club; sponsored by Lori McLeod.
• Sandy Currie – Forester; sponsored by Tom Lidkea
• Mike Hodges – Financial Advisor;  sponsored by Dave Maxwell
• Markus Ludwig – Interior Design; sponsored by Don O’Coffey
• Janna Malo – Merchant/Artist; sponsored by Tom Croft
• Richard Acomba – Real Estate;  sponsored by Joan Peggs;
• Mark Mawhinney – Financial Services; sponsored by Joan Peggs

President Pete read the Objects of Rotary, and an Induction pre-amble describing Rotary; he then handed over to DG Peter Taylor to do the Induction.

DG Peter Taylor inducted, then welcomed the seven newest members of the Rotary Club of Oak Bay, outlining what membership in Rotary represents.

President Pete reminded the new members that their families are always welcome, and informed us of which committees the new members would serve on:  

Michelle Le Sage – PR Committee

Sandy Currie – Community Services Committee

Mike Hodges –  Youth Services Committee

Markus Ludwig – Community Services Committee

Janna Malo – Youth Services Committee

Richard Acomba – International Committee

Mark Mawhinney – Community Services Committee

New members and Sponsors with President Pete Lawrie

Tav managed to get a few dollars out of everyone, while complaining that because of the DG’s visit, he has been muzzled. Rod had $100 for the Foundation for his birthday (he’s holding his age well for an centenarian). Brian Lamb won the draw, which went straight back into the PolioPlus purse. Thanks Rod and Brian.

Lorna Curtis introduced DG Peter Taylor and his wife, Christine.  In brief: DG Taylor was born in New Jersey, raised in Miami, and attended Duke, choosing a career in media. He ran his own PR firm in San Francisco for 18 years, retiring in 1996. He has been a member of both SF Rotary 2 and Tacoma 8, was president twice, and was once the Duck Race Chair!  Christine is a Tacoma girl, attended UW, and retired as a Registered Dietician in 2012.

DG Pete welcomed Brigadier Finney, commenting that he’d been to Canberra, noting that, of course, it was designed by an American! He honoured Joan Firkins, Lorna Curtis, Vicky Pitt, Tav Macpherson, and Joan Peggs for all their help in Rotary 5020. He thought that 7 new members was outstanding, and singled out Brian Lamb as the senior member of the club. He awarded Lynne and Mary with the “Energizer Award” for all their volunteering—the pin is in the shape of an atom.

He spoke at length about his visits to the 88 5020 clubs, and of how much he was enjoying it. He

asked us to think back on what we felt our Rotary Moment was, and suggested various ways of mixing with fellow Rotarians; he highly recommended attending a Rotary Conference. He also mentioned the Ambassadorial Scholarship, which he and Vicky were interviewing for over the weekend. He then handed out bumper stickers, and asked President Pete to come to the podium and blow a whistle – the significance of which is that the joint 5020-5050 District Conference is in Whistler, May 2-4, 2014. He encouraged us all to attend, finishing with a request that we lend a hand to our president, as it is a long and hard job (especially all that blowing).

Phil Neroutsos (above) thanked the DG and presented him with an Oak Bay Rotary mug.

Joan Firkins, Christine Taylor and Tav Macpherson

Doing TIME for PolioPlus

Thanks to Jessica Van de Veen for these pics of Mayor Nils Jensen's recent incarceration 

in aid of PolioPlus, and to Joan Peggs for the captions.

Mayor Jensen hovering at the door of the Oak Bay  police station deciding whether 
it will be better to go inside ‘for jail and bail’ or be handcuffed outside

Richard Acomba – soon to be inducted member – and PP Joan Peggs at the ready
 to assist with incoming calls with donations

Working hard at getting ‘bail money’

The police decided if were outside then handcuffs were required

Now there is no escape

President Peter Lawrie, clipboard in hand, ready for the incoming calls. 

CAT in ACTION at the Broom Bash

Last week-end (Oct 19 & 20) The CAT was on the prowl at Uplands Park bashing broom along with the Friends of Uplands Park, UVic Students and various scout groups. Thanks to Sandy and Barb, Dav and Lisa, Ron and Jane, and Brian for joining me in this community action activity. Our presence was greatly appreciated.   Jim.

