Rotary Bulletin - April 5, 2012

CHAIRPERSON

• O’Canada
  
• Blessing
  
• Breakfast
  

Rotarian Mary lead our meeting this morning, opening with “I have never been a millionaire, but I have enjoyed a crackling fire, a glorious sunset, a walk with a friend and a hug from a child. There are plenty of life's tiny delights for all of us.” ~ Jack Anthony

VISITORS
None

GUESTS
None

MAKE-UPS

Wynn shared three more make-ups from his stay in Florida: One at a new club where he sat beside an angel (Angel was his name).  Their guest speaker was Judge Heather O’Brien; Wynn’s second make-up was at St. Cloud’s Women’s Rotary Club where Wynn expected to see a room full of women…there were only five amongst a crowd of men.  The club is named after the facility where they meet.  Their guest speaker talked about an upcoming Sand Painting festival.  His third make-up was held at the Kissimi West club.

BIRTHDAYS

Just for a little punishment…We wished Wayne a happy birthday from last week and made him wear ‘the hat’!

ANNIVERSARIES

None.

PIN PAL

None.

$$$ 50/50 $$$

Wayne draws Patricia’s number for a win of $8.00!!

HAPPY DOLLARS

Patricia is a happy public servant with an upcoming 4-day vacay!

Wynn was happy to be inducted into the Sackville Sports Wall of Fame for both Golf (1978) and Precision Skating (1979).  Congrats, Wynn!  Gayle wanted to mention that the award in which Wynn won for Precision Skating is much sought-after.  Very complicated and is a high honour!

Ken is happy to NOT be a civil servant with a 4-day weekend…and a better pension!  Touché!

Wynn, not being a public servant either, decided to give himself 4 days off too!

Trish is also happy...she thinks she will be keeping her job.  (Fingers crossed!)

Sue P will be going to see her father on the long-weekend. 

Marita is just happy.  She does have a reason though as she is heading to Louisianna for a wedding where she’ll visit her brother, do some cat fishing, and participate in some swamp tours.

Pam H shared that Canada Post would be honouring the memory of 100 years since the demise of the Titanic by providing a commemorative stamp.  Pam went on to tell the story how Joggins actually received the stress call from the ship.  She asked that we stay after for a group picture which she will be sending to Rotary clubs in Bellefast (where the ship was built); Liverpool (where she sailed from); and Halifax (where she sunk enroute).  Patricia passed around the promotional stamp for Rotarians to see.

NEXT WEEK

Club Assembly – President Ken will chair while Barb C is scheduled to be our greeter.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Wine Tasting – John

• Tickets were given to members to sell (10 each);
• Gayle and Mary will be at the Farmer’s Market for the next three Saturdays selling tickets;
• John ended with an inspirational speech (including some naked stories!);

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• Membership to meet;
• Projects to meet;
• Fundraising meets every Wednesday at 12:15 @ Bistro 96;
• RYE will meet next Thursday at 7pm @ Patricia’s house;

PRESIDENT’S TIME

• Ken reiterated John’s sentiments with regards to selling tickets for our upcoming Wine Tasting event, “We need a few more ticket sales.”
• RILA will be held in Miramichi this year.  Is anyone interested in attending?
• RLI will be held on April 14^th for anyone wanted to know more about Rotary.  There are three levels with a fourth for instructors (or just further enhancement).  Dale and Sue P will both be attending.

GUEST SPEAKER

Wayne introduced today’s guest speaker, Andy Marr.  Andy was a student at Mount Allison during 1986 where he met his wife.  He commenced work in the corporate world but has since gone independent.  Andy is the Chairperson of the Sackville Memorial Hospital Fundation.

Our Hospital.  Our Health Care.  

Andy opened by asking Rotarians why we are here?  The breakfast?  The camaraderie?  A great way to start the day?  Happened to be up at 6am?  “Probably” Andy stated, “you believe in what Rotary stands for.”  The same reason the hospital foundation does what they do.  “We believe in our community and to be actively involved.”  He went on to say that services that stay current, stay here.

The Foundation’s mission is: …to raise funds and administer its resources to preserve, maintain and enhance the quality of health care in the Tantramar region.

Last year was a momentous change for the committee with the loss of their chairman (and our Rotarian) Bill Swift.  Andy felt he became chairman before he was actually ready; although Bill had many things already in place such as a “branding” procedure.

This is fresh, current, noticeable, and involved.  It will be used for their letterhead, newsletter, website and all correspondence.  The website can be accessed at www.smhf.ca where one can post stories and donate online.

A few facts…

• There are 21 beds in the Sackville Hospital which serve 600 patients per year.
• 40,000 visits to outpatients;
• 15,000 visits to ER;
• 9,300 x-rays are taken with 3,200 cardiologies (this department was given new equipment after the Foundation raised $200,000 to purchase a digital machine (wireless).  The company from whom they purchased this equipment threw-in $80,000 in extras.  It is the first in Canada and is a very quick, very clear, and very efficient process;
• Several other services are also provided such as speech therapy and addictions counseling, etc;
• It employs 105 health care professionals and 10 physicians with visiting specialists;
• There are also 800 (basic) surgeries performed in-house (Moncton houses 9 surgical theatres while Sackville has two.  This actually frees-up Moncton in order to perform more complicated procedures.  It also keeps our hospital active and current);
• The facility supports in-house residents and serves the surrounding areas of Memramcook, Cumberland County, PEI, Port Elgin, and Dorchester.

Andy shared some of the great work that has been done through the committee since 1999 and thanked Sackville Rotary for their past contributions.  Their new campaign is entitled The More We See the More We Can Help. 

One of the committee’s goals for this year is the purchase of a portable ultrasound unit.  This device is great for non-invasive exploration.  The doctors are very excited and two have already been trained.  This unit will be used on a daily basis and is a necessity for all ages.  A couple of other items the committee wishes to purchase is a new tub (including lifts) and two more beds which will complete the replacement of all beds ($5,000 each).  It should be noted that Moncton purchased their first ultrasound unit.  It is used so much that they want to purchase another.

Their monetary goal for 2012 is $100,000.  Mayor Pat Estabrooks is chairperson for the campaign which has already brought in $49,000.  Sackville doctors have contributed 12% for the equipment as they believe that it is an essential tool for the ER and provides treatment in a timely manner.

Andy continued to say that the committee would like to partner with Sackville Rotary during this year’s campaign and help support “one of the best hospitals around.”  Andy ended by thanking Rotarians for their time and the opportunity to speak this morning.