Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 25 November 2014 - District Governor Michael Proctor

Reported by: Heather Aked

Our meeting began in style today with the Board, along with DG Michael Proctor, dancing in to the tune Celebration - we do have fun at OB Rotary. 

The Board rocking in to the music

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Samantha Lloyd from Rotaract

C. Anne McIntyre – Disaster Aid Canada

Ryan Gisler, guest of Janna Gisler

Sanjay Uppal, Guest of Jim Force

50/50:

Joan F. called on Jessica Vanderveen, our Celebrations Master, to the front.  Jessica promised to keep it quick and proceeded to fine all of us to mark our DG’s visit.  Joan P. had  a happy dollar for the receipt of TC puzzles for Butchart Gardens and funds for George Jay. Ron C. had a happy buck for a skate with his daughter on the ice rink at the Empress Hotel in support of the BC Children’s Hospital.  Anne M. is back from 3 weeks in Zambia with an organization called Women For Change.  Dallas Chapple won the draw but not the marble.

Awards:

Tav MacPherson and DG Michael Proctor called up Bill Burns and Steve Sharlow to present them with Paul Harris Society pins, recognizing them for their commitment to give the Rotary Foundation at least $1,000 annually.   Tav then called up ‘founding’ Society members Heather Aked, Bill Burns, Perry Bamji, Joan Firkins, Peter Lawrie, Lynne Murray, Joan Peggs and Vicky Pitt.  (forgive me if I’ve missed someone).   The PH Society was started last year – at 18% OB Rotary had the highest percentage of ‘founding’ members.

DG Proctor then presented OB Rotary with 2 additional awards:

2^nd in District 5020 for per capita giving to the Rotary Foundation and 100% participation in the Rotary Foundation annual sustaining member campaign 1 of only 1200 clubs – Yay OB!

Founding members

Announcements:

• Ron Cooley needs 3 more course marshalls for the upcoming Merrython Fun Run on   December 7^th.
• Samantha reminded us of Rotaract’s sock drive – if you forgot your socks this week please bring them next week.  Rotoract’s Secret Cinema event fundraiser has been cancelled – in its place is a raffle – for 3 gift baskets. $250, $160 and $60 tickets are $1, $10, & $20 and the draw will take place December 15^th.   Proceeds will go to the Jolly Nyeko foundation.
• Janna (or Sabrina) reminded us that the Memory Café takes place tonight a the Oak Bay Lodge – next café will be December 16^th and then going forward will take place on the 4^th Tuesday of the month.  This is a Youth Services event where our Interact Club share memories with the residents at Oak Bay Lodge.

District Governor Michael Proctor

Before Lorna C. introduced our DG, Michael Proctor, Joan F. shared with us that DG Proctor is very much a ‘telephone’ man and would always rather pick up the phone and have a discussion than a trail of e-mails….and read us a poem.  

Lorna

Lorna provided a brief introduction of  DG Proctor:  he grew up in Vancouver attending UBC before joining the British Motor Corp. He spent time with Chrysler before owing a dealership in Peace River, where he remained for 25 years, serving on the town council and as Mayor for 12 years.  Michael also raced cars!  He was a member of the Kinsmen but it was while serving as Mayor that he was introduced to Rotary. He was an honorary member while Mayor.  In 1998 (or ’99) he joined Rotary and hasn’t looked back.  He has served as Club Secretary, President, Conference Chair, Assistant District Governor and now District Governor.

Michael  then spoke: he promised, as Liz Taylor promised all her husbands “that he wouldn’t keep us long”.    He began by talking about the Foundation and the projects, both local and international, that come about as a result of the matching funds it provides.   The money we contribute comes back to us after 3 years.  He talked about schools, orphanages & water wells and offered congratulations to the many projects that OB Rotary has undertaken.  

District Governor Michael Proctor

Polio Plus is another Rotary project supported by the foundation. Michael talked about  National Immunization Days and the impact they have, not just on those children who get immunized, but on those who participate in helping the world eradicate Polio.   He mentioned the Bill Gates Foundation which supports this cause.  He also mentioned that earlier this year, there was an editorial in the Vancouver Sun covering the work done to help eradicate polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The editorial applauded Rotary, the Gates Foundation and Donor Governments.  Michael took this editorial with him to his same day meeting in Seattle with the Gates Foundation.Michael mentioned his “Rotary moment” happened when he participated in a NID at an orphanage.

