Rotary Club of Sackville Bulletin September 3, 2015

 

President Dianne welcomed guests DG Wayne Wornes and wife Sylvie, former member Patricia Belliveau, and former member and GSE team member Becky Stewart with tiny twins Violet and Henry. 

 

Dianne’s 3-minute bio covered her birth in Miramichi (formerly Chatham - on the right side of the river) and her career as a pre-school teacher known by all as “Miss Dianne”.  She came to Sackville in 1979, married Frank (22nd anniversary on 2 October), and has three step-daughters and one grandson.

 

Gold Mine Presentations:  

Brian Neilson was on hand to accept a cheque for $392.50 on behalf of the Tantramar Family Resource Centre, with George doing the honours.

 

Marshview Middle School Principal Ruth Donald received a cheque for $398 on behalf of the School from President Dianne and DG Wayne.

 

Birthday:  Charlie, the senior member of the club was suitably serenaded.

 

Pin Pal Stories:  Charlie, with Frank accompanied Pam last Thursday to a Paul Harris Fellowship event for UNICEF worker Melissa Corkum who is on the front line of the fight against polio in Nigeria (Nigeria and indeed the whole of Africa are currently polio-free !).  The event was held at the family home near Oxford, Nova Scotia so that Melissa’s 98 year old grandmother could be present.  Dianne at a Royal Oaks golf tournament met Rotarians too numerous to mention.  Wynn met George at the Debert golf club.

 

While Charlie told his pinpal story Patricia looked after one of the guests.

 

50/50 Draw:  George’s number was drawn but not the right card; the pot is now $47.

 

Happy Dollars:  George was glad he at least won $5.   Wynn’s granddaughter Karlee  entering Grade 12 has 3 offers from universities for track, soccer and curling scholarships respectively; a “blatant ad” for his forthcoming auction (see web site) cost him $5.   Guylaine is celebrating a 10th wedding anniversary.   Sue F is glad incoming RYE student Louis Alsteens arrived safely (presently with host family at cottage); also the Rotaract members are enthusiastic about another Chili event.   Becky contributed a generous $20 - she is happy to be here with the twins.  Trish set the record straight: she was the one who neglected to put in the winning Gold Mine toonie.   Patricia while happy to be at Rotary was unhappy about being “released” from Canada Post.

 

Next week:  10 September, club A.G.M. with Dianne in the chair and Susan F doing the greeting.

 

President’s Time:  Dianne read a letter from Gayle thanking the club for the card we sent; she has received the all-clear on the surgery she had earlier this summer.  Thank-you cards have been received from almost all the charities who have received donations from the Gold Mine Draw including recently Community Forests International, Open Sky and the Memorial Hospital Foundation.

A letter has been received from the Rotary Club of Port Hardy, B.C. with news and pictures; they would love to hear from us.  Check their web site.

 

Corn Boil:  Don’t forget !  Friday 7 p.m. at Civic Centre - corn husking; Saturday 10 a.m. at bandstand - help with setup; 11:30 a.m. start serving.  While there pick up a Bacon-on-a-Bun from Wayne.

 

Lobster Party:  Next Thursday 10 September 6 p.m. at Louise’s: directions on how to get there will be emailed to all.  Pay now, eat later.

 

Projects Committee:  Trish invited everyone to attend the next meeting on Monday 14 September 6 p.m. (after toonie count) at Mary’s, pizza and pop provided - discussion of next year’s Gold Mine recipients.

 

Next Breakfast is 19 September at the Legion.  A task list is about to be circulated.

 

Inhouse Auction is scheduled for 1 October with proceeds going to Polio Plus.  The services of a renowned auctioneer have been secured.  Watch for further announcements.

 

Guest Speaker: DG Wayne Wornes was introduced by Pam and began by playing a short video of R.I. President “Ravi” Ravindran introducing this year’s Rotary theme at the International Assembly at San Diego.  Rotarians are called not only to give generously but also themselves to “Be a gift to the world.”

Ravi is an amazing man: try Googling his bio on the RI web site.  The news on the polio front is encouraging with 2018 as a possible target date for the elimination of polio.  Wayne talked up the forthcoming District Conference in Moncton (11-13 September) and thanked the Sackville club for being responsible for the House of Friendship.  District 7810 faces some unique challenges: it is one of the largest districts geographically and one of the smallest in terms of membership.  However, there are prospects of two new clubs for the District.  The RYE program also faces challenges; Wayne suggested doing more to promote short term exchanges in the hope that in the long run this would encourage full-length ones.

 

Pam thanked Wayne and presented him with a framed photo of the AGs meeting on Grand Manan in August 2015.

The meeting closed with the Four-Way Test.

 

Pam reported selling $1,550 worth of shopping cards this morning. “Using shopping cards may result in close to $75.00 for our club funds and all you do is include Rotary while you are feeding your family.”