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