Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 25 August 2015 - Richard Leblanc from the Homeless Society

Reporter: Lorna Curtis 

President Heather opened the meeting by reviewing the meaning of the word ‘club’ which dates back to the early 17th century.  She outlined the different kinds of clubs - gentlemen's, social and service club,s to name a few.

Ron Cooley welcomed visiting Rotarians and guests. Visiting Rotarian Joel Fagan from the Saanich Club, Clara Bradley and Patrick Ntwari from Rotaract.  Tammy, Alexandra and Mark Ages, guests of David Maxwell; Jill Croft, guest of Tom; Eileen Lavigne, guest of Steve Sharlow; Lisa Cairns, guest of Jack Petrie; Helga Jacobson, guest of Naida; Richard Leblanc, guest speaker; Christine VanReeuwyk, guest of Rod Sim, and Dianne Laird, guest of Heather Aked.

Announcements:

• President Heather bid a fond farewell to Dave Maxwell who is temporarily moving to Toronto. The hotel made a special farewell cake for dessert, and President Heather presented Dave with the Rotarian of the month pin.
• Jim Force presented Clare Bradley, co-president of Rotaract, with a cheque for $250 to send a Rotaractor to the Big West Conference in Seattle, this fall.
• President Heather presented Jim Force with a membership pin for sponsoring two new members.
• Lynne announced she has to have the shunt redone and hopes to start dialysis in the next couple of weeks.
• Lorna announced the Chili Cook Off, a Westshore Rotary Club fundraiser on Saturday, August 29th at Millstream Village 11am to 2pm. $7 to sample chili and vote for a winner. The fee includes a hot dog and drink.
• Sabrina asked club members to consider making a $20 donation to host a Rotaract or interact student to come to lunch this Rotary Year. 
• Mandy announced she is working with Ann McIntyre at Disaster Aid Canada on the Soap for Hope Program.  Thursday, September 3^rd Disaster Aid Canada will have an open house to increase their profile in community. Come and find out more about the Soap for Hope Program and enjoy lunch at one of the food trucks that will be onsite.

Dave Maxwell, Chair of the Club Foundation, presented the $1000, 2015 Rotary Scholarship Award to Alexandra Ages. 

The winner of the Rotary Scholarship Award is selected based on the candidate’s record of academic excellence, demonstration of leadership qualities, and the motto ‘Service Above Self’. 

Alexandra was chosen because of her record of community service and leadership initiative.  Alexandra served as a School Peer Counselor at Oak Bay High School; a member of the Island Sexual Health Youth Committee; a member and lead of the Mental Health Forum of the Greater Victoria Youth Council; a Youth Facilitator for the Red Cross International, and a member of the Syrian Refugee Aid Club.  In addition, Alexandra co-chaired the Climate Action Summit for YesBC Youth, and was the recipient of Oak Bay High School’s 2015 Humanitarian Award. 

Alexandra thanked the club for their support.  She is registered to attend UVIC this fall and promises to join the Rotaract Club.

Guest Speaker:

Tom Croft introduced the speaker Richard Leblanc from the Homeless Society. Richard told us a story of a woman who had a family, home and good job.  Due to a car accident, she lost her husband and two childrem and her life spiralled downward until she ended up homeless. Apparently, this story is not uncommon among the homeless.  Richard has been working with her and she has now turned her life around.

In 2001, 360 homeless were on the streets of Victoria; now there are approximately 1700.  Even with help, only 5 percent of the homeless change their life.  Life expectancy for the homeless is around age 45. How we currently deal with the homeless is not working but there are other ways such as therapeutic models. One such model, in Italy, has a 72 percent success rate.   1500 people have developed a town, they have a common dining room, they work on a farm – they are given dignity and respect. 

Street people cost about $60,000 per person, per year, for social services, policing etc. The therapeutic model costs $28,000 per year per person.

Richard talked about Woodwynn Farms, a therapeutic community for the homeless.  It is a 200 acre farm, 25 minutes from downtown Victoria, where residents start their day with yoga, hold group meetings, and work on the farm growing fruits and vegetables. In the evening,  residents are allowed to leave the farm. It is a clean and sober facility. A key aim  is to keep residents away from the downtown core and any triggers. The residents' sugar and coffee consumption is limited. Before residents come to the farm, they usually spend 7-9 days in detox at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Six years into the operation, the program has a 45-50 percent success rate.  Currently there are 2-9 residents but the Farm can house 96. There is a need to get permit approval to move to the next level. The average stay is 13-14 months but a 3 year stay is required to make a long lasting life change. Woodwynn Farm is always looking for funding to assist with  its program.

Mary Canty thanked Richard and suggested that the club visit Woodwynn Farm. 

50/50:

Brian Lamb, Sergeant at Arms, fined greeters that were late!  Tav apparently is a model for standing at attention when singing the Canadian national anthem - anyone not standing like Tav was fined.

Heather fined for chaos at the start of the meeting, Dave fined just because. Mary Canty fined for not signing in. Lorna did not get fined for taking bulletin notes! The investment folks fined for putting the market in a tailspin. 

Anniversaries: Jean and Peter Lawrie,  Neil and Laura Madson

Happy/Sad Dollars: Joan and Dallas thanked everyone for their support and concern over their recent health issues.

Heather finally had the Italian Dinner at Jack and Brannan Petrie’s (one she purchased a few years ago at the Tuscan Dinner) – Ron and Jane Cooley joined them.  

Lori and Heather excited to play in the Kool Aid Golf Tournament.

Visitor Lisa Cairns gave a happy $5 - she has heard about Rotary and Polio but had no idea we have so much fun at meetings.

Dave Maxwell gave $1000 cheque  - $500 to each RI and Club Foundations.

Mandy - 4-year anniversary - attending an Indian wedding this weekend in Vancouver.

Vicky won the draw!

Jack Petrie called Dave Maxwell up the front along with Lorna, Joan F, Ron Cooley and Heather. Each gave highlights of Dave’s time in the Oak Bay Rotary Club, comparing his deeds to the 4 Way Test.  

The meeting ended by the club singing ‘For He's the Jolly Good Fellow’.