He gave a run down of Rotary Membership: there were 1.2 million Rotarian’s 7 years ago; today there are 1.2 million Rotarians and; during that time, Rotary has lost 1.2 million members.  Michael’s club has a questionnaire for members to answer when they’ve been to the club for about 10 months or a year.  The questions are as follows:

1. Has your experience as a member of Rotary been what you expected when you joined our club? If not please let us know why not.

2. Do you feel that you are welcomed to our club meetings and are being included in all club activities?

3. Would you like to be more involved at a committee level in our club?

4. Please advise what else we can do to make your membership in our club and Rotary more rewarding and enjoyable.

He asked about members asking people to join the Club.   He said that only 15% of Rotarians have proposed a new member.   Rotary is looking to expand its membership categories and include satellite, family and corporate memberships.  Less emphasis has been placed on attendance in recent years.

One of Michael’s favourite areas of Rotary is Youth Exchange. OB Rotary has participated in the past and he indicated that the board is revisiting it.  Last year there were 30 Exchange students and this year 35.  There’s also the “Step” program which involves short term reciprocal visits which last for 3 to 4 weeks.

Michael commented on the ongoing Oak Bay projects and applauded our website, noting that websites can be important in encouraging new members.  Rotary Days are another way to promote Rotary and encourage membership.

Last but not least Michael promoted the District Conference which takes place in Nanaimo from June 19^th to June 21^st 2015. 

**********

Tav thanked DG Michael for his time, speech and support.  Jim F. provided us with some closing comments, noting that Tav, with the endorsement of our Club has put his name forward for DG.

Tav

Joan closed with a comment about 1 hour meetings, that we had 42 Rotarians and 3 guests: a much better turn out than last week, with thanks to Pablo, Lorna, Janette, Brian, Heather and Jessica for their rostered duties.

Joan F.

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 18 November 2014 - Tax Auction

Reported by Rod Sim

Rod Sim (possibly admonishing a latecomer)

Photos by Steve Sharlow
Meeting commenced at 11.45 a.m.

Mistress of Ceremonies: Joan Firkins

Sang “O Canada”

Lynne Murray said grace.

Everyone shook hands.
Guests:

Karla Dolinsky: Harbourside Rotary Club; Terry Daniels: Saanich Rotary Club; Mark Bedford: Penticton Rotary Club; Lauren Askew: UVic Rotaract Club;Riley Strother: UVic Rotaract Club; Alex McKeachnie: Guest of Don O’Coffey;Naida Hyde: (Member candidate)

50/50

Jessica Van der Veen was Celebrations Mistress. Tom Croft and John Edgell assisted. Birthday wishes to Dallas Chapple and Bill Burns. Will Carter: 50 Happy Dollars to be back (and alive); John Edgell: Happy Dollars to be back; Sandy Currie: 37 Happy Dollars for celebrating a 37 year Wedding Anniversary. Tav Macpherson won the draw.

Announcements:

• Round of applause (and bow from the waist) for Tom Croft who was either elected to public office or has a new business in coffee pods. Seriously; we congratulated Tom Croft who was elected to Oak Bay Municipal Council. WAY TO GO TOM!!!

  

  Tom Croft

• Joan Firkins took advantage of her MC gig to make a special (and heartfelt) thanks to Joan Peggs and Lorna Curtis. Seems like the "Bobbsey Twins" were a  BIG help at ZONE CONFERENCE and thereby helped to MAKE JOAN HAPPY. 600 Rotarians and guests attended and probably helped the local economy quite a bit.

  

  Lorna, Joan F. and Joan P.

• Karla Dolinsky from Harbourside Rotary Club had Christmas Cakes for sale (dark, delicious and boasting cognac) for $25.00 each.

  

  Joan Firkins and Karla Dolinsky 

• Rod Sim and Joan Peggs invited Club Members to attend an Information Meeting at Songhees Wellness Centre (1100 Admirals Road between 10:00 AM and NOON) on Friday November 21, 2014. Join us and you may learn how to carve a Totem Pole.

• Heather Aked reminded everyone about the Oak Bay Merrython on Sunday December 7^th. You can volunteer; you can walk or run; but you shouldn’t miss this great event.

  

  Heather Aked

• Mary Canty shared news from David and Batya (currently in Israel). We send them and their family our very best wishes. David is recovering.
• Mary has Guatemalan scarves that she is selling to help Jacqueline Meiling.

  

  Peter L., Naida and Mary modelling the beautiful scarves. Setting a new fashion trend Peter!!

