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.