Rotary Bulletin - January 19, 2012

CHAIRPERSON

O’Canada

Blessing

Breakfast

Chairperson Gayle shared today’s positive thought  ``Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.`` – Leo Buscaglia.

VISITORS

There were no visitors.

GUESTS

Elizabeth brought two guests from RBC – Kevin Garland and Richard someone (sorry).

MAKE-UPS

Paul Harrison Committee met on Monday.  Barb J has the names

BIRTHDAYS

Gayle celebrates tomorrow!  Enjoy!

ANNIVERSARIES

None.

PIN PAL

None.

50/50 DRAW

Guest Richard wins $12.00.  That’ll keep them coming back J!

HAPPY DOLLARS

Dianne was quick to inform Richard of Rotary rules when winning 50/50.  In went a dollar.

Wynn shared more of his grandchildren’s achievements in curling (grand-daughter) and track-and-field (grandson).

Dianne had a funny story of how her team wound up in the finals (curling) after loosing their first two games.  They got in with a by/bi/buy (??)…at any rate, they lost in the end.  THEN, killing Charlie’s spotlight, Dianne informed us of the upcoming Robbi Burns Night on Saturday at Live Bait (I believe).  Scotch-tasting at 6:45pm and supper at 8pm.  Cost is a donation.

Charlie, muttering something about Dianne stealing his thunder, mentioned the fact that REAL HAGGUS! would be served.

Cathy was proud to announce that her son has decided to finish his degree on a part-time basis and that she would soon be a grandmother!

Trish is happy that Bruce will be returning for a weekend visit from Newfoundland!

Marita is happy that daughter Kalika when skiing and snowboarding again!  A sport she loves.

Andy contributed a sad dollar at the passing of Robert Estabrooks who was a great friend.  Condolences, Andy.

Barb J is looking for a slotted box to store and display our name tags.

NEXT

John/Barb C/Darren/Pat

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Saturday Night Fundraiser – Leslie – will be held at the Dieppe Arts and Culture building at 6:30pm.  Tickets are $20 each and monies can be given to Leslie.  Bring more cash as there are other activities including a silent auction and a cash bar.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Projects Committee – Jan. 25^th – 5:30pm – 50 Landsdowne

PRESIDENT’S TIME

President Ken opened by welcoming our guests this morning.

“And may God bless Darren.”  A big Thank You goes out to Darren for having Rotary be able to meet here this morning after last night’s tragic foundry fire.  May there only be good things from here on out…

Paul Harris night is scheduled for February 23^rd.  An email will go out to all members with further details.

Ken elaborated a little more on Saturday’s Fun Night stating that funds raised will go to a Congo farming project which benefits mostly women and children.  Some proceeds will go towards future programs as well.

A reminder of the Chili-Cook-Off slated for Feb. 4^th from 2-5pm at the United Church.  A Rotoract organized project supported by Sackville Rotary and liaisons Gayle and Mary.  If you want to donate a chili (and enter the contest) please let one of these ladies know.

There is an inexpensive opportunity for promotion of our upcoming Wine Tasting.  President Ken should know more before our next meeting.

GUEST SPEAKER

It was with pleasure that Andy introduced Sackville Rotarian and today’s impromptu guest speaker, Pam Harrison.  Pam was asked to elaborate on hers and Leslie’s experience last year in Haiti on the Safe Water project.

Pam has been active in raising funds for this cause.  She has been doing presentations in schools, churches, and with other organizations.  She is also hoping for more matching grants.

Her goal was to purchase 50 systems at a cost of $150 each.  She managed to raise enough funds for 70 systems, enough to do two villages this year!  The names of the villages are Temptation and Whatever (too funny).

Pam is thrilled that her son, Kent, willing be going with her this year.  Altogether they are a group of 16-18 people, consisting most of Canadians.  She gave credit to Wendall Christoff, Lighthouse Salad Dressings, for his donation of $180,000.  Pam will be heading out on February 1^st from Moncton to the Dominican.

The systems themselves are about the size of a garbage can and consist of gravel, sand, and Javex.  They last about seven years.  They require no electricity or chemicals.

Women work very hard, laundry done in buckets, a brood of children…while the men harvest sugar cane.  “Bates” are homes in the community.  There are no toys but the children are kind and want to be educated.  Women can never move out of the life of poverty due to their lack of education so they want better for their children.  Pam shared a few experiences about their poverty which were heart-breaking.  This Rotary initiative will provide safe water and improve their daily lives.

Interpreters and technicians are also part of the crew.  Their week consists of four to five days of installing systems and two travel days.  Then she will attend a job fair where each Rotary club has a booth showing their projects and needs.  It’s an opportunity to help.

About 15 systems can be installed each day.  They also need to train the families on how to use the system.  It takes about an hour per family/system.  More teams are definitely needed.  Each village has access to one tap, normally.

The owners of these communities are also the plantation owners.  If a woman’s husband is not cutting cane, the woman and her children can no longer stay.

Pam ended her presentation by urging people to consider helping out.  The trip, in total, cost about $2,500.  It’s a wonderful experience and makes one feel good to provide something we all take for granted.  Bringing these water filtration systems into their homes will provide a 40% improvement to ththeir communities.

Dale thanked Pam for her moving presentation.