Meeting of May 27, 2014; Adventures in Citizenship (Michaela Bub)

Reporter: John Snively

Welcome back John

President Pete reminded us that this is Community Month, announcing the music programs our club has sponsored for George Jay Elementary and Rock Heights Middle School. Michelle Lesage delivered the invocation after a patriotic rendition of O Canada. Lori McLeod welcomed the Oak Bay Interact members, Anna Young, Ruby Tang and Michaela Bub. Anne McIntyre from Disaster Canada was visiting along with Janette Nation, guest of Barry Mutter; Allison Keighan, guest of Jack Petrie; Mark Sharlow, guest of Steve Sharlow; and Ryan Gisler, guest of Janna Gisler. Natasha Kardos of the UVIC Rotaract Club was also with us for lunch.

Tom Croft (left) made an appreciative presentation to the Interact Club for their contributions, and presented them with a Presidential Citation which was received by Anna Young (centre) and Ruby Tang (left), with gratitude.

Michaela Bub, our guest speaker, was introduced by Richard Acomba. Michaela was our representative chosen to attend Adventures in Citizenship in Ottawa recently, along with many students from across Canada. The highlights for Michaela included the City of Ottawa Archives, and the Wabano Centre For Aboriginal Health for which she and her fellow students raised $500. They met the Ambassadors to North Korea and Sweden and had the privilege to sit in the parliamentary seats. They paid a brief but memorable visit to nearby Quebec. Michaela closed by showing us a video taken at the Wabano Centre.  Will Carter thanked Michaela (pictured at left).

Mary Canty reported on the health of the club with news that Donald O'Coffey had been released from hospital and was at home but asked that we call him first before visiting. Jaclyn is still using Mary's walker and continuing with therapy in the pool. Mike Hodges is recovering from knee surgery.

Rotaract's Natasha Kardos announced their Speakeasy Literacy Gala fundraiser, on Saturday June 14, from 7 to 10 pm in the Gary Oak Room at the Fairfield Community Centre; tickets are $30. It is to support the 1000x5 Book Recycling Project. They aim to ensure that every child in the Saanich Peninsula has at least 1,000 books read to them by the time they are five years old. Cuban Salsa lessons and music by Quiet Stars and Quasars will be part of the entertainment. Food is included in the ticket price, with drinks available for purchase. Come and mix with Rotarians, Rotaractors and community members from all over Victoria.

Rotary Peace Scholar. Announcement by Perry Bamji.

In March, 2013, a young lady named Krystal Renschler approached our club for sponsorship for the Rotary Peace Fellowship. The club supported her application; she competed at the District level with several other applicants and was one of two applicants who were chosen. Krystal will attend the University of Uppsala for the 2014-2015 year in their Peace and Conflict Resolution Masters Program. Rotary International has offered her the Rotary Peace Fellowship valued at 299,069 Swedish Kroners (approximately $50,000). It is worth noting that 50% of this money came from District 5020 and the other 50% from RI. In addition to Krystal’s award of $50,000, in 2013-2014 our club also received a District Community Grant of $2,500 for John Jordan’s Rwanda Project. This money omes from the Rotary Foundation to which many of our members contribute. In just this Rotary year, our club members contributed $20,450 to the Rotary Foundation. In return we received over $52,000 in the form of grants and fellowships. So our club has done very well in terms of the return on our investment. It pays handsomely to contribute to the Rotary Foundation.Please consider this fact and donate generously to the Rotary Foundation. 

Jim Force reminded us of the legendary Club in a Pub this Thursday at the Penny Farthing, at 5pm. He also invited members to attend the upcoming board meeting as well as the annual Installation Dinner, June 18th, at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, to honour all those who have served the club this past year and who will step forward to serve us with distinction in the year to come. The sign up sheet is circulating. Cost is $45.

Lorna (left) admonished us to continue our fundraising efforts through the car raffle and to sell more tickets, as well as take a scheduled shift at the raffle table.

Heather's final hurrah as Celebrations Mistress this month was lively and productive as the money collectors had to call for a Brinks truck to haul away the plunder. Not a single member left unscathed as the loonies and toonies clanked in the collection tins.

Barry Mutter received our choral accolades for his birthday as did Renate in absentia. Club membership anniversaries were shared by Heather, David Philip, Vicki Pitt and Lorna Curtis. 

Tricia thanked Perry for his newspaper articles about the flags as this seemed to stimulate people to call in appreciation and recognition, and to request a subscription. Neil Madsen's ticket was drawn but alas he selected a black marble.