• Riley and Lauren (UVic Rotaract Club) are encouraging members to attend the Secret Cinema Event on Thursday 27th November. Tickets available at $30 (includes movie and appetizers) online. Click HERE. for more information and to buy tickets. Steve Sharlow is trying to organize a group to go. Sounds like fun!

  

  Riley and Lauren

• Joan Firkins is hoping to start a new Rotaract Club at Pearson College

Rotary Foundation Tax Auction

This was conducted by Tom Croft.  $3,500 was on offer in 22 separate lots.  16 lucky bidders put up a total of $10,350. Special thanks to Neil, Tom, Heather, Perry, Bill, Will, Dallas, Joan F, Naida, Peter, Michelle, Tav, Lynne, Janette, Gordon, Wendy, Jim and Barry for their generosity.

The meeting finished at about 1:15 PM.  Next week the Governor of  District 5020 will be in attendance. 

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 4 November 2014 - Oak Bay Highschool rebuild

Reported by Victoria Pitt

The meeting started at 12:15 pm after everyone had already had a chance to obtain and munch their lunch.

Following the singing of “Oh Canada”,  Joan Firkins who is the Master of Ceremonies for November, invited each of us to greet those whom we had not greeted when we came in. This resulted in much fellowship, smiles and hand shaking requiring Joan to bring us back  on track: “ Read my lips -  return to your seats”.

Joan thanked President Jim for letting her do some different things this week and reminded us that every club does not do it the same way, that the order for the meeting is not etched in stone and, during November, she will be giving us a flavor of what some other clubs do, hence the early start to the meal at 11:45am.

Thought for the Day - It being a busy time of year, Sabrina told us about something she uses to keep on top of the work load, advice she had learned from a previous boss - organize work by 4 categories: Me now, Me later, Someone else and Not at all.

There being no visiting Rotarians, Lynne introduced our guests:

Barbara Rsito: guest of Kathleen Arnason
Adam Fawkes: our guest speaker
Naida Hyde: guest of Barry Mutter and soon to be member
Brian Gisler: guest of Janna Gisler

With apologies to the engineers in the room, Joan Firkins told a joke about an engineer not kissing a frog although it promised to turn into a princess when kissed. He explained to the frog that as an engineer he had "no time for a  girlfriend but having a talking frog was cool".

Guest Speaker:

Phil N. introduced our guest speaker, Adam Fawkes. Adam is an architect with the firm Hughes Condon Marier which, together with Farmer Construction, are building the new Oak Bay High School.  Adam described the bidding process: 3 separate teams were selected on the short list to design the school.  Adam’s firm did not have the lowest bid but was chosen because of the excellent design that also met the budget criteria. The new school is being built on the old rugby field while students continue to attend the old school. Students will be moving into the new school in 2015.
Design features:

• One of the concepts that the architects found important to the students was retaining the “School Crossing”.  Students particularly wanted to keep this for social interaction  and so the new school has been designed with this in mind, both in the design of the main hallway inside and, in the paths outside that link the community and the school.
• The building is LEED Gold.
• Trees have been kept where possible and the large sequoia tree preserved. It will be a landmark at the front of the new school. 
• As part of the build, Bowker Creek will be rehabilitated and opened on the school side, graded by the school builders and replanted by the municipality.Plazas where students and visitors can gather have been created on the south side and in front of the building. 
• The south side will include the Neighborhood Learning Centre.
• The ground floor has been designed with the theatre in the center and 4 pillars of excellence: Arts (the theatre), Athletics (the gym), Citizenship (Neighborhood Learning Centre), and Academics (the library).
• Formal academics will be on the 2^nd and 3^rd floor separate from the public areas of the school.
• The theatre will sit 425 patrons and will be approached through the front door and the large open lobby. 
• The theatre is in the centre of the building and the outside is wrapped in wood repurposed from the old gymnasium. It will be visible from most areas of the school and will provide a landmark.
• The classrooms are designed to allow for working in small groups and for breakout areas. Some interior walls are movable and some rooms have walls that will open up into the hallway. In some places, lockers will be half height with counters on top, creating study space as well as a place for informal interactions, similar to the business spaces used by companies such as Google.
• The Neighborhood Learning Centre received an extra 15% funding due to its partnership with Oak Bay Recreation  and will house daycare,  flex rooms and the teen centre.  It  will be accessed directly from the southwest corner of the building which is a prime location. 
• The teen centre will include a kitchenette, washrooms, storage, office space and an overhead door which will allow for expansion.
• The large cedar tree which had to be taken down as a result of the construction has been milled and the wood will be used for benches at school.
•  First Nations art will be near the theatre and existing art from the old school will be hung around the school. 
• The floor mosaics and the outside tiles from the old school will also be moved to the new school.  
• Photos of classes over the school’s life will be displayed throughout the school and digitally archived.
• A glass railing on the second level will have a collage of faces of past students within it.The building will use 50% of a typical school’s energy consumption, will have improved longevity, solar panels and awnings to minimize solar gain on the south side. The building also features low VOC materials. 
• It is estimated that 98% of the usable materials from the old-school will be recycled by the end of the build.

