May 19,2016
A great meeting today, so pay attention as there is a lot here to take in!
President Marieze introduced guests/near members Tracy and Elly, and speakers Ken Clarke and Tracy McFadden and Richard McGuire, following a riveting Oh Canada.
First of all, an update on our Fort McMurray donations. Last week Marieze passed a box around and the members present contributed $700 for the fire victims. Any additional donations this week will be added and the total will be matched by the club and forwarded to their Rotary District for distribution with matching grants. Well done!
Marieze also updated us on South Africa, both the project underway now and the visit by members next January. There are really good pictures on the Rotary Club of Franschhoek Valley Facebook. Check out the good progress on construction of the pre-school building (creche) on which we will be providing the toilet facilities. The first 3 toilets have been ordered and our club has sent the money.
In other undates, we are looking for host families for inbound YE student Carlo Geat - let Marieze or I know if you have interest or questions, and the VTT (Vocational Training Team) from Australia arrives next Friday for the weekend...there will be an opportunity for us to meet them at an informal social on the Saturday evening so mark your calendars and more information will follow.
Marieze also presented a Paul Harris pin and award to Bill Lawrence. This is his third! In his acceptance Bill confirmed that he and Lenore will be leaving Osoyoos soon to take up residence in Penticton to be closer to their 2 daughters and health resources. They both will be missed.
Harold then shared highlights of this past weekend at the Rotary District Conference in Yakima. He attended with Audrey and 500 other Rotarians to hear great motivational and humorous speakers, participate in fellowship events and watch a moving Youth Exchange presentation by all the inbounds, highlighted by a video presentation prepared by our own Camille. He also brought back a plaque and award given to one Rotarian in each club in District 5060....our humble and honoured recipient member was very appreciative!
An excellent speaker presentation followed. Tracy McFadden, Executive Director of the Desert Valley Hospice Society and Ken Clarke, President of the Board of Directors tag teamed an impressive and informative talk. Ken noted that the values of DVHS and Rotary have a good deal in common with health, activity and engagement being essential. DVHS provides hospice palliative or end-of-life care for those in need in Osoyoos and Oliver within Interior Health. Based in a supportive care centre in Osoyoos, the Society educates and trains some 35 volunteers in delivering care and programs to those on life ending journeys, their caregivers and the communities in which they live. They offer many programs such as advance care planning facilitation, bereavement and grief support.
Like most non profit groups, DVHS could use financial support from Rotary but Ken also suggested that there were other ways in which our 2 organizations could join to service the community...a worthy challenge to the club.
A good round of happy bucks and Elly won the 50/50, donating it to Fire victims.
For your calendar then:
May 27 Social for Ramiro's birthday
May 28 Social for the VTT
June 4 Cactus Jalopy Beer Garden
June 11 Rotary Golf Tournament
June 27 Club Installation of Executive
July 1 Canada Day Pancake Breakfast
Pres Marieze ended with the quote "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless" from Mother Teresa. Actually these were the close to the previous meeting but worth repeating!