Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting of 15 November 2016 - Dr. Jim Force on his Haiku poetry

Reporter: Brian Lamb

President Lori McLeod chaired the lunch meeting today and Ron Cooley provided our invocation.

Our visitors and guests were introduced by Sabrina Corraini as follows:

1 guest Rotarian, Kris Amudzinski from Prince George, Downtown

1 guest Rotaractor, Nalin Dhillon

5 guests:  Colleen Force and Linda Cook, guests of Jim Force; Sean Dannele, guest of the club; Atam Uppel, guest of Sanjay Uppel; Scott Murghy, guest of Mandy Pui

Announements:

Neil Rawnsley explained how the tax auction, taking place on Nov 22, works. This has also been covered in a couple of emails so I won't repeat again here.

50/50:

Our Master of Fines and Goodwill was Pete Lawrie today and he did his normal great job of making the extraction of fines quite painless and happy.

Guest Speaker:

Sanjay introduced our own Dr. Jim Force to talk about one of his great passions in life, "haiku". Jim first became interested in haiku while teaching in Calgary in the early 1990's.  Since then he has had over 380 works published in over 80 journals, anthologies and books. His work has been published in 10 countries and translated into Chinese, Croatian, German, Japanese and Romanian.  Jim has received several awards for his poetry, most notably the First Place Award in the 1995 Haiku Society of America Renga Contest. The renga, “After the Thunder,” was a 36-verse composition he wrote collaboratively with two other haiku poets.  He is currently a member of the Haiku Arbutus Study Group in Victoria, Haiku Canada, and the Haiku Society of America.

By providing us with examples of haiku poetry, Jim was able to expose us to the form of this style of poetry. Lynne Murray filled in for Tom Croft and thanked Jim for his presentation which helped us get to know him better.

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting - 8 November 2016 - Katie DeRosa, Rotary Global Grant Scholar

Reporter: Sandy Currie

Visiting Rotarians: Mark Bedford (Penticton Rotary),Ulla Coco (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Catherine Poln

Visitors: Lia Warden (Mustard Seed Victoria) and  Erin Gray

Guest Speaker:

Katie DeRosa, Rotary Global Grant Scholar, and Times-Colonist journalist was our guest speaker.  She used the scholarship to pursue graduate studies at the London School of Economics (LSE). The end result was her successful completion of the requirements for a Master of Science in International Migration and Public Policy.

Her dissertation titled ‘Frontex and Fundamental Human Rights’ was based on practical research she carried out on the ground in Calais at the refugee camp.  Here she helped the Syrian refugees streaming into France and badly needing the basic human rights of food, shelter and medical attention. 

As part of the LSE group she partnered with members of Amnesty International. Katie then detailed her experiences and observations in a series of four blogs aimed at breaking the barriers the refugees faced as well as destroying stereotyping. These Syrians had been portrayed as people who had nothing positive to contribute and would only be a drag on whichever country they ended up in. However, most were actually professionals (medical doctors, lawyer etc,) who would make significant contributions wherever they went. 

When Katie returned to Victoria she used this invaluable experience as a foundation for writing articles related to the plight of Syrian refugees. 

It was a well-researched heart-felt presentation to the club members and guests who fortunate enough to have attended the meeting.

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 1 November 2016 - Jean Dickson on creativity and innovation

Reporter: Mandy Pui

Meeting commenced at 12:10 pm at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre

Mistress of Ceremonies: Joan Firkins

Opened with the singing of “O Canada”

Guests:

Greet and Intro by: Anne Sims

Guests: Sean Donnelly, guest of Lorna Curtis. Kris Zmudzinski from Prince George Downtown Rotary.

Rotary Moment from Tom Croft on why he supports the Rotary Foundation. 

"That’s what Rotarians do". 

Tom's 3 reasons: 1) it is his charity of choice. 2) Charity Navigator gives Rotary a 4 star or 97.87 approval rating. 3) The funds support Rotary doing good in the world. 

More reasons: The Rotary Foundation makes a big impact in local communities and internationally, such as promoting peace and eradicating polio, thus having a lasting impact. 50% of donations go back to our district.

