Rotary Bulletin - February 2, 2012

Posted by Karen Noiles 
on Feb 02, 2012
 
CHAIRPERSON

  • ImageO’Canada
  • Blessing
  • Breakfast

New member, Josh, took his first turn as Chairperson today and did a fine job.  He shared with us his favorite quote by non-other than Spiderman who says, “With great power comes great responsibility”, then followed by our Positive Thought from Shakespeare (who knows what that was, I was still contemplating the wisdom Spiderman).

VISITORS

None.

GUESTS

None.

MAKE-UPS

Paul Harris Committee met.  Names were already submitted to Barb J.

BIRTHDAYS

None.

ANNIVERSARIES

None.

PIN PAL

None.

50/50 DRAW

ImageA $10.00 pot went to Beth (drawn by Leslie) who split the pot with Felix.

HAPPY DOLLARS

Beth was happy to share the pot with Felix.

Felix was very happy because…Beth shared the pot…He had his first ‘snowday’…AND, he received a care package from Germany (home).

Charlie passed around two photos: one of Chester MacDonald and the other of Sackville Rotary in their Santa hats.

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Gayle was thrilled to have been able to volunteer at the Canadian Skating Nationals in Moncton where she supervised the practice rink.  She also sends regards from Bruno and Johanne with whom she and hubby visited.

Wynn was also very happy with a bit of jest towards newby chairperson Josh and the ‘legal technicalities’ he experienced (do not read aloud what’s in the brackets).  Wynn is also happy to see the snow (and see it leave too!) as he and Sharon head to Florida.

Ken got a chuckle out of seeing our Santa picture and thinking it was a group of women!

NEXT WEEK

  • Club Assembly
  • Ken - Chairperson
  • Robin  - Greeter

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • ImageFundraising – Gayle – Chili-Cook-Off reminder on Saturday from 2-5pm at the United Church.  Seven chilis have been committed.  Also, plans are underway for our Wine Tasting event.  Get ready!
 
 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

  • Club Admin tonight at 7pm at Wayne and Sandy’s;
  • RYE – Monday night at Dianne’s;
  • Executive – Monday – same time and place;
  • *All three meetings were postponed last week due to the snow storm.

PRESIDENT’S TIME

Paul Harris dinner is being finalized with a date set for February 23rd at St. Ann’s Church.  The cost will be $15.00 and can be paid prior to the event (preferable).  This will replace our weekly breakfast meeting.  New members will also be inducted that evening.

GUEST SPEAKER

ImageBeth introduced this morning’s guest speaker, Christine Peoples, who is part of Sustainable Options.  She has been in Sackville for the past six years and is originally from out West.  Christine is part of a committee who is exploring the “New Transportation System for Tantramar”.  This will include the entire Tantramar area and will be available to all citizens - another option from the one(s) you have now.

 

Tantramar 2040 identified key areas and found seven main concerns.  What, ultimately, would work best?  Ultimately the program would help to with social ends, lower pollution, and improve individual economy.  Options include:

Common:

  • Regularly scheduled bus and/or shuttle service;
  • Dial-a-ride service;

Car Sharing:

  • Currently operating in Halifax;
  • Gives you access to a car;
  • Buy-in program with members who pay an annual fee plus usage fees (hourly and kilometers);
  • Included in the program are all the maintenance, insurance, and gas fees;
  • Ex: Kootenay Carshare Cooperative in British Columbia;

Car Pooling:

  • The increased gas prices have encouraged this recently;
  • This type of program has been tried (without success) in Sackville/Mount Allison;
  • The problems seem to have been with the lack of coordination, no method of communication, and no regional attempt to expand;
  • Looking at carpool.ca to see if this initiative is viable to the Sackville area;

Maritime Ride Share also provides this service but with a difference in flexibility (more).  The company was established only in 2011 and is an online program.  If Sackville were to go with this sort of arrangement, a phone system would also be put into place.

The Committee has placed surveys in mailboxes and they are gathering information at the moment.  A model will be developed to fit the Tantramar area which will, hopefully, be published sometime in March 2012.

The group have formed a Transportation Committee and welcome any new volunteers.  There are 21 people on the committee at this time.  Most members are volunteers but there will be a couple of people employed.  They will have to established themselves as a non-profit organization as they will be able to tap-into funding.

President Ken often wondered if the school buses couldn’t be used while students were in school.  Christine stated that that initiative would be a long process having to do with logistics and security.  Another suggestion was to tender taxis.  Again, Christine stated that private companies are hard to work with because of funding support; although, discussions with all groups (transportation) will take place.  Josh mentioned that Amherst has a system in place.  Christine informed us that their committee has already been in touch with them.

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Pat thanked Christine for her presentation and explained our literacy initiative which Christine thought was a great idea!

President Ken adjourned with the stating of the 4-Way Test. 

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