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. 

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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.