Belize here we come 
 

 
 
 
We have a call for volunteers to help load the container for Belize sponsored by our club.  Date is April 13th at the Riverview Hospital site from 9-12. Contact Dan Gallant for details. hett@shaw.ca
We have 11 people going to Belize to help teach the educators how to use the RACHEL devices that will help them teach their students.  These 11 people that are going to Belize will be in Belize when the container is being loaded and that is why we need your help.  Please let Dan Gallant know that you will be there to help.
 
Meeting was called to order by Pres. Susan Bell, with Invocator  Peter Muir followed by breakfast

One of my favourite Invocations is:

 

Rotary District Assembly Sat April 6/24 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey.   Registration 8AM followed by Assembly 9AM promptly. The assembly is an excellent training  ground for all Rotarians - especially new Club Officers and Members and those Rotarians who want to learn and network. We will have a group gathering followed by seminars.  Lunch is provided and parking is free- do not pay for parking as you will not be reimbursed!each club is billed for 5 members to attend, and we have room for more- please tell President Susan you want to attend. 

Capstone Day, April 11/24.  Ingrid Gay for CLC12 Team, Heritage Woods Secondary

Invites us to hear Grade 12 students talk about their goals and aspirations.  

 

Inlet Spring Regatta, Sat April 20, - this is an annual dragon boat race event held each          April on Burrard Inlet in the City of Port Moody at Rocky Point Park. Go to                            “www.Inletspringregatta.com” for complete details. This is sponsored by the city and several companies, and is a very large event that Rotary has always supported.They always need volunteers and it is a wonderful day with ongoing updates via Facebook. You can join as a spare or volunteer, by contacting the organizers on the website.

 

May Day Parade and Party in the Square will be held May 11/24 Port Moody . The Rotary Club of Port Coquitlam Centennial has organized this for years and we try to help as much as possible. They need help with a person walking on the road beside the float and someone on the float- contact Gaye Simms for more information. It’s always a lot of fun, and thousands turn out.   

Rotary  Peace Fellowships- these are still open for names until May 15, please submit them to George Broderick. These offer individuals committed to peace and conflict resolution a chance to earn a 2 year Masters level degree in international studies, peace studies and conflict resolution at Rotary’s University Partners in USA, Japan, and other countries. 

George Broderick also discussed the RYLA ( age 18-30) Rotary Youth Leadership Award and YALE Your Adventures in Leadership ( age 14-18) programs this summer looking for applicants to obtain leadership training.  If you know of anyone in those age groups please let George know:   gdjbroderick@gmail.com

Rotary SHRED-A-THON- Saturday, June 1st, 2024- fliers have been distributed to City Hall and our Rotary members. As we get closer to the date, we will decide about jobs and help that is needed.  Thank you for those that have already signed up.  Please sign up today. 

 

RIBFEST July 19-21, 2024 - this is our largest fundraiser of the year and we need lots of help! Right now, we need ambassador greeters and counters for 3 hour shifts. Please contact Linda Balzer or any of the other members of the committee. A show of hands indicated many of us have already signed up to help. 

Book  Club Day has changed from Mondays to the Third Tuesday of each month, starting April 16 We had a most enjoyable evening at Monica’s this last Thursday.

One of our members , Yvonne, is looking to rent tables and chair.  If you know of a great place to do this, please let Yvonne know.

 

Steve Witiuk has organized a Birthday Party for his day's 100th Birthday.  Joe has come to our meetings at least once a year for many many years. He is an amazing man who has lots of good ideas of how to live a long and healthy life.  Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.

Happy Birthday Joe xoxox

 

Guest Speaker- Tyler Ashton, a 34 year old man with Ankylosing Spondylitis.AS is an autoimmune disease that causes the spinal bones( vertebrae) to fuse, creating a hunched posture. He has lost 175 lbs , exercises faithfully and has started a website to educate people about AS. He also is raising funds for AS by riding his bike across Canada and back.he has an extensive social media presence and you can support him by sending funds through Tic Toc, Facebook , YouTube Tube etc.

 

Guest  Speaker- Jatinder Bhatti- executive director of Transitions, a local facility to help women break the cycle of Domestic Violence. The non profit home services houses several women , seniors and currently 8 children affected by domestic abuse. Studies show that it takes a woman 6-8 tries to leave her abuser, so the staff have to support her through those trial separations before she can succeed. Transitions is going to apply for grants to help repair  the large old home that provides counseling,  and they are looking for local women willing to assist repairing the home and supporting the women and children. The location of the home has to be kept secret, however so husbands of the women cannot find it. Several women present thought they could help, however. 

 

Bill's own trash can give to him by President Elect Rick

A book of jokes for the Pun master Neil Nyberg given to him by President Elect Rick

Ian gave a golden Spike to guest speaker Tyler

Thank you to  Joan Schwanz for the notes and to Yvonne for the photos.