Reporter: Ron Cooley
MC: Peter Lawrie opened the meeting with a talk about February, Rotary's "World Understanding Month". The International team will be the MC's for the month.
Rotary has a strong profile on international efforts which promote world understanding, respect, education and well-being. Our most noteworthy profile over the past 27 years is our aim to eliminate polio and we are ever so close. We are also very involved in water projects, education, youth leadership, international scholarships and fellowship.
Blessing: by Will Carter
Visiting Rotarians: introduced by Pablo Diemecke
Bob Kains, Canmore, AB (Golf course design)
Jarrod Clayton, Edmonton, AB (Financial Consulting)
Guests: Eileen Lavigne, guest of Steve Sharlow
Andrea Paquette (Guest Speaker)
Announcements:
Joan Peggs: There will be an End Polio Now light up Mon Feb 23, 2015 from 6-9 pm on Government St at the Empress Hotel with a curry buffet served at 6:30 pm for $45 pp. Please contact Joan
Heather Aked:Requested Silent Auction Items for the upcoming New Orleans Gala on May 9th. A sign up commitment sheet was passed around. we need donations to make the event a fundraising success.
Sabrina Coraini called for one final sponsor of an Interact student for lunch next week.
Pablo Diemecke: His concert was shown as Feb 14th but is on Feb 21st.
Speaker No. 1:
1. President Jim Force spoke about the East Timor Global Grant. The Oak Bay Club along with the Dili, East Timor; Hall, Australia and; the Brainerd, Minnesota Rotary Clubs have been awarded a Rotary Global Grant amounting to $48,597USD for a Healthcare Enhancement project in East Timor in conjunction with the Bairo Pite Clinic in Dili. The grant will supply 240 stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs to Timorese doctors, seven laptops to the clinic and training of four Timorese Community Birthing Assistants. Jim spoke about the challenges of delivering 110 babies per month (one in waist deep water during a flood) and 2500 emergencies a year. The Bairo Pite Clinic provides free healthcare services and has 55 inpatient beds. The clinic was established by Dr. Dan Murphy who is a cousin of President Jim. For information, go to: Bairo Pite Clinic and their Facebook page here
Since President Jim had used up his allotted time and most of Lori's, Lori punished us all for the following reasons: no name badge; not having a guest at our table; arriving late; sitting at the same table s last week; being at the buffet before guests; watching the Superbowl; just watching it at half-time and finally, if you were still sitting and had not paid a $1 as yet.
Happy/Sad $'s:Neil Madsen Happy Birthday Feb 8th ;Anne McIntyre is happy she is headed to Mexico; Eugen Bannerman is happy to be going to Dublin to visit his 1st Grandson
The draw was won by our speaker Andrea Paquette
Speaker No. 2:
Vicki Pitt introduced our speaker Andrea Paquette aka "Bipolar Babe" who is the founder and executive director of the Bipolar Disorder Society of BC. Andrea is a published author and has written a book titled "My Cursed Gift." She asked us what images come to mind when we think about people with mental health issues and she said that usually they are very negative, inaccurate images; citing some examples. Andrea shared with us her personal story and her challenging journey from dropping out of school at 16 to doing a political science degree; being involved in a political campaign in Ottawa; the highs and lows associated with having a bipolar disorder and; her rewarding trip to South Korea, where she taught English and developed a love for children. Andrea started the project Bipolar Babe upon her return to Canada. The Bipolar Society of BC is the umbrella organization for the project and has been a non-profit since January 2010, receiving charitable status 6 months later in 29 days. Andrea is working to create a world of understanding for people who have mental illness. She speaks at Rotary and other service clubs and schools, to help erase the stigma, and to show that there is support if you reach out. You can learn more at the Bipolar Babe website and Andrea's blog Naida Hyde thanked Andrea for her message, and courage to speak out in support of understanding.
MC Peter Lawrie closed with a toast to the Queen.
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