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Bulletin Editor
Keith Peers
Upcoming Meetings
Mar 19, 2020
We Fund Care
Mar 24, 2020
WR Connectors Program
Mar 26, 2020
The Film Industry in Cambridge
Apr 02, 2020
New Member "Who Am I" Talk
Apr 09, 2020
YWCA's Girls Program, Child Care Philosophy & Inclusion
Apr 16, 2020
Club Off-Site Meeting at the WRPS Safety Village
Apr 23, 2020
3 Club Meeting + Fun Run Presentation
Apr 30, 2020
Off-Site Visit
May 07, 2020
Cambridge Centre for the Arts
May 12, 2020
Malawi Water Project
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Tom Samolczyk - Bulletin Editor
Mar 19, 2020
 
veterans golf tournament meeting
Mar 19, 2020
 
Todd Lyons - Bulletin Editor
Mar 26, 2020
 
Matt Morris - Bulletin Editor
Apr 02, 2020
 
Keith Peers - Bulletin Editor
Apr 09, 2020
 
Tom Samolczyk - Bulletin Editor
Apr 16, 2020
 
Todd Lyons - Bulletin Editor
Apr 23, 2020
 
Matt Morris - Bulletin Editor
May 07, 2020
 
Support our local veterans charity golf tournament
May 11, 2020
 
View entire list
Stories
Opening and Sgt at Arms Report
President Chad chaired the meeting, which started with a slight "technical delay".  Jim M read the 4 way test, Matt M lead the invocation and Marcia R gave the Sargent-at-Arms Report.
 
Cudos to Chad for fighting through the noise of construction and keeping the meeting running smoothly.  That is difficult enough without the extra distractions!!
 
We had 7 guests, but I was so focused on getting their names that I forgot how many of us were in attendance....I have trouble multi-tasking.
 
Anna Sheppard - Toronto Sunrise
Mike Lawrie - District Governor Elect
Ron Denham - Speaker (more on him later)
Aldo Villanovich - District Director, International Service
Tom Fornier - Noah
Jay & John Vallis - Paul T
 
 
50-50 Draw
 
Johnny Smooth hid the Ace of Spades again and as a result, Paul T was the loser (twice, as he drew his own number) in the 50-50 draw
Good News
Lots of Good News this week, COVID-19 be damned
 
Keith (that's me) shared the good news that their curling team (Neil, Todd, Caitlin & Yours Truly) came in last place with a perfect record of 0-3.  We were also the only team that didn't cheat!
Jim M is going to Dubai with his son (COVID-19 be damned), even though the rest backed out
Todd echoed Keith's claim on the perfect record of their curling team...
Matt apologized (I am not quite sure how that fits into the good news section, but he donated 5 bucks, so who cares) for reporting that Randy C was on our losing team.  He wasn't!
Dean shared how the Italian Spirit is alive and well during the crisis with singing, dancing and drinking lots of wine on their balconies (COVID-19 be damned)
Bill Barlow presented some old letterhead and small banner to Prez. Chad, which was kinda cool.
Aldo Villanovich shared that his term as District Director of International Service is coming to an end and our own Roger M is taking over
 
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Jokester
No jokes at this week's meeting, although we still had lots of laughs
 
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Announcements and Upcoming Events
Chad announced that Rotary events are being cancelled for the remainder of the Rotary year
 
Tom provided a recap of the Curling Tournament.  He was kind enough to provide me with a copy so I didn't have to take notes...what a guy!
 
We had 48 curlers on 12 teams including Rotary teams from Kitchener-Conestogo, Guelph, London, Simcoe, and Grimsby.  The rest of the teams were made up of our members and members of the GCC.
 
The winners were from Kitchener-Conestogo.  Noah's team came a close second.  The "Good Sports" award for the last place team went to Neil Main's team
 
The approximate surplus will be $1,769, versus $1,200 last year.($569 increase for those that are arithmatically challenged) and exceeded the budgeted $500 surplus by $1,269!
 
