Guest: Edmond Lantier, Hull Rotary Club
- We began the meeting with a short presentation by our guest, Edmond Lantier. He circulated invitations to a commemorative event celebrating the 100th year of the Rotary Foundation. The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club in Hull. The proceeds from the event will go to a pediatric clinic for underprivileged children in Hull and to the Rotary Foundation. The event will be held at the Embassy of France on Sussex Drive from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 11. Wine, champagne and cocktails will be served. The cost is $60 per person. Unfortunately, the deadline for registration and payment was April 11, the day of our meeting.
- Terry informed us that we will be selling daffodils for the Canadian Cancer Society on Saturday, April 22 at the Loblaws store at 100 McArthur Ave. (corner of Vanier Parkway). If you have not signed up to volunteer and are able to do so, please let Terry know.
- Derek and Stu are continuing to read with elementary school children at Cambridge School. Derek recently read with a child from Syria who could not speak a word of English. Stu is working with a child who is desperate to learn how to read. They go to the school once a week, on Mondays.
- The Board meeting was held on Monday, April 10, 2017. Li reported on the key points which were covered at the Board Meeting. She explained that as a result of last year’s rummage sale, the club has money in reserve. It was agreed at the Board meeting that, in the upcoming year, we will again allocate $4,000 to the Community Service Committee; $2,000 to the International Service Committee and $2,000 to the Vocational Committee.
- The Board also discussed fundraising. We have decided to go ahead with sale of the Father’s Day Gift Packs which James put together. The packages are very attractive. We will sell them for $30 each and the Club will earn $10 on each one sold.
- - The Golf Tournament will be on. We are going to use next week’s meeting to have an in-depth discussion with Terry about the planning for the Tournament. In particular, we need to discuss whether we can take some of the burden of the planning off of Terry’s shoulders.
- -Li mentioned that the Rummage sale last September raised a total of about $28,000 for the Church, Causeway and our Club. We are considering whether we should hold another sale. LA has kindly offered to look into this.
- The club will also continue with the sale of the cash calendars.
- The Board members also discussed the Masters Golf Raffle. The Kanata Sunrise Club is keen to take over the raffle. Given the size of their club, they should be able to raise more money which will benefit all of Rotary. Our club’s charitable status has been suspended due to late filing. Chris has put a great deal of work into organizing past raffles and would like to have a break. Therefore, the Board decided that we will hand the raffle to the Kanata Sunrise Club for one year only, on the understanding that it will be returned to our club.
- As regards community service, the board decided to apply for a District Simplified Grant for next year for funds to replace the stove at St Mary Home. We want to continue gaining experience in applying for grants and creating a good track record. Anabelle has offered to prepare the application for the grant.
- St Mary’s Home also needs a new washing machine and dryer (which they need right away) and we will see if could fund this.
- Also, we are ready to send a cheque for $2,250 to Project Chance Africa for payment of food (oatmeal and milk powder) for elementary school children in Nairobi, Kenya. $750 of this amount will be covered by a District Simplified Grant.
- On the subject of club membership, the Board decided that we should invite Tim Desjardins to join our club. He already feels like a member since we know him well from working together on the rummage sale. Stu will extend the invitation to Tim.
- -The Board members also discussed our decision to hold meetings on a bi-weekly basis during the winter months since many of our members are out of the country in the winter. The idea of bi-weekly meetings is generally liked except we have a concern that when combined with cancellations due to bad weather and other reasons, the breaks between meetings becomes too long. Therefore, we decided that we should try to have two meetings a month, even if there are cancellations
- Mike proposed that our club should fund a Shelter Box which costs about $1,500. Before we take a decision on this, Mike will prepare a Treasurer’s Report, for the next Board meeting.
