July 29, Visit to Abkhazi Gardens

Report by Dallas Chapple, Photos by Joan Peggs

We met today at Abkhazi Gardens and had lunch there. Afterward a few people walked around the garden as Joan Peggs gave an informal tour to a few of us. It was a beautiful day!

Guests:

Mary Canty's guests: Jennifer Hastings and her sister, Rosemary Donnelly from Manchester, England; Karen Sharlow (Steve's wife); Mike and Sandy Sharlow; Jeannette Nation (future member!); also, one visiting Rotarian from the Bellevue club in Washington where they have 200 members, Jemal Idris, who brought us a banner from his club.

Also in attendance were Claire and her 6 month old son, Weston. Bill Burns made a great babysitter!

Please note: Club in a Pub is this Thursday from 5-6 at the Penny Farthing. Jim Force invited everyone to join him.

Cards were signed for Will Carter who was in a motorcycle accident, Thea Pritchard who broke her hip and Neil Rawnsley who is still having trouble with his knee. More of Joan's photos below:

Rotary Club of Oak Bay – Meeting of July 22, 2014

Reported by Tom Lidkea.  Photos by Jack PetrieMaster of Ceremonies: That Weyburn paragon, Jim Laing.

Greeters:  Eugen Bannerman and Mary Canty.

The club sang both a karaoke version of O Canada, sadly without any live piano accompaniment.  Gordon Greenius (I think.  Non-Standard Lettering) handed out bottles of wine to the hardest working car raffle members, to wit Neil Rawnsley (not present), Brian Lamb, Steve Sharlow, and Joan Firkins.  Eugen said grace.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Introduced by Mary Canty. 

Visiting Rotarians:  

Bruce Willis, Laguna Beach, California.  

Gordon Greenius, (left) Victoria, Education.  

Margaret Tuhumwile, Entebbe, Uganda (at right).

Guests:  Jujin Bezilh (NSL), guest of Margaret Tu…etc., and ...

John Cassidy, our speaker, about whom more later.James Ramsbottom (below) from Brampton, Ontario, Patent Agent.  

Announcements:

Mary on the health of the club:  Will Carter was in a serious car accident and is in a full body cast.  Somebody whose name I missed has a swollen leg, and Jacqueline is greatly improved after her accident and hopes to attend next week’s meeting.

Perry announced the production of 1,000 brochures describing the good works of our club.  These brochures can be used by members for advertising or promotion of events.  Any members wishing to obtain some should contact B-B-Bob.

President Jim reminded us that our next meeting will be at Abkhazi gardens.

Tav

 Celebrations Master (Tav McPherson)

Tav levied a series of $1.00 fines for:  No tag AND no pin; anyone showing their knees; Jim Laing, for a terrible limbo joke; and Neil Madsen for a deplorable job of parking his Subaru (License Plate No. BPJ 750).  Tav went on (and on) about how Brian Lamb rats people out and whines and complains about late payment of dues, then fined those in arrears $2.00 each.  After mentioning our new potential member, Jeanette Nation, from Australia, Tav fined anyone who had not visited Oz or attended an international conference.  Happy birthdays to Joan Peggs on the 23^rd, Giles Bixler and Ron Cooley, both on the 27^th.  Happy Dollars:  Joan and Ron both contributed cheques to Rotary Foundation for their happy birthdays.  Draw:  Our speaker drew the ticket, misread by Tav as No.  919147, then corrected to 919154.  Something fishy.  Won by Ann Sims who failed to draw the white marble but got $13.00 for her trouble.

Speaker

Our speaker, John Cassidy (right), was introduced by Dallas Chapple.  John is a research scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada, Head of the Earthquake Seismology Section, and an adjunct Professor at UVic School of Ocean Sciences.  He specializes in earthquake hazard studies.

John’s talk focused on earthquakes in southwestern BC:  history, hazards, and preparation for the big one.  We live in an active earthquake zone, with small quakes happening daily.  Major quakes happen roughly once per decade, and very large, damaging quakes once per century.  These very large quakes occurred locally in 1700, 1859, and 1948.  The 1700 quake was unknown until recently, but had been documented in Japan because it caused a tsunami there.  Local native oral histories also mention a big wave at that time.  Physical evidence of large quakes include areas that have suddenly dropped in elevation, as indicated by dead trees inundated by salt water, and layers of sea sand alternating with marsh growth in soil profiles.

Some preparedness steps include improved codes for buildings, bridges, tunnels and other structures.  Early warning systems, though perhaps providing only seconds or minutes of warning, can allow the immediate closure of bridges, tunnels, stoppage of trains, and closure of other systems.