Announcements:

Lorna: as membership chair, it’s our duty to promote about Rotary. She share a testimonial from Jack Petrie which will be in the newspaper. Here’s a snippet: “I’ve been a Rotarian for over 10 years and happened into it through the invitation of a friend. I was curious. Was it secretive, religious, or uber-corporate? I soon discovered it was none of that. It’s just nice people having fun together while making a difference in the world.”

Celebrations Master: Jim Force

RYLA on Vancouver Island this past weekend. 2 girls from Grade 10 at Oak Bay High school attended. 

Video shown of celebrate what’s right in the world. Celebrating what’s right gives us energy to fix what’s wrong. Instead of thinking of what you are best at, think about what you may be best for.

Fines were levied on 5 people who were wallflowers; women who did not sit at the table of men; and people who did not know that purple pinkie is when people get the polio vaccine

Dr. Jim Force has a collection of little known facts about our members. Who did the following:

Left Taiwan after being accused of being a "spy": Jean Dickson

Was an A&W car hop but "not with rollerskates": Lorna Curtis

Was a smoke jumper who fought forest fires: Ron Cooley 

Guest Speaker:

Jean Dickson was our guest speaker, based on her experience being a vocational speaker

She talked about techniques for more creativity and innovation.  She said that it is often said that people in business are not seen as wise and creative at the same time. But this is no necessarily the case.

Tried and true solutions, she said, are actually tried and tired solutions.

Einstein and Da Vinci’s approach with needles in haystack. Most people stop at the first needle. They would look for other needles.

It’s easier to go with a crazy idea and pare it down, instead of going with a conservative idea and inject some life into it.

Don’t focus on the first question. Instead of focusing on how to make more money, focus on why you want to make more money  travel more -> why travel  meet more people. Then focus on how to meet more people.

We had a brainstorming exercise on ways to motivate people in the work place.

Perry thanked Jean.

The meeting closed at 1:30pm.

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting of 25 October, 2016 - Rob Janus from the Victoria Foundation

Reporter: Dr. Naida Hyde

M/C: President Lori McLeod

Greeter and Grace: Jean

Greeter and Introduce Visitors: Lynne Murray (for John J.)

Guests: Rob Janus

Andrea Hamilton

Helga Jacobson

Dan and Laura Malo

Rotary Moment: Tav MacPherson

We are a club with potential we haven’t realized yet. 

We aim to attract new members so we will have leaders for the future. 

Visioning a bigger, better, stronger Rotary club so we can do bigger and better things in the broader community.

Announcements:

• Bob Schelle is back home in Victoria. He will be back next week.
• Mary Canty hurt her leg quite badly. She is at home with help.
• International Students Breakfast: Thursday, Oct 27, 25-30 expected to attend.
• Pub in the Club: Thursday Oct. 27, 5 pm Penny Farthing
• Pancakes for Polio Fund: Joan Firkins conducted an on-the-spot fundraiser for polio, an auction and passing a receptacle for donations. Along with the Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s generous contribution, our 35 members + hotel raised $,463.00. This translates into 2438 children receiving polio vaccines and never having this crippling and stigmatizing illness. Hurray for us!

Celebrations Master: Pete Lawrie

Birthdays: Rod Sim October 29

Rotary Anniversaries: Corey 7 years; Janna 3 years

Review of Polio statistics: 7000 cases per week in1979

Less than one per week in 2016.

Happy Dollars:

Jim Force finished project report for East Timor. $48,000!

Naida Hyde: happy toonie for our club and Rotary Club of Sooke partnering to support Healthy Mothers Healthy Children Lesotho Piggery project which Tholoana Kamohelo is coordinating on the ground.

Joan won 50/50 draw.

Guest Speaker: Neil Rawnsley introduced the speaker.

Rob Janus, Director of Communications from the Victoria Foundation

Rob discussed the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs Report

Goal: to connect philanthropy to community needs and opportunities.

Catalyst for engagement.

$1,000,000 per month given out.

November 4 has been designated Random Acts of Kindness Day in Victoria.

Theme of this year: Belonging

What does it mean to belong?

Happiness index survey. Well being is a critical component to happiness. Both of these are linked to people functioning optimally.

70% of people in south Vancouver Island feel they belong.

