Club meeting, June 24, 2014; Tanya Ponich

Reported by Dallas Chapple

Our new President, Jim Force, welcomed everyone and told us about various Rotary Fellowship groups all over the world. Phil introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians:

Guests: Tanya Ponich (our guest speaker), Rosalin Mosychuk and Sunni Dixon who were accompanying her. Visitors: Gene and Alice Oliver from Fresno (but originally from Edmonton).

Mary spoke to the health of the Club and mentioned that Don O'Coffey is starting to feel better and was, indeed, out for coffee with 2 friends. We wish him well!

Heather Aked presented a cheque for $1,000 from Oak Bay
Rotary for the Rock Heights middle school music program

President Jim explained that club dues are coming up and that they are $220 per year with a 10% discount if you are under 35.

Social: President Jim invited all to the Club-In-A-Pub this Thursday at 5 p.m.

Lorna reported for Joan F., that our net profit from the Mardi Gras dinner is $21,436.17!!! Well done everyone! Our 5 year total is $104,434!!! Woowhoo!

Pablo donated $50 from his concert to the Foundation, as he donated $5 from every Rotarian who went to his concert.

Jessica reported that we have received resignations from John Snively, Leslie Rogers-Warnock and Richard Acomba. As Celebrations Master she wished Ron Cooley Happy Anniversary June 27th, and also Heather and Tim July 3rd. Perry Bamji and his wife are coming up for 44 years! Lorna is off in search of perfect shoes around the world, going to England, Ireland and celebrating her birthday in Morocco. John Jordan was congratulated for being honoured as Rotarian of the Year! Brian Lamb won the draw of approximately $13. Heather Aked thanked the club for raising $1,000 for the music program of her son's school, Rock Heights Middle School.

David Philip introduced our speaker (and she was later thanked by Ted Chambers).

Tanya Ponich was born with Down's Syndrome and a fighting spirit, 35 years ago in Edmonton. Mom and daughter made a deal when they left the hospital: Mom said I'll try to do my best if you will. It seems they both lived up to that commitment.

Dad had Parkinson's so they moved to Victoria when Tanya was 6. Schools here were not ready for integration. Tanya was finally allowed into a Montessori school on a trial basis. She went on to Oak Bay High were she found that teachers often didn't listen to her. Tanya sings in a choir and has gone on tour with them. The family moved back to Edmonton in 1995. One of Tanya's gifts is the ability to have a voice for and be an advocate of people with Down's Syndrome. The problem is getting others to stop and listen and to open their minds. People with disabilities need to be loved, cared for and understood. Tanya struggled with her weight and decided to change her lifestyle. She committed to a personal trainer and has been successfully working with Janey for 14 years. Janey pushes Tanya to always do better with her diet and exercise. Tanya lost 40 pounds and now loves to go shopping! As Tanya says, "We must be the captain of our own ship of health and wellness." Tanya was so concerned about the cost of continually going to the city recreation centre in Edmonton, that she had tea with the Mayor who went to council and got things changed so that people with disabilities can now use the city's rec centres for free.

Tanya thanked her Mom and sister Michelle for always being in her corner and posited that we all have been helped by our families. Tanya has also helped hospitals understand that their interns and nurses need more training in dealing with babies with disabilities.

Tanya closed with a statement that resonates with all of us: "Everyone has gifts. It is up to all of us to see them in others."

Rotary Club of Oak Bay
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
Installation Dinner
7:00 to 9:00 PM
June 18, 2014

The Rotary Year runs from July 1st to June 30th.
Installation is a time to celebrate successes and anticipate future achievement.
A time to reflect and a time to plan; a time to remember and a time to dream.

The Rotary Club of Oak Bay started meeting at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel 40 years ago.
Sure, the building has changed and the members have changed but some things remain constant.

The ideals and the aspirations are just the same as they were so long ago.
By being together and helping each other, we are able to accomplish so much more.

Starting at 6:00 PM, a noisy and friendly crowd of Rotarians, family and friends assembled in the hallway adjacent to the David Foster Theatre to meet and mingle. Around 6:45 PM members and guests took their seats in anticipation of a grand Rotary evening.

