Bulletin - September 8, 2011

 O'Canada Blessing Breakfast

CHAIRPERSON

Gayle chaired our meeting this morning.  She chose a quote by Michael Herr as our Positive Thought to start things off:

VISITORS

None.

GUESTS

None.

MAKE-UPS

Leslie attended Grand Manan's 7am Thursday morning meeting.  She had to take the ferry on Wednesday and spend the night in order to attend.  Talk about dedication!

Names of those who helped at the Corn Boil were sent to Barb J.

Projects Committee met - names should be e-mailed to Barb J.

BIRTHDAYS

None.

ANNIVERSARIES

None.

PIN PAL

None.

50/50 POT

Our guest speaker drew John's winning ticket.  Enjoy that $10.00, John!

HAPPY DOLLARS

John was happy to have won 50/50 and also happy to see Dianne's picture in the newspaper.

Wynn came across pictures of Sackville's Boy Scout Hut, remembering the great times as a Cub and a Boy Scout.  He also played in the Nova Scotia Mixed Golf Championship where he played with Dale's cousin Susan.

Dianne was happy that many of the students from Mount Allison, at Saturday's Corn Boil, recognized and knew about Rotary. She also met a former RYE student (pin pal?).  Today she is golfing and is leaving for Barcelona, Spain next week when she'll sail, by cruise boat, to France and Italy.  Awesome!!

Pat's family is in the process of getting her sister into the Open Sky Project home in Middle Sackville.  This will be the first time in 30 years that her sister has been home.

Ove had a great time at Saturday's Corn Boil!

Karen is happy that her son Denver didn't break any bones when he fell from his bicycle last night.  Lots of road rash.

Guest, Mike Walsh, shared with the club that ten years ago, during 9/11, he house three stranded passengers.  All three called him this week.

NEXT WEEK

Club Assembly (Greeter = Cathy)

Note Sept. 22:  Beth = Chairperson;   Ove = Introducer;   Sue P. = Thanker;   Charlie = Greeter

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sue P. informed us that the Bridge Walk would have to be postponed until September 25th.  After some discussion, it was decided that the Lobster Party would be postponed to the same day.  A reminder that the cost for supper is $25.00 each.  Please confirm attendance by next week.

Ove stated that the Food Cards would be arriving next Thursday.

Gayle has posters (compliments of Leslie's talents and generosity) for the upcoming Golf Ball Drop.  This event has been confirmed for Friday, September 16th @ 7pm.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

RYE Committee to meet on September 12th @ 5 pm at the Olive Branch.

PRESIDENT'S TIME

President Ken is still enjoying a well-deserved vacation.

GUEST SPEAKER

Louise introduced Mike Walsh, today's guest speaker.  Mike is very involved with Rotary, being a member of the West Riverview Club and former president.  He was Rotarian of the Year in 2010 for the District.  He is also the District Chair for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and New Generations.  Mike lives in Moncton with his wife, Francine.  He is a collector of art.  Today, Mike will be speaking to us about Shelter Box.

Mike commenced his presentation by stating that he has been an embassador for Shelter Box for two years and has gone around the province speaking about it.

Tom Henderson is the Founder and CEO of Shelter Box which started in 2000.  Since that time, over 100,000 Shelter Boxes have been delivered (46,000 in Haiti and 15,000 in Afghanistan). Henderson's goal to "bring hope and dignity in their greatest hour of need."

Mike receives daily summaries and briefings.  Currently, East Africa (Kenya) is in desperate need of 7,000 Shelter Boxes.  Three thousand of these have been assembled.  Ethiopia needs 1,500.  Lybia and North Korea are also in need as their governments do not look after the people.  Japan, a proud country, has asked for 1,800.  Again, Mike stressed the fact that the founder stressed DIGNITY.

Shelter boxes are delivered, accompanied by a Response Team.  These teams encounter very tough conditions.  Teams work with Save the Children, Unicef, and World Health.  Priorities are assessed and determined. 

Boxes can arrive in planes, trucks, boats...however they can get them to the locations they need to.

Response Teams are now in 16 different countries.  There is a need for people.  A one-month training session is given, which has been compared to boot camp.

The tents themselves keep improving and are now at the 'cadillac' stage, withstanding 160 degrees, 100 kms winds, and five inches of water.  The tents also consist of three rooms with an inner liner that acts as a type of air conditioning.  They are made to last for 2-3 years; however, many have been seen well over this period of time.  The green box in which they come can be seen being used as a type of make-shift carrier.  Shelter Boxes are deeded and gifted to the families.

A city sponsored camp was held in Moncton where 10 shelter boxes were set up.  Several youth groups were involved.  Each group was assigned a country and were required to set up their box and spend the weekend.  The event raised $20,000.

Groups such as United Nations, Red Cross, and other Rotary clubs make all this happen (along with the others mentioned before).    They have a distribution system with depots all over the world.  Virgin Airlines delivers for free!  They are in as soon as possible.  A Response Team is sent in first to evaluate.  They have to wait until the Emergency crews deal with the deaths and looting.

Any donation made to Shelter Box prior to September 16, 2011, will be matched by the government.

Dianne thanked Mike for his information presentation and informed him of the book that would be donated in his name, to a local library.

Our meeting was adjourned with the stating of the 4-Way Test.