Dave

Jane

Lisa 

Ron

Barb and Sandy

Brian

 

Rotary Meeting, October 15, 2013

Reported by Leslie Rogers-Warnock

President Pete welcomed us to the Victoria Golf Club.  Founded in 1893, the club is the oldest course in Canada and second oldest in North America.  The current course layout was finalized in 1923 to end the practice of hitting tee shots on two holes across Beach Drive! It was a very Canadian start to our meeting, occurring the day after the glorious Thanksgiving weekend. Views through the windows were filled with Mother Nature’s autumnal best.  Even hockey was mentioned…I mean, how Canadian is that?

Our sole visiting Rotarian was Gordon Quigley from Saanich.  Guests were four not-guests-for-much-longer Ryan Gisler, Janna Malo, Sandy Currie and Richard Acomba. Stan Michalak from Poland made our meeting international.

Pablo had a banner exchange from his visits to Michigan Rotary clubs.  

Joan P. reminded us of World Polio Day on Thursday Oct. 24.  CATMan Jim F. announced the Uplands Broom Bash this Saturday and Sunday at the Cattle Point entrance.  You could lock your bikes to the snazzy Oak Bay Rotary bike racks.  Please let Jim know if you can make it.

Lynne reminded us that we ALL need to be more vigilant about our Rotary meeting duties.  She was very diplomatic.  I will stand on my soapbox now and say, “For heaven’s sake, people!  Get with it!  INFORM George of your absences for his roster preparation.  READ the roster emails so you know your duties in advance.  If you can’t do your job, FIND SOMEONE ELSE and let Lynne and President Pete know. We ALL have a responsibility for the smooth running of the meetings.” 

Ok, off the soapbox.

Celebrations’ Master Tav continued his “fine” form from last week, pun intended. Loonies were collected for marathons, marathon hamburger eating, driving infractions, pathetic applause, and fancy car owners with fancy golf club memberships. Members contributed happy and sad dollars for upcoming travel, recently returned from travel and parenting a newly minted 15 year old.  

Our guest speaker, Robert Thomson, was introduced by Dallas as a master of many things…author, languages professor, real estate analyst and proud grandnephew of George Godwin.

George Godwin

Robert’s talk focused on his efforts to bring his great uncle George’s books back into circulation.  Canadian Army Officer Godwin wrote Eternal Forest in the late 1920’s, detailing his move as a 21 year old from London, England, to Whonnock, BC to farmstead.  (The community’s name derives from honnock, the Halkomelem word for humpback salmon.)  George, and his wife, Doris, cleared land, moved rocks and trees in an effort to clear the land. The book has been described as an accurate account of the land and its trials and tribulations. One reviewer said that the “Godwin’s forest is the forest of Emily Carr’s paintings.”

The family returned to London in 1916 for their young son’s education. Godwin signed up for the Canadian Army and was stationed in France. Anti-German sentiment was strong but Godwin, having enjoyed his schooling in Germany as a young boy, struggled with the racism.  His second book, Why Stay We Here? written in the 1930’s, explored the questions of what Germans were really like, why men sign up to fight, and how battle affected different people.

Robert Thomson is keen to bring his great uncle’s books back into circulation as he feels they are important documents of the times.

For more information visit http://www.godwinbooks.com/georgegodwin.html

Brian thanked Robert for his presentation, GSTQ was sung and we all left in the sunshine.

Rotary Meeting - October 8th, 2013

Thanks to President Pete Lawrie for engaging his super memory, and doing the report this week.  Thanks to Tom Croft and Bob Schelle for photos.

The Meeting was called to order by the President (in the midst of a boisterous, energetic crowd) re-emphasizing:

• Our annual Rotary theme of Engage Rotary Change Lives is as much about the impact service has on us as it is the impact it has on others. A good example of this was our first CAT venture serving more than 200 lunches at Our Place on October 5^th in partnership with the Rotaract club.
• This is Vocational Service month. Our speaker, Dr. Jim Sparling (seen below with President Pete), is a great example of putting the principles of Rotary into his vocation and his vocation into Rotary. Incorporating this principle is a hallmark of Rotary as an organization.
  

A wonderful lunch was served in the David Foster Theatre. Lots of hearty laughter and banter ensued.

We had lots of visitors introduced by Tom Croft; we even had a visiting Rotarian bring a visitor!

Visiting Rotarians:

Serve Wilson, Sandpoint, Idaho (School Administrator)

Jim Sparling, Saanich, (Physician) guest speaker. 