Rod thanked Adam Fawkes, applauding his passion for design as well as the quality of the presentation.
Joan Firkins reminded the club that over the last few years we have donated $50,000 towards the NLC.

50/50  - Dallas

Fines were imposed on those not wearing pins and badges; Tom C. for all his election signs. In the ongoing tradition of fining those who help - Perry was fined  for excellence in publicizing the club and Janna for her efforts in the Bowls of Hope at her business, “Fired Up”.  5 tables were fined for not knowing what “Syria’s other war” was (the war against polio).  Dallas fined Joan Firkins for being mentioned on page 17 of the Rotarian Magazine as the winner of a District Service A ward and an extra dollar for looking so great and losing weight when Dallas hadn't. Peter Sue and Debbie are celebrating an anniversary

The following people have Rotary anniversaries: Peter Sue 20 years, George Prichard 36 years, Renata 4 years, and Rod Sim 20 years. Perry said Dallas should pay a fine because she missed mentioning his 22^nd anniversary as a Rotary member.

Heather put in 12 happy dollars because Alexander is turning 12

Joan Peggs put in a dollar because she found a book on a bench which had a sign that said: “Take this book, pick it up, keep it, read it, and pass it around”. The book will go to 1000×5.

Bill Burns gave 3 happy dollars because 1. He has married again 2. He has been to visit Europe with his bride  and 3. He visited an exchange student who stayed with him  20 years ago. That student is now 38 and is legal counsel for MasterCard in Europe with 30+ lawyers reporting to him. Pretty impressive.

Kathleen was happy because she got to meet a baby that was not a day old “Piper”.

Mary is happy because Fie, a previous exchange student, has given birth to her 2^nd child, a boy, and sad because Connie H. (Harold’s widow) has died. Her demise was kept quiet which is what Connie wished. Neil Madsen is happy because the 18^th is the tax auction

Wendy won the draw.

Announcements:

• Vicky announced that Katie De Rosa, our district scholarship candidate, had been awarded a district scholarship of $15,000.
• Janna announced that our Rotaract Club is holding a “Night of Lights” at Hillside Mall on November 23. The tickets are $5 each and will support their tree at the Empress Hotel’s Festival of Trees and the Children’s Hospital. Janna has tickets.
• Ron Cooley reminded everyone that December 7 is the Merrython and he is looking for 16 course marshals.
• Joan Peggs announced that we will be selling poinsettias again this year and asked everyone to watch for the Butchart’s Magic of Christmas in the Times Colonist. Please find the puzzle pieces, fill in the template, and she will take the completed templates to George Jay for students and their parents to use to see Butchart’s Gardens over Christmas.

Peter got a prize for confirming that November is Foundation Month before anyone else.

Rememberance Day Presentation:
President Jim then introduced the Remembrance Day presentation, which included a  moment of silence and the pictures and names, rank and service of those persons  whom members of the club specifically wished to remember. It was very moving.

Parents of Steve Sharlow - photographed by David Sills

The meeting closed shortly thereafter with a Toast to the Queen.

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 28 October, 2014

Reporter and photographer: David Sills 

Double Duty with Sandy Currie  

In addition to emceeing his last meeting, he also introduced the visiting Rotarians and guests. But first, he called on Perry Bamji to say grace. Perry responded with a Four Way Test blessing which reads in part: " …..as we walk along life’s pathway, whatever we may say ‘let it be the truth’, whatever steps we take in life, ‘let them be fair and let them build goodwill and fellowship’, and whatever goals we strive to accomplish, ‘let them be beneficial to all concerned’ ".

Visitors

Today’s guests as introduced by Sandy Currie:

     Eva Grant & Dorothy Hawes - our speakers

     Rex and Jasmeen Grant - parents of Eva Grant

     Krista Foster, District Scholarship Applicant - guest of Lorna Curtis

Announcements   

1)   Neil Rawnsley advised that Tom Croft will conduct the Club Foundation auction on November 18. He also announced that Brian Lamb has achieved a Foundation Fellowship plus Five.

