Meeting of April 22, 2014. Speaker: Memory Mdyetseni - APU Malawi Girls School

Speaker, Memory Mdyetsini, before the meeting.

President Peter called the meeting to order at 12.15, declaring the day as one dedicated to and celebrating possibility. He spoke of today's Rotaract visitors who embody the nature of possibility to make a difference in the world they are exploding into. He also spoke of our speaker from Malawi, Memory Mdyetsini, who started with nothing more than a possibility and who turned it into a splendid life-altering reality affecting hundreds of young leaders, families and communities. He mentioned too, members like John Jordan, John Edgell, Joan Peggs, Joan Firkins and so many others in our club who start with a possibility and then enrol others to join in committed action. In short, change starts with possibility and happens when there is committed action.

Both the Canadian and Malawi National Anthems were sung, and Grace was said by David Westler. Lunch was quiche and salads, with the usual array of delectable sweets.  New member Gordon Quigley introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians:

Rotarians: Past District Governor, David Stocks; Rotaractors: Lance Shaver, Samantha Lloyd, Jasmine ?, and Scott Higbie; Speaker Memory Mdyetsini; Leslie Lee, Principal of George Jay Elementary (guest of Peter Lawrie), Morrie Bailey (Guest of Jack Petrie); Steve Sharlow; Katie Smith (guest of Joan Peggs); Margaret Lidkea (guest of Tom Lidkea).

Neil Rawnsley and David Stocks (above right and left) made Paul Harris Fellowship presentations to Lance Shaver and Samantha Lloyd (centre), outlining what it means to receive a Paul Harris Fellow award, and mentioning how proud we are to be associated with them, and thanking them for all they have done as Rotaracters.

Lance and Samantha

Announcements:

Joan Firkins asked for volunteers for the Mardi Gras night, and for members to sign up online for the shifts for car raffle. Click here to do so: http://rotaryraffle.ca/signup2014/

Joan Peggs spoke of the Times Colonist/Butchart Gardens  passes

Heather announced that the cheque presentation for McCauley school would be at 9:00 Wednesday April 30th. Pete advised that guest, Leslie Lee, was recently awarded one of Canada’s  Outstanding Principal Awards at a National Conference. 

Peter Sou did his final stint as Fines Master. Thanks Peter. 

Guest Speaker

Tricia introduced the speaker, Memory Mdyetsini, who is visiting from the Malawi Girls School, Atsikana Pa Ulendo, one of our club's International charities. Tricia reminded members of the many obstacles Memory had to overcome in her struggle to realise her dream of establishing a secondary school for girls in a rural area near Lilongwe.  Memory updated us on the achievements of the students and thanked our club for its contributions. 

Joan Peggs (above) thanked Memory for her presentation. 

This was followed by a cheque presentation, from Jasmine (above centre), Scott, Lance (left) and Samantha, of Rotaract, in the amount of $865.00 to Memory for APU Malawi.

In closing, we watched (and some joined in) a video of the 2011 Graduation class of APU Malawi, singing their own song, "We will never be the same again". 

Reporters: Peter Lawrie, Rod Sim. Photos: Tricia Timmermans

Meeting of April 15th, 2014: John Jordan - Rwanda Rising: From Subsistence to Sustainability

Report by Tav Macpherson

President Peter called the meeting to order and after a lusty singing of our National Anthem, Sandy Currie delivered the blessing.

There was a large and boisterous crowd at this meeting and seating for lunch was at a premium.  Mary Canty introduced the visiting Rotarians and guests.

Bob Kains (Canmore, Alberta) and Steve Sharlow (Nepean, Ontario) were the visiting Rotarians.  Guests were Larry Skaggs (Pablo), Aquiles Casana (Pablo), Gail and David Morton (Mary Canty) and Ryan Gisler (Janna Malo). Mary welcomed all our guests on behalf of the club.

There were two announcements from Past District Governor, Joan Firkins. First, she advised of  the search for volunteers to ensure the success of our fundraising dinner (10th May).  A list will be circulated.  Please give your total support.  Secondly, Joan requested that anyone prepared to sell tickets for the car raffle on Saturday, 19th April should contact her.  This car raffle is another major fundraising event for the Oak Bay Club.

Tav (left) presenting the Ahuriri banner to President Pete

Tav Macpherson presented a banner to President Peter.  It was from the Rotary Club of Ahuriri in Napier, New Zealand.

Celebration Master, Peter Sou good-naturedly extracted treasure from those assembled.  Those sitting furtherest away from the President (and closer to the food) were fined as were the delinquents with no badges and/or name tags as well as early leavers.  Mary and Wolf had Happy Dollars and Eugen claimed the 50/50 prize - a good one this week!

