Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 16 February 2016 – ACBC bikes, Victoria

Reporter: Janette N.

Photos: Bob S.

Guests:

Anne M. introduced the guests: Anthony Scandale, Andy Scandale and Kate Rhodes – guests of Pablo and our speakers from ACBC bikes: W Scott Montgomery and Mike Harrington.

We had a wonderful, musical treat. A lovely, young soprano performed “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera, accompanied by an exquisite performance by our Pablo, on violin, and a stellar pianist. We were entranced. This was a teaser ahead of Pablo’s special fund raising concert on February 27^th.

Announcements:

• Mary reported that Ted C. had had an injury.
• As mentioned, Pablo’s Die Mahler concert next Saturday, February 27, is a major fund raiser as Pablo will donate the majority of the funds to our Literacy Project and $10 of each ticket goes to the Syrian Refugee Fund. Please buy some tickets. St. Mary Church, 1701 Elgin Road, Victoria at 2.30 p.m. Tickets are available at the McPherson Box office 1 888 7176121, at the door, or from Jenny H.  and Mandy P.
• Jenny and Mandy called for a donation of  $350 for a bottle of cider and a tour of Sea Cider. http://seacider.ca/  These were snapped up immediately by Heather, Tom and Rod.
• Joan P. gave a talk on the Sno’uyutth Pole project that culminated in the pole being installed at Oak Bay High School on November 22, 2015. The club was a major donor. Our club is featured on the pole, and our local Club Foundation now provides a scholarship from the remainder of the funds. We have the longstanding scholarship called the Oak Bay Rotary Scholarship worth $1000 annually and the second is the brand new Sno’uyutth Legacy scholarship of $500, which will increase as funds allow. The Oak Bay scholarship fund currently has an endowment of $30K and the Sno’uyutth has $15K. The Foundation is working hard to increase the value of both scholarships so donations are requested. To qualify, the student must be going on to further studies in the Fall of the year following Year 12. The Sno’uyutth scholarship is for First Nations students and will be awarded for the first time in 2016.
• The Flag Committee has its first meeting on the 15^th March. Please provide $50 to Rod S. to subscribe to the 3 flags installed on your lawn this coming year.
• Bob S. requires a social venue suggestion for a tour on 31 March. Bob needs a venue and we can have lunch close by, or the OB Beach Hotel can cater.
• Brian L. read out an email from the retiring principal of George Jay Elementary school which has received funds for musical instruments in 2015.  Leslie thanked our Rotary Club for the financial support we have given the school.

50/50:

Tom fined, amongst others, those who had had a winter holiday somewhere warm, those who didn’t have their pins, anyone who  hadn't signed in, any table that had more than two guests, any people not wearing red, and those who didn’t know the NBA game was on Monday. Happy $ from Heather regarding her son being accepted to the academic program at Esquimalt. Jim had a happy $ in regards to a person who worked 25 years for the Calgary co-op, bought a condo etc. thus illustrating how the co-op does so much to help those, whom may otherwise fall by the wayside. Anne McIntyre is happy about going back again to Mexico with enough money raised to complete a playground and washrooms at a local school. Pablo is happy that his granddaughter, 7, and a friend who is 8, will play at the concert on Saturday, February 27.

Guest speakers:

Ron C. introduced  Mike Harrington and W. Scott Montgomery, from ACBC, a non profit organisation benefiting the community and children. Click  HERE to read about this amazing organisation. They take kids out for weekly rides, build relationships within the community through safety awareness, promote a kids' dance troupe and make themed bikes for rock stars.

Some years ago, Scott showed a disadvantaged child how to weld. The child has now graduated from Camosun with a welding ticket. The rock star bikes are successful; a short term goal with a quick finish line.  Scott said it all started when he built a themed bike for his son and other children admired it. His daughter wanted a themed bike built for Ozzy Osborne and presented it to Ozzy at a concert. Gene Simmons gifted back the bike he received. They are working on an Aerosmith bike for Steve Tyler. Tristan is a special needs youth and worked on a bike for Ringo Starr.  Ringo Starr usually does not engage but he did and he wrote back to say he had been riding his bike in NYC.

The children learn how to keep tools neat and tidy and organised in the “tool School”. Once a month the children all ride to the Palaggio Pizzeria and get free pizza. They have a dance troupe and they work with Heroes Inc group to put on a show. They participate in the Victoria Day parade and the Santa Parade. The Children help to decorate a bus and participate in the Parade. Cherry Bomb Toys put on a show. They also take the children on field trips such as a B17 tour. The children talked to the pilots and went on board. Last Saturday, they launched their 2016 season with a tour of the Blue Bridge. The dance troupe girls perform at e.g. seniors’ homes and they make their own costumes.

They also get involved in remote controlled vehicles and repair wheeled cars that are donated. They have over 150 bikes and they are brought out each Sunday  for children to ride. They did a safety event whereby the kids were shown where to ride in relation to a large truck. 

There are over 100 members and families signing up each week. They are trying to get themselves into a facility that is secure, affordable and can house the bikes, as right now they are crammed into a small space.  Why support the club? They are non-profit with a proven track record, bringing different generations and different nationalities together, in the local community. Click HERE  to read their amazing story and donate to this charity. Joan F. thanked the speakers. 

We closed with the national anthem of Iceland, rated as the most peaceful country in the world.