President Pete presents Paul Harris pins.

Neil Rawnsley announced Paul Harris Fellow pins to the following: Mary Canty +1; John Snively +1; David Maxwell +3; Bill Burns +4; Neil Rawnsley +4; Jack Petrie +5; Pete Lawrie +5; Rod Sim +7; Heather Aked +7; Perry Bamji +8

Pres. Pete concluded the meeting with a video of children singing joyfully about our "Wonderful World" followed by an adjourning gong to the bell.

Don't forget our wonderful workers: Joan, Jim and Vicky, with Hattie on the computer.

Amen!

Meeting of May 20, 2014. New member induction - Steve Sharlow; Perry on Mumbai

Report by John Jordan

It was another beautiful day along the shores of Oak Bay as members and guests gathered for a perfect lunch of quiche, salad and bean soup. David Newberry of the Victoria Club was visiting as well as guests Jean Sharlow, and Sandy and Mike Sharlow, who came to celebrate the induction of their son and brother/in-law, Steve Sharlow, into our club.

Jean Sharlow (widow of former club member Bill), with son Steve and President Pete Lawrie at Steve's Induction

Steve graduated from SFU in Criminology and Anthropology from which he built a notable career, much of it in public service among offender and victim populations, especially youth and those involved in sexual abuse.  Steve was a member of Nepean Kanata Rotary in Ottawa, and served a term as President. One of his many claims to fame in Ottawa was when he raised more than $14,000 for the Kanata Food Cupboard by losing a substantial amount of weight. (Watch the video at the bottom of the page!) He did it through social media and online donations. We're hoping Steve can work wonders on this side of the continent as well. He and his wife, Karen, moved recently to Victoria to join the greater family and enjoy the gentler climate here. Already, Steve has demonstrated an active involvement in Club meetings and volunteer activities.

Announcements:

On Lincoln Street

Joan P acknowledged the members of the Canada Flag Project Committee who have organized this successful campaign that projects so well the image of Rotary as good-hearted, patriotic servants of the common good.  Along with much good will in the community – thanks to the excellent publicity – the project has earned $8,000 from the sale of 170 flags in 2014, which will fund many of our service activities throughout the year.  The Club has 70 flags remaining to be sold which can be subscribed for $35 for the two remaining holiday weekends this year (Canada Day and Labour Day). 

Heather reminded us to sign up now for the coming year’s Thrifty Food’s “Smile Program” which brought $1,500 to the Club last year.

Mary Canty reported that Don O’keefe is undergoing a challenging course of chemotherapy but is heartened by greetings from club members.

Today’s speaker, member Perry Bamji, was born in Mumbai (Bombay), earned a degree in Electrical Engineering, and worked 28 years for Alcan, ultimately as Technology Licensing Director. He then joined Queens University  for 11 years as Associate Professor and Director of the Small Business Consulting Program. His dedication to service was exemplified by membership in many community boards and associations.

His capacity for direct engagement is further demonstrated by his fascinating presentation today of his study of the economic profile of Mumbai street vendors, called “wallas.”  They carve out their niches by astute insight into the needs of the marketplace and clever adaptation of their limited resources and skills to satisfy it. 

There are 250,000 wallas in Mumbai: chaiwallas, who serve tea on trains and in shops for $2.50/day; productwallas, who sell from their specialty items at select spots on the street for $5-6/day; mobilewallas, like the 5000 dubbawallas who deliver 200,000 meals on heads, bicycles, and trains for $6/day; and documentwallas, who offer secretarial and semi-legal services from their portable table and stool near administration and justice buildings. Most wallas have little or no education and have immigrated from the countryside to Mumbai without their families, to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week while commuting 1½ hrs a day by train. They do it all to fulfill a dream of a better life for themselves and their families.  Perry’s experience with them left him with a deep appreciation for their entrepreneurial capacity, their determined application of limited skills and their cherished dreams of better lives – all values shared by us who live far away and above the streets of Mumbai.
[Editor's note: Some people wanted to know the name of the book that I recently read which was set in the Annawadi Slum near the airport in Mumbai. It's called "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katharine Boo.]

The Meeting ended with a solemn rendition of God Save the Queen, to a video of the latest Royal wedding. 

Meeting of May 13, 2014

Report by Janna Malo / Tricia Timmermans

We've all had a busy week, but Neil Rawnsley has had a particularly busy week ... installing flags, delivering the Nissan Rogue, and selling tickets in the Rotary Rogue Raffle. Thanks to David Sills for the photo taken in Sidney. 

