Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 12 July 2016 - David Stocks - Rotary's Response to the Panama Papers

Reporter: Wynn 
In her opening remarks, President Lori said that the new Rotary Club of Pierce County will be the 91st in our District. We sang a slow version of  O Canada and Helen gave the Invocation.

Lori brought a triangle as the musical instrument of the day, to keep us in order. 

Lynn Murray introduced the Visiting Rotarians and Guests: 
David Stocks, West Shore, our Guest Speaker, 
Deryk Norton, South Cowichan
Kate Hobin, Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Bruce Hobin, Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Kyle Ballew,Waco downtown
Tholoana  (Tooli) Kamohelo - Guest of Naida

John Jordan’s Rotary Moment was an update on the Rwanda projects.Talgen was the first student in the program to graduate from university, Rosalind won a national merit scholarship to study medical technology and is soon to be married,
Emmanuel has completed two years of medical school and is volunteering over  summer with the boys' part of the reproductive health program.
The girls' part of this health program is doing well with their washable hygiene pads and healthy mums group.
The New Grant for next year is for Health Multiplier and Youth Entrepreneurship and includes the stove, garden and toilet programs.
John ended with Jack’s help by showing a model of the lavatory which is hygienic, and also provides fertilizer for the fields.

Birthday!
Lori and Naida led the celebration of Tholoana’s (Tooli) 24th birthday. Naida commissioned the Oak Bay Beach Hotel to bake a chocolate cake. (Probably the most delicious I have ever tasted - editor's note). This  was Tooli's first ever birthday cake and after we sang happy birthday, she blew out the candles. Tooli is a nursing and midwifery graduate from Lesotho and Naida is very proud to have sponsored her to Canada for 3 months.

Health of the Club: David S is still in hospital. He would welcome visits

Announcements:

• Joan Peggs advised that the District Conference and DLTA would be combined on May 4,5,6, 2017 on Bainbridge Island.
• Joan circulated an envelope for donations of $20  to enable Rotaract and Interact members to attend our Tuesday lunch meetings.

50/50: Celebrations Master Perry  Bamji fined everyone for a lukewarm welcome and himself for forgetting to tell us last week who was on the PI committee. 
Jenny and Jack were fined because they didn’t shake hands with the Greeter; 
Janna because she didn’t sign in, and everyone paid $1 for enjoying Tooli’s birthday cake.
We sang happy birthday to Heather and Peter L.
Anniversaries: Heather and Tim (17), Jenny and Lloyd (37), Tav and Diane (43)

Happy and Sad Dollars:
Mary C was happy because Pablo had a great concert in Russia and she has the link
Janette gave a $1 because Kate and Bruce from Niagara on the Lake Club, were at her table and  are moving to Victoria. She hopes they will join our club.
Heather presented a cheque for $73 to honour Alexander’s straight A report, her and Tim’s anniversary, and her $26 donation to the RI Foundation. She is soon off to England on holiday.
Michelle was happy because the Hotel has a new owner and she will continue as Manager.
Joan P advised that Neil Madsen will need rides home from Rotary as he is no longer driving.
Will Carter gave $20 - $2 for his time in rotary and $18 for Heather’s friendship.

Guest Speaker: David Stocks

Mr. Stocks is an electrical engineer in computers and control systems and has been a management consultant for over 40 years. He specializes in developing long term strategies for client organizations. He also delivers training courses and personal coaching in the fields of strategic planning, consultign skills, methodologies, sales skills, sales management, project management, presentation skills and effective writing. He has conducted training assignments in North America, Australia and Europe. He has ben active in community affairs by serving on various boards, commissions and community associations.

The following is a summary of David Stock's presenation:

"Why do poor countries, like Malawi, stay poor?  This question has been on my mind for about 8 years.  The search for the answer led to reading several books, attending some workshops at RI Conventions, and getting to know a couple of the leaders in the worldwide effort to clean up the international financial system.  One of those leaders, Raymond Baker, spoke about financial corruption at the 2012 District Conference here in Victoria.  Also, two of my “DG Letters” discussed aspects of the subject.

In 2015, South Cowichan Rotarian Deryk Norton built a Facebook page called Rotarian Advocacy Group for Business Ethics.  I started a Discussion Forum called Rotarians for Financial Integrity on the RI web site.

A few months ago, I started to promote the idea that Rotarians could work to improve the international financial system.  Early versions of the presentation were focused on convincing people that tax havens existed and were bad.  The Panama Papers threw a wrench into my plans!  Now everybody knows something about the evils of tax havens.

The presentation now is a call to action for Rotarians.  If we can harness the power of 1,200,000 Rotarians, we can make a better economic world for hundreds of millions of people."