2)   Lorna Curtis noted that a Zone 25/26 Rotary Institute Luncheon is set for November 15 at the Victoria Convention Centre: an opportunity to meet incoming RI President Ravi Ravindran.

3)  Mary Canty advised that ‘Guatamala scarves’ will be sold at a Japanese Society fundraiser on November 9 at the Fairfield Hall.

4)   Lori McLeod announced a fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation – ‘Pamper With Purpose Ladies Only’ to be held November 2 at The Ocean Pointe Resort.

5)   Heather Aked is looking for volunteers on December 7 to assist with the Merrython.    

New Member Proposals

At their October meeting, the Board approved membership applications for two people:

Anne McIntyre, sponsored by Neil Rawnsley. Anne is the Executive Director for Disaster Aid, Canada. Her classification is Humanitarian Relief.

Naida Hyde, Sponsored by Barry Mutter. Anne is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Her classification is Health Services.

Tom Croft  (our Sgt–at-Arms casts a wide net)

Miscreants beware; this S-at-A has his eye on you. With his efficient approach he should be encouraged to run for public office. In short order he fined Don O’Coffey as a ‘line barger, Lori for shameless promotion, Dallas as an early leaver, Barry for not promoting the Victoria Light Up event and numerous others members for Rotary pin and name badge violations.

Happy/sad dollars were paid by Heather for running late all morning and suffering much aggravation plus a minor car dent, David Philip for the cards of encouragement he received during his recent set-back, Joan Peggs for her lost and found pin at the Light-Up Ceremony, Perry to ask why the RI Luncheon leaflet omitted the incoming President’s District, and Steve to announce he has completed his final relocation move - # 24 in 44 years of marriage.    

Birthday congratulations were extended to Lori Mcleod and Rod Sim.

St. Michaels University School

Tom Croft (him again) introduced Dorothy Hawes as our guest speaker. Dorothy is a teacher of Senior School English at SMUS. She holds a BA, PDPP from the University of Victoria, an MA from Queen’s University and an AVCN from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She has been teaching English at SMUS since 1992.

Dorothy considers public speaking to be an important part of the English course wherein she trains students to prepare and deliver a speech. She reflected on the work in this area by her mentor Colin Skinner, a former member of this Club, who was an English scholar as well as a fine actor on the Victoria stage. Accompanying Dorothy was Eva Grant, a SMUS student, whose persuasive speaking skills allowed her to represent B.C. at a recent gathering of 100 students at the United Nations. Eva also won an award at a recent Vancouver gathering for a speech she presented in French.

Eva was then introduced to the Club. Her talk today centered on the shooting in 2012 of Malala Yousafzai, a young student activist in Pakistan, and the need to bring some critical thinking about the extensive attention by the media and others to this tragic event.

Malala was born in 1997 in the Swat Valle, in northwest Pakistan, where her family ran a chain of schools. At the age of 12, she wrote a blog for the BBC describing her life under Taliban rule and her efforts to promote education for girls. The following year, a documentary about her life was produced by the New York Times and she began giving interviews and appearing on television. Desmond Tutu nominated her for an International Peace Prize. Taliban reaction was swift. In October 2012, she was shot at point blank range by a gunman who boarded her school bus. The assassination attempt sparked an international outpouring of support.

Malala has become an international star. To quote one reporter, she may be the most important teenager in the world. She is the youngest Nobel Prize laureate and has addressed the United Nations where she called for worldwide access to education.

Our speaker contends that Malala was used by the media and encouraged to speak out while still living in this oppressive society, thereby compromising her safety. Her welfare was ignored and her story used for public consumption. By publishing her beliefs, they ‘blew her cover’. Eva suggests that the media and even Malala’s father lost sight of the common goal of safety for all children.

Eva closed her speech with an apt quote from Ghandi:  "I believe in free speech for everyone except reporters and photographers."

The audience thanked Eva with a standing ovation (only the second time this year) and Sabrina Coraini presented her with the ever-present Oak Bay Rotary mug.

Jasmeen Grant, Eva Grant,
Dorothy Hawes and Rex Grant

And Now a Word from the President
Jim thanked Joan Peggs for her attendance at the fifth annual Light Up for World Polio Day held last Friday evening. A Rotary Wheel and “End Polio Now” were projected on the north wall of the MacPherson Theater. The event was followed by a fundraiser dinner at the Don Mee Restaurant.

He also presented Sandy with a Rotary pin for his efforts as MC for the month of October.

Postscript

A president’s work is never done. Here we see him consulting with two committee members on an important Club matter.