Mary Canty thanked the speaker, followed by a karaoke version of God Save the Queen (sigh).

Meeting of July 15, 2014

Reported by Sandy Currie. Photos by David Sills

Too Many Bosses?
MC Jim Laing, Prez Jim Force, Past-President Pete Lawrie

MC, Jim Laing, opened the meeting after President Jim Force welcomed all. President Jim then presented Past-President Pete with last year’s theme banner. Janna introduced visiting Rotarians, James Perry (Ballymena), Sarah Perry (Ballymena, Inner Wheel), Patricia Perry (Ballymena, Inner Wheel President), Bill Rasdall, Sevilla, Florida), David Ashton (Printon by the Sea, Essex UK), Bruce Willis (Laguna Beach CA), and George Zeman (Victoria Rotary). She also introduced Guests: Lilly Wallace (Host, Patricia Perry), Megan and Omar Rodriquez (Host, Jim Force), Denise Lloyd, Speaker (Host. the Club/Joan Firkins), and Margaret Mots (Host Anne McIntyre, Disaster Aid Canada).

Past- President Pete presented the Paul Harris Fellowship to Megan Rodriquez for her outstanding service as an OR Nurse at Children’s Hospital in Calgary. He highlighted the fact that she is a caring and active advocate for the kids she works with.

James and Patricia Perry presented the Club with a banner from Ballymena and an Irish Oak Banner Stand. David Ashton followed, presenting us with the Printon by the Sea, Essex UK banner.

George Zeeman updated us on the Car Raffle results with four weeks to go. Mary Canty spoke to the Health of the Club, noting that Neil Rawnsley would like visitors. Ron Cooley presented Perry Bamji with the big win for the draw and Joan Firkins introduced our Speaker, Denise Lloyd.

Denise is the Founder and Chief Engagement Officer of Engaged HR. This small company provides HR solutions to non-profits and small businesses, helping them develop creative ways to attract and retain employees. She and her team show their clients how to achieve staff loyalty by providing an environment where staff  know they: (1) are being listened to and ideas are being accepted or rejected depending on merit alone (not pre-conceived notions or biases),  (2) are doing something that is significant (either for the non-profit or small business itself, or society, or the world), and (3) are providing a clear focus on the services and outcomes provided.

Denise concluded her talk by urging us to “take Action to Create the Future”, and Joan Peggs thanked Denise and presented her with a Rotary Mug.

MC Jim Laing with Speaker,

Denise Lloyd

Oak Bay Rotary Club meeting of July 8, 2014

Reported by Sandy Currie

MC (Jim Laing) opened the meeting after President Jim Force welcomed all. Rod introduced visiting Rotarians, Bruce Willis (Laguna Beach CA), Edward Kialing (S Cowichan, Mill Bay), Helene Kalfuss and Dr. Leonard Kalfuss (Palm Springs CA).

He also introduced Guests C. Anne McIntyre – Disaster Aid Canada (Host – Jim Force), and Janette Nation (Host – Sabrina Corraini).

Mary spoke to the Health of the Club (Don O’Coffey attended a Flag Committee meeting prior to the Club Meeting – leaving before the meeting to get some rest at home).

Celebration Master (Jim Laing) alas had to deny the winner of the draw the big win (paying out only $10.50). He also ensured we had fun celebrating “New Years” with party hats and noise-makers for all.

Mike Hodges introduced and thanked our Speaker Jim Force.

Club President Jim Force began with a very brief introductory bio that included: early days as an American citizen, moving to Canada, continuing his interests in teaching and leadership training; teaching at Royal Roads University, and achieving a PhD.

In his presentation Jim first outlined his leadership philosophy and style. He then followed with concrete examples of a potential implementation plan. One key idea is to have shared responsibilities and duties to counter burnout (make the jobs more doable) and to match people with complementary abilities and skills. The practical application is to have co-chairs for the committees and different approaches for the Presidency (including sharing the duties).

Other priorities include continuing to have an MC (overall control of the meeting), a Celebrations Master (to celebrate club members and raise funds for the Rotary Foundation), as well as the current assortment of other duties that members take responsibility for. 

Jim’s personal interests are: East Timor, the CAT (Community Action Team - one example of the CAT is “Soap for Hope”), Micro Lending, and Literacy (the Visual Process).

Jim concluded by letting us know that “It’s our Year”.

A hearty Auld Lang Syne was sung to end the meeting.