Minutes October 27, 2014

1.  World Polio Day was Oct 24: Thanks to Arja, Anders, Beppi, Cyril, Nash & Emmanuel who gave out flyers at the R'Hill GO Station.  And thanks to Gordon, Binni, Jason, Heather & Benjamin, and PDG Ted K who attended the End Polio Now flag raising event in Markham.  Special thanks to Peter who arranged for press coverage in The Liberal.

2. District Conference – joined by Ted & Paul V on Saturday. 3 major awards presented Saturday night: 1) Wilf Wilkinson Peace Award awarded to Bill Gates 2) Zone Alumni Service Humanity Award to Lars Hendrikson 3) Dr Bob Scott Award for contribution to War Child

3.  Our thoughts go to Bill Patchett, who is ill

4. TV Auction – get items in by this Friday

5. Thanks Peter for getting an ad in SNAP for Remembrance Day.

6. Nov 10th meeting will be a Fireside at London Pub. Topics – 1) nominations and elections of Club officers 2) agreement on the by-law changes

7. Hams will be sold again this year - $26 each. Pick up will be Monday Dec 8th at Rogers

Reminder of Christmas Party on Dec 15 at Oakview Terrace.  Tickets will be $30/member, $50/guest.  RSVP sheet was passed around and will be circulated at each meeting.

Passed around sign-up sheet for volunteering at the Auction.  Everyone who is not already committed to a task should indicate what shift/duty they will take.  Please indicate your preference.  Anyone not signed up may be "volunteered".  Susan will be away during the Auction -- anyone who can take over her Volunteer Coordinator position please contact Susan directly.

 

- Club tent was purchased with Club and RI logos.  This will be used at every event.

- In partnership with the Salvation Army, winter jackets will again be donated by the club to R'Hill needy schoolchildren.  60 last year, will be donating 96 this year.

- As in previous years, Club will again donate a Remembrance Wreath to the event honouring our vets

- We will again be walking in the Santa Claus Parade November 23.  Interactors and Satellite Club will be invited to join in.  

- In March or April, we will be participating in the Kids Against Hunger meal packaging event.  Goal is 10,000 meals.

- Spring will be Rotary Park Clean-Up again.  In partnership with the town.

- May will be tree planting

- May/June will be a recycling day so please start collecting all electronics/TVs (anything with a cord)

- June - planning a Kids Day at Rotary Park.  Will hold events, games, BBQ - details to come

 

This is a Richmond Hill-based charity run by Pam and her husband, Harry.  They have done remarkable work over the past 15 years in Guyana including building a burn unit, facilitating an education program for nurses in maternal health and child care, as well as running childrens programs.

 

The burn unit was opened in 2002 and since inception the mortality rate has decreased by 60%.  Quite impressive!  

 

Pam explained about the nurses program as well --  the nurses are trained to Canadian standards in partnership with Sunnybrook Hospital.  Furthermore, when Women's College closed down, some equipment from there was donated.  Pam and her husband were also responsible for arranging the donation from York Region of 2 ambulances.

 

They have developed various programs for children including a music program, getting 10 barrels of donated soccer uniforms and equipment from the R'Hill soccer club, a mentoring program and a co-op program.

 

They have been able to donate a handicapped-equipped bus to the Cheshire Home for their patients.  And their organization also helped re-build St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Guyana after a fire.

 

It's remarkable that all this work has been spearheaded by Pam and her husband, with no staff and through 2 yearly fundraisers.  They have a concert in August at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and a May brunch at the Thornhill Community Centre.  Everything else has been donated.  For more information please visit www.caribbeannorth.ca

 

 

November 3 at the Sheraton.  There will be a new member induction and the speaker will be the owner of the Thames Centre who will give us an update on "Noa".  It will be a spousal night so please RSVP to David Tate by Thursday Oct 30.