Past-president Brian Lamb chaired the meeting in President Peter Lawrie's absence. He noted that this month's them is “Community”, and that it is the sense of community, both locally and internationally, that gives meaning to our Rotary commitment to service. Thanks were given to all who supported and participated in the New Orleans Dinner on May 10, and to all who participated in flag blitzes and car raffle sales over the weekend. He also noted that today's speakers would share with us one of our big challenges as a local, wealthy, secure and fortunate community, where not everyone gets to share in its benefits, and where we have a chance to make an impact individually and collectively to invent and support a solution for people less fortunate.

The National Anthem was sung to a video, after which Rod Sim said a delightful Grace.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests of the Club were introduced by Pablo:

Lois Flanagan, a visiting Rotarian from the Papanui (Christchurch) club in New Zealand

Ann Toombs, a visiting Rotarian from Calgary

Garth Toombs, a visiting Rotarian from Calgary

Kaye Melliship, guest of the club (Speaker)

Scott Garman, guest of the club (Speaker)

Cecilia Bush, guest of the club (Speaker)

Banner Exchange: Lois Flanagan, left, swapped her Papanui (Christchurch, NZ) club banner with one from stand-in-President, Brian Lamb, of our Oak Bay club.

Mary Canty reported on the Health of the Club: Donald C. is still in hospital undergoing chemo treatment. Any visitors are welcome as long as they are healthy. Mike H. has just had knee surgery and is looking forward to returning to meetings soon.

Announcements:

• Joan Pegs requested anyone who wanted to join in the Monday, May 19 Victoria Day Parade to meet at 8AM in the Mayfair Mall parking lot in Zone EO7
• Jim Force spoke of the finalization of the Canada Flag project; first flags will be up this weekend for Victoria Day on Monday. 
• Lynn Murray reminded us to bring gently used shoes to the next meeting   
• Neil Rawnsley asked for volunteers to help move the Nissan Rogue 
• John Jordan spoke of his (Saturday and Sunday 10-2) plant sale at his house (178 Beach Drive near Victoria Street) to benefit his Rwanda project.
• Lorna showed the car raffle posters which will be emailed to all club members. She asked that you print the poster and circulate them the best you can. 
• Lorna also asked for help to move some big boxes containing New Orleans Evening paraphernalia from her house to Joan Peggs’ house. Please contact her for details. 

Heather Aked was the meeting's Celebrations Master, and had a flurry of fines to hand out:

1. No Pins

2. No signing in

3. Anyone wearing a tie

4. Anyone with an affiliation to Vic High, which is celebrating its centenary.

5. The organization comittee for the New Orleans dinner - not sure why they were fined!

6. Any tables with no guests

7. Anyone who forgot their ticket to Mardi Gras

8. Janna and Lorna for wearing great shoes

9. Anyone who sang O Canada badly.

Happy/Sad dollars:

Eugen was happy that a famous runner has been inducted in to the Sports Hall of Fame

Joan Firkins was happy about the great job that the Rotaract students had done serving dinner and more at the New Orleans evening. Tav was happy to see that the Canadian Men’s rugby team is doing very well.

Brian Lamb gets the long end of the stick to
paint a part of the playground.
Photos by Joan Peggs.

Mmmmm

Joan Peggs reported that the Carnarvon Rotary Water Park spruce up was a lot of fun. One of our flag subscribers, Moira Harrison on Allenby Street, was kind enough to bring around blueberry cheesecake squares to feed the hardworking crew.

Wynne Taylor painting tables

Ron Cooley introduced speakers Kaye Melliship (right) & Scott Garman (centre) of the Greater Victoria Housing Society (GVHS). Also in attendance was Cecilia Bush (left),  Director of Revenue Development, GVHS.  Kaye Melliship is the Executive Director (since 2005) of the GVHS, and has degrees in Urban Planning from Ryerson University and UBC. Kaye has been Executive Director with GVHS since 2005.  She is on the Board of Directors of Ready to Rent and is a member and officer of the Board of Directors of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association. She also recently joined the Board of Directors of Dance Victoria. Scott Garman is the Chair, Fund Raising Committee, GVHS. Scott started volunteering with the GVHS in 2011. He was born and raised in Victoria, graduating from UVic with a B.Com. then earning his CA with KPMG. Later in his career Scott attended Queen's University for his MBA. He held senior roles in public and private industry in the finance, restaurant, high tech, and real estate fields. Scott has been a Realtor in Victoria for six years and is currently teamed up with his brother at Sotheby's International Realty.  

