Minutes of September 8, 2014 Meeting

ANNOUNCEMENTS
David T read the Rotary Minute about learning -- with a tie-in to the next Rotary Leadership Program Level 1 scheduled for Sat Nov 15.  Cost will be covered by the Club for 9 people.  Please let David T know if interested.

David T thanked Rick Sulker and his POD for July/August and welcomed Arja and her POD for Sept/October.

David T reminded everyone of Sept 22 meeting with DG Brian Thompson.  This will be a spousal night so please advise David or Nash by Sept 15 if you will be bringing a guest.  In addition to the presentation by DG Brian, there will be an induction ceremony for our Satellite Club.  More details will be sent by email.  Board members are to assemble at 5:45 at the Sheraton prior to the regular meeting to meet DG Brian and discuss your upcoming plans.

David T also reminded everyone of the District Conference October 24-26.  This is going to be a great event at the Prince Hotel.  Conference cost is $299 for the weekend or there are al a carte options as well.  More details are on the Diistrict website and Les Shernofsky will be sending out an email.

World Polio day is Friday Oct 24 and our club will be distributing flyers at the RHill GO station.  Trains start at 6:15am.  If you can help, please let David T know (and he will buy you breakfast after!!).

Glen announced that they had good success with great Rotary representation at the recent election candidate meeting.  Glen organized, David hosted, Jason was a panellist and Bryon moderated.  Glen encourages all members to consider being on a panel - please let him know if you are interested.

Glen announced that this is the last call if anyone requires a tax receipt for International Night last year.  Please advise.

Glen circulated the sign up sheet for the Foundation Walk on September 21.  This year will be a historical walk of downtown Toronto with all kinds of fun and interesting events and activities planned.  Bring friends, family members and even dogs are allowed so please consider participating.  He will send out more info by email.

Emmanuel announced that this year there is a event planned for Remembrance Day. The AVA-LA Inc. (Alliance Veterans Alliance - Les Amis) "Friends of Veterans" will be having a concert on November 9  It promises to be a wonderful event and he hopes all will attend.  Proceeds will go 1/3 to the Legion, 1/3 to a vet rehab centre outside Canada, and a 1/3 to Polio Plus.

Graham was the Sargeant At Arms tonight -- thank you Graham!

SPEAKER - RICHARD MEWHINNEY, ONGUTOI MEDICATE CENTRE UPDATE

Glen welcomed the speaker for tonight, Richard MeWhinney of the Newmarket Club, who almost needs no introduction as he is an active Rotarian and has visited our club many times.   He will be going to Uganda for the 7th time to visit the Ongutoi Medical Centre which is a project Richard and his wife have been very committed to over the past number of years.  The purpose of the presentation tonight is to give club members a Global Grant Status Report on the project.

Richard opened by saying "If a project is just a project.. don't do it.  If a project is about the people.. embrace it!"  He explained that a project must be about others and the relationships beyond the build to make it worthwhile.

To recap:  The local village elders donated land for the proposed Ongutoi Medical Centre in Uganda.  This project was designed with sustainability in mind, to be built by Ugandans for Ugandans.  It was proposed to build a pediatric and maternity ward, 2 additional wards, an HIV treatment centre, 2 water collection roofs, a water cistern, a water filtering system, to hire a water technician, to install solar power for water pumps, lighting etc., and to educate the local people on water and sanitation.

They accomplished: The pediatric ward and maternity ward opened in 2010, 2 additional wards and an HIV treatment centre were opened, 3 water collection roofs were built, a bigger cistern was installed, a water filtering system was installed, a water technician was hired, solar power system was installed, a septic system, toilets, showers were installed, and radio programs in English and local languages on water and sanitation are regularly broadcast.

The Cost:
Local Rotary Myuenga ($100), RHill/Newmarket/Belleville/Scarborough Rotary Clubs ($16,100), District 7070 ($10,863), TRF ($18,963) = Total Rotary     $46,026 + Non-Rotary Partners ($63,974) =Total $110,000

Since 2007:
- 108,000 patients have been treated at no cost
- 800 live births (with only 1 death due to a pre-existing condition) and 90% of pregnant women see the nurse 4 times (vs pre-centre mortality rate of 10%)
- Ambulances have been donated
- Active health education is in place
- Scheduled surgeries taking place
- Water collection, filtration, sustainability systems are in place

Next Steps:

Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS (affecting 15-17% of population) through testing, education and treatment.  The budget would be about $75,000-$80,000 US.

Richard asked "Is it worth it?" - the answer, a resounding YES!

Richard presented Pres David T with a framed collage of pictures of the work around the project.  And David presented Richard with an award certificate on behalf of the club acknowledging his outstanding contributions to Rotary.

Thank you Richard for coming to update the club on the great work you, your team and Rotary is doing.

NEXT MEETING

September 15 regular time/place.  Jason will be talking about the TV Auction.  Please let David T or Nash know if you will not be attending or if you have invited a guest.