Visitors                                                                      Hosts

May Croft                                                                   Tom Croft

Markus Ludwig (soon to be inducted)                        Don O’Coffey

Sandy Currie (soon to be inducted)                            Tom Lidkea

Janna Malo                                                                 Tom Croft

Chuck Vollbrecht                                                        Serve Wilson (Idaho)

Tara Hearm                                                                 Lori McLeod

Dimiter Bainov                                                            John Jordan

Health of the Club: Mary Canty advised that Annamaria Bamji was returning home on Tuesday after treatment at the Hospital. Our best wishes were extended to both Perry and Annamaria.

Announcements:

People were reminded that the meetings on the 15th and the 22^nd will be at the Victoria Golf Club -NOT the hotel! Any dietary requests need to be sent to Bob Schelle (ASAP). The only one received to date was for single malt Scotch as opposed to a blended one!

Jim Force pumped the CAT effort (community based sweat equity projects). This is a great way to both make an impact and create a more flexible schedule for members. We will target ~ 1/month while being mindful of other fundraising/community projects.

Sabrina advised us that the Rotaract club was sponsoring a “Speed Networking” evening on October 29^th.  What a great way to get to know and potentially mentor some great young people who are Rotarians launching their careers. Great Vocational Service initiative! More info to come.

Joan Peggs reminded us of the PolioPlus event for Southern Vancouver Island on October 24^th (Rotary International End Polio Day). Our mayor and honorary member (Nils Jensen) will be one of several good-natured and committed high profile leaders to be arrested for Polio. We have to join forces to bail him out! Donations of more than $50 will get a tax receipt. We want out mayor to generate the highest bail. Get ready!  Neil Rawnsley challenged the club to donate whatever you can (big or small) so that we can say we have a 100% participation in Every Rotarian Every Year. Big challenge, big impact!

Celebrations Master:

Tav McPherson came roaring back from his travels abroad with visions of loonies and toonies dancing in his eyes. He joyfully (some might say exuberantly!) wrung hard earned cash from all of our pockets.

While there were enthusiastic happy and sad dollars (the rare survivors of Tav’s extractions!), Jim Laing gave us yet another Ode to Graham De Laet our new Canadian Golfing Superstar who happens to be from Jim’s home town of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Mary donated a check equal to her birthday towards Jacqueline's Guatemalan project, and Ron Cooley donated his massive 50/50 cumulative winnings to the Foundation. (Photo of Ron with Tav below.) Rumour has it that it was >$180. Thanks Ron.

Sabrina introduced our amazing speaker, Jim Sparling, who is a specialist in chest/respiratory medicine and ran the VIHA chest clinic for more than 10 years before retiring in 2010.  Jim has been volunteering in Uganda since 1994 on his own and in partnership with a number of Rotary Grants. His focus is Tuberculosis. Jim gave us a jaw dropping presentation, letting us know that the current incidence in Canada for TB is ~5/100,000. In the 1700’s/1800’s in Europe when TB was at its worst, the incidence rate was ~35 – 40/100,000. In 1994 at a Montreal medical conference professionals were speculating the end of TB in the world by the turn of the century. Currently, in Uganda, the incidence rate is ~700/100,000 and in sub-Saharan Africa it climbs to 1000-2000/100,000 depending on the country. The game changer has been HIV. It suppresses the part of the immune system designed to resist TB. There has not been a new pharmaceutical development in the treatment of TB in more than 40 years! “Big pharma companies” don’t devote the effort/funds because of the low incidence rates in developed (aka “paying”) economies. A majority of deaths in people with HIV are actually caused by TB. Some promising recent studies have indicated a combination of HIV drugs, selenium (a trace element which occurs in even lesser amounts in many African soils), plus a mix of vitamins have shown an improvement in TB resistance for people with HIV. These studies, while promising, have frequently had to be abandoned because of a lack of funds.

The story was shocking (TB is not only alive and well but occurring at much higher levels in Africa than at the peak of the epidemic in Europe); heartbreaking (it is and has traditionally been a disease of poverty—without funding, research and development is negligible); and hopeful (there may be interventions that can reverse the risks of death within  HIV patients; and as so often is the case in Africa, empowering women is a key factor for both prevention and treatment of HIV and TB).

Mary Canty thanked Dr. Jim for such a compelling presentation and for his continuing years of selfless and devoted service to Uganda, Botswana and other African countries for the last 20 years.

We finished with a rousing God Save the Queen.

If anyone would like to see the PowerPoint Presentation delivered by Dr. Jim, please email Tricia.