Thursday, 2 February 2017

Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 13 December 2016 - Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Ron Weeks

Reporter: Joan Peggs
Photos: Joan Peggs

Past President Heathe Aked, covering for President Lori McLeod (basking in the warmth of Mexico) opened the meeting at 12:15pm.
She gave a short description of Christmas disease

O Canada was sung a capella

Tom Lidkea gave the blessing  - in Latin so it was understood by few

The many visiting Rotarians and guests followed by the 'rank and file; headed to the buffet table:
for a tasty coleslaw; excellent garlic bread; two varieties of pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese and Macaroni Broccolini with Shrimp); grated parmesan cheese to top them – both very tasty but for those of us at the end of the line there was little shrimp and no bolognese! Tomato and Feta Cheese Soup; delicious mouthful sized seasonal desserts. A good lunch was had by all!

Business section of the meeting began at 12:35 pm
Tav introduced the visitors
Visiting Rotarians:
Ann Moskow – Rotary Club of Victoria, Habourside
Kris Znudzinski – Rotary Club of Prince George Downtown (rumour has it that Kris will be joining our club)
Visitors:
Lauren Grimm, Mother of Ryan Gisler – Ryan's guest; Frank Helina, partner of Lauren – Ryan's guest; Barry Mutter – welcome back to Victoria, Barry – Sabrina's guest; Sean Donnelly – soon to no longer be a guest – Lynne's guest; Jason Ko – Ron's guest
Speaker
R2MS Ron Weeks and Mary Jane Tiller – guests of the club.

Announcements:
Mandy – Backpacks – remember to bring items next week
  • Joan P – thanked the members who delivered poinsettias (Tom and Tom, Peter and Mandy, Don, Jim and Gaille - Lorna's friend; Bob and Lorna; Brian - a special delivery; Janette and her son). Thanked the  members who purchased poinsettias and asked their office, friends and relatives to purchase poinsettias.
  • Joan F. made an announcement re the Christmas Party – Tuesday December 20th. Remember to wear your tacky outfit
  • Ann Moskow made an announcement re the Christmas cakes and Christmas truffles made by Harbourside. There are some for sale. Come to the car after the meeting
Celebrations Master Jack Petrie extracted money from our pockets/wallets. He had many Christmas themed sayings that no one was able to guess
Many happy $'s. Cannot remember any sad $'s
Peter had the winning ticket but drew a white marble. The pot grows larger

Joan Firkins, Past District Govenor  inducted  Sean Donnelly. into membership of the club:



"Sean, it is my pleasure, on behalf of President Lori and the Board, to formally welcome you to our club, not as a visitor but as a new member.
A little bit about Sean…………….
Sean grew up in Cork, Ireland. Attended an all-Irish speaking secondary boarding school before heading to the University of Limerick. He has a BA in Business, majoring in Economics and Finance.
Sean graduated in 2008 and began working in the telecommunications sector, starting with Door to Door before moving into Business sales.
He moved to Vancouver 2010 and worked with Rogers for 5.5 years before moving to Victoria this year to work for the TELUS Fibre Optic Team where he is the Senior Regional Marketing Manager.
His favorite job in his youth was driving big machinery. He is a farmer at heart and was raised on a Dairy, Beef and thoroughbred Horse Racing operation.
Sean loves sports of all kinds - Liverpool FC, NFL, horse racing, golf, outdoors, hiking, biking. Ran his first full marathon this year. He also loves water especially the ocean. He likes to socialize, travel, good food, red wine and mulled wine this time of year. Oh and he is a big fan of documentaries and good books.
 (A slight change to the formal induction – very pertinent and well said)
Sean,
There are many variations of induction ceremonies for a new Rotarian but I’m going to dispense with formality to some degree and just talk about things I believe you can do to enhance the value of your membership.
1. Being a Rotarian is not just showing up for lunch on Tuesdays – being a Rotarian is being engaged in the club, both in the community and globally, and cultivating friendships with your fellow members.
2. Sit at a different table each week and get to know the people in our club – believe me they’re not as scary as they look.
3. Learn more about Rotary – rotary.org is a great place to start. Ask questions of your fellow members. If there’s an area of Rotary you’re particularly interested in, find the person in our club who is also interested and can answer questions.
4. Don’t be afraid to express your opinion – we need new and fresh ideas to keep the club vibrant.
5. And lastly, expect a lot of the club leadership and hold them to the highest standards.
It goes without saying that the more you’re involved in the club the more you’ll feel a part of the club. Making Rotary a priority in your life is a good thing, especially in the sense of having a whole new family of friends.
There’s a lot to learn about Rotary – it’s not just another club; it’s a way of life and you’ve already shown us that you’ll fit nicely into our club. And don’t hesitate to introduce your girlfriend Natasha to the club also – we really are a big family!
Here’s your membership kit and I have 3 additional items for you – a copy of The Rotarian magazine which you will start receiving, a laminated card outlining the Object of Rotary, our ethical Four Way Test and the Rotarian Code of Conduct; plus we have a $10 bill for you representing your first contribution to the Rotary Foundation – and I’ll be happy to talk to you anytime about our Foundation.
Lynne – as Sean’s sponsor, can I ask you to pin him with his new Rotary pin?

Fellow Rotarians – would you all please come up and offer Sean the hand of Rotary fellowship and welcome him as our newest member!"
Guest Speaker: 
Perry had a very short introduction for the speaker
Regimental quartermaster sergeant Ron Weeks

Ron joined the military in 1970 as an infantryman. He ended his career in the service battalion (many tasks were required such  laundry service, food service, postal service to name a few) 
His family has a 7 generation history of military involvement
He made a brief mention of the Memory Project
 Few Canadians know the history of Canada or the history of the military.

Ron ended with three thoughts regarding the veteran:
  • consider the physical and mental injury of the veteran
  • recognise the fallen
  • what can you do to honour the veteran?
 Cory thanked Ron for the presentation. Ron was given the 'coveted' Rotary mug

The meeting  closed with seasonal music




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