Bill Burns took the podium to introduce our speaker of the day, John Jordan. John was born in Michigan but later moved to California.  He has an MA in Theology and an MA in Psychology and as a therapist, counseled drug and alcohol dependent patients.  He has also acted as a Corporate Employee Assistance Councillor, a Safety Program Coordinator and as a Trainer and Performance Consultant.  John has four sons in the San Francisco area and moved to Victoria in 2004 with his wife, Toni.  He was introduced to Rotary by Tricia Timmermans after exhibiting his house in the Heritage Tour of 2009.  

John's presentation was entitled "Rwanda Rising - from Subsistence to Sustainability".  It was accompanied by an excellent visual display of photographs and illustrations.  The beautiful Republic of Rwanda exists in Central Africa with a population of 8.5 million people of which 90% are engaged in subsistence farming.  The country was colonized by Belgium but the native population comprises 84% Hutu and 15% Tutsi. The two tribes had co-existed peacefully for over 500 years. However, the Tutsi had formed the government and a series of monarchs were also of Tutsi origins. Forty years of colonial bureaucracy had largely benefited the Tutsi and when Belgium withdrew from Rwanda, granting the country independence in 1962, ethnic rivalries were ignited. Three years before independence, the majority Hutus overthrew the Tutsi monarchs in 1959. Free votes allowed the Hutus to gain control of the country and pogroms against the minority Tutsi resulted in thousands killed and over 150,000 driven into exile.  Rebel Tutsi groups

resisted Hutu dominance and the resulting civil war culminated with the genocide of 1994 in which 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were slaughtered. By 1999, the country had begun the healing process and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections were held in 2003.

Social and economic conditions have improved since.  Despite progress, the country remains amongst the poorest in the world and the history of conflict has discouraged external investment. Poverty is rampant.

John continued his presentation by outlining the work that he has been doing with widows and orphans.  Due to the ravages of disease and war, there are many women raising children or grandchildren without a male parent.  The land is not infertile but agricultural techniques are not efficient enough to yield significant results.  Many people earn as little as $1.00 per day and eke out a living by hard work and sacrifice.  While there is no end of need, John spoke of breaking the cycle of poverty and thus giving the people hope and dignity.  Recently, he has worked with 20 widows.  The projects include upgrading housing, building roofs that will not only protect the inhabitants from the elements but also gather and store rain water. Making bricks and roofing have become local industries.  Toilets can be upgraded not only to be more sanitary and aesthetically pleasing but also to provide a good source of fertilizer from treated human waste. Efficient horticulture can be taught and animal husbandry can add the benefits of protein to improve diets.  More efficient stoves have been produced with a number of benefits including relief from smoke inhalation and the use of less wood which has to be gathered from a depleted natural supply in the forests.  All of these improvements mean better health and more satisfying lifestyles. Entrepreneurial opportunity  and efficient production methods are improving the lives of the people as is evidenced in the community.  

John spoke of his mission statement "We empower vulnerable people through education and appropriate technology in partnership with local authorities.......".

John concluded by thanking the club for their support both financially and in terms of morale. The business of bringing new technologies to the widows and orphans has huge ramifications for their personal situations providing an element of pride that is obvious in community events.  Inclusive communities will bring peace to the country and improved prosperity will follow.

John Jordan with President Peter Lawrie - receiving the OBR Mug

David Phillips formally thanked John for his dedication to others and described him as an inspiration to us all.  His actions speak well of not only his character but also of Rotary in action.

President Peter and his video display closed the meeting with a rendition of "This Land is your Land", a venerable Canadian folk song.

April 8, 2014 meeting - Alexandra Dawley on Refugees in the Middle East

President Peter introduced the meeting, reminding us that "Action" taken is a correlate of how the world occurs for you - and that through our Rotary committees, there are lots of opportunities for taking Action. After a Karaoke-style "O Canada", Sandy Currie said Grace. Lunch was good comfort food: Meatloaf and More.

Neil Rawnsley introduced the visitors: Rotarians: Trevor Grey-Dreaper (Penticton); Barbara Cameron (Saanich), District Scholarship Chair.

Guests: Mark Grey-Dreaper, Guest of Trevor Grey-Dreaper; Aquiles Casana, guest of Pablo Diemecke; Alexandra Dawley, Global Grant Scholar, guest of the club and today's speaker.

Neil Rawnsley recognized Tom Croft (above) as a major donor to Rotary by presenting him with a Major Donor crystal and diamond pin.

Mary sent best wishes/love from Barbara Bristol-Price, a former club member, who has sold her house on Royal Oak Drive.