Scott and Kaye shared the presentation. They explained that the purpose of GVHS is to provide high quality rental housing for low to moderate income households. Throughout Greater Victoria, they have 15 properties, comprising 807 units and townhouses. They are working in an environment in which the demand for rental housing is projected to continue, where the cost of buying and building housing is very high, and with only a little support from government. They described a couple of the existing housing units.

Loreen Place, on Gorge Road East, opened in March 2012 with 52 rental apartments at a total cost of $10.3 million. It serves those with incomes under $65,000, with rents ranging from $800 to $1,325. It's funding partners were CMHC, BC Housing, the City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District. Another facility, Pembroke Mews, on Pembroke near Cook Street, opened in February 2012 with 25 apartments; it is designed for those with incomes under $35,000, and rents there range from $500 to $750. Its funding partners were CMHC, the United Way of Greater Victoria, Coast Capital Savings, Home Depot, BC Housing, the City of Victoria and Capital Region. These new facilities are but two of several non-subsidized and subsidized buildings serving low income families in BC. The community supports GVHS by connecting it to others with a passion for affordable housing, by connecting GVHS to those who need affordable housing, by supporting it through the rezoning process, by partnering with it on projects, and by donating or hosting fundraising events.

GVHS helps those who have mental and physical health problems, those on disability pensions, indeed anyone who cannot afford to be part of regular, mainstream housing which is beyond their means. For more information, contact Greater Victoria Housing Society, 2326 Government Street, Victoria, V8T 5G5; 250-384-3434 ext. 34; www.greatervichousing.org

Donations are welcome via Canada Helps

David Philip (left) thanked the speakers. The meeting ended with a moving musical presentation called "Angels in Disguise" which depicted several homeless people; you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I14UjeszKAY

Eugen Bannerman, Scott Garman, Kaye Melliship

Meeting of May 6, 2014 - HEADWAY: Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's Centre

Recorder:  Lori McLeod

See below for information on this VERY distinguished award

President Pete gave a warm welcome to all.  He noted that the cheque presentation assembly at McCauley Elementary was fun and energetic.  He encouraged club members to come to the school assembly when the document reader, donated by our club, arrives.

Our national anthem was sung sans accompaniment.

John Jordan delivered a heartfelt grace:  “We are thankful for peace, health, wealth and the trust that through gratitude, we will find the happiness we seek.”

Lynne Murray introduced visiting Rotarians Steve Sharlow and George Zeman and Guest of the Club, Barbara Gilmore.

Mary Canty reported on the health of the club:  Jacqueline got on her plane Saturday albeit bruised, sore and in a wheelchair.
Don O’Coffey is in good spirits wishing he could be at the meetings.  He’s undertaking his next round of chemo.

Joan Firkins introduced the guest speaker.  Barbara Gilmore (left) is the Executive Director for the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre.  She was educated and trained in the field of behavioral sciences in London, Canada and spent several years in epilepsy-related work battling stigma, advocating, promoting health and epilepsy literacy and finally pharmaceutical clinical research with new drug trials for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Barb completed a master’s degree in public relations/communications; and has diplomas in counselling and mental health and adult training and assessment.  She is keen to bring neurology education and promotion back into her day-to-day life with the Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre.

Barb started by introducing us to the HeadWay Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of lives of people with epilepsy or Parkinson’s.  Although epilepsy and Parkinson’s are very different, the two groups got together about 30 years ago to share resources in an effort to support people.  Sharing resources to help more people just made sense and HeadWay Centre was born!

A diagram of the brain was displayed on the big screen; Barb walked us through the different areas of the brain describing how brain function is important in the diagnosis and treatment of both diseases. She then went on to explain each disease separately.  Parkinson’s, she noted, is a slow, progressive, degenerative disease. A lack of dopamine means a lack of ability by the brain to transmit messages. Some common symptoms to look for when determining whether or not to get checked for Parkinson’s are:

• ·       Rigidity
• ·       Tremor
• ·       Slowness of movement
• ·       Stooped shuffle gait
• ·       Balance impairment
• ·       Handwriting and other hand coordination changes
• ·       Speech and/or swallowing changes
• ·       Anxiety and/or depression
• ·       Changes in memory and thinking

Once you receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, HeadWay Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre can help you manage the symptoms and the diagnosis. By talking to their counsellors, participating in their exercise classes and small group programs, clients and their families can learn how to best manage the disease to enhance quality of life.