Master of Ceremonies, Jack Petrie, welcomed members and guests to the (41st ) installation meeting of the Rotary Club of Oak Bay. Jack introduced the Guest Entertainers (“Twelve Tones Choir”). A group of local young men and women with a passion and ability for music and harmony. They sang and they entertained. They had fun and their love of music was infectious. They obliged a delighted audience with a musical encore and set the tone for a delightful evening.

O Canada (with Twelve Tone Choir) followed by Invocation (with Mary Canty) followed by a race to the buffet table.

Introduction of guests: Alexander Ewanchuck (Aked); Lesley Ockermueller; and Oak Bay Mayor (& Honorary Member) Nils Jensen.

Announcement of Rotarian of the Year: John Jordan

Installation of 2014-2015 Board of Directors by Assistant District Governor Lorna Curtis (representing District Governor Elect Michael Procter) assisted by Past District Governor Joan Firkins

President Jim Force
Past President Pete Lawrie
Presidents Elect Heather Aked & Lori McLeod
Treasurer Brian Lamb
Secretary Wendy Townsend
Administration Bob Schelle
Foundation Neil Rawnsley
Membership Lori McLeod & Michelle Le Sage
Community Service Wynn Taylor & Sandy Currie
Public Relations Perry Bamji
International Service Tricia Timmermans & Pete Lawrie
Youth Service Peter Johannknecht & Sabrina Corraini

Great entertainment and food. Lots of fun had by all.

Accomplishments behind us. Anticipation of a great future. Closing comments from MC Jack Petrie. God Save the Queen. Meeting adjourned.

Report prepared by Rod Sim

Meeting of June 10, 2014; International & Community workshops; Membership update

Reported by Ron Cooley

President Peter opened the meeting with his official retirement speech. Thanks Pete for a great year!

Wynn Taylor presented the invocation in Latin.

Tom Lidkea introduced the visiting Rotarians & Guests:

Rotarians:
Colin Smith                     Harbourside

Don Jenison                     Retired

John Harrison                   Retired

Guests:

Samantha Lloyd                Rotaract Victoria

Julia Phillips                     Rotaract Victoria

Announcements:                

Shh ... Samantha Lloyd invited us all out to enjoy and support their Speakeasy to support the 1000X5 Book Recycling project. Sat June 14, 7-10 pm at the Fairfield Community Centre, Garry Oak Room. Tickets are $30.00 and are available at rotaractvictoria@gmail.com There will be food, live music by Quiet Stars and Quasars, dancing with Reid Townson, and gaming tables ... and much more.

Dave and Neil

 Neil Rawnsley presented Dave Maxwell with his Paul Harris + 3 pin. Dave won approval for the Raffle car to be on the Municipal lawn for the Oak Bay Market. He had to sit thru a whole council meeting which went above and beyond the call of duty.

Joan Peggs reported on her participation in the Friendship exchange with Rotarians from PEI and Nova Scotia. She was a tourist in her own town with a trip that included the Roost Café and a tour.

Gordon's Promo!

Don't forget it is almost flag time again. Check out what one member is doing to drum up sales. If we all did a little bit (this is a BIG bit) we would be down to zero flags left - presently we have about 65 left:

Mary Canty talked about the health of the club and said that Mike Hodges is OK for now.  I decided not to touch that.

Don O’Coffey is doing very well, eating  and was even working outside in the garden. Great to hear.

Joan Peggs was the Celebrations Master. Pablo Diemecke and Mike Hodges donated $ for leaving early. Joan fined President Peter for his last meeting and Jim Force for following in his footsteps. She fined the PR committee for the fabulous addition of Steve Sharlow to look after FaceBook. Gordon Quigley and Jim Laing were fined for balancing the books. Ron Cooley and Jack Petrie were fined for David Maxwell’s work at the Oak Bay council meeting. [Editor's note: Seems if you get too involved, you get fined! Madame CM, aren't we trying to encourage members to "do stuff"?]

There were no Birthday’s, nor club or  wedding anniversaries, except for Joan P's club anniversary.