Neil Rawnsley is looking for drivers for the Car Raffle. It means you have to have had a licence for ten years, and that you will be called upon to move the raffle car (a Nissan Rogue) occasionally.

Pablo's DieMahler Chamber Concert Series presents Back to Bach, at St. Mary’s, 1701 Elgin Road (off Oak Bay Avenue) on April 12 and 13. For every ticket that is bought/sold by a club member, $5 comes back to the club. You can buy them at the McPherson Box Office and Ivy's Book Store, or at the door.  

Peter Sou took the floor as Celebrations Master, doling out fines to John Edgell for being away, to Peter Johannknect for not mentioning Rotary when his name was in lights in the local rag, to David Philip for leaving early, and to anyone who didn't know the name of the RI President, Ron Burton; also, anyone who hadn't engaged with a red-ribbon (i.e. new member) wearer, had to cough up. Birthdays were celebrated by Will, Tav, Claire, Phil and Leslie. Joan Firkins is celebrating 37 years as a Rotary club member. Happy/Sad dollars were paid by Jack, who was getting his kicks from expanding and contracting a bright red Viagra umbrella, whose owner shall remain unnamed (it's a long story). Heather is off to Hawaii, and Mary had a sad dollar for the millions of refugees in the world. Jim Laing is happy to be back after a few months stuck in the desert. He returned with a bag full of Canadian quarters ($200+ worth in fact) given to him by a buddy who owns washers and dryers in the Portland area. Those darned Canucks, always trying to get away with using el cheapo Canadian coins! The Flag project committee accepted them with gratitude. Joan Peggs won the draw - again. Eugen had a great story about an encounter he had with Mickey Rooney (who died this week) back in the nineties.

Michelle Le Sage introduced the guest speaker, Alexandra Dawley. Alexandra is an alumnus of Vancouver Island University, a former District 5020 Rotary Youth Exchange student (Hungary), and the 2013-14 District 5020 Rotary Foundation Global Scholar. She is using the $30,000 scholarship to take her Masters in Social Development and Forced Migration Studies at the University of Sussex in England. She recently returned from Amman, Jordan where she volunteered with organizations implementing life-skills training for Syrian, Palestinian and Iraqi refugees. In May she will return to the Middle East to continue her research with Iraqi refugee youth in Jordan, and will be launching a children's art-based development program for refugee youth in collaboration with Collateral Repair Project (CRP). CRP was founded in 2006 to assist Iraqi refugees fleeing to Jordan, and has since grown to assist those from Syria, Sudan and Palestine.

Alexandra spoke passionately about how the Global Scholarship (previously the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship) has significantly expanded her world view. She gave a short description of the scholarship - 38,000 recipients from 100 nations since 1947, making it the world's largest privately funded international scholarship program - and went on to tell of her particular area of interest, Basic Education and Literacy. She showed a short video on refugee children, bringing into focus the reality that is Amman in Jordan. She described the Collateral Repair Project's participatory approach, where they are hiring refugees to participate in their own support. Jordan has the highest ratio of refugees to indigenous persons in the world. One of 11 in Jordan is a Syrian refugee (577,790). As well, there are 200,000 Iraqi refugees and 1.9 million Palestinian refugees. Many, especially those living outside settlements such as Za'atri, are facing a mounting struggle to survive. Sixty-one percent of Iraqi and Syrian youth in Jordan are not regularly attending school. When Alexandra returns to Jordan she will be co-facilitating a 2-month art-based life-skill development program. In July, she will return to Vancouver Island to hold an art show fundraiser featuring selected works from the youth she has been working with. Please send your email address to Alexandra (Alexandra.Dawley@gmail.com) if you would like to receive more information about the fundraiser.

Phil Neroutsos (right) thanked Alexandra, mentioning the pride we as Rotarians feel to be associated with people like her, even if only in a small way. He also noted that Governor General David Johnston was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and that maybe some day we may see Governor General Alexandra in Ottawa! A quick pass-around of the Rotary Mug, which was presented to Alexandra, raised over $200. This will go towards purchasing art supplies for Iraqi and Syrian refugee children. The meeting ended with God Save the Queen.

Report and photos: Tricia Timmermans

Meeting of April 1, 2014 - Club Assembly

Reporter: Renate Gibbs

   

The National Anthem was sung after President Pete announced that April was Magazine Month. He expressed his sincere appreciation to Jim Force for leading meetings throughout the past month of March and invited 2 DLTA attendees, Bob Schelle and Sandy Currie, to report a few impressions and experiences from this past weekend.

   Brian Lamb delivered an inspiring Grace – encouraging energy and commitment to dream of a Polio-free world.

