Rotary Club of Sackville Bulletin August 6, 2015

 

Dianne in the chair welcomed visiting Rotarians Nancy and Paul Gilbert, George’s sister June, and Leslie Van Patter with her guest Mark Wilson.  Josh’s guest was his partner Christine Steeves.  Guests Sheila Parker and Ada Phinney were present to receive cheques.

 

Make-Ups:  Pam claimed a make-up for a meeting of Assistant Governors on Grand Manan (getting there involved a cruise). 

 

PinPal Stories:  Charlie and Sue P met up with the visiting Rotarians, Charlie at Le Chat Bleu and Sue at Cape Jourimain.

 

Birthday:  Sue P was serenaded in anticipation of her birthday next week.

50/50 Draw:  Nancy had the right number but drew the wrong card.  The pot now stands at $30.

 

Happy Dollars:  Wynn was happy to see the “blast from the past”; also his doubts about Josh’s judgment were now allayed by Josh’s choice of a Steeves.  Wayne was glad that within 72 hours their family wedding would be over and he would get his life back; he does approve of his new son-in-law who has been working hard at the house.  Sue P  announced another fund-raising breakfast at Cape Jourimain this Saturday 8 August 8 - 11 a.m. in aid of the lighthouse (a temporary permit has been secured to move it this summer); she also has discovered how much paint costs, though FRS has donated 10 gallons to help paint the lighthouse.  Sandy is looking forward to family members arriving for the wedding (sounds like there is going to be a full house).  Dianne leaves shortly for B.C. to see her grandson (and his parents).  Trish celebrated her birthday yesterday.  Gayle wondered if Rotarians could put together a flotilla of kayaks to view the wedding from the lake.  Paul explained that they came east for the wedding of youngest daughter Evelyn in Ottawa.  Nancy was glad to be back in Sackville, and Leslie was happy to be home.

 

Next Week:   Chair: Ove;   Introducer: Wynn;   Thanker: Frank;  Greeter: Ove; Speaker: Paula Sears on “Service Dog Training.”

 

Nancy Gilbert was invited to speak briefly on her work with WASRAG (Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group) in the Niger delta area of Nigeria. Currently she is Manager, Appropriate Technology Enabled Development Program at Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), and is also a Ph.D. candidate at Royal Roads University. This involves commuting to Nigeria on a regular basis (from Victoria B.C.!)  Conditions are dire in the Delta area - schools with no toilets, no running water.  With the help of Rotarians from the 100 clubs in District 9140 Nancy is focusing on helping 30 schools.  Proctor and Gamble are donating $360,000 to this project.

 

Committee Reports:  Wayne reported that Kevin and Vallie will assist with the stand at the Farmers’ Market.  Jamie gave reminders of the next Breakfast on 19 September, and the Dinner and Auction on 14 November, for which we need an auctioneer. 

 

Trish read a letter of thanks from Marilyn Lerch for our support of the printing of “Breaking The Word Barrier.”

 

President Dianne welcomed all members to the 2015-2016 Rotary year. 

 

In keeping with this year’s theme “Be a Gift to the World” everyone received the gift of a 2015-2016 Rotary pin neatly tied up in yellow paper and a blue ribbon with a card saying “Thanks for your gifts !”

 

 Thanks were expressed to outgoing club officers Wayne and Gayle. 

 

Incoming officers were recognized:  Josh (Youth), John (Past President), Darrell (Treasurer),  Marita (Secretary) and Mary  (Sergeant-at Arms).

 

Also Jamie (Fundraising), George (Membership), Edna (Youth Services), and Trish (Projects).

 

And Dave (RYE), Wynn (Compliance Officer), and Pam (District 7810 Assistant Governor).

 

And club members all of whom make their own contribution:  Charlie, Sue P, Joyce, Bill, Sandy and Dale.

 

Dianne outlined goals for the coming year including: recruiting 5 new members, donating $3,400 US to the Foundation, hosting one RYE student, two breakfasts and one major fund-raising event, and developing a strategic plan for the club.  The Gold Mine Draw will continue: it has already netted over $32,000.  Dianne called on all members to share their ideas, hopes and dreams, and work together to help make our club, our community, and our world a better place.

 

Two Gold Mine Draw cheques were presented :

 

Sheila Parker accepted a cheque for $400.50 on behalf of the Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation.

 

Ada Phinney accepted a cheque for $382 on behalf of Salem Elementary School.  She also thanked the club for all their support of the school - and for the invitation to be at the breakfast.

 

The meeting closed with the Four-Way Test.