Happy / Sad Dollars:

Tom Lidkea was happy that Colin Smith was in attendance - he had introduced Tom to Oak Bay Rotary. Tom Croft was happy he has sold one of his 2 cars and has joined car share. Mary Canty was happy Pablo has a concert focusing on Russian Masters coming up Sat June 14, at 2:30 pm in St. Mary’s Church on Elgin Road;  Pablo donates a portion of every Rotary ticket sold. Mike Hodges was happy & sad  a number of times with a new knee, daughters upcoming wedding and missing some more Rotary meetings because of more knee surgery. Heather was sad re the teachers strike during Alexander’s last 2 weeks of school. David Philip was happy with the dignity brought to the invocation by Wynn. He told a story of a young dentist who needed to deliver an invocation in Latin but only had a working knowledge of medical terms so he gave one using the name of the smallest muscle in the face that lifts the nose. [Ed.: If you're interested, it's the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle, also known as the Elvis muscle - it's the one that allows you to snarl. A cool mnemonic to remember its name is, "Little Ladies Snore All Night".]

Ron Beyer found  two Grace and Invocation books that he auctioned off, starting at $10 each and ending up with $5 each. He might want to stick with his day job for now. Sandy Currie was sad he was late. Draw: Tom Croft won the draw and donated the proceeds (a la black marble) back.

Working session on fundraising and use of proceeds.

The group split into 2 groups International and Community. Wynn was the chair of the Community group. Pete L. chaired the International group. 

Notes from the discussions: Community discussed the Annual dinner which has about $10,000 of contributions from the rec centre and the municipality. The Car raffle proceeds have very specific guidelines on where the money can be used. The smaller fund raisers done by the club such as the Scotch tasting, poinsettia sales, etc. can be used however the club wishes. The projects were described like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears:

Large Signature projects include

·       Carnarvon Water Park

·       Oak Bay Teen Centre

Medium Projects

·       Oak Bay Splash Climbing wall at the pool

·       Swings at Lafayette park

Small Projects

·       Smart boards at George Jay and McCauley schools

·       These are funded by such fundraisers as Thrifty’s cards etc.

The club is open to new fundraising ideas. The club would also look at joint projects with Kiwanis, Victoria Rotary Club and Thrifty’s to name a few. Concerns were voiced about too many requests for volunteering. Suggestion was raised that there were more needy students than at Oak Bay High. Lorna Curtis responded to that by drawing our attention to the number of people who are not from Oak Bay who attend Oak Bay High and use the Water Park. We also receive a significant donation of services and time for the annual dinner from the municipality. Jack Petrie stated that the Car Raffle was a challenge and the attitude of the club was shown by the low number of volunteers.  He suggested that we need to take a big look at fundraising and what works. Jim Force stated that our club has a great number of initiators with lots of fund raising ideas. Perry Bamji thought that we have a number of projects for youth but not much for the elderly. The hospital has a number of needs from special beds to blood processors. He suggested we collaborate with VIHA  to meet some of these needs. Janna Gisler suggested that we explore helping the Neonatal unit. [Reporter's note. Our club has partnered with Eldercare for a number of projects in the past with the proceeds from the Golf tournament earmarked for that.]

Lorna stated that the Car Raffle $ can go to

·       Youth Center

·       Pensioners

·       Homeless

·       Mustard Seed

·       More extensive help at George Jay Elementary

·       Kiwanis Dementia Units

There was also a suggestion that we ship the old double-wide trailer from the teen center to a First Nations group for a library. We could also help restock it. A question was raised regarding when fundraising proceeds were spent. Rod Sim said that the money was spent in the current year and possibly the following for larger projects. Brian Lamb also spoke to this. Wynn stated the only dollars allocated this next year are for the Oak Bay Teen Centre; the money is already in place.

President Peter thanked the outgoing board and the incoming President Jim Force and joint Presidents-Elect Heather Aked and Lori McLeod.

The International Service Committee retired to the Conservatory area to discuss ideas on criteria for selecting projects; priorities for next year; ways to support project leaders within the club; additional sources of funds, and more. Full minutes available on request. 

The meeting was closed with the music video, special to Pete's heart, I believe.

