Minutes of Luncheon Meeting July 10, 2019
President Laura Power announced that the Administration Committee has brought forward a recommendation to move our weekly meeting venue from the Crowne Plaza to the Concordia Club. This is due to the increase in costs of the lunch to members of $29 weekly. The cost of the lunch at the Concordia Club is $19.00 weekly. The Board of Directors has approved of the recommendation.
MOVED BY JUDY NAIRN, SECONDED BY SIMON ADLER AND JAIRUS MAUS THAT WE RELOCATE OUR WEEKLY MEETINGS TO THE CONCORDIA CLUB EFFECTIVE JULY 17, 2019. CARRIED
President Laura Power announced that the Administration Committee has brought forward a recommendation to increase the cost of our weekly luncheon from $18.00 to $20.00. The Board of Directors has approved of this recommendation.
MOVED BY EVERTON WILMOT, SECONDED BY TIM BRADICH THAT THE COST OF OUR WEEKLY LUNCHEON BE RAISED TO $20 EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2019. CARRIED.
President Laura announced a new fun-intended program to be held at our weekly meetings. This will be called, "Who am I - Guess the Rotarian". Each member is asked to submit three pieces of information about themselves that others may not know. Each week, a mystery member will be announced by these three items, and the member who guesses who it is will be awarded a prize. Please send your three interesting/informative/funny items to laura.power@scotiawealth.com
Everton Wilmot explained that for the time being, our items required on a regular basis (name badges, Sergeant at Arms materials, marbles, gavel, bell, projector, etc.) will be moved and stored at the Concordia Club. The podium and Flag board which will be dismantled will be stored at Brad Swanson's Home Hardware until we are settled in a permanent location.
50/50 - Judy Nairn, John Rose and Paul Puopolo could not find the black marble - the pot grows!
Guest Speaker - Eliza Leitch, Program Analyst, Region of Waterloo Community Services
- Eliza gave a spirited and informative overview of the services for homeless citizens in our community.
- There are seven shelters with a total of 245 beds in the Region of Waterloo serving, women, men and families. There are eleven service providers that support the shelter programs. While the shelters are meant to be a temporary solution while people transition to permanent housing she described "chronic homelessness" as someone being without a permanent home for 6 months or more.
- The Region's goal is to divert people from shelters into permanent housing through a new strategy called, "Housing First". This initiative seeks to address the housing issue first and then to work on other factors of need, such as employment, medical, etc. This plan has an "ABC" approach - A - avoid shelter stays where possible; B - bring together quality shelter services; and C - community works together to resolve complex housing issues including having affordable housing.
- There is a fully coordinated triage program in place, called "PATH" which implements one wait list and is based on the Emergency Department model where the most critical cases are assisted first.
- Eliza stated that there are less than 300 chronic homeless here in Waterloo Region, and believes that through the concerted efforts of the Region, the shelter and support services and the community at large, it is possible to make homelessness a "brief and rare occurrence".
- More information can be found at www.hhug.ca - "All in 2020"
Thank you from Jerome and Karen Freiburger
"Dear Fellow Rotarians
As my year has drawn to a close as President, I reflect on the privilege this past year has meant to Karen and myself representing Rotary as our way of giving back and being so very thankful for the gifts God as bestowed upon us. The fellowship of Rotarians has blessed us with great friendships and love for the human spirit of mankind. Truly and honour for both of us.
We'd like to take a moment to thank you also for the Rotarian President's plaque, Double sapphire Paul Harris and lovely Clay and Glass platter. No words can explain how humbled we are to accept such meaningful gifts. They truly will be treasured forever.
Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Yours sincerely,
Jerome and Karen"
