Reporter: Lynne Murray
The meeting today was held in the Piano Lobby of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel which was a lovely change because of the magnificent view.
Call to Order: At 12.15, the stand-in M/C, Past President, Joan Peggs, started the Meeting.
Jack Petrie lead us in an a Capella rendition of O Canada followed by a Thanksgiving themed invocation by Heather Aked.
Rotary Moment: Joan Peggs – Retaining new Members is one of the most difficult parts of Membership. Without a positive and assertive plan, new members walk out the door as fast as they walk in and when asked why, they generally say, “no one invited me to be involved!”. It is everyone's responsibility to engage and inform new members, but the sponsor who is a mentor for the new member has an even greater role. Remember to keep your new Members active and informed so he or she can become true Rotarians.
Visitors: Bruce Willets, a Rotarian from Laguna Beach CA laughed since he's returning home just in time for the US election. He may soon be applying for Canadian citizenship! Ben Anderson was a guest for the last time today since he is being reinducted. Jean Dickson brought two guests – Michelle Boehmer and Caroline Yeend who is actually a corporate Member. Seán Donnelly is considering Membership in our Club, so was a guest of the Club. Little Garon and Finlay Gisler were also delightful guests. Chris Kilford was our Speaker for today.
Announcements:
Lorna Curtis: The East Coast Kitchen Party - Sat. Oct 22. We are close to the number we need. Please sign up by Oct. 12. We still need 7 to make it happen.
The Rotaract Club would like to remind us of Night of Lights – an annual event at Hillside Mall on November 20 from 6 -10pm. Tickets are $5 – enjoy special sales, wine tasting, samples and multiple prize draws. This is a fundraiser for Rotaract. They will be contacting us to buy tickets.
Remember the Soul Gospel Choir Thanksgiving Concert on Saturday evening at 7:30 at the Dave Dunnet Theatre, Oak Bay High School. The Lieutenant Governor is attending the event. Tickets are at Ivy’s Books and Oak Bay Rec Centre.
Jim Force: There is another Open House at the Disaster Aid Warehouse on Oct. 12 between 5:30 and 7:30 at 426 William St. in Esquimalt. Jim, Mandy and I went last month and it was a fun evening.
Health of the Club: Mary told us that unfortunately, Bob is in hospital in Vancouver. Please send Bob healing thoughts.
Induction of Former Member: AG Lorna welcomed Brian Lamb and Ben Anderson to the stage. Brian was able to talk Ben – a Member from 9 years ago – into rejoining our Club. He was with the RCMP before becoming the Chief of the OB Police Department. After retirement from OB, he worked at the Canadian Parole Board. He looks forward to once again becoming an active Member of our Club.
Celebrations Master: Jim Force started with happy/sad dollars since we usually have no money left after fines.
- Lorna had bragging dollars since her son Sean at Stanford University has just been awarded one of the 2016 Innovative Scientist Awards by the US NIH in the amount of one million dollars.
- Victoria paid for the happiness of obtaining a daughter-in-law since Tristan was recently married in Toronto.
- Rod paid for knowing Tristan for 15 years since the first Oak Bay Christmas light up when fresh snow was delivered to the OB Municipal Hall!
- Joan F. was happy to be back from a cruise in Europe but unhappy to be the recipient of over 700 emails!
We were fined if we hadn't bought tickets for Saturday’s concert. Anne Sims won the 50/50 but drew the incorrect marble.
Guest Speaker: Neil introduced the Speaker today. Dr. Chris Kilford spent 36 years in the Canadian Military, during which time he was posted to England, Germany, Afghanistan and Turkey in various command, training, instructional and staff roles. After learning the Turkish language, he was promoted to Colonel and posted to Ankara, Turkey as the Canadian Defence Attaché from July 2011 to July 2014. Today he described to us what is the aftermath in Turkey, following the military-led coup attempt last July 15 and other alarming incidents that have traumatized Turkey and its people. If the coup had succeeded, the whole of Turkey would most likely to have descended into civil war. As it is, it will likely be 15 years before it can reapply to be a part of the EU. The net effect is that the lofty economic and social goals for 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic, seem to be out of reach for now. Jean Dickson gave Chris a heartfelt thanks along with our classic collector’s item – the OBR mug.