Membership updates:

As Batya Westler recently announced to the club, she will not be renewing her membership next year in order to pursue other interests but hopes to remain connected to the club. Leslie Rogers-Warnock has also indicated she will not be renewing her membership. Both Mark Bedford and John Snively have indicated their intention to continue their Rotary memberships in other clubs. Claire Helm remains on maternity leave and hopes to rejoin us in January, 2015. Finally, Markus Lugwig recently tendered his resignation.

Rotarians and Rotaractors helped at the recent Oak Bay Tea Party: Lorna, Lance, Katie, Brian and Tricia spent the day controlling crowds, carting heavy teacups to the beach, righting same wayward teacups filled with Deputy Police Chief, Mayor, and more in the Mayor's Challenge Floating Teacup Race (while unsuccessfully trying to stay dry), clearing an area for helicopters to land, avoiding sky-divers, and much more! See Tricia's pics on the Rotaract FaceBook page. [Steve, take them from there for our own FB page, if you wish.]

Meeting of June 3, 2014, Victoria Golf Club; John Snively on Guatemala Dental Project

Reported by Jack Petrie

Sunny day and world class setting at the Victoria Golf Club, a perfect backdrop for a lively meeting. President Pete started us off with a thank-you to the Raffle volunteers and Mary Canty shared a nice story. We were reminded that next meeting is a working one to provide guidance to directors moving forward. O Canada was sung and the invocation by this writer was a shameless invitation/provocation to sign up for the Installation Dinner of June 18th. It's popularly called Supporting your Rotary mates. See you there on the 18th.

Sabrina introduced visiting guests:

Colleen Force, guest of Jim Force;
Anita Murray-Hill, guest of Jim Force;
Gail and David Morton, guests of Mary Canty;
Jennifer Hastings, guest of Mary Canty;
Jill Croft, guest of Tom Croft.

Health of the Club
Mary reported that Don O'Coffey has undergone chemo and sends his regards; a group from his church helped with his garden which was a boon to Don and Betty. Mike Hodges is recovering from his knee operation and should be limping back to us soon.

George Pritchard is tackling the Duty Roster so please pay attention and keep track of what you're scheduled for. Tricia reported that a recent fund-raising Garden Party by St. Michael's University School Women Helping Women group had a goal of raising $25,000 for the Malawi Girls School. They were mistaken; they raised $46,000 in 2 hours! kudos all round. Joan Peggs requested more flag locations as there are apparently over 50 flags needing a home. Orphan Flags. Lorna Curtis announced that Rotary Car Raffle shift response has improved and thanked everyone for doing their parts to help the club. Jim Force reminded us to sign up and enjoy the Installation Dinner on Wednesday June 18th at the Hotel. Remember ... there is no meeting on Tuesday the 17th.

Our Celebrations Master, Jessica, took some loot off everyone; we sang Happy Birthday to several and Dave Philip bragged about getting his new shirt thru Rotary and upon discovering there was a $30 delivery fee, complained and lo and behold, it was forgiven. The moral to this story is either that it's best to complain...or that it's remarkable how the Scottish can heroically save money. Tav McPherson won the 50/50 and didn't get the white marble.

Our speaker was our own John Snively who received a standing ovation at his conclusion. He deserved it with a moving and enlightening  presentation on his dental adventures on Lake Atatlan Guatemala.

He thanked Rotary for its support and on a personal level, for giving him the opportunity to do this life-fulfilling work. From the stories behind the modes of travel on the lake, to the expensive and sorely-needed x-ray equipment, to his 'angel volunteers' who help him, to their goals of educating the populace on dental hygiene by starting with the group that will make the transition...women, the mothers who care for the health of their children, it was a sensitive and compelling half hour.

Young Astrid, a pretty young Guatemalan girl from Lake Atitlan, filled the screen with her message to Be the Answer. This same young girl is the subject of a painting by Mary's niece, Gail Morton, which will be auctioned off for the Atitlan Salud dental cause next week. Bring your cheque books!


Well done John! Tom Croft thanked John on behalf of the club.

The Queen emerged at the closing; ding went the bell and off we sauntered into the incredibly beautiful world around us, fortunate to be members of a great Rotary Club in a glorious corner of the universe.