Most important issues are: housing, cost of living, mental illness, and transport

Best of greater Victoria: Natural environment, climate, walkabiilty,

Highest grades: arts and culture and sports and recreation

Housing received lowest grade: C-

At risk species: 205 native plants and animals at risk

Annual alchohol consumption South Vancouver Island 10.7 litres per person

Rod Sim thanked Rob Janus with his usual wit and charm.

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 18 October 18, 2016 - Memory Chazeza on Malawi Girls' School

Reporter: Dr. Naida Hyde

Emcee: President Lori

Visiting Rotarians:

Dan Bennett   Langley Sunrise Club

David Stocks, PDG, West Shore Club

Guests:

Marin Nasturica  (Montreal) - Pablo

Chris McClarnon (Victoria) -  Pablo

Richard Waters - Pablo/ Lori McLeod

Dr. Helga Jacobson - Naida

Sean Donnelly                                

Memory Chazeza  (Speaker)

Rotary Moment:  Joan Firkins

Honoured Steve Sharlow with Plus 8 pin with 3 rubies, recognizing his significant financial contribution to Oak Bay Rotary and the Rotary Foundation.  

She spoke of the vital role of the Rotary Foundation and the importance of our supporting it with financial contributions.

World Polio Day is October 24. We need to redouble our efforts to wipe out the last remaining vestiges of this terrible disease. To date, this year, there are 26 cases in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. 

Our club meeting on October 25 is a pancake lunch fundraiser with the OBBH making a significant contribution from our usual $21 lunch. Thanks, Michelle!

Announcements: 

• Bob Schelle  is out of hospital, although still in Vancouver.
• Heather Aked:  The Merrython Fun Run is on December 4, at Henderson Recreation Centre. Ron Cooley will coordinate volunteers
• Pablo’s first Die Mahler concert of this season: Saturday October 22 at St. Mary's church on Elgin Street, Oak Bay. 
• Jim Force: Collecting nearly new books for Nearly New Sale on November 19. Bring contributions to club meetings or leave at his home.

Celebrations Master: Peter Lawrie

Fined himself for no name tag

Year of first Rotary Polio fundraiser?  1979

How many children paralysed with polio in 1979: 347,00 

2016 to date: 26 cases as of October 1 in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria.

Rotary Anniversaries: Michelle 3 years; Mary  15 years

Birthdays: Mary Canty

Heather’s mother’s birthday

Janna announced Fired Up’s 3^rd fundraiser Boob Print Night. Each woman participant is given a plate to imprint her own boob for a contribution.

Happy Dollars:

President Lori  $30. for her daughter’s 21^st birthday.

Joan Peggs:  Pies and Wine: dessert, wine  and coffee walking from one end of the Terrace to the other

Naida: Toonie for a splendid trip to Alert Bay, BC.

Jack Petrie won the 50/50.

Guest Speaker:

Jack Petrie introduced Memory Chazeza, guest speaker who updated us on the APU school, Girls on the Move, in Malawi.

She highlighted the value of the school in rural Malawi:

• 80% of people live in poverty in rural areas 
• A high level of illiteracy among women and girls makes life hard 
• Girls are left out of mainstream economic activity
• Families find it difficult to send girls to school, when families have a high number of children
• Household chores are the responsibility of girls 
• Child marriage results when children are orphaned, e. g. 4 year old girl was forced to marry. Early forced marriage results in too many children to take care of
• Girls in school interrupts the poverty cycle, and delays parenthood.
• In school,  girls re taught self-esteem and discipline.

Our Club’s and other financial assistance has resulted in 400 girls graduating to date, with 70 in university, with the help of scholarships.

ATsikanda Pa Ulendo means “Build a better World”

There are now classrooms and hostels, a cafeteria and kitchen at the school.

Lorna said the girl she supported is now going to university in the U.S.

Thirty students are on scholarship now. More sponsors are needed.

Two graduating students from the APU Malawi school came to Pearson College, graduating to go on to University of Oklahoma.

The government is not involved.

Melody stressed the need for more hostels for the girls.

Joan Peggs thanked our speaker.

The musicians closed our meeting with lively music!

Each musician was given a Rotary theme pin.