   Vicky Pitt introduced and welcomed guests: Linda Whitehead from Semiahmoo (White Rock) Rotary; Bonnie Cleland (guest of Vicky Pitt); Ryan Gisler (guest of Janna Malo). Jacqueline Mealing slipped by the sign-in sheet and was warmly welcomed to the club.

Lance, DG Pete Taylor, Katie, and President Pete

Signing the Adoption papers

President Pete acknowledged the phenomenal work of the Youth Services Committee (above), providing Sabrina C., Janna M., Peter J., Tom C., David S., and Jim F. with Mardi Gras beads. Mark Mawhinney was also dubbed the ‘last Rotarian standing’ at the Club-in-a-Pub where the turnout was exceptional last Thursday evening when the Rotaract club formally "adopted" the Rotary Club of Oak Bay! More photos here.

Renate Gibbs (below) presented the club with a banner from the Tawa Rotary Club, District 9940, after returning from Wellington, New Zealand.

Celebrations Master Peter Sou collected $ from everyone who did not know the eleven countries that have successfully overcome Polio, as well as from those taken in by April Fools, and late-comers.  Club anniversaries for Lorna C. (16 years), John E. (22 years), Tom L. (24 years) were also acknowledged.

Numerous Happy-Sad Dollars came in, from those taken in by April Fools' tricks: David Phillips, Joan Firkins, Mary Canty and Eugen Bannerman. Marking accomplishments or returning from travels were:  Bill Burns, John Edgell, Ron Cooley, Peter Johannknecht, Jacqueline Mealing, Batya Westler, and Tom Croft. 

Tricia Timmermans acknowledged the hard work done by Corey Burger (right) at the Friends of Uplands Park Invasive Plant Removal event on the weekend. 

50/50 Draw was happily won by Pablo Diemecke. 

Club Assembly:

David Westler provided a report on International Service Projects. He noted the many interesting and challenging projects occurring this year with a number of club members present who have recently returned from club projects.   

• Mark Bedford’s slides were shown which depicted the work in progress from the Sanitation project/toilets in Kerala, India.
• John Edgell spoke to the Mexico project combined with the Jaltemba Bay Rotary Club; these efforts include raising $3,600 USD and work on a Global Grant to upgrade the Community & Cultural centre.  He described the factors of this area (given that 50% of the population is less than 12 years of age with the plight of those who don’t complete their school education d/t teen pregnancies or gaining employment).  The cost of living, despite a developing tourist influx & low wages for locals, remain major aspects of concern in the State of Nayarat.   www.jaltembajalapeno.com

Sabrina Corraini addressed the Youth Services Committee, her appreciation to Jim Ford and Tom Croft for handling Rotaract and Interact activities, Peter Johannknecht for helping with RYLA, & Lori McLeod for the Memory Café.  Activities where youth have been involved included the Merrython, the Mardi Gras Fund raiser, a Movie Night, a Beer & Burger night, Our Place, and DLTA.  Funds raised for Malawi Girls School ($800), Polio Plus ($400) as well as two members who will be awarded the Paul Harris Award (Lance Shaver & Samantha Lloyd) make this a group to be celebrated.

Ann Sims presented a concise Financial Report. We are meeting or beating our club’s goals, although some expenses are anticipated soon.  Although another grant is anticipated for John Jordan's Rwanda Project, the International Services is up to date in spending funds.

Peter Lawrie reported briefly on Community Service Projects where various requests have been under consideration.  Our club has been working towards raising $40,000 for the Teen Centre and plans to also develop a climbing wall at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre's swimming pool, where club members might wish to stretch their athletic prowess. 

Jim Force commented on the recent activities of March (Literacy Month) and added a few invitations.

·      He came away from DLTA seminars with the encouragement to “have outrageous goals with realistic planning”. 

·      During Literacy Month Jim thanked the club’s members for bringing books & buying books; a total of $632 will go toward buying baby books for the 1000 x 5 Literacy Project. 

·      The installation of the new board will occur on June 18^th at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel at a dinner event; there will be no Tuesday, June 17^th lunch meeting.

·      A president-elect candidate, (or two to share the role) is urgently needed – please consider this opportunity and support will be provided!

·      A confession:  Jim had a great time leading the Tuesday meetings this past month, but he’s hoping to resist being selfish over the next year during his role as President. He is therefore willing to relinquish any month to club members; there are still some months available for anyone wishing to share the experience. 

Peter Lawrie summarized our club’s projects that are made possible by fundraising, with three upcoming events:  The New Orleans Dinner, the Canada Flag Project, and the Car Raffle.  In the spirit of time, travel and treasure where opportunities are sought, our club is able to anticipate applying for the Club District Citation, Interact & Rotaract Citations, and the District Literacy Award.

The meeting was adjourned and finished with the usual musical tribute to the Queen.