Epilepsy, Barb explained, means seizures.  People who experience two or more seizures are diagnosed as having epilepsy. Different parts of the brain affect and effect different kinds of seizures. She noted that temporal lobe surgery is a procedure that we often hear about because if the part that triggers the seizure is removed, it will often stop the spread to other parts of the brain. Barb then briefly described the different types of seizures and what affect they can have.  She explained that it is important to undertake the following should you witness someone having a seizure:

• ·       Turn the person on their side
• ·       Place a pillow (or something soft) under their head
• ·       Don’t put anything in their mouth (you can’t swallow your tongue)
• ·       Stay with the person and time the seizure
• ·       Call ambulance

Barb noted that the HeadWay Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre is a non-profit society offering support to clients and families to help them manage the physical, psychological and social effects of Parkinson’s and epilepsy. Support groups and talking to clients’ and families can really help. Exercise groups are also a ‘big deal’ and can really lengthen life.

In closing, Barb, listed a few of the ways we can help:

• ·       Support
• ·       Care
• ·       Gather knowledge
• ·       Donation network
• ·       Relationship network

The Centre is located at 202 – 1640 Oak Bay Avenue.  Website:  www.headwayvictoria.com   Tel:  250-475-6677. They also have a golf tourney on June 13^th:   www.headwayvictoriagolf.com

Heather Aked thanked Barb for reaching out to our club and coming to speak.  Heather was grateful for the clear, concise talk and presented Barb with the coveted Rotary mug.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Neil Rawnsley & George Zeman (from the Victoria club) displayed a visual aid for the car raffle ‘care movement schedule’. No excuses now – as we were walked through how to ‘accidently’ volunteer your fellow Rotarians for shifts! To sign up for your shifts, visit:  http://rotaryraffle.ca/signup2014/ or just call Neil Rawnsley!

Wynn Taylor invited club members to join him for the annual spruce up at Carnarvon Water Park this Saturday (May 10^th) from 9am till noon.   

Wynn announced the next meeting of the Community Services Committee will take place immediately following next Tuesday’s (May 13) club meeting.

Tom Croft invited fellow Rotarians to attend this year’s final Memory Café at Oak Bay Lodge tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 7^th) from 6pm till 8pm.

NEW MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Sharlow. Joan Pegg’s made an announcement on behalf of the Membership Committee.  She noted that Bill Sharlow’s son, Steve, has applied to join our club and that the board has approved.  Members have 7 days to lodge any concerns and info will be sent to all members in this regard.

Joan P. also noted that the first installation for our Flag program is next weekend (May 19^th Victoria Day Holiday). Tricia Timmermans is collecting money and entering info into the database and Jim Force is in charge of installations if you have questions or if you have new subscribers. We need to sell more flags, so please get your subscriptions in ASAP.

Late Breaking News: John and Toni will be holding a plant sale on Saturday, May 17, & Sunday, May 18 from 10 - 2 for the support of widows and orphans projects in Rwanda.

Lorna Curtis put on her Assistant District Governor’s hat and proudly announced that our club was recognized at the District Conference in Whistler.  Congratulations everyone….here’s what we were awarded:

·       Rotary Club Central Award – for clubs who set a minimum of 15 club goals in Rotary Club Central. Congrats to President Pete for filling that in…and to the board and membership for undertaking all those goals.

Prez Pete

·       Presidential Citation Award – for achievements in promoting Rotary growth and impact.  Both the Victoria Rotaract Club and the Oak Bay Interact Club were presented with this award.

·       2013/2014 Presidential Citation Award with Distinction.  Only two clubs were presented with this award…both Lorna’s clubs incidentally. 

·      

Lorna and Joan

Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award – is the highest service recognition for exemplary service to the Rotary Foundation.  Less than 50 Rotarians are honoured each year and considering there are over 1.2 million Rotarians world-wide…this is a HUGE accomplishment.  Congratulations to Joan Firkins on being our very own ‘one in a million’!

…..the bulletin recorder had to dash out so I missed the Celebrations Master.  Guess I’ll get fined for that next week. 

Editor's Note: I seem to remember President Elect Jim Force drew the right (is it white or black) marble (from the draw last week) and won about $97. The next draw was won by Richard, but he was not quite so lucky. Many fines from CM Heather. She's tough! 

The meeting ended with a Mardi-Gras-Get-In-The-Mood-For-Saturday-Night song - the Mardi-Gras Mambo, which had a few of us swaying. Here it is if you missed it.