Rotary Meeting June24th, 2014

Guests:         Bernie Hillier

        Past members Chris Vowell and Bahman paid us a visit to say hello. 

Welcome back to Dave Stone, nice to see him again back at the meetings. 

Announcements:     

New President (almost) Alan reported on the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation Dinner at which our Rotary club was recognized for our donations to the Foundation.  Over the past 15 years we have donated 159,000.00 and were honoured to receive a doctor’s coat – Dr. of Philanthropy in recognition of our support.  Alan proudly wore the coat, complete with stethoscope for the entire meeting. 

Trudy presented President Jon with a box of rememberances for his past year.   The box included, among other things, photographs and newspaper clippings detailing our achievements during Jon’s year. 

Julia reported back on a meeting held to try to determine which project should be chosen for our District Grant application.   Three options were presented, Mossom Creek Hatchery, Tri Cities Transition house for women and the Eagle Ridge Manor Garden project.   Trudy advised the Manor might not be ready to complete the garden project for this year so members voted on their preference for the remaining two choices.   Grant application should be submitted as soon as possible to it in to the District by the deadline.  Julia will advise next week which project received the green light. 

Gaeten gave some background on the Hatchery project and suggested if that is the chosen project it might be possible to name the crow’s nest in honour of the club.    A donation from the club would be matched by another donor. 

Ian McPhail gave us a really interesting and insightful presentation on the True North Mission Society who have been working with a Rotary club in Ecuador on a health mission to treat and correct Hip Dysplasia in the people in a particular area of Ecuador.  The problem is widespread in a country where 90% of the population have very poor healthcare.  Only 8% of government money funds healthcare and a high percentage of the population live in extreme poverty.  1 in 20 infants have some form of hip dysplasia which if not treated can result in severe disability into adulthood.   As in many third world countries disabled and disfigured people are hidden away and do not have normal lives.  By correcting the problems caused by hip dysplasia the people are given an opportunity to lead normal, healthy and productive lives.   

The ratio of girls to boys with this problem is 6 – 1.

If treated early a 65 – 80% chance of success is possible. 

Ian outlined the various treatment options available.  If you would like to learn more about this wonderful project visit info@truenorthmissionssociety.org .  As there is already a strong Rotary connection with the clubs in the Calgary area and Ecuador it is a very interesting and viable project.

Ian presented President Jon with a club banner from the local club in Ecuador. 

Steve and Dave shared some 50/50 tickets and one of those was drawn,   drew a card on their behalf but failed to pull the Ace of Spades, better luck next time. 

Meeting adjourned, another great and noisy meeting over for the week.