Even though our participation was down this year by 4 teams, the 50/50 draw for cash and prizes exceeded last year's results (thanks Paul Mc.), as well as the new live auction raised an additional $725 that we did not generate last year (thanks John).  As a personal addition to this part, we should also thank Todd as I believe he bought half the 50/50 tickets!
 
Our curling members included, Chad, Kim, Randy, Paul T, Noah, Matt, Erica, Jim Mc, Murray (the ringer), Neil, Caitlin, Todd, Larissa (new curler), Keith (new curler) and Brian (new curler).
 
Thanks to our volunteers including, Kim C., Paul Mc., Sandra P., Brian W., John J., and Tom;s wife Cathy.  Again, as a personal addition, a huge shout out and thanks to Tom!!
 
The prizes were plentiful and donated by Jocelyn, Matt, George S., Shelagh W. (Tim Hortons), Randy, Todd, Erica, Murray, Paul T, Sandy, Noah and Tom's wife Cathy.  I think Cathy also tried to donate Tom??
 
Finally....GCC was a great venue. My (Tom's) feedback is that everyone had a good time, the food and beverage service was excellent and the curling was fun (...I dont think he asked Neil Main's team...).  So it met our goal for our club to havea day of great fellowship with surrounding Rotarians and friends of rotary.  And with a small surplus again this year, the one day event remains self -sufficient.  Sounds like a win-win situation.
 
Thanks for all of the club's support and mark your calendar for the 32nd bonspiel on Thursday March 4, 2021!
 
Whew
 
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New Member Induction
Prez. Chad led the induction of a new member.
 
Ivana Schibono was inducted as our newest member of the Rotary Club of Cambridge (Preston-Hespeler).
 
I believe, but didn't confirm, that she was nominated by Rena
 
WELCOME Ivana!
Program
We had a very moving speaker today, Ron Denham, Chair Emeritus, Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group
 
Introduced (and thanked) by Roger M., Ron gave a very moving presentation on the world's situation with clean water and sanitation, primarily in developing countries.
 
It is impossible to him justice in this bulletin, but here are the highlights:
 
Facts & Consequences
  • 660 + people lack clean water
  • 2.4 Billion people lack clean sanitation
  • 8,000 people die everyday due to water and sanitation issues
  • Billions of hours are lost due to sickness and disease
  • Women and children (primarily young girls) spend up to six hours a day hauling water
  • Young girls are missing school or dropping out
  • Women and girls are often subjected to violence
There were several more statistics, but i think we get the idea
 
How Does Rotary Help?
 
Rotarians are transforming the lives of people through our water and sanitation programs through out the world:
  • Digging wells
  • Bore holes (pumps)
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Household filters & purification (bio sand filters)
  • Solar water purification
  • Sand, earth & concrete dams
  • Pipeline & distribution systems
  • Toilet blocks
  • Latrines
 
Having water and sanitation needs met is not the end, its only the beginning.
 
Rotarians are lending money to local women (apparently lending money to men only increases alcohol sales) to start businesses.  They no longer have to haul water all day and have the time to learn new skills.  One example had a lady buying rabbits (Ron was tactful in describing what rabbits do well) and goats.  This same lady also created a cabbage patch.
 
So Rotarians are assisting in the significant transformations of people's lives:
  • People are creating economic value
  • Micro-banks to lend needed money are giving hope
  • Crops and livestock flourish
  • Food supply is assured and poverty reduced
  • Women & children are healthier
  • Youth, especially, girls are being educated
When asked by Ron, the lady in the example above told him her biggest life transformation was the ability of her daughter to go to school!  Wow! And we are worried about toilet paper?
 
However, Ron says we are "doing good, but could do so much more!"
 
This was an extremely powerful presentation and plea for each of us, and our club, to get involved and do more to help those less fortunate.
 
Thank you Ron and God Bless
 
 
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